{"id":11382,"date":"2021-11-08T11:32:55","date_gmt":"2021-11-08T17:32:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/?page_id=11382"},"modified":"2024-08-26T16:12:01","modified_gmt":"2024-08-26T21:12:01","slug":"jesus","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus","title":{"rendered":"Jesus"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 70px;\">STUDY TIPS: Before reading this series of pages, it will be instructive to read the following links about Jesus:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/12\">Jesus&#8217; personal qualities and ministry functions (page 12).<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenants-part-2\/7#godspeaksfromcloud\">Jesus coming in clouds<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenants-part-2\">Jesus and the law<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\/belief-and-trust\">Belief, Trust and Faith<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;\" border=\"1\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 100%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/#who\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">List of Pages About Jesus<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\">\r\n<ol>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/#who\"><strong>WHO WAS\/IS JESUS?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/2#guidelines\">GUIDLINES FOR STUDY<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/3#son\">SON OF MAN, SON OF GOD AND PROPHET<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/4#preached\"><strong>JESUS PREACHED THE KINGDOM OF GOD &#8212; NOT HIS OWN KINGDOM<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/5#spoke\"><strong>JESUS SPOKE THE WORD OF GOD &#8212; NOT HIS OWN WORDS<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/6#imagine\"><strong>JESUS DID NOT IMAGINE HIMSELF TO BE EQUAL TO GOD<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/7#mediator\"><strong>HE WAS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/8\/#servant\"><strong>HE WAS A SERVANT OF GOD<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/9\/#peace\"><strong>HE DID NOT COME TO BRING PEACE AMONG MEN\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/10#glory\"><strong>JESUS DID NOT SEEK HIS OWN GLORY OR KINGDOM<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/11#priest\"><strong>HE WAS A HIGH PRIEST<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/12#character\"><strong>JESUS&#8217; CHARACTER AND MINISTRY FUNCTIONS<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/13#summary\"><strong>SUMMARY OF THINGS JESUS SAID AND DID<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/14#block\"><strong>JESUS IS A STUMBLING BLOCK\/STONE<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/15#obedience\"><strong>JESUS PREACHED OBEDIENCE TO GOD&#8217;S COMMANDMENTS<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/16\/#told\"><strong>JESUS TOLD PEOPLE THAT THEY SHOULD NOT TELL OTHERS WHAT HE DID FOR THEM<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/17#understanding\"><strong>UNDERSTANDING JESUS&#8217; NAME\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/18#christ\"><strong>&#8220;CHRIST&#8221; IS A TITLE &#8212; NOT A PROPER NAME<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/19#genealogy\"><strong>JESUS&#8217; GENEALOGY, HUMANITY AND RELIGIOUS HISTORY<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/20#rebuked\"><strong>JESUS REBUKED RELIGIOUS PEOPLE HARSHLY WITH WARNINGS OF WOES TO COME<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/21#quoted\"><strong>JESUS QUOTED THE OLD TESTAMENT<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/22#forgiveness\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><strong>JESUS PRACTICED FORGIVENESS BY NOT GETTING INVOLVED WITH POLITICS OR RESISTING HIS ABUSERS<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><strong><a id=\"who\"><\/a>1. WHO WAS\/IS JESUS?<\/strong><br \/>Solving the question of Jesus&#8217; identity is a question that has long plagued Christians. An i<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=who+was+jesus+christ&amp;oq=who+was+jes&amp;aqs=chrome.2.0j69i57j0l4.6642j0j7&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8\">nternet search will yield thousands of articles, books, sermons, and internet sources<\/a> that claim to answer the question. In their own way, committees, pastors, theologians and authors use reason, scripture, history, artifacts, doctrine and experience to prove what they believe. And still there is no agreement.<\/p>\r\n<p>A rational person would think that, if the Bible has all the answers, and if Jesus was the important character that Christians believe him to be, wise, knowledgeable men would be able to prove the truth from scripture and agree on that truth. But they cannot prove the truth to the satisfaction of everyone. The problem is, of course, that the Bible does not contain all the answers. The book of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=hebrews+10:1;hebrews+7:18-19;galatians+3:21\">the law (i.e. Bible) is only a shadow of things to come<\/a>. The full truth comes by hearing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/james\/passage\/?q=james+1:17-18\">God&#8217;s voice in which there is no shadow or variation.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>Because those wise and knowledgeable men have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=hebrews+3:7-19;+hebrews+4:1-7;+john+12:36-40;+isaiah+6:9-10;+jeremiah+5:21;+jeremiah+6:10;+jeremiah+25:4;+isaiah+42:20;+isaiah+48:8;+romans+11:8;+acts+28:27;+ezekiel+12:2;+psalm+115:6;+psalm+135:17;+matthew+13:10-15;+deuteronomy+29:4;+acts+19:9;+2-chronicles+30:8;+nehemiah+9:25-26;+ezekiel+2:1-6;+mark+6:45-52;+job+22:22;+deuteronomy+6:6;+deuteronomy+11:18;+psalm+37:31;+deuteronomy+32:46;+ezekiel+3:1-10\">hard hearts and can&#8217;t hear God&#8217;s voice,<\/a> they apply their best <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-1\/5\">human knowledge<\/a> to divine who Jesus was\/is. The result is disagreement, confusion and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?ei=jgNvW6yjNsa2sAXnmqow&amp;q=debate+jesus+who+&amp;oq=debate+jesus+who+&amp;gs_l=psy-ab.3...683971.698086.0.699418.20.20.0.0.0.0.187.1217.0j10.10.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..10.8.1002.0..0j0i3k1j0i20i263k1j0i22i30k1j33i160k1j33i21k1.0.F5y0Z4wEnJs\">debate about Jesus<\/a> as <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_Christian_denominations_by_number_of_members\">multitudes of Christian denominations and movements<\/a> continue to advance their theories about Jesus and compete with one another for believers who will join and support their religion based on those theories. This scenario hardly satisfies God&#8217;s desire that his people would live in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+17:11;+john+17:22;+ephesians+4:11-13;+ephesians+4:3;+ephesians+4:5\">unity and oneness<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Religious people who are willing to break out of their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-a-stronghold-of-wrong-thinking\">strongholds of wrong thinking<\/a> about Jesus, and who are willing to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/20\">humble<\/a> themselves enough to entertain the possibility that their idea of Jesus might not be correct, will help move the world toward a universal understanding of the truth about Jesus.<\/p>\r\n<p>Those who have their minds made up about Jesus will probably find an in-depth, Biblical review tedious and challenging. Nevertheless, the truth is here for anyone who is committed to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:7;+luke+11:9;+deuteronomy+4:29;+1-chronicles+28:9;+1-chronicles+22:19;+2-chronicles+12:14;+2-chronicles+15:12;+2-chronicles+19:3;+psalm+27:8;+psalm+119:2;+jeremiah+24:7;+jeremiah+29:13\">asking, seeking and knocking for understanding<\/a> that exceeds what they already know.<\/p>\r\n<p>Before disclosing the evidence of who Jesus is\/was, however, it is useful to ask this question: Why do Christians not agree on who Jesus is? And a companion question that is also intriguing: Why do Jews not embrace a doctrine that recognize Jesus as a messiah?<\/p>\r\n<p>The answer is both simple and complex. The simple part is that they are all trying to <a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/hebrew\/7081.htm\">divine<\/a> Jesus&#8217; identity by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-1\">interpreting the Bible literally.<\/a>\u00a0No one, Jews included,\u00a0tries to understand who Jesus was\/is by<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=exodus+15:22-26;+exodus+23:20-25;+exodus+19:1-5;+jeremiah+7:23-26;+jeremiah+11:1-4;+matthew+4:1-4;+deuteronomy+8:1-3;+job+22:21-23;+psalm+119:9-13;+psalm+138:4;+isaiah+28:23;+jeremiah+11:1-7;+jeremiah+22:21;+psalm+106:25;+nehemiah+9:29;+jeremiah+11:10;+jeremiah+13:11;+zechariah+7:11;+isaiah+46:12;+matthew+13:15\"> listening to God&#8217;s spoken voice. <\/a>That is the reason they do not understand who he is.<\/p>\r\n<p>If everyone would <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\">listen to God&#8217;s spoken voice<\/a> instead of listening to religious false prophets who report their own personal opinions based on the literal words of the Bible, they would all know the same truth about Jesus. Instead of holding to many different ideas based on their personal interpretations of scripture, they would all believe one truth because God does not change his message from one person to another. And when they know the truth, there would be no need for so many different kinds of churches and denominations because they would all hear God say the same thing. Obviously, this is not what happens when people interpret the Bible literally.<\/p>\r\n<p>The complex part of understanding Jesus is the lengthy process of investigating scriptures that tell about the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiah<\/a>, the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">high priest<\/a>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/12\">Jesus&#8217; ministry<\/a>. This task is complicated by the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-a-stronghold-of-wrong-thinking\">strongholds of wrong thinking<\/a> that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\/3\">blind religious people to a singular spiritual understanding<\/a> of who Jesus is and how we should consider his teachings.<\/p>\r\n<p>In this series of pages, we will endeavor to lead readers in a systematic and comprehensive study of scriptures that will lead to the symbolic interpretation of Jesus&#8217; identity and mission.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\r\n<p><strong><a id=\"guidelines\"><\/a>2. GUIDELINES FOR STUDY<\/strong><br \/>Getting to a proper understanding of Jesus is not easy. Just as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\">God didn&#8217;t make knowing him easy<\/a>, getting to know Jesus is not easy. And yet, many preach doctrines that simplify Jesus and reduce him to a physical man who suffered a physical death and rose again to physical life. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\">These teachings are the stuff of religion because they deal with physical, observable events. They are not the stuff of faith which deals with things that cannot be seen.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>With that in mind, the teaching found in the following links must be applied before understanding of the facts about Jesus will be understood:<\/p>\r\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\" border=\"1\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.48715%;\">\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.02565%;\">\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 85.4871%;\">\r\n<ul class=\"children\">\r\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-1387\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/study\/assemble-the-puzzle\">Assemble the Puzzle<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-1858\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/study\/relevancy-of-all-scriptures\">Relevance of All Scriptures<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-1352 page_item_has_children\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/study\/study-for-discipline\/test-yourself\">Examine Yourself <\/a><\/li>\r\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-1169\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/study\/study-tips\">Study Tips<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\">Pride, Arrogance, Boasting, Power and Humility<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/study\" aria-haspopup=\"true\">STUDY<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/study\/study-for-discipline\" aria-haspopup=\"true\">Study for Discipline<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p>Admittedly, this is a lot of reading. Only those who are ready to\u00a0seek with\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:7;+luke+11:9;+romans+14:10;+deuteronomy+4:29;+1-chronicles+28:9;+1-chronicles+22:19;+2-chronicles+12:14;+2-chronicles+15:12;+2-chronicles+19:3;+psalm+27:8;+psalm+119:2;+jeremiah+29:13\">their whole hearts<\/a>\u00a0to discover the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\">mystery<\/a>\u00a0of God and Jesus will be successful. Religious people, especially Christians, who are pridefully confident that they already know everything they need to know about Jesus may find this depth of study unnecessary. Only people who can <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\">humbly<\/a> admit that there might be more for them to learn about Jesus will be willing to make such an investment. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.urbandictionary.com\/define.php?term=day%20tripper\">Day-trippers<\/a> looking for a quick and easy teaching event will be soon weeded out.<\/p>\r\n<p>This study also will not appeal to hyper-religious people who are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\">pridefully<\/a> satisfied with their understanding of scripture. What they believe to be a strength is actually a stumbling block to discipleship. They do not enter the study process like open, inquisitive little children. In their prideful minds, they have Jesus all figured out and they would never admit to having any doubts about Jesus.<\/p>\r\n<p>Putting it another way, those who imagine themselves to be spiritually mature (i.e. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/3\">rich in knowledge of the literal Bible<\/a>) with lots of wisdom and no doubts about Jesus, are unable to learn new truths because they are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\/4\">deaf to hearing God&#8217;s spoken voice<\/a>. They must set aside their religious pride before they begin their study for truth with a sincere attitude of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/20\">humility which says the following: <\/a><\/p>\r\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\" border=\"1\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.25638%;\">\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.71789%;\">\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 89.0256%;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>What I thought I understood about God, the Bible and the condition of my heart has all been lies and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-deception\">deception<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>I have been <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\">prideful and arrogant<\/a> about my <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+1:18-27;+1-corinthians+3:18-21;+2-corinthians+1:12;+james+3:13-18;+1-corinthians+2:1-14;+jeremiah+4:19-22;+isaiah+5:20-21;+isaiah+29:14;+isaiah+47:10;+jeremiah+8:9;+proverbs+3:1-7;+romans+1:22\">knowledge of the Bible<\/a> and my <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2018\/05\/20\/disconnects\/\">religious behaviors<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>I have <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2018\/07\/24\/partiality\/\">wrongly judged people who do not believe the way I do and practice my brand of religion.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p>The bottom line truth here is that people who cannot admit that they don&#8217;t really know God <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/3#adulteryandprostitution\">intimately<\/a> will not learn anything new about Jesus or God. They may know a few Biblical facts, but they have been so\u00a0 focused on listening to the voices of religious leaders and so busy doing religious things that they have never even tried to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">listen to God&#8217;s voice<\/a>. This attitude contrasts with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=john+14:24;+john+5:24;+john+5:47;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+10:25;+john+8:46;+john+10:37;+john+8:45;+john+17:6-10;+matthew+13:20;+matthew+13:1-46;+matthew+16:16-17\">Jesus&#8217; parables and teachings where he always emphasized hearing God&#8217;s spoken word.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>This emphasis is not readily apparent in the parables to people who do not hear God&#8217;s spoken voice because their focus is on the literal meanings of the scriptures. But, people who can hear God&#8217;s voice will be able to understand the spiritual meanings because the spirit of God reveals these meanings to them. These people have<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+29:1-4;+ezekiel+12:1-3;+ezekiel+40:1-4;+mark+8:14-20;+luke+10:21-24;+romans+11:1-10;+isaiah+6:1-10;+isaiah+43:1-8;+jeremiah+5:20-21;+matthew+13:13-18;+mark+4:8-18;+luke+8:1-10;+john+9:39-41;+john+12:37-40;+acts+28:17-28\"> eyes to see (i.e. read the written word) and ears to hear God&#8217;s spoken voice interpret the spiritual meaning of the written word.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">STUDY TIP: The paragraph above should be a warning to people who read the parables of Jesus but do not understand that they all contrast people who do not hear God&#8217;s spoken voice with people who do hear God&#8217;s spoken voice.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">The reason Jesus spoke so many parable was to make these points:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Do not <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\">interpret the Bible literally<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>Do not listen to false prophets who interpret the Bible literally.<\/li>\r\n<li>Do listen to God&#8217;s voice and true prophets who interpret the spiritual meaning of the written Bible.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Not surprisingly, this message fully agrees with the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/#definitionofsin\">definition of sin. <\/a>And, again not surprisingly, this message agrees with the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/#temptationsofjesus\">spiritual meaning of Jesus&#8217; temptations<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">STUDY TIP: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=luke+14:35;+matthew+11:15;+mark+4:23;+luke+8:8\">Let he\/she who has ears to hear, let him\/her hear!<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/pharisees-and-scribes\">Pharisees<\/a> who guard, preach and promote established religious doctrines do not know that God uses doubt to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/god-is-calling-people-out-of-religion\">call people out of religion.<\/a> Doubt is the doorway through which God begins to challenge people about their religion. Doubt is the doorway through which God enters the heart to speak truth and explain the meanings of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\" aria-haspopup=\"true\">Symbols, Signs, Types, Parables, Copies, and Shadows<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>In other words, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/2\">doubt about what you currently believe is a good thing<\/a>. Doubt is a uncomfortable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/nas\/kentron.html\">goad\/prick that causes us to stop what we are doing and go in a different direction.<\/a> People who have doubts and questions about religion do not realize that they are in the early stages of discipleship. They don&#8217;t realize it, but they are learning to hear God&#8217;s voice. If there is no doubt about religion, there is no room in your heart for God to teach you anything new and show you a direction different from religion. In short, disciples must be willing to set aside all of their previous beliefs about God and Jesus and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=mark+10:15;+matthew+18:3;+matthew+19:14;+luke+18:17\">seek for knowledge of the kingdom of God like an inquisitive child. They must be\u00a0<\/a>eager to learn and not ashamed to say &#8220;I don&#8217;t know! Teach me.&#8221;<\/p>\r\n<p>People who want to come to understanding of spiritual truth must be willing to accept that every doctrine and\u00a0 every teaching they have previously believed about Judaism and\/or Christianity has come through <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">false prophets<\/a> whose teachings they have trusted (i.e. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/religion-is-idolatry\">idolized<\/a>) without testing it against scripture and without testing it against what they hear from God&#8217;s voice or what they hear\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">from true prophets<\/a>. This may seem like an unreasonable perspective, but the foundation for it is very clear in<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/ezekiel\/passage\/?q=ezekiel+14:1-11\"> Ezekiel 14:1-11<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/ezekiel\/passage\/?q=ezekiel+14:1-11\"> Ezekiel 14:1-11<\/a> for\u00a0 understanding of how God feels about false prophets and people who listen to them.<\/p>\r\n<p>The principle is explained further in\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/1-corinthians\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+13:9-13\">1 Corinthians 13:9-13: <\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span id=\"1co13-9\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\">For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect; <\/span> <span id=\"1co13-10\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">10<\/span> but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away. <\/span> <span id=\"1co13-11\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">11<\/span> When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways. <\/span> <span id=\"1co13-12\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">12<\/span> For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. <\/span> <span id=\"1co13-13\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">13<\/span> So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>People who already believe that they have perfect knowledge of Jesus are not spiritual children. Thinking that they have perfect knowledge based on the<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-1\"> literal words of the Bible<\/a>, they and their religious friends think they are spiritually mature. In God&#8217;s eyes, however,\u00a0 they are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\">proud and arrogant,<\/a> and un-teachable. Even God cannot teach them because they have <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\">stumbled over teachings that come from the literal words of the Bible (i.e. the law).<\/a>\u00a0God is unwilling to break through their strongly held doctrinal strongholds to teach them about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=ephesians+3:1-9;+ephesians+5:32;+romans+16:25;+romans+11:25\">mystery of Christ<\/a> which, contrary to popular belief, is not about Jesus as one, singular, unique person, but symbolizes all New Covenant disciples who are\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">anointed to speak for God<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">Messiahs<\/a> for more about the mystery of Christs (i.e. anointed) spokespersons (i.e. prophets) for God.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\r\n<p><strong><a id=\"son\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/#son\">3.<\/a> SON OF MAN, SON OF GOD AND PROPHET<\/strong><br \/>Jesus was very aware that he was only a man. That is why he usually <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=son+of+man&amp;t=nas&amp;f=N\">referred to himself as the Son of Man<\/a> and only<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/john\/10-36.html\"> once as the Son of God<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Even though God spoke through him, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/philippians\/passage\/?q=philippians+2:5-8\">Jesus had no aspiration to be like God. He was content being a bond-servant (i.e. spokesperson\/prophet) for God with no desire to be personally exalted<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+19:16-17;+john+7:16-18;+mark+10:17-18;+luke+18:18-19;+john+12:44-50;+john+14:28;+matthew+10:40;+john+5:24;+mark+9:37;+luke+9:48;+john+10:29;+john+10:28-29;+matthew+11:23-27;+matthew+12;+john+6:38;+john+4:34;+john+5:30;+luke+22:42;%C2%A0john+17:1-2\">Jesus always deferred to Father God and put God ahead\/above himself<\/a>. If he thought of himself as being equal to God, he would not have put God above himself. He was a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/servants\">servant<\/a> of God who spoke for God &#8212; nothing more.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 70px;\"><a id=\"trinity\"><\/a>COMMENTARY ON THE TRINITY: The simple fact that Jesus always deferred to Father God spoils the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Trinity\">doctrine of the trinity.<\/a>\u00a0He is\/was one of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+3:34;+jeremiah+26:1-5;+ezekiel+2:1-7;+2-chronicles+36:15;+acts+3:26;+revelation+1:1;+deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5;+daniel+9:9-11\">multitude of prophets that God has sent, and continues to send, to speak for him.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 70px;\">As a son of man, there was nothing intrinsically divine about Jesus. The only thing that made Jesus special was the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">anointing that empowered him to speak for God<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">STUDY TIP: See\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/6\">JESUS DID NOT IMAGINE HIMSELF TO BE EQUAL TO GOD<\/a> for more commentary on the trinity.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=mark+1:1;+luke+1:35;+john+1:34;+john+1:49;+matthew+27:54;+matthew+8:29;+luke+4:41;+mark+3:11;+john+20:30-31\">It was said of Jesus by others that he was the Son of God.<\/a>\u00a0And\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+3:16-17;+matthew+17:1-5;+mark+9:7;+luke+9:35;+acts+13:33;+2-peter+1:16-17;+hebrews+5:5-8\">God himself said that Jesus was his son<\/a>. Jesus <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+16:13-17;+matthew+6:9;+john+10:38;+john+14:10-14;+john+10:36;+john+5:17;+john+10:30;+john+5:26;+john+6:40;+john+6:45;+john+8:16;+john+15:9;+john+15:16;+john+16:23-26;+john+17:11;+john+17:21\">strongly implied that he was the Son of God by referring to God as his father<\/a>, and he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=luke+22:70;+matthew+4:3;+matthew+27:11;+luke+23:3;+matthew+16:15-17\">never denied that he was the Son of God,<\/a> but he never came right out and said that he was the Son of God. This attitude agrees with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/3#selftestimony\">statements that Jesus made about not testifying about himself<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 89.3846%; height: 419px;\" border=\"1\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\" colspan=\"2\">STUDY TIP: There were only two facts about Jesus that were like God:<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.38462%;\">\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 92.6154%;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+14:24;john+5:19;john+5:46-47;john+7:16;john+12:49;john+14:10;john+10:25;john+8:46;john+10:37;john+8:45;john+17:6-10\">He spoke for God.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>God&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">spiritual laws<\/a> were written in his heart.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Except for these qualities, Jesus was a son of man and nothing more. Because he knew his limitations and his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+3:34;+jeremiah+26:1-5;+ezekiel+2:1-7;+2-chronicles+36:15;+acts+3:26;+revelation+1:1;+deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5\">calling as a true prophet,<\/a> he never represented himself as anything more than a son of man.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\" colspan=\"2\">STUDY TIP: There is one very important fact about Jesus that confirms that he was not like God:<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.38462%;\">\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 92.6154%;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>God is an invisible spirit, but Jesus was a visible, human person.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p>It is important to recognize that Jesus never outwardly claimed to be the Son of God. He had every right to do so because he was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/4\">born again<\/a>, but he never said it of himself. Thus we must ask the question: Why did he never really came out with a clear statement about himself that he was the Son of God?<\/p>\r\n<p>The answer is that it is not necessary for messiahs or prophets to testify about themselves. Jesus and other messiahs trust God to witness to others abut their son-ship. It is not necessary, therefore, for them to testify (i.e. make a public statement) about themselves. Sons of God know who they are, and they knew that God knows that they are sons of God. If someone else finds it necessary to make a pronouncement about their son-of-God status, they could do that, of course, but true sons-of-God like Jesus would never make such public claims about themselves.<\/p>\r\n<p>If anyone recognizes that Jesus is a son of God, God would be the one to make that truth known to that person by speaking\u00a0 that truth to their hearts. People who could hear God&#8217;s voice recognized that Jesus was a son of God because they understood that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+14:24;+john+5:47;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+10:25;+john+8:46;+john+10:37;+john+8:45;+john+17:6-10\">Jesus spoke for God<\/a>. And they believed his words. On the other hand, people who could not hear God&#8217;s voice did not know that he was a son of God because they did not understand that he was speaking for God and did not understand his words because they had hard hearts. This is true today just like it was true in Jesus&#8217; day.<\/p>\r\n<p>People who could not hear God&#8217;s voice <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+26:1-4;+mark+14:1;+luke+22:1-2;+john+11:51-53;+matthew+12:1-14;+luke+6:6-10;+luke+13:10-17;+luke+14:1-4;+john+5:5-18;+john+7:19-44;+john+9:19-27;+john+8:58-59;+john+10:22-39;+john+11:41-53;+john+7:32;+john+7:1;+psalm+31:13\">plotted to kill Jesus<\/a> because they thought his words blasphemed God. Because they were not able to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/2\">discern between good and evil,<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/isaiah\/5-20.html\"> they called good evil and evil good.<\/a> They thought that Jesus was evil and thought that religion was good. That was true in Jesus&#8217; day and is still true today.<\/p>\r\n<p><a id=\"selftestimony\"><\/a>We see these principles in this scripture:<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"v-31\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/john\/passage\/?q=john+5:31-34\">John 5:31-34:<\/a>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-31\">If I bear witness to myself, my testimony is not true;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">32\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"verse-32\">there is another who bears witness to me, and I know that the testimony which he bears to me is true.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">33<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-33\">You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">34<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-34\">Not that the testimony which I receive is from man; but I say this that you may be saved.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: This says that testimonies (e.g. affirmations, attestations, claims, etc.) that people make about themselves\u00a0 are not true. This will be a hard fact to accept for Jews and Christians who are very quick to make claims about their spirituality and their relationship with God.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\/belief-and-trust\/4#selftestimony\">this link for more about making personal claims about being sent by God<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">People who practice <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2018\/05\/20\/disconnects\/\">public religion<\/a> as a way <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2018\/07\/19\/praise-of-men\/\">seeking praise from men<\/a> do so in contrast to Jesus&#8217; teachings and practice.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/prayer\/prayer-2\/public-prayer\">this link about public prayer<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">By identifying themselves as Jews or Christians, they self-testify about their relationship to God. On their own authority, they make names for themselves that identify them as sons of God. They do this so that people will <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=luke+11:43;+matthew+23:6;+mark+12:38;+luke+14:7;+luke+20:46;+matthew+6:1-6;+matthew+6:16-18;+matthew+23:1-12;+luke+20:46-47;+luke+21:1;+john+5:41-44;+john+12:37-43;+romans+2:29;+john+7:18;+2-corinthians+5:12\">praise<\/a> them and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/religion-is-idolatry\/10\">idolize<\/a> them as spiritual people who have special relationships with God and special gifts from God. And the ones who are especially full of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/2\">pride<\/a>, will <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-commerce\">earn income<\/a> from this imagined relationship with God.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+3:34;+jeremiah+26:1-5;+ezekiel+2:1-7;+2-chronicles+36:15;+acts+3:26;+revelation+1:1;+deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5;+daniel+9:9-11;+2-peter+1:19-21\">Servants whom God sends to speak for him<\/a> have no need to self-testify about their relationship with God. They trust that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/luke\/passage\/?q=luke+24:13-32\">God will testify (i.e. make known) to others in their hearts that they speak for God.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Jesus did not find it necessary to make claims about his son-ship because he only cared what God thought and said about him. He <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+7:16-18;+john+5:41;+john+8:50-54;+john+12:43;+john+5:34;+john+6:15\">sought no glory or praise for himself.<\/a> Moreover, he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+6:1-8;+matthew+6:16-18;+matthew+23:1-5\">rebuked religious people who sought the praise of men<\/a>. Therefore, it is contrary to Jesus&#8217; teaching that Christians should praise Jesus as an equal of God and set him up as their king instead of God. Those who do think of him as an equal to God have <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/6\">stumbled over Jesus<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/john\/passage\/?q=john+5:31-34\">John 5:31-34<\/a> we learn that people who make personal claims about their relationship with God (i.e. saying &#8220;I am a son of God&#8221; or &#8220;I am a child of God,&#8221; or &#8220;I am a Christian&#8221; or &#8220;I am a believer,&#8221; or &#8220;I am a prophet,&#8221; or I have been called by God to preach,&#8221; etc.) do so in violation of Jesus&#8217; teaching and practice. They are only <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2018\/02\/18\/making-a-name-for-yourself\/\">making names for themselves<\/a> for selfish, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\">prideful<\/a> purposes.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Even though Jesus did not personally claim that he was the son of God, some &#8212; but not all &#8212;\u00a0 men were convinced that Jesus was the son of God. What convinced them was the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/luke\/passage\/?q=luke+24:13-32\"> burning in their hearts that convinced them that Jesus spoke for God by explaining the mystery of scripture to them<\/a>. That is a big deal, of course, but that does not make Jesus unique. Anyone who has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=isaiah+11:1-3;+isaiah+32:1-3;+ezekiel+12:1-2;+jeremiah+5:21;+ezekiel+40:1-4;+deuteronomy+29:1-4;+isaiah+6:8-10;+ezekiel+12:2;+matthew+13:14;+acts+28:23-28;+romans+11:8;+mark+8:18\">eyes to see and ears to hear<\/a> will get the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/time-hours-days-weeks-and-ages\/end-times-rapture-and-tribulation\/2\">same reaction<\/a> when they hear God speak through a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/11\">true prophet<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">The truth is that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=romans+8:14;+hosea+1:10;+matthew+5:9;+john+1:12;+romans+8:16;+romans+8:19;+romans+9:8;+romans+9:26;+2-corinthians+6:18;+galatians+3:26;+1-john+3:1;+revelation+21:7\">all who are born by the spirit (i.e. New Covenant disciples) are sons\/children of God<\/a>. He is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/hebrews\/passage\/?q=hebrews+6:19-20\">forerunner<\/a> of all New Covenant disciples and the model for all who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=follow+me&amp;t=nas&amp;f=N&amp;p=2\">follow him<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\"><a id=\"followingjesus\"><\/a>COMMENTARY ON FOLLOWING JESUS: Christians have a very <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/dumb%20down\">dumbed down <\/a>view of what it means to follow Jesus. As with all things religious, following Jesus is all about doing religious things. This contrasts, of course, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=1-samuel+16:7;+1-kings+8:33-39;+1-chronicles+28:9;+luke+16:15\">God&#8217;s focus which is on the inner man (i.e. the heart)<\/a> &#8212; not on external appearances or religious behaviors.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">For Christians, following Jesus is a matter of following <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws<\/a> written by men. Christians do not understand that what God wants, and what Jesus did, was follow God&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">spiritual laws<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+31:31-34;+hebrews+8:10-11\">written on his the heart by the spirit of God<\/a>. This is what God expects of everyone. God wants people to rest from religious activity &#8212; not be busy with religious activity. Resting from religious activity is the essence of the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/fourth-commandment\">Fourth Commandment<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">In practical terms, this means that Jesus, and those who follow him, serve God as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a>,<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\"> angels<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiahs<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">high priests<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors.<\/a> True followers know that they serve God in these functions and they know that God knows that they serve God in these ways. They have no need or desire to announce this fact to anyone. Furthermore, they have no need or desire to participate in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/circumcision\">religious rituals and traditions.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Jesus is the perfect example of all who are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+3:1-6;+2-corinthians+5:17;+1-peter+1:22-25;+romans+8:1-13\">born again<\/a> by the spirit of God. He is not God, but he is the is the perfect example of a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciple<\/a>. His <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+12:50;+mark+3:35\">spiritual brothers and sisters<\/a> are also New Covenant disciples who have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+31:31-34;+jeremiah+32:36-40;+jeremiah+33:14;+isaiah+59:21;+jeremiah+24:7;+ezekiel+37:26;+ezekiel+39:29;+luke+22:20;+1-corinthians+11:25;+2-corinthians+3:1-6;+hebrews+8:8-12;+hebrews+10:16-17;+psalm+40:8;+psalm+37:31;+genesis+17:7-13;+2-kings+18:11-12;+exodus+19:3-6;+judges+2:16-23;+deuteronomy+5:1-4\">God&#8217;s spiritual laws written on their hearts.<\/a> They have <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/12\">Jesus&#8217; personal qualities and fulfill his ministry functions.<\/a> They are followers because they are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/5\">born again<\/a>, just like Jesus was born again.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><a id=\"baptizedbyspirit\"><\/a>Jesus was not always a son of God. He was a son of man until he was baptized by the spirit of God. He was born into a religious family and observed Jewish religious laws until he was baptized<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIPS: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/19#jesusreligioushistory\">this link for more about Jesus&#8217; religious history.\u00a0<\/a>See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/friends-brothers-and-sisters\/#greaterlove\">this link for understanding of Jesus&#8217; baptism.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">It was only at the moment of his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+3:16-17\">baptism by the spirit of God that God recognized Jesus as his son<\/a>. That is the point at which God&#8217;s laws were written on his heart. That is the point at which he stopped being religious and began his <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/12#jesusministryfunctions\">ministry of destroying religious structures and institutions.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<div id=\"v-31\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\/love\/2#greaterlovebaptismdeath\">this link for more about baptism<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-commerce\/jesus-and-the-money-changers-in-the-temple-2\">Jesus and the Money-Changers in the Temple <\/a>for understanding of Jesus&#8217; ministry. See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/12#jesusministryfunctions\">this link for descriptions of Jesus&#8217; ministry.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">The baptism story is not unique to Jesus. It is the story of all New Covenant disciples who are baptized by God&#8217;s word (i.e. spirit.)\u00a0 They spend a season of their lives as Old\/First Covenant religionists before <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=ezekiel+11:14-21;+jeremiah+24:7;+jeremiah+32:38-39;+ezekiel+18:31;+ezekiel+36:24-27;+psalm+51:10;+ezekiel+11:19;+john+3:3;+john+3:5;+2-corinthians+5:17\">God gives them a new heart<\/a>. This is the miracle of creation that awaits all New Covenant disciples.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">STUDY TIP: See\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/circumcision\">Religious Rituals and Traditions: Circumcision, Baptism, Communion<\/a> for more about the tradition of baptism.<\/p>\r\n<p>The story of Jesus exists in the Bible to give a picture of how it will be for all New Covenant disciples. If Jesus&#8217; story was unique to him, it would be only his history and would not be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/2-timothy\/passage\/?q=2-timothy+3:16-17\">useful for training in personal righteousness<\/a> by others.<\/p>\r\n<p>What we should learn from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/19#jesusreligioushistory\">Jesus&#8217; life before baptism and life after baptism<\/a> is that a change of status from Son of Man to Son of God should be common to all <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciples<\/a>. What is really interesting, however, is that even after Jesus became a Son of God, he still <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=son+of+man&amp;t=nas&amp;f=N\">referred to himself as a Son of Man. <\/a>This confirms that he\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/philippians\/passage\/?q=philippians+2:5-8\">was content with being a bond-servant (i.e. spokesperson, prophet) for God and that he had no desire to be personally exalted. <\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>Instead of exaltation, we find that Jesus carefully avoided being labeled as a son of God and avoided doing the things that religious people do to be noticed so that they might be labeled as &#8220;sons of God&#8221;. In avoiding public labeling, he practiced what he preached about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=luke+14:11;+2-samuel+22:28;+proverbs+29:23;+matthew+23:12;+luke+1:52;+luke+18:14;+james+4:10\">humility and self-exaltation. <\/a>For Jesus, his focus was\/is all about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+7:16;+luke+1:20;+luke+6:47;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:33;+luke+24:44;+john+5:47;+john+14:10;+john+14:24;+john+15:7;+mark+8:38;+mark+13:31;+matthew+24:35\">his words (i.e. his teaching)<\/a>&#8212; not about what he did and not about being seen. His words were the most important thing because he knew that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12-13;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29\">when he spoke he was speaking for God<\/a>. That was his ministry: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=teacher&amp;t=nas&amp;f=N\">teacher<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+21:46;+matthew+21:11;+mark+6:15;+luke+24:13-19;+john+4:19;+john+6:14;+john+7:40;+john+9:17\">prophet<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"v-31\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY ON PROPHETS: Jesus never directly referred to himself as a prophet. Being careful that he did not testify about himself, he was content to let others draw their own conclusions. This attitude is a clear contradiction to the practices of contemporary prophets who are quick to self-declare that they are prophets who speak for God.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Jesus was a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophet<\/a> who did not identify himself as a prophet. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">False prophets<\/a> who have created prophetic ministries for themselves always identify themselves as prophets and teachers. They find it necessary to label themselves and advertise their ministries because it would be very hard for them to get jobs as ministers (e. g. pastors, priests, authors, musicians, rabbis, teachers, professors, etc.) in the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-commerce\/examples-of-business-and-commerce-in-religion\">world of commercial religion.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p>Considering Jesus&#8217; teachings and personal habits, it is accurate to say that he was an advocate of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/prayer#secretplace\">secrecy<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=luke+9:18-21;+john+7:1-10;+matthew+16:13-20;+matthew+17:1-9;+mark+8:27-30;+luke+5:12-14;+luke+8:49-56;+matthew+8:1-4\">anonymity <\/a>&#8212; not of publicity. He practiced what he preached about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+6:1-8\">public displays of righteousness.<\/a> We would expect that of Jesus, but his faithfulness to these principles does complicate efforts to find physical evidence of him. It is little wonder, therefore, that so many people have failed in their efforts to prove that he existed.<\/p>\r\n<p>Being <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=enigmatic+meaning&amp;oq=enigmatic&amp;aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.5137j1j9&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8\">enigmatic<\/a>, and invisible is what we should expect from a true son of God because a son of God, should, as much as possible, try to be like his father. Therefore, it was more important to Jesus that he be <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=colossians+1:15-16;+john+4:24;+romans+1:20;+malachi+3:6;+james+1:17;+john+3:1-12;+2-corinthians+4:18;+hebrews+11:1-8;+2-corinthians+5:1-7;+romans+8:24;+hebrews+11:7;+hebrews+11:23-27\">invisible<\/a> and heard than visible. That is God&#8217;s attitude about himself. This attitude is very different, of course, from religious people who are always working to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2018\/02\/18\/making-a-name-for-yourself\/\">make names for themselves<\/a> by doing religious things that can be seen.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>Instead of having his pride nourished by the praise of men, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+4:34;+john+5:30;+john+6:38\">Jesus&#8217; food (i.e. what nourished him spiritually) was doing his father&#8217;s will <\/a>which was to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12-13;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29\">God&#8217;s spokesperson<\/a> (i.e. one who hears God&#8217;s\u00a0 spoken voice in his heart and reports and interprets what he hears to people who cannot hear God&#8217;s spoken voice because they have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=hebrews+3:7-19;+hebrews+4:1-7;+john+12:36-40;+isaiah+6:9-10;+jeremiah+5:21;+jeremiah+6:10;+jeremiah+25:4;+isaiah+42:20;+isaiah+48:8;+romans+11:8;+acts+28:27;+ezekiel+12:2;+psalm+115:6;+psalm+135:17;+matthew+13:10-15;+deuteronomy+29:4;+acts+19:9;+2-chronicles+30:8;+nehemiah+9:25-26;+ezekiel+2:1-6;+mark+6:45-52;+job+22:22;+deuteronomy+6:6;+deuteronomy+11:18;+psalm+37:31;+deuteronomy+32:46;+ezekiel+3:1-10\">hard hearts<\/a>.)<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\"><a id=\"immanuel\"><\/a>STUDY TIP: When Jesus heard God&#8217;s voice and reported to others what he heard, he fulfilled the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/1-23.html\">scripture that says that Jesus&#8217; name is Immanuel (i.e. God with us.<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">This does not mean that Jesus the human person or his human name represented God because <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/17\">his name is his character.<\/a> Furthermore, it is impossible for any physical object, including a human person, to represent God who is invisible and spiritual.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">The only way that God can be known and experienced is when we hear his voice in our hearts. This can happen when God speaks directly to our hearts or speaks to us through a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophet<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Jesus was a true prophet. Therefore, Jesus represented God in the hearts of people who heard his voice in their hearts. Thus, it can be said that Jesus&#8217; voice &#8212; not Jesus the human person &#8212; was God with people. In other words, anyone who speaks for God manifests the spirit of God in the heart of anyone whose heart is open and receptive to hear God&#8217;s spoken voice.<\/p>\r\n<p>It is worth repeating that, for Jesus, the thing that was important about him was his words. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=mark+13:31;+matthew+24:35;+luke+21:33\">Everything else, including physical evidence that he lived, will pass away<\/a>. Only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12;+isaiah+59:21\">Jesus&#8217; words, which are really God&#8217;s words,<\/a> will live on because God exists in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=psalm+119:89;+matthew+24:35;+1-peter+1:23-25;+psalm+119:152;+isaiah+40:8;+revelation+14:6;+john+1:1;+john+1:14\">his words which are eternal<\/a>. Words are the only way that God reveals himself, and the only way <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+4:23-30;+deuteronomy+4:39;+deuteronomy+5:29;+deuteronomy+6:1-6;+deuteronomy+8:1-2;+deuteronomy+11:18;+deuteronomy+10:12;+deuteronomy+11:13;+deuteronomy+26:16;+deuteronomy+29:1-4;+psalm+37:31;+jeremiah+31:31-34;+jeremiah+32:40;+1-thessalonians+4:9;+1-john+2:27;+john+14:11-17;+john+14:26;+1-corinthians+2:12;+hebrews+8:10-11\">we know God is when his laws are written on our hearts.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>These truths support the scripture that says that the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/revelation\/19-10.html\"> testimony (i.e. words spoken) of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. <\/a>Or, to rephrase that principle, God&#8217;s spiritual words spoken through Jesus are the essence of God&#8217;s spirit and the essence of Jesus.<\/p>\r\n<p>What this means for us in our current search to understand Jesus is represented in these few points:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>The important thing about Jesus is that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12;+isaiah+59:21\">he spoke (i.e. prophesied) for God.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>God is spirit.<\/li>\r\n<li>God&#8217;s words are spirit.<\/li>\r\n<li>Jesus is the spirit of God speaking through a human.<\/li>\r\n<li>Jesus is a perfect example of the spirit of God speaking through a human.<\/li>\r\n<li>True followers of Jesus replicate the example of Jesus.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>People who follow Jesus do what he did. Thus, they <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12;+isaiah+59:21\">speak for God<\/a> like Jesus did. They are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a>,<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\"> angels<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiahs<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">high priests<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors<\/a>. Fulfilling these functions is how they <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/servants\">serve (i.e. worship) God.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>Furthermore, people who follow Jesus do not practice any kind of religion. In fact, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+12:1-10;+luke+6:6-10;+luke+13:10-17;+luke+14:1-6;+john+5:5-18;+john+9:1-16;+matthew+9:1-3;+mark+2:16;+mark+2:23-28;+mark+7:1-9;+matthew+15:1-10;+luke+23:1-2\">like Jesus, they are lawbreakers. <\/a>This is what happens to people whom <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/god-is-calling-people-out-of-religion\">God calls out of religion<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\r\n<p><strong><a id=\"preached\"><\/a>4. JESUS PREACHED THE KINGDOM OF GOD &#8212; NOT HIS OWN KINGDOM<\/strong><br \/>Because Christians like to think of Jesus as their king, they have created a kingdom (i.e. the world of Christianity) for him. Jesus did not command them to do this. In fact, everything Jesus said affirms that the only kingdom he acknowledged (other than <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/3\">religious kingdoms<\/a>) was God&#8217;s kingdom. We see this in the following scriptures:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"blue\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><b>Luke 4:<\/b>\u00a043 &#8220;But he (Yeshua\/Jesus) said, &#8220;I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.&#8221;<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"blue\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><b>Luke 8:<\/b>\u00a01. And it happened after these things that Y&#8217;shua was going around in the cities and in the villages and was preaching and declaring the Kingdom of Elohim.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><b>Acts 28:<\/b>\u00a023 &#8220;From morning till evening the Apostle Paul explained and declared the Kingdom of God and tried to convince people about Yeshua from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.&#8221;<\/p>\r\n<p>Jews are no better on this account. They do not care what Jesus said, of course, but they do care about the nation of Israel and do everything they can to establish, defend and preserve their political and religious kingdoms. They do this with no understanding that God&#8217;s references to the nation of Israel are to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nlt\/passage\/?q=exodus+19:5-6;+psalm+114:2;+daniel+7:18;+1-peter+2:9;+revelation+1:5-6;+revelation+5:10;+deuteronomy+26:19\">kingdom of priests and a holy nation<\/a> &#8212; not to a political kingdom.<\/p>\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\r\n<p><strong><a id=\"spoke\"><\/a>5. JESUS SPOKE THE WORD OF GOD &#8212; NOT HIS OWN WORDS <\/strong><br \/>Christians understand that there was something special about Jesus, but they wrongly ascribe extraordinary power and authority to him &#8212; even to the point of saying he is God. This is a wrong interpretation of scripture.<\/p>\r\n<p>Because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+14:24;john+5:19;john+5:46-47;john+7:16;john+12:49;john+14:10;john+10:25;john+8:46;john+10:37;john+8:45;john+17:6-10\">Jesus spoke for God<\/a>, he was an active agent in God&#8217;s miracles of healing. This fact makes it easy to believe that it was the human Jesus who did the miracles. The problem with this thinking, however, is that it was the power of God&#8217;s word spoken by Jesus that accomplished the miracles &#8212; not Jesus. The human Jesus did not have power and authority to perform miracles. Only God can perform miracles.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\">Signs, Wonders and Miracles,<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\">Sickness, Disease, Blindness, and Deafness<\/a> for understanding of the symbolic meanings of miracles.<\/p>\r\n<p>But Scriptures clearly tell us that everything Jesus said and did focused on the word of God. He did nothing by his own initiative for his own benefit. He is one of a long list of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12;+isaiah+59:21;+exodus+4:10-12;+matthew+10:19-20;+mark+13:11;+luke+12:11-12;+luke+21:14-15;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2;+psalm+143:10;+matthew+10:17-20;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31;+1-peter+4:10-11\">angels,\u00a0messiahs, high priests, witnesses and warriors<\/a> whom <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=hebrews+1:1-2;+john+3:34;+jeremiah+26:1-5;+ezekiel+2:1-7;+ezekiel+3wi:4-11;+2-chronicles+36:15;+acts+3:26;+revelation+1:1;+deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5;+daniel+9:9-11;+2-peter+1:19-21\">God sent, and continues to send, to speak for God<\/a> to people who could not and would not listen to God&#8217;s voice.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\/belief-and-trust\/4\">TRUST, BELIEVE JESUS\u2019 WORDS \u2014 NOT THE PERSON JESUS\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>Consider these scriptures:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/john\/7-16.html\">John 7:16 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-16\">Jesus answered, \u201cMy teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: Jesus\u00a0 could not have said more plainly that God speaks through him. This affirms that he was an <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\/2\">angel\/messenger<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiah who was anointed by God and sent by God to speak for God.<\/a> This fact is critical because it affirms that Jesus had no internal, natural, human, power or authority of his own. Everything of value (i.e. his words) that he exhibited came from God. He was not God. He was just a man who spoke for God.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">The power and authority to speak for God was not unique to Jesus. He is only one of many true prophets <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=hebrews+1:1-2;+john+3:34;+jeremiah+26:1-5;+ezekiel+2:1-7;+ezekiel+3:4-11;+2-chronicles+36:15;+acts+3:26;+revelation+1:1;+deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5;+daniel+9:9-11;+2-peter+1:19-21\">sent by God to speak for God<\/a>. God sends true prophets to speak for him because religious people only know how to listen to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">false prophets<\/a> and do not know how to hear his voice. They are spiritually <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\/4\">deaf<\/a> to hearing God&#8217;s voice.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">True prophets are qualified to speak for God because they know <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">how to hear his voice.<\/a> He <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">anoints them with spiritual power and authority<\/a> to speak on his behalf to spiritually deaf religious people. True prophets know <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice#whatgodsvoiceislike\">what God&#8217;s voice is like.<\/a> They know how to interpret the spiritual meaning of Bible <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\" aria-haspopup=\"true\">Symbols, Signs, Types, Parables, Copies, and Shadows. <\/a>They also know the languages of natural men.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Because true prophets know God&#8217;s language and man&#8217;s language, they are useful <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/servants\">servants <\/a>who report the spiritual meaning of the Bible for people who only understand its <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-1\">literal<\/a> meanings.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">True prophets are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\/3\">mediators<\/a> of God&#8217;s words. False prophets only report their personal interpretations of the literal words of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/bible-history\/3\">Bibles written by men<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">True prophets such as Jesus <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\/4\">reinterpret<\/a> the written words of the Bible so that Jews and Christians can understand the spiritual meaning of the Bible. Thus it can be said that Jesus was a mediator between God and man. He never said or did anything that did not serve the purpose of teaching people how to hear God&#8217;s voice for themselves so that they did not always need a mediator.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Jesus and all other true prophets past and present reinterpret scripture so that man can understand what God says without stumbling on the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/bible-history\/5\">lying words of Bible scribes\/editors<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/john\/12-49.html\">John 12:49 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-49\">For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: See commentary above. This verse should be a caution for Christians who put their trust in the human Jesus. It is good to trust his words because he spoke for God, but Jesus never said people should trust him as a person.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 240px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\/belief-and-trust\/4\">Belief, Trust and Faith <\/a>for more about trusting God&#8217;s word and not trusting the human Jesus.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a id=\"godsworks\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/john\/14-10.html\">John 14:10 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-10\">Don\u2019t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/revelation\/19-10.html\">Jesus was, and is, the spirit of prophecy<\/a>. That is why he could say that he is in the Father and that the Father is in him. What this verse means, therefore, is that the spirit of prophecy is in God and the spirit of prophecy is in Jesus. It is this spirit of prophecy that enables\/empowers Jesus to speak God&#8217;s words.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">God&#8217;s one and only work is speaking to hearts. All of God&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/4\">creative works are accomplished when he speaks.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+31:31-34;+jeremiah+32:36-40;+jeremiah+33:14;+isaiah+59:21;+jeremiah+24:7;+ezekiel+37:26;+ezekiel+39:29;+luke+22:20;+1-corinthians+11:25;+2-corinthians+3:1-6;+hebrews+8:8-12;+hebrews+10:16-17;+psalm+40:8;+psalm+37:31;+genesis+17:7-13;+2-kings+18:11-12;+exodus+19:3-6;+judges+2:16-23;+deuteronomy+5:1-4\">God makes himself known to people by writing his laws on hearts.<\/a> He writes his laws by speaking his <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/5#dabarwordcommandment\">laws\/words\/commandments<\/a> to hearts. He speaks to hearts directly and he speaks through<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\"> true prophets<\/a> whom he <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">anoints to speak for him<\/a>. True prophets do God&#8217;s works when they speak his words to hearts.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 240px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/4\">this link for understanding of God&#8217;s works.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/john\/10-37.html\">John 10:37 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-37\">Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: God&#8217;s works are evident only in his words. Jesus, and all other <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12;+isaiah+59:21;+exodus+4:10-12;+matthew+10:19-20;+mark+13:11;+luke+12:11-12;+luke+21:14-15;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2;+psalm+143:10;+matthew+10:17-20;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31;+1-peter+4:10-11\">angels,\u00a0messiahs, high priests, witnesses and warriors<\/a> do God&#8217;s works when they speak for God.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 240px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/5#godsworks\">this link for understanding of God&#8217;s works<\/a>. See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#goodworks\">this link for understanding of good works and deeds.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">People should believe Jesus&#8217; words because they are God&#8217;s words. False prophets who do not speak for God should not be believed. All <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#oldcovenant\">Old\/First Covenant<\/a> religious people are false prophets. They should not be believed.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\/belief-and-trust\/4\">this link for understanding of belief.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+17:6-10\">John 17:6-10\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-6\">\u201cI have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 7 <span id=\"verse-7\">Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 8 <span id=\"verse-8\">For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 9 <span id=\"verse-9\">I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 10 <span id=\"verse-10\">All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: The way Jesus reveals God to people is through his words. The only way to know God is through his words because <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\">God and his words are one.<\/a> It is impossible to separate God from his words.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">The only thing that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">God gave to Jesus was the spiritual anointing<\/a> that enabled him to speak God&#8217;s words. Jesus spoke God&#8217;s words and some people accepted God&#8217;s words spoken by Jesus. When people understood that Jesus was sent by God to speak to the people, the hearts of people who accepted God&#8217;s words were <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/time-hours-days-weeks-and-ages\/end-times-rapture-and-tribulation\/2\">raptured\/lifted up.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">God exists in his words. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\">God and his words are one in the same thing.<\/a> All that God has is his words and he shares all that he has with true prophets\/messiahs like Jesus. The<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/10\"> glory that comes to Jesus is God&#8217;s word.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"row\">\r\n<div class=\"col-md-12 section-title bible-title\">\r\n<p class=\"spanH1\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/passage\/?q=john+14:21-23\">John 14:21-23:\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"verse-21\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\">He who has <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>My<\/strong><\/span> commandments and keeps them is the one who loves <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Me<\/strong><\/span>; and he who loves <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Me<\/strong><\/span> will be loved by <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>My<\/strong><\/span> Father, and <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>I<\/strong> <\/span>will love him and will disclose Myself to him.&#8221; <\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">22<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-22\">Judas (not Iscariot ) said to <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Him<\/strong><\/span>, &#8220;Lord, what then has happened that <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>You<\/strong><\/span> are going to disclose Yourself to <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>us<\/strong><\/span> and not to the world?&#8221; <\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">23<\/span> <span class=\"verse-23\"> Jesus answered and said to him, <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;If anyone loves <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Me<\/strong><\/span>, he will keep <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>My<\/strong><\/span> word; and <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>My<\/strong><\/span> Father will love him, and <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>We<\/strong><\/span> will come to him and make <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Our<\/strong><\/span> abode with him.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">COMMENTARY: This is a verse that Bible <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/bible-history\/5\">scribes\/editors have wrongly translated<\/a> and given it a meaning that is not correct. The highlighted (i.e. linked) words are the only words that appear in the original Greek text. The words that are not highlighted are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/bible-history\/5#bibleauthorsusedworldlywisdom\">words that Bible scribes\/editors inserted<\/a> to make the verse agree with their religious beliefs. The words in <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>bold red<\/strong><\/span> are inserted words not found in the original, Greek text.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">If we remove all inserted words, the verse would read as follows:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">has commandments keeps one loves loves loved Father love reveal myself Judas Iscariot said Lord, what has happened going reveal yourself world\u00a0 Jesus answered said If anyone loves follow word Father love him and come to him and make dwelling him<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">Most people would agree that this text is difficult to understand. It is reasonable, therefore, to make some adjustments to make it readable. But, the Bible scribes\/authors went too far in making their adjustments to English. They didn&#8217;t just make the Greek readable, they distorted the meaning of the text.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">When we compare the Bible text with the Greek text, the main differences we notice are the words in <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>bold, red.<\/strong><\/span> These words do not appear in the original Greek text. By inserting these words, Bible scribes\/authors changed the meaning of the Greek\u00a0 text in a way that puts undue focus on Jesus and less focus on the father. If we remove the words that refer to Jesus, the text could read as follows:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\"><em><span class=\"verse-21\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\">He who has commandments and keeps them is the one who loves<strong>; <\/strong>and he who loves will be loved by Father, and will love him and will disclose himself to him.&#8221; <\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">22<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-22\">Judas (not Iscariot ) said, &#8220;Lord, what then has happened that you are going to disclose yourself to the world?&#8221; <\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">23<\/span> <span class=\"verse-23\"> Jesus answered and said to him, <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;If anyone loves, he will keep father&#8217;s word; and father will love him, and will come to him and make abode with him.<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">This translation is a much more accurate translation of the Greek text. It focuses on God&#8217;s love and\u00a0 God&#8217;s words &#8212; not on Jesus. Furthermore, it does not say or even imply that Jesus will make his abode in the hearts of Christians.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">This translation places the focus of the verse on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/kjv\/tereo.html\">keeping<\/a> (i.e. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/1-john\/passage\/?q=1-john+2:4-5\">obeying<\/a>, living by) the Father&#8217;s words &#8212; not on loving Jesus. Jesus makes very clear that evidence of loving him is found in keeping <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+14:24;+john+5:47;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+10:25;+john+8:46;+john+10:37;+john+8:45;+john+17:6-10\">his words which are God&#8217;s words<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 280px;\">STUDY TIP: It is impossible to understand this scripture without first having a correct understanding of love. See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\/love\">this link<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/8\">this link<\/a> for understanding of love.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">Jesus does not make an appeal here for people to love him as a person. He only wants people to love God&#8217;s words. Just like <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/10\">Jesus did not seek any glory for himself<\/a>, he did not seek to have people love him. There was<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/14\"> nothing attractive about Jesus that people should want to love him<\/a>. Jesus&#8217; only value is that he speaks the father&#8217;s words. This agrees this other<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+14:24;+john+5:47;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+10:25;+john+8:46;+john+10:37;+john+8:45;+john+17:6-10\"> scriptures in which Jesus says that his words are not his own and that he speaks for the Father.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">The verse says that God will love those who keep (i.e. obey) God&#8217;s words spoken by Jesus, come to those who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=luke+11:28;+luke+8:19-21;+romans+2:13;+psalm+18:44;+deuteronomy+6:3;+jeremiah+22:1-6;+deuteronomy+12:28;+revelation+1:3;+2-kings+18:10-12;+deuteronomy+30:11-14;+deuteronomy+5:1;+2-samuel+22:45;+john+14:24\">hear and obey God&#8217;s words<\/a>. It does not say that both Jesus and God will love them, come to them and live in them. Only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+14:23;+2-corinthians+6:16;+ephesians+3:14-19;+1-john+2:24;+revelation+3:20;+revelation+21:3;+numbers+35:34;+numbers+5:3;+1-kings+8:30-49;+psalm+40:8;+psalm+37:31;+jeremiah+31:33;+2-corinthians+3:3\">God makes his home in the hearts of his people.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">Looking at the scripture without the words inserted by Bible editors, we see that only the father loves the person who keeps God&#8217;s words. It does not say that Jesus loves the person who keeps God&#8217;s words.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">Furthermore, the scripture says that only the father makes abode (i.e. lives in the heart) of the person who keeps God&#8217;s words. It does not say that Jesus makes abode (i.e. lives in the heart) of the person who keeps God&#8217;s words.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\/love\">this link<\/a> for understanding of love.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/14-24.html\"> <span class=\"l\">John 14:24<\/span><\/a><span class=\"l\"><span class=\"verse-24\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\"> &#8220;He who does not <\/span><\/span><\/span>love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father&#8217;s who sent Me.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: Jesus says clearly here that the words he speaks are God&#8217;s words &#8212; not his own. Despite this disclaimer, Christians insist on following Jesus and believing that he has special powers to perform miracles. Failing to understand that there was nothing special about Jesus except the fact that he spoke for God, they imagine that he is equal to God. This belief wrongly exalts the person of Jesus and wrongly diminishes God by putting Jesus above God. This is nothing more than idolatry. It is a clear and obvious violation of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+20:2-4;+exodus+20:23;+exodus+34:14;+deuteronomy+5:7;+2-kings+17:35;+jeremiah+25:6;+jeremiah+35:15;+hosea+13:4;+isaiah+43:11-13;+isaiah+45:21-22\">First Commandment.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>We see from the above scriptures that Jesus did not speak for himself. He spoke for God. This fact proves that Jesus is one of a long line of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">,<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\">angels,<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiahs<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">high priests<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenants-part-2\/7#godspeaksfromcloud\">witnesses<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/nas\/apostolos.html\">apostles<\/a> whom God sent to speak for him.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/kjv\/1-john\/2-14.html\">1 John 2:14\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0 <span class=\"verse-14\"> I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">COMMENTARY: This verse is another example of wrong translations by Bible scribes\/editors. The\u00a0 words that are not linked do not appear in the original Greek text. They were added by scribes\/editors to make the verse agree with their Christian doctrines. If we removed the words inserted by scribes\/editors, the scripture would read as follows:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\"><span class=\"verse-14\">written you fathers because known from beginning written you men because are strong and word God abideth in you and overcome one <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">By inserting the words &#8220;him that is,&#8221; Bible scribes\/editors communicate the idea that Jesus is the one who is known from the beginning. That is not what the verse is meant to say. What is known from the beginning is the word of God which abides\/dwells in the hearts of believers. Thus the wrong translation puts the emphasis on the person of Jesus instead of on God&#8217;s words, and wrongly conveys support for the doctrine that Jesus himself &#8212; not God&#8217;s words spoken by Jesus &#8212; has power to overcome the wicked one whom everyone assumes to be satan or the devil. This is a wrong interpretation. The true message of the verse is that God&#8217;s spoken word overcomes an evil, impure heart. The only thing Jesus does is speak God&#8217;s word.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">It is also worth noting that the word &#8220;wicked&#8221; does not appear in the original Greek text. It is another word inserted by Bible editors to make the finished text agree with the Christian doctrine regarding the devil or satan and to exalt the person of Jesus. Bible editors, having decided to translate the Greek word &#8220;poneros&#8221; with the word &#8220;one&#8221; needed to somehow qualify or explain who the &#8220;one&#8221; is or the verse would lack meaning. Inserting the word &#8220;wicked&#8221; was an easy choice of an adjective to describe &#8216;one&#8217; because it agreed with the doctrine that Jesus overcomes the devil.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/serpent-devil-satan-adversary-demons-evil-spirits-and-anti-christs\">this link for understanding of the symbolism of serpents, devils and demons.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">The problem for Bible editors\/scribes began when they decided to translate the Greek word <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/kjv\/poneros.html\">&#8220;poneros&#8221; as &#8220;one.&#8221;\u00a0 Poneros has a definition that is far broader than the idea of one person <\/a>or one thing. Whatever poneros means, it is clear that it is overcome when God&#8217;s word abides in the heart. When we remember that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\/3\">God&#8217;s word has power to separate\/divide a religious life from a spiritual life<\/a>, we conclude that the main message of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/kjv\/1-john\/2-14.html\">1 John 2:14 <\/a>is that God&#8217;s word has power to overcome religion, and that it does this by changing an <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#evilimpureheart\">evil, impure heart<\/a> that loves religion to a\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#goodpureheart\">clean, pure heart<\/a> that hates religion.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"col-md-12 section-title bible-title\">\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\r\n<p><strong><a id=\"imagine\"><\/a>6. JESUS DID NOT IMAGINE HIMSELF TO BE EQUAL TO GOD<\/strong><br \/>The <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Trinity\">doctrine of the trinity<\/a> has <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Trinity#History\">existed since the early church.\u00a0<\/a> Curiously, this doctrine remains a common theology in most Christian denominations &#8212; even though Jesus never said or did anything that would support such an idea. Quite the contrary, everything that Jesus said argues against a doctrine that would equate him with God. Consider the following scriptures:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/14-28.html\">John 14:28<\/a> You heard that I said to you, &#8216;I go away, and I will come to you.&#8217; If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">COMMENTARY: Here Jesus clearly says that the Father is greater than he is. If he imagined himself to be God or an equal of God, he would not have said this. Christians who believe the trinity doctrine ignore this verse because it spoils their claim that Jesus and God are equal.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">More than just ignoring what Jesus said about himself relative to God, Christians blindly override what Jesus said by elevating Jesus to a place of equality with God, and, in many denominations, worship Jesus instead of God. They have effectively idolized Jesus and violated the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+20:2-4;exodus+20:23;exodus+34:14;deuteronomy+5:7;2+kings+17:35;jeremiah+25:6;jeremiah+35:15;hosea+13:4;isaiah+43:11-13;isaiah+45:21-22\">First Commandment.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #1f3d70;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+19:16-17;mark+10:17-18;luke+18:18-19\">Matthew 19:16-17; Mark 10:17-18; Luke 18:18-19<\/a>:\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-16\">And someone came to Him and said, &#8220;Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse\">17\u00a0<span id=\"verse-17\">And He said to him, &#8220;Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">COMMENTARY: Here Jesus says clearly that only God is good. If he imagined himself to be God or equal to God, he would not have said &#8220;only God is good.&#8221; Christians ignore what Jesus said about only God being good and regard Jesus as though he is at least as good as God, and often as though he is more good than God.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">When Jesus said &#8220;keep the commandments,&#8221; he was pointing to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> where God&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+31:31-34;+jeremiah+32:39-40;+jeremiah+33:14;+jeremiah+24:7;+ezekiel+37:26;+ezekiel+39:29;+luke+22:20;+1-corinthians+11:25;+2-corinthians+3:1-6;+hebrews+8:8-12;+hebrews+10:16-17;+psalm+40:8;+psalm+37:31;+genesis+17:7-13\">commandments\/laws are written on the heart<\/a>. See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/time-hours-days-weeks-and-ages\/eternity\">Eternal Life<\/a> for understanding of why Jesus directed the inquirer to keep the commandments.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #1f3d70;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/philippians\/passage\/?q=philippians+2:5-8\">Philippians 2:5-8<\/a>:<\/span> <span class=\"verse-5\"> In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">COMMENTARY: To have the mind of Christ means to think and act like Christ in all things. This means having <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/12\">Jesus&#8217; character in all things<\/a>. It also means that we see ourselves engaged in the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/12#jesusministryfunctions\">same kinds of ministry activities.<\/a> Having Jesus&#8217; character and doing the same kind of ministry is what it means to be a follower of Jesus.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">Being a follower of Jesus does not mean worshiping him. People who worship Jesus have <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/religion-is-idolatry\/8\">made him into an idol like any other religious leader<\/a> which is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+20:2-4;+exodus+20:23;+exodus+34:14;+deuteronomy+5:7;+2-kings+17:35;+jeremiah+25:6;+jeremiah+35:15;+hosea+13:4;+isaiah+43:11-13;+isaiah+45:21-22\">a thing God warned against.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+19:16-17;+john+7:16-18;+mark+10:17-18;+luke+18:18-19;+john+12:44-50;+john+14:28;+matthew+10:40;+john+5:18-23;+mark+9:37;+luke+9:48;+john+10:29;+john+10:28-29;+matthew+11:23-27;+matthew+12;+john+6:38;+john+4:34;+john+5:30;+luke+22:42;+john+17:1-2;+john+13:20\">Jesus always deferred to his father<\/a> and never said, or implied that his followers should worship him.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"verse-5\"><span class=\"verse-number\">6<\/span> <span class=\"verse-6\"> Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: To have the nature of God means that our heart is like God&#8217;s heart. To have a heart like God&#8217;s heart is not the same as being equal to God.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">We acquire a heart like God&#8217;s heart when we are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/5\">born again<\/a>: God changes <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#evilimpureheart\">evil, impure hearts<\/a> of religious people into <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#goodpureheart\">clean, pure hearts <\/a>like God&#8217;s heart. Having a clean, pure heart is the nature of sons of God. Physically speaking, they are still sons of men because they have physical bodies. The part of us that has the nature of God is the heart &#8212; not the physical body.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Jesus was well-aware that his heart was like God&#8217;s heart. This was impressed on him at the time of his baptism when God said &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/matthew\/3-17.htm\">this is my son in whom I am well-pleased.&#8221;<\/a> Jesus was<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/5\"> born again<\/a> when he was baptized. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/6\">Everything changed for him. He saw God, himself and the world of religion differently.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">One thing that Jesus understood when he was born again is that God would speak through him to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\/2#dojustice\">accomplish justice<\/a>. He did not imagine that speaking for God made him equal to God. He saw that he was only a servant through whom God speaks. He knew also that anyone who speaks with wisdom and authority for God might be mistaken for God. And <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/6#makejesusking\">he was careful to make sure that people would not try to make him a king who could be like God to the people<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Christians who believe in the doctrine of the trinity believe that the human person Jesus was equal to God. This belief is at odds with the way Jesus felt about himself. Because Jesus did not consider himself to be equal to God, his followers should not see him as equal to God. People who insist on believing that Jesus is equal to God, therefore, are not true followers of Jesus. They follow the man-made doctrine of the trinity.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">7-8\u00a0 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death\u2014 even death on a cross!<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: <span style=\"color: #1f3d70;\">Jesus was well aware that he only spoke for God and that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/5\">his words were not his own.<\/a> Even though God spoke through him, Jesus had no desire to be like God. He was content being a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/8\">bond-servant (i.e. spokesperson\/prophet)<\/a> for God with no hope or expectation that he would be personally exalted or worshiped. <\/span><span style=\"color: #1f3d70;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\"><span style=\"color: #1f3d70;\">It makes no logical sense that Jesus would be nothing and equal to God. Following the thinking of the trinity doctrine, if Jesus is nothing, then God is nothing.<br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\"><span style=\"color: #1f3d70;\">For Jesus to be equal to God is not consistent with making himself nothing. The Christian doctrine of the trinity disagrees with how Jesus felt about himself. If Jesus was equal to God, there would be no reason to humble himself. God has no need to humble himself because he is sinless. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\"><span style=\"color: #1f3d70;\">Christians imagine that Jesus&#8217; act of humbling himself occurred at the cross. This is not true. Before he was anointed as a messiah, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/19\">Jesus practiced the sin of religion<\/a> and he necessarily needed to humble himself before he could be anointed. The Bible does not report when and how Jesus humbled himself, but verse 8 clearly says he did humble himself. <\/span><span style=\"color: #1f3d70;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/20\">this link for understanding of what it means to humble yourself.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a id=\"makejesusking\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/6-15.html\">John 6:15<\/a><span id=\"verse-15\" style=\"color: #444444; font-size: 19px;\"> So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\"><span style=\"color: #1f3d70;\">COMMENTARY: Jesus understood the tendency of men to fall into the trap of wanting to exalt him because he spoke for God. Well-aware of that fact, he was careful to remove himself so that people could not make him into more than he really was: A son of man.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\"><span style=\"color: #1f3d70;\">Here we see his going out of his way to avoid people who wanted to make him their king. Instead of accepting their praise and honor, he internally retreated into his heart (i.e. the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/prayer\/prayer-2\/public-prayer\/#mountainofgod\">mountain of God.)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\"><span style=\"color: #1f3d70;\">In clear contrast to Jesus&#8217; desires, Christians have elevated him into something\/someone he did not want to be. They praise, worship, and honor him as their king with their bodies and their voices. They have made Jesus into an idol.<br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\"><span style=\"color: #1f3d70;\">The tendency of Christians to want to make <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/15\">Jesus king is a stumbling block<\/a>. They don&#8217;t understand that he is only a spokesperson for God and not actually God. The history of Christianity is based on this big mistake.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"row\">\r\n<div class=\"col-md-12 section-title bible-title\">\r\n<p class=\"font-bold text-xl\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/1-corinthians\/passage\/?q=1+corinthians+15:26-28\">1 Corinthians 15:26-28 <\/a>makes Jesus&#8217; subordinate relationship to God very clear:<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" style=\"padding-left: 120px;\" data-verse-id=\"26\">26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" style=\"padding-left: 120px;\" data-verse-id=\"27\">27 For he \u201chas put everything under his feet.\u201d Now when it says that \u201ceverything\u201d has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.\u00a028 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div data-verse-id=\"28\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"row\">\r\n<div class=\"col-md-12 section-title bible-title\">\r\n<div data-verse-id=\"28\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-verse-id=\"28\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/1-corinthians\/passage\/?q=1+corinthians+3:22-23\">1 Corinthians 3:22-23<\/a> makes it very clear that Christ belongs to God.\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div data-verse-id=\"28\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"row\">\r\n<div class=\"col-md-12 section-title bible-title\">\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" style=\"padding-left: 120px;\" data-verse-id=\"22\">\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" data-verse-id=\"22\"><a class=\"text-blue-600 font-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/1-corinthians\/3-22.html\">22\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1535\" data-strongs-number=\"1535\">whether<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3972\" data-strongs-number=\"3972\">Paul<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1535\" data-strongs-number=\"1535\">or<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 625\" data-strongs-number=\"625\">Apollos<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1535\" data-strongs-number=\"1535\">or<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2786\" data-strongs-number=\"2786\">Cephas<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1535\" data-strongs-number=\"1535\">or<\/span>\u00a0the\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2889\" data-strongs-number=\"2889\">world<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1535\" data-strongs-number=\"1535\">or<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2222\" data-strongs-number=\"2222\">life<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1535\" data-strongs-number=\"1535\">or<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2288\" data-strongs-number=\"2288\">death<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1535\" data-strongs-number=\"1535\">or<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1764\" data-strongs-number=\"1764\">things<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1764\" data-strongs-number=\"1764\">present<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1535\" data-strongs-number=\"1535\">or<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3195\" data-strongs-number=\"3195\">things<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3195\" data-strongs-number=\"3195\">come<\/span>;\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3956\" data-strongs-number=\"3956\">all<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3956\" data-strongs-number=\"3956\">things<\/span> belong to you,\u00a0<a class=\"text-blue-600 font-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/1-corinthians\/3-23.html\">23\u00a0<\/a>and\u00a0you belong to\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5547\" data-strongs-number=\"5547\">Christ<\/span>; and\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5547\" data-strongs-number=\"5547\">Christ<\/span>\u00a0belongs to\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2316\" data-strongs-number=\"2316\">God<\/span>.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div data-verse-id=\"22\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"row\">\r\n<div class=\"col-md-12 section-title bible-title\">\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/john\/10-29.htm\">John 10:29 <\/a>Says that God is greater than all &#8212; including Jesus.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">My\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3962\" data-strongs-number=\"3962\">Father<\/span>,\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3739\" data-strongs-number=\"3739\">who<\/span>\u00a0has\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1325\" data-strongs-number=\"1325\">given<\/span>\u00a0them to Me, is\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3173\" data-strongs-number=\"3173\">greater<\/span>\u00a0than\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3956\" data-strongs-number=\"3956\">all<\/span>; and\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3762\" data-strongs-number=\"3762\">no<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3762\" data-strongs-number=\"3762\">one<\/span>\u00a0is\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1410\" data-strongs-number=\"1410\">able<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 726\" data-strongs-number=\"726\">snatch<\/span>\u00a0them out of the\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3962\" data-strongs-number=\"3962\">Father&#8217;s<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5495\" data-strongs-number=\"5495\">hand<\/span>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/12-50.html\">Matthew 12:50<\/a> makes Jesus&#8217; relationship with humans and God very clear: Humans are his brothers, sisters and mother. Jesus many times call God his father which makes him subordinate to God just like his brothers, sister and mother<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">\u201cFor whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+19:16-17;+mark+10:17-18;+luke+18:18-19;+john+12:44-50;+john+14:28;+matthew+10:40;+john+5:24;+mark+9:37;+luke+9:48;+john+10:29\">Jesus always deferred to Father God and put God ahead\/above himself<\/a>. If he thought of himself as being equal to God, he would not have put God above himself. Consider these scriptures that show that Jesus always put God ahead of himself:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=matthew+22:35-40&amp;t=nas\">Matthew 22:35-40<\/a>\u00a0<span class=\"verse\">35\u00a0<span id=\"verse-35\">One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him,<\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse\">36\u00a0<span id=\"verse-36\">&#8220;Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse\">37\u00a0<span id=\"verse-37\">And He said to him, &#8221; &#8216;YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.&#8217;<\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse\">38\u00a0<span id=\"verse-38\">&#8220;This is the great and foremost commandment.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse\">39\u00a0<span id=\"verse-39\">&#8220;The second is like it, &#8216;YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.&#8217;<\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse\">40\u00a0<span id=\"verse-40\">&#8220;On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">COMMENTARY: Here Jesus is quoting Old Testament scripture. Reference here to &#8220;Lord,&#8221; therefore, are to Father God &#8212; not to Jesus himself. If Jesus thought a command to love him was appropriate, this is where he would have said that. He did not think it appropriate, however, because he did not set himself above God or even equal to God.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">Jesus&#8217; attitudes about himself and God are very different from those of Christians who believe in the doctrine of the trinity. They say they follow Jesus, but never really grasp the truth that Jesus only spoke for God and that he was only a true prophet of God &#8212; not God.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #1f3d70;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:21\">Matthew 7:21<\/a><\/span>\u00a0Not everyone who says to Me, \u2018Lord, Lord,\u2019 will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven\u00a0<i>will enter.<\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">COMMENTARY: This scripture is directed specifically to Christians who like to call him lord because the doctrine of the trinity equates him with God.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">The KJV translates this verse like this:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\"><span class=\"verse-21\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\"><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3756\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3756\" data-strongs-number=\"3756\">Not<\/a> every <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3956\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3956\" data-strongs-number=\"3956\">one<\/a> that <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3004\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3004\" data-strongs-number=\"3004\">saith<\/a> unto <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3427\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3427\" data-strongs-number=\"3427\">me, <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2962\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2962\" data-strongs-number=\"2962\">Lord ,<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2962\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2962\" data-strongs-number=\"2962\">Lord,<\/a> shall <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1525\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1525\" data-strongs-number=\"1525\">enter <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1519\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1519\" data-strongs-number=\"1519\">into<\/a> the <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 932\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=932\" data-strongs-number=\"932\">kingdom<\/a> of <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3772\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3772\" data-strongs-number=\"3772\">heaven; <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 235\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=235\" data-strongs-number=\"235\">but<\/a> he that <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4160\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4160\" data-strongs-number=\"4160\">doeth<\/a> the <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2307\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2307\" data-strongs-number=\"2307\">will<\/a> of <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3450\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3450\" data-strongs-number=\"3450\">my <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3962\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3962\" data-strongs-number=\"3962\">Father<\/a> which is in <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3772\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3772\" data-strongs-number=\"3772\">heaven.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">When we look at only the original Greek words, and remove the filler words added by Christian scholars who wrote the Bible we are left with this:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\"><span class=\"verse-21\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\"><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3756\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3756\" data-strongs-number=\"3756\">Not<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3956\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3956\" data-strongs-number=\"3956\"> one<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3004\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3004\" data-strongs-number=\"3004\"> saith<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3427\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3427\" data-strongs-number=\"3427\"> me <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2962\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2962\" data-strongs-number=\"2962\">Lord <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2962\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2962\" data-strongs-number=\"2962\">Lord <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1525\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1525\" data-strongs-number=\"1525\">enter<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1519\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1519\" data-strongs-number=\"1519\"> into<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 932\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=932\" data-strongs-number=\"932\"> kingdom<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3772\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3772\" data-strongs-number=\"3772\"> heaven <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 235\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=235\" data-strongs-number=\"235\">but<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4160\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4160\" data-strongs-number=\"4160\"> doeth<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2307\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2307\" data-strongs-number=\"2307\"> will<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3450\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3450\" data-strongs-number=\"3450\"> my<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3962\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3962\" data-strongs-number=\"3962\"> Father <\/a>in<a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3772\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3772\" data-strongs-number=\"3772\"> heaven.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">Allowing for the many different ways that these Greek words could be translated into English, this scripture could be translated this way:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\"><em>None who say I am Lord will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but those who obey my Fathers spiritual laws in their hearts will enter into the kingdom of heaven. <\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Jesus is cautioning Christians against making him equal to God by saying that such beliefs will not get them into the kingdom of heaven. When he says &#8220;doeth the will of his Father&#8221; he is pointing to the New Covenant where God&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">spiritual laws<\/a> are written on the heart. See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/kingdom-of-heaven\">Kingdom of God\/Heaven<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4\">The Heart is the Place<\/a> for understanding.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:22-23\">Matthew 7:22-23: <\/a>\u201cMany will say to Me on that day, \u2018Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?\u2019 <span class=\"reftext\">23<\/span>\u201cAnd then I will declare to them, \u2018I never knew you;\u00a0DEPART FROM\u00a0ME,\u00a0YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.\u2019<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: Jesus is still talking to Christians who equate him with God and preach and practice their religion, including doing miracles and casting out demons, &#8220;in Jesus&#8217; name.&#8221; Essentially he is saying that this kind of religion is sin because\u00a0 Christians obey <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws<\/a> created by man &#8212; not God&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">spiritual laws<\/a> written on the heart.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Jesus dismisses religion (i.e. preaching, books, music, doing miracles, etc.) that focuses on him because he knows that, because he is not God, he cannot accept credit or praise that should go to his heavenly father. Knowing the truth about demons and miracles, he finds their claims to be religious showmanship without true spiritual value.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/serpent-devil-satan-adversary-demons-evil-spirits-and-anti-christs\">Serpent, Devil, Satan, Adversary, Demons, Evil Spirits and Anti-Christs<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\">Signs, Wonders and Miracles<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/matthew\/12-50.htm\">Matthew 12:50\u00a0<\/a>For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">COMMENTARY: The ability to do God&#8217;s exists only in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> disciples who have God&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">spiritual laws<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+31:31-34;+jeremiah+32:39-40;+jeremiah+33:14;+jeremiah+24:7;+ezekiel+37:26;+ezekiel+39:29;+luke+22:20;+1-corinthians+11:25;+2-corinthians+3:1-6;+hebrews+8:8-12;+hebrews+10:16-17;+psalm+40:8;+psalm+37:31;+genesis+17:7-13\">written on their hearts<\/a>. See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/friends-brothers-and-sisters\">Friends, Brothers and Sisters.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/mark\/3-35.htm\">Mark 3:35\u00a0<\/a>For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">COMMENTARY: The ability to do God&#8217;s will exists only in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> disciples who have God&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">spiritual laws<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+31:31-34;+jeremiah+32:39-40;+jeremiah+33:14;+jeremiah+24:7;+ezekiel+37:26;+ezekiel+39:29;+luke+22:20;+1-corinthians+11:25;+2-corinthians+3:1-6;+hebrews+8:8-12;+hebrews+10:16-17;+psalm+40:8;+psalm+37:31;+genesis+17:7-13\">written on their hearts<\/a>. Saying that people who do God&#8217;s will are his siblings is Jesus&#8217; way of acknowledging that they and he are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/4\">born again<\/a> into the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/5\">image of God<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 190px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/friends-brothers-and-sisters\">Friends, Brothers and Sisters.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">This is one more way in which Jesus refutes the Christian doctrine that he is equal to God. If he was God, there would be no need for him to be <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+3:1-6;+2-corinthians+5:17;+1-peter+1:22-25;+romans+8:1-13\">born again<\/a>. He and his New Covenant siblings are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/3\">sons of God<\/a> and\u00a0 they <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+4:10-12;+matthew+10:19-20;+mark+13:11;+luke+12:11-12;+luke+21:14-15;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2;+psalm+143:10;+matthew+10:17-20;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31;+1-peter+4:10-11\">speak for God<\/a>, but they are not Gods. Being sons of God they are equipped to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12\">speak for God<\/a> because they are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">anointed by God<\/a>, but the fact that they speak for God does not make them God.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+10:32-33\">Matthew 10:32-33<\/a> <span class=\"verse-32\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33<\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse-33\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;But\u00a0whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">COMMENTARY: This is a good example of a scripture that has been wrongly translated by Bible scribes\/editors in a way that grossly distorts its real meaning. When we remove the words that editors\/scribes have inserted, we see the original Greek text:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\"><span class=\"verse-32\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\">Therefore everyone who confe<\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse-32\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\">sses before men also confess before Father heaven\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse-33\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\">whoever denies before men also deny before Father heaven<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">By inserting the words (i.e. Me, I, My, Me, I My) which were not in the original Greek text, Bible editors changed the meaning to in a way that puts the emphasis on Jesus instead of on Father God. Because of this change, Christians have created the doctrine of &#8220;confessing&#8221; Jesus&#8217; name. That is why Christians believe that somehow confessing (i.e. saying Jesus&#8217; name with their mouths) earns favor with God in heaven. God is not impressed with what people say. He looks at the heart.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Religious Christians, however, are impressed when they hear someone use the name of Jesus reverentially. That is why it is common in Christian circles to hear people mentioning Jesus&#8217; name often. They do this to earn favor with other Christians who consider others who quote Jesus&#8217; name liberally to be spiritual. It must be said, therefore, that mentioning (i.e. confessing) Jesus&#8217; name is a good way for Christians to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2018\/02\/18\/making-a-name-for-yourself\/\">make good names for themselves<\/a> with other Christians.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Christians make this mistake because they do not understand the meaning of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/nas\/homologeo.html\">Greek word\u00a0 Homologeo<\/a> which is commonly translated as &#8220;confess.&#8221; Homologeo means to profess and declare the same words as another person professes and declares. With respect to Jesus, professing and declaring applies to God&#8217;s spoken words because the words Jesus spoke were God&#8217;s words &#8212; not his own words. To confess\/declare\/profess like Jesus, therefore, means to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12;+isaiah+59:21;+exodus+4:10-12;+matthew+10:19-20;+mark+13:11;+luke+12:11-12;+luke+21:14-15;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2;+psalm+143:10;+matthew+10:17-20;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31;+1-peter+4:10-11\">speak God&#8217;s words. <\/a>The only people who can do that are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a> who, like Jesus, are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">anointed with power and authority to speak for God.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/matthew\/18-10.htm\">Matthew 18:10:\u00a0<\/a>Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven\u2026<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">COMMENTARY: If Jesus thought of himself as being equal to God, he would not speak of God as his father. If he thought of himself as being equal to God, he would not have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+5:47;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+10:25;+john+8:46;+john+10:37;+john+8:45;+john+14:24\">said elsewhere that the words he speaks not his own<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"pull-left\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/18-19.html\">Matthew 18:19<\/a>\u00a0&#8220;Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">COMMENTARY: Christians often bring their prayer requests to Jesus with the belief that he himself has power and authority to answer prayers. This is wrong thinking. The only power and authority <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiahs have is to speak for God<\/a>. Because Jesus understood his personal limitations, he did not say that he would answer prayers. As always, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+19:16-17;+john+7:16-18;+mark+10:17-18;+luke+18:18-19;+john+12:44-50;+john+14:28;+matthew+10:40;+john+5:18-23;+mark+9:37;+luke+9:48;+john+10:29;+john+10:28-29;+matthew+11:23-27;+matthew+12;+john+6:38;+john+4:34;+john+5:30;+luke+22:42;+john+17:1-2;+john+13:20\">he deferred to his Father<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">Christians also believe that this verse gives them license to pray for any and all kinds of needs they may have. This also is wrong thinking that ignores <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/prayer\/when-god-does-hear-prayer\/the-lords-prayer\">Jesus&#8217; teaching about prayer<\/a>. Prayer requests that are not consistent with this teaching are examples of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/james\/4-3.html\">praying with wrong motives<\/a>. Since the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/4\">only kind of miracle God does is change hearts,<\/a> the only prayers he will acknowledge and answer are prayers that God will change hearts from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#evilimpureheart\">evil and impure<\/a> to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#goodpureheart\">good and pure<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"pull-left\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=matthew+18:21-35&amp;t=nas\">Matthew 18:21-35<\/a>\u00a0<span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-33\">&#8216;Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?&#8217; <\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse\">34\u00a0<span id=\"verse-34\">&#8220;And his lord , moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse\">35\u00a0<span id=\"verse-35\">&#8220;My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">COMMENTARY: Christians sometimes pray to Jesus for forgiveness. If Jesus had authority to forgive, he would have said here that he &#8212; not his heavenly father &#8212; would forgive people if they did not forgive their brother. He did not say that he would forgive because he knew that only God can forgive and he did not equate himself with God.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">STUDY TIPS: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/6\">this link for understanding of mercy. <\/a>Also see this link for understanding of slavery. With this understanding of slavery, we see that a fellow slave is someone who is enslaved to the same religion.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=matthew+6:3-4&amp;t=nas\">Matthew 6:3-4<\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-3\"> &#8220;But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, <\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse\">4 <span id=\"verse-4\">so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">COMMENTARY: If Jesus had the ability to see what is in the hearts of man, he would have said here that he &#8212; not father God &#8212; would reward them for giving in secret. He did not say that he would reward people for giving in secret because he knew that only God can give rewards and he did not equate himself with God.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">STUDY TIPS: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/prayer#secretplace\">this link for understanding of the secret place.<\/a> Also see <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/#rewards\">this link for understanding of the kinds of rewards God gives.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/6-6.html\">Matthew 6:6<\/a> &#8220;But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">COMMENTARY: The inner room is another term that symbolically represents a clean, pure heart. Jesus did not say to go to church or a prayer meeting somewhere to pray. He makes it very clear that prayer happens in the heart. The command to pray in secret is confirmed in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+6:15;matthew+6:6;matthew+14:23;mark+1:35;mark+6:46;luke+6:12;luke+9:18;matthew+26:36\">Jesus&#8217; habit of going to the mountain or a quiet place to pray alone.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/prayer\/prayer-2\/public-prayer#mountainofgod\">this link<\/a> for understanding of the mountain of God.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">The statement &#8220;your father who is in secret&#8221; is a poetic way of saying that God is in the heart of New Covenant disciples. Contrary to what Christians believe, Jesus did not say that he was in the heart or that that he could see what happens in the heart. If he was indeed in the heart, this would have been the time to say that he was. If he could see what happens in the heart or give a reward for what happens in the heart, this would have been the time to state those facts. That Jesus did not make these claims about himself is evidence that the Christian notion about inviting Jesus into your heart and having Jesus in your heart is not supported by scripture.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">As always, Jesus assigns all power and authority regarding the heart to God &#8212; not to\u00a0 himself. The only power and authority Jesus has is to report the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/13\">truth<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+6:9-11\">Matthew 6:9-11<\/a>\u00a0<span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-9\">&#8220;Pray, then, in this way: &#8216;Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse\">10\u00a0<span id=\"verse-10\">&#8216;Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse\">11\u00a0<span id=\"verse-11\">&#8216;Give us this day our daily bread.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">COMMENTARY: Jesus clearly commands his followers to pray to his father God. If it was appropriate to pray to him, he would have said so here. It is perfectly clear, therefore, that the practice of praying to Jesus is not supported by scripture.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/prayer\/when-god-does-hear-prayer\/the-lords-prayer\">Lord&#8217;s Prayer for in depth study of Jesus&#8217; instructions on prayer.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+6:14-15\">\u00a0Matthew 6:14-15 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-14\">&#8220;For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse\">15\u00a0<span id=\"verse-15\">&#8220;But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">COMMENTARY: Jesus makes it very clear that father God has the power and authority to forgive sins. If Jesus thought he had the power and authority to forgive sins, he would have said here that he would use that authority to forgive.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"col-md-12 section-title bible-title\">\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\r\n<p><strong><a id=\"mediator\"><\/a>7. HE WAS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN<\/strong><br \/>Mediators are interpreters. They can understand and speak the language of all parties for whom they mediate. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=galatians+3:19-20;+1-timothy+2:5;+hebrews+8:6;+hebrews+9:15;+hebrews+12:22-24\">Jesus was a mediator<\/a> who was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">anointed with the ability to hear God&#8217;s voice and speak what he heard with Godly authority<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>As a son of God, Jesus could hear and understand God&#8217;s spoken voice. As a son of man, Jesus could speak the language of men. The essence of his ministry was to serve as an interpreter of what God said into language that religious people could understand. In other words, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:40;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+acts+7:38;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12\">Jesus spoke for God<\/a>. That does not mean that he was God.<\/p>\r\n<p>Jesus was anointed with the power to speak for God to people who could not otherwise hear or understand God&#8217;s spoken voice. He did not add to or subtract from what God said because\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">God&#8217;s laws, his character and his words are absolute; they do not change<\/a>. There was no give-and-take kind of mediation like we think of in human terms. The only authority Jesus had was to speak for God. He had no power or authority that was uniquely his. He was a man, a servant, who had no aspirations to be God or illusions that he was God.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\r\n<p><strong><a id=\"servant\"><\/a>8. HE WAS A SERVANT OF GOD<\/strong><br \/>Jesus understood what it meant to be a servant. He knew that his one and only job was to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:40;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+acts+7:38;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12\">speak for God<\/a>. It makes no sense to believe that he was God and spoke for God. If he was God, he would speak for himself.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/servants\">Servants and Shepherds<\/a> for understanding of what it means to serve God<\/p>\r\n<p>He understood that he did not have within his body the power to heal <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\">diseases, restore sight to the blind, heal the deaf, heal the lame, or raise the dead<\/a>. He understood that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/4\">God accomplished these miracles<\/a> through the power of God&#8217;s word spoken through him. And <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+7:16-18;+john+5:41;+john+8:50-54;+john+12:43;+john+5:34;+john+6:15\">he sought no glory for himself<\/a> when God accomplished miracles through him.<\/p>\r\n<p>As a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=acts+4:30;+acts+3:13\">servant of God<\/a>, Jesus understood that a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+15:20;+matthew+10:24;+luke+6:40;+john+13:16\">servant is not above his\/her master. <\/a>Nevertheless, Christians insist on placing Jesus ahead of God in so many ways. For example:<\/p>\r\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\" border=\"1\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.56407%;\">\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.79481%;\">\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 85.641%;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>They call themselves followers of Jesus, not followers of God.<\/li>\r\n<li>Many name their churches after Jesus.<\/li>\r\n<li>They often use the cross to identify with Jesus.<\/li>\r\n<li>They think that Jesus heals and saves them.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p>These are glaring inconsistencies with respect to obedience to Jesus&#8217; teachings and his example.<\/p>\r\n<p>Jesus clearly understood the servant\/master relationship. He also understood what he taught about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=mark+9:35;+matthew+20:26;+matthew+23:11;+mark+10:43-44;+luke+22:26\">first being last, and the last being first.<\/a> Since he was a servant, he could not, and would not, want to be elevated to a position ahead of the one whom he served.\u00a0He would not approve,\u00a0 therefore, of the way Christians elevate him above God. He would not approve of the way that Christians have made him into an idol.<\/p>\r\n<p>He saw what Christians cannot see: It is impossible to both serve God and be God. If Jesus was God&#8217;s servant, and he was, he was then, by definition, subordinate to God. This fact undermines all Christian theology regarding Jesus &#8212; including the doctrine of the trinity.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\r\n<p><strong><a id=\"peace\"><\/a>9. HE DID NOT COME TO BRING PEACE AMONG MEN\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>Jesus is often called the &#8220;prince of peace.&#8221; This label conflicts radically from the following statement Jesus made of himself:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=matthew+10:34-39&amp;t=nas\">Matthew 10:34-37\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-34\">&#8220;Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 35 <span id=\"verse-35\">&#8220;For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 36 <span id=\"verse-36\">and A MAN&#8217;S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD. <span id=\"verse-37\">&#8220;He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me<\/span>.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: Lacking understanding of the differences between the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#oldcovenant\">Old\/First Covenant<\/a> and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a>, Christians do not understand how to apply this verse to their lives. They do not understand because they are Old\/First Covenant religionists. Because Jesus is the ultimate example of a New Covenant disciple, he understood what he said, and so will all other New Covenant disciples.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/5\">this link for comparisons of the Old\/First Covenant and New Covenant.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Christians also lack understanding of peace. Like Jews, Christians think of peace in worldly terms, like peace between people. Jesus understood that Jews were looking for a messiah who would bring external peace to Israel according to their interpretations of scriptures that prophesied about a messiah.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Here is a brief summary of the Jews&#8217; expectations regarding the messiah:<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"col-md-12 section-title bible-title\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>He would bring about the political and spiritual redemption of the Jewish people<\/li>\r\n<li>He would bring Jews back to Israel.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<li>He would establish Jewish law as the law of the land.<\/li>\r\n<li>He will be a great political leader descended from King David.<\/li>\r\n<li>He will be a charismatic leader, inspiring others to follow his example.<\/li>\r\n<li>He will be a great military leader, who will win battles for Israel.<\/li>\r\n<li>He will be a human being, not a god, demi-god or other supernatural being.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Jesus knew that Jews were looking for a messiah who would bring peace to Israel. And he knew that people would <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/14\">stumble over him<\/a> and want to make him their king because he appeared to have miraculous powers. Therefore, when he said &#8220;I have not come to bring peace on earth&#8221; he made a clear point of saying that he was not the kind of messiah that the Jews were anticipating.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Both Jews and Christians believe that Jesus came to bring peace to people who live in a world filled with conflict. They believe this because they do not understand that God&#8217;s definition of peace is not about relationships between people or nations. Instead, when God talks about peace, he is talking about his spoken word.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/7#peace\">this link for understanding of peace as a symbolic term to represent God&#8217;s voice.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">When Jesus said he did not come to bring peace, he meant that he was not a political or military leader who would fight Israel&#8217;s battles with its political enemies. Rather, the kind of peace to which he referred was Godly peace which is God&#8217;s spoken word. He reinforces this statement by saying that he came with a sword, which is another symbolic reference to God&#8217;s word.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/blood\/2#warfarewordsswords\">this link for understanding of swords as symbolism for God&#8217;s words<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Jesus further explains this symbolism in verse 35 where he says that his words will create division between people. In God&#8217;s view, there are only two kinds of people: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciples<\/a> who listen to his voice, and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#oldcovenant\">Old\/First Covenant<\/a> religionists who listen to the voices of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">false prophets<\/a>. As long as the Jews all practiced the same religion, there was a kind of peace within Judaism. But that all changed when some ethnic Jews stopped practicing Judaism because they heard Jesus speak God&#8217;s words.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">The Jews to whom Jesus was speaking were all Old\/First Covenant religionists before Jesus started speaking. People who heard God&#8217;s voice as spoken by Jesus had their hearts changed. When their hearts changed, they became New Covenant disciples living among a community of Old\/First Covenant religionists.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">This is how Jesus&#8217; words created division. Not everyone who heard Jesus&#8217; voice believed what he said. A child might hear and believe what Jesus said when a parent heard but did not believe. At that point they became enemies. While they were all religious, they were not enemies, but when someone stopped being religious, he\/she became a spiritual enemy of people who were formerly spiritual friends and members of a religious community (i.e. family.)<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\/2#conflictwithreligiousparents\">this link for understanding of conflict between religious and non-religious people.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Verse 37 has always been a confusing verse for Christians: <span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-37\">&#8220;He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.&#8221;<\/span> They cannot understand why they should have to make a choice between a parent or child and Jesus, so they do not make a choice. They do not understand that Jesus is not telling people to choose whom they will love. They do not understand that he is telling Jews and Christians that they must choose whom they will listen to regarding God and religious matters. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\"><span class=\"verse\">The context of verse 37 is the subject of peace and swords. The common understanding of peace is between people. Whether you are talking about peace between people or peace between people and God, peace is about relationships. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\"><span class=\"verse\">God&#8217;s concept of peace is that it is a symbolic reference to his spoken word. People who hear God&#8217;s spoken voice have an intimate relationship with God. They have God&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/7#peace\">peace (i.e. God&#8217;s words)<\/a> in their hearts. This is the kind of relationship God desires to have with his people. It is also the kind of relationship that people should desire to have with God (i.e. having his words\/laws) written on their hearts. This is the essence of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+31:31-34;+jeremiah+32:36-40;+jeremiah+33:14;+isaiah+59:21;+jeremiah+24:7;+ezekiel+37:26;+ezekiel+39:29;+luke+22:20;+1-corinthians+11:25;+2-corinthians+3:1-6;+hebrews+8:8-12;+hebrews+10:16-17;+psalm+40:8;+psalm+37:31;+genesis+17:7-13;+2-kings+18:11-12;+exodus+19:3-6;+judges+2:16-23;+deuteronomy+5:1-4\">New Covenant.<\/a><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\"><span class=\"verse\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/3#adulteryandprostitution\">this link for God&#8217;s concept of intimacy.<\/a><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">People who do not have God&#8217;s laws written on their hearts do not have peace in their hearts. They also do not have truly peaceful relationships with other people because they have <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#evilimpureheart\">evil, impure hearts<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\"><span class=\"verse\">Since Jesus speaks for God, people who choose to love and follow him in effect say that they love the words he speaks. They love God&#8217;s voice. Alternatively, if they love the words of their parents (including religious leaders who function as spiritual parents when they teach\/preach religion), more than they love Jesus&#8217; words, they choose to remain religious.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"col-md-12 section-title bible-title\">\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=luke+12:51-53&amp;t=nas\">Luke 12:51-53\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-51\">&#8220;Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 52 <span id=\"verse-52\">for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 53 <span id=\"verse-53\">&#8220;They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: Here again Jesus makes it clear that he did not come to bring political peace to Israel. He also makes it clear that his purpose is to create division between people. The people he will divide are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/5\">Old\/First Covenant religionists from New Covenant disciples.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\/2#conflictwithreligiousparents\">this link for understanding of conflict between religious and non-religious people.<\/a> Also see Commentary for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=matthew+10:34-39&amp;t=nas\">Matthew 10:34-37 <\/a>above.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Christians, lacking understanding of this interpretation, like to imagine that Jesus is the prince of peace who brings peace to the world in conflict. They do not understand that religion, including Christianity, is the cause of conflict because <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\">religion is the enemy<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">If all people in the world were New Covenant disciples, there would be no conflict because all people would have <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">God&#8217;s laws written on their hearts<\/a>. Because all people would have <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#goodpureheart\">clean, pure hearts,<\/a> there would be no <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/5#favoritismpartiality\">partiality or preferences<\/a> that would divide people along religious boundaries. If there is no religion, there is no religious conflict, and everyone shares relational peace.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">All <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12;+isaiah+59:21;+exodus+4:10-12;+matthew+10:19-20;+mark+13:11;+luke+12:11-12;+luke+21:14-15;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2;+psalm+143:10;+matthew+10:17-20;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31;+1-peter+4:10-11\">angels,\u00a0messiahs, high priests, witnesses and warriors<\/a> contribute to a world of relational peace. They do this by speaking <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/7#peace\">peace (i.e. God&#8217;s words)<\/a> to people.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">On the other hand, all religious leaders (i.e. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\" data-slimstat=\"5\">False Prophets,\u00a0<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/egypt-and-babylon\/5#pharaohs\" data-slimstat=\"5\">Pharaohs,<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/kings-queens-and-princes\" data-slimstat=\"5\"> Kings, Queens and Princes, <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/pharisees-and-scribes\" data-slimstat=\"5\">Pharisees and Scribes<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/serpent-devil-satan-adversary-demons-evil-spirits-and-anti-christs\" data-slimstat=\"5\">, Serpents, Devils, Satan, Adversaries, Demons, Evil Spirits, and\u00a0 Anti-Christs)<\/a> contribute to a world of inter-religious conflict as they <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\/gods-at-war\">compete with one another to expand their respective kingdoms.<\/a> They <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+6:13-14;+jeremiah+8:10-12;+jeremiah+14:13;+ezekiel+13:10-16\">pretend to speak of peace, but the kind of peace that they are talking about is not God&#8217;s kind of peace.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"col-md-12 section-title bible-title\">\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>10. <a id=\"glory\"><\/a><\/strong><strong>JESUS DID NOT SEEK HIS OWN GLORY OR KINGDOM<\/strong><br \/>Christians are fond of giving glory to Jesus. They do this in prayer, in music and in speech. It is a curious and glaring inconsistency that Christians give this kind of glory to Jesus when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+7:16-18;+john+5:41;+john+8:50-54;+john+12:43;+john+5:34;+john+6:15\">he, himself, did not seek his own glory<\/a>. This practice adds to the evidence that Christianity is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/\">Fake Faith<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Not only did Jesus not seek his own glory, he actively and purposefully resisted attempts by religious people to give him glory. Consider these verses:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/6-15.html\">John 6:15\u00a0 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-15\">So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: Jews who heard Jesus speak thought he was the promised messiah who would fulfill prophecies to accomplish the following for Israel:<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Bring about the political and spiritual redemption of the Jewish people<\/li>\r\n<li>Bring Jews back to Israel.<\/li>\r\n<li>Restore the physical city of Jerusalem.<\/li>\r\n<li>Establish a government in Israel that will be the center of all world government, both for Jews and gentiles.<\/li>\r\n<li>Rebuild the Temple and re-establish its worship.<\/li>\r\n<li>Restore the religious court system of Israel.<\/li>\r\n<li>Establish Jewish law as the law of the land.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 240px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messianic-prophecy\">this link for more about messianic prophecy.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"col-md-12 section-title bible-title\">\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Because these were huge revolutionary tasks that could only be accomplished by a strong king, and because Jews always had problems with powerful external enemies, Jews interpreted prophecy in terms of a strong political and military leader. So, when Jesus appeared and started doing miracles and gaining followers, many Jews thought Jesus was the messiah and wanted to make him their king. They thought he could be a strong, effective political and religious leader who could successfully wage war with Israel&#8217;s enemies and lead the unified nation.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Jesus understood that Jews&#8217; interpretations of prophecy were totally wrong. He knew that all messianic prophecy points to God sending many anointed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12;+isaiah+59:21;+exodus+4:10-12;+matthew+10:19-20;+mark+13:11;+luke+12:11-12;+luke+21:14-15;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2;+psalm+143:10;+matthew+10:17-20;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31;+1-peter+4:10-11\">messiahs<\/a> (i.e. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12;+isaiah+59:21;+exodus+4:10-12;+matthew+10:19-20;+mark+13:11;+luke+12:11-12;+luke+21:14-15;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2;+psalm+143:10;+matthew+10:17-20;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31;+1-peter+4:10-11\">angels, high priests, witnesses and warriors) <\/a>who would speak God&#8217;s message that people should stop listening to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">false prophets<\/a> (i.e. religious leaders, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/serpent-devil-satan-adversary-demons-evil-spirits-and-anti-christs\" data-slimstat=\"5\">Serpents, Devils, Satan, Adversaries, Demons, Evil Spirits, and\u00a0 Anti-Christs<\/a>) and start <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=exodus+15:22-26;+exodus+23:20-25;+exodus+19:1-5;+jeremiah+7:23-26;+jeremiah+11:1-4;+matthew+4:1-4;+deuteronomy+8:1-3;+job+22:21-23;+psalm+119:9-13;+psalm+138:4;+isaiah+28:23;+jeremiah+11:1-7;+jeremiah+22:21;+psalm+106:25;+nehemiah+9:29;+jeremiah+11:10;+jeremiah+13:11;+zechariah+7:11;+isaiah+46:12;+matthew+13:15;genesis+22:18;+exodus+23:21-22;+numbers+7:89;+numbers+14:22;+deuteronomy+4:12;+deuteronomy+4:30;+deuteronomy+4:36;+deuteronomy+5:22-26;+deuteronomy+8:20;+deuteronomy+9:23;+deuteronomy+13:4;+deuteronomy+13:18;+deuteronomy+15:5;+deuteronomy+26:14;+deuteronomy+26:17;+deuteronomy+30:20;+joshua+5:6;+joshua+10:14;+joshua+22:2;+joshua+24:24;+psalm+81:11;+psalm+95:7;+psalm+106:25;+jeremiah+3:13;+jeremiah+3:25;+jeremiah+7:23;+jeremiah+7:28;+jeremiah+9:13;+jeremiah+11:4;+jeremiah+11:7;+jeremiah+18:10;+jeremiah+22:20-21;+jeremiah+26:13;+jeremiah+32:23;+jeremiah+40:3;+jeremiah+42:6;+jeremiah+42:13-14;+jeremiah+43:1-7;+jeremiah+44:23;+isaiah+28:23;+isaiah+32:9;+isaiah+55:1-3;daniel+9:9-11\">listening to God&#8217;s spoken voice.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messianic-prophecy\">Messianic Prophecy<\/a> for understanding about God sending many messiahs.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Jesus knew that God alone brings <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/13\">deliverance and salvation<\/a> through his spoken word. He knew that salvation comes only through God&#8217;s spoken word and that he was nothing more, or less, than the human agent through whom God spoke. He knew that he, himself did not have the power or authority to save anyone from sin or protect a country. He knew that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+15:1-2;+luke+8:12;+james+1:21;+ephesians+1:13;+ezekiel+33:5;+psalm+119:81;+psalm+119:166;+psalm+130:5;+psalm+40:10;+psalm+119:123;+psalm+119:41-42;+psalm+119:146;+psalm+119:154;+1-corinthians+1:18;+romans+1:16;+1-thessalonians+2:13-16;+1-corinthians+1:21;+isaiah+43:12;+ezekiel+3:21;+1-peter+2:1-3;+psalm+119:74;+psalm+119:77;+psalm+119:114\">power and authority to save rested exclusively in God&#8217;s word which he spoke<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Knowing these facts, Jesus could not and would not submit to efforts to make him king. If he did, he would immediately lose his anointing because he would present himself as an imposter in a position that belongs only to God. If he had wanted to be a king, Jesus would not have distanced himself from people who were attracted to him. As someone who spoke for God, Jesus knew that he had no power or authority in himself. He knew that the only power he had was the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">anointing to speak for God.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Jesus wanted nothing material for himself. He needed nothing from people. For him it was better to be God&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/servants\">servant<\/a> than to be a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/kings-queens-and-princes\">king<\/a> who ruled a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/3\">kingdom<\/a> of people who have evil, impure hearts. For Jesus, neither kingly status, or political power, or financial wealth could compare to the spiritual <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/3\">wealth<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/#rewards\">rewards<\/a> he already had.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">With these truths in mind, we understand why Jesus removed himself from people who wanted to make him their king and retreated to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/prayer\/prayer-2\/public-prayer\/#mountainofgod\">mountain of God. <\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Perhaps not surprisingly, Christians do not think that they have anything to learn from this scripture. They would otherwise agree that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/2-timothy\/passage\/?q=2-timothy+3:16-17\">all scripture is God-breathed and useful for training in righteousness<\/a>, but not with respect to this verse. Thus they insist on treating Jesus as their king. They do this because they do not understand the spiritual <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/12\">Jesus or his mission<\/a>. For them, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/14\">Jesus is a stumbling block<\/a> that keeps people from listening to God&#8217;s voice.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/18-36.html\">John 18:36 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-36\">Jesus answered, &#8220;My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be\u00a0 fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">COMMENTARY: The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/world\">world is the world of religion<\/a>. The realm of which Jesus is not a part is the worldly realm of religion occupied by religious people who are led by religious leaders (e.g. pastors, preachers, rabbis, evangelists, etc.) Jesus is a citizen of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#goodpureheart\">kingdom of God which exists only in people with clean, pure hearts<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 240px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/kingdom-of-heaven\">this link for understanding of God&#8217;s kingdom<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">People who make Jesus their king are religious people who do not understand that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/14\">Jesus is a stumbling block<\/a>. Christians have wrongly made the human Jesus a part of their religious kingdoms, but, as was discussed in the commentary for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/6-15.html\">John 6:15,<\/a> it is a kingdom with which Jesus refused to be associated. The kingdom with which Jesus and all other true prophets are associated is the heavenly kingdom of clean, pure hearts &#8212; not the worldly kingdom of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/welcome\/the-cries-of-my-heart\">churches,<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/serpent-devil-satan-adversary-demons-evil-spirits-and-anti-christs\">pastors<\/a> and religious rituals.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 240px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/3\">this link for understanding of kingdoms.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">Jesus&#8217; servants are all <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12;+isaiah+59:21;+exodus+4:10-12;+matthew+10:19-20;+mark+13:11;+luke+12:11-12;+luke+21:14-15;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2;+psalm+143:10;+matthew+10:17-20;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31;+1-peter+4:10-11\">angels,\u00a0messiahs, high priests, witnesses and warriors<\/a> who are actively engaged in a battle to deliver the human Jesus from the belief that he is God. They do not do this for Jesus&#8217; sake but for the sake of the religious people who are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">enslaved<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/forum-descriptions\/toxicity\/4#listofquestions\">addicted<\/a> to Christianity.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 240px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/israel-jerusalem-jews-christians-and-gentiles\">this link for understanding of the symbolic meaning of Jews and Gentiles<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/passage\/?q=john+2:23-25\">John 2:23-25 <\/a><\/span><span class=\"verse-23\"> 23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">COMMENTARY: Christians interpret verse 23 to mean that believing\/trusting in the name &#8220;Jesus&#8221; has some spiritual benefit. This is wrong thinking. The human name &#8220;Jesus&#8221; has no more benefit than the human name &#8220;Bob&#8221; or &#8220;Mary.&#8221; Names have no more spiritual power than physical objects. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\/3\">Spiritual power resides only in God&#8217;s spoken word<\/a>. All religions (including Judaism, Christianity and Islam) that believe that names or objects or places have spiritual power or significance practice superstition borrowed from pagan religions.<\/p>\r\n<p>STUDY TIPS: See this link for understanding of Jesus&#8217; name.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">But, when we remember that, in the Bible, a person&#8217;s &#8220;name&#8221; refers to his\/her character, this verse takes on a whole different meaning. And, in the case of Jesus and other true prophets, the name\/character they present is God&#8217;s character because they are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/5\">born again into his character<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">Failing to recognize this truth, Christians believe that there is spiritual power in the human name of Jesus. That is why they use the phrase &#8220;in Jesus&#8217; name&#8221; when they pray, baptize and preach. They have this superstitious belief that simply adding this phrase gives them special power and authority with God. They are wrong.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">God gives spiritual power and authority only to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciples<\/a> whom he anoints to speak for him as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12;+isaiah+59:21;+exodus+4:10-12;+matthew+10:19-20;+mark+13:11;+luke+12:11-12;+luke+21:14-15;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2;+psalm+143:10;+matthew+10:17-20;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31;+1-peter+4:10-11\">angels,\u00a0messiahs, high priests, witnesses and warriors<\/a>. He does not give such power to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#oldcovenant\">Old\/First Covenant<\/a> religionists.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">The correct way to interpret this verse is to think of Jesus&#8217; character &#8211;not of his human name. Therefore, what observers saw and believed regarding Jesus was God&#8217;s character as revealed through the words Jesus spoke. Observers heard Jesus&#8217; words, considered those words to be God&#8217;s words, and believed that God&#8217;s character was embodied in the person Jesus.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">Regarding the signs that Jesus did, some observers attributed the power and authority necessary to do those acts to God &#8212; not to the person Jesus. Others, however, believed that the power necessary to perform those signs existed in the human person of Jesus. Nevertheless, the truth is that all of the signs (e.g. healing, raise from dead, etc.) were accomplished through the power of God&#8217;s words spoken by Jesus.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 240px;\">STUDY TIPS: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\">this link for understanding of signs, wonders and miracles<\/a>. Also see <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\">this link<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-disease\">this link<\/a> for understanding of miracles of healing.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse\"> 24 <span id=\"verse-24\">But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men,<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 25 <span id=\"verse-25\">and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">COMMENTARY: Verse 24 is a mystery to Christians. Why would Jesus not entrust himself to men. They believed in his name! Some wanted to make him king! They were obviously his friends! Not trusting them seems so unlike Jesus. How are we to understand his attitude toward them.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">The\u00a0 answer is in the phrases &#8220;he knew all men,&#8221; and &#8220;he knew what was in man.&#8221; So we must ask, &#8220;what is it that Jesus knew?&#8221;<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">The simple answer is that he knew their hearts. He knew that these were <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#oldcovenant\">Old\/First Covenant<\/a> religious Jews who were looking for a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messianic-prophecy\">human messiah to deliver them from their enemies<\/a>. He also knew that God, not him, was their deliverer and source of salvation. Basically he knew that these people who wanted to make him king only wanted relief from their problems. They did not want to give up their religion and did not want to hear God&#8217;s voice. Since God&#8217;s voice was all that he had that had any value, he could not yield to their invitation to make him their king. He knew that God was the king they needed and he would not usurp God&#8217;s legitimate position in their hearts.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">That is how it was 2000 years ago, and it is still that way today. Christians want a human deliverer\/savior. They want someone to fix all their present day problems and give them assurance of eternal life. Like the Jews, Christians want a savior but they do not want to give up their religion or listen to God&#8217;s voice.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+12:44-45&amp;t=nas\">John 12:44-45 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-44\">And Jesus cried out and said, &#8220;He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 45 <span id=\"verse-45\">&#8220;He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">COMMENTARY: The fact that Jesus cried out tells us that he desperately wanted people to hear what he had to say. Basically, what he was saying was that belief in him is not the same thing as belief in God. This truth is critical for Christians who, because of their belief in the trinity, believe that Jesus is God. He is not God. He is only a human spokesperson for God.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">Jesus cried out to say to people &#8220;Do not believe in me. Believe in God who sent me.&#8221; He was compelled to cry out with this message because he knew that there was a very real potential that religious people would stumble over him and make him their king &#8212; which is exactly what Christians have been doing for 2000 years.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">There are two kinds of people that believe in Jesus.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">First, there are Christians who wrongly believe that he is God. These people like the things Jesus said and did, but that is as far as they are willing to go. They are not willing to study scripture enough to discover who Jesus really was or to understand the spiritual meanings of his words and actions. They like the imagery of Jesus as baby, friend and deliverer, and they love the religion built around these images, but they will not study to learn the symbolism of Jesus&#8217; words and actions. They like their simple stories about Jesus, but they have no desire to understand the mysteries of God. They like their Christian religion and have no desire or need to ever quit.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">The second type of believer in Jesus sees him for what he was: A man anointed by God to speak for God. They believe that his words are God&#8217;s words, and they believe that his life reflected God&#8217;s character, but they do not believe that he was equal to God. They see his words and actions as instructions about how they, as New Covenant disciples, should live. They trust that he spoke for God, but they do not worship him as though he still lived and ruled as God. They learn from Bible stories about Jesus and they continue studying to hear God&#8217;s voice independent of a human teacher like Jesus. And finally, they see that following Jesus means to continue his ministry functions in their own lives but they do not call themselves Christian because they are not members of any religious organizations.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"col-md-12 section-title bible-title\">\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>11. <a id=\"priest\"><\/a>HE WAS A HIGH PRIEST <\/strong><br \/>We find the imagery of a high priest in the Old Testament where he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=leviticus+1:1-5;+leviticus+3:1-2;+leviticus+3:7-13;+leviticus+4:1-6;+leviticus+5:9\">sprinkles blood on the altar<\/a> and on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/leviticus\/passage\/?q=leviticus+16:1-15\">mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant.<\/a> These scriptures make no sense and do not contribute to personal righteousness unless we understand the symbolism of high priest, blood, altar and Ark of the Covenant revealed in the following links:<\/p>\r\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\" border=\"1\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.41022%;\">\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.33332%;\">\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 90.2564%;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-1913\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">High Priests <\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/blood\">Blood is God&#8217;s spoken word<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4\">Altar is the heart.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4\">Ark of the Covenant is the heart<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p>The function of a high priest is to sprinkle blood on the ark of the covenant. Since blood symbolizes God&#8217;s spoken word, and since the ark of the covenant is the pure heart of New Covenant disciples, we interpret the high priest&#8217;s function as follows:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>The high priest speaks (i.e. sprinkles) God&#8217;s words on the heart.<\/li>\r\n<li>When people <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+29:1-4;+isaiah+6:9-10;+matthew+13:19;+mark+8:17;+ezekiel+12:2;+matthew+13:14-19;+acts+28:26-27;+ezekiel+3:10;+malachi+2:2\">hear God&#8217;s words in their hearts,<\/a> they are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/13\">saved from the sin of religion.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>The power and authority to speak God&#8217;s words to the hearts of both Old\/First Covenant religionists and to New Covenant disciples is the purpose of God&#8217;s anointing. People who do not do this are not <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">anointed<\/a>. They are not <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/4\">born again<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: See<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\"> High Priests <\/a>for more understanding.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>12. <a id=\"character\"><\/a>JESUS&#8217; CHARACTER AND MINISTRY FUNCTIONS<\/strong><br \/>To understand what it means to follow Jesus, we must understand his history and what motivated him to do the radical things he did:<\/p>\r\n<table style=\"border-color: #474062; border-width: 1px; height: 166px;\" border=\"1\" width=\"422\" align=\"center\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: center; width: 254px;\"><strong>JESUS&#8217; CHARACTER<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"text-align: center; border: 1px solid #474062; width: 351px;\"><strong>CHARACTERISTICS OF<br \/>NEW COVENANT DISCIPLES<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 254px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>His <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/revelation\/passage\/?q=revelation+19:11-13\">name (i.e. character) is the word of God.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 351px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+3:6;+john+6:63;+romans+8:1-13;+galatians+5:16-17;+galatians+6:8;+1-peter+3:18;+1-peter+4:6;+ezekiel+11:19;+ezekiel+36:26\">When we were religious, our religious character was modeled after fleshly religious leaders. After we become New Covenant disciples who are born of the spirit of God, our spiritual character reflects our heavenly father.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 254px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/luke\/22-70.html\">He is the Son of God<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 351px;\">To be a son of God we must be <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/4\">born again<\/a> (i.e. baptized) by the spirit of God. Then we become <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/5\">New Covenant<\/a> disciples who <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-1\">interpret the Bible symbolically<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice#howtoheargodsvoice\"> and listen to God&#8217;s spoken voice.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 254px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>He is the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+8:12;+john+9:5;+john+12:36;+john+12:35\">light of the world<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 351px;\">While we practice religion we walk in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=darkness&amp;t=nas&amp;c=all\">darkness<\/a>. When we become New Covenant disciples, we <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=isaiah+9:2;+matthew+4:16;+luke+1:79;+ephesians+5:8\">walk in the light and spread that light to others who are still walking in the darkness <\/a>of Old\/First Covenant religion.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 254px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>He is the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/revelation\/19-10.html\">spirit of prophecy<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 351px;\">When we were religious, we operated in the flesh as false prophets. When we become New Covenant disciples, we <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=ezekiel+36:22-27;+romans+8:1-4;+galatians+5:16-25;+2-corinthians+5:1-7;+1-corinthians+13:12;+2-corinthians+4:12-18\">walk in the spirit by faith<\/a> as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a>.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 254px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Before he became the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/3#baptismbyspirit\">son of God<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\/9#jesusreligioushistory\">Jesus was the son of man (i.e. he was a religious Jew for the first thirty years of his life).<\/a> He learned how to be religious from his parents and religious leaders.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 351px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>We first come to know about God through religion that interprets the Bible literally. We are Old\/First Covenant religionists. We are sons\/daughters of men because we learn religion from men.