Presents
Matthew #2554
That is not opinion but exactly what God has said is the most important thing.
Presents
Matthew #2554
That is not opinion but exactly what God has said is the most important thing.
In our last study we saw how Jesus Christ handled the agents sent out by the hypocritical Pharisees who remained behind the scenes to avoid public exposure while seeking to entangle or entrap Him in His words in order that they might find cause to have Him delivered into the hands of the governmental authorities for advocating or practicing such things as tax evasion. Christ simply used wisdom and common sense to cause them not only to marvel at His words but to "go their way".
Now Jesus Christ is going to show us how to handle a Biblically illiterate religious sect who uses faulty reasoning and a farfetched analogy to support to their own unfounded traditions, which in the case of the Sadducees is that there is no life after death. You "see", religionists are not at all interested in seeking truth from the Word of God for often their group identity is based on their tradition, even if it is unscriptural, and they are not about to let the truth of God's Word change their religion! It is so sad-u-see!
This was the "same day" for the opponents and adversaries of men and women who teach the truth of God's Word are relentless in their pursuit and attempts to entangle, discredit, and tempt them. Here we see a religious sect who quotes scripture but who holds fast to an unscriptural doctrine.Matthew 22:23
The same day came to Him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked Him,
Oh "Master", as in "Great Teacher", they say sanctimoniously thinking they've got Him on this one! They even use a quote from Deuteronomy 25:5 to create an unrealistic and hypothetical scenario which makes a mockery of the law designed to keep one's seed alive and prevent his family tree from dying off.[24] Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
Here is the hypothetical scenario the Sadducees create:Deut. 25:5
If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.[6] And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.
I know of a Hollywood movie star who had seven-plus husbands but she didn't outlive them all... she just outlived their usefulness!Matthew 22:25
Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:[26] Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
Hey, she probably would have lived longer had there been eight or more brothers instead of only seven! Nevertheless, here is the question the Sadducees asked Christ which exposes their ignorance of God's Word and of the exceeding greatness of His power to resurrect the dead.[27] And last of all the woman died also.
One must have a working knowledge of the overall Plan of God beginning with what happened (Rev. 12:4) in the "world that then was" (2 Pet. 3:6) that caused our Father to completely destroy that first earth age whereby it became "void and without form (tohu va bohu)" (Gen. 1:2), and why He subsequently created flesh man and "made them male and female". It was so that each child (son of God) could come down from above to be born innocent, meaning without any prior knowledge of the first earth age, and dwell in a flesh tabernacle whereby he or she could choose to love God or worship Satan.Then upon the death of the flesh, that child (son) would return home to the Father who sent him here in the first place. We who have the gospels of the New Testament are well blessed in that John in chapter three of his book explains this process in detail, i.e. being born again which is to be born from above (anothen in Greek) into the sac of water and then return to heaven in their spiritual body. John writes in 3:13 that even the Son of man, Jesus Christ, was willing to come down from above and be born of woman, showing us that God didn't ask His children to do something He wasn't willing to do Himself.[28] Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
However, it is also written in the Old Testament concerning what happens when a person dies. "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it (Eccles. 12:7)". The Sadducees were ignorant of the scriptures such as this one and Christ let them know that was the reason they "erred", for it is only in the scriptures, the Word of God, that correct doctrine can be established. That is why one must acquire the proper tools, like a King James Bible and a Strong's Concordance for openers, and check out the things he or she hears taught by men. Only then can one know whether or not His voice is being spoken.
Christ did not ridicule nor make fun of the Sadducees but rather used the opportunity to make the point of their Biblical ignorance and to teach them the truth concerning the matter, even though He knew that they would most likely not "stretch the old wineskin" to allow new truth to expand in their minds (Mat. 9:17). Those who allow themselves to be sore deceived (seduced) by listening to and holding fast to preacher's words who teach the religious traditions of men instead of "hearing His voice" by studying and rightly dividing the Word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15) shall always end up way off track (out of the way) and err from the truth that is written.[29] Jesus answered and said unto them,Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
And what of His power? Does it not even make common sense that He who is "Life", the very Creator of the universe and the Maker of man, He who has all power over life and death, should also have the power to raise the dead? The apostle Paul would later speak of God's miraculous power (dunamis) and the working (operation) of His mighty power (kratos), which is His marvelous plan of salvation in raising up Jesus Christ from the dead.err, planao, plan-ah'-o, Greek 4105; from Greek 4106 (plane); to (properly cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue) :- go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way.
"Set Him at His own right hand" is a reference to Psalm 110 which Christ will quote to the Pharisees a few verses hence. However, the point Christ is making here to the Sadducees is that those who know the scriptures know that angels are all alike as sons of God and that woman (womb-man, i.e. a man with a womb) was formed for this flesh age only, whereby those sons could be born into this dimension. Then when the flesh body dies and they return home in their spiritual body, they are the same as before, i.e. one gender. In other words, God created all of His children 'ere the earth was even formed (Job 38:4-7) and so they were all with Him before He placed them in their mother's womb to be born of water. Read what God said concerning Jeremiah in Jer. 1:5, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." Then too, we learned a few chapters ago when the subject of divorce and remarriage came up, that the union of a man and a woman symbolizes our marriage to Jesus Christ who is the One His bride shall be married to in the resurrection.Ephes. 1:18-20
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,[19] And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
[20] Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places,
You "see", they will already be married and the exceeding joy of that union will far surpass any physical pleasure some fear they might miss out on in the resurrection! And now for a Bible lesson after the manner of the watchman, i.e. "Thus saith the Lord God" and "It is written" (Ezek. 3:4, 11), concerning (touching the subject of) the resurrection of the dead. Christ shows us this as an ensample of how to handle questions posed by religionists and then to go on and teach them from His Word, i.e. what God has to say on the matter, not man!Matthew 22:30
For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
Christ told the Sadducees that God had "spoken unto them" concerning this matter of the resurrection of the dead. If they would just take the time to listen to what He has to say (hear His voice) they would no longer be "in the dark" concerning such doctrines. So after declaring that the reason they have no answer to their question is because they lack the knowledge of His Word, Christ then takes the opportunity to teach them concerning the resurrection and the power of God by quoting what God has to say in His Word.[31]But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
Christ quoted this from the great Book of Exodus whereby we know from the "God of our Fathers", Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that they are alive and well just like you and me![32] I AM the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
The fact is that no one has died the real death yet, which is the second death, the perishing of the soul in the lake of fire.Even Satan who is called the "son of perdition", i.e. the one son who has already been judged and sentenced to perish (Ezek. 28:18-19), is still alive and in heaven (Rev. 12:7). You "see", it is given unto all men once to die (the flesh death that is) before the final judgment takes place when others could receive the same judgment and sentence as Satan. It is written... Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." In other words, it is given unto all men to come down from above (anothen), having already been with God, and "walk through the valley of the shadow of death"! We know that the death of the flesh is not the real thing but rather just a "shadow of death", which is a type of the real death which is the death of the soul in the lake of fire whereby one perishes for ever and ever! That is why Christ said not to worry about those who can kill the flesh (cause the first death) but rather fear (revere) the one who has the POWER to destroy both soul and body in gehenna, the lake of fire. The death of the flesh is NOT the perishing or death of the person. They simply go back home where they were before they came down here to earth school.Exodus 3:6
Moreover he said, I AM the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.Exodus 3:15
And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
Do not be ignorant of God's Word. Only your heavenly Father, the God of the living, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of Moses and Elijah who also appeared alive and well on the mount of transfiguration, has the POWER to either destroy the soul in hellfire or grant eternal life!Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Amazing, isn't it? Christ's doctrine that He taught was simply to quote with clarity directly from the scriptures, the Word of God. Even people today are indeed astonished when they hear His Word correctly taught and rightly divided. Not only that, but His words, the Word of God after the manner of "Thus saith the Lord" and "It is written", silences those who claim to be believers but are Biblically illiterate, because they must now refute His Word... not the words of men!Matthew 22:33
And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at His doctrine.
Now there's a surprise! Although the Pharisees were probably overjoyed to see their religious competitors put in their place, they did not deem them near the threat to their religious enterprise as Jesus Christ who heals the blind and the lame and sets people free from the bondage of religious traditions altogether. So it is time to regroup and go to Plan C which is to bring on the heavy hitters, the expert scripture lawyers to tempt Christ. Surely these highly educated men can outsmart the Living Word of God! Not![34] But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
Once again there is no motive to seek knowledge or wisdom and understanding from the Living Word of God. They are seeking "opinion" and "argument" and awaiting their chance for rebuttal![35] Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying,
The Scribes divided the law into "great and small" or "heavy and light" commandments and were asking Christ as to what kind of commandment was great. Again, they were expecting Him to give an opinion, like unto a Talmudic opinion, on the matter as did the scribes and rabbis, etc. However, Christ did not give His opinion but instead quoted from the Word of God declaring what God had to say on the matter... beginning with Deut. 6:5.lawyer, G3544 nomikos nom-ik-os'[36] Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
From G3551; according (or pertaining) tolaw, that is, legal (ceremonially); as noun, an expertin the (Mosaic) law: - about the law, lawyer.
The LORD our God is the only LORD there is. Therefore, hear Him, O Israel, and quit listening to the vain and confusing traditions of men![37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.Deut. 6:4-5
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
Those who love Him seek His knowledge and wisdom and keep His commands. John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments." You will also find the words Christ quoted in Deut. 10:12 pertaining to what it is God says He wants from His children.[5] And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
This is what our Father says He wants from His children...to fear (revere) Him and walk in His ways, which are the ways of truth and justice, to love Him and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul..Deut. 10:12
And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
Again, that is not opinion but exactly what God has said is the most important thing. In fact, that love for Him that He desires from His children sums up the first five of the Ten Commandments. Christ takes it one step further though and continues to teach the lawyers with the clarity and simplicity of the scriptures themselves.Matthew 22:38
This is the first and great commandment.
This time Christ quotes from Leviticus 19:18 which sums up the last five of the Ten Commandments.[39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Here is the sum of the matter.Leviticus 19:18
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I AM the LORD.
That is what it is all about, LOVE, loving God and serving Him. So while the scripture lawyers huddle in a sidebar to try and figure out how to refute the simplicity of what God has said, Jesus takes the opportunity and initiative turn it around and them put them on the defensive.Matthew 22:40
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
The Greek word for "Christ" is "christos" which means "anointed", i.e. The Messiah. Of course Christ knew they would answer "The Son of David" for it is written in 2 Sam. 7:12, 16 and Jeremiah 23:5, "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth."[41] While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,[42] Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto Him, The Son of David.
Now Christ quotes from the very words of David in asking the "learned men", those brilliant scripture lawyers, to explain how it is if Christ, the Messiah, is David's son, how is it that David could call Him Lord declaring that He sits on the right hand of God until His enemies are made His footstool, i.e. UNTIL He comes with all power as King of kings and Lord of Lords to establish His kingdom and rule with a rod of iron? Explain that please! In other words, if Messiah is the son of David, how do you explain what Ps. 110 says? (We will go there shortly.)
How is it that Christ can sit on the right hand of God until He comes in POWER and glory if He comes through David's loins?[43] He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call Him Lord, saying,[44] The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
The agents of the Pharisees along with the Herodians, the Sadducees, the Scribes, and now the Pharisees have all gotten their "clocks cleaned" when they confronted the wisdom and truth of the Living Word of God. In fact, they all looked pretty silly and inept in the eyes of the multitudes who witnessed them going down in flames.[45] If David then call him Lord, how is He his son?[46] And no man was able to answer Him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions.
