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NASB | Matthew 11:11 "Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 11:11 "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater [in privilege] than he. |
Subject: "Least in the kingdom of God"? |
Bible Note: Did you notice that no one sent Emmaus a note to back off the JW rhetoric? I ask a simple three-part question: If Adam did not sin, how long would he have lived? What would the earth look like if sin had not entered the world? What does this tell you about God's original purpose for the earth? Nothing could be more fundamental, uncomplicated or beautiful to ponder for intelligent humans. As for as Isaiah 9:6, I am not familiar with the questionable translation that includes "Almighty" rather than the correct "mighty." Phillipians 2:5,6 speaks for itself in that Paul encourages us to have Jesus' humble attitude - not to grasp at something that does not belong to us, but to submit ourselves to the only true, invisible God, and He will exalt us. Yahweh is God "alone," "the invisible one," "the Most High," and Jesus is the "son the God" or "son of the Most High." (Psalm 83:18; Luke 1:32; 1 Tim 1:17; John 1:18, etc. etc.) That's so simple even a child can understand it. Think of the great teacher Jesus Christ, using illustration after illustration to speak with the Jews. As a patriarchal society, would he use the relationship of father and son to convey the equality of God and Jesus? And what of the holy spirit? John says there are three witness-bearers: the water, the blood, and the spirit. The spirit a person, even God, grouped with two things important to true worship? "You originate with God, little children, and you have conquered those persons, because he that is in union with you is greater than he that is in union with the world. They originate with the world; that is why they speak what proceeds from the world and the world listens to them. We originate with God. He that gains the knowledge of God listens to us; he that does not originate with God does not listen to us. This is how we take note of the inspired expression of truth and the inspired expression of error. (1 John 4:4-6) Friendship with the world is enmity with God, yet many popular "Christian" ministers consult with world rulers. Jesus said of his disciples: "They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world. Sanctify them by means of the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:16,17) Find the people that "are no part of the world" and its divisive political wars, and you will find those 'sanctified (set apart for sacred service) by the truth.' That is, you will find the truth and it will set you free from the slavitude of false religion. Please ignore everything after the first paragraph, until you have given your response to the three simple questions. If you care to address anything else, please do so directly, for example, "This cannot be the case because . . ." For the sake of honest discussion, you may want to respond to me before reading the numerous other comments that the above facts will evoke. May you love for God and the truth motivate you in all things. Sincerely. |