WHICH IS THEREFORE NOT TRUE

Who are we going to believe, God or men?

If we believe God, we believe what the Word says, as He has revealed it, because by making mixtures, the teaching is corrupted.

We cannot put our faith in anyone's speeches or words without a well-interpreted Biblical foundation.

If we trust, believe, and live what God speaks to us in His Word, we will be blessed.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

7 Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose trust is the LORD. 8 For it will be like the tree planted by the waters, which will take root by the stream, and will not see when the heat comes, but its leaf will be green; and in the year of drought it will not be weary, nor will it fail to bear fruit.

It is the Word of God versus the words of men. But the Word also warns us that if our trust is not in God, if not, there will be no blessing in man, but the opposite:

Jeremiah 17:5

Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man, and puts flesh for his arm, and his heart turns away from the Lord.

Mary is attributed virtues that only correspond to God, for example:

1. LAWYER

In the prayer of "La Salve" he reflects merits and virtues that belong only to God.

"Hail God save you, Queen and Mother of mercy, life, sweetness and our hope; God save you. To Thee we outcasts cry out to Eve; to Thee we sigh, groaning and weeping, in this vale of tears. Come, then, O Lady, our advocate, turn thy merciful eyes upon us; and after this exile show us Jesus, the blessed fruit of thy womb. O most gracious one, O most merciful one, O sweet ever-virgin Mary! Pray for us, Holy Mother of God. That we may be worthy to attain to the promises of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, who, with the co-operation of the Holy Spirit, prepared the body and soul of the glorious Virgin and Mother Mary to be worthy to be a worthy dwelling place for your Son; grant that, as we joyfully celebrate her commemoration, through your merciful intercession we may be delivered from present evils and eternal death. Through Christ our Lord Himself. Amen"

The words marked in red of the prayer "Hail" are the ones that go totally against the Word of God, All these attributes describe the redemptive work of Christ which cannot be attributed to any other person because there is no other way to the Father but Him, these are:

Queen life Our hope "To You We Cry" Our lawyer merciful eyes Show Us Jesus

Most clement pious Always virgin "Pray for us" Mother of God glorious virgin and mother Mary Merciful Intercession

1. Queen: What is a queen? Queen is a term that has its etymological root in the Latin word regīna. The queen is the woman who married a king or who, in her own right, is in a position to exercise royal power.

What does the Bible tell us about this? Who is the Queen of Heaven?

The phrase "the Queen of Heaven" appears in the Bible twice, both in the book of Jeremiah. (Which means that this expression is found only in the Old Testament, the Gospels and the rest of the Word do not ascribe to Mary the term queen of heaven.)

The first incident is found in connection with the things that the children of Israel were doing that provoked Jehovah's wrath. Entire families were involved in idolatry. Children gathered wood, and men used it to build altars to worship false gods. The women were engaged in kneading and baking bread for "the Queen of Heaven" (Jeremiah 7:18). This title refers to Astarte, goddess of Babylon and Assyria, also called Ashtaroth by other groups. She was believed to be the wife of the false god Baal, also known as Moloch. Women's motivation for worshipping Astaroth stemmed from her reputation as a goddess of fertility, and, as the conception of children was highly desired among women of the time, the worship of the "Queen of Heaven" was rampant among pagan civilizations. Sadly, it became popular among the Israelites as well.

The second reference to the queen of Heaven is found in Jeremiah 44:17-25, where Jeremiah is giving the people the Word of the Lord that God had spoken to them. He reminds the people that their disobedience and idolatry had caused the Lord to be very angry with them and punish them with calamity. Jeremiah warns them that even greater punishments await them if they do not repent. They respond that they have no intention of renouncing their idol worship, promising to continue pouring out libations to the Queen of Heaven, Ashtaroth, and even go so far as to give her credit for the peace and prosperity they once enjoyed by God's grace and mercy.

It is unclear where the idea that Astaroth was a "consort" of Jehovah originated, but it is easy to see how the blending of goddess-exalting paganism with the worship of the true King of heaven, Jehovah, can lead to the combination of God and Ashtaroth. And since the worship of Ashtaroth involved sexuality (fertility, procreation, and temple prostitution), the resulting relationship, to the depraved mind, would naturally be one of a sexual character. Clearly, the idea of the "Queen of Heaven" as the consort or lover of the King of Heaven is idolatrous and unbiblical.

There is no Queen of Heaven. There has never been a Queen of Heaven. Surely there is a King of Heaven, the Lord of Hosts, Jehovah. He alone reigns in heaven. He does not share His kingdom or His throne or His authority with anyone (Isaiah 42:8).

Isaiah 42:8 "I am the Lord; this is my name; and to another I will not give my glory, nor my praise to graven images."

The idea that Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the Queen of Heaven has no biblical basis whatsoever, originating instead from the proclamations of priests and popes, which are dogmas of the Catholic Church. (For some time it was attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux; it is now known that he only added the final invocation: O clemens, o pia / o dulcis, Virgo Maria (which introduces a pair of verses with rhyme in "ia"); it has also been attributed to the bishop of Compostela Pedro de Mezonzo, to the bishop of Le Puy-en-Velay Ademar de Monteil, to the German monk Hermann von Reichenau,  and even the legendary bishop of Segovia San Jeroteo. The Cistercians, Dominicans, and Franciscans promoted its use in various circumstances (especially in the liturgy of the hours). In 1250 Gregory IX approved it and prescribed that it be sung at the end of the prayer of Compline. The monks sang it before going to sleep and the friars of the Order of Preachers sang it in procession with lighted candles.)

God's Word has been completely inspired by the Holy Spirit, and that revelation was closed (biblical canon), which means we cannot add to that revelation; therefore these statements, which in addition to having been proposed by human beings, are not inspired by God and are unbiblical.

2 Peter 1:21 "For prophecy was never brought by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

Revelation 22:18-19 "I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will bring upon him the plagues that are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the book of life, and from the holy city, and from the things that are written in this book."

While Mary was certainly a pious, blessed woman (the word blessed means greatly blessed or blessed) and was chosen to give birth to the Savior of the world, the same angel in the salutation said to her:

Luke 1:31-33 "And now you shall conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and call his name JESUS. This one will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father; and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end." v.35 "And the angel answered and said unto him, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee; therefore also the Holy Being who will be born will be called the Son of God."

In the salutation the angel mentioned to her the purpose of her call and of God's intervention in her to carry out that call through the Holy Spirit, so she declares "The Holy being who will be born" declares holiness of "that being" speaking of Jesus by an exclusive action of the Holy Spirit.

She was not in any way divine, nor sinless, since the Bible teaches us that all mankind without exception need a redeemer and that there is not a righteous one or even one (Romans 3:10 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one;") and the justifier is Christ and that righteousness we receive by faith (Romans 5:1 "Justified,  for by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.")

It is not to be worshipped, venerated, or prayed for. (The only one who has the authority and power to answer a prayer is God and He is the only one who has the attribute of Omnipresence, because He is the only God.) The Lord Jesus Christ Himself gave the instruction regarding prayer, that our prayers should be directed to God:

Matthew 6:6 "But when you pray, go into your room, and when you shut the door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

All followers of the Lord Jesus Christ deny worship themselves, for example:

Peter and the apostles refused to be worshipped (Acts 10:25-26; 14:13-14). Holy angels refuse to be worshipped (Revelation 19:10; 22:9).

The answer is always the same: 'Worship God!' To offer worship, reverence, or veneration to anyone other than God is nothing short of idolatry.

Mary's words in her "Magnificat" (Luke 1:46-55) reveal that she never thought of herself as "spotless" and worthy of veneration, but instead depended on God's grace for salvation: "And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." Only sinners need a Savior, and Mary recognized that need in herself.

In addition, Jesus Himself issued a mild rebuke to a woman who cried out, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you suckled. And he said, 'Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.'" (Luke 11:27-28) In doing so, He restrained any tendency to elevate Mary as an object of worship. Certainly Jesus could have said, "Yes, blessed be the Queen of Heaven." But he didn't. He was affirming the same truth that the Bible affirms: there is no Queen of Heaven, and the only biblical references to the "Queen of Heaven" refer to the goddess of a false idolatrous religion as studied.

