Teachings of Jesus
This indicates a U-turn in the direction of one's life. For the Christian, this is a U-turn from a life of sin.
What is Repentance?
This is the authority and rule of God in all creation; on Earth as it is in Heaven.
What is the Kingdom of God?
These are word-pictures that reveal spiritual truth to the followers of Jesus. Literally, in Greek, they are, “a comparison”, “a likeness” or “something cast alongside something else for comparison.”
What are Parables?
Jesus asked the disciples whom they thought he was. This was the response of Saint Peter.
What is, "you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."?
While walking around the large buildings within the city of Jerusalem, Jesus' disciples were impressed. Jesus, however, described this fate for this city.
What is, "all the buildings will be destroyed."?
or
"not one stone will be left upon another."
Having turned away from sin, the Christian strives continually against sin and perseveres in a direction of this. It is more than "easy belief-ism."
What is Faith?
The Parable of the Wheat/Weeds this is the command given by the landowner after it was discovered an enemy planted weeds in his field.
What is, "let the wheat and the weeds grow together"?
Jesus was not the first to use parables. In Israel, there existed a tradition of teaching through parables before Christ. As an example, we mentioned Nathan the prophet using parables when speaking with this Hebrew Bible/Old Testament King of Israel.
Who is King David?
This title of Jesus literally means "anointed one or anointed thing."
What is Messiah or Christ?
These are 2/4 of the earliest signs that lead up to the destruction of the city of Jerusalem.
What are:
1. False Messiahs
2. War
3. Famine
4. Earthquakes
Jesus said no one knows the day of the hour of his return, but that Christians should not be taken unaware when he returns again. Instead, the followers of Christ were commanded by Jesus to do this.
What is watch?
From Luke 17:20-21:
Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is __________________.”
What is "within you" or "among you"?
If you had asked a 1st century C.E. Roman what the Kingdom of God was, he most likely would have said this.
What is Rome?
If you had asked any Roman who was Son of God and Savior of the world, they probably would have told you this.
Who is Augustus Caesar?
Luke identifies this as the Desolating Sacrilege.
What are the (Roman) armies surrounding Jerusalem?
This is anything that would distract us or hinder our vision of God.
What is sin?
Among the Jews, it was thought/believed that 2 Messiahs would do this to bring in the Kingdom of God.
What is, "destroy the enemies of God."?
This title was given to the Kings of Israel as well as objects in the temple dedicated to serving God. The title also identifies the true King of the Kingdom of God.
What is Messiah?
These 4-letters indicate the consonants in the Divine Name of God.
What is YHWH?
Jesus taught that when you see this Desolating Sacrilege, this is what we are supposed to do.
What is, "get out of the city of Jerusalem."?
According to all 4 Biblical Gospels, this was the earliest message that Jesus preached. (hint: there are 3-parts.)
What is, "repent and believe the good news (gospel) because the Kingdom of God is near."?
We discussed how Heaven is heaven, not because of streets of gold or pearly gates, but because of this.
What is, "Heaven is heaven because Jesus is there. Jesus is Heaven."?
Parables, according to Jesus, are meant to show you spiritual truths. Jesus also says, however, that we are called to repentance and faith because how we receive the word of God depends upon this.
What is, "the state of our hearts towards God."?
According to our discussion in John 8, Jesus was almost stoned to death by the Religious Leaders because he identified himself with this Hebrew Bible or Old Testament name of God. (in English)
What is, "I AM"?
These were the 2-promises that Jesus said must happen before the destruction of the city of Jerusalem.
What are:
1. The followers of Jesus would be persecuted.
2. The Gospel would spread throughout the entire world.