steve zomok

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The Lady at the Well

Jun 142017

I was looking at a James Tissot painting of the Samaritan women at the well and I started to ponder about the account which is found in the “Book of John”, chapter 4. In Eastern Orthodox tradition this women was named “Photina”, which means something like, “luminous one”. I doubt if that was her actual name for several reasons. This lady possibly would visit the well at warmer times too avoid others, who generally came to fetch their water in the mornings or near sunset. She did not, evidently, have the best reputation as she has been living with several different men over time. She wished to avoid the gossips and so came to the well when less folks were around. The last thing she expected was to meet the Messiah and receive life giving spiritual water. Needless to say, her life changed for the better and, perhaps, she became a luminous one as she probably told people, for years to come, about her meeting the messiah at the well. This water is available to all…

The words of Jesus, as found in verse 14, are nearly poetic, “those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”What is born of the flesh is flesh but what is born of the Spirit is Spirit.

pastor Zomok

Apparitions of Mary?

Bible Study, Ministry, Religious 1 Response »

Jun 092017

For centuries there has been many sighting, or claims of sightings of, what is thought to be Mary (Miriam) the blessed mother of the Lord Jesus. Nearly all of us have heard about some of these. A prime example would be the happening near Lourdes, France, in 1858, when a young girl, named Bernadette evidently seen an apparition of Mary. The dominant churches of the region usually have a local bishop investigate and certain procedures are followed to ascertain the validity of a sighting. Both the Catholic church, in the west, and the Coptic church in Egypt, have declared some of these sightings to be valid. To my mind some of these seem to be genuine sightings of something. Are these genuine sightings of Mary or could some of them be of a demonic nature instead? Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. What do you think?

Sometimes the apparition leaves a message to the witnesses or even something of a physical nature. We see this with the “Lady of Guadalupe”story. This was a Marian apparition/sighting in Mexico of 1531, by an indian named Juan. The apparition told him to collect some roses, which he wrapped up in his cloth “tilma”, which afterwards had an image of Mary on it. This image is still being studied. It seems to be miraculous. Obviously there is something special in many of these sightings.

Getting back to the messages that are said to be heard coming from these apparitions of Mary…. Sometimes things are heard that could be deemed unbiblical and this is debated too. Although Mary was highly blessed by God (Luke 1:48…..“he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all gene

Don’t be overly rigid….

Bible Study, Ministry, Religious No Responses »

May 252017

Although we must avoid giving in to worldly activities or running with the crowd we must not be overly rigid either. I am sometimes finding that Christians are being closed minded and not thinking, even condemning other believers for differing opinions on secondary issues. I myself have been condemned by other Christians (?) because I point out how “Hell Doctrines” are disproved, and/or I disagree with the general “endtimes” teachings…etc.. Note the inspired words of Paul, on several opinions, in Romans 14-

“But him that is weak in faith receive ye, yet not for decision of scruples. 2 One man hath faith to eat all things: but he that is weak eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth set at nought him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4 Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord hath power to make him stand. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord: and he that eateth, eateth unto the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, unto the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and none dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or thou again, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God. 11 For it is written,

As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow,
And every tongue shall confess to God.

Pastor Zomok

The Mark of Cain

Bible Study, Religious No Responses »

May 252017

What was the Mark of Cain? And was this mark a blessing or curse? The Book of Genesis does not go into the greatest detail on this but merely mentions that God placed it on Cain to protect him. It was a shield of sorts.

One can read the text of Genesis, chapter four, and see how the various events played out. Cain envied his brother Abel and killed him because God favored Abel and his sacrifice, whereas what Cain sacrificed (grains and plants) were rejected. We see in Genesis 4:10 to 4:14 that Cain is cursed and penalized severely but we can see from verse 15 that the mark placed on him is for his protection and no curse. It is not a further penalty or burden!!!

What was the nature of this mark? Was it a racial difference as some try to say? Was Cain turned into an ugly orgre or a Neanderthal like creature? (some actually say these things.). Most of these speculation are silly! The mark was a good thing and for the protection of Cain, despite his committing murder. One might even wonder if Cain was ultimately redeemed. Certainly the Lord cared for and provided for Cain. We don’t hear much more about Cain after some brief genealogies…..

Does the Hebrew text and the early Greek (Septuagint) give us any clues about the mark or sign? The Hebrew for mark in Genesis 4 is oth or ot and is “Strongs” number 226. This signifies a “mark” or “sign”. Note that the final letter for ot is the Hebrew letter Tav, which roughly corresponds to our “T”, and up to about 600 BC. this was a cross shaped letter, looking little like the latter squared Hebrew letter. Could the mark that the Lord placed on Cain be a cross? Some have suggested that this letter can alone indicate “covenant”. I think this is very likely and that Cain was actually repentant for his sins. The Septuagint text does not seem to help us determine anything extra. The word mark is rendered semion (semeion) or sign. It had to be visible enough to warn others so it was either an actual mark or something clear in Cain’s activities. Cain has been demonized down through time but he was probably no more sinful than King David or Saul of Tarsus.

pastorZomok

Job 26:10 and Light and Darkness

Bible Study No Responses »

Mar 172017

“He has inscribed a circle on the surface of the waters,

at the boundary of light and darkness.”–Job 26:10 NAS

In the verse above I found myself intrigued because it reminded me of the Earth from space with the sun shining on half of the planet due to our planets rotation. The many translations vary so I wanted to check and see if a word relating to curvature or circle is actually in the text. I found it, a form of it, to be in the text. It is the word “chug/khug” (Strongs#2328) and does indicate a curvature of sorts even though it is not describing a sphere. Just the same the boundary of light and darkness is on the curved face of the earth and from outer space it looks rather sharp. Does this point to a flat round pancake or a globe? I think you will agree that it is hinting at a globe and it’s rotation.

Steve Zomok

Hagar’s deliverance

Bible Study 1 Response »

Feb 092017

We all go through tuff times and unfortunate circumstances but the believer, in the true and only God, will come through these experiences and be better off. We see an excellent example in the experiences of Hagar. She was an Egyptian servant women that Abraham acquired in his travels. As the story goes there was always some issues between Abraham’s wife Sarah and Hagar, as Genesis 16- tells us, but things became worse after the birth of Hagar’s son Ishmael (meaning: God hears). Because this boy was a son of Abraham Sarah was troubled that he would dominate her own son Isaac. Sarah wanted her gone, although this troubled Abraham. Hagar, with Ishmael, were sent off (alone) in a very desolate land with only modest amounts of food and water. Imagine how you would feel. She with a child has basically been abandoned in a desert, which is a life and death matter. Finally in Genesis 21:15-we read that she was so distraught that she sat down some distance away from Ishmael so she would not have to watch him die of thirst. A crisis point had been reached. She and her sons circumstances were about as painful and hopeless as one can imagine, yet the God who sees and hears all finally delivered her and Ishmael. Ishmael later became the ancestor of many peoples. One can see the great change of fortune in the story of Hagar.

You too may be going through sad times and trouble but God allowed you to be in such circumstances and can deliver you. This is one reason why we find such stories in the word.

pastor Zomok

A quick study in true FAITH

Bible Study 1 Response »

Jan 262017

The study of both Hebrew and Greek can be rewarding and opens one eyes to deeper understanding. A good example is the issue of faith and the supposed differences between Paul and James. Actually there really was never a contention as both men held to a Hebrew form of faith rather than abstract faith or an idea. In Genesis 15:6 we find Abraham was counted as righteous because he supported the Lord; he relied on the Lord. He had a form of EMUNAH faith. True faith always has a flowering of good things coming out of it. James was concerned about dead abstract faith being substituted for genuine trust and the good it generates.

I hardly know Hebrew or Greek but over the last 15 years I have picked up some of both languages and it can open one up to deeper understandings. Another thing too is that it is always good to go back and look through the older blogs and postings. I hope those reading will find this short study helpful.

Pastor Zomok

The Possession Theory of Genesis 6:4

Bible Study, Ministry No Responses »

Jan 212017

Genesis 6:4 is one of the most mysterious passages in the Bible. It has been open to a host of interpretations, however, those who hold consistently to a biblical worldview must reject the notion that women and demons can engage in sexual relations. They can not mix and produce fertile or any offspring at all. Despite this evident truth so many keep suggesting that we see in Genesis 6 the production of hybrid giants, yet several scriptures show this can not happen.

Remember that Jesus indicated in Luke 24 that spirits do not have flesh and blood bodies, which means also a lack of DNA. Spirits are also very limited in the ability to create, although they can certainly interact to various extents. I would suggest what we see in Genesis 6 is widespread demon possession and paganismin a very degenerate society. Demons can give knowledge and influence to men and make them mighty (gibborim) although evil at the same time. These would be the “giants” or “fallen ones”(nephilim) of old.

The “possession theory” may lack the luster of some theories but is Biblically more sound and truth is what we want.

pastor Zomok

A firm nail and a throne of glory

Bible Study No Responses »

Dec 092016

“And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.” -Isaiah 22:23

In the book of Isaiah we see prognostications of what is coming to the people and a changes for both ancient Judah and Israel but one can not help to see a hint here of the coming Messiah and his glory. First he comes to save mankind and is firmly nailed to the cross to die for us…all in the fathers firm hand (see Zech. 10:4). After this comes the completed glory of his kindom.

Pastor Zomok

Is God responsible for your pain?

Posts No Responses »

Oct 132016

Some suggest that the creator is responsible for all suffering including yours. Is this true? I would say that God certainly allowed that pain and sin could come about, after all, God is sovereign and all things that exist have been allowed otherwise God would not be in control… There are different ways to look upon this.

Should one blame God for all their pains, because he did create everything? I think God allows the present order of things for a higher purpose. Think of your parents and ask yourself if you would blame them for all your personal suffering. Your parents did, in a round about way, create you. They knew that you would have future pains and heartaches since every person does but I doubt if you would blame them for every hurt you experience. You would not blame them and likely would not hold them responsible. God is a higher parent and has thoughts and thinking far above ours (Isaiah 55:8-9)…

Pastor Zomok

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