[Romans 8v3 God's victory over sin through His Son]

Romans 8v3 God's victory over sin through His Son

Romans 8:3 (KJV): "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:"

This is an important verse because it stands between two sections. Chapter 7 was considering the environment of the Law and the failure of all to keep it. Chapter 8 considers the victory that can be received for those in the environment of the "Spirit of life".
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh
The Law only revealed sin, it did not have power to create a holy life Romans 7. When the Law came in contact with the flesh, human nature, it even awakened sin Romans 7:7-9.
God sending his own Son
The work of salvation was from God the Father. It was necessary for Jesus to be the Son of God Luke 1:35, John 1:14, to achieve the holy character of Jesus, and the fulness of grace and truth.
in the likeness of sinful flesh
Or in the likeness of sin's flesh. Jesus came in the same human nature as all mankind Hebrews 2:14. In all others this flesh, this human nature had Sin as its Master or Lord. He was tempted in all points as we are tempted, but he never sinned.
and for sin
Some would render this "for a sin offering" because of the LXX usage. It could simply mean, because of sin, on behalf of sin. He came to represent sinners to God and to rescue Adam's descendants from sin and all its effects.
condemned sin in the flesh
He overcame the lusts of the flesh within himself, rendering them of no effect. He overcame sin at its very source. He crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts as a pattern for all to follow Galatians 5:24. In Christ was achieved what the Law could not accomplish, the overcoming of sin and its effects.

The word condemned echoes Romans 8:1 (KJV): "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus", showing that this victory is centred in Christ, and this victory is by means of the condemnation of sin in a member of Adam's race. We partake of the atonement when we are in Christ Jesus. We are in Christ Jesus by a belief of the gospel and baptism Acts 8:5,12 and when we "walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit".

Galatians 2:20 speaks of this new active crucified/resurrected life motivated by the love of Christ:
Galatians 2:20 (KJV): "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

Kind regards
Trevor

[the abomination of desolation]

Another factor in connecting Luke 21:24 with Daniel 8:13-14 is that Matthew's record of the Mount of Olives Prophecy shows that Jesus referred to Daniel's prophecy and "the abomination of desolation".

Matthew 24:15 (KJV): "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)".

The first occurence of the phrase "the abomination of desolation" in Daniel is:

Daniel 8:13,14 (KJV): "13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long [I}shall be[/I] the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? 14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed."

The KJV has "concerning" for Daniel 8:13 in italics, and if removed the question is "How long the vision". The question is, how long will this vision continue, what is its duration. The start of the vision is when the goat slays the ram. The answer in Daniel is "unto 2300 days" and in Luke this is equated to "until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled". Also Jesus interprets the 2300 days as the times of the Gentiles. If this is correct, then the vision starts in BC 334. May BC 334 + 2300 -1 for AD 1 = May 1967, a bit late by two weeks or so. If May BC 334 is reliable, Nasser was possibly a little reticent, or the king of Jordan, and resisted for a while like the prince of Persia withstood the angel. This defines the period commencing with the Greek dominance of the Holy Land, the people of Judah, the city of Jerusalem and the worship centred there.

Treading down appears to speak of military dominace. There is a contrast with Psalm 8 with Christ. The way one kingdom subdues another is firstly by sending in its army. The very phrase trodden down almost gives a picture of an army marching, like the sad pictures we see of an army marching into a city, sometimes after the end of a horrific battle fought elsewhere and the surrender of the country or city. This is what happened with the Greeks and Romans in their successive initial conquests of Judea, and this was also intensified in AD 70.

The parallel with the 70 years of Babylon dominance is obvious. The stump of the Babylon tree was to have an iron and brass band, symbols of Rome and Greece in Daniel 2. The 1st Temple did not fall to Babylon straight away, neither was it restored as soon as Daniel confessed and prayed at the end of his 70 years in captivity, only the decree for the return was issued. When the Greeks took military control of Jerusalem they did not overthrow the 2nd Temple, or cause the Daily burnt offering to cease. When the Jews took Jerusalem in 1967 the existing religious systems, Moslem and Christian, continued as it is today. The major difference in 1967 was the Jews regained access to the wailing wall, the privilege she lost in 1948. If anything the events of 1967 highlight to a greater intensity the very details of the words of Jesus, the basis of the Mount of Olives prophecy:

Matthew 24:2 (KJV): "And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."

Why was the temple destroyed in AD 70? - because the Jews and the Greco-Romans crucified the Messiah. Jesus will cleanse a remnant of the Jews Romans 11:25-26, Zechariah 13:6-9, he will ultimately destroy the Greco-Roman system Daniel 8:23-25, Daniel 2:44.

