Breaking News: Another Patriot battery and another Iron Dome battery were deployed in Lower
Galilee yesterday, a region which covers key towns north of Tel Aviv: Afula, Nazareth, Yoqn’am and Hadera.
At least one Patriot and three Iron Dome batteries have already been deployed in Haifa and Safed, before the new deployments announced today.
Obama to visit Israel / Ramallah and Jordan to start peace process. The visit is tentatively scheduled for March 20. If violence is ongoing the visit will be delayed.
Bulgaria announces that Hezbollah was behind Burgas bus attack. The timing of the announcement is remarkable considering the present crisis. Bulgaria Blames Hezbollah for Burgas Bus Attack
NEWS: Netanyahu is still calling for a national unity coalition government with himself as pm; however he is running into grave problems in accommodating all the various parties. He has until 2 March to form a government [a two week extension may be granted by the president], after which he plans to immediately travel to the US for the AIPAC meeting and consultations with Washington.
REMINDER: The new moon will be visible after sunset 11 Feb, making 12 Feb the new moon day, and the first day of the twelfth biblical month.
Please see the Mark 11-12: 2013 Feast of Tabernacles for 2013 Feast information.
OUTREACH SITE: The full Gospel of Mark is now in the Gospels category at the Outreach Site.
THE NEW YEAR: Brian Convery reports that this is a very exceptional year as to temperatures and precipitation in Judea / Israel. Add to this the fact that we are into a solar maxima and everything is growing exceptionally well in the land of Israel.
[Admin] Although we are still watching very carefully for the possible need for an intercalary month; barring any downturn, it appears that we shall see the earliest new year in a century and quite likely a March Passover.
Mark 15
After Jesus had claimed to be Messiah the priests bound him and took him to the governor.
1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.
Before Pilate Christ admitted to being King of the Jews, which supposing that he meant at that time was treason against the government.
15:2 And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto them, Thou sayest it.
Jesus then refused to answer his accusers that Isaiah 53:7 might be fulfilled.
Is 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
15:3 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. 15:4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. 15:5 But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.
Now a guilty prisoner was released, demonstrating that Jesus the innocent, was to die for the guilty, for sinful humanity.
15:6 Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. 15:7 And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. 15:8 And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.
It was the religious establishment who demanded the guilty be released so that they could kill the innocent.
15:9 But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 15:10 For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. 15:11 But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.
The priests then taught the people to demand that Christ be crucified
15:12 And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? 15:13 And they cried out again, Crucify him.
Pilate laboured to save Jesus the innocent; but could not resist the murderous throng.
15:14 Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. 15:15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
The Roman soldiers then mocked him.
15:16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. 15:17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, 15:18 And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! 15:19 And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. 15:20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
Jesus then weakened, Simon was forced to bear his cross, showing that all the true followers of Christ must bear their own trials even to the death as Christ did.
15:21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
They then crucified him outside the city walls.
15:22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. 15:23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.
15:24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. 15:25 And it was the third hour [9 AM], and they crucified him.
The crime for which he was crucified was signified by the Romans as having claimed to be the king of the Jews.
15:26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
15:27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. 15:28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
The chief priests then mocked him and the people likewise.
15:29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, 15:30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross. 15:31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. 15:32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
As Christ was dying for the sins of the world and those sins were being laid on him, a great darkness of clouds came over the land separating him symbolically from the face of the Father, for it is our sins that separate us from God.
Is 59:1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
15:33 And when the sixth hour [12 noon] was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour [3 PM].
15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying [speeking the name of God in Aramaic] , Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
A superstitious person not realizing he spoke in Aramean reasoned that he called for Elijah to save him. Thinking that Jesus still had some time of life left gave him a boost of energy drink and waited to see if Elijah would come.
15:35 And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias. 15:36 And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.
Jesus died at about 3 PM and the barrier of sin between the Father and man was torn in two, by the sacrifice of the Lamb of God.
15:37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. 15:38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
the Romans who knew Christ to be innocent, then acknowledged Christ as the son of God. Remember that the Romans were very superstitious and used to having many gods, so this acknowledgment was not a matter of his conversion.
15:39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
Joseph and the women took the body to bury it BEFORE the High Day Sabbaton of the first day of Unleavened Bread; BEFORE the 14th day had ended and the 15th day of the first month had begun.
15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother [of Yeshua, Jesus and of] of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; 15:41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
15:42 And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
Pilate was surprised that Joseph claimed Christ was dead and questioned the centurion himself.
15:44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. 15:45 And when he knew it [believed the report] of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.
15:46 And he [Joseph] bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. 15:47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses [the brother of Jesus] beheld where he was laid.
16:1 And when the [weekly Sabbath, Friday sunset to Saturday sunset] sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the [the supposed mother of Jesus] mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
16:2 And very early in the morning the first day [Sunday] of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun 16:3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 16:4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was [already] rolled away: for it was very great.
16:5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. 16:6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is [already risen] risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
16:7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. 16:8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
The women were afraid at the angel and needed a little time to recover from the shock. As they delayed in the garden Jesus appeared unto them.
16:9 Now when Jesus was risen[;] early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. [and to his mother and the women with them]
The women then went and told the disciples.
16:10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 16:11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
Then Peter ran to see for himself.
Luk 24:10 It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
Jesus then appeared to two men as they walked.
Luk 24:13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
16:12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
Still the disciples [the 11] would not believe.
16:13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
Then that Sunday evening as the sun was ready to set he appeared to the 11.
John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
The Holy Spirit was given to the 11 privately on Wave Offering Sunday and was publicly given to many weeks later on Pentecost.
21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you [to preach the way of salvation in the world]. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
The signs of the believers and obedient faithful followers of Jesus Christ.
16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Luk 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
God’s people are to preach what they had been taught and had witnessed.
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father [the Holy Spirit] upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Jesus ascended into heaven at Bethany, and the disciples were centered at the temple.
50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
JMM
February 5th, 2013 at 13:37