The Multifarious Two's.
Students often ask "Why is it written twice"? It's so basically simple that it has been largely ignored and overlooked. The dual nature of Jesus, both divine and human, correlates with the Logos and Rhema and fits the pattern of the myriad two's in Scripture: (Did you imagine there would be so many?)
You won't necessarily agree with every instance, but for sure you must be aware of how scripture utilizes the two's and twice-two (4's).| Two she-bears avenging Elisha, 2K2:24 | Two walking together agreed? Amos3:3 |
| Two trees in the Garden of Eden | Two Tablets of the Ten Commandments |
| Two Pillars: Cloud by day, Fire by nite | Two dreams of Joseph and the Pharaoh |
| Two mountains: Blessing & Cursing | Two thieves & two malefactors |
| Two great lights of Gen 1:16 | Two-edged sword, the Double-Portion |
| Two golden calves of Jeroboam | Two birthdays: Pharaoh & Herod |
| Two Temple Cleansings: Jn2:15/Mk11:15 | Two Messengers: Josh6:17, Jas2:25 |
| Two silver trumpets (Numb 10:2) | Two Temples: Solomon's & Cyrus' |
| Two nations in Rebekah's womb | Two spies with the "Good Report" |
| Two spies sent to Rahab by Joshua | Two baptisms: fire & water |
| The Riddle & The Secret of Samson | Two Cainans of Luke 3:36, 37 |
| Two Resurrections, Two deaths | Two candlesticks (Rev 11) |
| Two Witnesses; Deut 17:6 & Rev 11:2 | Two Enochs - Two Lamechs |
| Two Eagles and Two Sticks of Ezekiel 17,37:16 | Two False witnesses (Matt26:60) |
| Two sets of "Keys" - Mt16:19, Rev 1:18 | Two Swords "enough" - Lk22:38 |
| Two Names: Old & New | Two Secrets- "Wonderful" Judg13:18 |
| Two who agree. Mt18:19 | Two Jerusalems - Old, and New to come.. |
| Two feminine books: Ruth/Esther | Two Salathiel/Zerrubbabel |
| Two in bed or in the field. (Lk17:34) | Two Great Eagles (Ezek 17:7) |
| Two men named Lazarus: Lk16,John11 | Two Angels: Jn20:12, Acts 1:10 |
| Two Jacobs - Two Theophilus | Two Runners of 2Sam18 |
| The cock crowed TWICE! | Two women re Solomon's wisdom. |
| Two Adams: Jesus is the 2nd - 1Cor15 | Two deaths: Avoid the 2nd if possible. |
| Two on the road to Emmaus | Two Goats of Lev 16:7 |
| Mercury & Jupiter, Acts14:12 | Castor & Pollux, Acts28:11 |
| Yoked with Jesus - Mt11:29 | Pillars: Boaz & Jachin - 1K7:21 |
| Two Covenants: Old & New (Jer31:31) | Two Upper Rooms - Mk14:15, Acts 1:13 |
| Two Holy Places, divided by veil | Two "Great" Commandments, Mt22:37 |
| Two Floods: Noah's & Gen 1:2, 2Pet3:6 | Two Veils ?? Maybe... Heb9:3, Matt27:51 |
| Two speaking animals!- serpent & donkey | Urim & Thummim - Lev8:8 |
Putting two and two together is what we all try to do,
To some the answer's four, and to others twenty two.
In English, they both appear as "w-o-r-d".
......
Whenever the translators came to the Greek "logos"
or the Greek "rhema", they simply wrote down
"w-o-r-d", and unless the English reader consults a concordance
he doesn't know which of the two was used. Logos is a root word
for logic and rhema is a root word for utterance or speaking, so
saying "logos and rhema", in that order, implies
putting the mind in gear before saying it. The thinking should come before the speaking. Amen?
The Logos Word
"The sower soweth the WORD (logos)." Mk4:14.
"..and he cast out the spirits with his Word(logos) and healed all that were sick." Mat8:16.
"In the beginning was the Word; the Word was with God and the Word(logos) was God. Jn1:1
"clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, and his name is called the LOGOS of God. Rev19:13
The Rhema Word
"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word(rhema) of God". Rom10:17.
"..and have tasted the good word (rhema) of God.." Heb6:5
"..the Sword of the Spirit,
which is the word(rhema) of God." Eph6:17
| Sometimes the argument is heard "You can't prove anything by just one book", but the Bible is not "just one book" -- it's two, in two different languages, and multiple books as well. Much like proving an arithmetic problem, I'm convinced it will prove itself to anyone who will take the time to study it sincerely, but unfortunately it may have to be in spite of the traditional untruth's we're all accustomed to hearing. |
Don't be intimidated by scholars impressed with their own knowledge, or educated beyond their intellect, but serious study will soon reveal other instances where one word in the English language has come from two or more different Greek words. "Power", for example, may be from "exousia" (authority), or from "dunamis" (ability). Someone has compared them to a policeman with his badge and his revolver. The power of his authority is in his badge, and the power of his ability is in his revolver. Dunamis is a root of our word "dynamite".
"Power of Attorney" isn't
spoken of directly, but the principle should be
kept in mind, because God really does know the end from the
beginning (Acts15:18) and the seeds of this legal practice were
planted in His Word deliberately. "Whatsoever things were
written aforetime, were written for our learning",
Rom15:4. When a woman marries, she takes a new name, and when we
desire to be spiritually fruitful we take the name of Jesus!
That's when we can have the Power of Attorney
The little hand-held Bible computers are a big help in locating passages of scripture. I recollect studying in our front room with Young's Analytical and Strong's Exhaustive concordances, plus dictionaries and Vines and others too -- and how, after maybe hours of study, my wife would say she got the same meaning from her Amplified Bible!
Not everyone is disposed to study, or to
be like Timothy. The Apostle Paul wrote to him, 2Tim2:15,
"Study to show yourself approved
unto God, a workman who needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the Word of truth."
Correctly understanding is
rightly-dividing, and the precept in the O.T. is when God divided
the waters. The "washing of water by the Word",
Eph5:26, is a poetic way of saying how spiritual cleansing is
accomplished through reading (and doing) the Word of God, similar
to the way our physical bodies are washed with water.
"My
words are spirit, and they are life", Jn6:63.
| They went into the Ark by two's, and Jesus sent out the seventy by two's. Two brothers, two prophets (1K13), two Saul's, two Enoch's, Rachel & Leah, Mary & Martha, Peter & Paul, Elijah & Elisha, Esau & Jacob, Eldad & Medad, Jannes & Jambres, male & female, Old & New, Clean & Unclean, Good & Evil, Alpha & Omega, Theophilus-twice, the double portion, two-edged sword, and on and on and on... |
P is for Poem
The Walls
THE TEN, THE TWO, and THE NEW.. Were you aware that the two "great" commandments were not part of the Ten? Mt22:38.
It's an example of HIDDEN TRUTH. The 1st commandment, Jesus said, Mt22:37, came from Deut6:5, and the second from Lev19:18; neither of which are part of the Ten Commandments. We don't learn that in the O.T. -- they aren't highlighted in any special way, but the N.T. gives us two separate accounts. The two "great" commandments included the word LOVE -- not part of the Big Ten. As for the recent judicial decision not to ban filthy material--what part of "Thou shalt not" wasn't clear? Isn't our legal system based on scripture, and hasn't the Judge of all the earth banned certain practices?Two that are One
The bottom line for me is when Jesus
said in John 10:30,
"I
and my father are one".
Seeing how two can be one is
preliminary to understanding the Trinity. Yes, I know some people
say you can't understand the Trinity--and what they say is what
they get.
"There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek". Rom10:12. (What an astounding statement! I thought the ones dressed in black with the odd hats and long beards were different..)
The "Greek" is just a synonym
for Gentile, like the uncircumsized. That same verse goes on to
say "for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that
call upon him. For whosoever
shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." So
the two are one in the sense that either can be a
"whosoever". The Old Covenant for the Jew is simply
preliminary to the New Covenant for the Gentile. They were a
school teacher to lead us to Christ. Gal 3:24. They were the
"Children", and we're supposed to be the reasoning
"Adults". Eph 4:14.
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ANALOGY: Comparison & Contrast. Others have noted how the Bible is like an Instruction Manual for life, and teachers use analogy to introduce new subjects. The example being used cannot be exactly like what is being taught -- the two objects must have differences as well as similarities. So some folks focus on the likes, and others focus on the unlikes: both are true. The glass is half-full to some and half-empty to others.
It takes two points for distance, two
lines for parallel, two lines of sight for depth perception.
Action begets reaction. Many reciprocals are used: heaven/hell,
angel/devil, love/hate, etc. We're on the road to learning about
the TWO COVENANTS; the first for the Jew under the Law, and the
second for the Gentile, by faith. First the "old", then
the new. Gal 4:24. The first for the "Children" to
record the precepts, so the "Adults" could reason it
out. The first to bring forth the male Sower of the Word, and the
second to bring forth spiritually fruitful females.
Galatians 4:24 speaks specifically about the TWO (2 in particular) COVENANTS. 2Cor3:7 refers to the Old
Testament as one "of death", and Hebrews 8:6 informs us that we have "a better covenant...established upon better promises".
The New Covenant should come as no surprise, because Jeremiah 31:31 speaks of it plainly. Too bad that various teaching on 'several'
covenants has blurred our understanding concerning these special two.
Hindsight! Students will ask "What about the Abraham Covenant?", which they believe began in the Genesis Period, but that was only "by Promise" and eventually initiated by Moses in Exodus 19 and taught by Paul in Hebrews 9:19.
The first use of the word "promise" occurs in Numbers 14:34, speaking of a "breach of promise" (a breach meaning 'altering of purpose' is the meaning of the name of Pharez: the son of Judah through whom the line of Christ proceeded).
We see ALLEGORY described in many ways and often derogatory to the understanding
of Scripture, when it really consists of TWO stories: the veiled metaphoric story, and the plain
language of Truth.
TWO GODS.
A first-time reading of scripture may leave the
impression of many gods (polytheism), but it truly teaches only two: the
Almighty and "the god of this world", Satan.
2Cor4:4.
| "Of a truth, LORD, the kings...have cast their gods into the fire; for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone.." Isaiah 37:19 NO GODS! |
Everyone knows
about the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus
at Calvary: we read about them in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. But
Luke's Gospel doesn't say anything about thieves; instead it writes about
the two MALEFACTORS who were led with Jesus, Lk23:32. Ironically, everyone
speaks about the "thief" who defended Jesus, when according to the first
two gospels both thieves reviled Him, and nowhere do we read about one of
the thieves changing his mind. So when people commonly speak of "the thief
on the cross", they're really speaking of the malefactor.
Just another case of tradition flying in the face of what Scripture actually says!
Folks will ask "what's a malefactor?" in defense of their position that the two thieves and two malefactors were really the same two individuals. They know that a thief is someone who steals, but haven't recognized how a malefactor (wrong-doer) is like our criminal or felon. Anything from a murderer or rapist to a drunk driver. Surprising as it may be, a careful scrutiny of Scripture will really confirm how Christ was crucified between two thieves AND two malefactors. Indeed, John19:18 adds the word "one" to the text (but neglects to show it in italics) which should read "Where they cruficied him and two others with him on either side, and Jesus in the midst".
Insurance Companies and others have decided that hurricanes, lightning strikes, and similar catastrophes are "Acts of God". NOT MY GOD, I protest! It's the little "god of this world" who goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour -- and he finds a lot of people who aren't in the Game Refuge, so they're fair game. We aren't playing charades or Survivor (this is serious!) -- in the Game of Life the stakes are the ultimate, and perhaps FINAL. I set before you Death & Life: choosing Life is recommended.
Then the Pharaoh had a second dream, and
this time it was seven good ears of corn that ate seven thin ears
of corn. I'm thinking corn doesn't have mouths to eat with: corn
only has ears!
People are fond of saying how the Bible is anybody's
interpretation, but I claim the Bible TEACHES interpretation--mostly through
the dreams and visions stories.
Joseph interpreted the dreams, saying
that the two were one, and further: "by two it's
established", Gen41:32. As we've just seen, it's a principle
carried throughout scripture.
Joseph went on to explain that seven
years of good harvest would be followed by seven years of famine.
Great news about the good harvest, but what will we do after
that? "Put aside some of the good harvest and save it for
the years of the famine", is what Joseph advised; and so it
turns out that Joseph himself is given charge of the storehouse.
Do you see it? The storehouse is the Bible! Like money in the
bank. The "7" good years is symbolic of all the time
required to write it, and the "7" famine years have
been in effect ever since, while we continue to feed on the bread
of life, and 'take the cup' by becoming doers of the Word. Scripture details the birth of Christ and we celebrate the 25th of December though most of us would agree that probably isn't really the exact date. There's even a chance this was a date formerly assigned to a heathen god of the 3rd or 4th century.
The Pharaoh's birthday was on "the third day", Genesis 40:20, when the Butler received LIFE and the Baker received DEATH. To better appreciate the significance of such a special date check out the SIX DAYS page.
Herod's birthday (more accurately, the day his birthday was kept, Matthew 14:6, Mark 6:21) was on the day Herodias' daughter danced, and John the Baptist was beheaded. His head was "taken away" on that infamous day , and now the Body of Christ is awaiting the day we'll be reunited with the head of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ. REMEMBER will overcome DISMEMBER !
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What did they THINK would happen, when they expelled the Bible? Less crime? More honesty? |
"Let us run with patience the race that is set before us; Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..." Heb12:1. also "Write the vision and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that reads it". Hab2:2.
