¹Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us. Several stories about Christ have been written using good source material and reports that were circulating among us.

 ²Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word. Stories from the early disciples and other eye witnesses. (Hebrews 2:3, I Peter 5:1, II Peter 1:16, I John 1:1, John 15:27). "Stories that He was manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)

 ³It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus. The name "Theophilus" (one who loves God), good to recheck all these accounts from first to last after thorough investigation to pass this summary on to you. (Acts 11:4, 1:1)

 ⁴That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. To reassure you of the truth in all these things you were taught and instructed.

 ⁵THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. Zacharias was a member of the "Abijah" division (I Chronicles 24:10), of the Temple service corps. His wife Elizabeth, like him, was also a member of the priest tribe of the Jews. (She was a Levite, the daughter of Aaron). There were twenty-four courses of the Levite priests to perform. (Each course was performed twice a year, plus all the courses were performed on the Holy Seasons; Passover, Pentecost, and Feast of Tabernacles, giving us the 51 weeks of the Jewish calendar). Every Sabbath day, the privilege was for one of the Levite priests to burn incense and lead the morning and evening service. Since there was so many priests at the time, this was done by drawing lots to see who served. (The priests served together on the three Holy Seasons). The course of "Abia" was one of the twenty four courses; The "eighth" course (new beginnings). This course of "Abia" sets a date that we need to remember.

  The two yearly "ministrations" of Abiah were as follows. The first ministration was from 12-18 Chisleu which is December 6-12. The second "ministration" was from 12-18 Sivan which is June 13-19. You can read more on the Course of Abia - appendix 179 - Jewish calendar.

 ⁶And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. Zacharias and Elizabeth were godly folk, careful to obey all of God's laws in spirit as well as in letter.

 ⁷And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. They were both old in age and to late to have children.

 ⁸And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course. This would be the course of Abia, the eighth course of the second ministration. (Sivan - June 13th-19th)

 ⁹According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. The honor fell to Zacharias by lot to enter the inner sanctuary and burn incense before the Lord.

 ¹⁰And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. The whole crowd of people stood outside in the temple court, praying during the service when the incense were being burned. There prayers "Up in smoke."

 ¹¹And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Zacharias was in the sanctuary when an angel of the Lord appeared. (The angel Gabriel "man of God").

 ¹²And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. Zacharias was startled and terrified.

 ¹³But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. The angel told Zacharias not to be afraid and told him that God has heard your prayer, and your wife Elizabeth will have a son. He was told to name him John, "gift of God" named by God.

 ¹⁴And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. He would be a special child and many would rejoice with you at his birth.

 ¹⁵For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. A great child in the eyes of the Lord, filled with the "Holy Spirit" even before birth. (Matthew 11:11)

 ¹⁶And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. John's message would be "repent and be baptized."

 ¹⁷And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. John will be a rugged man that will come in the spirit and power of Elijah, the prophet of old. He will precede the coming of the Messiah, preparing the people for His arrival. (Matthew 11:14, Mark 9:12, Isaiah 40:3). They did not receive him!

 ¹⁸And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. Zacharias said to the angel, this is impossible! My wife and I are both to old to have a child.

 ¹⁹And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. The angel replied, I am Gabriel! God himself sent me to give you this good news. (Never doubt an angel of God)!

 ²⁰And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. Because you do not believe me, you shall be stricken silent, until the child is born. "The Messiah was foretold to Daniel by the angel Gabriel 400 years before he told Zacharias." (Daniel 9:21-27)

 ²¹And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. The people wondered what was taking Zacharias so long in the temple.

 ²²And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. When Zacharias finally came out, he could not say a word and the people realized that he must of seen a vision.

 ²³And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. After Zacharias completed his duties at the temple he returned home. He left for home on June 19th. (The thirty mile journey took about 2-3 days travel time for an old man).

 ²⁴And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying. After they returned home, Elizabeth his wife became pregnant. (This would be around June 23rd or 24th, when the miraculous conception of John the Baptist took place). She went into seclusion for five months which would bring us up to the date of November 24th.

 ²⁵Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. How kind the Lord was to me, "to take away my disgrace of having no children!"

 ²⁶And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth. One month later, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee. (This would bring the date up to December 25th).

 ²⁷To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. The virgin Mary, a descendant of king David, was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph. (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18)

 ²⁸And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and congratulated her saying; "The Lord is with you."

 ²⁹And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. Mary being a little confused tried to think of what the angel meant. But, she did not doubt the angel.

 ³⁰And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. The angel told her not to fear not; for the Lord has decided to wonderfully bless you.

 ³¹And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. The angel Gabriel told her that very soon you will become pregnant and have a baby boy, and you are to name Him Jesus, "Yahshua." (Galatians 4:4)

 ³²He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. He shall be great and be called the "Son of God." The Lord shall give Him the throne of His ancestor David.

 ³³And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. No end to His kingdom; it is for eternity. (Daniel 7:14, Hebrews 1:8)

 ³⁴Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? How can this be Mary said to the angel; I was never with a man and I am a virgin.

 ³⁵And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit shall come upon you and you will conceive." The baby born to you will be "The Son of God." "Immanuel, God with us." (Isaiah 7:14)

 ³⁶And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. Elizabeth was pregnant with the child John now for six months, and the date was December 25th. Elisabeth was Mary's cousin (a Levite), of the Levitical priesthood. Elizabeth's mother and Mary's mother were sisters. Mary's mother was of the tribe of Levi, and her father was of the tribe of Judah. (Here we have both the Levitical priest line and the Tribe of Judah king line). Mary's genealogy is found in Luke 3. "Christ would be the priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 7)

 ³⁷For with God nothing shall be impossible. Every promise from God shall come true. Nothing is impossible with God!

 ³⁸And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Mary accepted what the angel Gabriel told her.

 ³⁹And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda. Mary hurried to the highlands of Judea where Zacharias lived.

 ⁴⁰And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. She went visit her cousin Elizabeth in the house of Zacharias to share the good news. (Zacharias was of the Levitical priesthood).

 ⁴¹And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. As soon as the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child (John the Baptist) leaped within her and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Why? Because this is when Jesus began to dwell with us, at the conception. (December the 25th)! Now as you know, many call this date the birth of Christ, and some even call this date a pagan holiday that should not be worshipped. However, both are not accurate. This is the conception that took place on this date when Jesus Christ began to dwell with us. December the 25th is a glorious holiday that should be celebrated around the world. And what about the Christmas tree? The tree presents God as a great fir tree. (Hosea 14:1-9). Christ presents Himself a the true vine, and we are the branches. (John 15:1-8). The Christmas tree would be another symbol of Christianity if you will.

 ⁴²And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Elizabeth gave a glad cry out to Mary, "You are favored by God above all other woman," your child is destined for God's mightiest praise.

 ⁴³And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? What an honor Elizabeth said; that the mother of my Lord visit me! "Emmanuel, God with us."

 ⁴⁴For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. When you came in and greeted me, the instant I heard your voice, my baby moved in me for joy! Moved by the very presence of the "Holy Spirit" and the Christ child. Again, life begins at the conception and the soul enters the child.

 ⁴⁵And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. Elizabeth said to Mary. "You believed that God would do what He said; that is why He has given you this wonderful blessing."

 ⁴⁶And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord. Mary replied; "How I praise the Lord for what He has done."

 ⁴⁷And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. How I rejoice in God my Savior! "Mary was very happy." She would give birth to the Savior of the world!

 ⁴⁸For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. God took notice of His lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation shall call me blessed of God. And blessed she was; ending that lineage all the way back to mother Eve. The mother of all living! (Genesis 3:20). Not the actual mother of all living; but rather the mother of all living because through her lineage, generation after generation, the birth of Christ would come.

 ⁴⁹For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. "The Most High God."

 ⁵⁰And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. God's mercy goes from generation to generation to all that reverence Him. (Genesis 17:7, Psalms 103:17)

 ⁵¹He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He scatters the proud and haughty ones by the power in His mighty arms. (Psalms 33:10, I Peter 5:5)

 ⁵²He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He has torn princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. (Job 5:11-15)

 ⁵³He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He satisfies the hungry hearts (filling them with truth), and sends the rich away with empty hands. (Psalms 34:10)

 ⁵⁴He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy. He helped His servant Israel and has not forgotten His promise to be merciful. (Psalms 98:3) 

 ⁵⁵As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. His promise to Abram, who's name was changed to Abraham. (Genesis 17:5), and to his seed forever. (Genesis 17:19)

 ⁵⁶And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her own home. (Three months later would bring us up to around March 25th). Three months after Mary became pregnant.

 ⁵⁷Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. Elizabeth's waiting was over and her baby boy was born.

 ⁵⁸And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. The news spread quickly and everyone rejoiced with her.

 ⁵⁹And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. When the baby became eight days old the circumcision ceremony took place as according to the law and custom. (Genesis 17:12, Leviticus 12:3). Everyone assumed the baby would be called Zacharias, after his father. But, God had other plans.

 ⁶⁰And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. Elizabeth said, "No! He must be named John!" She obeyed the Lord.

 ⁶¹And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. There is no one in the family by that name they exclaimed.

 ⁶²And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. They asked the father of the child about what his name would be.

 ⁶³And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. Zacharias asked for a writing tablet and wrote down the name to call the child; "It was John." They were all surprised.

 ⁶⁴And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. Instantly Zacharias could speak again, and he began to praise God. (His speech was returned because he obeyed God). Never doubt God!

 ⁶⁵And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. Reverence came about the whole neighborhood and the news of what happened spread through the Judean hills.

 ⁶⁶And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. They all wondered what this child would turn out to be like. They knew that the hand of the Lord was surely upon him. And so it was; that John the Baptist (second cousin to Jesus), would go forth and preach straight on with the truth of God's Word.

 ⁶⁷And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying. Zacharias was filled with the "Holy Spirit" and prophesied. (Joel 2:28)

 ⁶⁸Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people. "Praise the Lord," the God of Israel; He has come to visit and redeem His people.

 ⁶⁹And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. He is sending us a "Mighty Savior" from the royal lie of His servant David.

 ⁷⁰As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began. Just as He promised through His holy prophets from long ago. "Determined in the first earth age." (Jeremiah 23:5, Daniel 9:24, Acts 3:21)

 ⁷¹That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us. Someone to save us from our enemies and all who hate us.

 ⁷²To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant. He has been merciful to our ancestors. (Leviticus 26:42, Micah 7:20)

 ⁷³The oath which he sware to our father Abraham. A covenant oath with Abraham, "The father of all nations." (Genesis 12:1-3, Hebrews 6:13)

 ⁷⁴That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear. We can serve God "fearlessly," freed from our enemies. (Romans 6:18, Hebrews 9:14), In Psalms 2, God laughs at the heathens and idiots of the world.

 ⁷⁵In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. Holy and acceptable before God, every day of our life, to stand in His presence forever. (Ephesians 4:24)

 ⁷⁶And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways. Prophet of the living God, to prepare the way for the Messiah. John the Baptist! (Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1)

 ⁷⁷To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins. This little child who grew to a great prophet of God. His message would be "Repent and be Baptized," "Love the Lord Jesus Christ."

 ⁷⁸Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us. The Day Spring = The Branch = Christ. (Jeremiah 23:5, Zechariah 3:8)

 ⁷⁹To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. To give light or peace of mind to those who sit in darkness. (Isaiah 9:2)

 ⁸⁰And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel. The little child "John" grew strong in the Spirit and loved God. He lived out in the wilderness until he began his ministry to Israel.

 ¹And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. The Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus (the first roman emperor) decreed that a census should be taken throughout the nation.

 ²And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. This census was taken when Quirinius (a roman aristocrat) was governor of Syria.

 ³And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. Everyone was required to return to his ancestral home for this registration.

 ⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David). Because Joseph was of the royal line of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea. (John 7:42, Matthew 1:16)

 ⁵To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. He took Mary (his fianc'ee) with him, who was pregnant at the time.

 ⁶And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. While they were there, it came time for her child to be born.

 ⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Mary gave birth to her first child, wrapped Him in a blanket and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the village inn. (Matthew 1:25, Galatians 4:4) This took place on September 29th (Tisri) of the Jewish Calendar. (The first day of the feast of Tabernacles).

 ⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. That night there were shepherds in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. (Tending their flocks of sheep at the end of summer).

 ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. An angel appeared among them and the Glory of the Lord shone bright about the landscape. They were a little frightened.

 ¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. The angel told them not to be afraid. I bring you joyful news for everyone.

 ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. The Savior, the Messiah, Christ the Lord has been born tonight in Bethlehem. (Isaiah 9:6)

 ¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. To identify Him; He will be wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger.

 ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying. Suddenly, the angel was joined by a multitude of other angels praising God.

 ¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. "They sang Glory to God in the highest; peace on earth and good will toward men." (I John 4:9)

 ¹⁵And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. Then the great army of angels returned to heaven and the shepherds said to each other; let's go and see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.

 ¹⁶And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. They ran to the village and came upon Mary and Joseph. There they found the baby lying in the manger.

 ¹⁷And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. The shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel of the Lord had said to them about the child. "A King was born, and we have seen the angel of the Lord!"

 ¹⁸And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. All who heard the shepherds story were astonished.

 ¹⁹But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. But Mary treasured Him in her heart. She knew what a wonderful thing has just happened. (Isaiah 7:14)

 ²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. The shepherds went back to attending their flocks of sheep in the fields, praising God all the way, because they have seen the child that the angel of the Lord had told them about.

 ²¹And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Eight days later He was circumcised, and He was called Jesus. "Yahaveh Savior!" (Matthew 1:21)

 ²²And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord. When the time came for Mary's purification offering at the temple, as required by law, Mary and Joseph took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. (Leviticus 12:2)

 ²³As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. "If a woman's first child is a boy, he shall be dedicated to the Lord." (Exodus 13:2)

 ²⁴And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. The sacrifice of purification as by law. A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons were required. (Leviticus 12:1-8)

 ²⁵And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. Simeon, a resident of Jerusalem, was in the temple. He was a good man "filled with the Holy Spirit" who was constantly expecting the Messiah to come soon.

 ²⁶And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before he had seen God's anointed King. Christ means "anointed one."

 ²⁷And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law. The Holy Spirit had told him to go to the temple that day, and when Mary and Joseph brought the child to be presented to the Lord, he was there.

 ²⁸Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said. Simeon took the child in his arms, "praising God."

 ²⁹Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. He said to the Lord; "Now I can die in content!"

 ³⁰For mine eyes have seen thy salvation. Another witness that has seen the Savior. (Isaiah 52:10, Acts 4:12)

 ³¹Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. The Savior you have given to the world.

 ³²A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. A light to shine upon all the nations, and the glory of your people Israel. (Isaiah 9:2, Acts 13:47)

 ³³And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. Joseph and Mary marveled at the things that were said about Jesus.

 ³⁴And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against. Simeon blessed them an told Mary that many would reject this child, but will be the greatest joy to others.

 ³⁵(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. A sword shall pierce thy own soul, and break your heart, but win the hearts of many. (Psalms 42:10)

 ³⁶And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity. Anna (a teacher) was in the temple that day.

 ³⁷And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. She stayed in the temple night and day, worshipping God by praying and fasting.

 ³⁸And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. She gave thanks to God and began telling everyone in Jerusalem that the Messiah had finally arrived.

 ³⁹And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. Mary and Joseph had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of God and returned to Nazareth.

 ⁴⁰And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. There Jesus grew as a child and became strong in the Spirit, and was known for His wisdom beyond His years.

 ⁴¹Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. Jesus attended the Passover Festival with His parents, and later He would become our Passover. (I Corinthians 5:7-8)

 ⁴²And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. At the age of twelve (age of accountability), Jesus was at the age that was also symbolic of the twelve tribes of Israel.

 ⁴³And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. After the celebration, Joseph and Mary started to return home to Nazareth; Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem.

 ⁴⁴But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. They wondered where He was and assumed He was with His friends and other family members.

 ⁴⁵And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. When they could not find Him, they went back towards Jerusalem to search for Him.

 ⁴⁶And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. After Mary and Joseph searched for Him for three days, they found Him in the temple in Jerusalem among the teachers of the law discussing in-depth questions with them. (Isaiah 11:1-2)

 ⁴⁷And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. Everyone there was amazed at His understanding and answers.

 ⁴⁸And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. When His parents found Him in the temple they didn't know what to think. Mary asked Him, where have you been? Your father and I have been looking for you everywhere and we were worried. (Notice the lower case "father" for Joseph).

 ⁴⁹And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? Jesus answered them saying, why did you need to search for me? "Didn't you realize that I would be here in the Temple, in my Father's House?" (Notice the upper case "Father" for God). Taking care of my Father's business. (John 6:38). "This verse would be the first writings of the Christ child."

 ⁵⁰And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. But they did not understand what He meant. This would not be the first time Jesus wouldn't be understood. (Luke 9:45, 18:34)

 ⁵¹And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. They returned to Nazareth and Jesus was obedient to His parents; and Mary remembered all these things.

 ⁵²And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. Jesus grew tall and wise, and was loved by God and man. He became very popular, and as a child, His great uncle (uncle to Mary) "Joseph of Arimathea" grew towards Him. (Another disciple of Jesus if you will). Better know as "Joseph of Glastonbury" (the tin man), because he was a merchant in metals. (Referred to by the Romans as 'Nobilis Decurio' or minister of mines to the Roman Government). He was known to take Jesus with him as He grew up as a teen on business trips to England, India, and even South America. In spite of his relationship with Jesus, his loyalty to Him was largely kept secret. (John 19:38)

 ¹Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene. Tiberius Julius Caesar (2nd emperor of the Roman empire), ruled from 14 A.D. to 37 A.D. (A.D. stands for the Latin "Anno Domini," meaning in the Year of our Lord). Pilate was governor over Judea, Herod over Galilee, Herod's brother Philip was over Iturea and Trachonitis, Lysanias over Abilene; and Annas and Caiaphas were high priests.

 ²Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. Even though Annas and Caiaphas were the high priest, the Word of God came upon John the Baptist at this time. (He would be the last prophet before Christ).

 ³And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Preaching the "Good News" that people should repent and be baptized to show that they had turned to God and away from their sins. (Matthew 3:1-2)

 ⁴As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. In the words of Isaiah the prophet. (Isaiah 40:3)

 ⁵Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth. In His path the mountains will be leveled, the valleys will be filled, the curves will be made straight, and the ruts will be made smooth. It will come to pass!

 ⁶And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. All mankind shall see the Savior sent from God. (Psalms 98:2, Isaiah 52:10)

 ⁷Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? The offspring of vipers (the Kenites), trying to escape hell without truly turning to God! (Matthew 3:7)

 ⁸Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. Go and prove by the way you live that you really have repented. Don't think you are safe just because you say you are descendants of Abraham. God can produce descendants of Abraham from these stones if He will. John the Baptist knew they were faking it and were descendants of the devil. Just as in (John 8:39-47), from the gospel of St. John; this would not be John the Baptist.

 ⁹And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. John the Baptist told them that the axe of judgment was ready to sever the roots and cut them down. "Every tree that does not produce good fruit (the tares), will be chopped down and cast into the lake of fire." (Matthew 3:10, John 15:6), or read the parable of the tares!

 ¹⁰And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? The crowd John the Baptist, "what do want us to do?"

 ¹¹He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. If you have more than you need, share it with others who may need it.

 ¹²Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? Even some of the tax collectors came to be baptized and asked him, "what shall we do?"

 ¹³And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. "Take no more than the Roman government requires you to." John knew they were notorious for their corruption when it came to collecting taxes. Sound familiar?

 ¹⁴And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. "Even the soldiers asked him what they should do." John told them not to extort money by threats and violence; don't accuse anyone of what you know they didn't do; and be content with your pay! "Something our military should pay more attention too." (Psalm 44, the soldiers Psalm).

 ¹⁵And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not. Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come; and they wondered if John the Baptist was the Messiah they have been waiting for. John had all the answers to their questions; and the "Holy Spirit" was with him. "He knew what they were thinking."

 ¹⁶John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. John set them straight on what they were thinking. He told them he was not the Messiah, but the Messiah was yet to come, and would baptize with the "Holy Spirit" and with fire into one body. "The many member body." (I Corinthians 12:13-14)

 ¹⁷Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. He will separate the good from the bad through the Word. The tares will be burned up because God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:29, Micah 4:12, Matthew 13:30)

 ¹⁸And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people. John the Baptist was straight forward with warnings and truth in the Word towards the people.

 ¹⁹But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done. But, John criticized Herod the governor, for marrying Herodias, his brother's wife, along with other things he had done.

 ²⁰Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison. Herod put John the Baptist in prison.

 ²¹Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened. This was before John the Baptist was put in prison by Herod. All the people were being Baptized and Jesus Himself was Baptized by John. "The Heavens opened right above John and Jesus." (Matthew 3:13, John 1:32)

 ²²And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. "This is my beloved Son!" And how pleased the Heavenly Father was. (II Peter 1:17)

 ²³And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli. As was supposed (as by law). Joseph was not the father of Christ. (Matthew 1:18-21). Joseph was the son-in-law of Heli (by law) because Heli was Mary's father. Jacob was the father of Joseph. (Matthew 1:16)

  We will skip the lineage line from verse 24 to verse 38 and pick it up in chapter 4 of the book of Luke.

 ²⁴Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph.

 ²⁵Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge.

 ²⁶Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda.

 ²⁷Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri.

 ²⁸Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er.

 ²⁹Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi.

 ³⁰Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim.

 ³¹Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David.

 ³²Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson.

 ³³Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda.

 ³⁴Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor.

 ³⁵Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala,

 ³⁶Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech.

 ³⁷Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan.

 ³⁸Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

 ¹And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Jesus was led by the "Holy Spirit" into the wilderness.

 ²Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. Fasted for forty days being tempted by Satan.

 ³And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. One of Satan's temptations was for food to be eaten.

 ⁴And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Christ was that "Living Word" of God, more important than food for the body, "it is food for the inner soul and spirit." (Deuteronomy 8:3).

 ⁵And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. Revealed to Christ the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

 ⁶And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. Now here is where Satan always starts first. Just as he is going to temp Christ with scripture, he will also tempt you. Satan always twists the Word. In the first place, the kingdoms of the world do not belong to him to give. He is the prince of this world (John 12:31), but the world belongs to God who created it.

 ⁷If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. If you will get down on your knees and worship me. Satan wants the same from you.

 ⁸And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Jesus replied; "We must worship God, and Him alone." It is written! (Deuteronomy 6:13, 10:20)

 ⁹And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence. Satan took Him to a high roof top in Jerusalem and said to Him, jump off!

 ¹⁰For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee. It is written that God's angels will guard you and keep you from crashing to the ground.

 ¹¹And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. He was quoting from: (Psalms 91:11)

 ¹²And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Jesus replied, "The scripture also says, Do not tempt God with a foolish test." (Deuteronomy 6:16)

 ¹³And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. The devil left Him till another time. When the devil tempts you; "Order him out in Jesus name." But, be prepared for his return to tempt you again.

 ¹⁴And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. When He returned He became well known because of all of His healings and wisdom of the Word.

 ¹⁵And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. He taught right in their churches and everyone praised Him.

 ¹⁶And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. Read the scriptures of the Sabbath day. (Acts 13:14)

 ¹⁷And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written. The book of Isaiah the prophet was handed to Him, and He opened it to a certain place where it says:

 ¹⁸The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. Anointed to preach the Good News to the poor in spirit.

 ¹⁹To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. The acceptable year of the Lord. What is this acceptable year of the Lord?

 ²⁰And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. He stopped reading here for a reason.

 ²¹And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. These scriptures came true today. "It has come to pass!" This is known as the "Gap Theory" between the first advent and the second advent. (Isaiah 61:1-3), to proclaim the "acceptable year of the Lord" and the day of vengeance of our God! The first advent is when Christ came as a babe, to "heal the broken hearted," a "lamb led to the slaughter to be crucified" for the sins of the world. (Psalms 147:3). The second advent is when He comes as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" to rule with an iron rod of vengeance. (Malachi 4:1-3)

 ²²And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? They wondered how all this wisdom and knowledge could be coming from a carpenters son.

 ²³And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. They wanted to see for themselves in His home town; An example of all the miracles and healings He did in Capernaum.

 ²⁴And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. No one accepts a prophet or teacher in his own town. (Matthew 13:57, John 4:44). And so it is, you know how hard it is to get people in your home town or family to listen to you when it comes to preaching the Word. Why? Because they know you to well! Unless you have an impeccable reputation or superior title, chances are they are not going to listen to you. They didn't accept Jesus, why should they accept you.

 ²⁵But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land. There were many Jewish widows needing help in the days of Elias, when there was a famine in the land for 3-1/2 years. (I Kings 17:7). Just as the famine of the end time for hearing the truth in the Word of God. (Amos 8:11), There is a famine for hearing the truth right now as we speak.

 ²⁶But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. Elijah the prophet used a miracle to help the widow of Zarephath, a foreigner from the land of Sidon. (I Kings 17:9)

 ²⁷And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. Healing gentiles at the time. Elisha healed Naaman, a Syrian, rather than the many Jewish lepers needing help. (II Kings 5:14)

 ²⁸And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath. All that were in the synagogue were mad when they heard these things from Jesus.

 ²⁹And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. Those in the synagogues wanted to push him over a cliff and kill him. This happened several times. (John 8:59, John 10:39)

 ³⁰But he passing through the midst of them went his way. Jesus just walked away and left them. So you see, many times you will not be accepted in your own town. Again, they didn't accept Jesus for telling them the truth, so why should they accept you.

 ³¹And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. Then He returned to Capernaum and taught there in the synagogue on the Sabbath days. (Matthew 4:13, Mark 1:21)

 ³²And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power. Here the people were amazed at the things He said. He spoke with authority and told the truth. Not a bunch of fluff and traditions and doctrines of men as many churches today teach.

 ³³And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice. Possessed by a demon!

 ³⁴Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. Even the demons knew who Jesus was.

 ³⁵And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not. Jesus cut the demon short and told him to be silent. The demon immediately left the man without hurting him.

 ³⁶And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out. The people that were present were all amazed at His authority even over the demons.

 ³⁷And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about. This story of what He had done spread like wildfire throughout the region. You know how the gossip travels, just like in our times.

 ³⁸And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. Jesus went to Simon's home where his mother-in-law was very sick.

 ³⁹And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. Jesus stood over her and rebuked the fever and she returned to normal.

 ⁴⁰Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. All the villagers came to Him that evening who were sick with disease and He healed them.

 ⁴¹And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. Those who were possessed with demons also came to Him, and Jesus commanded them to come out. The demons knew He was the "Son of God" and fled.

 ⁴²And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. The next morning Jesus went out into the desert and the people searched for Him. They wanted Him to remain in Capernaum. So you see, even Jesus was not accepted in His home town, but well received in other towns.

 ⁴³And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. But, Jesus told them in Capernaum, that He must preach "The Good News" of the "Kingdom of God" in other places also. That is why He was sent by the Heavenly Father.

 ⁴⁴And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee. So He made the circuit and continued His public teaching throughout Judea. Nothing hidden, He just spoke the truth. (Mark 1:39)

 ¹And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret. Jesus was teaching on the shore of Lake Gennesaret (Lake Tiberias), one of the largest fresh water lakes in Israel. The people crowded in to hear Him preach. (They were hungry for the Word).

 ²And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. Jesus noticed two empty boats (with no catch), standing in the water while the fishermen washed their nets.

 ³And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Jesus went into one of the boats and asked Simon to push out a little so that He could sit and speak to the crowds of people from there.

 ⁴Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. When Jesus finished speaking to the people, "He told Simon to go into the deeper water and cast the nets and he would catch some fish!"

 ⁵And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. Simon replied, "Master, we worked hard all night and didn't catch a thing. But, if you say so, we will try again."

 ⁶And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. This time their nets became so full that they began to break!

 ⁷And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. They called to their partners in the other boat for some help and soon both boats were filled with fish and began to sink.

 ⁸When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. Peter finally realized who He was and said that He was not worthy to be in His presence.

 ⁹For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken. They were all awestruck by the amount of fist they had caught.

 ¹⁰And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. Peters partners James and John were with Simon when Jesus said to them; Don't be afraid! From now you will be fishing for the souls of men. (Matthew 4:19, Mark 1:17). Just as we are to be fishers of men with the Word!

 ¹¹And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. As soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

 ¹²And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. When Jesus was visiting a certain village, there was a man with Leprosy that came and fell before Jesus begging to be healed. "The man showed that he had faith in Jesus by calling Him Lord, and saying if it be His will."

 ¹³And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. Jesus reached out and touched the man and he was healed.

 ¹⁴And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. Jesus instructed the man to go at once without telling anyone what had happened and to show himself and be examined by a Jewish priest. Then he was instructed to offer the sacrifice that Moses law required. (Leviticus 14:4)

 ¹⁵But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. The report of His power spread rapidly and the crowds came to hear Him preach and to be healed of their diseases. (There is power in the Word that will heal and give life).

 ¹⁶And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

 ¹⁷And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. When Jesus was teaching one day, some of the Jewish religious leaders (the Pharisees), and teachers of the law were sitting near by. They came from every village in Galilee and Judea to see what was going on. (There is going to be a little trouble here). People were coming from their churches to be healed by Christ, and this upset them.

 ¹⁸And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. Some men brought a man in a bed that was paralyzed on a sleeping mat and tried to push through the crowd to see Jesus.

 ¹⁹And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. They could not get through the crowd, so they went to a rooftop above Jesus and lowered the man down. (They showed their faith by what they had done).

 ²⁰And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, "Your sins are forgiven!" (Christ knew what was on the mans mind, that he wanted to repent and be healed). The only problem hear is that man can't forgive sins and the scribes and Pharisees began to accuse Him.

 ²¹And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? Who does this man think he is? According to the Pharisees and teachers of the law that were present, this was blasphemy! "No one but God can forgive sins!" (They didn't realize they were in the presence of Emmanuel, God with us)!

 ²²But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Jesus knew what they were thinking. and replied, "What are you thinking?"

 ²³Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? Does it make any difference if I say "your sins are forgiven," or "rise up and walk."

 ²⁴But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. I the Messiah have authority on earth to forgive sins. I also have the power to heal this paralyzed man. "Pick up your stretcher and go home, you are healed Christ said."

 ²⁵And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. Immediately, as everyone watched, "the man jumped to his feet, picked up his mat and went home praising God!"

 ²⁶And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day. Everyone present was amazed, and they all began to praise God. Remarking, "We have seen some very strange things happen today."

 ²⁷And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. Jesus came upon Levi, who was a tax collector. (Tax collectors had reputations for cheating the people). Nothing new! This Levi would be Matthew the tax collector. (Matthew 9:10). "Follow Me Christ said to him."

 ²⁸And he left all, rose up, and followed him. Levi left everything and followed Jesus.

 ²⁹And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. Levi prepared a great feast in his house for Jesus and made Him the guest of honor. Many of Levi's fellow tax collectors and friends were there.

 ³⁰But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? Now the Pharisees and teachers of the law (the hypocrites), complained to the disciples about Jesus eating with such notorious sinners. (The publicans, or public servants were considered sinners).

 ³¹And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. Jesus knew what they were saying and thinking, and said; "It is the sick who need a doctor, not those in good health."

 ³²I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Jesus said, I came to invite sinners to turn from their sins, not to waste my time with those who think they are so good. (Matthew 9:13, I Timothy 1:15). Once again; "The Hypocrites." Those who think that they are "Holier than thou." (I am sure you have come across a lot of people like this).

 ³³And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? Why do the disciples of John and the Pharisees fast and go without food, and pray all the time? "Your disciples are wining and dining."

 ³⁴And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? Christ replied; "Do happy men fast when celebrating with the groom?" The groom was present with them! (Matthew 22:2, II Corinthians 11:2, Revelation 19:7)

 ³⁵But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. "The time will come when the bridegroom will be killed." (Zechariah 13:7, John 7:33)

 ³⁶And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. You don't tear a piece of a new garment off to patch an old garment. The new garment would be ruined and the old garment will look worse with a patch on it.

 ³⁷And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. No one puts new wine in old wineskins, because the new wine will burst the old skins. (There is an old oriental saying that; you must first empty your cup of knowledge before you can fill it with new knowledge).

 ³⁸But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. New wine must be put into new wineskins. (Start with a fresh new cup so it can be filled with a cup of truth). 

 ³⁹No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. No one drinking the old wine seems to want the fresh wine. "The old ways are better they say." (Those set in their ways from the old law and traditions of men are hard to change). They think their way is the best way and they are secure with it.

 ¹And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. On the "second Sabbath" Jesus and the disciples were walking through the grain fields, rubbing off the husks from the corn and were eating the grain. But, what is the second Sabbath? The "second Sabbath" (also know as the second first Sabbath), is the "first Sabbath" after the "first Sabbath" of Passover. The "first Sabbath" is used as a starting point for counting the seven weeks and seven Sabbaths until the feast of weeks. (the fiftieth day, or Pentecost). It was against the law to eat from the standing ripe grain on the first Sabbath during Passover, because not until the next day were the first fruits of the ripe grain offered to God. But on the "second first Sabbath" it was lawful to eat from the standing ripe grain, because the first fruits had been offered the previous Sunday. The Pharisees objected based on their interpretation of the law against working on the Sabbath, (rubbing the grains was considered work). But Luke points out that it was lawful for them to eat the grains since it was the "second first Sabbath."

 ²And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days? The Pharisees told them that it was illegal! It against Jewish law to work on the Sabbath. (They were just trying to nourish themselves).

 ³And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him. Didn't you ever read what King David did when he and his men were hungry? (I Samuel 21:6)

 ⁴How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone? All who were present with Christ at the time were priests, (Gods Elect). All priests, pastors, and teachers have a duty to work on the Sabbath.

 ⁵And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. Jesus told them that He was master of the Sabbath. Christ became our Passover (I Corinthians 5:7), which makes Him Lord of the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27-28)

 ⁶And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. On another Sabbath Christ was in the synagogue teaching, and there was a man with a deformed hand.

 ⁷And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. The scribes and Pharisees watched Him to see if He would heal this man on the Sabbath. They wanted something to accuse Him of. (Just like the religious community of today always waiting to accuse someone of something).

 ⁸But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. Christ knew their thoughts! He told the man to come up next to Him so everyone could see.

 ⁹Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? Jesus asked them; Is it right to good on the Sabbath or to do harm?

 ¹⁰And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. After staring them down one by one, "He healed the man."

 ¹¹And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus. The enemies of Jesus were so mad that they wanted to kill Him.

 ¹²And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Jesus went into the mountains to meditate as He did often after He addressed the public. (Matthew 14:23)

 ¹³And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles. At daybreak Jesus called His disciples and appointed them as His twelve apostles. (Matthew 10:1), Apostle means "sent one."

 ¹⁴Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew.

 ¹⁵Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes.

 ¹⁶And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

Here we have the twelve apostles: Peter (would be the rock), Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, Simon, Judas (son of James), and Judas Iscariot (the betrayer).

 ¹⁷And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases. The Word was spreading quickly and the crowds came from all over Judea and Jerusalem, and as far north as the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon.

 ¹⁸And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. They had the unclean spirits and Christ was the healer.

 ¹⁹And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. Everyone wanted to touch Him to be healed.

 ²⁰And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Addressing the disciples about the blessed (the happy), and the poor (the humble).

 ²¹Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. The hungry will be satisfied and those who weep will be filled with joy. (I Corinthians 4:11, Revelation 7:14-17). Those who are hungry for the truth, such as the famine in the end time will be for hearing the Word of the Lord. (Amos 8:11)

 ²²Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. When other dislike you and make fun of you for teaching the "Truth of the Word of God." (I Peter 2:19, 3:14, 4:14)

 ²³Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. When this happens to you, rejoice! You have a great reward waiting for you in Heaven. All the ancient prophets were treated the same way. (Acts 5:41)

 ²⁴But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. The rich who put their faith in money and material things here on earth. Those who make their living with ill-gotten gains. All the crooks and scammers that prey on the innocent and weak. (Luke 12:21, James 5:1, Matthew 6:2)

 ²⁵Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Prosperous now and laugh with the ways of the world, but they will hunger later.

 ²⁶Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. Praised by the world for their ways of the world. False teachers of traditions of men and weak doctrines. (I John 4:5)

 ²⁷But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you. Those who may have ears to hear, do good to them. Plant the seed to the sinners, you never know how it may take and change their ways. (Romans 12:20)

 ²⁸Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. Pray for the ones that make fun of you and curse you. They are hurting and need spiritual healing.

 ²⁹And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Help those who are hurting but don't over do it with the Word, rather speak on their level.

 ³⁰Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. If you can help one in need, give what you can. When something is taken from you, don't worry about getting it back. (This also applies to tax people who over tax the people).

 ³¹And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. The golden rule to get along with others. "Treat others as you would like to be treated." (Philippians 4:8)

 ³²For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. Don't just like those who like you; anyone can do that. "And don't play favorites."

 ³³And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. Try to be fair and do good to everyone.

 ³⁴And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. When someone is down on their luck and needs a little help, give it to them without expecting something in return.

 ³⁵But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Lend a helping hand even to your enemies just as Christ was. Then your reward in Heaven will be great.

 ³⁶Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Try to show as much compassion  towards others as your Heavenly Father does towards you.

 ³⁷Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. Never criticize or condemn others or it will come back on you. Forgive others and you will also be forgiven. Leave the judging to the Heavenly Father, or to the law. (James4:11)

 ³⁸Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. If you give, you will get! "Especially when you give the truth of the Word to others." When you want to learn more of the Word, share it with others. Be a good teacher and do your best; "Our Heavenly Father loves that."

 ³⁹And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? Were talking spiritually blind here. "You won't find any truth from a spiritual blind person." (Matthew 15:14)

 ⁴⁰The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. The student cannot know more than his teacher. But, if he works hard, he matures and can learn as much.

 ⁴¹And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Look at your own faults first before you point out the faults of others.

 ⁴²Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye. How can you say to someone, 'Let me help you with the spec in your eye,' when you can't see past the board in your own eye? Don't play teacher when you cannot even discern the truth! Learn the truth of the Word first, then you can teach others.

 ⁴³For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. If a teacher knows the truth, only good teachings will come from them. But, if a teacher only knows traditions of men and false doctrines, they cannot bring forth the truth in the Word. (Matthew 7:16-17)

 ⁴⁴For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A tree identifies the kind of fruit it produces. We have the "tree of life" which is Christ. (Revelation 2:7, 22:2). And we have the "tree of knowledge of good and evil" which is Satan. (Genesis 2:17)

 ⁴⁵A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Whatever is in a mans heart will eventually come out of his mouth. Listen to them for a while and you will see where they are coming from.

 ⁴⁶And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Why call Me 'Lord' when you do not obey Me? They hear the Word but do not obey the Word. (In one ear and out the other)!

 ⁴⁷Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like. If they walk the walk. You must do it; not just talk about it.

 ⁴⁸He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. The rock is a solid foundation, "built upon Christ."

 ⁴⁹But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. "No good foundation in the Word, no house." Satan destroys houses that are weak with the traditions of men and false doctrines!

 ¹Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. Jesus finished His sermon and went to Capernaum. (Nahum's village). Located on the northern shore of the sea of Galilee. 

 ²And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. The close servant of a Roman captain was sick and near death.

 ³And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. The centurion sent an elder to ask Jesus to come and heal his servant.

 ⁴And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this. They told Jesus that the centurion was a good man and pleaded with Jesus to come.

 ⁵For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. The centurion loved the Jews and even built them a church.

 ⁶Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof. The centurion was a very humble man.

 ⁷Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. The centurion had the faith also.

 ⁸For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. I am a man of authority the centurion said and my servants obey me. He was liked by his servants and a good man of faith.

 ⁹When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Jesus was even impressed by the faith of this gentile centurion.

 ¹⁰And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick. When the captains friend returned to his house, they found the servant completely healed.

 ¹¹And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Jesus then went with His disciples to the village of Nain. (About 8 miles south of Nazareth).

 ¹²Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. There was a funeral procession for a boy who was the son of his widowed mother.

 ¹³And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. Don't cry "the Lord said to her."

 ¹⁴And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. Jesus touched the coffin and His compassion brought him back to life.

 ¹⁵And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. The boy came back to life. That is what Christ does! "He brings life," while Satan brings death!

 ¹⁶And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. Emmanuel, "God with us." (Luke 1:68)

 ¹⁷And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about. His fame spread all through Judea and out across the borders.

 ¹⁸And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. The disciples of John the Baptist heard of all these things Jesus was doing.

 ¹⁹And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? John sent two of his disciples to Jesus. Is this the first advent that has taken place? "Are you really the Messiah?" (Remember there is a first and second advent). This was the first advent, when Christ would come as Savior.

 ²⁰When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? They came and asked Jesus; are you the one that should come. "The true Messiah." It was written in the Old Testament. (Ezekiel 21:27, 34:23, Zechariah 9:9)

 ²¹And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Jesus gives life in all ways!

 ²²Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. Go and tell John all these things I have done. There was a special message to John the Baptist here that the first advent has taken place. Comes as the Savior, (Isaiah 29:18-19). "The second advent He comes with vengeance." (Isaiah 35:4-5)

 ²³And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. "Blessed is the ones who do not lose faith in me." (Those who are not ashamed of being a true follower of Christ). Many in today's world are offended by Christ and His followers, and they are trying to remove Christ from everything in society. "They will pay in the second advent of vengeance."

 ²⁴And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? Jesus talked to the crowd about John the Baptist. "He asked them concerning John." Did you find some wimp, weak as grass, shaking in the wind?

 ²⁵But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts. Did you find him in expensive clothes? No, "men who live in luxury live in palaces, not in the wilderness."

 ²⁶But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. Did you find a prophet? Yes! and much more. John the Baptist came in the "Spirit of Elisha."

 ²⁷This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The last prophet before Christ. (Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1, 4:5-6), this would be the ministry of Elisha.

 ²⁸For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. John the Baptist got the job done by lining them up for baptism.

 ²⁹And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. Even the wicked ones agreed that God's requirements were right, and were baptized by John. (Mathew 3:5-6)

 ³⁰But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. All but the Pharisees and the teachers of Moses law.

 ³¹And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? Who can I compare these men to Jesus asked?

 ³²They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept. Like a group of children complaining to their friends, "you don't like to play wedding, and you don't like it if we play funeral!" (Playing church)!

 ³³For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. John the Baptist went without food at times and never took a drop of liquor all his life, and you called him crazy. (Matthew 3:4)

 ³⁴The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! I can eat my food and drink my wine, and you call me a glutton who hangs around with sinners.

 ³⁵But wisdom is justified of all her children. But I am sure you can always justify your inconsistencies. (The wise understand, but they didn't).

 ³⁶And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to lunch and He accepted.

 ³⁷And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment. A certain woman with expensive perfume came to the house where Jesus was.

 ³⁸And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. She knelt before Jesus weeping with tears, kissed and anointed His feet with the expensive perfume.

 ³⁹Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. The Pharisee saw this and thought to himself; this  proves that Jesus is no prophet, if God really sent Him He would know what kind of woman this was. You know where this is leading. "The Pharisee was accusing the woman of being a prostitute."

 ⁴⁰And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. Jesus knew his thoughts and said to him; "I have something to say to you."

 ⁴¹There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. Jesus said to him; A man loaned money to two people. $5,000 to one and $500 to the other.

 ⁴²And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? The two men could not repay the loan, so the man forgave the loans and let them both keep the money. Which of the two men do you suppose loved him the most after that?

 ⁴³Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. Simon answered; "I suppose the one who owed him the most." "You are correct," Jesus answered.

 ⁴⁴And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Now look Simon, "This woman kneeling here before Me had washed My feet with her tears," and you never even offered Me any water to wash the dust from My feet.

 ⁴⁵Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. You refused Me the customary greeting of a kiss, but she has kissed My feet again and again. (The woman showed respect and worshipped Jesus while the Pharisee did nothing).

 ⁴⁶My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. You neglected the usual courtesy of olive oil to anoint My head, but she anointed My feet with rare perfume.

 ⁴⁷Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. "Therefore her many sins are forgiven, for she loved Me much; but one who is forgiven little, shows little love."

 ⁴⁸And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. Your sins are forgiven; "Jesus said to the woman." (She had the faith and showed compassion for the Lord). Even though her sins were great.

 ⁴⁹And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? Then the men at the table began to think to themselves, "who does this man think He is, going around forgiving sins?"

 ⁵⁰And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. Jesus said to the woman, "You faith has saved you; go in peace."

 ¹And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him. Now Jesus began a tour of the cities and villages of Galilee with His disciples to announce the coming of the "Kingdom of God."

 ²And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils. Mary Magdalene went along with Jesus after He cast out her seven devils and healed her. Just for the record; she was not a prostitute like many claim, she was possessed with evil spirits.

 ³And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. Many of the other woman were contributing from their private means to support Jesus and His disciples.

 ⁴And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable. One day Jesus gave this illustration to a large crowd that was gathering to hear Him. (Matthew 13:2)

 ⁵A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. The wayside was a path that people walked on and was frequently traveled. Matted down if you will, and would not be good for growing anything so the birds just ate up the seed.

 ⁶And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. Some fell on the shallow soil with rock beneath. The seed began to grow, but died because it had no moisture. If you don't water the seed it will not grow. (Just as if you do not nourish the soul with the word it will die). You must take interest and continue to study the word. If someone takes no interest in a truth of God's Word it will just wither away in their mind.

 ⁷And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. Just choked out the good seed. Just like false teachings and traditions of men will do to a person when they are deceived.

 ⁸And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. God does not award by how much. Every person is awarded by their God given ability and faithfulness to our Heavenly Father. Do you hear?

 ⁹And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? What does this story mean?

 ¹⁰And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. God has granted you to understand these parables about the "Kingdom of God." But, these crowds hear the words, but do not understand.

 ¹¹Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The seed is God's message to men.

 ¹²Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. The way side or hard path where some of the seeds fell represent the hard hearts of those who hear the Word (a truth), but the devil comes and steals the truth away and prevents people from believing and being saved. "If you hear a truth; Don't let someone take it away from you."

 ¹³They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. The stony ground represents those who enjoy listening to the Word, but somehow the message never really gets through to them or take root to grow. They believe it for a while then they lose it. Never quite find enough time for God!

 ¹⁴And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. The seed among the thorns represents those who listen and believe God's Word, but their faith is choked out by the worry, riches, and cares of the world. They will never be able to help anyone else believe the Good News. (I Timothy 6:9-10)

 ¹⁵But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. The good soil represents those who are honest good-hearted people. They listen to and study God's Word and share it with others with patience. (II Peter 1:5-10)

 ¹⁶No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. You represent the candle. The light represents the "Truth of Jesus Christ" for you to bring forth. (Matthew 5:15-16)

 ¹⁷For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. Nothing is hidden! Someday, everything in mans heart will be brought to light and made plain to see. (Matthew 10:26, Luke 12:2)

 ¹⁸Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. Be careful what and who you listen to. If you have a "real truth" in the Word and understand and share it, you will be given more truth and knowledge to share. But, if you have a "false teaching or tradition of men" that you cling to, even that will be taken away from you. (John 15:2)

 ¹⁹Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. The crowds were so big around the house Jesus was teaching in that his mother and brothers could not get in to see Him.

 ²⁰And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. When He heard that they were outside to see Him He remarked.

 ²¹And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. My mother and my brothers are all those who hear the Word and obey it. His message was that all who believe upon Him are His family. "We are all part of the family of God."

 ²²Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. Jesus and the disciples were out on a boat one day and Jesus suggested to them that they go over to the other side of the lake.

 ²³But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. As they were crossing the lake Jesus fell asleep and a great storm arose and they were in danger. Were they really in danger? Of course not! "Christ was with them." Even when Christ is asleep or not present, He is still with us in spirit.

 ²⁴And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. They ran over to wake Jesus and He woke up and rebuked the wind and waters and everything was calm. Christ will never give you something you can't handle, or put you in a position that is not common to man. He will always be there to show you a way out. (I Corinthians 10:13)

 ²⁵And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. Where is your faith? The winds and the waters even obey Christ; what about you?

 ²⁶And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. The people of Gadara were known as Gadarenes, although the general area was also known as the "country of the Gerasenes" after the city of Gerasa which was about 45 miles / 73 kilometers farther south. They were still mostly Gentiles in the time of Christ, and were known by their keeping of pigs.

 ²⁷And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. He was a wild man possessed with many demons and lived in the cemetery.

 ²⁸When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. The demon was speaking through the man and knew who Christ was. The demon was afraid of Christ!

 ²⁹For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness. Jesus commanded the demon to leave the man whom it often took control of. He was a tough one!

 ³⁰And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. Jesus asked his name and the demon replied "Legion." A whole legion of devils possessed this man.

 ³¹And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. They begged Jesus not to command them out into the abyss, "the bottomless pit." Satan hates the abyss!

 ³²And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. The demons preferred the herd of pigs over the abyss and Jesus said they could enter the pigs. (The lowest of the carnal flesh).

 ³³Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. After the demons entered the pigs they ran over a cliff and drown themselves. The pigs didn't even want to put up with the demons.

 ³⁴When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country. The herdsmen ran to the town and told everyone what had happened. "He killed our hogs!"

 ³⁵Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. The crowd from the town rushed out to see what happened and came upon the possessed man sitting at the feet of Jesus and the man was healed. "Rather than being thankful, the crowd was afraid."

 ³⁶They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. Those who witnessed what happened told everyone how the man was healed.

 ³⁷Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. Everyone begged Jesus to leave them because fear of loosing their livelihood came upon them. So Jesus returned to the ship to leave.

 ³⁸Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying. The possessed man Jesus healed wanted to go with Jesus, but Jesus said no.

 ³⁹Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. Jesus told the man to go back to his family and tell them what a wonderful thing God has done for you. So the man did what He said and told everyone about the miracle Jesus had done for him. Christ took this man and made a good witness out of him. Think about it, this man knew what evil was. He was possessed by a whole legion of devils.

 ⁴⁰And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. They were all waiting for His return.

 ⁴¹And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house. Jairus was a leader of the Jewish synagogue and begged Jesus to come home with him.

 ⁴²For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. Jairus had a 12 year old daughter who was dying and Jesus went with him pushing through the crowds.

 ⁴³And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any. There was a woman in the crowd who had an illness with the blood for twelve years. (Here we have a twelve year old girl dying, and a woman who was sick with a blood disease for twelve years). This is twice that the number twelve has come up and this number could very well be symbolic of the twelve tribes (the house of Israel), and how they were spiritually dead.

 ⁴⁴Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. Now this woman that was in the crowd touched Jesus (on the border of His garment) and she was immediately healed. "Why did she touch the border of His garment?" If you go back in the time of Mosses, the blue border on the robes the priests wore were signs of royalty. (Numbers 15:37-41). This woman knew Jesus was royalty.

 ⁴⁵And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? Jesus felt the woman's presence and asked; "who touched me?" Peter and the others with Jesus just thought it was someone in the crowd bumping into them.

 ⁴⁶And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. Jesus replied; no! "Someone deliberately touch Me; I felt the healing power go out from Me."

 ⁴⁷And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. When the woman realized Jesus knew she was the one who touched Him, she began to tremble and fell to her knees before Him. She told Jesus why she had touched Him and how she was instantly healed.

 ⁴⁸And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. Jesus knew the woman had great faith and told her that it was her faith than has made her whole. (Never underestimate the power of faith)!

 ⁴⁹While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. While Jesus was still speaking to the woman, a messenger arrived from the home of Jairus that the little girl was dead and there would be no need for Him to come.

 ⁵⁰But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. Believe and she shall be made whole; "all things are possible if you believe." (Mark 9:23)

 ⁵¹And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. When they did arrive at the home, Jesus would not let anyone in but Peter, James, John, and the little girls father and mother. Christ wanted only believers around at this time. (Another example in the power of faith).

 ⁵²And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. Jesus said; She isn't dead, but just sleeping. Maybe a wake up call to the spiritual dead (10 tribes), that went north to the Americas and don't even know who they are. They are kind of in a deep sleep and will come to life in the last days.

 ⁵³And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. Everyone just laughed, because they knew she was dead. (They were kind of lacking in their faith here).

 ⁵⁴And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. Jesus put them all out! Took her by the hand and said; "Get up little girl!"

 ⁵⁵And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. At that moment her life returned to her and Jesus commanded that they give her something to eat. "Also symbolic to feed Israel meat (the truth) of the Word."

 ⁵⁶And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done. The child's parents were overcome with Joy because their daughter was back with them. But, Jesus told them not to tell anyone the details of what had happened.

 ¹Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. Called the twelve disciples together and gave them power over evil spirits and sicknesses. (Matthew 10:1, John 14:12)

 ²And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. Sent them to preach the "Kingdom of God" first to build their faith, then to heal the sick. "Freely received and freely given." (Matthew 10:7-8, Mark 6:12)

 ³And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. Take nothing with you but the Word of God. Don't be a beggar! If you teach the truth of the Word, God will take care of you.

 ⁴And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. When you travel, stay in the same house until you leave town. No need to visit every house.

 ⁵And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. If the Word you are teaching is not received, leave it at that. No need to hang around where your not wanted.

 ⁶And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where. They began their circuit of all the villages, "preaching the Good News and healing the sick."

 ⁷Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead. When Herod heard of all the things Jesus was doing he was a little puzzled. The word was around that John the Baptist was risen. This kind of surprised Herod because he felt bad about beheading John.

 ⁸And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. Others thought that Jesus was Elijah or one of the other great prophets that had risen. "Here they were in the presence of one of the greatest prophets of all times."

 ⁹And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him. Herod loved to hear the Word being taught and wanted to see Jesus. (Luke 23:8). It was Herod's wife that wanted nothing to do with hearing the Word.

 ¹⁰And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. When the apostles returned, they told Jesus everything that they had done. Then Jesus and the apostles slipped away toward the town of Bethsaida. (Meaning "the fishing house").

 ¹¹And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. The crowds of people found out where they were going and followed them. (Teach the Word and they will come)!

 ¹²And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. The disciples wanted to send the crowds away to the nearby villages so they could find food and lodging. (Little doubting of faith coming here).

 ¹³But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. Christ wanted the disciples to feed them "truth of the Word," but the disciples were only thinking of food.

 ¹⁴For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. Five thousand people there to set in groups of fifty to keep order. This word "fifty" here is "Pentekonta" Strong's G4004 meaning Pentecost.

 ¹⁵And they did so, and made them all sit down. So the people all sat down as instructed to keep order.

 ¹⁶Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. Five loaves symbolic of "grace," two fish symbolic of "union and Christianity." Jesus blessed the food, but made the disciples serve it. Just as He expects you to feed the multitudes the Word of God.

 ¹⁷And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets. They all ate very well and were full. As it is written, "Those who wait upon the Lord will all receive their meat in due season." (Psalms 145:15-16). Twelve baskets of fragments (scrap or junk), were left over and were symbolic of the false teachings and leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Matthew 16:6-12)

 ¹⁸And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? Jesus asked the disciples; who do the people think I am?

 ¹⁹They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. The people were not sure who He really was, but the disciples should of known.

 ²⁰He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God. Peter knew who He was; the Messiah sent from God. Christos, "The Anointed One." (Matthew 16:16-19)

 ²¹And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing. But, Jesus told the disciples not to tell the people who He was yet because it was not time.

 ²²Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. He was preparing the disciples for the crucifixion that would take place. Written about long ago in (Psalms 22).

 ²³And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. If any man wants to follow Christ, he must turn from his selfish ways of the world and take up his cross. What does this take up his cross mean? If you want to follow Christ, prepare to be crucified by the world like Christ was, and serve Him as if you were to be crucified.

 ²⁴For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. If you try to hang onto your life (following the ways of the world), you will lose it. If you give up your life (living the ways of the world), you will save it.

 ²⁵For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? Things of this world mean nothing but destruction. If you follow Christ and His ways you will have everlasting life.

 ²⁶For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. If you are ashamed of Christ or His message, He will be ashamed of you at His return. Don't be ashamed to share a truth with someone. That simple truth might change someone and turn them to Christ. (Matthew 10:33)

 ²⁷But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. He was not talking of the second advent when He returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, He was telling them that they would see the "Glory of His resurrection."

 ²⁸And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. Jesus took Peter, John, and James up to a mountain to prey about eight days later. (The number "eight" means new beginnings).

 ²⁹And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. As Christ was praying His appearance was in a transfigured body. (Matthew 17:2)

 ³⁰And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias. Two men in transfigured bodies were standing with Jesus. Moses (the law), and Elisha (the Word). (Matthew 17:3)

 ³¹Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. Glorious to see them speaking together about His exodus from the world which would be fulfilled soon.

 ³²But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. They missed what was going on. This word "sleep" used here is "hupnos" Strong's G5258 meaning "spiritual torpor," lethargic or comatose. (Maybe they had a little to much wine).

 ³³And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. Moses and Elijah were starting to leave and Peter (not to with it), blurted out; "it's wonderful for us to be here!" Let's make three memorials, one for the each of you.

 ³⁴While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. A cloud overshadowed them and they were afraid.

 ³⁵And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. A voice form the Lord came upon them. (II Peter 1:16-17)

 ³⁶And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen. When the voice from heaven ended, Jesus was alone, and they didn't tell anyone at the time what they had seen. (Matthew 17:9)

 ³⁷And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. When they all returned many of the people met them.

 ³⁸And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. A man in the crowd begged Jesus to see his son, because it was his only child.

 ³⁹And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. The child was possessed with an evil demon that made him convulse and foam at the mouth. A lunatick! (Matthew 17:15)

 ⁴⁰And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. The man asked the disciples to cast out the demon but they could not.

 ⁴¹And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. Why couldn't they cast out the demon? Because they were faithless!

 ⁴²And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father. As the boy was coming to Jesus the demon knocked him down and threw him into a violent convulsion, but Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and healed the boy.

 ⁴³And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples. The people were all amazed at everything Jesus was doing and the majestic display of God's power.

 ⁴⁴Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. Listen and meditate on the fact that the Son of man is going to be betrayed into the hands of His enemies.

 ⁴⁵But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying. They didn't understand what He was saying. It was hid from them so that they would not know what He had meant at the time. Was the delusion upon them? (II Thessalonians 2:11)

 ⁴⁶Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. Arguing about who was the greatest. You hear a lot of this in today's world. (Everyone wants to have a title)!

 ⁴⁷And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him. Jesus knew what they were thinking. Now He would give them their answer.

 ⁴⁸And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. If you welcome a little child like this on My behalf you welcome Me. Anyone who welcomes Me also welcomes My Father who sent Me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest. (Matthew 23:11-12). Christ was the greatest of all, but He also served all!

 ⁴⁹And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. John told Jesus that they had seen someone casting out demons in His name, but they did not accept him. (They knew that in Christ's name they had power)! But, they thought it was just for them.

 ⁵⁰And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. Jesus told the disciples, "Don't stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you." And so it is today, there are a lot of Christians out their who might not believe exactly like you do, but are still doing the work of the Lord, and they are all part of the Christian family. Just watch out for the false teachers!

 ⁵¹And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem. The time was near for Jesus to ascend to heaven, and He set out for Jerusalem.

 ⁵²And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. He sent a messenger ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for His arrival.

 ⁵³And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. The Samaritans did not receive Him because they thought they had it all, and did not have any dealings with the Jews. (John 4:9). Who were the Samaritans? The people of the northern kingdom of Israel were entirely conquered and taken away from Samaria (the area south of Galilee), by the Assyrians under Sargon around (721 B.C.). About 677 B.C., the Assyrians under Esarhaddon brought people (mostly pagan), from other nations in to keep the land from turning back into a wilderness. Those non-Israelites became known as "Samaritans." 

 ⁵⁴And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? Should we destroy them James and John said to Jesus.

 ⁵⁵But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. Jesus just rebuked them and said to John and James, your not of Satan.

 ⁵⁶For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. We don't destroy people, we save them. (John 3:17). Satan is the destroyer!

 ⁵⁷And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. One of the followers of Jesus said to Him; "I will follow you wherever you go." But would He really follow Jesus?

 ⁵⁸And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. Foxes have their dens and the birds have their nests, but the Son of Man has no resting place here on earth. No ties to hold Him back from His mission.

 ⁵⁹And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus asked another to follow Him but his father was dying and he wanted to go and bury him first. What about Christ? He was preparing to die Himself, and for this man and every other man on earth.

 ⁶⁰Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. Jesus told the man; let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! You duty is to go and preach the "Kingdom of God" if you are to follow Me. (The Word comes first)!

 ⁶¹And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. Another one comes up with an excuse to go and say good-bye to his family first.

 ⁶²And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. If you are leading a team of horses or oxen and are plowing, you cannot turn your head and keep looking back or you will not plow a straight line forward. Once you pick up your cross and follow Jesus, this is your main path to follow straight on. If you keep looking back or keep making excuses, you are not fit to serve Him and are not fit "fort the Kingdom of God!" (God can't use you)!

 ¹After these things the LORD appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. The Lord sent 35 teams of two witnesses. (Numbers 11:16, Acts 13:2-4, Revelation 11:3-10)

 ²Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. The harvest is great, but the workers are few. Pray to the Lord and ask Him to send more workers in the field. Those workers (teachers of the Word), will come forth in the end times.

 ³Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Remember that I am sending you out as lambs among the wolves. Be wise as the serpent and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16). Having faith here is the key. You have the Shepherd (Christ), on your side.

 ⁴Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. Don't take any money or traveler's bag, and don't stop to greet anyone on the road. In other words; don't beg for money and beware in your travels because of the wolves. (The scammers, criminals, and false teachers).

 ⁵And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. "May God's peace be on this house" was the instructed blessing.

 ⁶And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. If those who live in the house are peaceful and receiving, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. (James 3:18)

 ⁷And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. Don't go house to house with your message. Find a worthy home and remain there till your work is done. (Matthew 10:11)

 ⁸And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. When you find those who receive your message and welcome you, enjoy their hospitality.

 ⁹And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. Heal the spiritually sick and let your message be that "The Kingdom of God is near." And never charge for your services. (Mathew 10:8), There hospitality should be pay enough.

 ¹⁰But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say. If your message is not received, just leave and don't waste your time on them.

 ¹¹Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. If your not accepted, just shake the dust of your feet and move on. Their fate is in the hands of the Heavenly Father on judgment day.

 ¹²But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. Even Sodom will be better off then a town that rejects you on judgment day. (Ezekiel 16:48-50)

 ¹³Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. The sorrows await you Chorazin and Bathsaida! (Bathsaida means "house of fishing"). If I had done the miracles I did for you at Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago. (Isaiah 23:1-18)

 ¹⁴But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. Tyre and Sidon will be better off at judgment day than Chorazin and Bathsaida. (They heard the truth and rejected it).

 ¹⁵And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. That is those who did not receive the message.

 ¹⁶He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. Jesus told the disciples that anyone who receives their message is also accepting Him (Matthew 10:40), and anyone that rejects them also rejects Christ. If you reject Christ, you reject God who sent Him. (I Thessalonians 4:8)

 ¹⁷And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. Jesus gave the disciples power over devils just as He gave us. In Jesus Name! (Luke 9:1)

 ¹⁸And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Satan is coming real soon! (John 12:31, Revelation 9:1, 12:7-9)

 ¹⁹Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. I give you power and authority over all power of the enemy. (Romans 8:31-39)

 ²⁰Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. "Written in the book of life." (Revelation 20:12)

 ²¹In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. Jesus thanked the Father for hiding these things of the spirit from those who think they are so wise and clever, and revealing them to those who are like little children. "Those who are open to the truth." "Out of the mouth of babes." (Matthew 11:25-26, I Samuel 17:44-49)

 ²²All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. Jesus was telling us that the Heavenly Father has entrusted everything to Him. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.

 ²³And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see. You are blessed to see what you have seen. "The disciples just experienced the first advent." They seen all the miracles Christ had performed and they heard the Word from the Master teacher.

 ²⁴For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. The prophets of old would loved to have seen what the disciples of Christ had seen. Even more than that, they would love to see what we see today concerning the end times. (I Peter 1:10-11)

 ²⁵And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Here we have a scripture lawyer trying to trip Christ up. (Matthew 22:35)

 ²⁶He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? What does the law of Moses say? (Romans 10:5)

 ²⁷And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. Quoting from the Old Testament. (Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18)

 ²⁸And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. You answered right Jesus replied; Do this and you will live.

 ²⁹But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? The man wanted to justify his actions and asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?"

 ³⁰And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. A Jewish man (born into Israel), was attacked by bandits and left for dead.

 ³¹And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. The priest just passed by the man with no help. (To good to help him).

 ³²And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. A temple assistant passed by the man also with no help. (Another one to good to help him).

 ³³But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. A gentile passed by the man and stopped and had compassion on him.

 ³⁴And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The gentile took care of the man.

 ³⁵And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. The man paid an innkeeper two silver coins to take care of the man, and if it took more, offered to pay the whole bill.

 ³⁶Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? Who was the true neighbor to the man?

 ³⁷And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. The man replied; "The one who showed mercy." Jesus replied; "Now go and do the same." This is the true mark of a Christian. (Proverbs 14:21)

 ³⁸Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. Martha welcomed Jesus into her home. This was the house of Mary (the one who anointed the feet of Christ), and Martha the sisters of Lazarus. (John 11:1-5)

 ³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. Mary sat at His feet to listen to the Word.

 ⁴⁰But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. Martha was busy cooking and came to Jesus and said; doesn't it seem unfair that I do all the work while my sister just sits here.

 ⁴¹And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. Martha, don't you realize that being upset over all theses details is not important? (Matthew 6:25-34)

 ⁴²But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. There is only one thing that is important here and Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her. (Luke 8:18, John 10:27-28). Mary had the living Word right in front of her and she knew it. "She wanted to learn about the Kingdom of Heaven."

 ¹And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. The disciples wanted to know the proper way to pray as Christ prayed to the Father.

 ²And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Our Father, who art in heaven (Teaching us to pray in God's will). Thy Kingdom come (Pray that His Kingdom comes soon).

 ³Give us day by day our daily bread. Give us each day, the food we need. (The bread of life which is Christ).

 ⁴And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Forgive us of our sins, and we should forgive others who sin against us. Don't let us yield to temptation.

 ⁵And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves. Then Jesus taught them more about prayer with this story. "You go to a friend to borrow three loaves of bread."

 ⁶For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? I have a visitor who just arrived and I have nothing for them to eat.

 ⁷And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. Suppose he yells out to you not to bother him because family family is asleep.

 ⁸I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. But I will tell you this; if he won't answer because he is your friend, if you keep knocking, he will answer because of your persistence.

 ⁹And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Keep asking and you will receive, keep seeking and you will find, keep knocking and the door will be open. (Take action and you will get it).

 ¹⁰For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If you take the action, the Father is always there with the answers.

 ¹¹If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? If you are a father and your child asks for bread, you don't give him a stone. If he asks for a fish, you don't give him a serpent.

 ¹²Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If he asks for an egg, you surely don't give him a scorpion.

 ¹³If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? If even sinful people give good gifts to their children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. (Proverbs 1:23, Isaiah 44:3-4, John 4:10).

 ¹⁴And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. Jesus cast out a demon from a man who could not speak, and when the demon was gone, the man began to speak and the crowds were amazed.

 ¹⁵But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. Some of the crowd said that he gets His power from Satan, the prince of demons.

 ¹⁶And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. They wanted a sign from heaven. What will it take to show these people?

 ¹⁷But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. Jesus knew their evil thoughts. Jesus went on to say to them; a kingdom divided by civil war is doomed, and a family always feuding will fall apart.

 ¹⁸If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. In other words, the devil will not cast out one of his own kind.

 ¹⁹And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. What about your own exorcists? They supposedly cast out demons also, so they will condemn you for what you have said. (They could not cast out anything)!

 ²⁰But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. If I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the "Kingdom of God" has arrived among you. (The Holy Spirit)!

 ²¹When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace. When a strong man is fully armed and guards his place, his possessions are safe. (Matthew 12:29).

 ²²But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. If Satan and the demons are stronger, they will take over the man. That is why we need the "full gospel armor" that applies to us today. (Ephesians 6:10-17)

 ²³He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. If you are not with Christ you oppose Him. God will take care of those who try to destroy the ministry. (Those who mock you)!

 ²⁴When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert searching for rest. But when it finds none, it returns to the person it came form. Don't let it! Oder it out in Jesus name and stay in the Word to keep it out.

 ²⁵And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. When it returns, it finds everything in order. (Send it back where it came from and replace it with Christ)!

 ²⁶Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. The spirit will bring other spirits with it when it returns and you will be worse off than before. (Do the job right the first time when you order out evil spirits)!

 ²⁷And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. God Bless your mother!

 ²⁸But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. Even more blessed are all who hear the Word of God and put it into practice. (Study and keep the Word of God, so that you may share it with others in need).

 ²⁹And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. This evil generation (offspring) of Satan keeps asking Me for a miraculous sign, but they will only get the sing of Jonah. (Matthew 12:38-39, 16:1-4)

 ³⁰For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. The Ninevites converted because they had seen Jonas come out of the whale. (Jonah 1:17, 2:10, Matthew 12:40-42)

 ³¹The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. The queen of Sheba will stand up against this generation (offspring), on judgment day and condemn it. (Isaiah 54:17) She came to hear the wisdom of Solomon. (I Kings 10:2-13). Someone greater than Solomon is here and they refuse to listen. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

 ³²The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. The people of Nineveh will also stand against this generation on judgment day, because they repented their sins at the preaching of Jonah. (Jonah 3:5-10), but their is one greater than Jonah here and they refuse to listen. (Hebrews 7:26)

 ³³No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. The light is the Word. When God gives you a truth, let it shine and share it with others. (Matthew 5:16)

 ³⁴The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. The eye is the mirror to the soul. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness.

 ³⁵Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. Make sure that the light you have is the real thing.

 ³⁶If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. The shinning of the "Holy Spirit."

 ³⁷And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. Jesus was invited to dinner by one of the Pharisees and excepted. He went in and took His place at the table.

 ³⁸And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner. The Pharisee was amazed that He did not first perform the hand-washing ceremony required by the Jewish custom. (Matthew 15:2-3)

 ³⁹And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. Jesus said to the Pharisee that they were so careful to clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are filthy. In other words, the hand washing was just a ceremonial ritual for the hypocrite. (Matthew 23:25)

 ⁴⁰Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? You need to cleanse your soul. (Luke 12:20)

 ⁴¹But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. Give gifts to the poor or invite them for the dinner. Righteous acts will cleanse you all over. (Luke 14:12-14)

 ⁴²But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. You tithe part of your income, but you ignore justice and the love of God. (Matthew 23:23), You can't buy your way to heaven, there is no justice there.

 ⁴³Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets. You love the best seats in the synagogues and love to receive respectful greetings. Playing church and looking so holy, but God is not there. (Luke 14:7-11, James 2:2-4)

 ⁴⁴Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them. Your like hidden grave in a field. (Dead men walking if you don't change your ways). You all appear so clean on the outside but are dirty on the inside. "True mark of the hypocrite." (Matthew 23:27-28)

 ⁴⁵Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also. You have insulted us also with what you have said one of the experts in the religious law replied. (Christ using tough love to dress them down).

 ⁴⁶And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. You experts in the religious just crush people with your unbearable religious demands, and never raise a finger to help them. Bunch of phony hypocrites! (Matthew 23:2-4)

 ⁴⁷Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. You (kenites) even build monuments to the prophets that your ancestors killed long ago. (Matthew 23:29-33)

 ⁴⁸Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. You agree with what your Fathers did to the prophets and you join in their crime by building monuments! (Their father is Satan)!

 ⁴⁹Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute. I will send them but they will be killed. (Sent to the offspring of Satan)!

 ⁵⁰That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation. This generation (offspring of Satan), will be held responsible for the murder of all God's prophets from the creation of the world.

 ⁵¹From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. Who killed Abel? Cain did! Who was Cain? The son of the devil! (I John 3:12)

 ⁵²Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. You change the Word of God to suit yourselves. Keeping the truth from you and the people. (Matthew 23:13). How many religious denominations do you know that change the Word to suit themselves? There are many of them out there today, and God is not happy with them! (Christ did not like denominationalism)!

 ⁵³And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things. They tried to trip Jesus up with a bunch of questions because they were angry.

 ⁵⁴Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him. They wanted to trap Him into saying something they could use against Him. They wanted to kill Him because people were leaving their churches to hear the truth. It's happening today; people are starving for the truth of God's Word. You may upset a lot of people by teaching truth, but stay in the Word and let God handle the rest.

 ¹In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. A bunch of false teachers! (Matthew 16:6-12)

 ²For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. A time is coming when all that is secret will be revealed. The whole truth will be made known to all. (Ecclesiastes 12:14, I Corinthians 4:5)

 ³Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. Nothing will be hidden from God, He knows your thoughts. All will be made known in the end time judgment. (Matthew 12:36)

 ⁴And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. Don't fear them that can kill your body, because they have no power over your soul.

 ⁵But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Only God can kill the soul. (Matthew10:28)

 ⁶Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? Even the sparrows are important to God, and they are not worth much in value.

 ⁷But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Don't worry! You are worth much more to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Not a hair on your head will be touched. (Luke 21:18)

 ⁸Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God. Anyone who acknowledges Christ here on earth will be acknowledged by Him in the presence of God's angels. (Matthew 25:31-34)

 ⁹But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. Anyone who denies Christ here on earth will be denied before God's angels. (Matthew 10:33)

 ¹⁰And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. When you resist the Holy Spirit to speak through you in the end times. This takes place for those who are delivered up to the anti-Christ in the hour of temptation. (Mark 13:9-12), and to those who do not obey commit the unpardonable sin.

 ¹¹And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say. Don't be afraid or worry about what to say when you are delivered up, the "Holy Spirit" will speak through you and give you all the correct answers. (Matthew 10:17-20)

 ¹²For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. This is the hour of temptation. (Luke 21:15, Revelation 3:7-11)

 ¹³And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. Trouble in the family inheritance.

 ¹⁴And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? I am not here for these matters, I came for the sins of man and to save the world.

 ¹⁵And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Beware of greed and material things of this world. Life is not measured by how much you own. (It is better to be blessed with God's riches rather than mans riches).

 ¹⁶And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully. The man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops.

 ¹⁷And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? No room for all his crops.

 ¹⁸And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones to store everything.

 ¹⁹And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. Now that I have so much stored away, it is time to eat and party. (The man was greedy and selfish and would not help others).

 ²⁰But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? You fool! You could die tonight and you only have everything you worked for here on earth. (No spiritual things stored up).

 ²¹So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Earthly wealth, but no rich relationship with God. You can't take anything with you when you die but your works. (Matthew 6:19-20)

 ²²And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. Stop worrying, God takes care of His own. (Matthew 6:25-34)

 ²³The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. You are God's creation! A unique special person created by God with a purpose in life.

 ²⁴Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? God takes care of all His children and nature itself. God knows what you need and they will be given to you if you seek the kingdom. (Luke 12:30)

 ²⁵And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? Worries of the world will only take away from your life.

 ²⁶If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? If worry can't help the little things in life, what good is it to worry over big things?

 ²⁷Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Stop worrying! God is in control!

 ²⁸If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? A bunch of worry-warts, where is your faith? (Matthew 14:31)

 ²⁹And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. God will provide. (Matthew 6:13)

 ³⁰For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. These things of the world dominate the thoughts of unbelievers. But, God knows what you need.

 ³¹But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Seek the Kingdom of God and He will give you everything you need. (Matthew 6:33), Labor in the Word for the Kingdom. ((John 6:27)

 ³²Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. The Kingdom is yours if you believe.

 ³³Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. You don't need more than you can handle. Lay up treasures in heaven by your good works. (I Timothy 6:17-19)

 ³⁴For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. If you always chase after things of the world, that is where your heart truly is. If you search the Word and serve God, that is where your heart should be. (Colossians 3:1-3)

 ³⁵Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning. Get ready to serve, and keep the light burning for everyone to see your good works. (Matthew 5:16)

 ³⁶And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Be ready at all times as though you were waiting for your Master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let Him in when He knocks. Be a good watchmen! (Matthew 24:42-44)

 ³⁷Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. Blessed are those who are watching, spiritually speaking. Watching for the true Messiah. Jesus served the disciples and He will serve you also. (John 13:4-5). Serve you what? The truth, The Light, The Word of God!

 ³⁸And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. Be a good watchman (Spiritually), and He will reward all the servants who are ready.

 ³⁹And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Stay in the Word and Satan cannot take over your house. Watch for the true Messiah and be ready. (Matthew 24:43-44)

 ⁴⁰Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Be ready at all times, the Son of Man will come when least expected. But, remember that the anti-Christ comes first! Don't fall for the snare of Satan and false teachings of man. (Luke 21:34-36)

 ⁴¹Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? Is this parable for us, or is it for everyone to understand.

 ⁴²And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? The faithful servant will feed the others of the household. Overseers to feed the church truth which Christ had purchased with His own blood. (Acts 20:28)

 ⁴³Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Blessed is he that when the Lord returns He finds his servants doing a good job. (Luke 12:37). Being a good watchman!

 ⁴⁴Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. That servant will be put in charge of all that he has. Sitting at the very table with Christ judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 12:44)

 ⁴⁵But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken. But, if the servant says the Lord will not come for a while and party's it up with the others he will be in trouble. (Ignores all the warnings), A bad watchman!

 ⁴⁶The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. When the Lord returns unannounced, He will banish such a servant with the unfaithful. Why? Because he is a unbeliever!

 ⁴⁷And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. The servant that is not prepared (one who did not carry out His instructions), when the Lord returns will be punished. In other words, those who know to do good but do not. (James 4:17)

 ⁴⁸But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. If one does not know of the truth, they would be only punished lightly. (Acts 17:30). But one who is given much truth, much will be required of him. Never hold back with the truth when you learn it. Always share it with others. (I Corinthians 9:17-18)

 ⁴⁹I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? God is a consuming fire! (Hebrews 12:29, Malachi 4:1)

 ⁵⁰But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of Me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. (John 4:34)

 ⁵¹Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division. The division is between good and evil; Christ and Satan! (Matthew 10:34-36, 24:7-10)

 ⁵²For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. Even families will be divided over Me. Division among the families and the churches. (John 10:19-21, 15:18-21)

 ⁵³The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. Take a good look today at the churches and even in your own family. One believes this way and another believes a different way. People believing different religions and doctrines of men. (Satan divides families with religion)!

