Genesis 1:1

In some ways, Gen.1:1 is the most important verse in the Bible.

> The verse states there is a Creator of the universe. There is meaning to existence.

> The fact it was "created" (Heb: bara) implies nothing preexisted. Only God can create from nothing, therefore we see evidence of God.

> God exists outside of nature and time. He controls space.

> A creation story has only one Creator.

> God is not born.

> This is the only God separate from nature because He created it.

> Who created God? If God were created, He would not be God.

> Christianity, and Judaism, has come to affirm that God is, was and will be. This cannot be said about any other God. Through science and logic, this cannot be.

> Science can only prove what is within nature.

> God remains the only rational explanation of existence. Science is at a loss about life from non-life.

> It only makes sense that the Creator would care about His creation.

> To create beings who care about good and evil stands to reason the Creator of such beings would also care about good and evil.

 

 

> The name of God's chosen people, "Israel", means "Struggle With God".

> The purpose of Genesis I is to teach about God, man and nature.

> There is reality outside of nature.

> God is not a sexual being.

> There is only one God Creator (existing in 3 entities).

> God represents order versus disorder.

> God has a special role for human beings.

> God is moral and has a will for morality.

> There is a higher meaning for life.

> Genesis I tries to teach wisdom rather than science.

Prince

 Regarding Ez. 44:3 & 46:12

The word "prince", a future High Priest serving in the earthly temple forever, who comes by way of the gate and leaves the same way.

> Melchizedek did not make sacrifices. Heb. 7:27 tells us he was a Levitical priest.

> The main purpose of the priest was to conduct sacrifices in the temple, under the law.

> Under the New Covenant, Christ is our physical sacrifice; so we no longer need a physical sacrifice. Christ sacrificed "once for all".

> The reason for a temple in the O.T. was for sacrifices. There will not be a physical temple in the New Jerusalem.

- Rev. 21:22 speaks of a SPIRITUAL temple

- Eph. 2:20 peaks of a spiritual temple

- Jn. 2:19 - 21 speaks of a spiritual temple

- I Cor. 16:19 speaks of a spiritual temple

- Heb. 8:4, 5 - 13 relates superior spiritual temple

> In Heb. 8:1 - 13, Pal teaches the New Covenant with greater promises, a superior High Priest and our spiritual sacrifice governed by the git of a loving heart to be obedient. Our sacrifice is now obedience through love/gratitude/understanding.

 

 

 

* Physical sacrifice was never the point

* It's our obedience that is considered our spiritual sacrifice.

- Micah 6:6 - 8

- I Sam. 15:22

> "Prince" = Civic authorities of the new community of Israel

> Ez. 45:8 & 9 = The coming prince is contrasted with Israel's previous rulers who oppressed their subjects (under law), absent of a shepherd or king which would have been attached to the title "prince".

> In Hebrew the word "sacrifice" is "Ha-Nosi".

> If you break down the Hebrew letters into their pictorial meanings you get a translation of the word "sacrifice": PAY ATTENTION to your LIFE; GOD works a MIGHTY DEED from the BEGINNING. (The meaning is the same in Aramaic)

God's Heavenly Story

> “Evil is always perverted good, as dirt is simply matter out of place. It is the spoilation of some better thing going before it. And so there is reason to think that there is, after all, some great original, divine science connected with the stars, which astrology has prostituted to its own base ends, and which is our duty to search out and turn to its proper evangelical use.”

 

> Any story anyone ascribes to these constellations other than their true gospel meaning is false.

 

> The gospel is laid out in pictures throughout the constellations of: a serpent, a cross, a dragon, a virgin, a seed, the serpent’s destroyer, conflict with the dragon, a lamb, a prince and kings, water, fish, sheep and a shepherd, warriors, and a lion.

 

 

> The North Rose Window of The Saint Denis Cathedral is called, “The Creation.” “God the Creator,” is depicted in the center, surrounded by “The Days of Creation.” The days are surrounded by each of the twelve signs of the Zodiac, which represent “The Order of the Heavens.” Outside of the Zodiac is the “Labor of the Months,” which depict the “Order of Earth.” In each corner outside of this circle are images of the “Fall of Mankind.” Originally constructed c. 1145, repaired 1805. Paris, France. Copyright: TTaylor [CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)]

 

> Twelve articles explain the biblical meaning behind each of the twelve signs of the Zodiac, their star groupings, and their part in telling the gospel story. The constellations are categorized into three groupings.

 

> Person, work and triumph of Jesus Christ:

Virgo: Seed of the Woman, Jesus Incarnate (August 23-September 22)

Libra: Redeemer (September 23-October 22)

Scorpio: Sufferer (October 23-November 21)

Saggitarius: Conquerer (November 22-December 21)

 

> The Fruit of His Work and Mediation, the body of people spiritually born to Him through faith:

Capricorn: Sacrifice (December 22-January 19)

Aquarius: The Pouring Out of the Holy Spirit & Living Water (January 20-February 18)

Pisces: Fishers of Men and the Persecuted Church (February 19-March 20)

Aries: Glorious Lamb (March 21-April 19)

 

> The final consummation of the Redeemer who is reunited with His Redeemed:

Taurus: Judge (April 20-May 20)

Gemini: Whose binary star points to Jesus of Nazareth (May 21-June 20)

Cancer: Journey from Dark to Light (June 21-July 22)

Leo: Victor (July 23-August 22)

 

Hopefully the true meanings of these signs will give hope and comfort to those who have put their faith in Jesus– and reveal Jesus to those who have not yet met him.

 

* * * Taken from writings by Joseph Augustus Seiss - According to a 1904 New York Times abstract, Seiss was long distinguished as a preacher and writer and founder of the The General Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America in 1867.