Mark 16:1-8

¹ When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. ² Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³ and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

⁴ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. ⁵ As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 

⁶ “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” 

⁸ Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

 
Jesus had gone on.  The Good News would go forth.

By the Will of God.

For 4 centuries, the fragile papyrus of Scripture would be destroyed. Today, we can go to the store and just purchase a Bible - something many people have died to bring us.

Lives were allowed to be sacrificed,  for many more to hear the saving hope in Jesus' Love.

Because Jesus died for us. And our faith in Him, is so important. We have this list.

 The Roman Colosseum was build by the gold from the destruction of Jerusalem and The Temple of God in 81 A. D.

When Jesus died, Claudius was Emperor of Rome. It was Claudius who imprisoned Paul, the first time. In the remote, far away country of Judea, the name of Jesus Christ and His promises and His Word, created unease for Claudius. Imagine this could occur in the time there were no mass methods of communication. It is historical fact. 16 years after the death of Jesus. Claudius has gone from prominence to being an enigma in history.

Jesus Christ has gone forth.

Claudius – Imprisoned Christians. Reigned 25 -54 AD. Emperor during the death and resurrection of Jesus. Imprisoned Paul, for his first imprisonment, house arrest.

When Jesus died, Claudius was Emperor of Rome. It was Claudius who imprisoned Paul, the first time. In the remote, far away country of Judea, the name of Jesus Christ and His promises and His Word, created unease for Claudius. Imagine this could occur in the time there were no mass methods of communication. It is historical fact. 16 years after the death of Jesus. Claudius has gone from prominence to being an enigma in history.

Jesus Christ has gone forth.

Claudius – Imprisoned Christians. Reigned 25 -54 AD. Emperor during the death and resurrection of Jesus. Imprisoned Paul, for his first imprisonment, house arrest.

Nero – Tortured, burned and vilified Christians. Blamed them for burning Rome . 54- 68 AD

Galba – Put St. Paul and others to death. 69 AD

Otho & Vittelius– only 4 months as Emperor

Vespasian – Sent Titus to destroy Jerusalem in 70 AD, it was the natural end time of Jesus’ life. It is said it is the prophecies Jesus spoke of, His forgiveness was given to the people of His generation. In that destruction, the Temple of the Jews has not been built in 2,000 years. (In 300 A.D, a third temple had the materials gathered, but earthquake, war and fire put an end to that.) Jewish Sacrifice has not been practiced for 2,000 years, it is forsaken. The Jews don’t even know why. God said Jesus was the sacrifice for you.

Titus – See Arch of Titus, still standing, in Rome today. The Temple Tools minus the Ark of the Covenant, is carved in the marble. The profit from the sack of Jerusalem is used for the Coliseum. The Coliseum was used to burn Christians until Constantine naively adopted Christianity thinking Christians would be model citizens. Still a triumph for the 1,100 Bishops, Priests, Christians proclaiming Jesus Christ for 300 years even if they would be burned alive for it.

Domitian – Hauled St. John from Ephesus and exiled him to Patmos. Continued to be fearful of Christians. Conducted one of the fiercest battles against Christians. Under Domitan, the Church split in half. Domitan Heresy - the Church is only for saints. Domitan tortured until Christians surrendered every fragment of the Gospels and New Testament he could find. 81-96. Because of Domitan – we have the word traitor . Part of the Church wanted to forever exile anyone who lied to get out of torture or gave up Scripture. Forgiveness is the business of the Church and Jesus Christ.

Because of Domitan, we only have 15 fragments of the Gospel before 96 AD. But these portions exist and date to 30 AD. Hebrews 9 tells us when Paul wrote Hebrews, the Second Temple is in operation.

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The Love of Jesus Christ opening His arms to slaves, lepers, women, the poor, the wife of the steward of Herod’s household, Nicodemus of the Sanhedrin Council and Josephus. Ian Wilson records a letter from a Jewish rabbi, of Lyracanthra, saying it would be the end of Judaism because of the incredible miracles of healing, restoration, life transformation and complete hope. These are letters confirming the Gospels show the Rabbi to be extremely unhappy. Josephus, the Israeli General turned traitor, turned Historian says Jesus was the Christ and his brother James formed the later Christian Church until martyred in 62 AD.

Trajan (c. 53 - 117) Philosopher Pliny the Younger's letter to Trajan on the subject of the Christians and the response of Trajan to Pliny the Younger. On Early Christian Writings. How to torture Christians to discredit the claims of Jesus Christ.

