WeekLy BooK oF Acts 21 26-40

      a paraphrased study

1 - Then Paul joined the men who had taken a vow, and the next day purified himself along with them and they went into the temple, giving notice when the days of the vow would be fulfilled and the offering made for each one. 27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Judean from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hold of him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against us and against the law and against this temple! Moreover, he even brought Greeks (unbelievers not adhering to the society preserving laws of Moses) into the temple and has desolated this holy place!” 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Gentile Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30 Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran as one and seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple. And at once the gates were shut. 31 And as they were planning to kill him, word came to the tribune of the centurions that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 So he took soldiers and centurions and ran to the uproar. When the people saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the tribune arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. And he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36 for the mob of people were following crying out, “Away with him!” 37 But as Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And the tribune said, “Do you know Greek? 38 Aren’tyou the Egyptian who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand Assassins out into the wilderness?” 39 Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a (Roman) citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.” 40 And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when they quieted, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying - (Continued next week, and in our bibles, lol..)

                         ~*~

     Very Brief Outline of Acts:

Jesus returns to where he was with the Father before his advent/visit (his brief first one).

The Holy Spirit/Presence of God is poured out on the believers who were in Jerusalem on the late Spring holy day of Pentecost. Peter speaks, there are 3000 new believers that day.

The good news message spreads, Peter is invited and goes to a Roman’s house and all believe. The first record of non Hebrew believers (besides likely some on Pentecost).

     Persecution breaks out.. jail. stoning. Pharisee Saul leads the persecution, but on his way to Damascus with papers for arrests, Jesus makes himself seen but is so bright Paul falls to the ground and is blinded. After two days he is healed and is a believer, and soon is called Paul. He wrote many (to most) of the New Testament letters, but spent a few years (it seems to me) exclusively listening to the Lord. He established many ‘churches’ in what’s called three missionary journeys, and met and worked with Mark and Luke, and quite a few others. (Luke wrote this Book of Acts.) His fourth journey is to Rome to trial as a prisoner. There’s a shipwreck on the way.. He wrote many of his letters while in prison and under ‘house’ arrest. ..And yes he was executed because of what he taught, as were all the original disciples turned apostles, except for probably John, who in his later years wrote three short letters and the vision and book of Revelation.

                            🍃

Jan-31 From Mt-10 Ro-5

   Enter The Story Daily

 a paraphrased scripture study

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GospeL Verses ~ Matthew 10:16-26

16 - “Behold” Jesus told his disciples, “I am sending you out as sheep into the very midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But be warned, they’ll deliver you over to courts. They’ll scourge you in their halls. 18 You’ll be dragged before governors and kings because of me, to bear witness to them and to the nations. 19 When they deliver you over, don’t be anxious about what you will say, for it will be given to you in that hour. (It will come to you in that hour, from him) what you should say and how you should say it. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will even deliver brother over to death, and the father his child. Children will testify against parents and have them put to death, 22 You will be hated because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, go away to the next, for I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man returns. 24 A disciple isn’t above his teacher, nor is a servant above his master. 25 It’s enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebaal, how much more will they abuse those of his household.

26 But have no fear of them. For there is nothing covered that won’t be revealed, or hidden that will not be made known.

         - - - - - - - - - - - -

From New Testament Letters

     (In the Order Believed Written)

                    ~ Romans 5:16-21 ~

16 - The free gift, through Jesus, is not the same as the fall through Adam. There’s a big difference between Adam's sin and God's gift. That one trespass led to penalty. But God's gift even though it followed many trespasses, is unto justification/acquittal. 17 For if, because of the one man, Adam’s trespass, death ruled - much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of justification reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all, so also one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners [hamartians - missing the mark] so also by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to make known the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin rules (results) in death, grace also might reign (result) in righteousness leading to lasting life through Jesus our Lord.

                       ~*~

🗝️ [  ] - word insights, facts,

             cross references, etc.

      (  ) - thots

Tomorrow’s Verses:

Matthew 10:27-42

Romans 6:1-7

Jan-30 From Mt-10 Ro-5

    Enter The Story Daily

 a paraphrased scripture study

          - - - - - - - - - - - -

GospeL Verses ~ Matthew 10:1-15

1 - Jesus summoned the twelve and gave to them authority to drive out the impure [akathartos - not free of contamination] spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew, James son of Zebedee, and his brother John, 3 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions, “Don’t go among the Gentiles (nations) or enter any town of the (neighboring) Samaritans. 6 Go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, so freely give. 9 Don’t take a money belt, 10 a bag for the journey, nor a staff, or an extra shirt or sandals, for the worker is worth his keep. (God will provide.) 11 Whatever town or village you enter, seek a worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter, greet the household. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest upon it. But if it is not, let your peace return to you, 14 and if anyone will not welcome you or will not listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable [anektoteros - more tolerable, from anechó - ana - up/completing a process and echó - to have, hold, bear] on day of [en - in, on, at, by, with, among, during] judgment for Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

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From New Testament Letters

     (In the Order Believed Written)

                  ~ Romans 5:11-15 ~

11 - Not only this! But we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus, through whom we have received reconciliation. 12 Therefore - just as - sin [hamartia - missing the mark] entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all, because all sinned (fall short). 13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given. But sin is not charged against anyone where there is no law stated. (Like no crime can be taken to court if there are no laws.) 14 Regardless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who didn’t sin by breaking a command, as Adam did. He being a pattern (type) of the one that was to come. 15 But the gift (from the one that came) is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one - how much - more - does the gift overflow to the many! (The same many.) The gift that came by the one man, Jesus Christ, and by God’s grace. [Both death, and the gift of Life, each came through one person, death through Adam, life through Jesus. ..What? You thought something unforseen occurred? Took God by surprise? This is not HiS “administration/program of the ages”?]

                       ~*~

🗝️ [  ] - word insights, facts,

             cross references, etc.

      (  ) - thots

Tomorrow’s Verses:

Matthew 10:16-26

Romans 5:16-21

            A link to the reading schedule is pinned.

               ✔️= posted

Acts this week, 21:1-25 ✔️

Rev/Apoc this week, 20:12-21:3 ✔️

Prophets - Daniel Part 1, 2 ✔️

       Prophets - Each part includes the previous parts also. Disclaimer, a few may be long.

Is.11:7 - The lion will eat straw like the ox!⛲️

FROM THE PROPHETS - Daniel

 📜 Snipped and Paraphrased - Parts 1-3

               Part 3 • From 2, 24-49

   So Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed over the executions of the wise men of Babylon and said, “Don’t destroy the wise men of Babylon! Bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.” …And Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to you, king, by this dream, what will be in later days. (Note: concerning great world empires involved with the history and prophecy concerning the faith.) He who reveals mysteries has made known to you the visions of your head, and what shall be. ..You saw, O king, a great statue. This image, was mighty and of exceeding brightness, and it stood before you, and its appearance was frightening [dechal - fearful, dreadful, intimidating]. The head of this image was of shining gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. As you looked, a stone that had not been formed by human hands struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, were all broken in pieces, and became like chaff blowing in the wind. But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. 36 This was the dream. And now we will tell the king its interpretation.”

     37 “You, O king, as a king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, power, might, and glory, 38 and into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all—you are the head of gold [Babylon]. 39 Another kingdom (Media-Persia, the silver) inferior to you shall arise after you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze (Greece) which will rule all the earth. 40 And there shall be a fourth kingdom (Rome) strong as iron, because iron breaks and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes, it shall break and crush all the rest. (The two legs of Rome.) 41 And as you saw the feet and toes (an ignored last days empire) partly of potter's clay and partly of iron (west), it shall become a divided kingdom, but with some of the strength of iron still in it.. 42 And as the (ten) toes (seats, divisions, “‘kings’ of the last hour”-Rev.17:12,16) were of iron and of clay, so the kingdom shall be part strong and part broken (broken by the iron?) 43 As you saw the iron mixed with clay, so the peoples will mix with one another, but will not hold together any more than iron mixes with clay. 44 But in those days the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or hurt [chabal - to destroy, hurt]. It shall stand forever ..The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”

     47 The king said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of all lords, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery!” 48 Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 Daniel made request of the king ..and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were appointed to seats overseeing affairs of the province. But Daniel remained at the king's court.

Part 2 • From chapter 1

     In the third year of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.. some of the articles from the temple of God.. he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. Then ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility, young men without handicap, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. And assigned them daily food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. Among those chosen from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names - Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego. But Daniel resolved not to eat the rich royal food and wine. God had caused the official to show favor to Daniel but the official said, “I’m afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking unfit? The king would then have my head because of you.” Daniel said, “Please test your servants for ten days. Give us nothing but vegetables and water. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food. At the end of ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

    To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, so they entered the king’s court. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his court and kingdom. Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

   • From Chapter 2, 1-23 — In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, his spirit and sleep was troubled. So he sent for the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell to him his dream. So they came in ..the king said, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.” 4 Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” But the king answered, “The word from me is firm, if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be tossed to the lions, and your houses laid in ruins. But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you’ll receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.” They answered again, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show its interpretation.” But the king was firm. The Chaldeans said, “There’s no one who can meet the king's demand not even for a great and powerful king, nor has anyone asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter or Chaldean. No one can show the dream to the king but the gods!”

   The king was furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be executed. 13 So the decree went out, and when the wise men were about to be killed they came looking for Daniel and his companions. 14 Then Daniel talked to Arioch, the captain of the king's guard asking, “Why is the decree of the king so urgent?” (Or “what’s up with the king’s decree?”) Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel. So Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king. And Daniel went home and he made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so they not be destroyed, along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. And Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel said,

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to Him belongs wisdom and might! He changes times and seasons, takes down kings and sets up kings, he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding, he reveals deep and hidden things, he knows every mystery. Light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you give wisdom and might, and you have made known to us the king's matter.”

            Part 1— study notes

          before beginning Daniel

      Technical but stick with it 🤪🤓

598bc babylonia conquers Judah (Israel has already been carried off to Assyria)

586bc Nebuchadnezzar sacked Jerusalem, carried many off to Babylon.. Babylon later fell to Persia:

    Nabonidus; Belshazzar - the writing on the wall king; Darius the Mede “received the kingdom” (under?) Cyrus the Great of Persia 550bc to 538bc - Cyrus decreed all Israel in all his kingdom should go home, and some/many did, led by Zerubbabel, and they began to “rebuild the TEMPLE” (and at the time of Cyrus’ proclamation, the massive empire included once again Assyria)

           — — — — —

Then there’s 3 kings (Dn.11:2) Cambyses; Smerdis; Darius the Great

516bc the rebuilt temple is dedicated

Note - “the captivity” and resulting “diaspora/dispersion” is when synagogues were first established, they were needed for observing the Sabbath, and for holy days, etc, and this is when **prayers were substituted for temple sacrifices** (a biblically repeated theme..)

            — — — — —

(4th king, Dn.11) 486bc Xerxes, great and famous war against Greece …non-consequential reigns are left out of the prophecy list. Alexander such a while later said his war against Persia was in revenge, then he died, the kingdom going to four of his generals.. which became the wars of the Ptolemies (Egypt) and the Seleucids (Syria) up to Antiochus Epiphanes the villain, super persecuter, in the prophecy’s immediate, more ‘micro’ fulfillment, and of course in the Maccabean account.

            — — — — —

464bc to 425bc Artaxerxes (son of Xerxes) ruled the Persian empire, Esther was one of his queens, it was from his court, around 440bc that Ezra and Nehemiah traveled from Persia to Jerusalem to start rebuilding the rubble that was Jerusalem’s WALLS - Artaxerxes’ decree to - rebuild Jerusalem - fulfilled part of Daniel’s 70 weeks (of years) prophecy (very technical, um, code?) 9:25 - from the decree (and support) to rebuild aNd restore Jerusalem - until the coming of Messiah/an anointed one (on Palm Sunday, the declaration of) - there will be seven weeks (of years, 49 years of building, until the 16th year of Darius the Great, lion’s den account, the ancient Persian empire was at its largest) and (then) sixty-two (more) weeks (of years, 7x62/434 years) until Messiah (entered Jerusalem in the Triumphal Entry).

     So, the prophecy was 7 weeks of years (49 weeks) of rebuilding Jerusalem, then 62 more weeks of years, which is 434 years, to Messiah’s Triumphal Entry.

     49 plus 434 is 483, so in prophecy, leaving one week of years (left) - 7 years of the total 490.

           — — — — —

I’m hoping Part 2 starts with Daniel 1:1 - though I have more notes.. Should I include them here? After all anyone can read or not read.. For the sake of Part 2, even though the book of Daniel is pretty complicated and intense:

Every part of the study will be included below the new parts. So this can always be read later.

                      - - -

The first two of the large prophetic visions in Daniel, end with obvious, last days fulfillment. These two visions are, first, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream statue of earth empires (Dn.2 and 2) which impressive statue is struck upon the feet (the ten toes/divisions called kings of the last hour in Rev.17:12,16) with a stone, so that the statue topples, and the stone (kingdom) becomes a great mountain/kingdom that fills the earth.

     And the second vision, of the four, succeeding one another beasts, the last one “more terrible”  - with the iron and bronze-7:7,19 & Rev.13:1 - of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream statue. The iron and bronze representing the empires of Rome and Greece, that shatters/roman and subdues/greek - also - concludes with an obvious last days reference, as it ends with — as Daniel watched “thrones were set in place and the ancient of days took his seat”. (All the world is a stage - Shakespeare.)

     So in the same pattern (?) a third vision. In chapter 8. And we know the ram is the same old (Media) Persia, and the goat that charges at it is Greece - so maNy wars! Spanning so long - Xerxes.. Alexander.. Antiochus Epiphanes (who claimed he was Zeus incarnate) —> to today? As west against east.. Verse 23, the power of the west (of today, goat which charged so far east) becomes diluted by breaking off (dividing, division) into four different powers. Or two powers (the liberal and conservative of the west?) - but each with their extremes.. Making four. Weakness, division. BUT one of them, portrayed as “a horn with eyes” will rise.. (A SAME seat/oFFice, which Revelation, verse 13:13 pinpoints/pinpointed. Not yet? pointing to an individual.)

                    - - -

History, thus prophecy, repeats. Having a more or less immediate ‘micro’ fulfillment, and then later a culmination of all history macro fulfillment - 9:26 - “After the sixty-two ‘sevens’ (weeks of years) the Anointed One will be put to death and will (appear to) have nothing. (After that) The people of the ruler/prince (Caesars, emperors) who will come, will destroy the city and the sanctuary (70A.D.). The end will come like a flood.

Julius who wasn’t an emperor; Augustus first Roman emperor, Luke 2:1 - “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered” - just before Jesus was born; Tiberius; Caligula; Claudius under whom the Jews thus Priscilla and Aquila had to leave Rome, Acts 18:2; Nero; Galba; Otho; Vitellius; Vespasian; Titus who sacked Jerusalem as a general under Vespasian before he (Titus) became emperor; Domitian who banished disciple/apostle John to Patmos — Note: Napolean Bonaparte crowned himself an emperor of a Roman Empire.

   War will continue - until, the end. And desolations are decreed [decided] (made into laws?) 

The 70th week starts when the ‘prince’/a.c. of-the-day, makes and confirms a strong covenant with many for one week.

(Rev.13:1-5)  Daniel 9:27 - In the middle of the week he will “put an end to sacrifice” (of prayers?) in 12:11 it’s worded as “takes away the perpetual sacrifice” — oR (current) place of? Lk.19:41,44.

     …will put an end to sacrifice and offering. [Yes, did occur under Antiochus Epiphanes whom the Maccabees valiantly fought and routed.]

      Dn.12:11 - ..Will end/prohibit/take away the perpetual sacrifices. And on the wing of abominations (as one exceeding them all, of that day?) will set up an abomination that causes desolation.

     Dn.12:11 - “From the time that the daily (hebrew, perpetual) sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Verse 12 - Blessed are they who wait and come to the 1,335 days.”

     So what is set up lasts/runs for 45 days? Escalating the last “ten days”? Rev.2:10.

     The abominations in the past- which desolated, had to do with the temple(s). The brick and mortar temple. Could the final one have to do with the human temple made for God’s Spirit/Presence?

     “..Until the end [kalah: the completion, consummation]” 9:27 - “And on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, until the decreed destruction is poured out (upon him).”

     Rev.15:1, 16:1 - “..seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last.. Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”

      Verse 9:24 (at day 1,335) Jesus returns and anoints a holy place..

Jan-29 From Mt-9 Ro-5

    Enter The Story Daily

 a paraphrased scripture study

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GospeL Verses ~ Matthew 9:27-38

27 - As Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” 28 When he was in the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, and said, “According to your faith so be it.” 30 And their eyes were opened. But Jesus warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

     32 As Jesus with the disciples were going on their way, a demon oppressed man, unable to speak was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke, and the crowds were amazed, saying, “Never has anything like this been seen in Israel!” 34 But the Pharisees said, “By the prince of the demons he casts out the demons.”

     35 Jesus went through all the cities and villages, and in the meeting places, teaching and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 As he saw the crowds coming and following after him, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, and like sheep with no shepherd. 37 And he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

         - - - - - - - - - - - -

From New Testament Letters

     (In the Order Believed Written)

                  ~ Romans 5:6-10 ~

6 - For while we were in weakness, and at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For someone would scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one might dare to die. 8 But God revealed his love for us in that while we were still sinners [hamartia - missing the mark] Christ died for us. 9 And since we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath (cause and effect, full consequences) of God. (Who made a cause and effect universe.) 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more so, since we are reconciled, shall we be saved [sózó - saved, healed, safe, preserved] by his life.

                       ~*~

🗝️ [  ] - word insights, facts,

             cross references, etc.

      (  ) - thots

Tomorrow’s Verses:

Matthew 10:1-15

Romans 5:11-15

            A link to the reading schedule is pinned.

               ✔️= posted

Acts last week, 21:1-25 ✔️

Rev/Apoc last week, 20:12-21:3 ✔️

Prophets - Daniel Part 1,2 ✔️

       Prophets - Each part includes the previous parts also. Disclaimer, a few may be long.

Is.11:7 - The lion will eat straw like the ox!⛲️

FROM THE PROPHETS - Daniel

 📜 Part 2 - Snipped and Paraphrased

        (King Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream)

     • From chapter 1 - In the third year of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.. some of the articles from the temple of God.. he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. Then ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility, young men without handicap, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. And assigned them daily food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. Among those chosen from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names - Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego. But Daniel resolved not to eat the rich royal food and wine. God had caused the official to show favor to Daniel but the official said, “I’m afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking unfit? The king would then have my head because of you.” Daniel said, “Please test your servants for ten days. Give us nothing but vegetables and water. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food. At the end of ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

    To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, so they entered the king’s court. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his court and kingdom. Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

   • From Chapter 2, 1-23 — In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, his spirit and sleep was troubled. So he sent for the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell to him his dream. So they came in ..the king said, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.” 4 Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” But the king answered, “The word from me is firm, if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be tossed to the lions, and your houses laid in ruins. But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you’ll receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.” They answered again, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show its interpretation.” But the king was firm. The Chaldeans said, “There’s no one who can meet the king's demand not even for a great and powerful king, nor has anyone asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter or Chaldean. No one can show the dream to the king but the gods!”

   The king was furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be executed. 13 So the decree went out, and when the wise men were about to be killed they came looking for Daniel and his companions. 14 Then Daniel talked to Arioch, the captain of the king's guard asking, “Why is the decree of the king so urgent?” (Or “what’s up with the king’s decree?”) Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel. So Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king. And Daniel went home and he made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so they not be destroyed, along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. And Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel said,

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to Him belongs wisdom and might! He changes times and seasons, takes down kings and sets up kings, he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding, he reveals deep and hidden things, he knows every mystery. Light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you give wisdom and might, and you have made known to us the king's matter.”

            Part 1— study notes

          before beginning Daniel

      Technical but stick with it 🤪🤓

598bc babylonia conquers Judah (Israel has already been carried off to Assyria)

586bc Nebuchadnezzar sacked Jerusalem, carried many off to Babylon.. Babylon later fell to Persia:

    Nabonidus; Belshazzar - the writing on the wall king; Darius the Mede “received the kingdom” (under?) Cyrus the Great of Persia 550bc to 538bc - Cyrus decreed all Israel in all his kingdom should go home, and some/many did, led by Zerubbabel, and they began to “rebuild the TEMPLE” (and at the time of Cyrus’ proclamation, the massive empire included once again Assyria)

           — — — — —

Then there’s 3 kings (Dn.11:2) Cambyses; Smerdis; Darius the Great

516bc the rebuilt temple is dedicated

Note - “the captivity” and resulting “diaspora/dispersion” is when synagogues were first established, they were needed for observing the Sabbath, and for holy days, etc, and this is when **prayers were substituted for temple sacrifices** (a biblically repeated theme..)

            — — — — —

(4th king, Dn.11) 486bc Xerxes, great and famous war against Greece …non-consequential reigns are left out of the prophecy list. Alexander such a while later said his war against Persia was in revenge, then he died, the kingdom going to four of his generals.. which became the wars of the Ptolemies (Egypt) and the Seleucids (Syria) up to Antiochus Epiphanes the villain, super persecuter, in the prophecy’s immediate, more ‘micro’ fulfillment, and of course in the Maccabean account.

            — — — — —

464bc to 425bc Artaxerxes (son of Xerxes) ruled the Persian empire, Esther was one of his queens, it was from his court, around 440bc that Ezra and Nehemiah traveled from Persia to Jerusalem to start rebuilding the rubble that was Jerusalem’s WALLS - Artaxerxes’ decree to - rebuild Jerusalem - fulfilled part of Daniel’s 70 weeks (of years) prophecy (very technical, um, code?) 9:25 - from the decree (and support) to rebuild aNd restore Jerusalem - until the coming of Messiah/an anointed one (on Palm Sunday, the declaration of) - there will be seven weeks (of years, 49 years of building, until the 16th year of Darius the Great, lion’s den account, the ancient Persian empire was at its largest) and (then) sixty-two (more) weeks (of years, 7x62/434 years) until Messiah (entered Jerusalem in the Triumphal Entry).

     So, the prophecy was 7 weeks of years (49 weeks) of rebuilding Jerusalem, then 62 more weeks of years, which is 434 years, to Messiah’s Triumphal Entry.

     49 plus 434 is 483, so in prophecy, leaving one week of years (left) - 7 years of the total 490.

           — — — — —

I’m hoping Part 2 starts with Daniel 1:1 - though I have more notes.. Should I include them here? After all anyone can read or not read.. For the sake of Part 2, even though the book of Daniel is pretty complicated and intense:

Every part of the study will be included below the new parts. So this can always be read later.

                      - - -

The first two of the large prophetic visions in Daniel, end with obvious, last days fulfillment. These two visions are, first, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream statue of earth empires (Dn.2 and 2) which impressive statue is struck upon the feet (the ten toes/divisions called kings of the last hour in Rev.17:12,16) with a stone, so that the statue topples, and the stone (kingdom) becomes a great mountain/kingdom that fills the earth.

     And the second vision, of the four, succeeding one another beasts, the last one “more terrible”  - with the iron and bronze-7:7,19 & Rev.13:1 - of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream statue. The iron and bronze representing the empires of Rome and Greece, that shatters/roman and subdues/greek - also - concludes with an obvious last days reference, as it ends with — as Daniel watched “thrones were set in place and the ancient of days took his seat”. (All the world is a stage - Shakespeare.)