The heart of this prophecy is the crucifixion of Jesus, and this element is expanded in the 70-week prophecy. Daniel 8 is a wide-ranging prophecy, starting with the overthrow of Persia by the Greeks, the crucifixion of Christ, the destruction of Jerusalem and the cessation of the worship in AD 70 because of Judah's iniquity, and finally the destruction of the Greco-Roman power by Christ when he returns to establish his kingdom and restore true worship centred in Jerusalem Daniel 2:44, Isaiah 2:1-4.

Kind regards
Trevor

My main interest in Isaiah, and Isaiah 2 in particular would be to try to understand what this message meant to Isaiah's contemporaries, and after this to us. This would include a brief look at Isaiah as a prophet, the king at the time and the contemporary history. After this I would see to what extent this message has a dual fulfilment. The first would be in Isaiah's day or shortly after, and the second either in Christ's day as per Isaiah 53 when speaking of the sufferings of Christ, or in the future as per Isaiah 2:1-4 when it speaks of the kingdom yet to be established, and the judgments immediately before this as per Isaiah 2:10-22.

Isaiah is the first and possibly the greatest of the writing prophets, and in contrast to Amos, Isaiah could well have been part of a prophetic community, sometimes called the school of the prophets. These were nurtured under Samuel initially Acts 3:24, and were God's provision when the priesthood failed under Eli. These prophets were teachers, and as well they sometimes prophesied of future events, and various ones had the Holy Spirit in different measure. Some suggest that Isaiah 1 is a summary or introduction to the book, but I believe Isaiah 1 is as a result of Isaiah's initial teaching and prophesying in the manner of one of these prophets from the school of the prophets.

It is after speaking and/or writing Isaiah 1 that Isaiah receives the major vision of Isaiah 2:1-4 and this is like an anchor to the whole book, and his prophetic ministry. All that follows in the rest of the book is how this vision will ultimately be fulfilled. Later in Isaiah's life, during the reign of Hezekiah, the suffering servant is revealed in Isaiah 53 and elsewhere in Isaiah's prophecy as the one who will overcome sin and death and establish the kingdom.

A brief look at Isaiah 2 in the context of Isaiah's time. If given towards the end of Uzziah's reign, some time before the earthquake Zechariah 14:5, then Isaiah 2 would be a vision of the kingdom and a warning of impending judgment. Uzziah was both godly and prosperous and his kingdom had a time of peace. A few quotes could suffice.

2 Chronicles 26:4-5 (KJV): "4 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did. 5 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper."
2 Chronicles 26:15 (KJV): "And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong."

If Isaiah 2:1-4 is given at this time, then God is saying that Uzziah and Judah should look beyond the present worship, peace and prosperity to the fulness in the kingdom, and realise that the insidious pride and self-reliance that was being generated by these peaceful and prosperous times would soon be judged. This pride was not only evident with the nation of Judah but also happened with the king himself.

Isaiah 2:11 (KJV): "The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day."
2 Chronicles 26:16 (KJV): "But when he (Uzziah) was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense."
2 Chronicles 26:19-20 (KJV): "19 Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar. 20 And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him."

We also live in a time of prosperity, peace and pride. Like Uzziah we may feel confident that our nation has all the cunning  inventions of warfare to defend our nation and all its prosperity, and we trust in these things rather than in God. Compare Hezekiah in his sickness and when facing the Assyrian. Compare Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane and his sufferings. Yes, we will worship and belong to a particular religious community or church, but is our worship shallow or empty like Judah's worship Isaiah 1:11-15. We feel content with the present, and the security that our nation seems to give us, and we possibly aspire to great things. Isaiah warns that the present imbalance and idolatry will be removed Isaiah 2:7-8, Colossians 3:5 and the pride of man will be humbled when God arises to shake terribly the earth.  

Isaiah gives us a glorious picture, that can outshine our present view of our surroundings, no matter how good or poor. A vision of true worship in the Age to Come, and peace and harmony, centred on true teaching, developed out of the sufferings of God's servant. The unique picture of beating a sword  into a ploughshare has captured the imagination of many over the years. This expression is inscribed into a wall of the UN building, as it were depicting the very essence of their aim, and a statue depicting a blacksmith beating a sword and the plough half formed was donated by the former USSR. What the nations, and any other political or religious system has failed to accomplish, will be fulfilled by Christ at his return. And the individuals will not be compelled to worship, they will say, "Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD ...". May each of us look to these things, the love of God the Father, and of Christ revealed in his death and resurrection, and the assurance of this future glory, so that our hearts and minds may be moved to love his appearing.

Kind regards
Trevor

[Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles]

Jesus appears to be alluding to Daniel 8 when he says:
Luke 21:24 (KJV): "And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled."
Compare the similarity of the language:
Daniel 8:13 (KJV): "How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?"
A similar correspondence between the people who were thus subjugated could also be highlighted.

Daniel 8:14 (KJV): "And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed."
One major fulfilment of the 2300 days could be from the opening vision of Daniel 8 that depicts the overthrow of the Ram by the He-Goat. "The Anchor Atlas of World History" states that Alexander defeated the Persians at Granicus in May BC 334, and at Issus in Nov BC 333. Add 2300 years to this and we arrive at 1967, the Six-Day War, when Jerusalem was once again brought under the control of the Jews.

Kind regards
Trevor

[Psalm 72 - The Coming New World Order Soon to be Established on Earth]

Psalm 72 - The Coming New World Order Soon to be Established on Earth
In response to the replies on this topic, I believe that the various quotations and brief comments on the original post, although not held by many, are central to a correct belief of God's future kingdom to be established when Christ returns as king to sit on David's throne in Jerusalem.
"InHimITrust" stated:

The new "world order" came when Christ took out His enemies and the synagogue of satan in 70ad.

The Mosaic order of things were finally overthrown or "vanished away" Hebrews 8:13 in AD70, but Jesus brought to a finish the Law in his crucifixion, when he fulfilled all the shadow institutions and sacrifices under the Law.

John 1:17 (KJV): "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

Yes, there has been two systems of things, and Jesus was the very embodiment of grace and truth, they came by Jesus Christ. In comparison Moses only gave the Law. From Day 1 of his preaching he spoke of blessing, Matthew 5:1-12, and this involves grace and the forgiveness of sins. In a sense each believer is in the kingdom now, as Christ is our Lord, our Master, our King, but the subject has a larger and greater meaning when Christ returns to establish a new world order, that is, his kingdom.

The subject of the resurrection and the coming new age is clearly a Bible teaching. The emphasis of the Apostles is not eternal life when we die, but the hope of resurrection when Christ returns. An example of this is Paul's hope of a crown of righteousness when Christ returns:

2 Timothy 4:6-8 (KJV): "6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

The present era is characterised by a few being taken out of the nations for God's name:

Acts 15:14 (KJV): "Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name."

The kingdom age will be when Christ returns and replaces the kingdoms of men with the Kingdom of God.

Daniel 2:44 (KJV): "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever."
Isaiah 2:1-4 (KJV): "1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

Concerning your comments Bronzesnake, I do believe with you in the end-times, a time of trouble before the Kingdom of God is fully established. I have not read any of the books or articles that are popular in certain quarters. I did not go to your site. The small sample that you gave did not seem to be very Scriptural, but reflects some of the popular end-time theorising that changes often, sometimes depending on the particular speaker or writer and his current popularity. I do not believe the following is based on Scripture, but based on some of this literature or talks by these popular speakers:
"Bronzesnake" stated:

With a microchip system and a super computer capable of trillions of calculations per second, he will have total control over all who have the chip/mark of the beast:

The only phrase that is based on the Bible is "mark of the beast", the rest is theory or religious-science-fiction. My present view of the sequence of end times is very different to these theories. Also the introduction to the other site was enough to frighten me off.
"Bronzesnake" stated:

Check it out...and be afraid...be very afraid!

I prefer to go to the Scriptures using patience knowing that they bring comfort and hope. My own stability (and I genuinely need this due to weakness) and happiness in the Lord is better served by this process.

Romans 15:4 (KJV): "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

I enjoyed the following comments by Asaph and Aiki Storm:
"Asaph" stated:

"Christ is present and where He is, there is the Kingdom reality. But this does not negate a future manifestation of the Kingdom."

"Aiki Storm" stated:

"The New Age is yet to come and it will be here on a New Earth."

Kind regards
Trevor

[Isaiah and Isaiah 53]

Isaiah and Isaiah 53

I would appreciate if anyone has any comments on the Book of Isaiah and Isaiah 53. Isaiah has been of interest to me for some years, and although I have not done a comprehensive study of each chapter, each new insight to a chapter or verse makes life more interesting.

My favourite sections are Isaiah ch.2, ch.6, 8:9-18, ch.12, 29:22-24, ch.40, the four servant songs (1) 42:1-7, (2) 49:1-6, (3) 50:4-9, (4) 52:13-53:12 and ch.55, 64:1-5, 66:1-2.

