In Numbers 19, God gives instructions to Moses about the ashes of the red heifer.Moses is told that the heifer must meet several specifications.First, it to be perfect in that there is no spot or blemish to be found in it.Second, it must not have more than two hairs of any color.Thirdly, it must not have ever had a yoke upon her neck.
Finally, the heifer was to be taken outside of the camp and slaughtered with a knife and its body burned to ashes before the high priest on cedar wood.It was then to be mixed with hyssop, scarlet, and running water to be stored in a stone pot for the purpose of purification; most importantly the purification of the temple, its implements, and priests.
The significance of the red heifer is important today as that before the third temple can be rebuilt as prophesied in Scripture and the priesthood restored, the ashes of the red heifer must be reestablished for the purification of the temple, its implements, and priests.
This is where some disagreement arises.The disagreement is as to whether simply raising another red heifer that meets the specifications is sufficient while others believe that the original ashes from the ninth red heifer from Moses must first be found and added to the new before it is acceptable.
This is exciting as that Jewish tradition teaches that upon the establishment of the tenth red heifer, the Messiah will come!
In response to some of your questions, I just added a new category called "Writings". The first paper I placed in it is called "Three Views of the Rapture" that I wrote in 2005. It deals with the three views in regards to the timing of the Rapture of the Church.
I was reviewing this with my class today. These are the ten stages of a Jewish wedding and their significance to the Church.
1. Betrothal - This often took place when the couple was still yet children. The agreement was made between the parents. Application: The Bible says that we are betrothed to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2).
2. Visit with the Father of the Bride - Once the groom was ready for marriage, he would leave his father's home and go and visit with the bride's father to express his intentions and request permission. Application: Jesus left his Father's home to visit with us and express his intentions (Matthew 11:28).
3. It was at this time that a dowry or a purchase price was agreed to. Application: Jesus paid the purchase price for us (1 Corinthians 6:20).
4. The groom would then return to his father's house and begin making preparations for when his bride arrived. Application: Jesus has returned to the Father were he is currently making preparations for our arrival (John 14:2-3).
5. In the meantime, the bride never knew the date of the grooms arrival and was therefore required to live in anticipation. Application: We do not know the day nor the hour of Christ's return, so we much be ready (Matthew 25:13).
6. On the appointed day, the groom would go and get his bride and bring her to his father's house for the wedding ceremony. Application: Jesus will return for us in the Rapture and we will be taken to the Father's house for the ceremony (Matthew 25:13).
7. The marriage would then be consummated. Application: As the marriage was consummated and the proof of virginity presented, so too, we will experience the Judgment Seat of Christ at which time our faithfulness will be presented (2 Corinthians 5:10).
8. The wedding feast would begin. Application: At that time, we will sit down to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).
9. The bride stayed in her bridal chamber for seven days. Application: The Church will be hidden away for seven years while the Tribulation is taking place on Earth (Revelation 3:10).
10. She would then be allowed to come out of the bridal chamber. Application: After seven years, the Church will come out of her bridal chamber and appear with Christ at the Second Coming (Revelation 19:7).
There are many more references than those given. Look them up for yourself. I know that you'll be blessed.
There are two different New testament text families comprising about 5,400 manuscripts. They are the Textus Receptus and the Alexandrian texts. The Alexandrian texts were written by Origen and Eusebius who were both gnostics and heretics. These texts represent only ~3% of the total 5,400. They do not agree with each other, are totally mutilated and have been corrected thousands of times. On the other hand, the Textus Receptus comprises ~97% of all manuscripts and 90% of those agree so strongly that they form their own unique text - the Textus Receptus. The KJV is the only Translation done exclusively from the Textus Receptus in the last 400 years. Just something to think about.
These are my notes from my message at our Valentine's Day Banquet here at Calvary Chapel Lima.
Illustration: I was told as a young man before getting married that if I wanted to have a happy marriage, I had a choice to make.I could choose to be right or I could choice to be happy.To this day, I am a happy, happy man.
The Institution of Marriage
Cf. Genesis 2:18-24
The Fall
The Temptation(3:1-13)
Curse on the Serpent (vv.14-15)
Curse on the Woman (v.16)
Curse on the Man (vv.17-19)
Notice in v.17a “because you listened to your wife”.
In other words, “Adam, you chose to listen to your wife instead of to me.”
Notice in v.16b “your desire shall be for your husband, but he will rule over you.”
This means that the desire of the woman will be to rule over her husband.
Love vs. Submit
I find it interesting that the Bible never directly tells a man to submit to his wife, but instead repeatedly tells him to love her.
I also find it interesting that the Bible never directly tells the woman to love her husband, but instead repeatedly tell her to submit to him.
Why? – It all goes back to the Fall (the Garden of Eden).
The bottom line is that men have a hard time loving and women have a hard time submitting.
The interesting thing is that herein lies the key to a happy marriage!
If the husband would love his wife unconditionally, she would submit.
And if the wife would submit to her husband unconditionally, he would love her.
The problem today is that most couples are so worldly orientated that they must be deprogrammed.
In our society today, love is always conditional and “submit” is a dirty word.
And yet without both, one cannot be a Christian.
The Church and Christ
The marriage should be modeled after the relationship that Christ has with his Church.
A preacher can’t even read these verses without cringing today.
Cf. Eph. 5:22-33
Pearls of Wisdom
With all of this in mind, I just want to just give you guys some words of wisdom tonight.
My precious wife and I have been married for 23 years and I’ve learned a few things during that time that I can share with you.
Honesty
Always be totally honest with each other about the past, the present and the future.
Never ever lie to one another no matter how much it costs.
A relationship is built on honesty and trust.
Once that is broken, there is not much left.
Finances
In regards to money, always agree up front with how much each can spend without the others consent.
Money is the number one reason given for divorces.
Things Not to Do
1. Never Judge - You may think you know, but maybe you don’t.
Pro. 18:13 “He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.”
2. Never Put-down each other.
3. Never refuse to forgive and forget.
The Bible says that love keeps no record of wrongs.
4. Never Criticize.
Criticism should be helpful and not hurtful.
Eph. 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
5. Never compare your mate to someone else.
6. Never purposefully cause a fight.
7. Never be blind and deaf to the needs of each other.
8. Never use sarcasm and jokes about your spouse.
Words are like bullets.
9. Never ignore each other.
10. Never fail to express appreciation for each other.
11. Never ignore the In-laws.
They are number three of the list of reasons for divorce!
12. Never over commit yourself to others at the expense of your family.
Keep your promises even if it hurts!
13. Never be unwilling to admit that we are wrong.
Jas 1:19 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”
14. Never go to bed angry.
Eph 4:26 “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”
There is nothing wrong with being angry, but if left unaddressed it will become sin.
15. Never nag.
Pro. 21:19; 27:15-16a
Some Things to Do
1. Listen to each other
Jas 1:19 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”
God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason.
Defense Mechanisms to effective communication
1. Joking
2. Attacking
3. Pulling back
2. Respect each other
She is your queen and you are her king!
Men demand respect more than women.
A survey not many years ago found that the majority of men can live without love but not without respect.
3. Men, always be a gentleman. (Open the doors for her!)
4. Women, always be a lady. (Stand there until he does!)
5. Always talk to each other.
Read 1 Cor. 13:4-8a and place your name in the text every time you read the word "love".