 ⁵⁴And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. You know when you see this it will bring rain.

 ⁵⁵And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. When the south wind blows you know it will be a scorcher.

 ⁵⁶Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? You know how to interpret the weather, but you can't interpret the present times. Why? Because they are to lazy to study and research the Word.

 ⁵⁷Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? You refuse to see what is right.

 ⁵⁸When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. Try to settle the matter between yourselves or you may be cast into prison. The same goes with the Word of God. Try to discern the truth so that when you face the judge of the end time you will not be cast into darkness.

 ⁵⁹I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite. If that happens, you won't be free again until you have paid the very last penny. (Matthew 18:34, 25:41, 25:46)

 ¹There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. About this time, Jesus was informed that Pilate had killed some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the temple. Why? These Galileans were very likely some of the followers of Judas Gaulonitis, or Judas of Galilee; who endeavoured to draw off the Jews from the Roman government, and affirmed it was not lawful to give tribute to Caesar; at which Pilate being enraged, sent a band of soldiers, and slew these his followers; who were come up to the feast of the passover, as they were offering their sacrifices in the temple, and so mixed their blood with the blood of the Passover lambs. (Acts 5:37)

 ²And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people just because they were killed?

 ³I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Not at all! You will perish also, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.

 ⁴Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? What about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them. Were they worse sinners? Not at all, they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

 ⁵I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Again, You will perish also, unless you repent of your sins.

 ⁶He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. There was no fruit to harvest.

 ⁷Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? Cut it down, it's just taking up space and producing no fruit. (Matthew 3:10)

 ⁸And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it. Give it another chance and I will feed it some more. How many chances have you had to hear the truth?

 ⁹And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, we will cut it down. Except the truth or you will be gone! (John 15:2)

 ¹⁰And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. Teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath.

 ¹¹And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. Crippled by an evil spirit for 18 years (18=bondage), and could not stand up straight. Spiritually in bondage for 18 years!

 ¹²And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. Jesus called to her and said, "Woman, you are healed of your sickness!"

 ¹³And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. He touched her and she instantly could stand straight. Do you stand straight when He touches you? The Word will give you strength to stand against all your enemies.

 ¹⁴And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The leader of the synagogue was upset because Jesus healed on the Sabbath day. (Matthew 12:10-12)

 ¹⁵The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? Hypocrites! You do it for your animals by leading them to water on the Sabbath because they are your investment.

 ¹⁶And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? Here we have a daughter of Abraham who has been in bondage for 18 years. It is only right that she be released, even on the Sabbath. There was no law against healing on the Sabbath, especially for Christ, "Lord of the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27-28)

 ¹⁷And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him. They were ashamed because they would have never helped this woman. But, Christ freed her!

 ¹⁸Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? How can I explain what the Kingdom of God is like?

 ¹⁹It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. Like a tiny mustard seed that grown into a tree. Then the birds of the field come and make nests in the branches. (Matthew 13:31-32)

 ²⁰And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? What else is the Kingdom of God like?

 ²¹It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. It is likened to the bread of life. The good leaven makes it grow into the body of Christ.

 ²²And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Teaching along the way to Jerusalem.

 ²³Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them. How many will be saved? Someone asked Jesus.

 ²⁴Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. The straight gate is to know the truth. Many will try to enter, but will not be able. Why? They take the wide path or the big gate of Satan's deception and lies. The ways of the world and false teachings. (Matthew 7:13-14)

 ²⁵When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are. When the master of the house has locked the door, it is to late. You will knock but the door will not open and He will reply; I don't even know you! Why? Because of false teachings and deception. You need to study and learn the truth in the Word. (Matthew 7:13-14)

 ²⁶Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. We did all the things that look so holy and you taught in the streets. (Followed all the rituals and even took communion). (II Timothy 3:5)

 ²⁷But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. I don't even know you or where you come from He will say, All you who do evil. (Psalm 1:6)

 ²⁸There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. People will be so ashamed and weeping because they see all the prophets and followers of Christ in the Kingdom of God, but they will be thrown out. (A bunch of hypocrites that just go to church for show, never learning the truth of the Word). (Psalm 112:10)

 ²⁹And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. People will come from all over the world to take their place in the Kingdom of God. The gathering of the Jews and Gentiles! (Isaiah 43:6, 49:11-13, Mark 13:27, Acts 28:28)

 ³⁰And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last. We are speaking of those who were chosen in the first earth age, to stand and serve God in the last generation. (Matthew 19:30, 20:16). I believe Christ was also talking of those who seem to be so important now (false teachers), will not be so important in the end times. But, those who seem not so important now (those who know and teach truth), will be the greatest in the end times gathering.

 ³¹The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. Jesus was told that it was Herod's wish to kill Him.

 ³²And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Jesus replied, "Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow; and the third day I will accomplish all that I have come for." (John 17:4-5)

 ³³Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. I must proceed on my way. It wouldn't do for a prophet of God to be killed except in Jerusalem. (Matthew 20:18)

 ³⁴O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers! I tried to teach and protect you but you wouldn't listen. (Matthew 21:35-36, Acts 7:52)

 ³⁵Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Your house is abandoned and you will never see Me again, except when you say, "Blessings on the One who comes in the name of the Lord!" (John 7:34-36, Psalm 118:26, Mark 11:10)

 ¹And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. Jesus went to have dinner in one of the homes of the Pharisees, and the people were watching Him closely. (Always waiting to accuse Him of something).

 ²And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. Swollen arms and legs usually caused by chronic heart failure.

 ³And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law?

 ⁴And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go. They refused to answer Him and He healed the man and sent him away.

 ⁵And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? If one of your animals falls into a pit on the Sabbath, won't you save him Jesus said to them?

 ⁶And they could not answer him again to these things. Again they could not answer Him.

 ⁷And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them. Jesus noticed the people trying to sit in the seat of honor. (Always trying to sit in the front row of the church).

 ⁸When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him. Don't rush to the seat of honor. That seat may be saved for someone more important. (In these times there were many disputes about seats at banquets).

 ⁹And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. If you take the seat of honor, the host may come to you and say; "give this person your seat," then you will be embarrassed and have to take whatever seat is left.

 ¹⁰But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your hosts sees you, he will say, "friend, we have a better seat for you over here." (Proverbs 25:6-7)

 ¹¹For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Those who think they are so great will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Psalm 138:6, James 4:6)

 ¹²Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. Don't just entertain each other with friends and family. You won't get much reward there. (Especially when you are teaching and feeding the Word).

 ¹³But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. Spiritually speaking, invite the poor and sick in spirit. The sinners and those who are spiritually blind. 

 ¹⁴And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who were in need. (John 5:29)

 ¹⁵And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. "What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God." (Matthew 8:11, Revelation19:9)

 ¹⁶Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many. Prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations.

 ¹⁷And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. Tell the guests that the banquet is reaady.

 ¹⁸And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. But, they all had excuses not to attend.

 ¹⁹And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. More excuses! Just like today, when the majority of the people have no time for the truth of God's Word.

 ²⁰And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. Always trying to please the wife with things of the world. (I Corinthians 7:33)

 ²¹So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. They don't want to come; invite those in the streets, alleys and towns, and all who would like to attend.

 ²²And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. We still have more room.

 ²³And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. Go out and search for more to attend the feast so the house will be full.

 ²⁴For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. None of the first I have invited will even get a small taste of my banquet.

 ²⁵And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them. And a large crowd was following Jesus. They wanted to hear the Word and the Word draws them.

 ²⁶If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. This word "hate" in the Greek is "Miseo" G3404 Strong's Concordance, "to love less." If you want to be a disciple of Jesus, you must put Him first above all others.

 ²⁷And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. If you do not carry your own cross and follow Christ, you cannot be His disciple. (Mark 8:34-37). They persecuted and did not listen to Christ. When you take up the cross and follow Christ they are going to do the same to you.

 ²⁸For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? But, don't begin till you count the cost. It's not going to be an easy road to follow at times and many will hate you. (Matthew 10:22, I Thessalonians 3:4-5)

 ²⁹Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him. If you run out of money when building and only complete the foundation, people will laugh at you. (The same will happen to you if you teach the Word and don't know what your talking about).

 ³⁰Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Started something and could not finish it. (Never be a quitter)!

 ³¹Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? No king goes to war against twice as many of the enemy without first discussing it with his generals.

 ³²Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. If he knows he cannot defeat the enemy he will discuss terms of peace.

 ³³So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. So, you cannot become My disciple without giving up everything you own or know of the world. (You must first empty your cup to allow it to be filled with truth).

 ³⁴Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? Be a little salty when teaching the Word. Our Lord expects it of you. (Matthew 5:13, Mark 9:49-50, Colossians 4:6)

 ³⁵It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Be salty and don't lose your drive. Teach the Word boldly and with truth and meaning and God can use you. If you don't, you are no good to others. (John 15:6)

 ¹Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. All the sinners often came to hear Jesus speak.

 ²And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. All the Holier than thou people and teachers of the religious law didn't like the fact that He associated with sinners. (That is who Christ came to save, so why wouldn't He associate with them). You don't need to be afraid to hang around sinners as long as you are in Christ. These are the people who need to be reached.

 ³And he spake this parable unto them, saying. Jesus tells them another story.

 ⁴What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? If a man has 100 sheep and one of them goes astray, what will he do? He will leave the 99 and go search for the lost one. Just as the sinners are lost, sometimes we loose are way and need to be rescued by the Heavenly Father. (John 10:15-16, I Peter 2:25). And lets not forget that all men are sinners! (Romans 3:23, I John 1:8-10)

 ⁵And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. When he finds the lost one he rejoices. Just as the angels rejoice in heaven when someone repents and is saved. (Luke 15:10)

 ⁶And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. All his friends and neighbors will rejoice with the angels when the lost one is found. (When one would come to repentance).

 ⁷I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. There is much joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God. Even more joy than over the ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away! (Every soul is important to God).

 ⁸Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? If a woman has ten silver coins and loses one, won't she "light a lamp" and sweep the entire house until she finds it. You can find that light through the Word. (Seek diligently and you will find that light in Christ)!

 ⁹And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Rejoice when help one find his or her way to Christ.

 ¹⁰Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. There is joy in the presence of God's angels when one finds their way to Christ through repentance.

 ¹¹And he said, A certain man had two sons. Another story to illustrate the point further. A man had to sons.

 ¹²And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. The younger son wanted his part of his fathers estate before the father died and the father agreed. He divided his estate between the two sons.

 ¹³And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. Lots of friends and partied the money away.

 ¹⁴And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. When the money ran out there was a famine in the land and he began to starve and was in need.

 ¹⁵And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him to feed the swine. (The lowest of the carnal flesh there is).

 ¹⁶And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. The man was so hungry that the pigs feed looked good to him. But no one fed him!

 ¹⁷And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! When the man came to his senses, he said to himself; my fathers servants have it better than I do with plenty of food to eat, but here I am starving. (Kind of like families today, the kids never want to leave home because they know they have it to good).

 ¹⁸I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee. I will go to my father and tell him that I have been living the ways of the world and have sinned.

 ¹⁹And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. I am no longer worthy to be called your son, please let me come home and at least be a hired servant.

 ²⁰And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. The father saw him coming home and was filled with compassion. (The father seen that the son had a change of heart and welcomed him back). This father represents our Heavenly Father. He is filled with compassion when one of His children have a change of heart and return to Him.

 ²¹And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. The son was apologetic to his father for his ways. (Just as we need to repent to the Heavenly Father for our ways when we fall short).

 ²²But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. Bring the finest robe, a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet. "Representing the gospel armor." (Ephesians 6:13-17)

 ²³And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry. Celebrate with a feast.

 ²⁴For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. The lost lamb was found and now it's time to celebrate.

 ²⁵Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. Here comes the older son from working in the fields, and he hears the music.

 ²⁶And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. Wants to know what all the celebrating is about.

 ²⁷And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. Your brother is back and we are all celebrating. (Just as the angels celebrate when one returns back to the Heavenly Father).

 ²⁸And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. The elder son would not go in so the father begged him to come in and celebrate.

 ²⁹And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. I have always did everything you asked me and you never had a feast for me with my friends. The older son did not realize that he would receive his inheritance later. "Just as we will receive our inheritance on the Lord's day." (Ezekiel 44:28), We inherit our Heavenly Father along with eternal life.

 ³⁰But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. He was angry and jealous.

 ³¹And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. You have always stayed by me and everything is yours the father said to his elder son. (Just as the elect will inherit everything God owns).

 ³²It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. The younger brother was lost and spiritually dead and came back to life. It was his own fault that he got caught up in the things of the world, but he repented and came back to his father as well as the Heavenly Father. Just as when we stray away, we can come back because of God's mercy and grace toward us. (Ephesians 2:1-10)

 ¹And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. There was a man who had a manager to handle his business, but the man found out the manager was wasting his money.

 ²And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. Lets open the books and see what is going on here because I am thinking of firing you.

 ³Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. The man thought to himself, If I am fired what will I do now? I am not strong enough to work construction and I am to proud to beg.

 ⁴I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. I know what to do so I will have plenty of friends to help me. (A little scamming ready to go down).

 ⁵So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? He asked every one who owed his employer money to come and discuss the situation with him.

 ⁶And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. One of the men said, I owe your boss 800 gallons of olive oil. The manager told him to take the bill and change it to 400 gallons. (Here comes the ways of the world, lets see who we can scam today)! How many scammers do you know out there? Always trying to get ahead at the cost of others.

 ⁷Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. Another man owed 1,000 bushels of wheat, and the manager said to change it to 800 bushels.

 ⁸And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. The rich man was kind of impressed with the dishonest manager for being so shrewd. He came to the conclusion that it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light. (In other words, it is wiser to do evil in this world). But, you can't fool God! (Luke 16:10, I Corinthians 3:18)

 ⁹And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. Use your worldly resources to help others and make friends. "Don't con and scam people in life." Then you will be welcome to an eternal home.

 ¹⁰He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. Faithful in little things, and you will be faithful in bigger things. But, if you are dishonest in little things, you will also be dishonest in bigger things. (Matthew 25:21)

 ¹¹If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? Untrustworthy in worldly things, God won't trust you with the true riches of heaven. (Proverbs 8:18-19, Ephesians 3:8), knowledge in the Word are the riches of Christ.

 ¹²And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? If you cannot be trusted with other peoples things, why should you be trusted with things of your own. (God will only give you what you can take care of).

 ¹³No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. You cannot serve God and money. (Matthew 6:24), this mainly applies to ill gotten gains. However, there are many people with "honest wealth" that still cannot serve God because they are into worldly things, and their money always comes first. Yes, even wealthy pastors. There is a very "fine line" between ill gotten gains and so called honest worldly gains. Example: People think that when they invest in the stock market and become wealthy, that their gains are totally honest. Not so! Remember that the stock market is one of the biggest manipulated markets on the planet. Your money is pooled together with all kinds of ill gotten gain money. The only objective is to get wealthy. I know that this may offend many, but it is true. Am I telling you to cash in your 401k? Not at all! "God knows your heart." I am just trying to make a point that the line is very fine between ill gotten and legal gains. Your priorities should be "God first" and not the money and He will give you all that you need.

 ¹⁴And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. They dearly loved their money and just scoffed at Him. (Isaiah 56:11, Jeremiah 6:13)

 ¹⁵And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. They appear so righteous and holy in public, but God knows their hearts. The things the world honors, is detestable to God.

 ¹⁶The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the message of the prophets were the guides. Now the "Good News" of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in.

 ¹⁷And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. However, the old law still stands. (Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 5:18, Romans 3:31, I Peter 1:25). What law? The ten commandments!

 ¹⁸Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery. In the old law if one divorces and remarry commits adultery. However, Christ's law says that He can forgive sin. (Deuteronomy 24:1-2)

 ¹⁹There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day. Living in luxury and he had it all.

 ²⁰And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores. Lazarus was in a very poor state.

 ²¹And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. Lazarus (Elazar), meaning (God is my help). He was longing for scraps from the rich mans table.

 ²²And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried. The poor man died and went to heaven, and the rich man died and went to hell.

 ²³And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. He was on the wrong side of the gulf. When the physical body dies the spirit body returns to paradise. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Read our newsletter titled "Where are the dead" for a better understanding.

 ²⁴And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. The flame of shame and embarrassment. There is no real hell till after the millennium and judgment day. Hell is simply the "grave" or "garbage pit" until after the great white throne judgment. "Then it will become the lake of fire that can destroy the soul."

 ²⁵But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. Lazarus had nothing but was comforted by God because he was righteous. The rich man was in anguish because he had it all and only cared for the things of the world.

 ²⁶And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. There is a great gulf (Chasm), separating the two men. You can't cross the gulf and this is the holding place for both good and evil. "Good on one side and evil on the other side."

 ²⁷Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house. The rich man was hell bound and wanted to warn his family.

 ²⁸For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. I don't want my five brothers to end up in this torment.

 ²⁹Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. Moses and the prophets have warned them if they read it. It all there for those with eyes to see and ears to hear.

 ³⁰And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. "Christ came back from the dead and they did not listen to Him."

 ³¹And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. They wouldn't listen to Moses and the prophets and they won't listen to someone who rises from the dead. And so it is!

 ¹Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! When you teach the truth as a Christian, many will make fun of you and tempt you for your beliefs. But, God will always handle the one who does the tempting. I know this through personal experience.

 ²It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. If someone out there is making it hard for you when you are working for the Lord, He will take care of that person. Even as far as eliminating that person if need be.

 ³Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. Be careful! If another believer offends you, rebuke that person, and if they repent, forgive them.

 ⁴And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. Even if they keep offending or sinning against you, but ask for forgiveness, you must forgive them.

 ⁵And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. Show us how to have more faith.

 ⁶And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. Many interpret this to be the mulberry tree. But why did Jesus use the sycamine tree in His illustration? The sycamine tree and the mulberry tree were very similar in appearance; both trees produce a fruit that looked identical. However, the fruit of the sycamine tree was extremely bitter. (Represents the bitterness of those who make it hard for true Christians). The fruit of the sycamine tree looked just as luscious and delicious as a mulberry fig, but when a person tastes the sycamine fig, they discover it's bitterness. "Kind of like a deceptive tree." (Just as many so called Christians teachers look so holy, but have no truth in them). What they teach is bitter to those who know the truth.

 ⁷But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? The master usually never invites the servant to join him at dinner.

 ⁸And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Common practice for the servant to prepare the masters meal first.

 ⁹Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. The master does not thank the servant for doing what he was commanded to do.

 ¹⁰So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. In the same way, when you obey Christ you should be like an unworthy servant who has simply done his duty. Remember the subject; "They asked how to have more faith." Christ told them how. Make sure your faith is in the Master Jesus Christ. Where does your faith come from? Faith comes from hearing the Word of God! (Romans 10:17)

 ¹¹And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. The north country.

 ¹²And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off. Ten lepers stood at a distance. (Usually 100 paces off).

 ¹³And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. Crying out to Jesus to have mercy on them.

 ¹⁴And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. Go show your priests now and see what they say. (As they went they were cleansed of their leprosy).

 ¹⁵And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God. Praised God for his healing!

 ¹⁶And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. The man who thanked Him was a Samaritan. Remember that Christ rebuked the Samaritans because they did not receive Him. (Luke 9:52-56), this one man received Him.

 ¹⁷And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? Where are the other nine that I healed.

 ¹⁸There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. Is this stranger the only one who give the glory to God?

 ¹⁹And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. Your faith has healed you.

 ²⁰And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. One of the Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God will come? "Jesus replied that the Kingdom of God can't be detected by visible signs."

 ²¹Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. The Kingdom of God is right in the midst of you. (Matthew 12:28)

 ²²And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. You will long to see when the Son of Man returns, but you won't see it Jesus said to His disciples. (They would not see it, but you might).

 ²³And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. They will say in the end times. Here He is, but don't follow them. (Mark 13:21-23), don't fall for the false Christ!

 ²⁴For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. "You will know when Christ returns." (Matthew 25:31, II Thessalonians 2:2). His day is the Lord's Day. The 1,000 year millennium. (II Peter 3:7-8)

 ²⁵But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. But first the "Son of Man" must suffer and be rejected by this generation. (Matthew 17:22-23, Mark 10:33)

 ²⁶And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. It will be just as in the days of Noah when Christ returns. (Matthew 24:37-39)

 ²⁷They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. In those days the people were drinking, marrying and partying right up till the time Noah and (2) of every flesh entered the ark. (Genesis 6), Read our newsletter "The Fallen Angels" for a better understanding of what happened in Noah's day.

 ²⁸Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded. The end times will be as in the days of Lot. People were about their daily business of selling, scamming, eating, drinking, and partying. Sound familiar? This word "planted" used here is to instill doctrine. "False doctrine and traditions of men." (James 5:1-5)

 ²⁹But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. The morning Lot left Sodom, then the fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. "God won't tolerate this type of behavior." This was an example to us. (Jude 1:7)

 ³⁰Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. Business as usual until the Son of Man is revealed. (II Thessalonians 1:7). The time is near my friend!

 ³¹In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. On that day you won't need to pack anything from your home. "To late, Christ has returned and the end is here." (Mark 13:14-16)

 ³²Remember Lot's wife. You remember what happened to her. (Genesis 19:26)

 ³³Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. Cling to your life and you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it. (Matthew 16:25, Mark 8:35-37, John 12:25, Revelation 2:10). Make a stand against anti-Christ!

 ³⁴I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Don't fall for the anti-Christ! (Matthew 24:40-41). Many try to tie this to the rapture. Don't fall for it! Read our newsletter "Rapture deception" for a better understanding.

 ³⁵Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Taken by anti-Christ!

 ³⁶Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Again taken by anti-Christ! Remember that there are two tribulations here. Tribulation of the anti-Christ and the tribulation of the true Christ.

 ³⁷And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. Where will this happen? Where the eagles gather together. Again there is two tribulations. (Matthew 24:28-31)

 ¹And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. Ask in your prayers till you receive. (Philippians 4:6)

 ²Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man. A judge that neither feared God nor cared for the people.

 ³And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. The woman wanted justice in a dispute with her enemy.

 ⁴And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man. Ignored her for w while.

 ⁵Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. This woman was persistent in her matter and was driving him crazy with her request. So he finally listened to her.

 ⁶And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. Learn a lesson from this unjust judge.

 ⁷And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? Even this judge rendered a just decision in the end, so don't you think God will hear you when you in your prayers. God hears you; when the time is right, He will answer you.

 ⁸I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? God will grant justice to His chosen people who have the faith. (Faith is obeying God without question), but how many will He find with faith at His return? "Only those with faith and remain till the end will be saved." (Matthew 24:9-13)

 ⁹And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. A bunch of self righteous hypocrites. (There's a lot of them in today's world). Those who trust in themselves and think they can work everything out on their own.

 ¹⁰Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. One a Pharisee and the other a despised tax collector.

 ¹¹The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I am not a sinner like the others the Pharisee said. (A self-righteous hypocrite).

 ¹²I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. Thought he was doing the right thing and looking so holy. (Can't buy your way to heaven).

 ¹³And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. The tax collector was repenting.

 ¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. The sinner (the tax collector), returned home justified before God. "Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12)

 ¹⁵And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. They didn't want the children to bother Jesus.

 ¹⁶But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Jesus called for the children, because the "Kingdom of God" belongs to those who are like these children. (Matthew 18:3-4)

 ¹⁷Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. If anyone does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child they will never enter it. (Mark 10:15). In other words, a child will believe anything that you say. They believe every word. Just as we should believe when we study God's truth in the Word.

 ¹⁸And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? How do I get to heaven good master?

 ¹⁹And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. He didn't realize who he was talking to.

 ²⁰Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. Christ gave him the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth commandment, but left off the tenth. (To covet thy neighbors property). The man was a scammer and rip off artist.

 ²¹And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. I obeyed all these commandments you spoke of the man said. (But, he forgot about the tenth commandment not mentioned).

 ²²Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. Sell everything you have and give it to the poor. Then your treasures will be in heaven. (It's hard for one that clings to money and material things to part with them). Take a look at all the pack-rats you may know. Can't part with anything, even if it is junk.

 ²³And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. This man was rich with ill gotten gains. Always clinging to his money and possessions. (Sound familiar)?

 ²⁴And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! It's so hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. (Ill gotten gains or legal gains, if you can't part with money or material things, you will not make it to the kingdom of God). You can only take your good works with you to Heaven.

 ²⁵For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Matthew 19:23-25). The needle gate is the night gate. A small door in the main gate that was used at night to enter in the city. If you had your camel with you at night you would need to unload your camel before it would fit through the needle gate (small entrance door), to the city. The analogy here is that you will need to unload not only your ill gotten gains, but also all your riches that you may be clinging to before you can enter the kingdom of God. You can't put money and material things before God as many do today. They believe in God as long as it don't mess with their money or material wealth. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24). This word mammon here is "mammonas" Strong's Hebrew dictionary G3126, "wealth that is avarice (deified). (Avarice is a intense desire for possessions and wealth).

 ²⁶And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? Those who heard this said, "Who in the world can be saved?"

 ²⁷And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. "All things are possible with God." (Matthew 19:26)

 ²⁸Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. We left our homes and gave it all up to follow you Peter said to Christ.

 ²⁹And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake. Those who give all this up to follow Me will be rewarded. (Matthew 10:37-39), We are to love are family members less than Christ, not hate them or give them up as family. Always put God first over everyone or everything.

 ³⁰Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. Those who put God first in their life will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come. (I Timothy 4:8, Revelation 3:21)

 ³¹Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. Jesus took the twelve disciples aside and told them that all the predictions of the prophets concerning the "Son of Man" will come true. "It is written n the old testament." (Psalms 22, Isaiah 53)

 ³²For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on. He will be handed over to the Gentiles (Romans), and will be mocked and treated shamefully. (John 19:1-5)

 ³³And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. They will flog Him with a whip and kill Him, but on the third day He will rise again. (I Corinthians 15:3-4)

 ³⁴And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. They could not see it. (Mark 9:32)

 ³⁵And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging. There was a blind beggar sitting beside the road.

 ³⁶And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. He wanted to know what was going on when he heard the crowds pass by.

 ³⁷And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. They told him that it was Jesus passing by.

 ³⁸And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. The man began shouting, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" He was calling Him by His birth right. (Jeremiah 23:5)

 ³⁹And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. The crowed told him to shut up, but he cried louder.

 ⁴⁰And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him. Jesus heard the man and ordered him to be brought forward.

 ⁴¹Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. What do you want from Me Jesus asked? The man wanted his sight back.

 ⁴²And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. Receive your sight Jesus replied; "your faith has saved you."

 ⁴³And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God. Instantly the man was healed and could see, and he followed Christ. The man was chosen to follow Christ who had called him out of the darkness and into His light. "Just as He calls us out of darkness into His marvelous light." (I Peter 2:9)

 ¹And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Jesus made His way through the town of Jericho.

 ²And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector in the region.

 ³And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. He was a short guy and could not see Jesus over the crowd of people.

 ⁴And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. He climbed a sycamore tree (Egyptian fig tree), so that he could see Jesus as He was passing by. "Amos the prophet was a gatherer of the sycomore fruit." (Amos 7:14)

 ⁵And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. Christ knew his name and that he was in the tree and wanted to use his house, so He called him down.

 ⁶And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. Zacchaeus was excited that Jesus called to him by name.

 ⁷And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. The other people were jealous and angry that Jesus wanted to be a guest of a notorious sinner. A bunch of self-righteous hypocrites. (Never worry about what others may say or think about you). If God wants to use you, that is all that is important.

 ⁸And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, "I will give half my wealth to the poor, and the people I have cheated out of their taxes I will give them back four times as much. (Sounds like a repenting sinner, or not even a sinner at all to me). He would be considered a fair man in Gods eyes.

 ⁹And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. Salvation has come to this house today. This man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. (Galatians 3:7)

 ¹⁰For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Jesus came to save the lost, but these people thought that they were not lost.

 ¹¹And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. These people were under the impression that the "Kingdom of God" would begin right away. "Jesus wanted them to know that there was more than one advent." (II Thessalonians 2:1-3)

 ¹²He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return. "Second advent!" (Hebrews 9:28)

 ¹³And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. Invest this silver till I return. (Christ gave them the truth).

 ¹⁴But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. The people hated him and did not want him to be their king. (Just what the Kenites would say about Christ).

 ¹⁵And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. After he was crowned king, he returned and called in all the servants to find out what their prophets were.

 ¹⁶Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. Ten times the original amount.

 ¹⁷And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. The faithful servant that invested his money well was given ten cities as his reward.

 ¹⁸And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. This faithful servant made five times the amount he invested.

 ¹⁹And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. He was made governor over five cities as his reward.

 ²⁰And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin. This servant invested nothing. He just kept the money and hid it to keep it safe. (Didn't share the truth with anyone). You can't keep a truth to yourself, we need to share it with others or you are no good to our Heavenly Father.

 ²¹For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. He feared the king and did not want to take any chances.

 ²²And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow. I expected you to do it.

 ²³Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? In the bank, at least I would have earned a little interest. (A little truth goes a long way)!

 ²⁴And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. He knows that person will share the truth.

 ²⁵(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) He already has so much.

 ²⁶For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. Those who share the truth, more will be given. But, those who do nothing, even what little truth they have will be taken away. (You can see it today, when those who hear the truth in the Word but just ignore it and do nothing with it). "Soon they forget what they were given."

 ²⁷But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. Judgment day! It is coming soon my friend. Coming for those who did not want the truth and did not except what Christ was offering them. (Just another day of getting by for them is all that is important).

 ²⁸And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem. Headed towards Jerusalem.

 ²⁹And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples. Mount of olives was one of His favorite places.

 ³⁰Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. They were instructed by Jesus to bring the donkey to Him. (All pre-arranged by the "Holy Spirit).

 ³¹And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. Just tell them the Lord needs the donkey and they will understand.

 ³²And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. They went and found the colt.

 ³³And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? Why do you need the colt the owner asked?

 ³⁴And they said, The Lord hath need of him. The Lord needs the colt they replied. Again, He arranged this through the Holy Spirit.

 ³⁵And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. Covered the colt with their garments.

 ³⁶And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. And they spread their garments on the road ahead of Him. (Matthew 21:8)

 ³⁷And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen. His followers began to walk along side Jesus praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. "The Hosanna entry!" Hosanna is a Hebrew word meaning "please save or save now."

 ³⁸Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord. (John 12:12-13)

 ³⁹And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. These so called teachers wanted Jesus to rebuke His followers for saying these things. They didn't like it! (John 11:47-48)

 ⁴⁰And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. If these followers don't cry out nature and creation will. (Psalms 98:7-9, Isaiah 55:12)

 ⁴¹And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it. As He entered the city He began to weep. Why? Because they have been deceived and the city was in control by the prince of darkness.

 ⁴²Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. Peace was hidden from their eyes because they have been deceived. Just like what is happening today. (Matthew 13:14-15)

 ⁴³For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side. This is prophecy for the future in the end times.

 ⁴⁴And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. This will take place when Jesus returns in the second advent. (Zechariah 9:9-10), The first and second advent.

 ⁴⁵And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought. The money changers. (John 2:13-17)

 ⁴⁶Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves. A den of thieves! No truth being taught their, just traditions of men and false doctrines. Not to mention the rip-off artists. How is your church doing? Do they teach the truth of the Word chapter by chapter and verse by verse? Or are they hung up on church doctrine and tradition, always asking for money and never quite getting down to the truth?

 ⁴⁷And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him. Jesus taught daily in the temple and He taught the truth; but the leading priests and teachers did not like it. (Mark 11:18), They wanted to kill Him!

 ⁴⁸And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him. The people listened to every thing He said, so the head priests and teachers did not know what to do. However, they would come up with something.

 ¹And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders. They came up to Him with hostility because they were not to happy with what He was teaching.

 ²And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? By what authority do you do these things they asked Jesus?

 ³And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me. Let Me ask you a question first Jesus replied.

 ⁴The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? Did Johns authority to baptize come form heaven or was it merely human?

 ⁵And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? Why didn't you believe in John if his authority was from heaven?

 ⁶But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. John was a prophet and they knew it, but would not listen.

 ⁷And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. Christ shut them up because they did not know what to say.

 ⁸And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. You can't answer this simple question, so I won't answer yours.

 ⁹Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. Teaching the second advent here.

 ¹⁰And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. He sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crops, but the farmers attacked the servant, beat him and sent him back empty handed. "Just as they did to John the Baptist and the other prophets that were sent to teach the Word." (Luke 13:34)

 ¹¹And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. Just as they continued to do to the prophets.

 ¹²And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. Referring to John the Baptist, the last prophet before Christ.

 ¹³Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. I'll send my Son and maybe they will like Him. "Referring to Christ." (Matthew 17:5)

 ¹⁴But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. They wanted it all, but didn't know who they were dealing with. "They crucified Jesus Christ." They wanted Him killed because they were afraid everyone would believe on Him and not in their ways. (John 11:47-50)

 ¹⁵So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? They killed Christ just as they killed the vineyard owners son. How do you think our Heavenly Father felt and what do you think He will do to those who crucified Christ? "I wouldn't want to be in their shoes."

 ¹⁶He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid. The vineyard owner will come and kill the farmers who killed his son. Then he will give the vineyard to others. But the listeners protested because they started to see where Jesus was going with this.

 ¹⁷And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? What does this scripture mean? The cornerstone that they had rejected was Jesus Christ. (Matthew 21:42, Acts 4:11)

 ¹⁸Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. This stone will become a stumbling block to some, but to others it will crush. (Isaiah 8:14-15). Again, Christ is that head cornerstone. (Psalm 118:22, I Peter 2:4-8)

 ¹⁹And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. Yes the chief priest and teachers of religious law were finally right. Jesus was speaking against them; "they were the wicked farmers." (Matthew 21:45-46), Just as it is today. "Spoken against those who deceive people."

 ²⁰And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. The religious leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They were trying to get Jesus to say something that they could report to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus.

 ²¹And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly. They knew He taught the way of God truthfully, but were going to try and trip Him up. (Never try to con God like these fools)!

 ²²Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? Is is right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?

 ²³But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking and that they were trying to trick Him up.

 ²⁴Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's. Show Me a Roman coin and who's name is on it. "Caesar's they replied." Julius Cesar was the first who caused his image to be struck on the Roman coin; and Tiberius was emperor at this time. (Luke 3:1)

 ²⁵And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. Jesus said to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. (Taxation for protection). "And give to God what belongs to God." (Mark 12:17)

 ²⁶And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace. They failed to trap Jesus up and did not know what to say. They were amazed and became silent. (This was their civil question).

 ²⁷Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him. Jesus was approached by the Sadducees; the religious leaders that did not believe in the resurrection. (The Pharisees believed in the resurrection and the Sadducees didn't). Now they were going to try and trip Jesus up with a domestic question.

 ²⁸Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Moses law states that if a man dies, leaving a wife but no children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother's name. (Deuteronomy 25:5-10)

 ²⁹There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children. There were seven brothers and the first one took a wife but died without children.

 ³⁰And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. The second brother took the wife, but also died without children.

 ³¹And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. Same with the third and all the seven brothers.

 ³²Last of all the woman died also. Finally the woman died.

 ³³Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. Who's wife will she be in the resurrection? All seven married to her.

 ³⁴And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage. Marriage is for people here on earth Jesus answered them.

 ³⁵But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage. Those who overcome will be in spiritual bodies and there will be no need for marriage or child bearing. (Matthew 22:30)

 ³⁶Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. All dead in the flesh, but not in the spirit. (I John 3:2)

 ³⁷Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Even Moses knew He was a God of the living. (Mark 12:26-27)

 ³⁸For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. They are all alive for judgment. (Matthew 10:28), The second death.

 ³⁹Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said. Jesus had all the answers and the truth will always set things right.

 ⁴⁰And after that they durst not ask him any question at all. No one dared to ask Him any more questions. (You can't trip-up or con God)!

 ⁴¹And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son? Christ had a question for them. Why is the Messiah said to be the Son of David? (Mark 12:35-37)

 ⁴²And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand. (Psalm 110)

 ⁴³Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. He will humble the enemy. (Psalm 110:5-6)

 ⁴⁴David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son? "This is the key of David." (Jesus being the offspring of David). Read our newsletter study topic titled "The Key of David," for a better understanding.

 ⁴⁵Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples. With the crowds listening, Jesus turned to His disciples and said to them, Beware!

 ⁴⁶Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts. Beware of theses self-righteous hypocrites who like to parade around in flowing robes. They love to receive respectful greetings in public and love the seats of honor in churches and at the head tables at banquets. (How many of them we see today who fit the description)!

 ⁴⁷Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation. They cheat widows out of their houses taking their money and pretend to be so pious by making long prayers in public. "For this they will be punished!" (I am sure you know who we are talking about in today's society). Just look at the churches and denominations that fit the description. Do not be deceived by these phonies!

 ¹And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. Passing the collection basket and the rich people made it known that they were making their donations.

 ²And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. Then Jesus observed a poor widow that came by and dropped in two small coins for her donation.

 ³And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all. Jesus said, "this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. (Gave all she had).

 ⁴For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. The others only gave a small part of their surplus money, "but this poor woman has given all she has."

 ⁵And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said. Some of the disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the temple and memorial decorations on the walls.

 ⁶As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. (Mark 13). Many think this took place in 70 AD when the Roman general (Titus), seized Jerusalem. What Jesus was talking about has not come to pass yet. (The wailing wall still stands). Jesus was speaking of when He returns at the second advent.

 ⁷And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? What signs do we look for the disciples asked Him? (Matthew 24:1-8)

 ⁸And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. Don't believe all those who are preaching traditions of man and false doctrines. (Matthew 24:4-5, 24:11, II Timothy 3:13, I John 4:1)

 ⁹But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. When you hear of these things don't panic, they must take place first. (Matthew 24:6), It when you hear the cry for peace, peace, peace that will be one of the signs.

 ¹⁰Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. (Mark 13:8), It's coming soon my friend!

 ¹¹And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. There will be signs from heaven. Satan will be cast out of Heaven by Michael in the end times as a sign from heaven. (Revelation 12:7-9). The famine of the end times is for hearing the Word of God. (Amos 8:11). There will also be signs in the heavens just before the true Christ returns. (Matthew 24:29-30) 

 ¹²But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. You will be delivered up if you are one of God's elect. (Matthew 10:16-22), but we are to stand till the end!

 ¹³And it shall turn to you for a testimony. The "Holy Spirit" will speak through you. (Luke 12:10-12)

 ¹⁴Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer. Don't worry and think about what you will say. (Matthew 10:19-20, Mark 13:11)

 ¹⁵For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. God will give you a mouth of wisdom through the "Holy Spirit" that none of your opponents will be able to refute you. All will hear and understand you. The Pentecostal tongue. (Acts 2:6-8)

 ¹⁶And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. Put to death is "delivered up to death." Death being the devil! (Hebrews 2:14). Yes, even those closest to you-your parents, brothers, sisters, relatives, and friends-will betray you. Why? Because they have been deceived and do not know any better.

 ¹⁷And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. Hated because of Christ. (Stay true to Him)!

 ¹⁸But there shall not an hair of your head perish. "They can't harm one hair on your head." Do you have the faith and seal of God? (Revelation 9:4)

 ¹⁹In your patience possess ye your souls. Stand firm and you will win your soul.

 ²⁰And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. You can see Jerusalem surrounded by armies now. (Luke 19:43), and the coming of the desolator is near.

 ²¹Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. It's going down now, those in Judea and Jerusalem must flee to the hills. And those in the country should remain there. (Matthew 24:16, Mark 13:5, Revelation 18:4)

 ²²For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. The days of God's vengeance and the prophetic words of Scripture will be fulfilled. (Luke 4:18-21). Again, These scriptures came true today. "It has come to pass!" This is known as the "Gap Theory" between the first advent and the second advent. (Isaiah 61:1-3), to proclaim the "acceptable year of the Lord" and the day of vengeance of our God! The first advent is when Christ came as a babe, to "heal the broken hearted," a "lamb led to the slaughter to be crucified" for the sins of the world. (Psalms 147:3). The second advent is when He comes as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" to rule with an iron rod of vengeance. (Malachi 4:1-3)

 ²³But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. Speaking of those who are spiritually impregnated and deceived by Satan. Christ left us for a while and when He returns at the second advent, He doesn't want to see you whoring around with the anti-Christ. (Hebrews 10:26-31, I Peter 4:17)

 ²⁴And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. It will come to pass as it is written. (Revelation 11:2)

 ²⁵And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring. Strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On earth the nations will be in turmoil. (Revelation 6:12-14)

 ²⁶Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth when the powers in the heavens will be shaken. (Matthew 24:29, Mark 13:25), Satan and his fallen angels. (Revelation 12:7-9), Remember that Satan comes first at the sixth trump as anti-Christ.

 ²⁷And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Then the true Christ comes with power and great glory at the seventh trump. (Matthew 25:31), and the holy angels with Him.

 ²⁸And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. "Your salvation is near!" "Christ is our redeemer."

 ²⁹And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees. Learn the parable of the fig tree. (Matthew 24:32-35, Mark 13:28-30)

 ³⁰When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. "Shoot forth," is "Proballo" Greek Strong's Concordance G4261, push to the front, to germinate. When the fig tree begins to germinate, then you know summer is near.

 ³¹So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. When these things take place, you know that the Kingdom of God is near. (Luke 12:51-57)

 ³²Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. What generation? The generation of the fig tree. (Genesis 3), the fig leaf. (Don't let anyone tell you it was the apple tree). and Jeremiah 24, the generation of May 15th, 1948 established the generation of the fig tree, when Judah became a nation.

 ³³Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. This heaven and earth "age" will pass away, but the earth and the Word will remain forever. (II Peter 3:7-14). Read our newsletter titled "Three Earth Ages" for a better understanding.

 ³⁴And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. Don't let the way of the world cloud your mind. "Be aware!" (I Thessalonians 5:6-8)

 ³⁵For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. A trap is set for the unexpected. "The return of the anti-Christ." (I Peter 5:8)

 ³⁶Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Keep alert and be a watchmen for you and your brethren so that you can escape these coming horrors and stand before the "Son of Man." (Luke 12:37-40)

 ³⁷And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. Jesus taught in the temple every day, and in the evening He returned to Bethany to spend the night on the western slope of the Mount of Olives, above the valley of Kidron. "One of His favorite places." The Kidron Valley is located on the eastern edge of Jerusalem, between the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives. (Zechariah 14:4)

 ³⁸And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him. The crowds gathered at the Temple early in the morning to hear Him preach the Word.

 ¹Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. This would be the last Passover with Christ on earth at this time. The feast of unleavened bread, "the last supper."

 ²And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. The chief priests and teachers of the religious law were plotting to kill Him. (Mark 14:1-2, Matthew 21:45-46). This should let you know who they are. Who was the first murderer? Cain was. Who was Cain? The son of the devil. (Read our newsletter topic titled "Sons of Cain").

 ³Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. What happened to Judas? "He let his guard down and Satan entered him." (John 6:70-71, John 13:2, John 13:27). Never let your guard down when it comes to Satan. That is why we should keep the gospel armor on at all times. What is this gospel armor? "The Word of God." (Ephesians 6:11-17)

 ⁴And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. Judas went to the head priests to discuss the best way to deliver Christ up. (Matthew 26:14)

 ⁵And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. Made a contract with Judas for thirty pieces of silver, (blood money), the price of a slave. (Matthew 26:15)

 ⁶And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude. He wanted to do it real sneaky, so the people would not know about it. (Matthew 26:16), "This way the people could not stop him."

 ⁷Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. Festival of Unleavened Bread, when the Lamb is sacrificed. Remember that Christ is our Passover. (I Corinthians 5:7)

 ⁸And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. The feast before the true Passover Lamb is sacrificed.

 ⁹And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? Where should the feast take place?

 ¹⁰And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. The man carrying the water would be Mark Johns father. (Acts 12:12), They met at Mark Johns house many times for prayers.

 ¹¹And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? This was all pre-arranged.

 ¹²And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. Upstairs to the large room of the house where it is already set up for the meal.

 ¹³And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. They went to the city and found everything just as Jesus said. Again, all pre-arranged.

 ¹⁴And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. They sat down together with Jesus for the Passover meal.

 ¹⁵And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer. This would be the last Passover meal with them. (John 31:1)

 ¹⁶For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. Jesus explained to them that this would be the last meal with them until its meaning is fulfilled in the "Kingdom of God."

 ¹⁷And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves. Then He took the "common cup" of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then He gave the cup to the disciples and told them to share it among themselves.

 ¹⁸For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. The true "Blood of Christ."

 ¹⁹And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. The true "Bread of Life." (He received the stripes and we received the healing).

 ²⁰Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. The cup of the "New Covenant." A covenant between God an His people.

 ²¹But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. But here sits a friend among us that will betray Me. (Mark 14:18)

 ²²And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! Determined that the Son of Man must die, but sorrow awaits the one who betrays Him.

 ²³And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. Which one of us would ever do such a thing the disciples asked each other?

 ²⁴And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. Then they began to dispute among themselves, who was the greatest among them. (Mark 9:34)

 ²⁵And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. He is say here that the kings and great men (the leaders of the country), lord it over the people, yet they are called friends of the people. (You see it in today's world among our leaders).

 ²⁶But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. He is saying here that to be a good Christian it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. (Matthew 23:8-12). Why? Because Christ served them, and He set the example. Remember in the first advent, Christ came as a servant to the people so that they may have a chance at salvation. However, in the second advent, He will come as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."

 ²⁷For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. In normal conditions, who is more important, the one who sits at the table, or the one who serves? "The one who site at the table." But not here! For I am among you as one who serves. (Luke 12:37), blessed are those servants who are doing His work when He returns.

 ²⁸Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. You were with Me in all My trials. "Those who stay till the end." (Matthew 24:13)

 ²⁹And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me. Just as My Father has granted Me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right to the Kingdom also. (Matthew 25:34, James 2:5)

 ³⁰That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Those who overcome, hang till the end, and serve the living God. They will drink at the table in the "Kingdom of God" sitting upon thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matthew 19:28, Revelation 3:21). What a fantastic opportunity!

 ³¹And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. Satan is going to find your weakness and test you. (I Peter 5:8)

 ³²But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Christ knew He would be betrayed by Simon (Peter), and that he would repent when he recovered from this.

 ³³And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. Peter was very sincere and meant what he said, but really had no control over what would happen. (This was an example to us to show how anyone can fall short at times when the devil comes upon us). Be aware!

 ³⁴And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. Christ told Peter what would happen and that he would deny Him three times. (Mark 14:30), "When Peter heard this it broke his heart."

 ³⁵And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. When I sent you out without anything but the Word, did you need anything? "Not at all." (Matthew 10:9-10, Mark 6:8-9)

 ³⁶Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. What Christ is saying here is that, "if you do not have faith, then you better take these things with you." The sword s