Reading the history of the four kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah in both Kings and Chronicles and Isaiah 36-39 helps to understand the context of Isaiah's initial message. He speaks of future things, but often in the context of what was happening in the day of each respective king. For instance Isaiah 6:1 (KJV): "In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple." gives a vision of Jesus as the future king/priest in contrast to Uzziah who attempted to usurp this dual role.

The book appears to be in historical sequence. Some indication of this is chapters 1-6 in Uzziah's reign - refer 6:1, chapters 7-12 Ahaz's reign - refer 7:1 and 14:28, chapters 36ff Hezekiah's reign.

Another insight is how Isaiah is quoted by Jesus and the Apostles. This enhances both the NT records and helps us to understand Isaiah, giving us a Divinely inspired commentary on the message of Isaiah. Isaiah 53 is often quoted in the NT applying Isaiah 53 to the sufferings of Jesus. One comprehensive quotation of Isaiah 53 is in 1 Peter 2:18-25.

Isaiah 53 can also be seen in the perspective of Hezekiah. His suffering is a pattern of Christ's greater suffering and work. The following could apply to Hezekiah: Isaiah 53:10 (KJV): "he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand." I believe that Isaiah gave this prophecy before Hezekiah's recovery from his sickness.

Kind regards
Trevor

[Psalm 72 - The Coming New World Order Soon to be Established on Earth]

Psalm 72 - The Coming New World Order Soon to be Established on Earth

Psalm 72 (KJV - with headings added): A Psalm for Solomon
The King's Son
1 Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.
2 He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
The Blessings of His Reign
4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.
7 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
A World-Wide Kingdom
8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
The Nations Pay Homage
10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
15 And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.
The Earth Bountiful
16 There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
17 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
The Whole World Glorified
18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

This prayer of David, although addressed to Solomon, looks beyond his time to the greater son of David, Jesus Christ, who will return to establish his kingdom on earth. Luke records the words that Gabriel spake to Mary concerning Jesus' future rule in

Luke 1:32-33 (KJV): "32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."

Jesus will reign over the "house of Jacob" when he returns and "turns away ungodliness from Jacob" Romans 11:26.

The promises made to David concerning his son and David's throne are recorded in 2 Samuel 7:12-16. They state also that God would be his Father, and this is shown in its fulfilment in Luke 1:35. This is the qualification for Jesus to be heir over God's dominion, God's kingdom Genesis 1:26, Psalm 8:6, Matthew 11:25-27.

The promises are alluded to in

Isaiah 55:1-3 (KJV): "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David."

The promise to David is therefore extended to all those that incline the ear, and come unto God. They will receive an everlasting covenant, even the sure mercies of David. These covenant mercies are sure. We can rely on their fulfilment. We can trust in them. This call and recommendation by Isaiah should be sufficient for us to trust in these "sure mercies" for herein is life, "your soul shall live".

Peter adds his testimony in

Acts 2:29-32 (KJV): "29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses."

We can be assured of receiving the everlasting mercies of David because Jesus the king, who will soon sit on David's throne, has been raised from the dead.

Paul also adds his testimony in Acts 13:26-39. He speaks of the resurrection in

v34 "And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David".

If we believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus and trust in these promises we will receive "the forgiveness of sins" v38, and will be "justified from all things" v39. We will receive "the sure mercies of David", an entrance into the kingdom of God when Jesus returns to establish the new world order.

Kind regards
Trevor

[The Veracity of John 7:53-8:12]

The Veracity of John 7:53-8:12

When we look at the various Bible versions, eg the RV of 1881 has it in brackets, it appears we must decide for ourselves if we accept this as Divinely inspired and provided for our instruction.

Jesus said in

Matthew 5:17 (KJV): "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."

It is evident that they were trying to entrap him. If he simply excused the woman, then he would be accused of not maintaining the Law. If he condemned the woman he would at least lose some popularity, amongst those he had previously forgiven at least. They had on another occasion accused him

Luke 15:2 (KJV): "And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them."

There was the need to acknowledge the righteousness of the Law, while abounding in the mercy of God's character.

The Pharisees, in calling attention to the Law, were not interested in maintaining the Law, but simply were trying to entrap Jesus. Remarkably though, it is Jesus that had never sinned, and he alone was qualified to judge. He alone knew her heart, and with perhaps some patient waiting for all the events to transpire and her fear of death to turn to respect for Jesus, he forgave her, teaching her also to turn from her former way of life. In this sense he did maintain the Law and pass judgment, but as judge he showed mercy. If we examined our hearts like the accusers were forced to do, then we would either leave or plead for mercy after acknowledging both our unworthiness to stand in his presence, and the righteousness of the Law.

Let us briefly look at where this passage is now located. Some have suggested that it could be moved. Undoubtedly there are other possibilities, but someone at least decided to place it here. The context in the previous chapter is given in

John 7:1-2 (KJV): "1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. 2 Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand."
And further down John 7:37 (KJV): "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink."

The occasion was the Feast of Tabernacles and although they wanted to arrest Jesus, he was able to preach openly

John 7:25-26 (KJV): "25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? 26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?"

When the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him the officers came back with one of the most profound statements ever recorded.

John 7:44-46 (KJV): "44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. 45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? 46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man."

A little echo here, compare his words in the passage under consideration, where justice and mercy is beautifully balanced to the revealing of the thoughts and the intents of the hearts, not only of the woman, but also those scribes and Pharisees who had brought her, and other Pharisees possibly lurking in the crowd, waiting to agitate the crowd when the moment arrived. They had failed in their direct attempts to arrest him, now they used subtefuge.

The verse directly after our disputed section has an echo.

John 8:12 (KJV): "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

The woman had been dragged to Jesus, but with her heart cleansed she could stand in his presence, while those whose hearts were full of darkness had to leave. This is the lesson that Jesus had given to Nicodemus who came to Jesus in the cover of darkness, at night John 3:1-2. Jesus' message to Nicodemus on that occasion is an echo of what occured in our disputed passage.

John 3:19-21 (KJV): "19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."

It is also significant that Nicodemus was taking tentative steps in support of Jesus during the day rather than at night in John 7:50-51. Also John 8:12,13, was Nicodemus also amongst these Pharisees, where Jesus is talking of "the Light of the world" and the need to follow Jesus.

The feast of Tabernacles was a time of rejoicing, an autumn festival when the harvests had been gathered in. They were to dwell in booths made from trees to remind them of their wilderness wanderings in tents, when they were dependant on the care and guidance of God. Even though they contributed with the work of their hands, the harvest was to be acknowledged as having it's source in God's care and love. Instead of rejoicing, the priests and Pharisees used the occasion to plot Jesus' death. When the feast was finished, and note John 7:37-52 is the last day of the feast, the connection with our disputed section comes clear, as the Word of God:

John 7:53-8:1 (RSV): "And every man went unto his own house, but Jesus went unto the mount of Olives."

The Pharisees had "kept" the feast of Tabernacles and returned home, just as they would six months later keep the feast of Passover (apart again from a few business matters concerning a particular problem). He whose whole life was lived in dependance of God, who had nowhere to lay his head, was the living embodiment of the rejoicing and rest of the feast of Tabernacles. He went to the Mount of Olives (as he did six months later John 18:2,3), to be renewed and strengthened with prayer, fellowship and the olive oil, so that on the morrow that light could fully glow, and dispel the darkness, and save the woman and Nicodemus.

Kind regards
Trevor

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.

This is a good example of the faith and teaching of the apostles. Their hope was centred in the return from heaven of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1:11) who is now seated at the right hand of God (Acts 2:34-35). God will send Jesus Christ who will remain in heaven until the times of refreshing and restoration of all things.

Peter in verses 12-18 spoke of Jesus' crucifixion, death and resurrection, and the need to have faith in his name. Then in these verses 19-21 Peter tells us that a future time of blessing has been spoken of by God through the mouth of all the holy prophets. As such he directs us to turn to the prophetic word of God to more fully understand these things.

He uses the term "refreshing" and this reminds us of

Psalm 72:6 (KJV):
6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.

This is set in the context of David praying to God to give rulership of the earth to David's descendant. Psalm 72 describes the blessing that will fill the earth at this future time. The promised descendant of David is to sit upon David's throne 2 Sam.7:12-16, Luke 1:32-33.

David's last words show how his heart was set on this future reign of Christ in

2 Sam.23:3-7:
There shall be a ruler over mankind
A righteous one
Ruling in the fear of God
And as the brightness of the morning
He shall rise the Sun of an unclouded dawn
Shining forth after rain upon
the tender grass out of the earth.

Peter said that it would also be the times of restitution of all things. The phrase "all things" alludes to the creation psalm, Psalm 8. This psalm depicts the new creation when the Son of Man comes to reign over all creation, and fulfil the promise of dominion that Adam lost (Heb.2:5-11).

The restoration of true worship, righteousness and peace amongst the nations is revealed in

Isa 2:1-4 (KJV):
1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

These are only a few examples, as Peter says, God has spoken of these things by ALL his holy prophets. Peter sets these things before us so that we can look beyond these times of trouble to that glorious time of refreshing and restoration, and that our hearts may be moved to love our Lord's appearing.

Kind regards
Trevor