Category Archives: BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, How could Satan access heaven in the Books of Job and the Revelation?, How could Satan access heaven in the Books of Job and the Revelation?, SATAN AND HIS POLICY OF EVIL

How could Satan access heaven in the Books of Job and the Revelation?

HOW COULD SATAN ACCESS HEAVEN IN THE BOOKS OF JOB AND THE REVELATION?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Some Bible commentators have professed great difficulty in understanding and explaining how Satan could have access to heaven in Job chapters 1 and 2, as well as in Revelation chapter 12. (I just read an article written by a theologian who was struggling here.) After all, does Scripture not say in Luke 10:18 that Satan was cast out of heaven long ago? Then, how is he cast out of heaven in Revelation chapter 12 too? How could he go into heaven in Job? Was Satan thrown out of heaven, or is he still awaiting that eviction? Let us search the Scriptures!

Notice the so-called “contradictory” verses:

  • Job 1:6-7: “[6] Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. [7] And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.”
  • Job 2:1-2: “[1] Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. [2] And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.”
  • Luke 10:18: “And he [the Lord Jesus] said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”
  • Revelation 12:7-9,12: “[7] And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, [8] And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. [9] And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him….. [12] Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”

Job chapters 1 and 2, part of the Bible’s oldest Book, say that Satan has access to heaven. Luke 10:18, spoken during Jesus’ earthly ministry, centuries after Job, says the Lord Himself personally saw Satan fall from heaven. Years later, in the Book of the Revelation, the Apostle John wrote about a future day when Satan will be kicked out of heaven. We can understand why somebody would get confused here when reading the Bible. It is easy to see why people have trouble reconciling these verses. Let me assure you, friend, there is nothing wrong with the Bible. All of these verses are correct. We just have to be sure we look at the Bible as a whole, and not just snippets. The Bible should be understood as a timeline, verses arranged neatly; Scripture is not a group of jumbled verses all applicable at the same time.

The Bible speaks of “the third heaven” in 2 Corinthians 12:2. Therefore, we know that three heavens exist:

  1. The first heaven is what we would call Earth’s atmosphere—where birds and manmade aircraft fly. Genesis 1:20 says: “And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.”
  2. The second heaven is above it—the location of the sun, moon, planets, stars, et cetera. We know this region of creation as “outer space.” Genesis 1:14-17 says: “[14] And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: [15] And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. [16] And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. [17] And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth….”
  3. The third heaven, where God’s throne is, is situated above outer space, or outside of our universe. As noted earlier, we find this “third heaven” referenced in 2 Corinthians 12:2: “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth; ) such an one caught up to the third heaven.”

SATAN’S PROGRESSIVE FALLING, FROM “TOP” TO “BOTTOM”

When the Bible says that Satan fell from heaven in Luke 10:18, that refers to his original fall in Isaiah 14:12-14 and Ezekiel 28:11-19. That was Lucifer’s eviction from the third heaven, the throne-room of God, because of his pride and failed attempt to usurp God’s authority (1 Timothy 3:6). Satan can never enter the third heaven again.

When Scripture says that Satan stood before God in Job chapters 1 and 2, this is not the third heaven as commonly assumed. It is not the throne-room of God as often taught. This would be the second heaven, or outer space. Isaiah 14:13 talks about this “mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.” Those “congregating” are angelic beings, and, according to the Book of Job, they assemble frequently. It is somewhere in the northern part of the universe, perhaps on some planet or other faraway celestial body, that the angels give an account to and/or report to God concerning their activities. God meets these spiritual beings here. It is evidently where Satan answers to God regarding his mischief on Earth.

When the Bible speaks in Revelation chapter 12 about Michael and his angels fighting against the Devil and his angels, and the Devil and his angels being cast out of heaven, that would be the second heaven (outer space). You will recall that this was where Satan was when he appeared in Job chapters 1 and 2. By the time of the Revelation—technically, halfway through the seven-year Tribulation—Satan is cast to Earth. This fall of Satan, from outer space to Earth, is yet future.

By the way, in Revelation 20:10, at the end of the Millennial Reign of Christ, Satan is tossed into the Lake of Fire, which is at the bottom of the universe, the farthest point from God’s throne in the third heaven (the third heaven being Satan’s original abode, as per Luke 18:10).

CONCLUSION

Rather than making all of these verses depict one fall from one heaven, or two falls from one heaven, we need to see that two heavens are involved and two falls are involved. It really is ridiculously simple, provided we ignore the theological speculations!

Once the perfect cherub Lucifer became prideful, he (now Satan) was thrown out of the third heaven, God’s throne-room (Luke 18:10). Satan currently operates in the second heaven, giving rise to the reality of “spiritual wickedness in high [heavenly] places” (Ephesians 6:12). One day, according to Revelation 12:7-12, Satan and his fallen angelic cohorts will be evicted from outer space (second heaven) and confined to the Earth (to wreak havoc during the final half of the seven-year Tribulation). We as members of the Church the Body of Christ assume those positions of heavenly government for God’s glory (Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 1:9-10; Ephesians 2:6-7; Colossians 1:16-20; 2 Timothy 4:18)!

Lucifer’s fall from his original state to his eternal punishment is gradual, spanning thousands of years. That is, God did not immediately take Lucifer once he fell and cast him into the Lake of Fire. In fact, the Devil will not wind up in the Lake of Fire until Revelation chapter 20, which is still future even from today. Looking at the Bible timeline, from left to right—Satan falls from the third heaven (God’s throne-room) to the second heaven, from the second heaven (outer space) to the Earth, and ultimately, from Earth to the Lake of Fire.

The issue of Satan falling from heaven can be understood only from the dispensational perspective. Friend, if you attempt to make all these verses the same event, covering the same timeframe, you will reach an impasse you will ever be able to escape. However, if you see how they are different because they are in fact separate and distinct falls, thousands of years apart, and involving two different heavens, the Bible will become unbelievably clear concerning this topic!

Saints, (only if you can afford it!), please remember us in your monthly giving. You can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux, or email me at arcministries@gmail.com. Do not forget about Bible Q&A booklets for sale at https://arcgraceministries.org/in-print/booklets-bible-q-a/. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! 🙂

Also see:
» Why does God let Satan exist?
» What are Satan’s current operations?
» Where in the Bible did God give Satan domain over the Earth?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, BIBLE VERSIONS AND MANUSCRIPTS, Is Matthew 26:59-61 contradictory?, Is Matthew 26:59-61 contradictory?

Is Matthew 26:59-61 contradictory?

IS MATTHEW 26:59-61 CONTRADICTORY?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Matthew 26:59-61 is a burdensome passage if we are not careful with it: “[59] Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; [60] But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, [61] And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.” Verse 60 says opens with, “[they] found none.” The middle part of verse 60 says, “though many false witnesses came, yet found they none.” Finally, verse 60 concludes with, “At the last came two false witnesses….”

Did they find false witnesses? Verse 60 says “no,” then “yes,” then “no,” and finally “yes.” Superficially, this verse is a mess. Some conclude that Matthew had a tough time reporting exactly what happened, as he reported two affirmatives and two negatives in the same verse. Friend, whenever there are ambiguities or “difficulties” in one of the Four Gospel Records, all we have to do is look to the other three Books for insight. We should always let the Bible interpret itself. There is nothing wrong with the King James Bible here.

Mark 14:55-59, the parallel passage, is now consulted: “[55] And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. [56] For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. [57] And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, [58] We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. [59] But neither so did their witness agree together.” Notice how Mark actually furnished us with details that Matthew omitted in his account. Mark 14:56 is most helpful: “For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.”

The chief priests, elders, and all the council members were desperate to find any unified testimony that could be used to justify the death penalty they wanted to force upon the Lord Jesus. (As per the Mosaic Law, at least two witnesses were necessary to condemn a man to death—Deuteronomy 17:6.) Many false witnesses present wanted to say something to condemn Jesus. No doubt, He had many enemies who wanted Him dead. You can imagine them speaking all at once, offering to be a “witness,” yet saying various things. These flimsy, contradictory testimonies obviously would not hold up in a courtroom. Israel’s religious leaders would need to be sneakier. They had to quickly find two testimonies that agreed as close as possible.

We must remember here that the Bible is talking about “false witnesses.” As in any case of lying, various holes, conflicts/discrepancies, unintentionally arise. You can imagine one person claimed that Jesus said or did one thing, while another stated that Jesus said or did another. Matthew and Mark actually identify these two different testimonies. One false witness said, “This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days” (Matthew 26:61). Another false witness declared, “We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands” (Mark 14:58). While they appear similar, “their witness agreed not together” (Mark 14:56).

Using Mark to interpret Matthew, we re-read Matthew and provide commentary in brackets: “[59] Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; [60] But found none [that is, no witnesses who agreed]: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none [that is, no witnesses who agreed]. At the last came two false witnesses, [61] And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.”

Concerning these “two false witnesses,” Mark provides something that Matthew did not. Mark wrote: “[58] We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. [59] But neither so did their witness agree together.” As stated earlier, the two final witnesses did not actually agree either, but it was the best Israel’s religious leaders could do. Jesus Christ was completely innocent, so His words would have to be twisted someway or another before He could be presented in a bad light. One false witness twisted Jesus’ words one way, and the other false witness distorted Jesus’ words another way.

SUPPLEMENTAL: TWO ADDITIONAL FALSE WITNESSES

In an interesting parallel, just as “two false witnesses” were used to condemn the Lord Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God, so “two false witnesses” are used to criticize the Holy Bible, the Written Word of God. Codices Vaticanus and Sinaiticus are ancient Greek manuscripts used in “scholarly” circles to challenge the King James Bible Greek manuscripts (Textus Receptus, or Majority Text). As the two false witnesses against Jesus presented lies, disagreeing with each other, so the two false witnesses against the preserved Bible text disagree with each other. Vaticanus (Roman Catholic Church property) and Sinaiticus, in addition to disagreeing with the King James Greek New Testament, have been documented to disagree with each other over 3,000 times… in the Four Gospels alone! “But neither so did their witness agree together” (Mark 14:59).

Also see:
» Does it matter what Bible version I use?
» Do Matthew 17:1, Mark 9:2, and Luke 9:28 contradict?
» Do Matthew 10:10, Mark 6:8, and Luke 9:3 contradict?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, BIBLE VERSIONS AND MANUSCRIPTS, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Who are the prophets of Romans 16:26?, Who are the prophets of Romans 16:26?, Who are the prophets of Romans 16:26?

Who are the prophets of Romans 16:26?

WHO ARE THE PROPHETS OF ROMANS 16:26?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Romans 16:25-26 says: “[25] Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, [26] But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith….” What are “the scriptures of the prophets” in verse 26? Are they the “Old Testament” Scriptures, the “prophetic Scriptures?” Who are these prophets? Are they “Old Testament” prophets? Let us look at God’s Holy Word for the answer!

The phrase “the scriptures of the prophets” (Romans 16:26), while commonly assumed to be the “Old Testament” prophets, actually refers to the prophets in the Church the Body of Christ. We read of them in Ephesians 4:7-12: “[7] But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. [8] Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. [9] (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? [10] He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) [11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ….”

Remember, after His ascension “far above all heavens,” Christ gave gifts to men in the Body of Christ—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (verse 11). These gifts were given during the Acts period. They would certainly not be the 12 Apostles or the Old Testament Prophets of Israel’s program, for these people received their spiritual gifts before the ascension, of course. Paul, according to Romans 11:13, would be the first apostle of Ephesians 4:7-12. There were other (secondary) apostles related to and in the Body of Christ. In addition, there were Body-of-Christ prophets, Body-of-Christ evangelists, Body-of-Christ pastors, and Body-of-Christ teachers. The prophets in the Body of Christ are also discussed in Ephesians 2:20, Ephesians 3:5, and 1 Corinthians 12:28-29.

The Body-of-Christ prophets evidently identified, assembled, and copied Scripture, as we read: “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37). In other words, these Body-of-Christ prophets were copying the whole Bible. “The scriptures of the prophets” would be all of the Bible, but more specifically, all the Bible in light of Pauline doctrine (that Pauline truth being “kept secret,” according to Romans 16:25, but now revealed through Paul’s ministry, verse 26).

God wants us to use the entire Bible, provided that we remember to use it “rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15)—understanding the mystery and keeping it separate from prophecy. Back to Romans 16:25-26: “[25] Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, [26] But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith….” Notice the order in these two verses. God will “stablish,” or stabilize, us in the inner man using three steps of edification: (1) “My [or, Paul’s] gospel,” (2) “The preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery;” and (3) “The Scriptures of the prophets.” This is actually how Paul’s epistles are laid out in the canon of Scripture.

Paul’s Gospel is laid out clearly in Romans, as well as in (the next three Books) 1 & 2 Corinthians and Galatians. The preaching of Jesus Christ according to the mystery would be the next three Epistles—Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. The Scriptures of the prophets would relate to Paul’s two Thessalonian epistles—since they deal with non-Pauline truths (prophecy) and how those non-Pauline truths are not to be combined with Pauline truths. The remaining four Pauline Books—1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon—are the congregational/assembly doctrine. They are thus often called the “Pastoral Epistles.”

In light of 1 Corinthians 14:37, prophets in the Body of Christ identified, collected/collated, and copied the Scriptures. (In Israel’s program, a prophet was usually one who foretold the future; however, a Body-of-Christ prophet had a different role.) The Body-of-Christ prophets were not copying merely Paul’s epistles though. They were copying all of Scripture, allowing us to have manuscript copies of all 66 of the Bible Books even today. When Paul referred to prophecy in the two Books of Thessalonians, he was encouraging his audience to look at the non-Pauline Bible Books for further details. The Scriptures of the prophets allow us to appreciate/grasp all of the Bible: we see how the rest of the Bible fits with Paul’s epistles and how Paul’s epistles fit with the non-Pauline Bible Books. Remember, all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and all of it is profitable (2 Timothy 3:16-17), provided we use it “rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15).

CONCLUSION

“The scriptures of the prophets” of Romans 16:26 refers to all of the Bible Books in light of Pauline doctrine. The Body-of-Christ prophets identified, collected/collated, and copied all Bible Books into one group so they could all be studied in light of the final divine revelation given to Paul (see Colossians 1:24-29; cf. Ephesians 1:8-11). Now we can better understand what is going on with Romans 16:25-26 as a whole. Once we get beyond the basics of Christianity (Paul’s Gospel, the Gospel of Grace), then we can mature into the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery. When we come to that point in our spiritual maturity, then we can grasp how all of that relates to the rest of the Bible.

SUPPLEMENTAL: WHEN ROMANS 16:26 IS PERVERTED

In an attempt to diminish and/or deny Paul’s special revelations from Jesus Christ, some people (either deliberately or inadvertently) drop the conjunction “and” that precedes “by the scriptures of the prophets.” Not only is this erroneous teaching found in speech; people have actually changed the English Bibles because they did not know how to handle this dispensational passage. The modern English versions omit the “and” in the KJV reading “and by the scriptures of the prophets.” By doing so, they make the modern English versions say that Paul’s mystery (secret) was found outside of Paul’s writings. They say the “prophetic Scriptures,” or the “Old Testament” prophets, revealed the mystery. This is a flat-out lie, contradicting other verses such as those found in Colossians chapter 1 and Ephesians chapter 3. (Since they attack dispensational precepts—the fundamentals of proper Bible study—these perverted modern English versions are dangerous and should be avoided! Friend, you should stick with the King James Bible!)

Notice the following English versions and how they handle Romans 16:26 in a most dishonest manner. They cause their readers to conclude that the Apostle Paul’s teachings were not at all special or formerly hid in God. These translators had no idea what they were doing, and have completely destroyed the original meaning of Romans 16:26:

  • Amplified Bible: “but now has been disclosed and through the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all the nations, according to the commandment of the eternal God, leading them to obedience to the faith,”
  • Contemporary English Version: “but now at last it has been told. The eternal God commanded his prophets to write about the good news, so that all nations would obey and have faith.”
  • Douay-Rheims American (Roman Catholic) Bible: “(Which now is made manifest by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the precept of the eternal God, for the obedience of faith,) known among all nations;”
  • English Standard Version: “but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—“
  • Holman Christian Standard Bible: “but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures, according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith among all nations—”
  • Living Bible: “But now as the prophets foretold and as God commands, this message is being preached everywhere, so that people all around the world will have faith in Christ and obey him.
  • The Message: “as revealed in the mystery kept secret for so long but now an open book through the prophetic Scriptures. All the nations of the world can now know the truth and be brought into obedient belief,”
  • New Century Version: “It has been made clear through the writings of the prophets. And by the command of the eternal God it is made known to all nations that they might believe and obey.”
  • New International Version: “but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith—”
  • New Living Translation: “But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him.”
  • New Revised Standard Version: “but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—”
  • Revised Standard Version: “but is now disclosed and through the prophetic writings is made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—”

We read Romans 16:25-26 in the King James Bible again: “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith….”

It is important that we note “AND by the scriptures of the prophets” is the original and inspired reading. The mystery is not declared by the Old Testament prophets or by the “prophetic Scriptures.” We must understand that the mystery is revealed only by Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon (cf. Ephesians 3:1-11; Colossians 1:24-29). Romans 16:25-26 is saying that God desires to build us up with three elements: (1) Paul’s Gospel, (2) The preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, and (3) The Scriptures of the prophets. It is important that we not misread Romans 16:25-26. Combining points 2 and 3 into one thought—namely, ignoring Paul’s special ministry—is the reason why there is confusion among Bible versions, translators, teachers, preachers, and students.

Also see:
» What is dispensational Bible study?
» Did Peter and Paul preach the same Gospel?
» Can you compare and contrast Peter’s ministry and Paul’s ministry?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, Can you explain 1 Corinthians 5:7-8?, Can you explain 1 Corinthians 5:7-8?, Can you explain 1 Corinthians 5:7-8?, GRACE (CHRISTIAN) LIVING, THE CHURCH THE BODY OF CHRIST

Can you explain 1 Corinthians 5:7-8?

CAN YOU EXPLAIN 1 CORINTHIANS 5:7-8?

by Shawn Brasseaux

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8: “[7] Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: [8] Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” What does it mean, “Christ our passover is sacrificed for us?” Does verse 8 teach that we Christians are required to keep the Passover feast? What are these two verses about anyway? “For what saith the Scriptures?”

What is going on in this context? These verses in question should be interpreted in light of verses 1-2: “[1] It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. [2] And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.” There is a Christian man in Corinth having sexual relations with his “father’s wife” (assumed to be his stepmother). The Corinthians have not addressed this issue but are rather gloating over and supporting/encouraging it. Paul mentions that they need to discipline that man—that is, put him out of the assembly until he straightens up (see verses 11 and 13).

Verse 6 continues: “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” Paul rebukes the Corinthians for allowing sin to get a foothold in their midst. By them encouraging one brother to sin so grossly in the sexual realm, they are now all vulnerable to permitting worse behavior in their group. Just as a little bit of leaven (yeast) spreads so that all the dough is leavened (and thus rises), a little bit of sinful activity left unaddressed will spread to the whole congregation. Satan will cause that one sin to entice others to commit evil, all of them assuming they will get away with their misbehavior too. The Corinthians were to, in love of course, discipline that Christian brother. He was to be removed from their fellowship until he reformed. It was either deal with him harshly, or risk losing the whole congregation to sin.

In light of that background, we re-read 1 Corinthians 5:7-8: “[7] Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: [8] Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” Unlike in verse 6, we are no longer talking now about literal leaven, or a literal lump of bread dough. “Leaven” here now functions as a metaphor (symbol) for evil or sin. It does not make sense for the Corinthian (or any other Christian) assembly to condone sin, evil that could possibly contaminate the whole group. Being spiritually immature, the Corinthians were unable to identify this spiritual danger as the Apostle Paul could. Paul thus wrote 1 Corinthians chapter 5. He wrote it for our benefit even today.

Verse 7 again: “Purge out therefore the old leaven….” In other words, “Get rid of that habitual fornicator!” (Go back to verses 1-6, if necessary, to gain the thought flow.) The group must cast out the man to recover itself from defilement—“that [purpose or intent] ye [all believing Corinthians] may be a new lump.” Christ died to put away our sin by the sacrifice of Himself, Hebrews 9:26 says. Positionally, as members of the Body of Christ, we are spiritually clean before God, forgiven and redeemed by Christ’s shed blood (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14). That is where 1 Corinthians 5:7 then comes in with, “For even [further explanation] Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.”

What was the purpose of the Passover lamb? It was to save Israel from God’s wrath. Those without that lamb’s blood—namely, the Egyptians—were destroyed. Israel was spared in Egypt because of the blood applied to their doors (Exodus 11:4-8, Exodus 12:11-13). Passover is really a picture/preview of Messiah shedding His blood for Israel’s eternal salvation, sparing her from God’s future wrath at Christ’s Second Coming. At the same time of year Israel was preparing to kill the Passover lamb, they killed the Lord Jesus! But, in God’s design, that blood of Christ was necessary for Him to institute the New Covenant to save Israel one day (see Hebrews chapters 8 and 10). That blood of Christ Jesus also saves us and keeps us in the Church the Body of Christ.

“As ye are unleavened….” In keeping with our righteous spiritual position before God as members of the Church the Body of Christ, we need to put away sin from our local assemblies. To wit, we should have practical daily living that fits our spiritual identity in Christ. That means dealing with brethren who are misbehaving and making the group liable to falling into the same sin or worse. Christ died to deliver us from our sins. Sin does not belong in our lives, and so we deny it access. All of Romans chapter 6 should be read and remembered here. We walk by faith in Romans 6:10-11: “[10] For in that he [Christ] died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. [11] Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Sin does not belong in the local assembly either, especially because it will encourage others—those observing the misbehavior—to go along with it and engage in the same evil behavior!

“Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.” As we hinted at earlier, the blood of Christ saves not only Israel from the penalty of sin (hellfire)—it saves us, the Church the Body of Christ, from the same eternal wrath of God against sinners. What Christ is for Israel, He is “for us” (Body of Christ). (“For us” is absent from modern English versions.) He is “our” Passover—the insulation allowing God’s wrath to pass over us (Body of Christ) and not judge us (Body of Christ). Jesus Christ is our Saviour, the God-Man who made atonement for our sin (Romans 5:11), just as He will atone/forgive Israel’s sins at His Second Coming (Acts 3:19-20). His finished crosswork is vicarious—done on our behalf and done on Israel’s behalf. If Christ Jesus saved us from our sins, and He did, then we have no reason to continue living in them! We have new life in Him, a life that Father God wants to fill with good works rather than sins (Ephesians 2:10). Of course, the Corinthians were too carnal (fleshly minded) to grasp these simple grace teachings (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). Sadly, many Christians today are just as weak in the doctrine as they were!

Now, we move on 1 Corinthians 5:8: “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” This is not, as you seem to be inclined to think, “let us observe the Passover….” Remember, verse 7 is not about literal leaven (yeast) or a lump of physical bread dough. Verse 7 again: “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us….”

Verse 8 is not talking about a literal anything either, especially a physical feast as Passover. “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” Notice the “leaven” here is not actual yeast as in bread we eat, but rather is defined in the verse as “malice [evil intentions] and wickedness [evil deeds].” The literal sense does not make sense; therefore, it must a metaphorical, symbolic, or figurative usage. The “leaven” here is “malice and wickedness”—that which jeopardizes/infects the Christian group (or in the case of Corinth, the fornicating brother in Christ risking the whole group to sin).

We pause a moment to consider an interesting parallel. Immediately after Israel observed the Passover, they were to have the weeklong Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:15-17). The Jews were to get rid of all physical leaven in their houses. There was more than just literal leaven God was interested in purging Israel of, though. As we noted earlier, leaven represented sin, just as it does here in 1 Corinthians chapter 5 (as well as in Galatians 5:9—there it is a symbol of evil/false teaching). Just as Passover taught Israel how to put away sin, Christ serving as our Passover Lamb also encourages us to put away sin (whether individually or as a group). We now return to 1 Corinthians chapter 5 to begin winding down this exegesis.

Verse 8 of 1 Corinthians chapter 5 once more: “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” The “unleavened bread” here is defined not as literal bread without yeast, but bread “of sincerity and truth.” Again, this is figurative or symbolic. The “malice and wickedness” of the first part of verse 8 was to be replaced with “sincerity [honesty, well-meaning, good intentions] and truth [rather than evil].” Instead of partaking of a meal of evil and sin (figurative, of course), the Corinthians (and we) should participate in the life of the Spirit of God that we have in Christ. See Galatians 5:22-23—the fruit of the Spirit is “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:11). If we must influence our brethren, let us stir them up to follow our good example rather than our bad example!

We close by quoting 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 in its entirety: “[1] It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. [2] And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. [3] For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, [4] In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, [5] To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

“[6] Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? [7] Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: [8] Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. [9] I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: [10] Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. [11] But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. [12] For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? [13] But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”

Also see:
» Should Christians observe Passover?
» Should we observe the Lord’s Supper?
» Can you explain 1 Corinthians chapter 8?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, How is Joshua a high priest in Zechariah 3:8 if...?, How is Joshua a high priest in Zechariah 3:8 if...?, JUST ASKING / CURIOUS QUESTIONS

How is Joshua a high priest in Zechariah 3:8 if…?

HOW IS JOSHUA A HIGH PRIEST IN ZECHARIAH 3:8 IF HE WAS FROM THE TRIBE OF LEVI?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“Why is Joshua called a high priest in Zechariah 3:8, when he was from the tribe of Ephraim and not the tribe of Levi?” Good question!

You are inquiring about the verse that says: “Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.” The assumption here is that this is Moses’ successor Joshua. Is this supposition correct? We will examine the Bible text!

THE PRIESTLY TRIBE: LEVI

It is correct to say that Levi, not Ephraim, is the priestly tribe in Israel. The Bible says in Exodus 28:1: “And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.” God told Moses that he was to take his brother, Aaron, and Aaron’s four sons, and ordain them as priests in Israel. Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons all belonged to the tribe of Levi (see Exodus 2:1-2,10; Exodus 4:14; et cetera). In fact, Moses and Aaron were great-grandsons of Levi (Exodus 6:16-20), Levi being one of the 12 sons of Jacob (Genesis 29:34), Jacob being the son of Isaac (Genesis 25:26), Isaac being the son of Abraham (Genesis 21:5).

Since Aaron the high priest and his sons (other priests) were members of the tribe of Levi, Levi became known as “the priestly tribe.” As per God’s instructions, only Levites were to be priests in Israel.

MOSES’ SUCCESSOR: JOSHUA, THE SON OF NUN

Every Bible student is at least somewhat acquainted with Moses’ “minister,” or servant (Exodus 24:3). This Joshua is frequently called “the son of Nun” (Exodus 33:11; et cetera)—and that title is very useful in singling him out (as we will see shortly). Just before Moses died, God had him appoint Joshua as his replacement to lead Israel into the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 31:14,23). Friend, in your question, you mentioned Joshua the son of Nun being from the tribe of Ephraim. That is correct, according to Numbers 13:8. There, he is called “Oshea;” in verse 16, Moses changed his name to “Jehoshua.” He was also known as “Joshua” and “Hoshea” (Numbers 14:6; Deuteronomy 32:44; et cetera). The Greek form of this name is “Jesus” (see Hebrews 4:8).

HIGH PRIEST: JOSHUA, THE SON OF JOSEDECH

As you pointed out, the Books of Haggai and Zechariah talk about a high priest named “Joshua” (see Haggai 1:1,12,14; Haggai 2:2,4; Zechariah 3:1,3,6,8-9; Zechariah 6:11). This Joshua bears the label “the son of Josedech” (Haggai 1:1,12,14; Haggai 2:2,4; Zechariah 6:11). He is therefore not to be confused with Joshua “the son of Nun” (Moses’ successor). Haggai and Zechariah lived approximately 1000 years after Joshua the son of Nun. The Joshua of the tribe of Ephraim died centuries prior to Haggai and Zechariah. The Joshua of Haggai and Zechariah’s day is the son of Josedech. He functions as a high priest because he is of Levi’s lineage. Joshua the son of Josedech is called “Jeshua” in Ezra and Nehemiah—contemporaries with Haggai and Zechariah. You may refer to Ezra 2:2; Ezra 3:2,8-9; Ezra 4:3; Ezra 5:2; Ezra 10:18; Nehemiah 7:7; and Nehemiah 12:1,7,10,26.

CONCLUSION

The Joshua of Zechariah (and Ezra, Nehemiah, and Haggai) is a high priest, living hundreds of years after Joshua, Moses’ successor, died. Joshua son of Josedech is of the tribe of Levi, functioning as a high priest. Joshua son of Nun is of the tribe of Ephraim, serving as Moses’ successor. There is no contradiction in the Bible, please understand. We are talking about two totally different Joshuas.

By the way, there were actually four Joshuas in the Bible. Firstly, the most famous Joshua, of course, was Moses’ replacement. Secondly, as we already discussed, there was the high priest named “Joshua” in Zechariah’s day. Thirdly, another man named “Joshua,” from Beth-shemesh, appears in 1 Samuel 6:14-18. Lastly, there was yet another Joshua—the governor of Jerusalem during King Josiah’s reign (2 Kings 23:8). These all lived centuries apart.

Also see:
» Why do 1 Corinthians 10:8 and Numbers 25:9 contradict?
» What swallowed Jonah—a fish or a whale?
» Do Matthew 10:10, Mark 6:8, and Luke 9:3 contradict?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, Can you explain “If in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable?”, Can you explain “If in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable?”, GRACE (CHRISTIAN) LIVING

Can you explain, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable?”

CAN YOU EXPLAIN, “IF IN THIS LIFE ONLY WE HAVE HOPE IN CHRIST, WE ARE OF ALL MEN MOST MISERABLE?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable” is actually 1 Corinthians 15:19. We turn the pages of Scripture and let the Holy Spirit enlighten us!

Before we deal with the actual verse, we look at the general context. The Book of 1 Corinthians is quite lengthy—16 chapters to be exact—because the Apostle Paul had to address and correct various problems in the Christian assembly at Corinth. While these saints were secure in Christ and members of the family of God (1 Corinthians 1:4-9), they were not behaving like who they really were. Rather than living according to God’s grace and their new life in Christ, they were relying on their flesh, their own reasoning, human philosophy. In doing so, they were subverting and sabotaging their own spiritual growth. Rather than listening to and believing the doctrine that the Holy Spirit had taught them through Paul, they had allowed the surrounding pagan Greek culture to influence their thinking and disrupt their Christian service.

Chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians is a systematic argument of the doctrine of bodily resurrection. Paul provides various lines of evidence to support this most cardinal belief of Christianity. His first and foremost argument was to present as historical fact Jesus Christ’s own bodily resurrection. We look at the first 12 verses: “[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: [5] And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: [6] After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. [7] After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

“[8] And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. [9] For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. [10] But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. [11] Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. [12] Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?”

Verse 12 identifies why Paul bothered to mention bodily resurrection in the epistle to Corinth. Why did he spend a whole chapter—58 verses—on that one topic of bodily resurrection? In Acts chapter 18, he had preached to the Corinthians how that Christ died for their sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). These pagan idolaters had believed that Gospel message, received forgiveness of sins, entered into a relationship with the one true God, got a place reserved for them in Heaven, and left Satan’s kingdom forever! However, after Paul left Corinth, Greek philosophers had persuaded the Corinthian believers to reject resurrection. Hence, 1 Corinthians 15:12 inquires, “How say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?” Some of the Corinthians were not faithful to the doctrine the Lord had committed to them through Paul, God’s apostle of the Gentiles (Romans 11:13). As the Galatians abandoned Paul’s “mystery” doctrine in favor of Moses and legalism (see the Book of Galatians), so the Corinthians had forsaken Paul’s “mystery” doctrine in favor of man and pagan philosophy (see the Books of 1 and 2 Corinthians).

Since some of the Corinthians doubted the reality of bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12), Paul outlines a number of problems that arise if bodily resurrection is fiction. Notice his logic, and the resulting hypotheticals, in the succeeding verses: “[13] But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: [14] And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. [15] Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. [16] For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: [17] And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. [18] Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. [19] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

What an argument, no doubt from the pen of the Holy Spirit Himself! If resurrection is untrue, then Christ did not resurrect. If Christ did not resurrect, then Paul preaching Christ’s resurrection as true is empty, worthless, and pointless. If Paul’s preaching was pointless, then the Corinthians believing that message was also purposeless. If Paul’s preaching was nothing more than a false message, then it made Paul a liar. If Christ did not resurrect, then the Corinthians’ faith was meaningless. If Christ did not resurrect, then they were still dead in their sins. (After all, Romans 4:25 says Christ’s resurrection serves as the receipt that He paid our sin debt in full.) If resurrection is fiction, then Christ did not resurrect. If Christ did not resurrect, then we will never be resurrected either. If that were the case, then those who died in Christ are literally lost to us forever, never to be seen again. If there is no resurrection, then the Christian life is actually experienced for nothing!

Now, with background established, we get to the heart of this study—“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” The expression “this life” is our earthly life right now. If only on Earth we have hope, death being the end and resurrection never happening, we would truly be miserable. Here, we have lost family relationships for Christ. We lost “friends” to follow Christ. We were called names and were unfairly criticized. We may have lost our jobs for standing up for Him. Perhaps we were tortured, imprisoned, or killed for His sake. We spent countless years studying the Bible, praying, preaching the Gospel, teaching the Bible, passing out Gospel tracts, traveling abroad going to conferences and starting local churches, on and on. We would be the most miserable people in all the world if, after everything we did for Christ, it would amount to nothing! To keep working in Christian service, not pursuing a carefree materialistic life like the rest of the world, knowing we will die for nothing and all that work will amount to nothing! Without resurrection, our earthly lives would be a total waste of time. There would be no “eternal life” after all!

The Christian life is all about the life of Jesus Christ being manifested in our mortal flesh. There is such joy, peace, hope, love, and fulfillment in Christ. However, when death comes, that earthly life is over. Death would take it all away. If there were no resurrection, we would be the most miserable of all people. We would stay dead. Our Christian experience would only last as long as we lived on Earth. It would be about a century, at the most, before ending forever. Would Paul be so silly as to spend his whole life risking it for Christ, just to have it taken from him by Rome and never returned? Would the Corinthians be so foolish? Would we?

If, however, bodily resurrection were true, and we believe it is true because the Bible says it is true, that means our Christian experience is momentarily interrupted (physical death). It is not permanently abrogated (namely, we being dead forever). Resurrection ensures that we will be physically redeemed from sin, just as our souls were redeemed from sin the moment we believed the Gospel. Romans 8:23-25 talks about our physical resurrection, the “redemption of our [physical] body:” “[23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. [24] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? [25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” This “hope” of future resurrection is contrasted with the present “hope” of 1 Corinthians 15:19.

There is a brief reference to our bodily resurrection in Philippians 3:20-21: “…The Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” This is our deliverance from the presence of sin, physically rescued from the sin-cursed world and these weak, failing bodies related to Adam. You can read about the resurrection of all the members of the Body of Christ by consulting 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. That event is commonly called “the Rapture,” our mass gathering unto Christ. Our resurrection bodies are also described in 2 Corinthians 4:16–5:8.

It would do us well to conclude this study by looking at the very last verse of 1 Corinthians chapter 15: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (verse 58). Rejoice, friend, be not “most miserable!” Our labor is not in vain in the Lord because physical death does not end our Christian service. Our earthly Christian sojourn will end one day. All of our earthly ministries will cease. Still, there is in Heaven waiting for us, a reward, a resurrected body, and a reunion with the saints of the ages. We will talk again with those departed brethren, and all work together in eternity to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ! Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice!

Also see:
» Could you describe Jesus’ resurrected body?
» Can you explain Colossians 3:3-4?
» What is the Lord’s will for my Christian life?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, Why do 1 Corinthians 10:8 and Numbers 25:9 disagree?

Why do 1 Corinthians 10:8 and Numbers 25:9 disagree?

WHY DO 1 CORINTHIANS 10:8 AND NUMBERS 25:9 DISAGREE?

by Shawn Brasseaux

First Corinthians 10:8 says, “Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.” Yet, Numbers 25:9 claims, “And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.” Why does the Bible say 23,000 in one place but 24,000 in another? (Or, perhaps, does our thinking need to be reformed here?)

Scripture makes reference to Israel committing fornication in Revelation 2:14: “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.” This quotes the historical event recorded in Numbers chapter 25, when Moses was leading Israel in the wilderness. Let us look at that passage now.

Numbers chapter 25: “[1] And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. [2] And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. [3] And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor [pagan deity/idol]: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. [4] And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. [5] And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor. [6] And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. [7] And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; [8] And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. [9] And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.”

Balaam (cf. Numbers chapters 22-24) was a semi-false, semi-genuine prophet who enticed Israel to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication. The Bible says male Jews had sexual relations with the heathen daughters of Moab (verse 1). Israel also sacrificed to and worshipped those pagan idols (verse 2). Verse 3 says Israel joined himself to Baalpeor (a deity of the Moabites). The LORD’S anger is kindled against Israel, so He tells Moses to start taking the lives of all the Jewish idolaters. Also, verse 9 says those who died in the plague were 24,000. Yet, 1 Corinthians 10:8 reports the figure 23,000. The Bible critics consider this a contradiction, a mistake. Is it? No. It is commonly assumed that 1 Corinthians 10:8 quotes Numbers chapter 25. However, the Bible is not in error. Our explanation is faulty. When trying to establish the cross-reference to 1 Corinthians 10:8, perhaps we should look at verse 7 and its cross-reference.

First Corinthians 10:7 says: “Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” This is a quotation of Exodus 32:6: “And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.” Notice, there is both pagan idolatry and lewd partying (actually, as we will see shortly, there was illicit sexual activity). This is very similar to the events recorded in Numbers chapter 25 (see above), but the number of deaths is strikingly different and therefore distinguishes the two narratives. Since 1 Corinthians 10:7 quotes Exodus 32:6, 1 Corinthians 10:8 must be quoting Exodus chapter 32 as well.

Many years previous to Numbers chapter 25, Exodus chapter 32 relates the following: “[19] And it came to pass, as soon as he [Moses] came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf [pagan idol], and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. [20] And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. [21] And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them? [22] And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief. [23] For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. [24] And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.

“[25] And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies: ) [26] Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. [27] And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour. [28] And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men. [29] For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.

“[30] And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. [31] And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. [32] Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. [33] And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. [34] Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. [35] And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.”

Immediately after Moses found the Jews worshipping the golden calf, Moses commanded in the LORD’s name that all the sons of Levi were to kill their idolatrous brethren. The Bible says they killed about 3,000 men (verse 28). Verse 35 says the LORD plagued the people. Exodus does not record this number but 1 Corinthians 10:8 reports—“Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.” Notice this a total number, not restricted to a plague, but to some other cause of death as well. Deducting the 3,000 men who were killed by their brethren, that leaves some 20,000 Jews who were killed in that plague of Exodus 32:35. One Corinthians 10:8 and Numbers chapter 25 are not describing the same event. Considering that 1 Corinthians 10:7 quotes Exodus 32:6, Exodus 32:25-35 is most likely the proper Old Testament event mentioned in 1 Corinthians 10:8. There is no contradiction.

Also see:
» Do Matthew 10:10, Mark 6:8, and Luke 9:3 contradict?
» Did Paul quote verses out of context in 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1?
» Do Matthew 17:1, Mark 9:2, and Luke 9:28 contradict?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, THE NATION ISRAEL, Will Israel’s Little Flock be put to death or not?, Will Israel’s Little Flock be put to death or not?

Will Israel’s Little Flock be put to death or not?

WILL ISRAEL’S LITTLE FLOCK BE PUT TO DEATH OR NOT?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Friend, if you are familiar with end-time prophecy Bible passages, you have probably noticed this “incongruity.” On one hand, some Bible verses teach that Israel’s Little Flock will suffer and die under the Antichrist. Yet, on the other hand, there are Bible verses that teach that God will protect Israel’s Little Flock from the Antichrist. How do we go about reconciling this discrepancy?

To begin, we cite the Lord Jesus’ words in Luke 12:31-32: “[31] But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. [32] Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Notice that the title “Little Flock” is the believing segment of Israel—it is not every descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. “Little Flock” is restricted to Jewish believers in Christ during His earthly ministry onward into the early Acts period (today’s believing Jews excluded). These are the Jews who will inherit the 1000-Year Kingdom (Millennium). They are not to be confused with the unbelieving Jews who will be destroyed in God’s wrath before that Millennium begins.

While it is far too in-depth to discuss here, please recall (or understand) that the prophetic events future from our day are a continuation of the prophetic program operating in Christ’s earthly ministry and the early Acts period. The people alive in Matthew through John, and early Acts, were anticipating in their lifetimes the final days of the prophetic program (namely, God’s wrath to cleanse the Earth, and the coming Kingdom of Heaven established on Earth). For more information, you may see Acts 2:16-21,29-36. With the outpouring of the Holy Ghost in Acts chapter 2, the next step in prophecy was the outpouring of God’s wrath. That wrath (particularly the Second Coming of Christ) is warned as imminent in Acts 2:34-36. By the time of Acts 7:55-56, the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) is standing at the Father’s right hand in Heaven, ever so close to returning and judging sinful Israel. However, before that wrath fell, and prophecy culminated with the earthly kingdom, God introduced a dispensational change, ushered in our 2000-year-long Dispensation of Grace, postponing that wrath even until now. (For more information, please see our study about Jesus Christ standing in Acts 7:55-56, linked at the end of this article.)

In light of the above points, you should see how the Little Flock (believing Jews) from Matthew through John and early Acts, will be continued in the future. That is, early Acts (Israel’s believing remnant there) loops above and beyond our Dispensation of Grace to link to the future (Israel’s believing remnant in seven-year Tribulation). Both groups of believing Jews are one “Little Flock” in the grand scheme of things. They all enter the Millennium at the Second Coming. However, for this study, we restrict our focus to the future extension of the Little Flock, those in the seven-year Tribulation.

Israel’s Little Flock—Messianic Jews living during the seven-year Tribulation—can be segmented into a few groups:

  1. There are the two witnesses, a couple of Jewish believers in Christ who will oppose the Antichrist (Revelation chapter 11). According to verse 7, these two are put to death once their ministry is over, about halfway through the seven years.
  2. Revelation chapter 7 talks about 144,000 male Jewish preachers from the tribes of Israel. They are briefly mentioned in the opening verses of chapter 14. These 144,000 will be taken up into Heaven sometime during the second half of the seven-year Tribulation. They are never recorded in the Bible as being harmed in any way or even dying.
  3. Matthew chapter 24 mentions Jewish believers living in the area of Judaea (the region surrounding Jerusalem). We will deal with these saints in detail shortly.
  4. Jewish believers will also be living in northern Israel, throughout other portions of the Middle East, and all around the world. We will deal with these in detail shortly as well.

As previously mentioned, in the Book of Matthew, chapter 24, there are Jewish believers living in the area of Judaea (area around Jerusalem). Observe the words of the Lord Jesus, excerpts from His well-known Olivet End-Times Discourse: “[15] When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand: ) [16] Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: [17] Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: [18] Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. [19] And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! [20] But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: [21] For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. [22] And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” You will notice these are not only Jewish men, as in the case with the 144,000. This section of believing Jews involves men and women (cf. verse 19).

In Revelation chapter 12, we see a group of believing Jews fleeing into the mountains. The only logical conclusion is that these are the same people the Lord Jesus talked about in the previous paragraph. Read Revelation chapter 12 for yourself: “[6] And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days…. [13] And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. [14] And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. [15] And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. [16] And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. [17] And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (This “remnant of her seed” is the non-Judaean, non-mountain-fleeing Jewish believers. Satan cannot get those Jews in the mountains, but, as we will see later, he can persecute those living elsewhere.)

God will protect the believing remnant hiding in the mountains for 1360 days (verse 12)—the last half of the seven-year Tribulation, terminating with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The Antichrist and Satan will try to attack this group of wilderness Jews but Satan will fail. However, remember, the instructions to flee to those mountains are only given to those in the area of Judaea. Not all believing Jews will be protected in the mountains. Jews living throughout the Middle East and around the world will not have access to those secret mountain-hideouts God will prepare for some circumcision believers in the land of Palestine. It is these living outside of Judaea who will be imprisoned and martyred. Again, recall Revelation 12:17 “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

In Matthew chapter 10, the Lord Jesus Christ spoke of persecuted believers during the seven-year Tribulation: “[6] Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves…. [17] But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; [18] And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. [19] But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. [20] For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. [21] And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. [22] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. [23] But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.” (Notice the Second Coming of Christ at the end, concluding the seven-year Tribulation and Antichrist’s reign.)

“[28] And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell…. [32] Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. [33] But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. [34] Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. [35] For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. [36] And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. [37] He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. [38] And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. [39] He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”

Here, we see believing Jews who will be delivered up to synagogues, to be imprisoned, and even sentenced to death, for refusing to follow the Antichrist. Revelation 20:4 speaks of those who were “beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands…..” After all, the Lord Jesus had warned in Matthew chapter 24: “[9] Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. [10] And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”

Revelation 13:15 says: “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” As well as Daniel 7:25: “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out [persecute] the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.” And, Daniel 8:24: “And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.” Finally, Daniel 7:21: “I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;….” Clearly, the Antichrist is killing some Jewish believers in Christ Jesus. They are the Little Flock who do not live in the area of Judaea; they were thus unable to flee to the mountains in Palestine. They are living in various cities outside of Palestine.

Revelation 6:9-11 tells us: “[9] And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: [10] And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? [11] And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” The Antichrist will mercilessly slaughter, kill, a good number of the Little Flock members. Of course, that will not destroy God’s plans for redeemed Israel. According to Revelation chapter 20, when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to Earth to vanquish the Antichrist, He will simply resurrect all of His saints, that they go into that kingdom of Christ! 🙂

Also see:
» Are we “doom and gloom” Bible-prophecy believers?
» Why did Jesus Christ stand in Acts 7:55-56?
» What is the falling away of 2 Thessalonians 2:3?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, THE NATION ISRAEL, What does 1 John 1:8 mean “We deceive ourselves?”, What does 1 John 1:8 mean “We deceive ourselves?”

What does 1 John 1:8 mean, “We deceive ourselves?”

WHAT DOES 1 JOHN 1:8 MEAN, “WE DECEIVE OURSELVES?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:8-10). Do you claim to be sinless?

Years ago, I spoke with a religious family member about the Gospel of the Grace of God. Nearly 90 years old, she had been instructed in her denomination for many decades. When I asked her about her sins, she said, “I have never done anything wrong in all my life!” Just think, friends, about how many times we have sinned in our decades alive. Consider how many times we have sinned today. Now, think about a woman living 90 years, and then saying most seriously, “I have been sinless all my life!” Talk about delusional. But, the people spoken of in 1 John 1:8-10 were equally mistaken.

Instead of realizing “For by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20), most Israelites from Christ’s earthly ministry thought they were “pretty good” before God. Note how John the Baptist corrected such erroneous thinking in Matthew 3:9. Paraphrased, “Just because Abraham is your ancestor does not automatically make you sinless!” This was directed to the Pharisees and Sadducees, Israel’s religious leaders who thought they were sinless. As the Pharisee in Luke 18:11 prayed, “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican [tax collector]!”

First John 1:8-10, while often misunderstood as something for believers to practice today, was actually written to correct this unbelieving, so-called “sinless crowd,” in Israel. In order to be saved into God’s family, they had to confess their national sin of breaking God’s Law Covenant. They had to quit trying to establish their own righteousness and come to understand God’s righteousness manifested in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:1-13). Many today need to learn this lesson. They too hide behind their religion. God is not fooled. Until they realize they are lost and going to hell, they have no chance of being saved and going to heaven!

Also see:
» Must I confess daily my sins as a Christian?
» What about the so-called “sinner’s prayer?”
» Is faith in Christ alone enough to go to heaven? Do not the devils believe?

Friends, remember us in your monthly giving! You may donate securely here https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux or email me at arcministries@gmail.com for giving by regular mail. Also, remember our selection of Bible study booklets for sale at https://arcgraceministries.org/in-print/booklets-bible-q-a/. Thanks!

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, Do Matthew 17:15 Mark 9:17-18 and Luke 9:39 contradict?

Do Matthew 17:15, Mark 9:17-18, and Luke 9:39 contradict?

DO MATTHEW 17:15, MARK 9:17-18, AND LUKE 9:39 CONTRADICT?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Matthew 17:15 says: “Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.”

Mark 9:17-18 reports: “And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.”

Luke 9:39 says: “And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.”

For brevity’s sake, we will neither quote nor look at the contexts. We will simply look at these few verses. Are they contradictory? We will take some time and consider it.

Matthew writes that this man is a “lunatick,” greatly troubled by illness. Lunacy here refers to insanity, a mental impairment. He is not thinking properly, and is thus unable to function as God intended. His mental condition causes him to often fall into the fire and into the water. (Even today, people who suffer from poor mental health can engage in self-injury.)

Mark reports that a “dumb” spirit, a devil, possesses this man and prevents him from speaking. This evil spirit also convulses him. Furthermore, the man foams at the mouth and he gnashes his teeth. His condition is growing worse.

Luke says that this man is troubled by an evil spirit that takes control of him, so that he cries out (like shouting or wailing), shakes violently, foams at the mouth, and harms him before barely leaving him.

If we look at the above points, and their correlative verses, we have every reason to believe they are supplementary, not contradictory, to one another. It is the same man (if you must know, please look at the surrounding verses of all three passages). We must look at Matthew, Mark, and Luke to get the full picture. An evil spirit has overtaken him. Consequently, he loses control of his body, is not thinking clearly, is unable to speak, harms himself, foams at the mouth, and gnashes his teeth. In short, the man has a very poor quality of life. He is the perfect picture of Israel who is bound in Satan’s chains and unable to function as God intended! You can read how the Lord Jesus Christ healed and delivered that man, a perfect picture of Israel liberated by God to serve Him without sin and Satan impairing her!

In conclusion, we must remember that the Four Gospels do not read word-for-word in every account. They all focus on the same earthly life of Jesus Christ, true, but we must also bear in mind that they are seen from four different vantage points. Just as four people looking at the same object from four different perspectives see various details; so Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John view unique details and comment on them. Even if they are commenting on the same event, there is room for variation of events or people. The Holy Spirit chose the emphases each of the Four Gospels bear, and the verses in question here are best understood in this manner. Matthew 17:15, Mark 9:17-18, and Luke 9:39 are describing the same man. They must be conflated (combined) if we are to see the entire scenario. They are supplementary, not contradictory.

Also see:
» Do Matthew 17:1, Mark 9:2, and Luke 9:28 contradict?
» Were there five crosses on Calvary?
» Do Matthew 10:10, Mark 6:8, and Luke 9:3 contradict?