Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
My continuing study on the book of Revelation from a Historicist perspective (part 5)
Let's now go to Revelation 13: 1And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.2And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.3And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.4And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?5And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.6And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.9If any man have an ear, let him hear.10He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.11And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.12And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.13And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,14And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.15And 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.16And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:17And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.18Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. This chapter is one of the most crucial in understanding bible prophecy. Many today in mainstream Christendom posit this chapter as future prophecy, however when we reconcile this with the book of Daniel as well as church history there is no room for a futurist interpretation. Understanding this is key because it affects things such as the identity of the anti-Messiah and false prophet and what exactly is the mark of the beast. When we compare this chapter with the bookof Daniel we will see that the historicist interpretation is the only option. Let's start breaking this chapter down. Verses 1-3, remember we have to start with the principle that the events of Revelation were to shortly take place and were at hand as stated in Revelation chapter 1. Here John sees a beast rising up out of the sea. The sea represents a multitude of people i.e. a heavily populated area. This beast has the features of the beast kingdoms talked about in Daniel 7. It is a composite beast. The Leopard represents Greece, the bear Media-Persia, and the Lion Babylon. These were the first three beast kingdoms in the book of Daniel. What John is seeing here in vision is the fourth beast which came after Greece. We know from history that it was the Roman empire that suceeded Greece. The description of the fourth beast fits the Roman empire perfectly: Daniel 7:7 "After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns." The teeth of the fourth beast represents the violence in which Rome conquered the known world. The ten horns represent totality in power but also break off kingdoms from the fourth beast. The beast of Revelation 13 also has 10 horns showing that this fourth beast of Daniel 7 is the same as the beast in Revelation 13. Add to this, during John's writing of the Revelation it was the Roman empire that was in power and they severely persecuted the Church for centuries. The dragon (devil) gave the Roman power it's authority and throne. Revelation 12:3-4 identifies the dragon as working through his earthly political beast kingdom i.e. the Roman empire to kill the Messiah after He was born. It was under the Roman empires authority that the Messiah was crucified. This was done in conjunction with the false religious system of the Jews, church and state working together. The dragon in Revelation 12 has seven heads and 10 horns and seven crowns representing his spiritual dominion over earthly kingdoms . The fourth beast has seven heads, 10 horns and 10 crowns. The Roman empire is like Satan in that both have seven heads and 10 horns. In order to truly understand the identity of the fourth beast we need to continue to look at Daniel 7, as the Roman beast changes form into a little horn. I believe that the little horn is the same as one of the heads of the beast that were wounded to death. Daniel 7:8 (KJV) 8I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. The 10 horns of the fourth beast represent rulers that were part of the Roman empire, likely break away kingdoms from the empire. Many identify these 10 horns as the Lombards, Ostrogoths, Vandals, Heruli, Suevi, Alemani, Franks, Visigoths, Burgundians and one other. In Daniel 2, the iron legs, representing the Roman Empire, ended in ten toes, depicting the divisions of Rome. In Daniel 7, the fourth beast has ten horns, depicting the same ten divisions of Rome. Rome was not conquered by a fifth world power. It was divided—overrun by barbarian tribes from the north as it decayed from within from 351 to 476 A.D. So we have a progession here in that the fourth beast is the Roman empire proper which is represented by iron legs in Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Then it divides into 10 horns representing the 10 toes of his dream. Then the next progression is that among these 10 break off kingdoms from Rome arises a little horn who plucks three of the ten horns from the roots. The little horn is identified as a man in Daniel 7:8. It is noteworthy that three of the 10 horns mentioned above were conquered by the Papal Roman Catholic Church. These three horns were the Vandals, Ostrogoths and Heruli. The little horn must come out of the Roman empire which is the fourth beast. Infact, the little horn continues the reign of the fourth beast under a changed form as the fourth beast divides