God revealed His Law to Israel publicly. First He established Moses's credentials as His prophet publicly by the ten plagues that hit Egypt (Exodus 8,9,10,11). Thus there were two groups of witnesses to God and Moses, the Israelites and the Egyptians. The most important plague is the last plague. It is the Gospel in its embryo.
Next, God led the Israelite visibly using the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). He led them across the Red Sea to escape the pursuing Egyptians. All these are public miracles, witnessed by both the Israelites and the Egyptians (Exodus 14:21-22).
God also reveal Himself at Mount Sinai (Exodus 24).
Thus the first book (Torah) was given to the First Prophet in a public manner which can satisfy the queries of lawyers and auditors. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was also given in its embryonic form. Thus God's message is always consistent, beginning at Moses.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Mystery Of The Gospel
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with
Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in
Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 3:6 NIV)
He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. (Ephesians 1:9 NASB)
He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. (Ephesians 1:9 NASB)
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
The Importance of Knowing God
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3 NIV)
God cannot be known, except when He reveals Himself. All knowledge of God are through His revelations in the Bible. If you create a virtual world in the computer (e.g. a game), the creatures in the virtual world cannot know you, unless you made yourself known. You can be flesh made digital, and assume the form of a digital image and dwell in the world you create. Likewise, the Word was made flesh, and dwell among men (John 1:14), so that we may know God our creator. Anyone who sees Jesus sees God (John 14:9).
God cannot be known, except when He reveals Himself. All knowledge of God are through His revelations in the Bible. If you create a virtual world in the computer (e.g. a game), the creatures in the virtual world cannot know you, unless you made yourself known. You can be flesh made digital, and assume the form of a digital image and dwell in the world you create. Likewise, the Word was made flesh, and dwell among men (John 1:14), so that we may know God our creator. Anyone who sees Jesus sees God (John 14:9).
Monday, May 28, 2012
God Can Be Known Only By Faith In His Revelation
It is not possible for the creature to know the creator, except what the creator revealed to the creature. Thus it is not possible to know God, except what He had revealed to us. Whatever He revealed, we have to accept it by faith.
The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29 ESV)
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. (Psalm 19:1 ESV)
It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. (Proverbs 25:2 ESV)
Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior. (Isaiah 45:15 ESV)
Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. (Hebrews 1:1-2 NLT)
The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29 ESV)
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. (Psalm 19:1 ESV)
It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. (Proverbs 25:2 ESV)
Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior. (Isaiah 45:15 ESV)
Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. (Hebrews 1:1-2 NLT)
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Let Thy Words Be Few
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. (Ecclesiastes 5:2 KJV)
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. (Proverbs 10:19 NIV)
Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. (Proverbs 11:12 ESV)
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. (Proverbs 17:27-28 ESV)
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; (James 1:19 ESV)
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. (Proverbs 10:19 NIV)
Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. (Proverbs 11:12 ESV)
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. (Proverbs 17:27-28 ESV)
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; (James 1:19 ESV)
Saturday, May 26, 2012
How God Introduce Himself Progressively?
Creator
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 KJV)
Walking
And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. (Genesis 3:8 KJV)
God Most High
And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD. (Genesis 4:26 KJV)
YHWH
God introduced Himself to Moses as "I AM" (אהיה אשר אהיה).
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (Exodus 3:14 KJV)
Jesus
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 KJV)
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 KJV)
Walking
And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. (Genesis 3:8 KJV)
God Most High
And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD. (Genesis 4:26 KJV)
YHWH
God introduced Himself to Moses as "I AM" (אהיה אשר אהיה).
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (Exodus 3:14 KJV)
Jesus
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 KJV)
Friday, May 25, 2012
First Cause And Infinite Regression of Causes Cannot Be Proven
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 NASB, NIV, NLT)
This is how God began the Bible, by telling us that He is the First Cause. He does not explain how He came about. This is very unsatisfactory to a lot of people, who asked this question, what caused the First Cause? The logic always goes something like this, "If everything has a cause, so why is God exempted? If uncaused existence is possible, then why don't you accept that the universe could be uncaused?"
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM (אהיה אשר אהיה): and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM (אהיה) hath sent me unto you. (Exodus 3:14 KJV)
About 2500 years after creation, God introduced Himself to Moses as "I AM (אהיה)", the self-existence one, the uncaused. Again God did not offer any proof. The creature cannot know the creator, except by revelations from the creator. It would be impossible for us to proof that God is uncaused and uncreated, except to believe by faith that He is, because He said so. While it is logical, it is again is extremely unsatisfactory to some. They believed that "god" is created to fill the gaps of ignorance. But the truth is that everyone has to stop somewhere. It is either infinite regression of causes or first cause. Both are currently not provable and had to be accepted by faith.
This is how God began the Bible, by telling us that He is the First Cause. He does not explain how He came about. This is very unsatisfactory to a lot of people, who asked this question, what caused the First Cause? The logic always goes something like this, "If everything has a cause, so why is God exempted? If uncaused existence is possible, then why don't you accept that the universe could be uncaused?"
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM (אהיה אשר אהיה): and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM (אהיה) hath sent me unto you. (Exodus 3:14 KJV)
About 2500 years after creation, God introduced Himself to Moses as "I AM (אהיה)", the self-existence one, the uncaused. Again God did not offer any proof. The creature cannot know the creator, except by revelations from the creator. It would be impossible for us to proof that God is uncaused and uncreated, except to believe by faith that He is, because He said so. While it is logical, it is again is extremely unsatisfactory to some. They believed that "god" is created to fill the gaps of ignorance. But the truth is that everyone has to stop somewhere. It is either infinite regression of causes or first cause. Both are currently not provable and had to be accepted by faith.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Buddha's Parable of The Poisoned Arrow
Buddha refused to be drawn into questions regarding how the universe began. He had concluded that dukkha (suffering, 苦) were caused by desire (the four noble truths 四諦) and proposed his own solution (the eight-fold path 八正道) to nirvana. He felt that how the universe began is irrelevant to the solution. He gave the parable of the arrow as an analogy:
QUOTE
The Parable of the Arrow (Majjhima-nikaya, Sutta 63)
The Buddha was sitting in the park when his disciple Malunkyaputta approached him. Malunkyaputta had recently retired from the world and he was concerned that so many things remained unexplained by the Buddha. Was the world eternal or not eternal? Was the soul different from the body? Did the enlightened exist after death or not? He thought, "If the Buddha does not explain these things to me, I will give up this training and return to worldly life".
