Christmas advent season

Christmas Advent season: (in existence about 480 AD).

Wreath (16th Century Lutherans), with candles (1839)
Christmas tree, Chrismon tree
Decorations, hanging of the greens
Calendar
Daily devotional book
Christingle (object, treat), Christkind (baby Jesus, Luther)

There are many variations of meanings for each part/week of the Advent season. Eastern churches have the "Nativity Fast".

A Christmas Advent calendar is often used to place treats for kids, one for each day leading up to Christmas.

Did you hear about what happened to the man who stole the advent calendar?

He got 25 days.

Why was the advent calendar afraid?

Its days were numbered!

Originally, the Advent time was a time of fasting ending at midnight of Christmas Eve with "Christ's Mass" which became "Christmas".


Wreath	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4	Week 5

It starts with a "wreath". That word is related to the words "writhe" and "wrist", all having to do with twists and turns.

Week 1: Green for faith - belief, persuasion

Week 2: Blue for hope - well-founded belief, expectation

Week 3: Gold for love - of God, of neighbor, evidenced in works

Week 4: White for peace - absence of anarchy, commotion, etc.

Week 5: Purple for Jesus - Kinsman Redeemer (Avenger of Blood)

Week 1: Green for faith - belief, persuasion

The first Sunday of Advent is "Advent Sunday" looking forward to the "Second coming of Christ".

Week 2: Blue for hope - well-founded belief, expectation

The second Sunday of Advent is the "Preparation Sunday" with readings and preachings of John the Baptist.

Week 3: Gold for love - of God, of neighbor, evidenced in works

The third Sunday of Advent is "Gaudete Sunday" where the Latin word "gaudete" ≈ "rejoice" from the same root as the English word "gaudy" which is the basis of the English word "joy".

More: A joyous thank you for the grace of a gaudy favor

Week 4: White for peace - absence of anarchy, commotion, etc.

The fourth Sunday of Advent is the readings from the Gospel about Mary and Joseph and the birth.

More: A mania for confusing commotions

More: Matthew 5:9 Making and appeasing peaceful peacemakers

More: A peace of the mouth of the sword

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. [kjv]

Week 5: Purple for Jesus - Kinsman Redeemer (Avenger of Blood)

The fifth Sunday of Advent is Christmas.

▶

1 Wreath

2 Week 1: Faith

3 Week 2: Hope

4 Week 3: Love

5 Week 4: Peace

6 Week 5: Jesus

Week 1: Green for faith - belief, persuasion

Week 2: Blue for hope - well-founded belief, expectation

Week 3: Gold for love - of God, of neighbor, evidenced in works

Week 4: White for peace - absence of anarchy, commotion, etc.

Week 5: Purple for Jesus - Kinsman Redeemer (Avenger of Blood)

A Christmas tradition is the Advent wreath and candles, where another candle is lit on the wreath each week for each of five weeks.

Note: For illustration purposes, only the lit candles are shown.

Some wreaths have the final candle bigger and in the center. Some use various colors with specific meanings.

The colors of the advent candles can be compared to the colors of the Olympic rings which were chosen to represent the colors of (almost) all flags of the world.


Before Christmas	After Christmas	Easter	Second Coming

There are many aspects to "Advent".

Christmas: Christ came (advent as a baby), first coming.
Easter: Christ has died and risen.
Second Coming: Christ will come (advent) again.

The Latin word "adventus" ≈ "coming, arrival" and is the basis of the English word "advent" as in the Advent season.

The coming of epiphany
+0=D25	+1=D26	+2=D27	+3=D28	+4=D29	+5=D30	+6=D31
+7=J1	+8=J2	+9=J3	+10=J4	+11=J5	+12=J6

The Advent season is before Christmas. After Christmas, the twelve days of Christmas, with associated festivities, would ensue, until "Epiphany" on January 6.
Epiphany, also Theophany or Three Kings Day, celebrates the arrival of the Magi to visit baby Jesus. The "Epiphany" is one aspect of what is more generally called "Advent".

Both of the Greek words for "Advent" and "Epiphany" are used to refer to the second coming of Jesus.

More: The coming of epiphany

The Latin word "adventus" ≈ "coming, arrival"

The Latin prefix "ad" ≈ "toward".
The Latin word "venio" ≈ "come" and is related to the ancient Greek word "βαίνω" ≈ "come" and the English word "come".

The Latin "adventus" was used to translate the ancient Greek word "παρουσία" ≈ "presence". One etymology is that the word comes from the ancient Greek word "παρών" ≈ "present" and ending.

Another etymology is that the word appears to come from the ancient Greek prefix "παρά" ≈ "beyond" and the ancient Greek word "ουσία" ≈ "substance" which has a long history in Greek philosophy.

The modern Greek word "παρουσία" (pa-ru-SEE-a) ≈ "presence".

Aristotle writes in his Metaphysics [1029a]: ... For if this is not substance, it baffles us to say what else is. … But when length and breadth and depth are taken away we see nothing left unless there is something that is bounded by these…

Paul appears to alludes to some of Aristotle's writings in Ephesians.

Ephesians 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; [kjv]

Paul says there is more. It is the love of Jesus.

The Greek word used by Aristotle for what is in the volume is "ουσία" (u-SEE-a) ≈ "substance". The Greek word for "substance" is part of the early Church history in coming to agreement (and disagreement) on the "substance" of Christ.

Details are left as a future topic.

More: Ephesians 3:18 : From lowest depth to highest height

Ephesians 3:18

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KJV: May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

Greek: εν αγαπη ερριζωμενοι και τεθεμελιωμενοι ινα εξισχυσητε καταλαβεσθαι συν πασιν τοις αγιοις τι το πλατος και μηκος και βαθος υψος και υψος βαθος

Paul will not use the exact ancient Greek word "ουσία" ≈ "substance" in Ephesians, but, like Philippians, will use the word within another word four times in Ephesians.

Ephesians 1:21 … principality, and power, and might, … [kjv]

υπερανω πασης αρχης και εξουσιας και δυναμεως και κυριοτητος και παντος ονοματος ονομαζομενου ου μονον εν τω αιωνι τουτω αλλα και εν τω μελλοντι [gnt]

2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: [kjv]

εν αις ποτε περιεπατησατε κατα τον αιωνα του κοσμου τουτου κατα τον αρχοντα της εξουσιας του αερος του πνευματος του νυν ενεργουντος εν τοις υιοις της απειθειας [gnt]

3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, [kjv]

ινα γνωρισθη νυν ταις αρχαις και ταις εξουσιαις εν τοις επουρανιοις δια της εκκλησιας η πολυποικιλος σοφια του θεου [gnt]

6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. [kjv]

οτι ουκ εστιν ημιν η παλη προς αιμα και σαρκα αλλα προς τας αρχας προς τας εξουσιας προς τους κοσμοκρατορας του σκοτους τουτου προς τα πνευματικα της πονηριας εν τοις επουρανιοις [gnt]

The Greek word for "substance" or "ousia" is used only twice in the GNT (Greek New Testament) - in successive verses in Luke.

Luke 15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. [kjv]

και ειπεν ο νεωτερος αυτων τω πατρι πατερ δος μοι το επιβαλλον μερος της ουσιας ο δε διειλεν αυτοις τον βιον [gnt]

15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. [kjv]

και μετ ου πολλας ημερας συναγαγων παντα ο νεωτερος υιος απεδημησεν εις χωραν μακραν και εκει διεσκορπισεν την ουσιαν αυτου ζων ασωτως [gnt]

More: Philippians 2:12-13 working things out

Philippians 2:12 … not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, … [kjv]

ωστε αγαπητοι μου καθως παντοτε υπηκουσατε μη ως εν τη παρουσια μου μονον αλλα νυν πολλω μαλλον εν τη απουσια μου μετα φοβου και τρομου την εαυτων σωτηριαν κατεργαζεσθε [gnt]

… oboedistis … praesentia … absentia … operamini [v]

The words for "presence" and "absence" have as a root word a word Aristotle used often as a "substance" of reality. It appears that Paul wanted to use "ousia" twice in this verse, right after the poem that appears to allude to Aristotle's four causes and before using Aristotle's term for "actualization" twice.

The ancient Greek word "ουσία" ≈ "substance"
The ancient Greek word "απουσία" ≈ "absence"
The ancient Greek word "παρουσία" ≈ "presence" which also means "advent" or "coming" as in making a presence known, whereas Latin has a different word for each meaning.

More: Philippians 2:12-13 working things out

Philippians 1:26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. [kjv]

ινα το καυχημα υμων περισσευη εν χριστω ιησου εν εμοι δια της εμης παρουσιας παλιν προς υμας [gnt]

1:20 … but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ … [kjv]

κατα την αποκαραδοκιαν και ελπιδα μου οτι εν ουδενι αισχυνθησομαι αλλ εν παση παρρησια ως παντοτε και νυν μεγαλυνθησεται χριστος εν τω σωματι μου ειτε δια ζωης ειτε δια θανατου [gnt]

The Greek for "rejoicing" is "boasting". In context, there appears to be a play on words between the Greek words for "frankness" (verse 20) and "coming" (verse 26) of "Jesus" and/or of "Paul".

"παρουσία" ≈ "arrival, occasion, coming".
"παρρησία" ≈ "frankness, openness".

More: Philippians 1b: A gracious favor of joy to Philippi

The disciples ask Jesus about the second coming and the end times in what is called the "Olivet" discourse where Jesus talks about "all of it". In Greek, the "end of the world" is the "end of the age" (or "ages").

Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? [kjv]

καθημενου δε αυτου επι του ορους των ελαιων προσηλθον αυτω οι μαθηται κατ ιδιαν λεγοντες ειπον ημιν ποτε ταυτα εσται και τι το σημειον της σης παρουσιας και συντελειας του αιωνος [gnt]

… adventus … consummationis saeculi [v]

… to-kymes … worlde ge-aendenge. [wes]

… comynge … ende of the worlde… [ty]

Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Psalm 98. (second coming)

More: Song: Joy to the World

Matthew 24:3

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KJV: And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Greek: καθημενου δε αυτου επι του ορους των ελαιων προσηλθον αυτω οι μαθηται κατ ιδιαν λεγοντες ειπε ειπον ημιν ποτε ταυτα εσται και τι το σημειον της σης παρουσιας και της συντελειας του αιωνος

Latin: sedente autem eo super montem Oliveti accesserunt ad eum discipuli secreto dicentes dic nobis quando haec erunt et quod signum adventus tui et consummationis saeculi

Wessex: Þa he set up-on oliuetes dune. þa comen hys leorning-cnihtes digelice. & cwaeðen. Sege us hwanne þas þing ge-wurðen. & hwilc tacen syo þines to-kymes & worlde ge-aendenge.

Tyndale: And as he sat vpon the mout Olivete his disciples came vnto hym secretely sayinge. Tell vs when these thinges shalbe? And what signe shalbe of thy comynge and of the ende of the worlde?

Near the end of the (very long) Olivet Discourse, Jesus says the following.

Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. [kjv]

ο ουρανος και η γη παρελευσεται οι δε λογοι μου ου μη παρελθωσιν [gnt]

24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. [kjv]

περι δε της ημερας εκεινης και ωρας ουδεις οιδεν ουδε οι αγγελοι των ουρανων ουδε ο υιος ει μη ο πατηρ μονος [gnt]

If the Bible is true, and what Jesus says is true, than anyone who says they know the day and hour is deceiving themselves and (usually) others.

More: Matthew 24:37-39 Days of Noah

Matthew 24:35

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KJV: Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Greek: ο ουρανος και η γη παρελευσονται παρελευσεται οι δε λογοι μου ου μη παρελθωσιν

Matthew 24:36

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KJV: But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Greek: περι δε της ημερας εκεινης και της ωρας ουδεις οιδεν ουδε οι αγγελοι των ουρανων ουδε ο υιος ει μη ο πατηρ μου μονος

Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. [kjv]

ωσπερ γαρ αι ημεραι του νωε ουτως εσται η παρουσια του υιου του ανθρωπου [gnt]

… adventus … [v]

24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, [kjv]

24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. [kjv]

και ουκ εγνωσαν εως ηλθεν ο κατακλυσμος και ηρεν απαντας ουτως εσται η παρουσια του υιου του ανθρωπου [gnt]

… adventus … [v]

More: 2 Peter 2:1-22 Déjà vu all over again

Matthew 24:37

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KJV: But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Greek: ωσπερ δε γαρ αι ημεραι του νωε ουτως εσται και η παρουσια του υιου του ανθρωπου

Latin: sicut autem in diebus Noe ita erit et adventus Filii hominis

Matthew 24:38

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KJV: For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

Greek: ωσπερ ως γαρ ησαν εν ταις ημεραις εκειναις ταις προ του κατακλυσμου τρωγοντες και πινοντες γαμουντες και εκγαμιζοντες γαμιζοντες αχρι ης ημερας εισηλθεν νωε εις την κιβωτον

Matthew 24:39

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KJV: And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Greek: και ουκ εγνωσαν εως ηλθεν ο κατακλυσμος και ηρεν απαντας ουτως εσται και η παρουσια του υιου του ανθρωπου

Latin: et non cognoverunt donec venit diluvium et tulit omnes ita erit et adventus Filii hominis

Peter tells of the "coming" or "advent" of the Lord and of false teachers and prophets in the last days. It happened before and will happen again.

2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, [kjv]

τουτο πρωτον γινωσκοντες οτι ελευσονται επ εσχατων των ημερων εν εμπαιγμονη εμπαικται κατα τας ιδιας επιθυμιας αυτων πορευομενοι [gnt]

3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. [kjv]

και λεγοντες που εστιν η επαγγελια της παρουσιας αυτου αφ ης γαρ οι πατερες εκοιμηθησαν παντα ουτως διαμενει απ αρχης κτισεως [gnt]

… adventus … [v]

More: 2 Peter 2:1-22 Déjà vu all over again

More: 2 Peter 3:3-13 last days

2 Peter 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: [kjv]

3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: [kjv]

The Ark Encounter, at https://arkencounter.com, provides a way to see and experience a life-size (according to the Bible) Noah's Ark.

More: 2 Peter 3:3-13 last days

2 Peter 3:5

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KJV: For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

Hebrew: ונסתר מהם באשר לא יאבו לדעת כי מקדם קמו השמים והארץ בדבר אלהים מן המים ועל ידי המים׃

Greek: λανθανει γαρ αυτους τουτο θελοντας οτι ουρανοι ησαν εκπαλαι και γη εξ υδατος και δι υδατος συνεστωσα τω του θεου λογω

2 Peter 3:6

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KJV: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

Hebrew: ובמים אבדה תבל מאז כי נשטפה במי המבול׃

Greek: δι ων ο τοτε κοσμος υδατι κατακλυσθεις απωλετο

Peter mentions the "coming" or "advent" in 2 Peter 3:12.

2 Peter 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? [kjv]

προσδοκωντας και σπευδοντας την παρουσιαν της του θεου ημερας δι ην ουρανοι πυρουμενοι λυθησονται και στοιχεια καυσουμενα τηκεται [gnt]

… adventum … elementa … [v]

3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. [kjv]

The English chemical term "stoichiometric"was coined from the ancient Greek word "στοιχεῖον" ≈ "element" and the Latin word "metricus" ≈ "measure".

More: 2 Peter 3:3-13 last days

2 Peter 3:12

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KJV: Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Greek: προσδοκωντας και σπευδοντας την παρουσιαν της του θεου ημερας δι ην ουρανοι πυρουμενοι λυθησονται και στοιχεια καυσουμενα τηκεται

Latin: expectantes et properantes in adventum Dei diei per quam caeli ardentes solventur et elementa ignis ardore tabescent

2 Peter 3:13

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KJV: Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Greek: καινους δε ουρανους και γην καινην κατα το επαγγελμα αυτου προσδοκωμεν εν οις δικαιοσυνη κατοικει

The Middle English word "doom" ≈ "judgment" and the Old English word "dome" ≈ "judgment" and are the source of "doomsday" as in "judgment day".

Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. [kjv]

λεγω δε υμιν οτι παν ρημα αργον ο λαλησουσιν οι ανθρωποι αποδωσουσιν περι αυτου λογον εν ημερα κρισεως [gnt]

… ydel word … domes daige. [wes]

… idel word, … dai of doom; [wy]

… ydell worde … daye of iudgement. [ty]

From the Greek, an "idle word" is a word that does not work for Christ.

More: Matthew 12:30-37 Pardon the idle word counting

More: Doomsday as judgment day

(bottom-up forward-chaining)

Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. [kjv]

12:32 And who soever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but who soever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. [kjv]

12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. [kjv]

12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. [kjv]

What is the "unpardonable sin"? What is an "idle word"? How might they be related? How are they related to "treasure".

More: Matthew 13:44 Fifth kingdom parable: treasure in a field

More: Matthew 13:51-53 Eighth kingdom parable: treasure of new and old codes

More: Matthew 12:30-37 Pardon the idle word counting

The second coming is implied in the Lord's Prayer, using different Greek words, as "Thy kingdom come".

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. [kjv]

6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. [kjv]

ελθατω η βασιλεια σου γενηθητω το θελημα σου ως εν ουρανω και επι γης [gnt]

veniat … [v]

Matthew 6:9

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KJV: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Greek: ουτως ουν προσευχεσθε υμεις πατερ ημων ο εν τοις ουρανοις αγιασθητω το ονομα σου

Matthew 6:10

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KJV: Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Greek: ελθετω ελθατω η βασιλεια σου γενηθητω το θελημα σου ως εν ουρανω και επι της γης

Latin: veniat regnum tuum fiat voluntas tua sicut in caelo et in terra

Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. [kjv]

There are two important advents and reasons for each advent.

First coming	Second coming (hint in Daniel)
Messiah ‑ Kinsman Redeemer	King ‑ Avenger of Blood
Help the oppressed at the bottom	Replace the evil rulers at the top
Not loving neighbor (as yourself)	Not loving God
Hating sin ‑ hating sinner	Loving sinner ‑ loving sin
Paralyzing religious establishment	Paralyzing religious establishment

Some prefer to ignore the second coming. Some claim it has already happened. Some claim it will not happen as it is just in our mind, And so on.

What parts of the two advents are the same? Some things never change. There is nothing new under the sun.

More: Jesus as Messiah and King

Isaiah 9: (Christmas prophecy of a child and king)

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. [kjv]

John: (people looking for a king)

John 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. [kjv]

Isaiah 9:6

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KJV: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Hebrew: כי ילד ילד לנו בן נתן לנו ותהי המשרה על שכמו ויקרא שמו פלא יועץ אל גבור אביעד שר שלום׃

Greek: οτι παιδιον εγεννηθη ημιν υιος και εδοθη ημιν ου η αρχη εγενηθη επι του ωμου αυτου και καλειται το ονομα αυτου μεγαλης βουλης αγγελος εγω γαρ αξω ειρηνην επι τους αρχοντας ειρηνην και υγιειαν αυτω

John 6:15

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KJV: When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

Greek: ιησους ουν γνους οτι μελλουσιν ερχεσθαι και αρπαζειν αυτον ινα ποιησωσιν αυτον βασιλεα ανεχωρησεν παλιν εις το ορος αυτος μονος

Luke 4: (Jesus reading in the synagogue from Isaiah)

Luke 4:17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, [kjv]

4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, [kjv]

Many pastors will use these verses to support political or social change but both Isaiah and Jesus appear to have double-meanings in what is being said in that the deeper spiritual needs are more important than the superficial political and social needs in this world.

Luke 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. [kjv]

4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. [kjv]

4:21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. [kjv]

Jesus then makes a number of statements. By the end of the chapter, the people are ready to throw him off a cliff. Some modern churches would do the same to Jesus today.

In Revelation, Jesus is knocking on the door at the church in Laodicea (model for the apostate church) asking them to open the door to let him in. The famous painting "The Light of the World" by English painter William Holman Hunt (1827-1910) has Jesus knocking on a door which has no door handle.

The door in the painting has no handle, and can therefore be opened only from the inside, representing "the obstinately shut mind" (Hunt, 1905, Wikipedia)

How many churches today do not let Jesus into their church? That is, they ignore or omit a lot of what Jesus says and only allow the part they like into their church.

More: Music: Anacrusis and knocking

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. [kjv]

More: Revelation 1:4-11 Seven Churches in Revelation

More: Seeking damages from zealous jealousy

Luke 4:17

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KJV: And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

Greek: και επεδοθη αυτω βιβλιον ησαιου του προφητου ησαιου και ανοιξας αναπτυξας το βιβλιον ευρεν τον τοπον ου ην γεγραμμενον

Luke 4:18

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KJV: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Greek: πνευμα κυριου επ εμε ου ενεκεν εινεκεν εχρισεν με ευαγγελιζεσθαι ευαγγελισασθαι πτωχοις απεσταλκεν με ιασασθαι τους συντετριμμενους την καρδιαν κηρυξαι αιχμαλωτοις αφεσιν και τυφλοις αναβλεψιν αποστειλαι τεθραυσμενους εν αφεσει

Luke 4:19

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KJV: To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Greek: κηρυξαι ενιαυτον κυριου δεκτον

Luke 4:20

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KJV: And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

Greek: και πτυξας το βιβλιον αποδους τω υπηρετη εκαθισεν και παντων οι οφθαλμοι εν τη συναγωγη οι οφθαλμοι ησαν ατενιζοντες αυτω

Luke 4:21

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KJV: And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

Greek: ηρξατο δε λεγειν προς αυτους οτι σημερον πεπληρωται η γραφη αυτη εν τοις ωσιν υμων

Isaiah 61:

Isaiah 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; [kjv]

First coming: Acceptable year of the Lord
Second coming: Day of vengeance of our God

Matthew 5:

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. [kjv]

More: Matthew 5:4 Good grief: the consolation prize of comfort

Isaiah 61:2

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KJV: To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

Hebrew: לקרא שנת רצון ליהוה ויום נקם לאלהינו לנחם כל אבלים׃

Greek: καλεσαι ενιαυτον κυριου δεκτον και ημεραν ανταποδοσεως παρακαλεσαι παντας τους πενθουντας