By the way, the answer to the question Christ posed to the Pharisees is actually contained in the 110th Psalm. Let us go there and learn what our Father has to say!
Jesus Christ would come to this earth and be born of the virgin Mary whose genealogy through her father Heli (Joseph's father "as was supposed", i.e. his father in law) is given in Luke 3 documenting that she stemmed from David's loins (vs. 31)! But you see, Christ's Father was not Joseph or even David, but rather the Eternal One, God the Father.Psalm 110:1-7
A Psalm of David.
The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
We will discuss this more in verse 4.
This speaks of the second advent when Christ shall come and "rule" in the midst of His enemies who shall all bow their knees before Him.[2] The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
The "day of His POWER" is His glorious return as King of kings and Lord of lords which occurs at the sound of the 7th Trump. The next verse contains the key to the question Christ asked the Pharisees.[3] Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
"The LORD has sworn" means that He has made His promise and confirmed His covenant concerning the "Seed", the Savior, Messiah, the One who would come and bring salvation, and He will not repent, meaning He will not change His sworn oath! But what is this sworn oath, this promise that He would be a "priest forever after the order of Melchizedek?" To answer that one should first know that since Mary was Elizabeth's cousin, who was a pure blooded Levite, that Mary's mother was also a pure blooded Levite and therefore Jesus through His mother Mary was not only half of the tribe of Judah through David, the one through whom the royal kingship line descended, but He was also half of the tribe of Levi through Aaron, the one through whom the priest line descended. In other words, Jesus Christ qualified even in His lineage as King of kings and Lord of lords. How perfect the Word of God![4] The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for everafter the order of Melchizedek.
However, even though Christ came through Judah and Aaron, He was both King and High Priest after the order of Melchiszedek, whose name means "king of the righteousness" or "king of the just (ones)"! You "see", Melchizedek was both King of Salem (peace) and High Priest! He was the one to whom Abraham tithed, the one who had no father and mother, neither beginning of days, nor end of life... i.e. He was eternal because He was Jesus Christ. Paul goes into great detail concerning Mechizedek in chapters 5-7 of Hebrews and in Hebrews 7:3 he writes concerning Melchizedek as one who was, "Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually."
In other words, though the entire Levitical priesthood was a blessed but temporal priesthood of mortal men who would come through the loins of Abraham, the heir of the unbreakable promise (of the seed) and blessings of God (i.e. Christ would come through the loins of Abraham), Abraham was subject to the King of the Zadok and King of Peace, Melchisedec! The reality is, Christ was Melchizedek! Read John 8:56-58 where Christ addressed the Pharisees and said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. [57] Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? [58] Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM." The point is, Messiah was the Son whose Father was the Eternal God, and though He would come in the flesh through the loins of David, David was able in spirit to call that Eternal One, Lord!
That may be a little deep for those who have subsisted on milk their entire Christian lives and thus are not schooled by the schoolmaster, i.e. founded in the knowledge of the law and the prophets. Paul addresses this problem in Hebrews 5:11-14 and admonishes those who should be able to teach after so many years of going to church but who have remained "spiritual babies" and are unskillful in the Word of God. Take heed!
The "cup of His wrath" is soon filled up and the day of His wrath against the ungodly, when He pours that cup out, is drawing ever so near![5] The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of His wrath.
At the sound of the 7th Trump He shall come to the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Yahveh Judges) and judge all nations. Joel 3:11-12 "Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD. [12] Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about."[6] He shall judge among the heathen, He shall fill the places with the dead bodies; He shall wound the heads over many countries.
What a glorious time it will be for those who love and serve the Lord God with all their hearts and all their souls and who love their neighbors as themselves.[7] He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall He lift up the head.
To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits;
to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, you accomplish both.
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