<\/li>\r\n<li>When we become <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciples <\/a>, we follow Jesus and become <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/3\">sons of God<\/a>. Then we learn about God from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+31:31-34;+jeremiah+32:36-40;+jeremiah+33:14;+isaiah+59:21;+jeremiah+24:7;+ezekiel+37:26;+ezekiel+39:29;+luke+22:20;+1-corinthians+11:25;+2-corinthians+3:1-6;+hebrews+8:8-12;+hebrews+10:16-17;+psalm+40:8;+psalm+37:31;+genesis+17:7-13;+2-kings+18:11-12;+exodus+19:3-6;+judges+2:16-23;+deuteronomy+5:1-4\">God who teaches us when his spirit writes his laws on our hearts.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 254px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>He is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+14:6;+john+1:4;+john+11:25;+1+john+5:20\">the way, the truth and the life <\/a>of God.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 351px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=galatians+2:19-20;+romans+8:10;+ephesians+2:1-5;+colossians+2:13\">While we are religious we are spiritually dead. After we quit being religious and become New Covenant disciples we become spiritually alive.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>New Covenant disciples are also the way, truth and life because God <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:26;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12\">speaks through them.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 254px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/hebrews\/passage\/?q=hebrews+12:18-24\">He is the mediator of the New Covenant<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 351px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\">While we are religious we practice and promote religion which can be observed. After we become New Covenant disciples, we walk by faith which cannot be seen, <\/a>and we share with people who are still religious the <a href=\" http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\/4#gospel\">good news<\/a> that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\">religion is sin <\/a>that is overcome by becoming a New Covenant disciples<\/li>\r\n<li>New Covenant disciples are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\/3\">mediators<\/a> (i.e. interpreters of the parables of the written Bible) for\u00a0 Old\/First Covenant religionists.<\/li>\r\n<li>New Covenant disciples are mediators of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\/the-gospel\/8\">true gospel.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 254px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=colossians+1:15-16;+2+corinthians+4:1-4\">He is the image of the invisible God<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 351px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+6:1-6;+matthew+6:16-18;+matthew+23:1-5;+john+12:37-43;+luke+6:20-26;+john+5:41-44;+romans+2:29\">While we are religious, we practice our religion so that we will receive praise for our religious work from other religious people<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>After we become New Covenant disciples, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/passage\/?q=john+3:29-30\">we must decrease in visibility while God increases in us<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 254px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>He is the <a href=\" https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/john\/passage\/?q=john+1:1-5\">word of God made flesh.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 351px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\">While we were religious, we practiced religion based on the literal interpretations of the Bible. After we become New Covenant disciples, we listen to God&#8217;s voice,<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12-13;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28\">speak for God.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 254px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>He <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+13:53-58;+luke+13:31-33\">is a prophet<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 351px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>When we were religious, we functioned as false prophets.<\/li>\r\n<li>When we become New Covenant disciples, we learn to function as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 254px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>He is a <a style=\"outline: 1px dotted; outline-offset: 0px;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=psalm+110:1-4;+zechariah+6:13;+hebrews+5:1-10;+hebrews+6:20;+hebrews+7:17;+hebrews+7:21\">priest in the order of Melchizedek<\/a> &#8212; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=hebrews+7:11-21;+hebrews+8:1-4\">not a priest appointed according to religious laws<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 351px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>When we were religious we functioned as priests who received training and authority from religious institutions that follow <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>When we become New Covenant disciples, God&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">spiritual laws<\/a> were\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+31:31-34;+1-thessalonians+4:9;+1-john+2:27;+john+14:11-17;+john+14:26;+1-corinthians+2:12;+hebrews+8:10-11\">written on our hearts and we receive all of our instruction by listening to God&#8217;s spirit.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 254px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>He served God as a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+6:14;+matthew+21:11\">prophet<\/a>, a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=psalm+110:1-4;+zechariah+6:13;+hebrews+5:1-10;+hebrews+6:20;+hebrews+7:11-28\">priest,<\/a> a<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=luke+23:1-3;+revelation+19:11-16\">nd a king.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 351px;\">New Covenant disciples also serve God as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=numbers+11:29;+joel+2:28-29;+acts+2:16-21;+revelation+1:1-6;+romans+12:1-2;+hebrews+13:16;+revelation+5:10;+revelation+20:6;+2-timothy+2:12;+matthew+19:28;+luke+22:24-30;+romans+5:17;+romans+8:17\">prophets, priests and kings<\/a>.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 254px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>He served God by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12-13;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31\">speaking God&#8217;s words<\/a> to people who did not have <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+29:1-4;+ezekiel+12:1-3;+ezekiel+40:1-4;+mark+8:14-20;+luke+10:21-24;+romans+11:1-10;+isaiah+6:1-10;+isaiah+43:1-8;+jeremiah+5:20-21;+matthew+13:13-18;+mark+4:8-18;+luke+8:1-10;+john+9:39-41;+john+12:37-40;+acts+28:17-28\">spiritual ears <\/a>to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">hear\u00a0God&#8217;s spoken voice.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 351px;\">New Covenant disciples serve (i.e. worship) God by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\/4#jesusreinterpretsliterallaw\">interpreting the spiritual meaning of God&#8217;s written word<\/a> for Old\/First Covenant religionists who only know how to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-2\">interpret it literally.\u00a0<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 254px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>He is the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/kjv\/passage\/?q=revelation+1:4-5;+1-corinthians+15:20;+colossians+1:1-18;+numbers+3:40-51;+numbers+18:15-16\">firstborn of the dead<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 351px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>New Covenant disciples are considered to be raised from the dead when they are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+3:3-7;+1-peter+1:22-23\">born again by the spiritual word of God.\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>New Covenant disciples are recreated in the image of God.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 254px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/passage\/?q=john+17:11-21\">He and the father are one<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 351px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Old\/First Covenant religionists are separated by different <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>New Covenant disciples are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/passage\/?q=john+17:11-21\">spiritually united<\/a> because they all follow God&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">spiritual laws<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 254px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+10:11-18;+1-john+3:16;+john+15:13\">He is the good shepherd who willingly lays down his life for his sheep\/friends.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/two-deaths\/2\">Second Death<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 351px;\">New Covenant disciples practice the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=1-john+3:16;+john+15:13\">greatest kind of love in which they lay down their lives for their friends<\/a>. They do this by speaking for God as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">,<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\"> angels<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">,\u00a0<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiahs<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">, <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">high priests<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">, <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenants-part-2\/7#godspeaksfromcloud\">witnesses<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\"> and <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 254px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>He was a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warrior<\/a> who\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/revelation\/passage\/?q=revelation+19:11-16\"> waged war <\/a>against God&#8217;s enemy (i.e. religion).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 351px;\">We are called to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=philippians+2:25;+2-timothy+2:1-4;+philemon+1:1-2\">suffer hardship as soldiers <\/a>who\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12-13;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29\">speak for God<\/a> to correct <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">injustice, slavery and oppression<\/a>.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>From this analysis it is hard to ignore the conclusion that followers of Jesus (i.e. New Covenant disciples) are actively and purposefully engaged in warfare as soldiers. People who are not so engaged remain enslaved to Old\/First Covenant religion, and cannot rightly be called Jesus&#8217; followers.<\/p>\r\n<p>And here are a few key qualities by which Jesus and his disciples are known:<\/p>\r\n<table class=\" aligncenter\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>They are the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/passage\/?q=john+1:1-5\">word of God made flesh<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>They are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+8:12;+john+9:5;+john+12:36;+john+12:35\">lights to the world<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>They are the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/revelation\/19-10.html\">spirit of prophecy<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>Their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/revelation\/passage\/?q=revelation+19:11-13\">name (i.e. character) is the word of God<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p><a>People who <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=follow+me&amp;t=nas&amp;c=n&amp;p=2\">follow Jesus<\/a><a> will also <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors#godscharacteristics\">embody these same Godly qualities<\/a><a> and <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/14-12.html#\">fulfill the same good works that Jesus fulfilled<\/a>\u00a0in the ministry functions with which he served as God&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12-13;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31\">spokesman<\/a> to people who did not know how to hear God&#8217;s voice.<\/p>\r\n<p><a id=\"jesusministryfunctions\"><\/a>Next we must understand the various aspects of Jesus ministry:<\/p>\r\n<table style=\"border-color: #474062; border-width: 1px; height: 166px; width: 650px;\" border=\"1\" align=\"center\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 293.267px; text-align: center;\"><strong>JESUS&#8217; MINISTRY FUNCTIONS<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"text-align: center; border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px;\"><strong>EXPLANATION OF DISCIPLES&#8217; MINISTRY FUNCTIONS\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 293.267px; text-align: left;\">He was a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiah<\/a> who&#8217;s mission was to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12;+isaiah+59:21;+exodus+4:10-12;+matthew+10:19-20;+mark+13:11;+luke+12:11-12;+luke+21:14-15;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2;+psalm+143:10;+matthew+10:17-20;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31;+1-peter+4:10-11\">speak God&#8217;s words<\/a> to religious people with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=hebrews+3:7-19;+hebrews+4:1-7;+john+12:36-40;+isaiah+6:9-10;+jeremiah+5:21;+jeremiah+6:10;+jeremiah+25:4;+isaiah+42:20;+isaiah+48:8;+romans+11:8;+acts+28:27;+ezekiel+12:2;+psalm+115:6;+psalm+135:17;+matthew+13:10-15;+deuteronomy+29:4;+acts+19:9;+2-chronicles+30:8;+nehemiah+9:25-26;+ezekiel+2:1-6;+mark+6:45-52;+job+22:22;+deuteronomy+6:6;+deuteronomy+11:18;+psalm+37:31;+deuteronomy+32:46;+ezekiel+3:1-10\">hard hearts who could not hear God&#8217;s voice.<\/a><strong><br \/><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px; text-align: left;\">Jesus&#8217; followers (i.e. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciples<\/a>) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+14:12;+john+5:20;+john+13:12-17;+mark+16:17;+luke+10:17;+matthew+11:29;+1-john+2:6;+1-peter+2:21;+1-peter+4:13;+matthew+21:21;+romans+8:29;+romans+15:5;+matthew+16:24;+1-corinthians+15:49;+2-corinthians+3:18;+philippians+2:5-8;+philippians+3:21;+1-john+3:2;+ephesians+5:1-2;+1-john+3:15-16;+matthew+28:19\">do the same things that Jesus did<\/a>. That means that\u00a0 all New Covenant disciples are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiahs<\/a>.<strong><br \/><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 293.267px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=isaiah+61:1-5;+luke+4:18;+matthew+11:5;+luke+7:22\">Bring good news to people who are afflicted with religion<\/a>.<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px; text-align: left;\">Tell people that their relationship with God depends on the<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4\"> condition of their heart<\/a>\u00a0 &#8212; not on religious activity.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 293.267px;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Turn religious people from worshiping in the <a style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/flesh\">flesh<\/a> to <a style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/religion-is-idolatry\/4#spiritandtruth\">worshiping in spirit and truth<\/a>.<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Tell religious people that, because God sees religion as his enemy, he is <a style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/god-is-calling-people-out-of-religion\">calling them out of defiled religion<\/a> into <a style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/5\">pure religion<\/a>.<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 293.267px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=matthew+10:34-35;+luke+12:51-53;+revelation+6:4\">Divide New Covenant disciples from Old\/First Covenant religionists by speaking God&#8217;s words.\u00a0<\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px; text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/servants\">Serve God<\/a> as<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\"> true prophets<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12;+isaiah+59:21;+exodus+4:10-12;+matthew+10:19-20;+mark+13:11;+luke+12:11-12;+luke+21:14-15;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2;+psalm+143:10;+matthew+10:17-20;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31;+1-peter+4:10-11\">angels, messiahs, high priests, witnesses and warriors<\/a> who speak the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\/the-gospel\">gospel (i.e. God&#8217;s spoken words)<\/a> to religious people who cannot <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">hear God&#8217;s voice.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 293.267px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+28:16-20;+mark+16:14-20;+john+12:26;+mark+2:14;+john+10:27;+matthew+9:9;+matthew+10:38;+john+21:19-22;+matthew+4:19;+matthew+11:29;+matthew+16:24;+1+peter+2:21-25;+ephesians+2:10;+john+8:39\">Make disciples\/followers <\/a>by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=mark+10:1;+mark+4:38;+mark+10:35;+mark+14:49;+luke+7:40;+john+1:38;+john+20:16;+mark+12:35;+luke+11:1;+john+18:20;+matthew+26:55;+luke+19:47;+luke+21:37\">teaching them<\/a> how to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\/2\">reinterpret scriptures for their spiritual meaning<\/a>.<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px; text-align: left;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Convert people from the religious practices of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/religion-is-idolatry\">idolatry<\/a> and listening to false prophets to people who <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\">listen to God&#8217;s voice.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+28:16-20\">Make disciples and teach them.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 293.267px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+23;+matthew+6:1-5;+matthew+6:16;+matthew+13:15;+matthew+22:23-46;+mark+12:13-40;+luke+11:37-54;+luke+20:45-47;+luke+6:24-26;+luke+14:1-8\">Confront and rebuke religious leaders for their religious practices.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px; text-align: left;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Religious leaders are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/3#treeofknowledgeofgoodandevil\">Trees of Knowledge of Good and Evil <\/a>who serve <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine#evilsoulishfood\">evil, soulish food<\/a>\u00a0to religious people.\u00a0They are\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">False Prophets,\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/serpent-devil-satan-adversary-demons-evil-spirits-and-anti-christs\">Serpents, Devils, Satans, Adversaries Demons, Evil Spirits, Anti-Christs,<\/a>\u00a0and foolish, worthless, stupid shepherds who<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/#temptationsofjesus\"> tempt people to practice religion.\u00a0<\/a>The reasons for Jesus&#8217; actions are discussed in detail in\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-commerce\/jesus-and-the-money-changers-in-the-temple-2\">Jesus and the Money-Changers in the Temple.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>New Covenant disciples are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/3#treeoflife\">Trees of Life<\/a> who produce good fruit.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 293.267px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/20\">Rebuke religious people harshly with warnings of woes to come if they did not quit religion.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px; text-align: left;\">Warn religious people that God says that their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#evilimpureheart\">hearts are evil and impure.<\/a> Give them the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/study\/study-tips\/12\">good news<\/a> that<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/4\"> God will change their hearts<\/a> to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#goodpureheart\">clean and pure<\/a> if they stop listening to false prophets and start listening to his voice.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 293.267px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+22:41;+matthew+7:2-4;+matthew+12:48-49;+matthew+16:13-15;+matthew+18:1;+matthew+21:24-25;+mark+5:30;+luke+12:14-15;+luke+12:24-26;+luke+22:27-28;+matthew+5:46-48;+matthew+16:26;+matthew+18:12-13;+matthew+20:21-22;+matthew+20:32-33;+matthew+21:27-29;+mark+4:30;+mark+9:33-34;+mark+10:1-3;+luke+24:17-19;+john+1:37-39;+john+5:46-47;+john+21:21-23;+matthew+8:26;+matthew+9:4-5;+matthew+14:31;+matthew+15:1-3;+matthew+16:8-11;+matthew+19:17;+matthew+22:18-19;+mark+2:8-9;+mark+4:40;+mark+8:12;+mark+9:12;+luke+6:46-47;+luke+22:46;+luke+24:38-39;+john+7:19;+john+7:23-24;+john+8:43-47;+john+10:34-37\">Ask challenging questions<\/a> about their spiritual lives.<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px; text-align: left;\">Teach religious people <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/study\">how to be disciples.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 293.267px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+4:1-11;+matthew+5:15-48;+luke+24:1-48;+matthew+13:1-52;+matthew+15:1-20;+john+4:7-26;+matthew+20:1-16;+matthew+25:1-13;+matthew+22;+john+9:27;+luke+3:11;+luke+17:20;+mark+10:1-12;+luke+8:16-21;+john+5:38;+luke+5:1;+revelation+19:13;+john+1:1-18\">Answer questions, teach, and interpret the spiritual meanings of the literal Bible.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/teach\">Teach<\/a> people to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/study\">study<\/a> the Bible so they can learn how to understand its <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\">mysteries<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-1\">interpret its symbolism.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>Teach people to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">listen to God&#8217;s spoken voice.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 293.267px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+9:39;+luke+4:18;+luke+7:22;+matthew+11:1-5\">Heal religious people who are spiritually blind, deaf, lame, sick, and dead.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px; text-align: left;\">Heal religious people from the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\">diseases and sickness of religion.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 293.267px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=luke+19:10;+matthew+18:11-12;+matthew+15:21-28;+matthew+10:1-6;+psalm+119:176;+jeremiah+50:6;+1+peter+2:21-25;+ezekiel+34:8\">Seek and save people who are lost in religion.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px;\">Convert people from Old\/First Covenant religion to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">discipleship.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 293.267px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+12:27-31;+john+16:5-11;+matthew+12:8-21\">Bring justice to people who are held captive by religion.\u00a0<\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px;\">Show disciples how to execute <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">justice.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 293.267px;\">Bring <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">justice<\/a> to God&#8217;s enemies (i.e. religious leaders) who hold his people captive to religion.<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\/2#dojustice\">Do justice.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 293.267px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=1+john+3:1-8;+john+12:31;+acts+10:38;+mark+1:34;+mark+3:15;+mark+16:17;+matthew+10:8;+matthew+12:28;+luke+11:20;+luke+13:32;+matthew+8:31;+mark+16:9\">Undo the works of the devil and cast out demons who perpetrate religion.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px; text-align: left;\">Show disciples how to identify <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">false prophets<\/a>.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 293.267px;\">Model for his followers the kinds of actions they must take to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+12;+deuteronomy+20;+numbers+21:1-3;+numbers+31:1-18;+numbers+32;+numbers+33:50-56;+deuteronomy+9;+joshua+7:1-15;+joshua+9;+joshua+11;+joshua+23;+judges+2:11-23;+1-samuel+15:10-26;+deuteronomy+7:1-6;+deuteronomy+31:1-8;+zechariah+12:9;+jeremiah+1:10;+jeremiah+51:15-23\">utterly destroy religious nations <\/a>and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=numbers+33:50-52;+deuteronomy+33:29;+exodus+23:24;+leviticus+26:1;+deuteronomy+7:5;+deuteronomy+12:3\">tear down idols and high places<\/a>, so that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=isaiah+61:1-8;+luke+4:18;+isaiah+58;+ezekiel+34:1-11\">captives to religion can be set free from religion<\/a>.<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px; text-align: left;\">Fulfill God&#8217;s commands to\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+12;+deuteronomy+20;+numbers+21:1-3;+numbers+31:1-18;+numbers+32;+numbers+33:50-56;+deuteronomy+9;+joshua+7:1-15;+joshua+9;+joshua+11;+joshua+23;+judges+2:11-23;+1-samuel+15:10-26;+deuteronomy+7:1-6;+deuteronomy+31:1-8;+zechariah+12:9;+jeremiah+1:10;+jeremiah+51:15-23\">utterly destroy religious nations <\/a>and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=numbers+33:50-52;+deuteronomy+33:29;+exodus+23:24;+leviticus+26:1;+deuteronomy+7:5;+deuteronomy+12:3\">tear down idols and high places<\/a>.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 293.267px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=isaiah+58:1-7;+isaiah+61:1-5;+matthew+5:4;+luke+4:18;+luke+7:22;+isaiah+57:15;+isaiah+42:1-9;+isaiah+49:9;+isaiah+42:1-7;+isaiah+49:1-9;+jeremiah+34:8;+john+16:20;+revelation+7:17\">Comfort all who mourn.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px;\">Old\/First Covenant religionists are considered by God to be in a constant state of mourning because they are spiritually dead. The only way to transition from mourning to joy is become a New Covenant disciple. Jesus ministry was to teach Old\/First Covenant religionists the truth about religion so that their eyes will be opened and they will choose to convert from Old\/First Covenant religion to New Covenant discipleship.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 293.267px;\">Bring <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/fourth-commandment\">rest<\/a> to people who are busy and overworked with religious activity.<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px;\">Teach religious people that they must be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+12:1-10;+luke+6:6-10;+luke+13:10-17;+luke+14:1-4;+john+5:5-18;+john+9:1-16;+matthew+9:1-3;+mark+2:16;+mark+2:23-28\">lawbreakers<\/a> with respect to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws<\/a> while being obedient to God&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">spiritual laws.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 293.267px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=isaiah+58:1-7;+isaiah+61:1-5;+luke+4:18;+luke+7:22;+isaiah+57:15;+isaiah+42:1-9;+isaiah+49:9;+isaiah+42:1-7;+isaiah+49:1-9;+jeremiah+34:8\">Set captives free from religion.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px;\">God considers religious people to be <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">enslaved an oppressed by religion<\/a>. The only way to transition from slavery to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/forum-descriptions\/freedom\">freedom<\/a> is become a New Covenant disciple. Jesus&#8217; ministry was to teach Old\/First Covenant religionists the truth about religion so that their eyes will be opened and they will choose to convert from Old\/First Covenant religion to New Covenant discipleship. New Covenant disciples will do what Jesus did.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 293.267px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/isaiah\/passage\/?q=isaiah+61:1-2\">Bind up the brokenhearted.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px; text-align: left;\">God considers religious people to be brokenhearted because their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#evilimpureheart\">hearts are evil and impure.<\/a>\u00a0The only way to heal their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#goodpureheart\">hearts\u00a0<\/a>is become a New Covenant disciple.\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>Jesus&#8217; ministry was to teach Old\/First Covenant religionists the truth about religion so that their eyes will be opened and they will choose to convert from Old\/First Covenant religion to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">discipleship<\/a>. New Covenant disciples will do what Jesus did.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 293.267px;\">He is the perfect <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/6\">type<\/a> of a New Covenant disciple who <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/godsvoice\/\">hears, interprets and and obeys God&#8217;s voice.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 310.733px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+9:5;+zechariah+8:16;+luke+20:21;+john+8:45-46;+john+16:13;+ephesians+4:25;+ephesians+4:14-15\">Teach the truth<\/a> about the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2\">differences between the Old\/First Covenant and the New Covenant.<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p>In summary, everything Jesus said and did focused on destroying the religion that was his religion for the first thirty years of his life &#8212; up to the moment that God <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">anointed<\/a> him and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+3:34;+jeremiah+26:1-5;+ezekiel+2:1-7;+ezekiel+3:4-11;+2-chronicles+36:15;+acts+3:26;+revelation+1:1;+deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5;+daniel+9:9-11;+2-peter+1:19-21\">sent him to speak truth to the Jews.<\/a> Before he was anointed, Jesus was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\">God&#8217;s enemy because he was religious.<\/a> Before he was anointed, he was a son of man because he observed man&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws. <\/a>But after he was anointed\/baptized, he was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/3#baptismbyspirit\">God&#8217;s son<\/a> and<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\"> true prophet, <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\">angel, <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiah<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\">, <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">high priest<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\">, <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenants-part-2\/7#godspeaksfromcloud\">witness<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\">, <\/a>and<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\"> warrior. <\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>Christians should take no comfort in the fact that Jesus ministry goal was to destroy Judaism. Every criticism that Jesus aimed at Judaism also applies to Christianity. Both religions keep their followers in bondage to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaw\">religious laws<\/a>. Both religions practice <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenants-part-2\/4#godhatestradition\">traditions<\/a> based on the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-1\">literal words of the Bible<\/a>. Both religions <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-commerce\/jesus-and-the-money-changers-in-the-temple-2\">exploit their followers financially<\/a>. Both religions employ false prophets who are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/pharisees-and-scribes\">Pharisees and Scribes<\/a>. The similarities that Judaism and Christianity share are endless. The only thing that separates Judaism and Christianity is the form of their traditions. Other than their traditions, they are exactly alike in God&#8217;s eyes. They are both<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\"> his enemies <\/a>because they both fit the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\">definition of religion<\/a>. And, so, it must be said that all of Jesus&#8217; criticisms of Judaism also apply to Christianity.<\/p>\r\n<p>And it must be said again that people who <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=follow+me&amp;t=nas&amp;c=n&amp;p=2\">follow Jesus<\/a> will also <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/third-commandment\">embody these same Godly qualities<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+14:12;+john+5:20\">fulfill the same ministry works that Jesus fulfilled<\/a>. But they do not really follow Jesus while they remain adherents to Christianity. Christianity is a religion like any other religion. The only thing that makes Christianity different from any other religion is that it claims that its legitimacy lies in a man named Jesus who lived two thousand years ago. It has made Jesus into an <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/religion-is-idolatry\">idol<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Christians claim to follow Jesus but do not do the things Jesus did or obey his commands. If Christians really followed Jesus, they would quit being religious. If they really followed Jesus, they would embody <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/12\">Jesus character<\/a> and fulfill his <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/12#jesusministryfunctions\">ministry functions<\/a>. Christians do none of these things. Christianity is a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/5\">defiled, Old\/First Covenant religion &#8212; not a pure, New Covenant religion<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>The Bible story of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+14:12;+john+5:20;+john+13:12-17;+mark+16:17;+luke+10:17;+matthew+11:29;+1-john+2:6;+1-peter+2:21;+1-peter+4:13;+matthew+21:21;+romans+8:29;+romans+15:5;+matthew+16:24;+1-corinthians+15:49;+2-corinthians+3:18;+philippians+2:5-8;+philippians+3:21;+1-john+3:2;+ephesians+5:1-2;+1-john+3:15-16;+matthew+28:19\">Jesus is an example<\/a> of the process we must go through in order to be<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\"> New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciples<\/a>. He did not give us the story of Jesus so that we could idolize him. God wants us to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=exodus+15:22-26;+exodus+23:20-25;+exodus+19:1-5;+jeremiah+7:23-26;+jeremiah+11:1-4;+matthew+4:1-4;+deuteronomy+8:1-3;+job+22:21-23;+psalm+119:9-13;+psalm+138:4;+isaiah+28:23;+jeremiah+11:1-7;+jeremiah+22:21;+psalm+106:25;+nehemiah+9:29;+jeremiah+11:10;+jeremiah+13:11;+zechariah+7:11;+isaiah+46:12;+matthew+13:15;genesis+22:18;+exodus+23:21-22;+numbers+7:89;+numbers+14:22;+deuteronomy+4:12;+deuteronomy+4:30;+deuteronomy+4:36;+deuteronomy+5:22-26;+deuteronomy+8:20;+deuteronomy+9:23;+deuteronomy+13:4;+deuteronomy+13:18;+deuteronomy+15:5;+deuteronomy+26:14;+deuteronomy+26:17;+deuteronomy+30:20;+joshua+5:6;+joshua+10:14;+joshua+22:2;+joshua+24:24;+psalm+81:11;+psalm+95:7;+psalm+106:25;+jeremiah+3:13;+jeremiah+3:25;+jeremiah+7:23;+jeremiah+7:28;+jeremiah+9:13;+jeremiah+11:4;+jeremiah+11:7;+jeremiah+18:10;+jeremiah+22:20-21;+jeremiah+26:13;+jeremiah+32:23;+jeremiah+40:3;+jeremiah+42:6;+jeremiah+42:13-14;+jeremiah+43:1-7;+jeremiah+44:23;+isaiah+28:23;+isaiah+32:9;+isaiah+55:1-3;daniel+9:9-11\">listen to his voice<\/a> &#8212; not to follow a man called Jesus. Indeed he wants us to listen to and obey the words Jesus spoke <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+5:47;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+10:25;+john+8:46;+john+10:37;+john+8:45;+john+14:24\">believing that he spoke for God<\/a>, but not to idolize him.<\/p>\r\n<p>God&#8217;s also gave us the model of Jesus as a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warrior<\/a> to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=2+timothy+3:16-17;+romans+15:4\">teach us<\/a> how to engage in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=ephesians+6:10-13;+romans+8:36-38\">spiritual battle <\/a>with the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\">enemy (i.e. religion).<\/a> We also see that warrior function represented in Old Testament characters such as Moses, Joshua and David. All were engaged in warfare with religious cities, kingdoms and nations. We cannot be that kind of warrior, however, while we are religious because <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\">religion is God&#8217;s enemy<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><br \/><strong>13. <a id=\"summary\"><\/a>SUMMARY OF THINGS JESUS SAID AND DID<\/strong><br \/>Here is a useful summary of things that Jesus said and did. It is a useful checklist for people who say that they follow him. If they do not do these things, they are not his followers and not New Covenant disciples. They may say of themselves that they follow him, but their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#goodpureheart\">hearts are not clean and pure<\/a> like his.<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Jesus is the model of a perfect <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciple<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>Jesus preached that people should<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=matthew+22:35-37;mark+12:28-30;luke+10:25-27\"> love God with their heart, mind, soul and strength.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/15\">Jesus preached obedience to all of God&#8217;s commandments.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>Jesus understood that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\">religion is God&#8217;s enemy<\/a> and that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">religion unjustly enslaved and persecuted God&#8217;s people.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>Jesus was faithful to obey God&#8217;s commands to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+12;+deuteronomy+20;+numbers+21:1-3;+numbers+31:1-18;+numbers+32;+numbers+33:50-56;+deuteronomy+9;+joshua+7:1-15;+joshua+9;+joshua+11;+joshua+23;+judges+2:11-23;+1-samuel+15:10-26;+deuteronomy+7:1-6;+deuteronomy+31:1-8;+zechariah+12:9;+jeremiah+1:10;+jeremiah+51:15-23\">utterly destroy religious nations <\/a>and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=numbers+33:50-52;+deuteronomy+33:29;+exodus+23:24;+leviticus+26:1;+deuteronomy+7:5;+deuteronomy+12:3\">tear down idols and high places<\/a>, so that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=isaiah+61:1-8;+luke+4:18;+isaiah+58;+ezekiel+34:1-11\">captives to religion can be set free from religion<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>Jesus angered the religious leaders of his day by preaching that people should quit practicing religion.<\/li>\r\n<li>Jesus <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+23;+matthew+6:1-5;+matthew+6:16;+matthew+22:23-46;+mark+12:13-40;+luke+11:37-45;+luke+20:45-47;+luke+6:24-26\">confronted religious leaders<\/a> because they were false prophets who <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-deception\">deceived people about God<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-commerce\/jesus-and-the-money-changers-in-the-temple-2\">Jesus chased the money changers out of the temple<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>Jesus <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\/3\">opened the eyes<\/a> of Old\/First Covenant religious Jews to the fact that they were in bondage to religion.<\/li>\r\n<li>Jesus <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=luke+4:18-19;isaiah+61:1-4\">delivered people from bondage to religion<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/two-deaths\/5\">Jesus died<\/a> because Old\/First Covenant religious people (especially religious leaders) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+12:1-10;+luke+6:6-10;+luke+13:10-17;+luke+14:1-6;+john+5:5-18;+john+9:1-16;+matthew+9:1-3;+mark+2:16;+mark+2:23-28;+mark+7:1-9;+matthew+15:1-10;+luke+23:1-2\">resented that he broke their religious laws<\/a> and feared his attempts to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\/gods-at-war\">destroy their religious kingdoms<\/a> by setting people free from their religion.<\/li>\r\n<li>Jesus was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/1-corinthians\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+15:3-5\">spiritually separated (i.e. buried) from God and others for a short time (i.e. three days) but was then restored (i.e. resurrected) to new life <\/a>so that he could carry on the challenge to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+12;+deuteronomy+20;+numbers+21:1-3;+numbers+31:1-18;+numbers+32;+numbers+33:50-56;+deuteronomy+9;+joshua+7:1-15;+joshua+9;+joshua+11;+joshua+23;+judges+2:11-23;+1-samuel+15:10-26;+deuteronomy+7:1-6;+deuteronomy+31:1-8;+zechariah+12:9;+jeremiah+1:10;+jeremiah+51:15-23\">utterly destroy religious nations <\/a>and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-kings+15:9-14;+2-chronicles+20:31-33;+2-kings+12:1-3;+2-kings+14:1-4;+2-kings+15:32-35\">tear down idols and high places<\/a>, so that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=isaiah+61:1-8;+luke+4:18;+isaiah+58;+ezekiel+34:1-11\">captives to religion can be set free from religion<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>Jesus models for New Covenant disciples how they should carry on the challenge to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+12;+deuteronomy+20;+numbers+21:1-3;+numbers+31:1-18;+numbers+32;+numbers+33:50-56;+deuteronomy+9;+joshua+7:1-15;+joshua+9;+joshua+11;+joshua+23;+judges+2:11-23;+1-samuel+15:10-26;+deuteronomy+7:1-6;+deuteronomy+31:1-8;+zechariah+12:9;+jeremiah+1:10;+jeremiah+51:15-23\">utterly destroy religious nations <\/a>and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-kings+15:9-14;+2-chronicles+20:31-33;+2-kings+12:1-3;+2-kings+14:1-4;+2-kings+15:32-35\">tear down idols and high places<\/a>, so that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=isaiah+61:1-8;+luke+4:18;+isaiah+58;+ezekiel+34:1-11\">captives to religion can be set free from religion<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p>New Covenant disciples <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+11:29;+matthew+16:24;+1-peter+2:21-25;+1-peter+3:18;+matthew+10:38-39;+matthew+20:25-28;+luke+14:27;+romans+5:1-8;+romans+8:28-39;+philippians+3:17-21;+john+10:9-18;+isaiah+53:1-5;+2-corinthians+5:15\">can do and should do everything that Jesus did <\/a>&#8212; including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/passage\/?q=john+15:12-14\">lay down their lives for others<\/a>. If they do not do the same things that Jesus did, they are not true New Covenant disciples. If they do not say and do the same things that Jesus did, they cannot rightly claim that they are followers of Jesus.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/two-deaths\/5\">Joy of Death<\/a> for more about laying down your life for others. Also see <a href=\"https:\/\/thewayweseecom.ipage.com\/howtolove\/chapter-6-sacrificial-love\/\">Sacrificial Love<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>14. <a id=\"block\"><\/a>JESUS IS A STUMBLING BLOCK\/STONE<\/strong><br \/>It is probably fair to say that Jesus is the most recognizable religious character in the world. Paintings, statues, books, movies, music, and other physical objects make him instantly recognizable in almost any culture &#8212; even cultures that are not Christian. Religious <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?sxsrf=ACYBGNQld0CjTcGczpZN8BC5eGZ5N2imWQ:1569848597662&amp;q=images+jesus&amp;tbm=isch&amp;source=univ&amp;client=firefox-b-1-d&amp;sxsrf=ACYBGNQld0CjTcGczpZN8BC5eGZ5N2imWQ:1569848597662&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjy1I7gzfjkAhWMpZ4KHWjQAUEQsAR6BAgDEAE&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=944\">images of Jesus are always of a handsome, attractive, gentle, peaceful, loving<\/a>, Caucasian\u00a0 man. Music always reinforces this image. But none of these images agree with what we see in the bible. They are\u00a0 creations of man where man has created an image of Jesus in their own image.<\/p>\r\n<p>The clearest, most vivid <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=revelation+19:11-21;+revelation+1:12-16\">image of Jesus found in the Bible is as a fierce warrior on\u00a0 horse<\/a>. Another vivid image is found in the story of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-commerce\/jesus-and-the-money-changers-in-the-temple-2\">Jesus and the money-changers in the temple<\/a>. These aggressive warrior\/fighting images reinforces Jesus&#8217; statement that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=matthew+10:34-35;+luke+12:51;+revelation+6:4\">he did not come to bring peace but with a sword that causes division among people.<\/a> What we should learn from these verbal pictures is that Jesus was a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">model of all warriors sent by God to set people free from religion<\/a> by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/5\">speaking God&#8217;s words<\/a> to religious people who resisted listening to God&#8217;s voice.<\/p>\r\n<p>Because a savior with a sword that causes division is not an appealing image to use when marketing religion, it does not often appear in churches, books, or homes. But it is, nevertheless, a Biblical image that contains truth in its symbolism. That cannot be said of man-made images and music which always appeal to religious sentimentality. Thus, Christians eagerly stumble over false images instead of embracing the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/12#jesusministryfunctions\">truth about Jesus&#8217; ministry<\/a>. They do not realize that they are in love with the physical image of Jesus &#8212; not a spiritual <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\">messenger<\/a> or a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warrior<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiah<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Because the Bible tells us nothing about Jesus&#8217; physical appearance <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/isaiah\/passage\/?q=isaiah+53:1-3\">&#8212; except that there was nothing about his looks that made him attractive and approachable,<\/a> it must be said that works of art depicting Jesus are nothing more than creations of men&#8217;s minds that contradict what the bible says about him. Therefore, these images have nothing to do with faith. They are all about religion. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\">Religion and faith are not the same thing. Religion can be seen, but faith cannot be seen.<\/a> Thus it can be said that Christians stumble over the images of Jesus.<\/p>\r\n<p>Although most Christians would deny it, these images are icons that they worship. They may not bow down to them, but the fact that they purchase pictures, crosses and statues, and put them in visible places in their homes and churches, is a clear indication of the high value they put on them. For Christians, Jesus is the human baby in the manger, man holding children in his lap, man holding a sheep, man on the cross, and man coming in the clouds. These created images all divert attention<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=spirit+prophecy&amp;t=kjv&amp;c=all\"> what the bible says about the testimony of Jesus being the spirit of prophecy<\/a>. Pictures and statues focus on the human image of Jesus while the bible focuses on his words (i.e. testimony.)<\/p>\r\n<p>Because they do not have<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=romans+10:8;+luke+8:15;+psalm+119:11;+psalm+119:161;+deuteronomy+30:14;+luke+8:12;+jeremiah+20:9;+hebrews+4:12\"> God&#8217;s words in their hearts<\/a>, Christians insist on having visible, tangible reminders of Jesus around them. The images of Jesus are more important than <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+14:24;+john+5:47;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+10:25;+john+8:46;+john+10:37;+john+8:45;+john+17:6-10\">the words he spoke.<\/a> They have stumbled over the images of a physical, human Jesus.<\/p>\r\n<p>Christians somehow believe that God excuses them from having icons and idols because the subjects represented in their pictures and statues (i.e. Jesus, Mary, Apostles, Prophets, etc.) are found in the Bible. They somehow think that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+20:2-4;+exodus+20:23;+exodus+34:14;+deuteronomy+5:7;+2-kings+17:35;+jeremiah+25:6;+jeremiah+35:15;+hosea+13:4;+isaiah+43:11-13;+isaiah+45:21-22\">First Commandment<\/a> does not apply to them. Jews and Muslims, however, are careful on this point. Even though the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=1-samuel+16:7;+jeremiah+3:17;+jeremiah+7:24;+jeremiah+9:14;+jeremiah+11:8;+jeremiah+11:20;+jeremiah+16:12;+jeremiah+18:9-12;+deuteronomy+29:19;+1-kings+8:33-39;+1-chronicles+28:9;+luke+16:15;+proverbs+21:2;+romans+8:27;+revelation+2:23;+2-chronicles+6:29-30;+proverbs+15:11\">Bible clearly says that God does not look at the external man, but only looks at the heart,<\/a> and even though Christians sincerely desire to please God, they somehow think that it is acceptable for them to create and value images of Jesus.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/isaiah\/passage\/?q=isaiah+53:1-3\">He has this reputation even though the Bible tells us that <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/kjv\/philippians\/passage\/?q=philippians+2:5-7\">he wanted no reputation for himself except as a servant,<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/isaiah\/passage\/?q=isaiah+53:1-3\"> and that <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/isaiah\/53-2.html\">there was nothing attractive about him<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/isaiah\/passage\/?q=isaiah+53:1-3\">. <\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>Man&#8217;s images of Jesus are creative marketing designed to make people want to become Christians. And the marketing works. He has this reputation even though the Bible tells us that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/kjv\/philippians\/passage\/?q=philippians+2:5-7\">he wanted no reputation for himself except as a servant,<\/a> and that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/isaiah\/53-2.html\">there was nothing attractive about him<\/a>. People say that they love Jesus, but, what they love is the image of an attractive, compassionate, handsome man, or cuddly baby.<\/p>\r\n<p>This soft, sentimental image of Jesus is reinforced in teaching, writing, art and music. He is rarely portrayed as an <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">angry warrior<\/a> laboring to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+12;+deuteronomy+20;+numbers+21:1-3;+numbers+31:1-18;+numbers+32;+numbers+33:50-56;+deuteronomy+9;+joshua+7:1-15;+joshua+9;+joshua+11;+joshua+23;+judges+2:11-23;+1-samuel+15:10-26;+deuteronomy+7:1-6;+deuteronomy+31:1-8;+zechariah+12:9;+jeremiah+1:10;+jeremiah+51:15-23\">destroy religious nations,<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/religion-is-idolatry\/4\">tear down religious structures<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+23;+matthew+6:1-5;+matthew+6:16;+matthew+13:15;+matthew+22:23-46;+mark+12:13-40;+luke+11:37-54;+luke+20:45-47;+luke+6:24-26;+luke+14:1-8\">rebuking religious leaders<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Jesus has become an icon, or a god, that people love. The Jesus that people love in no way resembles the truth about him that we see in the Bible.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/12\">this link for understanding of Jesus true qualities and ministry functions.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>In clear violation of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+20:2-4;+exodus+20:23;+exodus+34:14;+deuteronomy+5:7;+2-kings+17:35;+jeremiah+25:6;+jeremiah+35:15;+hosea+13:4;+isaiah+43:11-13;+isaiah+45:21-22\">First Commandment<\/a>, Christians have stumbled over a sentimental image of an attractive human person created by religious leaders for two thousand years. Hard as it may be to believe, Christians have used literal interpretations of the bible to create an image of a physical, human Jesus. We have to assume that God knew this would happen when he warned that his<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah#gulliblepeoplestumbleoverjesus\"> messiahs would become stumbling block to religious people.<\/a> Here are scriptures that give these warnings:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=matthew+21:42-44\">Matthew 21:42-44 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-42\">Jesus said to them, \u201cHave you never read in the Scriptures: \u201c \u2018The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes\u2019?<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 43 <span id=\"verse-43\">\u201cTherefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 44 <span id=\"verse-44\">Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: Understanding of this scripture depends on understanding the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/blood\/4\">symbolism of stones<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Rocks and stones always refer to God&#8217;s spoken words. Therefore, this verse says that Israel has rejected God&#8217;s spoken word. The same can be said for Christians who base their beliefs on the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\">literal words of the bible which are not the same as God&#8217;s spoken words.<\/a> God&#8217;s spoken words are the cornerstone upon which<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#goodpureheart\"> God&#8217;s kingdom (i.e. clean, pure hearts)<\/a> is built.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/kingdom-of-heaven\">kingdom of God<\/a> is not accessible to people who do not listen to God&#8217;s spoken voice. It is only available to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciples<\/a> who speak for God as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/3#treeoflife\">trees of life.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Verse 44 is difficult to understand without knowledge of the<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\/3\"> power of God&#8217;s spoken word<\/a>. God&#8217;s word is like <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\/2#fire\">fire that destroys<\/a>, and it also the source of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=psalm+119:81;+psalm+119:123;+isaiah+52:7;+1+corinthians+15:1-2;+luke+8:12;+james+1:21;+ephesians+1:13;+ezekiel+33:5;+psalm+119:166;+psalm+130:5;+psalm+40:10;+psalm+119:41-42;+psalm+119:146;+psalm+119:154;+1+corinthians+1:18;+romans+1:16;+1+thessalonians+2:13-16;+1+corinthians+1:21;+isaiah+43:12;+ezekiel+3:21;+1+peter+2:1-3;+psalm+119:74;+psalm+119:77;+psalm+119:114\">salvation<\/a>. Falling on God&#8217;s word (i.e. stone) symbolically means hearing God&#8217;s spoken word. This causes <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/20\">humility<\/a> that breaks (i.e. crushes) <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/2\">religious pride<\/a>. Humility and crushed pride are necessary precedents to salvation.