Breathingbook

Hi all. I just wanted to quickly put up another post illustrating how God sometimes uses Symbolism to communicate to believers. Shadows, Parables and Representations offers a few examples, but here’s another: God also has been known to use symbolism through the use of allegories.

Allegories make use of actual events that have taken place (real people in real places) to illustrate what God’s doing on a larger scale.

The best example of this allegorical type of symbolism can be found in Gal 4:22-31 where the historical written record of the relationship concerning Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Ishmael, and Hagar is used to illustrate the two different covenants – one which leads into bondage and the other into freedom.

Gal 4:22-31 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. 28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Please take note that although Abraham and Sarah had their own free will, they chose to bring the bondwoman Hagar into play wherein Ishmael was born. God, knowing the ends from the beginnings, utilized the story of their lives as an allegory representing the two covenants of bondage and freedom.

I apologize that allegories got left out of the Shadows, Parables and Representations posting. I hope this will suffice for further reference. Thanks!

Peace out!

Loris James

When we talk about shadows or symbolism, we’re talking about the mysterious ways God uses symbolism in scripture. Similar to Key Phrases, symbolism is utilized to communicate in such a fashion as to meet each person according to wherever they are at with God.

Some of the most common forms of  symbolism used in the Bible are parables, shadows, dreams and visions.

The type of symbolism most familiar to believers is the parable.  Jesus used the parable of the Sower (Mat 13:3-9) to teach how the Word of God would reach some and not others, and the way in which the world would react to the Word of God being sown.

Jesus taught in this way (Mat 13:10-16) to, basically, fulfill prophecy (Isa 6:9-10). The gist of it being God hides the true meanings of things from those who have come to take the things God provides for granted. Jesus briefly explained the symbolism of the parable of the Sower in Mat 13:18-3. (If you would like a more detailed explanation of the parable of the Sower, please click here). 

Mat 13:3-8 …a Sower went forth to sow …some seeds fell by the way side & the fowls came & devoured them up: some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was up, they were scorched; …because they had no root, they withered away and some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: but other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit..

The basic symbolism for the Sower parable is thus: the Sower is Jesus (or a believer He is working through). The seed is God’s Word being taught in the world. In this particular instance, the fowls symbolize the devil and his minions. The stony places are the hardened hearts of those who should be able to hear. The sun is a heated, difficult trial or situation. The root represents having a firm foundation in the gospel. The thorns represent non-believers or those who sin willfully. The good ground is an open, willing heart and the fruit is the kind which Jesus alone can produce through true believers. Read the rest of this entry »

Hi. Greetings! I just wanted to cover something Brian Williams reported on NBC Nightly News last night. 

Speaking of the 8.8 Chile Earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010, Williams said, “…it moved so much mass on the planet that government scientists estimate it moved the earth off it axis by about three inches and as a result shortened the day by a few millionths of a second.”

I knew the 2004 9.1 earthquake that hit Indonesia had also shortened the day, so I began looking around for more information and found it on www.nydailynews.com  article written by Michael Sheridan entitled, Chilean earthquake may have shortened earth day by microsecond: NASA. Here’s a short excerpt:  

The Chile quake may have moved the Earth’s axis by about 3 inches, (NASA scientist Richard) Gross said.
The quake also shortened the day by 1.26 microseconds, the scientist determined, using a complex model he and others developed.
The Earth’s rotation was likely affected by the shift in the planet’s mass, which could cause it to spin faster.
Scientists believe other quakes, such as the 2004 9.1-magnitude earthquake in Sumatra (Indonesia), have also decreased the Earth’s day. That quake is believed to have shortened it by 6.8 microseconds, and altered the axis by nearly 7 inches.

Read the rest of this entry »

For those of you who are interested in knowing more of the Greek definitions for Chapter one of the Hebrews study, I’ve just made a pdf available which you can get to by clicking this link or going to the introduction page of the Hebrews Study up at the top. I’ll be putting up more definitions as I figure all these things out, and you’ll be able to find the additions there when I get them done. 

By the way, you’ll need the Adobe reader installed in order to read this and you can download that here.

I also just want to take a moment to write a special thank you to all who’ve dropped by to read this blog – especially those of you who’ve come back again and again. I want you to know I’m dedicated to continuing with doing postings on a regular basis. If I don’t get a post up on a regular basis within a few days, I apologize. Please know I’m doing my best to do just that… working to maintain the site, write and prepare things for the blog, and deal with daily life matters, which I’m sure you all know plenty about in your own lives.

I sure do hope you’ll keep keep coming back. You are all such a blessing to me.

God bless you!

Loris

Yesterday I wrote about Spiritual Warfare on our Minds, where the enemy tries to pervade your thoughts or reasoning with his own pervasive ideas to draw you away from the truth of God’s Word.

2 Cor 10:4,5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Going hand in hand with Spiritual Warfare on the Mind is the subject of repentance, for if we allow ourselves to agree with the thoughts the devil sends us contrary to God’s Word, we must repent and change the way we think about those things. If we do not, then the devil has us right where he wants us: separated from the truth of God.

Repentance aligns very closely with forgiveness. Though most Christians know they must forgive others or not be forgiven (Mat 6:14-15), not many understand repentance. This is puzzling, is it not? After all, repentance is foundational to the Christian life. For example,

John the Baptist first came preaching repentance,

Mat 3:1-2 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.

The apostles preached repentance:

Mk 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Acts 5:31-32 Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him.

Jesus, Himself, preached repentance and said He had not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance,

Mat 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Lk 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Repentance is actually changing the way we think about something around to align with how God thinks. It is what one is supposed to do before seeking forgiveness.

Though oddly misunderstood, repentance is not something we can do all by ourselves, but is actually something God has to give to us. Read the rest of this entry »

Greetings! It’s been a while since my last post about demons being fallen angels. Sorry for the delay!

You may ask, what is Spiritual Warfare? Paul writes about principalities, powers and rulers of darkness in high places in Eph 6:11,12

Eph 6:11-12 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

If you are a believer, chances are pretty good you’ve encountered spiritual warfare. One of the most common forms of Spiritual Warfare is the attack upon our thoughts to mislead and draw us away from the truth of God’s Word.

The Apostle Paul wrote,

2 Cor 10:4,5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

the weapons of our warfare are not carnal The Gk word for weapons here is hoplon and means the instrument or utensil we use to fight with. The Gk word for warfare is strateia and refers to military service; implying one must be constantly on the alert as a good soldier of the military would be. The Gk word for carnal is sarkikos and means pertaining to the flesh. Thus, the instruments we use to fight our strategic warfare in the spiritual realm are not the same as those used in the physical realm (the flesh).

but mighty through God The Gk word for mighty is dunatos and means powerful or the ability to be powerful. Thus, we are able to be powerful through God. We are not powerful because of anything we might or can do, but only through the grace of God and God alone who delivers us. Read the rest of this entry »

Greetings. I am still preparing for the Heb 1:5 Bible study by laying down preliminary concepts. One of the immediate topics which need to be addressed, before entering into the study, is what is meant by the term “Gentile?”

Those of us who are not Jewish and yet are believers in Jesus Christ, come initially to Christ from the group known as the Gentiles (we did not know God before Jesus Christ came into our hearts). Through the power Jesus’ blood, He makes us One with Him:

Eph 2:11-14 …being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, …ye were without Christ, …having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye… …are made (near)… …For He… …made both One… .

Even though saved Christians who formerly were Gentiles are not Jewish through bloodline, we become One through Jesus Christ with them and are transformed into fellow citizens of the household of God (Eph 2:15-19).

Eph 2:15-19 Having abolished in His flesh the (hostility), …to make in himself of twain one new man, …that he might reconcile both unto God… …by the cross… …For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are … …fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.

Now, there is great biblical distinction between those “Gentiles” that truly know God and walk in His sanctification process, and those “Gentiles” who do not know God (Eph 4:17-21; 1Th 4:4-5) and subsequently, act against Him.

1Th 4:4-5 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God.

Even Israel has been referred to before as gowy. In Deut 32:28, Moses writes referring to Israel,

Deu 32:28 For they are a nation (gowy) void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.

We know that Israel is God’s chosen people. Through Israel we have received knowledge of God through the scriptures, and most important, we received Jesus Christ our Savior, who was, is and will always be a Jew, and of Israel.

Understandably, this scripture is OBVIOUSLY NOT REFERRING to those who DO receive counsel and obtained understanding from God, because Jesus IS God. Read the rest of this entry »

As I prepare to go into deeper study of Hebrews 1:5, it’s been a challenge to find ways to explain things simply. I’m going to try to lay down some basic principles in hopes it will make it easier for me to refer to them later.

“Key Words or Phrases” are used throughout the Bible.

In Heb 1:5, it says,

Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou are my Son, this day have I begotten thee And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to me a Son?

Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee? This is a “Key Phrase” referring to Psa 2:7. When this phrase is mentioned in a text, the meaning behind what Psalms 2:7 says should be brought to remembrance.

Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Key Words or Phrases are intended to trigger remembrance to verses we need to be familiar with in order to understand what’s being presented in the text.   Read the rest of this entry »