The Village of JESUS' Miracles

 

What is the significance of Capernaum?

It is where most of JESUS' miracles occurred.

Amir Tsarfati, a Messianic Jew, says it most wonderfully, in that this ancient fishing village was where:

"The first time the WORD of GOD 

was teaching the WORD of GOD."

The "Living WORD" was teaching HIS Word.

To accompany this video, I also included the relevant verses Tsarfati shared about Capernaum.

Matthew 4:12-17 

King James Version

12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, 

he departed into Galilee;

13 And leaving Nazareth, 

he came and dwelt in Capernaum, 

which is upon the sea coast, 

in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:

14 That it might be fulfilled 

which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

15 The land of Zabulon, 

and the land of Nephthalim, 

by the way of the sea, 

beyond Jordan, 

Galilee of the Gentiles;

16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; 

and to them which sat in the region 

and shadow of death light is sprung up.

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, 

and to say, 

Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Isaiah 9:1-2 

King James Version

9 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be 

such as was in her vexation, 

when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun 

and the land of Naphtali, 

and afterward did more grievously afflict her 

by the way of the sea, 

beyond Jordan, 

in Galilee of the nations.

2 The people that walked in darkness 

have seen a great light: 

they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, 

upon them hath the light shined.

Isaiah 29:13 

King James Version

13 Wherefore the Lord said, 

Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, 

and with their lips do honour me, 

but have removed their heart far from me, 

and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Matthew 11:20-24 

King James Version

20 Then began he to upbraid the cities 

wherein most of his mighty works were done, 

because they repented not:

21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! 

woe unto thee, Bethsaida! 

for if the mighty works, 

which were done in you, 

had been done in Tyre and Sidon, 

they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

22 But I say unto you, 

It shall be more tolerable 

for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, 

than for you.

23 And thou, Capernaum, 

which art exalted unto heaven, 

shalt be brought down to hell: 

for if the mighty works, 

which have been done in thee, 

had been done in Sodom, 

it would have remained until this day.

24 But I say unto you, 

That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom 

in the day of judgment, 

than for thee.

2 Corinthians 5:21 

King James Version

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, 

who knew no sin; 

that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Psalm 14:2-3 

King James Version

2 The Lord looked down from heaven 

upon the children of men, 

to see if there were any that did understand, 

and seek God.

3 They are all gone aside, 

they are all together become filthy: 

there is none that doeth good, 

no, not one.

Romans 3:21-26 

King James Version

21 But now the righteousness of God 

without the law is manifested, 

being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God 

which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all 

and upon all them that believe: 

for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned, 

and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace 

through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth 

to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, 

to declare his righteousness 

for the remission of sins that are past, 

through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, 

I say, at this time his righteousness: 

that he might be just, 

and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Now we know why Capernaum was especially attacked by the fallen one.

It was where most of JESUS' miracles occurred.

And what is the fallen one, but one who forever mocks the LORD GOD?

And one who is forever envious of JESUS.

It is really up to us to find our FAITH in the LORD, and KEEP that FAITH.

Updated 13 April 2023

MYSTERY of SALVATION

 

Romans 11:25 

King James Version

25 For I would not, brethren, 

that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, 

lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; 

that blindness in part is happened to Israel, 

until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

A little over a month ago, through a previous article, I was introduced by the HOLY SPIRIT to that verse, and was particularly captivated by the mysterious phrase, "until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in".

The phrase was very telling, and very haunting.

Initially, I thought it meant "waiting for the Gentiles to reveal their true nature -- warts and all", for I was thinking about it in a "prophetic" context, of how the world is today.

Of course, that's been adjusted, by studying the meaning of the word "fulness" in Scripture.

Now, I was about to find out GOD's plan of salvation that included both Jews, and Gentiles.

I let the verse simmer in my heart.

And finally two weeks, ago, it re-surfaced, as if wanting my immediate attention, and exploration.

Thing is, I didn't know how to begin, as Scripture is a VAST source of GOD's WORD.

Moreover, I'm not a theologian.

I'm merely a baby Christian, intent on getting God's WORD right.

That's pretty much the work I do.

Mercifully, the HOLY SPIRIT woke me up very early this morning, and the pieces to the "puzzle" started "forming".

Here's the result of the Holy Spirit's guidance:

What Does "FULNESS" in the BIBLE Mean?

The ROMANS 11:25 Context

The "FULNESS" of CHRIST

Related material:

GOD's PLAN of SALVATION

Updated 31 August 2022

Has GOD Cast Away ISRAEL?

 

Romans 11:1-2 

King James Version

11 I say then, 

Hath God cast away his people? 

God forbid. 

For I also am an Israelite, 

of the seed of Abraham, 

of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God hath not cast away his people 

which he foreknew.

What a revealing chapter Romans 11 is!

All Jews can find comfort in the following verses, revealing God's PLAN for Israel.

Elias, the prophet, fearing for his life, and pained at how prophets were being killed, and God's altars were being destroyed, makes intercession with God, against Israel. 

Romans 11:4-5 

King James Version

4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? 

I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, 

who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

5 Even so then at this present time also 

there is a remnant 

according to the election of grace.

God had given Israel the "spirit of slumber":

Romans 11:8 

King James Version

8 (According as it is written, 

God hath given them the spirit of slumber, 

eyes that they should not see, 

and ears that they should not hear;) 

unto this day.

But God has a curious purpose, which may seem confusing to the fearful heart, but clear to the apostle Paul.

Romans 11:11 

King James Version

11 I say then, 

Have they stumbled that they should fall? 

God forbid: 

but rather through their fall 

salvation is come unto the Gentiles, 

for to provoke them to jealousy.

And the apostle Paul assures the Gentiles of the integrity of Israel:

Romans 11:16 

King James Version

16 For if the firstfruit be holy, 

the lump is also holy: 

and if the root be holy, 

so are the branches.

What follows is the comparison of Gentiles to grafted wild olive tree branches, which I wrote of in the previous post.

The breaking off of branches (some Jews), allows Gentiles to be grafted on the "good" tree, giving them many benefits, too.

Romans 11:22 

King James Version

22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: 

on them which fell, severity; 

but toward thee, goodness, 

if thou continue in his goodness: 

otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

In the same manner, apostle Paul reminds Gentiles not to be "highminded", for the Jews are still the "natural branches" grafted into their own olive tree:

Romans 11:24 

King James Version

24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree 

which is wild by nature, 

and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: 

how much more shall these, 

which be the natural branches, 

be grafted into their own olive tree?

Gratitude is good manners for Gentiles.

Romans 11:19 

King James Version

19 Thou wilt say then, 

The branches were broken off, 

that I might be grafted in.

God truly had a purpose for causing Israel to "slumber".

Romans 11:25 

King James Version

25 For I would not, 

brethren, 

that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, 

lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; 

that blindness in part is happened to Israel, 

until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Because Israel may be "provoked" to jealousy regarding God's GRACE upon the Gentiles, she may correct her ways, and thus, be saved, for that is the plan of God, all along:

Romans 11:26-27 

King James Version

26 And so all Israel shall be saved: 

as it is written, 

There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, 

and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

27 For this is my covenant unto them, 

when I shall take away their sins.

Unbelieving Jews may seem enemies to believing Gentiles, but the "elect" are "beloved for the father's sakes".

Romans 11:28 

King James Version

28 As concerning the gospel, 

they are enemies for your sakes: 

but as touching the election, 

they are beloved for the father's sakes.

Paradoxically, now-believing Gentiles have obtained God's mercy because Jews haven't believed.

Romans 11:30-31 

King James Version

30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, 

yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

31 Even so have these also now not believed, 

that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

But in the end, God wishes mercy upon all.

Romans 11:32 

King James Version

32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, 

that he might have mercy upon all.

Related material:

GOD loves ISRAEL

The LORD's land

Related video:

How Israel’s Rebirth & Current Challenges Align with Bible Prophecy | Inside The Epicenter

How GENTILES are to Regard JEWS

 

Apostle PAUL, in speaking to us Gentiles (we who are not Jews), says we are like branches of a wild olive tree, and here's why:

Romans 11:16-21 

King James Version

16 For if the firstfruit be holy, 

the lump is also holy: 

and if the root be holy, 

so are the branches.

17 And if some of the branches be broken off,

 and thou, 

being a wild olive tree, 

wert grafted in among them, 

and with them partakest of the root 

and fatness of the olive tree;

18 Boast not against the branches. 

But if thou boast, 

thou bearest not the root, 

but the root thee.

19 Thou wilt say then, 

The branches were broken off, 

that I might be grafted in.

20 Well; 

because of unbelief they were broken off, 

and thou standest by faith. 

Be not highminded, 

but fear:

21 For if God spared not the natural branches, 

take heed lest he also spare not thee.

It is obvious.

We Gentiles are the "wild olive tree" grafted among the "natural branches", to partake of the "root and fatness of the olive tree".

The Jews are the "natural branches".

We must find NO conceit within ourselves, just because our Jewish brothers are having a difficult time.

We got in, because some of them broke off.

That verse is an admonition, lest it get to our head , about another verse the apostle spoke of, previous to that:

Romans 11:25 

King James Version

25 For I would not, 

brethren, 

that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, 

lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; 

that blindness in part is happened to Israel, 

until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

That phrase, "until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in", has been "trailing" me FOUR times today already, so I know it's time to address it here, and possibly, in the next post.

Related material:

GOD's PLAN of SALVATION

TOUGHEST job EVER

DREAMING of JEWS

The REAL enemy

God's COVENANTS with Israel

 

What was God's covenant with Israel?

Here's what I found:

Exodus 19:5 

King James Version

5 Now therefore, 

if ye will obey my voice indeed, 

and keep my covenant, 

then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me 

above all people: 

for all the earth is mine:

Psalm 105:8-15 

King James Version

8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, 

the word which he commanded 

to a thousand generations.

9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, 

and his oath unto Isaac;

10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, 

and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:

11 Saying, 

Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, 

the lot of your inheritance:

12 When they were but a few men in number; 

yea, very few, and strangers in it.

13 When they went from one nation to another, 

from one kingdom to another people;

14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: 

yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;

15 Saying, 

Touch not mine anointed, 

and do my prophets no harm.

Hebrews 8:7-13 

King James Version

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, 

then should no place have been sought 

for the second.

8 For finding fault with them, he saith, 

Behold, 

the days come, saith the Lord, 

when I will make a new covenant 

with the house of Israel 

and with the house of Judah:

9 Not according to the covenant 

that I made with their fathers 

in the day when I took them by the hand 

to lead them out of the land of Egypt; 

because they continued not in my covenant, 

and I regarded them not, 

saith the Lord.

10 For this is the covenant that I will make 

with the house of Israel after those days, 

saith the Lord; 

I will put my laws into their mind, 

and write them in their hearts: 

and I will be to them a God, 

and they shall be to me a people:

11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, 

and every man his brother, saying, 

Know the Lord: 

for all shall know me,

 from the least to the greatest.

12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, 

and their sins and their iniquities 

will I remember no more.

13 In that he saith, 

A new covenant, 

he hath made the first old. 

Now that which decayeth and waxeth old 

is ready to vanish away.

What happens when people divide the land of Israel?

Consequences are revealed on this video:

Something Big Is Coming! | LIVE with Tom Hughes & Bill Koenig

Related post:

GOD's promises for ISRAEL

COMFORT for ISRAEL

GOD loves ISRAEL

The LORD's land

ISRAEL posts

JERUSALEM

Why GOD Chose ISRAEL

 

Isaiah 43:21 

King James Version

21 This people have I formed for myself; 

they shall shew forth my praise.

Why did GOD choose Israel?

Why not any other nation?

What was GOD's purpose?

How are we to honor this purpose?

Only a born again would surely want to do so.

We always have respect for GOD's ways, will, and wisdom.

GOD made me born again, and I write.

Thus, I have to share my findings with you.

Let Scripture tell you why GOD chose Israel:

Deuteronomy 7:6 

King James Version

6 For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: 

the Lord thy God hath chosen thee 

to be a special people unto himself, 

above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

Deuteronomy 7:7 

King James Version

7 The Lord did not set his love upon you, 

nor choose you, 

because ye were more in number than any people; 

for ye were the fewest of all people:

Deuteronomy 14:2 

King James Version

2 For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, 

and the Lord hath chosen thee 

to be a peculiar people unto himself, 

above all the nations that are upon the earth.

Deuteronomy 26:18 

King James Version

18 And the Lord hath avouched thee this day 

to be his peculiar people, 

as he hath promised thee, 

and that thou shouldest keep 

all his commandments;

Deuteronomy 26:19 

King James Version

19 And to make thee high 

above all nations which he hath made, 

in praise, 

and in name, 

and in honour; 

and that thou mayest be an holy people 

unto the Lord thy God, 

as he hath spoken.

2 Samuel 7:23-24 

King James Version

23 And what one nation in the earth

 is like thy people, even like Israel, 

whom God went to redeem or a people to himself, 

and to make him a name, 

and to do for you great things and terrible, 

for thy land, 

before thy people, 

which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, 

from the nations and their gods?

24 For thou hast confirmed to thyself 

thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: 

and thou, Lord, 

art become their God.

Isaiah 41:8-9 

King James Version

8 But thou, Israel, 

art my servant, 

Jacob whom I have chosen, 

the seed of Abraham my friend.

9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends 

of the earth, 

and called thee from the chief men thereof, 

and said unto thee, 

Thou art my servant; 

I have chosen thee, 

and not cast thee away.

Jeremiah 31:1 

King James Version

31 At the same time, 

saith the Lord, 

will I be the God of all the families of Israel, 

and they shall be my people.

1 Peter 2:9 

King James Version

9 But ye are a chosen generation, 

a royal priesthood, 

an holy nation, 

a peculiar people; 

that ye should shew forth the praises of him 

who hath called you out of darkness 

into his marvellous light;

Related material:

WHY DID GOD CHOOSE ISRAEL?

DREAMING of JEWS

GOD loves ISRAEL

Jerusalem photo: David Herring

Updated 26 September 2024

Why ISRAEL Matters

 

Genesis 12:3 

King James Version

3 And I will bless them that bless thee, 

and curse him that curseth thee: 

and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Surely you've heard of that verse before?

Makes you really think, doesn't it?

If we love God, then we honor His words, and His will.

Apparently, the LORD loves Israel.

Who are we to question God's ways?

If anything, we must find out why.

What makes Israel so special?

What is her role in this world?

How does she influence our lives?

Why has she had such a tough time?

Actually, the Genesis verse above already spoke VOLUMES.

It pretty much sets the tone for the world.

Why are we still resisting Israel's destiny?

If we read the Bible, we will find out that all attempts to destroy God's chosen nation, will be futile.

Only because you are fighting GOD yourself.

Who, in their right mind, would want to challenge the CREATOR?

But I know one who would.

This verse will surely keep things in perspective:

Proverbs 19:21

King James Version

21 There are many devices in a man's heart; 

nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, 

that shall stand.

Related material:

ISRAEL is the APPLE of God's EYE

Updated 23 October 2023