NEW TESTAMENT BIBLE STORY— 2 CORINTHIANS #1,

 

  

Chapter Sixty-four:

Paul writes 2 Corinthians - Part one

From the NKJV Bible - Personal Study Edition - Nelson publishers 1990 and 1995 In 2 Corinthians Paul continues his attempt to correct errors of unchristian practice, worship, and doctrine which had arisen in the Corinthian church. The book's major themes are consolation, glory, generosity, and reconciliation - all from God and in Christ. AUTHOR AND DATE Second Corinthians was written by Paul in A.D.56, at the end of his two-to-three-year ministry in Ephesus (see Acts 19:8-10; 20:31). The letter was written perhaps six months to a year after he wrote I Corinthians (compare 8:10; 9:2 with 1 Cor.16:1). BACKGROUND The Corinthian church required Paul's repeated care. Shortly after his founding mission in Corinth he sent a letter, now lost, instructing the church "not to keep company with sexually immoral people" (1 Cor.5:9). Later, a delegation from Corinth came to Ephesus asking for Paul's guidance: they returned, possibly carrying 1 Corinthians with them (see 1 Cor.16:17-19). Timothy visited Corinth (1 Cor.4:17; 16:10,11) and probably returned to Paul in Ephesus with news of both opposition to Paul and continued division in the church. Paul made a "sorrowful" visit (2 Cor.1:23-2:1), which did not resolve these problems. He then sent a severe letter by Titus (2:3). Meanwhile, Paul went to Troas to preach, but anxious to hear from Titus, he moved on to Macedonia, where he received the joyful news regarding the Corinthians' contrition and repentance (2:12, 13:7:5-7; 1:3-16). Immediately he sent this reconciling letter known as 2 Corinthians, possibly by Titus, with instructions to complete the offering for the church at Jerusalem (8:6-18). Thus 1 Corinthians appears to be the second letter Paul wrote to the Corinthians; and 2 Corinthians, the fourth. Some speculate that the first letter and his third "severe" letter are a part of 2 Corinthians. But it is much more likely that they have been lost. (For more information on the church at Corinth see Introduction to 1 Corinthians: Background). Paul probably passed through Corinth again when be visited "Greece" (Acts 20:1-3), the province of Achaia in which Corinth was located. See 1:1. PURPOSE Paul was concerned that false apostles were leading the Corinthians away from the gospel. They were taking selfish advantage of the Corinthians by claiming apostolic authority and by boasting of human abilities and achievements. Paul defends his own authority as God's apostle by referring to what God had done through him, especially in the conversion of the Corinthians. He uses his authority as their founder to defend the true gospel. Yet Paul's primary purpose in the letter is not confrontation but reconciliation. He would present every man and woman "complete" in Christ (13:11; see Col.1:28). CONTENTS The letter contains three clearly defined sections. In chapters 1-7 Paul looks back to the church's refusal to acknowledge his authority and deal with the flagrant immorality of one of its members. He tells them of his great relief and joy that the issue has been resolved by their obedience and the offender's repentance. He also pleads that they continue to be reconciled to him and to God. In chapters 8 and 9 Paul seeks to motivate the Corinthians to be generous in gifts to an offering that he is sponsoring for the needy Christians in Jerusalem. Chapters 10-13 deal with teachers at Corinth who challenged Paul's authority and falsely claimed to be apostles. Paul defends his authority as Christ's apostle by showing how God's power has been effective through him. Because Paul is involved so deeply in all of these issues, the letter is filled with emotion. We see the heartbeat of the apostle in his concern for the struggling churches under his care. OUTLINE OF 2 CORINTHIANS 1. Salutation and thanksgiving 1:1-11 A. Salutation 1:1,2 B. Thanksgiving to the "God" of all comfort" 1:3-11 2. The integrity of Paul's actions 1:12-2:17 A. A cancelled visit 1:12-24 B. An effective letter 2:1-4 C. Forgiveness for the offender 2:5-11 D. A triumphant ministry 2:12-17 3. The ministry of the Spirit 3:1-4:6 A. Changed hearts 3:1-6 B. Continued transformation 3:7-18 C. Ministers of integrity 4:1-6 4. God's power in earthen vessels 4:7-5:10 A. Strength in our present suffering 4:7-15 B. Assurance of future glory 4:16-5:10 5. The ministry of reconciliation 5:11-7:16 A. A plea for reconciliation 5:11-7:1 1. Be reconciled to God 5:11-21 2. Be reconciled to Paul 6:1-13 3. Be separate from the world 6:14-7:1 B. Joy over Christian reconciliation 7:2-16 6. An offering to demonstrate your conversion and love 8:1-9:15 A. An example of generosity 8:1-7 B. Reasons for generosity 8:8-15 C. Provision for accountability 8:16-24 D. The shame of failing in generosity 9:1-5 E. The blessings of generosity 9:6-11 F. Thanksgiving for generosity 9:11-15 7. A defense of Paul's apostleship 10:1-12:13 A. Objections by the false apostles 10:1-11:15 1. An unimpressive presence 10:1-11 2. Failure to boast in his achievements 10:12-18 3. Failure to collect money from the Corinthians 11:1-15 B. Christ's power in Paul's life 11:16-12:13 1. Attested by his sufferings 11:16-23 2. Shown by his thorn in the flesh 12:1-10 3. Confirmed by signs 12:11-13 8. Preparation for Paul's visit 12:14-13:10 A. Concern for the Corinthians 12:14-21 B. A challenge to self-examination 13:1-10 9. Concluding benediction 13:11-14 End of quotes PERTINENT COMMENTS CHAPTER ONE Paul talks about suffering and troubles, even to near death, but that God sees us through, gives us strength to endue and comforts us as we battle along in the Christian life. Through it all we learn to trust in God and not in yourselves. He appreciates the prayers offered for himself and others with him. Paul rejoices in the simplicity and godly sincerity they had their conduct in the world and towards them, they (he and those with him) write to them what they live, and he trusts they will acknowledge this to the end. They did rejoice in them, just they rejoice in the Corinthians. With this in mind Paul was mindful to come to them. He was quite serious about it all, it was not "I say but do not do." Paul had told them he would come to them, he was in Christ, and Christ's word is yes, not yes but no. We do have the seal of God's Spirit, the "earnest" or "down-payment" of the Spirit. As God is witness he tells them, he wanted to come to them, but to spare them from coming with correction and rebuke he did not come. He wanted to come not as one like a dictator over their faith, but as a helping servant (verses 1-24). CHAPTER TWO Paul had determined not to come to them in the heaviness of attitude and speech. He had written to them so he would not have to come in a harsh way, so he could rejoice in them for moving forward into the truth. He had written to them with anguish and tears. It was not easy for him to have to correct and rebuke, but he had to do it, yet it was done with great love towards them (verses 1-4). Paul has heard that they did obey his judgment concerning the man who was practicing immoral sexual sin (1 Cor.5), they had put him away from their fellowship. He had repented. Now Paul instructs them that they did indeed then have to be willing to forgive him. If they have forgiven then it really went without saying, that Paul also had forgiven. The man was to be restored to fellowship in the church once more (verses 5-11). Paul speaks about his triumphant ministry in verses 12-17. To some, those that are perishing, at least in this physical life, such preaching of the Gospel was like a death to them, they rejected it or thought of it as something not good, but to those whom were being called to be saved, as well of course to God Himself, their teaching of the Gospel, was a sweet cent of life itself. He finishes by reminding them that he and those with him like Timothy and Silvanus (chap.1:19), are not like the many which twist and corrupt the word of God, but in the sight of God they testify the truth in Christ (verses 12-17). CHAPTER THREE Paul goes on to confirm their credentials in the ministry of God and Christ. It is really proven by the fact that the Corinthian church was founded by themselves, through the very Spirit of God, not anything physical, or just the workings of men. Paul's fellow co-workers, all of his company, were able ministers of the NEW Testament, not of the letter of the Old Testament, but the very live giving Spirit of the New Testament (verses 1-6). The he contrasts the Old