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)