Expert: Brenda Martin - 1/3/2011

Question
QUESTION: I used to wonder about God, so I studied the bible and wondered who wrote it..because some of the chapters were so confusing,eg:(For I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger forever. (Jeremiah 3:12)
Ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn forever. (Jeremiah 17:4)
If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. (John 5:31)
Jesus answered: Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid. (John 8:14)
And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18)
the whole world is under control of the evil one. (1 John 5:19)
And Jesus said, For judgement I am come into this world. (John 9:39)
I came not to judge the world (John 12:47)
)" , I simply couldn't believe that God would sent down such a disorganized book(but my hunch is that the guy named peter wrote his heart out in the bible and filled it up with gibberish), but all I found was a bunch of unverified stories which confuses the readers. First I saw that there were over 9 versions of the bible, and each of them were different. It said that Jesus was God's son....but then I started thinking that if God is not a human, then how could he have kids. This guy was saying that look, jesus didn't have any father, so his dad must have been God himself! But when I told him that Adam and Eve didn't have any parents either. Does that make them god's children too? Well, all this was so confusing , that I started looking into some other religion to see what they had to say about God etc.Then Bible considers everyone to be sinners, and that God had to send his "son" to get rid of sins.This was strange that God would kill his innocent "son" in order to get rid of evil satan.! it sounded pretty cruel to me.Why would His "son" have to die for other peoples sins, or for satan, who makes people sin? Christianity also calls religious law a curse,and so that if someone follows religious laws ,they are in a curse.I saw this video, and was very interested in what it showed.It is about religious science: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHiAGHFnzMU .I have also studied both testaments, here are some of the conflicting verses I found in The Old Testament:
1}(a)"And David took from him a thousand chariots and SEVEN HUNDRED horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen"..-II Samuel 8:4 (b)"And David took from him a thousand chariots and SEVEN THOUSAND horsemen,and twenty thousand footmen"..-I Chronicles 18:4..So the question is 700 or 7000? 2}(a)"And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel,and he moved David against them to say,Go,number Israel and Judah".-II Samuel 24:1(b)"And SATAN stood up against Israel,and provoked David to number Israel."-I Chronicles 21:1.So, is the Lord of David then Satan?God forbid!3}(a) "Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had NO CHILD until the day of her death"-II Samuel 6:23.(b)"But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah,whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth:and THE FIVE SONS of Michal the daughter of Saul,whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzilai the Meholathite."-II Samuel 21:8,So, did Michal have children or not..?,there are a lot more contradictions in the old testament , showing that it could not have been holy.in the Psalm, The Muslim holy city of Makka is mentioned(original word for makka was Baca,as it's referred to in the Quran,Prophet David mentions in his Psalms 84:6:"Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well, the rain also filleth the pool."The well here is a well known well of Zamzam,still present now,close to the Ka'bah.
can you explain these verses to me?I'm confused..
thanks

ANSWER: Seeming Contradictions

(JEREMIAH 3:12) & (JEREMIAH 17:4)

Two different peoples being spoken to & for 2 different crimes, one can be forgiven, the other cannot.

3; 12,-- God directed words of reproof to the nation of Israel, exhorting them to abandon the wrong course that had led to their disaster. “I shall not stay resentful to time indefinite. Only take note of your error, for it is against Jehovah your God that you have transgressed. . . . Return, you renegade sons. I shall heal your renegade condition.”—Jer. 3:12, 13, 22; compare Lamentations 3:31-33; Isaiah 57:16-18.

17; 4--Because of her claim to be Christian, Christendom ought to be a good example to the entire world. However, she has made for herself a record of religious APOSTASY and worldliness that is inerasable. Her record is like that of ancient Jerusalem and the land of Judah: “The sin of Judah is written down with an iron stylus. With a diamond point it is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of their altars [of false worship]… for as a fire you people have been ignited in my anger. To time indefinite it will keep kindled.”—Jer. 17:1-4.
Israel was forgiven time& time again for her unfaithfulness, because she repented & turned back to God, in contrast the churches of Christendom will not be forgiven for their apostasy.

(JOHN 5:31)& (JOHN 8:14)

The Jews lived by the Mosaic Law & one of these says, that “every matter must be established at the mouth of TWO or THREE witnesses” (De 19:15; 2Co 13:1) in 5; 31 Jesus was merely saying; according to your law my word alone isn’t enough, so listen to John the Baptist”

In answer to the accusing Pharisees again, Jesus gives the reason why “his witness is true”; “because I am not alone, but the Father who sent me is with me”.

(MATTHEW 28:18)& (1 JOHN 5:19)

Matthew—1.Jesus as the archangel, commands myriads of myriads of angels. (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 12:7)

2. He’s also the “head of the congregation,” he has authority over his followers on earth. (Ephesians 5:23)

3. Since 1914, he has been ruling as Messianic King in heaven. (Revelation 11:15)

4. His authority reaches even into the grave, for he has the power to resurrect the dead. (John 5:26-28)

So what “world” (kosmos) does Satan rule? Not simply humanity, of which Jesus’ disciples were a part, but the whole organized human society that exists outside the true Christian congregation is meant in such texts.

ko′smos is used to signify all non-Christian human society, regardless of race. (Joh 7:7; 15:17-25; 16:19, 20; 17:14, 25; 1Jo 3:1, 13) Over this world of UNRIGHTEOUS HUMAN SOCIETY and its kingdoms, God’s Adversary, Satan the Devil, exercises rulership; in fact, he has made himself “the god” of such world. (Mt 4:8, 9; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11;  2Co 4:4.)

(JOHN 9:39) & (JOHN 12:47)

9.39-- Jesus said: “For this judgment I came into this world: that those not seeing might see and those seeing might become blind.” (John 9:39) Yes, on the basis of his preaching, other activities, and role in God’s purposes, individuals either would gain spiritual sight and walk in light or would be in spiritual darkness. (Isaiah 9:1, 2; 42:6, 7; Matthew 4:13-17; 6:23; 2 Peter 1:9; 2 Corinthians 4:4)

12;47--God’s love for the world of mankind moved him to send Jesus so that those who put faith in him might be saved. Whether people are saved will be determined by whether they obey the things God instructed Jesus to speak. The judgment (yet future) will take place “in the last day,” during Christ’s Thousand Year Reign.

2 SAMUEL 8:4 & I CHRONICLES 18:4

The variation in the enumeration of these at 2 Samuel 8:4 and 1 Chronicles 18:4 may have arisen through scribal error. In the Greek Septuagint both passages indicate that 1,000 chariots and 7,000 horsemen were captured, and therefore 1 Chronicles 18:4 perhaps preserves the original reading.

II SAMUEL 24:1 & I CHRONICLES 21:1

Second Samuel 24:1 states: “Again the anger of Jehovah came to be hot against Israel, when one incited David [or, “when David was incited,”] against them, saying: ‘Go, take a count of Israel and Judah.’” But it was not Jehovah who moved King David to sin, for 1 Chronicles 21:1 says: “Satan [or, “a resister] proceeded to stand up against Israel and to incite David to number Israel.”

God was displeased with the Israelites and therefore allowed Satan the Devil to bring this sin upon them. For this reason, 2 Samuel 24:1 reads as though God did it himself. Interestingly, Joseph B. Rotherham’s translation reads: “The anger of Yahweh kindled against Israel, so that he suffered David to be moved against them saying, Go count Israel and Judah.”

II SAMUEL 6:23 & II SAMUEL 21:8

Michal revealed a lack of appreciation of the kind of zeal David had displayed for Jehovah’s worship. David rebuked her and also evidently penalized her by having no further sexual relations with her, so that she died childless.—2Sa 6:14-23.

The account at 2 Samuel 21:8 speaks of “the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul whom she bore to Adriel,” these being among the members of Saul’s household whom David gave to the Gibeonites in atonement for Saul’s attempt to annihilate them. (2Sa 21:1-10) The apparent conflict between 2 Samuel 21:8 and 2 Samuel 6:23, which shows that Michal died childless, may be resolved by the view taken by some commentators, namely, that these children were the five sons of Michal’s sister Merab and that Michal raised them following the early death of their mother.

JESUS WAS GOD'S SON...ADAM AND EVE DIDN'T HAVE ANY PARENTS EITHER. DOES THAT MAKE THEM GOD'S CHILDREN TOO?

The first mention of “sons of the true God” is at Genesis 6:2-4 in this instance, ANGELS are called “sons”

ADAM was the first human “son of God” by virtue of his creation by God. (Ge 2:7; Lu 3:38)

Jehovah spoke of ISRAEL as “my son, my firstborn,”  (Ex 4:22, 23)

Those showing faith in Christ Jesus, are granted “authority to become God’s children.” (Ro 9:27; 11:5)

JESUS is God’s “firstborn” (Col 1:15) his very first Creation.

WHY WOULD HIS "SON" HAVE TO DIE FOR OTHER PEOPLES SINS?

Jesus wanted to give up his life for mankind, he wasn’t forced :¬) why was this needed, simply put, a perfect man (Adam) lost life for mankind, so it needed another “perfect man” to win it back again, as descendants of Adam & eve we are all born imperfect, Jesus was not born from Adam & eve, he was created by Almighty God & was perfect.(John 3;16)

WHO MAKES PEOPLE SIN?

We are born sinners, so our own imperfect flesh leads us into sin, & Satan of course capitalises on that. (Romans 5;12)

PSALMS 84:6:"VALLEY OF BACA” KORAN ACCURATE.

The PLANT that played an important role in David’s encounter with the Philistines “in the low plain of Rephaim.” (2Sa 5:22-25; 1Ch 14:13-16) The only other reference to the plant is at Psalm 84:6: “Passing along through the low plain of the Baca bushes, they turn it into a spring itself.” This may refer to the same “low plain of Rephaim” where David’s fight took place and which plain is believed to be SW of Jerusalem.

The Baca in the bible is a plant.

all the best
Brenda




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi!
Thanks for your reply.It was very enlightning.
I was puzzled by this email I got last week from one of my friends..I'll copy and paste it here, so you can explain its meaning-
Criterion of the Prophet by Jermiah
Jermiah 28:9: “The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that Lord hath truly sent him.”
       The word “Islam” also signifies and means(in English) Tranquility, Peace.Peace between the Creator and his creation. This Prophecy cannot be applied to Jesus, as he himself stated that he didn’t come for peace:  “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on Earth? I tell you, Nay;but rather division: For from henceforth there will be five in one house divided, three against two and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the  father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” See also Matthew 10: 34-36.  
Blessed are the Peacemakers
In his sermon on the mount Jesus was quoted as saying(Matthew 5:9): “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
Islam means also Peace: peace between the Creator and the worshiper. Jesus could not mean his mission as peacemaker as he did not come for peace. (Matthew 10:34-36):”Think not that I am come to send peace on earth. I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.”See also Luke 12:49-53
Until Shiloh Come
This was a message of Jacob to his children before he died.(Genesis 49:1) “And Jacob called unto his sons,and said,Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you  in the last days.”
   Genesis 49:10: “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come: and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”
 Shiloh’s real meaning in peace, tranquility, rest, i.e., Islam.
So the Israelite Prophet hood in the lineage of Isaac would stop as soon as Shiloh comes. This correspond with the Holy Quran, Chapter 2:133: “Were you witnesses when death came to Jacob? When he said to his sons, ‘What will you worship after me?’ They said ‘We shall worship your God,(Allah),the God of your fathers Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac, One God and to Him we surrender(Islam)”.
I'll really appreciate any advice.
Sara

Answer
"JEREMIAH 28:9".

Taking the scripture in its context, were talking about the year 614 b.c.e, The Middle East was under the domination of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Neb. carried off sacred utensils from Jehovah’s temple, putting these into houses of the false gods in Babylon. So the question was asked “How long were those holy utensils and other valuables from despoiled Jerusalem to stay in Babylon?

Now we get to why Jeremiah said what he did--A false prophet named Hananiah presumed to speak in Jehovah’s name and specified, “two full years" then peace, But he was a false prophet remember & therefore wrong.

So Jeremiah said about him “As regards the prophet that prophesies of peace (hananiah), when the word of the prophet comes true the prophet whom Jehovah has sent in truth will become known.”—Jer. 28:1-9.

What Hananiah said didn’t come true, showing he was a false prophet.
--

The word Islam means “submission”

“The three great Western religions (Christendom’s churches, Islam and Judaism) ‘constitute an obstacle to world community and therefore world peace,’ said Mortimer Adler, chairman of the board of editors of “Encyclopædia Britannica.” At a symposium entitled “Religion and World Conflict” held at the University of Idaho, Adler stated that there could be no world community or world peace until those religions ceased to conflict with one another.

However, history shows that conflict long has been an integral part of these religions, and still is. That conflict not only has been of a doctrinal nature but often has involved literal warfare against one another and within their own kind. An example of the latter is the backing that Christendom’s churches gave to each side in both world wars of this century. Moslem nations, too, have warred against one another in recent times.

Because a ‘leopard will not change its spots,’ these religions will not suddenly become peacemakers. (Jer. 13:23) History bears this out. That is why the Bible includes them all as part of “Babylon the Great” that is to be forcibly removed by God himself at his coming execution of judgment against this entire wicked system of things.—Rev. 17:5, 16; 18:11-21.”

THIS PROPHECY CANNOT BE APPLIED TO JESUS, AS HE HIMSELF STATED THAT HE DIDN’T COME FOR PEACE--MATTHEW 10: 34-36.  (MATTHEW 5:9) LUKE 12:49-53

As weve seen, Jeremiah wasnt speaking about Jesus, peace wil be attained in the future by means of Jesus.

Do not think I came to put peace upon the earth; I came to put, not peace, but a sword.” (Mt 10:32-40) Jesus’ ministry brought divisions, even within families (Lu 12:51-53), but it was because of his adherence to, and proclamation of, God’s righteous standards and truth. Division resulted because many individuals hardened their hearts against these truths while others accepted them. (John 8:40, 44-47; 15:22-25; 17:14) This was unavoidable if the divine principles were to be upheld; but the blame lay with the rejecters of what was right.
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The Greek term rendered “peaceable” at Matthew 5:9 literally means “peacemakers.” To be included among the peaceable, we must actively promote peace. Peacemakers do not do anything that ‘separates those familiar with one another.’ (Prov. 16:28) As the peaceable, we take positive steps to “pursue peace with all people.”—Heb. 12:14.
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Luke 12--Jesus, not only by his own life experience, but also by his words, pointed out that his followers would, in many instances, receive rebuffs, ridicule and even persecution from their own families. However, the believer was not to be the cause of the enmity through rude or disrespectful conduct on his part. This would actually be unchristian.

None of the above fit the descripiton of Islam, they are anything but "peacemakers", Jehovah's Witnesses however fit all of the above.

When the Warrior-King Jesus Christ removes Satan and his unrighteous world, The peaceful Thousand Year Reign of Jesus will begin.

(GENESIS 49:1,10) SHILOH’S REAL MEANING IN PEACE, TRANQUILLITY, REST, I.E., ISLAM.

The term “Shiloh” means “He Whose It Is; He to Whom It Belongs.” Thus, these prophetic words indicated that there would come one who had the legal right to receive “the scepter,” or sovereignty, and “the commander’s staff,” or rulership, over “the peoples,” or all mankind. Who would this One be?

Jehovah made a covenant with David, saying: “I shall certainly raise up your seed after you, which will come out of your inward parts; and I shall indeed firmly establish his kingdom.” That would involve more than David’s son and successor, Solomon, for the covenant stated: “I shall certainly establish the throne of his kingdom firmly to TIME INDEFINITE.” That Davidic covenant made clear that the promised Kingdom “seed” would in time come through the family line of David.—2 Samuel 7:12, 13.

Let us move forward to about the year 2 B.C.E. The angel Gabriel was sent to Mary, a virgin girl in Nazareth, a city of Galilee in northern Palestine. He declared: “Look! you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you are to call his name Jesus. This one will be great and will be called Son of the Most High; and Jehovah God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule as king over the house of Jacob forever, and there will be NO END OF HIS KINGDOM.”—Luke 1:31-33.

"THE ISRAELITE PROPHET HOOD IN THE LINEAGE OF ISAAC WOULD STOP AS SOON AS SHILOH COMES".

The royal line of Judah ended that’s true, but it ended with Shiloh as the PERMANENT heir.

Shiloh, to whom Jacob referred, is Jesus Christ. As a descendant of Judah and the Son of David, he is the one upon whom Jehovah God has bestowed EVERLASTING heavenly rulership. (Luke 3:23-33; Matt. 1:1-16)

"THIS CORRESPOND WITH THE HOLY QURAN, CHAPTER 2:133:"

ISLAM is the name of the religion founded by Muhammad in the beginning of the seventh century after Christ, making it the youngest of the world’s so-called “great” religions. The term Islam means “resignation” or “entire submission.” The sacred book of Islam is the Quran. It consists of 114 suras or chapters that have verse divisions similar to the Bible, except that these verse divisions are not at all uniform, while some versions do not have any verse division.

In examining the Quran, which is about the size of the Christian Greek Scriptures, one is struck with the absence of miracles or proof that Muhammad was indeed a prophet sent of God. When Moses, the first Bible writer and first prophet to be sent to the descendants of Jacob, went to Israel he was well fortified with miracles to prove his divine mission. See Exodus, chapter 4. Likewise, when Christ Jesus came, he performed so many miracles that all those who had not let themselves be blinded with selfishness had to admit that he was sent of God.—John 7:31; 10:37, 38; 14:11.

Muhammad, however, came with no supernatural proofs of his divine commission. Time and again his critics complained of this and repeatedly he told them that his work was not that of producing signs but merely to preach, and that his lack of signs was for the purpose of testing their faith. But what is faith without proof? Anyone could claim to be sent of God. Moses and Christ proved it by the performance of many miracles, but where were Muhammad’s miracles? He confessed in the Quran to having none.—See Suras 2:118; 10:38; 11:13; 6:109, Ali.

All the best
Brenda