The Heart of the Matter
-tf
[The "heart of the matter" is not OF matter, but God. The "main thing" is not a "thing". The "center of all things" is not related to a circle. The beginning of all things has no beginning. The "foundation" has nothing above itself and nothing by which it is supported. The "alpha and omega" needs nobody’s alphabet.]
Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."
John 1:1-5 "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."
vs. 9-14 ". . . and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not."
Colossians 2:6-9 "Beware lest any man spoil you . . . in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."
1:12-19 "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell. . . ."
Isaiah 44:6 "Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God."
Revelation 1:7-18 "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. . . . Fear not; I am the first and the last. . . ."
QUESTION: What does that mean?
(1) Revelation 22:16 "I Jesus . . . am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star."
[The fruit of the family tree was also the root of the tree.]
(in other words:) [The "offspring of David" was also the Father of David"]
QUESTION: (Read) Matthew 22:41-46 "If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?"
ANSWER: [Joseph and Mary were both of the house of David; but the Lord is the Son of God!)
(2) 1st Corinthians 15:45 "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit."
John 8:51-59 "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."
(John 4:25-26 "Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.")
2nd Samuel 7:25-28 ". . . O Lord God . . . The Lord of hosts is the God over Israel . . . O Lord of hosts, God of Israel . . . O Lord God, thou art that God. . . ."
Isaiah 8:13-14 "the Lord of hosts . . . a stone of stumbling and . . . rock of offence"
(Psalm 24:8,10 "Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.")
Romans 9:33 "As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence. . . ."
(1st Corinthians 10:1-4 ". . . and that Rock was Christ.")
1st Peter 2:6-8 "a chief corner stone . . . a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence"
(v. 9 "But ye are a chosen generation . . . that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you. . . .")
(Luke 21:17 "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.")
Matthew 7:24-27 "and great was the fall of it." (Those that fall were not "founded upon a rock.")
(Catholics, "Jehovah's Witnesses," and every other person that rejects Jesus Christ as "the heart of the matter")
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
John 15:5 ". . . without me ye can do nothing."
Isaiah 43:10-15 "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God. . . . I am he . . . your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel . . . the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King."
1st John 5:20 ". . . the Son of God is come . . . Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."
[QUESTION: Is this translated properly? ANSWER: You can bet your life on it!]
John 11:25 "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life. . . ."
Acts 8:9-10 "To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God."
1st Corinthians 1:20-24 "But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."
Hebrews 1:1-8 "But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever. . . ." (David said that in Psalm 45:6)
Romans 14:12 "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." (How will that be done?)
v. 10 ". . . for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ."