Does it really matter?

Cults, religions, and people who just want to control, all think they know what our end is.

Some do not believe that there will be an end at all; you merely get recycled until you get it right. The fact that you are waiting for some entity (God) to make a decision about whether you got it right, therefore ending your pain here on earth, clearly implies that you do believe in a higher power; some will call that a moral authority.
You have merely opted to make to make it a god of your choosing. AA gives you the leeway, though that was not the original method, and therefore you can make a fire hydrant your higher power if you choose. A rather pathetic choice.

Hardly anyone will disagree that man sinned and fell from grace. It was really more comparable to treason, for man exchanged the enemy's pipe dream for the ownership of the earth. Yes, you can argue that one all day, but that is not what I intend to do here, but what spawned out of man's selfishness is.

Islam has strict ideals wrapped in a cloak of "righteous" living. Praying five times a day, covering your body - if you are a woman, believing in one god, and having the hope of a peaceful end to life. Sounds OK at first glance, but if they (the Muslims) are honest (They are permitted not to be if they deem you to be a threat. - A threat can be anyone that challenges their beliefs.) 
they would let you know that there is only one method of assuring a life worthy of Allah and that is through the spilling of the first drop of their blood, as a martyr, in the act of Jihad. Nothing outside of that can provide you the comfort of knowing what your end will be.

If you understand what Muslim's are taught, then their use of swords for beheading people might help you to understand how well Islam fits into God's end times events.

In their own prophetic writings about end times events you will find that annihilating Jews and Christians is a number one goal.

Suppose you feel comfortable because technically you do not fit into one of these categories. Besides that, you might consider yourself a devout Satan worshiper, and therefore excluded from the Islamic fall out.
Don't you wish!

Islam has their own Jesus, but he is certainly not God's son to them. The son of Mary, yes. Mohammed allegedly rescued him from death, and then Jesus merely disappeared like Elijah of old Testament fame did. Though he is a good man he is not God's son, that would be blasphemy on the highest order, for God (Allah) stands alone. Jesus is also a prophet to them, a Jew of course, and get this, a good Muslim. He will make pilgrimage to Mecca, and when he shows up he will give himself in service to the Mahdi, supporting him.

What I have attempted to describe for you fits with precision what God has described in end times revelations as the Antichrist and the False Prophet. Both of these characters are well integrated into the Islamic prophecies of the Koran. And they bring death and destruction for Jews and people of the book, but that is not all. One of the primary functions of these two is to bring about a subservience to the "beast". To demonstrate that commitment you will have to take on some form of symbol, the Bible calls it the mark of the beast, indicating your allegiance. It will be on your hand, arm or your head, and it will most likely say: "There is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his messenger".

I started this topic with "Does it really matter?" and the answer is yes, but what does that mean?
If you have looked at the book of Revelation at all then you know that those that receive this mark of Islam and worship the beast, will have cut themselves off from God, end of argument. Well wait a minute, I believe that many of you said this does not matter to you because you do not believe in God anyway. Unfortunately for you Islam believes and they are fanatics about it. Not only does Christian scripture describe how you will be treated (written almost 700 years before Mohammed hit the scene) but the Koran describes how you will be treated. You either submit to Islam or have your head cut off, for to be in opposition to Islam is to be an enemy and there is only one option, beheading.

So then, the Jehovah's witnesses, marching the residential streets, preaching their own version of god, or the Mormons leading people astray with angels named Moroni, and the ever peaceful Buddhist's with their religion of peaceful thought, will be killed, along with anyone in opposition, if they do not bow to Islam.

You think this is joke, and that I am just a nut case preaching hatred, then you have your head stuck in the ground, paying absolutely no attention to what is going on around you. What if all this violence, and it will be disgustingly violent, is centrally located in the middle east, where "they" live. That would work if that was the only place they lived. This wonderful country of ours, that is established in freedoms, allows anyone to come here without questioning what their ulterior motives and background religion is. The FBI thinks that conservative numbers for Muslims in this nation (USA) are least 15% and growing rapidly. Consider what England, France and Spain are and have been going through. If their population numbers are approximately 850,000 and the possibility of even as low as 10% are fundamentalists (fanatics). That means that there are more than 85,000 willing to commit jihad in this country. We are talking about 85,000 people in the USA that could create a world of havoc, and they may not have to establish any sort of "global caliphate" in order to do that. In reality it would only take a handful with the right weapons to bring us to our so called knees.

If they press a knife to your throat what religion will you be on that day?

Note: It is not my intent to provoke violence against any people group, but it is my intention to wake you up! The end is near. Nearer than you thought possible. Islam believes that every event necessary for the end to come has happened with the exception of two. One of those is the fall of the Arabian king, and the other is the arrival of the Mahdi.
Now how comfortable are you. You need to make a decision now! And if you are a Christian reading this then you have just heard the call to pray. Pray without ceasing. Pray in tongues. Pray with weeping and sorrow. Pray for repentance. Pray for Christians that are being captured, tortured, and killed because they had a backbone and said yes "I belong to Jesus, the living Son of God" knowing full well that death was coming. Pray that God opens the eyes of the Muslims world wide and makes himself real to them. Pray for others that do realize that God is real and that he is coming soon; pray that God opens their eyes as well.
You should  know that they are coming to the Living one, the Son of God, Jesus himself, by the thousands on a daily basis. We have an opportunity because you do not know but what God will hold back his judgement and preserve those that we pray for.
Therefore also now, saith the LORD, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn to the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repents of the evil. Who knows if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; (Joel 2:12-14 Webster)

And more importantly pray that God makes you a vessel worthy of His honor.

Learn about Islam, because if you know Christ then you are not in the darkness that you should be deceived.

If you believe that I have attempted to deceive you then READ your Bible.

If you feel like I have chewed you out, you are probably right, and the Lord will have to straighten me out.

We shall be changed.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruptibility. Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
(1Co 15:50-52 Webster)

I cannot tell you how many times I have withdrawn in mental despair wondering if there could ever be any relief from the pain and weaknesses that became a part of me through childhood's teachings. I will tell you that even though the "teaching" seemed to come to an end, once I managed to separate myself from them, the voices in my head never seem to go away. (Don't go getting strange on me here, you have to deal with them too. They sound like the radio, the television, your parents, your boss, peer pressure, prejudice, anger, jealousy, a nagging teacher, the voices of encouragement, the enemy, and occasionally the voice of Holy Spirit.) What I find is that I have learned to sort out the voices that I hear, determine whether it is a voice that will benefit me, and move upon the healthier ones. (Most of the time.)

Imagine how relief, in the form of instant change impacts someone like me. I feel elated. All the angst, all the negativity, all the questions gone in an instant. Of course this is all contingent upon me being "in him." If there is a doubt as to how one might gain that kind of assurance merely choose to receive Jesus, the Son of the Living God, as being your salvation due to his death and resurrection. He, Jesus, paid the price for your sins giving you free access to God. When you choose life, Jesus, you have then become a part of Him and a Son of the most high God himself. Therefore when that day comes, the one in which the trumpet blows, then you too will be caught up to meet him in the air, and you too will be changed.

To be honest I do not know what all change entails. I have my hopes, but merely ending the pain will be worth anything at that point. I find myself standing at work at times, thinking that this is not what God intended for life to be. To put that comment into perspective I take my bible with me most all the time these days, and I become engrossed in what I am reading. To put it bluntly, I cannot get enough, and to stop reading and return to work is one of the hardest things I do. I do not enjoy leaving the state that I associate with being wrapped up in his presence. I am not only absorbed in His word, which is bringing about changes in me, but there is an awareness of how close He is in my life.

I suppose one does not have to experience a disappointing life in order to value a change, but I am not talking about greed and selfish motives here. I am talking about freedom from mental anguish over simplistic daily decisions. If you have no self doubts about the decisions you make then you may never understand this. Jesus performed the Father's will perfectly. You cannot do that when your thoughts are often filled with self hatred because you do not trust your decision making abilities.

I am so looking forward to being changed, and instantly. Whatever comes after those changes can be nothing more than icing on the cake, but I will say that mental freedom will be priceless.

The head that was wounded

Rev 13:3  And I saw one of its heads as having been slain to death, and its deadly wound was healed. And all the earth marveled after the beast.

When you read, attempt to read as though you are reading it for the first time. Look for the context of what is being said.

God intended for this book of Revelation, especially, to be read and understood. He even promised a special blessing to those who make it their mind to understand it.

Having gained some insight into how the Islamic mind thinks I can tell you that the book of Revelation is suddenly making all the sense in the world to me. How that would have happened previously, with the strange ideas that we had and taught, I am not sure, but many tried. Sadly we ostracized our Catholic neighbors by tying far to many of the anti-Christ characteristics to the Roman Catholic church, and by the way it did us no good.

Suddenly, it would seem that Islam has arisen, and frightening as it seems, it fits like a glove the things John saw all those years ago.

There can be only one good reason for what I believe is a sudden clarity, God wants us to be aware and prepared, not with guns, and food so we can hide out in bunkers, but to strengthen those that may remain.

Demonstrate God's love at every opportunity, and pray that God opens peoples eyes and make himself real to them. This is happening in greater numbers than we will ever be aware of while these people live under these oppressive regimes.

Heads G2776
κεφαλή
kephalē
Thayer Definition:
1) the head, both of men and often of animals. Since the loss of the head destroys life, this word is used in the phrases relating to capital and extreme punishment.
2) metaphorically anything supreme, chief, prominent
2a) of persons, master lord: of a husband in relation to his wife
2b) of Christ: the Lord of the husband and of the Church
2c) of things: the corner stone

Men do not have multiple heads, so why then do we refer to this a man?

The spirit has given male and female personifications to metaphoric entities all throughout Revelation and in other books of the bible.

In terms of entities receiving the death blow, the Ottoman empire was the last great empire on earth. It encompassed the nations that we are seeing arise today, as well as Turkey and those countries across the Caucasus mountain range.

Because they flexed their muscles too much, too often, they were trounced and the world thought them dead. Turkey, Egypt, Saudi, Libya, and many others became quasi-democratic dictatorships. Setting aside some of the tenants of Islam in exchange for the riches of the world. Consider the disgusting wealth of the ruling Saudis.

What we have seen is a rebirth of Islamic fundamentalism, starting dramatically with the ouster of the Shah of Iran, and the rebirth of the Persian empire under Islamic radicals or fundamentalists as some would prefer to call them.

This is not a religion of peace but of war, for they will and are called to destroy anyone who opposes the teachings of the Koran.

The book of Revelation spells out that this head is the beast, the antichrist, and that the whole world marveled after it.

Look around you, Muslim's are everywhere, and they are beginning a drive to dominate the politics of America much like they have already done in other countries.

Our President has stated openly that he is a Muslim. Perhaps that will explain why he is fighting alongside the Muslim Brotherhood against Libya. This is why he has ordered surgical strikes, using unmanned drones, against Yemeni's as they attempt to wrestle control of Yemen back into fundamental Islamic hands.

Think about this: though the head, one of many, sustains a wound that appears fatal, and could well represent Islamic rebirth as a controlling factor, it also defines this head as the anti-Christ. That would make this person an extraordinary ruler of these people, even if it is for only a short time.

This is exactly what Islam spells out in their teachings. They are awaiting this man, and they call him the Mahdi, the missing or 12th Imam. Folks he is here.

Every prediction of theirs, that so closely parallels scriptural timelines of end times events, has, in their minds come to pass with the exception of two events. One of which, may not be critical, but details the death of a king of Arabia named Abdullah. Guess what, although there were years when there was no ruler over Arabia named Abdullah, there is now. How he meets his demise will be interesting to watch from a prophetic point of view. It, again, may not be necessary, as so many will probably not bat an eye if they gain the advantage that they feel they want without meeting all the demands of the Koran.

The other awaited event is the return of the Mahdi.

The Koran Riots in Afghanistan: An Indictment of All Islam | RedState

The Koran Riots in Afghanistan: An Indictment of All Islam | RedState

Another beast

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.
(Revelation 13:11 ESV)


We have already seen the first beast in scripture, the anti-Christ.
- AN'TI, n. [Gr. See Ante.] A preposition signifying against, opposite, contrary, or in place of;
The method could overt or covert.

So then, this beast in sheep's clothing has the same goals as the anti-Christ - to deceive, contradict, and turn the heart and mind against God.

"Another beast" implies something horrific and dangerous, yet it has a gentle connotation because it appears as a lamb.

Sheep have horns, something we city folk do not get to see. Sheepherders lop them off to protect their assets. Aside from horns, what would make a sheep so frightening? Seeing as Jesus was described as a lamb, quietly led to the slaughter, any potential dangers in this sheep like character have to be hidden from obvious view when initially seen. A clue is in this. It speaks like a dragon.