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THE BIBLE PRESENTS Jesus to us as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Revelation 21:16	On his mantle and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
Luke 23:42	And he said to Jesus, "Remember me when you come into your kingdom."
1 Timothy 6:15	which shall be manifested in due time by the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords;

Jesus himself confirmed this to Pilate ("Pilate said to him, 'Are you then king?' Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king." For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to bear witness to the truth.").

Reign in the world versus Reign in heaven.

We will clarify the following points:

Jesus explains that greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven is in serving, and He sets an example for us by His life with a servant character.

Matthew 20:25-27 "Then Jesus called them and said, 'You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and those who are great exercise power over them. But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your servant;"

Matthew 20:28 "As the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

1 Kings 2:19 "Bathsheba came to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king arose to meet her, and bowed down before her, and sat down again on her throne, and caused a chair to be brought for her mother, and she sat down at her right hand."

They say that because Bathsheba was Solomon's mother and he as son and king of Israel seated her at his right hand, they think that since Mary was the mother of Jesus she will sit at his right hand. We need to clarify the following points:

1. God is not like the kings of this world, he is God. And in His Word He makes it clear that He alone has authority.

2 Chronicles 20:6

And he said, O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? And do you not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? In your hand is power and strength and there is no one who can resist you.

1. God would never bow down to anyone (if you are going to take a verse you must take it in its entirety and if you use this verse to say that Mary is at the right hand because Solomon sat Bathsheba at the right hand, you must also see that Solomon bowed down to his mother) and we know that God would never bow down to anyone EVER. God Himself is the one who asks for worship of Him alone, (Deuteronomy 13:4 "You must follow and worship the Lord your God alone. Keep His commandments and obey Him. serve him and remain faithful to him.") even when Jesus himself was tempted by Satan to prostrate himself by reference to worship (since in the Bible the simple bowing down is worship), Jesus said:

Deuteronomy 6:13	"To the Lord thy God thou shalt fear, and to him only shalt thou serve, and shalt thou swear by his name."
Matthew 4:9-11	9 And he said to him, "All these things I will give you, if you will worship me in your prostration." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Go away, Satan, for it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.' 11 So the devil left him; And behold, angels came and ministered to him.

Jesus spoke with Scripture that worship is for God. As we have studied before (see study of "Worship God alone") the fact or act of bowing down to someone or prostrating oneself in the Bible, means worship, so when Satan tells Jesus to prostrate, the Lord answers with Scripture that one should worship only God, referring to Deuteronomy 6:13,  Jesus countered the enemy's attack with the Word, with the scripture that was available at the time, the Word is our sword (Hebrews 4:12) to counter the attacks of the enemy, taking Jesus' example, Satan demands worship (2 Thess. 2:4"who opposes and rises up against everything that is called God or is worshipped; so much so that he sits in the temple of God as God,  pretending to be God").

Mary declares herself a servant of God, in the same way we must be servants of God, since the call is for everyone.

Leviticus 26:1

You shall not make idols for yourselves, nor graven iron, nor set up a statue for yourselves, nor set up painted stone in your land to bow down to it; for I am the Lord your God.

1. God does not rule like human beings, he did not put a human being at his right hand, but his own Son Jesus Christ, who is God (John 10:30):

John 10:30 "I and the Father are one."

Bible verses where it is seen that it is Jesus who is at the right hand of God interceding for us:

Matthew 26:64	Jesus said to him, "You have said so; and I say unto you, That from now on ye shall see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven. RVR 1960 Jesus answered him, "You have said so; and I tell you that from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Almighty, and coming on the clouds of heaven."
Mark 16:19	After speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
Acts 2:33-35	Therefore, being exalted by the right hand of God, he received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and poured it out; This is what you see and hear at this moment. 34 For David did not ascend into heaven, and yet he says, "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand,' 35 until I make your enemies your footstool."
Acts 5:31	And God has exalted him with his right hand as a leader and Savior, to grant to Israel conversion and forgiveness of sins.
Acts 7:55,56	But he, filled with the Holy Spirit, with his eyes fixed on heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, "I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God."
Romans 8:34	Who will condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died; nay, that he is risen, that he is at the right hand of God and that he intercedes for us?
Ephesians 1:20-23	20 God displayed this power in Christ, raising him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in heaven, 21 above all principality, power, virtue, dominion, and all that has a name, not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 He has put everything under his feet and made him the supreme head of the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Colossians 3:1	If, therefore, you have risen with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
1 John 2:1	My children, I write this to you so that you may not sin. Now, if anyone sins, we have an intercessor with the Father: Jesus Christ, the righteous one.

Jesus Christ continues the redemptive work in heaven by serving as high priest, the writer of Hebrews in chapter eight tells us that the high priest had to present himself with something to offer. Jesus sacrificed himself as a perfect lamb, slain on the cross of Calvary, making a single sacrifice once and for all; and sitting in the place of honor at the right hand of majesty in the True Sanctuary; the heavenly one who is Himself. He is the only mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5), so it is not possible to assign this place of honor to anyone other than the Perfect Lamb who is Christ. Because to fulfill the intercessory function he must have these requirements that the Word tells us that only Christ can fulfill (and for this reason God sent him into the world) and He is the mediator of a better covenant made in his blood.

Hebrews 8:1-13 "Now the main point of what we have been saying is that we have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister of the sanctuary, and of that true tabernacle which the Lord, and not man, set up. For every high priest is appointed to offer offerings and sacrifices; so it is necessary that it also has something to offer. Therefore, if he were on the earth, he would not even be a priest, there are still priests who present the offerings according to the law; who serve that which is the figure and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was warned when he was about to erect the tabernacle, saying to him, "Behold, do all things according to the pattern that has been shown to you on the mountain." But now so much the better is his, as he is the mediator of a better covenant, established on better promises. For if the former had been without blemish, certainly no place would have been provided for the latter. For he rebukes them, saying, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah; Not like the covenant I made with their fathers on the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; For they did not abide in my covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. Wherefore this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel. After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws in their minds, and will write them upon their hearts; And I will be their God, and they shall be my people; And no man shall teach his neighbor, nor any man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; For they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more. When he says, "A new covenant," he has made the first old; and what is taken for old and grows old, is about to disappear."

When in the Bible it speaks of the fact that in the end we will all reign with Christ, in the millennium. He speaks two things: all of us who have believed will reign with Him, all of us. It refers to participating within His reign, if we read the whole passage we will see that He is the one who will be reigning, the one who will have authority, and we will reign with him refers to the fact that we will enjoy His reign, He will wipe away every tear and there will only be joy.

Revelation 21:4-8 "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will be no more death, neither will there be any more weeping, nor crying, nor pain; because the first things happened. And he who sat on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said to me: Write; for these words are faithful and true. And he said to me: It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To him that thirsteth I will give freely from the fountain of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son. But the cowardly and unbelieving, the abominable and murderers, the fornicators and sorcerers, the idolaters and all liars will have their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

b. Life: By life we mean the very existence of beings, the property or essential quality of animals, plants, human beings that adapt to the environment and develop and reproduce.

Spiritually speaking, in light of God's Word, Scripture tells us that God gives us the life we have to live for Him (Colossians 1:16) and has also provided abundant and eternal life through Jesus (John 10:10b "... I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it abundantly.")

Colossians 1:16 "For in him were created all things, things in heaven and things on earth, visible and invisible; whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; everything was created through him and for him."

Within the Bible, when speaking of Life, it is explicitly cited that Jesus is life (1 John 5:12 "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."), in addition to being able to recognize that God is the one who gives life and who takes it away as well. They are the only ones, we know that life is also the breath of life that we have here on earth and eternal life. The Bible clearly states that these two come only through Jesus Christ who is also God.

Next, we will put some verses, which show us the life that God provides through Jesus Christ. If we could put them all, we would put THE WHOLE Bible, from Genesis to Revelation they talk about this.

Genesis 2:7	Then Jehovah God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.
Job 33:4	The Spirit of God made me, And the breath of the Almighty gave me life.
Acts 17:25	nor is he honored by the hands of men, as if he needed anything; for it is he who gives to all life and breath and all things.
Nehemiah 9:6	You alone are Jehovah; You have made the heavens, and the heavens of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is in it, the seas and all that is in them; and thou makest all these things, and the armies of heaven worship thee.
1 Timothy 6:13	I command you before God, who gives life to all things, and Jesus Christ, who testified to the good profession before Pontius Pilate,
John 1:3-4	All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing that was made was made. In Him was life, and life was the light of men.
Jeremiah 38:16	But King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah, saying, "As the Lord lives, who gave us this life, live, I will certainly not kill you or deliver you into the hands of those men who seek your life."
Deuteronomy 32:39	See now that I, I am the Lord, and outside of me there is no God. I make people die and I make people live. I hurt and I heal, and there is no one who can deliver from my hand.
1 Samuel 2:6	The Lord takes life and gives it; He makes us go down to the grave and from it he makes us rise.
Psalm 16:11	You will make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand, delights forever.
Psalm 36:9	For in you is the fountain of life; In your light we see the light.
Malachi 2:5	My covenant with him was one of life and peace, which I gave him to reverence me; And he reverenced me, and was filled with fear at my name.
John 14:6	Jesus said to him*, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.
John 5:39-40	39 You examine the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and they are the ones who bear witness to me; 40 And you will not come to me that you may have life.
John 3:36	He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.
John 3:16	For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 5:24	Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and does not come into condemnation, but has passed from death to life.
John 6:27	Work, not for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, for this is the one whom the Father God has marked with his seal.
John 10:28	and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.
John 11:25-26	Jesus said to him, "I am the resurrection and the life; He who believes in me, even if he dies, will live, 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?
John 14:6	Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.
Romans 5:21	so that as sin reigned in death, so grace may reign through righteousness unto eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Hebrews 5:9	and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
Hebrews 9:12	and not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered the Holy of Holies once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
2 Timothy 1:1	Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus,
2 Peter 1:3	For his divine power has granted us all that pertains to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of him who called us by his glory and excellence,
Revelation 11:11	But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came to them and they stood up, and great fear fell upon those who beheld them.

c. Our Hope: Hope is what makes us survive in drastic moments, hope helps us to endure the bad moments of our lives without us falling down, many have also said that hope is the last thing we can lose, because hope makes us always go forward in our lives and without hope we give up and everything without hope is meaningless.

However, hope, from the biblical point of view, is an essential virtue and has a positive connotation. In fact, the hope of believers is always based on God and his promises. In a moment of desperation God expects us to put our hope in Him, to seek Him, even if he is a servant of God (evangelists, teachers, pastors), they share the good news, but that does not mean that we should put our hope in them, but in Jesus Christ. If Mary received a call from God, it is not for us to put our hope in her, but in Jesus, the same angel when he gave the news to her told her that the holy being who will be born will be called the Son of God and through Him we will be saved so that within Mary's call the angel accentuates HOPE and FAITH in the one who would be BORN.

Luke 1:31-33 "You shall become pregnant and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be a great man, and they will call him the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob's people forever. His reign will have no end."

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OUR GOD IS NOT ONLY a source of our hope, but He is the God of hope:

Rom. 15:13 "And may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

With this statement we realize that hope is a divine attribute that corresponds to God and God alone.

The hope of Christians is personified in Jesus: "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the command of God our Savior, and of the Lord Jesus Christ our hope" (1 Tim.1:1).

The character of God, who is always good, trustworthy, and true, motivates us to trust and hope in Him and His promises. So, the theologian Jürgen Moltmann in his famous book The Theology of Hope tells us that "hope is nothing other than the expectation of those things that by faith we believe have been clearly promised by God."

The word hope appears 100 times in the Bible, but in the Bible it is not the result of positive thinking, nor is it something that people have inside, hope is something that develops in our relationship with God. The apostle Paul emphasizes that hope is one of the three main virtues of Christians, along with faith and love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 "Three things will last forever: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of the three is love."

When we face struggles or challenges, we Christians count on these 3 special virtues as a sure protection that everything will be fine, that it will have a positive end and we find the peace we need in the midst of those situations, so that this struggle or this problem does not discourage us.

Hope is highlighted in 2 points according to the Bible:

1. The first is that we find the solution to our problems through Christ our hope.

"Let my whole being wait in silence before God, for in him is my hope. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and my honor come from God alone; He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in God at all times; Tell him what is in your heart, for he is our refuge. – Psalm 62:5-8

"With tremendous things you will answer us in justice,

O God of our salvation,

Hope of all the ends of the earth,

And from the remotest ends of the sea." – Psalm 65:5

"Blessed is he whose helper is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God," – Psalm 146:5

"Blessed is the man who trusts  in the Lord, and whose trust is the Lord. For it will be like the tree planted by the waters, which will take root by the stream, and will not see when the heat comes, but its leaf will be green; and in the year of drought it shall not be weary, neither shall it fail to bear fruit." – Jeremiah 17:7-8

The followers of Jesus consider Him as the living hope, for He is the hope in the sense that God is the source of desired and expected power that will make everything better, that everything will go well, because in Him is the power and in no one else, to make bad circumstances change. (On the other hand, as for the power God bestows on His church or servants, it consists of an empowerment for the work of the kingdom, announcing the good news of salvation, testifying of Him.)

Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

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1. The second point is that hope makes people trust that they will have a better future in Christ Jesus by persevering in faith in Him in this life, to the end. Beyond what they are experiencing now in the present, it makes them confident in the future that something good awaits them, something that keeps them encouraged to continue trusting in the Lord.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. For the rest is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who love his coming."

WE THE CHILDREN OF God live our present intensely, but we know and are aware that our life is not limited to what we have here and now, we have faith and hope that we have something beyond death, a promise of a place greater than anything we have come to know accompanied by the presence of our creator.

Paul talked a little bit about that as well, mentioning the hope in the resurrection, by what we mean of our second life after earthly death, our eternal life with Jesus, with God in a place where there will be no more hunger, or pain, or sin, where we will live free and dwell under and alongside the presence of the Most High.

Revelation 21:3-4 "And I heard a loud voice from heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them; and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them as their God. God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will be no more death, neither will there be any more weeping, nor crying, nor pain; for the first things passed away."

"I have the same hope in God that these men have, the hope that he will raise up both the righteous and the unjust. Because of this, I always try to keep a clear conscience before God and all people." – Acts 24:15-16

"Therefore, since we were declared righteous in the sight of God through faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord did for us. Because of our faith, Christ brought us into this place of undeserved privilege in which we now stand, and we look forward with confidence and joy to partake of the glory of God." – Romans 5:1-2

"Against their own will, all creation became subject to the curse of God. Yet, with great hope, creation awaits the day when it will be delivered from death and decay, and will be united to the glory of the children of God." – Romans 8:20-21

d. To You we cry:

What is crying?

1. Asking or requiring something with vehemence or desperation.

"cry out for justice" (intransitive verb)

2. Complaining with shouts, asking for favor and help.

"Help, help! ―cried out from the balcony of the burning building" (Source: Oxford Languages Definitions).

"Shout, cry, call." This word, which is present in both biblical and modern Hebrew, has the meaning of "to shout, to shout." The term almost parallels the very similar-sounding word, za>aq, which also translates to "cry." The verb sha>aq is found about 55 times in the Hebrew Old Testament and first appears in Gen 4:10 "The voice of your brother's blood cries out to me from the earth."

