Monthly Archives: November 2017

Daniel and Revelation

Daniel & Revelation-Part 6- Longest Time Prophecy

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Then I heard a holy one speaking;…“How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?”

And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.”

Daniel 8:13-14

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Recap from the last study

See: Daniel and Revelation-Part 5-Longest Time Prophecy-Ram and Goat

In Daniel’s vision, he saw a vicious battle between a ram and a goat.  The two animals are easily identified as the kingdoms of Media-Persia and Greece:

The ram which you saw, having the two horns—they are the kings of  Media and Persia. And the male goat is the kingdom of Greece. The large horn that is between its eyes is the first king.

Daniel 8:20-21

So, there can be no doubt who these animals represent. History has proved the succession of these nations to be absolutely correct. The large horn of the kingdom of Greece is the first king who history has shown to be Alexander the Great.

As the prophecy predicted, Alexander’s great kingdom of Greece was divided into “four notable” generals: Ptolemy Lysimachus, Cassander, and Seleucus.

Then “from out of one of them came a little horn.”  This little horn power represented pagan Rome, the next kingdom in the succession of conquering kingdoms. This power corresponded to the iron legs in the metal image of Daniel 2 and the “dreadful beast” of Daniel 7.

These prophecies of Daniel 2, 7, and 9 are clearly interpreted from God’s own word within each chapter and further confirmed by the historians looking back on that time period.

This little horn now becomes the center of attention of Daniel.  He understood the rise and fall of the nations, but his main focus is on the little horn power and the destructive events at its hand.

The battles and events have been on a horizontal plane up to this point, but now it turns vertical and a spiritual war against the host of heaven.

 And it grew up to the host of heaven, and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground and trampled them. He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host, and by him, the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered

Daniel 8: 10-12

This little horn power that “grew up” greatly concerned Daniel.  At this point in his vision, Daniel heard a conversation between the two attending angels:

 Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, “How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?”

 And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.”

Daniel 8: 13-14

Even the attending angels wanted to know how long this little horn power would rule and wage its war against God’s people and even Jesus Himself (Prince of the host). The chapter ends leaving us in suspense because even though the question about “how long” has been answered as “two thousand three hundred days” we have no idea as to the starting point. Daniel is so troubled by this little horn power that he faints and becomes sick. This time period is the only part of this prophecy not interpreted….at least at this point.

And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward, I arose and went about the king’s business. I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it.

Daniel 8:27

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Daniel’s Prayer

Chapter 8 ends with the words “no one understood it.”  The ram, the goat, the horns were all explained and everyone understood this part, because the angel interpreted the beasts to represent coming kingdoms that would rise and fall.   But the little horn and its time of rule remained mysterious.

Chapter 9 opens with Daniel studying another prophet-Jeremiah. We must remember that Daniel and the Jews were in captivity, but Daniel understood from the book of Jeremiah that their captivity would last 70 years and those 70 years were coming to a close:

“I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.”

Daniel 9: 2

Starting in verse 3, Daniel begins to pray to God in a state of great humility and confession for himself and his people (Jews) who have sinned against God.  Because of this, they did not enjoy the benefits, mercy, and protection God offers to those who keep His covenant and obey His commandments. They were in captivity!

Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.  And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments,..“

Daniel 9: 3-4

(Note: God’s covenant can be either conditional or unconditional based on the context. In the previous passage, we see that those who love Him and keep His commandments are recipients of His covenant of mercy.)

“As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us; yet we have not made our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth.

Daniel 9: 13

Such a great truth!  When we separate ourselves from Him and fail to follow His will, disaster is sure to come. But, through connecting back with this merciful God through prayer and turning from “our iniquities” we can find the path of righteousness and protection for our souls!

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As Daniel is praying, Gabriel appears.  He was the angel who interpreted the dream in Chapter 8.  This messenger of God has returned to continue the explanation of the part of the prophecy that concerned Daniel in Chapter 8.

 Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God, yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. 

Daniel 9: 20-22

 The context of the following time prophecy is with the 2,300 days until the sanctuary will be cleansed. (Daniel 8:14).  Gabriel has come to help him understand the vision.  What vision?  It was the mysterious part of Chapter 8.  All of it was explained except for the little horn that concerned Daniel and the time part of the vision i.e. 2,300 days. We know this to be true because this is what Gabriel explains.

(Note: In our previous study, we determined through comparing Bible passages about time prophecy that a day represents a year. (e.g Numbers 14:34, etc). So we are talking about 2,300 years.

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God’s Mercy – Daniel’s People Given Time

“Seventy weeks are determined
For your people and for your holy city,
To finish the transgression,
To make an end of sins,
To make reconciliation for iniquity,
To bring in everlasting righteousness,
To seal up vision and prophecy,
And to anoint the Most Holy.”

Daniel 9: 24

Th Greek word chathak word is translated “determined” which means “cut-off” or “marked out” Out of the 2,300 years, 70 weeks are cut-off or marked out for Daniel’s people (Jews). Using the day-year principle of interpretation, The 70 weeks are 490 years (70 X 7).  So out of the 2,300 years, 490 are given to the Jews to complete their purpose as God’s chosen people.  Their purpose was to follow and believe God.  To obey His laws within their heart rather than through legalism. Equally important was to bring in everlasting righteousness and end the vision and prophecy via anointing the Most Holy (Jesus)

But when was the time period to start?  When did the 2,300 days begin as well as these 70 weeks (490 years)? The answer is found in the next verse:

“Know therefore and understand,
That from the going forth of the command
To restore and build Jerusalem
Until Messiah the Prince,
There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;
The street[ shall be built again, and the wall,
Even in troublesome times.”

Daniel 9:29

Here is our starting point for the 2,300 days.  A portion of this time period is allotted or “marked out” for Daniel’s people the Jewish nation.

The starting point is the “command to restore and build Jerusalem.” This was a command still future to Daniel, but we can easily find the time and date of this command from the Bible and history!

This command to restore and build Jerusalem can be found in Ezra Chapter 7 when Artaxerxes gave the commandment in 457 BC. (See the notes at the end)

The Arrival Time of Jesus the Messiah Predicted

Starting with this date, the prophecy is unlocked.  From 457 BC until “Messiah the Prince” would be 69 weeks.  There are 483 days in 69 weeks, but using the day/year principal, we discover that 483 years after 457 BC brings us to 27 AD.  This was the date Jesus was baptized and began his ministry.  The Messiah had arrived right on time! He was “anointed” by the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove.

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He[ saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.  And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3: 16-17

Jesus also announced at the beginning of His ministry this message:

“Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Mark 1: 14, 15

The time of Daniel’s prophecy had been fulfilled. The Messiah the prince came right on schedule…483 years after the commandment to “restore and rebuild Jerusalem.” 

This time prophecy is further confirmed by the words of Paul (A great student of God’s word):

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son

Galatians 4: 4

But the prophecy continues

Jesus Ministry Confirms the Covenant

Jesus’ direct ministry would cover the space of 3 1/2 years. That is half of 7 years or the midst of the week. in 31  AD Jesus died on a cruel cross for us and not for Himself, but Jesus indirect ministry would continue through His disciples for an additional 3 1/2 years.

And after the sixty-two weeks
Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself...

…Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.

Daniel 9: 26

Jesus’ message was primarily to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” first and foremost.  There are many parables and direct statements of Jesus.  He was “confirming the covenant” as predicted in this Daniel 9 prophecy.  Here is one example:

But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Matthew 15: 24

To continue with the confirmation of the covenant  God made with “Daniel’s people” (Israel) even after the “Messiah the Prince” had been “cut off,” Jesus gave specific instruction to His disciples before they “preached the gospel in all the world“

These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel

Matthew 10: 5,6

They obeyed the resurrected and ascended Christ by doing this very thing for an additional 3 1/2 years to complete the prophecy to “confirm the covenant for one week” (7 years).

In 34 AD, Stephen was stoned marking the end of the 70 weeks (490 years) cut off from the 2,300 years before the sanctuary would be cleansed.