If you have read Revelation 12:9 then you know the answer to this, Satan, the father of lies. So we can safely assume a person that pervades a powerful deception; a lie.

Islam has its own version of Jesus. Mohammed allegedly rescued him from the death of the cross. Their Jesus vanished from the earth, but will reappear once again. The Jesus of theirs is merely a man, and a prophet. He will be subservient to the Mahdi; the anti-Christ, and according to scripture:
13:12 exercises all the authority of the first beast.
- Makes everyone worship the first beast.
- Performs great signs, including fire from heaven.
- deceives the earth.
- Sets up an image in the temple.
- Causes the image to speak.
- Kills those that will not worship the image.
- Forces everyone to receive a mark (denoting allegiance).

The Koran also teaches that our Messiah, Jesus, God's son, is the anti-Christ, and that they (Islam) will do battle with him, and win. Good luck with that.

What I see is Satan attempting to parallel virtually every aspect of God's plan for salvation.

Though this beast person comes in the gentle appearance of a lamb, his deception only serves one purpose, to steal the souls of men from God. We should know that Jesus said that Satan only comes but for to kill, steal, and destroy. Satan is the father of lies, therefore this scenario is based purely in selfish desire - the basis of all sin.

Apparently to be a "beast" your qualifications must include:
Deception - The same thing magicians do. They cause you to believe one thing, while distracting you from what is really going on.
Blasphemy - Many have asked the question, has my anger toward God disqualified me from God's mercy? The short answer is no. Look at the intent of the anti-Christ. Although he speaks against God, his express intent is to turn hearts away from God.
Violence - Against the people of the book (the Bible). This is what Islam considers Jews and Christian followers of the risen Lord. There will also be violence against anyone who refuses to worship the image or receive the mark of allegiance to Allah and his prophet Mohammed.
This aspect, violence, is an ongoing issue in Islamic ruled nations even today.

Another aspect of this verse that requires some thought is "another beast rising out of the earth". The original beast comes out of the sea, but that is definable as the masses of people on the earth. Islam is the fastest growing religion on earth, and is Muslims are quickly becoming the dominant population.

Feel free to consider this conjecture, but having done some more research I have found that commentators said similar things to this.
What if the earth represents some commonality? 
John wrote this book to be understood. If we did not understand it, where does our inability lean.

Islam was not the force it is today thirty years ago. We now have a clearer picture of what Islam believes, and yet we cling so heavily to traditional explanations that were so wrong, regardless of how little sense they might have made then.

What gives this Islamic definition more validity is Al Queada, an Islamic organization, noted for its terrorists acts, directed against the great satan, USA, and the little satan, Israel. These acts of terror are also directed at anyone else that does not hold to sharia law. The fact that they flew our own passenger planes, on suicide missions, into the World Trade center towers, changing the way we operate in our daily lives, demonstrates what these people are capable of.

So as I ponder what could be common in the biblical sense, it occurs to me. The Koran declares this Jesus of theirs (the second beast) to be a Jew of Aaron's lineage. That would make him qualified to command the role as the high priest, enter the temple, and eventually set up the abomination, the image that eventually speaks. His heritage would make him a believable person to the Jewish community, and a fatal influence pertaining to worshiping the beast, and extraordinarily blasphemous in God's eyes. For how could one of his own do such a thing.

An understanding of Islam causes the book of Revelation to begin to make all the sense in the world. For Islam's tenants and prophecies match the scenarios of the book almost to the letter.

Note: this is not a message of hate, but one trying to demonstrate that it is possible to understand the book of Revelation, and that the time to pray is now. God has left us loop holes, you will see them if you read the book. And you do not know but what God may repent of the anger he intends to pour out upon the earth.

Answers to a friend. Hebrews 5:7

Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear,
(Heb 5:7 RV)

"Who in the days of his flesh," - God became a man, and yet remained the Father that Jesus the man was able to call out to. How that happened is beyond me. I try to comprehend it and struggle, therefore I merely accept the concept as fact. Jesus was so remarkable, miraculous, and filled with the father's love that he must have been who he said he was. There are so many proofs that he is God and yet the compassionate Jesus who walked with man upon earth.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
(John 1:1 RV)
 "In the days of his flesh"  - I can readily ascent to the fact that He walked this earth as a man; the God man.

"having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him" -
Is it the prayers or the fact that he did it with tears that causes the problem? Perhaps the fact that the verse has him offering prayers unto him, him being God.
Now wait! I thought he was God. Right you would be.
Entities, aspects, and perhaps personalities, capable of separating themselves from the other in form, diverse in mannerisms, and yet totally in cooperation with the other, nor struggling to dominate the other.

Tears merely demonstrate the humanness of our God King, and Messiah.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
(Heb 4:15 KJV)

He, Jesus the man, was tempted in every manner that is common to man, and he became our high priest. Therefore he knows what we go through, and what it feels like. He still maintains that role in the heavenlies, and as the author of the book "The Shack" tries to point out, he still voluntarily maintains that form and position in the heavens with the Father.

"unto him that was able to save him from death,"
God could have spared him the agony of torture and then death.

Being ridiculed, beaten, and then hung upon the cross was only part of it. Sin separated us from God, something the King of Glory had never experienced, and everything we know from scripture is part of God's plan to redeem us back to himself.

The OT is filled with the hows and whys of the sacrifice that had to be made, just so man could have momentary relief from the sin that is so deeply ingrained within, and even at that man still had no direct communication with the Father, but had to allow the high priest speak to God on man's behalf.

We are told he did it - did what?, allowed himself to be sin knowing that it would separate him from the Father. And why? for the joy set before him.

No one, in their right mind, finds joy in their own brutality and torture, therefore what was set before him was something more than just the agony of death.

Hanging there on the cross he cried out "My God, why have you forsaken me?" Since Jesus became sin, our sin, God could no longer look upon him either -just as he could not look upon sinful man, and for the first time in eternity Jesus experienced separation from God. 
Not to worry, that all got straightened out, but think about it. Jesus had never experienced life without the Father. Adam got a good dose in the garden after having dominion over it for how long.

I will tell you that there are those who will not buy this concept. They feel strongly that it is blasphemous to even consider such a thing. How could God separate himself from himself, or allow a beloved son to experience such pain and trauma. I do not know how to answer that, but I sure am glad that Jesus voluntarily subjected himself to it.

This obedience produced a warrior king, a high priest, and a God man that could completely understand who were since the fall.

"and was heard...."
What might be troubling about this aspect? Jesus had asked the Father if there was another way. That sure sounds like a man that really wanted another way if it was possible. What we did not see was God answering him back. We can make that assumption based upon the fact that Jesus carried out the mission. But that is not what this says. It says that he was heard. Then that only leaves one conclusion: LOVE won.
What does that mean? Jesus volunteered, and God so loved a broken world that he gave his only son to it as a gift. Beside all that Jesus opened one of his prayers with "Father, I know that you hear me always" To be heard in this manner implies that the Father responded positively to every request that Jesus made. Jesus did not demand a yes answer to his question, but merely made the statement that he already knew the answer to.

Just because we do not see things going the way we want, while in anguish, does not mean that God does not hear. Perhaps God has given you the answer and you are just fighting it.

"... in that he feared;"
He was heard because he feared.
Fear is a negative word with negative connotations, but, especially in the case of Jesus, would it not be more practical to think in terms of respect. That phrase "fear God" is scratched all over the pages of the bible. Certainly there were more than enough circumstances to evoke fear, but really the entire time God was looking for respect. He made his point on many occasions by pointing out the futility of playing with inanimate objects, painting little hands, feet and mouths on them when then cannot speak, and have done nothing for you.
Scripture really does demonstrate God mocking these things for when the Philistines captured the Ark of the covenant they placed it in one of their temples, near their god Dagon. In the morning their god was on it's face before god. Not totally convinced that was significant they tried it again. They found their god not only face first on the floor before the Ark, but its head and hands were broken off as well. They caught on.

There is a context to the fear aspect here, and might be missed if one did not continue to read. The next verse says: "Though he were a Son, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered;"
I seriously doubt that Jesus struggled with obedience, that was man's problem, had always been, but then again - tempted in all ways as we are he would have had ample opportunity to try and rise up against the Father. This is what made Satan's offer of the kingdoms of the earth such a realistic offer. The moment Jesus would have said yes would have taken him into the realm of  asserting himself above God, the supremely correct decision maker. That is exactly what Satan did, and you can see where it got him. Jesus defeated him hands down on the cross that day, and Satan's only home will be in eternal punishment when this is all over.

The second greatest gift that Jesus gave us was his willingness to be and do nothing outside of the Father's instructions.

You might think that is way too restrictive. Ask yourself, as you read about Jesus' life on this earth, was there anything about him that seemed restricted. Good lord no! He healed the sick, healed the lame, cast out demons, set people free, sought out the broken and restored them, and gave people life and hope. And best of all he had fun doing it. How can I say that he had fun, for God fills us with a joy that surpasses all understand when we doing his will.

Answers to a friends questions: part 2

In reality one could ask the question of John 1:1 and get an entire book on the subject. My friend threw out many scriptures with no definition of what the question was, merely the idea that they did not grasp them. If you look at the passages, in this case John 1: 1-5, I suppose that all you really have to do is to ask what are the common things people struggle with (myself included) when they read these.

As a side note: I have been spending a tremendous amount of time lately, looking at eschatology and what is going on in the world right now. Folks, if you are not aware Islam is your next door neighbor, and fits every description of things to come. Jesus answered his disciples, see Matthew 24, with this: Do not be deceived, and do not be afraid. He also told them a parable about a fig tree, and the evidence that it is about to bear fruit. We are seeing signs that things are about to bear fruit. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9. It speaks about the thief in night, springing upon the unattended (we assume) house. Here is the insight for the day. " But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. "
So how does this relate to the passage below and the questions? Islam believes none of this, but they believe in a form of Jesus that may be so convincing to many, that they will be deceived into converting to Islam. The point here is, you need to understand who you are, and who you belong to. Thessalonians also tells us that the his appearing in the clouds to gather us to him, will not come until the antichrist is revealed. If you understand Islamic theology at all then you will know that many of us will have stand fast upon our faith, and probably die, as an Islamic fighter from Yemen will arise six months before the Mahdi (antichrist) steps forward. This fighters purpose is an attempt to destroy those who would stand in the way of Islam. Now how can one man do that much damage? He can't, but he will put forth a cry of jihad that will begin to cover the globe. Unless you have had your head buried in the ground then you should know that the threat is real in this so called safe nation of ours.
Why would I tell you this? Not to invoke hatred toward a people or nation, but to pray. Jesus told his own disciples that if you live by the sword, you will die by the sword. I take that to mean fighting back with man made tools is foolish.The most powerful weapon at our disposal is prayer. Ask God to make himself real to these people, and change as many hearts as possible. Ask for God's protection over his people, "the people of the book" as we are known.
Be the people of the book.
Be life.
Be light.

Back to the passage and my response.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
(John 1:1-5 KJV)

From the first he was the Word, and the Word was in relation with God and was God.
(John 1:1 BBE)

IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. [Isa. 9:6.]
(John 1:1 AMP)


Beginning: The natural meaning of the word is with reference to time. The primitive Greek root means “to be long,” “to draw out.” Thus, it is used to refer to some point of time long drawn out, or long past (Gen_1:1). It is used also to express the inauguration of a particular event (Exo_12:2).

Word: The commonest term in the Old Testament for “word” is דבר, dābhār (also “matter” “thing”); in the New Testament λόγος, lógos (“reason,” “discourse,” “speech”); but also frequently ῥῆμα, rhḗma. Rhēma is a “word” in itself considered; logos is a spoken word, with reference generally to that which is in the speaker's mind.

One of the most dramatic passages in the bible is this one. John makes it extremely clear that Jesus was God, and they are inseparable. God, his Word, his Son, and all creation was made by him. Since we have to use faith to believe, then let's just stretch our imaginations just a little and you can see Jesus, in whatever form he was in at the time, speaking the worlds into existence just as if God himself did it. If you have not read the book "The Shack" there is a description given by God, in the form and style of Mama, a wise, old, black woman. In that description God explains how they work together in thought and unity. Not competing with each other. Maybe what makes God difficult to understand is that we can do nothing but compete with other.

One of the things we are told about God is that He always was. That has to imply that any aspect of Him was there also. The word already existed.

I also do not think that any honest person can say they totally grasp this concept. We seem to understand the concept of a man being as good as his word, but God was the word, exhibited the word, created with the word, and  walked this earth as the God man, Jesus his Son.

John 1:2 He was in the beginning with God.
He, in this case is Jesus.

Everything has a beginning, no matter how hard that is to understand, except God, the Word and the Holy Spirit. Again that is a hard concept to grasp, but one we have to grapple with. If only we had not spent so much time watching Star Trek, as they tried to grasp the same concepts in human terms. That may be the problem because we attempt to understand God in terms of the humanness that we are so deeply entrenched in.

in the beginning: would have to in this case our beginnings, earth, which by the way scripture says that it was made perfect. Therefore if something became wrong, and that might be an explanation of dinosaurs, then it happened shortly after the beginning.

with God: the word used here is pros, and it can also mean - to the advantage of; at; near; by; towards; with regard to.

John 1:3 GW  Everything came into existence through him. Not one thing that exists was made without him.

It appropriately expresses everything which exists. That's a fairly broad statement. I suppose that could mean in its original form, but that is not what the verse says. Then that would mean the good with the bad. And the answer is yes. What right does the pot have to tell the potter how it should be made and how it is to be used. If this challenges you consider that scripture tells us that Pharoah was merely a tool for God's use in bringing His people out of Egypt. Just the fact that you claim to have a relationship with God and are asking these questions tells me that God has a plan for your life. As for those around you that may not seem like they know him. Prayer changes things. How do you know that God was not merely waiting on you so that he could act upon your prayer.

In him there was life, and that life was a light for the people of the world.
(John 1:4 ERV)
Who is the him in this case? The context has been about God's Son, Jesus; the Word.

Life was in him. Ponder that for a moment.

We all breathe up to a point, and that breath is necessary for our life, but this is not what he is talking about. This is a life that is eternal, a light that never goes out. Even as I write this I can hear something inside me scream out "and it desires restoration with the Father that created that life."

The world tends to run from him, the one who carries and gives that life.

In our attempts to understand and fill the voids we feel, we have developed things called "night life" as though there were life in them, when all the while nothing man creates restores the life inside, but brings about death, on so many levels.

LIFE - Yes, I know. I just yelled it.

The Greek word for life is Zoe.
From Vine's expository of NT words: "life as God has it, that which the Father has in Himself, and which He gave to the Incarnate Son to have in Himself, Joh_5:26, and which the Son manifested in the world, 1Jo_1:2."

Genesis 1 tells us that man was created in God's image. Jesus said that God is a spirit, and so you have probably picked up on the fact that spirit is central, but not exclusive to the world God can operate in. So man then was made an exacting replica of God, a spirit. At some point though, God put a body on him.
The life, the same life that has existed in Christ from the beginning of all incomprehensible time, is what God put in the man. Wow, and to think that man threw that away.
We should know by now that man died that day in the garden. If you read the story did you see him die in your minds eye? No, for physical death quite often is a slow process. In Adam's case 900 years, but the life, the same life that God possessed, that exuded from Jesus pores, that God put in the man, died.

Can you imagine what that suddenly felt like. Every ounce of darkness, depravity, loneliness, terror, and want for companionship came rushing in. No wonder God destroyed the earth with a flood. Scripture tells us that violence filled the earth, and the thought and intents of man's heart was only evil.

Can you begin to understand why Jesus cried out to the Father, asking Him if there was any other way. Oh, he knew this torture was going to hurt, but to have the life put out was unbearable.

Deny it if you wish. The horror of the cross is so unbearable that I can see why you would not even put Jesus on that cross. But you have to understand that Jesus voluntarily became a man, chose to suffer, die, to bear all sin and shame upon his body, and left nothing out.
WHY?
For one person alone, YOU. He came to restore that life in you through your acceptance of his sacrifice, and that is exactly what He became. Why do you think that scripture is filled with descriptions of his sacrifice and blood. Because it is life to those of us who cling to it.

Not to worry though, He came off that cross, defeated death, hell and the grave, and rose victorious. Understand that "it is appointed for man once to die" and he did. Nothing can touch him. Nothing could have touched him then, had he not allowed it. But he did, for you, and He brings those that choose to follow Him into himself, making them his own, and placing them before the throne of their new Father, the King.

Jesus, this day I receive your life into mine. Receive me into your kingdom for the life and light that I see in you is the light and life that I must have in me. Take me as I am for I have nothing else to offer. Broken and humbled before you I bow, submitting myself to you.

Arise my child, for this day you shall be with me in paradise. What glory, and there is no price that you could pay worthy of such a one. Therefore he paid the price for you and invites you to come.