Most often it is the human being who "cries out" to God for help: "Then the children of Israel feared very much and cried out to Jehovah." —Exo 14:10 KJV. The prophets always refer sarcastically to those who worship idols: "Though someone calls upon him, he does not answer" (Isa 46:7). The same term is often used to express "distress" or "need": "Esau †¦ uttered a loud and very bitter cry" (Gen 27:34). za>aq, "to shout, cry, call." This term is widespread throughout the history of the Hebrew language, including modern Hebrew. It is found about 70 times in the Hebrew Old Testament. It first appears in the account of suffering during Israelite captivity in Egypt: "The children of Israel groaned because of slavery and cried out to God" (Exo 2:23). Za>aq is perhaps the most commonly used word to indicate a "cry for help" for an emergency, especially "crying" for divine help. God often heard this "cry" in the time of the judges, when Israel was in trouble because of their disobedience (Judges 3:9, 15; 6:7; 10:10). Note that all the cries made in the Bible are addressed to God, who alone can answer them. (Note. see the theme of "intercession" which corresponds only to Christ.) We learn this in the light of Scripture which shows us that our prayers, our cry must be directed to God and also shows us the intercessory work that belongs only to Christ as the Bible teaches us.

The Bible nowhere instructs believers in Christ to pray to anyone but God.

Matthew 6:6 "But when you pray, go into your room, and when you shut the door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

The Bible nowhere encourages, or even mentions, believers asking individuals in heaven for prayers. If we want our prayer to be heard we must go directly to the Father, now that Christ has provided the way, obeying what He tells us in His Word in Hebrews 4:16 tells us that we, the believers here on earth, can "... Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with confidence, that we may obtain mercy and find grace for help in time of need."

1 Timothy 2:5 states, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." There is no one else who can mediate before God for us. If Jesus is THE ONLY mediator, that indicates that Mary and the saints cannot be mediators. They cannot mediate our prayerful petitions to God. Moreover, the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ Himself is interceding for us before the Father "wherefore (Jesus Christ) is able to save for ever, those who draw near to God through Him, always living to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25). With Jesus Himself interceding for us, why do we need Mary or the saints to intercede for us? Who will God listen to who is closer than His Son? Romans 8:26-27 describes the Holy Spirit interceding for us. With the second and third members of the Trinity already interceding for us before the Father in Heaven.

Let's examine these points:

1. The apostle Paul asks other Christians to pray for him in Ephesians 6:19. Many Scriptures describe believers praying for one another (2 Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:19; 2 Timothy 1:3) The Bible nowhere mentions anyone asking someone else in Heaven to pray for them. The Bible nowhere describes someone in Heaven praying for someone on earth.

1. The Bible gives absolutely no indication that Mary or the saints can hear our prayers. Mary and the saints are not omniscient. Still glorified in Heaven, they are finite beings with limitations. How is it possible that they can hear the prayers of millions of people? Whenever the Bible mentions praying or talking to the dead, it is within the context of magic, witchcraft, necromancy, and divination—activities that the Bible strongly condemns (Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:10-13, 1 Samuel 28:7-19).

1. God does not answer prayers based on who is praying. God answers prayers based on what is asked to go according to His will (1 John 5:14-15). There is absolutely no basis or need to pray to anyone other than God alone. There is no basis for asking those in Heaven to pray for us. Only God can hear our prayers. Only God can answer our prayers. No one in Heaven has any greater access to the throne of God than we have as believers through prayer (Hebrews 4:16).

Matthew 27:51 "And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom; and the earth trembled, and the rocks were split;"

Ephesians 2:13-18 "But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who made both peoples one, breaking down the middle wall of separation, abolishing enmities in his flesh, the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, to create in himself one new man, making peace, and by the cross to reconcile them both to God in one body, killing enmities in it. And he came and preached the good news of peace to you who were far off, and to those who were near; for through him we both have entrance by one Spirit to the Father."

God Himself assures us:

Jeremiah 33:3

Cry unto me, and I will answer thee, and teach thee great and hidden things which thou knowest not.

God assured Jeremiah that he only had to ask and He would answer him, also throughout Scripture we find:

Psalm 145:18	"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him indeed."
Isaiah 58:9	"Then you shall call, and the Lord shall hear you; you will cry out, and he will say, Here I am. If you take away from your midst the yoke, the threatening finger, and the speaking of vanity;"
Matthew 7:7	"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

God is ready to answer our prayers according to His will, but first we must ask Him to help us. Of course, God can meet our needs without us asking Him to do so, for He already knows them, but when we do we are acknowledging that He alone is God and that we cannot achieve by our own strength the things that belong only to His dominion. When we make our requests, we must be humble, cast off our pride and self-reliance, and commit ourselves to obey Him. 

He is the only one with the ability to Hear, Receive and Answer prayers, let us remember the Exclusive attributes of God:

Verses of the Sons of God crying out to Him:

Exodus 2:23	And it came to pass, after many days, that the king of Egypt died, and the children of Israel groaned because of their bondage, and cried out; and their cry went up to God because of their bondage.
Exodus 14:10	And when Pharaoh had drawn near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were coming after them; wherefore the children of Israel feared greatly, and cried unto the Lord.
Judges 3:9	Then the children of Israel cried out to the Lord; and the Lord raised up a deliverer for the children of Israel and delivered them; that is, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.
1 Kings 17:20	And crying unto the LORD, he said, O LORD, my God, hast thou afflicted even the widow in whose house I am staying, causing her son to die?
Psalm 34:6	This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And it delivered him from all his anguish.

In addition to the Old Testament, there is a very explicit example of when the disciples of Jesus met together in the first moments of the formation of the church, on the day of Pentecost they were gathered, together in one mind, and how this was backed up by the Holy Spirit and they began to speak in tongues. (Acts 2)

We also see that when they prayed, they went directly to the Father because they knew that they could do it (thanks to the work of Christ) and because they knew (by faith) that God would hear them, and indeed, it did. Without needing anything else, only true communion between God and his Children, we can talk to our Father without so many detours or stairs.

Examples of Bible verses that speak of Christ's crying, praying, and intercession on our behalf:

Romans 8:15	For you have not received the spirit of bondage to be in fear again, but you have received the spirit of adoption, by which we cry out: Abba, Father!
Galatians 4:6	And because you are sons, God sent into your hearts the Spirit of his Son, who cries: !! Abba, Father!
Ephesians 5:18-20	18 Do not be drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 Speaking among yourselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and praising the Lord in your hearts; 20 Always giving thanks to God and the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 10:44-46	44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the speech. 45 And the faithful of the circumcision who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues, and magnifying God.
Acts 19:6	And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them; and they spoke in tongues, and prophesied.
Romans 8:26-27	26 And in the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for what we ought to ask as we ought we do not know, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. 27 But he who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because according to the will of God he intercedes for the saints.
1Thessalonians 1:2-5	2 We give thanks to God for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, 3 remembering unceasingly before our God and Father the work of your faith, the work of your love, and your steadfastness in hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brethren beloved of God, your election; 5 For our gospel came to you not in words only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and in full assurance, as you know well which we were among you for your sake.
Ephesians 6:18-20	18 praying at all times with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching over it with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints; 19 And for me, that when I open my mouth a word may be given to me to make known boldly the mystery of the gospel, 20 by which I am an ambassador in chains; that I speak boldly of him, as I must speak.

It is necessary to remember that we are all called to Holiness, we have a holy God who demands Holiness from those who follow Him and approach Him, this is why Jesus, wanting us to get closer to God, made a sacrifice so that we would be innocent and without stain of sin, holiness is progressive, we are all holy from the moment we follow Christ,  by turning away from the pleasures of this world we are seeking holiness and we continue to advance in that holiness to become as God expects us to be as He says:

1 Peter 1:16	for it is written, 'BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.'
Leviticus 11:44	For I am the Lord your God; therefore you will sanctify yourselves, and you will be holy, because I am holy; so do not defile your persons with any animal that creeps on the earth.
Leviticus 19:2	Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them, 'You shall be holy, for I am the Lord your God.'
2 Corinthians 7:1	So, beloved, since we have such promises, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

and. Our lawyer:

What is Advocating (Intercede, Mediate, Defend)? It is to speak or declare oneself in favor of a person or a thing, to advocate for someone in a trial.

The Bible presents Jesus to us as our advocate. Throughout Mary's life we find no evidence of this role in her, we must believe what the Bible actually teaches us and not what the world says.

The Word teaches us that our ONLY advocate is Jesus Christ:

1 John 2:1

My little children, these things I write to you so that you may not sin; and if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Her choice of the word "little children" indicates her loving concern for them. God also calls us Sons in 1 John 3:1 "Behold what love the Father has given us, that we should be called sons of God; therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know him."

There is a remedy for those who sin and confess it, and it consists in the fact that "we have one who speaks before the Father (speaking of Jesus) in our defense." This is how the NIV paraphrases the Greek word that is usually translated "lawyer." The English word is based on the Latin advocatus, which in turn corresponds to the Greek paraklētos, and literally means "one called to the side (to help)". In this context, it undoubtedly means a "lawyer" or "advocate," in a legal context. It means a person who intercedes on behalf of another. There is good evidence that this was one of the meanings of the Greek word, and it was common in the Old Testament and in the Jewish background of the New Testament. Paul also speaks of Jesus as the one at the right hand of God who intercedes for us (Rom. 8:34). This is the idea found here. Jesus Christ acts as our advocate and presents His defense on our behalf.

Romans 8:34 "Who is it that will condemn? Christ is the one who died; nay, he who is also risen, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us."

Jesus is described as righteous. John likes to use this adjective with regard to Jesus, especially when he thinks of Jesus as an example for Christians to follow (1 John 2:29; 3:7).

1 John 2:29 "If you know that he is righteous, know also that everyone who does righteousness is born of him."

1 John 3:7 "Little children, let no one deceive you; he who does justice is just, just as he is just."

Peter also describes Jesus in this way when he contrasts Jesus' innocence with the wickedness of those who killed him (Acts 3:14; cf. 7:52), but above all he referred to Jesus as the Righteous One who died for the unrighteous, to bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18).

Acts 3:14 "But you denied the Holy and the Righteous, and asked that a murderer should be given to you,"

Acts 7:52 "Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now been betrayers and slayers."

1 Peter 3:18 "For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;"

Jesus Christ not only has no sins of His own for which He must suffer, but He has the ability to intercede for others, since He has not been contaminated by sin. He can, as it were, present his own righteousness before God and ask Him to forgive sinners on the basis of his righteous act.

But what precisely is the foundation on which the lawyer bases his case? John goes on to clarify the thinking by describing Jesus as "the propitiation" (threads) for our sins. The only other place in the New Testament where this word is found is 4:10,

1 John 4:10 "In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that he has loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

In secular sources the word means "propitiation," i.e., a means of appeasing an offended person, but in the Bible it means "atonement," i.e., a means of neutralizing sin and nullifying it.

The Ecumenical Version combines the two ideas by translating "purification sacrifice," since "sacrifice" is something that is offered to God and "purification" is something that is done because of sin. The Popular Version says: "Jesus Christ offered himself so that our sins might be forgiven"; while the Bible for Latin America translates: "He is the victim for our sins."

For this reason it is necessary to carry out a deep study of the Scriptures, to avoid being deceived; we can conclude that:

2 Corinthians 5:21 "He made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him."

Jesus, being an advocate, is the perfect sacrifice, the perfect lamb, without blemish and without sin, an offering accepted before God.

God gave us justice in his Son Jesus Christ, justice consists in being declared innocent before God for the merits that Jesus won in our favor on the cross of Calvary; we receive that righteousness by faith:

Romans 5:1 "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;"

And it is in this way that God provided that channel of righteousness through which Jesus pleads for us.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE PRETEND TO USE ANOTHER MEANS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS THAN THE ONE GOD HAS ESTABLISHED?

Strange Fire

The sin of Nadab and Abiu

Leviticus 10:1-5

"But Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron each took his censer and put fire and incense in them, and offered a fire to the Lord which they did not have to offer, for he had not commanded them. Then a fire came out of the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before him. Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the Lord was talking about when he said, ''I will manifest my holiness among those who come to me, and I will manifest my glory before all the people.'" And Aaron was silent. Moses sent for Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Aaron's uncle Uzziel, and said to them, "Come here and remove your brothers from the sanctuary. Get them out of the camp!" They came up and took them by the tunics and led them out of the camp, just as Moses had commanded."

They took a sacrifice or a strange offering other than the one God has pointed out is an abomination to Jehovah, Nadab and Abihu took strange fire, to pretend to present an offering or a sacrifice before Jehovah and they perished. Because it did not come from the altar of burnt offering from which came the sacrifice that God had commanded, that altar of burnt offering is a prefigure of Christ, who is the only sacrifice accepted before God in order to have reconciliation and the atonement of our sins. In order to be redeemed. Only He can cleanse our sin and our wickedness.

Let us not pretend to seek another kind of sacrifice, another way, because the only one who can reconcile us before God is Jesus Christ, there is no other sacrifice accepted before God, there are no two ways but one, the one who leads us before his presence.

There is no other means of righteousness but Christ alone, and if we pretend that there is another means or help that I need for salvation then that is not a way of life, but of death, because God does not need help because if salvation were by works then in vain did Christ come, but it is necessary, He provided the way because only He can cleanse us and wash us with His blood:

Romans 5:1 "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;"

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you are saved through faith; and this not of you, for it is the gift of God; not by works, lest anyone should boast."

And just as Nadab and Abihu perished by taking a strange fire; so if we pretend to take something that God has not provided to present us before Him we will perish because there is only one way that God has provided for us to present ourselves before Him and that is Jesus.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life."

John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me."

Nadab and Abihu were the two eldest sons of Aaron, the older brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. Since the priesthood in Israel was hereditary, both Nadab and Abihu were consecrated as priests by their father's side when they reached the age stipulated by law. And Nadab, being the firstborn son of Aaron, could have been the second high priest of Israel.

However, as the Word teaches, as soon as the priests began the ministry (Lev. 9), Nadab and Abihu "took their respective censers, and after putting fire on them and pouring incense on them, they offered before the Lord strange fire, which He had not commanded them. And fire came out of the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord" (Lev. 10:1-2).

How can we understand their shocking deaths?

The consequence of offering "strange fire"

Although this account is shocking to us, like other passages in the Bible that also describe people killed by the Lord, it is not necessary to go far to find the explanation for the deaths of Nadab and Abihu: they offered "strange fire" before the Lord, and He killed them with fire from heaven. The manner of killing them (with fire from heaven) reflected the nature of their sin (offering "strange fire" before the Lord).

We are not given any further details about the "strange fire" offered by Nadab and Abihu, but all we need to know is that, instead of offering the kind of fire that the Lord had stipulated in His law, Nadab and Abihu offered another kind of fire, the one they themselves wanted to present (Lev. 10:1).

You cannot worship the holy God in any way or according to our whim; it has to be as He has told us in His Word.

Therefore, the cause of the sudden deaths of Nadab and his brother Abihu was not only the material cause itself—that "strange fire"—but the irreverent, rebellious, and reckless attitude they had before God. They dared to offer before the Lord not what He had commanded, but what they wanted to offer.

We cannot find excuse or extenuating circumstance in ignorance; Nadab and Abihu were consecrated to the priesthood on the same day as their father, they knew perfectly well the law of the Lord, and they knew what their duties as priests of the Lord's people consisted of.

5 lessons we learn from this event

What is the message of the deaths of Nadab and Abihu for us today?

1. The holy God cannot be worshipped in any way or according to our will; it has to be as He has told us in His Word.

2. To present himself before God it must be according to the means that He has provided, it cannot be just anything, God is a Holy and perfect God and He has already given us the means of reconciliation with Him who is Jesus (Just, Holy and Perfect).

3. While it is true that ignorance of the law does not exempt from guilt, knowledge of the law increases guilt. And we have far more knowledge—both of the law and of the gospel—than Nadab and Abihu.

4. "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23a). Nadab and Abihu died for their sin. But death is the just wages for all our sins as well.

5. Finally, Nadab and Abihu represent us; we too are sinful human beings, guilty before God, and deserving of His righteous judgment; but because of God's love in Christ, we can be forgiven, acquitted, and gloriously saved!

f. Merciful eyes: God's mercy is an attribute that belongs to him alone, and consists in the divine goodness exercised to alleviate the misfortunes and afflictions of his creatures; in this case, God has mercy on his children, on his people.

