His Mighty Word of Power: A Theological Apologetic Bible Study Aid

By Dr. Twyman Preston Joyner

This book is a theological, apologetic Bible study aid that will assist the reader and theological students on creationism, controversial topics like Bible inerrancy, tithing, glossolalia, environmentalism, the Christian prosperity movement, plus a biblical summary of the entire Bible with a chart/diagram of biblical and secular history, as well as many other topics. This book will open your eyes and heart to search the Scriptures without human-embellished clichs that have robbed the Church from understanding Gods Word.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Aug 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449761103

Dr. Twyman Preston Joyner

Dr. Twyman Preston Joyner, theologian/author, holds a doctoral degree in divinity from Master’s International School of Divinity.  Dr. Joyner has pastored and founded Zion’s Mountain the Temple of God from 2002 to 2005. He is continuing his education and working on his second book.  God has called him to bring correction to the body of Christ and be a blessing to many who will call on the Name of Jesus.

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Copyright © 2012 Dr. Twyman Preston Joyner

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-6109-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-6110-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012913850

WestBow Press rev. date: 09/05/2012

Contents

My Declaration

In Memorial

Acknowledgements

Prolegomenon

Chapter 1 The Teleological Primordial Development of all Creation and the Eschatological Ending

Chapter 2 Is There A Gap In Time Between Verses One And Two of Genesis Chapter One?

Chapter 3 YOM Genesis 1:3ff

Chapter 4 The Very Controversial Genesis, Chapter 6: 1-7

Chapter 5 The Final Days of the Antediluvian Era and the Beginning of the Postdiluvian Era, Plus Salient Points Emphasized on Climate Change and Environmentalism

Chapter 6 His Mighty Word of Power Divulges Glossolalia

Chapter 7 Jesus is the expressed Image of God

Chapter 8 God Gave Us a Book That Is Theanthropic (Both God and Man) In Its Makeup

Chapter 9 Jacob the Temple and the Body of Christ—Which is the House of God

Chapter 10 Prince and Priest—the Majestic One

Chapter 11 The Controversial Subject of Tithing and its Origin: What Does This Have to Do With the Church?

Chapter 12 His Mighty Word of Power is Faith and Produces Faith

Chapter 13 The Controversial Christian Financial Prosperity Movement and Its Origin

Chapter 14 His Mighty Word of Power is Inerrant and/or Infallible

A Summary Of The Old Testament

A Summary Of The New Testament

Charts And Diagrams Of The Bible With Biblical And Secular History In Chronological Order

Special Introduction To The Charts And Diagrams Of The Bible And Secular History

Bibliography

My Declaration

I proclaim with full assurance that HIS MIGHTY WORD OF POWER is my own written work, and that all sources obtained, and references, as well as direct quotes are acknowledged and indicated within the book and referenced in the Bibliography at the back of the book. Also, I might add, that most of the Bible references are from the Amplified Bible unless otherwise specified.

Twyman Preston Joyner February 18 2012

In Memorial

I would like to take this moment and remember my sister Ms. Etta M. Joyner-Robinson who passed on to zõe on June 19, 1992. She was very godly and the best sister a brother could ever have. She encouraged me in my times of need and was present at my first licensing ceremony into the Gospel ministry. We her siblings, and all the family misses her greatly, and praying that we can all be like her— to present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8-9).

Also, on July 08, 2010 our beloved Dad (who was almost 91 years old), Clyde P. Joyner Sr. left us to be gathered with his forefathers. He left us an excellent legacy of being responsible and to work hard and you can accomplish great things. My Pops was the best! Before he died he said to me (and I paraphrase) that this world is getting more and more evil and it want belong before the Lord’s return. My father taught us well and was truly a good loving man that really, really loved his children. From all the children and relatives: We miss you Pops! Thank You Jesus, for my Dad!

Acknowledgements

I would first like to thank God for His powerful word. Without His powerful word we as a creation would not be here. Jesus your love is ineffable and your truth is righteousness. Thank You Father for life and godliness on which I have a long ways to go [a work in progress], and I am so desperately desiring your ways (righteousness) and not my own.

I would like to acknowledge my 80 year old Mom: Mother Betty M. Joyner who serves as a church mother in her local church. She as well as my Dad taught us as children the importance of being good stewards of what you have. My Mom is not highly educated in academia, but in the school of life she is a Rhodes Scholar. Thanks Mom for all your love and support you have given me all these 54 years as your son. Thank the Lord for Jesus—for giving me such a great Mother!

I would also like to acknowledge all of my mother’s children, namely: Clyde Percy Joyner Jr., Etta Mae( Joyner)-Robinson (see in Memorial), Dr. Shirley Ann (Joyner)-Wilson-Beckwith, Donnie Lee Joyner and Carlton Steven Joyner. These people helped to mold my life to who I am today. Thanks guys, I love you all. Also, my two sons Twyman Preston Joyner Jr. and his brother Josiah Azariah Joyner—I love you boys dearly with all my heart. May my posterity always serve the Lord Jesus with gladness of heart!

I would like to acknowledge my beautiful bride Mrs. Wanda Denise Joyner and her wonderful children Ciera, Gary and Javone. Thanks my love for your patients. I’m not trying to ignore you Wanda; I just have work to do.

A special thanks to Dr. Xiaobing Li Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of History & Geography Director, Western Pacific Institute of the University of Central Oklahoma. He is the first person besides me to read and critique this book. He has been my friend for many years and his integrity and hard work is seen and appreciated by his peers and students. Bing, you are an outstanding historian and your analyzing my work is an honor—I am humbled sir. Finally, I would like to thank Ms. Beverly A. Rorem for her professional editing of this project—it is greatly appreciated.

Prolegomenon

This book is based on a series of sermons I preached from 2002 to 2005 when I pastored a church that I pioneered call Zion’s Mountain the Temple of God. Also, I must credit Master’s International School of Divinity for their full contribution to all the scholarly knowledge I received after ten straight years of study and research. Through their biblical courses, I was introduced to outstanding theologians and scholars like Dr. Norman L. Geisler, Dr. Robert H. Gundry, Dr. Robert G. Witty, Dr. Herbert Lockyer, Historian Dr. Justo L. González, Apologist G.K Chesterton, Investigative Reporter Lee Strobel, C. S. Lewis and many others (past and present).

I have always enjoyed the book of Genesis, especially chapters 1-3 which is the base or essence of this book. The leading scripture in this book is found in Hebrews 1: 3 (Amp) which introduces the book’s title; HIS MIGHTY WORD OF POWER. One thing that is evident, is that the Hebrew writer really believed in the power of the word of God (Hebrews 4:12). In this book we will discuss many topics of concern to Believers in Christ and non-believers. This book will cause the reader to thoroughly search the scriptures and hopefully cause the reader to come to their own perspective in reference to scripture data of what happened at the beginning of time [in creationism], is glossolalia for today’s Christian, should Christians tithe, are all Christians suppose to be financially rich on earth and is the Bible the word of God or just the work of corporeal human beings, plus other important topics of concern.

In the book we will see the Light (Wisdom) and His presence at the beginning and the ending of time as well as seeing God’s immutability, that He is the same yesterday, today and forevermore (Hebrews 13:8). I have endeavored to write this book to help clear-up some dark questions as well as stir-up curiosity or in some people stir-up even more curiosity to really see what is written in the Bible. To help bring correction is my goal and to further advance the kingdom of God with men calling on the name of the Lord. This book is a study aid with a Bible summary of all sixty-six books and a chart/diagram of the Old and New Testament with biblical and secular history in chronological order, based from a theoretical combination of an old and young earther perspective.

The information that is contained may stir-up controversy, but I’m not trying to stir-up disputations. Just trying to get the people to see the word of God and to see just how it is written and not all of the manmade embellishments that have caused the word of God to be of non-effect because of confusion and every evil work. I know that there are many theories and teachings that may not match with what I am presenting, but that is okay. I’m only divulging what I have seen and learned over the last 31 years of my life. We Christians only know the word of God in parts (little by little) anyway. Humans are not simple [we live according to parties and divisions], but God is simple [He is indivisible] and Pure Actuality, for there is no potential for God to divide. Therefore, Paul stated this in first Corinthians 13:12:

For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God] (Amp).

This scripture lets us know where we stand in the presence of God. How that He is Omniscient and that we as humans are a created work in progress. Someday if we die in Christ and see him face to face perfection will be seen and all knowledge will be completed in us, because we shall see Jesus as He really is (1 John 3:2).

Hebrews 1:3 (Amplified Bible)

He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God’s] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high.

Hebrews 4:12 (Amplified Bible)

For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

Chapter 1

The Teleological Primordial Development of all Creation and the Eschatological Ending

A. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth (KJV). First of all, there is a lot that can be said about this one verse of scripture that would take volumes upon volumes of books and literature, as well as exhaustive study. But this particular book will only be superficial when it comes to this secret (concealed) enigma of God. However, for humanity, God’s aseity (which cannot be denied), puts a great deal of emphasis on the origination of all things—for the origin points directly to the ending (apocalypse) in this verse.

1. The Origin Points Directly To The Ending

So, what do I mean by this—the origin points directly to the ending? In order to get an explicit answer to this question, one must take a look at this verse in Genesis 1:1 in the Hebrew text in which it was delivered to us by Moses, the prophet of God [

34986.jpg

]. Now, looking at the Hebrew writing at face value (or as it appears), there is no way that we, who are non-Jewish (Gentiles), can understand what is written without a translation. Hebrew is read from right to left but the above Hebrew words have been rearranged from left to right to fit the English reader (for more insight on this subject please see The Mystery of the Menorah by J.R. Church and Geary Stearman).

In English we see ten words in Genesis 1:1 [and even in those ten words a vital word is missing from the text], but in Hebrew there are only seven words and one of these (which the English translation does not show) has great significance in answering our question: What is meant by the origin points directly to the ending? Placing the English words with the Hebrew words, it can be read this way: In the beginning (bereshit) created (barah) God (Elohim) eht (aleph/tahv) the heavens (hashamayim) and (vaeht) the earth (haeretz).

Notice there is no English translation for eht (which is pronounced eight). In this verse eht is translated in Hebrew as aleph and the tahv, which is the first and last letters of the Hebrew Aleph-beit, which is comparable to the English Alphabets A and Z as well as the Greek Alpha and Omega. J.R. Church and Gary Stearman, in their book, The Mystery of the Menorah, on page 30 disclosed some paramount information—citing:

"Rabbinic scholars call the 34988.jpg aleph and the 34990.jpg tahv ‘the word of creation.’ One rabbi wrote that in the beginning God created the 34998.jpg aleph and the 34992.jpg tahv with all the letters in between—and with that Aleph-beit then created all things."

The opening chapter of the book of Revelation has Jesus implying that he is the 34994.jpg aleph and the 34996.jpg tahv. He is claiming the position of ‘the word of creation’ featured in Genesis 1:1! When I founded /pastored a church between 2002 and 2005, I taught my parishioners the entire book of Genesis. I told them that in order to get a good understand of Genesis, one must study the book of Revelation because the beginning seems to point directly to the ending.

Let’s take a look at Revelation 1:1, 2—in these verses John reveals the strength of his testimony that substantiates his vision(s), which is the testimony of Jesus Christ who is the Word of God (logos). Jesus disclosed these events to John to validate His authority over His church and over all creation. John cited these words in St. John 1:1-3:

In the beginning [before all time] was the Word [Christ], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being (Amp; cf. Colossians 1:15-19).

Further, in verse five of Revelation, chapter one, we see for the first time in the book of Revelation that Jesus is mentioned as the First, and one and only Ruler and Salvific Redeemer (cf. 1 Timothy 6:15). But in Revelation 1: 8, John quotes the very words of Jesus when he disclosed, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord God, He Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty (the Ruler of all) [Amp]. Therefore, we can see that the Greek Alpha and Omega is tantamount with the Hebrew א aleph and the 35002.jpg tahv (eht), and that Jesus is the very Alphabet Word of Creation (in Genesis) and the Closer of time (in Revelation). In other words, the origin points directly to the ending.

2. The Beginning of Time is Likened unto the End of Time

The beginning of time is likened unto or equates to the end of time because both are mysteries. Mankind, and all of their scientific research studies, can only estimate or approximate times passed, and human beings meet the future with fear and uncertainty. Therefore, time was and still is God’s secret that He has kept from humanity —that we should not know, nor be acquainted with, either the start of time or the end of time. Jesus, just before his ascension, spoke unambiguously when He admonished His disciples. He said to them:

"It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods], or fixed years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice, and authority, and personal power" (Acts 1:7; Amp).

In other words, time belongs to the Uncaused cause of time. Therefore, before all time, in the beginning, God, the author and finisher of time—meaning He is before time and He is after time. God controls time and human beings have no choice but to accept it, as it is out of human control. Now this mystery of time in the Bible is likening unto our Messiah King of Peace, Jesus the Righteous One.

For it is stated in the book of Hebrew 5:6 that Jesus has been appointed Priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek. Furthermore, chapter seven, verse three, makes a salient point about time and Melchizedek’s comparable analogy with Jesus our Righteous King of Peace:

Without [record of] father or mother or ancestral line, neither with beginning of days nor ending of life, but resembling the Son of God, he continues to be a priest without interruption and without successor (Amp).

Now there is no biography or historical records of Melchizedek, and only what we read in scripture is the gist or significance of his life. God purposely did this to teach us (the Believers), and to ostentatiously reveal to mankind the Infinite High Priest, Who is higher than the heavens (cf. Hebrews 7:16ff).

These scriptures state a great fact, that the Son of God has been given full preeminence (Colossians 1: 15-19). Thus He—the Son of God was never caused—He is Infinite, the Necessary Being and Pure Actuality of all time and creation. And therefore, Jesus divulges that he existed before all time and creation in John 17:5, and it is through Him that all things will someday come to an end (Revelation 1: 8; 22:13).

3. God Never Disclosed A Beginning Date or An Ending Date of Time

Have you noticed in Genesis 1:1 that God never gives a beginning time and date of the start of creation? Only He knows the starting of time, because He created it and put it in motion. He never disclosed this information to mankind because it is under His authority alone and is not to be revealed to the biogenic world (Acts 1:7). Time and creation are within God—Paul makes an unequivocal point in Acts 17:28 when he quotes from Aratus’ Phaenomena citing: For in Him we live and move and have our being (Amp). Therefore, since time and creation are in God, then only God has the ability and the authority to begin and end them [disclosing this information to mankind is just not an option].

In Dr. Norman Geisler’s book, Systematic Theology Volume Two: God and Creation, he addresses the gaps in time of biblical genealogies and the scientists’ a priori rationalism of the presumed old earth theory:

There seems to be no way to actually prove how old the universe really is, either from science or from the Bible, for there are known and possible gaps in the biblical genealogies. In addition, there are unprovable presuppositions in most, if not all the scientific arguments for an old earth: that is, an earth of millions or billions of years is biblically possible but not absolutely provable (see Appendix 5, The Age of the Earth pp. 648-50 for further insight).

I myself support the views of the orthodox scholars and most of the leading contemporary theologians involved in the International Conference on Biblical Inerrancy (ICBI) in October of 1978 (see chapter 14 for more information on Biblical Inerrancy). They believed that the earth could be millions or maybe even billions of years old—but as Dr. Geisler stated, there is no evidence for provability. Just like there is no indisputable evidence on the human insight concerning the primordial creation of heaven and earth. Also, there are no true human prognostications alluding to or referring to the eschatological ending of all things as we know it today. We only have mankind’s assumptions, postulations, and speculations about the coming apocalypse and the eschatological ending of all things. Even Jesus revealed explicitly, in the synoptic gospels that no man knows the time of the end and the Second Advent of Christ (Matthew 24: 36, 50; 25:13; Mark 13:32; Luke 12:46).

As I stated earlier, this is God’s area of authority and He will not disclose this information to His creation.

Chapter 2

Is There A Gap In Time Between Verses One And Two of Genesis Chapter One?

A. After looking at these two verses of scripture and hearing them quoted during most of my lifetime, I have often wondered: could there be a time gap here? First of all, some of the reasoning that you are about to hear from me is deductive a priori rationalism on my part, since I have no way to prove the facts. It is only my theory and speculation, but because there are so many questions that we humans can ask God, perhaps these mysteries, as well as others in the Holy Scriptures, will be more clear to us when we see Jesus face to face (vis-à-vis). Since He knows all things, someday He will allow the children of God to be like Him and to share in His glory. Thus, 1 John 3:2 unequivocally states:

"Beloved, we are [even here and] now God’s children, it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is" (Amp).

1. Twyman P. Joyner’s Theoretical Speculative Summation of the Time Gap Between Genesis Chapter One Verses One and Two—With some Known Facts Added

Genesis 1:1a states: In the beginning God created… . So what does this tell us? This tells us that God is Uncaused, Infinite and the Necessary Being—He is Pure Actuality (meaning that God has no potential at all, whether for non-existence nor for change). Furthermore, this also means that all things emanate from God (the uncaused cause of creation). Now, the heavens and the earth were created in their own time (in what time we do not know). As was stated earlier, there is no start date documented for humanity to know (Acts 1:7).

In the beginning actually means the beginning or the start of time (when God actually put time in motion). So what kind of time did God put into motion? Did He administer twenty-four hours a day time as we know it today? Or did He perhaps dole out a thousand years to be a one day kind of time (see Psalm 90:4; 2 Peter 3:8)? These are mysteries and hypothetical matters that scholars and theologians polemically argue over constantly, since there is no record or corroborated evidence to prove what type of time God released. We will later look into the subject of the category of time when we discuss yom. But for now, let us turn our attention to Genesis 1:2: The earth was without form and an empty waste, and darkness was upon the face of the very great deep. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters (Amp).

When looking at these two verses (Genesis 1: 1-2), it might seem a bit unusual that God would create the beautiful heavens and earth and then, in verse two, there is darkness and the earth was was without form and an empty waste covered with water. Some would argue that in verse one Moses was making a general statement about what God has done before writing about what actually happened in creation and the beginning of time. Certainly this sounds logical and within good reasoning, but there are questions that must be asked that this argument does not address.

34868.jpg Why is the earth without form?

34871.jpg Why is the earth an empty waste?

34873.jpg Why is the earth in darkness?

34875.jpg Why is the earth covered in deep waters?

34877.jpg Why is the Spirit of God hovering or brooding over the face of the deep waters?

These five questions, when giving my theoretical answer, tell an untold story that is not recorded in history. How could God, Who is the Father of Light, be involved with darkness at creation? James the apostle (also known as the brother of Jesus) discloses a powerful revelation about the Father of Lights when he cites:

Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] nor a shadow cast by His turning[as in an eclipse] (James 1:17; Amp).

Even the apostle John stated in his epistle that, God is Light and there is no darkness in Him at all [no, not in any way] (1 John 1:5 Amp).

Therefore, if God is Pure Actuality, meaning that God has no potentiality, there is no variation or change in Him. How can there be darkness in verse two unless there was previously some kind of major catastrophic event? For a possible answer, let us study what the Bible say about darkness:

34880.jpg Light is divided from darkness (Genesis 1:4, 18).

34882.jpg Darkness represents horror, terror, fear, evil and oppression (Genesis 15:12, 13; Job 30:26ff).

34884.jpg Darkness can be felt (Exodus 10:21).

34886.jpg God used darkness to torment the enemies of Israel (Joshua 24: 7).

34888.jpg God has prepared a place of darkness for the wicked and has equated darkness with those who work iniquity (1Samuel 2:9; Job 34:22).

34891.jpg Thick darkness is under God’s feet—He made darkness like a canopy, placing it around Him, although it cannot enter into His presence, but only the brightness of the Light is before Him (II Samuel 22:10-13).

34893.jpg Thick darkness is a tool that God used so that Israel would reverentially fear Him and sin not (Exodus 20:20, 21; Deuteronomy 5; I King 8:10-12).

34895.jpg God is a Lamp in darkness for those who believe (II Samuel 22:29; Psalm 119:105).

34899.jpg Darkness is tantamount with the shadow of death, the grave, and the curse (Job 3: 1-9; 10:19-22; 12:22; 17:11-16; Psalm 23: 4).

34902.jpg Darkness is synonymous with ignorance, foolishness, and childishness (Job 12: 24, 25).

There are many more verses of scripture in the Old Testament in direct line with the prior scriptures mentioned. However, the book of Job stands out over all the rest, because of devastating events that occurred in his life. He felt the pressures of darkness and he knew how to articulate this to his contemporaries. I recommend reading the book of Job in order to get more insight on the subject of darkness.

Now let us turn to the New Testament and see what it says about darkness:

34909.jpg The Gentiles who are in darkness have seen a great Light (Matthew 4: 15, 16; 1 John 1:5; cf. Isaiah 9: