“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Matthew 4:17)

Is this the correct translation?

This statement by Jesus has been translated differently among the different Bible versions:

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." (New International Version 2011)

"Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (King James version)

“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” (New Living Translation)

“Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Christian Standard Bible)

"Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" (Hebrew Names Version)

"Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn nigh." (Darby Translation)

'Reform ye, for come nigh hath the reign of the heavens.' (Young's Literal Translation)

"Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (American Standard Version)

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible)

“Change your heart, for the sanctuary of God is readily available.” (Lost Gospels of Jesus)

These are all translated from the same Greek phrase, μετανοεῖτε ἤγγικεν γὰρ ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.

Isn't this also what John the Baptist taught?

Regardless of the translation, this teaching was also taught by John the Baptist before Jesus taught it:

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (Matthew 3:2)

These teachings were only taught by Jesus following his hearing of John the Baptist’s imprisonment:

When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. ... From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Matthew 4:12-17)

This means that this teaching was not solely Jesus' message. And just as Jesus was passing on the same teachings of his teacher John the Baptist, Jesus also instructed his own disciples to go out and teach this same message to others:

"As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.'" (Matthew 10:7)

What does this mean? It means that this very same teaching was taught by at least three generations of teachers: John, Jesus and Jesus' disciples, and presumably, those who followed them.

Was this teaching taught before John?

This teaching did not originate with John the Baptist. We find in David's Psalms and other texts of the Bible:

But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. (Psalm 73:28)

We praise you, God, we praise you, for Your Name is near (Psalm 75:1)

Yet You are near, LORD, and all your commands are true. (Psalm 119:151)

The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. (Psalm 145:18)

“In the morning the LORD will show who belongs to Him and who is holy, and He will have that person come near Him. (Numbers 16:5)

He has brought you and all your fellow Levites near Himself, but now you are trying to get the priesthood too. (Numbers 16:10)

What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? (Deut. 4:7)

Go near and listen to all that the LORD our God says. Then tell us whatever the LORD our God tells you. We will listen and obey.” (Deut. 5:27)

And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night (1 Kings 8:59)

Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them. (Isaiah 58:2)

"Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’" (Luke 10:9)

What does 'repent' mean here?

The word "repent" is being translated from the Greek word μετανοέω (metanoeō). This means "to change" or "to change one's mind" according to Thayer's lexicon. 

It means to have a change of heart. It means to make a serious change in one's life.

In other words, "repent" in this context would be to divert from those activities focused upon our own selves - exercised by our seeking satisfaction within materialism. To "repent" from these activities would mean to refocus towards regaining our relationship with the Supreme Being.

What does 'kingdom of heaven' mean here?

The word "kingdom" here is being translated from the Greek word βασιλεία (basileia). The lexicon describes this word to mean, "royal power, kingship, dominion, rule: not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom."

From this, we know that Jesus and John were speaking of accepting the Supreme Being's dominion - His ultimate authority. So the kingdom of heaven relates to the consciousness of accepting the ultimate authority of the Supreme Being. This is describing the refuge, the shelter, or the sanctuary, of God.

The use of "kingdom" here comes from a time when there were many different kings - who were basically tribal rulers - in different regions. Using their armies, these kings protected the people of the kingdom. As such, the people revered the king and took shelter or refuge under the king's protection. Using their assembled armies and barriers, the king would protect the populace from invading armies. As such the "kingdom" was the name given to that place of refuge, shelter, or sanctuary.

Having a change of heart and taking refuge or shelter or taking sanctuary of God requires humility. It means accepting that we don't know it all. It means accepting that we don't have the means to protect ourselves. It means accepting that the Supreme Being is my only real protector and salvation.

The Supreme Being is a person, and each of us has an innate relationship with God. We have forgotten this loving service relationship as we seek our own satisfaction away from God. In order to regain our lost relationship with God, our approach must come with humility, because we were the ones who decided to leave Him.

This runs contrary to the popular connotation of "repenting" as professed by many teachers. Many see repentance as some sort of public proclamation: To proclaim “I repent,” in a public ceremony, or “I surrender to Jesus” is not the same as having a personal change of heart - as Jesus, John and Jesus' disciples were requesting.

A real change of heart does not come with public proclamation or grandstanding. It is rather the opposite: It is an extremely personal and private decision to redirect one's life towards coming to know and love the Supreme Being.

Is this about the end of the world?

Even with this clarity, many teachers have interpreted this statement as referring to a coming end of the world or some kind of apocalypse. This is despite any evidence, from either the words or the context of Jesus' statement.

Consider first the audience of these teachings. Who was Jesus preaching to? Certainly, he was preaching to those around him at the time. And yet some 2,000 years later, the end of the world still has not come.

Was Jesus misleading his followers - telling them that the end of the world was "near" or "at hand" and it wasn't? Certainly not.

This hasn't stopped the unsupported interpretation. Below is a list of some of the many teachers who have claimed to represent Jesus, teaching that Jesus was predicting the end of the world (doomsday) on a certain date. (The date they predicted the world would end follows their name):

Hilary of Poitiers: 365 AD (predicted doomsday date)
Martin of Tours: 375 to 400 AD (predicted doomsday date)
Hydatius (Bishop of Aquae) 482 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Sextus Julius Africanus: 500 AD (predicted doomsday date)
Hippolytus of Rome: 500 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Beatus of Leibana: 793 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Gregory of Tours: 799 to 800 AD (predicted doomsday dates)

Thiota: 847 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Pope Sylvester II: 1000 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Gerard of Poehlde: 1147 AD (predicted doomsday date)
John of Toledo: 1179 AD (predicted doomsday date)
Joachim of Fiore: 1205 AD (predicted doomsday date)
Pope Innocent III: 1284 AD (predicted doomsday date)
Joachimites: 1290 and 1335 AD (predicted doomsday dates)

Jean de Roquetaillade: 1368 and 1370 AD (predicted doomsday dates)

Amaldus de Villa Nova: 1378 (predicted doomsday date)

Thomas Muntzer: 1525 AD  (predicted doomsday date)

Johannes Stoffler: 1524 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Hans Hut (Anabaptist): 1528 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Melchior Hoffman (Anabaptist): 1533 AD (predicted doomsday date)
Jan Matthys (Anabaptist): 1534 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Martin Luther (Augustinian monk): 1600 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Christopher Columbus: 1658 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Joseph Mede: 1660 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Sabbatai Zevi: 1648 and 1666 AD (predicted doomsday dates)

Fifth Monarchists: 1666 and 1673 AD (predicted doomsday dates)

Benjamin Keach (Baptist): 1689 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Pierre Jurieu: 1689 AD (predicted doomsday date)

John Mason (Anglican): 1694 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Johan Heinrich Alsted (Calvinist): 1694 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Cotton Mather (Puritan): 1697, 1716 and 1736 AD (predicted doomsday dates)

Henry Archer (Fifth Monarchist): 1700 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Cardinal Nicholas of Cusa: 1700 to 1734 AD (predicted doomsday dates)

Camisards: 1705 and 1708 AD (predicted doomsday dates)

William Whitson: 1736 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Emanuel Swedenborg (Lutheran): 1757 AD (predicted doomsday date)

The Shakers (Ann Lee): 1792 and 1794 AD (predicted doomsday dates)

Cardinal Pierre d'Ailly: 1789 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Charles Wesley (Methodist): 1794 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Christopher Love (Presbyterian): 1805 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Margaret McDonald: 1830 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Joseph Smith (Mormon): 1832 and 1891 AD (predicted doomsday date)
Johann Albrecht Bengel (Lutheran): 1846 AD (predicted doomsday date)

John Wesley (Methodist founder): 1836 AD (predicted doomsday date)

William Miller (Millerites founder): 1843 and 1844 AD (predicted doomsday dates)
George Rapp (Harmony Society founder): 1847 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Harriet Livermore: 1847 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Ellen White (Seven Day Adventists): 1850, 1856 and "early 1900s" AD (predicted doomsday dates)

John Cumming: 1862 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Joseph Morris (Mormon): 1862 AD (predicted doomsday date)

John Wroe (Christian Israelite Church): 1863 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Jonas Wendell and other Adventist preachers: 1863, 1874, 1870 AD (predicted doomsday dates)

Mother Shipton: 1881 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Wovoka (Ghost Dance): 1890 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Catholic Apostolic Church: 1901 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (Jehovah's Witnesses): 1914, 1915, 1918, 1920, 1925, 1941, 1975, 1994 and others more recent. (predicted doomsday dates)

Margaret Rowen (Seventh-Day Adventist): 1920 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Spencer Perceval (Catholic Apostolic Church): 1926 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Wilbur Glenn Voliva: 1935 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Herbert Armstrong (Worldwide Church of God founder): 1936 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Florence Houteff (Branch Davidians): 1959 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Johann Bischoff (New Apostolic Church): 1951 and 1960 AD (predicted doomsday dates)

Jim Jones (People's Temple cult): 1967 AD (predicted doomsday date)

George Williams (Church of the Firstborn): 1969 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Herbert Armstrong (Worldwide Church of God): 1972 AD (predicted doomsday date)

John Wroe (Christian Israelite Church): 1977 AD (predicted doomsday date)

William Branham (evangelist): 1977 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Chuck Smith (Calvary Chapel): 1981 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Pat Robertson (evangelist): 1982 and 2007 AD (predicted doomsday dates)

Lester Sumrall (Pentecostal): 1985 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Edgar Whisenant: 1988 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Elizabeth Clare (Summit Lighthouse): 1990 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Rollen Stewart: 1992 AD (predicted doomsday date)

David Berg (The Family): 1993 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Harold Camping: 1994, 1995, 2011 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Ronald Weinland (Church of God): 2011 and 2012 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Aggai: 1997 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Marshall Applewhite (Heavens Gate cult): 1997 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Archbishop James Ussher: 1997 AD (predicted doomsday date)

James Gordon Lindsay (Christ for the Nations): 1999 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Jerry Falwell (evangelist): 2000 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Ed Dobson: 2000 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Lester Sumrall: 2000 AD (predicted doomsday date)

Jonathan Edwards (Congr. Protestant): 2000 AD (predicted doomsday date)

David Meade: 2017 and 2018 AD (predicted doomsday dates)

Were Jesus and John deceiving their students?

Since John also taught this, and since the end of the world hasn't come, were they both misleading their followers? Were they both making idle threats about doomsday?

What would be the purpose of threatening the end of the world to them - as "near" - since it would not happen during their lifetimes or even within the lifetimes of their children - or even in the next 2,000 years? Does more than 2,000 years later mean "near"?

Why, if John and Jesus were predicting an event that will take place more than 2,000 years later, would they use the word "near"?

The simple answer is that this statement has been mistranslated and misinterpreted.

What does 'near' or 'at hand' mean?

The word "near" (or in the case of other translations "at hand") is being translated from the Greek word ἐγγίζω (eggizō), which means, according to the lexicon:

1) to bring near, to join one thing to another
2) to draw or come near to, to approach

Thus it is clear that the interpretation of the word relating to time is incorrect. The word ἐγγίζω (eggizō) indicates "closeness" relative to distance - not time.

Therefore, Jesus is speaking of the kingdom of heaven - the sanctuary of God or the refuge of God - being close: Readily available.

The true meaning of “for the kingdom of heaven has come near” is that each of us can gain the refuge or sanctuary of God - the shelter of God - immediately by simply turning to the Supreme Being - by worshiping Him and relying upon Him - and dismissing ourselves ("repenting") from our search for happiness in a materialistic world of emptiness and physical gratification.

In other words, Jesus is speaking of surrendering to the Supreme Being - giving one's life to God - and thus taking shelter in the Supreme Being.

Is this about our consciousness?

Jesus is not speaking of a physical place being nearby. He is speaking of the fact that taking refuge in the Supreme Being can be accomplished immediately: Because He is near to us. He is available to each of us.

Certainly, if we accept that God created this world, we can also accept that He has the ability to be here. Nearby. Available. Jesus confirmed this in another statement:

"The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20-21 NKJV)

The Supreme Being designed the physical body in such a way so that our physical eyes cannot see Him. This is in order to give each of us the freedom to ignore God if we choose. It also gives us the freedom to love God - or not.

Therefore, we have to open our hearts in order to see Him from within. If God is with us - near - and we can refocus ourselves upon Him with humility and love, then we have the ability for our consciousness to enter the kingdom of God where ever we are. This translates to becoming focused on doing His will rather than our own will.

Jesus also indicates that this consciousness does have a place: Not a physical place, but a context - this is the spiritual realm - evidenced by Jesus' use of the word οὐρανός (ouranos) in this verse - mistranslated to "heaven."

Yes, since Jesus is indicating that this consciousness related to giving one's life to the Supreme Being is available - Jesus is not speaking of a location called "heaven." He is speaking of a heavenly consciousness, which creates "heaven" where ever we might be.

Such a consciousness creates sanctuary: The safety or refuge of our relationship with God. The Greek word οὐρανός (ouranos) indicates the consciousness of the spiritual realm, which can be accessed from any location - because after all, everywhere is part of God's creation. Thus, the use of οὐρανός (ouranos) indicates that consciousness where the Supreme Being is loved and worshiped.

This great teaching is suggesting that we can reject our self-centered chase for happiness within materialism and give ourselves to the Supreme Being. We can decide to dedicate our lives to coming to know and love the Supreme Person and learning to do His will (what pleases Him). This will immediately transport us to the sanctuary (or kingdom) of God, even as our physical bodies might remain here in the physical world.

Yes, according to Jesus' teachings, God and His sanctuary are near. God is available to us, and we can take refuge in Him at any time. We each have that choice.

“Blessed are you when people insult you...." (Matthew 5:11-12)

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because in the same way they persecuted the Prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:11-12)

Who would 'insult' Jesus' followers?

In this statement, Jesus is discussing with his disciples and students the challenges of their commitment to following his teachings, and the sacrifices that may arise from that commitment.

Should we put God in the center of our lives, we find others will become envious. Why? Because they are alone and afraid. They do not have the comfort of knowing that they have a Best Friend and Companion in God.

A person who is sincerely seeking to achieve love for God and loving service to God will rejoice when they see another person trying to grow spiritually and helping others grow spiritually. But a person who is not sincere will attempt to reduce those who are.

Why are so many people like this in this world? Because most of us are primarily self-centered rather than God-centered. In this physical world, self-centeredness tends to prevail. And self-centeredness naturally leads to enviousness and self-righteousness.

All of these faults in others are to be forgiven, just as we want to be forgiven for our many faults. Most of us can relate to this. How many of us have not criticized another person? For those who criticize us, we should be merciful. We should be understanding. After all, Jesus came to help us grow out of our self-centeredness.

This is precisely why Jesus and many of the Prophets before Jesus have been persecuted for their acts of mercy in trying to save us from our self-centeredness.

Jesus is reminding his students that they are in good company as they receive the insults and persecution of others, "in the same way they persecuted the Prophets who were before you."

Why does Jesus say 'Prophets who were before you'?

Is Jesus comparing his followers to the Prophets?

Certainly he is. Why else would he compare their situation to that of the Prophets?

While some teachers might dismiss the word prophet as a title primarily belonging to people like Moses and Abraham, in reality, Jesus is using the word “prophet” - from the Greek word προφήτης (prophētēs) meaning one who teaches "by the Spirit of God" - to describe one who teaches on behalf of God. He is referring to God's representative.

And Jesus was expecting his students to teach on behalf of God by passing on his teachings:

"Therefore go and make disciples..." (Matt. 28:19)

And he told 72 of his students to go out to every town and:

"Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’" (Luke 10:9)

Jesus also accepted that his own teacher, John the Baptist, was not just any prophet:

"But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet." (Luke 7:26)

While many believe being a “prophet” means to “prophesize” about some future event, we know that the kind of “prophet” Jesus references are those who have been empowered by the Supreme Being to speak on God's behalf - to introduce people to God. To teach people to love and serve God.

Is this about prophecy?

Some interpret being a prophet as having the ability to predict the future. But is predicting the future really an essential part of Jesus' teachings? Jesus himself taught:

“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" (Matthew 7:22-23)

Thus, Jesus taught that even though "many" will predict the future in Jesus' name, they won't necessarily be welcomed by Jesus. Jesus' criteria is quite simple:

“Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

Certainly, some great teachers can have the ability to predict certain future events. But often this is about understanding the realities of this world. 

But our individual future is quite easy to predict. Each of us is wearing a physical body and that body is destined to die. At that time each of us will leave our physical body.

Yes, this is the future that many a prophet has predicted, yet most of us have misunderstood. The fact that the end of the world is coming for each of us - each of our physical bodies will die within a short period. It may be in 40 years. It may be in 20 years. It may be in a year. Or it may be tomorrow. 

We don't know the exact date our body will die -and the world will end for us - but we surely know it will be relatively soon. The question is whether we have adequately prepared for that day, as the Prophets have taught us to do.

While we can certainly accept Moses, David, Abraham, Solomon, and others as Prophets, we must also accept that there have been many others who have represented God and His Teachings through the ages who have not been mentioned in the Bible. The lineages of these Prophets all originate ultimately from God Himself, yet we can know and understand a true lineage of Prophets by seeing that each taught a consistent message of love for God.

The fact that many of the Prophets were persecuted for their dedication to their teachings is being confirmed by Jesus. Not only did Jesus and Peter and other students get persecuted for their dedication to the Supreme Being, but Jesus' own teacher John the Baptist was persecuted for his loving service and commitment to God.

And we know that Jesus also passed on the core teachings taught by Moses through John as Jesus quoted Moses' message word-for-word in his most important teaching:

"‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment." (Matt. 22:37-38 and Deut. 6:5)

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)

Why does Jesus suggest asking God to forgive us?

This part of Jesus’ recommended prayer clarifies the relationship between us, the Supreme Being, and the Supreme Being's children - our spiritual family.

Jesus is stipulating that we can directly ask the Supreme Being for forgiveness. That is, forgiveness for our offenses - which also relates to the common phrase, forgiveness for our sins.

Such a notion - asking God directly to forgive us - contradicts the teachings of some who claim the only way our sins can be cleansed - forgiven - is through Jesus' crucifixion.

To be clear, this verse lies within Jesus' recommended prayer to the Supreme Being. This means that Jesus is requesting his students directly ask the Supreme Being for forgiveness.

This clearly means that the Supreme Being can cleanse our sins directly, simply by asking him in prayer. If this weren't so, then Jesus would not have included this in his prayer. He would have stated that all they have to do is accept that he died for their sins and they'd be forgiven. 

But Jesus never said this. He never taught this. That was not part of Jesus' teachings.

What does Jesus mean by 'debts'?

The word "debts" here is being translated from the Greek word ὀφείλημα (opheilēma), which means "that which is owed" when referred to literally, but also means "offense, sin" when referred to metaphorically.

This is why other versions have used different translations. The NLT version translates this word to "sins." 

This would mean that Jesus is using terminology that could be interpreted as all of the above - sins, offenses or debts. This is also confirmed by Jesus' following statements in Matthew 6:14-15, which confirm that Jesus is referring to sinning. 

This is also confirmed by the word "forgive" - translated from the Greek word ἀφίημι (aphiēmi) - means "to let go" - refers to forgiving something that has been done against someone.

Jesus is primarily speaking of offenses, which is also what sins or transgressions are: Offenses against the Supreme Being. How so?

Because the Supreme Being is a Person. He is not a vague force or shining light or burning bush. He is a Person who can love and forgive. Only a person can love and forgive.

And the Supreme Being loves each of us unconditionally. He cares for us and wants us to be happy. But we have all but forgotten Him. We have been living our lives while ignoring Him. We've been chasing our self-centered dreams around while we have been forgetting Him and His love for us.

This forgetfulness - this ignoring of the Supreme Being - is offensive.

Let's use an example. Let's say that we have a teenage son whom we care for and have raised and bought all his clothes, and we have fed him and made sure he got to school every day and put a roof over his head and everything else. Suddenly he starts ignoring us. He doesn't even say 'good morning' or 'good night' to us. He acts as though we don't even exist. Then on top of that, he begins doing all the things we have asked him not to do. How would we feel? We would feel insulted, right?

This is almost exactly what we have been doing, and this is how the Supreme Being feels. Yet He still loves us unconditionally and He is always ready to forgive us.

As to the example above with the teenager, what would remedy the situation? If the teenager acknowledged our existence and came to us and asked us to forgive him for ignoring us.

This is what Jesus is recommending to his students: That they - and we - ask the Supreme Being for forgiveness.

What is Jesus' requisite for forgiveness?

Notice that Jesus adds a requisite to this request for forgiveness: That we also forgive others for their offenses against us: "as we also have forgiven our debtors."

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:14-15)

Many of us like to think of the Supreme Being as some sort of magic wand or genie. As if He will deliver whatever we request. That all we have to do is ask and He will deliver without condition. This is absolutely not true.

Rather, the Supreme Being is the Original Person, and He is our Master and Creator. We are thus subservient to Him. He is not our servant. We are His servants.

But the Supreme Being also wants to exchange love. He enjoys loving relationships. And He enjoys being part of others' loving relationships.

For this reason, He is pleased when we acknowledge Him and reach out to Him because He wants to exchange a loving relationship with us. But He is also pleased when we are kind to each other. He is pleased when we care for each other. He is especially pleased when we care for each other because it pleases Him.

These elements - the elements of God's personal side - are typically missed by some institutions that teach of religious activity as something done to achieve a self-centered purpose.

This is because the sermons and teachings of some teachers focus upon what our religious activity will do for us - in order to increase their followers. They promise that worshiping God can make us rich. They promise that worshiping God will heal our sicknesses. They promise that worshiping God will bring us salvation - and escape from hell.

What is the real purpose of worshiping God?

The real purpose of worshiping the Supreme Being is to re-establish our innate loving relationship with Him. It is to resume our natural position as one of His loving servants and friends - rejoining our spiritual family in the spiritual realm.

But this spiritual family is not the type of family where everyone is out for themselves. Where everyone is trying to take advantage of each other. Where the ultimate purpose is to achieve what I want to achieve - self-centeredness.

The spiritual family Jesus wants us to rejoin is the family where everyone is looking to please the Supreme Being. This is a different sort of family. It is a family where the foundation is love.

Just imagine two dinner tables. At one, everyone wants to make sure they get enough to eat. People are grabbing at the food being brought in. As a result, the stronger people get more to eat than the weaker members. And some don't get anything to eat.

At the other dinner table, everyone is wanting to make sure that everyone else has enough to eat. At this table, no one goes hungry. Everyone gets enough to eat.

The first table is like the physical world, where there is scarcity. The second table is like the spiritual realm - where everyone is thinking about each other in relation to the Supreme Being.

This is the environment - the second table - that Jesus is inviting his students to. In such an environment no one would even think of asking forgiveness from the Supreme Being unless they had forgiven others.

This expectation is not a requirement for forgiveness. Certainly, the Supreme Being, who loves us unconditionally, will forgive us of our offenses against Him. But He wants us to also partake in a relationship with the rest of His spiritual family - our spiritual family.

This means immediately forgiving others for their offenses against us - regardless of whether they ask for our forgiveness or not.

By doing that we rejoin our spiritual family, and begin to taste the loving relationships the spiritual realm is made of.

God wants us back. He wants us to resume the relationship we once had with Him and His children. That relationship where we love Him and His children with all our hearts. That relationship where our lives are centered around Him.

How can we build our relationship with God?

According to Jesus' teachings, it is not as if by simply caring for others we will be accomplishing our revived relationship with God. That relationship requires effort.

Every relationship is built upon effort. Effort is what a boy does when he shows up at the girl’s door with a corset before the dance. Effort is what a husband does when he purchases a house that his wife likes, or takes out the trash. Effort is the process of giving and receiving, which builds relationships.

It is this process of effort that is required for us to build our lost relationship with God. When we rejected God we began to look out for our own interests.

If we seek God's embrace we must rebuild that relationship. This means we have to begin to look out for His interests again. This means finding out what He wants from us and beginning to do those things.

Jesus is clarifying here that the key to rebuilding our relationship with God is love and compassion. Compassion for others and seeking God's compassion for us. 

This is the purpose for prayer to God and the praising of God's Names. These outreach activities focus our attention upon the Supreme Being and our spiritual family.

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you ..." (Matt. 6:14-15)

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matt. 6:14-15)

Do people 'sin against' us?

The original Greek does not actually say "sin against you." Rather, the original Greek simply uses the word παράπτωμα (paraptōma) - which means, according to the lexicon, "to fall beside or near something" and "a lapse or deviation from truth and uprightness." 

This could also be translated to "trespasses or even "offends" - but not "sins against you."

This is consistent with the King James and New King James versions. The New King James Version states:

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."

This is a broader translation than simply forgiving people for their sins against us. It is certainly inclusive, however. To forgive people of any trespasses or offenses includes those against us.

In other words, Jesus is instructing his followers to forgive others of their trespasses or offenses against anyone - including God. It is not just about forgiving others for what they may have done to us.

Will God forgive us?

God unconditionally loves each of us, and perpetually forgives each of us due to that love. There is no need to earn His forgiveness - it is not as if we pay for the privilege of His forgiveness.

Rather, Jesus is indicating that it is an automatic process of reception. We won't be able to receive His forgiveness unless we are also forgiving others.

True forgiveness requires love and compassion. In order to receive love and compassion, we must be a receptacle for it. We have the consciousness to be able to receive it.

For example, let's say that we see a stray animal that is hurt and we want to help the animal. Will we be able to help the animal if it hides and won't let us catch it? Certainly not. We can only help the animal if it trusts us enough to get close enough to help it.

In the same way, by forgiving others for their offenses - against ourselves or otherwise - we can become a receptacle for the forgiveness of the Supreme Being. We come into the realm of love - enabling us to receive his forgiveness.

How can we embrace forgiveness?

Jesus is suggesting that we embrace forgiveness - applying it liberally to others - in order for the Supreme Being's forgiveness will embrace us.

This quality of reciprocation also works with love. Consider this statement of Jesus:

" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matt. 22:37-39)

The reason 'Love your neighbor as yourself' is "like it" with respect to " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'" is that without loving God we won't have the ability to truly love others.

These are linked. We won't be able to love the Supreme Being without also loving His children. And we won't be able to truly love His children without loving Him.

It would be like having a loving relationship with a woman and yet hating the woman's infant baby. Or loving the baby and hating the woman. How could we hate the baby and love the woman? It is not possible, because the baby is connected to the woman. They are intimately connected.

In the same way, we are each intimately connected with the Supreme Being. It is not as if there is us and then there is God - like we are two opposing forces. The Supreme Being is our Creator and everlasting well-wisher. We are His eternally (whether we appreciate this or not). 

Thus to pretend to love God without loving His children would be a contradiction in itself.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find ..." (Matthew 7:7-8)

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)

What is Jesus suggesting that we 'seek'?

Some would have us believe that Jesus is referring to anything we want, be it money, a new job, a new car or our football team to win. Is Jesus saying that we should seek materialism?

Why would Jesus suggest his students ask for that which he opposes they focus upon:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" (Matt. 6:25)

If Jesus doesn't want his students to focus on materialism, why would he then want them to seek materialistic things?

Rather, the "it" Jesus is referring to is the subject of his teachings:

“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matt. 22:37-38)

What is required in order to love someone? Can we love someone who we don't know?

Therefore, what Jesus is suggesting his students ask for is to come to know the Supreme Being.

What is 'the door' Jesus is referring to?

Jesus says that if we ask, and seek, and knock - a metaphor - the door will be opened. What is the door?

The "door" is the path to return to our loving relationship with God.

Even though we rejected Him and thus came to this physical universe to escape Him, He still wants us back. He Himself gave us the freedom to choose to love Him or not. He thus has complete understanding and forgiveness for those who fell away from Him.

Therefore, as soon as we sincerely want to return to Him, He will help guide us back to Him. He will allow us to get to know Him again.

But we must ask first. He doesn't want to barge into our lives. He wants us to make the choice to return to Him. This is what love is about.

And yes, - He will forgive us of our envy and our greed - and He will heal our self-centeredness. This is because He is strong, tolerant, and gentle by nature.

But we must ask first. We must want Him back in our lives.

What should we 'ask' for?

Jesus is suggesting that what we ask for will be given to us. Does this mean that we should ask for materialistic things? Should we be asking for money? Should we be asking for fame?

Asking for such things assumes the Supreme Being is some sort of genie that will grant us whatever we want: As though God is our servant.

What Jesus is requesting we ask for is outlined in the Lord's Prayer, and his prayer on Mount Olives (Gethsemane):

1) Forgiveness:

"Forgive our debts [or sins] as we forgive our debtors." (Matthew 6:12)

2) Spiritual fulfillment:

"Give us this day our daily bread." (Matthew 6:12)
As discussed with that verse, Jesus is not suggesting we ask for physical food. He is recommending that we ask God for the food of our soul. The essence of that food is love for God and loving service to God:

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work." (John 4:34)

3) Accordingly, doing God's will: 

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done ...” (Matthew 6:10)

Jesus also himself prayed for this on Mount Olives:

"My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39)

God has feelings. When we have acted against His will and we reject Him, He is certainly hurt by that, just as any loving friend would be. Any loving friend would feel pain when the one they love decides to leave.

For this reason, we cannot just ask to return to Him on a whim. We must be serious. We must be sincere about our desire to return. It must not be a matter of making a show of religiousness to impress others.

For these reasons He tests us. When a person approaches God and asks for forgiveness, and sincerely asks to come home, the door will be opened, certainly. But it will also come with a number of trials and tests to not only measure our sincerity but to make us stronger and more sincere in our desire to come home to Him.

Consider, for example, if a person leaves a loving wife or husband to be with another. For many years they were gone, and then suddenly they decide they want to get back together with the former spouse. Does the former spouse take them back just like that - immediately? 

Certainly, if the former spouse still loves them they would let them back into their lives. However, this would likely not be immediate. First, the returning spouse would have to prove to them (and themselves) that they are back for good. They would have to illustrate to the former spouse (and themselves) that they haven’t just come back on a whim, just to leave again.

In the same way, God sets up various tests for those who request to return to Him. He wants us back, but He also wants us to be serious about it. He wants us to come back because we want to be with Him. He doesn't want us to come back just because we couldn't get what we wanted - be it money or fame or whatever - when we were ignoring Him. He doesn't want us to return just because we want to get saved. He wants us to return to Him with love and sincerity in our hearts.

It is because of His love that He will open the door and let us back into His life - even if we initially are doing it for the wrong reasons. And once we start the journey, He will guide us (and test us) to increase our sincerity, faith, and natural love for Him.

These points illustrate the character of a truly loving, merciful and wise God.

“Take heart, son, your sins are forgiven.” (Matthew 9:2)

Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” (Matthew 9:1-2)

Why didn't Jesus say "I forgive your sins"?

We must notice, in all accepted Biblical versions, that Jesus does not say, "I forgive your sins." Rather, he says, "your sins are forgiven."

This is being translated from the Greek phrase, Θάρσει τέκνον ἀφέωνταί σοί αἱ ἁμαρτίαι σου. Translated, literally, it means, 'take courage son, your sins are forgiven you."

This is an emphatic, indirect statement. It does not imply Jesus' direct involvement in the action. Otherwise, it would use a possessive, such as "I" or "I have" prior to the action of forgiveness.

This means that Jesus went out of his way to not say that he did it.

Furthermore, when the Pharisees complained:

But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." (Matthew 9:6)

As explained with this verse, here Jesus also does not use the first person to claim his authority to forgive sins. Rather, he refers to a role - "Son of Man" - in the third person.

Why didn't Jesus heal the man right away?

The key element here is that Jesus was not immediately concerned about the paralysis of the man. He was focused upon the spiritual life of the man and those who brought the man over. This why it says, "when Jesus saw their faith."

Furthermore, one might wonder why the sins of a paralyzed person were connected to his healing? Jesus did not say "I've healed your paralysis." Rather, Jesus said, "your sins are forgiven." Why?

Jesus was teaching them that this is because a person’s current physical situation is the result of our past activities. We are each subject to the consequences of our prior activities.

The fact that Jesus taught the law of consequences was also communicated by this question by Jesus' disciples:

“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2)

This illustrates that Jesus was teaching the law of consequences. The disciples were questioning whether the child's being born blind was a consequence of his parent's activities or a consequence of the man's prior activities.

This law of 'as you sow, so shall you reap' (Gal 6:7 KJV) is a central component of the living being's learning experience in the physical body.

Each of us can make choices in life. Do we help others? Or do we hurt others? Do we give of ourselves? Or do we take from others? Do we serve God or do we serve ourselves?

What is sin?

There are several Greek words that have been translated to "sin" in the texts of the Bible:
- "paraptoma" to fall.
- "hamartia" to miss the mark.
- "hettema" to diminish.
- "parabasis" to cross the line.
- "amonia" to not abide.
- "parakoe" to refuse to heed.
- "agnoeema" to ignore.
- "skandalizō" to stumble.

In the case of Matthew 9:2, the word "sin" is translated from the Greek word hamartia. This refers to "missing the mark" or "making an error."

Taken as a whole, there are two aspects of sin. The act of sinning is to be acting in a self-centered way: Acting with self-centeredness.

Actions that harm others with self-centered motives are called "sins."

Every action and decision that affects others has a consequence. Our actions and decisions are each stored up until they are expressed as physical responses. Sometimes our actions have immediate consequences. Maybe we will go to jail if we steal, for example. Sometimes our actions have delayed responses.

Some consequences are expressed in our next lifetimes if we do not return to the spiritual realm. They will become part of the next body's DNA and will be expressed as particular diseases or handicaps. In fact, every part of our physical body is a consequence of our past activities - good and bad.

This scenario - and the fact that it was being taught by early followers of Jesus - was confirmed in Galatians 6:7:"

A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; for one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

This is why Jesus saw the sins of the paralyzed man as so important, and why forgiving those sins was vital to the man's physical recovery. Out of his mercy upon the man, Jesus wanted to relieve the person of his past transgressions. This allowed the consequences of his actions to be lifted.

The ability to forgive sins comes from the Supreme Being. And should the Supreme Being’s confidential servant and representative request it of God, a person’s sins can be wiped clean. The truly devoted servant of God never claims to be the Supreme Being. The representative of God continually harkens God’s power, and he desires to please the Supreme Being. This was expressed clearly by Jesus:

"By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me." (John 5:30)

“And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. ..." (Matthew 18:5-7)

“And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!" (Matthew 18:5-7)

What does Jesus mean by 'welcomes one such child'?

The word “welcomes” is translated from the Greek word δέχομαι, which can mean "receive" , but also can mean, according to the Greek lexicon "to receive into one's family, to bring up or educate."

In other words, it means to receive, but also to guide or teach a person. In this context, Jesus is speaking of helping guide a child into a consciousness where God is the center of our lives.

Jesus is speaking about teaching others to love God, in other words. Should a person teach a child to love God and do God's will, as Jesus did, then Jesus will be pleased ("welcomes me").

What does 'causes to stumble' mean?

This clearly indicates the opposite of the first statement. That adversely guiding someone who is trying to follow Jesus yields the worst outcome. Jesus is stating that to utilize a position of influence to steer an innocent person away from the Truth is to offend the Supreme Being and Jesus.

This is actually the state of affairs of some teachers of sectarian institutions today who teach false interpretations of the scriptures and Jesus' life. They end up teaching materialism in the name of Jesus - emphasizing that if we ask Jesus we can become wealthy or successful. Meanwhile, they ignore Jesus' most important teachings, such as the "greatest commandment" to love the Supreme Being with all our hearts and minds.

What does 'woe to the world' mean?

"World" is translated from the Greek word κόσμος (kosmos), which means "the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human family" according to the lexicon according to this context. Jesus is speaking of the physical world - the world where we misidentify ourselves with these temporary physical bodies and we think that this world is all there is.

In reality, we are not these physical bodies. We are the spirit-persons who are temporarily dwelling within these bodies, and at the time of death we will leave them.

So what are “the things that cause people to stumble”? These "things" are the temporary forms and names of the physical world. The attractions of the physical world are geared towards self-indulgence. The illusion of the physical world is that the shapes and forms that our eyes perceive will bring us happiness.

Rather, these are simply reflections of floating molecules that combine for a while and give the impression of permanence. They do not bring real happiness. They do not fulfill the spirit-person within.

What does it mean to 'stumble'?

Previous NIV versions - and some other Bible versions translate the Greek word σκάνδαλον (skandalon) to "sin". Others translate it to "offend" or "offense."

But "stumble" is a reasonable translation. This is describing a consciousness of self-gratification. Regardless of the word used, it is the opposite of love. Love is caring for others, and this is centered around caring only for ourselves.

But what about the "you have to love yourself before you can love others" doctrine that so many are teaching today? Does this teaching even make sense? At what point does a person's love for themselves translate into love for others?

Rather, this teaching is self-centeredness dressed in fancy words. They are essentially teaching their followers to stumble.

In fact, loving ourselves is our disease, and why we are currently away from the Supreme Being.

“Woe” - from the Greek word οὐαί (ouai) - is an expression of grief. Jesus is saying here that those who mislead others must suffer the consequences of misleading others.

The physical world is full of illusion and physical attractions, but those who teach that these will fulfill us shall be responsible for the consequences of those teachings.

“I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:22)

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?" “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21-22)

Is Jesus referring to mercy?

The issue is forgiveness, and forgiving others as we've been forgiven. This is also called having mercy on others.

Each of us living within a physical body is here because we need to grow spiritually. This physical world and lifetime is an educational journey. We were sent into the physical world primarily to learn about love. To learn to love each other and learn to love the Supreme Being - if we choose to.

Love requires not only caring about each other but being willing to forgive each other. This means forgiving others even if they don't forgive us. This means having mercy on others even though they may not have mercy on us.

Because ultimately, God is merciful to all of us.

Here we have the freedom to ignore God, and ignore His mercy. We even have the freedom to question His very existence. We can also blame Him for our own decisions. We can consider ourselves as the center of the universe, and claim nothing exists unless we see it with our physical eyes. And we can even claim there is no God.

And yet still, God is willing to forgive us. Not seven times, but innumerable times.

So the question is, are we not going to have mercy and forgiveness for others after being forgiven by God? Are we to be forgiven yet not forgive? This is Jesus' point.

Why must we learn forgiveness?

The human form of life allows us to forget and start with a blank slate. We can learn what we want to learn. We can act with complete freedom. We don't have to have mercy. We don't have to care. We don't have to pray. We can learn what we want and we can set whatever goals we want here.

In the spiritual world, everyone loves each other. Everyone forgives each other. In the spiritual world, everything revolves around God. God is the center. Everyone recognizes this in the spiritual realm.

But in the physical world, we can completely ignore all that. We can even claim there is no God and the only things that exist are what my eyes can see. Now, this is freedom. God is giving us the ultimate in freedom. We can completely escape Him here.

The human form of life can also be a stepping stone back to the spiritual world - if we take it. If we learn to change our consciousness. If we want to change.

Here we have the opportunity to learn to love others. To be kind to others even if they are not kind to us. Here we can learn what forgiveness means. We can learn to forgive by forgiving those who have harmed us.

Again, that is our choice. We can choose to live that sort of life. We can rise to the occasion, and be the kind of person that we wished others would be.

If we come to know and learn to love and forgive, we will have developed the tools to reconnect with the Supreme Being. We will have prepared our consciousness to return to the spiritual world.

Jesus' instruction to his followers is to help them prepare for their return to the spiritual world.

Why is there still suffering if God forgives us?

Yes, the Supreme Being ultimately forgives us and loves us unconditionally. But this does not mean our temporary physical bodies will not suffer the consequences of our previous decisions and actions. Especially those decisions and actions that hurt others.

This is the law of consequences, and it is programmed into the physical world. These temporary physical bodies are designed to incur the results of our actions. If we hurt others' bodies, our bodies will be hurt. If we help others' bodies, our bodies will be helped.

This is God's perfect design because this allows us to learn. If we have harmed or abused others, we get to learn what it feels like to be harmed or abused ourselves. This helps us understand what it feels like. It is school. It is an opportunity for rehabilitation.

But these physical bodies are still temporary. They are like automobiles and we are like the driver who gets into the car to drive it. And just as getting a flat tire on the car doesn't harm the driver, the sufferings of the physical world occur for the body. Our spiritual self is only affected by the learning that takes place here.

And what are we supposed to learn from the rehabilitation center of the temporary physical world? We are here to learn how to love. We are here to learn how to forgive. We are here to learn how to have mercy for others.

Just as God loves us and has mercy on us.

“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king ...” (Matthew 18:23-35)

“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:23-35)

What does this parable of the talents mean?

Jesus' parable of the talents is about forgiveness. Forgiveness, it turns out, has a circular quality.

Let’s be clear about forgiveness. If we were to do wrong to a friend named Robert, could we effectively seek forgiveness from another friend, say named Bill? Could Bill forgive us for something we did to Robert? Certainly not. We must ask forgiveness from the person we wronged.

So mistreating others is not the main activity the Supreme Being has forgiven us for. Certainly, the Supreme Being is offended for our mistreatment of others. But He has set up a perfect mechanism within the physical world that automatically rectifies our mistreatments of others, and we are directly involved in that learning scenario:

Everyone repays their debts for transgressions made upon others, either in this lifetime or in the next. This is God's perfect system of cause-and-effect consequence learning ("as you sow, so shall you reap").

But in Jesus' parable, the servant is in debt to the king, and the king forgave those debts. What did we do to the Supreme Being that requires His forgiveness?

Each of us became self-centered and decided that we didn’t want to love the Supreme Being or care for His children anymore. Instead, we sought His power and authority.

This is the original sin.

This truly hurt Him. Imagine, if you had a spouse, child or friend that you cared for greatly. At one point, out of the blue, they just told you that they didn’t care for you anymore, and they were leaving you. That would hurt, wouldn't it?

Does God have feelings?

Yes. The Supreme Being is hurt when we reject or ignore Him. He is strong, but He is also soft-hearted.

He is not hurt for Himself though. He is hurt for us. It is an empathetic hurt.

Because the Supreme Being loves us - before we even ask for it, He forgives us. He still loves us whether we love Him or not. And His hurt is the pain He feels when we are suffering.

Furthermore, while we have been away from Him, we have continued to ignore Him. Some even insult Him. Some of us have blasphemed His Name. Some have told others that He doesn’t exist. These are truly insults against Him.

And we continue to use what belongs to the Supreme Being (the material things around us, including our bodies) while claiming these things belong to us.

Yet He still forgives us. He is pained by our suffering - not having the loving relationship that makes us whole.

This is a very humbling experience - to realize just how graceful and beautiful the Supreme Being is while we continue to insult Him and forlorn Him. How loving He is, through thick and thin. He loves us unconditionally and does not want to see us suffer.

He forgives us, but relationships must work both ways. Forgiveness must also work both ways for there to be a relationship.

Consider in Jesus' parable, how the master turned the servant over to the jailer after the servant would not forgive others of their debts after he forgave his servant's debts.

The Supreme Being also has a jail system: It is this physical dimension, and our jail cells are these physical bodies.

If God forgives us, why is there so much suffering?

Many people wonder: If God is so loving and forgiving, why is there so much suffering in the world?

Sadly, this question is not being answered by many sectarian institutions.

For this reason, many reject the Supreme Being's existence. They cannot conceive of a reason why there would be suffering if there is a forgiving and merciful God.

They simply are not seeing the entire picture.

Yes, the Supreme Being has set up a precise system of justice here in this physical dimension. But we are the ones who dole out the justice - upon ourselves. We are the ones who create our consequences - by what we do.

It is like a thief who is jailed for stealing. The thief is the one who made the decision to steal, not the judge or the prison system. The judge and prison system are set up to protect the rest of the population from thieves and other criminals. To blame the judge and the prison system for the thief's decision is short-sighted.

Justice is the process of learning. If we do something that harms another, our justice is experiencing the harm that we committed to someone else. That is a learning experience, one that ultimately we decide for ourselves to learn.

There are two critical points we must remember about God's perfect learning and rehabilitation system:

1) These bodies are not us. These bodies are temporary physical shells - like the cars we drive - that we use for a while. The physical world gives us the illusion that we are these bodies in order for us to learn from a blank slate. We are only in these bodies temporarily, and each of us is spiritual in composition, remotely operating the body much as a driver operates an automobile.

2) The physical world and these bodies are set up for learning. Here we can help others or cause harm upon others - resulting in our being helped or our being harmed. This is to encourage us to learn to love. To care about others.

Just as a computer game persona (or icon) might experience the results of activities within the computer program game that carries over to successive plays, these physical bodies were designed to reflect the decisions and activities we have made in this temporary body or in a previous temporary body.

This is why Jesus' disciples asked Jesus:

His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (John 9:2)

This question assumes that Jesus had taught his disciples that our current situation is the result of either his prior activities or his parents' prior activities. Because it is a perfect system, where both the prior activities of the parents and the child come together to determine the health of the child, sometimes a parent's prior activity will create a particular issue inborn in the child.

At the same time, the child will still have the defect to balance his own previous activities. At the end of the day, each physical body is put into the precise situation that is deserved from our previous situations: "As we sow, so shall we reap."

We have created most of the suffering that exists in the world among temporary physical bodies. Yes, there is still pain, disease, and death here. But we have, as societies and as individuals, created the situations we are in today: Created here and in our previous lifetimes.

 

The key to the exit is to learn to love and forgive others, and learn to love God.

This was Jesus' primary teaching.

"This is my blood of the covenant ..." (Matthew 26:27-29)

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." (Matthew 26:27-29)

What did Jesus mean by 'this is my blood'?

"My blood" is being translated from the Greek word αἷμα (haima) which could mean blood, but according to the lexicon can also 'refers to the seat of life,' and its metaphorical meaning refers to one's mission' or 'purpose.'

As we understand that Jesus was speaking metaphorically, Jesus was not referring to blood at all. He was referring to his core purpose and intention: His mission.

The next word in the verse is διαθήκη (diathēkē) in Greek, which is being translated to "of the covenant." διαθήκη (diathēkē) means 'dispositions,' 'arrangements,' or 'contracts' relating to testaments or wills. In other words, διαθήκη means a type of pact.

So what kind of pact, covenant, arrangement, or contract is Jesus referring to?

Remember that God maintained a covenant with Noah, with Moses, and a number of other ancient teachers according to the Old Testament. Some texts in the Bible discuss a covenant between God and the people of Israel.

Is this the same covenant Jesus is describing? What were these covenants described in the Bible about?

Just as He wants for each of us, God wanted the people of Israel to return to Him. He wants us to return to our loving relationship with Him. God simply wants us to return to His loving arms. The covenant is about exchanging a loving relationship with God.

This is why Moses' and Jesus' most important instruction was:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment." (Matthew 22:37-38)

What does 'poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins' mean?

The word "forgiveness" in Matthew 26:27 is being translated from ἄφεσις (aphesis), which means, according to the lexicon, "release from bondage or imprisonment."

Instead, Roman scribes translated this word to "forgiveness" - which was then assumed by other translators centuries later.

The phrase, "of sins" is being translated from the Greek word ἁμαρτία (hamartia), which, according to the lexicon, refers to "to be without a share in, to miss the mark, to err, be mistaken, to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honor, to do or go wrong, to wander from the law of God..." This can be summarized by something like 'straying from God's will.'

What is the foundation for 'straying from God's will?' It is self-centeredness. It is greed. It is envy. These elements facilitate our straying from our original loving relationship with the Supreme Being.

Self-centeredness and envy can be compared to being imprisoned, because these grab us and draw us further and further into greed, leading to violence. This is why God taught Cain:

"But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." (Genesis 4:7)

Self-centeredness is ready to take hold of us at any time. Self-centered thoughts lead to desires, which pull us into greed.

We can only be released from the "bondage" that self-centeredness brings by following Jesus' and Moses' instruction to re-develop our loving relationship with the Supreme Being. Should we do this, then by God's "covenant," we can be released from the bondage of self-centeredness, and thus materialism, and become a candidate for returning to the spiritual world.

This is what Jesus is speaking of - not cleansing the sins of others with his blood as ascribed by some.

What did Jesus mean by 'when I drink it anew with you'?

In Jesus' next statement, he says, "I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."

Jesus is confirming that the "covenant" mentioned in the prior sentence is related to his return to "my Father's kingdom." Jesus is referring to our returning to our relationship with God - within the spiritual realm.

But Jesus is not only talking about his own return to the spiritual realm: "that day when I drink it anew with you" means that Jesus will only feel that the "covenant" is fulfilled when those followers Jesus is speaking to embrace his instruction to love and serve God with all their hearts, and thus return to the spiritual realm with him.

This covenant is also available to anyone who chooses to follow Jesus' teachings.

This understanding clarifies Jesus' purpose and the meaning of his statement here. Jesus was not some sacrificial lamb that supplies blood for people to drink so they can be relieved from the consequences of their sins so they can continue their self-centered behavior without guilt. This perversion of Jesus' life is offensive and abominable and has nothing to do with the real teachings of Jesus.

Rather, Jesus' purpose was to instruct us to renew our loving relationship with the Supreme Being. Should we do this, we will be released from the bondage of our self-centeredness, and become eligible to return to the spiritual realm. This is the "covenant" Jesus is referring to here. This is why Jesus' most important instruction was:

“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38)

Was Jesus drinking wine?

Jesus said this after he offered the grape juice to God with praises and then passed the cup around to his disciples.

How do we know this was grape juice and not wine?

The Greek praise translated to "fruit of the vine" is γενήματος τῆς ἀμπέλου. The word γένημα (genēma) refers to fruit and ἄμπελος (ampelos) refers to a grapevine. Jesus is referring to a fresh drink, not a fermented drink.

The Greek word for fermented wine is οἶνος (oinos). There is no mention of this at the 'last supper' because Jesus was not drinking wine.

In the Old Testament we find multiple Hebrew words translated to wine:

עָסִיס (`aciyc) - which refers to sweet wine or juice (unfermented)

תִּירוֹשׁ (tiyrowsh) - which refers to new wine, which may be fermented and intoxicating, or may simply be juice.

יַיִן (yayin) - refers to fermented and intoxicating wine.

Furthermore, the ancient custom for drinking fermented wine was to dilute it with water. For customary uses - for gatherings and so forth - if fermented wine was used, it was diluted with up to 20 parts water - leaving the alcohol content well under 1%.

Furthermore, we know that Jesus' teacher, John the Baptist did not drink wine. Jesus said this himself:

"For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine..." (Luke 7:33)

We also find this in the words of the angel that appeared to Zechariah regarding John:

"...for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born." (Luke 1:15)

And because Jesus was one of John's students (meaning of baptism) we know that he certainly followed his teacher in this respect of not drinking alcohol - or at least drinking minimal alcohol in the form of the watered-down version.

We also find that Jesus turned down alcohol even when he was suffering on the cross:

There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall [myrrh or wormwood]; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. (Matthew 27:34)

Once Jesus tasted it and found it was wine, he didn't want it. This is even though wine was being used to help numb the pain.

Why did he say it was the 'blood of the covenant'?

There is a critical misunderstanding with regard to why Jesus is calling the bread and the grape juice "my blood of the covenant."

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them (Matthew 26:27)

The Greek word being translated to "given thanks" here is εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō) - and the word Greek word translated to "given thanks" in Matthew 26:26 is the synonym ὐλογέω (eulogeō), which both mean "to praise, celebrate with praises" and "to consecrate a thing with solemn prayers" according to the lexicon.

What is this? It is referring to the ancient practice - handed down from the ancient prophets and also taught by Jesus - of making an offering to the Supreme Being.

When something is offered to the Supreme Being it becomes "blessed." This is why the food and the grape drink were so special. Jesus offered them to God with praises, so the food and the grape juice became blessed.

Offering food to God was an ancient practice handed down from teacher to student for thousands of years as a practice to help us re-establish our loving relationship with God. The books of the Old Testament describe clearly the practice of offering to God, and God Himself requested it:

"Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering. You are to receive the offering for Me from each man whose heart prompts him to give." (Exodus 25:2)

Just consider what a boy does when he wants to get to know a girl better. He brings her flowers - an offering. This is meant to facilitate a relationship between the two.

This is the same purpose for making an offering to the Supreme Being. We are extending ourselves to Him - wanting to come to know and love Him.

What about bathing in the blood of Jesus?

Does this make any sense? Today even, several institutions are conducting the ritual of "bathing in the blood of Jesus" by pretending that Jesus' blood and body are wine and crackers.

Why should we believe this?

The ritual assumes a self-centered purpose of cleansing of one's sins through Jesus' crucifixion. This means taking advantage of Jesus' suffering.

Isn't that what this means? Using Jesus' suffering for our own advantage?

Who would use someone's suffering and persecution for their own purposes?

Someone who was self-centered. Someone who didn't care about Jesus.

And is it a coincidence that this interpretation and translation arose from the same government involved in persecuting Jesus?

Not only was the Roman government involved in the murder of Jesus' physical body when he was here: They then proceeded to cover up Jesus' real teachings, with a doctrine that Jesus was God turned man so that God could die for our sins.

This is a nonsensical interpretation of Jesus' life and teachings.

They are teaching that God died. How could God die? How could the Supreme Being - who created everything - come under the influence of the physical world and die? Is that logical?

The Supreme Being does not die. He is eternal and never comes under the control of the physical world. Thus he never faces death.

Furthermore, God is God. He never becomes a man. It's like saying that a man can become a rock. How could that be so? They are completely different types of entities. The Supreme Being is always supreme. He is always superior. He would never have to succumb to being a lower organism - a human physical body.

More importantly, the Supreme Being never has to make a sacrifice to atone for anyone. The Supreme Being can cleanse someone's sins simply by willing it. He doesn't need to make a show of supposedly dying.

This fact - that God can forgive our sins directly - is confirmed by Jesus' teaching his followers to ask the Supreme Being to forgive their sins within the "Lord's Prayer:"

"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us." (Matthew 6:12 NLT)

The word "sins" is translated from the Greek word ὀφείλημα (opheilēma), but this means "offense, sin" and "debt" according to the lexicon.

Furthermore, we know Jesus was referring to God forgiving sins:

"But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:15)

So why, if Jesus is teaching his followers to ask the Supreme Being to forgive them for their sins, do some teachers and their institutions conduct this ritual of "bathing in the blood of Jesus"?

The word "sin" or "transgressions" in Matthew 6:15 comes from the Greek word παράπτωμα (paraptōma), which means, according to the lexicon, "to fall beside or near something" and "a lapse or deviation from truth and uprightness."

What are we talking about here? Jesus is discussing activities that are self-centered and hurtful to others. But what is this and why would God need to forgive us for being selfish and for hurting others? Why couldn't those who we hurt just forgive us and we're all clean?

Because Jesus is speaking of a deeper offense: Offending the Supreme Being by rejecting our relationship with Him.

Does God give us the freedom to reject Him?

Because love requires freedom, the Supreme Being allows us the complete freedom to love Him or not.

And because He loves us dearly, certainly He is hurt and offended when we decide we don't want to love Him anymore.

This is why, in fact, we are each dwelling in a temporary physical body in the physical world and not in our home in the spiritual realm. We have been given these physical bodies in order to get away from God. He gave us these physical bodies so that we can pretend we are someone else - so we can forget our relationship with God.

Yes, the Supreme Being is so loving that He will give us the ability to ignore Him and even forget Him - and even deny His existence.

This element of not only accepting God's existence but accepting our role as a loving servant of God is critical to Jesus' teachings. This is why Jesus said:

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (Matthew 7:21-23)

The phrase "but only he who does the will of my Father" is very clear. To do someone's will means to serve that person. Jesus is talking about serving the Supreme Being.