There was a period of history consuming 400 years in which God did NOT speak to Man through ANY prophets, as He had been doing throughout the course of the Old Testament dispensation up to this point in time. This period is often referred to as the Inter-testament Period, that the period in time beginning with end of the writing of the Old Testament and the beginning of the writing of the New Testament. Some date it as 450 BC to 50 AD.
In any event, the 400 years of silence came to it's end with the angelic announcements that were made to Zechariah, Mary, and Joseph, just before the First Advent was to take place.
As in the case of the Old Testament dispensation, the devil continued to promote the many false religions of the world (Psalms 96: 5) among the "Gentile" nations and the traditions of men (Mark 7: 8) that were evolving within the Jewish Community. In both cases, the devil used the "religious" authorities in each group to do so.
The devil would attack anything or anyone that would advance God's plan of salvation for the human race through whatever means possible. The devil would promote any thing or anyone that would advance his agenda, which at the time, called for the destruction of the Jews, and the destruction of God's plan for the salvation of the human race. If He succeeded with the elimination of the Jews, the devil would kill "two birds with one stone."
For edified students of the Bible, which is what being a "discipleship" is all about, the fact that it was NOT God who was speaking during the 400 years of silence, disqualifies any writings composed during that period of time as being Scripture. To be Scripture, the writing must be inspired by God and composed by human authors to/through whom God spoke.
"All Scripture (not all "religious" writing) is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 2Tim. 3: 16 NASB italics mine)."
In 1546 the Council of Trent of the Roman Catholic Church officially made the 14 Books of the Apocrypha a part of the Catholic Bible. These are in addition to the 39 Old Testament Books and 27 New Testament Books that all sectors of the Christian Community acknowledge as Scripture.
Most Protestant religions do not acknowledge the Books of Apocrypha as Scripture, and for that reason, do not include them in the Bibles they promote. None of these writings were ever acknowledged as Scripture by the ancient Jews. None of these books were quoted by the Lord Jesus Christ or any of His Apostles.
If one desires to read or to listen to the reading of these books, one must do so with spiritual discernment. Spiritual discernment is how one distinguishes between what is and what is NOT in agreement with what is taught in the 66 Books of Scripture. It is by learning what the 66 books of Scripture DOES say, that one can develop the ability to identify a teaching or a practice that contradicts it. Anyone (Gen. 3) who denies or who distorts what the spoken or the written Word of God has to say is NOT speaking for God.
The devil is a master of including just enough truth in his proposals to deceive the ones that do do not have an edified soul structure. It was via our Lord's knowledge of Scripture that He was able to shut down the devil's "Bible-based" positions (See Luke 4: 3-23/ Matt. 4: 3-11).
The same Biblical substantiation and/or verification (Acts 17: 11) should be the final word for all that one accepts or rejects throughout the course of his/her post salvation spiritual life.
.
"Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so (Acts. 17: 11 NASB)."
It has been my experience that almost everyone has something to offer that can further edify our own soul structures. When someone presents a concept that sound foreign, one should ask what Chapter(s) and verse(s) of Scripture can that principle be found. Note the plurality of chapters and verses. Scripture confirms Scripture. It is by studying ALL of the verses that address any given issue than an appropriate interpretation and application be made.
Selective quoting can make the Bible appear to say or justify just about anything that a clever writer or speaker desires . Keep in mind the devil's strategy in Matthew 4 and Luke 4.
If a new concept can be supported by Scripture, then consider it, as this may be an opportunity for your own edification. At the same time, if there is no Biblical support, or worse, it actually contradicts Scripture, the concept is to be rejected.
Many Christians would be shocked to learn just how much of their "religious" beliefs and practices are the products of Man-made religion that are without Biblical substantiation. In fact, of all the products and practices of Man-made religion were to be removed from within the Christian Community of our day, what would remain would be barely recognizable to many who "go to Church" on a regular basis!
If the teachings of the Apostle Paul were subjected to such scrutiny, should not we do any less with the teachings that come from any given pulpit, especially during times of apostasy (1Tim. 4: 1)?
Most of us have learned the value of reading the labels on the food and medicines were put into our bodies that are never-the-less going to turn to dust (Gen. 3) or be Raptured (1Thess. 4: 17) away. That's fine for the here and now, but should we not be even more concerned about what we place in our souls that are going to live forever?
The advancing disciple will need such discernment as he/she wades through all of the different "...wind(s)of (false) doctrine (Eph. 4: 14 NASB italics mine)" that come and go WITHIN the Christian Community at large. Since Christian Religion (as opposed to Christianity) has changed its mind concerning some of its positions and practices, was it wrong before the change took place, or it is wrong now that the changes have been made?
"As a result (of discipleship), we are no longer to be like children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming (Eph. 4: 14 NASB italics mine."
The devil and the Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil will use "religious" teachings and practices to generate disturbing confusion (Galatians 1: 6-10) to distort the Gospel Message.
" I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ (Gal. 1: 6-10 NABSB)."
Paul was clearly teaching the ancient Galatians (and us) that if they/we are placing our confidence in anything other than our personal personal faith (trust and confidence) in the Person and the atoning Work of the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved, they/we are listening to a false/distorted Gospel. Such promoters are to be cursed! Speaking such truths got Paul in a lot of adversity with the "religious" crowd of his day. Speaking such truths will get us in the same type of trouble today.
Paul understood the "religious" crowd of his day. Before he understood the Gospel Message, he was one of them! Those who learn the difference between Christianity and Christian religions will be able to understand those who are under the influence of religion, as many advancing disciples were once one of them, as well.
As time passes and nothing "new" seems to taking place, people tend to question the validity of what has been spoken of concerning future events. This was likely true during the 400 years of silence in the Old Testament days, and will be true in the Church Age (2Pet. 3: 3,4) as the time of the Rapture (1Thess. 4: 16, 17) approaches.
"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts (strong evil desires), and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming...(2Pet. 3: 4 NASB italics mine.."
The truth is that every day, the Angelic Conflict continues to move forward. Every day, here in the Church Age, there are souls being saved, and there are souls lost as a result of the choices that individuals make (John 3: 18). Here in the Church Age, there are born again believers who choose to identify and execute the post salvation spiritual life, and there are those who don't.
Every day, during the 400 years of silence, the people of God had their part to play as they were called upon to look forward to the First Advent. Every day, the born gain believers of the Church Age have their part to play, promoting the Great Commission, as they look forward to the Rapture.
Many believers who were on the Earth during in the 400 years of silence were distracted by and were occupied with all that was going on in the here and now of that period. Many born again believers of the Church Age are distracted by and are occupied with all of the here and now that takes around them on a daily basis. Such believers have been taken captive by the forces of evil (Eph. 6: 12) and/or neutralized in the battlefield of spiritual combat of the Angelic Conflict. This is evidenced by their lack of attention to and participation in the Great Commission.
For 400 years, generation after generation of the ancient Jews had lived and died with no oner coming to the rescue.
The type of deliverer that the majority of the Jews were hoping for was one that would be like one of several judges of the Old Testament. God had raised up such judges (and later, kings) that either defended them or liberated the nation of Israel from its political adversaries. Only a minority understood the times in which they were living and the significance of the coming Savior (Luke 2: 29-25). In the minds of many, they had "The Law" to address their religious issues, but failed to see that The Law would only be fulfilled by the coming and the Work of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 5: 17).
This brings us to the next part in the Angelic Conflict; the incarnation and atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In any event, the 400 years of silence came to it's end with the angelic announcements that were made to Zechariah, Mary, and Joseph, just before the First Advent was to take place.
As in the case of the Old Testament dispensation, the devil continued to promote the many false religions of the world (Psalms 96: 5) among the "Gentile" nations and the traditions of men (Mark 7: 8) that were evolving within the Jewish Community. In both cases, the devil used the "religious" authorities in each group to do so.
The devil would attack anything or anyone that would advance God's plan of salvation for the human race through whatever means possible. The devil would promote any thing or anyone that would advance his agenda, which at the time, called for the destruction of the Jews, and the destruction of God's plan for the salvation of the human race. If He succeeded with the elimination of the Jews, the devil would kill "two birds with one stone."
For edified students of the Bible, which is what being a "discipleship" is all about, the fact that it was NOT God who was speaking during the 400 years of silence, disqualifies any writings composed during that period of time as being Scripture. To be Scripture, the writing must be inspired by God and composed by human authors to/through whom God spoke.
"All Scripture (not all "religious" writing) is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 2Tim. 3: 16 NASB italics mine)."
In 1546 the Council of Trent of the Roman Catholic Church officially made the 14 Books of the Apocrypha a part of the Catholic Bible. These are in addition to the 39 Old Testament Books and 27 New Testament Books that all sectors of the Christian Community acknowledge as Scripture.
Most Protestant religions do not acknowledge the Books of Apocrypha as Scripture, and for that reason, do not include them in the Bibles they promote. None of these writings were ever acknowledged as Scripture by the ancient Jews. None of these books were quoted by the Lord Jesus Christ or any of His Apostles.
If one desires to read or to listen to the reading of these books, one must do so with spiritual discernment. Spiritual discernment is how one distinguishes between what is and what is NOT in agreement with what is taught in the 66 Books of Scripture. It is by learning what the 66 books of Scripture DOES say, that one can develop the ability to identify a teaching or a practice that contradicts it. Anyone (Gen. 3) who denies or who distorts what the spoken or the written Word of God has to say is NOT speaking for God.
The devil is a master of including just enough truth in his proposals to deceive the ones that do do not have an edified soul structure. It was via our Lord's knowledge of Scripture that He was able to shut down the devil's "Bible-based" positions (See Luke 4: 3-23/ Matt. 4: 3-11).
The same Biblical substantiation and/or verification (Acts 17: 11) should be the final word for all that one accepts or rejects throughout the course of his/her post salvation spiritual life.
.
"Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so (Acts. 17: 11 NASB)."
It has been my experience that almost everyone has something to offer that can further edify our own soul structures. When someone presents a concept that sound foreign, one should ask what Chapter(s) and verse(s) of Scripture can that principle be found. Note the plurality of chapters and verses. Scripture confirms Scripture. It is by studying ALL of the verses that address any given issue than an appropriate interpretation and application be made.
Selective quoting can make the Bible appear to say or justify just about anything that a clever writer or speaker desires . Keep in mind the devil's strategy in Matthew 4 and Luke 4.
If a new concept can be supported by Scripture, then consider it, as this may be an opportunity for your own edification. At the same time, if there is no Biblical support, or worse, it actually contradicts Scripture, the concept is to be rejected.
Many Christians would be shocked to learn just how much of their "religious" beliefs and practices are the products of Man-made religion that are without Biblical substantiation. In fact, of all the products and practices of Man-made religion were to be removed from within the Christian Community of our day, what would remain would be barely recognizable to many who "go to Church" on a regular basis!
If the teachings of the Apostle Paul were subjected to such scrutiny, should not we do any less with the teachings that come from any given pulpit, especially during times of apostasy (1Tim. 4: 1)?
Most of us have learned the value of reading the labels on the food and medicines were put into our bodies that are never-the-less going to turn to dust (Gen. 3) or be Raptured (1Thess. 4: 17) away. That's fine for the here and now, but should we not be even more concerned about what we place in our souls that are going to live forever?
The advancing disciple will need such discernment as he/she wades through all of the different "...wind(s)of (false) doctrine (Eph. 4: 14 NASB italics mine)" that come and go WITHIN the Christian Community at large. Since Christian Religion (as opposed to Christianity) has changed its mind concerning some of its positions and practices, was it wrong before the change took place, or it is wrong now that the changes have been made?
"As a result (of discipleship), we are no longer to be like children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming (Eph. 4: 14 NASB italics mine."
The devil and the Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil will use "religious" teachings and practices to generate disturbing confusion (Galatians 1: 6-10) to distort the Gospel Message.
" I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ (Gal. 1: 6-10 NABSB)."
Paul was clearly teaching the ancient Galatians (and us) that if they/we are placing our confidence in anything other than our personal personal faith (trust and confidence) in the Person and the atoning Work of the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved, they/we are listening to a false/distorted Gospel. Such promoters are to be cursed! Speaking such truths got Paul in a lot of adversity with the "religious" crowd of his day. Speaking such truths will get us in the same type of trouble today.
Paul understood the "religious" crowd of his day. Before he understood the Gospel Message, he was one of them! Those who learn the difference between Christianity and Christian religions will be able to understand those who are under the influence of religion, as many advancing disciples were once one of them, as well.
As time passes and nothing "new" seems to taking place, people tend to question the validity of what has been spoken of concerning future events. This was likely true during the 400 years of silence in the Old Testament days, and will be true in the Church Age (2Pet. 3: 3,4) as the time of the Rapture (1Thess. 4: 16, 17) approaches.
"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts (strong evil desires), and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming...(2Pet. 3: 4 NASB italics mine.."
The truth is that every day, the Angelic Conflict continues to move forward. Every day, here in the Church Age, there are souls being saved, and there are souls lost as a result of the choices that individuals make (John 3: 18). Here in the Church Age, there are born again believers who choose to identify and execute the post salvation spiritual life, and there are those who don't.
Every day, during the 400 years of silence, the people of God had their part to play as they were called upon to look forward to the First Advent. Every day, the born gain believers of the Church Age have their part to play, promoting the Great Commission, as they look forward to the Rapture.
Many believers who were on the Earth during in the 400 years of silence were distracted by and were occupied with all that was going on in the here and now of that period. Many born again believers of the Church Age are distracted by and are occupied with all of the here and now that takes around them on a daily basis. Such believers have been taken captive by the forces of evil (Eph. 6: 12) and/or neutralized in the battlefield of spiritual combat of the Angelic Conflict. This is evidenced by their lack of attention to and participation in the Great Commission.
For 400 years, generation after generation of the ancient Jews had lived and died with no oner coming to the rescue.
The type of deliverer that the majority of the Jews were hoping for was one that would be like one of several judges of the Old Testament. God had raised up such judges (and later, kings) that either defended them or liberated the nation of Israel from its political adversaries. Only a minority understood the times in which they were living and the significance of the coming Savior (Luke 2: 29-25). In the minds of many, they had "The Law" to address their religious issues, but failed to see that The Law would only be fulfilled by the coming and the Work of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 5: 17).
This brings us to the next part in the Angelic Conflict; the incarnation and atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ.