Wesley Bopp (WesHBopp) Offline

Hi Goldy

(John 13:35) By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves.”

Jesus stipulated that "love" is the single most important mark of identifying who his actual disciples are. One can't get much more singular than the word "this." Pay particular attention to the words, "all will know." They are directed only to those who are "searching" for The Truth.

As an example, the inventor of the phonograph is Thomas Edison, but he didn't build it. His machinists made it. Jehovah is creator of the universe and life, but since "all other things were created THROUGH Jesus, that makes Jesus the maker, but not the creator.

But, these were all created "through" the operation of God's only begotten son.
(Colossians 1:16) . . .All other things have been created through him and for him.

Jehovah God has other sons. The angels are called "sons of God" Job 1:6 and Job 38:7
(Job 38:7) When the morning stars joyfully cried out together, And all the sons of God began shouting in applause?

Jesus in being "the Only Begotten Son of God," shows that Jesus was created and made without the cooperation of anyone else. All other things came into existence "through" Jesus.

Such creatures as they have never existed before, hence a "new creation."

(Galatians 6:15) For neither is circumcision anything nor is uncircumcision, but a new creation is.

Remember their being "born again" makes them a "new creation." They become creatures that have never existed before. When they rule the kingdom they are not human and they are not angels.

It is "kingdom" that will rule over the earth.
(Revelation 5:10) and you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth.”

(Luke 12:32) “Have no fear, little flock, for your Father has approved of giving you the Kingdom.

If one is not "born again," he will not "see the kingdom of God." Jesus referred to those who will see the kingdom of God as a "little flock."

(John 3:3) 3 In response Jesus said to him: “Most truly I say to you, unless anyone is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

How did Jacob cheer on his grandson? "You're the Manasseh!"

Yes, Jesus is ruling The Kingdom. But, we still pray, "Thy Kingdom Come," because it still has to come to earth as is pictured by the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven. And it is then that "Thy Will be done on Earth" will begin its fulfillment. God's will will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Some of the features of God's will in heaven are total peace with no disruption. Perfect health with no one getting sick. And everlasting life with no one getting old. All these features as well as some others are outlined in various places in the Bible.

The very fact that there is punishment for violation of these precepts or maxims, shows that they are "laws."

Any commandments by God would be "laws" don't you think? So here are some commandments.
(Acts 15:28, 29) . . .: 29 to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality. . . .
(Ephesians 4:28) 28 Let the stealer steal no more, . . .(1 Peter 4:15) . . .let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or a wrongdoer or a busybody in other people’s matters.
If you think about it, any instructions or orders given you by Jesus are "laws." The words "Jesus is Lord" are not just an expression. The word "Lord" means someone in authority to give orders or make laws.