Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

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Category: Through the Bible Page 44 of 46

Formed to Conform

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On April 24, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 2:7 states that the Lord (Jesus) God (Father) formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Holy Spirit); and man became a living soul. The Trinity of God was involved in man’s creation, and man was formed of the world (dust of the ground) but was formed to be a living soul and to conform to the image of God and not to the world.

Apostle Paul beseeched the church in Rome to not be conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of their mind (Romans 12:2). Our minds need to be renewed to be like the humble and obedient mind of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5).

Points to ponder:
We were formed to conform to God’s image. We are not to be conformed to this world.
What are you and I conforming to – to God or to the world? Remember, friendship with the world is enmity with God. Am I a friend of God? Are you a friend of God?

Genesis 2:7 (KJV)
7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Romans 12:2 (KJV)
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Philippians 2:5 (KJV)
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

James 4:4 (KJV)
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

(Holy) breath of life (-giving Spirit)

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On April 23, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 2:7, states “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” In the book of Job, the Bible records “The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” (Job 33:4). After resurrection, when Jesus assured his disciples peace and commissioned them to go out as apostles, he breathed on them and said “Receive ye the Holy Ghost” (John 20:22). In the end times it is prophesied that after the two witnesses of God are killed and laid on the streets for three and a half days, the Bible records that the spirit of life entered into them and they came back to life and heard a great voice from heaven saying “come up hither” and they ascended to heaven (Revelation 11:11).

From these verses, we can understand that the breath of life (Genesis 2:7), the breath of the Almighty (Job 33:4), the breath of Jesus, who was made a quickening (life-giving) spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45) on the disciples (John 20:22) refers to the spirit of God, the Holy Ghost/Spirit. This gives us the evidence that the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit God was actively involved in the creation of mankind.

Points to ponder:
When the Holy Spirit of God is breathed of a lifeless body, man becomes a living soul. The Holy Spirit of God is evident in creation. The Holy Spirit of Father God and of Jesus (who are one – John 10:30) is a life-giving Spirit, and a body without the Spirit of God is dead (James 2:26). Are you a dead body or a living soul? The Holy Spirit (who gives eternal life) is promised to all who believe in God the Father who sent Jesus and in Jesus who was sent (John 17:3). The Holy Spirit of God is evident in the recreation of man when we believe in Jesus for anyone who is Christ is a new creation (remade). Do you feel the breath of life, the breath of the Almighty, on you today and do you hear his voice “Receive ye the Holy Ghost” who is a life-giving (quickening) Spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45)? Only after the Holy breath of life (-giving) Spirit enters us, can we ascend into the presence of God in heaven. Believe in the Lord Jesus today and receive ye the Holy Ghost!

Genesis 2:7 (KJV)
7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Job 33:4 (KJV)
4 The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

John 20:22 (KJV)
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Revelation 11:11 (KJV)
11 And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

Refreshing mist from within

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On April 22, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 2:6, states that “But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.” This verse ties up with verses 6 and 7 recorded in Genesis 1, which states that God separated the waters from the waters and there was waters above and waters below. Since the previous verse (Genesis 2:5) states that the Lord had not caused it to rain on the earth, and this verse begins with the word ‘but’, one can deduce that it had not rained and the mist from below was a provision made by God to water the earth in lieu of rain from above. This makes me appreciate that before man’s disobedience and death entering the world, God’s infinite wisdom had planned for the earth (soil) to be refreshed and watered so that every plant (not thorns or thistles) could grow and be fruitful.

Points to ponder:
Jesus is the source of living water and he said that whoever believes in him shall never thirst again (John 4:14), and out of him will flow rivers of living water (John 7:38), which is his Holy Spirit (John 7:39). Jesus is a life-giving Spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45), like a mist that goes up, refreshing and watering the soil (ground), on which the seeds of his gospel is sown. Do you have the refreshing mist of the Holy Spirit (Acts 3:19) go up from within you to bring life to the hearts that hear the gospel of Jesus? In other words, have you believed in Jesus?

Genesis 2:6 (KJV)
6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.

John 7:38-39 (KJV)
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Acts 3:19-21 (KJV)
19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

To till (toil) or not to till (toil)

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On April 18, 2013

In Christian, Genesis

Genesis 2:5, states that “there was not a man to till the ground” yet all the flora grew. This implies that God’s creation was designed to grow, irrespective of man’s work/action, for every herb of the field, that was given to man to eat (Genesis 3:18) grew, until man disobeyed and brought a curse on the ground and the need to till the ground and toil (sweat) for it to bear fruit/yield (Genesis 3:19).