from the New. The Old Testament, even with the glory of the Ten Commandments written in stone, and which Moses' face shone as he carried them in his arms, has no comparison in glory, for the magnificent glory of the New Testament through and by the Holy Spirit that gives LIFE. He declares the two "glories" - one Old and one New, really have no comparison, for the glory of the New Testament is so much more glory than the Old Testament (verses 7-11). Even the facial glory that Moses had when carrying the Ten Commandments, the children of Israel could not view. They were blinded spiritually speaking, they did not have the heart, and in Romans chapters 9 through 11, Paul makes it abundantly clear that the vast majority in Israel were never given, never called to salvation, they were blinded and that by God. We also see this in the books of Moses, in such passages as Deut. 5:29; 29:4; and Num.11 where the Spirit of God was only given to but a few, to the "election of grace" as Paul put it in Romans 9 to 11, while the rest were blinded, as he also says here in verse 14. In all this then the Old Covenant was basically an administration of death. It was not the design of the Old Covenant to save to salvation the majority. Most under that administration would live and die their physical life and never be called to salvation. Just like the majority of the Gentiles before the Gospel age, had no hope, no calling, were without God in the world (see Eph.2:11-12), so was the majority in Israel. The Old Covenant then was, which ever way you looked at it, not the spiritual Covenant that led to eternal life, for the vast majority of people. The New Covenant of the Spirit was much more glorious in that its design was to lead people, both Jew and gentile, to salvation. God will grant a chance of salvation to the millions who were never called to salvation under the old administration, and those not called under the new administration. We explained a lot of that when we went through the Gospels. God does have a plan of salvation for everyone who has ever lived, as Paul made abundantly clear in Romans chapters 9 through 11. The working of the New Covenant by the Spirit, is the working of the Lord, for Paul says "Now the Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty" (verse 17). The "Spirit" is not a separate bodied being walking around heaven, the Holy Spirit is the Lord, that is it emanates, flows out from the Lord, like an invisible electrical power, hence can be in all the universe at the same time, doing the Lord's will. And Paul ends his thought by saying it is the very Spirit of the Lord that had CHANGED us from the type of glory under the Old to the type of glory (which is far mare glory) under the New Covenant (verses 7-18). CHAPTER FOUR The ministry of Christ, the Gospel of Christ, is not of men, it is not something Paul and others made up, but it is the very truth of Christ, and God commanded that light and that truth to be proclaimed, by men, who preach then not about themselves but about Jesus the Lord. And if many do not understand the truth of the Gospel, it is because the god of this world (we know him by the names Satan the Devil) has blinded their minds to the light of the Gospel. Of course we know from other passages like, Romans 9 to 11, that it is God who allows all this blindness to continue, and so we here find that Paul says that blindness is in a large part having to do with Satan (and his demon helpers), who go about blinding the minds of so many (verses 1-6). Then Paul tells them that the Gospel has been commissioned to be preached by himself and others, who at times have to endure many hardships, troubles, trials, persecutions, but not forsaken, cast down, even to close to physical death, but not destroyed or killed. They are often as Jesus was, physically mistreated, but as they go through all this that brings them closer to death, life eternal is brought to them and others that accept the Gospel of Jesus. Through it all they all know that He which raised Christ from the dead will also raise us up by Jesus, and shall present all of us together with Jesus. Paul talked, as we have seen, all about the glorious resurrection of the saints to the Corinthians in the fifteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians. Here it is time he believes to mention it once more. The great sure hope for the Christian is the resurrection, the raising up of life from death, just as Jesus was raised to life from death, and so it will be for Paul, his companions, the Corinthians, and for all saints of all ages. And though life can have its trials, tests, and troubles, it is really only for a short, very short, time span, when looked at from the point of all eternity. So as Paul said to them, "We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (verses 7-18). CHAPTER FIVE Paul continues his thought of the resurrection and being raised to immortal life. We are now physical, our body is physical, but we shall have in that resurrection day, a new body, one from heaven. Paul had explained all this in some detail to them in chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians, yet he feels he needs to expound it again. The body we now have will not be the body we shall have. We long for, he said, that time when we shall be clothed with our new body, the time when our mortal body will be swallowed up with eternal life, glorified immortal life as he said to them in his previous epistle. While we are in this earthy physical body we cannot be with the Lord. He had told them that in 1 Corinthians 15, when he told them that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, and that a change was needed, a change from moral to immortal, from corruption to incorruption. Paul said there was a want to be with the Lord, verse 8. He had a desire to die this physical death for then in his resting in sleep, the very next instant he would be with Christ in his glorified form (something like you and me going to sleep say at 10 p.m. and the next second it seems to us, we are awake at 6 ot 7 a.m. to start a new day). So it is with physical death and the resurrection. There is no knowledge of the time from death to the resurrection at Christ's coming. With all that Paul had to go through in the way of trials, troubles, and physical persecutions at times, it is no wonder he often wanted to be out of this world in death, and so the next second for him would be the resurrection and so he would be with the Lord. But he would do God's work as long as he was present in this physical life and in this physical world. There was work to do in this life, and it had to be done, for there was coming a day that all would have to give an accountability as to what they did in this physical body of life. And doing God's work, in truth, had little to do with the physical outward appearance of people, though some wanted to try and say it was of some importance, it was not. And so the Corinthians could stand up against those who would make outward appearance something to take into account. It is the heart that is important, the true mind-set, not the outward form of some who brag about their showy spectacular ministry. Paul tells them he is not trying to give a pat on the back to himself and those with him, but he's giving them the truth as to their presentation of the Gospel, not outwardly "showy" but truth in sincerity. We work as Christ's love controls us. And it was Jesus who died for us, so those who accept him as Lord and Savior will live to please God, not themselves. He tells them that he once thought of Jesus as just a "person" like all other persons. But not any more, he thinks of Him now MUCH differently. And those who think like he now thinks, will become a new person. They will have put away the old sinful life and will be living God's way - the life that is pleasing to Him. God bought us back to Himself through Jesus, and has given us the responsibility and task to bring others into reconciliation to Himself. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. And that massage He has given to us so we can tells others about it. Paul tells them that God is using himself and those with him to speak to them, and he urges them to be reconciled to God, to admit their errors and sins, for God made Christ, who never sinned, to be our sin bearer, so we can be forgiven, be at one with God through Christ (verses 1-21). CHAPTER SIX Paul proceeds now to PLEAD with them, and not to receive the grace of God in vain. .................................... TO BE CONTINUED