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Christians stumble over Jesus because they believe he is the source of salvation. The truth is that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=psalm+119:81;+psalm+119:123;+isaiah+52:7;+1+corinthians+15:1-2;+luke+8:12;+james+1:21;+ephesians+1:13;+ezekiel+33:5;+psalm+119:166;+psalm+130:5;+psalm+40:10;+psalm+119:41-42;+psalm+119:146;+psalm+119:154;+1+corinthians+1:18;+romans+1:16;+1+thessalonians+2:13-16;+1+corinthians+1:21;+isaiah+43:12;+ezekiel+3:21;+1+peter+2:1-3;+psalm+119:74;+psalm+119:77;+psalm+119:114\">God&#8217;s spoken word is the one and only source of salvation<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1+peter+2:1-8\">1 Peter 2:1-8\u00a0 NAS <\/a><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>1<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-1\"> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3767\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3767\" data-strongs-number=\"3767\">Therefore<\/a>, putting aside <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3956\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3956\" data-strongs-number=\"3956\">all<\/a> malice and <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3956\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3956\" data-strongs-number=\"3956\">all<\/a> deceit and hypocrisy and envy and <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3956\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3956\" data-strongs-number=\"3956\">all<\/a> slander, <\/span><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>2<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-2\"> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5613\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=5613\" data-strongs-number=\"5613\">like<\/a> newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2443\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2443\" data-strongs-number=\"2443\">so<\/a> that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,<\/span><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>3<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-3\"> if you have tasted the kindness of the <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2962\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2962\" data-strongs-number=\"2962\">Lord<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: Malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander are all terms that symbolically represent religion.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/nas\/kakia.html\">Greek word kakia is translated here as malice. It could also have been translated as evil<\/a>. God uses evil to symbolically represent the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/3#treeofknowledgeofgoodandevil\">fruit of words spoken by false\u00a0 prophets (i.e. religion.)<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=genesis+6:5;+genesis+8:21;+jeremiah+16:12;+jeremiah+7:24;+jeremiah+11:8;+jeremiah+14:14;+jeremiah+18:12;+jeremiah+3:17;+jeremiah+13:10;+luke+1:51;+colossians+2:18;+jeremiah+27:9-17;+jeremiah+23:16;+jeremiah+28:15;+jeremiah+29:8;+1-john+4:1;+matthew+7:15;+2-corinthians+11:13-15;+galatians+1:8-9;+ezekiel+13:1-6;+ezekiel+13:23;+ezekiel+21:29;+ezekiel+22:28;+proverbs+12:6;+proverbs+1:11;+proverbs+1:16;+ecclesiastes+10:12;+ezekiel+33:31;+revelation+13:1-5\">False prophets speak religious doctrines that come out of the imaginations of their evil minds. <\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">See\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-deception\">Religion is Deception<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/forum-descriptions\/hypocrisy\">Hypocrisy.\u00a0 <\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/nas\/katalalia.html\">Katalalia is the Greek word translated as slander. It means to speak evil<\/a>. Speaking about religion, therefore, is slander because the words\u00a0 spoken by religious leaders (i.e. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">false prophets)<\/a> are evil.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/3#milk\">Pure milk is God&#8217;s spoken word<\/a>. The written bible is ordinary milk like <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/4#commonmanna\">common manna<\/a>. Pure milk is like <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/4#hiddenmanna\">hidden manna<\/a>. Pure milk and hidden manna are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine#goodspiritualfood\">clean, good spiritual food<\/a> that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciples<\/a> symbolically taste when they <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">hear God&#8217;s spoken voice<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>4<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-4\"> And <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4334\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4334\" data-strongs-number=\"4334\">coming<\/a> to Him as to a <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2198\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2198\" data-strongs-number=\"2198\">living<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3037\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3037\" data-strongs-number=\"3037\">stone<\/a> which has been <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 593\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=593\" data-strongs-number=\"593\">rejected<\/a> by <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 444\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=444\" data-strongs-number=\"444\">men<\/a>, but is <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1588\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1588\" data-strongs-number=\"1588\">choice<\/a> and <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1784\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1784\" data-strongs-number=\"1784\">precious<\/a> in the <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3844\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3844\" data-strongs-number=\"3844\">sight<\/a> of <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2316\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2316\" data-strongs-number=\"2316\">God<\/a>, <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: This verse has been wrongly translated by bible editors. Learn more about bible translations in\u00a0Bible History<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/bible-history\/5\">http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/bible-history\/5<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">This is the original Greek text:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px; text-align: center;\"><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4334\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4334\" data-strongs-number=\"4334\">coming<\/a>\u00a0<a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2198\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2198\" data-strongs-number=\"2198\">living<\/a>\u00a0<a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3037\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3037\" data-strongs-number=\"3037\">stone <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 593\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=593\" data-strongs-number=\"593\">rejected<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 444\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=444\" data-strongs-number=\"444\">men <\/a>\u00a0<a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1588\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1588\" data-strongs-number=\"1588\">choice<\/a>\u00a0<a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1784\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1784\" data-strongs-number=\"1784\">precious<\/a>\u00a0<a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3844\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3844\" data-strongs-number=\"3844\">sight<\/a>\u00a0<a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2316\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2316\" data-strongs-number=\"2316\">God <\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px; text-align: left;\">Bible translators inserted &#8220;Him&#8221; and other filler words to make the text understandable and to make it agree with their theology about Jesus. In doing this, they put the emphasis on Jesus and made him the &#8220;living stone.&#8221; This translation ignore the fact that &#8220;living stone&#8221; is one of many<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\"> symbolic terms God uses to identify his spoken voice.\u00a0<\/a> Because of this wrong translation, Christians believe that Jesus is the living stong and fail to understand that God&#8217;s spoken word is the one and only living stone. Because of this wrong belief, it must be said that Christians have stumbled over Jesus.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>5<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-5\"> you <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2532\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2532\" data-strongs-number=\"2532\">also<\/a>, as <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2198\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2198\" data-strongs-number=\"2198\">living<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3037\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3037\" data-strongs-number=\"3037\">stones<\/a>, are being <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2026\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2026\" data-strongs-number=\"2026\">built<\/a> up as a <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4152\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4152\" data-strongs-number=\"4152\">spiritual<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3624\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3624\" data-strongs-number=\"3624\">house<\/a> for a <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 40\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=40\" data-strongs-number=\"40\">holy<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2406\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2406\" data-strongs-number=\"2406\">priesthood<\/a>, to <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 399\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=399\" data-strongs-number=\"399\">offer<\/a> up <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4152\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4152\" data-strongs-number=\"4152\">spiritual<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2378\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2378\" data-strongs-number=\"2378\">sacrifices<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2144\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2144\" data-strongs-number=\"2144\">acceptable<\/a> to <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2316\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2316\" data-strongs-number=\"2316\">God<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1223\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1223\" data-strongs-number=\"1223\">through<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2424\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2424\" data-strongs-number=\"2424\">Jesus<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5547\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=5547\" data-strongs-number=\"5547\">Christ<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: God&#8217;s word is the living stone. Jesus and other <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciples<\/a> are living stones because they are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=hebrews+1:1-2;+john+3:34;+jeremiah+26:1-5;+ezekiel+2:1-7;+ezekiel+3:4-11;+2-chronicles+36:15;+acts+3:26;+revelation+1:1;+deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5;+daniel+9:9-11;+2-peter+1:19-21;+mark+13:27;+matthew+24:31;+revelation+22:6\">sent by God to speak God&#8217;s words<\/a> to people who are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=hebrews+3:7-19;+hebrews+4:1-7;+john+12:36-40;+isaiah+6:9-10;+jeremiah+5:21;+jeremiah+6:10;+jeremiah+25:4;+isaiah+42:20;+isaiah+48:8;+romans+11:8;+acts+28:27;+ezekiel+12:2;+psalm+115:6;+psalm+135:17;+matthew+13:10-15;+deuteronomy+29:4;+acts+19:9;+2-chronicles+30:8;+nehemiah+9:25-26;+ezekiel+2:1-6;+mark+6:45-52;+job+22:22;+deuteronomy+6:6;+deuteronomy+11:18;+psalm+37:31;+deuteronomy+32:46;+ezekiel+3:1-10\">unable to hear God&#8217;s spoken voice<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>6<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-6\"> For this is <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4023\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4023\" data-strongs-number=\"4023\">contained<\/a> in <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1124\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1124\" data-strongs-number=\"1124\">Scripture<\/a>: &#8220;<a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2400\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2400\" data-strongs-number=\"2400\">BEHOLD<\/a>, I <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5087\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=5087\" data-strongs-number=\"5087\">LAY<\/a> IN <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4622\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4622\" data-strongs-number=\"4622\">ZION<\/a> A <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1588\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1588\" data-strongs-number=\"1588\">CHOICE<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3037\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3037\" data-strongs-number=\"3037\">STONE<\/a>, A <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1784\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1784\" data-strongs-number=\"1784\">PRECIOUS<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 204\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=204\" data-strongs-number=\"204\">CORNER<\/a> stone, AND HE WHO <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4100\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4100\" data-strongs-number=\"4100\">BELIEVES<\/a> IN HIM WILL NOT BE <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2617\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2617\" data-strongs-number=\"2617\">DISAPPOINTED<\/a>.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: The choice stone is God&#8217;s spoken word. Belief is in God&#8217;s spoken word &#8212; not in Jesus.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>7<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-7\"> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3588\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3588\" data-strongs-number=\"3588\">This<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5092\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=5092\" data-strongs-number=\"5092\">precious<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5092\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=5092\" data-strongs-number=\"5092\">value<\/a>, <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3767\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3767\" data-strongs-number=\"3767\">then<\/a>, is for you who <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4100\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4100\" data-strongs-number=\"4100\">believe<\/a>; but for <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3588\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3588\" data-strongs-number=\"3588\">those<\/a> who <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 569\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=569\" data-strongs-number=\"569\">disbelieve<\/a>, &#8220;THE <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3037\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3037\" data-strongs-number=\"3037\">STONE<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3739\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3739\" data-strongs-number=\"3739\">WHICH<\/a> THE <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3618\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3618\" data-strongs-number=\"3618\">BUILDERS<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 593\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=593\" data-strongs-number=\"593\">REJECTED<\/a>, <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3778\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3778\" data-strongs-number=\"3778\">THIS<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1096\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1096\" data-strongs-number=\"1096\">BECAME<\/a> THE <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2776\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2776\" data-strongs-number=\"2776\">VERY<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1137\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1137\" data-strongs-number=\"1137\">CORNER<\/a> stone,&#8221; <\/span><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>8<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-8\"> and, &#8220;A <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3037\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3037\" data-strongs-number=\"3037\">STONE<\/a> OF <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4348\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4348\" data-strongs-number=\"4348\">STUMBLING<\/a> AND A <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4073\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4073\" data-strongs-number=\"4073\">ROCK<\/a> OF <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4625\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4625\" data-strongs-number=\"4625\">OFFENSE<\/a> &#8220;; for they <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4350\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4350\" data-strongs-number=\"4350\">stumble<\/a> because they are <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 544\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=544\" data-strongs-number=\"544\">disobedient<\/a> to the <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3056\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3056\" data-strongs-number=\"3056\">word<\/a>, and to <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3739\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3739\" data-strongs-number=\"3739\">this<\/a> doom they were <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2532\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2532\" data-strongs-number=\"2532\">also<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5087\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=5087\" data-strongs-number=\"5087\">appointed<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: Christians wrongly believe that Jesus is the stone that is rejected by people who do not believe in him.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">The stone which was rejected is God&#8217;s spoken word. Religious people who reject God&#8217;s spoken word stumble over the literal words of the bible and are therefore disobedient to God&#8217;s spoken word.<\/p>\r\n<p>Christians say they have faith in Jesus, but the faith they have is in the images of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=jesus+baby+manger&amp;tbm=isch&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjN6syt8JfqAhX9ADQIHVxeDqAQ2-cCegQIABAA&amp;oq=jesus+baby+manger&amp;gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIGCAAQCBAeMgYIABAIEB4yBggAEAgQHjIGCAAQCBAeMgYIABAIEB4yBggAEAgQHjoCCAA6BAgAEBg6BggAEAoQGDoFCAAQsQM6BQgAEIMBUOYXWKFaYLpjaABwAHgAgAGZAYgB5BeSAQQwLjIymAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWc&amp;sclient=img&amp;ei=d-3xXo3TGP2B0PEP3Ly5gAo&amp;bih=938&amp;biw=1920&amp;client=firefox-b-1-d&amp;safe=active\">baby in a manger<\/a>, a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=jesus+healing+images&amp;tbm=isch&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjN6syt8JfqAhX9ADQIHVxeDqAQ2-cCegQIABAA&amp;oq=jesus+healing+images&amp;gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzICCAAyAggAMgIIADIGCAAQBxAeMgYIABAHEB4yBggAEAcQHjIGCAAQBxAeMgYIABAHEB4yBggAEAUQHjIGCAAQBRAeOgUIABCxAzoICAAQBxAFEB5Q-sACWIDXAmCV5AJoAHAAeACAAaMBiAHkDJIBBDAuMTGYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZw&amp;sclient=img&amp;ei=d-3xXo3TGP2B0PEP3Ly5gAo&amp;bih=938&amp;biw=1920&amp;client=firefox-b-1-d&amp;safe=active\">handsome man who heals people<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=jesus+lamb+images&amp;tbm=isch&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjpxumC8JfqAhVyADQIHSPkCioQ2-cCegQIABAA&amp;oq=jesus+lamb+ima&amp;gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQARgAMgIIADIGCAAQCBAeMgYIABAIEB4yBggAEAgQHjIGCAAQCBAeOgQIABBDOgUIABCxAzoECAAQGDoGCAAQChAYUOD7BFjjnAVghbUFaABwAHgAgAG7AogBhg-SAQcwLjUuMy4xmAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWc&amp;sclient=img&amp;ei=He3xXqnEKvKA0PEPo8ir0AI&amp;bih=938&amp;biw=1920&amp;client=firefox-b-1-d&amp;safe=active\">holds a lamb in his arms<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?safe=active&amp;source=univ&amp;tbm=isch&amp;q=jesus+children+images&amp;client=firefox-b-1-d&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjOjZft75fqAhXKl54KHWR7AcsQsAR6BAgKEAE&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=938\">holds children in his lap<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=jesus+on+cross&amp;tbm=isch&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi8gdHz75fqAhUSI30KHVqzAFUQ2-cCegQIABAA&amp;oq=jesus+on+cross&amp;gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAA6BAgAEEM6BggAEAgQHjoFCAAQsQM6BAgAEBhQoIoDWNzRA2Cb5QNoBXAAeACAAacBiAHrHpIBBDAuMjiYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZw&amp;sclient=img&amp;ei=_ezxXvyOM5LG9APa5oKoBQ&amp;bih=938&amp;biw=1920&amp;client=firefox-b-1-d&amp;safe=active\">dies on a cross<\/a>. Affection for these images and the person represented in them is not faith! These are images that can be seen. People who create these images, purchase these images, and cherish these images are idolaters! Faith is the substance of things not seen! Hanging a picture of Jesus or a cross on a wall is religion &#8212; not faith! Faith in the imagery of a human, compassionate Jesus is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2018\/10\/24\/religion-is-not-faith\/\">fake faith<\/a>. Affection, even strong love, for a human person, living or dead, is not faith!<\/p>\r\n<p>Christians are in love with an idealized image of a man. They are not in love with God or God&#8217;s words. They don&#8217;t love the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/revelation\/19-10.html\">real Jesus who was, and is, the spirit of prophecy <\/a>and cannot be seen. Just as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\">God is known by people who hear his words<\/a>, Jesus is known by people who hear his words &#8212; not by people who love images of him. Just as loving an image of God is idolatry, loving the imagery of a human Jesus is idolatry. What God wants people to love is\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+14:24;+john+5:47;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+10:25;+john+8:46;+john+10:37;+john+8:45;+john+17:6-10\">Jesus&#8217; words which are God&#8217;s words<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Christians are not <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/friends-brothers-and-sisters\">true friends of Jesus because they do not obey his commandments<\/a> (i.e. his words.) They do the easy <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/circumcision\">religious things (e.g. prayer, communion, baptism, circumcision, sing, etc.)<\/a>, but they do not do the hard thing of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/friends-brothers-and-sisters\">obeying his words<\/a>. They listen to religious leaders who teach them about Jesus but they do not know <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">how to hear God&#8217;s voice<\/a> which is what Jesus&#8217; words tell them to do.<\/p>\r\n<p>Christians create several problems for themselves when they stumble over Jesus:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>They are in love with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&amp;q=figment\">figment<\/a> of their imagination. They love the idea of Jesus, and they believe that he is their savior, but they do not understand <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/12#jesusministryfunctions\">his ministry or what it means to be a follower.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>In violation of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+20:2-5;+exodus+20:23;+exodus+34:14;+deuteronomy+6:14;+2-kings+17:35;+jeremiah+25:6;+jeremiah+35:15;+exodus+20:4;+leviticus+26:1;+deuteronomy+4:15-19;+deuteronomy+27:15;+deuteronomy+5:7;+hosea+13:4;+isaiah+43:11-13;+isaiah+45:21-22\">First and Second Commandments<\/a>, they have made Jesus equal to God, they have made mental an physical images of him, and worship him.<\/li>\r\n<li>They focus on a few physical events in his live (e.g. birth, death, resurrection, healing miracles, etc.) instead of listening to God&#8217;s words spoken through him.<\/li>\r\n<li>They concocted the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/3#trinity\">trinity doctrine<\/a> that says that Jesus and\u00a0 God are one in the same person.<\/li>\r\n<li>They identify with him (e.g. they call themselves Christian;\u00a0 they name churches and religions after him; they wear clothing and jewelry associated with him, etc.) instead of identifying with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/third-commandment\">God&#8217;s name (i.e. character.)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>They created a religion that presents Jesus as the person they serve and follow.<\/li>\r\n<li>They focus on the person of Jesus while ignoring that the Bible refers to him as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+15:45;+romans+8:1-2;+philippians+1:19;+revelation+19:10;+romans+8:9\">life-giving spirit<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>They listen to teachers who claim to know Jesus instead of learning how to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">listen to God&#8217;s spoken voice<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>For all these reasons and more, Christians can be said to have stumbled over Jesus. The same can be said of Jews and Muslims, except that they have stumbled over different religious leaders (e.g. Moses, rabbis, pastors, Mohammad, imams, etc.)<\/p>\r\n<p>In making Jesus the object of their religion, Christians have made up doctrines and laws about what it means to be a Christian. These laws differ from denomination to denomination, but they are all <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws<\/a> because they are made up by men. And the reason that all denominations do not have the exact same religious laws is that different religious leaders (e.g. pastors, theologians, rabbis, imams, etc.) control the development and enforcement of laws within their respective <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/3\">kingdoms<\/a>. These religious leaders are like <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/kings-queens-and-princes\">Kings, Queens and Princes of their kingdoms. <\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>Because Christian doctrines have been created by men, it is accurate to say that Christianity is a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious law<\/a>. Each Christian denomination has doctrines and practices (i.e. public prayer; music and singing; preaching by a religious leader; collection of money, etc.) that have the weight of law because they are always present in church services.<\/p>\r\n<p>Religious leaders are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\">God&#8217;s enemies<\/a> because they control the hearts and minds of their followers regarding religious matters. They give lip service to God, but, in God&#8217;s view, they are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/religion-is-idolatry\">idols and their followers are idolaters<\/a> because their followers listen to their voices, read their books, and listen to their music instead of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=exodus+15:22-26;+exodus+23:20-25;+exodus+19:1-5;+jeremiah+7:23-26;+jeremiah+11:1-4;+matthew+4:1-4;+deuteronomy+8:1-3;+job+22:21-23;+psalm+119:9-13;+psalm+138:4;+isaiah+28:23;+jeremiah+11:1-7;+jeremiah+22:21;+psalm+106:25;+nehemiah+9:29;+jeremiah+11:10;+jeremiah+13:11;+zechariah+7:11;+isaiah+46:12;+matthew+13:15;genesis+22:18;+exodus+23:21-22;+numbers+7:89;+numbers+14:22;+deuteronomy+4:12;+deuteronomy+4:30;+deuteronomy+4:36;+deuteronomy+5:22-26;+deuteronomy+8:20;+deuteronomy+9:23;+deuteronomy+13:4;+deuteronomy+13:18;+deuteronomy+15:5;+deuteronomy+26:14;+deuteronomy+26:17;+deuteronomy+30:20;+joshua+5:6;+joshua+10:14;+joshua+22:2;+joshua+24:24;+psalm+81:11;+psalm+95:7;+psalm+106:25;+jeremiah+3:13;+jeremiah+3:25;+jeremiah+7:23;+jeremiah+7:28;+jeremiah+9:13;+jeremiah+11:4;+jeremiah+11:7;+jeremiah+18:10;+jeremiah+22:20-21;+jeremiah+26:13;+jeremiah+32:23;+jeremiah+40:3;+jeremiah+42:6;+jeremiah+42:13-14;+jeremiah+43:1-7;+jeremiah+44:23;+isaiah+28:23;+isaiah+32:9;+isaiah+55:1-3;daniel+9:9-11\">listening to God&#8217;s voice. <\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\">The Law is a Stumbling Block for more understanding.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>15. <a id=\"obedience\"><\/a>JESUS PREACHED OBEDIENCE TO GOD&#8217;S COMMANDMENTS<\/strong><br \/>After he was baptized, everything Jesus said and did pointed to God. He never drew attention to himself. He did this knowing that the only thing of value he had to give was his words.<\/p>\r\n<p>Among his many words are the following in which Jesus said that all of God&#8217;s commandments are summarized in two quotations from the Old Testament:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=matthew+22:35-40&amp;t=nas\">Matthew 22:35-40<\/a>\u00a0<span class=\"verse\">35\u00a0<span id=\"verse-35\">One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, <\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse\">36\u00a0<span id=\"verse-36\">&#8220;Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?&#8221; <\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse\">37\u00a0<span id=\"verse-37\">And He said to him, &#8221; &#8216;YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.&#8217;<\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse\">38\u00a0<span id=\"verse-38\">&#8220;This is the great and foremost commandment. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse\">39\u00a0<span id=\"verse-39\">&#8220;The second is like it, &#8216;YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.&#8217;<\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse\">40\u00a0<span id=\"verse-40\">&#8220;On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: Christians do not often read or preach from Old Testament scripture. Here, in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+6:5;+deuteronomy+11:1;+deuteronomy+11:22;+deuteronomy+30:16;+leviticus+19:18;+leviticus+19:34\">verses 37 and 39, Jesus quotes directly from Old Testament scripture.<\/a> He says that these verses are the ultimate standards of obedience to God&#8217;s laws. If he thought that obedience to himself was the ultimate way to please God, he would have said so here.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">\u00a0Verse 40 says that these commandments summarize all of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">God&#8217;s spiritual laws<\/a> and all of the teachings of true prophets. The importance of Jesus mentioning these verses cannot be overstated. There are four main points to take from Jesus&#8217; response:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">First, the &#8220;whole law&#8221; is a reference to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">God&#8217;s spiritual laws<\/a>. Jesus is saying that obedience to these commandments is evidence that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+31:31-34;+jeremiah+32:36-40;+jeremiah+33:14;+isaiah+59:21;+jeremiah+24:7;+ezekiel+37:26;+ezekiel+39:29;+luke+22:20;+1-corinthians+11:25;+2-corinthians+3:1-6;+hebrews+8:8-12;+hebrews+10:16-17;+psalm+40:8;+psalm+37:31;+genesis+17:7-13;+2-kings+18:11-12;+exodus+19:3-6;+judges+2:16-23;+deuteronomy+5:1-4\">New Covenant<\/a> has been fulfilled in a disciple.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Second, he is saying in effect that these laws exceed all <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws.<\/a> This was an important thing for the lawyer (i.e. religious leader) to know. In scripture, a lawyer is not an attorney who practices law. A lawyer in the Bible is like a pharisee whose focus is on creating and enforcing religious laws for religious people to follow. These lawyers may be equated to theologians, pastors, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders who study the fine points of literal scripture and write or preach what they learn to religious people who believe that God wants obedience to religious rules.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Bible lawyers are Old\/First Covenant religion leaders who earn incomes and reputations for understanding the fine points of the literal Bible. Because they do not understand Bible <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\">Symbols, Signs, Types, Parables, Copies, and Shadows ,<\/a> they always study the literal Bible and never listen to God&#8217;s voice.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Jesus&#8217; statement to the lawyer was a crushing rebuke. Basically, Jesus said that the laws the lawyer studied and preached count for nothing. He said that the only laws that matter are God&#8217;s spiritual laws written on the hearts of New Covenant disciples. This message was hurtful to the lawyer because Jesus basically said that lawyers like him were not necessary in God&#8217;s kingdom because, according to the terms of the New Covenant, God teaches his people directly and does not need religious leaders to teach people.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Third, this little story is important because Jesus subtly directs all religious people to give up their efforts to love God by obeying <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws<\/a> in favor of listening to God&#8217;s voice. God&#8217;s laws are written on hearts when people listen to his voice.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Fourth, this story is important because Jesus says nothing about himself. If he thought that it was important that people should worship him, this was the time for him to say so. Instead, Jesus says clearly that loving God and loving others are the most important things to do.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\/love\/2\">this link for understanding of what it means to love our neighbor as we love ourselves<\/a>. Also see <a href=\"https:\/\/thewayweseecom.ipage.com\/howtolove\/godly-love-compared-to-human-love\/\">Godly Love is Not Human Love.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>16. <a id=\"told\"><\/a>JESUS TOLD PEOPLE THAT THEY SHOULD NOT TELL OTHERS WHAT HE DID FOR THEM <\/strong><br \/>Christians think\u00a0 that they are doing a good thing when they say &#8220;Jesus did this&#8221; and &#8220;Jesus did that.&#8221; They promote him and sing his praises any time something good happens in their life or in the lives of others. In fact, in some Christian religions, people are encouraged to share their testimonies of what Jesus\/God has done for them.<\/p>\r\n<p>People mention Jesus and God in conversation for three basic reasons:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Mentioning Jesus\/God is a good way of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/2\">creating a reputation<\/a> for people who want to be known as someone who is spiritually connected to God\/Jesus.<\/li>\r\n<li>Mentioning Jesus\/God is a way of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2018\/07\/24\/partiality\/\">making friends with<\/a> other other religious people.<\/li>\r\n<li>Mentioning the good works that Jesus\/God has done in a religious community <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2018\/02\/18\/making-a-name-for-yourself\/\">promotes the community and builds it up as a spiritually vibrant place<\/a> that will be a blessing to people who come there.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>With these reasons in mind, and being mindful of the fact that religious talk also has the potential to offend non-religious people, we should not be surprised that Jesus told a man not to share what he has done for him as we see in the following verses:<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"col-lg-6\">\r\n<p class=\"pull-left\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=matthew+8:1-4&amp;t=nas\">Matthew 8:1-4: <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-1\">When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 2 <span id=\"verse-2\">And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, &#8220;Lord , if You are willing, You can make me clean.&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 3 <span id=\"verse-3\">Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, &#8220;I am willing; be cleansed.&#8221; And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 4 <span id=\"verse-4\">And Jesus said to him, &#8220;See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">COMMENTARY: The first thing to understand here is the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\/5\">symbolism of leprosy<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">There are three commands here.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Tell no one about the healing.<\/li>\r\n<li>The one healed is to show himself to the priest.<\/li>\r\n<li>The one healed is to present the offering that Moses commanded.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">Regarding the first command, we might wonder why Jesus would warn the healed person not to tell anyone what Jesus had done. It seems logical to give credit to the one who has done something miraculous. Praising Jesus\/God and giving them credit for good things seems normal and reasonable. But Jesus knew that he personally did nothing miraculous. He knew that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/4\">God did the miracle of healing<\/a> the leper &#8212; not him. Jesus knew he was only a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/servants\">servant<\/a> who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12\">spoke God&#8217;s words<\/a>. He knew that the healing happened because the leper was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\/4#deliverance\">delivered from religion because he heard God&#8217;s voice<\/a>. Jesus didn&#8217;t want the man to confuse others about who had the power to heal, so he told him not to tell anyone.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">Christians who are eager to report <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\">signs, wonders and miracles<\/a> the think they see will have difficulty obeying Jesus commands. Because they hold onto the belief that Jesus is both man and God, they ascribe spiritual power to Jesus himself instead of looking at him as a conduit of spiritual power that exists in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\">God&#8217;s spoken word.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">That Jesus had no natural power of his own is a difficult fact to understand, of course, but it is still a fact that the only thing that makes Jesus special is God&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2018\/05\/20\/disconnects\/\">anointing<\/a> that empowers him to<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+4:10-12;+matthew+10:19-20;+mark+13:11;+luke+12:11-12;+luke+21:14-15;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2;+psalm+143:10;+matthew+10:17-20;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31;+1-peter+4:10-11\"> speak for God.<\/a> Any power that Jesus had was in the words that he spoke &#8212; not in Jesus the man. It is wrong, therefore, to worship Jesus and consider him to be equal to God.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"pull-left\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=luke+5:12-15&amp;t=nas\">Luke 5:12-15 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-12\">While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, &#8220;Lord , if You are willing, You can make me clean.&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 13 <span id=\"verse-13\">And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, &#8220;I am willing; be cleansed.&#8221; And immediately the leprosy left him.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 14 <span id=\"verse-14\">And He ordered him to tell no one, &#8220;But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 15 <span id=\"verse-15\">But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"pull-left\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=matthew+9:29-30&amp;t=nas\">Matthew 9:29-30<\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-29\">Then He touched their eyes, saying, &#8220;It shall be done to you according to your faith.&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 30 <span id=\"verse-30\">And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them: &#8220;See that no one knows about this!&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"pull-left\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=matthew+12:14-16&amp;t=nas\">Matthew 12:14-16 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-14\">But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 15 <span id=\"verse-15\">But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. Many followed Him, and He healed them all,<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 16 <span id=\"verse-16\">and warned them not to tell who He was.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"pull-left\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=matthew+16:13-20&amp;t=nas\">Matthew 16:13-20 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-13\">Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, &#8220;Who do people say that the Son of Man is?&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 14 <span id=\"verse-14\">And they said, &#8220;Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 15 <span id=\"verse-15\">He said to them, &#8220;But who do you say that I am?&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 16 <span id=\"verse-16\">Simon Peter answered, &#8220;You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 17 <span id=\"verse-17\">And Jesus said to him, &#8220;Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 18 <span id=\"verse-18\">&#8220;I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 19 <span id=\"verse-19\">&#8220;I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 20 <span id=\"verse-20\">Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"pull-left\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=matthew+17:1-9&amp;t=nas\">Matthew 17:1-9<\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-1\"> Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 2 <span id=\"verse-2\">And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 3 <span id=\"verse-3\">And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 4 <span id=\"verse-4\">Peter said to Jesus, &#8220;Lord , it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 5 <span id=\"verse-5\">While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, &#8220;This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 6 <span id=\"verse-6\">When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 7 <span id=\"verse-7\">And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, &#8220;Get up, and do not be afraid.&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 8 <span id=\"verse-8\">And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 9 <span id=\"verse-9\">As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, &#8220;Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"pull-left\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=mark+1:40-44&amp;t=nas\">Mark 1:40-44<\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-40\"> And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, &#8220;If You are willing, You can make me clean.&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 41 <span id=\"verse-41\">Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, &#8220;I am willing; be cleansed.&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 42 <span id=\"verse-42\">Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 43 <span id=\"verse-43\">And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away,<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 44 <span id=\"verse-44\">and He said to him, &#8220;See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"pull-left\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=mark+3:1-12&amp;t=nas\">Mark 3:1-12<\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-1\"> He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 2 <span id=\"verse-2\">They were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 3 <span id=\"verse-3\">He said to the man with the withered hand, &#8220;Get up and come forward !&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 4 <span id=\"verse-4\">And He said to them, &#8220;Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?&#8221; But they kept silent.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 5 <span id=\"verse-5\">After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, &#8220;Stretch out your hand.&#8221; And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 6 <span id=\"verse-6\">The Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 7 <span id=\"verse-7\">Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples; and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and also from Judea,<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 8 <span id=\"verse-8\">and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and beyond the Jordan, and the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon, a great number of people heard of all that He was doing and came to Him.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 9 <span id=\"verse-9\">And He told His disciples that a boat should stand ready for Him because of the crowd, so that they would not crowd Him;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 10 <span id=\"verse-10\">for He had healed many, with the result that all those who had afflictions pressed around Him in order to touch Him.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 11 <span id=\"verse-11\">Whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down before Him and shout, &#8220;You are the Son of God!&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 12 <span id=\"verse-12\">And He earnestly warned them not to tell who He was.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"pull-left\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=mark+5:38-43&amp;t=nas\">Mark 5:38-43<\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-38\"> They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 39 <span id=\"verse-39\">And entering in, He said to them, &#8220;Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep.&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 40 <span id=\"verse-40\">They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He took along the child&#8217;s father and mother and His own companions , and entered the room where the child was.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 41 <span id=\"verse-41\">Taking the child by the hand, He said to her, &#8220;Talitha kum!&#8221; (which translated means, &#8220;Little girl, I say to you, get up!&#8221;).<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 42 <span id=\"verse-42\">Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 43 <span id=\"verse-43\">And He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this, and He said that something should be given her to eat.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"pull-left\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=mark+7:32-36&amp;t=nas\">Mark 7:32-36<\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-32\"> They brought to Him one who was deaf and spoke with difficulty, and they implored Him to lay His hand on him.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 33 <span id=\"verse-33\">Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 34 <span id=\"verse-34\">and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He said to him, &#8220;Ephphatha!&#8221; that is, &#8220;Be opened!&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 35 <span id=\"verse-35\">And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 36 <span id=\"verse-36\">And He gave them orders not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"pull-left\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/mark\/8-30.html\">Mark 8:30<\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-30\"> And He warned them to tell no one about Him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"pull-left\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=mark+9:7-9&amp;t=nas\">Mark 9:7-9<\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-7\">Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, &#8220;This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 8 <span id=\"verse-8\">All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 9 <span id=\"verse-9\">As they were coming down from the mountain, He gave them orders not to relate to anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man rose from the dead.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"pull-left\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=luke+8:51-56&amp;t=nas\">Luke 8:51-56<\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-51\"> When He came to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him, except Peter and John and James, and the girl&#8217;s father and mother.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 52 <span id=\"verse-52\">Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, &#8220;Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep.&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 53 <span id=\"verse-53\">And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 54 <span id=\"verse-54\">He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, &#8220;Child, arise!&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 55 <span id=\"verse-55\">And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 56 <span id=\"verse-56\">Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"pull-left\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=luke+9:18-21&amp;t=nas\">Luke 9:18-21<\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-18\"> And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, &#8220;Who do the people say that I am?&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 19 <span id=\"verse-19\">They answered and said, &#8220;John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again.&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 20 <span id=\"verse-20\">And He said to them, &#8220;But who do you say that I am?&#8221; And Peter answered and said, &#8220;The Christ of God.&#8221;<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 21 <span id=\"verse-21\">But He warned them and instructed them not to tell this to anyone,<br \/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: In the original Greek text, the Greek word &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/kjv\/christos.html\">christos&#8221; is an adjective<\/a> &#8212; not a masculine noun. The name &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/kjv\/iesous.html\">Jesus&#8221; is a masculine noun word in Greek<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Bible scribes\/editors distorted the meaning of this verse when they changed\u00a0 the adjective &#8220;christos&#8221; into a proper, masculine name &#8220;Christ.&#8221; Jesus was his proper name, and christ was an adjective that described him. Christ is not a name. The word &#8220;christ&#8221; describes a person. Christ describes Jesus as a messiah, but he is not the one and only messiah that God ever sent to his people. All the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12;+isaiah+59:21;+exodus+4:10-12;+matthew+10:19-20;+mark+13:11;+luke+12:11-12;+luke+21:14-15;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2;+psalm+143:10;+matthew+10:17-20;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31;+1-peter+4:10-11\">prophets sent by\u00a0 God were messiahs because they spoke for God<\/a>. That is why they were anointed.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Peter&#8217;s response that Jesus is &#8220;christ of God&#8221; shows that he understood that Jesus was a messiah of God. Bible scribes\/editors changed the meaning of the verse by including &#8220;the&#8221; to describe christ as the one and only christ. Here is how verse 20 reads in the original Greek:<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"v-20\" class=\"verse font-helvetica font-xs\" style=\"padding-left: 160px;\"><span class=\"verse-20\"><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3004\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3004\" data-strongs-number=\"3004\">said<\/a> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\"><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5101\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=5101\" data-strongs-number=\"5101\">who<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3004\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3004\" data-strongs-number=\"3004\">say<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1510\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1510\" data-strongs-number=\"1510\">am <\/a><\/span><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4074\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4074\" data-strongs-number=\"4074\">Peter<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 611\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=611\" data-strongs-number=\"611\">answered<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3004\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3004\" data-strongs-number=\"3004\">said<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5547\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=5547\" data-strongs-number=\"5547\">christ<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2316\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2316\" data-strongs-number=\"2316\">God<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div id=\"v-21\" class=\"verse font-helvetica font-xs\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"verse font-helvetica font-xs\" style=\"padding-left: 120px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\">Peter&#8217;s response shows that he understood that Jesus was one of many prophets sent by God. He did not in fact say that Jesus was the one and only messiah because he knew that God had <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">anointed many prophets as messiahs<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=hebrews+1:1-2;+john+3:34;+jeremiah+26:1-5;+ezekiel+2:1-7;+ezekiel+3:4-11;+2-chronicles+36:15;+acts+3:26;+revelation+1:1;+deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5;+daniel+9:9-11;+2-peter+1:19-21\">sent them to Israel to speak for God.<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">The main point to learn from this scripture is that Jesus is &#8220;a&#8221; christ &#8212; not &#8220;the&#8221; christ. God did not send only one christ\/prophet. He sent many christs\/prophets to speak for him. And, if he is one of many christs\/prophets, he is not God.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">Messiahs are anointed by God to speak for God<\/a>. They, including Jesus, are not all Gods because God is one.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">The other thing to learn from this scripture is that this is another example of Jesus warned his disciples not to tell what they have learned to others. This seems like a strange thing for Jesus to say because we might expect him to want his disciples to share truth with others.<\/p>\r\n<p>Christians who claim to follow Jesus clearly do not obey his commandments when they make public reports about the things that they have seen Jesus do. In their boasting about Jesus, they are really boasting about themselves and their acute spiritual perceptions that enable them to make such observations. They are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2018\/02\/18\/making-a-name-for-yourself\/\">making names for themselves<\/a> while they practice <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2018\/05\/20\/disconnects\/\">public religion<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Jesus&#8217; warnings in the above scriptures would appear to contradict the following scriptures:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/luke\/8-39.html\">Luke 8:39\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"verse-39\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\"><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5290\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=5290\" data-strongs-number=\"5290\">&#8220;Return<\/a> to your <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3624\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3624\" data-strongs-number=\"3624\">house<\/a> and <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1334\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1334\" data-strongs-number=\"1334\">describe <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\">what<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\"> great <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\">things <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2316\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2316\" data-strongs-number=\"2316\">God<\/a> has <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4160\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4160\" data-strongs-number=\"4160\">done<\/a> for you. &#8220;<\/span><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2532\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2532\" data-strongs-number=\"2532\">So<\/a> he <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 565\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=565\" data-strongs-number=\"565\">went <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 565\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=565\" data-strongs-number=\"565\">away<\/a>, <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2784\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2784\" data-strongs-number=\"2784\">proclaiming<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2596\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2596\" data-strongs-number=\"2596\"> throughout<\/a> the <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3650\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3650\" data-strongs-number=\"3650\">whole <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4172\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4172\" data-strongs-number=\"4172\">city <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\">what<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\"> great <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\">things <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2424\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2424\" data-strongs-number=\"2424\">Jesus<\/a> had <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4160\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4160\" data-strongs-number=\"4160\">done<\/a> for him. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">COMMENTARY:\u00a0 The highlighted (i.e. linked) words are the Greek words of the original Bible texts. Clicking on each of these words reveals that the original Greek words could have been transcribed with a wide variety of English words. The scholars who wrote the Bible made their translation decisions agree with their religious doctrines. All the other words (i. e. those not highlighted) have been inserted by scribes who chose them as filler words to make the text understandable in English. The scribes\/editors chose these filler words to make the English text agree with their doctrinal biases. If we remove the filler words, we have only these words available to give us understanding:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\"><span class=\"verse-39\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\"><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5290\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=5290\" data-strongs-number=\"5290\">return <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3624\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3624\" data-strongs-number=\"3624\">house<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1334\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1334\" data-strongs-number=\"1334\"> describe <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\">what<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\"> great <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\">things <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2316\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2316\" data-strongs-number=\"2316\">God <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4160\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4160\" data-strongs-number=\"4160\">done<\/a><\/span><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2532\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2532\" data-strongs-number=\"2532\"> so <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 565\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=565\" data-strongs-number=\"565\">went <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 565\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=565\" data-strongs-number=\"565\">away<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2784\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2784\" data-strongs-number=\"2784\">proclaiming<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2596\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2596\" data-strongs-number=\"2596\"> throughout <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3650\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3650\" data-strongs-number=\"3650\">whole <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4172\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4172\" data-strongs-number=\"4172\">city <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\">what<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\"> great <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\">things <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2424\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2424\" data-strongs-number=\"2424\">Jesus <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4160\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4160\" data-strongs-number=\"4160\">done<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\"><span class=\"verse-20\">Admittedly, these words alone do not make it clear what God wanted to communicate through this scripture. There is no punctuation and several of the normal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.grammar.cl\/english\/parts-of-speech.htm\">parts of speech<\/a> that English readers expect and need to make sense of written texts are missing. Because the words don&#8217;t go together like English speakers expect, we need to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">hear God&#8217;s spoken voice<\/a> to understand God&#8217;s intended meaning in the verses. When we listen, the following is how we will understand them:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Look into your <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4\">heart<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>Meditate on the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/4\">miracle<\/a> that God has done.<\/li>\r\n<li>The man then served God as an <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\/3\">angel\/messenger<\/a> who reported that Jesus was a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiah<\/a>\/<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">prophet<\/a> who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+3:34;+jeremiah+26:1-5;+ezekiel+2:1-7;+2-chronicles+36:15;+acts+3:26;+revelation+1:1;+deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5;+daniel+9:9-11;+2-peter+1:19-21\">spoke for God<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div class=\"col-lg-6\">\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">Notice that the interpretation comes as a series of related truths &#8212; not as a coherent, linear thought. This is consistent with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">how we hear God&#8217;s spoken voice.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/mark\/passage\/?q=mark+5:15-20\">Mark 5:15-20\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"verse-15\">They came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the &#8220;legion &#8220;; and they became frightened. <\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">16<\/span> <span class=\"verse-16\">Those who had seen it described to them how it had happened to the demon-possessed man, and all about the swine. <\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">17<\/span> <span class=\"verse-17\"> And they began to implore Him to leave their region. <\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">18<\/span> <span class=\"verse-18\">As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<div id=\"v-19\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\">19<\/span> <span class=\"verse-19\"> And He did not <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 863\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=863\" data-strongs-number=\"863\">let<\/a> him, but He <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3004\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3004\" data-strongs-number=\"3004\">said<\/a> to him, <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;<a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5217\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=5217\" data-strongs-number=\"5217\">Go<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3624\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3624\" data-strongs-number=\"3624\"> home<\/a> to your <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4674\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4674\" data-strongs-number=\"4674\">people<\/a> and <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 518\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=518\" data-strongs-number=\"518\">report<\/a> to them <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\">what <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\">great <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\">things<\/a> the <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2962\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2962\" data-strongs-number=\"2962\">Lord<\/a> has <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4160\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4160\" data-strongs-number=\"4160\">done<\/a> for you, and how He <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1653\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1653\" data-strongs-number=\"1653\">had<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1653\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1653\" data-strongs-number=\"1653\"> mercy<\/a> on you.&#8221; <\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">20<\/span> <span class=\"verse-20\"> And he <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 565\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=565\" data-strongs-number=\"565\">went <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 565\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=565\" data-strongs-number=\"565\">away<\/a> and <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 757\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=757\" data-strongs-number=\"757\">began<\/a> to\u00a0<a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2784\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2784\" data-strongs-number=\"2784\">proclaim<\/a> in\u00a0<a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1179\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1179\" data-strongs-number=\"1179\">Decapolis<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\"> what<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\"> great <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\">things<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2424\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2424\" data-strongs-number=\"2424\"> Jesus<\/a> had <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4160\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4160\" data-strongs-number=\"4160\">done<\/a> for him; and <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3956\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3956\" data-strongs-number=\"3956\">everyone<\/a> was <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2296\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2296\" data-strongs-number=\"2296\">amazed<\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">COMMENTARY: The highlighted (i.e. linked) words are the Greek words of the original Bible texts. Clicking on each of these words reveals that the original Greek words could have been transcribed with a wide variety of English words. The scholars who wrote the Bible made their translation decisions agree with their religious doctrines. All the other words (i. e. those not highlighted) have been inserted by scribes who chose them as filler words to make the text understandable in English. The scribes\/editors chose these filler words to make the English text agree with their doctrinal biases. If we remove the filler words, we have these words available to give us understanding:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\"><span class=\"verse-19\"><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 863\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=863\" data-strongs-number=\"863\">let<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3004\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3004\" data-strongs-number=\"3004\"> said <\/a><span class=\"red-letter no-red\"><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5217\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=5217\" data-strongs-number=\"5217\">Go<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3624\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3624\" data-strongs-number=\"3624\"> home <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4674\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4674\" data-strongs-number=\"4674\">people <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 518\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=518\" data-strongs-number=\"518\">report <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\">what <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\">great <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\">things<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2962\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2962\" data-strongs-number=\"2962\"> Lord<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4160\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4160\" data-strongs-number=\"4160\"> done<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1653\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1653\" data-strongs-number=\"1653\"> had<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1653\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1653\" data-strongs-number=\"1653\"> mercy <\/a><\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse-20\"><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 565\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=565\" data-strongs-number=\"565\">went <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 565\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=565\" data-strongs-number=\"565\">away <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 757\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=757\" data-strongs-number=\"757\">began <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2784\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2784\" data-strongs-number=\"2784\">proclaim <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1179\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1179\" data-strongs-number=\"1179\">Decapolis<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\"> what<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\"> great <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3745\" data-strongs-number=\"3745\">things<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2424\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2424\" data-strongs-number=\"2424\"> Jesus <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4160\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4160\" data-strongs-number=\"4160\">done<\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3956\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3956\" data-strongs-number=\"3956\"> everyone <\/a><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2296\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=nas&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2296\" data-strongs-number=\"2296\">amazed<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\"><span class=\"verse-20\">Admittedly, these words alone do not make it clear what God wanted to communicate through this scripture. Because they don&#8217;t go together like English speakers expect, we need to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">hear God&#8217;s spoken voice<\/a> to understand God&#8217;s intended meaning in the verses. When we listen to God while we read, the following is how we will understand them:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><span class=\"verse-20\">Jesus did not deliver the man. <\/span><\/li>\r\n<li>It was the Lord God who did great things for the man &#8212; not Jesus.<\/li>\r\n<li><span class=\"verse-20\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\">God&#8217;s word, <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12\">spoken through Jesus, ,<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\/4#deliverance\">delivered<\/a> the man from a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/serpent-devil-satan-adversary-demons-evil-spirits-and-anti-christs\">demon<\/a>. <\/span><\/li>\r\n<li><span class=\"verse-20\">Jesus told the man to bring <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\">God&#8217;s word<\/a> into his heart. <\/span><\/li>\r\n<li><span class=\"verse-20\">Jesus said that God (i.e. the Lord) &#8212; not Jesus &#8212; had given the man <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/6\">mercy.<\/a><br \/><\/span><\/li>\r\n<li>Jesus told the man to report what the Lord, not Jesus, had done for the man. He told the man to report what the Lord had done because he knew that the deliverance the man had received was accomplished because of the power of God&#8217;s words spoken by Jesus &#8212; not because of any special power that Jesus had.<\/li>\r\n<li><span class=\"verse-20\">Because the man who was delivered did not understand the spiritual meaning of home (i.e. heart), he disobeyed Jesus&#8217; command to bring God&#8217;s word into his heart.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li><span class=\"verse-20\">Because the man did not understand that God&#8217;s word, not Jesus, had delivered him, he told others that Jesus had delivered him.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">When we listen to God&#8217;s voice, we find that these verses do not really contradict the scriptures in which Jesus warns people that they should not tell others what he did for them. We also find some clues as to why he would give this warning:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>He knows that people will have a hard time understanding that it is God&#8217;s word that has the power to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\/4#deliverance\">deliver<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\">heal<\/a> people.<\/li>\r\n<li>He knows that people will be excited about the transformation that God has accomplished in them, and will be eager to share the news with others.<\/li>\r\n<li>He knows that, because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12\">God has spoken through him<\/a> to accomplish deliverance and healing, people will want to give credit for deliverance and healing to him. They will believe that he is the one with the power because he is the one that they could see.<\/li>\r\n<li>Because he knows that he is only a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=2-kings+21:10;+2-kings+24:2;+2-kings+9:7;+2-kings+17:13;+2-kings+17:23;+ezra+9:11;+jeremiah+7:25;+jeremiah+25:4;+jeremiah+26:1-5;+jeremiah+29:19;+jeremiah+35:15;+jeremiah+44:1-4;+ezekiel+38:17;+daniel+9:6-10;+amos+3:7;+zechariah+1:6;+revelation+10:7;+revelation+11:18;+revelation+22:6\">servant<\/a> who does <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/5#godsworks\">God&#8217;s works<\/a>, and that he is not God, he wants to do whatever he can to make sure that people do not give credit for deliverance and healing to him.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>We learn from this analysis that the contradictions found in the written Bible are the result of two conditions:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">1. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\/5\">Editorial choices made by the scribes who write the Bible<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">2. The tendency of people to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-1\">interpret the Bible literally &#8212; not symbolically. <\/a>They do not <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/study\/2\">listen to God&#8217;s spoken voice while reading.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>We can&#8217;t do anything about how the Bible is written, but we can choose to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/study\/2\">listen to God&#8217;s voice while reading<\/a>. But that is not all we can do or should do if we really want to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+6:5;+joel+2:12;+jeremiah+3:10;+deuteronomy+10:12;+deuteronomy+30:2;+deuteronomy+26:16;+deuteronomy+30:6;+zephaniah+3:14;+matthew+22:37;+matthew+7:7;+mark+12:33;+luke+10:27;+luke+11:9;+deuteronomy+4:29;+1-chronicles+28:9;+1-chronicles+22:19;+2-chronicles+12:14;+2-chronicles+15:12;+2-chronicles+19:3;+psalm+27:8;+psalm+119:2;+jeremiah+24:7;+jeremiah+29:13\">seek and find God with all of our heart.<\/a> Here are the other things we need to do:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Stop listening to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">false prophets<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>Listen only to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/4\">Humble ourselves.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+4:10-12;+matthew+10:19-20;+mark+13:11;+luke+12:11-12;+luke+21:14-15;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2;+psalm+143:10;+matthew+10:17-20;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31;+1-peter+4:10-11\">Speak for God<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=hebrews+3:7-19;+hebrews+4:1-7;+john+12:36-40;+isaiah+6:9-10;+jeremiah+5:21;+jeremiah+6:10;+jeremiah+25:4;+isaiah+42:20;+isaiah+48:8;+romans+11:8;+acts+28:27;+ezekiel+12:2;+psalm+115:6;+psalm+135:17;+matthew+13:10-15;+deuteronomy+29:4;+acts+19:9;+2-chronicles+30:8;+nehemiah+9:25-26;+ezekiel+2:1-6;+mark+6:45-52;+job+22:22;+deuteronomy+6:6;+deuteronomy+11:18;+psalm+37:31;+deuteronomy+32:46;+ezekiel+3:1-10\">people who do not have ears to hear God&#8217;s voice.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\/2#dojustice\">Do justice<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thewayweseecom.ipage.com\/howtolove\/chapter-1-gods-strategy-for-overcoming-division-and-creating-unity\/\">Love your neighbor as you love yourself.<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 440px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>17. <a id=\"understanding\"><\/a>UNDERSTANDING JESUS&#8217; NAME\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>Christians believe that the name &#8220;Jesus&#8221; has mystical power. Thus they quote his name often thinking that somehow God is pleased with them when they say his name. They do this without understanding that the only name God is concerned about is his name\/character.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/third-commandment\">this link for understanding of God&#8217;s name<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>What Christians do not understand is that Biblical references to Jesus&#8217; name are not to an actual name. The name &#8220;Jesus&#8221; is just another name like any other name such as Robert or Mary. In fact, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jesus_(name)#Etymology\">Jesus was a common name in Jewish culture during New Testament times.<\/a> It is absurd, therefore, to think that anyone and everyone with the name Jesus had special power and authority.<\/p>\r\n<p>Names are human inventions. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/identity-power-of-name-0625135\">Names only have the meaning and power that humans invest in them<\/a>. And the meaning and power they have usually exists only in the cultures that use them.<\/p>\r\n<p>This is all very different from God&#8217;s name. The Bible says that God has several names, but these mean nothing unless they are associated with God&#8217;s character.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors#godscharacteristics\">this link for understanding of God&#8217;s character<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/friends-brothers-and-sisters#greaterlove\">When Jesus was baptized, he died to religion<\/a> and his heart was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/5\">born again<\/a> into the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/5\">likeness of God&#8217;s heart.<\/a> From that point forward, his name (i.e. character) was God&#8217;s character. Scripture that says that the name of Jesus is above all other names, therefore, mean that the character of Jesus which is God&#8217;s character is above all other characters.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a id=\"philippians2:8-10\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/philippians\/passage\/?q=philippians+2:8-10\">Philippians 2:8-10 <\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-8\">8 And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: This says clearly that Jesus was human. The humility Jesus endured is the same humility that all <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciples <\/a>endure: He had to admit that religion is sin. See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/20\">this link for understanding of humility.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">The Bible does not report the event of Jesus humbling himself, but we know that it happened because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=luke+18:9-14;+luke+14:7-11;+matthew+23:1-12;+1-samuel+2:6-8\">God only exalts people who are humbled. <\/a>In verse 9 we read that God exalted Jesus. Therefore, Jesus must have fulfilled the requirement of humility before he was exalted.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/two-deaths\/2\">Second Death<\/a> for understanding of Jesus&#8217; death.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\">9<\/span> <span class=\"verse-9\"> Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, <\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">10<\/span> <span class=\"verse-10\"> that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, <\/span><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"row\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\r\n<div class=\"col-lg-12 bst-panel bst-panel-padding\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">COMMENTARY: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/third-commandment\">Name here is a reference to character &#8212; specifically God&#8217;s character.<\/a><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">Jesus was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/time-hours-days-weeks-and-ages\/end-times-rapture-and-tribulation\/2\">exalted, lifted up, raptured when he heard God&#8217;s spoken voice. <\/a>When he was exalted, he became a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciple.<\/a> At that moment, Jesus&#8217; heart embodied God&#8217;s character because <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">God&#8217;s laws were written on his heart.<\/a> Only people who have God&#8217;s laws written on their hearts have God&#8217;s character in their hearts. This transformation is the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/5\">miracle of creation in which the hearts of people are born again<\/a> into the likeness of God&#8217;s heart. It is at that moment that their hearts are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/5\">recreated into the image\/character of God&#8217;s heart.<\/a><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+17:11-12&amp;t=nas\">John 17:11-12 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-11\">&#8220;I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div class=\"scripture no-bottom scripture-padding\" style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-12\">COMMENTARY: The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/5\">world here is a symbolic reference to the world of religion which includes all religions. <\/a><\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"scripture no-bottom scripture-padding\" style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-12\">When Jesus said he is &#8220;no longer in the world&#8221; of religion, he admits that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/19#jesusreligioushistory\">he once was in the world of religion<\/a>. That means he was a an <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#oldcovenant\">Old\/First Covenant<\/a> religionist before God changed his heart and became a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciple<\/a>. That also means that he was not born sinless and was not always sinless because he practiced the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\">sin of religion<\/a> along with his friends and family who continue to practice religion because they are still in the world of religion. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"scripture no-bottom scripture-padding\" style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-12\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/greek\/5083.htm\">Greek word &#8220;tero&#8221; that is translated as &#8220;keep&#8221; in the NAS bible, means to guard \u2013 properly, maintain (preserve); (figuratively) <i>spiritually guard<\/i> (watch), <i>keep intact<\/i>.<\/a> People who are in the world of religion are not protected by God&#8217;s name\/character. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"scripture no-bottom scripture-padding\" style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-12\">Because New Covenant disciples are not in the world of religion, they are protected by God&#8217;s name\/character because <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">God&#8217;s spiritual laws are written on their hearts.<\/a> This protection applies only to their hearts. It does not apply to their physical bodies, their finances, their relationships or any aspect of their physical life &#8212; except to the degree that having God&#8217;s laws written on their hearts informs their decisions about how to live their lives. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"scripture no-bottom scripture-padding\" style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-12\">Jesus is essentially praying that his friends and family will stop practicing religion, stop listening to religious leaders, and start <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">listening to God&#8217;s\u00a0 spoken voice.<\/a> He prays this because he is concerned about the quality of their hearts. He understands that, as religious people,\u00a0 they have<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#evilimpureheart\"> evil, impure hearts<\/a>, and he knows that what is best for them is that God will give them <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#goodpureheart\">clean, pure hearts<\/a> when they stop listening to religious leaders and start listening to God&#8217;s spoken voice. This prayer is consistent with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/prayer\/when-god-does-hear-prayer\/the-lords-prayer\">Jesus&#8217; instructions about prayer.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"scripture no-bottom scripture-padding\" style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-12\">Jesus understands that people with clean, pure hearts will no longer identify with their religions. Their identities will be established in the fact that their hearts are created in God&#8217;s image. From that point on, they will be one (i.e. have the same heart), just like God and Jesus have the same heart, instead of divided by their various religious identities.<br \/><\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div><span class=\"verse\"> 12 <span id=\"verse-12\">&#8220;While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: Since name refers to character, when Jesus said he was keeping them in God&#8217;s name, he was saying that he was keeping people in God&#8217;s character.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div><a id=\"PRAYINGINJESUSNAME\"><\/a>The practice of praying in Jesus&#8217; name is inspired by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/kjv\/john\/passage\/?q=john+14:13-14\">John 14:13-14:<\/a><\/div>\r\n<div id=\"v-13\" class=\"verse font-helvetica font-xs\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-13\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">And <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 302\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=302\" data-strongs-number=\"302\">whatsoever<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3748\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3748\" data-strongs-number=\"3748\">ye<\/a> shall <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 154\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=154\" data-strongs-number=\"154\">ask<\/a> in <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3450\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3450\" data-strongs-number=\"3450\">my<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3686\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3686\" data-strongs-number=\"3686\">name,<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5124\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=5124\" data-strongs-number=\"5124\">that<\/a> will I <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4160\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4160\" data-strongs-number=\"4160\">do<\/a>, <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2443\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2443\" data-strongs-number=\"2443\">that<\/a> the <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3962\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3962\" data-strongs-number=\"3962\">Father<\/a> may be <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1392\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1392\" data-strongs-number=\"1392\">glorified<\/a> in the <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5207\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=5207\" data-strongs-number=\"5207\">Son.<\/a><\/span> <\/span><span class=\"verse-14\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\"><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1437\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1437\" data-strongs-number=\"1437\">If<\/a> ye shall <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 154\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=154\" data-strongs-number=\"154\">ask<\/a> any <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5100\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=5100\" data-strongs-number=\"5100\">thing<\/a> in <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3450\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3450\" data-strongs-number=\"3450\">my<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3686\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3686\" data-strongs-number=\"3686\">name,<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1473\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1473\" data-strongs-number=\"1473\">I<\/a> will <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4160\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4160\" data-strongs-number=\"4160\">do<\/a> it.<\/span> <\/span><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div>To understand this verse, we must begin by looking at the words in the original Greek text without the words added by Bible editors:<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-13\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\">And <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 302\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=302\" data-strongs-number=\"302\">whatsoever<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3748\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3748\" data-strongs-number=\"3748\">ye<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 154\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=154\" data-strongs-number=\"154\">ask<\/a> in <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3450\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3450\" data-strongs-number=\"3450\">my<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3686\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3686\" data-strongs-number=\"3686\">name<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5124\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=5124\" data-strongs-number=\"5124\">that<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4160\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4160\" data-strongs-number=\"4160\">do<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2443\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=2443\" data-strongs-number=\"2443\">that<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3962\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3962\" data-strongs-number=\"3962\">Father<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1392\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1392\" data-strongs-number=\"1392\">glorified<\/a> in <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5207\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=5207\" data-strongs-number=\"5207\">Son<\/a><\/span> <\/span><span class=\"verse-14\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\"><a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1437\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1437\" data-strongs-number=\"1437\">If<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 154\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=154\" data-strongs-number=\"154\">ask<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5100\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=5100\" data-strongs-number=\"5100\">thing<\/a> in <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3450\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3450\" data-strongs-number=\"3450\">my<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3686\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=3686\" data-strongs-number=\"3686\">name<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1473\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=1473\" data-strongs-number=\"1473\">I<\/a> <a class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4160\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/interlinear-bible\/strongs\/?t=kjv&amp;ll=g&amp;sn=4160\" data-strongs-number=\"4160\">do <\/a><\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n<p>Christians like to believe that there is some special power in saying Jesus&#8217; name. That is why they think that if they add the words &#8220;in Jesus&#8217; name&#8221; to a prayer or a benediction, they give the prayer a spiritual boost to that God recognizes and honors. They do not realize that they are really practicing a kind of magic with words.<\/p>\r\n<p>Adding &#8220;in Jesus&#8217; name&#8221; has no more spiritual power than saying &#8220;abracadabra&#8221; or &#8220;alakazaam.&#8221; Saying the word &#8220;Jesus&#8221; has no more spiritual power than saying &#8220;Robert&#8221; or &#8220;John&#8221; or &#8220;Mary.&#8221; It is all religious <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.cambridge.org\/us\/dictionary\/english\/mumbo-jumbo\">mumbo jumbo<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Saying &#8220;in Jesus&#8217; name&#8221; means nothing to God. He does not reward people who pray saying &#8220;in Jesus&#8221; name&#8221; with answers to their prayers. But, saying &#8220;in Jesus&#8217; name&#8221; does mean something to Christians. People who use this catch phrase do it to demonstrate their super-spirituality to people who hear them pray. Using this phase is a good way for religious people to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2018\/02\/18\/making-a-name-for-yourself\/\">make a name for themselves. But God is not impressed or moved to action when people use this phrase.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>Affection for Jesus&#8217; name is also inspired by this verse:<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"v-9\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/philippians\/passage\/?q=philippians+2:8-10\"><span class=\"verse-number\">Philippians 2:8-10<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 <span class=\"verse-8\">Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming\u00a0obedient to the point of death, even\u00a0death on a cross. <\/span><span class=\"verse-9\">For this reason also, God\u00a0highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, <\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">10<\/span> <span class=\"verse-10\"> so that at the name of Jesus\u00a0EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, <\/span><\/div>\r\n<div id=\"v-11\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: Christians do not understand that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/third-commandment\">names in the bible refer to character.<\/a> With that principle in mind, therefore, name refers to Jesus&#8217; character. Since Jesus was created in God&#8217;s image and spoke for God, his name\/character is equated with God&#8217;s name\/character which is revealed in his spoken word. It is recognition of God&#8217;s character as revealed in his spoken word that causes people to bow down to listen to his voice.\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/div>\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>18. <a id=\"christ\"><\/a>&#8220;CHRIST&#8221; IS A TITLE &#8212; NOT A PROPER NAME<\/strong><br \/>The words <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=+jesus%2Bchrist&amp;t=nas\">&#8220;Jesus&#8221; and &#8220;Christ&#8221; appear together so often<\/a> in the Bible that people tend to associate them as first and last names. This is wrong thinking. Christ is not Jesus&#8217; last name.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/nas\/iesous.html\">Jesus is a noun<\/a> and a proper name that is always capitalized. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/nas\/christos.html\">&#8220;Christ&#8221; is an adjective<\/a> that should not be capitalized unless it appears as the first word in a sentence.<\/p>\r\n<p>Bible editors and publishers have confused readers about the word &#8220;christ&#8221; by always capitalizing it as though it is a proper name.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: In Bible days, people were not identified by first and last names. If there was a need to identify a man by more than his first name, that would be done by identifying his father. That is why we find James the <span class=\"highlight\">son of<\/span> Alphaeus, James the <span class=\"highlight\">son of<\/span> Zebedee, Bartimaeus, the <span class=\"highlight\">son of<\/span> Timaeus, John, the <span class=\"highlight\">son of<\/span> Zacharias, Jesus, the <span class=\"highlight\">son of<\/span> Joseph, Judas, the <span class=\"highlight\">son of<\/span> Simon,\u00a0 Simon, <span class=\"highlight\">son of<\/span> John and many others mentioned in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/luke\/passage\/?q=luke+3:23-38\">Jesus genealogy<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>This practice of capitalizing christ confuses readers because it deters them from thinking of Jesus as a messiah. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/nas\/christos.html\">definition of &#8220;christ&#8221; is messiah.<\/a> In fact, the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/nas\/christos.html\"> Hebrew word &#8220;christos&#8221;,<\/a> which is typically translated as &#8220;christ&#8221; is also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=messiah&amp;t=nas&amp;f=N\">translated as messiah six times in the NASB.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">Messiahs <\/a>for understanding of christ.<\/p>\r\n<p>Jesus&#8217; role as messiah is much more important than his proper name which came from his father Joseph. His role as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiah (i.e.\u00a0 anointed one)<\/a> is the most important thing about Jesus. Without that anointing he would have been an ordinary man because the anointing comes from his father God.<\/p>\r\n<p>This anointing is symbolically represented at the time of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+3:13-17;+mark+1:9-11;+luke+3:21-22;+isaiah+11:2;+isaiah+42:1\">Jesus&#8217; baptism when the spirit descended on him.<\/a> At this point, Jesus was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/5\">born again<\/a> and began <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/12\">his ministry<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12;+isaiah+59:21\">speaking God&#8217;s words<\/a> as a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophet<\/a>. Before that moment, he was only a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/3\">son of man, but at that moment he became a Son of God. <\/a>Before that moment he was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\/9#jesusreligioushistory\">just another religious Jewish carpenter, but when God said of him &#8220;this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased,&#8221;<\/a> he became a messiah.<\/p>\r\n<p>It is important to recognize that Jesus was &#8220;a&#8221; messiah and that he was not &#8220;the one and only&#8221; messiah whom <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messianic-prophecy\">God promised to send<\/a>. Indeed he was a messiah for his time, but he had no special qualities that differentiated him from other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+29:1-7;+exodus+29:21;+exodus+30:30;+exodus+40:12-15;+leviticus+8:12;+leviticus+8:30;+numbers+3:2-3;+numbers+35:25;+ruth+3:3;+1-samuel+9:16;+1-samuel+10:1;+1-samuel+15:1;+1-samuel+16:12-13;+2-samuel+2:4;+2-samuel+2:7;+2-samuel+5:3;+2-samuel+5:17;+2-samuel+12:20;+2-samuel+19:10;+1-kings+1:34;+1-kings+1:39;+1-kings+1:45;+1-kings+19:15-16;+2-kings+9:1-3;+2-kings+9:6;+2-kings+11:12;+2-kings+23:30;+1-chronicles+11:3;+1-chronicles+29:22;+2-chronicles+23:11;+psalm+89:20\">prophets, priests and kings whom God anointed<\/a> as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/servants\">servants and shepherds<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+3:34;+jeremiah+26:1-5;+ezekiel+2:1-7;+ezekiel+3:4-11;+2-chronicles+36:15;+acts+3:26;+revelation+1:1;+deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5;+daniel+9:9-11;+2-peter+1:19-21\">speak his words<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=hebrews+3:7-19;+hebrews+4:1-7;+john+12:36-40;+isaiah+6:9-10;+jeremiah+5:21;+jeremiah+6:10;+jeremiah+25:4;+isaiah+42:20;+isaiah+48:8;+romans+11:8;+acts+28:27;+ezekiel+12:2;+psalm+115:6;+psalm+135:17;+matthew+13:10-15;+deuteronomy+29:4;+acts+19:9;+2-chronicles+30:8;+nehemiah+9:25-26;+ezekiel+2:1-6;+mark+6:45-52;+job+22:22;+deuteronomy+6:6;+deuteronomy+11:18;+psalm+37:31;+deuteronomy+32:46;+ezekiel+3:1-10\">hard-hearted religious people who could not hear his voice<\/a>. Nor was he any different from any of his followers who also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=1-john+2:20-21;+1-john+2:27;+psalm+45:7;+isaiah+59:21;+isaiah+61:1;+mark+6:13;+mark+14:3-8;+luke+7:37-38;+luke+7:45-48;+john+11:1-3;+john+12:3;+james+5:14;+2-corinthians+1:21-22;+hebrews+1:5-9\">have God&#8217;s anointing<\/a> and power to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+14:24;+john+5:24;+john+5:47;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:10;+john+10:25;+john+8:46;+john+10:37;+john+8:45;+john+17:6-10;+matthew+13:20;+matthew+13:1-46;+matthew+16:16-17\">speak for God<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>What makes Jesus different is that the Bible teaches us much more about what it means to be a messiah through his life and death than it does through other prophets. We do learn a little about the lives and teachings of messiahs through the books of the prophets. But these facts are conveniently packaged together in the New Testament so that we can more easily understand prophets by emphasizing their the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/12\">characteristics and functions<\/a> in the life of one person (i.e. Jesus) who is a model for all <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciples. <\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>To be a follower of Jesus means to model our lives after Jesus&#8217; life after he was anointed. To be a follower of Jesus does not mean that we should worship him. Worship is easy. Following is hard.<\/p>\r\n<p>We followed him when we are religious, but we should also follow him when we come out of religion and become <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciples.<\/a> That is what the Apostle Paul is talking about when he says to<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=1+corinthians+11:1;+philippians+3:17;+1+corinthians+4:16;+1+thessalonians+1:6\"> imitate him as he imitates Jesus<\/a>. Neither Jesus nor Paul, nor God, nor anyone else in the bible ever said that we should worship Jesus. What we should do, however, is follow him in the sense\u00a0 that we <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/13\">do the things he did and say the things he said<\/a> after we come out of religion and become <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciples. <\/a>These are hard things to do. That is why <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+15:18-21;luke+6:22;john+16:2;matthew+5:10-12;matthew+10:22-23;matthew+24:9;mark+13:9-13;luke+21:12;luke+21:16-17;john+15:18-20;matthew+5:44;john+16:33\">Jesus promised that his followers would be persecuted.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>19. <a id=\"genealogy\"><\/a>JESUS&#8217; GENEALOGY, HUMANITY AND RELIGIOUS HISTORY<\/strong><br \/>Christians are proud in their thinking that they possess the true religion because they believe in Jesus. Implicit in this attitude is the idea that Jews past and present do not have true religion because they do not believe in Jesus. This is wrong thinking. It is wrong because it focuses on the natural Jesus and not on the spiritual Jesus as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/nas\/tupos.html\">type<\/a> of messiah.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\/belief-and-trust\">Belief, Trust and Faith<\/a> for understanding of what it means to believe in and trust Jesus. Also see this link for understanding of how Judaism and Christianity are alike.<\/p>\r\n<p>Natural people receive their DNA from their parents and all of their ancestors. In these modern times, it is possible to trace this natural DNA through National Geographic\u2019s Genographic Project that uses advanced DNA analysis to answer fundamental questions about how humans came to populate the earth. Similarly, God has traced Jesus&#8217; spiritual DNA through reports of his natural genealogy in Mathew and Luke.