Bethany

Fig Trees and Mountains

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Jesus answered and said unto them, “Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, ‘Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea;’ it shall be done.  And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
Matthew 21:21-22

These words of Jesus are spoken by Jesus as they leave Bethany, He has seen a fig tree from a distance, it has leaves, but when Jesus gets there it has no figs. He was wanting a fig to eat. The tree was advertising that it had something it did not have. Jesus said the the fig tree, “Let no fruit grow on you henceforward forever,” and the fig tree wilted.

This caught the disciples attention, and they were amazed I am sure. Then Jesus tells us that not only can He do that if we have faith without doubting then we can say to a mountain “Be cast into the sea;’ and it shall be done.” Now this seems almost unbelievable, but so does many things that Jesus did. He did it with faith, believing that He is the Son of God, the Son of Man. Here stood the Incarnation of the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and all things submitted to His authority. His words cause me to rejoice that that authority is given to me, but I feel that I doubt too much as well.

I have faith that what  He says is true. Everything He does is true. I trust Him. We need to know that faith is a gift from God, so our faith, must be in Him alone. We do not have faith in faith, that is idolatry. We are to have faith in God, and His Son, and the Holy Spirit. Faith in the Trinity of God means that we will not selfishly pray for stuff we do not need, nor things that might be harmful to us; but for things according to His name.

When things are prayed for according to His will, or that is, in His name, then we will see wilted fig trees and moving mountains.

These things are not possible without knowing Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord of your life. Believe that He died on the cross for your sins, that He was buried, and that He rose and came out of the grave alive forever more. Call on His name turning away from Your sin to Him..

Words Of Jesus; Son Of God, God The Son – 073120

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“And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them,
‘It is written, ‘My house shall be called the house of prayer;’ but ye have made it a den of thieves.’
And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple; and He healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David;’ they were sore displeased, and said unto Him, ‘Hearest Thou what these say?’ And Jesus saith unto them,
‘Yea; have ye never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise?’ ‘
And He left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and He lodged there. ” Matthew 21:12-17  (KJB)

He Looked Around

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“And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when He had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, He went out unto Bethany with the twelve.” Mark 11:11  (KJB)

This was during the week of His presentation, and the giving of His gift from God to Adam kind; the gift of His life.  His public presentation as King was received by many, as He came in on the donkey; with people singing and saying

“Hosanna: Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that comes in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.” Mark 11:9-10

We are told in verse 11 that He came to Jerusalem, and entered the temple. He looked around.  Of these words John Gill wrote…

“and when he had looked round about upon all things; that is, in the temple, as the Lord and proprietor of it; and made a thorough visitation of it, and search into it, and corrected what was amiss in it:” John Gill

Jesus is Lord and Proprietor of the temple.  Today the temple of the Lord is each individual who has been redeemed by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, and secured by the resurrection of Christ from the grave (1 Corinthians 3:17; 6:19).

He is in you.  He is in me.  He is in us who confess Him as our Lord and Savior. He has every right and authority to look around in His temple.  He will lead us in the paths of righteousness as we yield to His word and Holy Spirit.

Believe Him

Believe Jesus, and Never Die

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“Then when Jesus came, He found that he had lain in the grave four days already.  Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: and many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.  Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him: but Mary sat still in the house.  Then said Martha unto Jesus, ‘Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.  But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.’  Jesus saith unto her, ‘Thy brother shall rise again.’  Martha saith unto Him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’  Jesus said unto her, ‘I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?’  She saith unto him, ‘Yea, Lord: I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.’  And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, ‘The Master is come, and calleth for thee.’  As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto Him.  Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met Him.  The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, ‘She goeth unto the grave to weep there.’  Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying unto Him, ‘Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.'”  John 11:17-32

Mark Eleven – One through Eleven

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THE FINAL WEEK OF JESUS’ LIFE IS BEGINNING, AND HE COMES TO JERUSALEM, TO PRESENT HIMSELF AS A SERVANT OFFERING FOR SIN.

“1And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. 3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. 4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. 5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? 6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. 8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: 10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. 11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.”  Mark 11:1-11 (KJV)

This event is often called the “Triumphal Entry”, but it seems more appropriate to call it a “Servants entry”.  Of course, this is the event that leads to His death, burial and resurrection, and this is exactly what He is doing.  He is not coming into the city as a conquering King, but as a lowly servant.

He is riding a borrowed donkey, not a gallant steed.  The donkey is known as a surefooted, strong, burden carrier, but certainly not an animal for war or for conquering anything.

This is actually a first for Jesus.  He has previously been only with His disciples, and occasional crowds wanting to see His mighty works and miracles.  He has not ran seeking the attention of others, but now He is coming presenting Himself as a lowly, suffering servant.  For the week that is ahead the people will need to make their final dicision as to who Jesus is.  Is He the promised Messiah, or is He a fraud who is faking it all?

Jesus sends two of His disciples to find a donkey colt tied just as Jesus said it would be.  The events happen just as Jesus told them it would.  They begin untying, and someone asked them what they were doing and they told them what the Lord said to say.  Everything was fine with them then.

One of the things we can see from this text is that Jesus never owned anything in this world.  He said He had no place to lay His head.  Any time He was sleeping it was a borrowed place.  To preach to people along the shore of the Sea of Galilee He borrowed a boat.  He died and was buried in a borrowed tomb.  Jesus had no earthly wealth.  Who are we to castigate, ridicule, and despise the poor, when Jesus was poor when He walked among us.

As Jesus came into the city of Jerusalem the people began to pay homage to Him as He rode on this unbroken donkey.  They lay their garments in His path, they cut palm leaves and lay  in the path, and they were singing.  What were they singing?  “Hosanna!Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”  They worship and praise Him now, but in a few days, some of these same people will be crying out, “Crucify Him, crucify Him”.

The people as they sing praise to Jesus are singing Psalms 118:26.  How is it that a multitude of people can praise Him one day and just a few days later, many are willing to “Crucify Him” just because their religious leaders lead it.  It was ordained by God that Jesus die for the sins of mankind, that He be buried – carrying our sins away; never to be seen again;  and the He rise again from death for our justification.  It was the ugliness of man’s sin that caused Him to be their; it was His love that kept Him there; and it was God in His wrath toward sin that struck Him, taking His life, turning His back on His own Son.  It was Joseph of Arimethea who loaned Jesus a tomb in which to be buried, and it was the power of God that raised Him to life again, coming out of the tomb after three days.

-Tim A. Blankenship

PROMISES AND PROPHECIES 10 & 11

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These are the final references to prophecies, in this series, having to do with Israel in Scripture, God’s promises and prophecies concerning them, the land, and their return to God.

As I stated at the beginning of this series they were put together by my Brother in Christ (Dr. Wayne Stephens) who had been to Israel, and loved the Word of God, and the Promises and Prophecies concerning these events.

Brother Wayne went home to be with the Lord on January 6th of 2006.  My contribution to these articles has been only adding the reference verse to the address of the verse, and publishing them on the pages of FIRE AND HAMMER.

VERSES REFERRING TO PLACES WE [Bro. Wayne Stephens and wife Sylvia] VISITED.

A. Ashkelon: 1 Kings 19:3 – “And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.” (KJV).

2 Kings 12:1 – “In the seventh year of Jehu Jehoash began to reign; and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba.” (KJV).

Jeremiah 47:7 – “How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it.” (KJV).

B. Bethany: Matthew 17; Matthew 21:1 – “And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.” (KJV).

C. Capernaum: Matthew 4:18 – “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.” (KJV).

John 6:16 – “And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,” (KJV).

Also see Mark 1:21; 5:41; 11:23

D. Caves of Machpelah: Genesis 25:7-10; 49:28 – 50:14. NOTE: Tombs of the patriarchs and matriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; Sarah, Rebeccah and Leah.

E. Caesarea: Acts 8:26-40.

F. Field of Ruth and Field of Shepherds Luke 1:8.

G. Jericho called city of Palm trees. Deuteronomy 34:3; Joshua 2:6; 2 Kings 2:15.

H. Joppa: Joshua 19:46; Acts 9:36; John 1:1-3; Acts 10.

I. Jordon River: Joshua 1 – 3; 3:3-4; Matthew 3:5; Deuteronomy 12:31.

J. Megiddo: 2 Kings 9:15; 1 Kings 10:26; 2 Chronicles 38:20; Revelation 16:16. NOTE: The ruins of Megiddo include the gate and wall, stables, “Manger”, palace where ivory fragments were found; water tunnel and Canaanite temple.

K. Mount of Beatitudes (Horns of Hattin) Matthew 5 – 7.

L. Mount Gerizin (Blessing) and Mount Ebal (Curse): Deuteronomy 12:29.

M. Mount Tabor: Judges 4:5; Hosea 5:1.

N. Nazareth: Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 2:23; Luke 2:51.

O. Pool of Siloam: 2 Kings 25:4; 2 Chronicles 32:4-30; John 9:1-11. Zedekiah and his men escaped through here to Jericho.

P. Rachel’s Tomb: Jeremiah 31:15 (Weeping).

Q. Sea of Galilee: Matthew 4:13; Luke 8:22-25.

R. Shechem: John 4; Genesis 33:18.

S. Valley of Elah: 1 Samuel 17:2.

T. Valley of Gahena: Matthew 27:5-8.

U. Wilderness of Judea: Matthew 4:1-2; Luke 3:2-4.

XI. PRAY FOR JERUSALEM.

A. Psalm 122:1 – “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. 2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: 4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD. 5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

and prays for peace 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. 7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. 8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. 9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.” (KJV).

Psalm 125:2 – “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.” (KJV).

B. Isaiah 66:10 – “Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her: 11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory. 12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.” (KJV).

Amos 9:14 – “And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. 15 And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.” (KJV).

Edited for tags and categories by t.a. 03/12/10