What did Jesus look like?

Did Jesus look like the man in the picture? Should we really be concerned with what Jesus looked like?

 

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.

When veiwing things claimed to be historical records we have to make certain they are actual historical records and that they can be validated. For example much of Josephus work can be validated but the numerical information in his writings has been shown to be flawed. So even if the information can be validated historically we have to take into consideration they are historical records and not biblical. God had many things in place to make certain bible records remained accurate and did not deviate from the rest of the theme of the bible. If some things seems to oppose what the bible teaches we need to consider the source. If we do not check the validity and source of information we could easily be misled into taking the wrong path and it could lead to destruction instead of life.

One such example of misleading information claiming to have documented history recording it is that Jesus did not die but fled to Japan living out the rest of his life. We know that is not true. He did not cower in fear but willfully gave his life as a ransom for many. It is because of that ransom we have the future hope.

Many use a page taken from a fiction written after Jesus death and resurrection as proof of what Jesus looked like. The book was not a historical record but the authors fictional story of how things may have occurred. The description of Jesus is fiction based and not factual it is the authors interpretation of what Pontius Pilate may have said to Tiberius Caesar. If you read the letter it depicts Jesus as having fragile arms and hands. Jesus was a carpenter and would have been muscular and most likely would have had callused hands. The table he flapped was known to weigh almost three hundred pounds, not something someone with fragile arms would be capable of. In the letter he depicts Jesus as being greatly different from the others but the bible clearly shows he did not stand out and that when he was in the crowd he could not be distinguish from the rest of the crowd but in that letter it falsely claims Jesus stood out. When you compare bible evidence to that letter it clearly shows the letter is not a historical record but one of fiction. Another thing that indicates this letter is a fake is the fact that Tiberius did not directly interact with those who governed various areas. Those who governed various areas had to approach Tiberius’s deputies. The letter would have been written to one of them and most likely would not have been written directly to Tiberius.

Those who read their bibles should know this is a fiction. The Hebrews of the lineage Jesus came from had dark skin and dark hair. King David’s skin was described as ruddy in the bible which would have made his skin reddish brown which would make sense since he was a shepherd and would have been in the sun a lot and Hebrews from that area were know for having dark skin and dark colored hair and eyes.

https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2013/05/the-fraudulent-letter-of-pontius-pilate.html

Mark 6:3, 4 3 This is the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon, is it not? And his sisters are here with us, are they not?” So they began to stumble because of him. 4 But Jesus said to them: “A prophet is not without honor except in his home territory and among his relatives and in his own house.. . .

John 2:14  He found in the temple those selling cattle and sheep and doves,a and the money brokers in their seats. 15  So after making a whip of ropes, he drove all those with the sheep and cattle out of the temple, and he poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.

Aryans theorized that Jesus came from the somatic Jews of European origin. There are a couple of reason this cannot be true. One is they were not of king David’s bloodline and the other is they were light skinned and had light hair and stood out from the others Jews and the bible clearly shows Jesus did not stand out. Judas had to betray Jesus and help the Roman soldiers identify him because he looked like the other Jews that were of Hebrew descent.

https://www.livescience.com/61875-what-did-jesus-look-like.html

There have been images found of Jews who were from the same area as Jesus and about the same time period and they had dark skin, dark curly hair that was kept cut and cropped beards. This would be in line with what the Hebrews who’s lineage Jesus came from would have looked like. Abraham was a decedent of people who would have had the same appearance.

We know Jesus would not stand out in physical appearance he would look like the average Jew. This is indicated in Isaiah.

Isaiah 53:2 And he will come up like a twig before one, and like a root out of waterless land. No stately form does he have, nor any splendor; and when we shall see him, there is not the appearance so that we should desire him.

Hebrews 7: 14 For it is clear that our Lord has descended from Judah, yet Moses said nothing about priests coming from that tribe.

We know Jesus most likely did not have long hair because the apostle Paul taught it was a dishonor for a man to have long hair. He would have followed what Jesus had taught. Not only that but men of those times cut their hair short.

1 Corinthians 11:14 14 Does not nature itself teach you that long hair is a dishonor to a man,

Since we know Jesus was from the lineage of Abraham and king David he would have resembled the Hebrews in appearance. God made Jesus lineage clear and it was not from a European lineage that Jesus would come from but from a Hebrew lineage. He had very strict rules for Israel to maintain the purity of that bloodline.

