THE WOMAN WITH THE ISSUE OF BLOOD

A WOMAN STRONG IN HER FAITH

 Gospels 

Mark 5:25–34

Matthew 9:20–22

Luke 8:43–48

The woman believed one thing; if she touched Jesus she would be whole. The woman's faith was only appropriating what Jesus was willingly to give. Faith is not something that you do but something that we believe Jesus will do.

Here we had a woman that has been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had endured a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. Oh, but when she heard about Jesus, she determinely made her way through the huge crowd and touched the hem of his cloak. She believed in her heart, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”  And, immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

  

The woman's condition, which is not clear in terms of a modern medical diagnosis, is translated as an "issue of blood" in the King James Version and a "flux of blood" in the Wycliffe Bible and some other versions. In scholarly language, she is often referred to by the original New Testament Greek term as the haemorrhoissa (ἡ αἱμοῤῥοοῦσα, "bleeding woman").

Because of the continual bleeding, the woman would have been continually regarded in Jewish law as a niddah or menstruating woman, and so ceremonially unclean. In order to be regarded as clean, the flow of blood would need to stop for at least 7 days. Because of the constant bleeding, this woman lived in a continual state of uncleanness which would have brought upon her social and religious isolation.

The Healing Of Spirit, Soul, and Body. DIVINE HEALING. 

This passage relates the account of a desperate woman whose healing was the result of great and persistent faith. Her illness made her ceremonially unclean and disqualified her for mixing with crowds of people, yet she was certain that "if I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole".

The Greek word sozo ("heal, save, make well or whole") appears in this chapter, offering Luke’s unique perspective as a physician.  A full range of encounters appears, manifesting Jesus’ healing power.

1.      The Gadarene, delivered from the demonic powers dominating him, is "healed," freed of evil powers that countermanded his own rational mind and physical actions.

2.      The woman with the issue of blood touches the hem of Jesus’ garment and Jesus says, "Thy faith hath made thee whole.”

3.      In v.50, after being told the little girl is dead, Jesus declares: "Believe only, and she shall be made whole."

4.      In v.12, as Jesus explains the parable of the Sower, the word "saved" is used of one’s restored relationship with God through faith. Luke’s precise account offers a complete picture of the Savior’s concern to restore every part of man’s life:

a)      our relationship with God the Father

b)      our broken personalities and bondages

c)      our physical health and…

d)      ultimately our rescue from death itself at the Resurrection. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the whole man.

8:44 The woman touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, the tassels hanging from the edge of a Jewish cloak to remind the Jews of the Torah (see Num. 15:38).

8:47 The woman’s faith, which included not only her confidence in Christ’s restorative power, but her importunate initiative as an unclean woman (Lev. 15:19), occasions her healing.

8:48 Jesus did not rebuke her, but delayed His mission to the home of Jarius, whose daughter was dying, in order to assure her of healing and salvation.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Director/Writer/Producer/Lyricist

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

THE WORD OF GOD

PURIFIER UNTO HOLY LIVING

James 1:23-25

King James Version

Purity of life is not a quest for perfection as much as it is a quest liberation from those things that may inhibit effectiveness and reduce power-filled living. This text shows the Word of God as a means of reflection-a mirror into which we are to look and see ourselves. The call is not only to heed what we see and accept the Bible’s corrective instruction but there is an unwritten lesson here.

§  We should avoid the temptation to see (and judge) others in the Word, analyzing what they ought to do, instead of what we need to do. 2 Cor. 3:18 also likens God’s Word to a mirror, but describes the image seen as no less than the Lord Jesus Himself.

§  The sum of the two texts: 1) The Bible shows us Christ’s likeness in order that 2) we may measure our conduct and character against His and allow God to shape us into Christ’s likeness (Roman 8:29).