 

Our Daily Bread #46

Things happen - more Effective for the Lord

IS THAT YOU, NEIGHBOR? Read: Luke 6:27-36 And who is my neighbor? - Luke 10:29 English yachtsman sailing in the Caribbean, 4,000 miles from home, lost his mast in a storm. He had been adrift for 2 days, and was taking water in 20-foot waves, when his desperate SOS was picked up. According to Ananova news service, 90 minutes later he was rescued by the captain of a 116,000-ton superliner. Only when he was pulled out of the water did the rescued sailor discover that the captain who had responded to his call for help was a neighbor from his Hampshire village of Warsash. The rescued man later asked. "What are the chances of being rescued in the middle of nowhere by your neighbor?" Jesus saw neighbors in unlikely places. When an expert in Jewish law asked Him to define the neighbor we are to love, Jesus drew a big circle. He told the story of a merciful Samaritan to show that a neighbor is the friend, stranger, or enemy who needs the help we can give (Luke 10). To distinguish ourselves as Jesus' people, we need to show kindness even to those who wish us harm (Luke 6:32-34). Only then will we reflect the heart of the One who, while we were still His enemies, paid the ultimate price to come to our rescue. - Mart De Haan How many lives shall I touch today? How many neighbors will pass my way? I can bless so many and help so much, If I meet each one with a Christlike touch. - Jones OUR LOVE FOR CHRIST IS ONLY AS REAL AS OUR LOVE FOR OUR NEIGHBOR. CHOOSING THE HARD THINGS Read: 2 Corinthians 4:5-18 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair. - 2 Corinthians 4:8 On September 12, 1962, President John F. Kennedy delivered a speech at Rice University in Houston, Texas, about the difficult challenges facing the nation. He also shared his passion for the United States to place a man on the moon. In balancing the needs of his people with the desire to conquer space, Kennedy said, "We choose to go to the moon in this decade. We choose to go to the moon and do the other things, not because they are easy but because they are hard." The nation responded. Seven years later, Neil Armstrong took a "giant leap for mankind" in July of 1969, by walking on the moon. Today's world is filled with energysaving devices that make life easier, but there is something to be said for embracing life's challenges. The apostle Paul found serving Christ hard, but he didn't see it as a cause for discouragement. He continued to focus on Christ, and wrote, "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair" (2 Cor.4:8). Paul knew that "He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you" (v.14). The goal was worth the pain. By the grace of God, may we commit to serving Jesus not just when it's easy, but when it's hard. - Bill Crowder JESUS GAVE HIS ALL TO SAVE US - ARE WE GIVING OUR ALL TO SERVE HIM? QUIET TIMES Read; Psalm 23:1-3; Mark 6:30-32 Be still, and know that I am God. - Psalm 46:10 My friend Mary told me that she had always valued the time she spent fishing with her dad. Not being a fishing aficionado myself, I was curious about what she found so enjoyable. "I just like being with my dad," she said. "So you just fish and talk?" I asked her. "Oh, no, we don't really talk," she said. "We just fish." It wasn't the conversation - it was the company. Did you ever think about how much time we spend talking? In what we like to call our "quiet time" with God, we usually fill in any silence with our prayers. But do we ever practice just being "still"? God said, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps.46:10). When Jesus noticed that the disciples were so busy that they didn't even have time to eat, He told them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while" (Mark 6:31). When we leave the distractions of life behind, we can more easily rest and refocus on God. Are you allowing quiet moments alone with God to be a part of your life? Do you desire for Him to restore your soul? (Ps. 23:1-3). Let Him teach you how to "be still." And listen when Jesus invites you: "Come aside with Me and rest a while." - Cindy Hess Kasper The quiet times we spend with God, In solitude and prayer, Will strengthen and restore our souls, And help us sense His care. - Sper QUIET TIMES WITH GOD STORE UP POWER FOR FUTURE EMERGENCIES. FEVER PITCH Read: Matthew 22:34-40 You shall love your neighbor as yourself. - Matthew 22:39 In the movie "Fever Pitch," Ben Wrightman is crazy about the Boston Red Sox baseball team. He rarely misses a game during the spring and summer months. One winter Ben falls in love with a young woman named Lindsey and wins her heart. Then spring rolls around, and she finds out that he's a different person during baseball season. He has no time for her unless she goes to the games with him. When Lindsey ends her relationship with Ben because of his fanaticism, he talks with a young friend, who says, "You love the Sox. But tell me, have they ever loved you back?" Those words cause Ben to analyze his priorities and to give more time to the woman he loves, who loves him back. We pour our lives into hobbies, pleasures, activities, work - many good things. But two things should always be thought about when making our choices. Jesus said. "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart .... You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt 22:37,39). When it seems our life is getting out of balance, the question, "Has that hobby or activity or thing ever loved me back?" may help to keep us in check. Loving God and loving people are what really count. - Anne Cetas Follow with reverent steps the great example, Of Him whose holy work was doing good: So shall the wide earth seem our Father's temple, Each loving life a psalm of gratitude, - Whittler WE SHOW OUR LOVE FOR GOD WHEN WE SHARE HIS LOVE WITH OTHERS. RUNNING A MARATHON Read: Philippians 3:12-21 I press towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. - Pilippians 3:14 The "Comrades Marathon," which began in 1921, is the oldest ultra-marathon. Covering 90 km (56 miles), it is held annually in South Africa. Bruce Fordyce completely dominated this marathon in the 1980s, winning it nine times between 1981 and 1990. His 1986 record of 5 hours 24 minutes Philippians 3:12-21 and 7 seconds stood for 21 years before it was finally broken in 2007. It's amazing to me that he has continued to run in this race every year. In a sense, we as Christians are all in a marathon. It takes endurance to run and finish the race of life. When the apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians, he spoke of how he was "reaching forward to those things which are ahead" (3:13) and pressing on "toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (v.14). Our Lord Jesus has set an example of how to run life's marathon. The Bible tells us that Jesus "for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb.12:2). Despite "hostility from sinners," He completed His race (v.3). The secret to finishing well is to look forward to the joy that awaits us after life's race - eternal life with Him. - C. P Hia I ran to meet Him when I heard His call, The Savior's arms were open to receive; And I'm still running since I gave my all, Inviting others also to believe. - H ess THE CHRISTIAN'S RACE IS NOT A COMPETITIVE EVENT BUT AN ENDURANCE RUN. PATIENCE IN PRISON Read: Genesis 40:1-14,23 [God] Himself has said, "I will never leave you noe forsake you." - Hebrews 13:5 Have you ever noticed that other people's forgetfulness can try your patience? As a college professor, I find my patience stretched when a student forgets to do an assignment that's clearly spelled out in the syllabus. In the Old Testament story of Joseph, we see a far worse example of forgetfulness - and we can only imagine how he struggled to be patient as a result. While in prison, Joseph interpreted a dream of the king's butler, which led to the man's release. Joseph told him, "Remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house" (Gen.40:14). It would seem that after Joseph had helped the butler gain freedom, remembering him would have been high on his "to do" list. But it was 2 years before the butler spoke to Pharaoh about Joseph (41:9). Finally, Joseph was freed. Imagine the impatience Joseph felt as he waited each day in that dungeon (40:15) - perhaps thinking his only chance at freedom had passed. Yet Joseph had a resource: He had God's presence (39:21), as do we (Heb.13:5). When you're feeling impatient, lean on the God who is always with you. He'll turn your impatience into patient trust. - Dave Branon Tune your anxious heart to patience, Walk by faith where sight is dim; Loving God, be calm and trustful, And leave everything to Him. - Chambers PATIENCE MEANS AWAITING GOD'S TIME WITHOUT DOUBTING GOD'S LOVE. JOURNEYS Read: Philippians 1:8-18 I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel. - Philippians 1:12 On a map in the back of my Bible, each of Paul's missionary journeys is shown by a colored line with arrows indicating his direction of travel. On the first three, the arrows lead away from his place of departure and back to a point of return. On the fourth journey, however, Paul was traveling as a prisoner, bound for trial before Caesar, and the arrows point only one direction, ending in Rome. We might be tempted to call this an unfortunate time in Paul's life, were not for his view that God was leading and using him just as much on this journey as He did on the previous three. He wrote: "I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the Word without fear" (Phil. 1:12-14). Even when our journey in life is marked by confinement and limitations, we can be sure that the Lord will encourage others through us as we speak His Word and trust in Him. - David McCasland The journeys that we take in life, Though unexpected they may be, If we commit to follow Christ, His work through us the world will see. - Sper FOR THE CHRISTIAN, WHAT LOOKS LIKE A DETOUR MAY ACTUALLY BE A NEW ROAD TO BLESSING. ....................... Oh, indeed I can look back on my life and see a number of times that I was unsure, even confused some, as to what was happening in my life, for things happened that I never would have chosen, never thought I'd be in that situation, certainly never planned that circumstance, as a young man in my teens, planning and dreaming to reach for my dreams. Through some of my life years, I did wonder why they went as they did. It was only after getting back to realizing God was in charge, then looking back on certain events, that I came to the knowledge that it all happened, so that I might teach and preach the GOSPEL to individuals and to the world (now via the Internet and this Website) in a way that gives me lessons of life, so I can be more effective ... for I have walked the road that many others have walked. I can relate to their trials, tests, troubles, and how life can throw us a curve ball out of the blue. But we still bat on, knowing in just sticking in, we eventually will make it around the bases of life and into the Kingdom of God. Keith Hunt