After that point, the gospel burden went to the Gentiles and those who accepted Christ as the Messiah became the new Israel. Listen to the words of Paul confirming this understanding of the mission of Christ and the fulfillment of the 70-week prophecy:

Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

Acts 13:46

Paul would go on to describe the real nation of Israel and how it is identified:

And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3: 29

 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

Romans 2:29

Let’s review the 70 weeks (490 years) through this simple chart:

 

 

Here are the important dates:

  • 457 BC-The commandment by Artaxerxes (Ezra 7: 12-26) to “restore and rebuild Jerusalem
  • 483 years later, “Messiah the Prince” appeared right on time. This was in 27 AD when Jesus was anointed and began his ministry primarily to the nation of Israel
  • In 31 AD, Jesus was crucified (3 1/2 years after his ministry to the house of Israel began)
  • 34 AD marked the end of the 70 weeks (490 years) allotted to the nation of Israel to turn to their God. In this year,  Stephen was stoned and the disciples began to be persecuted. Shortly after, Paul would begin his ministry to the Gentiles. He called himself a preacher to the Gentiles:

 I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles

2 Timothy 1:11

  • 70 weeks (490 years) of the 2300 days (years) are used in this section of the prophecy.  1810 years remains.

1810 years from 34 AD leads us to the year 1844. Daniel was told in the longest time prophecy that at the end of the 2300 days (years) the sanctuary would be “cleansed.”  What doe this mean?  We will let the bible interpreted itself in our next study, but here is a short introduction.

The sanctuary services were instituted by God Himself.  The pattern was given to Moses.  This design is a copy of the heavenly sanctuary. Some might think there is nothing applicable to the Christian since these services ended when Jesus was “cut off” and,

“(brought) an end to sacrifice and offering.

Daniel 9:27

But, as we shall understand next time, Paul dedicated a whole book to the study of the sanctuary and its comparison to the ministry of Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary.  It is the book of Hebrews. If the earthly sanctuary and its services is a shadow of the heavenly sanctuary, then it must foreshadow the work of Jesus there in heaven.  He has gone to “prepare a place for us.”  Does this mean He is a carpenter and building mansions or is He a priest doing a service of preparation for His people?

The old sanctuary service of “cleansing” is a type of resolution and end of the sin issue. By studying closely the sanctuary services, we will see a picture of what God has planned for the return of Jesus and an end of sin which includes the conquering of the last enemy, death.

Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

Hebrews 8:5

And for this reason, He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Hebrews 9:15

Until next time, may the Lord bless and keep you and your family.

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Notes on the Ezra dates:

*Notes about the dates described above:

Ezra has three decrees with different dates that could be used.  Nehemiah has a date also.  But the decision as to which one to use, you must keep in mind the key words of the prophecy: “the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.”

The four decrees are :
The decree of Cyrus (Ezra 1:1-4)
The decree of Darius I (Ezra 6:1-12)
The decree of Artaxerxes I (Longimanuus) (Ezra 7: 12-26)
The decree of Artaxerxes (Nehemiah Chapters 1 and 2)
Let’s eliminate some of the dates  based on the guiding verse of Daniel 9:25
Ezra 1-gave instruction only for the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Said nothing about the whole city.  We can eliminate this date.
Ezra 6-simply the endorsement by Darius of the decree of Cyrus.  Only mentions the building of the “house of God.” We can eliminate this date.
Ezra 7 makes provision for complete restoration of the Jewish state, including the right to appoint magistrates and judges, hold trials, and pass and execute sentence upon violators of the own national laws. This is the date that fits the idea of “restoring and rebuilding Jerusalem.” 
Nehemiah 2-Wording has not been preserved but was simply a reinstatement of Artaxerxes original authorization to Ezra recorded in Ezra chapter 7.
Determination of the date of the decree: It was in the seventh year of Artaxerxes’ reign (Ezra 7:7,8)
Biblical evidence for the 457 BC start date:
The dates for Artaxerxes reign are well documented in the ancient sources: Greek historians, Ptolemy’s Canon
The Babylonian business tablets
Elephantine papyri from Egypt
From the above documents, we know that Xerxes was killed in late December of 465 B.C. and the reign of Artaxerxes began at the time.

Artaxerxes Reign

Fall to Fall
First year 464/463 B.C.
Second year 463/462 B.C.
Third year 462/461 B.C.
Fourth year 461/460 B.C.
Fifth year 460/459 B.C.
Sixth year 459/458 B.C.
Seventh year 458/457 B.C.

 

Therefore, the seventh year of Artaxerxes, according to Jewish reckoning, extended from the fall of 458 to the fall of 457 B. C.

Reformation 500

Was Jesus’ Prayer for Unity Answered?

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I love the 17th Chapter of John.  It is truly the Lord’s payer.  In this chapter, we are allowed to sit close to Jesus and hear His words as he makes requests from our Father concerning himself, his disciples, and finally, believers who will believe the testimony of the disciples throughout the ages to come.  Let’s read this part of John 17:

I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

John 17:21-23

Jesus is praying first of all for the disciples, but also those who would believe their eyewitness account of Jesus short teaching time (3 1/2 years)

The new testament tells us about the eyewitness account of the disciples and their Jesus journey, but we also know that Jesus is found in the Old Testament as well:

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself

Luke 24:27

Jesus gave a long Bible study to disappointed disciples the day after His crucifixion as they walked to Emmaus sad and dejected.  For His Bible study, Jesus used what we call the Old Testament.  The topic? Jesus!

A disciple named Philip once helped an Ethiopian understand about Jesus by teaching him Scripture.  What scripture?

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.

Acts 8:35

What was the Scripture?  Was it the New Testament?  No! What we call as the New Testament had not been assembled and parts of it had not been written.  The scripture about Jesus came from the Old Testament! Philip explained to the Ethiopian this passage:

“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
 In His humiliation His justice was taken away,
And who will declare His generation?
For His life is taken from the earth.

Isaiah 53: 7,8 

Because of this, we should not be shy about learning from the Old Testament.  To neglect the teachings of the Old Testament is to be only partly equipped for your Jesus Journey.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2 Timothy 3:16

This passage was not about the New Testament.  It was not finished and assembled. It meant the scripture we call the Old Testament.  But, it certainly refers to the New Testament that we have now.

So Jesus’ prayer is for believers like you and me who believe in God’s word.  What was his prayer for the disciples and us who believe in God’s word?

…that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me

John 17 21

Jesus is praying for us to be one, but it is one in Jesus as he is one with the Father.  The purpose of this is for evangelism.  To help non-believers, believe.

And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

John 17: 22

Notice that he has given the disciples glory that came from the Father through Jesus.  This glory is given that we may be one just as Jesus and the Father are one!  That is powerful and so people will know about the love of God the Father and Jesus!  Here is how I see the unity Jesus desires in His prayer:

Picture1

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Let’s fast forward to 2017.

The Christian church is the largest of all religions, but it is divided into two major sections: Catholic and Protestant. Both are split into some 30,000 different denominations.

Lately, it has been suggested by the Pope and Tony Palmer (now deceased) that the divisions within the Christian church happened when the Protestants “protested” and broke away from the Catholic church.

Martin Luther a priest of the Catholic church found a Bible chained to a monastery wall written in Latin. As he read, he discovered the theme of righteousness by faith.  The church was promoting salvation by works.

As Martin Luther read the Bible and compared it with the Roman Catholics’ teaching, he developed 95 thesis that he was prepared to defend.  In 1517, he took this document and nailed it to the door of the Wittenberg church.  The document started off with these words:

Out of love for the truth and from desire to elucidate (make it clear, explain it), the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and Sacred Theology, and ordinary lecturer therein at Wittenberg, intends to defend the following statements and to dispute on them in that place. Therefore he asks that those who cannot be present and dispute with him orally shall do so in their absence by letter. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Reverend Father Martin Luther saw a conflict between the practices of the church and the words of the disciples and the words of the prophets.

He was ready to defend the truth either orally in person or by letter!

Tony Palmer made a statement in front of a large congregation of Protestants that Luther’s protest was over…finished… because the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran Church had signed an agreement about the theme of righteousness by faith.

But there we 94 more disagreements and many more men involved in the Protestant Reformation. Men such as John Calvin, John Wycliffe, Jon Huss, Peter Waldo and many others.  Many were burned at the stake for not giving alliance to the Roman Catholic church during what we call as the dark ages.

Tony proclaimed that the children should come home to the church at Rome.

So there is a big move toward unity between the Catholic church and many of the Protestant churches as I write this.  What is the basis for this unity?  Tony said that it is the Spirit that we can work out all our difference on doctrine “when we are upstairs.” That seems to be saying that the teachings of Jesus are not as important as unity.  His teaching and the teaching of all the prophets are doctrines are they not?

‘Truth and doctrine of God’s word cannot be compromised.  Why? Because the doctrine is the revealed will of God.  It is teachings of Christ and of God.  Can we compromise any truth?  Which ones do we throw out for the sake of unity?

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Divisions within the church started long before the 16th century

Let’s look at a few instances from the Bible:

 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.”  Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 1:10-13

Many of the believers were lining up behind men and their teachings that they liked.  It was like a popularity contest.  Does this sound familiar?  Paul was pleading that they all come together and speak the same thing and that there are no divisions!   He wanted them to line up behind Jesus, who is not divided.  Paul placed the importance on Christ and not himself when he asked, in 55 AD “Was Paul crucified for you?”

Making a commitment to Jesus can cause divisions:

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 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.  And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Matthew 10: 34-39

No doubt we are to love and care for our family, but making Jesus #1 in your life can be tested if you have to choose family over following Jesus.  We often hear people say that their priorities in life are:

God then family then job.

This is sometimes tested.

Paul knew that when he left a town he had evangelized, that men would come in and draw them away from the simple teachings of the gospel and Jesus:

For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Acts 20:29-32

What protects the new believer from these wolves?  The new believer is like a small seedling just starting to sprout.  It must be fed, watered and pampered until it is rooted and grounded.  Let us never forget this.

Also, grumblers and complainers in the church can cause divisions:

These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.  These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

Jude 1: 16-19

Notice the type of person they are:  sensual who cause divisions and they don’t have the Spirit of God in them.  They will use flattery to gain an advantage.  With their mouth, they will use “swelling words” to influence.

How often do people decide truth by the appearance of the person rather than by comparing their teaching with the word of God?  During Paul’s time, there were a people who were very careful to compare Paul’s teaching with the word of God.  We must be like them!

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Acts 17:11

Notice they were excited about receiving the words of Paul, but they searched the scriptures every day to see if Paul was telling the truth.  How many people in a church can do this or even want to do it?

The word of God should never be compromised for the sake of unity.  The word is what is a light unto our path.  There is no light in someone who teaches against God’s word:

To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Isaiah 8:20

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So the question is did Jesus’ prayer fail?  No!  If you are in Christ.

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Romans 12:5

Our unity is found IN Christ. We are members of the same body if we are IN Christ!

 Many are at different points in their Jesus Journey, but if we are IN Christ we are IN the father and are one!  Some have much light from God’s word and some have little but we can be one IN Christ.

The term “IN CHRIST” appears 76 times in the New Testament. Notice that right after the phrase is the way to be “IN CHRIST”

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are IN Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:1

“Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified IN Christ Jesus, called to be saints.”

1 Corinthians 1:2

Church is not a membership, it is a calling! We are sanctified IN Christ and called to do His will!

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called”

Ephesians 4:1

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;

Ephesians 4:4

What is this calling?

It is to follow in his steps to live a life IN Christ following His example.

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

1 Peter 2:21

Here is how to be IN Christ:

Unity in Christ

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For

“He who would love life
And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit.
Let him turn away from evil and do good;
Let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their prayers

1 Peter 3: 8-12

By doing these things, you are doing the things you were called to do!

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So we are brought into unity as individuals who are IN Christ.  When we believe and follow His words as given by his disciples (eye witnesses) and the prophets who were carried away in vision we become one.

We might be different by sex, nationality, race but if we are In Christ we are one:

 For you are all sons of God through faith IN Christ Jesus…There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one IN Christ Jesus.  And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3:26, 28

If we are truly in Christ, His word will not be compromised in our experience with Him. Those “in Christ” will be eager to know His will and follow the simple word of God, not worrying about mother, father, son, or daughter, or church denomination.  Unity is about individuals who have a personal experience with the Lord and not necessarily, about organizations,  His word will bring division, but it is for the purpose of separating truth from false; real from unreal; sincere from insincere; saved from lost so that His church might accurately reflect His character and love for people.