Thus, he approached the Buddha with this question, who replied:
"Suppose, Maunkyaputa, a man were wounded by an arrow thickly smeared with poison, and his friends and companions brought a surgeon to treat him. The man would say: 'I will not let the surgeon pull out the arrow until I know the name and clan of the man who wounded me; whether the bow that wounded me was long bow or crossbow; whether the arrow that wounded me was hoof-tipped or curved or barbed.' All this would still not be known to that man and meanwhile he would die. So too, Malunkyaputta, if anyone should say: 'I will not lead the noble life under the Buddha until the Buddha declares to me whether the world is eternal or not eternal, finite or infinite; whether the soul is the same as or different from the body; whether an awakened one ceases to exist after death or not,' that would still remain undeclared by the Buddha and meanwhile that person would die.
Whether the view is held that the world is eternal or not, Malunkyaputta, there is still birth, old age, death, grief, suffering, sorrow and despair – and these can be destroyed in this life! I have not explained these other things because they are not useful, they are not conducive to tranquility and Nirvana. What I have explained is suffering, the cause of suffering, the destruction of suffering and the path that leads to the destruction of suffering. This is useful, leading to non-attachment, the absence of passion, perfect knowledge."
Thus spoke the Buddha, and with joy Malunkyaputta applauded his words.
UNQUOTE
The parable in Chinese:
就好比有人身中毒箭，很痛苦，他的親人憐憫他，想為他解除中毒箭之苦，為他請來專門治療箭傷的醫生。然而他卻想：箭不可拔，應先知道射箭的人，姓什麼？名什麼？是長得高、矮、胖、瘦？膚色如何？又是哪一族人？住在哪個方向？所用的弓、弓扎、弓弦、箭桿、箭纏、箭羽、箭頭的材質、顏色？製造箭頭的人，姓什麼？名什麼？他的長相與身份又是如何？結果，「彼人竟不得知，於其中間，而命終也。」
中阿含經《箭喻經》
It is true that the patient does not need to know too much about the poisoned arrow in order to receive the treatment, especially if the information is irrelevant. However, Buddha was the doctor, not the patient. Buddha was providing a cure for dukkha. If God exists and created the universe, Buddha's cure could be wrong, because he did not take into account this Very Important Person. You cannot live in an universe that has a Creator and ignore Him, just as you cannot live in a country that has a government and ignore the government. The parable of the poisoned arrow fail to prove that the knowledge about the arrow was irrelevant to the doctor.
QUOTE
The Parable of the Arrow (Majjhima-nikaya, Sutta 63)
The Buddha was sitting in the park when his disciple Malunkyaputta approached him. Malunkyaputta had recently retired from the world and he was concerned that so many things remained unexplained by the Buddha. Was the world eternal or not eternal? Was the soul different from the body? Did the enlightened exist after death or not? He thought, "If the Buddha does not explain these things to me, I will give up this training and return to worldly life".
Thus, he approached the Buddha with this question, who replied:
"Suppose, Maunkyaputa, a man were wounded by an arrow thickly smeared with poison, and his friends and companions brought a surgeon to treat him. The man would say: 'I will not let the surgeon pull out the arrow until I know the name and clan of the man who wounded me; whether the bow that wounded me was long bow or crossbow; whether the arrow that wounded me was hoof-tipped or curved or barbed.' All this would still not be known to that man and meanwhile he would die. So too, Malunkyaputta, if anyone should say: 'I will not lead the noble life under the Buddha until the Buddha declares to me whether the world is eternal or not eternal, finite or infinite; whether the soul is the same as or different from the body; whether an awakened one ceases to exist after death or not,' that would still remain undeclared by the Buddha and meanwhile that person would die.
Whether the view is held that the world is eternal or not, Malunkyaputta, there is still birth, old age, death, grief, suffering, sorrow and despair – and these can be destroyed in this life! I have not explained these other things because they are not useful, they are not conducive to tranquility and Nirvana. What I have explained is suffering, the cause of suffering, the destruction of suffering and the path that leads to the destruction of suffering. This is useful, leading to non-attachment, the absence of passion, perfect knowledge."
Thus spoke the Buddha, and with joy Malunkyaputta applauded his words.
UNQUOTE
The parable in Chinese:
就好比有人身中毒箭，很痛苦，他的親人憐憫他，想為他解除中毒箭之苦，為他請來專門治療箭傷的醫生。然而他卻想：箭不可拔，應先知道射箭的人，姓什麼？名什麼？是長得高、矮、胖、瘦？膚色如何？又是哪一族人？住在哪個方向？所用的弓、弓扎、弓弦、箭桿、箭纏、箭羽、箭頭的材質、顏色？製造箭頭的人，姓什麼？名什麼？他的長相與身份又是如何？結果，「彼人竟不得知，於其中間，而命終也。」
中阿含經《箭喻經》
It is true that the patient does not need to know too much about the poisoned arrow in order to receive the treatment, especially if the information is irrelevant. However, Buddha was the doctor, not the patient. Buddha was providing a cure for dukkha. If God exists and created the universe, Buddha's cure could be wrong, because he did not take into account this Very Important Person. You cannot live in an universe that has a Creator and ignore Him, just as you cannot live in a country that has a government and ignore the government. The parable of the poisoned arrow fail to prove that the knowledge about the arrow was irrelevant to the doctor.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
The Gospel According to Richard Dawkins
Writing in Guardian Observer (Saturday 19 May 2012), atheist Richard Dawkins gave his view of Christian dogma and the Bible:
QUOTE
The central dogma of the New Testament is that Jesus died as a scapegoat for the sin of Adam and the sins that all we unborn generations might have been contemplating in the future. Adam's sin is perhaps mitigated by the extenuating circumstance that he didn't exist. In any case it never amounted to more than scrumping or, depending on your theology, seeking knowledge - which a minister of education should surely consider a virtue. But the unmistakable message is clear. We are all "born in sin" even if we no longer literally believe, with Augustine, that Adam's sin came down to us via the semen. And God, the all-powerful creator, capable of moving mountains and of begetting a universe with all the laws of physics, couldn't find a better way to lift the burden of sin than a blood sacrifice.
In the words of Paul, the inventor of Christianity (or whoever really wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews), "without shedding of blood, there is no remission". And the scapegoat couldn't be just anybody. The sin was so great that only his son (or God himself, depending on your Trinitarian theology) would do. It was necessary for God to come "down" personally to Earth and have himself tortured and executed, after being "betrayed" (though why it was a betrayal since getting himself executed was the main purpose of the visit, is never explained, nor is the millennia-long vendetta against Jews as "Christ-killers").
Whatever else the Bible might be - and it really is a great work of literature - it is not a moral book and young people need to learn that important fact because they are very frequently told the opposite. The examples I have quoted are the tip of a very large and very nasty iceberg. Not a bad way to find out what's in a book is to read it, so I say go to it. But does anybody, even Gove, seriously think they will?
UNQUOTE
Richard Dawkins believed that Adam did not exist, Paul invented Christianity and the Bible is a great work of literature.