 

Creation - Days or Ages?

Genesis chapter One

HOW LONG WERE the "Days" of CREATION? Were the days of creation week "ages"? People insist that God could not set the world in order and create life forms in six literal days! Why? by Kenneth C. Herrmann (1958 - very old article, but truth never ages - Keith Hunt) WHY has doubt about creation entered Christian minds today? Why do men in this "enlightened age" reject the unmistakable meaning of the Word of God? For over 3000 years men of God have believed the literal meaning of the account of creation recorded in Genesis 1 and 2. To them the Scripture said that in six days, 24-hour days as we know them, God created the heavens and the earth and rested the seventh day. Holy men of old rested on the Sabbath day believing that it had its beginning as the final day of that creation week - that it was a memorial of creation. For 3000 years righteous men dared to take God's inspired record at face value. No record is found of "ages" rather than days of creation in the ancient history of the Hebrews or of early Christians. Why, then, does an "enlightened age" reject the truth of literal days of creation? How the Idea of "Ages" Began Since the days of Darwin a controversy has raged between the Bible proponents and atheists. The theory of evolution, a theory which remains unproven even today - and always will - became the entering wedge to separate the Bible scholars from their trust in the truth of the Scriptures. The atheist looked to the evidence on hand: Fossils of varying types in the earth, evidence of variation among living organisms; and with his mind stubbornly set that he would not believe what could not be demonstrated before his eyes, he preached the idea to the world that man had evolved from lifeless matter over a period of millions of years - that the Scriptural account of creation was s gross superstition. With few exceptions, religious circles denounced evolution with equal vigor. But they refused even to look at the facts the atheist presented, much less to question his faulty reasoning. Between the two extremes a third group sprang up, accepting the facts of the atheist and swallowing his reasoning without question. Reverencing the Bible and not willing to give it up, yet thinking that perhaps it didn't mean quite what it said, this group concluded that perhaps Moses misunderstood, perhaps the record had become confused or altered. Evolution looked so plausible, evolutionists' arguments so sincere and the Bible too old and uncertain in meaning, so difficult to understand. "Ages of creation became the cry of the modernists. That is the history of the modernist teaching in regard to creation week. An attempt to believe contrary to Scripture and yet believe she "easier" portions of the Scripture. What proof is there that Gad created the present order of things on this earth in six literal days? What difference does it make whether one believes in "ages" of creation or literal days of creation? Let's question the record and set aside doubts once and for all time. What the Scriptural Record Really Says Distorted interpretations of the creation record have resulted mainly from two causes: (1) a desire to read a false meaning into the Word of God, and (2) a pitiful ignorance of the account itself. A brief review of the account of creation is certainly in order here. Open your Bible and study the account thoroughly as you read further in this article and after reading it. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" - this tells about the original creation. The second verse of Genesis 1 refers to a destruction which came upon the earth following the sin and rebellion of Satan and the angels who followed him. (That battle between Satan and his angels with him, and God with His heavenly host, and the resulting global flood over all the earth, is expounded in various studies on this Website. The result of that battle can be seen on the earth's moon and planets like Mars - a cosmic Star-Wars it was indeed - Keith Hunt) The renewing of our earth in a state of order followed in six days. Darkness was upon the face of the ocean. At dawn the first day, light penetrated the dense clouds. As it grew warmer the clouds rose the second day and an expanse or heaven was formed, the one in which the birds fly. Thus the waters on the earth were separated from the water laden clouds above. The ocean receded, dry land appeared and grass and herbs were planted the third day. A mist watered them and as the fourth day progressed the sun became visible through the thinning clouds. Toward evening the moon and stars appeared. Notice how agreeable with the laws of science this is. Birds and sea life were created the fifth day, the land animals with Adam and Eve the sixth, and a day of rest and worship for the man the seventh. Thus in one week order was restored to the earth. But was it a literal week? Carefully notice that no close is mentioned to the seventh day. Check this point in Genesis 2:1-3. All the other days were an "evening and a morning" but this expression does nor follow the seventh day. Why? Now if, as same teach, the seventh day hasn't ended yet, it would already be almost 6000 years long. And if it were that long couldn't the first six days be similar periods. The Seventh Day Did End! Here's proof not from the imagination of men but from God's Word that the seventh day did end! Genesis 2:2. "He (God) rested on the seventh day from all His work" Not "is resting" from all His work! Exodus 20:11. "The Lord ... rested the seventh day." Again Genesis 2:3. "In it {the seventh day] He had rested" He blessed the Sabbath AFTER HE had rested on it. Hebrews 4:4. "God did rest the seventh day from all His works." Not "is resting"! The seventh day of creation is PAST, for on it God rested. No Scripture exists saying He "is resting" on a continuing seventh day! The seventh day of creation week did end. Double proof of this fact is found in the Scriptures telling of the WORK God has done since that day of rest. "My father WORKETH hitherto (even now], and I work" (John 5:17). Jeremiah 50:25. "This is the WORK of the Lord God of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans." Exodus 32:16. "The tables were the WORK of God, and the writing was the writing of Gad, graven upon the tables" Joshua 24:31. "Joshua, and . . . the elders . . . which had known all the WORKS of the Lord, that He had done for Israel." God has worked since that seventh day. Both the Father and the One who became Jesus Christ by flesh birth have worked since that first Sabbath day ended! Man Still Disagrees! Yet in the face of God's word, men will believe "days" to be "ages" end that God is now testing and being refreshed. Thus one certain sect teaches, "Measured by the length of the seventh day, on which God desists from work and ii refreshed, each of those days was 7000 years long." (From "Let God be True," second edition, page 168.) How often error goes under the title of truth! Reread the preceding Scriptures: The 24 hour day upon which God rested had passed and has been followed by nearly 6000 years in which God has worked. (Actually we do not know how many thousands of years have been since Genesis creation - Keith Hunt). Then compare the above quote with Exodus 31:17, "in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rotted and was refreshed." Not is (being) refreshed! Here is the truth from which man seeks to shield himself. It was on a literal seventh day that God tested. It was a literal seventh day of the week that God hallowed for the human race. The observance of the seventh day and the origin of the week go back to Adam, not Moses! Following that rest, God blessed the seventh day and set it apart for holy use. The first week, creation week, had ended. The Witness of Nature In the time of Moses the witness of two men was accepted as being the truth. Many "witnesses" have been given from the Word of God that these creation days were literal days and there is yet more proof. God leaves no room for doubt in the minds of those who diligently study his word. Consider the plants which were created on the third day. The sun did not appear until the next day. If there "days" were each 7000 years long then these plants would have had to survive 7000 years without sunshine. A few might possibly survive such an ordeal but the majority of plants require direct sunshine. Those who believe the days to have been ages which were millions of years long are faced with an even greater absurdity. Or consider this, plants were made the third day, insects on the sixth. How did certain specialized plants continue to exist through ages without their insect partners? The Encyclopedia Britannica states that two groups of insects which include bees, wasps, butterflies and moths could not have existed without the honey or nectar bearing plants, NOR COULD THESE PLANTS HAVE EXISTED WITHOUT THE INSECTS. Without insects to pollinize them they could not bear seed. The types of plants which require insects for pollination are those with brightly colored flowers, having an odor to attract insects and containing nectar to provide them with food. They include such common plants as the maple tree, the strawberry, the blackberry, the honeysuckle, and the poppy. The Bible state that these plants were made on the third day and that the insect, were not made until three days later. Those who claim creation days were each 7000 years long are faced with the conclusion that these original plants must have had to live 21,000 years before they could produce seed - an utter impossibility! People find it easier to swallow a camel than to believe the plain simple statement of Scripture: "In six days God made heaven and earth." You will either have to accept God's account of creation as being true or lose your faith and trust that His Word is dependable. Evolution will not mix with the Scriptures any more than iron will mix with clay. Ages and evolution must go! What Is the Meaning of "Day"? The word "day" in the Bible is often used to represent an indefinite period of time. In fact the Hebrew word, Yom, translated day is occasionally translated "time:" But in EVERY CASE where the numeral, first, second, third, etc. occur, the word day is obviously and clearly referring to a natural 24-hour day as we know it. The Scripture speaks of the day of vengeance, the day of adversity, the day of temptation, just as we do today, meaning a time or season. Yet when it speaks of the fourteenth day of the month (Lev.23), the seven days of Unleavened Bread or the fifty days until Pentecost, the word "day" can mean only a 24-hour period. Symbolically a day may represent a "year' (Ezek.4:6), or a "thousand years" (2 Peter 3:8): but symbolic interpretations may not be applied in all cases. The three days Christ was in the grave were not 3 years or 3000 years. Neither would any symbolic interpretation fit in the first chapters of Genesis where we have proven from nature that they must have been normal days of twenty-four hours. Another Bible meaning of the word day as a 12-hour period is also in common usage today. When it speaks of the three days and three nights Jonah was in the great fish's belly or the three days and three nights Christ was in His grave, the word day refers to the daylight part of the 24-hour period. This "day" is by Christ's own definition 12 hours. "Are there not 12 hours in the day?" John 11.9. The Scripture used by many as an excuse to believe the days of creation were ages really suggests no such meaning. It is Gen. 2:4 which refers to the time of creation, "In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, and every plant . . . and every herb." Lacking a numeral before it, it can refer to a longer period of time than 24 hours and it does! This "day" refers to the first six days of creation week. It takes a great deal of imagination to use this as a proof that a day means an age or even 7000 years. The Obvious Meaning Can the word day mean 24 hours in one part of a sentence and an age in another put? It would have to if one were to believe in "ages" of creation! Exodus 20:9-11: "Six days shalt thou labour and do all shy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; ... for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it" The word day occurs five times in this one sentence. Can you believe that in the third and fourth occurrences it means an age while in the other three it means a day? Had God meant an age wouldn't He have used the Hebrew word "dor" to mean age as in Job 8:8, "Enquire, I pray of thee, of the former age"? In each of these five occurrences in Exodus 20, God is obviously speaking of the same unit of time, a 24-hour day. And as the word "day" means a twenty-four hour period here it had to mean the came in Genesis! If God had created light, day and night, and then waited 1000 years (or 7000 years) to form the heavens, He would have been resting before the seventh day arrived! If He formed the heavens on a second day and then waited 1000 years to form the seas and the land, He would have been resting again before the seventh day arrived. Note the Scripture again: "For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and war refreshed:" After six days of continual labor - six days spent in bringing our earth to a state of order - God rested. He was refreshed on the seventh day. If that seventh day were still continuing, the Scripture would read that He is now "being refreshed." As a final proof that the days of creation were literal days, re-read Genesis 1:3-5, 14-19, with special attention on the words evening and morning, night and day, darkness and light. All have continued since creation. We are not confused as to what they are. Note that the sun was appointed "to divide the light from the darkness" to divide day from night. Does sun-down divide anything but literal days? No place in the Scripture does God imply that He took anything but a natural week of ordinary days to bring life and order to the earth. Evenings and mornings have continued, the week has continued, the Sabbath set apart for rest at creation has continued, all pointing back to that first creation week. The truth is plain and without Scriptural contradiction. There is no room to believe in the ages which evolutionists require, when you accept the Scriptures as they are, explained not in the fog of human imagination but in the light of the Word of God and in accordance with nature, the handiwork of God. ................