Hadrian (c. 76 - 138) Foxe's Book of Martyrs -- Persecution Under Trajen...... The forenamed authors, Antoninus and Equilius

Antoninus Pius (c. 86 - 161) Instead of stirring up persecution against the Christians, he extended to them the strong hand of his protection throughout the empire. Rather than give occasion to that oppression which he regarded as inseparable from an emperor's progress through his dominions, he was content to spend all the years of his reign in Rome, or its neighborhood. Under his patronage the science of jurisprudence was cultivated by men of high ability, and a number of humane and equitable enactments were passed in his name. 161 – 180 166 Christian persecution returned - The period was one of ever-increasing calamities. The earthquakes which had alarmed Asia under Antoninus were but the prelude to more serious convulsions. The Tiber rose to an unprecedented height and swept away the public granaries. This was followed by a famine, and that by a pestilence, which spread from Egypt and Ethiopia westward. Everywhere on the frontiers there were murmurs of insurrection or invasion. The year 166 was long known as the "annus calamitosus," and it was in that year that the persecution broke out and that Justin suffered. These calamities roused the superstition of the great mass of the people, and a wild fanaticism succeeded to an epicurean atheism. The gods were wrath, and what had roused their anger but the presence of those who denied them?

Marcus Aurelius (c. 121 - 180) The Thundering Legion incident (174)

During the war with the Quadi in 174 there took place the famous incident of the Thundering Legion (Legio Fulminatrix, Fulminea, Fulminata) which has been a cause of frequent controversy between Christian and non-Christian writers. The Roman army was surrounded by enemies with no chance of escape, when a storm burst. The rain poured down in refreshing showers on the Romans, while the enemy were scattered with lightning and hail. The parched and famishing Romans received the saving drops first on their faces and parched throats, and afterwards in their helmets and shields, to refresh their horses. Marcus obtained a glorious victory as a result of this extraordinary event, and his enemies were hopelessly overthrown.

That such an event did really happen is attested both by pagan and Christian writers. The former attribute the occurrence either to magic (Dion Cassius, LXXI, 8-10) or to the prayers of the emperor (Capitolinus, "Vita Marci", XXIV; Themistius, "Orat. XV ad Theod"; Claudian, "De Sext. Cons. Hon.", V, 340 sqq.; "Sibyl. Orac.", ed. Alezandre, XII, 196 sqq. Cf. Bellori, "La Colonne Antonine", and Eckhel, "Doctrina Nummorum", III, 64). The Christian writers attributed the fact to the prayers of the Christians who were in the army (Claudius Apollinaris in Eusebius, Church History V.5; Tertullian, "Apol.", v; ad Seap. c. iv), and soon there grew up a legend to the effect that in consequence of this miracle the emperor put a stop to the persecution of the Christians (cf. Euseb. and Tert. opp cit.).

It must be conceded that the testimony of Claudius is the most valuable of all that we possess, as he wrote within a few years of the event, and that all credit must be given to the prayers of the Christians given to Tertullian

Lucius Verus (co-emperor) (c. 130 - 169) with Marcus Aurelius
180 - 192

Commodus (c. 161 - 192) All these who failed to follow the decree were brought to the Senate and were tried. This decree was a forceful attempt to put down Christians completely. But the followers who believed in Jesus Christ refused to accept this and many were ready to face the trial. "The Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs" written.

Persecution slows down -

Pertinax (193)

Didius Julianus (193) .

Septimius Severus (193-211) Edict makes it illegal to convert to Christianity; persecution especially in North Africa, ca. 203: Perpetua & Felicity martyred in Carthage (North Africa)

Caracalla (211-217)

Macrinus (217-218)

Elagabalus (218-222)

Severus Alexander (222-235)

Maximinus (235-238)

Gordian I and II (238)

Balbinus (238)

Pupienus (238)

Gordian III (238-244)

Philip the Arab (244-249) .

Trajanus Decius (249-251) 250: Major Empire-Wide Persecution; Christians required to participate in Emperor Worship. Bishop Fabian of Rome martyred; Bishop Cyprian of Carthage exiled; Origen of Alexandria tortured to death.

Trebonianus Gallus (251-253)

Aemilian (253) .
Valerian (253-260) ca. 258: Bishop Cyprian of Carthage martyred
Gallienus (253-268)
Claudius Gothicus (268-270) .
Aurelian (270-275) some persecutions
Tacitus (275-276)
Probus (276-282)
Carus (282-283)
Carinus (283-284)
Numerian (283-284) .

Diocletian (284-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders. Personally sends troops to Nazareth, the Bishop of Caesarea Eusibius records Diocletian offering clemency to the nephews carefully recording their ancestry to Jesus Christ. All refuse and are tortured and put to death. Diocletian sends troops to Turkey to place the Bishop Nicholas (also known as St. Nicholas or, in German, Santa Claus, in prison.

& Maximian (286-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian Churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders

Constantius Chlorus (305-306)
Maxentius (306-312) .
Galerius (305-311)
Licinius (311-323) 311: Edict of Galerius: toleration for Christians, allowing them to worship openly

Constantine was forced as a nephew to the Emperor to go to Nazareth and torture and kill the descendents of the Brothers of Jesus. All refused to decant Jesus. All perished. A week Constantine would have to change his life. Bishop Eusebius is eyewitness to Constantines arrival and departure for this purpose.

Constantine (307-337) 313: Edict of Constantine (Edict of Milan): toleration for all religions, including Christianity; ends persecutions

Constantine's position on the religions traditionally practiced in Rome evolved during his reign. At first he prohibited the construction of new temples and tolerated traditional sacrifices; by the end of his reign, he had begun to order the pillaging and tearing down of Roman temples. The day Christianity officially arrived in the Roman Empire was in 325 A.D. The First Council of Nicaea is regarded as the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church. Invited by Emperor Constantine, about 318 world-wide Bishops (including St. Nicholas), who had risked their lives and were condemned for serving Jesus, traveled across continents and oceans, continued to risk their lives in dangerous travel, to express the basis of the Church today and choose the Books of the Bible.

(* The above information was gathered from several sources and paraphrased.)

The triumph of Christianity is actually a very remarkable historical phenomenon. ...

We begin with a small group from the backwaters of the Roman Empire. Judea wasn't even a province to send someone important to govern. Syria was the overlord for tiny Judea. 16 years go by and Claudius is very worried. After two, three centuries go by, lo and behold that same group and its descendants have somehow taken over the Roman Empire and have become the official religion. Believing in Jesus Christ and having life transformations. The life and death of Jesus Christ and the promises He brought. John 1:35-42 ~ He said to them, “Come and you will see.”

Father God, let us always remember to be grateful to the people who have protected Your Word and who proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Covid has had a year of upheaval, fear, boredom, worry, anger. We are good and tired of this virus. So much so the vaccine seems to not roll out fast enough with over 350 Million people.

We have had Political Rivalries in the News for a decade. We are tired of all the Daily Damage Reports.

This is a year we have all felt has been dictated to us.

We have the opportunity for a New Year.  New and renewed efforts, hopes and dreams. A change in direction. 

We have One of the Strongest Nations in the world in our best effort available - Prayer. With God on our side, what can't we do? The Word of God describes our prayers move the Hands of God.

Josephus set out to find a new life having been a General for Judea. Josephus changed his place in the world and became the Historian for 3  Roman Emperors. And Josephus records witnessing the Christians for Jesus. Recording Jesus has lived and His followers do not scatter.  This isn't debated historically.  Jewish Roman Josephus is debated if he actually called Jesus Messiah. The first eyewitness isn't debated.

We would have to get out the Roman Emperor chart to find some less known names to find out who Josephus worked for. When his real moment is describing Jesus.

We always have plans, God decides. We don't have to face the future with fear.  Circumstances always change. We put our Future in God's Hands. We put our Trust in Jesus Christ.

And in Unity, this Nation faces a challenge. One Nation of Republicans, Independents and even Democrats have concerns regarding the Vote. National Polls say 80% of Republicans, 26% of independents and 20% of Democrats fear the Vote wasn't counted or checked following the Law of the Legislatures governing the Nation. And this is worthy of our prayers. And this is the time and the season to pray for the Republic to have the Freedom of the Vote.

God tells us He told Ahaz, Father to King Hezekiah just one time His Son would be born to a Virgin. We don't have to badger and pester God like a corrupt Judge (The Word of God tells us we sometimes think of as God Himself). We merely pray and trust God to bring forth His Word and His Will, only one time is needed. God Himself tells us the anger of man, does not bring forth the Righteousness of God.

Jesus faced a Centurion and prayed for the man's servant to be healed. Jesus didn't divide along national or political lines. Jesus Heals us all. We all, reading this Post, want the True Strength of God in our Republic. God is Love and God is, frankly, Beautiful. 

Jesus tells us in faith, even in Pandemic planet year,  we believe the Light of Jesus shines in us all.

Abba, Holy Spirit

To be Blessed to be asked to have more Heaven on earth.

Jesus dwell in us and those we love

and we will see more Heaven on earth 

and be more Heaven on earth.

To seek You first, 

Thanking the President and Trump Administration for all their work.
The First set Vaccinated.

We Pray for the Republic and the Legal Vote.

Governor Abbott and all 50 Governors and Legislatures.

Today, and always, Senator Tim Scott,
Our Nation to heal and be united.

The end of trouble surrounding this Virus.

The Research done on the Vaccine.

For Elliott with God's continued Healing, to avoid this virus and

his loving family praying and helping him and Harby.

We believe Elliott is healed.

We pray the healing of Dee and Wayne and their daughter and son-in-law.

Father, the Truth, the Way and the Life for our ALL our Nation we pray.

We continue to pray for the Safety of All the Nations.

UK and South Africa.

The Mercy of Jesus Christ Upon Us. 

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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John 17 ~ sanctified in truth

 

John 17:1-19

“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 

9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 

11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 

12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, 

that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 

14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.




To read the early histories of the men who knew John and his disciple, Polycarp, Both Irenaeus and Tertullian record Polycarp as a disciple of John the Apostle, one of Jesus' disciples.In On Illustrious Men, Jerome writes Polycarp was a disciple of John the Apostle and John had ordained him as a bishop of Smyrna.

We read John approved of the Gospels. Bishop Papias of Hierapolis contacted as many people as he could who had seen Jesus or seen Him heal. Bishop Papias of Hierapolis then interwove the Chapters of the Gospels doing this.

We debate today if Paul wrote Hebrews suddenly after 2 millenniums, yet if you travel to the University of Michigan and pull out the Book of Hebrews owned by University of Michigan, you see the 1900-year-old documents say Hebrews was written by Paul on each cataloged page.

Paul was known to converse with Peter. Loudly sometimes.

Let's see what Paul learned about Jesus from the men who walked, lived, ate and believed Jesus from Hebrews 5.

See in this Passage, so many biblical people raised their children harshly - Adam and Eve, Isaac, Hezekiah, Hannah - Samuel's mother, Eli, Samuel, Hezekiah - in the middle of questioning (in the middle of 2 Gospels in heated discussions) exactly whom Jesus is - his parents are praised for their parenting and their family. Jesus' Holy Father is at work here. 

Jesus brings us - His Goodness.

University of Michigan owns 300 pages of the New Testament and possibly from the time the Disciple John was still alive.

Hebrews 5

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 

2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,

“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”;


6 as he says also in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”

7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.


We see the disciples and Paul spoke of Jesus by saying the days of his flesh. A man. A Son of God. And this John 17 is the Chapter Hebrews 5 is describing from talking to the eyewitnesses.

The eyewitnesses tell us:

Jesus has dealt gently with the ignorant and wayward.

Before He died for us, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to God who was able to save us from death. Jesus was making the Covenant with Father God on our behalf.

Jesus knew what was to happen next. The Chapters of Luke 1 and 2 are wonderful. God would sign on for us.

Jesus saves us from death, 

His victory is ours. The manner of this prayer is reverence. Obedient to God.

Jesus knew how to talk to His Father, Jesus has been part of creation since before Abraham. Jesus fully knew in addressing Father God what distinguishes good from evil.


Jesus was making one perfect sacrifice for us. To live with Father God always.

Jesus opened His arms for us.

Psalm 139:1-17

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!

2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

3 You search out my path and my lying down

and are acquainted with all my ways.

4 Even before a word is on my tongue,

Behold -

 O Lord, you know it altogether.

5 You hem me in, behind and before,

and lay your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high; I cannot attain it.

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?

Or where shall I flee from your presence?

8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!

If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

9 If I take the wings of the morning

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 even there your hand shall lead me,

and your right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,

and the light about me be night,”

12 even the darkness is not dark to you;

the night is bright as the day,

for darkness is as light with you.

13 For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

 Abba, Father

Deuteronomy 31:8

It is the Lord who goes before you.

He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. 

Do not fear or be dismayed.

Help us to pray,

 knowing You dwell within us. 

You've said as we pray, 

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. 

You are here.

We will never ascend to be God. You alone are God. 

And in Your Goodness, for there to be relationship, 

You choose to dwell among mankind. 

You are the Light in all of mankind.

Keep us keep alert 

and 

help our days to please You. 

We lift up the real prayer concerns of the ones we love. 

Thanking You for listening and acting upon Your Word. 

You work all things for good, for those who Love the Lord.

We pray for the encouragement in our 

world

to be and find goodness.

To put our eyes on Love, Faith and Encouragement.

Help us to Seek You First

And in Jesus Christ, we will know we will finish well.

 Thank You Father we entrust the ones we love to you, 

the people You have Given. 

Our Nation to be build up in You. 

We are glad for Your Good, Good Will. 

Amen in Jesus.

♔ LORD JESUS SAVES †

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