From: Stephen Williamson
Sent: Friday, July 29, 2011 12:57 PM
Subject: Thinking about that old "foreknowledge" issue

Hi bro

Just meditating a bit further on that "foreknowledge" issue God has regarding his plans for us, and his thus fixing our bounds and times throughout our lives Acts 17:26

Yes, because of all the prophetic scriptures, which could not be broken, doubtless Jesus had more insight into that mystery of his future, i.e. his own free will vs God's hidden design for him during his human life, 'cause he was the only human who could be trusted sufficiently with that amount of knowledge.

Tested, nevertheless, with the "cast yourself down" invulnerability issue that came from the enemy, also, in Gethsemane. Ensured all the prophecies were kept, e.g. said "I thirst" on the cross, to fulfil that one and also let us all know how thirsty he was.

But as far as the anguish God has with death and suffering, while it says that because of the massive outcome in Isaiah 53:10 "it pleased God to bruise his son", feeling it through him, it further says

 

1 Ezekiel 18:32

For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dies, says the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves and live.

2 Ezekiel 33:11

Say unto them, As I live, says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked (condemned ones), but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn you, turn you from your evil ways; for why will you die O house of Israel?

In Romans 9:10-18, we read two object lessons:

1. Esau — firstborn, strong in his flesh in what he can naturally achieve, but when weak, placing no value in, in fact despising his birthright Genesis 25:29-34

2. and Pharaoh — proud ruler of Egypt, and thus humbled by God for God's glory.

And so, as Paul theorized in Romans 9:22-23

God bears with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath (which because of the pride in their heart-plans, he sadly foreknows that in the end they are) fitted to destruction

in order to make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had beforehand prepared unto glory.

Yes, we need a lot of mercy

Blessings Steve

Further thoughts re the future

From: Stephen Williamson
Sent: Sunday, August 05, 2012 11:04 AM
Subject: Where I'm Going — principles of the Anointing

Hi all

Here's a YouTube link to that song Chris (and me) started singing (somewhat tunelessly) on Wednesday. Great old song from this "Jesus Music" album from back in 1975 by Marijohn.

I know not what my future holds,
Lord, I have no way of knowing,
But I know the One,
Who holds my future;
And I have no fear of where I'm going.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkQGJjGmOVE

Thoughts from Matthew 23

23:8 But be not yourselves called Rabbi (Great teacher): for one is your Teacher, the Christ (the anointed one) and all of you are brothers.

23:9 And call no-one your Father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

23:10 Neither be yourselves called ** Teachers: for one is your Teacher, the Christ (the anointed one).

23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Hallelujah Steve

Stephen Williamson Computing Services Pty Ltd
www.swcs.com.au/aboutus.asp

** noting Deuteronomy 18:10-11,   click here for Greek Septuagint

There shall not be found in you any one who

  1. makes his son or daughter to pass through fire
    Hebrew abar es
    Greek-perikathairo — Purging (his son) all around
    Latin-lustret aut ducens per ignem — purify or leading through fire    ,
    Fire-walking being an ancient "rite of passage" in pagan societies
  2. or one practising divination
    Hebrew qasam qesem
    Greek-manteuomenos manteian — one who raves through mania/soothsaying
    Latin-ariolos sciscitetur — seeks to know fortunes    ,
  3. or an observer of times - cloud-readers, astrologers, horoscopes
    Hebrew anan
    Greek-kledonism — aeromancy
    Latin-observet somnia — heeds fantasies/dreams    ,
  4. or an enchanter - hiss
    Hebrew nahas
    Greek-oionizomenos — foretell by flights of birds
    Latin-augur — augury    ,
  5. or a witch - whisperer of spells
    Hebrew kasap
    Greek-pharmakos — one who administers drugs/poisons
    Latin-maleficus — wrongdoer    .

  6. a charmer (hypnotist)
    Hebrew habar heber
    Greek-epaoiden — one who binds with spells
    Latin-incantator    ,
  7. or a consulter with familiar (family) spirits, a medium
    Hebrew shaw-al ob
    Greek-eggastrimuthos — a ventriloquist
    Latin-pythones consulat — consults with pythons, spirits    ,
  8. or a wizard
    Hebrew yid onai
    Greek-teratoskopos — an interpreter of monstrous/abnormal signs
    Latin-divinos — diviners    ,
  9. or one enquiring of the dead
    Hebrew daras el mut
    Greek-necromancy
    Latin-quaerat a mortuis veritatem — seek the truth from the dead    .

 

and James 1:5-7

1:5 If any of you lack wisdom (clarity), let him ask of God, that gives to all generously and without reproach (scolding); and it shall be given him.
1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Yes, flashback to Saul going to the woman at Endor 1 Samuel 28:3-20

End note