     So in the same pattern (?) a third vision. In chapter 8. And we know the ram is the same old (Media) Persia, and the goat that charges at it is Greece - so maNy wars! Spanning so long - Xerxes.. Alexander.. Antiochus Epiphanes (who claimed he was Zeus incarnate) —> to today? As west against east.. Verse 23, the power of the west (of today, goat which charged so far east) becomes diluted by breaking off (dividing, division) into four different powers. Or two powers (the liberal and conservative of the west?) - but each with their extremes.. Making four. Weakness, division. BUT one of them, portrayed as “a horn with eyes” will rise.. (A SAME seat/oFFice, which Revelation, verse 13:13 pinpoints/pinpointed. Not yet? pointing to an individual.)

                    - - -

History, thus prophecy, repeats. Having a more or less immediate ‘micro’ fulfillment, and then later a culmination of all history macro fulfillment - 9:26 - “After the sixty-two ‘sevens’ (weeks of years) the Anointed One will be put to death and will (appear to) have nothing. (After that) The people of the ruler/prince (Caesars, emperors) who will come, will destroy the city and the sanctuary (70A.D.). The end will come like a flood.

Julius who wasn’t an emperor; Augustus first Roman emperor, Luke 2:1 - “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered” - just before Jesus was born; Tiberius; Caligula; Claudius under whom the Jews thus Priscilla and Aquila had to leave Rome, Acts 18:2; Nero; Galba; Otho; Vitellius; Vespasian; Titus who sacked Jerusalem as a general under Vespasian before he (Titus) became emperor; Domitian who banished disciple/apostle John to Patmos — Note: Napolean Bonaparte crowned himself an emperor of a Roman Empire.

   War will continue - until, the end. And desolations are decreed [decided] (made into laws?) 

The 70th week starts when the ‘prince’/a.c. of-the-day, makes and confirms a strong covenant with many for one week.

(Rev.13:1-5)  Daniel 9:27 - In the middle of the week he will “put an end to sacrifice” (of prayers?) in 12:11 it’s worded as “takes away the perpetual sacrifice” — oR (current) place of? Lk.19:41,44.

     …will put an end to sacrifice and offering. [Yes, did occur under Antiochus Epiphanes whom the Maccabees valiantly fought and routed.]

      Dn.12:11 - ..Will end/prohibit/take away the perpetual sacrifices. And on the wing of abominations (as one exceeding them all, of that day?) will set up an abomination that causes desolation.

     Dn.12:11 - “From the time that the daily (hebrew, perpetual) sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Verse 12 - Blessed are they who wait and come to the 1,335 days.”

     So what is set up lasts/runs for 45 days? Escalating the last “ten days”? Rev.2:10.

     The abominations in the past- which desolated, had to do with the temple(s). The brick and mortar temple. Could the final one have to do with the human temple made for God’s Spirit/Presence?

     “..Until the end [kalah: the completion, consummation]” 9:27 - “And on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, until the decreed destruction is poured out (upon him).”

     Rev.15:1, 16:1 - “..seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last.. Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”

      Verse 9:24 (at day 1,335) Jesus returns and anoints a holy place..

Jan-28 From Mt-9 Ro-5

    Enter The Story Daily

 a paraphrased scripture study

          - - - - - - - - - - - -

GospeL Verses ~ Matthew 9:18-26

18 - While he was talking to the crowds, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him saying, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 So Jesus got up and went with him, and his disciples also. 20 And just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If only I can touch his clothing, I’ll be healed.” 22 Jesus turned and seeing her said. “Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

     23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go out, the girl is not dead but is sleeping.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd was outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 And news of this spread through all that region.

         - - - - - - - - - - - -

From New Testament Letters

     (In the Order Believed Written)

                         ~ Romans 5:1-5 ~

1 - So! Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus. 2 Through him we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we are now standing. And in this hope [elpis - hope, expectation, trust, confidence, to anticipate, welcome – properly, expectation of what is sure, and in certainty] we boast of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance [hupomoné - a patient enduring, from hypó - under and ménō - remain, endure, be steadfast]. 4 Perseverance produces character, and character, hope/espectation. 5 And hope/expectation doesn’t put us to shame [kataischuno -  shame, disgrace, put to confusion] because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Prescence of God) having been given to us.

                       ~*~

🗝️ [  ] - word insights, facts,

             cross references, etc.

      (  ) - thots

Tomorrow’s Verses:

Matthew 9:27-38

Romans 5:6-10

            A link to the reading schedule is pinned. {God gave the schedule, a section at a time. I’m often impressed with how well the gospel section and the letter section complement one another.}

               ✔️= posted

Acts this week, 21:1-25 ✔️

Rev/Apoc this week, 20:12-21:3 ✔️

Prophets - Daniel Part 1 ✔️

       Prophets - Each part includes the previous parts also. Disclaimer, a few may be long.

Is.11:7 - The lion will eat straw like the ox!⛲️

Jan-27 From Mt-9 Ro-4

    Enter The Story Daily

a paraphrased scripture study

          - - - - - - - - - - - -

GospeL Verses ~ Matthew 9:9-17

9 - As Jesus was walking on from there, he saw a man called Matthew (yes this Matthew) sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” (Now tax collecters were considered very unfavorably, as their job was the collecting of taxes for Imperial Rome!) And Matthew got up and followed him. 10 And later as Jesus reclined at table in the house of Matthew, many other tax collectors and sinners (not living according to the laws given to Moses for the nation) came and were at table with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this(!) They said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with these tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But Jesus heard it and said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, only those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (If we think we are perfect/self righteous, we are wRong. ..God is into mercy! “He has shown you, oh mortal, what is good. And what does he require of you? But to act justly and to love mercy [checed - favor, goodness, kindness] and to walk humbly with your God, Micah 6:8. (Walk with God. Which it helps if we are not terrified of him. Don’t get me going on defending him, concerning the slandering of him about things in the Old Testament, including two or three things he - did - actually do. What’s more merciful? Stop great evil from happening, or not? Maybe those stopped will thank him.) 4 Then the disciples of John came saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don’t?” 15 And Jesus answered, “Can the wedding guests mourn while the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment! For the patch will shrink away from the cloth, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins will burst, the wine will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, so that both will expand together, and both will be preserved.”

           - - - - - - - - - - - -

From New Testament Letters

     (In the Order Believed Written)

                     ~ Romans 4:19-25 ~

19 - Abraham did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead, since he was about a hundred years old, or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. 20 No, unbelief did not make him waver concerning the promise of God (that he would be a father and progenitor of many nations) but he grew strong in his faith, as, he gave glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “credited to him as righteousness.” (Because he actually believed. And there was of course fruit of it.) 23 But the words “it was credited to him” weren’t written for his sake only, 24 but for ours as well. It will be credited to us who believe in him who raised our Lord Jesus from the dead, 25 who was delivered up (executed) for our trespasses and raised for our justification. (Strong enough to appease every guilty conscience, win over every delicate psyche, and heal and transform all. Although INITIAL conditions of SOME on that Last Great ‘Day’ of judgment/final discernment, aRe portrayed. Such as in the rich man and Lazarus parable. Also in the outside of the vision narrative of Rev.22, which is obviously initial conditions of only some, and is spoken outside of the vision, as it does follow chaper 21! Where, note: translators added “things” to “all” - greek “pas” - in verse 5. Also in Eph.1:10, Col.1:20, and also to “one” in Jn.1:3 - These taken together, the new patch on the new garment, lol.)

                       ~*~

🗝️ [  ] - word insights, facts,

             cross references, etc.

      (  ) - thots

Tomorrow’s Verses:

Matthew 9:18-26

Romans 5:1-5

            A link to the reading schedule is pinned.

               ✔️= posted

Acts this week, 21:1-25 ✔️

Rev/Apoc this week, 20:12-21:3 ✔️

Prophets - Daniel Part 1 ✔️

       Prophets - Each part includes the previous parts also. Disclaimer, a few may be long.

Is.11:7 - The lion will eat straw like the ox!⛲️

Jan-26 From Mt-9 Ro-4

    Enter The Story Daily

  a paraphrased scripture study

          - - - - - - - - - - - -

GospeL Verses ~ Matthew 9:1-8

1 - And getting back into a boat he crossed over and came then to his own city of Capernaum. 2 A paralytic, lying on a bed was brought to him. And seeing their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart son, your sins are forgiven.” 3 And some scribes nearby said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!” 4 And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For what is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But so you may know the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralyzed young man, “Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And then he rose, picked up his bed and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they marveled, and glorified God, who had given such authority to man.

         - - - - - - - - - - - -

From New Testament Letters

     (In the Order Believed Written)

                  ~ Romans 4:14-18 ~

14 - If following the law makes us to be heirs of God, then faith is meaningless and the promise is empty. 15 What the law does is bring wrath (consequences) but where there is no law there can be no judgment of transgression. 16 That is why the promise and the inheriting depends on faith, in order that it may rest upon grace (God’s POWER) and be guaranteed to all his offspring, not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is therefor the father of us all, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—he knew the God in whom he believed, gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. (Abraham and Sarah were in their old age and without child.) 18 So in expectation he believed beyond hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” (And his believing God was credited to him as righteousness/innocence. As now our believing the gospel (news) about Jesus does. “God is savior” from death “of all” 1Tim.4:10. Loves all. Is Life and “is Love” 1Jn.4:8.)

                       ~*~

🗝️ [  ] - word insights, facts,

             cross references, etc.

      (  ) - thots

Tomorrow’s Verses:

Matthew 9:9-17

Romans 4:19-25

            A link to the reading schedule is pinned.

               ✔️= posted

Acts this week, 21:1-25 ✔️

Rev/Apoc this week, 20:12-21:3 ✔️

Prophets - Daniel Part 1 ✔️

       Prophets - Each part includes the previous parts also. Disclaimer, a few may be long.

Is.11:7 - The lion will eat straw like the ox!⛲️

Jan-25 From Mt-8 Ro-4

Enter The Story Daily

a paraphrased scripture study

          - - - - - - - - - - - -

GospeL Verses ~ Matthew 8:28-34

28 - And when Jesus came to the other side of the lake (Galilee) they came to the country of the Gadarenes, and two demon possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs. They were so fierce that no one would pass by that way. 29 And the men cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?!” 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance away. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And Jesus said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea (of Galilee) and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen then fled, and going into the city they told everything that had happened with the demon-possessed men. 34 And then all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they came to him, they urged him to leave their region.

         - - - - - - - - - - - -

From New Testament Letters

     (In the Order Believed Written)

                  ~ Romans 4:9-13 ~

9 - Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? (Those who have the law of God, and those who don’t.) For we say that faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it credited to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal (notary) - of the righteousness that he had by faith - while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well,. 12 And, to make him the father of the circumcised, who are not only circumcised but who walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. 13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world, didn’t come through the law (through earning/work) but through the righteousness [dikaiosuné - righteousness, justice] of faith. (Why is righteousness credited through faith - justice? Because it was God who endowed thinking and reasoning ability, which includes at least some power of choice? Which all were bound to, sooner or later stray.. So it was engineered - by God - so “all in heaven and earth” - take this unavoidable journey and all important lesson, all together at once. I.e, our present imperfection was God’s doing. As God “is perfect” Mt.5:48, so makes no mistakes, nothing can take him by surprise. “Perfect” cannot lose anything. His other option, a forever ant farm? God is life, surely? So he lives through all that ever occurs. And He endowed thinking and reasoning ability anyway!)

                       ~*~

🗝️ [  ] - word insights, facts,

             cross references, etc.

      (  ) - thots

Tomorrow’s Verses:

Matthew 9:1-8

Romans 4:14-18

            A link to the reading schedule is pinned. {God gave the schedule, a section at a time. I’m often impressed with how well the gospel section and the letter section complement one another.}

               ✔️= posted

Acts this week, 21:1-25 ✔️

Rev/Apoc this week, 20:12-21:3 ✔️

Prophets - Daniel Part 1 ✔️

       Prophets - Each part includes the previous parts also. Disclaimer, a few may be long.

Is.11:7 - The lion will eat straw like the ox!⛲️

Jan-24 From Mt-8 Ro-4

    Enter The Story Daily

 a paraphrased scripture study

          - - - - - - - - - - - -

GospeL Verses ~ Matthew 8:18-27

18 - Seeing a great crowd around him, Jesus decided to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Soon a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 Jesus said to him, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man hasn’t a place to lay his head.” 21 Another disciple said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

22 But Jesus said, “Follow me, and let the dead bury the dead.”

     23 Then he got into the boat and his (twelve) disciples with him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 But he answered, “Oh you of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and the waves, and it became completely calm. 27 And the disciples were amazed and said, “Who is this? That even the wind and the waves obey him.”

         - - - - - - - - - - - -

From New Testament Letters

     (In the Order Believed Written)

                   ~ Romans 4:1-8 ~

1 - What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? (According to the natural.) 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about! But not before God. 3 But what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accredited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages aren’t counted as a gift but as wages due to him. 5 And to the one who doesn’t work but believes in he who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness (pardon, innocense) 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose transgressions are covered. 8 Blessed is the one against whom the Lord will not count their transgressions [hamartia - missing the mark].

                       ~*~

🗝️ [  ] - word insights, facts,

             cross references, etc.

      (  ) - thots

Tomorrow’s Verses:

Matthew 8:28-34

Romans 4:9-13

            A link to the reading schedule is pinned.

               ✔️= posted

Acts this week, 21:1-25 ✔️

Rev/Apoc this week, 20:11-21:3 ✔️

Prophets - Daniel Part 1 ✔️

       Prophets - Each part includes the previous parts also. Disclaimer, a few may be long.

Is.11:7 - The lion will eat straw like the ox!⛲️

€XpLa!ning ReVeLaTion 20-11 - 21-3

        WeeKly BooK oF Revelation

                paraphrased study

11 - Then I saw a great white throne and he who was seated upon it. And from his face flees heaven and Earth, and no place/opportunity is found for them. 12 And I (John) saw the dead, the great and the small, standing [histémi - to make to stand, placed, set up, established, appointed] before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged (🤔 Jn.5:22 - “the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son.” And  Jn.12:47 - “And if any one hears my words, and doesn’t believe, I do not judge them. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” He came [and comes?] not to judge but to save. So who will judge? Logically, what is the most effective judgment and concluding discernment?) according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead in it, and death and hades/sheol/the grave [Eccles.9:5,10] gave up the dead in them, and - each person - was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then (after completion) death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. (First being the one that is “in Adam” so the second one is the death of death, and all its shadow.) 15 [Word for word translation] - And if [ei - if] anyone not was found in the book of life having been written, they were cast into the lake of fire. 21:1 (For) then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth” [2Pet.3:12-13 - “the elements melted in a furious heat”] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea (separating).

     2 And I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband (radiant). 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with mankind, and He will tabernacle with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be among them as their God.”

                         ~*~

📜 🗞️ The revelation vision is told 3 times: 6:1-2 to 11:19; chap.12 w/ Mt.23:39; and 13:1 to 19:11.

Jesus’ brief first advent perfectly fulfilled the ancient Spring Holy Days, more perfectly than is easily seen. So logically his long second advent will fulfill the Autumn Holy Days, their names and pattern:

  TRUMPETS (of Rev, return at 7th during the concurrent bowls) - 10days/1000yrs - to ‘DAY’ oF ATONEMENT - 5days/500yrs - to TABERNACLES — a fiery regenesis, “All new.. God will now tabernacle with mankind” Rev.21:1-5.

Rev/Apoc Cast of Characters & Events ~ is pinned📌 in the side column.

Jan-23 From Mt-8 Ro-3

 Enter The Story Daily

     a paraphrased scripture study

          - - - - - - - - - - - -

GospeL Verses ~ Matthew 8:1-17

1 - When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds were following after him, 2 and a man with leprosy came and knelt before him saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out his hand, touched the man, and said, “I am willing, be clean!” And immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said, “See that you don’t tell anyone (broadcast this). But go, show yourself to the priest and as a testimony to them, offer the gift Moses commanded.” 5 And when he arrived at Capernaum, a Roman centurion came asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, and suffering terribly.” 7 Jesus answered, “Shall I come and heal him?” 8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I don’t deserve to have you come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes. And I tell that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marvelled and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith as this! 11 I tell you many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 but the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Outside of the Light. An inner - initial - condition during ‘Day’ of Judgment/Discernment, for Jesus said he “will draw aLL to himself” Jn.12:32.) 13 Then he said to the centurion, “Go, and let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very moment.

     14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever. 15 So he touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to prepare a meal. 16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah - “He took up our infirmities and he bore our diseases.”

         - - - - - - - - - - - -

From New Testament Letters

(In the Order Believed Written)

       ~ Romans 3:24-31 ~

24 - We are justified freely by his grace [charis - grace, kindness, favor, favorable towards, like Old Testament, hebrew, Kaná, both as His favor, grace, reaching/inclining to people because He is disposed to bless/be near them, always leaning toward them] through the redemption [the apolutrósis - released  by payment of a ransom, from apó - from, and lytróō - redeem what was previously lost, the buy back, redemption] that is in Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as the atonement by his blood (strong enough to convince and appease eveRy guilty conscience) and to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness [dikaiosuné - righteousness, justice] because in his forbearance [paresis - a letting go, overlooking, suspension] he passed over the sin [hamartia - missing the mark] (condition) having occurred. 26 The present showing forth of his righteousness/justice, so he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is cancelled. Redeemed by what law? By a law of works/earning? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith, apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Hebrews/Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of the (other) nations also, 30 as it is God who justifies both by faith. 31 Do we then nullify the law by our faith? By no means! On the contrary. We uphold the law. (The ten summed up as Love. And because God’s Spirit/Presence enables us to do so!)

                       ~*~

🗝️ [  ] - word insights, facts,

             cross references, etc.

      (  ) - thots

Tomorrow’s Verses:

Matthew 8:18-27

Romans 4:1-8

            A link to the reading schedule is pinned. {God gave the schedule, a section at a time. I’m often impressed with how well the gospel section and the letter section complement one another.}

               ✔️= posted

Acts this week, 21:1-25 ✔️

Rev/Apoc last week, 20:7-10 ✔️

Prophets - Daniel Part 1 ✔️

       Prophets - Each part includes the previous parts also. Disclaimer, a few may be long.

Is.11:7 - The lion will eat straw like the ox!⛲️

WeekLy BooK oF Acts 21 1-25

         a paraphrased study

1 - And when we (Paul, Luke, Timothy and others) had parted from them (the Ephesian believers) we set sail, going by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 And then we found a ship going to Phoenicia, 3 and we sailed past Cyprus on the left and sailed to Syria, landing at Tyre, for that’s where the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 And having looked for and found the disciples there, we stayed for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 But when our days there were ended, we departed and went on our way, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we all prayed 6 and then we said farewell to one another, and we went on board ship, and they returned to their homes. 7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for a day. 8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and went the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven (6:3) and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. 10 And while we were there for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews/Hebrews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, all of us there with Paul urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 And Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart?! For I am ready to not only be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said instead, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

     15 After all this we went on our way up to Jerusalem, 16 and some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we could lodge. 17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, we were received gladly. 18 On the next day we went to see James, and all the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, Paul told them all the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his travels and preaching and teaching. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. Later they said, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Hebrews/Jews of those who have believed. And they are all zealous for the law. 21 They have been told that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children and not to walk according to our customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Do this, therefor that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow, 24 go with them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses, so they may shave their heads (at the conclusion) according to the Jewish vow they have taken. Then all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you. But that you yourself still also live in observance of the law.

     25 And as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from the sacrificing to idols, from blood, from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.” (All involved in ancient pagan observance.)

                         ~*~

     Very Brief Outline of Acts:

Jesus returns to where he was with the Father before his advent/visit (his brief first one).

The Holy Spirit/Presence of God is poured out on the believers who were in Jerusalem on the late Spring holy day of Pentecost. Peter speaks, there are 3000 new believers that day.

The good news message spreads, Peter is invited and goes to a Roman’s house and all believe. The first record of non Hebrew believers (besides likely some on Pentecost).

     Persecution breaks out.. jail. stoning. Pharisee Saul leads the persecution, but on his way to Damascus with papers for arrests, Jesus makes himself seen but is so bright Paul falls to the ground and is blinded. After two days he is healed and is a believer, and soon is called Paul. He wrote many (to most) of the New Testament letters, but spent a few years (it seems to me) exclusively listening to the Lord. He established many ‘churches’ in what’s called three missionary journeys, and met and worked with Mark and Luke, and quite a few others. (Luke wrote this Book of Acts.) His fourth journey is to Rome to trial as a prisoner. There’s a shipwreck on the way.. He wrote many of his letters while in prison and under ‘house’ arrest. ..And yes he was executed because of what he taught, as were all the original disciples turned apostles, except for probably John, who in his later years wrote three short letters and the vision and book of Revelation.

                       🍃

Jan-22 From Mt-7 Ro-3

Enter The Story Daily

       a paraphrased scripture study

          - - - - - - - - - - - -

GospeL Verses ~ Matthew 7:21-29

Jesus concludes his teaching (sermon) on the mountain(side) — 21 - “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ enters the kingdom of heaven, only the one who (actually) does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in the day (at the door to “the” millennium/wedding celebration, Mt.25:1-13) ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? And cast out demons in your name? And do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then I will say to them, ‘I don’t know you, depart from me, workers of lawlessness.’ 24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and (actually) does them is like a wise person who built their house on the rock. 25 And the rains fell, the flood came, the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it didn’t fall, because it had been founded and built upon the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn’t do them, is like a foolish person who built their house on sand, 27 and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” 28 And thus did Jesus conclude these sayings, and the crowds marveled at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

         - - - - - - - - - - - -

      From New Testament Letters

     (In the Order Believed Written)

            ~ Romans 3:19-23 ~

19 - We know that whatever the law says it speaks to those under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped (every objection silenced) and that all the world be accountable to God. (As opposed to if there were no law put forth.. don’t swear falsely, don’t bear false witness against, etc.) 20 But it is not by keeping the law that any human being will be justified in his sight. But through the law comes the knowing of what sin [hamartia - missing the mark] is. 21 But now the righteousness of God has been shown plainly- apart from the law - which the Law and the Prophets testify of it - 22 namely the righteousness (the pardon and new life) of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 all have transgressed. ALL fall short of the glory of God. (God is - surely? - Life, and he “is perfect” Mt.5:48, so the result/wage of missing the mark/imperfection is? ..Logically, the - opposite - of Life. So the remedy was built into creation “from the foundation/beginning”. A logical and organized process. “Perfect” makes no mistakes. “Perfect” cannot lose anything.)

                       ~*~

🗝️ [  ] - word insights, facts,

             cross references, etc.

      (  ) - thots

Tomorrow’s Verses:

Matthew 8:1-17

Romans 3:24-31

            A link to the reading schedule is pinned.

               ✔️= posted

Acts last week, 20:17-38 ✔️

Rev/Apoc last week, 20:7-10 ✔️

Prophets - Daniel Part 1 ✔️

       Prophets - Each part includes the previous parts also. Disclaimer, a few may be long.

Is.11:7 - The lion will eat straw like the ox!⛲️

Jan-21 From Mt-7 Ro-3

 Enter The Story Daily

   a paraphrased scripture study

          - - - - - - - - - - - -

GospeL Verses ~ Matthew 7:1-20

Jesus continues his teaching (sermon) on the mountain(side) — 1 - “Judge not, so that you are not judged. 2 For with the judgment you judge, so will you be judged, and with the measure you use (dish out) so will it be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother or sister’s eye, but you don’t notice the log that’s in your own eye? (Perception.) 4 Or how can you say, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is a log in your eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will *see clearly* to remove the speck out of your brother's eye. 6 “Don’t (try to) feed wild dogs what is holy, and don’t throw your pearls before pigs, for they will trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. 7 If you ask, it will be given to you. If you seek, you will find. And if you knock, it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if your child asks for bread, will give them a stone? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, will feed them a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil (missing the mark) know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! 12 So however it is you wish others would treat you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. 13 Enter (blessing Life) by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to ruin. And most follow/walk that way. 14 For the gate that leads to (blessing) life is narrow and the way (that is vastly less, me first, and is frowned upon in all different degrees by others) is hard, and those who find it are few. (Find and follow, as it’s - logically - listening not merely hearing.) 15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you as sheep but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (What are they after?) 16 You can recognize them by their fruits. (Including words?) Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs gathered from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears healthy, good fruit, but a diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn’t bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire (earthly, not into a ‘forever’ burning pit). 20 Thus shall you recognize them by their fruit.”

         - - - - - - - - - - - -

From New Testament Letters

     (In the Order Believed Written)

                            ~ Romans 3:7-18 ~

7 - But, you say, if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being judged as a sinner? 8 And can’t I do evil that good may come?—which is what some people slanderously say we are saying. And so their coming judgment (cause and effect, sure to occur) is just. 9 What then? Are we Hebrews/Jews (who have/follow the law) any better off? No, not at all. For we have already reasoned that all, both Hebrew and Greek, are under sin [hamartia - missing the mark] 10 as it is written — “None are righteous, no, not one. 11 No one understands. No one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside, as a whole they have become ruined. No one practices the good, not even one. 13 Their throat has become as an open grave for they use their tongues to deceive and the venom of vipers is on their lips. 14 Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood 16 and in their paths are ruin and misery (whereas Truth sets free, so seek, ask, knock) 17 and the way of peace they have not known. 18 There is no fear (respect/honor) of God before their eyes.” (Generally speaking, humanity’s condition, and history.)

                       ~*~

🗝️ [  ] - word insights, facts,

             cross references, etc.

      (  ) - thots

Tomorrow’s Verses:

Matthew 7:21-29

Romans 3:19-23

            A link to the reading schedule is pinned.

               ✔️= posted

Acts this week, 20:17-38 ✔️

Rev/Apoc this week, 20:7-10 ✔️

Prophets - Daniel Part 1 ✔️

       Prophets - Each part includes the previous parts also. Disclaimer, a few may be long.

Is.11:7 - The lion will eat straw like the ox!

Jan-20 From Mt-6 Ro-3

Enter The Story Daily

       a paraphrased scripture study

          - - - - - - - - - - - -

GospeL Verses ~ Matthew 6:22-34

Jesus continues his teaching on the mountain(side) — 22 - “The eye is the lamp. So, if your eye is healthy, you will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, you will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great that darkness is! 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. 25 “Therefore I say to you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or drink, nor about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food? And the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, they don’t plant or harvest, nor do they gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to your span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field. How they grow. (They grow by their faces toward the Light.) They don’t toil or spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory wasn’t arrayed like one of these! 30 And if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive but tomorrow is (tied in bundles and) thrown into the oven (to use for fuel) will he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat? What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all the test will be added to you as well. 34 Therefore don’t be anxious about tomorrow. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.

         - - - - - - - - - - - -

From New Testament Letters

     (In the Order Believed Written)

                            ~ Romans 3:1-6 ~

1 - Then what advantage has the Hebrew/Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? (Representing “the law” and their agreement with God.) 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God! 3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their unfaithfulness cancel out the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! But let God be true though every one else be a liar! As it is written, “That You (God) may be justified in Your words, and prevail when You (God) are judged.”(!) 5 But if our unrighteousness (un-right-ness) serves to show the righteousness (the right-ness) of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath (in my opinion, consequences, cause and effect) upon us? (I speak in a human way.) 6 By no means! For then how could he judge the world?

                       ~*~

🗝️ [  ] - word insights, facts,

             cross references, etc.

      (  ) - thots

Tomorrow’s Verses:

Matthew 7:1-20

Romans 3:7-18

            A link to the reading schedule is pinned.

               ✔️= posted

Acts this week, 20:17-38 ✔️

Rev/Apoc this week, 20:7-10 ✔️

Prophets - Daniel Part 1 ✔️

       Prophets - Each part includes the previous parts also. Disclaimer, a few may be long.

Is.11:7 - The lion will eat straw like the ox!

                       🗞️📜⛲️

Jan-19 From Mt-6 Ro-2

Enter The UR/CU Story Daily

 a paraphrased scripture study

          - - - - - - - - - - - -

GospeL Verses ~ Matthew 6:1-21

Jesus continues his teaching on the mountain(side) — 1 - “Be careful not to practice your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them. For then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 If you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the meeting places and in the streets, so they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing! 4 So your giving will be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5 And when you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to stand and pray in the meeting places and on the street corners, so they will be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, shut your door and pray to your Father in private. And your Father who sees will reward you. 7 When you pray, don’t merely repeat empty phrases as some do, for they think they will be heard for their many words. 8 Don’t be like that, for your Father knows what you need before you even ask him. 9 Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed (sacred) be your name. 10 May your kingdom come (to earth!) and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us, as we have forgiven others. 13 And let us not be led into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ 14 For if you forgive others, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you don’t forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours. 16 And when you fast, don’t look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so your fasting isn’t seen by others but by your Father. And your Father who sees privately, will reward you. 19 Don’t lay up for yourselves treasure upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves can break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasure stored in heaven, where moth and rust don’t destroy and where thieves cannot break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there is where your heart will be also.”

         - - - - - - - - - - - -

From New Testament Letters

     (In the Order Believed Written)

                          ~ Romans 2:17-29 ~

17 - If you call yourself a Hebrew (or these days, a believer) and rely on the law to make your boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law, 19 and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those in darkness, 20 an instructor of the unwise, and a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach, do you teach yourself also? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 Knowing one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 Those who make their boast in the law (feeling superior) dishonor God by breaking the law.  (Outward law alone can never work. But actually hinders.) 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed because of you.” (Because of hypocrisy.) 25 For (the outward rite and sign of) circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes actually uncircumcision. 26 So, if one who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not it be regarded as circumcision? (The removal of the me first, etc, carnal character.) 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law, will (inwardly) judge you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Hebrew (or believer) who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision actually outward and physical. 29 But a Hebrew/Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart. And is by the Spirit, not by the letter. (Not change outwardly imposed, but what works is inner  change and growth. Not that there still isn’t law and principles to uphold! But “the living way” is the Spirit/Presence of God [with us] changes us.) And such praise (and approval) is not from man, but is from God.

                       ~*~

🗝️ [  ] - word insights, facts,

             cross references, etc.

      (  ) - thots

Tomorrow’s Verses:

Matthew 6:22-34

Romans 3:1-6

            A link to the reading schedule is pinned. {God gave the schedule, a section at a time. I’m often impressed with how well the gospel section and the letter section complement one another.}

               ✔️= posted

Acts this week, 20:17-38 ✔️

Rev/Apoc this week, 20:7-10 ✔️

Prophets - Daniel Part 1 ✔️

       Prophets - Each part includes the previous parts also. Disclaimer, a few may be long.

Is.11:7 - The lion will eat straw like the ox!

                   🗞️📜⛲️

Jan-18 From Mt-5 Ro-2

Enter The Story Daily

   a paraphrased scripture study

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GospeL Verses ~ Matthew 5:38-48

38 - “You have heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one who asks from you, and don’t refuse the one who would borrow. 43 “You’ve heard it said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say, love your enemies and pray for those who treat you badly 45 so that you may be sons and daughters of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes the sun to rise on the good, and on the evil. And he sends rain on the just, and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the unbelievers do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father “is perfect”. (God, as perfect, makes no mistakes, cannot be taken by surprise, cannot lose anything.)

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From New Testament Letters

     (In the Order Believed Written)

                          ~ Romans 2:6-16 ~

6 - He will render to each one according to his deeds. 7 To those who patiently endure in doing good, seeking honor and incorruption/good, he will give (the) aionios/aionion life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and don’t obey truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. (Consequences, earthly, natural.) 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul [psyche] who works the not good [kakos - bad, evil, root of kakia- inner malice, inwardly poisoned] to the Jew/Hebrew first (including 70 a.d. aNd also to the Greek/nonHebrew). 10 but honor and peace for everyone who does the good, for the Hebrew/Jew first and also for the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality. 12 For all who have sinned (hamartia - fallen short, missed the mark of perfection) without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the (listeners, thus) doers of the law who will be justified. (As opposed to “lawlessness”.) 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they don’t have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written upon their hearts, while their *conscience* also bears witness, and their *conflicting thoughts accuse* or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of mankind by Christ Jesus.

                       ~*~

🗝️ [  ] - word insights, facts,

             cross references, etc.

      (  ) - thots

Tomorrow’s Verses:

Matthew 6:1-21

Romans 2:17-29

            A link to the reading schedule is pinned.

               ✔️= posted

Acts this week, 20:17-38 ✔️

Rev/Apoc this week, 20:7-10 ✔️

Prophets - Isaiah summary ✔️ next, Daniel

       Prophets - Each part includes the previous parts also. Disclaimer, some are long.

Is.11:7 - The lion will eat straw like the ox!

                       🗞️📜⛲️

FROM THE PROPHETS - Daniel

           Part 1— study notes

        before beginning Daniel

598bc babylonia conquers Judah (Israel has already been carried off to Assyria)

586bc Nebuchadnezzar sacked Jerusalem, carried many off to Babylon.. Babylon later fell to Persia:

    Nabonidus; Belshazzar - the writing on the wall king; Darius the Mede “received the kingdom” (under?) Cyrus the Great of Persia 550bc to 538bc - Cyrus decreed all Israel in all his kingdom should go home, and some/many did, led by Zerubbabel, and they began to “rebuild the TEMPLE” (and at the time of Cyrus’ proclamation, the massive empire included once again Assyria)

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Then there’s 3 kings (Dn.11:2) Cambyses; Smerdis; Darius the Great

516bc the rebuilt temple is dedicated

Note - “the captivity” and resulting “diaspora/dispersion” is when synagogues were first established, they were needed for observing the Sabbath, and for holy days, etc, and this is when **prayers were substituted for temple sacrifices** (a biblically repeated theme..)

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(4th king, Dn.11) 486bc Xerxes, great and famous war against Greece …non-consequential reigns are left out of the prophecy list. Alexander such a while later said his war against Persia was in revenge, then he died, the kingdom going to four of his generals.. which became the wars of the Ptolemies (Egypt) and the Seleucids (Syria) up to Antiochus Epiphanes the villain, super persecuter, in the prophecy’s (immediate, more ‘micro’ fulfillment) and of course in the Maccabean account.

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464bc to 425bc Artaxerxes (son of Xerxes) ruled the Persian empire; Esther was one of his queens; it was from his court, around 440bc that Ezra and Nehemiah traveled from Persia to Jerusalem to start rebuilding the rubble that was Jerusalem’s WALLS; Artaxerxes’ decree to - rebuild Jerusalem - fulfilled part of Daniel’s 70 weeks (of years) prophecy (very technical, um, code?) 9:25 - from the decree (and support) to rebuild aNd restore Jerusalem - until the coming of Messiah/an anointed one (Palm Sunday, the declaration of) - there will be seven weeks (of years, 49 years of building, until the 16th year of Darius the Great, lion’s den account, the ancient Persian empire was at its largest) and (then) sixty-two (more) weeks (of years, 7x62/434 years) until Messiah (entered Jerusalem in the Triumphal Entry).

     So, the prophecy was 7 weeks of years (49 weeks) of rebuilding Jerusalem, then 62 more weeks of years, which is 434 years, to Messiah’s Triumphal Entry.

     49 plus 434 is 483, leaving one week of years left - 7 of the total 490.

           — — — — —

I’m hoping Part 2 starts with Daniel 1:1 - though I have more notes.. Should I include them here? After all anyone can read or not read.. For the sake of Part 2, even though the book of Daniel is pretty complicated and intense:

Every part of the study will be included below the new parts. So this can always be read later.

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The first two of the large prophetic visions in Daniel, end with obvious, last days fulfillment. These two visions are, first, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream statue of earth empires (Dn.2 and 2) which impressive statue is struck upon the feet (the ten toes/divisions called kings of the last hour in Rev.17:12,16) with a stone, so that the statue topples, and the stone (kingdom) becomes a great mountain/kingdom that fills the earth.

     And the second vision, of the four, succeeding one another beasts, the last one “more terrible”  - with the iron and bronze-7:7,19 & Rev.13:1 - of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream statue. The iron and bronze representing the empires of Rome and Greece, that shatters/roman and subdues/greek - also - concludes with an obvious last days reference, as it ends with — as Daniel watched “thrones were set in place and the ancient of days took his seat”. (All the world is a stage - Shakespeare.)

     So in the same pattern (?) a third vision. In chapter 8. And we know the ram is the same old (Media) Persia, and the goat that charges at it is Greece - so maNy wars! Spanning so long - Xerxes.. Alexander.. Antiochus Epiphanes (who claimed he was Zeus incarnate) —> to today? As west against east.. Verse 23, the power of the west (of today, goat which charged so far east) becomes diluted by breaking off (dividing, division) into four different powers. Or two powers (the liberal and conservative of the west?) - but each with their extremes.. Making four. Weakness, division. BUT one of them, portrayed as “a horn with eyes” will rise.. (A SAME seat/oFFice, which Revelation, verse 13:13 pinpoints/pinpointed. Not yet? pointing to an individual.)

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History, thus prophecy, repeats. Having a more or less immediate ‘micro’ fulfillment, and then later a culmination of all history macro fulfillment - 9:26 - “After the sixty-two ‘sevens’ (weeks of years) the Anointed One will be put to death and will (appear to) have nothing. (After that) The people of the ruler/prince (Caesars, emperors) who will come, will destroy the city and the sanctuary (70A.D.). The end will come like a flood.

Julius who wasn’t an emperor; Augustus first Roman emperor, Luke 2:1 - “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered” - just before Jesus was born; Tiberius; Caligula; Claudius under whom the Jews thus Priscilla and Aquila had to leave Rome; Nero; Galba; Otho; Vitellius; Vespasian; Titus who sacked Jerusalem as a general under Vespasian before he (Titus) became emperor; Domitian who banished disciple/apostle John to Patmos — Note Napolean Bonaparte crowned himself an emperor of a Roman Empire.

   War will continue - until, the end. And desolations are decreed [decided] (made into laws?) 

The 70th week starts when the ‘prince’/a.c. of-the-day, makes and confirms a strong covenant with many for one week.

(Rev.13:1-5)  Daniel 9:27 - In the middle of the week he will “put an end to sacrifice” (of prayers?) in 12:11 it’s worded as “takes away the perpetual sacrifice” — oR (current) place of? Lk.19:41,44.

     …will put an end to sacrifice and offering. [Yes, did occur under Antiochus Epiphanes whom the Maccabees valiantly fought and routed.]

      Dn.9:27 (12:11) - ..Will end/prohibit/take away the perpetual sacrifices. And on the wing of abominations (as one exceeding them all, of that day?) will set up an abomination that causes desolation.

     Dn.12:11 - “From the time that the daily (hebrew, perpetual) sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Verse 12 - Blessed are they who wait and come to the 1,335 days.”

     So what is set up lasts/runs for 45 days? Escalating the last “ten days”? Rev.2:10.

     The abominations in the past- which desolated, had to do with the temple(s). The brick and mortar temple. Could the final one have to do with the human temple made for God’s Spirit/Presence?

     “..Until the end [kalah: the completion, consummation]” 9:27 - “And on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, until the decreed destruction is poured out upon him.”

     Rev.15:1, 16:1 - “..seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last.. Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”

      Verse 9:24 (at day 1,335) Jesus returns and anoints a holy place..