Matthew Chapter 23 (Continued) {23:33~~"You snakes, you offspring of vipers {poisonous snakes}! How will you escape the judgment of hell?" {Note: They are serpents because a snake keeps on striking and striking - until it is dead or no longer cornered!} {Verses 34-39 - The Condemnation of a Religious City - Jerusalem} 23:34-35~~"For this reason I sent in the past and I will keep on sending to you prophets {New Testament prophets - gift of prophecy} and wise men {man who teaches the Word} and scribes/experts in the law {theologian of the Church}, some of whom you will kill {such as James} and crucify, and some you will flog {example Paul was scourged 3 times} in your synagogues and persecuted/pursued from town to town {another prophecy about Paul}, 23:35~~so that on you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel {1st martyr in human history - killed by religious Cain - who brought produce thereby excluding the blood sacrifice} to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar." {Note: RBT says this is actually Zechariah son of Jehoiada who as the High Priest was slaughtered/killed in the temple itself {II Chronicles 24:20-22} 836BC- not referring to the writer of Zechariah son of Barachiah lived circa 520BC.} 23:36~~"I {Jesus} tell you the truth {Point of doctrine}, all these things {the discipline for these things} shall come upon this generation." {Note: This generation will murder the Lord, disciples, Apostles and many other believers and will receive the judgment from God for doing so - the 5th cycle of discipline.} 23:37~~"Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, always killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to her! How many times I wanted {Jesus expressing divine will} wanted to gather your children together, like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings . . . but you were not willing {God does not interfere with man's negative volition}!" 23:38~~"Behold, your house {temple} is left to you desolate! " {Note: This is a prophecy of the destruction of the temple in 70AD. Right now it is a beautiful building filled with people and furniture. But it is empty of believers . . . and empty of the understanding of the Grace of God.} 23:39~~"For I {Jesus} tell you, you will not see Me from now until you say {Psalm 118:26}, 'Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.' " {Note: This explains the whole temple discourse, which started with this quote. There are TWO advents not one. The 1st Advent provides salvation through His work on the cross - grace. The 2nd Advent will provide deliverance for Jerusalem and the Jews - the end of the 5th cycle of discipline. Jesus will NOT be seen again once He leaves until the 2nd Advent.} ************************************************ This page is sponsored by Kenneth Sidley, CPA, an Orange County California CPA (949) 706-3133. Please call Ken for high quality, low cost CPA services in Orange County California. This includes audit, review, compilation, tax returns, Quickbooks, and business consulting services. This page is sponsored by Moxxor For Pain Free Living. Moxxor is a highly concentrated Omega 3 product that has reduced inflammation in this writer. Please go to this website to read more about Moxxor.