{"id":4313,"date":"2017-11-08T07:39:50","date_gmt":"2017-11-08T13:39:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/?page_id=4313"},"modified":"2024-05-24T16:32:18","modified_gmt":"2024-05-24T21:32:18","slug":"messiah","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah","title":{"rendered":"Messiahs***"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>MANY MESSIAHS ANOINTED TO SPEAK FOR GOD***<\/strong><br \/>\nMessiahs are important characters in the Bible. In the Old Testament, there are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/nas\/mashach.html\">sixty-seven mentions of the Hebrew verb Mashach (i.e. anoint, anointed),<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/nas\/mashiyach.html\">thirty-eight mentions of the Hebrew noun Mashiyach (i.e. anointed, anointed ones, messiah).<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The word &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/nas\/christos.html\">christ&#8221; is another way of identifying anointed ones<\/a>. Christ is an adjective that describes <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> Christ is not a name and is not Jesus&#8217; last name.<\/p>\n<p>Christians believe that there is only one anointed messiah: Jesus. This belief does not agree with what the Bible says about who is anointed:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+40:13-15;+exodus+30:30;+exodus+28:41;+leviticus+16:32;+exodus+29:4-7\">Priests are anointed.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=1-samuel+16:11-12;+1-kings+19:16;+1-samuel+15:1;+1-samuel+15:17;+2-kings+9:3;+1-kings+19:15;+2-kings+9:6;+2-kings+9:12;+2-samuel+5:1-3;+2-samuel+2:4;+2-kings+11:12\">Kings are anointed.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/1-kings\/19-16.html\">Prophets are anointed. <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=daniel+10:3;+deuteronomy+28:40;+ruth+3:3;+revelation+3:18\">Some people anointed themselves<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=james+5:14;+mark+6:13;+revelation+3:18;+mark+16:1;+mark+14:8;+luke+23:56\">Sick and dead people, including Jesus, were anointed<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=zechariah+4:11-14;+exodus+40:9-11;+exodus+30:26;+exodus+29:36;+judges+9:8;+numbers+7:1;+daniel+9:24;+isaiah+21:5\">Non-human, inanimate objects are anointed<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=1-john+2:20;+1-john+2:27;+2-corinthians+1:21-22;+hebrews+1:9;+luke+4:18;+acts+10:38;+acts+4:27;+james+5:14;+mark+16:1;+luke+7:46;+matthew+6:17;+mark+14:8;+john+11:2;+2-chronicles+28:15;+esther+2:12\">Unnamed people in both the Old Testament and the New Testament are anointed<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u200e<br \/>\nThe material with which people are anointed is oil which is symbolic of God&#8217;s word.<\/p>\n<p>Everyone anointed by God is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=malachi+3:1;+isaiah+40:1-5;+isaiah+42:19;+mark+1:1-3;+haggai+1:13;+malachi+2:7;+exodus+23:20;+matthew+11:10-11;+luke+1:76;+luke+7:27;+john+1:7\">messenger who has one purpose: Prepare the way for people to hear God&#8217;s spoken voice. <\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Hebrew word for messenger is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/nas\/malak.html\">&#8220;malak&#8221; which is most often translated as &#8220;messengers&#8221; in English<\/a>. In addition to messengers, malak is also translated in the plural as angels, ambassadors and envoys.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/nas\/mashiyach.html\">Mashiyach<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/nas\/malak.html\">malak <\/a>are most often translated in the plural form. Messiahs, therefore, are not a unique, singular person. God has sent, and continues to send messiah\/messengers. The persona of Jesus, therefore, was not a unique messiah. Jesus is a symbolic representation of all messiahs\/messengers God has sent in the past and continues to send as his servants.<\/p>\n<p>This point is worth repeating: Jesus was not the only messiah.\u00a0 Rather, he is one of a multitude of messiahs and messengers sent by God to speak for God.<\/p>\n<p>Messiahs\/messengers are <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 by God to speak for God<\/a> to people who cannot hear God 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\">hardened their hearts to hearing God&#8217;s spoken voice.<\/a> Messengers are known by several names: (i.e. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">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=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/nas\/apostolos.html\">apostles<\/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><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\">) <\/a>They have different names, but they all have the same purpose: <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><\/p>\n<p>Messiahs\/messengers share the following histories and characteristics:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Before God anointed them to be his messengers\/messiahs, they were all once <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 practiced <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/5\">defiled religion.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>While they were religious, <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\">they had hard hearts that prevented them from hearing God&#8217;s voice<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Eventually they saw that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">religion was oppressive and unjust<\/a> to them an other religious people.<\/li>\n<li>Eventually they<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=psalm+107:2-6;+psalm+107:10-14;+psalm+107:17-20;+psalm+107:28;+genesis+35:3;+exodus+14:10;+psalm+50:15\"> cried out to God for deliverance<\/a> from religion.<\/li>\n<li>They <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/20\">humbled themselves<\/a> in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=ezekiel+14:6;+ezekiel+18:30;+ezekiel+18:32;+mark+6:12;+acts+3:19;+acts+8:18-23;+acts+17:30;+revelation+2:22;+revelation+9:20;+revelation+16:10-11\">repentance for practicing the sin of religion.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>They were washed clean from religion through a <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#baptismofrepentance\">baptism of repentance.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>They were <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">anointed<\/a> by God and became <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;+2-corinthians+6:17-18;+galatians+4:6-7;+romans+8:14-16;+luke+20:36;+1-john+5:1;+1-john+3:10;+1-john+4:7;+john+8:47;+1-john+5:4\">children of God<\/a><\/li>\n<li>They were <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/#temptationsofjesus\">tempted to return to religion<\/a> but resisted.<\/li>\n<li>From that point forward their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/12\">character and ministry<\/a> followed the pattern we see in Jesus&#8217; life.<\/li>\n<li>After they were anointed, they were <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/servants\">servants who spoke for God <\/a>as\u00a0<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> <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>.<\/li>\n<li>They <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-peter+3:13-18;+matthew+5:10-12;+acts+7:52;+hebrews+11:32-40;+hebrews+12:1-4;+hebrews+13:12-13;+1-peter+4:14;+john+15:18-21;+philippians+2:12-13;+matthew+21:33-46;+2-corinthians+1:5-7;+philippians+1:12-14;+ephesians+3:13;+2-corinthians+4:17;+romans+5:3-5;+2-corinthians+12:6-10;+2-corinthians+6:4;+2-thessalonians+1:4;+2-timothy+3:10-11;+2-corinthians+4:10-18;+luke+6:22\">suffered persecution, tribulation and insult<\/a> from religious leaders who were threatened by the messiahs attempts to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/religion-is-idolatry\/4\">tear down religious idols and high places.\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u200e<br \/>\nThe New Testament stories of Jesus are a parable of the stories that are 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> whom God anoints to speak for him. Everything that Jesus said, everything that Jesus did, and everything that was done to Jesus by others represents the lives of messiahs\/messengers\/prophets\/angels\/high priests\/witnesses\/warriors\/apostles and servants. God presents Jesus and these characters in the Bible to educate his people about his expectations for his servants.<\/p>\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\/servants\">Servants and Shepherds <\/a>for understanding of what it means to be a servant\/shepherd of God.<\/p>\n<p>Bible stories about God&#8217;s servants are also useful for discerning the differences between <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/3#treeoflife\">Trees of Life<\/a> and <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>. Messiahs\/messengers are Trees of Life, and <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, Rabbis, Popes, Missionaries and Evangelists<\/a> are Trees of Knowledge of Good and Evil.<\/p>\n<p>The stories and experiences of all true prophets, angels, high priests, witnesses, warriors and apostles create the picture of what it means to be a servant of God, but the story of Jesus is an especially detailed and graphic picture of the life of a messiah.<\/p>\n<p>Messenger\/messiahs\/servants are not God, nor are they gods. <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\">God is invisible and\u00a0 unchanging,<\/a> but messengers\/messiahs\/servants are visible and mortal. They are like God only in the sense that their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/5\">hearts have been recreated in God&#8217;s image<\/a> (i.e. they are sons of God), and they <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/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\">speak for God<\/a>. Beyond these characteristics, messenger\/messiahs\/servants are sons of man.<\/p>\n<p>Messenger\/messiahs are like God in the sense that they have his <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">spiritual laws<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">written on their hearts<\/a> and speak for God<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">.<\/a> Another way to say this is that they are anointed by God&#8217;s spoken word so they can speak his words. Symbolically speaking, their hearts have been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/nas\/mashach.html\">smeared with anointing oil<\/a> which represents <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/13\">God&#8217;s spoken word.\u00a0<\/a>That is what gives them the desire, power and authority 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><\/p>\n<p>God has two basic purposes in anointing and sending his messengers:<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 6.30769%;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 93.6923%;\">\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=isaiah+61:1-3;+luke+4:18;+matthew+11:5;+luke+7:22;+2-corinthians+3:17;+isaiah+42:1;+isaiah+42:7;+isaiah+49:8-9;+isaiah+52:7;+isaiah+57:15\">Set people free from captivity to religion.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Teach them <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">how to listen to his voice.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>And there are several reasons why he\u00a0 wants to set people from captivity to religion:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-4523\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-disease\">Religion is Disease<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-6816\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/flesh\">Religion is Flesh in Motion<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-1964 page_item_has_children\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\" aria-haspopup=\"true\">Religion is Sin<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-1964 page_item_has_children\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/religion-is-idolatry\">Religion is Idolatry<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-664 page_item_has_children\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\" aria-haspopup=\"true\">Religion is the Enemy<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-637 page_item_has_children\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\" aria-haspopup=\"true\">Religion is not Faith<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-a-stronghold-of-wrong-thinking\">Religion is a Stronghold of Wrong Thinking<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-commerce\" aria-haspopup=\"true\">Religion is Commerce <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-deception\">Religion is Deception<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">Religion is Injustice, Slavery, Oppression and Affliction<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>God and his servants understand these truths about religion. Religious people, on the other hand, do not understand God&#8217;s views of anything &#8212; especially religion. Religion <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-a-stronghold-of-wrong-thinking\">blocks their minds<\/a> to understanding the truth about religion. Because religious people do not understand what God and his servants know about religion, the life of a messenger\/messiah is especially dangerous.<\/p>\n<p>Here are a few of the reasons why religious people resent messiahs\/messengers:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Religious people love their religions and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/forum-descriptions\/toxicity\/4#listofquestions\">do not want to quit being religious<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>They <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/religion-is-idolatry\/10\">love their religious leaders to the point of idolizing them<\/a> and will aggressively defend them if anyone suggests that they are not God&#8217;s chosen servants.<\/li>\n<li>They love their religious music and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/circumcision\">rituals<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>They love their religious <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/tabernacles-temples-altars-high-places-and-pilgrimages\">buildings<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>They love their community of people who share their religious beliefs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a id=\"gulliblepeoplestumbleoverjesus\"><\/a>The reason that religious people do not see religion the way God and his messengers see it is that religious people have hard hearts that prevent them from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">knowing how to hear God&#8217;s voice<\/a> when he speaks to them in<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice#whatgodsvoiceislike\"> his spiritual language.<\/a> Nevertheless, some religious people will listen when God speaks through his anointed messengers (i.e. messiahs.) Those who listen to God&#8217;s voice are resurrected from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/2#spiritualdeath\">spiritual death<\/a> to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns#rewards\">rewards of spiritual life<\/a>. They choose the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+20:16;+romans+11:7;+matthew+22:14;+matthew+7:13-14\">narrow gate<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Those who choose the wide gate continue 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> instead of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/2\">death to religion and resurrection to new life<\/a>. Rejecting the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/#rewards\">rewards of listening to God&#8217;s spoken voice<\/a>, they are satisfied with the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/2\">rewards religion provides<\/a> &#8212; even though they are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/two-deaths#firstdeath\">spiritually dead because they practice religion.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/2\"> rewards<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/3\">wealth<\/a> of religion make leaving religion very difficult. Getting sober from<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/forum-descriptions\/toxicity\/4#listofquestions\"> addiction to religion<\/a> requires a<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 that only God can do<\/a>. Several other factors keep them engaged in religion:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Fellowship they have with people who share their faith gives a sense of belonging and acceptance.<\/li>\n<li>The predictability of religious rituals and traditions gives them security.<\/li>\n<li>They love the music and singing.<\/li>\n<li>They have a sense of security in the belief that God approves of their religion and will reward them for their efforts after they die.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>All these factors are very real and important to religious people. They do not realize, however, that they mean nothing to God. Handicapped by a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-a-stronghold-of-wrong-thinking\">stronghold of wrong thinking<\/a> that prevents them from knowing 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>, religious people have no idea that all that God wants and expects from them to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/religion-is-idolatry\/4#spiritandtruth\">worship in spirit and truth<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The main handicap to knowing the truth, however, is the religious leaders who tell them over and over that everything they are doing is what God wants them to do.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">STUDY TIP: See these links for understanding of religious leaders:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><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, Rabbis, Popes, Missionaries and Evangelists.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><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><\/li>\n<li><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><\/li>\n<li><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>\n<li><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><\/li>\n<li><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<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Religious leaders are accepted and honored in their respective religious communities and often outside their religious communities. When friends, family and other trusted acquaintances put their trust in religious leaders, it is hard not to trust them also. The real obstacle to knowing the truth, therefore, is the convincing teachings of religious leaders. Religious people do not think of religious leaders as messiahs, but religious people effectively regard religious leaders as messiahs when they put absolute trust in everything the religious leader says. If a religious leader tells you how to get to heaven and avoid hell after you die physically, and if you believe what that religious leader tells you, that religious leader can be rightly called a false messiah or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">false prophet.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>When <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&amp;q=gullible+defi\">gullible<\/a> people hear <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/forum-descriptions\/toxicity\/3#charismaticcultleaders\">charismatic leaders ( both religious and not religious)<\/a> speaking with apparent wisdom, power, and authority, they are persuaded to believe that the one speaking knows the truth about God. Those religious leaders are, in effect, saviors or messiahs. In God&#8217;s eyes, however, they are false messiahs who lead followers to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">injustice, slavery, oppression<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/2#spiritualdeath\">death<\/a> &#8212; not to eternal life.<\/p>\n<p>Many religious people will sacrifice much to support those leaders so that they can accomplish what they promise they can do. Politicians could not get reelected if they were not articulate in speech and engaging in their relationships. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/forum-descriptions\/toxicity\/3#charismaticcultleaders\">Cult leaders would not seduce followers if they were not convincing speakers<\/a>. And religious leaders (e.g. <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, Rabbis, Popes, Missionaries and Evangelists <\/a>etc.) would not hold their leadership positions if they could not speak well and were not comfortable and confident in social settings. All leaders need gullible followers who <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\">judge people according to what they look like and what they say &#8212; not according to the condition of their hearts.<\/a> People who are inclined to be religious will follow anyone who looks good and says the right things.<\/p>\n<p>This is true in the case of Christianity just like it is true in any cult. In the belief that Jesus is their deliverer\/savior from eternity in hell, Christians stumble over Jesus by judging according to what they see and hear with their natural eyes and ears. They see the pictures and statues, they watch the dramatizations of Christmas and Easter. They listen to the sermons and read the books. In considering everything see and hear, they judge Jesus to be their savior when he is only God&#8217;s messenger. And they judge that religious leaders who promote Jesus will help them get to heaven after they die instead of going to hell.They <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=2-corinthians+4:18;+2-corinthians+5:7;+hebrews+11:1;+hebrews+11:7;+hebrews+11:24-27;+romans+8:24\">walk by sight &#8212; not by faith<\/a> in the following ways:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>They see pictures and statues of Jesus and find him to be an attractive, handsome human person&#8211; even though <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/isaiah\/passage\/?q=isaiah+53:1-3\">the Bible says he was not attractive<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>They read\/hear some of his words and find him believable.<\/li>\n<li>They read the stories about the things he did and would like to be like him.<\/li>\n<li>They read about the miracles he apparently did.<\/li>\n<li>They hear religious leaders and people they trust say that Jesus is their savior.<\/li>\n<li>They are moved with emotional attraction for Jesus when they celebrate Christmas.<\/li>\n<li>The Easter story moves them to gratitude for the way he suffered and died for them.<\/li>\n<li>They believe stories that say he physically died and miraculously came back to life.<\/li>\n<li>They believe teaching that says he is the way to eternal life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For all these reasons and more, Christians stumble in their thinking and feelings about the human Jesus. It is all wrong thinking and wrong feeling. Jesus was only a human person (i.e. son of man). Of course he was a spiritual son of God like 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\/angels\">angels\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\/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> but he is not God any more than any other child of God is God. God has many children, sons and daughters, but the Bible does not say that he considered any of them to be equal to himself. Here is what the Bible does say:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=galatians+3:20;+james+2:19;+romans+3:30\">God is one.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>God <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=isaiah+48:11;+isaiah+42:8\">does not share his glory with anyone<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/matthew\/10-24.html\">servant is not above his master<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In the world of Christianity, the trinity doctrine disagrees with what the Bible says. Here is what the trinity doctrine says:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>The trinity is three persons (father, son, holy spirit) in one.<\/li>\n<li>God&#8217;s glory is shared with Jesus.<\/li>\n<li>The servant Jesus is equal to his father. ***<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Messiah\/messengers have the challenge of convincing Christians that the trinity doctrine is a false doctrine. This is a challenge because Christians are organized into religious organizations led by <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, Rabbis, Popes, Missionaries and Evangelists<\/a> who preach this doctrine. The very idea of the so-called <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#christiangospel\">Christian gospel<\/a> sets the human Jesus above God because it says Jesus is a kind of gatekeeper to getting to God. This thinking is represented in the so-called <a href=\"http:\/\/www.4laws.com\/laws\/englishkgp\/default.htm\">four spiritual laws<\/a>. ***<\/p>\n<p>The heart of anyone who is <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> is <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 of God.<\/a> Being created in the image of God means that the heart of that person is transformed 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\">clean and pure<\/a>. But having a clean pure heart does not make anyone equal to God. Having a clean pure heart means that God is your father because you are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/1-peter\/passage\/?q=1-peter+1:22-25\">born of spiritual, imperishable seed: God&#8217;s spoken word.<\/a> Being born again does not make anyone equal to God.<\/p>\n<p>Jesus was born again when he was anointed by God. Prior to that, he was a religious Jew, born to religious parents and living in a community of religious Jews. That all changed when Jesus was baptized and anointed.<\/p>\n<p>Christians stumble when they fail to go deep to understand <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/12\">Jesus&#8217; character<\/a> or <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/12#jesusministryfunctions\">his ministry<\/a>. They stumble when they believe a simple gospel that presents Jesus as their savior.<\/p>\n<p>Christians stumble when they listen to religious leaders who say that Jesus is the way to heaven. They stumble if they do not <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/study\/2\">study and listen to God&#8217;s voice<\/a> which would tell them that Jesus was not God but was only a messenger who <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\">speaks for God by the power of the holy spirit<\/a>. Jews made this mistake regarding Moses, and Christians made this mistake regarding Jesus. Christians continue to make this mistake every time they listen to their religious leaders (e.g. pastors, priests, evangelists, etc.) Every time they listen to a religious leader, they stumble in their search to know God.<\/p>\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\/6\">this link for understanding of why Jesus as a stumbling block.<\/a> Also see this link for understanding of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+4:29;+psalm+119:2;+jeremiah+24:7;+jeremiah+29:13;+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;+1-chronicles+28:9;+1-chronicles+22:19;+2-chronicles+12:14;+2-chronicles+15:12;+2-chronicles+19:3;+psalm+27:8\">how to search for God<\/a>, and<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+29:12-14;+deuteronomy+4:29-31;+1-chronicles+22:19;+2-chronicles+6:37-39;+jeremiah+24:7;+jeremiah+3:10;+deuteronomy+30:2;+deuteronomy+30:10;+jeremiah+31:31-34;+hebrews+8:11;+1-john+2:27;+isaiah+58:2;+1-chronicles+28:8-9\"> this link of how to know God.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>In the New Testament, there are over five hundred mentions of a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/nas\/christos.html\">christ (i.e. anointed one)<\/a>. Most of these references are translated as &#8220;Christ,&#8221; and only a few are translated as &#8220;messiah.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>When <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/nas\/christos.html\">christos<\/a> is translated as &#8220;christ,&#8221; it is always capitalized as though it were a proper name, which it is not. This error leads Christians to the common error of thinking that &#8220;Christ&#8221; is the last name of a man whose first name is Jesus. Four times christos is translated as &#8220;messiah.&#8221; Thus we often find Jesus and christ appearing together like first and last names. But, the Greek could also have been legitimately translated as &#8220;Jesus messiah.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The important fact to remember here is that the name <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/nas\/iesous.html\">Jesus is a masculine noun<\/a> and that the word <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/nas\/christos.html\">christos is an adjective. <\/a>References to &#8220;Jesus christ,&#8221; therefore, would more properly be written in English as &#8220;Jesus messiah,&#8221; because messiah is an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.grammarly.com\/blog\/adjective\/\">adjective that describes his qualities or state of being<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Christ is not Jesus&#8217; name like people have two or three or more names. Christ is a name for Jesus only in the sense that names in the Bible indicate character.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIPS: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/third-commandment\">Third Commandment<\/a> for understanding of names.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">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 the qualities of a messiah<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In the Old Testament, we find anointing oil applied to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=anoint*+king&amp;t=nas\">kings<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+40:13;+exodus+28:41;+leviticus+7:35-36;+exodus+29:1-7;+exodus+30:30;+exodus+40:13-15;+numbers+3:1-3\">priests<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=1-kings+19:16;+1-kings+1:45;+1-chronicles+16:22;+psalm+105:15\">prophets<\/a>. Religious people interpret the practice of anointing with oil <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-1\">literally &#8212; not symbolically<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The person doing the anointing is always someone who was already anointed. That means the one who does the anointing has 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;+2-kings+18:11-12;+exodus+19:3-6;+judges+2:16-23;+deuteronomy+5:1-4\">written on<\/a> 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\">clean, pure hearts<\/a> which is their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=luke+6:45;+deuteronomy+30:14;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+psalm+49:3;+romans+10:8-10;+psalm+37:30;+job+33:3;+job+33:33;+psalm+45:1;+proverbs+16:23;+proverbs+4:23;+matthew+12:34\">qualification to speak for God. <\/a>Symbolically speaking, when people are anointed with oil, the one doing the anointing smears God&#8217;s words over the hearts of the one who is anointed. When this happens, God does the miracle of changing their heart 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\">clean and pure<\/a>. Symbolically speaking they are spiritually <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>.<\/p>\n<p>The model for this practice appears in the story of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/exodus\/passage\/?q=exodus+29:1-30\">Moses consecrating Aaron and his sons for service as priests<\/a><\/p>\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\/moses\">Moses<\/a> for understanding of Moses as messiah<\/p>\n<p>From Old Testament references to anointing, we must conclude that the concept of a messiah is not exclusive to the New Testament. Nor is it exclusive to someone called the messiah. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">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\/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> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors<\/a> are also technically messiahs because they are all anointed and all speak for God. And <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=isaiah+61:1-3;+luke+4:14-19;+luke+7:22;+2-corinthians+3:17;+isaiah+42:1-7\">they all have the same mission<\/a> that Jesus the christ (i.e. the messiah) had:<\/p>\n<p>From these plentiful Old Testament references to anointing, we must conclude that the concept of a messiah is not exclusive to the New Testament. Nor is it exclusive to someone called the messiah. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">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\/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> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors<\/a> are also technically messiahs because they are all anointed and all speak for God. And <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=isaiah+61:1-3;+luke+4:14-19;+luke+7:22;+2-corinthians+3:17;+isaiah+42:1-7\">they all have the same mission<\/a> that Jesus Christ (i.e. messiah) had:<\/p>\n<div class=\"scripture no-bottom scripture-padding\">\n<p class=\"pull-left\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=isaiah+61:1-3\">Isaiah 61:1-3\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-1\">The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 2 <span id=\"verse-2\">to proclaim the year of the LORD\u2019s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> 3 <span id=\"verse-3\">and provide for those who grieve in Zion\u2014 to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: 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 the practical, everyday, working out of Jesus&#8217; ministry.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>When God puts his spirit on someone, he does it for two basic reasons: Convict people of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\">sin of religion<\/a>. Make them aware of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/#rewards\">rewards of listening to his voice<\/a>.<\/p>\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\/3\">GOD&#8217;S SPOKEN WORD HAS POWER <\/a>for understanding of the way God works through people he anoints with his spirit.<\/p>\n<p>Moses was qualified to anoint Aaron and his sons because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/exodus\/passage\/?q=exodus+4:10-16\">God put his words in Moses&#8217; mouth when he sent Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: The topic of anointing and the story of Moses can be understood only when we first understand that Bible characters are not just historical characters. They exist to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/2\">teach us about the difference between the holy and profane<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/exodus\/passage\/?q=exodus+4:10-16\">The story in Exodus 4:10-16 <\/a>about God&#8217;s words in Moses&#8217; mouth is not just a story about a unique man named Moses. Rather, it is a parable of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\">experience that is common<\/a> 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>. That means that we should see ourselves as deliverer prophets like Moses because our experience with religion and deliverance is modeled on Moses&#8217; experience.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/exodus\/passage\/?q=exodus+2:1-15\">Like Moses, most of us are all born into religious environments. We all have some kind of status as spiritual sons of religious leaders (i.e. pharaohs). And a few of us have, like Moses, taken notice of the abuse that religious leaders have laid on our fellow religionists, and perhaps even made some feeble attempt to use our human strength to deliver them from oppression. And then, like Moses we have pulled away from religion because religious leaders tried to harm us because of our ineffective human efforts to subdue religion.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>What happens to us after disengaging from religion may, or may not, be the same as what happened to Moses. The turning point for Moses was his<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/exodus\/passage\/?q=exodus+3:1-10\"> encounter with God at the burning bush where he got a vision of Israel under fire from religion but not consumed by it. The vision he received was of God rescuing Israel (i.e. Moses&#8217; family and friends whom he left behind in Egypt)<\/a> from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/egypt-and-babylon\/5#pharaohs\">religious leaders (i.e. pharaoh)<\/a> who had <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">unjustly enslaved and oppressed them.<\/a> Because Moses had already been<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/exodus\/passage\/?q=exodus+2:11-12\"> moved in his heart to do something to help his people<\/a>, he understood and appreciated what God wanted to do. And he was somewhat willing to do what God wanted him to do, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+3:11;+exodus+4:1;+exodus+4:10;+exodus+4:13;+exodus+6:12;+exodus+6:30\">he had doubts that either pharaoh or Israel would listen to him<\/a>. It is not surprising that Moses had doubts. God had a big job for him. Here is what he wanted Moses to do:<\/p>\n<div id=\"v-10\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\">10<\/span> <span class=\"verse-10\"> Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring forth my people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.&#8221; <\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">COMMENTARY: When God spoke to Moses he was, in effect, anointing him as a prophet\/messiah to speak for God to Israel with the message that it should come out of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/egypt-and-babylon\">Egypt (i.e. come out of religion.)<\/a>\u00a0 This assignment parallels <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=isaiah+61:1-4;+luke+4:18-19\">Jesus&#8217; assignment to set captives free from bondage<\/a>. It is also God&#8217;s assignment 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> disciples.<\/div>\n<div id=\"v-11\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"v-12\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\">12<\/span> <span class=\"verse-12\"> He said, &#8220;But I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought forth the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God upon this mountain.&#8221; <\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">COMMENTARY: God is with <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 <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 laws written on their hearts<\/a>. God goes with people in their hearts &#8212; not externally.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">God&#8217;s assurances apply to all New Covenant disciples. They are important assurances to have because the challenge to bring people out of religion (i.e. Egypt) are very great &#8212; even so great as to seem impossible. Nevertheless, Moses and Jesus obeyed God&#8217;s words and did <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=isaiah+61:1-4;+luke+4:18-19\">lead people out of religion.<\/a><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">Moses, Jesus, Paul, and all New Covenant disciples obey God&#8217;s command to bring people out of religion. When people leave religion, they <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/worship-2\">worship<\/a>\/serve God on the mountain of God &#8212; not in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/tabernacles-temples-altars-high-places-and-pilgrimages\">religious buildings<\/a>.<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"v-13\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\">13<\/span> <span class=\"verse-13\"> Then Moses said to God, &#8220;If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, &#8216;The God of your fathers has sent me to you,&#8217; and they ask me, &#8216;What is his name?&#8217; what shall I say to them?&#8221; <\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">COMMENTARY: Because &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/third-commandment\">name&#8221; in the Bible refers to character,<\/a> this inquiry by people caught up in bondage to religion indicates an honest desire to know God&#8217;s character. Religious people do not know God&#8217;s character because they are religious. Religion only teaches <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious rules<\/a>.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">The only way to know God&#8217;s character is to have his <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">spiritual laws<\/a> written on your heart.<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"v-14\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\">14<\/span> <span class=\"verse-14\"> God said to Moses, &#8220;I AM WHO I AM.&#8221; And he said, &#8220;Say this to the people of Israel, &#8216;I AM has sent me to you.'&#8221; <\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">COMMENTARY: The meaning of God&#8217;s ambiguous statement about himself has always confused religious people. Being accustomed to following human leaders with human names religious people, in this case Israel, always look to identify their leaders with identifiable names. But, God is not like a human leader. He does not have a name as we understand names. He is identity is in his character.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 160px;\"><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\">Because the only way to know God&#8217;s character is to have his laws written on your heart, <\/a>it is impossible to explain God with human words. Human words can never begin to explain God&#8217;s character. That is why God says &#8220;tell them I am has sent me to you.&#8221; God is effectively saying to Moses that he should not try to explain God&#8217;s character.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">The scripture says that God is who he is, and that people won&#8217;t know who he is until they listen to God&#8217;s words spoken by a<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\"> true prophet who speaks for God.<\/a> Nor will they learn who God is unless they 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> who think they know God because they know the literal words of the Bible. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\">God&#8217;s spoken words and the literal words of the Bible are not the same thing.<\/a><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"v-15\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>15<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-15\"> God also said to Moses, &#8220;Say this to the people of Israel, &#8216;The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you&#8217;: this is my name for ever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. <\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">COMMENTARY: ***<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"v-16\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>16<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-16\"> Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, &#8216;The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, &#8220;I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt; <\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div>God&#8217;s commands came with promises:<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div id=\"v-17\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>17<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-17\"> and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt, to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Per&#8217;izzites, the Hivites, and the Jeb&#8217;usites, a land flowing with milk and honey.&#8221;&#8216; <\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div id=\"v-18\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>18<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-18\"> And they will hearken to your voice; and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, &#8216;The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, we pray you, let us go a three days&#8217; journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.&#8217; <\/span><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>19<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-19\"> I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. <\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div id=\"v-20\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>20<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-20\"> So I will stretch out my hand and smite Egypt with all the wonders which I will do in it; after that he will let you go. <\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div id=\"v-21\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>21<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-21\"> And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty, <\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"v-22\" class=\"verse font-helvetica\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><strong>22<\/strong><\/span> <span class=\"verse-22\"> but each woman shall ask of her neighbor, and of her who sojourns in her house, jewelry of silver and of gold, and clothing, and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters; thus you shall despoil the Egyptians.&#8221; <\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<p>Moses&#8217; doubted God on three points: That God would speak through him; that people would listen to him; that he was eloquent enough to speak for God. But the power of God&#8217;s word (i.e. anointing) is strong enough to overcome all human obstacles.***<\/p>\n<p>From these plentiful Old Testament references to anointing, we must conclude that the concept of a messiah is not exclusively to the New Testament. Christians will be discomforted, therefore, with the reality that a man named Jesus was not the first, only or last messiah. Jesus, in fact, was one of a long history of disciples whom God anointed, continues to anoint, and will anoint in the future.<\/p>\n<p>All messiahs, past, present, and future have the following characteristics in common:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>They were either born into religion or at some time chose to be religious.<\/li>\n<li>They enjoyed the perks of being religious.<\/li>\n<li>After spending some time in religion, they began to notice in big and small ways that religion is not as pure and holy as it represents itself to be.<\/li>\n<li>They began to see that religion is unjust and oppressive.<\/li>\n<li>They were open to hearing God&#8217;s spoken voice.<\/li>\n<li>God wrote his laws on their hearts.<\/li>\n<li>They believed that God would speak through them.<\/li>\n<li>They chose to 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>, <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> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>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\">words they speak are God&#8217;s words &#8212; not their own words &#8211;and not for their own glory. <\/a>The words they speak are<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2:1-4;+1-corinthians+2:11-14\"> spiritual words &#8212; not human wisdom<\/a>. Their words warn religious people to leave religion and listen to God&#8217;s voice. They are easily <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/11\">identifiable as true prophets<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A false\/different gospel is spoken through religious dreamers who speak for their own glory with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=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;+jeremiah+14:14;+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\">visions from the imaginations of their evil hearts &#8212; not from the mouth of God<\/a>. They are easily <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/3\">identifiable as false prophets<\/a>. They are 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 religionists.<\/a><\/p>\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\/the-gospel\">The Gospel for more understanding.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>God&#8217;s voice (i.e. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/blood\">blood<\/a>) delivers people from the sin of religion. Once people learn how to listen to God&#8217;s voice, they learn that they have been <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">slaves to religious systems<\/a> based on literal interpretations of the Bible. And when they learn this truth, they will no longer put their trust in false prophets who effectively function as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/religion-is-idolatry\">idols<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Whether people listen to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/5\">message of <\/a>true prophets or not is up to them. All that is required of the messiahs is to <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\">speak what God tells them to speak<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">STUDY TIP: See<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/blood\"> Blood, Swords, Arrows and Stones<\/a> for understanding of what it means to be saved by the blood. Also see <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/13\">FORGIVENESS AND ETERNAL LIFE <\/a>for more about salvation from religion.<\/p>\n<p>The story of deliverance from the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\">sin of religion<\/a> is symbolically represented in the scriptures about Israel&#8217;s deliverance from Egypt. There we see that the way of escape from bondage is opened to people who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/exodus\/passage\/?q=exodus+12:1-13\">painted blood on the doorposts of their hearts.<\/a> This story symbolically says that God&#8217;s voice saves people from the plague of death (i.e. religion).<\/p>\n<p>Many times <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=numbers+14:1-4;+nehemiah+9:17;+exodus+32:7-8;+leviticus+18:3;+deuteronomy+17:16;+deuteronomy+28:68;+acts+7:37-41\">Israel was tempted to return to Egypt to practice the religion it learned there<\/a>. The pattern is repeated and further explained by the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness as reported in the following scriptures:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a id=\"temptationsofjesus\"><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+4:1-11\">Matthew 4:1-11:<\/a> <span id=\"mt4-1\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\">Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. <\/span> <span id=\"mt4-2\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">2<\/span> And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry. <\/span> <span id=\"mt4-3\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">3<\/span> And the tempter came and said to him, &#8220;If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"mt4-4\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">4<\/span> But he answered, &#8220;It is written, &#8216;Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"mt4-5\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">5<\/span> Then the devil took him to the holy city, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, <\/span> <span id=\"mt4-6\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">6<\/span> and said to him, &#8220;If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, &#8216;He will give his angels charge of you,&#8217; and &#8216;On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"mt4-7\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">7<\/span> Jesus said to him, &#8220;Again it is written, &#8216;You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"mt4-8\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">8<\/span> Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them; <\/span> <span id=\"mt4-9\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">9<\/span> and he said to him, &#8220;All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"mt4-10\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">10<\/span> Then Jesus said to him, &#8220;Begone, Satan! for it is written, &#8216;You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"mt4-11\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">11<\/span> Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"ResultTitle\" style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: In this well-known story, we find the devil quoting the literal scripture to tempt Jesus. In each temptations the devil implies that Jesus would <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/2\">receive a reward<\/a> if he would interpret scripture literally and apply it literally in his life. Jesus, of course understood the temptations and counters the devils literal interpretations of scripture with the spiritual meaning. He never succumbs to the temptation to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-1\">apply scripture literally<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ResultTitle\" style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">In the first temptation, the devil does not quote a specific scripture but makes a general reference to Jesus as the Son of God who, being like God, has the same creative ability that God has. Since there are no scriptural references to God creating natural bread from stone, the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-2\/3\">creation story<\/a> is the basis for the implication that Jesus can create something out of nothing, or at least transform a physical stone to physical bread.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ResultTitle\" style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Jesus of course would not try to perform a physical miracle, because he knows that God does not alter his <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#naturallaws\">natural laws<\/a>. To do so would be against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=malachi+3:6;+james+1:17;+numbers+23:19;+psalm+102:27;+1-samuel+15:29;+ezekiel+24:14;+titus+1:1-2;+matthew+5:17\">his own character and his laws which do not change<\/a>. Furthermore, because God is very comfortable being invisible (i.e. spiritual) and has no need or desire to display his power through physical miracles that appeal to man&#8217;s desire to see physical<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 and wonders<\/a>, Jesus also has no need or desire to perform a miracle. He only does <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/john\/passage\/?q=john+5:1-21\">what he sees the father doing. <\/a>That also means he does not do what the father does not do, and he does not try to do what only his father can do (i.e. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=ezekiel+36:26;+psalm+51:10;+ezekiel+11:19;+ezekiel+18:31;+john+3:3;+john+3:5;+2-corinthians+5:17;+zechariah+7:12\">change the hearts of people<\/a>). He therefore resists the temptation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ResultTitle\" style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Furthermore, Jesus knows that the devil&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/oblique\">oblique<\/a> reference to creation as a physical event is a deceptive temptation to be religious. Jesus, however, knows that the<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-2\/3\"> creation story is about spiritual re-creation &#8212; not physical creation.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-2\/3\">See this link<\/a> for understanding of the creation story.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ResultTitle\" style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">In the third temptation, the devil demonstrates his authority over religious kingdoms. If he did not have that authority, he could not promise to give that authority to Jesus. The devil does not quote a particular scripture in this temptation, but he is challenging Jesus to violate the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/exodus\/passage\/?q=exodus+20:1-6\">First Commandment regarding worship of other gods.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"ResultTitle\" style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">In all three temptations Jesus counters literal scripture with his paraphrased interpretations of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/deuteronomy\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+6:13-18\">Deuteronomy 6:13-18:<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"ResultTitle\" style=\"padding-left: 120px;\"><span id=\"de6-13\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\">You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve him, and swear by his name. <\/span> <span id=\"de6-14\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">14<\/span> You shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the peoples who are round about you; <\/span> <span id=\"de6-15\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">15<\/span> for the LORD your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; lest the anger of the LORD your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth. <\/span> <span id=\"de6-16\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">16<\/span> &#8220;You shall not put the LORD your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah. <\/span> <span id=\"de6-17\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">17<\/span> You shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he has commanded you. <\/span> <span id=\"de6-18\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">18<\/span> And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may go well with you, and that you may go in and take possession of the good land which the LORD swore to give to your father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"ResultTitle\" style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">In his responses to the devil and his quoting of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/deuteronomy\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+6:13-18\">Deuteronomy 6:13-18<\/a>, Jesus makes two important points about interpreting scripture:<\/p>\n<p class=\"ResultTitle\" style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">First, he does not agree with the devil&#8217;s literal interpretation. Second he interprets the written word with the correct spiritual understanding. He does this by introducing subtleties and nuances that cannot be found in the literal words. These subtleties and nuances can be understood only when the law is written on the hearts of New Covenant disciples. They are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/1-corinthians\/2.html\">spiritually discerned<\/a>. They are possible only when there is a level of intimacy that allows knowing God face to face (i.e. spirit to spirit because God does not have a physical face). This is the essence of being created in God&#8217;s image.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ResultTitle\" style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">In making these interpretations, Jesus shows by example the serious problems people face when they interpret the law literally. Basically, what happens is that they end up worshiping the Devil who has tempted them to adopt a literal interpretation of the written word.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ResultTitle\">The story of Jesus&#8217; temptation is a parable for what goes on in religion. The <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\">devil is a type of religious leader<\/a> who insists on <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>The devil is also an example of a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/3#treeofknowledgeofgoodandevil\">Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"ResultTitle\"><a id=\"jesusreinterpretsliterallaw\"><\/a>Jesus the messiah also reinterprets the literal law on many other occasions which are typically, but not always, introduced with the statement &#8220;you have heard it said&#8221; which is a reference to the written word. What has been heard are paraphrased quotes from the written Law of Moses which is what the Jews lived by then and now. See the following examples of Jesus reinterpreting scripture:<\/p>\n<p class=\"ResultTitle\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+5:21-22\">Matthew 5:21-22\u00a0<\/a> <span class=\"verse-21\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;You have heard that the ancients were told, &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+20:13;+deuteronomy+5:17;+deuteronomy+16:18;+2-chronicles+19:5\">YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER &#8216; and &#8216;Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.&#8217;<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"ResultTitle\" style=\"padding-left: 120px;\"><span class=\"verse-21\">JESUS&#8217; <\/span>REINTERPRETATION: 22 <span class=\"verse-22\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;But I <\/span><\/span>say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, &#8216;You good-for-nothing,&#8217; shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, &#8216;You fool,&#8217; shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ResultTitle\" style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/sixth-commandment-murder\">Sixth Commandment: Murder <\/a>for a detailed reinterpretation of Jesus&#8217; words.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ResultTitle\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+5:27-28\">Matthew 5:27-28\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"verse-27\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;You have heard that it was said, &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+20:14;+deuteronomy+5:18\">YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY &#8216;;<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">JESUS&#8217; REINTERPRETATION: 28 <span class=\"verse-28\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\"><span class=\"verse-28\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\">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 understanding of adultery and prostitution.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/5-31.html\">Matthew 5:31:<\/a> &#8220;It was said, &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+24:1;+deuteronomy+24:3;+jeremiah+3:1\">WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">JESUS&#8217; REINTERPRETATION: 32 <span class=\"verse-32\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. <span class=\"verse-28\">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 understanding of adultery and prostitution.<\/a><\/span><br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+5:33-34\">Matthew 5:33-34<\/a>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-33\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=leviticus+19:12;+numbers+30:2;+deuteronomy+23:21;+deuteronomy+23:23\">YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD<\/a>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">JESUS&#8217; REINTERPRETATION: 34 <span class=\"verse-34\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, <\/span><\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">35<\/span> <span class=\"verse-35\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">36&#8243;Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">37&#8243;But let your statement be, &#8216;Yes, yes &#8216; or &#8216;No, no &#8216;; anything beyond these is of evil.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+5:38-42\">Matthew 5:38-42:<\/a> <span class=\"verse-38\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;You have heard that it was said, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+21:24;+leviticus+24:20;+deuteronomy+19:21\">&#8216;AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH. <\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">JESUS&#8217; REINTERPRETATION: &#8220;But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. &#8220;If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41&#8243;Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42&#8243;Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+5:43-48\">Matthew 5:43-48:\u00a0<\/a>&#8220;You have heard that it was said, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=leviticus+19:18;+deuteronomy+23:3-6\">&#8216;YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.&#8217;<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">JESUS&#8217; REINTERPRETATION: 44 <span class=\"verse-44\"> <span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">COMMENTARY on verse 44: Jesus is speaking to New Covenant disciples. Their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\">enemies are Old\/First Covenant religionists<\/a> because they <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">enslaved and oppressed<\/a> while they were religious before they left religion.<\/p>\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\/oil-water-face-hands\/love\">Love<\/a> for understanding of love.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/friends-brothers-and-sisters\/#greaterlove\"> Also see this link for understanding of greater love,<\/a>\u00a0 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\/oil-water-face-hands\/love\/2\">this link for understanding of loving your neighbor as yourself<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">Also 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\">The Lord&#8217;s Prayer<\/a> for understanding of the prayer that should be prayed for enemies. Also see <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\/4\">this link about persecution<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">COMMENTARY on verse 45: New Covenant disciples are sons of their father God because he has caused them to be spiritually <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>. Old\/First Covenant religionists are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=father+devil&amp;t=nas&amp;c=all\">sons of their father the devil<\/a> (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\/serpent-devil-satan-adversary-demons-evil-spirits-and-anti-christs\">religious leaders<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\"><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\">Sun and rain are symbolic references to God&#8217;s voice.<\/a> This verse says that everyone has the innate ability to hear God&#8217;s voice. It is only people who have clean, pure hearts, however, who recognize God&#8217;s voice and respond to it.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">46 &#8220;For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">COMMENTARY: Religious people <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/4#favoritsmandpartiality\">show partiality<\/a> to\u00a0 other religious people. They receive no reward from God for this kind of love<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">47 &#8220;If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">COMMENTARY: Brothers are Old\/First Covenant religionists who share the same religious beliefs. They greet each other and love one another but do not show the same kind of affection for people who do not share their beliefs. In fact, what they do is sin by judging one another.<\/p>\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\/sixth-commandment-murder#donotjudge\">this link for understanding of what Jesus said about judging and murder.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">48 &#8220;Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">COMMENTARY: Religious people <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/4#favoritsmandpartiality\">show partiality<\/a> toward people with whom they share religious beliefs, but they are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\">enemies<\/a> to people who have other religious beliefs. God, who does not show partiality, displays perfect <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\">love<\/a> toward everyone. Only New Covenant disciples can display perfect love toward everyone because they have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+31:31-34;+hebrews+8:8-12\">God&#8217;s name (i.e. character) written on their hearts<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In each of these scriptures Jesus first cites the literal words of the Bible when he says &#8220;you have heard it said&#8221;, and then he reinterprets the literal words with their symbolic meanings. But even the symbolic meanings are difficult to understand, and indeed they cannot be understood unless the spirit of God reveals the spiritual meaning. Such revelations are only available to New Covenant disciples to whom God reveals <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\">mysteries<\/a> (i.e. the spiritual meanings of literal scriptures).<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><br \/>\n<strong>MESSIAHS REINTERPRET THE LITERAL LAWS OF THE BIBLE AND REPORT THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF GOD&#8217;S SPIRITUAL LAWS<\/strong><br \/>\nAlthough <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+5:17-20\">Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets<\/a>, and although he was<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+3:13-17;matthew+17:1-5;mark+1:9-11;luke+3:21-22;2+peter+1:17\"> God&#8217;s son, and although God was well pleased with him,<\/a> Jesus was considered by the religious leaders of the day (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\/pharisees-and-scribes\">Pharisees<\/a>) to be a law breaker.<\/p>\n<p>Everything Jesus said and everything he did brought him into conflict with the Pharisees because neither his words nor actions agreed with their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messianic-prophecy\">expectations of a messiah.<\/a> The Pharisee&#8217;s expectations were based on their entrenched theology based on their literal interpretations of the law of Moses. In other words, they had a stronghold of wrong thinking about the Messiah.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-a-stronghold-of-wrong-thinking\">Strongholds<\/a> for an understanding of how strongholds work.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Title TitleSmall\">The following scriptures are examples of situations where Jesus offended the Pharisees by breaking their laws:<\/p>\n<p class=\"Title TitleSmall\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+12:1-8\">Matthew 12:1-8<\/a>: <span id=\"mt12-1\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"> At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. <\/span> <span id=\"mt12-2\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">2<\/span> But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, &#8220;Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath.&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"mt12-3\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">3<\/span> He said to them, &#8220;Have you not read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him: <\/span> <span id=\"mt12-4\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">4<\/span> how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? <\/span> <span id=\"mt12-5\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">5<\/span> Or have you not read in the law how on the sabbath the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless? <\/span> <span id=\"mt12-6\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">6<\/span> I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. <\/span> <span id=\"mt12-7\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">7<\/span> And if you had known what this means, &#8216;I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,&#8217; you would not have condemned the guiltless. <\/span> <span id=\"mt12-8\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">8<\/span> For the Son of man is lord of the sabbath.&#8221; <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: Jewish interpretation of the literal law demands that they do no work on the sabbath. Jesus understood that the sabbath is not a literal day of the week. He also understood that God&#8217;s command to do no work on the sabbath meant that people should not practice religion. His understanding put him at odds with the Jews who interpreted scripture literally.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIPS: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/fourth-commandment\/sabbath-fasting-rest\">Sabbath, Fasting and Rest <\/a>and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/third-commandment\">Third Commandment<\/a> for the spiritual interpretation of the law. Also 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>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sacrifices-tithes-and-offerings\">this link for understanding of sacrifices and offerings<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Title TitleSmall\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/luke\/passage\/?q=luke+6:6-10\">Luke 6:6-10<\/a>: <span id=\"lu6-6\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\">On another sabbath, when he entered the synagogue and taught, a man was there whose right hand was withered. <\/span> <span id=\"lu6-7\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">7<\/span> And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. <\/span> <span id=\"lu6-8\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">8<\/span> But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man who had the withered hand, &#8220;Come and stand here.&#8221; And he rose and stood there. <\/span> <span id=\"lu6-9\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">9<\/span> And Jesus said to them, &#8220;I ask you, is it lawful on the sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"lu6-10\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">10<\/span> And he looked around on them all, and said to him, &#8220;Stretch out your hand.&#8221; And he did so, and his hand was restored. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: Jews considered acting as a doctor to be work that should not be done on the sabbath. Jesus understood <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\">sickness and disease<\/a> spiritually &#8212; not literally. Because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+9:39;+luke+4:18;+luke+7:22;+matthew+11:1-5\">Jesus&#8217; mission as a messiah was to heal people spiritually,<\/a> he did not hesitate to heal them. This, of course, put him at odds with the Jews who saw him as a lawbreaker.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Title TitleSmall\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/luke\/passage\/?q=luke+13:10-17\">Luke 13:10-17: <span id=\"lu13-10\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"> <\/span><\/a><span id=\"lu13-10\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"> Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. <\/span> <span id=\"lu13-11\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">11<\/span> And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. <\/span> <span id=\"lu13-12\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">12<\/span> And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, &#8220;Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"lu13-13\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">13<\/span> And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. <\/span> <span id=\"lu13-14\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">14<\/span> But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, &#8220;There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"lu13-15\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">15<\/span> Then the Lord answered him, &#8220;You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead it away to water it? <\/span> <span id=\"lu13-16\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">16<\/span> And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"lu13-17\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">17<\/span> As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: See commentaries above.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Title TitleSmall\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/luke\/passage\/?q=luke+14:1-4\">Luke 14:1-4: <\/a><span id=\"lu14-1\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\">One sabbath when he went to dine at the house of a ruler who belonged to the Pharisees, they were watching him. <\/span> <span id=\"lu14-2\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">2<\/span> And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. <\/span> <span id=\"lu14-3\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">3<\/span> And Jesus spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, &#8220;Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath, or not?&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"lu14-4\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">4<\/span> But they were silent. Then he took him and healed him, and let him go.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: See commentaries above<\/p>\n<p class=\"Title TitleSmall\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/john\/passage\/?q=john+5:5-18\">John 5:5-18<\/a>: <span id=\"joh5-5\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\">One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. <\/span> <span id=\"joh5-6\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">6<\/span> When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, &#8220;Do you want to be healed?&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"joh5-7\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">7<\/span> The sick man answered him, &#8220;Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me.&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"joh5-8\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">8<\/span> Jesus said to him, &#8220;Rise, take up your pallet, and walk.&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"joh5-9\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">9<\/span> And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked. Now that day was the sabbath. <\/span> <span id=\"joh5-10\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">10<\/span> So the Jews said to the man who was cured, &#8220;It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet.&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"joh5-11\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">11<\/span> But he answered them, &#8220;The man who healed me said to me, &#8216;Take up your pallet, and walk.'&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"joh5-12\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">12<\/span> They asked him, &#8220;Who is the man who said to you, &#8216;Take up your pallet, and walk&#8217;?&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"joh5-13\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">13<\/span> Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. <\/span> <span id=\"joh5-14\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">14<\/span> Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, &#8220;See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you.&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"joh5-15\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">15<\/span> The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. <\/span> <span id=\"joh5-16\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">16<\/span> And this was why the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did this on the sabbath. <\/span> <span id=\"joh5-17\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">17<\/span> But Jesus answered them, &#8220;My Father is working still, and I am working.&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"joh5-18\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">18<\/span> This was why the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but also called God his Father, making himself equal with God. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: See commentaries above.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Title TitleSmall\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/john\/passage\/?q=john+9:1-16\">John 9:1-16<\/a>: <span id=\"joh9-1\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\">As he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. <\/span> <span id=\"joh9-2\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">2<\/span> And his disciples asked him, &#8220;Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"joh9-3\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">3<\/span> Jesus answered, &#8220;It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him. <\/span> <span id=\"joh9-4\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">4<\/span> We must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day; night comes, when no one can work. <\/span> <span id=\"joh9-5\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">5<\/span> As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"joh9-6\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">6<\/span> As he said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man&#8217;s eyes with the clay, <\/span> <span id=\"joh9-7\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">7<\/span> saying to him, &#8220;Go, wash in the pool of Silo&#8217;am&#8221; (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. <\/span> <span id=\"joh9-8\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">8<\/span> The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar, said, &#8220;Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"joh9-9\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">9<\/span> Some said, &#8220;It is he&#8221;; others said, &#8220;No, but he is like him.&#8221; He said, &#8220;I am the man.&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"joh9-10\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">10<\/span> They said to him, &#8220;Then how were your eyes opened?&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"joh9-11\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">11<\/span> He answered, &#8220;The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, &#8216;Go to Silo&#8217;am and wash&#8217;; so I went and washed and received my sight.&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"joh9-12\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">12<\/span> They said to him, &#8220;Where is he?&#8221; He said, &#8220;I do not know.&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"joh9-13\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">13<\/span> They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. <\/span> <span id=\"joh9-14\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">14<\/span> Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. <\/span> <span id=\"joh9-15\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">15<\/span> The Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, &#8220;He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.&#8221; <\/span> <span id=\"joh9-16\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">16<\/span> Some of the Pharisees said, &#8220;This man is not from God, for he does not keep the sabbath.&#8221; But others said, &#8220;How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?&#8221; There was a division among them. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: See commentaries above.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Title TitleSmall\">It can be correctly said that everything Jesus said and did reinterprets the written law. The above scriptures are examples where he gave the correct, spiritual interpretation of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\">Laws, Commandments, Charges, Statutes, Ordinances and Judgments<\/a> found in the Old\/First Covenant. In doing this, he was automatically in conflict with Jews who interpret scripture literally. The same thing will happen to New Covenant disciples who follow Jesus.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Title TitleSmall\">New Covenant disciples (i.e. messiahs) will also reinterpret and apply the spiritual meaning of the written law in their own lives as they follow Jesus by doing 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<\/a>. If they do not break religious laws like Jesus did, they are not true followers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Title TitleSmall\">New Covenant disciples do not accept the literal, written law as God&#8217;s final word like Old\/First Covenant religionists do. For New Covenant disciples, the final word is hearing God&#8217;s spoken voice through the law written on their hearts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Title TitleSmall\">When New Covenant disciples reinterpret the written law they, like Jesus, will find themselves in conflict with contemporary religious leaders who resent challenges to their religious beliefs and practices. Conflict will always erupt when anyone challenges established doctrines and practices that are based on the literal words of the Bible. People who were friends while they shared religious beliefs will become soon become enemies because they break accepted <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws<\/a> that are based on the literal words of the Bible.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP:\u00a0 See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/two-deaths\/2\">this link for more about conflict with religious leaders.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Title TitleSmall\">Such conflict is not pleasant, but Jesus warned that it would happen when he said he <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+10:34-42\">did not<span id=\"mt10-35\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"> come to bring peace but 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 id=\"mt10-36\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"> and a man&#8217;s foes will be those of his own household<\/span>,<\/a> when he reviewed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=1-kings+19:1;+1-kings+19:10-14;+nehemiah+9:26;+luke+11:47;+acts+7:52;+romans+11:1-3;+1-thessalonians+2:13-15\">Israel&#8217;s history of killing prophets, <\/a>and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+5:10-12;+matthew+5:44;+matthew+10:23;+matthew+23:34;+luke+11:49;+john+5:16;+john+15:20;+luke+21:12-17;+matthew+10:19-22;+mark+13:11-13\">when he warned that his followers would also be persecuted.<\/a> This kind of conflict is what New Covenant disciples can expect from Old\/First Covenant religionists. And it all stems from the issue of interpreting the written law literally or symbolically.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Title TitleSmall\" style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-1\">Literal or Symbolic Interpretation Part 1<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-2\">Literal or Symbolic Interpretation Part 2<\/a>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-3\">Literal or Symbolic Interpretation Part 3<\/a> for more about interpretation of the written law.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><strong>THE END OF THE LAW<\/strong><br \/>\nMessiahs represents an end to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/world\">world of religion<\/a> and the beginning of a world without religion. More accurately, we can say they are messenger whose job is to teach Old\/First Covenant religionists that religion is sin.<\/p>\n<p>The following verses tell us that Messiahs are the end of the law:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Go to Romans 10:1-9 (Standard View)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/romans\/passage\/?q=romans+10:1-9\">Romans 10:1-9:<\/a><span class=\"versetext\"> Brethren, my heart&#8217;s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. <\/span> <span class=\"versetext\"> <span class=\"versenum\">2<\/span> For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. <\/span> <span class=\"versetext\"> <span class=\"versenum\">3<\/span> For not knowing about God&#8217;s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: Religious zealots are ignorant of God&#8217;s standards for righteousness. Therefore, they use <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-1\/5\">human knowledge, not Godly knowledge<\/a>, to create <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws<\/a>. Their righteousness in their faithfulness to obey religious laws made by men &#8212; not<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>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"versetext\"><span class=\"versenum\">4<\/span> For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: Followers of christ (i.e. any anointed messiah &#8212; not a human named Jesus) teach the end of obedience to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws<\/a> and the beginning of obedience to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">spiritual laws<\/a>. Religious\u00a0 people who believe that the words spoken by a messiah will cease practicing religion and cease being self-righteous because of their religious practices. Instead, their righteousness will be based 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#goodpureheart\">condition of their heart<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">It is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+6:63-69;+john+12:50;+john+5:24;+john+5:39-40\">words that a messiah speaks that give them new life<\/a>. There is nothing about the messiah, including Jesus, that has any power to give eternal life. The only thing about the messiah that has any power is the anointing that empowers them to speak God&#8217;s words. When people choose to believe the words spoken by a messiah God gives them a new, clean, pure heart a <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 happens and they are born again.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"versetext\"><span class=\"versenum\">5<\/span> For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: Religious people live according to religious laws. They are self-righteous because of their faithfulness to obey Old\/First Covenant religion.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">The life that they have is a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/10\">religious life.\u00a0<\/a>This righteousness is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/?fbclid=IwAR1bZl8dSD7uY_cgrheJ9PahjN50jXKuJ7nGmp2QyJ_64mimOa4u7z-JJME\">fake faith<\/a>. It is\u00a0\u00a0not a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/3#adulteryandprostitution\">spiritual life of intimacy with God<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"versetext\"><span class=\"versenum\">6<\/span> But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: &#8220;DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, &#8216;WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN ?&#8217; (that is, to bring Christ down ), <\/span> <span class=\"versetext\"> <span class=\"versenum\">7<\/span> or &#8216;WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?&#8217; (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).&#8221; <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: This is an exhortation to people who call themselves &#8220;Christian&#8221;. It warns against trying to gain access to heaven and Christ for themselves or others through religious means. It also warns against using religious means to raise themselves or other religious people from death after they die physically.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"versetext\"><span class=\"versenum\">8<\/span> But what does it say ? &#8220;THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, in your mouth and in your heart &#8220;-that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: This verse gives the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/study\/study-tips\/4\">righteous alternative<\/a> to people who follow religious laws. It makes very clear that what they should be seeking is the New Covenant in which they will hear God&#8217;s spoken voice (i.e. word). Essentially it says that neither they nor anyone else needs to go somewhere to learn about God. All they need to do is <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\">open their spiritual eyes and ears<\/a> so they can <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\">hear God&#8217;s spoken voice<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"versetext\"><span class=\"versenum\">9<\/span> that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: These verses give the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/study\/study-tips\/4\">righteous alternative<\/a> to people who follow religious laws.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Confession that Jesus is Lord means acknowledging that, as an anointed messiah, and as a<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\"> prophet sent by God<\/a>, <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\">Jesus spoke for God<\/a>. To say that Jesus is Lord does not mean the same thing as Jesus is God. Jesus never equated himself with God.<\/p>\n<div class=\"PassageNav\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/romans\/passage\/?q=romans+7:1-4\">Romans 7:1-4:<\/a><span class=\"versetext\"> Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law ), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives ? <\/span> <span class=\"versetext\"> <span class=\"versenum\">2<\/span> For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living ; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. <\/span> <span class=\"versetext\"> <span class=\"versenum\">3<\/span> So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress ; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man. <\/span> <span class=\"versetext\"> <span class=\"versenum\">4<\/span> Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"NavBar PassageNavBar\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"NavBar PassageNavBar\" style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: The body of christ is not the body of Jesus. ***<\/div>\n<div class=\"NavBar PassageNavBar\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"NavBar PassageNavBar\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Go to Galatians 3:24 (Standard View)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/galatians\/3-24.html\">Galatians 3:24: <\/a><span class=\"versetext\"> Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"NavBar PassageNavBar\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"NavBar PassageNavBar\" style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: It is worth noting that this verse does not say that the law leads us to Jesus. That would be meaningless because Jesus was only a man. Thus this verse could be rightly translated this way:<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 200px;\"><em>The law is a tutor to lead us to anointed ones, messiahs, who can teach about <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\/3#comparetruefaithfakefaith\">true faith<\/a>.<\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"NavBar PassageNavBar\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"PassageNav\" class=\"PassageNav\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a title=\"Go to Galatians 4:1-5 (Standard View)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/galatians\/passage\/?q=galatians+4:1-5\">Galatians 4:1-5: <\/a><span class=\"versetext\">Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, <\/span> <span class=\"versetext\"> <span class=\"versenum\">2<\/span> but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. <\/span> <span class=\"versetext\"> <span class=\"versenum\">3<\/span> So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. <\/span> <span class=\"versetext\"> <span class=\"versenum\">4<\/span> But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, <\/span> <span class=\"versetext\"> <span class=\"versenum\">5<\/span> so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"PassageNav\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"PassageNav\" style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:***<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p><!--nextpage--><br \/>\n<strong>STRONG RIGHT HAND\/OUTSTRETCHED ARM<\/strong><br \/>\nMessiahs are messengers that God sends to the world of religion. They use spiritual power when they speak for God. This is so because the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\/4#gospel\">power to bring salvation (i.e. gospel)<\/a> is in God&#8217;s voice (i.e. blood) which is spoken through anointed messiahs.<\/p>\n<div>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/kjv\/psalms\/80-15.html\">Psalm 80:15 KJV<\/a>: And the vineyard which thy <span class=\"Highlight\">right<\/span> <span class=\"Highlight\">hand<\/span> hath planted, and the branch that thou madest <span class=\"Highlight\">strong<\/span> for thyself.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/kjv\/psalms\/80-17.html\">Psalm 80:17 KJV<\/a>: Let thy <span class=\"Highlight\">hand<\/span> be upon the man of thy <span class=\"Highlight\">right<\/span> <span class=\"Highlight\">hand<\/span>, upon the son of man whom thou madest <span class=\"Highlight\">strong<\/span> for thyself.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/kjv\/psalms\/89-13.html\">Psalm 89:13 KJV<\/a>: Thou hast a mighty arm: strong , and high is thy right hand.<\/p>\n<p>It is impossible to understand these verses unless we first understand the symbolism of right hands and outstretched arms: God&#8217;s spoken word:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>God plants a spiritual vineyard with his word (i.e. right hand) which comes from his mouth.<\/li>\n<li>The man who is made strong is a New Covenant disciple who has been anointed as a messiah by God&#8217;s spoken word. God makes messiahs strong so that they can be effective <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/servants\">servants and shepherds<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><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&#8217;s voice (i.e. arm, hand) is strong and effective to do miracles<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Scriptures about strong right hands and arms invoke images of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors<\/a> who speak for God as seen in this scripture:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/revelation\/passage\/?q=revelation+19:11-15\">Revelation 19:11-15: <\/a><\/span><span class=\"verse-11\">Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">12<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-12\">His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed which no one knows but himself.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">13<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-13\">He is clad in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">14<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-14\">And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, followed him on white horses.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">15<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-15\">From his mouth issues a sharp sword with which to smite the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: The robe this spiritual warrior wears is dipped in blood (i.e. God&#8217;s spoken word.) His name is not Jesus, but his name is the &#8220;word of God&#8221; which is a description of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/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\">Jesus&#8217; ministry of speaking for God<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/blood\">this link for understanding of the symbolism of blood and swords<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><strong>PRINCE OF PEACE<\/strong><br \/>\nThe first task to reckon with when understanding the Messiah is his label as the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=isaiah+9:6;isaiah+53:5;jeremiah+33:6;micah+5:1-5\">Prince of Peace<\/a>. The inconsistencies of this label with reality on the ground is hard to understand. The Bible is full of scriptures that clearly say that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=1+chronicles+22:18;1+chronicles+23:25;2+chronicles+14:7;job+25:2;psalm+85:8;romans+5:1;romans+15:13;romans+15:33;romans+16:19-20;1+corinthians+7:15;1+corinthians+14:33;ephesians+1:2;philippians+4:7;philippians+4:9;1+thessalonians+5:23;hebrews+13:20;2+john+1:3\">God is a God of peace<\/a>. This imagery is reinforced with prophecies that the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=luke+2:9-19;psalm+72:1-11;isaiah+9:6;isaiah+45:1-6;isaiah+52:7;isaiah+53:5;jeremiah+33:14-17;micah+5:1-10;luke+1:67-80;john+14:22-27;romans+5:1;ephesians+2:11-19\">Messiah will bring peace, good government, healing and deliverance from the oppression or enemies<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=luke+2:9-19;psalm+72:1-11;isaiah+9:6;isaiah+45:1-6;isaiah+52:7;isaiah+53:5;jeremiah+33:14-17;micah+5:1-10;luke+1:67-80;john+14:22-27;romans+5:1;ephesians+2:11-19\">. <\/a>Christians, of course, believe that these prophecies have been fulfilled in Jesus. <a id=\"mashiach\"><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.jewfaq.org\/mashiach.htm\">Jews, on the other hand, believe that the Messiah is yet to come.<\/a> The following is what Jews believe about the messiah:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mechon-mamre.org\/jewfaq\/mashiach.htm\">The mashiach will be a great political leader descended by a pure male line from King David (Jeremiah 23,5).\u00a0 The mashiach is often referred to as &#8220;mashiach ben David&#8221; (The Mashiach, son of David).\u00a0 He will be well-versed in Jewish law, and observant of its commandments (Isaiah 11,2-5).\u00a0 He will be a charismatic leader, inspiring others to follow his example.\u00a0 He will be a great military figure who will win battles for Israel, freeing the Jews of foreign domination and establishing a Torah-based kingdom in Israel.\u00a0 He will be a great judge, who makes righteous decisions (Jeremiah 33,15).\u00a0 But above all, he will be a fully normal human being, not a god, demi-god, or other supernatural being.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The fact that Jews and many Christians around the world are in a constant state of conflict seems to support the Jew&#8217;s belief that the Messiah has not yet come. And yet the Christians continue to believe that he has come even though the evidence all around says that, with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=joshua+9:15;joshua+10:1;joshua+11:19;judges+8:28;1+samuel+7:14;2+samuel+10:19;1+chronicles+22:9;1+kings+4:20-25\">only a few exceptions<\/a>, division and strife &#8212; not peace &#8212; is, and has been, the norm for both Jews and Christians. These contradictions strongly argue that both the Jews and Christians have interpreted scripture wrongly.<\/p>\n<p>AUTHORS&#8217; NOTE: See Peace 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\">Faith, Grace, Mercy, Peace, Glory and Blessing<\/a> for a discussion about what peace really means. Also see <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>.<\/p>\n<p>We also recommend reading these books for a thorough historical review of conflict experienced by God&#8217;s people.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>History of Christianity by Paul Johnson<\/li>\n<li>History of the Jews by Paul Johnson<\/li>\n<li>Constantine\u2019s Sword: The Church and the Jews, A History by James Carroll<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>What to believe about the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=isaiah+9:6;isaiah+53:5;jeremiah+33:6;micah+5:1-5\">Messiah as the Prince of Peace<\/a> is further confused by what Jesus said about himself in these scriptures:<\/p>\n<p class=\"Title TitleSmall\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+10:32-39\">Matthew 10:32-39: <\/a><span id=\"mt10-32\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"> So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; <\/span> <span id=\"mt10-33\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">33<\/span> but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. <\/span> <span id=\"mt10-34\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">34<\/span> &#8220;Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. <\/span> <span id=\"mt10-35\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">35<\/span> For I have come 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 id=\"mt10-36\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">36<\/span> and a man&#8217;s foes will be those of his own household. <\/span> <span id=\"mt10-37\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">37<\/span> 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> <span id=\"mt10-38\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">38<\/span> and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. <\/span> <span id=\"mt10-39\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">39<\/span> He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Title TitleSmall\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/luke\/passage\/?q=luke+12:49-53\">Luke 12:49-53<\/a>: <span id=\"lu12-49\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"> &#8220;I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled! <\/span> <span id=\"lu12-50\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">50<\/span> I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished! <\/span> <span id=\"lu12-51\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">51<\/span> Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; <\/span> <span id=\"lu12-52\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">52<\/span> for henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three; <\/span> <span id=\"lu12-53\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"><span class=\"versenum\">53<\/span> they will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against her mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.&#8221; <\/span><\/p>\n<p>Given the tumultuous, even deadly history of Judaism and Christianity, Jesus would appear to have spoken in terms that better reflect the reality of conflict rather peace. But, because <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=numbers+23:19;1+samuel+15:29;job+36:5;psalm+33:11;psalm+89:34;psalm+102:27;psalm+110:4;jeremiah+4:28;jeremiah+7:16;malachi+3:6;titus+1:1-2;hebrews+6:18;hebrews+7:20-21;james+1:17\">God does not change<\/a>, we know that the problem is our ability to interpret scripture<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=numbers+23:19;1+samuel+15:29;job+36:5;psalm+33:11;psalm+89:34;psalm+102:27;psalm+110:4;jeremiah+4:28;jeremiah+7:16;malachi+3:6;titus+1:1-2;hebrews+6:18;hebrews+7:20-21;james+1:17\">. <\/a>We can blame God for making it that way if we want to, but that does not help our ability to understand. We must accept, therefore, that this is one of many Biblical <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\">mysteries<\/a> that we must solve if we want to go deeper in our understanding of God and the Messiah.<\/p>\n<p>So, how do we reconcile Jesus as the prince of peace with the fact that he comes with a sword to bring division? The answer complicated and includes the following truths:<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\" border=\"1\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 6.41022%;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 5.02563%;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 88.5641%;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#goodpureheart\">Peace exists in the heart<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Division exists in relationships.<\/p>\n<p>God&#8217;s word spoken through <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>brings peace to the hearts of people who 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 eyes to see and ears to hear<\/a> God&#8217;s voice.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#goodpureheart\">When God&#8217;s voice is heard in the heart, peace enters the heart.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>People who hear God&#8217;s voice have <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> written on their hearts.<\/p>\n<p>People who hear God&#8217;s voice <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/passage\/?q=john+4:23-24\">worship in spirit and truth<\/a>\u00a0 &#8212; not in the flesh (i.e. not through <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).<\/p>\n<p>People who hear God&#8217;s voice<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/god-is-calling-people-out-of-religion\"> come out of religion.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Religious people have deep relationships with other religious people. After they come out of religion, division exists between them and people who are still religious.<\/p>\n<p>God&#8217;s word (i.e. sword) and God&#8217;s voice (i.e. blood) cause these divisions because some people<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice#howtoheargodsvoice\"> hear God&#8217;s voice<\/a> and others <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\">do not hear<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>People who hear God&#8217;s voice live in the kingdom of God\/heaven.<\/p>\n<p>People who do not hear God&#8217;s voice live in the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/world\">kingdom of the world (i.e. religion).\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\">kingdom of the world (i.e. religion) is the enemy of the kingdom of God<\/a> because <a href=\"https:\/\/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\">God has commanded his people to destroy religious nations<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>People who hear and obey God&#8217;s voice, therefore, are divided from people who do not hear God&#8217;s voice.<\/p>\n<p>People who hear and obey God&#8217;s voice have peace in their personal hearts but they do not have peace with people who are still religious.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>This is how it was for Jesus. He <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\">heard God&#8217;s voice and spoke what he heard to anyone who would listen<\/a>. Doing this made him the enemy of the <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\">religious people of his day<\/a>. This also how it is<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><strong>THE WAY, TRUTH, LIFE<\/strong><br \/>\nChristians like to quote <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/john\/14-6.html\">John 14:6:<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span id=\"joh14-6\" class=\"versetext\" style=\"display: inline;\"> Jesus said to him, &#8220;I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice-part-2\/6#jesuswaytruthlife\">this link for commentary on John 14:6<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p>***In Christianity, this scripture is loosely translated to mean that eternal life with the Father is available to people who trust Jesus for their salvation. And so Christians believe that if they come to Jesus (whatever that might mean) they are coming to the father (whatever that might mean.)<\/p>\n<p>Very simply, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+8:1-3;+deuteronomy+30:15-20;+psalm+119:160;+psalm+119:142;+john+6:63-68;+matthew+4:1-4;+luke+4:1-4;+john+5:24;+deuteronomy+32:45-47;+1-peter+1:22-25;+hebrews+4:12;+1-john+1:1-3;+john+1:1-4\">truth and life refer to God&#8217;s spoken word<\/a>. The command to speak <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=ephesians+4:14-15;+1-corinthians+13\">truth and love extends to all New Covenant disciples<\/a> who function as Messiahs and true prophets. Therefore, it can be said that no one comes to the father except through the teaching of true prophets.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><strong>HOUSE DIVIDED<\/strong><br \/>\nWe don&#8217;t need to read a lot of history to know that since the days that Jesus physically walked on the earth, division and strife among and between Christian sects, between Christians and Jews, between Christians, Jews and Muslims, and between Jewish sects has been the norm.<\/p>\n<p>Since all of these religions claim that they serve the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, it appears that what God has said about bringing peace is yet to be fulfilled. It also appears that the house of God is divided. But <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=matthew+12:22-30;mark+3:22-35\">Jesus said that a house divided cannot stand<\/a>. This statement anticipates <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/passage\/?q=john+17:20-23\">his later prayer that they would all be one <\/a>(i.e. they would not be divided into many different religions that follow different <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws. <\/a>This can happen only when all people obey his <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">spiritual laws.<\/a> Only when there are no religions will there be<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=romans+10:12;+galatians+3:28\"> no distinction between Jew and Greek, slaves or free. <\/a>This is what God wants and that is why\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/god-is-calling-people-out-of-religion\">he is Calling People Out of Religion.<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p>We also find anointing applied to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=exodus+40:9-11;+exodus+29:36;+numbers+7:1;+numbers+7:10;+numbers+7:84;+numbers+7:88\">altar, tabernacle, basin, utensils,<\/a> and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=genesis+28:18;+genesis+31:13;+genesis+35:14\">pillar of stone<\/a>.***<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MANY MESSIAHS ANOINTED TO SPEAK FOR GOD*** Messiahs are important characters in the Bible. In the Old Testament, there are sixty-seven mentions of the Hebrew verb Mashach (i.e. anoint, anointed), and thirty-eight mentions of the Hebrew noun Mashiyach (i.e. anointed, <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\/messiah\"><span class=\"more-msg\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":2090,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4313","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4313","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\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4313"}],"version-history":[{"count":163,"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12685,"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4313\/revisions\/12685"}],"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=4313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}