(These are notes to myself. I’m sharing them here and elsewhere to show you how I study the Bible.) Research further into how these are connected. Go deeper into “you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes” and “those who will believe in Me through their word”
“But when they persecute you in this city, escape into another. For truly I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” Matthew 10:23 MEV
John 17:20 MEV [20] “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word,
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has forcefully advanced, and the strong take it by force.”Matthew 11:12 MEV
Zechariah 4:6 MEV [6] And he said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel, saying: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.
The word strong, the first is human strength. While Zec. 4:6 was relevant at the time of writing, it is also prophetic of how things are done in the new covenant.
“For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks through you.” Matthew 10:20 MEV
Why.
Jesus has come to give us rest.
““Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me. For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”” Matthew 11:28-30 MEV
God has got this therefore:
Psalm 55:22 MEV [22] Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
Philippians 4:4-7 MEV [4] Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! [5] Let everyone come to know your gentleness. The Lord is at hand. [6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
To prove that the New Testament is fulfilled only when our lives are Holy Spirit filled, Jesus said to those seeking:
“The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. Blessed is he who does not fall away because of Me.”” Matthew 11:5-6 MEV
So do not let that truth be stolen from you. Live a Holy Spirit filled life.
John 10:10 MEV [10] The thief does not come, except to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Wise tactics to learn from:
“But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great crowds followed Him, and He healed them all,” Matthew 12:15
“Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. And every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” Matthew 12:25
““Or else how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.” Matthew 12:29
““When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through dry places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it be also with this evil generation.”” Matthew12:43-45 MEV
If there is no fear of God, then how is this possible?
“For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven is My brother, and sister, and mother.”” Matthew12:50 MEV