§  Other promises for cleansing through God’s Word: Jer. 29:9 speaks of the "fire" in the Word, which can purge as well as ignite; and Ps. 119:9 holds special promise to the one who wants a pure life of holy power. God’s Word is a powerful, cleansing, delivering agent.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Director/Writer/Producer/Lyricist

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

FASTING TO SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH

FAITH’S WARFARE

Ezra 8:21-23

King James Version

As the exiled Jews prepared to return to Jerusalem, Ezra called for a nationwide fast (v.21). The purpose of the fast was threefold:

First, they petitioned God to lead them in a "right way." This was the  guidance focus of their fast.

Second, they petitioned God to protect their little ones. This was the  assistance focus of their fast.

Finally, they petitioned God to guard their possessions. This was the  substance focus of their fast.

Fasting is repeatedly referred to throughout Scripture as a sacrificial form of prayer warfare that produces results available in no other way. This is especially emphasized in the demoniac’s deliverance in Christ’s day (Mark 9:14-29). Fasting involves a sacrificial denial of necessary nourishment while seeking God during that denial. The duration of a fast may be as long as 40 days, as in Moses’ case (Deut. 9:18-21), or as brief as a portion of a single day as in Israel’s case (2 Sam. 1:11, 12).

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Director/Writer/Producer/Lyricist

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

TITHING

         MANAGING MATERIAL WEALTH

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me.
But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee?
In tithes and offerings.

MALACH 3:8

King James Version (KJV)

Expect financial well-being to follow when you tithe.  Tithing obediently expresses faith that God is our true source. To fail to tithe is to dishonor and rob God.

Friends,

Practice tithing! Understand that the tenth already belongs to God (Lev. 27:30). Realize that tithing is not only a part of the Mosaic Law, it is a timeless covenant of privilege to exercise in joyous faith-not as a grudging legal requirement (2 Cor. 9:7).

3: 10 room enough It’s first reference is in Ex. 36:5, which concerns a freewill offering of gold and other materials; the people gave so lavishly that the Scripture describes their gifts as "much more than enough."

Day appears in the title of the famous Passover song of thanks entitled dayenu, meaning "it would be enough for us." Only done that much and no more, "it would be enough."

Each verse lists a favor that God did for Israel at the Exodus and concludes that, had He only done that much and no more, "it would have been enough."

3:10, 11 Your Giving Proves God, Opens the Windows of Heaven to You, and Causes the Devourer to be Rebuked.  In this passage of Scripture, God actually invites people to try (prove) Him-to verify His trustworthiness with their giving. He says that by withheld giving we rob Him of the privilege of pouring out great and overflowing blessings. He calls for renewed giving with this promise. First, there will be "meat" or resources for God’s work ("in mine house").

Second, He says those who give will be placed in position to receive great, overflowing blessings. You can experience the windows of heaven actually opening with blessings you will not be able to "receiving" or contain!

Third, God says that He will "rebuke the devourer" for your sakes. He will cause every blessing that has your name written on it to be directed to you and Satan himself cannot stop it. Do not be afraid to prove God with your giving.

He is God and He will stand the test every time.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Director/Writer/Producer/Lyricist

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

ETERNAL LIFE

THE LORD IS THE PORTION OF MINE INHERITANCE AND OF MY CUP; THOU MAINTAINEST OF MY LOT.

Psalm 16:1-11

King James Version (KJV)

Eternal Life for One Who Trusts

              Michtram of David

Dear Friends,

The Word of God tells us in 16:10 we are "Declared to Be the Son of God with Power. " The apostles clearly recognized this verse as forecasting the resurrection of Jesus. Peter quotes this verse in his sermon on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:27), and Paul quotes this verse in his early preaching at Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:35).

The sufficiency of Christ’s work of atonement is declared in the Resurrection (Rom. 6; 2 Tim.1:10; Heb. 2:9-18; 1 Pet. 2:18), and by the Resurrection Jesus was "declared to be the Son of God with power. " (Rom.1:4). He has completed the work He came to do and has ascended to the right hand of the Father.

Now we look forward in hope, for having broken the power of death, He has introduced the promise of eternal life to all who receive His as Messiah (John 6:40).

16: title Michtam: Six psalms (16;58-60), as well as the psalm of Hezekiah in Is. 38:9-20, are so designated, yet the meaning of Michtam is obscure it seems to refer to deliverance from death.

16:2 The first LORD is the name of God (Hebrew Yahweh); the second LORD is a title meaning "Ruler, Master" (Hebrew 'Adonai).

16:5,6 Lot, and Lines refer poetically to the division of the Promised Land by Joshua, which climaxed the fulfillment of God’s promises (Josh. 21: 43-45). God is as special to the psalmist as this inheritance of land (portion.)

16:9 Glory is a poetic expression for the soul, the glorious part of a man.

16:10,11 Hell is the domain of the dead. David not only expresses his faith that death will not separate him from God (Roman 8:38, 39); but also, he prophetically declares that the Holy One (Jesus) will be resurrected from the dead, bodily, without corruption (decay). This was the exuberant announcement of Peter on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:25-31).

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas
Director/Writer/Producer/Lyricist
Founder/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
info@biblestoriestheatre.org
www.biblestoriestheatre.org

SEVEN SEALS (6)

SEVEN TRUMPETS

SILENCE IN HEAVEN

And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. – Revelation 8:1.

Recap: The opening of the 6th Seal triggers the Rapture and the Day of The Lord, the time at which God will pour out His wrath on the unbelieving world. Revelation chapter 6 ends with the powerful people of the world fully understanding that the cataclysmic global earthquake and events of the 6th seal are of divine origin.

OPENING OF THE SEVENTH SEAL

REVELATION 8:10-13

KING JAMES VERSION (KJV) 

10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

Fourth Trumpet

12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound! 

"Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation."– Zechariah 2:13.

As soon as each of the first six seals was opened, John either "saw" something or "heard" something, or both. When the seventh seal was opened, however, he saw nothing and heard nothing for about half an hour.

The silence is total. It is said to be in heaven (v. 1) only because heaven has been the scene of all that John has just heard and seen in Chapter 7:9-17. 

The silence in Heaven is a sign of God’s impending devastating judgment. When a people or nation or even the world is so far gone into rebellion against God with no repentance, The Lord removes His Holy people and allows for a period of 'silence', right before His judgements are unleashed onto the world. How can this be? 

The silence is broken by a great dispense of noise, peals of thunder, rumblings . . . an earthquake (v. 5) and the blasts of seven trumpets, argues for the second of these alternatives.

The altar, traditionally the place of God's mercy, ironically becomes here the very source of divine judgment. When the angel pours fire on the earth, John says, there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake (v. 5). Such details echo the scene in heaven before the Lamb appeared, when "from the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder" (4:5). Wonders that John saw in heaven now make their appearance on the earth, framing the account of the seven-sealed scroll and the opening of its seals, and suggesting that the series is now at an end.

It is possible that these phenomena are intended to introduce the new sequence of seven angels blowing their trumpets, a sequence that will end in much the same way in 11:19: "And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm" (compare also the end of the sequence of seven bowls, 16:18). 

The great "storm" is under control in heaven because it comes from the very throne of God, but when the angel unleashes it on earth, it brings only turmoil and chaos. The terrible toll of the fire from the altar and the resulting thunder, lightning and earthquake (v. 5) are set forth sequentially in the next four chapters, as the seven angels introduced in verse 2 begin to blow their trumpets.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre o

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

SEVEN SEALS (5)

THE FIFTH AND SIXTH SEALS

 

REVELATION 6:9-17

King James Version (KJV)

Fifth Seal: The Cry of the Martyrs

9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, how long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Sixth Seal: Cosmic Disturbances

12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Why were these people slain? For the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held. These are the saints awaiting the resurrection. Does this mean the rapture has taken place?

6:9 Those in heaven see the release of the four horsemen, and know this event signals the start of the end-times. The martyrs ask, “How long … until you judge those who murdered us?” The martyrs are told to wait patiently until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed. In other words, there are still more believers to be martyred. Just as Israel poured the blood of sacrificed animal at the base of the altar (Exodus 29:12; Leviticus 4:7), in a similar manner, the souls of sacrificed martyrs were under the altar in heaven.

6:12-17 The Sixth Seal -The Visible Seal: When the martyrs cried for justice at the fifth seal, God judges the inhabitants of earth as guilty. The spilling of innocent blood has stained the earth blood red. God shows the people on earth another planet that appears covered with blood, the moon. When the sun is blotted out (turned black) during a lunar eclipse, the moon really does turn a blood red color. The moon turns a metallic red resembling the color of iron in blood. (1) At that time, the entire world, to include every mountain and island, shakes. (Revelation 6:14) God punctuates this event with a worldwide earthquake, likely caused by meteorites slamming into earth, one after another, like how figs drop to the ground from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind.

G

od is attempting to shake the world to its senses. He wants people to see themselves as guilty of the blood of innocent people, even infants. God wants the world to confess sin—repent—and turn to him. At this point, even unbelievers will know that scripture foretold this event; people will also know that this event precedes the outpouring of God’s wrath. People will say the great day of wrath has come. Accordingly, people will seek religious leaders and prophets to plot a course that might deter such wrath. However, people do not say,

“I repent of my sins.” Instead, they believe the best option is to hide. This wrong attitude creates an opportunity for dishonest teachers and false prophets to say “follow me and find safety.” Using this type of approach, the Antichrist and false prophet will lead most of the world astray.

Antichrist may proclaim that if people repent, then God will withhold disaster. For example, God showed mercy to ancient Nineveh. When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. (Jonah 3:10)

If at any time, I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. (Jeremiah 18:7) Yet it will be impossible to follow false prophets—and simultaneously repent.….to be cont’d.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre o

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

SEVEN SEALS (4)

THE PALE HORSE

REVELATION 6:7-8

"And when He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, Come. And I saw, and behold, a pale horse, and he who sits upon it, his name is Death; and Hades followed with him. And authority was given to them over the fourth part of the earth to kill with the sword and with famine and with death and by the beasts of the earth."


The fourth and final horse:  the Pale Horse’ rider symbolizes death that results from war and famine when men turn against men. The rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. 

The Spirit of DEATH, with authority to kill … over a fourth of the earth comes forward. This fourth angel is “Death.” This angel rides a pale horse—the color attributed to a person near death. “Hades” is the unseen world of the dead. This place had two separate abodes, a place where God’s people lived and another area for condemned persons. Jesus called the area of Hades where believers dwelt “Abraham’s side.” (Luke 16:22; AKA “Abraham’s Bosom”) That Hades was following close behind Death meant that following death, people travel to the unseen world. In other words, people die (Death), and then immediately travel to the unseen world (Hades).

Many people will die because of plague or pestilence, a possible reference to disease-causing microorganisms, which are increasingly resistant to antibiotic treatment. This also could be a reference to biological warfare. To kill by wild beasts is reminiscent of the days when the Roman Empire fed Christians to the lions. However, the application here points to soldiers on the battlefield. Ezekiel foresaw wild animals feasting on human flesh.

Son of Man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Call out to every kind of bird and all the wild animals: ‘Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrifice I am preparing for you, the great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood. You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as if they were rams and lambs, goats and bulls. (Ezekiel 39:17-18)

The word "pale" here is the same as the word "green" in Mark 6:39 and Revelation 8:7 and 9:4. Green is the color of vegetables. A green complexion indicates either sickness or death. Therefore, the name of the one riding on the pale horse is "Death." The word "death" in the second part of the verse can be translated "pestilence." Therefore, we interpret it as "pestilence" here also. "Hades" in the original language means the unseen world. Hades here is like a trash can (the dead people are like garbage). One fourth of the people on the earth are killed by the sword of the red horse, by the famine of the black horse, by the death of the pale horse, and by the beasts. "The beasts" indicate a very serious judgment of God (Num. 21:6; Exo. 23:28; Josh. 24:12; 2 Kings 2:24; 17:25) …to be cont’d. 

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas
Founder/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre o
Fine & Performing Arts
www.biblestoriestheatre.org

THE SEVEN SEALS (3)

THE BLACK HORSE

SPIRIT OF FAMINE 

Revelation 6:5-6

"And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine." 

Recap: End-time events begin with the opening of a scroll locked with seven seals. Jesus alone can open these seals. The opening of the first four seals brings four angels riding horses; these are commonly referred to as the "four horsemen of the apocalypse." People on earth cannot see these angels or their horses. The Four Horsemen, each with their own specific mission. (Revelation 6:1 – 8:1) 

The Spirit of FAMINE causes a catastrophic food shortage. Wheat and barley are basic food requirements; people are paying their entire salary to feed themselves.  Further, the meaning of the third seal-vision is to be concluded consulting to the same standard as that of the second. The black color of the horse designates not the grief of those who have been afflicted by the plagues indicated by the entire image of the horseman, especially not the grief of the Church over heresy, as it is symbolized by the horse and horseman; but the black color must correspond to the destructive character of the image of the horseman itself. Yet an indication that the figure appearing therein is one of a plague. The 'rider' on the Black Horse, is the Antichrist.

• "Black" is the color for famine (Jer. 14:1-3; Lam. 4:8-9; 5:10). In the Bible, wheat is measured and not weighed. Balances are used to weigh precious things, but here a balance is used for measuring wheat. Hence, not a single grain is missed. "A choenix of wheat for a denarius." A denarius is a person’s wages for one day’s labor. It is only one person’s wage; in Matthew 20:2 the pay for a laborer is a denarius a day. "Three choenixes of barley for a denarius." Normally, the ratio of the value of barley to wheat is one to two, but here it becomes a ratio of one to three (2 Kings 7:16 and 18 record a ratio of one to two). "Do not harm the oil and the wine." This shows that at other times they were not considered food and were "harmed." But now, even the oil and the wine should not be harmed. During the time of famine, even oil and wine cannot be wasted. At the same time, grape vines and olive trees are preserved by God.

Now, let’s look at the symbols/emblems:

The special emblem ascribed to the horseman (ἕχ. ζυγὸν, κ.τ.λ.), in addition to the unambiguous exclamation χοῖνιξ σίτου, κ.τ.λ., makes us recognize in the third figure of a horseman the personification of famine.

• ζυγόν. As to the expression, ζυγός means properly the beam which unites the two scales, Proverbs 16:11; as to the subject itself, since by the weighing of the grain which otherwise is measured, famine is represented, Leviticus 26:26, Ezekiel 4:16.

• ὡς before φωνὴν, corresponds with the circumstance that, to John, the person from whom the voice proceeds remain unknown. "Audivi ut vocem," a Latin would say; i.e.,"I heard (something) like a voice.” That the cry sounds forth "in the midst of the four beings," is, in itself, natural, since the unsealing of the book of fate occurs at the throne of God, which is in the midst of the four beings; but as it is not without significance that the four beings, as representatives of the living creatures on earth, cry out to John, ἕρχου, so is it likewise significant that in the midst of those beings the cry sounds forth, which accompanies the figure of a plague pertaining to living creatures. The first half of the call sounds just as when anything is offered for sale.

• The gen. δηναρίου is that of the price. The second sentence contains a command which prescribes to the horseman, not only as the personification of the famine, but as the bearer of the visitation, the limit of the plague ordained by the Lord. Oil and wine are to grow as ordinarily: μὴ ἀδικήσῃς, i.e., "Do them no harm, injure them not;" although wheat and barley, and therefore the unconditionally necessary means of subsistence, are to be so dear that a day-laborer for his daily labor receives a denarius, nothing more than daily food for himself, —a choinix of wheat, which is a man’s daily nourishment....to be cont'd

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre o

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org