into ten horns and then the singular little horn rises to power. Let's go back to the book of Daniel for more and the 10 horns and the little horn that rises up from among them: Daniel 7:19-26 (KJV) 19Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; 20And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.21I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;22Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.23Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.24And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.25And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out 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. This passage gives us a clear identity of the fourth beast, the 10 horns and the subsequent little horn. Again, this depends on one's understanding of eschatology. If we root ourselves in the fact that Revelation 1 says that the events of Revelation were to take place shortly and the time is at hand then we will be able to discern the identity of the sea beast in Revelation 13. It is clear from the book of Daniel that the fourth beast follows chronologically and sucessively the Grecia kingdom which is the third beast. There is absolutely no reason to posit a 2,000 year plus gap between the third and fourth beast as futurists have to do. Also, Revelation 12 also shows us that the events of Revelation started right after the Messiah's ascension into heaven. The Roman empire was in power at the time of John's writing which is when these events were said to begin. Also, the Roman empire immediately followed the third beast of Grecia. Clearly then, the Roman empire is the fourth beast. Let's now look at these verses above closely and we will be able to determine the identity of the little horn which is what we would call the anti-Messiah of bible prophecy. The little horn is in effect representative of the fourth beast kingdom and continues it's reign albiet under a different form. Verse 19 of Daniel 7, this describes the absolute fierceness of the Roman empire and their conquering of other kingdoms and lands. Verse 20 of Daniel 7, there are 10 horns that are part of the fourth beast kingdom as is the little horn that rises up from among them and plucks up three of the ten horns. We will see later in this chapter that the 10 horns arise out of the fourth beast kingdom and are break off kingdoms of the fourth beast. Three of those ten break off kingdoms will be plucked up i.e. destoyed/displaced by a little horn that comes out of the fourth beast. The ten horns and little horn are part of the fourth beast kingdom as offshoot branches and technically can be called the fourth beast and Infact the little horn is called the sea beast i.e. fourth beast in Revelation 13. The little horn is identified as being a man that speaks great things and has eyes whose look is more stout than his fellows. The reference to speaking great things alludes to the boastful nature of this little horn. The little horn makes claims only God can make and takes upon himself titles only reserved for God and His Son. Whereas the fourth beast is a kingdom, the little horn that is an estension of this kingdom is a man. Verse 21, one way to identify the little horn is that he makes war with the saints of God. This eliminates some speculation from some modern Christians who posit a future poltical antichrist or Islam because niether fit this criteria. The only system that has consistently made war with the saints and has killed more Christians than any other religion is the Roman Catholic Church which is headed up by the Papacy. 50 million martyrs at the hands of the Roman Catholic Church is estimated during their existence. This doesn't count the 10 million Christians who were put to death by the Imperial Roman empire during the first 3 centuries of the Church. Again, the Roman Catholic Church is the perfect fit for this. The little horn prevails against the church for a time. Verse 22, Jehovah God will give judgment in the heavenly courtroom to the saints and then He will send His Son to earth to gather them from the ends of the earth via the resurrection and rapture. After the harvest of the saints, God's Son will then execute justice on the unbelieving world including the little horn who was pronounced guilty in the heavenly courtroom. The saints then will possess the Kingdom of the new heavens and new earth forever. Verse 23, the fourth beast kingdom is the fourth kingdom upon the earth. This eliminates the possibility that the fourth beast kingdom is a future kingdom as clearly the Roman empire followed the third beast kingdom knownnas "Grecia". Futurists have sever the fourth beast kingdom by thousands of years from the third beast kingdom when the natural flow of the visions of Daniel show a chronological sequence concerning the four beasts. There is no other option for the identity of the fourth beast than the Roman empire. This then shows that the 10 horns including the little horn have to be offshoots of the Roman empire and not future poltical kingdoms and a future poltical antichrist. Verse 24, the ten horns are ten kings that arise out of the fourth beast kingdom. These 10 horns are a result of the divided Roman empire and I made mention of the identity of these horns earlier. Out of the divided Roman empire arises a little horn that is diverse from the rest of the horns. This little horn conquers three of the ten horns. The diversity of the little horn is likely a reference to the dual office of religious and political leader, notably that the religious aspect is a claim to authority over the Christian church. This is also where history plays an important role in determining the identity of the little horn. Between 534-538 AD Justinian the Roman emperor wrote the "Justinian Code" which gave the Papacy ultimate supremacy over the Christian church that was located within the confines of the Roman empire. The Justinian Code was written after the Roman Catholic Church conquered the last of the three horns. These three horns were Vandals, Heruli and Ostrogoths. These three horns were arian Christians and denied the trinity which is the foundational teaching of the Catholic Church. Verse 25, again, the little horn speaks great words against God. The papacy boasts itself as the vicar of the Son of God and calls their office "holy Father". These outright blasphemous words not too mention placing Mary as a co mediator with Jehoshua before God. Also, calling Mary the mother of God which is a further blasphemous statement. The clergy-laity distinction as well as the confessional are further abominations. The Catholic Mass as a whole is an abomination against Jehovah God and the final atonement of His Messiah. Another identifying mark of the little horn is that he thinks to change times and the law. This one aspect of how the little horn will operate destroys any doctrine that the antichrist is a future poltical leader or any doctrine of futurism when it comes to the antichrist. Why is this? Because there is no law within much of the church. The mainstream Church system teaches that God's law is abolished and that the 10 commandments have changed in some form or another. This tells us that God's times and laws have already been changed or thought to have been changed within the church. This verse cannot be talking about secular civil laws as those change all the time but it is clearly a reference to God's law and holy days (times). The fact that most of the church system has done away with or changed God's law tells us that the little horn has already appeared on the scene thinking to change God's law and times. History is another witness proving this to be true. Again, this eliminates any possibility of a future antichrist because there is no longer any laws or times to change as they have already been changed since the time of the 2nd century. The first time and law to be changed was the date of passover/first fruits which was celebrated in honor of the death and resurrection of Jehoshua. These were celebrated on the 14th and 16th of the first Jewish month which is called Nisan regardless of the day of week they fell on. In the mid 100's, the Roman bishop Anicetus stirred up a controversy by decreeing that the churches keep passover/good friday and easter/firstfruits on friday and sunday every year after the first full moon of the spring equinox. Polycarp from the east, whose churches kept the Nisan calendar, met with Anicetus and said that the tradition handed down from the apostles was that the death and resurrection of Jehoshua were to be honored on the 14th and 16th of Nisan regardless of the days of the week they fell on. Anicetus representing the Roman church and other Western churches said that friday and sunday were to be kept as the respective holy days of the death and resurrection of Jehoshua. In the end, both Polycarp (Smyrna) and Anicetus agreed to keep fellowship with each other as brethren and to agree to disagree. However, in the 190's the controversy exploded and the Roman bishop Victor contended with another Eastern bishop (Antioch or Ephesus) named Polycrates and ultimately handed down anathema's on the eastern churches for keeping the tradition of the apostles and disfellowshipped any churches, eastern or western, that didn't keep the Roman tradition of friday and sunday. This was only the beginning as many of the western churches were starting to honor sunday as the Lord's day and diminishing the importantce of the Sabbath. The honoring of every sunday as the Lord's day (resurrection day) and easter being celebrated on a sunday every year in honor of the resurrection were connected. It is noteworthy that it was the Roman bishops that were leading the charge for the fixed dating of passover/good friday and first fruits/easter. The office of Roman bishop eventually evolved into what we now know as the Papacy. The Roman church evolved into what we now know as the Roman Catholic Church. As time went on, the church became more corrupted with pagan practices from the neighboring religions resulting in a negative attitude towards God's law. In 312 AD, Constantine the Roman emperor banned the persecution of Christians and even made a public confession of the faith shortly thereafter. In 321 AD, one of his first big moves as a Christian emperor was to make a national sunday law. The sunday was treated as a Sabbath day throughout the empire. Naturally, this led to a further diminishing of the seventh day of the week. In 325 AD, at the council of Nicea, two major changes to God's law were made or thought to be made as God's law can never truly change. These two changes were the fixing of passover and easter to friday and sunday every year. Even though this controversy sprang up in the 2nd century it was never truly settled as the east and west followed their respective practices. At the council of Nicea however, the eastern churches adopted the western view of friday and sunday for passover (good friday) and easter (first fruits). This decision was huge in that now most of Christendom had disregarded God's law for a man made tradition. It was no longer just a western thing but now a universal practice among Christians. The other major decision concerning God's law was the attempted change to the first commandment and the shema (Deuteronomy 6:4). Up until the council of Nicea most of Christendom believed the Father to be the one true God alone. There were various views concerning the identity of the Holy Spirit and the Messiah and how or if they came into existence at some point in time, namely eternity. Regardless of the various views, the one commonality was the acknowledgement of the Father as the sole supreme deity. The controversy at the council of Nicea had to do with the nature of the Son of God. This led to adding Jehoshua to the Godhead thereby creating a Binitarian view of God. In 381 at the council of Constantinople the Holy Spirit was added to the Godhead as the third person officially forming what we now know as the trinity doctrine. In 451 AD at the council of Chalcedon the two nature theory known as the hypostatic union was officially made a doctrine of the Church. This doctrine was an attack on the humanity of the Messiah which the bible calls anti-Messiah. 1 John 4:2-3 (ASV) 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:3 and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the [spirit] of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already. There are different understandings of the above verse but one of them can definitely mean that any teaching that Jehoshua was not fully human during His earthly ministry is the doctrine of anti-Messiah. The hypostatic union teaches that Jehoshua was fully God and fully man while He walked the earth. This doctrine ultimately attacks the humanity of the Messiah. These three councils undermine the first commandment that Jehovah God the Father is only to worshipped as the true God as well as the shema (Deuteronomy 6:4) that Jehovah God is one. The above mentioned councils were held under the authority of the Roman empire in conjunction with the developing Roman Catholic Church. These councils fulfilled the prophecy in the book of Daniel that the little horn of the fourth beast would think to change times and the law. The Roman emperor held the title of Pontiff which was later claimed by the Papacy. As noted earlier the Popes of Rome were very influential in the changing of God's holy days and of course in the developing trinity doctrine. The Roman Papacy also became the Churches chief gaurdian of the trinity doctrine as detailed in the Justinian code of 534-538 AD when Justinian handed over authority of the Roman empire to the Pope and anathamatized the non trinitarian Christians. This was shortly after the Roman Papacy plucked up the last of the three horns who were all non trinitarian Christian tribes/nations. These were the Vandals, Ostrogoths and Heruli. The trinity became one of the main doctrines that would get someone put to death for denying. Of course, I dont want to leave out the council of Laodicea which anathamatized Sabbath keeping further evidence of the Roman Catholic Church and it's Papacy being the fufillment of Daniel 7:25; "And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out 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" Daniel 7:26 26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. The heavenly council will convene and make the judgment that the reign of the Papacy will end and his dominion will be taken away. This is the true investigative judgment. The kingdom of the Papacy will be consumed with fire and destroyed: 2nd Thessalonians 2:8 8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: The Son of God will execute the decree of the heavenly council, which is that the anti-Messiah and his kingdom is to be destroyed with fire. Daniel 7:27 (KJV) 27And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. The whole earth will be given to the saints of God after the Messiah's second advent. They will have dominion over the whole earth. The Abrahamic land covenant is increased to include the whole earth. As Hebrews 11 states, it will be a heavenly country that the saints inherit not a earthly one. The dominion that the saints inherit will be the new heavens and new earth. God's Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom as it outlasts the kingdoms of this world most notably the kingdom of the anti-Messiah.
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Now to the rest of Acts chapter 2
37Now when they heard [this,] they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?38And Peter [said] unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.39For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.40And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation.41They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added [unto them] in that day about three thousand souls.42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles` teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.44And all that believed were together, and had all things common;45and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need.46And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,47praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved. After the hearing the first new covenant gospel message, those who heard asked the apostles what should they do. Peter then tells them to repent i.e. change their mind most notably that Jehoshua is the promised seed of David and the rightful King of Israel. Also included is the acknowledgement that Jehoshua rose from the dead and ascended to heaven. The Messiahship of Jehoshua needs to be what potential converts believe. After repentance came baptism immediately and then subsequent to those the gift of the Holy Spirit. Those who repented and were baptized were added to the Church. Church life consisted of continuing to learn the apostles doctrine and to keep it. Also, fellowshipping with each other including eating together and praying together. Also, the brethren shared their posessions with each other, even selling their goods and giving to the needy in their midst. They met with each other daily whether at the Temple or in each others homes. Joy and gladness were identifying marks of the apostolic Church. Eating together was the norm. This was evident of the power of the true gospel. Unless we get back to this simplicity the Church at large in America will continue to linger in lukewarmness. Also, the simplicity of the apostolic doctrine needs to be brought back as Orthodoxy has badly perverted the Church. The simplicity of the apostolic doctrine breeds a more fervent and loving Church whereas Orthodoxy breeds a more philosophical and intellectual Church. Now lets go to the next sermon in the book of Acts: Acts 3:11-26 (ASV) 11And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon`s, greatly wondering.12And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this man? or why fasten ye your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk? 13The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Servant Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he had determined to release him.14But ye denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted unto you,15and killed the Prince of life; whom God raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.16And by faith in his name hath his name made this man strong, whom ye behold and know: yea, the faith which is through him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.17And now, brethren, I know that in ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.18But the things which God foreshowed by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.19Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord;20and that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, [even] Jesus:21whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of His holy prophets that have been from of old.22Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me. To him shall ye hearken in all things whatsoever he shall speak unto you.23And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.24Yea and all the prophets from Samuel and them that followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days.25Ye are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.26Unto you first God, having raised up his Servant, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities. Verses 11 and 12, Peter addreses his countrymen as they had marveled at the healing of the lame man at the door of the Temple. They acknowledge that it wasn't by their own power that they healed the man. Verse 13, this is verse is important because it shows without a doubt the identity of the God of Israel. Many Christians believe that Jehoshua was the angel of Jehovah who appeared to Moses in the bush and was Jehovah God Himself. Here in Acts 3:13, Peter refutes this Jehoshua is God doctrine and identifies the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as someone other than Jehoshua. Peter identifies Jehoshua as the son (servant) of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Peter says it was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that glorified Jehoshua refrencing the resurrection and ascension. The word for "son" here in Acts 3:13 is different than the word Son in John 3:16. The Greek word rendered as "son" is "pais" (Strongs 3816) and means "a boy, a girl, a child, specially a slave or servant (especially a minister to a king; and by eminence to God): - child, maiden, (man) servant, son, young man. Here in Acts 3:13 Peter is identifying two seperate beings, one who is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (the Father) and one who is the servant son of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Jehoshua). There is no trinity, binity or plural Godhead as part of the apostolic doctrine. There is only one God who glorified His servant son Jehoshua by way of resurrection and ascension. Peter references the persecution of God's servant by the Jews and Pontius Pilate. This is an allusion to Psalm 2 and is a consistent part of the gospel message preached by the apostles. The truth that thereis one true God who has a glorified Son who was persecuted by the rulers of the earth is essential to any gospel messsge that is preached. Verse 14, the Jews denied the Holy One who was the Messiah of Israel. Jehoshua