<\/p>\r\n<table style=\"height: 2505px; width: 100.107%; table-layout: fixed; border-color: #000000;\" border=\"1\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 127px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 23.875%; text-align: center; height: 127px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\">MATHEW&#8217;S GENEALOGY<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 26.3034%; height: 127px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\">LUKE&#8217;S GENEALOGY<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 26.7549%; height: 127px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\">\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">RIGHTEOUS PERSONS LISTED IN HEBREWS ELEVEN<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 26px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 23.875%; height: 26px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; text-align: center;\">God<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 26.3034%; height: 26px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; text-align: center;\"><a title=\"God\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/God\">God<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 2352px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 23.875%; height: 2352px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; text-align: center;\">\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><a style=\"color: #993366;\" title=\"Abraham\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Abraham\">Abraham *<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><a style=\"color: #993366;\" title=\"Isaac\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Isaac\">Isaac *<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><a style=\"color: #993366;\" title=\"Jacob\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jacob\">Jacob *<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Judah (Bible)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Judah_%28Bible%29\">Judah<\/a> &amp; <i><a title=\"Tamar (Genesis)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tamar_%28Genesis%29\">Tamar<\/a><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Perez (son of Judah)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Perez_%28son_of_Judah%29\">Perez<\/a>*<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Hezron\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hezron\">Hezron<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Ram (Biblical figure)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ram_%28Biblical_figure%29\">Ram<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Amminadab\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Amminadab\">Amminadab<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Nahshon\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nahshon\">Nahshon<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Salmon (Biblical figure)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Salmon_%28Biblical_figure%29\">Salmon<\/a> &amp; <i><a title=\"Rahab\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rahab\">Rahab<\/a><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Boaz\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Boaz\">Boaz<\/a> &amp; <i><a title=\"Ruth (biblical figure)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ruth_%28biblical_figure%29\">Ruth*<\/a><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Obed (Biblical figure)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Obed_%28Biblical_figure%29\">Obed<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Jesse\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jesse\">Jesse<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"David\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/David\">David<\/a> * &amp; <i><a title=\"Bathsheba\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bathsheba\">Bathsheba<\/a><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Solomon\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Solomon\">Solomon<\/a> DE &amp; <i><a title=\"Naamah (wife of Solomon)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Naamah_%28wife_of_Solomon%29\">Naamah<\/a><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Rehoboam\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rehoboam\">Rehoboam DE<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Abijam\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Abijam\">Abijam <\/a><a title=\"Rehoboam\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rehoboam\">DE<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Asa of Judah\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Asa_of_Judah\">Asa DR<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Jehosaphat\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jehosaphat\">Jehosaphat <\/a><a title=\"Asa of Judah\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Asa_of_Judah\">DR<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Jehoram of Judah\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jehoram_of_Judah\">Jehoram <\/a><a title=\"Rehoboam\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rehoboam\">DE<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Uzziah of Judah\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Uzziah_of_Judah\">Uzziah <\/a><a title=\"Asa of Judah\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Asa_of_Judah\">DR<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Jotham of Judah\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jotham_of_Judah\">Jotham <\/a><a title=\"Asa of Judah\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Asa_of_Judah\">DR<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Ahaz\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ahaz\">Ahaz <\/a><a title=\"Rehoboam\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rehoboam\">DE<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Hezekiah\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hezekiah\">Hezekiah <\/a><a title=\"Asa of Judah\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Asa_of_Judah\">DR<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Manasseh of Judah\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Manasseh_of_Judah\">Manasseh <\/a><a title=\"Rehoboam\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rehoboam\">DE<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Amon of Judah\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Amon_of_Judah\">Amon<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Josiah\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Josiah\">Josiah <\/a><a title=\"Asa of Judah\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Asa_of_Judah\">DR<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Jeconiah\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jeconiah\">Jeconiah<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Shealtiel\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Shealtiel\">Shealtiel<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Zerubbabel\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Zerubbabel\">Zerubbabel<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Abiud\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Abiud\">Abiud<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\">Eliakim<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\">Azor<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\">Zadok<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\">Achim<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\">Eliud<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\">Eleazar<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\">Matthan<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\">Jacob<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Saint Joseph\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Saint_Joseph\">Joseph<\/a> &amp; <i><a title=\"Mary (mother of Jesus)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mary_%28mother_of_Jesus%29\">Mary<\/a><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Jesus\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jesus\">Jesus *<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 26.3034%; height: 2352px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; text-align: center;\">\r\n<p><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Adam (Bible)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Adam_%28Bible%29\">Adam<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Seth\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Seth\">Seth<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Enos (Bible)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Enos_%28Bible%29\">Enosh<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Kenan\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kenan\">Kenan<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Mahalalel\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mahalalel\">Mahalalel<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Jared (ancestor of Noah)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jared_%28ancestor_of_Noah%29\">Jared<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Enoch (ancestor of Noah)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Enoch_%28ancestor_of_Noah%29\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Enoch<\/span> *<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Methuselah\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Methuselah\">Methuselah<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Lamech\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lamech\">Lamech<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Noah\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Noah\">Noah *<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Shem\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Shem\">Shem *<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Arpachshad\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Arpachshad\">Arphaxad<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Cainan\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cainan\">Cainan<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"List of minor Biblical figures\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_minor_Biblical_figures#Salah\">Shelah<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Eber\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Eber\">Eber<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Peleg\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Peleg\">Peleg<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Reu\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Reu\">Reu<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Serug\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Serug\">Serug<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Nahor\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nahor\">Nahor<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Terah\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Terah\">Terah<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><a style=\"color: #993366;\" title=\"Abraham\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Abraham\">Abraham *<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><a style=\"color: #993366;\" title=\"Isaac\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Isaac\">Isaac *<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><a style=\"color: #993366;\" title=\"Jacob\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jacob\">Jacob *<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Judah (Bible)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Judah_%28Bible%29\">Judah *<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Perez (son of Judah)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Perez_%28son_of_Judah%29\">Perez<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Hezron\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hezron\">Hezron<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Ram (Biblical figure)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ram_%28Biblical_figure%29\">Ram<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Amminadab\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Amminadab\">Amminadab<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Nahshon\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nahshon\">Nahshon<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Salmon (Biblical figure)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Salmon_%28Biblical_figure%29\">Salmon<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Boaz\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Boaz\">Boaz *<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Obed (Biblical figure)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Obed_%28Biblical_figure%29\">Obed<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Jesse\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jesse\">Jesse<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"David\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/David\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\">David *<\/span><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>Nathan<\/p>\r\n<p>Mattatha<\/p>\r\n<p>Menna<\/p>\r\n<p>Melea<\/p>\r\n<p>Eliakim<\/p>\r\n<p>Jonam<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Joseph<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>Judah<\/p>\r\n<p>Simeon<\/p>\r\n<p>Levi<\/p>\r\n<p>Matthat<\/p>\r\n<p>Jorim<\/p>\r\n<p>Eliezer<\/p>\r\n<p>Joshua<\/p>\r\n<p>Er<\/p>\r\n<p>Elmadam<\/p>\r\n<p>Cosam<\/p>\r\n<p>Addi<\/p>\r\n<p>Melchi<\/p>\r\n<p>Neri<\/p>\r\n<p>Shealtiel<\/p>\r\n<p>Zerubbabel<\/p>\r\n<p>Rhesa<\/p>\r\n<p>Joanan<\/p>\r\n<p>Joda<\/p>\r\n<p>Josech<\/p>\r\n<p>Semein<\/p>\r\n<p>Mattathias<\/p>\r\n<p>Mahath<\/p>\r\n<p>Naggai<\/p>\r\n<p>Hesli<\/p>\r\n<p>Nahum<\/p>\r\n<p>Amos<\/p>\r\n<p>Mattathias<\/p>\r\n<p>Joseph<\/p>\r\n<p>Jannai<\/p>\r\n<p>Melchi<\/p>\r\n<p>Levi<\/p>\r\n<p>Matthat<\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Heli (Bible)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Heli_%28Bible%29\">Heli<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><i><a title=\"Mary (mother of Jesus)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mary_%28mother_of_Jesus%29\">Mary<\/a><\/i> &amp; <a title=\"Saint Joseph\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Saint_Joseph\">Joseph<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a title=\"Jesus\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jesus\">Jesus *<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 26.7549%; height: 2352px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; text-align: center;\" align=\"left\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Abel *<br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Enoch *<\/span><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Noah *<br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Abraham *<\/span><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>Sarah *<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Isaac *<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Jacob *<\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><br \/><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Joseph *<\/span><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Moses *<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Rahab*<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Gideon*<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Barak <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Samson *<br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Jephthae<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial; color: #993366;\">David *<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Samuel *<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Note: Names <span style=\"color: #993366;\">highlighted in red<\/span> also appear in genealogy lists.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>Characters identified with an * are represented as types of christs (i.e. messiahs) in Bible stories. Characters identified with DE did evil in God&#8217;s eyes. Characters identified with DT did right in God&#8217;s eyes. Others may or may not have been messiahs at some time in their lives, but it is certain that everyone in Jesus&#8217; genealogy observed Jewish religious laws at some time in their lives.<\/p>\r\n<p>The significance of these observations is that Jesus was born into a long line of people who practiced the sin of religion (i.e. they observed Jewish religious laws) and several kings (i.e. Jewish religious leaders) who did evil in God&#8217;s eyes. These were Jesus&#8217; religious grandparents. The point of this is that Jesus had religion in his blood. He was not born sinless.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">STUDY TIP:\u00a0 See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vtaide.com\/gleanings\/Kings-of-Israel\/kings.html\">this link for a table of the Kings of Israel<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Furthermore, we have the fact that Jesus&#8217; mother and father were observant Jews. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+1:18-19;+luke+1:26-27\">Joseph was a righteous man, meaning he was righteous with respect to Jewish religious laws. Since we know that he and Mary were engaged to be married<\/a>, we know that Mary also was religious because a Jewish man would not marry anyone that was not also Jewish.<\/p>\r\n<p>This all means that Jesus was born and raised religious. He was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/luke\/passage\/?q=luke+2:21-27\"> circumcised, and as a child he dutifully followed his natural mother and father as they indoctrinated him into the religion of their fathers as <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/luke\/passage\/?q=luke+2:21-52\">they observed rituals of the Jewish religion<\/a>. And that means, of course, that Jesus was not born sinless as many like to believe. If he was already sinless, there would be no need for him to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+3:16-17\">baptized by the spirit of God<\/a>. For further scriptural evidence of the fact that Jesus was not born sinless, we can look at these scriptures:<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/galatians\/4-4.html\">Galatians 4:4 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-4\">But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">COMMENTARY: The law Jesus was born and raised under Jewish <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious law<\/a>. He was not born as a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciple <\/a>who had <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">God&#8217;s spiritual laws written on his heart<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/luke\/2-27.html\">Luke 2:27 <\/a><span class=\"verse\">\u00a0<span id=\"verse-27\">And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">COMMENTARY: See commentary above.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=romans+1:1-3&amp;t=nas\">Romans 1:1-3\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"verse\">\u00a0<span id=\"verse-1\">Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 2 <span id=\"verse-2\">which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures,<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"><strong> 3<\/strong> <span id=\"verse-3\">concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">COMMENTARY: To be born &#8220;according to\u00a0 the flesh&#8221; means that he was born into a\u00a0 religious family\u00a0 because <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/flesh\">flesh is a symbolic term for religion.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/romans\/8-3.html\">Romans 8:3 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-3\">For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">COMMENTARY: Saying that Jesus was sent in the likeness of sinful flesh means that he as religious before he was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">anointed as a messiah<\/a> by God.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=philippians+2:6-7&amp;t=nas\">Philippians 2:6-7\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"verse\"> <span id=\"verse-6\">who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"><strong> 7<\/strong> <span id=\"verse-7\">but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">COMMENTARY: Being made in the likeness of men does not refer to physical likeness. Of course he was physically human; it was not necessary to affirm that likeness. What was necessary for God to say, however, is that Jesus was like men in the sense that he was religious before <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/5\">God changed his heart to be like God&#8217;s heart.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">Before God <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">anointed<\/a> him, Jesus like other people in terms of his humanity and religion. After he was anointed, he was still human, but he was no longer religious. Not being religious was what set hi apart from others.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">Before he was anointed, Jesus was not Godly in any way. After he was anointed, the only thing about Jesus that was Godly was his words. He was still human. He knew that he spoke for God, but he did not think that doing so made him equal to God. He knew that it was the power of God&#8217;s spirit working through him that made him an effective speaker. That is why he always referred to himself as a &#8220;son of man&#8221; and never as a &#8220;son of God.&#8221; He never had a need or desire to testify about himself as a son of God. He did not stop others from labeling him as a son of God, but he did not say that of himself.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+5:30-32;+john+8:13-14;+proverbs+27:2;+2-corinthians+10:12;+2-corinthians+10:18\">this link for understanding of giving personal testimony of your spiritual condition.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>For most of his life, Jesus was a &#8220;son of man&#8221; who practiced religion. Even though the Bible does not mention Jesus&#8217; religious life between his adolescent years and the age of thirty, or so, everything changed for Jesus when he choose to become baptized by John. He was born under the laws of the Jewish religion, but, after he was born again, he was no longer subject to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws<\/a> to which he was in bondage for the first thirty years of his life.\u00a0 Before his spiritual baptism, Jesus was a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?q=son%2Bof%2Bman&amp;c=ot&amp;t=kjv&amp;ps=10&amp;s=Bibles\"> Son of Man. <\/a>After his baptism he was a<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?q=son%2Bof%2BGOD&amp;c=nt&amp;t=kjv&amp;ps=10&amp;s=Bibles\"> Son of God<\/a> and a son of man. And, after his baptism, he was under <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">God&#8217;s spiritual laws<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>The terms &#8220;son of man&#8221; and &#8220;son of God&#8221; appear to be used interchangeably, but they are very different. Before his baptism, Jesus practiced the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\">sin of religion<\/a>. But <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=mark+1:9-11;+matthew+3:13-17;+luke+3:21-22\">when he was baptized, God acknowledged him as his son.<\/a> That was the moment he was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/5\">born again by the spirit of God<\/a>. After that moment, he began doing <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/6\">the kinds of things that born again people do<\/a>.\u00a0 And, as he did these things,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=1-john+3:9;+1-peter+1:23;+1-john+3:6;+1-john+5:18\"> he no longer sinned <\/a>because he was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/two-deaths#deathtopracticeofreligion\">dead to Judaism<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Jesus was an Old\/First Covenant, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=galatians+4:4;+luke+2:21-22;+luke+2:24;+luke+2:27\">religious Jew before he was baptized<\/a>. He was then a son of man. But, after being born again, he was also a son of God. The difference is that<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+3:6;+john+6:63;+romans+8:1-13;+john+1:12-13;+1-corinthians+15:50;+ezekiel+36:26;+galatians+5:16-17;+galatians+6:8;+philippians+3:1-3;+1-peter+3:18\"> sons of men are born by the flesh (i.e. religion made by man) while sons of God are born by the spirit<\/a>. Because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=galatians+4:4;+luke+2:21-22;+luke+2:24;+luke+2:27\">Jesus was born and raised religious<\/a>, he was a son of man until the time of his baptism. After baptism, he was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/5\">born again<\/a> as a son of God.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">STUDY TIP: Christians believe that Jesus was born sinless and was always sinless. Scriptures that say he was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/galatians\/passage\/?q=galatians+4:1-5\">born under the law<\/a> and was subject to religious rituals prove that he was<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=galatians+4:4;+luke+2:21-22;+luke+2:24;+luke+2:27\"> religious (i.e. sinful)<\/a> until the time that he was baptized.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 110px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/circumcision\/6\">BAPTISM AND WASHING IN WATER<\/a> for understanding of baptism.<\/p>\r\n<p>We don&#8217;t know what the lasting effect of baptism was on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/3.html\">others who were also baptized by John, but we do know that for Jesus this was a spiritual event in which God recognized Jesus as his son. <\/a>He was<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/passage\/?q=john+3:1-7\"> born again when he was baptized with water and spirit<\/a> which is the condition for becoming New Covenant disciples and messiahs.<\/p>\r\n<p>The significance of this review is to make the point that all messiahs must go through a period of being religious before they are born again spiritually at which time they become messiahs. This was no less true for Jesus than it is for any other messiah. All are born and raised in religious households that follow <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+15:7-9;+isaiah+29:13-14;+colossians+2:20-23\">religious rules of worship made by men<\/a> before they are baptized\u00a0 (i.e. anointed) by the spirit of God, after which time they <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/religion-is-idolatry\/4\">worship God in spirit and truth &#8212; not at an altar in a high place<\/a> in a religious building. This process describes how <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/galatians\/passage\/?q=galatians+3:23-24\">religious laws leads people to faith.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>This was the process that Jesus went through, and it is the process that his followers must go through before they are qualified to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice#howtoheargodsvoice\">hear God&#8217;s spoken voice<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+4:10-12;+matthew+10:19-20;+mark+13:11;+luke+12:11-12;+luke+21:14-15;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2;+psalm+143:10;+matthew+10:17-20;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31;+1-peter+4:10-11\">speak what they hear God saying<\/a>. It is the process that they must go through in order to be qualified messiahs. Anyone who does not go through this process is not a true follower of Jesus.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>20. <a id=\"rebuked\"><\/a>JESUS REBUKED RELIGIOUS PEOPLE HARSHLY WITH WARNINGS OF WOES TO COME<\/strong><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/greek\/3759.htm\">Woe<\/a>, a word that is not used often in English, is more often associated with Biblical warnings of distress, grief, anguish and regret. True prophets spoke words of woe to warn religious people that they would continue to suffer all kinds of trouble (e.g. sickness, disease, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">bondage, slavery<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\">death,<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/time-hours-days-weeks-and-ages\/end-times-rapture-and-tribulation\/3\">tribulation<\/a>, etc.) as long as they continue to practice religion. Because Jesus and other prophets spoke for God, we must consider that God himself is issuing these warnings of woe. Because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/2-timothy\/passage\/?q=2-timothy+3:16-17\">all scripture is useful for training in righteousness, <\/a>modern day religious people must consider that words of woe apply to them also.<\/p>\r\n<p>Several Old Testament prophets criticized religion with prophecies of &#8220;woe&#8221; to them if they did not turn from religion and start listening to God&#8217;s voice. Christians tend to dismiss these kinds of scriptures thinking that they apply only to Biblical Israel. However, if we believe that<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/2-timothy\/passage\/?q=2-timothy+3:16-17\"> all scripture is God-breathed and useful for training in righteousness<\/a>, we will take these words to heart and apply them to our own lives.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/micah\/2-1.html\">Micah 2:1 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-1\">Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning\u2019s light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: Iniquity is another word for sin. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\">Religion is sin<\/a>. It is religious people who plan and execute the sin of religion. Religious people do not have power to plan and execute sin because God gave them that power. Rather, they have power to sin because God gives people free will to listen to his voice &#8212; or not. People who listen to the voices of religious leaders choose to sin. People who choose to listen to God&#8217;s voice do not sin.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/zephaniah\/3-1.html\">Zephaniah 3:1 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-1\">Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: See R<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">eligion is injustice, slavery, affliction and oppression <\/a>for understanding of oppressors. The city of oppressors is a community of religious people represented by Old Jerusalem. They are all rebellious and defiled because they do not listen to God&#8217;s voice.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/amos\/6-1.html\">Amos 6:1 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-1\">Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: Religious people feel comfortable, complacent and secure in their religion. They feel this way because of their<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/2\"> pride<\/a> and because they are members in good standing of a religious community. Those feelings are radically altered when they are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/20\">humbled to learn that religion is sin<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nahum\/3-1.html\">Nahum 3:1 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-1\">Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without victims!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: See<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/blood\/2#healthyunhealthyblood\"> this link<\/a> for understanding of blood. The city of blood is a religious community that practices <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#oldcovenant\">Old\/First Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\">religion<\/a>. The leaders of the city of blood are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/apostles\">Pastors, Priests, Rabbis, Apostles, Bishops, Elders, Deacons, Overseers, Popes, Missionaries and Evangelists<\/a>. They are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">False Prophets<\/a> who always <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+23:25-26;+jeremiah+14:14;+jeremiah+6:14;+jeremiah+8:11;+jeremiah+27:9-16;+jeremiah+5:31;+jeremiah+23:14;+jeremiah+23:32;+jeremiah+29:9;+ezekiel+13:1-16\">preach lies<\/a>. God considers them to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+23:9-40;+1-samuel+8;+2-kings+17:13-51;+2-chronicles+19:10;+lamentations+2:13-14;+isaiah+58:1-2;+jeremiah+6:8-21;+ezekiel+3;+ezekiel+16:1-59;+ezekiel+23:35-49;+ezekiel+33:1-9;+micah+3;+nehemiah+9:29-30\">lying prophets<\/a>. Their victims are the people who listen to them, believe their words, act upon their teaching, and support them with praise and<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-commerce\/examples-of-business-and-commerce-in-religion\"> financial support<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>The apostle John in his Book of Revelation of the end of the world of religion also issued several woes:<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/revelation\/18-10.html\">Revelation 18:10 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-10\">Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: \u201c \u2018Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/egypt-and-babylon\/10\">this link<\/a> for understanding of the symbolism of Babylon.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/revelation\/18-16.html\">Revelation 18:16 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-16\">and cry out: \u201c \u2018Woe! Woe to you, <a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/greek\/3173.htm\">great<\/a> city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!<br \/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: The great city is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/egypt-and-babylon\/5#featuresofancientbabylonreligion\">Babylon<\/a> which is a term that symbolically refers to all religion &#8212; including Judaism and Christianity. See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\">this link for understanding of cities. <\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Identifying Babylon as a <span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-16\"><a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/greek\/3173.htm\">great<\/a><\/span><\/span> city does not mean that it is a good or virtuous place. It only means that religion is large and strong.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/revelation\/8-13.html\">Revelation 8:13\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-13\">As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: \u201cWoe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: Inhabitants of the earth are religious people. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=revelation+4:1;+revelation+1:10;+hebrews+12:18-19;+1-corinthians+15:52;+matthew+24:31;+isaiah+58:1\">Trumpet blasts are God&#8217;s words<\/a> spoken by his <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\">angels<\/a> whom <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=mark+13:27;+matthew+24:31;+revelation+22:6\">God sends<\/a> to speak for him.<\/p>\r\n<p><a id=\"jesuswoes\"><\/a>As a prophet, Jesus continued practice of issuing woes to Jews and Christians in these verses:<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/matthew\/18-7.html\">Matthew 18:7 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-7\">Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: The world that is the target of this woe is the world of religion &#8212; including Judaism and Christianity. The things that cause people to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\">stumble are the literal words of the Bible. <\/a>The things that must come are the literal words of the Bible. They must come because religious people cannot resist <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-1\">interpreting the Bible literally<\/a>. Jesus speaks this woe to warn religious people that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\">religion is sin <\/a>and to discredit the literal words of the bible as truth.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">The woe to the person through whom the things that cause people to stumble is directed to anyone who preaches\/teaches the literal words of the bible as truth.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/luke\/6-25.html\">Luke 6:25 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-25\">Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: Religious people are well fed by religious leaders who preach\/teach from the literal bible. They gorge themselves on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine#evilsoulishfood\">evil, soulish food<\/a> served to them by false prophets,\u00a0 but they are hungry for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine#goodspiritualfood\">clean, pure, spiritual food<\/a> that comes from God&#8217;s spoken voice.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/2\">Religion does a very good job of feeding religious pride<\/a>. Religious people enjoy their religion while they practice it, but they will mourn and weep over their religion when <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/20\">God&#8217;s spoken word humbles them<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice#spiritconvicts\">convicts them<\/a> with the truth that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\">religion is sin<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Religious people enjoy their religious life, but, after they learn that religion is sin, they will mourn over the fact that they were deceived and believed the lies taught to them by religious leaders.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/matthew\/11-21.html\">Matthew 11:21 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-21\">\u201cWoe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: All the miracles that Jesus did are symbolic &#8212; not physical. The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/4\">miracles symbolize changed hearts<\/a> in people who <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">hear God&#8217;s spoken voice<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Tyre and Sidon are pagan, Godless cities. Chorazin and Bethsaida are Jewish cities in the promised land. Jesus is saying here that Godless cities would be quicker to repent upon hearing God&#8217;s voice than the Jewish cities. This also applies to Christians.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">The woe is a warning that religious people (i.e. Jews and Christians) will continue to endure <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\">sickness, disease<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">bondage and slavery<\/a> until they <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">hear God&#8217;s voice<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+3:1-2;+matthew+4:17;+matthew+11:20-21;+matthew+12:41;+acts+2:38;+acts+5:31;+acts+20:18-21;+acts+26:18-20;+mark+1:14-15;+luke+24:45-47;+ezekiel+18:30;+ezekiel+33:9-12;+revelation+2:16;+psalm+4:1-4;+isaiah+59:20;+ezekiel+3:19\">repent<\/a> for practicing the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\">sin of religion<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+23:13-33\">Matthew 23:13-33:<\/a> These verses contain a list of eight woes that apply to both Jews and Christians.<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"v-13\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>13<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-13\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;But woe to you, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/pharisees-and-scribes\">scribes and Pharisees<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/forum-descriptions\/hypocrisy\">hypocrites,<\/a> because you shut off the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/kingdom-of-heaven\">kingdom of heaven<\/a> from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.<\/span> <\/span><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: Christians wrongly think that these verses apply to Jews but not to them. They forget or ignore what they claim to otherwise believe about<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/2-timothy\/passage\/?q=2+timothy+3:16-17\"> all scripture being God-breathed and useful for training in righteousness.<\/a> They may not teach the Jewish law, but they do, nonetheless,\u00a0 preach the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws laws of Christianity<\/a> as they understand and obey them.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">These verses apply to all Christians &#8212; not just to\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/apostles\">Pastors, Priests, Rabbis, Apostles, Bishops, Elders, Deacons, Overseers, Popes, Missionaries and Evangelists<\/a> who have titles and leadership positions in churches and ministries. Anyone who has ever shared a Christian doctrine with another person is technically a teacher of Christian religious laws.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Even if they do not teach with words, they teach through their actions. For example, anyone who has ever declared being a Christian, and or has a reputation for being a religious person has taught and affirmed Christian, religious laws. Anyone who wears a cross as jewelry or has a religious symbol on their car makes a statement about their belief in Christian doctrines which are laws to be followed. Anyone who attends church in public teaches that the Christian doctrine of church is a valid law that should be obeyed. All who teach classes in Sunday school or lead bible studies are teachers.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">It is impossible to be a Christian and not teach in some small way. Jesus says here that they are all<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/pharisees-and-scribes\"> Pharisees<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/forum-descriptions\/hypocrisy\">hypocrites.<\/a> He also says that they all shut the door to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/kingdom-of-heaven\">kingdom of God<\/a> by teaching religion that does not emphasize listening to God&#8217;s spoken voice. All Christian religions emphasize listening to the voices of\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/apostles\">Pastors, Priests, Rabbis, Apostles, Bishops, Elders, Deacons, Overseers, Popes, Missionaries and Evangelists<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">If religions taught how to listen to God&#8217;s spoken voice, religions would disappear because there would be no need for them to exist. People will stop practicing religion when they learn that they do not need religion to enter the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/kingdom-of-heaven\">kingdom of heaven\/God<\/a>. It is in the interest of religion, therefore, to preserve itself by teaching its followers to listen to religious leaders, follow religious laws, and engaging in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-commerce\">commercial religion<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Religions, and anyone who preaches or practices religion, effectively prevent people from hearing God&#8217;s spoken voice because religions require listening to the voices of religious leaders whom God calls<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\"> false prophets.<\/a> The only teaching that God respects is teaching of his <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">anointed messiahs<\/a> who encourage people to listen to God&#8217;s spoken voice. The ability to hear God&#8217;s spoken voice is the door to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/kingdom-of-heaven\">kingdom of God<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Religious leaders do not enter the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/kingdom-of-heaven\">kingdom of God<\/a> because they do not listen to God&#8217;s spoken voice. They prevent others from entering the kingdom of God when they present themselves as authorized spokespersons for God and encourage\u00a0 people to practice religion. This is why Jesus spoke &#8220;woe&#8221; to them.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"v-14\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>14<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-14\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows&#8217; houses, and for a <a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/greek\/4392.htm\">pretense<\/a> you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.<\/span> <\/span><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: Here Jesus says that all religious people are hypocritical scribes and Pharisees.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Devouring widows houses is a symbolic reference to religious tithes and offerings which religious leaders constantly solicit from all religious people &#8212; not just widows. Jesus is saying, in effect, that the money people give to religion is necessary for paying their household bills, and that giving the money to a religious organization such as a church or ministry deprives them of resources necessary to have a comfortable life. And it all happens because religious leaders interpret scriptures about tithes and offerings literally. See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sacrifices-tithes-and-offerings\">Sacrifices, Tithes and Offerings<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sacrifices-tithes-and-offerings\/2593-2\">Tithes<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-commerce\">Religion is Commerce<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-commerce\/money-and-ministry-in-the-old-testament\">Money and Ministry in the Old Testament,<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-commerce\/jesus-and-the-money-changers-in-the-temple-2\">Jesus and the Money-Changers in the Temple<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-commerce\/what-jesus-said-about-money\">What Jesus Said About Money, <\/a>and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-commerce\/examples-of-business-and-commerce-in-religion\">Examples of Business and Commerce in Religion<\/a> for understanding of money and religion.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">For a <a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/greek\/4392.htm\">pretense means for a pretext or for a show<\/a>. In other words, scribes and Pharisees pray long prayers for show. Prayer is just one part of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/forum-descriptions\/hypocrisy\">act (i.e. hypocrisy)<\/a> of being religious. All religious activity is a big show of people pretending to be spiritual, Godly, and like Jesus. Because Jesus understood this hypocrisy, he made a point of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/prayer\/prayer-2\/public-prayer\">condemning prayer for show<\/a> and instructing his followers in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/prayer\/when-god-does-hear-prayer\/the-lords-prayer\">the kind of prayer that God accepts.<\/a><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"v-15\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>15<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-15\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: All religions have a self-interest in promoting and advancing their religion. If they were not evangelical, they would eventually disappear. All efforts to gain conversions, therefore, are rooted in pride and self-preservation. Evangelism feeds pride because people feel good about preaching religion and gaining converts. People who evangelize in big and small ways also benefit from the fact that conversions secure the future of the religion from which they derive many <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/2\">rewards,<\/a> and which offers them ongoing opportunities to build up their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/5\">spiritual pride. <\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">A child of hell is anyone who lives in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/15#hell\">hell<\/a>. Religious evangelists promote living in hell when they encourage people to practice religion and listen to the voices of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">false prophets<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"v-16\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>16-22<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"verse-16\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\"> &#8220;Woe to you, blind guides, who say, &#8216;Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever * swears by the gold of the temple is obligated.&#8217; <\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">17<\/span> <span class=\"verse-17\"><span class=\"verse-17\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold? <\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">18<\/span> <span class=\"verse-18\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;And, &#8216;Whoever * swears by the altar, that is nothing, but whoever * swears by the offering on it, he is obligated.&#8217;<\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">19<\/span> <span class=\"verse-19\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;You blind men, which is more important, the offering, or the altar that sanctifies the offering? <\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">20<\/span> <span class=\"verse-20\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;Therefore, whoever swears by the altar, swears both by the altar and by everything on it. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">21<\/span> <span class=\"verse-21\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;And whoever swears by the temple, swears both by the temple and by Him who dwells within it. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">22<\/span> <span class=\"verse-22\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;And whoever swears by heaven, swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: All religious teachers are blind to the truth about religion. See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\">Sickness, Disease, Blindness, and Deafness<\/a> for understanding of blindness. When they teach others to be religious, they effectively deny others the ability to hear God&#8217;s spoken voice.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Jews and Christians place high value on their religious buildings. Oaths are promises to do something backed up by a promise to pay a price if the promise is not fulfilled. To <a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/greek\/3660.htm\">swear<\/a> by the temple means to take an <a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/greek\/3784.htm\">oath<\/a> that affirms that high value, but the Jewish practice was not to hold people who made an oath referencing the temple accountable for the oath (i.e. the oath meant nothing.) In other words, if someone did not fulfill a promise, there was no price to pay because they did not own the temple. Thus it was a meaningless oath.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Swearing an oath (i.e. making a promise to do something on penalty of paying the price of something of value if the promise was not fulfilled) was a common feature of Judaism not often found in Christianity. Perhaps that is because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+5:33-37\">Jesus said that people should not makes oaths at all and are in fact evil.<\/a> Nevertheless, when people join religious organization like churches, they, in effect, make oaths\/promises to support the organization financially and follow its religious doctrines. Furthermore, when they claim that the bible is God&#8217;s authoritative word, they feel compelled to be obedient to it&#8217;s literal words regarding tithes and offerings.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"v-23\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>23<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-23\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.<\/span> <\/span><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=leviticus+27:30;+deuteronomy+12:17;+deuteronomy+14:23;+deuteronomy+14:28;+2+chronicles+31:6;+nehemiah+10:37;+nehemiah+13:12;+2+chronicles+31:5\">Old Testament scriptures about tithing clearly say that what is to be tithed is agricultural produce including grain and animals<\/a>. Jews expanded the provisions of tithing to include spices. Jesus acknowledges how careful Jews were to tithe material things while neglecting weightier spiritual matters of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\">the law<\/a>.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Religious people are faithful to obey <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws<\/a>. Jesus condemns them here because they are not faithful to obey<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\"> God&#8217;s spiritual laws.<\/a><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Jesus is saying that tithing agricultural produce as required in the literal words of the bible is unimportant compared to the spiritual matters such as justice, mercy and faithfulness. See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">this link for understanding of justice<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/6\">this link for understanding of mercy<\/a>.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"v-24\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>24<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-24\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!<\/span> <\/span><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: Understanding of this verse depends on understanding the biblical <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/2\">principle of clean and unclean things.<\/a> Because neither Jews nor Christians understand these principles, they do not understand what Jesus is saying here.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">In Jewish religious law, both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/leviticus\/passage\/?q=leviticus+11:20-23\">gnats<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/leviticus\/11-4.html\">camels<\/a> were considered to be unclean. Jews were very careful to avoid eating both gnats and camels because that is what their literal interpretation of scripture says to do.<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">But, because Jesus did not interpret scripture literally, he condemns Jews for swallowing camels which is something they would ever do. Jesus understood that camels were symbolic references to religious leaders who did not speak for God. They were<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\"> false prophets<\/a>. Judaism then and now, which listens to rabbis, is built on the teachings of rabbis who are the modern incarnations of ancient scribe and pharisees. Jews always listen to their rabbis who serve them unclean teachings (i.e. food.) Therefore, they are always symbolically swallowing camels.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Although most Christians would not ever think about eating camel meat, Jesus&#8217; rebuke applies to them also because they too listen to the words of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/apostles\">Pastors, Priests, Apostles, Bishops, Elders, Deacons, Overseers, Popes, Missionaries and Evangelists<\/a>.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">If Jews and Christians understood the symbolism of clean and unclean things, they would not listen to religious leaders. Rather, they would listen to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">God&#8217;s spoken voice.<\/a><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"v-25\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>25<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-25\"><span class=\"verse-25\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. <\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>26<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-26\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: Since all religious people are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/pharisees-and-scribes\">Pharisees, <\/a>it is accurate to say that all woes and criticisms spoken by Jesus to pharisees apply to all religious people &#8212; including Christians. Christians who deny that any scripture applies to them personally, resist the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/2-timothy\/passage\/?q=2+timothy+3:16-17\">power of God&#8217;s word to train them in personal righteousness<\/a>. They <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\">arrogantly<\/a> believe that because their religion has taught them all the need to know about God, they have no need to listen to his voice to teach them. This belief prevents them from becoming <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciples .<\/a><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">\r\n<div>Cup here is a symbolic reference to the physical body. And the heart is the inside of the cup. Jesus affirms here <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4\">what God has said about the the heart being the most important thing to God<\/a> and that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/5#donotjudgebyappearance\">how the body looks and what the body does means nothing to him<\/a>. He says that all religious people use their religious traditions to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2018\/02\/18\/making-a-name-for-yourself\/\">make themselves look good to others (i.e. they clean the outside of the cup)<\/a>, but that their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#evilimpureheart\">hearts are full of evil<\/a> that only God sees.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<p>Jews in Jesus&#8217; day observed many <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/mark\/passage\/?q=mark+7:1-9\">ancient, religious traditions, including traditions of washing utensils and the body.<\/a> Christians also have traditions, some of them borrowed from the Jews, that they are faithful to observe while in church and at home.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/circumcision\">this link for more about God&#8217;s attitudes about religious rituals and traditions<\/a>.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Here Jesus says in effect, that all religious traditions are meaningless. Worse yet, he says that hearts that practice religion are full of robbery and self-indulgence, which are characterizations that agree with God&#8217;s view that the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#evilimpureheart\">hearts of Old\/First Covenant religious people are evil and impure. <\/a><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Jesus exhorts Old\/First Covenant religious people to clean their hearts (i.e. the inside of the cup) by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/god-is-calling-people-out-of-religion\">coming out of religion.<\/a><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\">Sickness, Disease, Blindness, and Deafness<\/a> for understanding of the symbolism of blindness.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"v-27\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>27<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-27\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men&#8217;s bones and all uncleanness. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>28<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-28\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.<\/span> <\/span><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: See commentary for verses 25 and26 above. Only religious people see religion as beautiful. God sees religious activity as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/two-deaths#firstdeath\">death<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=isaiah+64:6;+proverbs+30:11-14;+ezekiel+24:13;+ezekiel+36:25\">uncleanness.<\/a><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIPS: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/forum-descriptions\/hypocrisy\">this link for understanding of hypocrisy<\/a>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\">this link for understanding of lawlessness.<\/a><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"v-31\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>29<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-29\"><span class=\"verse-29\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: Religious buildings are the tombs of false prophets (i.e. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/apostles\">Pastors, Priests, Rabbis, Apostles, Bishops, Elders, Deacons, Overseers, Popes, Missionaries and Evangelists<\/a>) because buildings are where they typically conduct their ministries. God also calls these buildings &#8220;monuments of the righteous (i.e. self-righteous religious people who are righteous in their own eyes and in the eyes of co-religionists who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=luke+11:43;+matthew+23:6;+mark+12:38;+luke+14:7;+luke+20:46;+matthew+6:1-6;+matthew+6:16-18;+matthew+23:1-12;+luke+20:46-47;+luke+21:1;+john+5:41-44;+john+12:37-43;+romans+2:29;+john+7:18;+2-corinthians+5:12\">praise them<\/a> for their faithfulness to obey <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws.<\/a> Religious people pay for the buildings and adorn them with their tithes and offerings and adorn them with their presence and religious behaviors.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">STUDY TIPS: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/tabernacles-temples-altars-high-places-and-pilgrimages\">this link for understanding of God&#8217;s attitudes about religious buildings.<\/a> Also see this link about <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2018\/02\/13\/religious-pride\/\">religious pride<\/a>.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"verse font-helvetica\">\r\n<div id=\"v-32\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>30<\/strong><span class=\"verse-30\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\">And you say, \u2018If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.\u2019 <\/span><\/span><strong>31<\/strong><span class=\"verse-31\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\">So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: Most religious people are aware that their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetoptens.com\/religion\/atrocities-committed-name-religion\/\">spiritual forefathers were guilty of shedding human blood,<\/a> but they are quick to say that they would not have participated in those atrocities if they were alive in those days.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">While religious people excuse themselves from guilt in wrongdoing by their spiritual forefathers, Jesus finds them guilty of the same kinds of wrongdoing because religious people identify with their spiritual forefathers when they adopt their religious beliefs and honor them as their spiritual fathers. The way Jesus, and God, see it, if religious people share the beliefs, of their spiritual fathers, they are sure to live out those beliefs in the same, or similar ways.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Jesus is saying, in effect that if they adopt the religious beliefs of their forefathers, they cannot excuse themselves from guilt for the wrongdoing that those beliefs inspired. They cannot claim the good things that their forefathers did as their own and deny that the bad things done by them apply to them. They can&#8217;t have it both ways.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"verse font-helvetica\">\r\n<div class=\"verse font-helvetica\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>32<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-32\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\">Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!<\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: Jesus is not giving religious people permission to continue the wrongdoing done by their spiritual fathers. What he is doing is acknowledging that religious people will naturally commit the same kinds of wrongdoings that their spiritual fathers did. He is saying that it is inevitable that they would do the same kinds of things because their spiritual beliefs and motivations are exactly the same as the beliefs and motivations that inspired their spiritual fathers to do wrong.<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"v-15\" class=\"verse font-helvetica font-xs\">\r\n<p><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>33<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-33\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\">\u201cYou snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<div id=\"v-15\" class=\"verse font-helvetica font-xs\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">COMMENTARY: If we interpret this verse literally, we will assume that Jesus is angrily calling scribes and pharisees uncomplimentary, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/pejorative\">pejorative names to disparage and belittle them.<\/a> That would be a totally wrong interpretation because Jesus is above such common behavior. Furthermore, since <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/5\">Jesus spoke for God,<\/a> we cannot imagine God resorting to name-calling to bully people into submission. And we must also remember that, if <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/2-timothy\/passage\/?q=2+timothy+3:16-17\">all scripture is God-breathed and useful for our correction and training in our personal righteousness<\/a>, interpreting Jesus&#8217; words as name-calling does not have that effect on us.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"verse font-helvetica font-xs\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">When we interpret these word symbolically, we find that Jesus uses the words snake and viper to identify scribes and pharisees as unclean animals. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/kjv\/passage\/?q=genesis+3:14-15;+leviticus+11:41-43\">Snakes and vipers are among animals that crawl on the ground on their belly that God has called unclean animals to be avoided.\u00a0<\/a>The serpent in the garden of Eden was an unclean animal (i.e. false prophet) who served (i.e. spoke) evil, soulish food to Adam and Eve.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/egypt-and-babylon\/2#nakedness\">this link for understanding of the story of Adam and Eve and the serpent<\/a>.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">Jesus&#8217; statement about condemnation to hell is an affirmation of God&#8217;s warning to Adam and Eve about not eating <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/3#treeofknowledgeofgoodandevil\">fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil<\/a> where he said that<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/kjv\/genesis\/2-17.html\"> if they ate that fruit they would die. <\/a>The death that God was referring to was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/2#spiritualdeath\">spiritual death<\/a> &#8212; not physical death. In bible symbolism, death and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/15#hell\">hell<\/a> are the same thing. Both refer to condition of hard hearts that cannot hear God&#8217;s spoken voice.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/div>\r\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>21. <a id=\"quoted\"><\/a>JESUS QUOTED THE OLD TESTAMENT\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p>Christians love the stories found in the Old Testament that they think they understand and tend to ignore everything that they don&#8217;t understand or seems legalistic. Because they do not believe that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/2-timothy\/passage\/?q=2+timothy+3:16-17\">all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,<\/a> they tend to ignore a large portion of God&#8217;s word that they otherwise say they believe and trust.<\/p>\r\n<p>While saying that they trust Jesus, they ignore the fact that he often taught from Old Testament Scriptures.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"canvasWrapper\">\r\n<table class=\"alignleft\" style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: #000000;\" border=\"1\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 100%; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"3\"><strong><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">OLD TESTAMENT PASSAGES QUOTED BY JESUS CHRIST<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><br \/><\/span><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%; text-align: center;\"><strong><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">NEW TESTAMENT QUOTE<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%; text-align: center;\"><strong><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">OLD TESTAMENT PASSAGE<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%; text-align: center;\"><strong>\u00a0 <span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">HISTORICAL OCCASION<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 4:4<\/span> <br role=\"presentation\" \/><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 4:7<\/span> <br role=\"presentation\" \/><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 4:10<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Deuteronomy 8:3<\/span> <br role=\"presentation\" \/><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Deuteronomy 6:16<\/span> <br role=\"presentation\" \/><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Deuteronomy 6:13<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Temptation<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 5:21<\/span> <br role=\"presentation\" \/><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 5:27<\/span> <br role=\"presentation\" \/><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Exodus 20:13<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Exodus<\/span> <span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">20:14<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Sermon on the mount<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Luke 4:18<\/span>-19<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Isaiah 61:1<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Hometown sermon<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 9:13<\/span> <br role=\"presentation\" \/><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Mark 10:7, 8<\/span> <br role=\"presentation\" \/><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Mark 12:29, 30<\/span> <br role=\"presentation\" \/><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 15:7<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">&#8211;<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">9<\/span> <br role=\"presentation\" \/><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">John 8:17<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\">\r\n<p><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Deuteronomy 17:6<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Hosea 6:6<\/span> <br role=\"presentation\" \/><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Genesis 2:24<\/span> <br role=\"presentation\" \/><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Deuteronomy 6:4, 5<\/span> <br role=\"presentation\" \/><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Isaiah 29:13<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Confrontations with Jewish rulers<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Luke <\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">7:27<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Malachi 3:1<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Tribute to John<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 21:16<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Psalm 8:2<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Triumphal entry<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Luke 19:46<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Isaiah 56:7<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Temple cleansing<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 21:42<\/span>-44<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Psalm 118:22-23<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Parable about Israel<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Mark 12:36<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Psalm 110:1<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Temple question session<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">John 15:25<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\">\r\n<p><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Psalm 35:19\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Psalm 69:4<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Last Passover<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 27:46<\/span> <br role=\"presentation\" \/><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Luke 23:46<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Psalm 22:1<\/span> <br role=\"presentation\" \/><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Psalm 31:5<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">On the cross<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Mark 10:6<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">&#8211;<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">8<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\">\r\n<p><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Gen. 1:27 <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Genesis 2:24<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Adam and Eve<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"> Luke 11:51<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Genesis 4:10<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">The murder of Abel<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Luke 17:26<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">&#8211;<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">27<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Genesis 6<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">&#8211;<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">7<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">The corruption of Noah&#8217;s day and the flood<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Luke 17:28<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">&#8211;<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">29<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Genesis 19<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">The corruption of Lot&#8217;s day and the fire<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Luke 17:32<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Genesis 19:26<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">The worldliness of Lot&#8217;s wife <\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 22:32<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\">\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">The faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob <\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Mark 12:26<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Exodus 3<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Moses and<\/span> <span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">the burning bush<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">John 6:31<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Exodus 16:15<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Moses and the heavenly manna<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">John 3:14<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Numbers 21:18<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Moses and the brazen serpent<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 12:3<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">&#8211;<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">4<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">1 Samuel 21:6<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">David and some shewbread<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 12:42<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">1 Kings 10:1<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Solomon and the Queen of Sheba <\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Luke 4:25<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">&#8211;<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">26<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">1 Kings 17:1, 9<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Elijah, a widow, and the famine<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Luke 4:27<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">2 Kings 5<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Naaman and his leprosy<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Luke 11:51<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">2 Chronicles\u00a0 24:20<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">&#8211;<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">21<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">The murder of Zechariah<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Mtatthew 24:15<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\">\r\n<p><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Daniel 9:27 <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Daniel 11:31<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Daniel 12:11<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Daniel and the abomination of desolation<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\">\r\n<p><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 2:40<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 16:4<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Jonah 1:17<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Jonah<\/span> <span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">and the fish<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\">\r\n<p><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Luke 11:30 <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 12:41<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Jonah 3:4<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">&#8211;<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">10<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Jonah and the repentance of the Ninevites<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 4:4<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Deuteronomy 8:3<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Jesus 1st temptation<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 4:7<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Deuteronomy 6:16<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Jesus 2nd temptation<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 4:10<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Deuteronomy 6:13<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Jesus 3rd temptation<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 5:21<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Exodus 20:13<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Sermon on the mount reference to the 6th commandment<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 5:27<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Exodus 20:14<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Sermon on the mount reference to the 7th commandment<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\">Matthew 5:<span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">31<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Deuteronomy 24:1<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Discussion with rich young ruler<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Mark 10:19<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\">\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Luke 4:18<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">&#8211;<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">19<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Isaiah 61:1<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">&#8211;<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">2<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"> Hometown sermon<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew: 9-13<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Hoseah 6:6<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Defense of his association with sinners<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Mark 10:7<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">&#8211;<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">8 <\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Genesis 2:24<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Discussion of marriage<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Mark 12:29<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">&#8211;<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">30<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Deuteronomy 6:4<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">&#8211;<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">5<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Discussion of the greatest commandments<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 15:7<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">&#8211;<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">9<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"> Isaiah 29:13<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Jesus&#8217; rebuke of pharisees traditions<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">John 8:17 <\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Deuteronomy 17:6<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Response to pharisees who questioned his authority<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Luke 7:27<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Malachi 3:1<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Tribute to John the baptist<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 21:16<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"> Psalm 8:2<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Statement during triumphal entry<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Luke 19:46<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Isaiah 56:7<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Statement during the cleansing of the temple<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 21:42-44<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Psalm 118:22<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">&#8211;<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">23 Isaiah 8:14<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">&#8211;<\/span><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">15<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Parable about Israel<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Mark 12:36 <\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Psalm 110:1<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Discussion in the temple<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">John 15:25<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\">\r\n<p><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Psalm 35:19<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Psalm 69:4<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Comment during last supper<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Matthew 27:46 <\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Psalm 22:1<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Jesus&#8217; statement while on the cross<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Luke 23:46<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Psalm 31:5<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Jesus&#8217; statement while on the cross<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+19:16-20\">Matthew 19:16-20<\/a><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><br \/><\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/exodus\/passage\/?q=exodus+20:12-16\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Exodus 20:12-16<\/span><\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Response to rich young ruler about how to inherit eternal life<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\">\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+22:36-39\">Matthew 22:39<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/19-19.html\">Matthew 19:19<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/mark\/12-31.html\">Mark 12:31<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/luke\/10-27.html\">Luke 10:27<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\">\r\n<p><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/leviticus\/19-18.html\">Leviticus 19:18<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/leviticus\/19-34.html\" data-slimstat=\"5\">Leviticus 19:34<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/deuteronomy\/6-5.html\">Deuteronomy 6:5<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/deuteronomy\/30-6.html\" data-slimstat=\"5\">Deuteronomy 30:6<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">Greatest commandments: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\/love\/2\">Love God and neighbor as you love yourself<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.2308%;\">\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+22:31-32\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"> Matthew 22:31-32<\/span><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/mark\/passage\/?q=mark+12:26-27\"> Mark 12:26-27<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/luke\/passage\/?q=luke+20:37-38\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Luke 20:37-38<\/span><\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 34.3846%;\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/exodus\/passage\/?q=exodus+3:1-6\">\u00a0Exodus 3:1-6<\/a><br \/><\/span><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.3846%;\">God is God of living &#8212; not the dead<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textLayer\"><br role=\"presentation\" \/>\r\n<div class=\"textLayer\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\r\nWhen Jesus said in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/kjv\/matthew\/5-18.html\">Matthew 5:18 that the law would be fulfilled<\/a>, he was referring to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">God&#8217;s spiritual laws<\/a> hidden in the symbolism of the literal words of the Old Testament. Every word Jesus spoke and everything he did after he was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">anointed as a messiah was a fulfillment of God&#8217;s spiritual laws.<\/a><\/div>\r\n<p>This point is worth repeating: God&#8217;s laws were fulfilled in the fact that Jesus recited the laws that were first revealed in the Old Testament, and in the fact that Jesus lived out God&#8217;s spiritual laws out for all to see in his words and actions. This is the expected and natural result of what happens when God&#8217;s writes his spiritual laws on the hearts of all <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciples. This is how God&#8217;s spiritual laws are <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/kjv\/ginomai.html\">fulfilled (i.e. come to pass, come into existence.)<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a> <br role=\"presentation\" \/><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">\u00a0 <!--nextpage--> <strong>22.<a id=\"forgiveness\"><\/a> JESUS PRACTICED FORGIVENESS BY NOT GETTING INVOLVED WITH POLITICS OR RESISTING HIS ABUSERS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Jews had an awkward and tenuous relationship with the Roman government that occupied their homeland. They could follow their own religious rules but were otherwise forced to follow Rome&#8217;s civil rules which included paying taxes.<\/span><\/span> This is the social\/political\/religious context in which Jews awaited a savior who would free them from the tyranny of Rome&#8217;s occupation of Judea. But dealing with government was not Jesus&#8217; assignment. His understanding of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messianic-prophecy\">Messianic Prophecy <\/a>was not the same as Jewish religious leaders. He was not at all concerned about Rome. The only authority he was concerned about was God&#8217;s rule in the hearts of men.<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #1f3d70;\">The Apostle Paul was a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/5\">true prophet<\/a> like Jesus who spoke for God. In<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/romans\/passage\/?q=romans+13:1-7\"> Romans 13:<\/a>1-7, God gave very clear instructions about how <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciples<\/a>\u00a0should relate to government authorities:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<div>\r\n<div class=\"bg-white rounded-t-md p-5 pb-3 shadow-md\">\r\n<div class=\"flex items-center\">\r\n<div class=\"flex-initial\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a class=\"text-blue-600 font-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/romans\/13-1.html\">1<\/a>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3956\" data-strongs-number=\"3956\">Every<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5590\" data-strongs-number=\"5590\">person<\/span>\u00a0is to be in\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5293\" data-strongs-number=\"5293\">subjection<\/span>\u00a0to the\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5242\" data-strongs-number=\"5242\">governing<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1849\" data-strongs-number=\"1849\">authorities<\/span>. For\u00a0there is\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3756\" data-strongs-number=\"3756\">no<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1849\" data-strongs-number=\"1849\">authority<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1508\" data-strongs-number=\"1508\">except<\/span>\u00a0from\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2316\" data-strongs-number=\"2316\">God<\/span>, and\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3588\" data-strongs-number=\"3588\">those<\/span>\u00a0which\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1510\" data-strongs-number=\"1510\">exist<\/span>\u00a0are\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5021\" data-strongs-number=\"5021\">established<\/span>\u00a0by\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2316\" data-strongs-number=\"2316\">God<\/span>.<a class=\"text-blue-600 font-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/romans\/13-2.html\">2\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5620\" data-strongs-number=\"5620\">Therefore<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3588\" data-strongs-number=\"3588\">whoever<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 436\" data-strongs-number=\"436\">resists<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1849\" data-strongs-number=\"1849\">authority<\/span>\u00a0has\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 436\" data-strongs-number=\"436\">opposed<\/span>\u00a0the\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1296\" data-strongs-number=\"1296\">ordinance<\/span>\u00a0of\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"flex-initial\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2316\" data-strongs-number=\"2316\">God<\/span>; and they who\u00a0 have o<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 436\" data-strongs-number=\"436\">pposed<\/span>\u00a0will\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2983\" data-strongs-number=\"2983\">receive<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2917\" data-strongs-number=\"2917\">condemnation<\/span>\u00a0upon\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1438\" data-strongs-number=\"1438\">themselves<\/span>. <a class=\"text-blue-600 font-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/romans\/13-3.html\">3\u00a0<\/a>For\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 758\" data-strongs-number=\"758\">rulers<\/span>\u00a0are not a\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5401\" data-strongs-number=\"5401\">cause<\/span>\u00a0of\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5401\" data-strongs-number=\"5401\">fear<\/span>\u00a0for\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 18\" data-strongs-number=\"18\">good<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2041\" data-strongs-number=\"2041\">behavior<\/span>, but for\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2556\" data-strongs-number=\"2556\">evil<\/span>. Do you <span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2309\" data-strongs-number=\"2309\">want<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5399\" data-strongs-number=\"5399\">have<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3361\" data-strongs-number=\"3361\">no<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5399\" data-strongs-number=\"5399\">fear<\/span>\u00a0of\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1849\" data-strongs-number=\"1849\">authority<\/span>?\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4160\" data-strongs-number=\"4160\">Do<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 18\" data-strongs-number=\"18\">what<\/span>\u00a0is\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 18\" data-strongs-number=\"18\">good<\/span>\u00a0and you will\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2192\" data-strongs-number=\"2192\">have<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1868\" data-strongs-number=\"1868\">praise<\/span>\u00a0from the\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 846\" data-strongs-number=\"846\">same<\/span>; <a class=\"text-blue-600 font-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/romans\/13-4.html\">4\u00a0<\/a>for it is a\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1249\" data-strongs-number=\"1249\">minister<\/span>\u00a0of\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2316\" data-strongs-number=\"2316\">God<\/span>\u00a0to you for\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 18\" data-strongs-number=\"18\">good<\/span>. But\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1437\" data-strongs-number=\"1437\">if<\/span>\u00a0you\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4160\" data-strongs-number=\"4160\">do<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2556\" data-strongs-number=\"2556\">what<\/span>\u00a0is\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2556\" data-strongs-number=\"2556\">evil<\/span>, be\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5399\" data-strongs-number=\"5399\">afraid<\/span>; for it does not\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5409\" data-strongs-number=\"5409\">bear<\/span>\u00a0the\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3162\" data-strongs-number=\"3162\">sword<\/span>\u00a0for\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1500\" data-strongs-number=\"1500\">nothing<\/span>; for it is a\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1249\" data-strongs-number=\"1249\">minister<\/span>\u00a0of\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2316\" data-strongs-number=\"2316\">God<\/span>, an\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1558\" data-strongs-number=\"1558\">avenger<\/span>\u00a0who brings\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3709\" data-strongs-number=\"3709\">wrath<\/span>\u00a0on the one who\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4238\" data-strongs-number=\"4238\">practices<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2556\" data-strongs-number=\"2556\">evil<\/span>. <a class=\"text-blue-600 font-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/romans\/13-5.html\">5\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1352\" data-strongs-number=\"1352\">Therefore<\/span>\u00a0it is\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 318\" data-strongs-number=\"318\">necessary<\/span>\u00a0to be in\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5293\" data-strongs-number=\"5293\">subjection<\/span>, not\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3440\" data-strongs-number=\"3440\">only<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1223\" data-strongs-number=\"1223\">because<\/span>\u00a0of\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3709\" data-strongs-number=\"3709\">wrath<\/span>, but\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2532\" data-strongs-number=\"2532\">also<\/span>\u00a0for\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4893\" data-strongs-number=\"4893\">conscience&#8217;<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1223\" data-strongs-number=\"1223\">sake<\/span>. <a class=\"text-blue-600 font-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/romans\/13-6.html\">6\u00a0<\/a>For\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 1223\" data-strongs-number=\"1223\">because<\/span>\u00a0of\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3778\" data-strongs-number=\"3778\">this<\/span>\u00a0you\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2532\" data-strongs-number=\"2532\">also<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5055\" data-strongs-number=\"5055\">pay<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5411\" data-strongs-number=\"5411\">taxes<\/span>, for rulers are\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3011\" data-strongs-number=\"3011\">servants<\/span>\u00a0of\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2316\" data-strongs-number=\"2316\">God<\/span>,\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4342\" data-strongs-number=\"4342\">devoting<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4342\" data-strongs-number=\"4342\">themselves<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3778\" data-strongs-number=\"3778\">this<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 846\" data-strongs-number=\"846\">very<\/span> thing. <a class=\"text-blue-600 font-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/romans\/13-7.html\">7 <\/a><span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 591\" data-strongs-number=\"591\">Render<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3956\" data-strongs-number=\"3956\">all<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3782\" data-strongs-number=\"3782\">what<\/span>\u00a0is\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3782\" data-strongs-number=\"3782\">due<\/span>\u00a0them:\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5411\" data-strongs-number=\"5411\">tax<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3588\" data-strongs-number=\"3588\">whom<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5411\" data-strongs-number=\"5411\">tax<\/span>\u00a0is due;\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5056\" data-strongs-number=\"5056\">custom<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3588\" data-strongs-number=\"3588\">whom<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5056\" data-strongs-number=\"5056\">custom<\/span>;\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5401\" data-strongs-number=\"5401\">fear<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3588\" data-strongs-number=\"3588\">whom<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5401\" data-strongs-number=\"5401\">fear<\/span>;\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5092\" data-strongs-number=\"5092\">honor<\/span> to <span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3588\" data-strongs-number=\"3588\">whom<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5092\" data-strongs-number=\"5092\">honor<\/span>.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>The principles in Paul&#8217;s writing agree fully with these scriptures about obedience to authorities of all kinds:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"tskverse\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/titus\/3-1.htm\">Titus 3:1<\/a><br \/>Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"hdg\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/1-peter\/passage\/?q=1+peter+2:12-14\"><span style=\"color: #1f3d70;\">1 Peter 2:12-14 <\/span><\/a>Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 13\u00a0Submit yourselves for the Lord\u2019s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14\u00a0or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"tskverse\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/deuteronomy\/17-12.htm\">Deuteronomy 17:12<\/a><br \/>And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"tskverse\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/proverbs\/24-21.htm\">Proverbs 24:21<\/a><br \/>My son, fear thou the LORD and the king:\u00a0<i>and<\/i>\u00a0meddle not with them that are given to change:<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"crf\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"crossverse\"><a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/1_peter\/2-17.htm\">1 Peter 2:17<\/a><\/span><br \/>Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"color: #1f3d70;\">Ezra 7:26 <\/span>Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king must surely be punished by death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\r\n<div class=\"bg-white rounded-t-md p-5 pb-3 shadow-md\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\r\n<div class=\"flex items-center\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\r\n<div class=\"flex-auto\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\r\n<p class=\"text-xl font-bold overflow-ellipsis\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/ecclesiastes\/passage\/?q=ecclesiastes+8:1-5\">Ecclesiastes 8:1-5<\/a> Who is like the wise? Who knows the explanation of things? A person\u2019s wisdom brightens their face and changes its hard appearance. 2 Obey the king\u2019s command, I say, because you took an oath before God. 3 Do not be in a hurry to leave the king\u2019s presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. 4 Since a king\u2019s word is supreme, who can say to him, \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d 5 Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"text-xl font-bold overflow-ellipsis\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><a style=\"background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+26:47-53\">Matthew 26:47-53<\/a><span style=\"background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;\">\u00a0 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48\u00a0Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: \u201cThe one I kiss is the man; arrest him.\u201d 49\u00a0Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, \u201cGreetings, Rabbi!\u201d and kissed him. 50\u00a0Jesus replied,\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"red-letter\" style=\"background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;\">\u201cDo what you came for, friend.\u201d <\/span><span style=\"background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;\">Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51\u00a0With that, one of Jesus\u2019 companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"red-letter\" style=\"background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;\">\u201cPut your sword back in its place,\u201d<\/span><span style=\"background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;\">\u00a0Jesus said to him,\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"red-letter\" style=\"background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;\">\u201cfor all who draw the sword will die by the sword. <a class=\"text-blue-600 font-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/matthew\/26-53.html\">53\u00a0<\/a>Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">Scripture always teaches people to be respectful of and obedient to civil leaders and authorities of all kinds &#8212; even those who are unjust and unwise in their decisions. This attitude will always be noticed and credit for obedience will accrue to God as well as the one who obeys. Everything Jesus did showed respect for civil leaders. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/mark\/passage\/?q=mark+14:48-49\">His mission was not to lead a rebellion<\/a>.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div>Since Jesus did not fit the model of the messiah that the Jews wanted and expected, it is not surprising that inquiries by Jewish religious leaders included questions about taxes and submission to established government authority.<\/div>\r\n<p>In three different scriptures (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+22:17-21\">Matthew 22:17-21<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/mark\/passage\/?q=mark+12:14-17\">Mark 12:14-17<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/luke\/passage\/?q=luke+20:19-26\">Luke 20:19-26<\/a>) Jesus affirmed that it was right to pay taxes:<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-verse-id=\"17\">Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax\u00a0to Caesar or not?\u201d<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-verse-id=\"18\">18\u00a0But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said,\u00a0<span class=\"red-letter\">\u201cYou hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?<\/span><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-verse-id=\"19\">19\u00a0<span class=\"red-letter\">Show me the coin used for paying the tax.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0They brought him a denarius,<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-verse-id=\"20\">20\u00a0and he asked them,\u00a0<span class=\"red-letter\">\u201cWhose image is this? And whose inscription?\u201d<\/span><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-verse-id=\"21\">21\u00a0\u201cCaesar\u2019s,\u201d they replied. Then he said to them,\u00a0<span class=\"red-letter\">\u201cSo give back to Caesar what is Caesar\u2019s, and to God what is God\u2019s.\u201d <\/span><\/div>\r\n<div data-verse-id=\"21\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" data-verse-id=\"21\"><span style=\"color: #1f3d70;\">In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+17:24-27\">Matthew 17:24-27<\/a> he affirmed that paying taxes was the right thing to do:<\/span><\/div>\r\n<div data-verse-id=\"21\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"flex flex-auto flex-col bg-white py-5 px-3 md:px-12 shadow-md\">\r\n<div class=\"text-xl\">\r\n<div class=\"bible-verses \">\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-verse-id=\"24\">24\u00a0After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, \u201cDoesn\u2019t your teacher pay the temple tax?\u201d<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-verse-id=\"25\">25\u00a0\u201cYes, he does,\u201d he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak.\u00a0<span class=\"red-letter\">\u201cWhat do you think, Simon?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0he asked.\u00a0<span class=\"red-letter\">\u201cFrom whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes\u2014from their own children or from others?\u201d<\/span><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-verse-id=\"26\">26\u00a0\u201cFrom others,\u201d Peter answered.\u00a0<span class=\"red-letter\">\u201cThen the children are exempt,\u201d<\/span>\u00a0Jesus said to him.<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-verse-id=\"27\">27\u00a0<span class=\"red-letter\">\u201cBut so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p>\u200e\u200e<\/p>\r\n<p>In the story of Jesus&#8217; interrogations after he was arrested, we see that Jesus did not resist government authority after he was brought to Rome&#8217;s political leaders by Jewish religious leaders.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-verse-id=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/mark\/passage\/?q=mark+15:1-5\">Mark 15:1-5<\/a>: Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-verse-id=\"2\"><a class=\"text-blue-600 font-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/mark\/15-2.html\">2\u00a0<\/a>\u201cAre you the king of the Jews?\u201d asked Pilate.\u00a0<span class=\"red-letter\">\u201cYou have said so,\u201d<\/span>\u00a0Jesus replied.<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-verse-id=\"3\"><a class=\"text-blue-600 font-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/mark\/15-3.html\">3\u00a0<\/a>The chief priests accused him of many things.<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-verse-id=\"4\"><a class=\"text-blue-600 font-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/mark\/15-4.html\">4\u00a0<\/a>So again Pilate asked him, \u201cAren\u2019t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.\u201d<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-verse-id=\"5\"><a class=\"text-blue-600 font-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/mark\/15-5.html\">5\u00a0<\/a>But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.<\/div>\r\n<div data-verse-id=\"5\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-verse-id=\"5\"><span style=\"color: #1f3d70;\">Matthew 27:14 <\/span>And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed.<\/div>\r\n<div data-verse-id=\"5\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-verse-id=\"5\"><span class=\"crossverse\"><a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/matthew\/27-12.htm\">Matthew 27:12\u00a0<\/a><\/span>And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer.<span class=\"p\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><span class=\"crossverse\"><a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/mark\/14-61.htm\">Mark 14:61\u00a0<\/a><\/span>But Jesus remained silent and made no reply. Again the high priest questioned Him, &#8220;Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?&#8221;<span class=\"p\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><span class=\"crossverse\"><a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/mark\/15-5.htm\">Mark 15:5\u00a0<\/a><\/span>But to Pilate&#8217;s amazement, Jesus made no further reply.<span class=\"p\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><span class=\"crossverse\"><a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/luke\/23-9.htm\">Luke 23:9\u00a0<\/a><\/span>Herod questioned Jesus at great length, but He gave no answer.<\/div>\r\n<div data-verse-id=\"5\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div data-verse-id=\"5\">In the following memorable prophecy, the messiah is characterized as someone who is silent in the face of accusations and abuse.<\/div>\r\n<div data-verse-id=\"5\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"leading-8 transition-colors rounded my-1 \" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-verse-id=\"5\"><span style=\"color: #1f3d70;\">Isaiah 53:7 <\/span>He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.<\/div>\r\n<p>\u200e<\/p>\r\n<p>The Jews would have been more receptive to Jesus if he would have started a political revolt against Rome like others before and after him had done without success. But he was sent by God to deliver people from the sin of religion &#8212; not from political oppression. He was sent by God to establish God&#8217;s kingdom in the hearts of men &#8212; not a political kingdom. He did not need to defend his personal interests or his bodily safety to be faithful to that assignment. What he needed to do was demonstrate active forgiveness for his abusers by being silent in the face of their abuse.<\/p>\r\n<p>It is not surprising, then to find that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/hebrews\/13-17.html\">Hebrews 13:17 <\/a>affirms Jesus&#8217; attitude about submission to government authorities:\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"strongs font-bold underline-dotted text-blue-600 cursor-pointer\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3982\" data-strongs-number=\"3982\">Obey<\/span>\u00a0your\u00a0<span class=\"strongs font-bold underline-dotted text-blue-600 cursor-pointer\" title=\"Strong's Number: 2233\" data-strongs-number=\"2233\">leaders<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<span class=\"strongs font-bold underline-dotted text-blue-600 cursor-pointer\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5226\" data-strongs-number=\"5226\">submit<\/span>\u00a0to them, for\u00a0they\u00a0<span class=\"strongs font-bold underline-dotted text-blue-600 cursor-pointer\" title=\"Strong's Number: 69\" data-strongs-number=\"69\">keep<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs font-bold underline-dotted text-blue-600 cursor-pointer\" title=\"Strong's Number: 69\" data-strongs-number=\"69\">watch<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs font-bold underline-dotted text-blue-600 cursor-pointer\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5228\" data-strongs-number=\"5228\">over<\/span>\u00a0your\u00a0<span class=\"strongs font-bold underline-dotted text-blue-600 cursor-pointer\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5590\" data-strongs-number=\"5590\">souls<\/span>\u00a0as those who will\u00a0<span class=\"strongs font-bold underline-dotted text-blue-600 cursor-pointer\" title=\"Strong's Number: 591\" data-strongs-number=\"591\">give<\/span>\u00a0an\u00a0<span class=\"strongs font-bold underline-dotted text-blue-600 cursor-pointer\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3056\" data-strongs-number=\"3056\">account<\/span>. Let them\u00a0<span class=\"strongs font-bold underline-dotted text-blue-600 cursor-pointer\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4160\" data-strongs-number=\"4160\">do<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"strongs font-bold underline-dotted text-blue-600 cursor-pointer\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3778\" data-strongs-number=\"3778\">this<\/span>\u00a0with\u00a0<span class=\"strongs font-bold underline-dotted text-blue-600 cursor-pointer\" title=\"Strong's Number: 5479\" data-strongs-number=\"5479\">joy<\/span>\u00a0and not with\u00a0<span class=\"strongs font-bold underline-dotted text-blue-600 cursor-pointer\" title=\"Strong's Number: 4727\" data-strongs-number=\"4727\">grief<\/span>, for\u00a0<span class=\"strongs font-bold underline-dotted text-blue-600 cursor-pointer\" title=\"Strong's Number: 3778\" data-strongs-number=\"3778\">this<\/span>\u00a0would be\u00a0<span class=\"strongs font-bold underline-dotted text-blue-600 cursor-pointer\" title=\"Strong's Number: 255\" data-strongs-number=\"255\">unprofitable<\/span>\u00a0for you.<\/p>\r\n<p>It is also not surprising therefore that the Apostle Paul willingly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=acts+25:6-12;+acts+25:25;+acts+26:32;+acts+28:18-19\">submitted himself to government authority.<\/a> Submission to abusive authorities is evidence that the abusers have been forgiven.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"https:\/\/thewayweseecom.ipage.com\/howtolove\/how-to-love-your-neighbor-as-you-love-yourself-in-your-religious-and-political-lives\/\">Attitudes and Behaviors in Religion and Politics<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/thewayweseecom.ipage.com\/howtolove\/right-attitudes-and-behaviors-toward-government-and-people-in-authority\/\">Right Attitudes Toward Government and People in Authority <\/a>for more about relationships with government. authorities.<a href=\"https:\/\/thewayweseecom.ipage.com\/howtolove\/how-to-love-your-neighbor-as-you-love-yourself-in-your-religious-and-political-lives\/\">\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\">Back to top of page &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>STUDY TIPS: Before reading this series of pages, it will be instructive to read the following links about Jesus: Jesus&#8217; personal qualities and ministry functions (page 12). Jesus coming in clouds Jesus and the law Belief, Trust and Faith List <span class=\"excerpt-dots\">&hellip;<\/span> <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\"><span class=\"more-msg\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"parent":2090,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-11382","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11382","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11382"}],"version-history":[{"count":84,"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11382\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13186,"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11382\/revisions\/13186"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2090"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11382"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}