Matthew 1:1-17 1 The book of the history of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham:  2 Abraham became father to Isaac; Isaac became father to Jacob; Jacob became father to Judah and his brothers;  3 Judah became father to Peʹrez and Zeʹrah by Taʹmar; Peʹrez became father to Hezʹron; Hezʹron became father to Ram;  4 Ram became father to Am·minʹa·dab; Am·minʹa·dab became father to Nahʹshon; Nahʹshon became father to Salʹmon;  5 Salʹmon became father to Boʹaz by Raʹhab; Boʹaz became father to Oʹbed by Ruth; Oʹbed became father to Jesʹse;  6 Jesʹse became father to David the king. David became father to Solʹo·mon by the wife of U·riʹah;  7 Solʹo·mon became father to Re·ho·boʹam; Re·ho·boʹam became father to A·biʹjah; A·biʹjah became father to Aʹsa;  8 Aʹsa became father to Je·hoshʹa·phat; Je·hoshʹa·phat became father to Je·hoʹram; Je·hoʹram became father to Uz·ziʹah;  9 Uz·ziʹah became father to Joʹtham; Joʹtham became father to Aʹhaz; Aʹhaz became father to Hez·e·kiʹah; 10 Hez·e·kiʹah became father to Ma·nasʹseh; Ma·nasʹseh became father to Aʹmon; Aʹmon became father to Jo·siʹah; 11 Jo·siʹah became father to Jec·o·niʹah and to his brothers at the time of the deportation to Babylon. 12 After the deportation to Babylon, Jec·o·niʹah became father to She·alʹti·el; She·alʹti·el became father to Ze·rubʹba·bel; 13 Ze·rubʹba·bel became father to A·biʹud; A·biʹud became father to E·liʹa·kim; E·liʹa·kim became father to Aʹzor; 14 Aʹzor became father to Zaʹdok; Zaʹdok became father to Aʹchim; Aʹchim became father to E·liʹud; 15 E·liʹud became father to El·e·aʹzar; El·e·aʹzar became father to Matʹthan; Matʹthan became father to Jacob; 16 Jacob became father to Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. 17 All the generations, then, from Abraham until David were 14 generations; from David until the deportation to Babylon, 14 generations; from the deportation to Babylon until the Christ, 14 generations.

Jesus blended in with the other crowds of Hebrews. When they were going to seize Jesus he blended into the crowd. So they could not see him. Since the Hebrews in that area were dark complected if he looked like the Jesus the Aryans claim, he would have stood out and been easy to distinguish from the rest of the crowd. Jesus could not be distinguished from the majority of the Jews so Judas had to betray him in order for them to be able to identify him. A Jew of European origin would have stood out because they would have been in the minority. Also Jesus could not have been one of the somatic Jews because they were not from the bloodline of Abraham.

Luke 4:28-30 28 Now all those hearing these things in the synagogue became filled with anger, 29 and they rose up and rushed him outside the city, and they led him to the brow of the mountain on which their city had been built, in order to throw him down headlong. 30 But he went right through their midst and continued on his way.

John 7:10  But when his brothers had gone up to the festival, then he also went up, not openly but in secret. 11  So the Jews began looking for him at the festival and saying: “Where is that man?”

Matthew 26:46-50 46 Get up, let us go. Look! My betrayer has drawn near.” 47 While he was still speaking, look! Judas, one of the Twelve, came and with him a large crowd with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now his betrayer had given them a sign, saying: “Whoever it is I kiss, he is the one; take him into custody.” 49 And going straight up to Jesus, he said: “Greetings, Rabbi!” and gave him a tender kiss. 50 But Jesus said to him: “Fellow, for what purpose are you present?” Then they came forward and seized Jesus and took him into custody.

When you read the bible it becomes clear God did not make physical features an identifying mark of his people. Though Abraham’s decedents would have had a similar appearance as he had God did not focus on that because Abraham’s seed would have blessed the seed of all nations which would make it possible for people of all nations to be a part of Israel. God seemed to have kept the race of most in the bible vague. This would keep those who may be biased from being able to claim someone has to be of a certain race to be accepted by God and we know that is not true because the bible clearly shows people of all nations would become part of the new covenant when the old covenant had been fulfilled.

Genesis 22:18 18 And by means of your offspring all nations of the earth will obtain a blessing for themselves because you have listened to my voice. . .

We know this prophecy was fulfilled when those from the nations had also been blessed with holy spirit showing they had been accepted by God as being a part of the new spiritual nation.

Acts 15:6-11 6 So the apostles and the elders gathered together to look into this matter. 7 After much intense discussion had taken place, Peter rose and said to them: “Men, brothers, you well know that from early days God made the choice among you that through my mouth people of the nations should hear the word of the good news and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by giving them the holy spirit, just as he did to us also. 9 And he made no distinction at all between us and them, but purified their hearts by faith. 10 So why are you now making a test of God by imposing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our forefathers nor we were capable of bearing? 11 On the contrary, we have faith that we are saved through the undeserved kindness of the Lord Jesus in the same way that they are.. . .

Galatians 3:26-29 26 You are all, in fact, sons of God through your faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. 29 Moreover, if you belong to Christ, you are really Abraham’s offspring, heirs with reference to a promise.

Now we should cover what clothes Jesus wore. The bible tells us he only had the clothes on his back. So what type of clothes were they and what did they look like? It was clear that even though Jesus only had the clothes on his back they were of value because the soldiers divided them up and cast lots for lots over his inner garment. Because Jesus followed the law and he was a Jew he would have had fringes on his garment because this was one of the laws given to the Jews. The fringed edge of the skirts would have had blue string above the fringe of the edge of the skirt.

John 19:23, 24 23 Now when the soldiers had nailed Jesus to the stake, they took his outer garments and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier, and they also took the inner garment. But the inner garment was without a seam, being woven from top to bottom. 24 So they said to one another: “Let us not tear it, but let us cast lots over it to decide whose it will be.”

This was to fulfill the scripture: “They divided my garments among themselves, and they cast lots for my clothing.” So the soldiers actually did these things. Most skirts at that time would be just below the knees. Jesus would have been modest and would have dressed modestly. He criticized the more prominent ones because they made their skirts longer to show off their wealth and power. They did it as a showy display, Jesus was humble and would not have put on a showy display like that. He most likely wore sandals because John the baptist declared he was unworthy to untie the lace of Jesus sandal. Though he could have meant it figuratively.

Numbers 15:37-39 37 Jehovah went on to say this to Moses: 38 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them that they must make for themselves fringed edges on the skirts of their garments throughout their generations, and they are to put a blue string above the fringed edge of the skirt. 39 ‘You must have this fringed edge so that you will see it and remember all the commandments of Jehovah and observe them. . .

Deuteronomy 22:12 “You should make tassels on the four corners of the clothing you wear.

Matthew 23:5 All the works they do, they do to be seen by men, for they broaden the scripture-containing cases that they wear as safeguards and lengthen the fringes of their garments

John 1:25-27 . . .” 26 John answered them: “I baptize in water. One is standing among you whom you do not know, 27 the one coming behind me, the lace of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

So did Jesus look like the Picture above or how most modern art depicts him. It is pretty easy to conclude he did not. Why people want to deny Jesus heritage baffles me but he was a Hebrew from the line of David and not a European. To deny his lineage would be denying he is Jesus Christ. Many use the interpretation in Revelations to say it describes Jesus but Revelations is a book of signs and most of it the signs are explained in Daniel and other books that contain signs to give us a full picture of what Revelations means. The description of Jesus is of a spiritual person and not a human one. It is a description of the king sitting on the throne that God has given him. It is not describing Jesus when he was with us as a human.

What Jesus looked like is not important but it is what he did for us that is important and what he requires of us that we should be paying attention to. God has appointed him as our king so we must obey and respect the authority he has been given.

Pursuing Peace.

Jesus left love guide all he did, he was the perfect reflection of our heavenly father because he imitated what he saw his father do. We are told in the bible we are to imitate Jesus and how he walked. Jesus pursued peace.

(1 Timothy 1:5) Really the objective of this mandate is love out of a clean heart and out of a good conscience and out of faith without hypocrisy.

(James 3:17) But the wisdom from above is first of all chaste, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, not making partial distinctions, not hypocritical

(John 5:19) ¹⁹ Therefore, in answer, Jesus went on to say to them: “Most truly I say to YOU, The Son cannot do a single thing of his own initiative, but only what he beholds the Father doing. For whatever things that One does, these things the Son also does in like manner.

(John 5:30) I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative; just as I hear, I judge; and the judgment that I render is righteous, because I seek, not my own will, but the will of him that sent me.

Even though Jesus knew he would be king in heaven he did not become high minded. He taught the apostles to be the same way. He is the great teacher and we are to imitate him.

(Romans 12:3-16) ³ For through the undeserved kindness given to me I tell everyone there among YOU not to think more of himself than it is necessary to think; but to think so as to have a sound mind, each one as God has distributed to him a measure of faith. ⁴ For just as we have in one body many members, but the members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so we, although many, are one body in union with Christ, but members belonging individually to one another. ⁶ Since, then, we have gifts differing according to the undeserved kindness given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the faith proportioned [to us]; ⁷ or a ministry, [let us be] at this ministry; or he that teaches, [let him be] at his teaching; ⁸ or he that exhorts, [let him be] at his exhortation; he that distributes, [let him do it] with liberality; he that presides, [let him do it] in real earnest; he that shows mercy, [let him do it] with cheerfulness. ⁹ Let [YOUR] love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is wicked, cling to what is good. ¹⁰ In brotherly love have tender affection for one another. In showing honor to one another take the lead. ¹¹ Do not loiter at YOUR business. Be aglow with the spirit. Slave for Jehovah. ¹² Rejoice in the hope. Endure under tribulation. Persevere in prayer. ¹³ Share with the holy ones according to their needs. Follow the course of hospitality. ¹⁴ Keep on blessing those who persecute; be blessing and do not be cursing. ¹⁵ Rejoice with people who rejoice; weep with people who weep. ¹⁶ Be minded the same way toward others as to yourselves; do not be minding lofty things, but be led along with the lowly things. Do not become discreet in YOUR own eyes.

If we become over confident it can cause us to fall short. We have many examples of those in the bible who thought to much of themselves and would either try and put themselves in a position they were not ready for and Jehovah had not assigned them this caused them to stumble and often times they caused others to fall short. Ko’rah was an example we were given of the bible of what can happen if we become over confident and let arrogance creep in. It didn’t only cost him his life but it cost the lives of many others.

(Proverbs 16:18) Pride is before a crash, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.

(Numbers 16:1-3) 16 And Ko′rah the son of Iz′har, the son of Ko′hath, the son of Le′vi, proceeded to get up, together with Da′than and A·bi′ram the sons of E·li′ab, and On the son of Pe′leth, the sons of Reu′ben. ² And they proceeded to rise up before Moses, they and two hundred and fifty men of the sons of Israel, chieftains of the assembly, summoned ones of the meeting, men of fame. ³ So they congregated themselves against Moses and Aaron and said to them: “That is enough of YOU, because the whole assembly are all of them holy and Jehovah is in their midst. Why, then, should YOU lift yourselves up above the congregation of Jehovah?”

(Numbers 16:31-35) ³¹ And it came about that as soon as he had finished speaking all these words, the ground that was under them began to be split apart. ³² And the earth proceeded to open its mouth and to swallow up them and their households and all humankind that belonged to Ko′rah and all the goods. ³³ So down they went, and all who belonged to them, alive into She′ol, and the earth went covering them over, so that they perished from the midst of the congregation. ³⁴ And all the Israelites who were round about them fled at the screaming of them, for they began to say: “We are afraid that the earth may swallow us up!” ³⁵ And a fire came out from Jehovah and proceeded to consume the two hundred and fifty men offering the incense. . .

Jesus set the perfect example. Though he was to be our king in heaven he still remained humble towards others and set the example of how we should be. We should not view ourselves as more then someone else or as superior. Servants wash the feet of others and were viewed as being less then others. This did not stop Jesus from washing the feet of the apostles. Jesus was well aware of each of the apostles short comings, this did not prevent him from being humble towards them and treating them with respect. He could have easily tore them apart by looking at their short comings and constantly pointing them out. He did not he would give them parables or remind them of God’s word. He did not constantly attack and accuse them. He saw what they were becoming not what they are. He knew the things they would eventually do because he could read their hearts. We cannot read peoples hearts so we should not be judging them and trying to find their sins but we should be encouraging them and using God’s word to guide them and build them up spiritually. We should also set the example for others showing them the way by imitating Jesus humility.

(John 13:1-17) 13 Now, because he knew before the festival of the passover that his hour had come for him to move out of this world to the Father, Jesus, having loved his own that were in the world, loved them to the end. ² So, while the evening meal was going on, the Devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Is·car′i·ot, the son of Simon, to betray him, ³ he, knowing that the Father had given all things into [his] hands and that he came forth from God and was going to God, ⁴ got up from the evening meal and laid aside his outer garments. And, taking a towel, he girded himself. ⁵ After that he put water into a basin and started to wash the feet of the disciples and to dry them off with the towel with which he was girded. ⁶ And so he came to Simon Peter. He said to him: “Lord, are you washing my feet?” ⁷ In answer Jesus said to him: “What I am doing you do not understand at present, but you will understand after these things.” ⁸ Peter said to him: “You will certainly never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him: “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” ⁹ Simon Peter said to him: “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” ¹⁰ Jesus said to him: “He that has bathed does not need to have more than his feet washed, but is wholly clean. And YOU men are clean, but not all.” ¹¹ He knew, indeed, the man betraying him. This is why he said: “Not all of YOU are clean.” ¹² When, now, he had washed their feet and had put his outer garments on and laid himself down at the table again, he said to them: “Do YOU know what I have done to YOU? ¹³ YOU address me, ‘Teacher,’ and, ‘Lord,’ and YOU speak rightly, for I am such. ¹⁴ Therefore, if I, although Lord and Teacher, washed YOUR feet, YOU also ought to wash the feet of one another. ¹⁵ For I set the pattern for YOU, that, just as I did to YOU, YOU should do also. ¹⁶ Most truly I say to YOU, A slave is not greater than his master, nor is one that is sent forth greater than the one that sent him. ¹⁷ If YOU know these things, happy YOU are if YOU do them. . .

So to avoid thinking more of ourselves then we should we need to view others as superior and not focus constantly on our own interest but to take interest in others and on how we could help them. Egotism is when we have an undue sense of self importance. Many in the bible when they became rulers fell short because they left the authority go to their heads and started thinking more of themselves then they should have. Some even took it to the point they wanted people to worship them.

(Philippians 2:1-4) 2 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any sharing of spirit, if any tender affections and compassions, ² make my joy full in that YOU are of the same mind and have the same love, being joined together in soul, holding the one thought in mind, ³ doing nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with lowliness of mind considering that the others are superior to YOU, ⁴ keeping an eye, not in personal interest upon just YOUR own matters, but also in personal interest upon those of the others. . .

(Galatians 5:26-6:1) ²⁶ Let us not become egotistical, stirring up competition with one another, envying one another. 6 Brothers, even though a man takes some false step before he is aware of it, YOU who have spiritual qualifications try to readjust such a man in a spirit of mildness, as you each keep an eye on yourself.

We all fall short and have imperfections we have to work on. If we start viewing ourselves as being more righteous we could become blind to our own imperfections and believe we cannot fall. We have the example of Peter when he became over confident in his spirituality. We know Peter ovecame this because he went on to make many disciples.

(James 3:2-4) ² For we all stumble many times. If anyone does not stumble in word, this one is a perfect man, able to bridle also [his] whole body. ³ If we put bridles in the mouths of horses for them to obey us, we manage also their whole body. ⁴ Look! Even boats, although they are so big and are driven by hard winds, are steered by a very small rudder to where the inclination of the man at the helm wishes.

(Luke 22:33, 34) ³³ Then he said to him: “Lord, I am ready to go with you both into prison and into death.” ³⁴ But he said: “I tell you, Peter, A cock will not crow today until you have three times denied knowing me.”

(Luke 22:55-60) . . .When they lit a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter was sitting in among them. ⁵⁶ But a certain servant girl saw him sitting by the bright fire and looked him over and said: “This man also was with him.” ⁵⁷ But he denied it, saying: “I do not know him, woman.” ⁵⁸ And after a short time another person seeing him said: “You also are one of them.” But Peter said: “Man, I am not.” ⁵⁹ And after about an hour intervened a certain other [man] began insisting strongly: “For a certainty this [man] also was with him; for, in fact, he is a Gal·i·le′an!” ⁶⁰ But Peter said: “Man, I do not know what you are saying.” And instantly, while he was yet speaking, a cock crowed. . .

If we are constantly looking for what is wrong in others we start judging them. How we judge is how we will be judged so if we nit pick at people we are viewing ourselves as being better then them and we are judging them.

(Matthew 7:1-3) 7 “Stop judging that YOU may not be judged; ² for with what judgment YOU are judging, YOU will be judged; and with the measure that YOU are measuring out, they will measure out to YOU. ³ Why, then, do you look at the straw in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the rafter in your own eye?

We know we will be under constant attack. We know if we are truly following Jesus footsteps we will be treated as he was. We must imitate him and not attack others and bring ourselves to their levels but set the example by remaining humble. By maintaining our integrity and humility we prove who we are to God and we give God glory.

(Matthew 5:11-16) ¹¹ “Happy are YOU when people reproach YOU and persecute YOU and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against YOU for my sake. ¹² Rejoice and leap for joy, since YOUR reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to YOU. ¹³ “YOU are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its strength, how will its saltness be restored? It is no longer usable for anything but to be thrown outside to be trampled on by men. ¹⁴ “YOU are the light of the world. A city cannot be hid when situated upon a mountain. ¹⁵ People light a lamp and set it, not under the measuring basket, but upon the lampstand, and it shines upon all those in the house. ¹⁶ Likewise let YOUR light shine before men, that they may see YOUR fine works and give glory to YOUR Father who is in the heavens.

(1 Peter 2:11, 12) . . .. ¹² Maintain YOUR conduct fine among the nations, that, in the thing in which they are speaking against YOU as evildoers, they may as a result of YOUR fine works of which they are eyewitnesses glorify God in the day for [his] inspection. . .

We want to practice what we teach so we do not smear God’s good name. If we teach others about God yet we are unreasonable and contentious what kind of message are we really sending?

(Romans 2:17-24) ¹⁷ If, now, you are a Jew in name and are resting upon law and taking pride in God, ¹⁸ and you know his will and approve of things that are excellent because you are orally instructed out of the Law; ¹⁹ and you are persuaded that you are a guide of the blind, a light for those in darkness, ²⁰ a corrector of the unreasonable ones, a teacher of babes, and having the framework of the knowledge and of the truth in the Law— ²¹ do you, however, the one teaching someone else, not teach yourself? You, the one preaching “Do not steal,” do you steal? ²² You, the one saying “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You, the one expressing abhorrence of the idols, do you rob temples? ²³ You, who take pride in law, do you by your transgressing of the Law dishonor God? ²⁴ For “the name of God is being blasphemed on account of YOU people among the nations”; just as it is written.

We are to be reasonable and peaceable with all and we are to speak injuriously of no one.

(Titus 3:2) to speak injuriously of no one, not to be belligerent, to be reasonable, exhibiting all mildness toward all men.

(James 3:17) But the wisdom from above is first of all chaste, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, not making partial distinctions, not hypocritical.

We are to seek and pursue peace. So all we do we should do in a way to promote peace. We are not only required to purse peace we are to make peace.

(James 3:17, 18) . . .. ¹⁸ Moreover, the fruit of righteousness has its seed sown under peaceful conditions for those who are making peace. . .

(Matthew 5:9) “Happy are the peaceable, since they will be called ‘sons of God.’

(1 Peter 3:11) but let him turn away from what is bad and do what is good; let him seek peace and pursue it.

Even if someone is not yet in the truth, our example may some day draw them to the truth. If it does not we have shown God how much we value peace and we have proven ourselves to God. We have to keep in mind we are all imperfect and others also have to deal with our imperfections just as much as we do theirs.

(Ephesians 4:1-6) 4 I, therefore, the prisoner in [the] Lord, entreat YOU to walk worthily of the calling with which YOU were called, ² with complete lowliness of mind and mildness, with long-suffering, putting up with one another in love, ³ earnestly endeavoring to observe the oneness of the spirit in the uniting bond of peace. ⁴ One body there is, and one spirit, even as YOU were called in the one hope to which YOU were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all [persons], who is over all and through all and in all.

(1 Corinthians 13:4-7) ⁴ Love is long-suffering and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, does not get puffed up, ⁵ does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. ⁶ It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

If we are struggling with this we need to ask God to send the spirit to help us.

(Luke 11:9-13) . . .. ¹⁰ For everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking it will be opened. ¹¹ Indeed, which father is there among YOU who, if his son asks for a fish, will perhaps hand him a serpent instead of a fish? ¹² Or if he also asks for an egg, will hand him a scorpion? ¹³ Therefore, if YOU, although being wicked, know how to give good gifts to YOUR children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give holy spirit to those asking him!”

(Galatians 5:22-24) ²² On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, ²³ mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus impaled the flesh together with its passions and desires. . .

As mentioned earlier by imitating Christ it give us peace of mind. We do not become overwhelmed with things and do not put ourselves on Christ thrown which we are not qualified to do. He rightfully earned the thrown and there is not better king. By judging other we are putting ourselves in a position we do not rightfully have. Just as people spoke abusively of Christ we also must follow his example and patiently endure it.

(Matthew 27:38-44) . . .. ³⁹ So the passersby began speaking abusively of him, wagging their heads ⁴⁰ and saying: “O you would-be thrower-down of the temple and builder of it in three days, save yourself! If you are a son of God, come down off the torture stake!” ⁴¹ In like manner also the chief priests with the scribes and older men began making fun of him and saying: ⁴² “Others he saved; himself he cannot save! He is King of Israel; let him now come down off the torture stake and we will believe on him. ⁴³ He has put his trust in God; let Him now rescue him if He wants him, for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’” ⁴⁴ In the same way even the robbers that were impaled together with him began reproaching him. . .

(Hebrews 12:1-3) 12 So, then, because we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also put off every weight and the sin that easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² as we look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus. For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Indeed, consider closely the one who has endured such contrary talk by sinners against their own interests, that YOU may not get tired and give out in YOUR souls. . .

We need to follow Jesus example and pray for them.

(Luke 23:33, 34) . . .And when they got to the place called Skull, there they impaled him and the evildoers, one on his right and one on his left. ³⁴ [[But Jesus was saying: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”]]. . .

Stephen followed Jesus example. This resulted in Paul who did some awful things towards the disciples of Christ to eventually become a leader as a teacher of the truth.

(Acts 7:58-60) ⁵⁸ And after throwing him outside the city, they began casting stones at him. And the witnesses laid down their outer garments at the feet of a young man called Saul. ⁵⁹ And they went on casting stones at Stephen as he made appeal and said: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ Then, bending his knees, he cried out with a strong voice: “Jehovah, do not charge this sin against them.” And after saying this he fell asleep [in death].

In doing so we give no one a valid reason to speak abusively or ill of us.

(1 Timothy 4:12) ¹² Let no man ever look down on your youth. On the contrary, become an example to the faithful ones in speaking, in conduct, in love, in faith, in chasteness. . .

(Titus 2:15) Keep on speaking these things and exhorting and reproving with full authority to command. Let no man ever despise you.

We know judgment is very near, when it starts we will no longer be able to teach. We need to seize the opportunity while we can.

(2 Timothy 4:1-3) 4 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is destined to judge the living and the dead, and by his manifestation and his kingdom, ² preach the word, be at it urgently in favorable season, in troublesome season, reprove, reprimand, exhort, with all long-suffering and [art of] teaching. ³ For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching. . .

Though we are to be peaceable with all we are still to be cautious who we associate with.

(2 John 8-11) ⁸ Look out for yourselves, that YOU do not lose the things we have worked to produce, but that YOU may obtain a full reward. ⁹ Everyone that pushes ahead and does not remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God. He that does remain in this teaching is the one that has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to YOU and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into YOUR homes or say a greeting to him. ¹¹ For he that says a greeting to him is a sharer in his wicked works. . .

We need to practice these things and build our faith keeping in mind what is about to occurs is a sign this system has ended and the new is near. It may be a fearful time but our God will be there for us. We have to keep in mind it is not us they are attacking when we are doing God’s will but it is against God that they fight.

(Matthew 10:16-23) ¹⁶ “Look! I am sending YOU forth as sheep amidst wolves; therefore prove yourselves cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves. ¹⁷ Be on YOUR guard against men; for they will deliver YOU up to local courts, and they will scourge YOU in their synagogues. ¹⁸ Why, YOU will be haled before governors and kings for my sake, for a witness to them and the nations. ¹⁹ However, when they deliver YOU up, do not become anxious about how or what YOU are to speak; for what YOU are to speak will be given YOU in that hour; ²⁰ for the ones speaking are not just YOU, but it is the spirit of YOUR Father that speaks by YOU. ²¹ Further, brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against parents and will have them put to death. ²² And YOU will be objects of hatred by all people on account of my name; but he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved. ²³ When they persecute YOU in one city, flee to another; for truly I say to YOU, YOU will by no means complete the circuit of the cities of Israel until the Son of man arrives. . .

The news of the heavenly kingdom has been preached throughout the earth so we know the end is near.

(Matthew 24:14) ¹⁴ And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come. . .

Those who endure to the end will see the new system and it will be will worth it because it will be a kingdom that will not be done away with.

(Revelation 21:1-4) 21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. ² I saw also the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. ⁴ And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away. . .

We need to be patient more now then ever before and do our best to remain blameless.

(James 5:8) . . .YOU too exercise patience; make YOUR hearts firm, because the presence of the Lord has drawn close. . .

(1 Thessalonians 3:11-13) ¹¹ Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way prosperously to YOU. ¹² Moreover, may the Lord cause YOU to increase, yes, make YOU abound, in love to one another and to all, even as we also do to YOU; ¹³ to the end that he may make YOUR hearts firm, unblamable in holiness before our God and Father at the presence of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. . .

We know salvation is near and our king will be given the command very soon. While we wait the bible tells us let our reasonableness be known to all.

(Philippians 4:4, 5) ⁴ Always rejoice in [the] Lord. Once more I will say, Rejoice! ⁵ Let YOUR reasonableness become known to all men. The Lord is near. . .

We have to keep in mind Jesus did not always answer when questioned. He knew who was behind the questions and what the motives were for the questions and that no matter how he answered they would lie and use his words against him. So if we are in a similar situations it may be better not to give an answer.

(Matthew 27:11-14) ¹¹ Jesus now stood before the governor; and the governor put the question to him: “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied: “You yourself say [it].” ¹² But, while he was being accused by the chief priests and older men, he made no answer. ¹³ Then Pilate said to him: “Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?” ¹⁴ Yet he did not answer him, no, not a word, so that the governor wondered very much. . .

Jesus was righteous and did not sin but suffered as a sinner for our sins. This should make us appreciate the ransom sacrifice even more and drive us that much more to imitate him. In doing so he provided the only ransom that could be accepted by God. Sin came into the world through one man perfect man so it had to be removed by a perfect man.

(Isaiah 53:5-9) . . .But he was being pierced for our transgression; he was being crushed for our errors. The chastisement meant for our peace was upon him, and because of his wounds there has been a healing for us. ⁶ Like sheep we have all of us wandered about; it was each one to his own way that we have turned; and Jehovah himself has caused the error of us all to meet up with that one. ⁷ He was hard pressed, and he was letting himself be afflicted; yet he would not open his mouth. He was being brought just like a sheep to the slaughtering; and like a ewe that before her shearers has become mute, he also would not open his mouth. ⁸ Because of restraint and of judgment he was taken away; and who will concern himself even with [the details of] his generation? For he was severed from the land of the living ones. Because of the transgression of my people he had the stroke. ⁹ And he will make his burial place even with the wicked ones, and with the rich class in his death, despite the fact that he had done no violence and there was no deception in his mouth. . .

(1 Peter 2:21-25) ²¹ In fact, to this [course] YOU were called, because even Christ suffered for YOU, leaving YOU a model for YOU to follow his steps closely. ²² He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth. ²³ When he was being reviled, he did not go reviling in return. When he was suffering, he did not go threatening, but kept on committing himself to the one who judges righteously. ²⁴ He himself bore our sins in his own body upon the stake, in order that we might be done with sins and live to righteousness. And “by his stripes YOU were healed.” ²⁵ For YOU were like sheep, going astray; but now YOU have returned to the shepherd and overseer of YOUR souls. . .

Will Adam and Eve be resurrected?

How to use.

The distinction between those who are on God’s side and those who are on Satan’s side will be clear to God.

(Genesis 3:15) ¹⁵ And I shall put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed. He will bruise you in the head and you will bruise him in the heel.. . .

(Matthew 23:33) “Serpents, offspring of vipers, how are YOU to flee from the judgment of Ge·hen′na?

We know some will be destroyed. They will not be resurrected, who may that be?

(Matthew 10:27, 28) . . .. ²⁸ And do not become fearful of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be in fear of him that can destroy both soul and body in Ge·hen′na. . .

We know the pharisees will not be resurrected because they directly opposed God even though they had been warned.

(Matthew 23:13) ¹³ “Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU shut up the kingdom of the heavens before men; for YOU yourselves do not go in, neither do YOU permit those on their way in to go in. . .

(2 Thessalonians 1:9) These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction from before the Lord and from the glory of his strength

Why does the bible say that the unrighteous will also be resurrected then? Remember when they tortured and nailed Jesus to the torture stake he prayed for our heavenly father to forgive them for they did not know what they were doing. So some who were opposing God out of lack of knowledge , it will not be held against them. But those who had an opportunity to learn and rejected and opposed it risk being on the wrong side.

(John 5:27-29) . . .. ²⁸ Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment. . .

(Revelation 20:13-15) . . .. ¹⁴ And death and Ha′des were hurled into the lake of fire. This means the second death, the lake of fire. ¹⁵ Furthermore, whoever was not found written in the book of life was hurled into the lake of fire. . .

We know Judas will not be resurrected. Nor those who work against or speak against the holy spirit.

(John 17:12) ¹² When I was with them I used to watch over them on account of your own name which you have given me; and I have kept them, and not one of them is destroyed except the son of destruction, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled. . .

(Mark 14:21) True, the Son of man is going away, just as it is written concerning him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been finer for that man if he had not been born.”

(Hebrews 10:27) but [there is] a certain fearful expectation of judgment and [there is] a fiery jealousy that is going to consume those in opposition

(Matthew 12:32) For example, whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the holy spirit, it will not be forgiven him, no, not in this system of things nor in that to come

Gehenna was a pit outside the city that they burned rubbish and carcases in . They would throw sulfur in the pit to make it burn hotter it would cause things to burn down to ashes.

(Matthew 23:15) ¹⁵ “Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU traverse sea and dry land to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one YOU make him a subject for Ge·hen′na twice as much so as yourselves.

There is no second death for them because they will not be resurrected.

(Revelation 21:7, 8) . . .. ⁸ But as for the cowards and those without faith and those who are disgusting in their filth and murderers and fornicators and those practicing spiritism and idolaters and all the liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur. This means the second death. . .

Those who choose the beast over God will not be resurrected. Those also destroyed in Noah’s day will not be resurrected. They were in direct defiance of God because Noah had warned them. So those judged and destroyed directly by God will not be resurrected. So those taking no note of the warnings and who have had an oppurtunity to change but ignor the warnings will be destroyed.

(2 Peter 2:4-7) ⁴ Certainly if God did not hold back from punishing the angels that sinned, but, by throwing them into Tar′ta·rus, delivered them to pits of dense darkness to be reserved for judgment; ⁵ and he did not hold back from punishing an ancient world, but kept Noah, a preacher of righteousness, safe with seven others when he brought a deluge upon a world of ungodly people; ⁶ and by reducing the cities Sod′om and Go·mor′rah to ashes he condemned them, setting a pattern for ungodly persons of things to come; ⁷ and he delivered righteous Lot, who was greatly distressed by the indulgence of the law-defying people in loose conduc. . .

We know those who put their faith in the beast instead of God will not be written in the scroll of life.

(Revelation 17:8) ⁸ The wild beast that you saw was, but is not, and yet is about to ascend out of the abyss, and it is to go off into destruction. And when they see how the wild beast was, but is not, and yet will be present, those who dwell on the earth will wonder admiringly, but their names have not been written upon the scroll of life from the founding of the world. . .

(2 Peter 3:1-4) 3 Beloved ones, this is now the second letter I am writing YOU, in which, as in my first one, I am arousing YOUR clear thinking faculties by way of a reminder, ² that YOU should remember the sayings previously spoken by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through YOUR apostles. ³ For YOU know this first, that in the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires ⁴ and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep [in death], all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning. . .

(Matthew 24:36, 37) ³⁶ “Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father. ³⁷ For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. . .

Those who have added to or taken from God’s word will not be written in the book of life.

(Revelation 22:19) and if anyone takes anything away from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, God will take his portion away from the trees of life and out of the holy city, things which are written about in this scroll.

Those who had been warned directly by God and still disobeyed will not be resurrected.

(Exodus 32:33) However, Jehovah said to Moses: “Whoever has sinned against me, I shall wipe him out of my book.

So we know those who directly oppose God will not be written in the book and will not be resurrected. Cain was warned many times by God.

(Jude 11) ¹¹ Too bad for them, because they have gone in the path of Cain, and have rushed into the erroneous course of Ba′laam for reward, and have perished in the rebellious talk of Ko′rah. . .

Adam and Eve were perfect so had no excuse for what they had done. They were in direct opposition to God so will not be resurrected.

So when the bible says all sorts of men it is not referring to those who were in direct opposition to God but it is referring to men and women from a variety of areas, cultures and lifestyles. Since a perfect human brought death onto man a perfect human life was needed to remove it. Setting the example that Adam should have set in remaining loyal and obedient to God. Because Jesus accomplished what Adam did not he broke up the works of the Devil and defeated him. So his ransom removed what Adam had brought onto man. God did not tell Adam if he sinned then he would be forgiven and resurrected. If Adam had that hope it would encourage his disobedience so it is very likely that Adam and Eve will not be resurrected because they were in direct defiance of God. I did a post on baptism by fire and it explains why the pharisees for the very same reason will not be resurrected. Since there was no requirement for a ransom sacrifice before Adam and Eve because they were perfect the ransom sacrifice would not cover them because they were perfect and had brought imperfection onto their offspring.

(1 Timothy 2:3-6) ³ This is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, ⁴ whose will is that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth. ⁵ For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all—[this is] what is to be witnessed to at its own particular times. . .

(Romans 5:14) ¹⁴ Nevertheless, death ruled as king from Adam down to Moses, even over those who had not sinned after the likeness of the transgression by Adam, who bears a resemblance to him that was to come. . .

(1 Corinthians 15:45) ⁴⁵ It is even so written: “The first man Adam became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. . .

(1 Corinthians 15:20-22) ²⁰ However, now Christ has been raised up from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep [in death]. ²¹ For since death is through a man, resurrection of the dead is also through a man. ²² For just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive. . .

Since we inherit sin we needed a ransom sacrifice to provide a way for our salvation.

(Romans 5:17) For if by the trespass of the one [man] death ruled as king through that one, much more will those who receive the abundance of the undeserved kindness and of the free gift of righteousness rule as kings in life through the one [person], Jesus Christ.

(Romans 6:23) For the wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.

Those God directly judged were not referred to as being asleep in death but those who are going to be resurrected are referred to as being asleep in death. I do not want this to be too long so will not post on that but research it and compare.

There are myths as to why Adam and Eve will be resurrected but the bible warns us about speculating. We are told not to get caught up in myths. This is a form of false reasoning and can lead us astray. The bible evidence clearly shows those who God directly warned and judged will not be resurrected. Since Adam and Eve were directly warned. Eve clearly was aware also because she had stated the things God had stated to Adam she had no excuses either.

(1 Timothy 4:6-10) . . .. ⁷ But turn down the false stories which violate what is holy and which old women tell. On the other hand, be training yourself with godly devotion as your aim. ⁸ For bodily training is beneficial for a little; but godly devotion is beneficial for all things, as it holds promise of the life now and that which is to come. ⁹ Faithful and deserving of full acceptance is that statement. ¹⁰ For to this end we are working hard and exerting ourselves, because we have rested our hope on a living God, who is a Savior of all sorts of men, especially of faithful ones.

(Colossians 2:8) ⁸ Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry YOU off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ. . .

Many get angry at me when I point out Adam and Eve will not be resurrected but God does not change and he has clearly defined who would be resurrected and who would not be.