THE TRUTH OF GENESIS 1: 1,2,

 GENESIS 1: 1

FENTON  translation—— By Periods God created the heavens and earth.

He says it is in the plural. And it probably means as today so it was yesterday.

The universe in different ways dies, stars etc. so there is also birth of stars. What was yesterday is also what there is today. By periods the universe moves.

GENESIS 1: 2

And the earth was without form and void—

We are brought on to a  time when the earth WAS in a mess, and darkness WAS upon the face of the deep.

Most scientists say there WAS such a time. A time WAS when the Dinosaur age came to an end in a violent way from massive out of space missiles, They have now discovered the unreal impressions left in the earth's mantle. Proof that these rocky missiles caused such monumental havoc that the age of the Dinosaurs came to an end. The waters of planet earth covered the ENTIRE globe and darkness was upon the earth.

HOW LONG the waters and darkness continued we are not told.

It was the time of seam-bed laying, coal bed laying, iron ore bed laying.  A time of oil being made, a time of natural gas forming, a time of diamonds and gold being formed. A time of substances forming that the modern man uses in modern space-age life in the 20th and 21st age.

HOW LONG was the earth under the waters we are not told.

BUT we are told why the earth was formed and made into a gem of a planet.

Isaiah 45:12

King James Version

12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.

Isaiah 45:18-22

King James Version

18 For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else.

19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.

21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.

22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

God created the earth not in a mess but to be inhabited.  Yes to be inhabited by the Dinosaur age.

◄ Job 38 ►

New Living Translation  Par ▾  The LORD Challenges Job 1Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: 2“Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? 3Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. 4“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. 5Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? 6What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone 7as the morning stars sang together and all the angelsa shouted for joy? 8“Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb, 9and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness? 10For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores. 11I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!’ 12“Have you ever commanded the morning to appear and caused the dawn to rise in the east? 13Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth, to bring an end to the night’s wickedness? 14As the light approaches, the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal; it is robed in brilliant colors.b 15The light disturbs the wicked and stops the arm that is raised in violence. 16“Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you explored their depths? 17Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom? 18Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell me about it if you know! 19“Where does light come from, and where does darkness go? 20Can you take each to its home? Do you know how to get there? 21But of course you know all this! For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced! 22“Have you visited the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of hail? 23(I have reserved them as weapons for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war.) 24Where is the path to the source of light? Where is the home of the east wind? 25“Who created a channel for the torrents of rain? Who laid out the path for the lightning? 26Who makes the rain fall on barren land, in a desert where no one lives? 27Who sends rain to satisfy the parched ground and make the tender grass spring up? 28“Does the rain have a father? Who gives birth to the dew? 29Who is the mother of the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens? 30For the water turns to ice as hard as rock, and the surface of the water freezes. 31“Can you direct the movement of the stars— binding the cluster of the Pleiades or loosening the cords of Orion? 32Can you direct the constellations through the seasons or guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens? 33Do you know the laws of the universe? Can you use them to regulate the earth? 34“Can you shout to the clouds and make it rain? 35Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct? 36Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind? 37Who is wise enough to count all the clouds? Who can tilt the water jars of heaven 38when the parched ground is dry and the soil has hardened into clods? 39“Can you stalk prey for a lioness and satisfy the young lions’ appetites 40as they lie in their dens or crouch in the thicket? 41Who provides food for the ravens when their young cry out to God and wander about in hunger? THIS CREATION WAS DONE WHEN THE EARTH  WAS FIRST FORMED FOR THE DINOSAURS. OUR PLANET WAS BEAUTIFUL, SPECTACULAR. THE ANGELS SANG, IT WAS A PHYSICAL GEM, IN THE UNIVERSE, AS IT WAS AGAIN MADE SO IN GENESIS ONE., AS GOD BROUGHT IT FORTH FROM THE WATERS. THE EARTH WAS SO MUCH A GEM OF GOD'S CREATION HE TOLD THE SPLENDID, BEAUTIFUL, GLORIOUS, COVERING CHERUB HE COULD HAVE IT TO KEEP AND GUARD. THIS BEING OF BEAUTY AND GLORY IS RELATED TO US IN EZEKIEL. 11 Then this further message came to me from the Lord: 12 “Son of man, sing this funeral song for the king of Tyre. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: IN TYPOLIGY —- WE MOVE TO  THE GLORIOUS SPIRIT BEING “You were the model of perfection,     full of wisdom and exquisite in beauty. 13 You were in Eden,     the garden of God. Your clothing was adorned with every precious stone[b]—     red carnelian, pale-green peridot, white moonstone,     blue-green beryl, onyx, green jasper,     blue lapis lazuli, turquoise, and emerald— all beautifully crafted for you     and set in the finest gold. They were given to you     on the day you were created. 14 I ordained and anointed you     as the mighty angelic guardian.[c] You had access to the holy mountain of God     and walked among the stones of fire. 15 “You were blameless in all you did     from the day you were created     until the day evil was found in you. 16 Your rich commerce led you to violence,     and you sinned. So I banished you in disgrace     from the mountain of God. I expelled you, O mighty guardian,     from your place among the stones of fire. 17 Your heart was filled with pride     because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted     by your love of splendor. BACK TO THE KING OF TYRE— So I threw you to the ground     and exposed you to the curious gaze of kings. 18 You defiled your sanctuaries     with your many sins and your dishonest trade. So I brought fire out from within you,     and it consumed you. I reduced you to ashes on the ground     in the sight of all who were watching. 19 All who knew you are appalled at your fate.     You have come to a terrible end,     and you will exist no more.” THIS BEING WAS GIVEN THE EARTH TO CARE FOR AND KEEP, BUT THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH, HE WANTED THE THRONE OF GOD—— ISAIAH 14— TYPE GOES TO ANTI-TYPE AND BACK TO TYPE “How you are fallen from heaven,     O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth,     you who destroyed the nations of the world. 13 For you said to yourself,     ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods     far away in the north.[e] 14 I will climb to the highest heavens     and be like the Most High.’ 15 Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead,     down to its lowest depths. THERE WAS A "Star Wars" BETWEEN THE NOW SINFUL  COVERING CHERUB AND HIS ANGELS AGAINST GOD AND HIS ANGELS. A STAR WARS SO GREAT THE HUMAN MIND CANNOT IMAGINE HOW GREAT IT WAS. OUR MOON SHOWS THE SCARES. BUT THE EARTH WAS ESPECIALLY UNDER FIRE BY THIS BEING WHO  BECAME SATAN THE DEVIL. THE EARTH WAS HAMMERED WITH ROCKY MISSILES. ONE OF THE BIGGEST HIT THE GULF OF MEXICO— ALL TOLD THE EARTH SHOOK, REALED, ROLLED,  WATERS WERE COVERING THE EARTH— IT WAS THE END OF THE DINOSAUR AGE. THE DEVIL WAS FIGHTING, WANTING GOD'S THRONE. BUT GOD AND HIS  ANGELS WERE WAY TO STRONG FOR SATAN AND HIS ANGELS. THEY WERE THROWN DOWN TO THE EARTH WITH LIMITATIONS OF POWER. JESUS SAW IT HAPPEN— ◄ Luke 10:18 ► Verse  (Click for Chapter) New International Version He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. New Living Translation “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! English Standard Version And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Berean Standard Bible So He told them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Berean Literal Bible And He said to them, "I beheld Satan having fallen as lightning out of heaven. King James Bible And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. New King James Version And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. New American Standard Bible And He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like lightning. NASB 1995 And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. NASB 1977  And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Legacy Standard Bible  And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Amplified Bible He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like [a flash of] lightning. AND SO  WITH THAT, WHAT EVER TIME LATER, GOD BROUGHT THE DRY LAND OUT FROM UNDER THE WATER, AND THEN THE REST OF GENESIS ONE WAS ENTERED INTO BY THE ETERNAL RIGHTEOUS GOD. IT WAS TIME TO BRING HUMAN KIND INTO THE WORLD, SO THE PLAN OF GOD COULD GO FORTH. A PLAN THAT TRULY BLOWS THE MIND.  THAT PLAN  I AM SHARING WITH YOU ON THIS BLOG. Keith Hunt    1