In order to reverse this mishap, Jesus had to come and toil (work) for our Salvation (as creation itself groaned in sin and in error pinned (Romans 8:22)). He finished the work (John 19:30). The ground yielded thorns and thistles as a result of man’s disobedience (Genesis 3:18). A crown of thorns was placed on Jesus’ head as a result of his obedience (Philippians 2:8) and by being pierced, Jesus annulled the curse on mankind. Now, anyone who abides [is planted/rooted] in Jesus Christ, shall bring forth much fruit (John 15:5), by God’s doing, for he gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:7), and without him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

Points to ponder:
Without Jesus, we need to till and toil. In Jesus, we need not till and toil.
He said, “Come unto me, all of you, who till (labor) and are heavy laden (toil) and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Do you need to till (toil) or not to till (toil)? In other words, Are you without Christ or are you in Christ Jesus?

Genesis 2:5 (KJV)
5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.

Matthew 11:28 (KJV)
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Bringer of Rain (Not Spartacus nor Elijah)

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On April 17, 2013

In Christian, Genesis

When reading Genesis 2:5, one cannot help but notice the phrase, “for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth“. Later on, during the time of Noah, we will learn that God says, that he will cause rain to fall upon the earth for a period of forty days and forty nights (Genesis 7:4).

Spartacus, a Thracian slave turned gladiator, who led an insurrection against Rome in the 1st century is attributed to be the bringer of rain, but it is not Spartacus, who is the bringer of rain. While the meterologist may predict the possibility of rain or its lack thereof, the only One who can open the windows of heaven (Genesis 7:11-12), and bring rain upon the earth, is the LORD God. When prophet Elijah prayed to the LORD, the LORD God caused it to rain abundantly/greatly (1 Kings 18:41-46). It is important to recognize that it was not Elijah who was the bringer of rain, but the LORD God.

Points to ponder:
Our God is a God of the elements. We can seek his showers of blessings and if it comes, praise be to God, but if it doesn’t, praise be to God as well, for he is a Sovereign God and does what he chooses and wills, in and for our life, for he alone is the bringer of abundant rain (blessings).

Genesis 2:5 (KJV)
5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.

Supernatural Growth (of the field)

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On April 16, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 2:5 states “And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.” Notice the words, “of the field” and “grew” in the text. Every plant of the field before it was in the earth and every herb of the field before it grew“. Why is it important to notice these words?

Jesus used these same words “of the field” and “grow“, when he was encouraging his followers to live by faith seeking God’s kingdom first. He said, consider the lilies of the field and the ephemeral grass of the field which don’t toil and yet grow (Matthew 6:28, 30).

Points to ponder:
The world we live in teaches us that growth comes from work. Those who work hard get the increase. While I don’t discount the importance and the need to work, it is important to recognize that blessings come from the LORD God and not our work (or for that matter hard work/toil). It is important for us to work but we need not worry about our work. Interestingly immediately before and after talking about seeking God’s kingdom first (Matthew 6:33), Jesus talks about being not captive to worry (Matthew 6:25,34).
Those who are of the field (of God) need not worry for all the things that are needed for the sustenance and increase of life (eat, drink, and clothes) shall be added unto them. They shall live by faith for those who are justified (made righteous through the blood of Jesus for having believed in Jesus) shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4).

Since the harvest (of the field) is plentiful and the workers are few, we ought to work for God in his field. Yet we must recognize that though we work for God, in his field, by being his ambassadors, witnesses and spokespersons, it is God, Only God, who gives the increase, of his field/kingdom (1 Corinthians 3:7). Such growth is not of man’s doing but of God and hence not natural but supernatural.

Let us live by faith (in action) so God can give the supernatural growth (increase) of his field (kingdom).

Genesis 2:5 (KJV)
5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.

Matthew 6:28-33 (KJV)
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Generations of the heavens and of the earth

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On April 9, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 2:4 states “These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.” While many would read this merely as a restatement of God’s creation as mentioned in Genesis 1:1, close scrutiny of this verse reveals certain hidden truths that are intriguing for sure, but more importantly should not be overlooked.

In the article, “Heaven” or “Heavens” or “Heaven and Heavens”, we first learned about the singularity and the plurality of heaven and the singularity of the earth. Here let us look at another phrase from this same verse. The phrase is “generations of the heavens and of the earth“, implying that these creations of God, are not inanimate as one would expect them to be.