QUOTE
The central dogma of the New Testament is that Jesus died as a scapegoat for the sin of Adam and the sins that all we unborn generations might have been contemplating in the future. Adam's sin is perhaps mitigated by the extenuating circumstance that he didn't exist. In any case it never amounted to more than scrumping or, depending on your theology, seeking knowledge - which a minister of education should surely consider a virtue. But the unmistakable message is clear. We are all "born in sin" even if we no longer literally believe, with Augustine, that Adam's sin came down to us via the semen. And God, the all-powerful creator, capable of moving mountains and of begetting a universe with all the laws of physics, couldn't find a better way to lift the burden of sin than a blood sacrifice.
In the words of Paul, the inventor of Christianity (or whoever really wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews), "without shedding of blood, there is no remission". And the scapegoat couldn't be just anybody. The sin was so great that only his son (or God himself, depending on your Trinitarian theology) would do. It was necessary for God to come "down" personally to Earth and have himself tortured and executed, after being "betrayed" (though why it was a betrayal since getting himself executed was the main purpose of the visit, is never explained, nor is the millennia-long vendetta against Jews as "Christ-killers").
Whatever else the Bible might be - and it really is a great work of literature - it is not a moral book and young people need to learn that important fact because they are very frequently told the opposite. The examples I have quoted are the tip of a very large and very nasty iceberg. Not a bad way to find out what's in a book is to read it, so I say go to it. But does anybody, even Gove, seriously think they will?
UNQUOTE
Richard Dawkins believed that Adam did not exist, Paul invented Christianity and the Bible is a great work of literature.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Example of Delusion: Robin Gibb and Karmic Retribution
This is the order they were born: Barry (1946), Robin (1949), Maurice (1949), Andy (1958).
This is the order they die: Andy (1988), Maurice (2003), Robin (2012).
Robin Gibb told a British newspaper The Sun in March of this year, "I sometimes wonder if all the tragedies my family has suffered, like Andy and Maurice dying so young and everything that's happened to me recently, is kind of a karmic price we are paying for all the fame and fortune we've had."
Karma is unproven and unprovable. It is a delusion (癡). Why should the Gibb family be paying a price for fame and fortune? Why isn't the Kim family of Kim Jong-un not paying any price? Why did Kim Il-sung die of a ripe old age with his son succeeding him?
This is the order they die: Andy (1988), Maurice (2003), Robin (2012).
Robin Gibb told a British newspaper The Sun in March of this year, "I sometimes wonder if all the tragedies my family has suffered, like Andy and Maurice dying so young and everything that's happened to me recently, is kind of a karmic price we are paying for all the fame and fortune we've had."
Karma is unproven and unprovable. It is a delusion (癡). Why should the Gibb family be paying a price for fame and fortune? Why isn't the Kim family of Kim Jong-un not paying any price? Why did Kim Il-sung die of a ripe old age with his son succeeding him?
Monday, May 21, 2012
Atheist Richard Dawkins Supports Bibles in Schools
Arch-atheist Richard Dawkins supports British Education Secretary Michael Gove's plan to send free King James Bibles to every state school. Richard Dawkins believed that if the children were to read the bad parts of the Bible, such as genocide and stoning for breaking the Sabbath in the Pentateuch, Joshua and Judges, they would be put off by what they read. Writing in Guardian Observer (Saturday 19 May 2012), he said, "I have an ulterior motive for wishing to contribute to Gove's scheme. People who do not know the Bible well have been gulled into thinking it is a good guide to morality. This mistaken view may have motivated the 'millionaire Conservative party donors'. I have even heard the cynically misanthropic opinion that, without the Bible as a moral compass, people would have no restraint against murder, theft and mayhem. The surest way to disabuse yourself of this pernicious falsehood is to read the Bible itself."
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Jeroboam ben Nebat Could Not Trust God
This is what God promised Jeroboam:
After that, if you obey all I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight in order to keep My statutes and My commands as My servant David did, I will be with you. I will build you a lasting dynasty just as I built for David, and I will give you Israel. I will humble David’s descendants, because of their unfaithfulness, but not forever. (1 Kings 11:38-39 HCSB)
But Jeroboam, the realist, could not trust God:
Jeroboam said to himself, "The way things are going now, the kingdom might return to the house of David. If these people regularly go to offer sacrifices in the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem, the heart of these people will return to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah. They will murder me and go back to the king of Judah." (1 Kings 12:26-27 HCSB)
To stop the people from worshipping God the correct way, which is going to Jerusalem and through the Levites, Jeroboam decided to worship God in his own way. As a result, he earned the epithet as one who "made Israel sin".
After that, if you obey all I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight in order to keep My statutes and My commands as My servant David did, I will be with you. I will build you a lasting dynasty just as I built for David, and I will give you Israel. I will humble David’s descendants, because of their unfaithfulness, but not forever. (1 Kings 11:38-39 HCSB)
But Jeroboam, the realist, could not trust God:
Jeroboam said to himself, "The way things are going now, the kingdom might return to the house of David. If these people regularly go to offer sacrifices in the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem, the heart of these people will return to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah. They will murder me and go back to the king of Judah." (1 Kings 12:26-27 HCSB)
To stop the people from worshipping God the correct way, which is going to Jerusalem and through the Levites, Jeroboam decided to worship God in his own way. As a result, he earned the epithet as one who "made Israel sin".
Saturday, May 19, 2012
God's Promises Fulfilled In Unexpected Ways
Sometimes, God's promises and curses are fulfilled in unexpected ways.
Adam
And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV)
But Adam did not die immediately. He lived to 930 years old, older than most of us. But death came into the whole creation, and some animals died, skinned to cover our first parents' nakedness (Genesis 3:7, 3:21).
Abraham
I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies. (Genesis 22:17 NLT)
There are more Chinese and Indians than the Jews. But the Jews are still around, keeping this promise alive for the millennium.
Simeon and Levi
Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel. (Genesis 49:5-7 KJV)
Jacob's curse on his two sons came true, but fulfilled differently. For Simeon, it was fulfilled as a curse. The tribe was dispersed and absorbed by Judah. For Levi, it turned into a blessing, earned by their faithfulness when Israel turned to the golden calf in the desert (Exodus 32:29). The tribe was dispersed as priests in every town, and it is the duty of the Israelites to feed them.
Phinehas
The Lord spoke to Moses, "Phinehas son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has turned back My wrath from the Israelites because he was zealous among them with My zeal, so that I did not destroy the Israelites in My zeal. Therefore declare: I grant him My covenant of peace. It will be a covenant of perpetual priesthood for him and his future descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites." (Numbers 25:10-13 HCSB)
Although Abiathar son of Ahimelech son of Ahitub son of Phinehas son of Eli son of Ithamar son of Aaron was the High Priest during the reign of David, the High Priesthood returned to Zadok, a descendant of Phinehas during the reign of Solomon. Abiathar was deposed for supporting Adonijah as king (1 Kings 2:27). The priesthood will remain with his sons in the Millennial Temple (Ezekiel 40:46, 44:15).
David
And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. (2 Samuel 7:16 KJV)
But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore. (1 Chronicles 17:14 KJV)
For thus says the LORD: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel (Jeremiah 33:17 ESV)
But the dynasty ended in 586 BC. The promised will be fulfilled by the Messiah, who will rule in the millennium.
Jehoiachin, Jeconiah, Coniah, or Jechonias
Thus says the LORD: "Write this man down as childless, a man who shall not succeed in his days, for none of his offspring shall succeed in sitting on the throne of David and ruling again in Judah." (Jeremiah 22:30 ESV)
But Jehoiachin had children (1 Chronicles 3:17-18), was released from prison and his throne was set above the thrones of the kings who were with him in Babylon (2 Kings 25:27-28) and his grandson Zerubbabel ruled successfully (Haggai 2:23).
Conclusion
Thus God was merciful in His curse, and sure in His promise, though sometimes it appears that His promise may fail.
Adam
And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV)
But Adam did not die immediately. He lived to 930 years old, older than most of us. But death came into the whole creation, and some animals died, skinned to cover our first parents' nakedness (Genesis 3:7, 3:21).
Abraham
I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies. (Genesis 22:17 NLT)
There are more Chinese and Indians than the Jews. But the Jews are still around, keeping this promise alive for the millennium.
Simeon and Levi
Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel. (Genesis 49:5-7 KJV)
Jacob's curse on his two sons came true, but fulfilled differently. For Simeon, it was fulfilled as a curse. The tribe was dispersed and absorbed by Judah. For Levi, it turned into a blessing, earned by their faithfulness when Israel turned to the golden calf in the desert (Exodus 32:29). The tribe was dispersed as priests in every town, and it is the duty of the Israelites to feed them.
Phinehas
The Lord spoke to Moses, "Phinehas son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has turned back My wrath from the Israelites because he was zealous among them with My zeal, so that I did not destroy the Israelites in My zeal. Therefore declare: I grant him My covenant of peace. It will be a covenant of perpetual priesthood for him and his future descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites." (Numbers 25:10-13 HCSB)
Although Abiathar son of Ahimelech son of Ahitub son of Phinehas son of Eli son of Ithamar son of Aaron was the High Priest during the reign of David, the High Priesthood returned to Zadok, a descendant of Phinehas during the reign of Solomon. Abiathar was deposed for supporting Adonijah as king (1 Kings 2:27). The priesthood will remain with his sons in the Millennial Temple (Ezekiel 40:46, 44:15).
David
And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. (2 Samuel 7:16 KJV)
But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore. (1 Chronicles 17:14 KJV)
For thus says the LORD: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel (Jeremiah 33:17 ESV)
But the dynasty ended in 586 BC. The promised will be fulfilled by the Messiah, who will rule in the millennium.
Jehoiachin, Jeconiah, Coniah, or Jechonias
Thus says the LORD: "Write this man down as childless, a man who shall not succeed in his days, for none of his offspring shall succeed in sitting on the throne of David and ruling again in Judah." (Jeremiah 22:30 ESV)
But Jehoiachin had children (1 Chronicles 3:17-18), was released from prison and his throne was set above the thrones of the kings who were with him in Babylon (2 Kings 25:27-28) and his grandson Zerubbabel ruled successfully (Haggai 2:23).
Conclusion
Thus God was merciful in His curse, and sure in His promise, though sometimes it appears that His promise may fail.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Four Mysteries
All religions face this mystery: Freewill or Predestination.
All monotheistic religions face this mystery: Did evil come from God?
Christianity faces this mystery: Trinity and Christ
Christianity faces another mystery: The sovereignty of God and the accountability of men.
But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?" Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? (Romans 9:20-21 ESV)
All monotheistic religions face this mystery: Did evil come from God?
Christianity faces this mystery: Trinity and Christ
Christianity faces another mystery: The sovereignty of God and the accountability of men.
But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?" Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? (Romans 9:20-21 ESV)
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Those Who Did Not Finish Well
Some people mentioned in the Bible started well but did not finish well. Some of them ended so badly that we never knew if they were saved in the first place.
Adam, Lot, Gideon, Eli, King Saul, King Solomon, King Asa, King Joash, King Amaziah, King Uzziah
Judas Iscariot
Simon (Acts 8:9-24)
Demas (2 Timothy 4:10)
Hymenaeus (1 Timothy 1:20, 2 Timothy 2:17)
Philetus (2 Timothy 2:17)
Alexander (1 Timothy 1:20)
Alexander the coppersmith (2 Timothy 4:14)
Are these Alexanders the same Alexander as in Acts 19:33-34?
Diotrephes (3 John 9)
Adam, Lot, Gideon, Eli, King Saul, King Solomon, King Asa, King Joash, King Amaziah, King Uzziah
Judas Iscariot
Simon (Acts 8:9-24)
Demas (2 Timothy 4:10)
Hymenaeus (1 Timothy 1:20, 2 Timothy 2:17)
Philetus (2 Timothy 2:17)
Alexander (1 Timothy 1:20)
Alexander the coppersmith (2 Timothy 4:14)
Are these Alexanders the same Alexander as in Acts 19:33-34?
Diotrephes (3 John 9)
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
What God Hates
False worship
Yet I persistently sent to you all my servants the prophets, saying, "Oh, do not do this abomination that I hate!" (Jeremiah 44:4 ESV)
I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. (Amos 5:21 ESV)
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (Revelation 2:6 KJV)
Evil doers
The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity. (Psalm 5:5 NASB)
There are six things the Lord hates - no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family. (Proverbs 6:16-19 HCSB)
For I, the LORD, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them. (Isaiah 61:8 NLT)
And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD. (Zechariah 8:17 KJV)
Divorce
"I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment," says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith. (Malachi 2:16 NIV)
Yet I persistently sent to you all my servants the prophets, saying, "Oh, do not do this abomination that I hate!" (Jeremiah 44:4 ESV)
I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. (Amos 5:21 ESV)
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (Revelation 2:6 KJV)
Evil doers
The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity. (Psalm 5:5 NASB)
There are six things the Lord hates - no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family. (Proverbs 6:16-19 HCSB)
For I, the LORD, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them. (Isaiah 61:8 NLT)
And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD. (Zechariah 8:17 KJV)
Divorce
"I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment," says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith. (Malachi 2:16 NIV)
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Faith and Recklessness
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. (John 10:17-18 KJV)
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Matthew 4:6 KJV)
Sometimes, faith and recklessness looked similar. When we do things which people normally would not do, are we obeying the voice of God or are we reckless? When we see some getting himself crucified because he believed that he would be raised from the dead in three days, would we think he has great faith or he is reckless? If someone decide to jump from a ten storey flat, believing that God will save him, do you think he is having great faith or he is reckless?
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Matthew 4:6 KJV)
Sometimes, faith and recklessness looked similar. When we do things which people normally would not do, are we obeying the voice of God or are we reckless? When we see some getting himself crucified because he believed that he would be raised from the dead in three days, would we think he has great faith or he is reckless? If someone decide to jump from a ten storey flat, believing that God will save him, do you think he is having great faith or he is reckless?
Monday, May 14, 2012
Christian Living
After we are saved, how should we live our Christian life?
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 KJV)
1. We live by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7);
2. We give thanks for all things (1 Thessalonians 5:18);
3. We testify of God's grace to us (Mark 5:19).
Our testamonies will:
1. glorify God (Matthew 5:16);
2. encourage others (2 Corinthians 1:4, 2 Corinthians 9:13).
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 KJV)
1. We live by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7);
2. We give thanks for all things (1 Thessalonians 5:18);
3. We testify of God's grace to us (Mark 5:19).
Our testamonies will:
1. glorify God (Matthew 5:16);
2. encourage others (2 Corinthians 1:4, 2 Corinthians 9:13).
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Hilkiah Found The Law
And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, "I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. And Shaphan the secretary came to the king, and reported to the king, "Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the Lord." Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read it before the king.
When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king's servant, saying, "Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us." (2 Kings 22:8-13 ESV)
Hilkiah handed the book to Shaphan the official and said, "Look what I found here in the temple - The Book of God’s Law."
Shaphan took the book to Josiah and reported, "Your officials are doing everything you wanted. They have collected the money from the temple and have given it to the men supervising the repairs. But there’s something else, Your Majesty. The priest Hilkiah gave me this book." Then Shaphan read it aloud.
When Josiah heard what was in The Book of God’s Law, he tore his clothes in sorrow. At once he called together Hilkiah, Shaphan, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, and his own servant Asaiah. He said, "The Lord must be furious with me and everyone else in Israel and Judah, because our ancestors did not obey the laws written in this book. Go find out what the Lord wants us to do." (2 Chronicles 34:15-21 CEV)
During this time, the Law (Torah) is like our Bible today, the Word of God. I wonder what about the Psalms and the other wisdom books, writings of prophets Isaiah, Amos and Hosea, and Joshua and Judges. The rest of the Prophets are still being written or yet to be written. Are they also classified as the Word of God like the Torah?
When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king's servant, saying, "Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us." (2 Kings 22:8-13 ESV)
Hilkiah handed the book to Shaphan the official and said, "Look what I found here in the temple - The Book of God’s Law."
Shaphan took the book to Josiah and reported, "Your officials are doing everything you wanted. They have collected the money from the temple and have given it to the men supervising the repairs. But there’s something else, Your Majesty. The priest Hilkiah gave me this book." Then Shaphan read it aloud.
When Josiah heard what was in The Book of God’s Law, he tore his clothes in sorrow. At once he called together Hilkiah, Shaphan, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, and his own servant Asaiah. He said, "The Lord must be furious with me and everyone else in Israel and Judah, because our ancestors did not obey the laws written in this book. Go find out what the Lord wants us to do." (2 Chronicles 34:15-21 CEV)
During this time, the Law (Torah) is like our Bible today, the Word of God. I wonder what about the Psalms and the other wisdom books, writings of prophets Isaiah, Amos and Hosea, and Joshua and Judges. The rest of the Prophets are still being written or yet to be written. Are they also classified as the Word of God like the Torah?
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Sin, Suffering and Antidote
Then to Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it': cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:17-19 NKJV)
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12 KJV)
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23 KJV)
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:21-22 KJV)
The Bible tells us that sin is the root of all human sufferings. Sin came into this world by the disobedience of one man. Death came as the wages of sin. But the Bible does not end with this bad news. There is the good news (Gospel) that in Christ, all shall be made alive.
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12 KJV)
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23 KJV)
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:21-22 KJV)
The Bible tells us that sin is the root of all human sufferings. Sin came into this world by the disobedience of one man. Death came as the wages of sin. But the Bible does not end with this bad news. There is the good news (Gospel) that in Christ, all shall be made alive.
Friday, May 11, 2012
三毒 (Three Poisons): 貪 (Greed) 瞋 (Hatred) 癡 (Delusion)
Yesterday (10-May-2012) in Straits Times, Gary Hayden, in his column in "Mind Your Body", wrote about Buddha's diagnosis that the "Three Poisons" are the root of human sufferings. What are the three poisons? They are Greed (貪), Hatred (瞋) and Delusion (癡).
Greed (貪) encompasses all desires, all those we like. Hatred (瞋) consists of all things we dislike and would like to avoid. Delusion (癡) is the wrongful perception of reality.
When we cannot get what we like, we suffer. When we get what we dislike, we suffer. Because of wrong perception, we like and dislike. We should not, because all things are impermanent.
Indeed I have nothing against this description of Greed (貪), Hatred (瞋) and Delusion (癡) as three poisons (三毒). It is true. Especially the part about Delusion (癡). Everyone must be aware that it is this Delusion (癡) that prevent people (Buddha included) from seeing God.
Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 ESV)
In this world, there is a strong delusion that prevents people from seeing God, which is why Buddha got Greed (貪) and Hatred (瞋) right, but Delusion (癡) wrong. Buddha's wrong perception of reality is that all things are impermanent.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NLT)
When you have a wrong perception that everything is impermanent, then then the wrong solution will be given to the problem of suffering.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6 KJV)
No matter how logical or perceptive or insightful your ideas may be, you cannot arrive at the Truth, which is permanent. The right perception is very important.
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Matthew 24:35, Luke 21:33 KJV)
While God's creation will pass away, God and His Word abide forever. When you do not factor God into your perception, then it is only logical that everything you see (which is God's creation) is impermanent.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. (2 Peter 3:10 ESV)
This current creation, both the heavens and the earth are not permanent. They shall be destroyed.
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Revelation 21:1-8 KJV
What is permanent, or not permanent, will be determined by the One who eternally exists.
Greed (貪) encompasses all desires, all those we like. Hatred (瞋) consists of all things we dislike and would like to avoid. Delusion (癡) is the wrongful perception of reality.
When we cannot get what we like, we suffer. When we get what we dislike, we suffer. Because of wrong perception, we like and dislike. We should not, because all things are impermanent.
Indeed I have nothing against this description of Greed (貪), Hatred (瞋) and Delusion (癡) as three poisons (三毒). It is true. Especially the part about Delusion (癡). Everyone must be aware that it is this Delusion (癡) that prevent people (Buddha included) from seeing God.
Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 ESV)
In this world, there is a strong delusion that prevents people from seeing God, which is why Buddha got Greed (貪) and Hatred (瞋) right, but Delusion (癡) wrong. Buddha's wrong perception of reality is that all things are impermanent.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NLT)
When you have a wrong perception that everything is impermanent, then then the wrong solution will be given to the problem of suffering.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6 KJV)
No matter how logical or perceptive or insightful your ideas may be, you cannot arrive at the Truth, which is permanent. The right perception is very important.
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Matthew 24:35, Luke 21:33 KJV)
While God's creation will pass away, God and His Word abide forever. When you do not factor God into your perception, then it is only logical that everything you see (which is God's creation) is impermanent.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. (2 Peter 3:10 ESV)
This current creation, both the heavens and the earth are not permanent. They shall be destroyed.
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Revelation 21:1-8 KJV
What is permanent, or not permanent, will be determined by the One who eternally exists.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Cravings
What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from the cravings that are at war within you? (James 4:1 HCSB)
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:16 KJV)
Sin changed our desires from fellowship with God to self-satisfaction. This desire can be classified into three categories:
1. The lust of the flesh which is the craving for physical pleasure and our selfish desires;
2. The lust of the eyes is our craving for things that we see, those that please our eyes;
3. The pride of life is pride in our achievements, possessions, lifestyle, things that puffs us up.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:16 KJV)
Sin changed our desires from fellowship with God to self-satisfaction. This desire can be classified into three categories:
1. The lust of the flesh which is the craving for physical pleasure and our selfish desires;
2. The lust of the eyes is our craving for things that we see, those that please our eyes;
3. The pride of life is pride in our achievements, possessions, lifestyle, things that puffs us up.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Trusting God
Most people trust God when they don't have a choice. But do you trust God when you have choices? Or would you rather choose what you want?
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Iblis Refused to Worship Adam
God is the only One worthy of worship. He does not allow His creatures to be worshipped, even though some of His creations are huge, powerful and magnificent.
For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 1:25 NASB)
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Matthew 4:10 KJV)
As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter pulled him up and said, "Stand up! I'm a human being just like you!" (Acts 10:25-26 NLT)
Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God." For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10 ESV)
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." (Revelation 22:8-9 ESV)
It is We Who created you and gave you shape; then We bade the angels prostrate to Adam, and they prostrate; not so Iblis; He refused to be of those who prostrate. (Allah) said: "What prevented thee from prostrating when I commanded thee?" He said: "I am better than he: Thou didst create me from fire, and him from clay." (Surah 7:11-12 Yusuf Ali version)
We only worship the creator, not the creature. But in the Quran, Allah ordered the angels to worship Adam (2:34, 7:11-12, 15:28-31, 17:61, 18:50, 20:116, 38:71-74). Iblis, the Muslim Satan, refused. While his motivation may be wrong, but at least, his action is right. Allah was inconsistent to ask the angels to worship a creature. It may not be obvious by just reading the Quran alone, but the truth is clear in the light of the Bible.
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. (Hebrews 4:12 NLT)
Our God is true, is the truth, unchanged and unchanging.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NLT)
The only Man the angels would worship is the Lord Jesus Christ, for He is God and Man.
You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor. (Psalm 8:5, Hebrews 2:7)
For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 1:25 NASB)
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Matthew 4:10 KJV)
As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter pulled him up and said, "Stand up! I'm a human being just like you!" (Acts 10:25-26 NLT)
Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God." For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10 ESV)
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." (Revelation 22:8-9 ESV)
It is We Who created you and gave you shape; then We bade the angels prostrate to Adam, and they prostrate; not so Iblis; He refused to be of those who prostrate. (Allah) said: "What prevented thee from prostrating when I commanded thee?" He said: "I am better than he: Thou didst create me from fire, and him from clay." (Surah 7:11-12 Yusuf Ali version)
We only worship the creator, not the creature. But in the Quran, Allah ordered the angels to worship Adam (2:34, 7:11-12, 15:28-31, 17:61, 18:50, 20:116, 38:71-74). Iblis, the Muslim Satan, refused. While his motivation may be wrong, but at least, his action is right. Allah was inconsistent to ask the angels to worship a creature. It may not be obvious by just reading the Quran alone, but the truth is clear in the light of the Bible.
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. (Hebrews 4:12 NLT)
Our God is true, is the truth, unchanged and unchanging.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NLT)
The only Man the angels would worship is the Lord Jesus Christ, for He is God and Man.
You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor. (Psalm 8:5, Hebrews 2:7)
Monday, May 7, 2012
Fig Leaves And Animal Skin
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (Genesis 3:7 KJV)
Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. (Genesis 3:21 KJV)
The best that Adam and Eve could do to cover their shame is to sew fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. They had no right to kill animals and skin them for clothing. Only God can provide that.
The first death(s) in the Garden of Eden were that of the animal or animals killed and skinned. I wonder what animal was that. Did it become extinct immediately? Or did the Lord create 7 pairs for clean animals, like the case in Noah's ark? Is there any distinction between clean and unclean animals before the fall?
Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. (Genesis 3:21 KJV)
The best that Adam and Eve could do to cover their shame is to sew fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. They had no right to kill animals and skin them for clothing. Only God can provide that.
The first death(s) in the Garden of Eden were that of the animal or animals killed and skinned. I wonder what animal was that. Did it become extinct immediately? Or did the Lord create 7 pairs for clean animals, like the case in Noah's ark? Is there any distinction between clean and unclean animals before the fall?
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Cain and Abel - 2
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. (Genesis 4:3-5 KJV)
By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith. (Hebrews 11:4 HCSB)
That is all the Bible wrote about the worship of Cain and Abel. God had regard for Abel and his offering, but not for Cain and his offering. The reason was not given, but Hebrews 11:4 tells us that Abel offered a better sacrifice because he offered by faith. This implies that Cain did not offer his by faith.
Many were curious to know more. Yes, Abel had more faith. But is it because Abel brought an animal sacrifice, which is what God required? That is, Abel's faith made him offer a lamb. But the Bible did not tell us that the offerings were rejected on the basis that one is animal sacrifice and the other is not. For those who want to speculate, I can offer two speculations.
Speculation 1
Abel offered animal sacrifice because he somehow knew that it is the right thing to do. Maybe he learned about fig leaves and animal skin from his parents.
Speculation 2
Animal and fruit offerings are both acceptable, but Cain was condemned for failing to bring the best, the first fruits (Deuteronomy 26:1-11). He just brought some of the fruits of the soil, reflecting a disrespectful and casual attitude. Maybe he waited till he had enough fruits, then he took the rest and offer God. You need faith to offer the first fruits. What happened if there is no more fruit after that? You would have nothing to eat.
By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith. (Hebrews 11:4 HCSB)
That is all the Bible wrote about the worship of Cain and Abel. God had regard for Abel and his offering, but not for Cain and his offering. The reason was not given, but Hebrews 11:4 tells us that Abel offered a better sacrifice because he offered by faith. This implies that Cain did not offer his by faith.
Many were curious to know more. Yes, Abel had more faith. But is it because Abel brought an animal sacrifice, which is what God required? That is, Abel's faith made him offer a lamb. But the Bible did not tell us that the offerings were rejected on the basis that one is animal sacrifice and the other is not. For those who want to speculate, I can offer two speculations.
Speculation 1
Abel offered animal sacrifice because he somehow knew that it is the right thing to do. Maybe he learned about fig leaves and animal skin from his parents.
Speculation 2
Animal and fruit offerings are both acceptable, but Cain was condemned for failing to bring the best, the first fruits (Deuteronomy 26:1-11). He just brought some of the fruits of the soil, reflecting a disrespectful and casual attitude. Maybe he waited till he had enough fruits, then he took the rest and offer God. You need faith to offer the first fruits. What happened if there is no more fruit after that? You would have nothing to eat.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
萬惡淫為首，百善孝為先
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12 ESV)
You shall not murder. (Exodus 20:13 ESV)
You shall not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14 ESV)
The Chinese is correct in listing filial piety as the first of the good deeds. The Bible also list it as the first commandment dealing with human to human relationship. (The first four commandments deal with human to God relationship). But adultery is not the worst of all sin. It is murder.
You shall not murder. (Exodus 20:13 ESV)
You shall not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14 ESV)
The Chinese is correct in listing filial piety as the first of the good deeds. The Bible also list it as the first commandment dealing with human to human relationship. (The first four commandments deal with human to God relationship). But adultery is not the worst of all sin. It is murder.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Auditing the Transmission of Quran
Allah sent Jibreel (Gabriel) to deliver the Quran to Mohammed. Mohammed recites it to his companions, who would memorise them. Many companions who memorised died in battle. The following Muslim website tells us how the Quran was transmitted after that.
QUOTE
During the Battle of Yamamah when a large number of the companions of the Prophet who knew the Quran by heart were killed, Umar ibn Al-Khattab expressed his great worry that some verses of the Quran known to some companions might be forgotten due to the death of those companions. So he suggested to Abu Bakr to have the Quran collected and compiled.
Abu Bakr was hesitant in the beginning, because as he said, "This is something not done by the Prophet." However, he was later convinced of the necessity of the matter, because in the lifetime of the Prophet there was no need for such an action, since the source and conveyor of the revelation was living amongst them.
The Caliph found that Zaid ibn Thabit was the man for the job. Thus he addressed Zaid: "You are a young man who is wise and trustworthy. And you used to write the revelation for the Prophet, collect the Quran and compile it."
Zaid reports, "I swear to God that had they asked me to move a mountain, it would have been easier than that task assigned to me."
Upon the compilation of the whole Book, it was kept with the Caliph Abu Bakr, then his successor Umar, who entrusted it upon his death to his daughter Hafsah, a wife of Prophet Muhammad, who was also known for her knowledge of the Quran besides being one of the few literate people in the community.
In a little while we will look at a few details of the great event of compiling the Book of Islam. But before we start, let me remind our reader that the Quran was memorized by many Companions of the Prophet of Islam during his life time.
It was also written at his orders by his scribes, of whom Zaid ibn Thabit is best known. However, many of those Companions were exposed to death, because of the wars between the armies of Islam and those of the apostates (known in Islamic history as "the Wars of Apostasy").
This was the main reason why Umar ibn Al-Khattab suggested the compilation of the text. The task assigned to Zaid ibn Thabit was to collect the portions scattered with different people, verify the texts and put them in the order assigned to the verses and chapters by the Prophet Muhammad himself before his death.
Though Zaid (the head of the committee) himself knew the whole Quran by heart, along with many others, he followed a very meticulous procedure in its compilation. Following is a brief description:
1. Everyone who knew a portion of the Quran came and reported it to be written by the committee. However, the report was not accepted unless it was heard by the reporting Companion directly from the mouth of the Prophet himself, and the text was checked with the Prophet in his last year of life.
2. The verses and chapters of the text were written in the order assigned to them by the Prophet.
3. In order to ensure authenticity, no text was accepted unless the person who reported it to the Committee brought two witnesses who saw him hear the verses directly from the blessed Prophet's mouth.
Through the above meticulous procedure the committee, which was headed by Zaid ibn Thabit aided by Umar ibn Al-Khattab, collected the whole text of the Quran, which was then preserved and kept by the Caliph Abu Bakr.
Then, upon his death, by the second Caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattab who entrusted it, upon his death, to his daughter Hafsah, as we mentioned earlier.
It was the Caliph Uthman ibn Affan who had the honor of supervising the distribution of the "standard" version of the Quran during his reign. Again, the task was assigned to our hero Zaid ibn Thabit, aided by a number of reputable Companions of the Prophet.
We learn from history that the Prophet allowed his followers to recite the Holy Quran according to their own dialects. But when the Islamic state expanded, the companions spread all over the newly conquered areas. Each taught the Quran the way he pronounced it.
This caused some confusion, especially to many new converts who could not understand such differences in pronunciation, however slight they were. People almost started fighting over the corrections of each other's way of reciting certain verses.
To avert the chaos and confusion, the great Caliph Uthman ibn Affan consulted the Companions, and made the historical decision of a "standard version" to be followed by everybody. He sent for the text compiled earlier and kept with Hafsah, the widow of the Prophet and daughter of the second Caliph, and he ordered a committee, that included our hero Zaid ibn Thabit, to make copies of that text and have them sent to the major centers of the State.
Then the Caliph Uthman ordered that all other copies be destroyed; thus ensuring the unification of the manner of reciting the Quran, to protect the text from being tampered with, and to protect the Muslim community from fighting over different ways of reciting it.
To this day, whenever we open a copy of the Quran, we may find the expression "according to the 'Uthmani script" in reference to those standard copies made at the order of the Caliph Uthman ibn Affan and executed by Zaid ibn Thabit, with the aid of a few illustrious Companions of the Prophet Muhammad.
UNQUOTE
If you are an auditor, do you have any comment on the way Allah transmit the Quran verbally, without witness, from Gabriel to Mohmammed, then from Mohammed to his companions?
What is your comment on the way Zaid ibn Thabit compile the Quran? Does his method ensure that the whole Quran is collected, or only those that were memorised by the living and available?
QUOTE
During the Battle of Yamamah when a large number of the companions of the Prophet who knew the Quran by heart were killed, Umar ibn Al-Khattab expressed his great worry that some verses of the Quran known to some companions might be forgotten due to the death of those companions. So he suggested to Abu Bakr to have the Quran collected and compiled.
Abu Bakr was hesitant in the beginning, because as he said, "This is something not done by the Prophet." However, he was later convinced of the necessity of the matter, because in the lifetime of the Prophet there was no need for such an action, since the source and conveyor of the revelation was living amongst them.
The Caliph found that Zaid ibn Thabit was the man for the job. Thus he addressed Zaid: "You are a young man who is wise and trustworthy. And you used to write the revelation for the Prophet, collect the Quran and compile it."
Zaid reports, "I swear to God that had they asked me to move a mountain, it would have been easier than that task assigned to me."
Upon the compilation of the whole Book, it was kept with the Caliph Abu Bakr, then his successor Umar, who entrusted it upon his death to his daughter Hafsah, a wife of Prophet Muhammad, who was also known for her knowledge of the Quran besides being one of the few literate people in the community.
In a little while we will look at a few details of the great event of compiling the Book of Islam. But before we start, let me remind our reader that the Quran was memorized by many Companions of the Prophet of Islam during his life time.
It was also written at his orders by his scribes, of whom Zaid ibn Thabit is best known. However, many of those Companions were exposed to death, because of the wars between the armies of Islam and those of the apostates (known in Islamic history as "the Wars of Apostasy").
This was the main reason why Umar ibn Al-Khattab suggested the compilation of the text. The task assigned to Zaid ibn Thabit was to collect the portions scattered with different people, verify the texts and put them in the order assigned to the verses and chapters by the Prophet Muhammad himself before his death.
Though Zaid (the head of the committee) himself knew the whole Quran by heart, along with many others, he followed a very meticulous procedure in its compilation. Following is a brief description:
1. Everyone who knew a portion of the Quran came and reported it to be written by the committee. However, the report was not accepted unless it was heard by the reporting Companion directly from the mouth of the Prophet himself, and the text was checked with the Prophet in his last year of life.
2. The verses and chapters of the text were written in the order assigned to them by the Prophet.
3. In order to ensure authenticity, no text was accepted unless the person who reported it to the Committee brought two witnesses who saw him hear the verses directly from the blessed Prophet's mouth.
Through the above meticulous procedure the committee, which was headed by Zaid ibn Thabit aided by Umar ibn Al-Khattab, collected the whole text of the Quran, which was then preserved and kept by the Caliph Abu Bakr.
Then, upon his death, by the second Caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattab who entrusted it, upon his death, to his daughter Hafsah, as we mentioned earlier.
It was the Caliph Uthman ibn Affan who had the honor of supervising the distribution of the "standard" version of the Quran during his reign. Again, the task was assigned to our hero Zaid ibn Thabit, aided by a number of reputable Companions of the Prophet.
We learn from history that the Prophet allowed his followers to recite the Holy Quran according to their own dialects. But when the Islamic state expanded, the companions spread all over the newly conquered areas. Each taught the Quran the way he pronounced it.
This caused some confusion, especially to many new converts who could not understand such differences in pronunciation, however slight they were. People almost started fighting over the corrections of each other's way of reciting certain verses.
To avert the chaos and confusion, the great Caliph Uthman ibn Affan consulted the Companions, and made the historical decision of a "standard version" to be followed by everybody. He sent for the text compiled earlier and kept with Hafsah, the widow of the Prophet and daughter of the second Caliph, and he ordered a committee, that included our hero Zaid ibn Thabit, to make copies of that text and have them sent to the major centers of the State.
Then the Caliph Uthman ordered that all other copies be destroyed; thus ensuring the unification of the manner of reciting the Quran, to protect the text from being tampered with, and to protect the Muslim community from fighting over different ways of reciting it.
To this day, whenever we open a copy of the Quran, we may find the expression "according to the 'Uthmani script" in reference to those standard copies made at the order of the Caliph Uthman ibn Affan and executed by Zaid ibn Thabit, with the aid of a few illustrious Companions of the Prophet Muhammad.
UNQUOTE
If you are an auditor, do you have any comment on the way Allah transmit the Quran verbally, without witness, from Gabriel to Mohmammed, then from Mohammed to his companions?
What is your comment on the way Zaid ibn Thabit compile the Quran? Does his method ensure that the whole Quran is collected, or only those that were memorised by the living and available?
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Sinning in Anonymity
We sin when nobody is watching. Sin in anonymity can be littering when nobody is watching. It is difficult for us to stop ourselves from sinning when temptation arises in situations of anonymity. Our efforts may be futile. It is best we use our shield of faith. Trust God to prevent us form sinning. Pray that God will prevent us from sinning in situations of anonymity.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
God's Grace, Paul's humility
For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. (1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV)
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; (Ephesians 3:8 KJV)
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; (Ephesians 3:8 KJV)
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Labour
From the beginning, man was created to work.
The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. (Genesis 2:15 KJV)
Sin made the work of man difficult.
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return. (Genesis 3:19 NIV)
So we must make sure that our work will last.
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. (John 6:27 KJV)
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 KJV)
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. (Ecclesiastes 9:10 NASB)
We will find satisfaction in the work God called us to do and glorify God.
Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. (Ecclesiastes 5:18 NLT)
A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 NIV)
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 3:13 KJV)
A skillful man would be sought out, even by kings.
Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. (Proverbs 22:29 ESV)
Yet man must not put his all into his work.
Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: (Deuteronomy 5:13 KJV)
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. (Deuteronomy 8:3 KJV)
What happens if we do not work?
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10 KJV)
But if anyone does not provide for his own, that is his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8 HCSB)
Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle, but whoever earns it through labor will multiply it. (Proverbs 13:11 HCSB)
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23 NIV)
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. (Ephesians 4:28 KJV)
He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. (Proverbs 28:19 NIV)
The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. (Genesis 2:15 KJV)
Sin made the work of man difficult.
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return. (Genesis 3:19 NIV)
So we must make sure that our work will last.
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. (John 6:27 KJV)
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 KJV)
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. (Ecclesiastes 9:10 NASB)
We will find satisfaction in the work God called us to do and glorify God.
Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. (Ecclesiastes 5:18 NLT)
A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 NIV)
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 3:13 KJV)
A skillful man would be sought out, even by kings.
Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. (Proverbs 22:29 ESV)
Yet man must not put his all into his work.
Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: (Deuteronomy 5:13 KJV)
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. (Deuteronomy 8:3 KJV)
What happens if we do not work?
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10 KJV)
But if anyone does not provide for his own, that is his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8 HCSB)
Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle, but whoever earns it through labor will multiply it. (Proverbs 13:11 HCSB)
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23 NIV)
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. (Ephesians 4:28 KJV)
He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. (Proverbs 28:19 NIV)
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