was the holy one of Jehovah God as His predestined Messiah and King (1 Peter 1:18-21). Jehoshua was then anointed at His baptism to fulfill His calling as Messiah and King of Israel. The religious leaders leaders of Israel rather have a murder set free than the righteous Messiah. Verse 15 "and killed the Prince of life; whom God raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses" This speaks to the crucifixion of the Messiah. The death of Jehoshua is essential to the gospel of the Kingdom message. The death of the Son of God then leads to His resurrection. Peter gave God the credit for raising Jehoshua from the dead. Many in Christendom try to say that Jehoshua resurrected Himself or that the the trinity raised Him from the dead. Peter refutes any such ideas and states plainly that God raised Jehoshua from the dead again making a clear distinction between God and His Son Jehoshua. Peter confirms that there were many witnesses of Jehoshua being resurrected. The resurrection is absolutely foundational to the Messianic/Christian faith. Without it there is no Christian faith. Unfortunately, the true importance of the resurrection of the Messiah has been muddled through the doctrine of the immortality of the soul. But true gospel preaching is in emphasizing that Jehoshua truly died and then was raised by the Father to eternal life. Verse 16 "And by faith in his name hath his name made this man strong, whom ye behold and know: yea, the faith which is through him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all" It was faith in Jehoshua that healed the lame man. Faith alone brought physical healing to the man. This is also true spiritually as faith alone in the Son of God brings us to salvation. Faith in Jehoshua's name speaks to His character and authority. Verses 17 and 18 "17 And now, brethren, I know that in ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.18 But the things which God foreshowed by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled." Peter confirms that it was Jehoshua who was prophesied to suffer. Many unbelieving Jews deny this aspect of prophecy and claim that Isaiah 53 is about the nation of Israel. God spoke through the prophets regarding the death and resurrection of the coming Messiah. Verse 19 "Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord" Repentance from sin is an integral part of the gospel. Repentance leads to forgiveness of sins. The seasons of refreshing from the presence of Jehovah are a present tense reality in the believers life. This takes place when one repents and has their sins forgiven. The result of the presence of Jehovah God is life, peace, joy, power and rest. The presence of Jehovah God is brought to the believer by the Holy Spirit. Verses 20 and 21 "and that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus:21 whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of His holy prophets that have been from of old" The Lord Jehovah will send His Messiah referring to the second advent. The second advent of Jehoshua is essential to preaching the gospel of the Kingdom. The second advent of Jehoshua leads to the realization of God's Kingdom promise foretold by the prophets. The coming Kingdom of God is a key component of the gospel which again is muddled by the immortality of the soul doctrine. "Whom heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things" This alludes to the ascension of the Messiah into heaven. The ascension into heaven of the Son of God is another key point in the apostles doctrine. When Jehoshua comes back the earth will be restored to paradise. Verse 22 " Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me. To him shall ye hearken in all things whatsoever he shall speak unto you." Peter is referring to Deuteronomy 18:15-21. This often overlooked by mainstream Christianity that Jehoshua's words were to be received as God's truth and if not received wrath abides on that one (John 3:33-36). Moses said that the future prophet would be like Moses and the children of Israel i.e. fully human, not God or an angel. Jehoshua said that the Father alone is the only true God. Verse 23 "And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people" Disobedience to God's to Messiah brings God's wrath (John 3:36). Verses 24-26 of Acts 3: 24Yea and all the prophets from Samuel and them that followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days.25Ye are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.26Unto you first God, having raised up his Servant, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities. Contrary to the Messiah rejecting Jews, the prophets did indeed prophesy of the coming Son of God and His ministry. Jehoshua fulfilled bible prophecy. The Abrahamic covenant is referenced and the seed in which all families in the earth shall be blessed is Messiah who is the seed of Abraham as those in Messiah partake of the blessings of the Abrahamic faith. Abraham was the Father of the nation of Israel. The raising up of God's servant is a reference to Jehoshua being baptized and anointed with the Spirit to then go and preach the word of salvation to the nation of Israel. It is a consistent theme throughout the new testament that the baptism of Jehoshua is the starting point for Jehoshua's gospel. He is also called God's servant above agreeing with how He is described in Isaiah 42 as Jehovah's servant and elect one. This shows that Jehoshua was adopted by Jehovah God as His Son rather than it being an ontological relationship. If Jehoshua were the natural ontological Son of God then the description of Him being Jehovah's servant and elect one doesn't make sense. Acts 4:8-12 (ASV) 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders,9if we this day are examined concerning a good deed done to an impotent man, by what means this man is made whole;10be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] in him doth this man stand here before you whole.11He is the stone which was set at nought of you the builders, which was made the head of the corner.12And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved. The previous day Peter and John were arrested for preaching in Jehoshua's name and that He resurrected from the dead and likely that whoever believes in Him will also being resurrected from the dead. Two integral ingredients in preaching the gospel is to do it in Jehoshua's name and that He resurrected from the dead and that whosoever believes in Him will also be resurrected. Above in verse 8 of Acts 4 it says that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit as He addressed the rulers of Israel. Petet emphasizes the name of Jehoshua and that by His name the lame man of Acts 4 was healed. The name of Jehoshua represents more than just the syllables and pronunciation but also the identity, character and authority that the name represents. The identity, character and authority of Jehoshua's name comes from Him being God's Messiah, Son and King. Peter mentions the crucifixion which is another essential gospel truth. He also mentions the resurrection which is the hope of the believer as Messiah is the firstborn from the dead. Peter credits God with raising up Jehoshua from the dead. God did this by the Spirit of holiness (Romans 1). Peter then quotes Psalm 118:22 cited frequently in the new testament as a Messianic prophecy. The Son of God as cornerstone or foundation is an important image elsewhere in the new testament and is joined to the idea of the church as God's temple. This is also a reference to Isaiah 28:16 where the future Messiah is called the foundation stone, tried stone and precious cornerstone, a sure foundation. Jehoshua is the foundation stone of the Church. He was tried through His 3 and a half years ministry and found to be righteous and spotless. In verse 12, Peter echoes Jehoshua's claims of exclusivity in terms of salvation. Unlike todays false teachers that say you can enter the kingdom even without going through the Son of God, both Jehoshua and His apostles affirmed that He (Jehoshua) is the only to inherit eternal life. It is only through believing on the name of the only begotten Son of God that one can be saved (John 3:16-18). Remember, its not the syllables or pronunciation of the name "Jehoshua" but rather the authority that His name represents being God's only begotten Son. Name represents character, identity and authority. Character- you must believe that Jehoshua was God's spotless righteous Lamb. Identity - you must believe that Jehoshua is the Son of God and King of Israel being Jehovah's Messiah. Authority - you must believe that Jehovah God has given Him authority over all creation, God of course being excepted (1 Cor 15:24-28). This belief is not a mental ascent in knowledge but rather it is an active faith which means fidelity and loyalty to that which you say you believe in and on. The name under heaven by which men must be saved is the "only begotten Son of God". Acts 4:18-20 18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jehoshua.19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. Unlike todays milquetoast modern American Churchianity, the apostles and the early Church refused to let anyone tell them when and when not to preach in the name of Jehoshua. Peter and John rather obey God then man no matter the position of those men. Peter and John said they could not help but preach the things they saw and heard. The same exact conviction should be held by all Christians. We should never stop spreading the gospel no matter who gets offended and no matter who wants us to stop. Acts 4:24-30 24And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O Jehovah, thou that didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:25who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say, Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples imagine vain things?26The kings of the earth set themselves in array, And the rulers were gathered together, Against the Lord, and against his Anointed:27for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant Jehoshua, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together,28to do whatsoever thy hand and thy council foreordained to come to pass.29And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness,30while thy stretchest forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of thy holy Servant Jehoshua. Peter and John go back to the Church to report what took place earlier in chapter 4 regarding the healing of the lame man and their bold preaching of the gospel of Jehoshua Messiah before the chief priests and elders. The church responds with praise to God acknowledging His works of creation by referencing the 4th commandment. The church also qoutes Psalm 2 and attributes the first two verses of that Psalm to the persecution of Jehoshua by Herod, the Jews, Pontius Pilate and the Gentiles. The Church acknowledges the sovereignty of Jehovah God in the persecution of His Messiah and calls out to Him to continue to grant the apostles boldness in proclaiming the gospel. It takes boldness to preach God's word and we are to pray for our brethren that they boldly proclaim the word in the face of all oppostion. The Church acknowledges that Jehoshua is Jehovah's servant (verses 27 and 30) making a clear distinction between God and Jehoshua. Isaiah 42:1 Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delighteth: I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. The Church hearkens to the prophet Isaiah here in identifying the Messiah as Jehovah's servant. So essential to the gospel in the book of Acts is that Jehovah God is the creator and that Jehoshua is His servant. Also, Psalms 2 is part of the gospel preaching of the apostolic church in identifying both Herod and Pontius Pilate i.e. unbelieving Jews and Gentiles as the enjemies of Jehovah and His Messiah. Acts 4:33 "And with great power gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jehoshua: and great grace was upon them all" The resurrection of the Messiah was the central message of the gospel preaching of the apostolic church. This should always be our central message as well. Acts 5:27-32 (ASV) 27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them,28saying, We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man`s blood upon us.29But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree.31Him did God exalt with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.32And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him. After the apostles were let out of prison by the angel of Jehovah they preached and taught in the Temple. When the high priest, captain of the Temple and chief priests found out they could not believe it. Subsequently, the captain of the temple with the officers brought the apostles before the council which included the high priest, chief priests, the captain of the temple and all the senate of Israel. The above verses now describe the scene of the council. Verse 27 shows that the apostles doctrine was taught in the authority of Jehoshua's name. Jehoshua is central the apostolic doctrine. To preach and teach in Jehoshua's name is to acknowledge His authority, character and identity as God's only begotten Son. John 3:17-18 reads: 17For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.18He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God. Believing of the name of the Son of God does not mean believing in the pronunciation of His name but rather it is to believe in His authority as God's anointed King and ruler of all creation, His character as being the express image (exact representation, moral attributes) of God and His identity as being God's only begotten Son i.e. the Son of inheritance as the eternal Davidic Messianic King. It is to believe and have loyalty to the Messiah's doctrine (2 John 9-11). Verse 29, Peter says it clearly that we as the apostles descendants are to obey God rather than men and preach in the authority (name) of Jehoshua Messiah. Today's apostate 501 C 3 church abuses Romans 13 to say that Christians must almost always obey government yet the apostles refuted this idea and said that we are to obey God over man's government. Verse 30, Peter identifies clearly who God is and He states it is the one who raised Jehoshua. This would be the Father of Jehoshua who is God according to the apostles. For the apostles there is no trinitarian god but God is the one who raised up Jehoshua from the dead. Again, the resurrection is the central theme of their message. Verse 31, subsequent to the resurrection God exalted Jehoshua to His right hand alluding to Psalm 110:1 which in itself is a central theme to the gospel message preached by the apostles. Ask yourself this, how many times do you hear Psalm 110 preached at your Church? This exaltation led to the enthronement of Jehoshua as Prince i.e. King over Israel which is the new covenant Church. Just as in the old testament the Davidic King was to be Israel's saviour. Most of the Davidic kings failed at this but Jehoshua fulfills this completely and decisively. This whole ministry of the Son of God culminating in His enthronement on the throne of David is to give Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. Repentance comes first and then forgiveness of sins follows. The repenting is changing one's mind from unbelief in the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah to faith in it. The forgiveness of sins follows this repentance. Verse 32, the Holy Spirit is given to those who obey God. The teaching that those who have the holy Spirit will manifest outward things such as babbling tongues, dancing and other showy type things is unbiblical. The evidence of having the holy Spirit is walking in Jehovah's commandments. The Holy Spirit is a witness to the testimony of Jehoshua Messiah in that He died and God raised Him from the dead and subsequently enthroned Him as King on His right hand. Jehoshua is Israel's King and Saviour and is the only one in which repentance is given and forgiveness of sins. |
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