The primary definition of the word “generation” in the Merriam-Webster’s dictionary is “a body of living beings constituting a single step in the line of descent from an ancestor.” Generations of the heavens – what could that mean? Before we get to that, let’s first look at the generations of the earth – what is that? The body of living beings (including you and me) constituting a single step in the line of descent from the first Adam make up the generations (children) of the earth for God fashioned man out of the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, making man a living soul (Genesis 2:7). In fact, God then commands man to be fruitful and to multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it. (Genesis 1:28).

Now coming back to the question, what does the generations of the heavens mean? The Bible makes it clear that no man has ascended into heaven unless he has come down from heaven (John 3:13) and it continues to clarify that no man can receive anything, unless it is given to him from heaven (John 3:27). Jesus is the last Adam, the Lord from heaven who has come down from heaven (1 Corinthians 15:45) and he ascended into it after finishing his work of redeeming all mankind unto God (John 19:30) by willingly sacrificing himself (John 10:18) and giving his life as a ransom (1 Timothy 2:6) to bring many sons unto glory (Hebrews 2:10). Because of Jesus, the Son of God who was born the Seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15; Galatians 3:16,19,29), man who was an enemy of God (James 4:4) has now the provision to be called the child of God (of the heavens and of the earth) and can get included in the genealogy of God when man believes and receives Jesus Christ for to them that believe and receive him (John 1:12), is granted the Spirit of Adoption, by which we can call God, Abba Father (Romans 8:15).

Points to ponder:
Everyone who is born in the line of the first Adam is of the generation of the earth. Everyone who is born again in the line of the last Adam (Jesus Christ) is of the generation of the heavens. We are born on earth and when we believe in Jesus; the One man, who is from heaven, who came to earth and ascended to heaven ; the last Adam, we are born again in heaven. We are of the generations of the earth, but are we of the generations of the heavens?

Genesis 2:4 (KJV)
4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,

John 3:13 (KJV)
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:45-52 (KJV)
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.
48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

“Heaven” or “heavens” or “Heaven and heavens”

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On April 8, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 2:4 states “These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.” While many would read this merely as a restatement of God’s creation as mentioned in Genesis 1:1, close scrutiny of this verse reveals certain hidden truths that are intriguing for sure, but more importantly should not be overlooked.

Note how the earth is noted as singular while heavens is noted in the plural. The place where we dwell is this ‘singular’ earth, and it is God’s footstool (Isaiah 66:1) until it is melted/laid bare as passed away (2 Peter 3:10) and a new earth is made (Revelation 21:1), but for now, it is on this one earth, that God’s kingdom is to come as Jesus expresses in the prayer he taught the disciples when he said, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done ON EARTH as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

Genesis 1:1 records that God created the heaven and the earth and here the word heaven is in the singular form. However in Genesis 2:1 and 2:4 the word heaven is used in the plural forms as “heavens” implying that that there is more than one heaven. While this may seem as a discrepancy, since the word of God is infallible, we need to search only the Scripture (not Science or some other texts and scrolls) further to understand the singularity and plurality of heaven. The heaven in singular (which is mentioned in Genesis 1:1 and the prayer Jesus taught the disciples) is where the throne of God is, for the prophet Isaiah in the first verse of chapter 66 records that God says, “THE heaven is my throne and THE earth is my footstool.” Prophet Nehemiah ties this heaven where God’s throne is to the other heavens he created, for in chapter 9 verse 6, he records that God has made the heaven, the heaven of heavens implying that the heaven where God’s throne (implying kingship) is above all of his creations – the heavens (and the earth). God is King and his fullness in Jesus must be understood as Jesus – The KING of KINGS and the LORD of LORDS (Revelation 19:16).

Now one may be inclined to ask, what are these other heavens that God has created. Going back to the infallible Scripture, we see apostle Paul write in his letter to the church in Corinth, in chapters 12 verses 2 to 4 that he saw in a vision a man caught up to a third heaven and to paradise. From this we can infer that the other heavens are places of God’s creation where those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are or will go to be. Jesus told the repentant thief on the cross next to his own, when he recognized Jesus as Lord and King, that most assuredly “You shall be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Furthermore, apostle Paul writes “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Points to ponder:
We must not get caught up with the number (how many) and location (where) of the heavens for that which is not revealed are the secret things that belong to the Lord (Deuteronomy 29:29). Instead we must be transformed and renewed so that we are caught up to the heavens when Jesus returns in his glory to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. One thing we be certain of now is this – God created the heaven (where his throne is) for he is King, the heaven of heavens (3rd heaven, paradise) and the earth. Paradise means a place of rest and where the Lord is there is rest (liberty from the chains that bind us which makes us unrestful) and only in Jesus Christ can one find true rest, for Jesus said, “Come unto me, all of you that are weary and heavy laden and I WILL GIVE YOU REST.” (Matthew 11:28).

God is in the heavens (Psalm 115:3) and on earth we must pray and seek his kingdom first (Matthew 6:33) so that we when are caught up to be with him (in the heavens), we shall be worthy to enter into his rest (Hebrews 4:1). Harden not your hearts and come to come to Jesus! As he promised, he will give you rest, when you believe.

Genesis 2:1,4 (KJV)
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,

Nehemiah 9:6 (KJV)
6 Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.

Psalm 115:2-3 (KJV)
2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

To rest or not to rest?

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On April 4, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

To rest or not to rest? – that is the question.

Genesis 2:2-3 records that on the seventh day, God rested. While we have heard several sermons about God resting on the seventh day, from which an extrapolation of the need and importance to rest, is exposited, it is important to note that the verses read that God “ended” his work and he rested. He “blessed” the seventh day and “sanctified” it (declared it holy), because it was the day when he rested.

The first thing to note is that we must complete the work that we have been tasked with i.e., just as God ended the work of making new things before he rested, we must end our work as well. The good news is that God who began the good work in us will bring it to  completion (Philippians 1:6) as we are ambassadors of his, making things new by presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ, for whoever is in Christ is a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). Also when we rest, we must bless the Lord for having given us rest. Jesus said, the sabbath was made for man and not man for the sabbath (Mark 2:27) i.e., in other words, rest, that is important, is necessary so that man can take his mind and body off the things of this world, a chasing after the wind, and focus on God and the things above, blessing God and keeping the sabbath (rest) holy, just as God did. Well, the fourth commandment in the ten commandments is to “Remember the sabbath (rest) day, to keep it holy. ” (Exodus 20:8)

Points to ponder:
To rest or not to rest? –  that is the question. We must rest only when we end our work (and God will help being our work for him to completion) and when we rest we must bless God and keep our rest holy.

Genesis 2:2-3 (KJV)
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

Philippians 1:6 (KJV)
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Mark 2:27 (KJV)
27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

Exodus 20:8 (KJV)
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

The creation of angels – When or Why?

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On April 3, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When were angels created? In the creation account, we often hear of God creating the Day and the Night, the Heaven and the Earth, the Land and the Seas, the two great lights (Sun and Moon) and the stars, Fishes, Birds, Animals and man, but seldom do we hear of God creating the angelic beings. When did God create angels, for they certainly did not exist from everlasting to everlasting (as did God – Psalm 90:2) but were made as was man, just a little higher than man (Psalm 8:5)?

Genesis 2:1 records that God finished the creation of the heavens and the earth AND the (heavenly) host (armies) before he rested. While the word ‘host’ meaning ‘army’ could be interpreted as speaking about the heavenly bodies (stars and celestial bodies in the sky) as some believe, we are told in the Genesis creation account explicitly about the creation of the two great light and the stars. This make me more inclined to believe that the reference to ‘host’ here is to angelic beings and not angelic bodies. My reasoning stems from what the apostle Luke refers to the armies of angels that praised and gave glory to God, at the birth of Jesus. He refers to them as a multitude of heavenly host (Luke 2:13). This is further substantiated by what the prophet Nehemiah writes in chapter 9 verse 6. Nehemiah 9:6 states the Lord is God alone for he made the heaven, the heaven of heavens and all their host and the host of heaven worships him.

I started this article by asking “When” were angels created? Actually, “when” the angels were created is of far lesser significance than “why” they were created. Angels (who were made a little higher than man) were made to worship God and they worship him in heaven.

Points to ponder:
If even the angelic beings who were made higher than man were created to worship him and they worshipped him, so must we worship our creator God for his is worthy of our worship. Do I worship God who made the angels and me? Do you worship God who made the angels and you? Don’t let the angels alone be the ones who worship God!

Genesis 2:1 (KJV)
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had

Nehemiah 9:6 (KJV)
6 Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.

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