Two of a kind. Lot's wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt, Gen19:26, and the Israeli's who were bitten by fiery serpents, Numb21:6, were healed if they would turn to look at the brass serpent. In each case they had to physically turn and look, but now under the New Covenant we don't have to turn our head; only think back and consider our sins, and repent.
Two Great Lights. On Day Four God created the Sun and the Moon, Gen 1:16, giving us pause to reflect and wonder what kind of light had been created on Day One. Could that be a reference to the Light of the World, Jesus, who was in the Beginning with God? Of course, it took four thousand years before He was born in Bethlehem (means "House of Bread") and grew up to state that he was the Light of the World, and that he and his Father were One. Two great lights!
Many nations--many countries throughout the world, but only two kingdoms. The Kingdom of Heaven or Kingdom of God, should be understood KINGDOM OF LIGHT, whereas Satan's Kingdom is the KINGDOM OF DARKNESS. These are spiritual kingdoms, Rev16:10, Col 1:13.
If the Apostle Peter wasn't just using flowery rhetoric when he said "a thousand years are as one day", 2Pet3:8, the Great Author may have deliberately dropped this clue in Genesis concerning how the Evening could come before the Morning. Before Christ came, they were mostly in the dark!
Theophilus - Was there really such a
person? From theo (meaning God) and philo (meaning love), it translates as
"Beloved of God" and is found in Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1. The Hebrew
equivalent "Jedidiah" was the other name given to Solomon, by the Prophet
Nathan in 2Sam12:25.
Solomon's father, David, wasn't allowed to build a House for
the Lord, but he did store up all the necessary materials in order for
Solomon to build it. The allegory has David representing the Old Covenant,
and Solomon representing the New where the believers bodies are the temple
of the holy ghost. 1Cor6:19.
So then, we in this present Church Age are "Solomon" with
the wealth of all-scripture stored up by the Old Testament saints, and we
are the "Beloved of God" who believe on the Word (Jesus) that He has magnified
above his name (Jehovah). Ps138:2.
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JEHOVAH JIREH JEHOVAH NISSI JEHOVAH SHALOM JEHOVAH RAPHA JEHOVAH QADDESH JEHOVAH ROI JEHOVAH SABAOTH JEHOVAH SHAMMAH JEHOVAH TZIDKENU |
The LORD my Banner. The LORD my Peace. The LORD my Healer. The LORD who Sanctifies. The LORD my Shepherd. The LORD of Hosts. The LORD is Present. The LORD my Righteousness. |
Ex 17:15 Judg 6:24 Ex 15:26 Ex 31:13 Psalm 23 Rom9:29/Jas5:4 Ezek 48:35 Jer23:6/2Cor5:21 |
Jehovah itself (means "the Existing One") is a "NEW Name" according to Exodus 6:3. "I appeared unto Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by the name of GOD ALMIGHTY, but by my name Jehovah was I NOT known to them". El Elyon and El Shaddai (Almighty God and The Breasty One) were apparently the names of God known in the Genesis Era. Now of course it's the New Name of Jesus first found in the Book of Matthew.
Like the proverbial "straw that breaks the camel's back", (compare to the story of how the Egyptian's withheld the straw for making the bricks to build those two treasure cities of Exodus 1:11) each "two" account by itself seems inconsequential, but when viewed in totality they show the harmony between the Old Testament and the New, and serve to confirm the authorship of the Holy Ghostwriter.
Two sons of Adam: Cain & Abel
Line of Christ is through Seth
Two sons of Abraham: Ishmael & Isaac Like OLD & NEW
Two sons of Isaac: Esau & Jacob
Two sons of Judah: Zarah & Pharez
Line of Christ is through Pharez
Two sons of Joseph: Manasseh & Ephraim Like Jew & Gentile
Two sons of Zebedee: James & John
Two sons of God: Adam & Jesus Luke3:38, 1Cor15:45
Jesus is the Lamb (born in a barn) and the Lion to come (Rev5:5). He's the Rock of 1Cor10:4, and the Stone of Eph2:20. He was planted twice: in the womb and in the tomb, because He is also the Incorruptible Seed. 1Pet1:23. God knows the process of sowing and reaping, and He wants sons and daughters, so he planted one! Jesus is the seed that was planted! 1Jn3:2, Jn 12:24. Isn't that the most delicious thing you ever heard?
He was raised from the grave (1), and into the clouds (2), and he said ""As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."" Jn3:14, 15.
Amen and amen.
Is not my Word like as a fire?
saith the LORD;
and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Jer23:29.