It is the quality that makes God grieve and take measures for the relief of them, and when it comes to an unrepentant sinner, it is the quality that leads God to feel long-suffering patience:

2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord does not slack his promise, as some consider it slackness, but is patient toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Romans 2:4 "Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, patience, and long-suffering, not knowing that his kindness leads you to repentance?"

Other quotes that speak of God's mercy are: (Titus 3:5; Lamentations 3:22; Daniel 9:9; Jeremiah 3:12; Psalm 32:5; Isaiah 49:13; Isaiah 54:7).

God's mercy consists in not being treated as our sins deserve.

Psalm 103:12-14 "As far as the east is from the west, He has driven away our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. For he knows our condition; He remembers that we are dust"

If you will, one of the most beautiful descriptions of God's mercy (read Psalm 103:8-18).

The knowledge of His mercy becomes the foundation of hope (Psalm 130:7 "Let Israel wait for the Lord, for in the Lord there is mercy, and abundant redemption with Him;") and foundation of confidence (Psalm 52:8 "But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; In the mercy of God I trust eternally and forever."). God's mercy was preeminently manifested in sending Christ into the world (Luke 1:78 "By the tender mercy of our God, with which the dawn visited us from on high,"). God's mercy has been manifested in Jesus Christ for the purpose of being reborn again in Him.

1 Peter 1:3-5 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith,  to attain salvation that is prepared to be manifested in the last time."

g. Show us Jesus:

No human being has the power (authority) to present Jesus to us, that is something that belongs only to God and the Holy Spirit:

2 Corinthians 5:19 "That God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting men's sins against them, and he charged to us the word of reconciliation."

It is true that God commends the church to make the good news known, but there is no possibility that a human being can present us before the presence of God. Indeed, Jesus Himself presents Himself to us in the Word, it is He who has made Himself known:

John 5:39 "Search the Scriptures; for it seems to you that in them you have eternal life; and they are the ones who bear witness of me;"

John 7:37-38 "On the last and great day of the feast, Jesus stood up and lifted up his voice, saying, 'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.' He who believes in me, as the Scripture says, rivers of living water will flow from within him."

Jesus is our only way to the Father, and He Himself came into the world to save us, He Himself told all those who followed Him that God is His Father and whoever believed in Him would be saved, Jesus Himself approached the sick and healed them, that is why people came to Him to be healed,  they drew near to him who was always accessible, who always listens to us, is the way to the Father and to reach Him, we must go directly to Jesus Christ as seen in all the Sacred Scriptures. (Acts 3:19 "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out; that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,")

To approach the Father we must do so through the means of Justice that God has established through Jesus, with an attitude of repentance and faith in the work of Christ on my behalf on the cross of Calvary since he took my place to cleanse me, justify me and declare me innocent, before God. (2 Corinthians 5:21 "He made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him.")

2 Corinthians 5:19 "That God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting men's sins against them, and he charged to us the word of reconciliation."

As we know Jesus fulfilled the role of high priest, when he died the veil of the temple was torn, thus removing the only thing that interfered with our communication with the Father, now thanks to Jesus we can reach God directly, without the need to go through "stairs", Jesus invites us to approach confidently with the Father now that He paid the price. (Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with confidence, that we may obtain mercy and find grace for help in time of need.")

Hebrews 10:20-21 "By the new and living way which he opened for us through the veil, that is, through his flesh, and having a high priest over the house of God,"

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WHAT IS THE VEIL OF the flesh?

The veil of the temple is the emblem (representation or symbol) of Christ's own flesh, torn at the crucifixion, suggesting that only through the broken body of the Savior do we have access to God's presence, which is possible for all of us who have believed in Him, acknowledging Him as Lord and Savior.

h. Most Gracious:

What is Clemente?

In light of God's Word, the Bible teaches us that this attribute belongs to God and expresses this in the following biblical quotations:

Psalm 86:15	But you, O Lord, merciful and gracious God, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy and truth,
Psalm 103:8	Merciful and gracious is the Lord; Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
Psalm 116:5	The Lord is gracious, and righteous; Yes, merciful is our God.
Isaiah 19:22	And the Lord will smite Egypt; he will smite and heal, and they will turn to the Lord, and he will be gracious to them and he will heal them.
Joel 2:13	Rend your hearts, and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God: for he is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy, and grieving for punishment.

As we can see, clemency is attributed only to God and we can also observe two things:

2Timothy 4:7-8	I fought the good fight, I finished the race, I kept the faith. For the rest, the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will bestow upon me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have lovingly awaited his coming.
John 5:22-29	22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all may honor the Son as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; and he shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death unto life. 25 Truly, truly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear it will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And he also gave him authority to do judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour will come when all who are in the graves will hear his voice; 29 And those who have done good will come forth to the resurrection of life; but those who have done evil to the resurrection of damnation.
Proverbs 21:2	To each one his course seems right, but the Lord judges hearts.
Psalm 75:7	but God is the judge; one he humiliates and another he exalts.
Psalm 50:6	And the heavens declare his righteousness, because God himself is the judge. (Selah)
Psalm 76:8-9	You have heard judgment from heaven; he feared the earth and was silent when God arose to judge, to save all the humble of the earth. (Selah)
Isaiah 33:22	For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us.
Isaiah 66:16	For the LORD will judge with fire and with his sword all flesh, and the LORD's slain will be many.
Hebrews 12:23	to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are written in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
James 4:12	{There is only one law-giver and judge, who is mighty to save and to destroy; but who are you that judge your neighbor?
Judges 11:27	"Therefore I have not sinned against you, but you are doing me evil by making war against me; let the LORD the Judge judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon."

Malachi 3:6	For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, have not been consumed.
Romans 1:20	For the invisible things of him, his eternal power and deity, have been clearly visible since the creation of the world, being understood by means of the things made, so that they are without excuse.
1 John 2:17	And the world passes away, and its desires; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Hebrews 13:8	"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever."
Numbers 23:19	"God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should repent. Has He said it, and will He not? Has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?"
Psalm 33:11	The counsel of the LORD endures forever, the counsel of his heart from generation to generation.

i. Pious:

What is godliness, what is being pious?

Piety refers to the compassion, clemency, or mercy that one has toward something or someone.

The word piety comes from the Latin word pietas, the noun form of the adjective pius, which means devout or good.

There are two points in this situation:

Matthew 26:39

Going a little farther on, he fell on his face, praying, and saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; but not as I wish, but as thou wilt.

As for godliness we can say that it refers to a life in Faith and obedience showing the reverence due to God, the opposite of this would be a rebellious attitude (impiety) which the Bible points out in 2 Timothy 2:22, Romans 12:2, 1 John 2:15-17.

When we say that Mary had a pious life, we understand it in the light of Scripture, that she had a life in obedience, in faith, now in terms of her being pious towards believers or Christians she is referring to an attitude of showing mercy or mercy to humanity, and that is something that corresponds to God because the same word tells us that God himself has had mercy on us and it is because of His mercy that He has allowed us to be reborn in Christ Jesus, and it is He who has shown that mercy and mercy in our lives by sending Jesus so that we can draw closer to Him; He did not leave us in a situation fallen by sin but on the contrary, He has provided an answer and solution to sin through Jesus. That is what it means that God shows his love, his mercy, and shows that he is merciful to us, that he has compassion for our weaknesses, for us.

Mary lived a godly life as an example of a servant of God, but that does not mean that she has the power or authority to show mercy to us before God, on the contrary, the Bible teaches us to live in a just, godly way, in faith, love and peace, that is to say that is something that all of us as children of God we must do, to honor God and not ourselves. 2 Peter 3:11-12 "Since all these things are to be done away, !! how should you not walk in a holy and godly way of life, waiting and hastening for the coming of the day of God, in which the heavens will be set on fire, and the elements will melt away, being burned!"

Bible verses demonstrating that God is the only one who can be merciful to us:

Exodus 34:6	"And the Lord passed before him, and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord, the mighty, merciful, and merciful; slow to anger, and abounding in kindness and truth;"
Nehemiah 9:17	"And they would not hear, neither did they remember your wonders which you had done with them; but they stiffened their necks, and in their rebellion they thought to appoint a leader to return to their servitude. But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great mercy, because you have not forsaken them."
Jonah 4:2	"And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, Now, O Lord, is not this what I said while I was yet in my land? So I hastened to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, and of great mercy, and that you repent of evil."
James 5:11	"Behold, we count blessed are those who suffer. You have heard the patience of Job, and you have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is most merciful and merciful."
Psalm 51:1-2	Have mercy on me, O God, according to your mercy; According to the multitude of your godliness, Erase my rebellions. Wash me more and more of my wickedness, And cleanse me from my sin.
Psalm 123:3	Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us, for we can no longer bear contempt.

We can see how the people of Israel and the prophets always cried out to God for mercy and God showed His mercy and mercy to them, also in the New Testament when Jesus approached people, they recognized God in Christ and knew that it was He who could implore mercy or mercy in their lives:

Mark 10:47-49	"And when he heard that Jesus was of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, '!! Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! And many rebuked him to be silent, but he cried out much more: !! Son of David, have mercy on me! Then Jesus stopped and sent for him; and they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer; arise, he calls you."
2 Peter 1:3	"As all things pertaining to life and godliness have been given to us by His divine power, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His glory and excellence." (speaking of Christ).
1 Timothy 3:16	And indisputably, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen of the angels, Preached to the Gentiles, Believed in the world, Received up in glory.

These and other verses in Scripture tell us about the piety that God has manifested in His beloved Son Jesus Christ towards our lives, for His redemptive work on the cross of Calvary on our behalf, so that receiving from Him what He has provided for us in faith, we may enjoy His expressed mercy towards our lives.

j. Always Virgin:

Mary was a virgin before, during and after giving birth to Jesus, Jesus (God himself) could not be born with original sin (that all human beings are born that way, because we have all sinned, even Mary, she recognized that she needed a savior, as we all need it also because we are sinners and sin distances us from God) if Jesus had been born of Mary and she ceased to be a virgin then she would have original sin,  but that did not happen because Jesus is God, and in the prophecies it was also already foretold that he would be born of a Virgin.

‭‭Isaías‬ ‭7:14‬ “Por eso, el Señor mismo les dará una señal: La virgen concebirá y dará a luz un hijo, y lo llamará Emanuel.”‭‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

The other children who came later (brothers of Jesus) were born with original sin because she was no longer a virgin there, and those children (brothers of Jesus) were no longer the work of the Holy Spirit, but of the conjugal union between Joseph and Mary.

Later in this same book we have meditated on the brothers of Jesus, and on the word "know" which is used in the Bible in sexual relations.

Just as Sodom and Gomorrah were so perverted in sexual sins that when they saw the angels the Word says that they asked Lot because they wanted to "know" them, referring to the fact that they wanted to have sexual relations with them. When Adam "knows" Eve, the Bible relates that after he "met" her, Eve became pregnant and the same thing happened when Cain "met" his wife, and so on.

Having this clarified, we go to the following quote:

Matthew 1:25

But he did not know her until she gave birth to his firstborn son; and he named him JESUS.

After the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph lived a normal married life, had sexual relations and more children. (Suggestion see topic "The Brothers of Jesus").

K. Mother of God: Mary as a servant was a tool that God used for Jesus to come into the world, we know that Jesus had an earthly father and mother, the Bible says that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature:

Luke 2:52	And Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.
Matthew 13:55	"Isn't he the carpenter's son? Is not his mother's name Mary; and are not his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? So where did he get all this stuff?"

It is also recognized that they are his parents since they cared for, protected and cared about the well-being of the child, they knew that it was a great responsibility.

+ When Joseph is told that they were seeking to kill the newborn, he takes Mary and the child and they flee to safety.

‭‭Mateo‬ ‭2:13-15‬ “Cuando ya se habían ido, un ángel del Señor se le apareció en sueños a José y le dijo: «Levántate, toma al niño y a su madre, y huye a Egipto. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to look for the child to kill him." So he got up while it was still night, took the child and his mother, and set out for Egypt, where he remained until Herod's death. In this way was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."‭‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

+ When they traveled through the census and on the way back they did not find Jesus, they were preoccupied looking for him.

Luke 2:43-46 "When the feast was over, they set out on their way back, but the baby Jesus had stayed in Jerusalem, without his parents noticing. They, thinking that he was among the group of travelers, made a day's journey while looking for him among relatives and acquaintances. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem in search of him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. All who heard him were amazed at his intelligence and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were amazed. "Son, why have you behaved like this with us?" his mother told him. Behold, your father and I have been looking for you in anguish! "Why were they looking for me?" Did they not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

+Desde el principio vemos como el matrimonio y una familia unida es importante para Dios (‭‭Mateo‬ ‭19:4-6 “—¿No han leído —replicó Jesús— que en el principio el Creador “los hizo hombre y mujer”, y dijo: “Por eso dejará el hombre a su padre y a su madre, y se unirá a su esposa, y los dos llegarán a ser un solo cuerpo”? So there are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." ‬) al decirle a José que tomará a María como esposa vemos dos cosas:‬‬‬‬‬‬

Matthew 1:20; 24 "But as he was considering doing so, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said to him, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for she has conceived by the Holy Spirit. When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and received Mary as his wife."

We know that Jesus Christ is Lord, and Elizabeth (Elizabeth) seeing Mary pregnant and she pregnant with John the Baptist, the child leaps in her womb and says:

Luke 1:41-43

41 And it came to pass, when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 And she cried out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 Why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

We also see the work of the Holy Spirit who let Elizabeth know that Jesus Christ, the only Lord and Savior, was in Mary's womb.

As a next point we see in Luke 8:19-21, that for Jesus (his family on earth was important to him) but spiritually, Jesus and the Father are ONE. And for Jesus everyone who believes in Him and receives Him are His Children, all of these are "His family" (John 1:12)

Luke 8:19-21	Jesus' Mother and Brothers (Matt. 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35) 19 Then his mother and brothers came to him; but they could not reach him because of the crowd. 20 And he was told, saying, "Your mother and your brothers are outside and want to see you." 21 Then he answered and said to them, "My mother and my brothers are the ones who hear the word of God and do it."
John 1:12	"But to all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to be children of God."
Ephesians 2:19	"Therefore you are no longer strangers or strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,"

At that time Jesus had already begun his ministry and knew that the most important thing was the good news of salvation, the years before his ministry he took care of his family on earth, but now Jesus was 100% dedicated to the service of the Kingdom of heaven, announcing the good news of salvation and making known the plan of Redemption to all people,  Jesus wants us all to be part of God's family and that is why he quotes "My mother and my brothers are the ones who hear the word of God, and do it." The most important thing now was for everyone to hear about salvation and God's statutes, to amend His ways, to live His words.

L. Gloriosa: God does not share his glory with ANYONE.

Exodus 34:14	"For thou shalt not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."
Isaiah 42:8	"I am the Lord; That's my name! I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor will I share my praise with carved idols."
Isaiah 44:9	"... idols do not see or understand."
Deuteronomy 27:15	"Cursed be the man that maketh a graven image, or a molten image, an abomination to the Lord, the work of the hand of craftsmen..."
Psalms 115:4-8	"Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear; they have noses, but they do not smell; they have hands, but they do not feel; they have feet, but they do not walk; they don't speak with their throats. Like them are those who make them, and whoever trusts in them."
Jeremiah 10:3-6	"The customs of the peoples have no value whatsoever. They cut a log in the forest, and an artificer carves it with a chisel. They adorn it with gold and silver, and fasten it with nails and hammer so that it does not wobble. "Their idols cannot speak; They look like scarecrows in a field strewn with melons! They have to be transported, because they can't walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they can do you no harm, but neither can they do you any good." There is no one like you, Lord! Great are you, and great and mighty is your name!"‭‬‬

Why is this topic so controversial, because it is so difficult for human beings to understand that God is not present in man-made sculptures?

(Acts 17:23 "The God who made the world and all that is in it, since he is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.")

Let us not deceive ourselves, when we are speaking or asking a sculpture (be it a virgin, a certain saint, or any other idol), we are not worshiping God, for He does not dwell in carved idols. He abominates the one who does this, and his wrath is upon such a person. This awakens God's zeal and wrath over our lives, because we are not believing in the power of the one almighty God to solve our problems, ignoring his authority to derive it to another god of our own creation through generations. God is clear in His word, He is a jealous God and does not share His glory with anything or anyone, and He curses the one who does so.

In fact, in Psalm 115 he tells us that idols cannot see, hear, speak, touch, or walk. The one we are worshiping when we bow or bend our knees to them is darkness. It is difficult to understand, but the Bible declares it: "I say that what the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; I do not want you to be partakers with demons" (1 Corinthians 10:20).

This word is not given to condemn anyone, but to open your eyes, because almost all of us come from this same base, always with the tendency to worship and seek answers in the afterlife. It's our nature, but God is wanting to open your eyes today. Not all roads lead to God as many believe, "There is a way that seems right to man; but his end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12).

Although the quote comes from the Old Testament, what it is referring to is the exclusive worship of God (which God Himself said) and that He does not share His glory with anyone else, it is not referring to the Old Covenant, in fact, that was one of the temptations that Jesus had in the desert with Satan when he asked him to worship Him,  and he declared the Old Testament Scriptures to refer to worship being exclusive to God.

Matthew 4:10	Then Jesus said to him, "Go away, Satan, for it is written, 'The Lord your God you shall worship, and him only shall you serve.'
Deuteronomy 6:13	To the Lord thy God thou shalt fear, and to him only thou shalt serve, and shalt thou swear by his name.

Another point is that in addition to the fact that God told the people of Israel it does not mean that it does not go to us as well, even in the Old Testament we see how God accepted Gentiles, people who came from other regions to join the people chosen by God, even to be part of the genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ:

Some examples are:

Genesis 17:11-14

11 Therefore you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 And every male among you shall be circumcised eight days old throughout your generations; the one born at home, and the one bought for money from any foreigner, who is not of your lineage. 13 He who is born in your house, and he who is bought for your money, must be circumcised; and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised male, who has not circumcised the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; He has violated my covenant.

Reflection: anyone who was circumcised and obeyed God alone, regardless of nationality, could be part of the chosen people.

Israel is also a holy nation, a chosen people, SONS OF GOD:

Verses that support Israel as the Children of God:

Jeremiah 31:20	Isn't Ephraim my beloved son? Isn't he a lovely kid? For whenever I speak against him, I remember him even more; therefore my bowels are moved by him, I will surely have mercy on him, declares the LORD.
Deuteronomy 14:1	You are sons of the LORD your God; you shall not shave your forehead because of a dead man.
Deuteronomy 32:5	In a corrupt way they have behaved towards Him. They are not his children, because of their defects; {are} a perverse and crooked generation.
Jeremiah 3:19	I had said, "How would I like to put you among my children, and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of the nations?" And he said, "My Father, you will call me, and you will not turn away from following me."

When he speaks of Ephraim he is referring to the tribe of Ephraim, of the people. God calls Israel as His children.

M. "Pious Intercession" and "Pray for us":

What is Intercession?

To speak to someone in favor of another person in order to obtain good or free them from evil.

1 Timothy 2:5	For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Christ,
Hebrews 9:15	Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that through death for the remission of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Romans 8:27	But he who searches hearts knows what the intent of the Spirit is, because according to the will of God he intercedes for the saints.
John 17:15	I do not pray that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from evil.
Hebrews 8:6	But now so much the better is his, as he is the mediator of a better covenant, established on better promises.

Christ's work on the cross was not partial, but complete. He is not only a mediator between God and us (the only one) but he is also a "communicator" who intercedes for us.

Only He can search the mind and heart of man, even Jesus Christ said, "And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions, for the Father knows what you need." Jesus Himself emphasizes that it is He Himself who knows our needs, and no person, no matter how godly, has any attributes.

Hebrews 7:25	"Wherefore he is able to save perpetually those who draw near to God through him, always living to make intercession for them."
Romans 8:34	"Who is it that will condemn? Christ is the one who died; nay, he who is also risen, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us."

Jesus is the ONLY one who has entered God's sanctuary to serve as High Priest. He is the ONLY one who is on His right hand interceding on our behalf.

Hebrews 9:24	"For Christ did not enter into the sanctuary made with hands, a type of the true one, but into heaven itself, to present himself for us now before God;"
Hebrews 9:11	"But Christ, the high priest of the good things to come, is now present by the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is, not of this creation,"

In the Old Testament the high priest entered the sanctuary, and the incense (which represents the prayers of the people) rose to heaven, meaning that the prayers of the people reached God and God heard them, that is why the Bible says that the people rejoiced, now Jesus Christ being the high priest and being the only one who has entered the heavenly sanctuary,  He is the ONLY One who causes our prayers to reach the Father, and He HIMSELF hears our prayers, the Bible also tells us that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings unspeakable:

Romans 8:26

And in the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for what we ought to ask for as we ought we do not know, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings that cannot be uttered.

––––––––

CATHOLIC DOCTRINE IS generally based on the "intercessory work" or calling the Virgin Mary an advocate based on the portion of the gospel of John 2:2-5 where she addresses Jesus at the wedding at Cana in Galilee where she says to him "He has no wine" to which Jesus declares to her "Woman, my hour has not yet come"...

John 2:2-5 "And Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding feast. And when the wine was lacking, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no wine." Jesus said to her, "What have you with me, woman?" My hour has not yet come. His mother said to those who served, "Do whatever I tell you."

Here we read how Jesus has an hour and keeps an order according to a plan of redemption that he came to accomplish here on earth and continues it in heaven with a priestly labor at the right hand of God, interceding for each one of us. We also look at another biblical portion right here in the gospel of John, where his own brethren come to him and tell him to go to the feast of the Jews which was the feast of tabernacles, we see this in the portion of John 7:2-6

John 7:2-6 "The Feast of the Jews, the Feast of Tabernacles, was at hand; and his brothers said to him, "Get out of here and go to Judea, so that your disciples also may see the works you are doing." Because no one who tries to make himself known does anything in secret. If you do these things, manifest yourself to the world. For even his brothers did not believe in him. Then Jesus said to them, " My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready."

Jesus again manifests the same thing, that He expects to act according to the instruction that the Father gives Him, in the same way all our requests when we present them before God they are answered according to His will.

Jesus Himself before resurrecting Lazarus in John 11, He Himself declared:

John 11:41-42 "Then they rolled away the stone from where the dead man had been laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, " Father, I thank you that you have heard me." I knew you always hear me; but I said it because of the crowd that is around, so that they may believe that you have sent me."

He himself waited for the Father's approval to perform the signs that announced that the Kingdom of heaven had drawn near. On one occasion Jesus declared:

Luke 10:21 "In that very hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit, and said, 'I praise you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and have revealed them to babes. Yes, Father, for it pleased You."

So there we see how Jesus within the performance as the lamb of God that came to this earth, to this world, and that came to show us a plan of life through Him to draw us closer and reconcile us to Himself, He always waited for the order or instruction according to the plan that He Himself had executed there in heaven and was carrying out here on earth.

Even when Pilate spoke to him, he said:

John 19:10-11 "Then Pilate said to him, 'Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to crucify you, and that I have authority to release you? Jesus answered, " You would have no authority against me unless it were given to you from above; therefore he who delivered me to you has the greatest sin."

He is declaring that everything has been a plan, that everything has an order and that everything is in the direction of God and it is according to that direction, that plan and that will, that things are accomplished and that our prayers are answered also according to his plan and his will.

Another important thing about intercession that God's Word teaches us is that intercessory work is done by priests... (see topic "JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY MEDIATOR AND INTERCESSOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN").