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Michaelmiller
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Username: Michaelmiller

Post Number: 175
Registered: 7-2010


Posted on Friday, December 03, 2010 - 9:21 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

A couple days ago I was listening to some Mark Martin "Grace Upon Grace" podcasts (11/15 and 11/16 specifically). Mark mentions John 14:1-3.

The imagery here is that of a Jewish wedding. A Jewish wedding in Bible times goes something like this:

1. Betrothal - At the betrothal a cup of wine was shared.

2. Prepare a place - The groom would go back to His father's house to prepare a place for them.

3. Waiting for return - The bride waits in anticipation of the return of the groom, but would never knew exactly when the groom was returning.

4. The return - The groom would return with the blow of a trumpet and a shout to take his bride to their new home.

Each of these 4 points would be familiar in Bible times... John 14:1-3 would be understood like this:

1. Betrothal - The cup of wine is just like the Communion covenant sign for Christians today

2. Prepare a place - This is just like John 14:1-3

3. Waiting for return - This is us today waiting on Jesus return to take us

4. The return - This is when Jesus comes again

Mark Martin didn't mention this, but it made me think about something this morning:
Jesus told us what He is doing! He is preparing a place for us, not scrutinizing our record in an Investigative Judgment! We are already His!

Isn't that cool?

I also learned some stuff about the symbolism of the old covenant feasts:

Passover:
- The Passover lamb is symbolic of the sacrifice of the lamb Jesus

Unleavened Bread:
- Jesus was sinless; there was no leaven in him

First Fruits:
- Was on the Sunday following Passover
- Jesus rose as the first fruits from the dead (1 Cor 15:20)

Pentecost:
- Birth of the law --> birth of church
- 3,000 died at the birth of the OC law (Exodus 32:28)
- 3,000 were saved at the birth of the NC church on Pentecost (Acts 2:41)
(Mark Martin didn't mention it, but this is yet another example of the law that brings death versus the Spirit that brings life!)

Isn't this stuff cool?

Michael
1john2v27nlt
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Username: 1john2v27nlt

Post Number: 230
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Friday, December 03, 2010 - 9:42 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Very Cool Michael! My spirit resonated with all of this as I read it, especially your insight:

****Jesus told us what He is doing! He is preparing a place for us, not scrutinizing our record in an Investigative Judgment! We are already His!**************************************

Just gotta quote Diana now: AWESOME God!!
J9
U2bsda
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Username: U2bsda

Post Number: 693
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Friday, December 03, 2010 - 10:09 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

And something a little different struck me when I read that verse several years ago. When I read it with the surrounding chapters it seemed to be implying that Jesus wasn't talking about heaven. He was talking about coming to live within us. We are the temple of God. He went to prepare a place for us and sent the Spirit to indwell believers. We are the dwelling places I believe this text refers to.

Just wanted to offer a different perspective:-)
Rossbondreturns
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Username: Rossbondreturns

Post Number: 62
Registered: 10-2009


Posted on Friday, December 03, 2010 - 1:34 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There is such richness in this passage of the Bible...it is one of my favorite passages to study.
Indy4now
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Username: Indy4now

Post Number: 945
Registered: 2-2008


Posted on Friday, December 03, 2010 - 8:05 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

ha! Thanks for writing this Michael! Next time I hear that Jesus is investigating my records I'll have to remind them that He's really busy right now cause He's working on my house!

vivian

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