Has the Bible Been Corrupted? Textus Receptus vs Modern Manuscripts Debate

 This is a very interesting debate. While there is much said on both sides of the debate that I do not disagree with I think there is some interesting logical fallacies that keep cropping up in this debate. Furthermore I do agree that we need to stop depending on German theologians to set the terms of the debate. The Church as a people, led by the Holy Spirit are the final authority. Stop using the argument from authority to prove a point. "I am smarter than you therefore I know" 

Zechariah 4:8-10

 

Zechariah 4:8-10

Beware of Despising the Day of Small Things

Zec 4:8  Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 

Zec 4:9  The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. 

Zec 4:10  For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth. 

          1.     Jesus Has More to say to Zerubbabel – vs. 8

a.      This is a continuation of the message to Zerubbabel from the Logos who is the Word of God – vs. 8

                                               i.     Zechariah 1:10-13 

         2.     Jesus is Going to Help Zerubbabel Build the Temple – vs. 9

a.      Zerubbabel will start the rebuilding of the temple

                                               i.     Zerubbabel was a descendant of David and therefore an inheritor of God’s covenants to David

1.     2 Samuel 7:5-16 

                                             ii.     Ezra tells us that Zerubbabel did indeed get to lay the foundation of the temple

1.     Ezra 3:8-13 

b.     Zerubbabel will complete it with God’s help

                                               i.     Ezra also tells us of the later completion of the temple just as Zechariah predicted

1.     Ezra 6:13-16 

                                             ii.     Yet all of that cannot be a complete fulfillment of what Zechariah is predicting

1.     Haggai 2:1-9 

c.      The miraculous completion of the temple will be a sign of the promise of the coming of the Logos or the Messiah.

                                               i.     Isaiah 11:1-3 

         3.     Zerubbabel, No Matter How Unlikely, is the One Whom Jesus Has Chosen – vs. 10

a.      Beware of Despising the little things, after all Jesus came to Jerusalem riding on a donkey

                                               i.     Zechariah 9:9 

b.     To the temple that Zerubbabel helped to build

                                               i.     Matthew 21:5-12 

c.      Which is why only Jesus can be the one and only King of Kings and the true fulfillment of all prophesies

                                               i.     Revelation 5:5-9 

Interesting Article

 A very interesting proposition regarding the Biblical Esther. To be there must have been a reason for the shift in Persian sympathies from indifference to the plight of the Jews to invigorated support. 

Bible translations?

 Here is a great video and an honest conversation about bible translations. I really appreciate Pastor Matt's honesty here...

Zechariah 4:3-7

 

Zechariah 4:3-7

He Shall Bring Forth the Cornerstone

 

Zec 4:3  And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 

Zec 4:4  So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? 

Zec 4:5  Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 

Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 

Zec 4:7  Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. 

  

1. The Two Olive Trees – vs. 3-5*
1. The meaning of the two olive trees in the immediate contest of history.

                                               i.     One represents the governmental power

                                             ii.     The other represents the priestly power

2. The big picture meaning of the two olive trees throughout the story of history.

                                               i.     One represents the Jewish Nation

1.     Romans 11:25-28 

                                             ii.     One represents the Church

1.     Romans 11:11-17

                                           iii.     In the end of time both olive trees will submit to Christ

1.     Revelation 5:9-14 

2. Message to Zerubbabel – vs. 6-7*
1. While Zerubbabel was to protect the Kingdom of God with the force of arms and the power of his might, there would come a day that the Kingdom of God would be advance by the power of the Spirit of God and no longer through force. – vs. 6*

                                               i.     Matthew 11:11-12 

                                             ii.     2 Corinthians 10:4-5 

2. Zerubbabel’s dynasty will be leveled and ultimately the Messiah will assume His rightful place on the throne of David. – vs. 7*

                                               i.     Genesis 49:9-10 

                                             ii.     Zechariah 3:8-9 

                                           iii.     Acts 4:10-12 

                                            iv.     1 Peter 2:4-9 

Zechariah 4:1-2

 

Zechariah 4:1-2

Jesus is the Light of the World

 

Zec 4:1  And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 

Zec 4:2  And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: 

 

1. The Chosen People the Jews
1. The Minora was to be a reminder to the Jewish nation that they were to reach the world for God.

                                               i.     Exodus 25:31 

2. The Chosen People the Church
1. Christ is the Purity of His People

                                               i.     Candle stick of gold

1.     Revelation 1:9-20

2. Christ is the Head of His People

                                               i.     Bowl upon the top of it

1.     Colossians 1:15-23

3. Christ is the Flame of His People

                                               i.     His seven lamps thereon

1.     Matthew 5:14-16 

4. Christ is the Source of Power for His People

                                               i.     Seven pipes to the seven lamps

1.     John 16:13-15 

Zechariah 3:8-10

 

Zechariah 3:8-10

I Will Bring Forth My Servant The Branch

 

Zec 3:8  Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. 

Zec 3:9  For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. 

Zec 3:10  In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree. 

 

1. The Angel of the Lord (Speaking on Behalf of the Lord of Hosts) Reveals to Joshua and the Levitical Order the Sign of Their Coming Replacement. – vs. 8a*
1. Hebrews 7:22-27 
2. Matthew 26:63-66
2. The Signs of Their Replacement is:
1. The Messiah will come as a Servant – vs. 8b*

                                               i.     Isaiah 42:1-4 

2. The Messiah will be a Branch (Signifying humble origins) – vs. 8c*

                                               i.     Jeremiah 23:5-6 

3. The Messiah will be a Stone – vs. 9a*

                                               i.     Acts 4:10-12 

3. The Messiah When He Comes Will Found the Church. – vs. 9b-10*
1. Christ will found seven churches. – vs. 9b*

                                               i.     Revelation 1:20 

2. Christ will regenerate His Church. – vs. 9c*

                                               i.     Ezekiel 36:26-27 

                                             ii.     2 Corinthians 3:3 

3. Christ will pay for the sin of His Church once for all. – vs. 9d*

                                               i.     Hebrews 9:28 

4. Christ will be the only source of power for His Church. – vs. 10*

                                               i.     Their will no longer be a need for a priestly order because all men will be in Christ

1.     John 15:5-7