until you KNOW the story, YOUR STORY.
until you KNOW the story, YOUR STORY.
Study as the Berean's proving and testing to ensure that what you choose to embrace is TRUTH. The purpose of this website is to share with you my Bible research and what I have learned from other people who have done extensive and comprehensive research. The greatest things begin at the size of a mustard seed.
Choose from this library a selection of short and intriguing stories, mini books discussing very important topics, and learning videos. This library is a depository of studies with a core focus on the Commonwealth of Israel, God’s people, comprised of twelve tribes in ancient times, but into the 21st century, they have become twelve nations. Most of them have forgotten their roots; they think of themselves as Gentiles and Christians. Their story is important because God is demonstrating to the sons of God/angels in heaven His wisdom in teaching rebellious children—His people, bringing them to repentance and giving them His saving grace. While fallen sons of God in heaven do not have a salvation plan, all of mankind do. The reason is because the angels sinned intentionally and mankind, for the most part, is deceived. God’s people will be an example of righteousness for the rest of the world after their time of great distress is complete.
God is transparent. He is the Great Teacher. For our learning, He uses imagery that is all around us on earth to mirror something spiritual. For example, all of the different trees on earth mirror different types of leaders in heaven. God uses trees because they are very tall, their roots penetrate deep into the ground providing stability and strength. God is illustrating the righteous sons of God in heaven who are highly trained in His law; they are stable and strong because they apply His law, live by His law and judge righteously by His law. God’s use of parables, parallels, mirroring, numbers and stories all work to maximize our learning.
The stories recorded in the both the Old Testament and the New of the patriarch’s and their wives and children, as well as, the prophets and many ordinary named and unnamed people all reveal a spiritual story that is important. The Apostle John said at the end of his book that Jesus did many things and if all of them were written down, it would fill the world with books. Only a select few were saved. These select few are the most, very important stories and they require a careful and prayerful read.
SharingSharpens is a library of studies. It is a quiet place for anyone seeking to satisfy their curiosity or simply a resource to reinforce or test a teaching. expand a view, or trigger thoughts that lead to questioning existing beliefs, ideas or traditions. Everyone is welcome.
This site houses over 200 Biblical studies with a focus of understanding scriptures through God's language, His use of imagery, numbers, mirroring, parallels and parables.
Studies include:
Review of the history of the kingdom of Israel: house of Judah and house of Israel
The Sabbath and Holy Days
God's law and His grace
Aliens or gods?
The fallen angels
Prophecy
Studies on the lives of key people who mirror significant spiritual stories.
Long before events have happened, God foretold the event. All prophecy is preserved to be a tool of warning, a vision of understanding, a strength of endurance, a resource of wisdom to pray for God's strength and remain strong under persecution.
The book of Daniel and the book of Revelation are rich sources. God's imagery is careful. Apply the keys of His language to sharpen your understanding, then watch world events and warn those who listen.
The "little horn" of Daniel is key in the final great battle. He is key to every study.
God desires to share the spiritual world with mankind. What is there cannot be fully described or understood with using imagery, numbers, parallels, parables, mirroring, pictures and stories.
These keys reveal the missing pieces to the great puzzle. Like scroll rolling back the sky, these key open up the world in heaven to readers on earth.
Suddenly, the pieces are fills, the colours are vibrant, the details are clear, and the picture is far, far bigger than ever anticipated.
Learn the code.
Joshua cried out to God to stop the sun and moon, so the battle would finish in that day. God obeyed. Will this happen again?
Resting with Almighty God on His Sabbath is living at peace with Him. The comfort of that day is incomparable to any other day of the week.
Chosen to live a life that mirrors the powerful messages of Almighty God, the Great Creator is an honour few realized at that time, and sadly, few see into the 21st century.
God's mysteries reveal His detailed plan for His people, and all of mankind preserved in 66 books, written by 44 people.
When "God" created, it involved two spirit beings: God, the Father and God, the Son.
Through the power of the Father, the Son created.
The Son is devoted to the Father and loves righteousness. The creation in heaven and on earth is the birth of the God family.
At the end of the age, a new heaven and a new earth will be created and then, all members of God's family will be transformed in their glorious bodies and they will create and expand, growing God's kingdom into eternity.
Videos can be viewed on Youtube or Rumble. Topics:
IMPORTANT STUDY: Jesus Christ, DIVINE
Son of God, High Priest, Son of man, King of kings and Lord of lords
Studies can be viewed via video, see video tab.
One of the many wonders of creation’s Great God is His ability to know the future. From this knowledge, our Creator formulated plans for a family-kingdom—a holy, royal, ruling God-family. He foreknew the great fall in heaven and its influence over earth, pulling mankind into sin with them. He foreknew the weakness of His people that He gave to himself as an inheritance—His kingship over them. He foreknew the redemption of mankind and His gift of grace. He foreknew the rise of a Queen, wife of His beloved Son. The rise of an everlasting family-kingdom over all creation in heaven and on earth was foreknown. The ruling-three: God the Father, God the Son and the Bride/Wife of the Son was foreknown before creation. Accepting Christ’s offer of redemption and God’s gift of grace to be family members in the holy, royal, ruling God-family remains a choice for all of mankind, today.
Scriptural proofs to key questions uncover God’s foreknowledge and His maneuvers to fulfill His plan for an impenetrable and sound eternal God-kingdom comprised of repentant, righteous mankind and tested, righteous spiritual beings in heaven.
KNOWN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD: DARKNESS AND SIN
Before the creation in heaven and on earth began, the Son of God accepted the role of Saviour of mankind knowing sin would enter and cover mankind on earth.
“For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you” (Isaiah 60:2).
“But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake” (I Peter 1:15-20).
Before the creation in heaven and on earth began, the Son of God accepted the role of Saviour of mankind knowing sin would enter and cover mankind on the earth.
“For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you” (Isaiah 60:2).
KNOWN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD: A SACRIFICE
The beloved Son of God was prepared to put his spiritual life on the line to save mankind. No greater love has been expressed than when the Son accepted to be the sacrifice to pay the price for the sins of mankind—before creation began.
Through the Son’s perfect sacrifice, the Great Creator God has implemented grace, wrapping His legal structure in compassion, patience and love. Everything was foreknown to the Father in heaven. This was the most effective way to test and fortify in righteousness the souls that would comprise of God’s holy, royal and ruling family—for all eternity.
KNOWN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD: GRACE
“For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In loveHe predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One” (Ephesians 1:4-6).
KNOWN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD: SALVATION FOR MANKIND/THE SECOND CREATION
God’s kingdom ruled by Jesus Christ, the beloved Son, has not yet been established. Every member of this eternal royal, holy family has not yet been realized; it is still being determined and formed. At the completion of the set time, the first born into God’s kingdom will be a breath-taking event and a fearful awakening for those who remain mortal.
“Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’” (Matthew 25:34).
People called by God and chosen because they have faith in the promises of God. They will live forever as members of the ruling, royal God-family.
“When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).
“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life” (Ephesians 2:10).
All of this was foreknown by God, our Father in heaven and every attempt made by Satan to destroy mankind has been used by God to mold, test and strengthen those who accept the guiding hand of God.
“He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).
Grace is the gift God has woven into His perfected kingdom that stands as a fortress of law. Grace is core to God’s fortress-kingdom that radiates out good will and love to all, everywhere.
KNOWN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD: THE ROYAL, RULING THREE
This kingdom was planned before creation began. It has been designed to be led by a divine three: God Almighty as supreme head, Jesus Christ second and King over all kings and Lord over all lords and third will be the Bride/Wife—the body of Christ. These three will rule over all creation in heaven and on earth.
WHO IS THE BRIDE/CHRIST’S WIFE-TO-BE?
Indeed, the big question is WHO.
All of mankind has been purchased by Jesus Christ through his redemptive sacrifice on the cross. From within this large body of people on earth, a small group, throughout time, have developed an eternal bond through faith and belief. These are the men and women who will form the Bride/Christ’s wife-to-be.
This body is referred to as his church—a theological body, but not everyone in “the church” will be the Bride/Christ’s wife-to-be. Among the mysteries of God spoken of by the Apostle Paul, the relationship of the Son with a theological body of men and women referred to as “the church” is mirrored in the loving and righteous relationship of a married man and woman. The Apostle Paul unveiled this profound mystery.
“For we are members of His body. For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:30-32).
Christ will marry the church—the saints within a theological body of people who remain faithful even until death during times of peace and great distress. This body of men and women will rise up above the average member with qualities and strengths that are rare and precious to God.
Christ’s death on the cross paid the penalty for the sins of all of mankind. It also paid the dowry for a special body of men and women. The gift of grace has been given. These theological specialists will be the first to be transformed into their glorious and radiant eternal bodies.
The wedding will take place after Christ returns to earth. At this time, the whole earth will be in turmoil before the royal wedding. The last few minutes of the great battle will be a time when an extremely distressed rebel alliance of fallen heavenly rulers will be raging and grabbing to hold onto their power over the earth but fail as they attempt to subdue the might of Jesus Christ, the King over all kings and Almighty God. These heavenly rebels fight as if it could be possible to overthrow the Supreme Great God.
God’s wrath will bring an end the great prostitute riding the beast. She will be overthrown by the fallen beastly alliance from heaven. This great prostitute is a theological entity that lures people into worshipping false gods, practicing heinous rituals and believing a false salvation plan. “In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints, and of all who have been killed on earth” (Revelation 18:24). This masquerading church preaching a false theology will be ruthless and relentless.
The beastly alliance wants full control and all power. This woman on their back is a thorn in their flesh. “And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and burn her with fire” (Revelation 17:16). After the beastly alliance unveils her “nakedness,” which is God’s image for wrongful behaviour, they destroy her. For God will “put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God’s words are fulfilled. The woman you saw is the great city that rulers over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 17:17-18).
This great city will come into a clear view soon. The saints will declare God’s truth, His word. They will stand strong against her lies and deception. They will proclaim the testimony of Jesus and remain the formidable force against her.
When this religious rival is destroyed, the Lamb—the One who won the rulership over the nations through his perfect and redemptive sacrifice on the cross, will then fight against the rebel beastly coalition. “With him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers” (Revelation 17:14). These called, chosen and faithful followers are seemingly those in the first resurrection. They are Christ’s bride who include those who fled under God’s protection into the wilderness for 1,260 days—for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach (Revelation 12:14b). These men and women will be made ready; the spots, wrinkles and blemishes—their theological imperfections will be corrected.
This body of people are described with the Philadelphia group who are kept from “the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on earth” (Revelation 3:10). The hour of trial corresponds with the same period of time that the ten kings who had not yet received a kingdom (promised previously), “for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast” (Revelation 17:12).
After the fall and destruction of the great prostitute, creation in heaven will roar with praises to Almighty God. Justice and vengeance will take place. The great prostitute will have attempted to replace God’s faithful church and enforce their own saving plan for mankind. Foolish Wickedness will feel the sting of Almighty God’s hand. Job understood and said, “I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2). The archenemy of God’s faithful church will be judged, sentenced and destroyed.
The wedding of the Son of God is then announced, “‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.’ (For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints)” (Revelation 19:6b-8).
WHO ARE THE PEOPLE INVITED TO THE WEDDING BANQUET?
Immediately after the wedding of Christ and his bride is announced, an important message is delivered. The angel with the Apostle John said, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God’” (Revelation 19:9).
A different group of people are invited in to the wedding banquet. Who are these people?
The parable of the ten virgins is key to identifying those who are invited into the wedding banquet. “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut” (Matthew 25:10).
THE BACKSTORY
The parable of the ten virgins holds many deep secrets about God’s people. They have a very long history of rebellion against their King, the Almighty God. The lineage of these people began with Abraham, Isaac and from Isaac the lineage went through Jacob, not Esau, and from Jacob twelve sons. These twelve sons carry the long history of people who were known as Israelites comprised of twelve tribes. In a revolt against the high taxes imposed on the people by King Solomon, their kingdom fractured under the reign of King Rehoboam into two houses [Judah and Israel] in 922 BCE. The house of Israel fell due to their continual rebel leadership who opposed God. They were eventually divorced from the covenant family. The ancient prophets were distressed by the fracture and falling kingdom and longed to see the prophesied Saviour who would come to save them and restore all things. The Son of God, Jesus Christ died on the cross and paid the penalty for sin allowing the divorced house to be redeemed and brought back into the covenant family, together again, with the house of Judah. While the kingdom remains fractured today into twelve nations, each with their own language, all of them are redeemed along with the nations of the world. God’s focus is to continue with His plan to re-unite the kingdom of Israel. He is working to establish a kingdom of holy, royal priests comprised of all twelve tribes, today, twelve nations who will be a model of righteousness for all nations on earth under the rulership of Jesus Christ.
TEN VIRGINS, GOD IS NOT TALKING TO ALL TWELVE
The parable of the ten virgins should be twelve virgins if God was talking to all twelve tribes, but in the parable, He is talking only to ten redeemed groups. They are identified as “virgins” because they are redeemed, no longer worshipping fallen gods in heaven. Two redeemed groups are different from the ten. They are not asleep at that time.
The parable begins with “At that time” the kingdom of heaven is like ten virgins. “At that time” is identifying exactly when two virgins are not asleep, but actively overcoming. They remember the words of God, “He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son” (Revelation 21:7). Ten redeemed groups of God’s people will have fallen into complacency. They are not overcoming today. They will awaken fully around Christ’s return realizing their lack of spiritual growth.
“At that time” a lot of highly significant events happen. God’s people will enter into the great distress of Jacob’s trouble—the Great Tribulation.
“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time” (Daniel 12:1).
God’s people will awaken in a fright. Fifty percent will regret their complacency, but be grateful for God’s enduring mercy. They will be able to rekindle their passion for God’s word and his law and prove their faith before Jesus Christ, the groom. Fifty percent will recognize their total neglect of the word of God and his law and hasten to learn and prove some level of faithfulness. The foolish will not enter the wedding supper of Jesus Christ and the bride, but come into judgement before Almighty God with tears and supplications. These foolish, will come from all of the twelve tribes from the house of Israel and the house of Judah and beseech Almighty God for forgiveness and grace.
“In those days, at that time, the people of Israel and the people of Judah together will go in tears to seek the Yahuah [YHWH], their God. They will ask the way of Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and bind themselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten” (Jeremiah 50:4-5).
Almighty God in His great kindness and love for His people, He will forgive them and save them. These are the people who will have been taken into captivity and scattered among the nations and slaves. They will be ridiculed and heavy mocked. Almighty God will have compassion on them.
“At that time, I will gather you; at that time, I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes" (Zephaniah 3:20).
In vengeance, Almighty God will repay them for their extra suffering under the oppression of the nations where they were sent. “At that time, I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame; I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they have suffered shame” (Zephaniah 3:19).
The whole world will learn that the God of the twelve nations of Israel is the Supreme God, the Almighty. “For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations. And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; and they have divided up My land. They have also cast lots for My people, traded a boy for a harlot, and sold a girl for wine that they may drink” (Joel 3:1-3).
God’s people will bend their knee before their Creator, the Great God of all creation. “At that time, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be My people (Jeremiah 31:1).
The people from the two houses: Judah and Israel imaged as ten virgins will not be part of the first resurrection but return home to the land of their patriarch, Jacob and establish a righteous kingdom under the millennial reign of Christ.
This evil age is working to distract and entangle people into the cares of this world. Soon, the great harlot will rise and offer mankind an alternative saviour. With miracles and wonders, this evil character will lure mankind away from God. The faithful will not be deceived. During this time, they will be warning people against engaging in her trade. Mankind has only one Saviour, the Son of God.
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (I John 5:3-5)
Overcoming is placing Almighty God and His word and Law first and living by it. Overcoming is nurturing a close relationship with Almighty God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Overcoming is the bending of our knee in humble service before our Great Creator and Saviour. Overcoming is loving God, our Saviour and one another. Overcoming fortifies our faith and trust in God.
God will have compassion on the ten virgins. Both groups will be saved.
“For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again He will choose Israel and settle them in their own land. The foreigner will join them and unite with the house of Jacob” (Isaiah 14:1).
God references Jacob separate from Israel. Rember in Isaiah 14, God refers to “them” not “him.” Being identified under the name of Jacob are the foolish fifty percent who had not overcome in time for the wedding banquet. The patriarch Jacob’s name was changed after he wrestled with the angel of the LORD for a blessing—the blessing of life, saving from his war-like brother Esau and warriors with him. Jacob knew the angel of the LORD was key to his saving. His determination was recognized and the angel changed his name to Israel.
Then the man [the angel of the LORD] said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed” (Genesis 32:28).
Hosea recorded, “In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel; as a man he struggled with God. He struggled with the angel and overcame him; he wept and begged for his favor” (Hosea 12:3-4).
The begging for eternal life and favour will be made by all of the returning twelve tribes of Israel who are not part of the first resurrection. The reality of eternal life, Almighty God, Jesus Christ and the witness of the transformation from mortal to spiritual of those in the first resurrection will cause these twelve tribes to grab onto Jesus Christ, the Old Testament angel of the LORD and beg for life eternal. They will weep; they will submit in reverence to their God and Saviour.
“In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave to your fathers as an inheritance” (Jeremiah 3:18).
God will gather them to the north and judge them according to His law. They will be gathered to that direction because God's throne and His law courts reside in the north in heaven. Directions have meaning to God. His temple is in the east. Rebels are pushed to live in the west and law-breakers are thrown down south, deep underground in inner earth.
God provides clear detail through Ezekiel. “And I will bring you into the wilderness of the nations, where I will enter into judgment with you face to face. Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you, declares the Lord GOD. I will make you pass under the rod and will bring you into the bond of the covenant. And I will purge you of those who rebel and transgress against Me. I will bring them out of the land in which they dwell, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 20:35-38).
God will choose Israel, the overcomers and have compassion on those who have not yet fully overcome. He will bring both groups into His Holy Land under the rule of Jesus Christ.
Our loving God assures His people. “But now, this is what the LORD says—he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).
Notice God is reminding the people who have not yet fully overcome that He is their Creator and Israel, the overcomers, are formed—molded by the very hands of God through Jesus Christ into a new person—a humble servant of God.
Despite the troubled journey of God’s people: their rebellions and their race for self-glory, self-reliance and self-direction, God endured and never rejected them. “But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend— I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said, ‘You are My servant.’ I have chosen and not rejected you” (Isaiah 41:8-9).
Into the 21st century, the West and western Europe may have forgotten that the whole book of Hosea is addressing them with the Jewish house of Judah.
God foresaw them coming from the west where He pushed them. “They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west” (Hosea 11:10).
Some might say, “that is not us.” Hosea recorded God’s force like the infamous, powerful east wind that pushes everything in its path west. “The guilt of Ephraim [the ten tribes of Israel, the house of Israel] is stored up, his sins are kept on record… he is a child without wisdom… Though he flourishes among the reeds, an east wind will come. The wind of the Lord coming up from the wilderness; and his fountain will become dry and his spring will be dried up; it will plunder his treasury of every precious article” (Hosea 13:12a, 13b, 15).
God admits to pushing them westward. In that day, God prophesied, “Like an east wind I will scatter them before the enemy; I will show them My back and not My face in the day of their calamity” (Jeremiah 18:17).
God’s temple is located in the east. God’s use of imagery points in the direction of his temple—His place where righteousness rules. So, in God’s righteous judgement, He has pushed the house of Israel in the opposite direction of Him over hundreds of years because they persisted on living the way they wanted to live—in sin.
The east wind pushes westward. They were pushed so far westward, that they became identified as the West and western Europe. China is located in the east, but it is not identified under the sole name of the East. No other country on earth can be solely identified with the name of a specific direction. The West is known as a specific group of people—all of the English-speaking people who, combined, are the house of Joseph, leader of the ten tribes of Israel. God pushed the leading house of the ten tribes westward, all the way to the edge. It is indicative of how far they had fallen away from God at one time. All of the countries that comprise the West, will repent and return to worship God Almighty forever never to fall away again. Western Europe will follow them.
Again, Hosea recorded God’s prophecy, “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon, he will send down his roots; his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon…” (Hosea 14:4-6).
God foresees His people maturing spiritually, sending down roots like cedar trees deep and stable. The fragrance of the cedar tree deters pests; the fragrance of spiritually strong and stable individual deters evil. The splendor of an olive tree is that it bears fruit well into its old age; the spiritually mature individual will be a priest/priestess of righteousness living well into their old age. All this begins in the west. “In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘children of the living God. The people of Judah and the people of Israel will be reunited, and they will appoint one leader [King David] and will come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel” (Hosea 1:10b-11).
God added, “Say to your brothers, ‘My people,’ and of your sisters, ‘My loved one’” (Hosea 2:1).
A NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH
Despite so much that ancient Israel was given from God, they rejected the great calling to become a humble kingdom of holy, royal priests.
Into the 21st century, the people of Israel will beg and weep to become God’s model kingdom of humble, holy, royal priests. Those who wrestle with Christ and prevail and be welcomed into God’s eternal, holy, royal, ruling God-family.
The new Jerusalem will be comprised of the spiritual strength of the mother church for all eternity. These people are the wife of the Lamb. The angel said to the Apostle John, “‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb,’ and he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God” (Revelation 21:9-10).
The foundation of this mother church will be the prophets and prophetesses, the righteous judges in ancient times, righteous kings of old, the apostles, the saints and all men and women who have died under duress or persecution standing unmoved in their faith and trust in God. Every member will form layers upon layers of strength. Their radiance and glory will be intensified as the unified body works as one. They will be part of the highest government in all existence participating in decisions, operations and future planning with Almighty God and Jesus Christ.
“And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed in the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head” (Revelation 12:1).
This image of a woman is describing a radiant and glorified church comprised of members from all twelve tribes of Israel exercising rulership. She is wearing a crown. The number twelve is symbolic of a perfect government. This body from all twelve tribes will exercise perfect leadership and governance. The formation of this church is a great sign in heaven—a clear picture of the success that a theological body of men and women who will rise up out of darkness and mature to lead all churches [the lesser lights] forever.
“She was pregnant and crying out in pain and agony of giving birth… The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, ready to devour her child as soon as she gave birth. And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter” (Revelation 12:2a, 4b-5a). This pure church gave birth to the Son of God, the redeemer of mankind, the King over all kings and Lord over all lords. It embraced and upheld the theology of God.
“The woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place for her to be nourished for 1,260 days” (Revelation 12:6). The body of men and women in the last days will be protected on earth in a place where they can be corrected and cleansed of all misunderstanding and misconceptions of scripture.
“The woman was given two wings of a great eagle to fly from the presence of the serpent to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, and times, and half a time” (Revelation 12:14). This church is given God’s supernatural power, the wings of a great eagle, to fly from the presence of the serpent where she is taught for three and a half years.
“And the dragon was enraged at the woman, and went to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea” (Revelation 12:17).
The daughter churches of this mother church are not part of the bride because they are asleep; they are not overcoming at that time. They will awaken during the Great Tribulation and return to their Hebraic roots, teaching and living as Jesus did on earth. They will be attacked by Satan because they are keeping the commandments of God and holding to the testimony of Jesus. They will be strengthened during this time of trouble; they are the “Israel” in the book of Isaiah and the overcoming people during the time of distress.
God’s plan cannot be thwarted; He will succeed. His people will become a holy kingdom of royal, ruling priests/priestesses. The wife of Christ will be coronated a Queen and she will rule with her husband, the King over all kings, and Lord over all lords. His Queen will specialize in theological righteousness, which will be tightly woven into God’s law and result in the application of love—God’s love.
Our Great Creator will sit on His throne watching the growth of His family-kingdom through the righteous leadership of His Son with his radiant Queen-wife-mother church. God’s Holy Spirit will flow generously from Him through His Son out into his wife and to all members of the God-family. New creations will take place. The family-kingdom will expand with no limits, no boundaries growing and expanding exponentially into countess many reflecting the full image of the Great God.
MYSTERY #9: THE MYSTERY OF "INIQUITY/LAWLESSNESS"
As the "Mystery of our Godliness" is Christ who came in the flesh, so the "Mystery of Iniquity" is a hybrid life form, a “son” of Satan—the Antichrist who is the little horn in Daniel who will appear for all of the world to see. He is the mystery of lawlessness—his vile spirit will be poured out and absorbed by those who refuse the truth—who rebel against Almighty God and Jesus Christ. The Antichrist, the little horn, is a rebel spiritual being who will manifest himself in a glorious fashion coming down from heaven claiming to be the saviour of all of mankind.
The Archangel Michael restrains this vile character today, but when he receives the order to step away, the people on earth will see and experience a type of wickedness so terrifying and horrible they will shudder and hide. “And you know what is now restraining him, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now restrains it will continue until he is taken out of the way” (II Thessalonians 2:6-7).
Daniel recorded this 21st century event. “At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered” (Daniel 12:1).
The inhabitants whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the earth will rejoice and lavishly worship the beast, taking his mark of loyalty to lap up corruption and deceit (Revelation 13:8).
We see people today bent on destruction. They knowingly participate in all sorts of financial corruption, wrongful activities, strange practices and many openly worship Satan. When Jesus said, “Father, forgive them because they do not know what they are doing” he was referring to all of the spiritually lost people then and today.
God’s plan is meticulously marked. The mystery of iniquity/lawlessness will be revealed at the time Almighty God has planned. The Apostle Paul said that lawlessness is already at work. Into the 21st century, it is referred to as lawfare—the weaponization of the legal system. Corrupt and evil, powerful people are operating above the law and being protected by rogue judges, politicians, police and the vast array of supporters with them. The law does not restrain them from achieving what they want; they are not charged or convicted. They twist the law to bring charges against innocent people to destroy them financially and prevent them from going against them. They bring charges when there is no victim or offense. They create charges out of nothing to attack and neutralize their opponent. They are ruthless and relentless. They have no shame in their actions or remorse, instead their lawless actions do not end even when they achieve their outcome. They serve the mystery of iniquity.
The heavenly rebels know God’s Law; they are experts. The little horn in Daniel—the Antichrist will attempt to twist and abuse God’s Law to try to set a precedent that will pardon him and his allies of their lawlessness. Almighty God keeps His own Law. They will falsely accuse Him, try to change the interpretation of His Law to convict Him and Jesus Christ. God, the Supreme and All-Powerful God will allow this rebel success for a time in order to convict him and his allies with Satan and all who in heaven follow this rebel. God is testing creation in heaven as well as the people on earth.
Planned before creation, Almighty God foreknew the outcome of all things. A rebellion in heaven was foreknown. God, the Great Creator, drew up the set times within His grand plan for creation in heaven and on earth. God allows choices. With choices are consequences—blessings and curses. God Almighty knew rebels would try to usurp His rule. He knew He would have to build a legal case against them. He knew it would involve a terrifying war in heaven that would spillover onto earth. Mankind will be rudely awakened when these rebels arrive on earth.
Daniel described this rebel little horn in detail. He will grow in might and power in heaven and sit as a king for a time, times and half. He will play the key role in the final battle on earth. Satan will hand over his throne, power and great authority to the little horn (Revelation 13:2b) and watch on the side lines. “He [the little horn] will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time” (Daniel 7:25).
One of the key words in that verse is “intending.” The little horn will speak against the Almighty God and persecute the saints with the intension of perverting the authority of the Supreme God and trumping up false charges full of lies while persecuting the saints forever if he could because they stand strong with the Great Creator, the Supreme, Almighty God. The saints who survive will suffer mockery, ridicule and intense persecution from the little horn—the Antichrist with his coalition of fallen, heavenly rulers.
At this time, the little horn of Daniel will behave like a cornered beast desperately trying to change the times allocated by Almighty God who, alone, has allowed a time of great distress into His grand plan for all creation in heaven and on earth. He will also try to change laws—God’s laws that lead to God’s judgement and sentencing. He will try, through twisting and perverting God’s Law, the creation of his own rules to set a precedent that would allow for his pardon and the freeing of his rebel allies, will be attempted. He will fail because he is not the God of all gods; he is not the eternal Law-maker, he is not the Great Creator and he cannot alter God’s plan.
Time, times and a half has been allocated to the little horn at the close of this evil age to test the loyalty of all creation in both heaven and on earth. He will be successful only because he is allowed this set time. What God has determined must take place (Daniel 11:36b).
During the three-and-a-half-year reign of terror of this little horn—the Antichrist, he will:
· Rise in power in heaven and war against the army of the heavens
· Enjoy some success, “throwing some of the starry host down to the earth and trampling on them” (Daniel 8:10)
· Set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the army of God [Jesus Christ] and stop his daily work bringing it down to insignificance (Daniel 8:11).
This event will try the faith of Christians everywhere. Always remember, God is in charge regardless of events that are allowed to occur for a short time. God is building a legal case against all who war against Him.
The little horn—the Antichrist will:
The Apostle John warned Christians to be aware of this vile character during the deceitful final years of this evil age who will declare himself to be the Saviour of mankind and a Creator.
"Who is the liar, but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son. Every one that denies the Son does not have the Father. The one who confesses the Son, truly has the Father also" (1 John 2:22-23).
The Antichrist will impersonate all of the unique origins and achievements of the true Saviour of mankind. He will claim to be a descendant from the line of King David. He will appear to be resurrected after being fatally wounded. He will bring a false Elijah to turn the hearts of mankind into complete lawlessness. He will make Jerusalem the capital of his world-ruling government and establish his rule with deceptive miracles and wonders that will be performed by the second beast, a false prophet. He will interpret the Mosaic Law through his own lens and proclaim world peace.
He will use God’s method of recognition and copy it. The faithful Philadelphia group of men and women are promised by Jesus Christ to have names written on their foreheads. He said, “I will put the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name” (Revelation 3:12b).
This rebel with place a mark on the right hand or on the forehead of those who commit to his system of business and lifestyle and worship him. "And the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the freemen and the slaves, allow it [the Antichrist's state religion] to give them a mark on their right hand, or on their foreheads: so that none can buy or sell, except they have the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of its name. Here is wisdom. Let him having reason count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and its number is six hundred and sixty-six" (Revelation 13:16-18).
The inhabitants on the earth who take the mark, or his name or number on their right hand or on their foreheads and worship the idol will be killed by Jesus Christ, the rider on the white horse (Revelation 19:20-21). The acceptance of a mark, name or number on their right hand or forehead is a wilful allegiance to live in their political and economic system. The worshipping of the idol of the beast is pledging loyalty to the head of the beast.
The mystery of iniquity/lawlessness is the establishment of a one-world ruling government where the supreme ruler will be the Antichrist described as the little horn by Daniel. He will work to establish his own interpretation of God’s Law and attempt to subdue the Almighty God and Jesus Christ to change the set times, to extend his own rulership beyond a time, times and half a time, which God Almighty has fixed in His grand plan for all creation.
This foolish rebel will fail. When this beastly coalition feels that have everything under their control, they will take their stand against Jesus Christ, Prince of princes. They will be quickly overpowered “not by human power” (Daniel 8:25b) but by the King over all kings and Lord over all lords.
These battles between very powerful spiritual beings will be visible to all people on earth. Watching the saints being subdued and persecuted during the great tribulation and the rebel spiritual powers taking control over the whole earth, will be terrifying for those who stand against wickedness. This beastly alliance will target the twelve nations that comprise of God’s people. Some will be taken into captivity, others killed, and all of them will be mercilessly mocked and belittled publicly everywhere. It will require, as Jesus prophesied, “patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints” (Revelation 13:10).
Put your trust in God’s plan. For a time, the work of Jesus Christ in heaven will be halted for 2,300 days and nights, the reign of terror of the Antichrist will be allowed for the set time, persecution, captivity, suffering and death, mockery and ridicule will target God’s people. All this is needed to awaken God’s people and bring them into a deep repentance and turn to Him. He will rescue them and His plan to establish His kingdom of priests will be achieved. This kingdom will be a light to the world and the nations will turn and ask to come in under the allegiance of the Great, Almighty God—their Creator.
The mystery of our godliness is the Holy Spirit of God flowing through Christ in you because you have accepted Jesus Christ as your saviour. You now can hear his voice and learn from him. The mystery of iniquity/lawlessness is the false Messiah attempting to establish a one-world government reign of terror for those who keep God’s Law and His way. These mysteries were fully understood by the Apostle Paul who taught them to the lost tribes of Israel. In love with the word of God, they carefully preserved his letters of instruction into the Bible that we have today.
PART 5
· The mystery of God’s will is the mystery of the restoration of all things
MYSTERY #10 THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S WILL IS THE MYSTERY OF THE RESTORATION OF ALL THINGS
The Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 1: “And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ” (Ephesians 1:9-10).
Mystery of His will, that is the will of Almighty God, reveals that at the end of the fullness of times, it is God’s purpose to restore all things, as they were before the rebellion of Satan and the fall of man.
“Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets” (Acts 3:21).
Compiled concisely, Chris Moen from LifeHope&Truth.com provides the sequence of events in the mystery of the restoration of all things:
THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS:
1. Christ’s returns in all His glory and the whole world sees Him. “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:29-30).
2. The first resurrection of the righteous who will rule with Christ for 1,000 years. They are the first to experience a fully restored relationship with God. “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming” (I Corinthians 15:22-23).
“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19).
Satan’s kingdom will be banished. “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out” (John 12:31).
3. A New Thing! Here God calls His restoration “a new thing” because it will be new for those experiencing it, and the relationship He will have with humanity will exceed the one He had with Adam and Eve. Though offered the opportunity to have the close relationship with God, Adam and Eve foolishly decided to make their own decisions apart from God. They turned their backs on the relationship that would have provided them peace and eternal life. (Chris Moen)
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing [restoring all things]! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19).
4. Recovery from Sin. All who repent, all who call out on His name shall be saved. “And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved” (Joel 2:32).
5. A new covenant with Israel and the whole world. This new covenant, which represents having a peaceful, reconciled relationship with God, is not limited to Israelites. Eventually, as Psalm 22:27 notes, “all the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all families of the nations shall worship before You.”
My added point here is that the new covenant is simply repentant people willingly obeying all that has been already commanded. It is made possible by the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit to everyone who repents. Now the stubborn heart of stone transforms into a heart of love. God’s law will be kept, peace will cover them and righteousness will prevail.
6. Lands and cities restored – the Millennium will be a period of massive rehabilitation over the earth. Once the sins of kingdom of Israel—that is, all twelve tribes of Israel, are forgiven, God will cause their land to be restored to beauty like the Garden of Eden.
“On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. … So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited’” (Ezekiel 36:33, 35).
21st century Israel—all twelve nations today who survive Jacob’s time of great distress will learn to obey God. They will marvel at the abundance and the beautification that God will bring to them. “O Judah and Israel, so will I save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong” (Zechariah 8:13).
The God of Israel show compassion to these people who suffer captivity and repent. God foresees the blessings that He will bestow on them. “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people” (Zechariah 8:12).
God warns these people again to live according to His law and way. “These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgement in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbour, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the LORD (Zechariah 8:16-17).
7. It will be a time of healing and long life. The Millennium will be a time of learning God’s ways. God’s government will be centered at Jerusalem and will gradually span across the globe as both spiritual and physical blindness are removed (Isaiah 11:9; 60:1-3; Micah 4:2-3; John 12:40).
Physical healing will bring spiritual growth. “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing” (Isaiah 35:5-6).
During this marvelous time God will bless people with long lives, affording them the opportunity to know their grandchildren and have sufficient time to learn and live God’s way of life (Zechariah 8:4-5).”
8. God’s Sabbaths will be restored. At the end of the creation week, God blessed, made holy and rested on the seventh day of the week (Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:11). The same weekly Sabbath that was ordained at the beginning will be observed as a day of rest and worship for all peoples.
God’s annual Sabbaths will also be observed (Exodus 31:12-13; Zechariah 14:16-19). As God declares, “From one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me” (Isaiah 66:23).
9. Second resurrection When the thousand-year reign of Christ comes to an end, “the rest of the dead” (Revelation 20:5)—those who had previously lived and died not understanding God’s way of life—will have an opportunity to be reconciled to God. These people will be given an opportunity to learn God’s laws, repent of their sins, receive God’s Holy Spirit and eventually be granted eternal life (Joel 2:28).
God’s desire is for everyone to repent, to be reconciled to Him and to become part of His family forever. This period of time after the Millennium is often referred to as the second resurrection or the time of the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11).
10. New heavens and a new earth God announced through the prophet Isaiah: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17).
Hundreds of years later, Peter spoke of this coming event. After warning us to watch our personal conduct and to practice godliness in preparation for the return of Jesus Christ, Peter spoke of the coming “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (II Peter 3:10-13). This is yet another time of restoration.
The Greek word Peter used for “new” in verse 13 is ‘kainos,’ which refers to a state of freshness, as in renewal. The earth will thus be made “new,” or renewed or restored, by God. The heavens will likewise be made “new” by the same process. This future renewal of the current heaven and earth is described in Psalm 102:25-26 as if they were like an old garment being replaced with a new one. This will be the time when New Jerusalem comes down from heaven (Revelation 21:1-2).
11. All curses will be removed. When Adam and Eve rejected God’s instructions in the Garden of Eden, they lost access to the tree of life. They and all humanity, which followed their example of rejecting God, would temporarily be subjected to a curse on the earth, bringing a life of toil and the dying process. Because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, God said, “Cursed is the ground for your sake. … Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you” (Genesis 3:17-18; also see Romans 5:12).
God will eventually remove every curse on man saying, “There shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him” (Revelation 22:3).
Finally, because there will be no more sin, “there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things [will] have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
Paul explains that after the resurrection of all who have ever lived, the final curse and enemy of God’s creation—death itself—will come to an end (Isaiah 25:8; 1 Corinthians 15:26, 54). God the Father will then make the earth His home as well. As a voice from heaven announces in conjunction with the arrival of the new heaven and new earth, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God” (Revelation 21:3).
12. Tree of Life is offered again. When Adam and Eve were removed from the Garden of Eden because of disobedience, they lost access to the tree of life, which represented eternal life. Adam and Eve’s descendants—all humanity—likewise lost access to this tree because of their sins.
Part of the restoration, as Jesus Christ explained, is that this same tree of life will be made available again: “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7).
And speaking of those who would dwell in New Jerusalem, John wrote, “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14).
Final study point by Chris Moen. We have an awesome future. Christ’s glorious and triumphant return begins the majestic story of restoring all things. In the first phase, those who overcome in this age will be the first to obtain eternal life.
Then, as Satan is banished for a thousand years, God will begin pouring out His Spirit in abundance to all who repent of their sins. All nations will be taught that God’s way works. When God’s laws are kept, peace, joy, prosperity and longevity will follow.
Then a great multitude of people will be raised from the dead and offered eternal life for the very first time.
After that, a new heaven and a new earth will come into being. Every curse will be forever removed, and evil will be eradicated from God’s entire creation. God will make His home with mankind on the earth, and the tree of life will be made available again.
Speaking of this time, the One sitting on the throne says, “Behold, I make all things new. … It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 21:5-6).
God has revealed His wonderful plan to those faithful believers who anticipate the coming “times of restoration of all things.” Now this study was done by Chris Moen at lifehopeandtruth.com.
http://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/end-times/restoration-of-all-things/
Summary of the mysteries of God
The Apostle Paul found ten mysteries of God. It all began with Jesus Christ’s conquest over sin which set into motion God’s redemption plan for mankind. The ancient prophets knew that God’s people would be redeemed, but the mystery throughout time was how? How would the divorced house of Israel be redeemed? How would the Jews come to accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour? How would all of mankind be saved?
God’s legal system is the core structure of all creation. Satan snared Adam and Eve into sinning. They thought they knew best. They with all of their children throughout time fell under the Law of Sin with the penalty of death. Jesus Christ’s sacrifice of his sinless life paid that penalty for mankind. God Almighty resurrected him and he was anointed King over all kings and Lord over all lords.
A very important point rarely reviewed, is the overthrow of these gone-rogue heavenly rulers given kingship over the nations at the time of Babel. Jesus Christ won their rulership; he dethroned and imprisoned them. The rulership over the nations changed hands when a perfect Saviour was successful.
The Great Tribulation, Jacob’s time of trouble, will complete the legal case against all but one of the remaining rebel heavenly rulers allied with Satan. The world is not prepared for what is coming. It will be like a time like no other on earth since the nations were established at Babel.
After this event, the bride, a special, faithful body of men and women, will marry Christ. They will rule together, as a monarchy over the two realms: heaven and earth. They will form a royal ruling body of three: God our Father in heaven as supreme head, Jesus Christ as the body of God and head of the bride.
The kingdom of Israel is presently fractured. Twelve nations, each speaking a different language, comprise of the whole kingdom of Israel. All but the Jews, have forgotten their roots. Jesus Christ will teach them which tribe they are descended from. They will then understand why they were targeted by the beast for three and a half years. A great religious revival will burst out from within these people and they will repent and call out to their God. In compassion, their God will rescue them, take them home and reunite them. From this priestly kingdom, all of the people from the nations will come to know God and be grafted into the covenant family, as God’s kingdom through Jesus Christ grows to cover the earth. This great King will restore all things to how they were before iniquity was found. Then he will bend his knee before the Almighty God and hand over the supreme rule to his Father, our Father.
The birth of this new beginning will not come without difficulty. Satan, the Antichrist, the false prophet along with their nasty coalition will lead the great battle, but they will fail. When all things are restored, God will create a new heaven and earth and He will come down to live with mankind. He will wipe away all our tears and over time, all the pain and suffering caused by wickedness will be forgotten. Life will prevail, death will be conquered once and for all.
Only the last Adam was successful, the Son of God, Yashuah Ha Mashiach. He is a unique Son of God begotten from the Father. His love for righteousness abounds; he put both his spiritual life and physical life on the line to save mankind and his kingdom. His many crowns (Revelation 19:12) testifies to his many achievements. He is our eternal example. Jesus Christ, Yashuah Ha Mashiach, is the same yesterday, today and forever—follow him wherever he goes and you won’t be disappointed.
Into the 21st century, God’s mysteries are no longer hidden, but what remains the greatest mystery is the massive blindness among God’s people. Eternal life is now available to everyone who repents. Mankind is destined to become royal, ruling heirs under the Great Creator King and His Son. God has not yet begun expanding the kingdom beyond the God-family. It will be an ever-expanding kingdom where creation will be an every-day event in worlds complete with peace and full of love. And yet, God’s people come and go today—everyday, often without a single thought on this so very great calling. That is the greatest mystery of all!
The house of Judah and the house of Israel split around 931 BCE and remain split today. Yet, despite the animosity and competition between them that persisted throughout the ages, a re-unification into one kingdom is prophesied. It has begun already on a spiritual level through the repentant people of Israel and Judah. Their kingdom will expand to include all people in the world. We are all heirs through Christ, entering into God’s kingdom through the gates of Israel. Christ is building his church and an intimate relationship is forming. The relationship that a husband and wife share, is a mystery rarely understood.
God’s people are a church married to Christ, the One who purchased them.
· God created intentionally the intimate relationship between a husband and wife to reflect the spiritual equivalent, that is, the intimate relationship between Christ and his church: The Apostle Paul understood the mysteries of God and taught, “For we are members of His body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will becomeone flesh. This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:30-32).
There exists an order of authority that must be realized and upheld. Christ is the supreme head of the church; he is their only Teacher. Almighty God is supreme head of Christ and the church.
· One body with Christ as the head: “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy” (Colossians 1:18).
“But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ” (I Corinthians 11:3).
“And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church” (Ephesians 1:22).
God’s people have always been destined to be a holy kingdom of royal priests who will rule with Christ.
God speaking to ancient Israel through Moses said, “Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites. So, Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him” (Exodus 19:5-7).
Ancient Israel was commissioned by God to become a church of priests, obey Him, hence, live righteously, then they would become a precious and holy people who would be anointed as a kingdom of priests for the nations as a witness of righteous living and turn the nations to desire to know the Almighty, the Great Gracious God, their Creator.
God’s plans cannot be thwarted despite the rebellion of His people. He will succeed as the Apostle Peter again reminded God’s people that they would still become a kingdom church of holy priests. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9).
God’s people are a kingdom of twelves nations today, who will repent fully to bend their knee before Jesus Christ and God Almighty and accept the anointing as a church of holy priests, every one of them in the kingdom of Israel.
· The righteous will reign with Christ: “If we endure, we will also reign with him” (II Timothy 2:12).
“Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6).
God’s people will be a righteous kingdom of priests.
· God still loves Israel—Judah and Israel (10 tribes): “O Jacob, O Israel, Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine... you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you” (Isaiah 43:1).
“I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendor to Israel” (Isaiah 46:13).
“In that day, the remnant of Israel, the survivors of the house of Jacob, will no longer rely on him who struck them down but will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. A remnant will return, a remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God. Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand by the sea, only a remnant will return” (Isaiah 10:20).
God has already identified the tribes who will hold highly honoured positions in his kingdom.
“Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads. And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed,
12,000 from the tribe of Reuben,
12,000 from the tribe of Gad,
12,000 from the tribe of Asher,
12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali,
12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,
12,000 from the tribe of Simeon,
12,000 from the tribe of Levi,
12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,
12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun,
12,000 from the tribe of Joseph,
12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed” (Revelation 7:3-8).
· A great multitude from ALL nations will repent: “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” (Revelation 7:9)
· The overcomers enter into a marriage with Christ: The Apostle Paul feels the joy of this upcoming relationship with Christ, sharing it with the once-divorced people of Israel, “For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ” (II Corinthians 11:2).
The precious relationship of a husband and wife will be amplified when all is fulfilled. The Apostle Paul foresaw the cleansing and glorious changes take place when the saints are purged of their misunderstandings and misconceptions of God’s word. They will become perfect in God’s word because Christ will be in them. “He did this to present her to himself as a radiant church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault” (Ephesians 5:27).
The Apostle John saw Christ’s Bride and hearing the angel he recorded, “Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the true words of God’” (Revelation 19:7-9).
It is an interesting note that in the parable of the ten virgins, only the wise were invited to the marriage supper.
When all things are restored by Jesus Christ, then a new home is made for creation in heaven and on earth ruled by the King over all kings and Lord over all lords with his Queen. “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:1-2).
The prophets, the saints, the righteous in the first resurrection will be elevated to rule with Christ and enter into an intimate, holy, ruling relationship like that of the marriage of a man and a woman. The body of men and women will be honoured as a Queen ruling with her King from within a holy priesthood kingdom. There will be no other kingdom in all existence equivalent to this tightly bound relationship of this husband and a wife, a king and lord with his complementary queen and priestess. It is a wonder and a mystery revealed where few still do not understand.
PART 3
· The mystery of the gospel
· The mystery of Christ in you will be studied.
MYSTERY #6: THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL
“This mystery is that through the gospel, the Gentiles [the divorced ten tribes of Israel] are heirs together with Israel [the Jews] members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 3:6).
To clarify, it should be noted here that the Jews were the house of Judah throughout ancient times. They took the name Israel because they believed they were then the only remaining members of the ancient kingdom of Israel. They, like the prophets of old, did not know how the fallen house of Israel who became called Gentiles with the people of the world, could be saved and brought back into the covenant family, let alone, the pagan and heathen people from the nations of the world.
The New Living Translation provides a clearer understanding of Ephesians 3:6: “And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News/the gospel share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.”
The gospel is the testimony of Christ. Believing the gospel will bring all the promises Christ has made, such as, eternal life, rulership either with him or under him, riches beyond measure, peace and a close relationship with Almighty God, the Great Creator.
THE GOOD NEWS!!
• Keeping His own Law, Almighty God devised a plan to save mankind.
• Jesus Christ was successful!
• Through God’s legal system, Christ paid the penalty of mankind’s sins.
• Jesus Christ purchased mankind, through his shed blood.
• Jesus Christ won the kingship over mankind.
• Mankind is eternally indebted to Jesus Christ.
Unknown until the right time, Christ’s perfect sacrifice would pay the price of all the sins of the world and give him legal ownership of all people on earth, overthrowing the rebel rulers over the nations. Christ brought all people out from under the penalty of sin. He is their Judge; he is their Saviour; he is their King. Now, all people share together in having Christ in them—his perfect Spirit within. This makes possible the understanding of God’s Law and His ways. Righteousness will prevail and wickedness will die.
The mystery of the gospel unveiled the revelation of how the divorced house of Israel would receive redemption of sin and the introduction to grace from God through Christ’s sacrifice. The prophets of old trembled when the house of Israel was divorced by God. They were given strange prophetic images and visions pointing to the reunification of the two houses and a great saving, but the mystery of how it all would come about was unknown, until the right time.
The lost 10 tribes (house of Israel) have been redeemed and are back into the family. This house of ten have become ten nations identified separately due to their ten different languages. Today, they have forgotten their roots, but tomorrow, Jesus Christ will show them exactly which tribe of the ten they belong to. The opportunity for the whole world to be grafted into the covenant family was always part of God’s plan.
King David lived during the reign of these fallen rulers over the nations. He was angry with them causing the nations to sin and their rebellion against God. He said, “Let all those be ashamed who serve graven images, who boast themselves of idols; worship Him, all you gods" (Psalm 97:7).
“Rise up, O God, and judge the earth, for all the nations belong to you” (Psalm 82:8).
The problem Almighty God had to resolve was a legal matter. He gave the nations heavenly rulers to teach them His Law and way. These heavenly rulers were the finest in His heavenly court, but all of them fell into rebellion. God operates under His own Law. He cannot take back what is legally given to these fallen rulers. God had to use His Law to win back rulership over the nations. God is teaching and testing creation in heaven, while moulding and perfecting creation on earth. He is using His Law to convict and sentence, to win and re-establish.
At the time that the house of Israel returned to the covenant family, the house of Judah rejected their Saviour. Their rejection has placed them now on the outside—outside of the saved covenant family. The taking of the gospel to the world was first offered to the Jews, but they rejected it. The early Christians were humble and begged to learn God’s Law and His way. Jesus gave the redeemed 10 tribes of Israel the task of taking the gospel to the world and they were humbly honoured. The house of Joseph led the way, sending missionaries preaching Christianity throughout the nations of the world. While the two houses remain fractured today, a re-unification is prophesied. It will take place at the beginning of the millennial reign of Jesus Christ.
The key points of the mystery of the gospel that need to be established through scripture are:
Paul was sent to the Gentiles (the once-divorced house of Israel—10 tribes): “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet: ‘Go to this people and say, you will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.’ For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn and I would heal them.’ Therefore, I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” (Acts 28:25-28).
Salvation is available to the whole world: “Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that ALL nations might believe and obey him” (Romans 16:25-26).
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).
The Jews will accept a false saviour who comes in his own name, that is, one who comes in his own authority: Jesus said, “I do not accept glory from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him” (John 5:41-43).
Daniel recorded the terrifying end-time visions. A little horn will rise to power, the one who will come as the Antichrist will “set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host” (Daniel 8:10), he will halt the daily work of the Prince of the host in heaven and subdue it for a time (Daniel 8:11). This rebel will do as he pleases and “magnify himself above every god and say unheard-of things against the God of gods” (Daniel 11:36).
The vile and detestable behaviour of the evil ruler from heaven will awaken the Jews to whom they accepted as their saviour and they will repent.
House of Judah will receive grace: "I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitterweeping over a firstborn. In that day there will be great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo (Zechariah 12:10-11).
Note John 19:36-37 “Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken. And, as another Scripture says: “They will look on the One they have pierced.”
In the last days, the two houses of Israel will return to God: “When you have multiplied and increased in the land in those days...the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel and they shall come together out of the land of the north, to the land that I gave for an inheritance unto your Fathers" (Jeremiah 3:16-18).
“In those days, at that time, the people of Israel and the people of Judah together will go in tears to seek the Yahuah, their God. They will ask the way of Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and bind themselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten” (Jeremiah 50:4-5).
The two houses will become ONE kingdom forever: “I am going to take the stick of Joseph—which is in the hand of Ephraim and the Israelite tribes associated with him and the stick of Judah and the Israelite tribes associated with him and join them, making them a single stick of wood…I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will make them ONE nation in the land… there will be ONE king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms” (Ezekiel 37:18-22).
God’s people will become a holy kingdom of royal priests witnessing God’s way to all the world. All of them will come to know God.
The Apostle Peter reminded them of their calling given to ancient Israel after the Exodus. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9).
God’s plan cannot be thwarted. Job knew and said, “I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2).
“All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?'" (Daniel 4:35).
Our God is the Almighty God, the Supreme, Great Creator of all living and what He sets out to do, He accomplishes.
Through the re-united house of Israel, the nations will come to know God: “When I brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will show myself holy through them in the sight of many nations… I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the house of Israel,” declares Yahuah (Ezekiel 39:24-29).
Through the 12 gates of Israel, that is, through each of the twelve nations of Israel, all repentant people will enter into the New Jerusalem: “It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel” (Revelation 21:12).
The world will listen and worship the Almighty God: “In that day there will be an altar to Yahuah in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to Yahuah at its border… the Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge Him… The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The Yahuah Almighty will bless them, saying ‘Blessed by Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance’” (Isaiah 19:19-25). The word “inheritance” means “kingship.” So, Almighty God will be King over His people, Israel, forever.
MYSTERY #7: MYSTERY OF CHRIST IN YOU
The understanding of Christ in you began on the day of Pentecost, with the receiving of the Holy Spirit. It was no longer reserved for those who would hold special responsibilities like the prophets, prophetesses and selected kings, but to everyone who repents. The Holy Spirit brings them into the body of God through Christ. Repentance, baptism and the receiving of the Holy Spirit is the process that transforms Christians, while they are still mere mortals, so they can be joined as one with God through Christ.
Christ in you is having the ability to put aside your own will and do the will of God, our Father because the Spirit of Christ is in you. An eternal unity will form bringing men and women into the body of Christ who is at one with Almighty God.
It is the responsibility of teachers to build up their congregations into the maturity and full measure of the stature of Christ, so that oneness will be achieved. “He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things. And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13).
The order of authority within this “oneness” establishes God, our Father as the head reigning supreme, Christ is second in-charge—God’s body and head of the bride—his body, the men and women who are his church. The bride will hold the third position in the order of authority.
This formation becomes a single body comprised of multiple members who walk, think, and act as ONE. It is a unique oneness, where everything is shared and nothing is hidden. While we still live in the flesh, a mutual union of the Holy Spirit is brought together with the human spirit.
Christ, who has been given all power in heaven and in earth, will share his glory and position with his bride. Christ existed with his Father prior to the creation of heaven and earth. He is King over all kings in heaven and on earth. His bride and soon wife will be Queen ruling with him over all creation in heaven and on earth. Through a monarchy, they will bring the two realms together under one rulership. A wonder will be revealed when repentant mankind goes from dust and dirt to eternal life. This awesome calling remains a mystery for many Christians.
“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).
The key scriptures to the mystery of Christ are:
· “Oneness” is achieved through one Spirit into one body.
· The saved are dependent on the Saviour.
· A new creation is formed through the Spirit of Christ in you.
· Three become one.
· The symbolism of number three.
· The righteous will be resurrected in glory.
One Spirit, one Body: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (I Corinthians 12:13).
“You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” (Romans 8:9).
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (I Corinthians 12:27).
The Spirit of Christ is the Holy Spirit of God Almighty. The Apostle Paul is directing Believers to lean of Jesus Christ and follow him. He is the tested rock that will not fail.
The saved are dependent on the Saviour: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).
A new creation is formed through the Spirit of Christ in you: “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (II Corinthians 5:17).
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature” (Galatians 6:15).
The new creature is a law-abiding, humble, righteous individual. A God-revering and God-obeying Believer who walks by faith with complete trust in the plan Almighty God engineered for all creation on earth.
The God-instituted practice of circumcision was a physical ritual mirroring deep repentance and an eternal desire to live righteously. The new creation is the living of righteousness made possible by the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ in you. It supersedes rituals that cannot bring spiritual change.
The Father and the Son are ONE in total unity: Jesus said, “My Father, who has given them [the saints] to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the FATHER ARE ONE” (John 10:29-30).
“But if I do his work, believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done, even if you don't believe me. Then you will know and understand that the FATHER IS IN ME, AND I AM IN THE FATHER” (John 10:38).
“Believe me when I say THAT I AM IN THE FATHER AND THE FATHER IS IN ME; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves” (John 14:11).
Jesus teaches Believers about the very core of the God-family. It is a family in total unity.
“I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be ONE AS WE ARE ONE” (John 17:11).
“The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I IN THEM AND YOU IN ME, that they may be PERFECTED IN UNITY, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:22-26).
God’s Holy Spirit will flow out through Jesus Christ into all Believers and they will become totally unified, understanding God’s Law and way, living perfectly through the Spirit of Jesus Christ in them, following Jesus wherever he goes.
The symbolism of the number three:
Bullinger states, “THREE, symbolizes that which is solid, real, substantial, complete, and entire. All things that are divinely complete are stamped with this number three” (Bullinger, ‘Number in Scriptures’ p. 95).
Throughout the entire Bible, the number three is expressed as a significant marker to state that an event along God’s plan has been completed in its entirety.
The righteous will be resurrected in glory: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things, for you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:2-4).
From rags to riches: This fused unity—oneness where God, our heavenly Father is the HEAD, Christ is His BODY AND HEAD of the bride, and she is Christ’s BODY is the upcoming RULING FAMILY OF THREE. This royal body of three working as ONE will complete the holy, divine leadership. God’s Holy Spirit flows out filling Jesus Christ completely; it saturates the men and women within Christ’s body because they are in him. It is God’s Holy Spirit that is the Spirit of Christ teaching and encouraging the saints.
Jesus said, “But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you” (John 16:7).
Jesus, our Messiah, had to die [pay the penalty for us], be resurrected [return to his glory verifying the promise of our resurrection as he is the first of the first resurrection] and return to heaven to fulfill his role as Intercessor in heaven advocating to the Father in regard to the short comings of the church until his return. His Spirit is our Advocate, our Comforter and our Teacher.
It is Jesus Christ who will judge the world. “And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. In regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned” (John 16:8-11).
Christ convicted Satan, the prince of this world. The legal case of Satan’s crimes against humanity has gone to God’s court and he has been sentenced. His activity today remains until the allotted time is complete.
The resurrection of those who have Christ in them is sure. Nearly beyond comprehension is the realization that repentant mankind will be changed from dust and dirt [rags] to spiritual eternal life [riches] in a matter of a twinkling of an eye.
PART 4
· The mystery of our godliness
· The mystery of iniquity/lawlessness
MYSTERY #8: THE MYSTERY OF OUR GODLINESS
The mystery of our godliness is Christ in you.
“Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory” (I Timothy 3:16).
Godliness was a hot topic during Jesus’ time on earth. The Jews were fixed on keeping the Mosaic Law, Old Testament rituals and the added rules and regulations of their elders. This was not all together wrong. The laws are good, but without God’s Holy Spirit, the deep spiritual meanings that change a heart of stone to a heart of love is not attainable. Receiving of God’s Holy Spirit is the critical essence to spiritual maturity.
Jesus Christ made it possible for all of mankind to reach the spiritual maturity essential for God’s family-kingdom. Accepting Christ’s sacrifice and his leadership will open the outflowing of God’s Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ into every believer. Because Jesus Christ purchased mankind and he owns all of them, God’s Holy Spirit through him is having Christ in you—he receives the credit for the spiritual maturity of all of mankind because he paid the price and he is their only fully-qualified Teacher.
This change out of the fleshly matters to live solely in spiritual matters was a teaching the Apostle Paul understood very well. He comprehended the flow of God’s Holy Spirit and the leadership of Christ in you. “You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” (Romans 8:9).
This union with Jesus Christ is essential to spiritual maturity. He is the example to follow and living as he lived brings unity. “But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit” (I Corinthians 6:17).
Spiritual maturity is a process. The Apostle Paul fully understood the growing into the fullness of Christ. It is not fully understood by Christians today that after Jesus’ resurrection, he descended to inner earth, taking with him captives, rogue heavenly rulers who lost their authority to rule over the nations, and from the booty of his conquest, he gifted the authority that the overthrown heavenly rulers had to teach the nations God’s Law and His way, to leaders in his church to preach the truth, the good news of salvation, the peace in keeping God’s Law and the love that results from living God’s way. These church teachers school the congregation only on what Christ taught them. They are not to be the interpreters of theology. Jesus Christ is the example and only source because he is the Word.
Jesus said, “Don't let anyone call you 'Rabbi,' for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters… Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ”(Matthew 23:8, 10).
When Jesus gave the authority to his church leaders some to be apostles and prophets, others to be evangelists, pastors and teachers, it did not give these leaders authority to interpret scriptures differently to how Jesus lived when he was on earth. “Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus kept the Law of God; he kept God’s Holy Days; he did the will of the Father and he spoke the words that the Father gave to him; he did not change anything.
The hundreds of differing interpretations of scripture by the Christian churches has brought division, not unity. The core purpose of these teachers is “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-13).
Christ does not want the congregation in his church to remain babes “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14).
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:15-16).
Different roles have been given to the men and women in Christ’s church. Each doing their own part exactly as Christ wants it, will bring growth and maturity within the church. It is essential that all leaders in the church, men and women, are praying fervently to ensure what they teach is exactly what Christ teaches, which is exactly what the Father instructs. Only then will unity abound bringing together in the fullness of Christ the spiritually new born members of God’s family.
Having Christ in you is looking to Jesus Christ is our only example. Follow him wherever he goes. To look to theologians or bishops as the experts having a full understanding of the word of God, will lead to errors. Humans are faulty; they make mistakes; they have misunderstandings and misconceptions. Even the Bride of Christ has spots, wrinkles and blemishes. These faults and mistakes will be corrected when she flees into the wilderness from the dragon.
The time of her perfecting will be in the wilderness, is an image that describes a place where the “natural environments on Earth have not been significantly modified by human activity.”
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilderness) The wilderness is God’s use of imagery describing a place on earth where spiritual growth can take place because the influence and controls of Wickedness will not be present to persecute, put up barriers or oppose them in any way.
“When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach” (Revelation 12:13-14).
The woman, the Apostle John saw, was an image of the Bride of Christ, the faithful church—mother of all churches. Still a future event, this body of men and women will be directly targeted by Satan when he is thrown out of heaven falling down to earth. Demoted again, he will be a raging lunatic. He will target the people who are ready and waiting for Christ’s return.
This mother church will not yet be perfected, but during the three and a half years in protection, they will learn directly from Jesus Christ and their spots, wrinkles and blemishes—their misunderstandings, misconceptions, and errors of scripture will be removed. Riveting excitement will fill all of heaven and like roar of rushing waters a great multitude will shout “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints)” (Revelation 19:6-8).
This body of men and women know they have spots, wrinkles and blemishes and lean on Jesus Christ for knowledge, understanding and God’s wisdom. They are listeners and ready to learn and change. In contrast to the Laodicean body of people who proclaim that they are rich and are need of nothing but are truly wretched pitiful, poor, blind and naked—they don’t have a solid foundation of the word of God but claim they do; their understanding of God’s word is impoverished; they cannot see differently to what they preach and their behaviour is not righteous (Revelation 3:17).
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 18:3). Born again Christians need to humbly listen and learn with the pliable mind of a child, while testing and proving, so that they are not tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.
Jesus Christ is the only example to follow. At the time of the disciples, the people worshipped other gods, the heavenly rulers over the nations. Shrines were built on corner streets everywhere; offerings were given. All of those practices faded over time, after Christ marched his captives to their prison in inner earth. The fear of disobeying these rebels faded as their power ended, the violent storms stopped, the curses failed. Jesus Christ won the authority of the nations and God’s people. He only is the example to follow, full of grace and truth.
The Apostle John wrote, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
This Son of God is truly the only Son of his kind. Strong’s concordance provides insight into the meaning of “only begotten”. Monogenes means “one of a kind”—“a single kind” “one of a class”. I would add “one from its own type of birth”. The creation in heaven has many sons of God.
“God presides in the great assembly; he gives judgment among the ‘gods’” (Psalm 82:1).
“Again, there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the LORD” (Job 2:1).
Almighty God remains the Supreme God over all gods. “For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods” (Psalm 95:3).
So, This Son, Jesus—Yashuah, is truly a unique Son. So, follow him wherever he goes.
The Apostle Paul’s famous words were, “I tell you a mystery.” He unveiled ten great mysteries. He said, “So, let a man regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries” (1 Corinthians 4:1).
So, what are these mysteries? Are they relevant into the 21st century? With the countless books written by Biblical scholars and the vast dispersion of information through the internet, do these mysteries remain hidden today?
This study will discuss all ten of God’s mysteries through a five-part series and pull them out from the shadows where Satan is bent on keeping them from creation on earth.
PART 1
• The mystery of the crucifixion of Christ: forgiveness of sins and the overthrow of rebel gods
• The mystery of the resurrection: the transformation from mortal to eternal bodies
• The mystery of the redemption of the divorced house of Israel, the lost ten tribes
MYSTERY #1: THE MYSTERY OF THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST
The Apostle Paul said, “Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (I Corinthians 2:6-8).
The Apostle Paul understood all of the great mysteries detailing the wonderful destiny of mankind. He is clear that he is not talking about the wisdom of this evil age or the wisdom of the rulers of this age. The rulers of this age are the heavenly rulers given kingship over the nations at the time of Babel. These rulers are fallen sons of God allied with Satan, who are working against all of mankind even those serving him. Satan wants all mortals to be destroyed physically and spiritually. Remember the scripture, “In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones” (Matthew 24:22).
The redemptive sacrifice of Jesus our Messiah is only partly understood by Christians. Yes, the offer of eternal life is again a choice for mankind, but that is not the full story. During the great tribulation, ancient rulers will arrive on earth again and their blasphemous practices will be mandated. This portion of the mystery of the crucifixion of Christ remains hidden from most Judeo-Christians. Preparation is essential. Satan is doing all he can to mythicize the ancient practice of all nations on earth of worshipping gods. This knowledge has been bundled up and placed into movies and comic books to entertain the public with super heroes and heroines with extraordinary abilities that are admired and desired by mortals. They are being programmed to worship these rebel gods, again. The book of Revelation prophesies the response of the nations of the world who will surrender and turn against God’s people—the target of the beast’s rage and hatred. This mystery is more relevant today than it was yesterday or in ancient times.
Understanding the mystery of the crucifixion of Christ, goes back to the beginning of creation on earth. Eve was deceived and acted on Satan’s word. Adam knew better but acted falling into Satan’s trap to desire more power and authority beyond what was given to him to satisfy his carnal desire to self-direct, be self-reliant and revel in self-glory.
Mankind’s fall into sin cut them out of God’s family and reduced them to slaves to sin with no opportunity for eternal life. From before creation, Almighty God knew the outcome. Our gracious Father engineered mankind’s saving plan and wove all of the details into the tapestry of time. Creation in heaven were not briefed on all of the details. The prophets of old longed to know the full details. God’s gracious salvation plan for mankind remained a conundrum for hundreds of years.
The core piece to the salvation-plan puzzle is knowing who is already the victor and who is the known loser of the great battle at play, today. Who could successfully conquer the rebel gods ruling over the nations? How could it happen again that mankind became trapped under the thumb of rebel heavenly rulers? The ancient, great flood cleaned the earth of wickedness, and yet wickedness rose up again.
While it is understood that God is teaching and molding mankind, it is often overlooked that God is also teaching and testing creation in heaven. At the time of Babel, mankind began to return to the old sinful ways. God implemented a test. He gave the members who filled top positions in God’s legal courts in heaven an inheritance. God’s use of the word inheritance simply means ‘rulership’ which is hereditary when born out of a royal, ruling family. At the time of Babel, God separated the people on earth; He gave them different languages and territories AND a heavenly ruler—a son of God to guide and teach them God’s law and His way.
Moses recorded, “When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race, he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court” (New Living Translation Deuteronomy 32:8). God Almighty gave Himself an inheritance, that is, Kingship. He selected the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. “For the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:9).
All nations on earth received a heavenly king to rule over them. All of these heavenly rulers began their rulership righteously, but within a short time, all of them rebelled against the Almighty God and taught the people of the nations to worship them.
King David was disgusted with the rebellion of these heavenly rulers. He urged them to repent.
"All worshipers of images are put to shame—those who boast in idols. Worship Him, all you gods!" (Psalm 97:7)
The heavenly rulers over the nations fell deep into pride and became filled with raging arrogance. Almighty God vowed. “I said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High. But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler”' (Psalm 82:6).
This is the story Satan is bent on keeping hidden from mankind on earth into the 21st century. These fallen heavenly rulers were not briefed on all of the details of God’s salvation plan for mankind. They were caught off-guard and exposed as they danced, mocked and ridiculed our Saviour on the cross.
“They open their jaws against me like lions that roar and maul. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are disjointed. My heart is like wax; it melts away within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You lay me in the dust of death. For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. But You, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me. Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of wild dogs. Save me from the mouth of the lion; at the horns of the wild oxen, You have answered me!” (Psalm 22:13-21)
For more details on this topic, watch the video God against the gods on Rumble https://rumble.com/v4j8hk9-god-against-the-gods-the-final-battle-will-take-place-on-earth.html
The rogue heavenly rulers over of the nations did NOT see it coming; they are the rulers the Apostle Paul referred to. It was kept from them until the conquest was won. Christ’s perfect sacrifice paid the penalty of our sins and He won power and authority over the nations on earth from the rebel heavenly rulers, over two thousand years ago. Jesus Christ disarmed these rebel rulers and Satan mythicized them until remaining rebel rulers return described as the beast from out of the sea in Revelation.
Christ’s victory awarded him by the Father all power and authority in heaven and on earth. After Christ rose from the dead, he took those rebel heavenly rulers as captives and descended to inner earth, imprisoning them until judgement. Their authority became His booty and He gifted it to His servants: some he made apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors, and some teachers so that ALL the world will learn the way of God and come to know our Father in heaven. It was God’s plan, at the time of Babel, when God divided the nations among the members of His heavenly court that the nations would be taught the way of God by these highly trained, knowledge-filled heavenly gods. But those heavenly rulers turned against their Creator, the Great God and caused the nations to worship them and stray from the laws of God.
The scriptures tell the story.
· Rebel heavenly rulers were not aware: “None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE CRUCIFIED THE LORD OF GLORY” (I Corinthians 2:8).
These rulers referred to in I Corinthians 2 are not mortal rulers. Pilate could not find a basis for a charge against Jesus. He went before the Jews and tried to release him. Once more Pilate said, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him” (John 19:4). The Jewish chief priests and officials rejected Jesus’ release. “Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, ‘If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar’” (John 19:12).
Finally, Pilate said, “Here is your king.” But the Jews shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” (John 19:15)
“When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood,’ he said. ‘It is your responsibility!’ All the people answered, ‘Let his blood be on us and on our children’” (Matthew 27:24-25).
· Christ’s sacrifice paid the penalty of sin: “He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that war against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having DISARMED THE POWERS AND AUTHORITIES, he made a PUBLIC SPECTACLE OF THEM, TRIUMPHING OVER THEM BY THE CROSS” (Colossians 2:13-15).
Christ’s sacrifice didn’t end the keeping of God’s commandments, rather it brought mankind back under the Law of God from out of Satan’s death grip to learn the details and intricacies of God’s law to keep them valuing the peace and order it brings. The heavenly rulers over the nations lost the critical battle. The public spectacle did not take place on earth, rather in inner earth before other captured and fallen heavenly rulers.
· Christ won, through conquest, the authority over the nations: “This is why it says: ‘When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.’ What does ‘He ascended’ mean,except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the very one who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things" (Ephesians 4:8-9).
Christ led captives away, those rebel heavenly rulers are still alive awaiting sentencing and he will lead many more to come, in that day.
“In that day the LORD will punish the gods in the heavens and the proud rulers of the nations on earth. They will be gathered together like prisoners in a pit. They will be confined to a dungeon and punished after many days” (Isaiah 24:21-22).
· Christ has reconciled ALL things on earth and in heaven through His shed blood: “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him [Christ], and through him [Christ] to reconcile to himself ALL things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:19-20).
· Christ gave the authority, which he took as booty from his conquest over the rogue heavenly rulers and gifted it to his church: The booty was all about teaching God’s law and His way to mankind. “…some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of services, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we ALL reach unity in the father and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13).
· Christ was given all power and authority on earth and in heaven: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me’” (Mathew 28:18).
MYSTERY #2: THE MYSTERY OF THE RESURRECTION
Christ was resurrected from the dead by our Father in heaven. This resurrection is the affirmation that the righteous will also be resurrected, yet in the future. The resurrection is the mystery that death will be conquered and life will reign forever.
· "Behold, I show you a 'Mystery'; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory’" (I Corinthians 15:51-55).
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness will be as the stars for ever and ever" (Daniel 12:3).
The resurrection from mortality to eternal life was a great mystery at the time of Jesus on earth. The Jewish religious leaders battled against each other on this specific topic. The Apostle Paul unveiled this mystery and exactly when it will take place—at the last trump on the Feast of Trumpets, Rosh Hashanah and he described the feeling of immediacy—an instant resurrection in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. Jesus, born mortal, became the human example, the leader, the affirmation of all things wonderful and the one to resurrect and give life eternal to the repentant and righteous people of God.
“And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood” (Revelation 1:5).
Two resurrections are revealed in scripture.
· First Resurrection: “But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back” (I Corinthians 15:23).
“This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6).
· Second Resurrection: “The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended” (Revelation 20:5).
"I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool His throne was ablaze with flames, its wheels were a burning fire. A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him; thousands upon thousands were attending Him, and myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; The court sat, and the books were opened” (Daniel 7:9-10).
The first resurrection is the better resurrection. It is so relevant today to not only be hearing the word of God, but doing—living God’s way and securing a place in the first resurrection.
Jesus Christ, Yashuah HaMashiach will be the Judge.
“For He [Almighty God] has set a day when he [the Messiah] will judge the world with justice by that Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).
"For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22).
"And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead” (Acts 10:42).
“On the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus” (Romans 2:16).
When will this happen?
“When the thousand years are over… Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works… If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:7-15).
MYSTERY #3: THE MYSTERY OF THE REDEMPTION OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, THE LOST TEN TRIBES
God’s ancient mysteries may appear to be irrelevant into the 21st century. Not all of God’s people remember their ancient roots. The Jewish leaders, at the time of Jesus walked on earth, rejected the return of their brothers and sisters from the ten tribes of Jacob back into the covenant family. They muddied the waters so that their heritage would be forgotten for many centuries. The third mystery is the revelation that the ten tribes of Israel with a long history of rebellion against God, will repent and be redeemed.
A brief history begins when the ancient kingdom of Israel fractured into two houses over 3,700 years ago. While both houses sinned, only the house of Israel sinned relentlessly, exasperating God to the point of divorcing them. They were cut-off from the covenant people, no longer considered people of God. They became gentiles, people without hope. The house of Israel was doomed. It was a mystery to the prophets who searched the scriptures to discover how God could fix this devastating dilemma. Over time, the house of Judah followed the ways of the house of Israel. In God’s great mercy, His plan of redemption was activated from the beginning of time. Both houses will be redeemed: Israel will be saved and Judah will be strengthened. The Apostle Paul confirmed, “All of Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26).
The special relationship God Almighty entered into with His people in ancient times was an intimate binding of two into one body. It typifies a marriage relationship. Two walking as one in total unity. It is a mirror of what will be achieved when men and women repent, receive God’s Holy Spirit and unify with the Spirit of Christ in them to keep God’s law and live His way. Unfortunately, ancient Israel failed.
· God married Israel: “They broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 31:32).
God pleaded, “Turn, O backsliding children, for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion” (Jeremiah 3:14).
God had no choice but to divorce the rebellious house of Israel. The mystery of their redemption was searched by the prophets. It was revealed when God’s grace was announced.
· House of Israel divorced: “I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet, I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery” (Jeremiah 3:8).
The adultery God is referencing is the rejection by Israel and Judah of God’s kingship over them and their worship of rebel heavenly rulers and the practice of their detestable ways. They wanted to be like the nations around them: fighting for superpower status, self-direction and self-glory.
Isaiah recorded God’s frustration. “This is what the LORD says: ‘Where is your mother's certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Because of your sins you were sold; because of your transgressions your mother was sent away’” (Isaiah 50:1).
This ancient house of Israel are not the Jews today. The ancient house of Judah are the Jews today. Ten tribes belong to the ancient house of Israel. This house is the lost sheep that Jesus was referring to when he said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel” (Matthew 15:24).
The prophets understood the magnitude of the divorce. God’s gracious hand continued to work and mold repentant people. Ezekiel recorded the resurrection of ancient Israel when the Great Creator will give them His Holy Spirit.
“O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it,” declares the LORD (Ezekiel 37:14).
The ancient Israelites died fighting against God. They were a vast army. They will say when they are resurrected, “Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.” At this time, the saints will teach them; they will then understand and come to know the LORD, Almighty God.
God is unveiling all of the great mysteries. The Apostle Paul said that the divorced house of Israel will be saved along with all the world. But, in particular, the prophets wondered how God would save the rebel turned repentant house of Israel.
· House of Israel saved: “I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God, the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints, to whom God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles [the divorced Gentiles/10 tribes of Israel] the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:26).
These repentant people embraced Jesus as their Saviour. They turned away from pagan practices and the worship of Oden and other rebel gods. No longer Gentiles, they became known as Christians.
“Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?’” (Acts 26:28)
God’s people are being saved through Christ’s redemptive sacrifice by God’s grace. It is a big puzzle piece in God’s plan from the beginning.
The role of creation on earth as God’s priests must exercise grace, patience, kindness, compassion and love. It is essential for the expansion of God’s family in all eternity.
“Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly… you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles [both divorced ten tribes and gentile people in the world] are heirs together with Israel [the house that was not divorced by God], members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus… to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!” (Ephesians 3:2-21).
The Jews at Jesus’ time were so constrained by their laws that there was no room for accepting grace, which caused them to reject the re-admission of their brothers and sisters of the ten tribes of Israel—the lost sheep.
· Christ sent to redeem the lost sheep of Israel: “He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel’" (Matthew 15:24).
· Christ sent his 12 disciples to the lost sheep of Israel: “These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Do not go onto the road of the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near’” (Matthew 10:6).
God’s work cannot be thwarted. His people will finish the work He assigned to them. They will become a kingdom of priests on earth. All twelve tribes will repent and become a bright light on a hill for the nations of the world to see.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).
· Christ’s death canceled the written code and its regulations: Believers are no longer under the Law of Sin and Death. Upon repentance and baptism, they are back under the Law of God. “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, CHRIST, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge… continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and over flowing with thankfulness… God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:2-15).
The God of Israel will make it possible for His people and the people in the nations to obey His law and walk in His ways through the outpouring of His Holy Spirit. “‘Not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,’ declares the LORD. But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more” (Jeremiah 31:33).
When God said that the “written code” and “regulations” were nailed to the cross, He is saying that it was the redemptive sacrifice of Christ on the cross that no longer held mankind under the death sentence. Our sentencing has been cancelled. We are again free no longer slaves. The ancient Israelites will come to understand this when they are resurrected and God gives them His Holy Spirit; they will allow Christ to live in them and see the joy of living God’s law and His ways. They will enter into a better covenant with God that is for all eternity.
“Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises” (Hebrews 8:6).
This was foreknown. “They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and join themselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten” (Jeremiah 50:5).
· House of Judah strengthened, house of Joseph SAVED: “I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them. They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them” (Zechariah 10:6).
“Don’t be ignorant of this mystery… ALL of Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:25-26). “They were broken off because of their unbelief… but God is able to graft them in AGAIN” (Romans 11:20-23).
“I am going to take the stick of Joseph—which is in Ephraim’s hand—and of the Israelite tribes associated with him, and join it to Judah’s stick. I will make them into a single stick of wood, and they will become one in my hand” (Ezekiel 37:19).
They will become a united kingdom for all eternity.
The mystery of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the wonderful news that life eternal is offered again, to mankind. It was also the triumph of the ages. Jesus, our Messiah paid the penalty of the sins for all of mankind. He also overthrew the rebel rulers over the nations on earth. Many of these rulers are presently imprisoned in inner earth with more to be captured after the great tribulation when they will be judged and sentenced by Jesus Christ, King over all kings and Lord over all lords.
Preparation for the arrival of the beastly coalition of rebel rulers on earth is crucial. They will perform miracles and their lies and deception will be toxic candy for those who are lured into their web. The rocky journey chosen by God’s people because of their superficial and fragmented relationship with Almighty God, their King, will continue through the great tribulation—Jacob’s trouble, until every knee bends to worship the Great God—God of all gods and those who refuse are purged.
PART 2
· The mystery of Israel’s blindness, that is, the blindness the Jews experience today
· The mystery of the church whether it is the kingdom of Israel, God’s people, or a separate body of people.
MYSTERY #4: THE MYSTERY OF ISRAEL’S [THE JEWS] BLINDNESS
The ancient house of Israel is not the same as the Apostle Paul’s reference to Israel in Romans 25, when he said, “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in” (Romans 11:25).
In Romans 11, the Apostle Paul was referring to the divorced house of Israel as Gentiles. They were coming back into the covenant family through the sacrifice of Christ. They had lost their name hundreds of years ago when they were divorced by Almighty God and became known as Gentiles. They lived in rebellion against Almighty God, their King for many centuries suffering the curses of disobedience. In their despair, they repented. God’s generous grace and mercy was extended to them; they bent their knee before God and He redeemed them, welcoming them back in the same way that the prodigal son was received back by his father.
The house of Judah was known as Jews in ancient times. At the time the Jews started returning to Judea after their captivity by the Babylonians to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, they were criticized by people living close by who felt threatened by the returning Jews. They wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes.
“(This is the text of the letter they sent to him.) To King Artaxerxes, From your servants, the men west of the Euphrates: Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem. And they are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city, restoring its walls, and repairing its foundations… When the text of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and forcibly stopped them. Thus, the construction of the house of God in Jerusalem ceased, and it remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia” (Ezra 4:11-12, :23-24).
The rebuilding of the temple by the Jews was halted but not for long and not without resistance. “Later, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak rose up and began to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, helping them. At that time Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates went to the Jews and asked, ‘Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?’” (Ezra 5:1-3)
The scroll containing the instructions allowing the Jews to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem was found and recorded in the Book of Ezra. “And a scroll was found in the fortress of Ecbatana, in the province of Media, with the following written on it: Memorandum: In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its foundations be firmly laid. It is to be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide, with three layers of cut stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid from the royal treasury” (Ezra 6:2-4).
Throughout the rebuilding of the Temple of God in Jerusalem, the returning captives from Babylon were called Jews. These are the same descendants of the Jews today.
The house of Judah returned to the Holy Land after their captivity because they acknowledged their sins and repented to Almighty God. In Daniel’s prayer, he acknowledged the sins of the house of Judah and even the sins of their brothers of the house of Israel.
“O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey His commands, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the men of Judah and people of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you.”
“O LORD, we and our kings, our princes and our fathers are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. Therefore, the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favour of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth…”
“O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us. Now, our God hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favour on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name” (Daniel 9:4-13, 15-19).
In Daniel’s prayer, he acknowledged the sins of both houses: Judah and Israel [near and far]; he recognized the curses of disobedience to God; he cried out for forgiveness and the restoration of the glory of God, the supremacy of His Name and humbly asked for His grace. When people repent, God Almighty responds.
“For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place” (Jeremiah 29:10).
“For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance” (Psalm 94:14).
“Yet even in those days,” declares the LORD, “I will not destroy you completely” (Jeremiah 5:18).
Daniel represented the faithful within all of Israel, both houses. The Jews returned to the Holy Land, rebuilt the temple and became the guardians of God’s Law, the holders of the oracles of God.
The Apostle Paul announced, “What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God” (Romans 3:1).
They became passionate for law, but their drive took them away from God’s Law to become enforcers of the traditions of the elders who added hundreds of regulations to God’s Law. It pulled the Jews away from God’s original path of recognizing that sin is inevitable without God’s Holy Spirit, which comes from God through Jesus Christ. They couldn’t accept grace because they were bent on obtaining salvation through works, something they controlled.
The concept of grace and forgiveness of sins was out of their control so the religious leaders rejected it and Jesus, who proclaimed it. The Apostle Paul, once a strict Pharisee understood the legal-chains binding the Jewish teachers of law and taught, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
“So that no one may boast” is a key point in that scripture. All people on earth have sinned; no one can boast of their own righteousness and elevate themselves above another. A humble and repent heart is the foundation of great strength and precious to Almighty God.
The Jewish priests were stuck on adding laws upon laws, rules upon rules. “Jesus replied, ‘And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?’” (Matthew 15:3)
“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men’” (Matthew 5:8-9, Isaiah 29:13).
“‘You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” And he said to them, ‘You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!” (Mark 7:8-9)
The religious leaders became exceedingly self-righteous and self-glorifying. This pendulum swing went in the direction of the rebel rulers in heaven. Jesus warned his disciples, “Be careful. Be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthew 16:6).
They rejected the Saviour, so God blinded them, but they will not remain blind forever. God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see until the number of their brothers [the once-divorced gentiles of the 10 tribes of Israel] have come into the faith. Then, God will lift the veil and they will cry out for grace and weep bitterly, when they realize that they authorized Christ’s death on the cross. God will give them mercy and grace.
“Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son” (Zechariah 12:10).
Both houses that comprise the kingdom of Israel will repent fully during the Great Tribulation, Jacob’s trouble and return to Almighty God, their King.
“‘Therefore, do not fear, O My servant Jacob,’ says the LORD, ‘nor be dismayed, O Israel; for behold, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, and no one shall make him afraid. For I am with you,’ says the LORD, ‘to save you; though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, yet I will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct you in justice, and will not let you go altogether unpunished’” (Jeremiah 30:8-11).
In Jeremiah 30, God is talking to all twelve tribes. Israel will recognize their sins, accept their punishment and repent before Almighty God, trusting in Him and waiting for their deliverance.
“Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD’s wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his justice. Then my enemy will see it and will be covered with shame, she who said to me, ‘Where is the LORD your God?’ My eyes will see her downfall; even now she will be trampled underfoot like mire in the streets” (Micah 7:8-10).
“In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave to your fathers as an inheritance” (Jeremiah 3:18). All people on earth will come to learn that there is NO ONE who can make this journey on earth without sinning. All of mankind need God’s mercy and grace.
The key points in the mystery of the blindness of Israel, the Jews today:
"I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until, the 'full number of the Gentiles' has come in" (Romans 11:25).
This was foreknown. “They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and join themselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten” (Jeremiah 50:5).
Wikipedia identifies the “wilderness” or “wildlands” as “natural environments on Earth that have not been significantly modified by human activity… The term has traditionally referred to terrestrial environments.”(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilderness)
The common thought of a wilderness is often considered a fearful place where the wild animals live. Yet, each of the different animals, birds, and insects in the wild live at peace within their own species in general, and thrive.
The engineered world of civilizations on Earth is often a place of corruption, hostility, greed, hatred and carelessness. Which environment is the better?
THE ESSENTIAL SEPARATION
God Almighty has an opinion. When He is working with repentant people, He takes them into the wilderness—out of the engineered world of the ungodly and the corrupt nations on earth. In ancient times, God physically took His people out of rebel Egypt, so they could develop a relationship with Him and mature spiritually. At that time, God Almighty separated them from all the people on Earth and took them in the wilderness where they left the ways of civilized man, which is often actions filled with selfishness, greed, hatred, undercover theft hidden in their economic activities and abusive leadership, to learn God’s way of love.
Almighty God was very successful with the children of the Israelites who left Egypt. The children learned to trust Almighty God and obey. All of the children who left Egypt with their parents entered the Promised Land with Joshua and Caleb. They matured spiritually and for forty years they were sustained by food from heaven—manna, provided by God. During this time, they learned God’s law, His ways and walked with Him.
THE BELOVED CHURCH
A church, referred to by Apostle John as “the woman”, will flee into the wilderness in the future. The body of men and women will be nourished, that is, taught God’s law and His ways for 3 ½ years. They will be brought into perfection when they enter that “prepared place by God”. They will be separated from the civilized world, full of corruption, deceit and ungodliness, to be taught the pure word of God. This body of men and women is the Bride of Christ and she will be made ready. All of her misconceptions of God’s word, the continued practice of Christianized pagan traditions with the Jews continuing in the traditions of their elders, and the many misunderstandings of the scriptures are imaged as spots, wrinkles and blemishes, which will be removed during that time.
“And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days” (Revelation 12:6).
JOHN THE BAPTIST BAPTIZED IN THE WILDERNESS
John the Baptist declared himself to be a voice calling out in the wilderness.
“John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, ‘I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord’” (John 1:23).
He had separated himself from the Jewish priesthood to initiate the process of conversion. He taught baptism with water. Water symbolizes God’s Holy Spirit. He was preparing the people for the receiving of God’s Holy Spirit soon to be available to everyone after Christ’s redemptive sacrifice. The door was opening for people to be reborn and grow into the spiritual maturity to form the body of Jesus Christ. This process begins by being separated from the ways of the world to stand with John the Baptist in the wilderness—in the place untouched by human activity, to draw close to God and live His law and ways.
It is no surprise that Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. Jesus was very close to Almighty God. He had fasted forty days and forty nights. The number forty is symbolic of being very close to Almighty God. Jesus is God, specifically the Son of God, who only has seen our Father in heaven, the Almighty God (John 1:18).
The temptation could only take place in the wilderness because Jesus had entered into a spiritual war that can only be won by being close to Almighty God who directs and guides. He pours out His Holy Spirit and great strength is given to combat Satan’s sway into darkness.
THE FIRST TEMPTATION
Satan tempted Jesus in satisfying his hunger from his 40-day fast by challenging him to use his superhuman powers and turn stones into bread (Matthew 4:1). This temptation also alludes to the thought that Satan was tempting Jesus to use his superhuman powers to teach his way—his ideas—his word over Almighty God’s word. Jesus knew that only the Father, the Almighty God has all knowledge, understanding and wisdom—the everlasting word.
Jesus responded by quoting the latter part of Deuteronomy 8:3. “Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 8:3).
There are two types of food: earthly and heavenly—one is temporary, the other is eternal.
The ancient Israelites were fed by God while they journeyed through the wilderness with food from heaven—manna. The heavenly food was intended to expose them to the concept of daily spiritual nourishment. Satan was unable to tempt Jesus to change his priority. Through his 40-day fast, Jesus became a power-house of eternal strength.
Satan entraps people into a world of ignorance and deceit. They are blue-pilled in a physical world of earthly knowledge and temporary pursuits void of their Creator and the life-exciting knowledge of their spiritual calling.
The lesson of the first temptation: earthly food or heavenly food. Ancient Israel failed to understand the value of spiritual knowledge, understanding and wisdom. They kept falling back into this earthly world focusing on temporal living. Jesus never left his spiritual focus; he was not tempted to question the everlasting word of God as Satan did, who produced his own knowledge which is a mixture of good and evil.
THE SECOND TEMPTATION
Satan took Jesus to the highest point of the temple and challenged him to jump. Satan knows the scriptures and he quoted Psalm 91, which vows if you make God Almighty your dwelling place, giving your allegiance to the Great God, then no harm will come to you.
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone…’Because he loves me,’ says the LORD, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation’” (Psalm 91:11-16).
All so true and what a wonderful promise God, our Creator and Father in heaven gives to all who love Him with all their heart, mind, soul and strength.
In the 21st century language, Satan was saying, “Go on! If you are loved by the Great God, show me—show everyone—prove to us that God loves you!”
Jesus replied by quoting Deuteronomy 6:16, “You shall not put Yahweh your God to the test.”
This quote referenced the rebellious behavior of the Israelites coming out of Egypt. Despite all of the miracles God Almighty performed for them, they still disbelieved and distrusted God, perpetually putting Him to the test. Their hearts were hard, rebellious and defiant. God concluded, “For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways.’ So, I declared an oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest’” (Psalm 95:10-11).
In the 21st century language, Jesus replied, “I trust in my Father in heaven and I have no need to question Him. The Great Creator of all living is faithful and I have no need to assess Him.”
The lesson of the second temptation: trust in yourself or trust in God. The ancient Israelites could not let go and put their complete trust in God. Jesus put his life in the hands of God, without question—fully and completely.
THE THIRD TEMPTATION
The devil took Jesus to the highest mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me” (Matthew 4:9). This temptation was by far the most tempting. With all of Jesus’ heart, he wanted to rescue mankind from the strangle-hold of the devil.
Jesus replied, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the LORD your God, and serve him only’” (Matthew 4:10).
In the 21st century language, Jesus said, “I worship only my Father in heaven, the Creator God. I trust in His plan and His timing.”
The lesson of the third temptation: Rulership under Satan or rulership under God Almighty. The great promise to the nations ruled by these rogue gods was self-glory, self-reliance, and self-determination. The ancient Israelites looked at the wealth and glory of Egypt; they wanted to be like the nations around them and all the glory of greatness. But, God wanted a humble people, a non-self-serving people BEFORE rulership could be offered. That would take time and a carefully designed, strategic plan.
Jesus was aware that God had a plan—from the beginning. While every detail is not shared with him, he has no reason to question God. “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36).
Spiritual warfare will always take place in the wilderness. Satan cares not war against mankind in their world by destroying their physical bodies. Satan is bent on destroying the spiritual lives of mankind; He works day and night to keep mankind from repenting, being baptized and committing to obeying Almighty God—keeping His law and living righteously.
The Apostle Paul said, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).
Eventually, all of mankind will enter the wilderness to draw close to the Father in heaven to nurture and develop a deep, everlasting relationship with Him.
GOD FOUND JACOB IN THE WILDERNESS
“But the LORD’s portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance. He found him in the land of wilderness and in the wilderness of the deserts He brought him out, and he cherished him and he protected him as the pupil of the eye” (Deuteronomy 32:9-10).
Recorded in the Song of Moses is the reminder to God’s people that God is their King; they are His inheritance—He is their ruler and they are His subjects. The God of Israel defined His inheritance clearly. From Abraham, then Isaac, then of the two twins, God chose Jacob and his descendants are the inherited subjects of God. Esau is not part of God’s inheritance given to Himself at the time of Babel. This story is quite a conundrum for many.
When God divided the nations at the time of Babel and gave them their inheritance, heavenly rulers like God Himself—a heavenly ruler over Jacob and his descendants, Abraham wasn’t yet born. The once-trusted heavenly rulers given kingship over the nations rebelled against Almighty God and chaos swept the over Earth. God described it. “He found him in the land of wilderness and in the wilderness of the deserts He brought him out, and he cherished him and he protected him as the pupil of the eye.” God protected the descendants where now spiritual chaos and confusion had entered the place untouched by human activity. The heavenly rulers over the nations brought rebellion against the Great God and He had to shield His subjects from the false teachings of the rebel heavenly rulers.
Not only are God-fearing and God-serving people persecuted in the civilized world led by arrogant, ungodly mortals, now, the wilderness was corrupted by rebel heavenly rulers. These rulers, though they are spiritual, will be destroyed, yet still a future event.
“I said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High. But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler” (Psalm 82:6).
It will be easy for Almighty God to destroy them as easy as destroying mortals.
Almighty God has been battling these heavenly rebels. Many of them have been overthrown, their rulership over the nations taken and they are presently imprisoned awaiting sentencing and destruction.
“In that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven above and the kings of the earth below. They will be gathered together like prisoners in a pit. They will be confined to a dungeon and punished after many days” (Isaiah 24:21-22).
The wilderness—that place outside of human activity, remains the image of the place where the Great Creator can be found.
AARON MET MOSES IN THE WILDERNESS
“The Lord said to Aaron, ‘Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.’ So, he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him” (Exodus 4:27).
God continues to use His imagery to describe the spiritual world. Aaron found Moses in the wilderness—that place outside of human activity at the mountain of God. The mountain is God’s imagery for government—the highest level of government. Moses was with God and under His government, submitting to His law. God was preparing Moses for the great exodus of His people out of sin into the wilderness to learn the ways of the God of Israel.
THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WILL BE SHEPHERDS IN THE WILDERNESS
God’s people who exited Egypt under Moses’ leadership struggled to trust in the God of Israel—the Almighty God. They had been entrenched with the ways of the god of Egypt where no mortal could have a relationship with the gods. They all lived in fear.
It was the children of these people who believed the God Israel and obeyed, for the most part. The children would teach their parents through their obedience to God, while suffering the extended wanderings because of their parents’ disbelief and until all of them died.
“And your children shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years and shall suffer for your faithlessness, until the last of your dead bodies lies in the wilderness. According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, a year for each day, you shall bear your iniquity forty years, and you shall know my displeasure” (Numbers 14:32-33).
GOD PROVIDED FOR THEM IN THE WILDERNESS
Obeying and serving God brings blessings and God’s total care. The Israelites wandering in the wilderness were completely provided for.
“For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He knows your going through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing” (Deuteronomy 2:7).
HAGAR WITH ISHMAEL SETTLED IN THE WILDERNESS
Under the care of Almighty God, there is peace and safety; He provides and protects. God provided for Hagar and her son, Ishmael in the wilderness.
“So, Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba” (Genesis 21:14).
She left with her son and wandered in the wilderness. When their supplies are all gone, Hagar gave up and the boy cried.
“Then God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, ‘What is wrong, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he lies. Get up, lift up the boy, and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.’ Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. So, she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. And God was with the boy, and he grew up and settled in the wilderness and became a great archer. And while he was dwelling in the Wilderness of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt” (Genesis 21:14-21).
Hagar and Ishmael settled in the wilderness. They established a relationship with God. Ishmael is the father of the Arabian people. God did not neglect them. They will have a place in God’s kingdom, along with all the other nations on earth.
GOD IS ACTIVELY DOING A NEW THING
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19).
Christ’s redemptive sacrifice paid the price for the sins of all mankind. That is the way in the wilderness. God now has opened the door for repentant mankind to receive His Holy Spirit. God has made a way in the wilderness for anyone to enter and forge an eternal relationship with Him. God is giving His Holy Spirit and soon, He will pour it out for all of mankind. Time is close now when the new thing of God is visible to all peoples, tribes, tongues, nations.
“And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to minister to Him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be His servants—all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it and who hold fast to My covenant—I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations” (Isaiah 56:6-7).
The wilderness is the place to be!
Gog of Magog is more than a story, a tale, or folklore. It is a prophesied profound event still yet to be fulfilled.
Andrew Gow, Professor at the University of Alberta states, “The appearance of the lands of Gog and Magog in many early maps is one the most interesting and enduring examples of Biblical lore being translated into the cartographic medium.” (Gog and Magog on Mappaemundi and Early Printed World Maps: Orientalizing Ethnography in the Apocalyptic Tradition, published online on January 1, 1998, p. 23).
Scrolls and transcripts of the book of Ezekiel and Revelation were read by Christians, hundreds of years ago. The prophecy of Gog and Magog burned a lasting impression in their minds to such a degree that Gog and Magog, though not known to them, received a place on their maps by the cartographers. Christians understood the prophecy of a future attack where Judeo-Christians will be a target for destruction.
The old maps move the territory of Gog and Magog from west of the Caspian Sea to north-eastern China.
Andrew Gow wrote, “In 1241 CE the hoards of Ghengis Khan swept out of Asia destroying and conquering everything in their path. The brutal, efficient, and alien Mongols must surely have seemed to be the wrath of God unleashed – the prophesied end of days had come and with it, Gog and Magog. One Russian chronicler says: “In those times there came upon us for our sins unknown nations. No one could tell their origin, whence they came, what religion they professed. God alone knows who they were, God, and, perhaps, wise men learned in books.” (Andrew Gow, Excerpt from Gog and Magog on mappaemundi and Early Printed World Maps: Orientalizing Ethnography in the Apocalyptic Tradition page 24).
Andrew Gow continues, “The period of the Mongol invasions lasted roughly from 1241 to 1285 CE. Nonetheless, after devastating the Chinese Empire, sacking Baghdad, laying waste to Russia, and storming into Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, and Poland, the invincible hoard simply vanished ... or so it must have seemed in Europe. In fact, beset with internal political turmoil and the death of the Great Khan, the hoards retreated to Central Asia in order to reorganize. At this time Europe, who had yet to rediscover Ptolemy and truly develop a modern cartographic tradition, wasn’t actively making maps, but when it did, a place of origin Tartars or Mongols (Gog and Magog) would have to be identified.” (Andrew Gow, Excerpt: Early Printed World Maps: Orientalizing Ethnography in the Apocalyptic Tradition, p. 25).
So, were these Mongolians, Gog and Magog in the Bible—the kingdom in the far north, the great destroyers who are prophesied to attack God’s people—the Jews, the Christians?
The invasion of Ghengis Khan between 1241 and 1285 CE was terrifying and devastated Asia and Europe. The letters of the Apostles were not yet collated and published. The Christians relied on hearsay and so, a mystery horde of people with a prophesied dark tale would secure themselves a territory on maps lasting hundreds of years. Cartographers listened to monks, bishops, merchants and travellers and from them, maps would emerge. Alexander the Great held a leading role in his legend of his successful battle to imprison this horde of wild cannibals.
Andrew John Boyle of medievalists.net states, “The legend of the enclosing of these peoples behind a wall of brass and iron from which they will break out at the end of the world has been traced back to two passages in Josephus, in one of which he equates the Scythians with Gog and Magog while in the other he speaks of a pass, apparently in the Caucasus area, which Alexander had shut up with iron gates. Of the legend itself there appear to have been two main versions: that in Pseudo-Methodius, from which it passed into Western recensions of the Alexander Romance: and that in the Christian Legend concerning Alexander, which was incorporated into the lost Arabic version of the Romance and which is preserved in its derivatives, with particular fidelity in the Ethiopic version.
In the Christian Legend concerning Alexander, an apocalyptic work composed by an unknown author or authors in northern Mesopotamia at some time between A.D. 629 and 636, the story of the enclosing of the peoples of Gog and Magog (identified with the Huns) runs – somewhat abridged – as follows. After his journey to the Land of the Rising Sun Alexander travels northwards through Armenia into the southern Caucasus. He asks the natives: “Who are the nations within this mountain upon which we are looking?” They reply that they are the Huns and that their kings are “Gog and Magog and Nawal the kings of the sons of Japhet…”. And upon hearing their description of these savage and cruel peoples and their repellent customs, he orders a great gate of brass and iron to be constructed to close the gap in the wall of mountains and confine the nations of Gog and Magog within them. Upon the gate he causes an inscription to be engraved in which he prophesies the future incursions of the Huns, one of which was to take place “at the conclusion of eight hundred and twenty-six years”.
https://www.medievalists.net/2013/09/alexander-and-the-mongols/
This study will now reference the journal written by Andrew Gow on Gog and Magog on mappaemundi and early printed world maps.
He followed the Christian’s fear of Gog and Magog and where these terrifying people lived as they migrated westward out of the Caucasus region.
The tale of Gog and Magog congealed with the Alexander legend of later antiquity when he claimed to have trapped a vast dominion of wild cannibals with vile customs. The legend tells of Alexander driving them between two mountains and calling out to God to push the two mountains together to destroy this terrifying and aggressive people to prevent them from destroying the rest of the people on earth. Andrew Gow states, “This story found its way not only into later versions of the Alexander legend, but also into the Qur'an and the influential Greek Revelations of Pseudo-Methodius, which date from the end of the seventh century” (Gow, p. 62).
During this time when knowledge was incomplete, many lands on earth remained undiscovered with only hints of far-away tribes and strange kingdoms. Folklore remained the common means of learning and their imaginations which were kept alive through tales from afar.
Andrew Gow adds, “Around 700 CE, this latter text [The Apocalypse of Pseudo- Methodius] was translated into Latin by the monk Peter in Merovingian Gaul and very widely disseminated in the west, where it became a standard of Christian apocalypticism. In this version, the unclean peoples originally thought to have been enclosed by Alexander were identified with Gog and Magog, the apocalyptic destroyers of Ezekiel 38-39 and Revelation” (Gow, p.63).
Every generation of Christians has believed the end of this evil age will end in their life-time. The Apostle Peter warned them. “The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray” (I Peter 4:7). The Apostle James also wrote, “You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord's coming is near” (James 5:8). Setting this warning in stone, the Apostle John wrote, “Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour” (I John 2:18). With many false saviours claiming to be the Messiah, the proof was evident—the end is near. Gog and Magog remained on their watch to this day.
Where is the kingdom of Gog and Magog? The territory of these illusive people appears on the old maps. Cartographers used many sources that added details to their maps.
Andrew Gow states, “Important sources for traditional cartography are to be found in literary, exegetical, and theological texts, and in many other contexts. Out of these grew mapmakers' depictions of the legendary peoples Gog and Magog. The sheer antiquity of this tradition' suggests that even before the West had very much of a clear identity, the Gog and Magog story was part of the rich fund of story and lore inherited from antiquity and cherished—if somewhat tattered by frequent handling—until the advent of more skeptical and critical approaches to tradition and authority” (Gow, p. 65).
The Cottoniana/Anglo-Saxon medieval map places Gog and Magog west of the Caspian Sea. This map dates around 995-1050. These Caucasian peoples placed Gog and Magog north of their present homeland in the Middle East.
“The Cottonian map places Gog and Magog hard by the northern ocean, west of the Caspian Sea and the Ten Lost Tribes appear in the Middle East. The map’s author had not yet identified these peoples with one another. The two legends are treated separately, as in patristic literature. With regards to the presence of the Tribes of Israel within the corpus of extant medieval mappaemundi this feature is found only on the Cottoniana, Sawley and Hereford maps. The Cottoniana map shows nine of the twelve tribes, located on either side of the Jordan, with boundaries between each people heavily marked” (p. 5).
(https://www.myoldmaps.com/early-medieval-monographs/210-anglo-saxon-or-cottonia/210-cottoniaanglo-saxon-.pdf). Author: Priscian‘s Periegesis
The territory of Gog and Magog appear in the London Psalter map. It is dated around the second half of the 13th century. It is recognized as a visualization of Christian texts where Jerusalem is located in the centre and hell at the bottom with Paradise at the top of the circular map.
The territory of Gog and Magog is shown illustrating the legend of Alexander the Great who imprisoned these terrifying people with a wall and gate to be released, according to Christians, at that time the Antichrist appears.
Western Christians identified themselves as God’s people who feared the prophesied attack. “However, throughout this period, Gog and Magog usually appear in the far north and/or east, often in a separate peninsula or surrounded by a wall, a mountain chain or gate and kept in by a gate. Later medieval and early modern maps continue the tradition, but with significant differences” (Gow, p. 68).
The Alexander legend filled maps made by cartographers showing the territory of Gog and Magog on a peninsula surrounded by mountains, locked behind a wall, or surrounded by water.
The Ebstorf map is a visual example again of their belief in the legend of Alexander the Great. Andrew Gow states, “An extensive area of northern Asia is cut off by the sweeping curve of the Caucasus. Its principal feature is a territory that projects as a rectangle into the cosmic ocean. This is the home of the dreaded man-eaters Gog and Magog, symbols of all the hordes of oppressors that might at any time overwhelm peaceful humanity. The castellated lines indicate the walls that Alexander the Great was reputed to have built here for extra protection. Gog and Magog are shown on the Ebstorf map as cannibals; they are pictured in the midst of a northeastern area walled-off by mountains through which a passage, named Porte Caspie, leads. The creatures are eating human body parts (recognizable as feet and hands) and drinking the blood flowing out of them; a footless, handless victim is also depicted. According to the caption, Alexander enclosed two wild nations, Gog and Magog, who will be the companions of Antichrist.
They eat human flesh and drink human blood.” (Gow, p. 72)
Gog and Magog have captured the attention of people all around the world. An understanding of scriptures was lacking as the fear of Gog and Magog spread.
Many old maps placed Gog and Magog northward of civilized peoples.
The Catalan world atlas depicts Gog and Magog in the northeast corner of Asia enclosed by the Caspian Mountains.
The Borgia map dated approximately 1430, places Gog and Magog in the far east within a square area surrounded by mountains and fortifications.
“The Benedictine monk Andreas Walsperger of Constance made a world map in 1448, placing Gog and Magog in the far northeast.
The Genoese world map of 1457 “places Gog and Magog surrounded by mountains in a territory north and east by an ocean called Scythia ultra Ymaum montem.
Fra Mauro, a Camaldolese monk produced the mappaemundi with his assistants, finished in 1460 places Gog and Magog outside of the area of the Caspian Sea. Andrew Gow provides the details. “I conclude that these [enclosed] peoples are a long way from the Caspian Mountains, and are surrounded by impassable mountains and by the Ocean Sea as though by three cords, and they are under the reign of Tenduc, and are called Ung and Mongul, which the common people call Gog and Magog, thinking that they are those who will break out at the time of the Antichrist” (Gow, p. 80).
Juan de la Cosa who accompanied Christopher Columbus on voyages to the Americas mapped the world placing Gog and Magog in the far northeastern corner of Asia, enclosed by a great semicircular river split by a broad moat.
One 1535 map of eastern Asia labels the northeastern coast "AMAGOCH"; in the ocean off the north coast of China.
Gerard Mercator's 1569 Duisberg map cites Marco Polo: "Mongul which we call Magog.”
Over time, the territory of the feared Gog and Magog people was moved out of the Caspian Sea area to north-eastern Asia.
Andrew Gow added, “One reason for the continued popularity of this medieval theme may be the surge in apocalyptic expectations around the beginning of the century, reflected in the burgeoning pamphlet literature of an apocalyptic nature: prognostications of floods and the end of the world had been popular since the 1470s; rumours of the Ten Tribes leaving their eastern places of exile to free their co-religionists in the Christian diaspora circulated among Jews all through the fifteenth century and reached Christian circles in the early sixteenth century. The publication of new editions of the Revelations of Pseudo-Methodius, such as Michael Furter's 1498 Basel edition, which includes a dramatic woodcut of Gog and Magog breaking out of their rocky confinement (labelled "How Gog and Magog, leaving the Caspian Mountains, capture the land of Israel), must have contributed a good deal to raising the apocalyptic temperature, as did (in Germany) the perennially popular "Antichrist-books," a genre of popular apocalyptic exegesis related to the vernacular Historiated Bibles that dates back to the late fourteenth/early fifteenth century.” (Gow, pages 84-85).
As time passes, the territory of Gog and Magog has changed and they remain the illusive enemy for all the people of Israel and all people on earth.
Andrew Gow concluded, “It might be argued that their gradual relegation to the far north-eastern corner of Asia, to an area largely unknown to Europeans, explains their survival on maps… The slow emergence of a more empirical approach to mapmaking, founded on the assumption that personal experience of a place was more credible than ancient tradition, pushed Gog and Magog to the outer margins of the world, to the ends of the earth where Marco Polo surmised, they must be-since they clearly were not anywhere the mapmakers' informants had visited (cf. Mauro). Tradition was being contested, yet it sometimes masqueraded as empirical evidence.” (Gow, p. 88).
God Almighty has a lot to say about Gog of Magog. Gog is a chief prince, like the archangel Michael and very powerful. He rules the territory of Magog, which is located in the far north, like God’s throne.
“Son of man, set your face against Gog of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.Prophesy against him and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and bring you out with all your army—your horses, your horsemen in full armor, and a great company armed with shields and bucklers, all brandishing their swords. Persia, Cush, and Put will accompany them, all with shields and helmets, as well as Gomer with all its troops, and Beth-togarmah from the far north with all its troops—and many nations with you with you” (Ezekiel 38:2).
From this verse, it is understood:
The ruler imaged as the little horn in the book of Daniel will not be overthrown by mortals. Only a very power spirit ruler will be able to take down this powerful rebel. During the great tribulation when Satan and his beastly coalition are ruling on earth for all eyes to see, scriptures referring to mankind’s only enemy will be clearly understood. The Apostle Paul said, “We fight not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, powers and authorities in both heaven and on earth” (Ephesians 6:12).
The archangel Michael is a chief prince. “At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered” (Daniel 12:1).
“However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia” (Daniel 10:13).
Jesus Christ is a chief prince. “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first” (I Thessalonians 4:16).
Ezekiel 38 reveals:
“You will come from the far north, you and many nations with you” (Ezekiel 38:15).
God is referencing Gog and his hordes separate from “the many nations with him,” which will come from all the four corners of the earth.
God’s throne is located in the far north. In a vision, Ezekiel saw God on His throne. ““I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north – an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light” (Ezekiel 1:4).
God’s throne and His law courts are founded on Mount Zion, in the far north. “A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion in the far north, the city of the great King. God, in her palaces, has made Himself known as a stronghold” (Psalm 48:1-4).
God’s throne appears to Ezekiel from out of the north. “Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne with the appearance of sapphire, and on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man. From what seemed to be His waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire within it all around. And from what seemed to be His waist down, I saw what looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded Him. The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking” (Ezekiel 1:26-28).
Satan planned and plotted to raise his throne into the far north to be an equal with Almighty God. “You said in your heart: ‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High’” (Isaiah 14:13-14).
“I will execute judgement upon him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour out torrents of rain, hailstones, fire, and sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. I will magnify and sanctify Myself, and will reveal Myself in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 38:22-23).
God will execute judgement on three separate groups:
Almighty God, the God of the twelve tribes of Israel unveils the time when He will personally call Gog to war. “After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, now all of them live in safety” (Ezekiel 38:8-9).
These two scriptures disclose the time of this event:
None of the nations of 21st century Israel, the twelve tribes from ancient times, live in peace and safety today. None of the nations of 21st century Israel obey God’s law and live righteously. God is yet to bring them to their knees, humble them and bring them back into His covenant. He will not allow any rebels among His people to enter the Holy Land. “I will take note of you as you pass under my staff, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. I will purge you of those who revolt and rebel against me. Although I will bring them out of the land where they are living, yet they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 20:38).
Ezekiel 38 remains a future event. Revelation unveils the exact time of this event. “When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations—in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore” (Revelation 20:7-8).
From across the earth, people from all the nations will join Gog and his hordes from the land of Magog.
This event will take place at the end of Jesus Christ’s millennial reign on earth. One final battle remains. Jesus Christ will reign King over all kings and Lord over all lords. His death on the cross purchased all of mankind. He is the great spiritual ruler over all creation both in heaven and on earth. Mankind will be introduced to the spiritual world during Christ’s rule on earth and God’s word will cover the earth. Satan will be released and God will call to war Gog of the land Magog with his hordes in heaven to test mankind. Mankind will be fully aware of life in heaven—the great number of angels and heavenly rulers over vast dominions. This final battle will be lost by Satan and Gog with his hordes before it begins. The great power of Almighty God will in an instant destroy them and the people in the nations will see very clearly who the Great God is—the only Supreme Being in all existence. God Almighty will then say, “I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 38:23). God Almighty concludes by using His title, LORD. His judgement of destroying the wicked heavenly beings and rebel people on earth is His priestly role in action. Both, God’s people living in Israel and the nations, will recognize the righteous judgement of Almighty God when Gog and those with him attack innocent people living in peace and harmony.
The nations on earth will recognize the horror of the attack by Gog and those with him. “O Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I show myself holy through you before their eyes” (Ezekiel 38:16).
God Almighty then takes the time to teach all people in the nations on earth why His people went into captivity and He allowed them to suffer. “I will display my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the punishment I inflict and the hand I lay on them. From that day forward the people of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God. And the nations will know that the people of Israel went into exile for their sin, because they were unfaithful to me. So I hid my face from them and handed them over to their enemies, and they all fell by the sword. I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their offenses, and I hid my face from them” (Ezekiel 39:21-24).
God Almighty will punish His wayward people and they repent and cry out to Him. He will have compassion on them and bring them back to Him. “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob and will have compassion on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for my holy name. They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me when they lived in safety in their land with no one to make them afraid. When I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind. I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord” (Ezekiel 39:25-29).
The prophesied attack by Gog and his allies will be no surprise for the people living in Israel during the millennial reign of Christ. They will anticipate it. They will be ready placing all of their trust in the God of Israel who will protect them in a grand way. “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Are you not the one I spoke of in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel? At that time, they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them” (Ezekiel 38:17).
Now for centuries the tribes of Israel, the Judeo-Christians feared Gog and his allies. But at the end of Christ’s millennial reign, they will rest and watch their God display power beyond all living.
These all remain future events. God will rescue His people from out of the nations and display His great power in a second exodus that will be remember forever. He will bring His people back to the Holy Land and during the millennial reign of Jesus Christ, they will mature spiritually, trust in the God of Israel and serve Him.
The result of the final battle is that all creation in heaven and on earth at that very moment will know that there is ONE, HOLY SUPREME and ALMIGHTY GOD. All attempts to overthrow Almighty God will be futile. All creation will know that YHWH is LORD. Satan is not LORD, Gog is not LORD, the Antichrist is not LORD and all previous contenders are not the LORD. The God of Israel is the LORD. He is their God and they are His people, along with all of repentant mankind from all nations, tribes, tongues and people.
God Almighty is not visible to mortals; He requires faith and trust in Him. All creation in heaven can transform into visible beings. Mortals tend to put their faith and trust in what and who they see. God Almighty will establish His supremacy with mortals based on His undefeated power, might and righteous judgement. Mankind on earth will all know the Supreme God prior to their judgement when the books are opened.
The story of Gog of Magog has been feared by Judeo-Christians for millennia. It has been a mystery until the printing of the Bible. Now, all people everywhere in all countries can read the truth. There is no fear for people who worship the Almighty God; He will be completely protect them from this future attack.
Many Christians are in danger of spiritual death, regardless of having accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. How can this be said? The ceremony on the Day of Atonement holds all of the answers.
“The LORD said to Moses, ‘The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present an offering made to the LORD by fire. Do no work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the LORD your God’” (Leviticus 23:26-28a).
Aaron is to take two goats, “present them before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the LORD and sacrifice it for a sin offering. But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the wilderness as a scapegoat” (Leviticus 16:6-8).
Each young goat images a leader and the role the leader fulfills. The questions are:
· Who are the leaders?
· What role do they fulfill?
God has carefully and methodically established a specific set of processes to atone for His people that will be fulfilled on the official Day of Atonement. These processes comprise of two main components:
1. The sacrifice of a young goat to cover the sins of God’s people
2. The release of a live young goat in the wilderness as a scapegoat is used for making atonement of God’s people.
The process of the ceremony is comprised of several very important and unique features, which are key to adding clarity of understanding of this unique Holy Day.
Unique features:
The two young goats are both without blemish and in this case, they are
indistinguishable because it requires the casting of lots in the assignment of the roles.
Both young goats qualify for either role.
SCRIPTURES THAT SUPPORT GOD USING THE CASTING OF LOTS TO AFFIRM HIS DECISION.
Decision from the LORD: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:33).
“Then they drew lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:26).
“Distribute the land by lot, according to your clans. To a larger group give a larger inheritance, and to a smaller group a smaller one. Whatever falls by lot will be theirs. Distribute it according to your ancestral tribes” (Numbers 33:64).
SCRIPTURES THAT SUPPORT THE CUSTOM OF THE PRIESTHOOD.
Custom of the priesthood: “He was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood,to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense” (Luke 1:9).
“These were the Levites, according to their families. They also cast lots, just as their brothers the descendants of Aaron did, in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites” (I Chronicles 24:30-31).
ISRAEL ALONE WERE NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO UTILIZED THE CASTING OF LOTS.
Custom among the people outside of Israel: “Then the sailors said to each other, ‘Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.’ They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah” (Jonah 1:7).
It becomes apparent in the story of Jonah that it was not only the ancient Israelites using the lot method to ask their god to make the decision on a matter. The sailors on the boat each worshipped different gods. “All of the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god” (Jonah 1:5).
So, it is evident that other people from the different cities outside of Israel also utilized the casting of lots to ask their god for the decision of a matter. The sailors worshipping different gods suggested that lots be cast to determine who was responsible for the calamity they were experiencing. The lot fell on Jonah.
The casting of lots is an essential practice for the ritual on the Day of Atonement because only Almighty God, the Creator with the legal right as the Owner of all created, can determine the leader to fulfill the sacred Day of Atonement. The two young goats were both without blemish and equally qualified for the atonement ceremony. The two roles comprise of a sacrifice and an ongoing atonement until the Day of Atonement is fulfilled. The casting of lots represents Almighty God’s direct input in assigning each role to each goat.
THE FIRST YOUNG GOAT
The young goat the LORD chose for Himself would be sacrificed as a sin offering in redemptive payment of the sins of His people, Israel and all of mankind.
Violations of God’s law results in penalties. The sins of Israel resulted in their death. The legal price for the sins of God’s people would be reconciled by the sacrifice imaged in the young goat God selected to Himself. The LORD God is the ultimate Judge who only can rule on an offense that would satisfy His law. Satisfying God’s law is the first step to receiving eternal life.
The Son of God was the leader imaged in the first young goat. Jesus Christ died on the cross and his redemptive sacrifice was fulfilled on the Passover.
THE SECOND YOUNG GOAT
The second young goat would be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement of His people by sending it into the wilderness as a scapegoat.
Each of the highlighted points above will be discussed separately.
ALIVE BEFORE THE LORD
The young goat remains alive before the LORD. This young goat is an image of a perfect being—without blemish, a spiritual leader who is alive and well and qualified to atone for the sins of God’s people.
USED FOR MAKING ATONEMENT
“Used for making atonement” that is the work of Jesus Christ who intercedes for God’s people who repent and have accepted his sacrifice as payment of their sins. Jesus Christ is also the image of the second young goat. This explains why Almighty God made the decision through the casting of lots because the priesthood could not distinguish one goat from the other. In fact, both goats image Jesus Christ. Almighty God selected the Son from before creation to be the redemptive sacrifice for mankind. Christ purchased mankind when he paid the price for their sins. They are under his jurisdiction and he alone can intercede for them.
“Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens” (Hebrews 7:25-26).
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). The spirit of Jesus Christ knows the heart of the saints. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27).
The spirit of Jesus Christ intercedes for God’s people.
The two young goats image Jesus Christ who hold two roles in the salvation of mankind. The making of atonement is the second step to complete the forgiveness process. Those who accept the sacrifice of Christ have completed only the first step. Accepting the redemptive sacrifice, commits these people to the death of their old self. “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Romans 6:3)
This second step is the ongoing spiritual growth of repentant people to come into the fullness of Christ. They are reborn to grow into spiritual maturity, growing in the knowledge, understanding and wisdom of God.
The Apostle Peter said, “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (I Peter 2:1).
Repentant people begin as babes in Christ who cannot yet distinguish right from wrong.
“Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14).
Because the rebirth is a growing process where mistakes and errors are made, making of atonement, that is, the intercession by Jesus Christ is necessary.
Repentant people are required to overcome and reach the whole measure and fullness of Christ. Jesus gave teachers to God’s people to prepare them “for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-15).
While the Day of Atonement is not fully understood among the Christian community and the rich meanings embedded in the ritual, God has still provided Christians with the essential knowledge of growing into spiritual maturity through the scriptures in the New Testament. However, the knowledge that the Day of Atonement will be fulfilled, ten days after Jesus Christ returns on the Feast of Trumpets/Rosh Hashanah, is a unique piece to the grand puzzle which is unveiled in the study of the Holy Day. Eventually, all of the Holy Days will be fulfilled, leaving a remembrance of God’s transparency of His plan for His people.
THE WILDERNESS
“By sending it into the wilderness.” The wilderness is an image of an isolated place where repenting people enter separating themselves from the general unrepentant public to grow in God’s knowledge, understanding and wisdom to live righteously.
Ancient Israel entered the wilderness for forty years. It was the separation essential to their spiritual journey to draw close to God. After forty years, only the children of the original people who left Egypt survived because they did not rebel against God.
Today, into the 21st century, the journey of the Judeo-Christians who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour are separated in a virtual wilderness as they privately develop an intimate relationship with Almighty God, our LORD through Jesus Christ. As ancient Israel was fed directly by Almighty God in the forty-year wilderness journey by manna, so, the Judeo-Christians are fed by Jesus Christ after accepting his redemptive sacrifice.
THE SCAPEGOAT
The final highlighted point is the scapegoat. Jesus Christ bore the sins of all of mankind. He was the sinless, perfect sacrifice willing to die for mankind from the creation. He is the scapegoat. We see this in Isaiah, “Therefore, I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life until death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12).
THE ROLE OF THE FIRST YOUNG GOAT
God Almighty selected the young goat as the sacrifice for the sins of mankind. The redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ fulfilled the legal requirement for Atonement.
THE ROLE OF THE SECOND YOUNG GOAT
The role of the second young goat sent in the wilderness is the ongoing, continual work of Jesus Christ who intercedes for God’s people as they grow and overcome. This work will continue and reach its apex on the official year and day of Yon Kippur—the Day of Atonement. It will take place and be fulfilled ten days after the return of Jesus Christ. It will be a solemn day for God’s people. At the end of the great tribulation, Jacob’s trouble, the people who are repentant and remain mortal because they have not reached the fullness of Christ and are not transformed into their spiritual bodies, will be atoned for on the Day of Atonement. They will bring this day to completion. A remembrance of this day will continue in the same way that the Passover, Feast of Weeks and Pentecost are kept today.
Before God’s people enter into the Holy Land, God will have them walk under His staff and He will, at that time, purge anyone who holds an unrepentant and rebellious spirit. Ezekiel 20:38 “I will take note of you as you pass under my staff, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. I will purge you of those who revolt and rebel against me. Although I will bring them out of the land where they are living, yet they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 20:38).
Among God’s people, people from the nations will also enter into the Holy Land. “The LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land. Foreigners will join them and unit with the house of Jacob” (Isaiah 14:1).
These foreigners who join with DNA people of God from all twelve tribes will be given rulership, an inheritance, exactly the same as the DNA people of God. Ezekiel recorded God’s word. “You are to distribute this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners who have settled among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. In whatever tribe the foreigner settles, there you are to give him his inheritance” (Ezekiel 47:21-23).
There will be no re-atonement for God’s people returning to the Holy Land at the beginning of Jesus Christ’s millennial reign. They will walk under God Almighty’s staff; He will purge the unrepentant and the remainder will continue to settle in the Holy Land to live righteously. The Apostle Peter urged God’s people to recognize the importance of their calling.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (I Peter 2:9).
Both of the young goats selected for the sacramental service on the Day of Atonement image Jesus Christ. The two indistinguishable goats require the selection by Almighty God, Himself. This is intentional to point to only one heavenly ruler who could qualify to fulfill two roles. Jesus Christ fulfilled the perfect sacrifice paying the price of mankind’s sins. His sacrifice entitled him to have rulership over God’s people and all of mankind and qualifies him to be able to forgive their sins, awaken the spiritually dead and heal all of the spiritual infirmities.
God’s Holy Days given to His people will be remembered for all eternity.
Planned before creation, Almighty God foreknew the outcome of all things. A rebellion in heaven was foreknown. God, the Great Creator, drew up the set times within His grand plan for creation in heaven and on earth that would allow for choices and consequences in preparation of the great fall into rebellion of creation in heaven. He knew rebels would try to usurp His rule. He knew He would have to build a legal case against them. He knew it would involve a terrifying war in heaven that would spillover onto earth. Mankind will be rudely awakened upon their arrival on earth.
The little horn of Daniel will play the key role in the final battle on earth. Satan will watch on the side lines. “He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time” (Daniel 7:25).
One of the key words in that verse is “intending.” The little horn will speak against the Almighty God of Israel and persecute the saints with the intension of disqualifying the authority of the God of Israel, the Almighty God and persecute the saints who ally with Him. The saints will suffer mockery and ridicule from the little horn and his whole coalition for three and a half years.
At this time, the little horn of Daniel will be a cornered beast desperately trying to change the times allocated by Almighty God and set into His grand plan for all creation in heaven and on earth. He will also try to change laws—God’s laws that lead to His judgement and sentencing. He will try to set a precedent that would force his pardon within Almighty God’s eternal legal structure. He will fail because he is not the God of all gods; he is not the eternal Law-maker, he is not the Great Creator.
Time, times and a half has been allocated to the little horn at the close of this evil age to test the loyalty of all creation in both heaven and on earth. He will be successful only because he is allowed his set time.
THE GREAT REBELLION BEGINS IN HEAVEN AND SPILLS OVER ONTO EARTH
The image of the great statue in Daniel describes the rise and overthrow of kingdoms on earth. The great rebellion in heaven is mirrored on earth through the great statue. Three powerful beastly kingdoms ruled by kings in heaven with regents on earth have risen and fallen. The final beastly kingdom will be terrifying and horrible. The final rebel ruler over the unsightly beastly force will be a highly skilful manipulator and deceiver.
“His power will be great, but it will not be his own. He will cause terrible destruction and succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty along with the saints” (Daniel 8:24).
A great shift in power will take place in heaven that will impact all of mankind on earth. The reign of the ten kings from heaven, who will be given rulership over earth for one hour, will not initially be evil through and through.
“In the latter part of their reign, when the rebellion has reached its full measure, an insolent king, skilled in intrigue, will come to the throne” (Daniel 8:23).
Rebellion in heaven will swell, fully and completely, igniting war. Michael, the Archangel with his army will overpower the rebellion led by Satan and his coalition of one-third of the angels. They will be thrown down to earth (Revelation 12:7).
People on earth will see their fall, which will appear in the form of an alien arrival with great power and magnitude.
The ten kings will, however, over a short period of time, become completely wicked in all they do, then, a vile character will rise. He will be given by Satan, his great power, authority and his throne (Revelation 13:2) and take the reign of Wickedness after overthrowing three of the ten kings.
THE RISE OF THE LITTLE HORN
Many people today are pointing to mortals as the enemy, the Antichrist. The little horn is a picture of the Antichrist. “Who is the liar, except the one denying that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one denying the Father and the Son” (I John 2:22).
The little horn in Daniel is a vile spirit being who overpowers and subdues three kings in heaven. He is ambitious because there can only one way he can save himself and his fellow rebels. He needs to change God’s set times and laws. He needs to extend the set times and set a new legal precedent of forgiveness of sins for fallen spirit beings. He wants to change the consequences for sin.
“It grew as high as the host of heaven, and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the earth, and trampled them. It magnified itself, even to the Prince of the host; it removed His daily [sacrifice] and overthrew the place of His sanctuary” (Daniel 8:10).
This rebel spiritual being will become powerful and go up against God’s army and angels in heaven. He will overpower some in God’s army and some of the angels. People on earth will be swept up into this raging war. The overpowered military and angels will be thrown down to earth and trampled. This display will bring terror and immense fear to mere mortals watching.
The little horn will delight in this success and rise to stand as an equal to Jesus Christ, the Prince of princes. The Messiah is mankind’s intercessor. Daily, he comes before Almighty God to intercede for the sins of mankind. He, alone, is qualified as mankind’s intercessor. Yet, the little horn will rise to stand against Jesus Christ in heaven to stop intercession for mankind and direct attention to himself as their only saviour.
The little horn will take supreme power after he overthrows three of the ten kings in heaven ruling over the nations on earth. “And the ten horns are ten kings who will rise from this kingdom. After them another king, different from the earlier ones, will rise and subdue three kings” (Daniel 7:24). These ten kings are the same recorded by the Apostle John. “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings, along with the beast” (Revelation 17:12). This rebel coalition will terrify mankind and they will surrender, knowing it cannot be overthrown by mere mortals.
These rebel rulers are part of a great rogue coalition of powerful rulers, powers and principalities in heaven that the Apostle Paul identified are mankind’s only enemies (Ephesians 6:12). This rogue coalition will expand as loyalty to Almighty God is tested. Leading members of God’s courts in heaven have all disserted Almighty God (Ezekiel 31). They have joined the rebel forces attempting to overthrow the Almighty, All Powerful, Great Creator. The little horn of Daniel will lead and bring the close of this evil age. He will be allowed to rise and test creation in heaven.
THE LITTLE HORN ATTACKS THE MIGHTY AND THE SAINTS
“Some of the host and some of the stars” will be cast down to earth and trampled. The host in Daniel 8 refers to members of God’s army and the stars refer to angels. Mankind will witness the overthrow of some of God’s army and some of His angels. It will be a time like no other ever to have occurred on earth previously. The little horn will declare himself to be mankind’s intercessor when he usurps the Prince of princes by stopping the Messiah’s daily intercession for mankind in heaven and the sanctuary of the Prince of princes is declared powerless. He will then, in heaven, declare himself to be the Messiah of mankind and their intercessor and ultimate judge.
“And in the rebellion, the host and the daily [sacrifice] were given over to the horn, and it flung truth to the ground and prospered in whatever it did” (Daniel 8:11).
The word “sacrifice” in Daniel 8 was added by interpreters. The daily work of Jesus Christ in heaven in his sanctuary, where he is today, is his intercession for the sins of mankind, which he alone is qualified because of his perfect sacrifice. Repentant mankind receives God’s Holy Spirit, which allows them into the Messiah under his righteous covering. “Therefore, there is now no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). The spirit of Jesus Christ knows the heart of the saints. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27). The Spirit of Jesus Christ who intercedes for repentant mankind.
The sole purpose of sacrifices in ancient times was to teach God’s people about sin. The sacrifice of an innocent life of a specific animal without defect was a type of what was to come—the sacrifice of the life of Jesus Christ, the lamb without defect. God Almighty takes no pleasure in animal sacrifices. “Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me” (Hebrews 10:3-5).
Christ was the sacrifice; he does not conduct sacrifices in heaven or on earth. The daily that is stopped is his intercession for mankind.
The little horn totally discards all truth and is allowed to prosper in his plans but only for the set time assigned by Almighty God.
The vision of the evenings and the mornings specifies the exact time, the little horn is allowed to rule. “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated” (Daniel 8:14).
God Almighty is fully in-charge. The Messiah’s sanctuary will be reconsecrated after the set time is complete. God is building His legal case against all rebels in heaven and on earth. It will be a very confusing and troubling time for mankind who do not understand the prophecy recorded in the book of Daniel. Most theologians have not incorporated the spiritual war in heaven and its spillover onto earth into their teaching of end-time prophecy.
THE LITTLE HORN, GOD OF ALL GODS
The little horn will declare himself as the supreme god over all gods. While he cannot claim to be the Almighty God, he degrades and rages against the God of gods to discredit Him and use his own successes as merits of proof that he is more powerful than the Supreme, Almighty God.
“Then the king will do as he pleases and will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and he will speak monstrous things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been decreed must be accomplished. He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers, nor for the one desired by women, nor for any other god, because he will magnify himself above them all” (Daniel 11:36-37).
While events may appear that this vile character is all powerful, he remains limited to the time the Almighty God has decreed.
The event that desecrates all creation in heaven and on earth is his declaration that he can save them. This rebel is the abomination in the holy place. He is the vile character instrumental in the spiritual destruction of mankind during this final great battle. He will pollute the sanctuary with his unholy presence and his claim that his blemished sacrifice is acceptable and can pay the price for sin. He will promote compromise instead of perfection. He will try to establish a theological precedent that will allow spiritual rebels a legal mechanism for forgiveness of their sins.
His temple fortress will be built with walls and a trained army. He will be fully equipped for war not peace.
THE SAINTS WILL TAKE THE LEGAL WITNESS TO THE WORLD
The saints will complete the legal witness to mankind who submit to the rule of this unholy coalition. Judgement will be brought upon them during this final period. Allegiance to the Almighty God and His eternal laws and righteous ways is mankind’s only hope for life.
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ described by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (Matthew 24:14-16).
“His forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the daily [sacrifice] and set up the abomination of desolation. With flattery he will corrupt those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him” (Daniel 11:31-32).
The little horn will do all he can to woo God’s people away from their covenant with Him. The abomination of desolation is designed to trick God’s people into following a different king with a different set of laws and ways. God’s covenant people who know Him will not be tricked. They understand the prophecies in the book of Daniel and will firmly resist the lies and deceit of this vile rebel.
The unsightly fourth beast of Daniel is not a coalition of nations on earth. It is a spiritual rebel force untouchable by mortals.
“After this, as I watched in my vision in the night, suddenly a fourth beast appeared, and it was terrifying—dreadful and extremely strong—with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed; then it trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had ten horns” (Daniel 7:7).
Only another spiritual army can take down this raging coalition in its madness.
“Through his craft and by his hand, he will cause deceit to prosper, and in his own mind he will make himself great. In a time of peace he will destroy many, and he will even stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be broken off, but not by human hands” (Daniel 8:25).
“As you watched, a stone was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them” (Daniel 2:34).
Jesus Christ will crush this detestable, colossal dark force.
What is coming onto earth will push all past world wars, atrocities, despicable violations of holy practices into insignificance. What is coming will be a display of raw spiritual power and force by rebel and raging fallen heavenly beings fighting to regain power and control, fighting for their preservation by trying to change God’s set times of events and God’s eternal laws that define sin that leads to destruction. It will be exactly as Jesus described, “For at that time there will be great tribulation, unmatched from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again. If those days had not been cut short, nobody would be saved.But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short” (Matthew 24:21-22).
The little horn will attempt to change the Great Creator’s set times for events in order to extending his time of rule to gain access to setting a legal mechanism that would excuse their rebellion.
How long will it take? “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed” (Daniel 12:7). The set times and laws determined by Almighty God cannot be changed by no other than the Great Creator Himself—the Holy Supreme Being of all existence. What has been decreed will take place.
ONE GOD REIGNS SUPREME
“The LORD will cause men to hear his majestic voice and will make them see his arm coming down with raging anger and consuming fire, with cloud burst, thunderstorm and hail. For Assyria will be shattered at the voice of the LORD; He will strike them with His scepter” (Isaiah 30:30-31).
The battle of Almighty God against the rebellious gods given rulership over the nations is evident in the remains peeking out of the wind-swept, sandy mounds across vast lands on earth.
21st century scholars refuse to acknowledge the reality of heavenly rulers over nations on earth. And yet, ancient civilizations knew and feared disobeying the god ruling over them.
Written on the cylinder of Nabopolassar, the king recorded, “When I was young, although I was the son of nobody, I constantly sought the sanctuaries of my lords the gods Nabu and Marduk. My mind was preoccupied with the establishment of their prescriptions and the complete performance of their rituals. My attention was directed at justice and equity. The god Marduk, the lord who fathoms the hearts of the gods of heaven and the netherworld, who constantly observes the conducts of mankind, perceived my inner thoughts and elevated me, … the servant who was anonymous among the people, to a high status in the country in which I was born. He called me to the lordship over the country and the people. He caused a benevolent protective spirit to walk at my side. He let me succeed in everything I undertook”
To future kings, King Nabopolassar said, “Any king, at any time, whether a son or a grandson who will succeed me, and whose name Marduk will call to exert rulership of the country do not be concerned with feats of might and power. Seek the sanctuaries of Nabu and Marduk and let them slay your enemies. The lord Marduk examines utterances and scrutinizes the heart. He who is loyal to Marduk, his foundations will endure. He who is loyal to the son of Marduk (i.e. Nabu) will last for eternity.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbFSuO7KHLY
Nabopolassar acknowledged his insignificant beginnings. He addressed Nabu and Marduk as lords, those who hold a priestly role and thought deeply on establishing their prescriptions, that is, instructions that bring healing and health, likely spiritual healing and health. It was shortly after that time of Babel, when mankind was returning to the old ways that brought the great flood. He admitted to putting his trust in Nabu and Marduk to slay his enemies as he believed in their good judgement and knew they could scrutinize his carnal thoughts and know his wayward heart. He was not set of seeking might and power, rather justice and equity recognizing the benefit of a “benevolent protective spirit walking at his side.”
King Nabopolassar’s son, Nebuchadnezzar, too, respected the gods ruling over Babylon. The arrival of the Jewish exiles introduced him to the Supreme God—God over all gods. This has been the challenge of Almighty God since Adam and Eve were cast out of the garden. The Supreme God is all powerful and His radiance is pure light preventing mankind from seeing Him and living. King Nebuchadnezzar experienced Almighty God’s power to humble the mighty. After his seven-year sentence to live as a wild animal drenched in dew and his gods that he worshipped were powerless to thwart the sentence, King Nebuchadnezzar declared across the whole of his kingdom, “The dominion of the Most High is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the people of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4:34b-35)
King Nebuchadnezzar is represented as the head of gold in the great statue that symbolizes earth’s kingdoms used by God to illustrate the rapid progression of earth’s rulers into corruption and evil. The reign of king Nebuchadnezzar was precious because he acknowledged the God of Israel as the supreme and all-powerful God over all gods. The God of Israel saved Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the burning furnace. King Nebuchadnezzar declared, “I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way” (Daniel 3:29).
The gods have significantly less power than the Almighty God of Israel.
King Nebuchadnezzar said to Daniel when God gave him the meaning of the dream of the great statue, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the LORD of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery” (Daniel 2:47).
The battle in ancient times has always been a race for the rebel sons of God ruling over the nations to declare their supremacy over Almighty God.
BABEL, HEAVENLY RULERS GIVEN OVER THE PEOPLE ON EARTH
Lest we forget, a review of how it came about that the nations on earth were given heavenly rulers over them is a critical piece in the great puzzle that provides understanding into the battle Almighty God fights against the gods. The sons of God in His court in heaven were given rulership over the nations. At the time of Babel, God Almighty divided the people, gave them different languages and separated them from being a collective whole. The people were returning to the sinful ways that caused God to destroy mankind, except for eight people, with a great flood. God gave these people skilful and highly trained heavenly rulers from His headquarters, called Lebanon, in heaven.
“When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race, he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court” (Deuteronomy 32:8).
These heavenly rulers were once the most revered and honoured leaders throughout creation in heaven. Their reign over the nations on earth began well. Kingdoms rose with each heavenly ruler showcasing his talents and skill. But, in relatively a short time, one-by-one they became proud and arrogant and taught the people to worship them, instead of the Almighty God—their Creator. Ezekiel recorded God speaking to the heavenly ruler over Egypt, “Who can be compared to you in majesty?” (Ezekiel 31:2). To the king ruling over Assyria, God said to the king over Egypt, “Consider Assyria, once a cedar in Lebanon [once a leader in God’s headquarters in heaven], with beautiful branches overshadowing the forest; it towered on high. Its top above the thick foliage… The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it, nor could the pine trees equal its boughs, nor could the plan trees compare with its branches—no tree in the garden of God could match its beauty. I made it beautiful with abundant branches, the envy of all the trees of Eden in the garden of God” (Ezekiel 31:3, 8-9).
God described the heavenly ruler over Assyria as one of the most revered leaders in His heavenly court in the God-family named Eden. He was a son of God filled with God’s Holy Spirit who judged using the perfect application of God’s law and His righteous ways.
God joined these members of His heavenly court and gave Himself the descendants of Jacob as His people, to rule over them as their heavenly King and teach them His law and His ways. “But the LORD’s portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:9).
Abraham was not part of the division of people at the time of Babel; he wasn’t born for another 200 years. The ancient peoples called on the name of the heavenly god ruling over them for help and strength.
GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT FILLED THE HEAVENLY LEADERS
All of the heavenly rulers were filled with God’s Holy Spirit and the people recognized the inferior abilities of the spirit of man compared to having the spirit of holy gods. The mother-queen of Babylon advised her grandson, the king of Babylon when the writing on the wall appeared and he was terrified. “O king, live forever! Don’t be alarmed! Don’t look so pale! There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father, he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods” (Daniel 5:11).
The queen mother had witnessed Daniel interpret king Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The kings said to Daniel, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you” (Daniel 4:9).
With help from heavenly gods, all of the people, at the time of Babel, departed to their new territories assigned to them by the Almighty God. People were assigned to modern-day northern Iraq where they established a city-state called Ashur, after their heavenly god, Assur.
“While Nineveh may have been one of its notable political capitals, Ashur was always its spiritual base. They called their domain mat-Assur which means land of Assur pointing to the god Assur whose shrine and later temple was the city’s main focal point. The people of Assyria considered that the land belonged to the god Assur. The mortal on the throne was only the vice-regent on earth.” (History with Cy).
MYTHOLOGY VS REALITY
Modern day scholars discredit the belief and worship of gods by the ancient people, but this was a reality and it is critical to understanding what rests on our near horizon—a time like no other on earth—a time a great distress unequaled nor ever to occur again (Matthew 24:21).
God watched the members from His heavenly court rule and saw them begin to stumble and sway. He warned them and corrected them helping them to return to God’s righteous law and ways. It wasn’t long with each of the members from God’s heavenly court ruling over the nations began to turn against Him. So, much so, that they raged against Him.
THE gods REBEL
God said to King Assur over Assyria, “By your messengers you have heaped insults on the LORD. And you have said, ‘With my many chariots I have ascended the heights of the mountains, the utmost heights of Lebanon’” (Isaiah 37:24a). The descriptor of a mountain is God’s image for a federal government. This rebel ruler in heaven bragged about his military success of battling against the honoured and revered members of God’s central government and overthrowing them.
This vile heavenly ruler boasted, “I have cut down its tallest cedars, the choicest of its pines. I have reached its remotest heights, the finest of its forests” (Isaiah 37:24b).
All of the trees described by this rebel are images of the different leaders in God’s headquarters; His finest leaders have all been destroyed. While this rebel boasts and rages against the Almighty God, God said, “Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it. In days of old I planned it; now I have brought it to pass, that you have turned fortified cities into piles of stone” (Isaiah 37:26).
At the time that God spoke to this raging rebel, the Assyrians had surrounded Jerusalem. King Hezekiah prayed to Almighty God, the God of Israel for help and God said to this fallen ruler, “But I know where you stay and when you come and go and how you rage against me. Because you rage against me and because of your insolence has reached my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will make you return by the way you came” (Isaiah 37:28-29).
The God of Israel, the Supreme God, shielded Jerusalem because the good king Hezekiah prayed to Him and pleaded for protection. The king and the righteous prophets put their trust in their God, and He saved them this time around. The kings of the house of Judah progressively defied God, which led eventually to their captivity by king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The terror seen in the Valley of Vision did not turn the senses of Judah to their God, instead they hardened to hearts and shouted in celebratory joy, “Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die!” (Isaiah 22:13)
Both houses of Israel: Judah and Israel went into captivity because of their evil ways and rejection of the LORD’s instruction. God used the wicked heavenly rulers over the nations to punish His people as well as the weaker nations led by fallen, rebel heavenly rulers.
THE MADE KING SENNACHERIB
The mad king Sennacherib was an image of the rebel and raging king Assur in heaven. “Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the countries, destroying them completely. And will you be delivered?” The messengers of the heavenly king through earthly his king taunted the Jews in Jerusalem. “Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar? Where are the kings of Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?’” (Isaiah 37:11-13).
The gods of those fallen nations were not powerful enough to protect their earthly nations. The Almighty God used the stronger rebel kings to take down the weaker rebel kings.
God reminded the raging rebel king Assur, “Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it; in days of old I planned it. Now I have brought it to pass, that you should crush fortified cities into piles of rubble. Therefore, their inhabitants, devoid of power, are dismayed and ashamed” (Isaiah 37:26-27).
Ancient Assyria was the rod of God’s anger against the rebellious northern houses of Israel and Judah. While Assyria brought the house of Israel to an end; it was Babylonian king that God used to take down the southern house of Judah and bring them into captivity.
THE GOD OF ISRAEL REIGNS SUPREME
King David understood the battle of God against the gods. He acknowledged the God of Israel as the supreme God above all other gods. “For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods”(Psalm 95:3).
King David was frustrated with the idols made by the people to call on the gods they worshipped. "Let all those be ashamed who serve graven images, who boast themselves of idols; worship Him, all you gods" (Psalm 97:7).
The gods ruling over the nations had taught the people to worship them as the Supreme God, the Creator. “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, you great monster lying among your streams. You say, “The Nile belongs to me; I made it for myself’” (Ezekiel 29:3).
King David pleaded, “Arise, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are Your inheritance” (Psalm 82:8). He was tired of the ancient rebellion. God assured king David that their rule will end but according to His timeline. “I have said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.’ But like mortals you will die, and like rulers you will fall” (Psalm 82:6-7).
God’s grand plan was to give the Son of God of whom He gave His great power to create heaven and earth and all that is in these two realms, a kingdom. It would be this Son of God who would demonstrate God’s perfect love and to take the beatings and pay the life-sacrificing price to save mankind on earth. Through his sacrifice, he won the decisive battle. Christ gathered and imprisoned the remaining rebel sons over the nations and took them to the lower parts of the earth, where they await judgment today.
“None of the rulers of this age [the principalities and power in high places] understood it, for if they had, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE CRUCIFIED THE LORD OF GLORY” (I Corinthians 2:8).
Remember, “when Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” (Matthew 27:24)
Note, Pontius Pilate was a Roman governor who declared Jesus’ innocence. It was the Jewish Sanhedrin that pushed for the crucifixion of Jesus.
The job God Almighty gave to these heavenly rulers was to teach the nations on earth God’s law and His righteous ways. They failed. Christ has won the kingship over all the nations on earth. He has already given the church within God’s people, the job that was given to the members of God’s heavenly court.
CHRIST REDEEMED GOD’S PEOPLE AND ALL OF THE NATIONS AND DISARMED THE REBEL gods over the nations—freeing them from their enemy. “He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code [that is, the Law of Sin and Death is no longer applicable], with its regulations, that war against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross [Christ’s sacrifice paid the price for mankind]. And having DISARMED THE POWERS AND AUTHORITIES, he made a PUBLIC SPECTACLE OF THEM [the rogue sons of God], TRIUMPHING OVER THEM BY THE CROSS” (Colossians 2:13-15).
The Apostle Paul understood this 21st century mystery. “This is why it says: ‘When He ascended on high, He led captives [rebel heavenly rulers] away, and gave gifts to men [authority to teach the word of God].’ What does ‘He ascended’ mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the very one who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fulfill all things" (Ephesians 4:8-10).
The silence of the gods for over 2,000 years is due to Jesus Christ imprisoning them. Satan took the opportunity to mythicize them so that mankind would only look to each other as the enemy and ghost their real enemies. The Apostle Paul said that mankind’s only enemies are the rulers, powers and authorities in heaven and on earth (Ephesians 6:12).
THE AUTHORITY ORIGINALLY GIVEN TO THE gods TO TEACH GOD’S WAY TO THE NATIONS WAS TAKEN AS BOOTY BY CHRIST AND GIVEN TO HIS CHURCH. “Some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of services, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we ALL reach unity in the father and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13).
A time is coming; it is resting on our near horizon when fallen angels and rebel gods will be thrown out of heaven and arrive on earth to finish their war against Almighty God. “Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But the dragon was not strong enough, and no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels. And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him… Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea; with great fury the devil has come down to you, knowing he has only a short time” (Revelation 12:7-9, 12).
God’s people have been warned by Jesus, who said, “For at that time there will be great tribulation, unmatched from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again. If those days had not been cut short, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short” (Matthew 24:21-22).
The whole world will be astonished and follow this rebel alien force because it will be so powerful that all of the nations, collectively would not be able to overpower it. “Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?” The nations will surrender.
This alien invasion from heaven will come fully loaded with ten powerful rebel kings who will rule for one hour with the beast. “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings, along with the beast” (Revelation 17:12). During this time, Mystery Babylon the Great, the great prostitute will surface on the international scene. She will be a religious body who will set up business, trading expensive goods for her wares. The merchants performing the exchanges will lavish in the profit from her business.
The ten kings will wait to receive their promised kingdom until the last days. God Almighty knew they would rebel against Him. He likely promised them rulership at the time of Babel, but they had to wait until He was ready to use them.
God’s people, both houses of Israel and Judah into the 21st century—twelve nations, will be the target of Satan, the ten kings and the beast. This horrific force will be like the oppressive blows of ancient Assyria. The king of Babylon will rise and “On the day that the LORD gives you rest from your pain and torment, and from the hard labor into which you were forced, you will sing this song of contempt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has ceased, and how his fury has ended! The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers. It struck the peoples in anger with unceasing blows; it subdued the nations in rage with relentless persecution” (Isaiah 14:1-6).
The Antichrist, the little horn in the book of Daniel, will take the lead. He will overthrow three of the ten kings and establish himself as the supreme ruler over the beastly coalition on earth. This vile character will surpass all previous rebels. “He will speak against the Most High and oppress the saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time” (Daniel 7:25). He will rise and set himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God (II Thessalonians 2:4b).
This will be a time of great confusion. The saints will have the truth and remain strong when the little horn reaches the “host of the heavens”—God’s army in heaven and battles to throw some of the “starry host”—radiant angels down to earth. It will set itself up to be as great as the “Prince of the host”—Jesus Christ and take away his daily work and his sanctuary will be considered inferior and ineffective. Jesus Christ works daily in heaven to forgive sins and intercede for mankind (Daniel 8:10-11), as well as, to lead the righteous angelic sons of God in heaven. This vile rebel will be allowed by Almighty God to be successful because God is testing the angelic sons of God in heaven as well as mankind on earth. Judgement will be in progress during this time.
The Antichrist, the little horn in Daniel, will attempt to change God’s law to acquit himself, along with Satan and those within the beastly coalition. This will be a terrible time when deception on earth will be a display of the work of Satan “in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved” (II Thessalonians 2:9-10).
The set time of God for these rebels is a time, times and half a time. They will not be able to change set times. The very moment that set time has ended, the courts in heaven will sit, and the power of the little horn will be taken away and completely destroyed forever (Daniel 7:26). It is impossible for creation to overthrow the Great Creator.
After that time of judgement, God Almighty will turn to His people and rescue them. “For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again He will choose Israel and settle them in their own land. The foreigner will join them and unite with the house of Jacob. The nations will escort Israel and bring it to its homeland. Then the house of Israel will possess the nations as menservants and maidservants in the LORD’s land. They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors. On the day that the LORD gives you rest from your pain and torment, and from the hard labor into which you were forced, you will sing this song of contempt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has ceased, and how his fury has ended! The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers” (Isaiah 14:1).
It will happen “on that day” after God’s people are struck down. Their ally will betray them. They will be caught off-guard; they will be vulnerable and weak; unable to save themselves, then, they will look to their invincible and loving God.
“On that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no longer depend on him who struck them, but they will truly rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. A remnant will return—a remnant of Jacob—to the Mighty God” (Isaiah 10:20-21).
The reference to the remnant of Israel has always pointed to a small group of people within the kingdom of Israel. They are not the complete house of Israel, rather, a small group—the overcomers, who have always remembered Almighty God, the God of Israel. Joseph said to his brothers that he was sent ahead of them, though it was through his brothers’ evil actions that he ended up in Egypt, still by God’s will, to preserve a remnant on earth. He added his presence in Egypt was also to save them by a great deliverance (Genesis 45:7). Joseph was not preserving all of them, only a remnant, but all are saved by a great deliverance. I am making a distinction between two different groups of people.
God said through the writing of Micah, “I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob; I will collect the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in the midst of its pasture—a noisy throng” (Micah 2:12).
God is very careful in His use of language. He will gather the people of Jacob and collect the remnant of Israel together, that is two groups of people. To gather people means they are scattered and brought together in one activity. To collect people means they are one-by-one coming together into a group over time as they reflect what the collector values.
The gathered and the collected people will become a very large group of people, excited to be united under the rulership of Almighty God. Christ will set them free from their captors. “One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate, and go out by it. Their King will pass through before them, the LORD as their leader” (Micah 2:13).
It is important to take some time to look deeper into God’s use of language that refers to Jacob and Israel as two separate groups. “Therefore, the LORD who redeemed Abraham says of the house of Jacob: “No longer will Jacob be ashamed and no more will his face grow pale. For when he sees his children around him, the work of My hands, they will honor My name, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and they will stand in awe of the God of Israel. Then the wayward in spirit will come to understanding, and those who grumble will accept instruction” (Isaiah 29:22-24).
These three verses are a complete sequence of God’s careful use of language.
· God’s first point: Abraham is redeemed
God began by identifying the patriarchal father of the house of Jacob, Abraham. God carefully pointed out that Abraham is redeemed—he is liberated. God is reminding His people that through Abraham, they too, are liberated because He, the Almighty God is their King—their Saviour.
“But the LORD’s portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:9). God gave Himself an inheritance, kingship over the descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob.
“The LORD of Hosts will bless them, saying, ‘Blessed be Egypt My people, Assyria My handiwork, and Israel My inheritance" (Isaiah 19:25).
God’s people will always remain God’s inheritance. They were called to become a holy kingdom of royal priests. God will accomplish all that He has set out to do.
· God’s second point: The house of Jacob failed
God addressed the house of Jacob. Their wayward leaders, the national and religious leaders, failed and are filled with shame and feelings of powerlessness. Though they failed, God’s work continued uninterrupted. The descendants of Jacob are the work of God’s hands; they will become God-fearing and God-serving people.
· God’s third point: The wayward leaders within the house of Jacob will bend their knee to the God of Israel; not the God of Jacob.
God is making a very specific point by identifying Himself as the God of Israel—not the God of Jacob. God’s work is the bringing of His people into a people who fear and serve Him. The house of Jacob will bend their knee to the God of Israel because they acknowledge the miracle of transforming carnal man into God’s Holy Spirit filled and led people. Even the most stubborn people will bend their knee before the God of Israel—the God of the overcomers; the God who transforms people through trials and tribulation. The God who loves His creation and longs to give them His unique Holy Spirit that opens their eyes to recognize precious knowledge, enables their thoughts to reach unfathomable depths of understanding and empowers the application of His wisdom.
When Jesus Christ died and the veil was rent from the top down, direct access to Almighty God through the Messiah was made possible for all people. God has been working directly with people; these people are overcoming. These over-comers are Israel, like Jacob who wrestled relentlessly with the Angel of the LORD begging to be blessed—begging for protection from his brother Esau—begging for life. The Angel of the LORD changed Jacob’s name to Israel because he overcame. Jacob, at that moment, prior to re-entering the Holy Land mirrored his end-time descendants who will do the same prior to re-entering the land promised to their patriarchal father, Israel.
After God’s people repent “in that day” and they will say, “I will praise you, O LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation” (Isaiah 12:1-2).
ONE FINAL BATTLE
During the millennial reign of Jesus Christ, one final battle will remain for God against rebel gods. Gog of the land of Magog and all his hordes in the far north of heaven will be called to battle against Almighty God. He and his hordes will have sat quietly for the duration of Christ’s millennial rule. God is preparing to create a new heaven and a new earth void of all rebels both in heaven and on earth. The time will come when God calls this heavenly force to arms. This violent but short battle will be anticipated by God’s people on earth because all of them will be obeying Him and know His word. God prophesied, “After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety. You and all your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land” (Ezekiel 38:8-9).
This rebel heavenly force will lure many nations on earth to join him in the final attempt to completely wipe out God’s people and the foreigners with them. Satan will be released for the final battle. All who go against the Almighty God are the ultimate losers.
God prophesied, “This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused… In my zeal and fiery wrath, I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. The fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains… Every man’s sword will be against his brother. I will execute judgement upon him [Gog] with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulphur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. And so, I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 38:18-23).
Nations who join with the rebel heavenly ruler and his hordes will die. The judgement is already known. God’s judgement will not be overturned; He is absolute.
Mankind’s only true battle has been against rulers, powers and principalities in heaven and on earth. As Satan tricked Eve, he continues to trick mankind into warring against each other. Americans have said for years: Russia, Russia, Russia, but truly, no nation on earth is the enemy. Know the real enemy because they will come in full force to attempt to totally obliterate all people on earth. It will be like no other time on earth before.
God knows the end from the beginning. This supernatural ability gives Him the exactitude to plan and achieve precisely what He has set out to do without any hindrance or diversion. He knew that Adam and Eve would sin. He knew that He would take claim to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and reign over them. He knew they would reject Him and later search for Him. He knew that from the earliest beginning of His covenant with Abraham, within the family of Isaac, a people would choose to live driven to please self, to revel in self-glory, power and corruption without remorse. He knew one son from Isaac would overcome and his descendants would preserve God’s law and word while they, too, struggled to obey Him. He knew the two families will wrestle until the return of Jesus Christ. Their story is more relevant today than it was those many years ago.
TWO PEOPLES WILL BE SEPARATED
God said to Rebekah, “two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23).
The two boys wrestled for the firstborn inheritance—rulership and great blessings while in Rebekah’s womb, Isaac’s wife. God revealed the time it begins, the time before their birth, mirroring the time before the birthing into God’s kingdom as spiritual children of God. Within Western Europe and the West, battles are taking place from within each country. Royal members, Prime Ministers and Presidents are working against the people, oppressing them and through irregular warfare, attacking them. These leaders are destroyers demonstrating a complete lack of patriotism. Who are these reigning rebel people—the older or the younger?
THE FIRSTBORN SON
God established the firstborn double blessing since ancient times because He is revealing the double blessing that He will give to those in the first resurrection. He also, linked the firstborn blessing to the firstborn chosen as His priesthood. It was an intentional mirror of the first men and women to be resurrected; they will be God’s priesthood serving Him in His temple.
“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast’” (Exodus 13:1-2).
Also, God does not want the father of sons from different wives, giving the favourite wife’s son the firstborn inheritance if he is not the firstborn of all the sons. God does not want the mirroring of this practice to become muddied allowing favouritism or any son to receive the inheritance. Only the righteous God-fearing men and women who will be resurrected at the first resurrection are God’s firstborn on earth in His kingdom; they will receive the double blessing. “When that man assigns his inheritance to his sons, he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him” (Deuteronomy 21:16-17).
The firstborn mirror the first to be resurrected into God’s kingdom. An interesting discussion takes place between God and the king of Egypt
THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL IS GOD’S FIRSTBORN SON
God told Moses to tell Pharaoh that His people will be the firstborn in His kingdom. “Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son’” (Exodus 4:22). This scripture may sound odd for those who do not fully understand what God is telling Pharaoh. The heavenly ruler over Egypt was the one God was addressing when He declared His people to be His firstborn son. Egypt’s heavenly ruler was falling out of righteousness. He had taught the Egyptians that he was a Creator.
“Speak to him and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Pharaoh king of Egypt, O great monster who lies among his rivers, who says, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it myself’” (Ezekiel 29:3).
The Nile River was the life-source of Egypt. Egypt’s king was declaring himself to be the creator of their life source. Almighty God was battling against this fallen, heavenly ruler. The staff is a symbol of authority. The magicians, using power from this fallen, heavenly king, turned their staffs into snakes. Aaron, through the power of Almighty God, turned his staff into a snake and it swallowed up all of the snakes of the magicians (Exodus 7:12). The message: The God of Israel has supreme authority.
The water of the Nile River and all water ways were turned to blood by God through Aaron’s staff. Life in the water died and a stench came out. The Egyptian magicians could also curse the water, but they could not heal it. The message: The Egyptian magicians can present a sacrifice of blood, but they cannot forgive sins. God is referring to these heavenly rulers over the nations on earth.
The plague of frogs that likely mirror the evil spirits that are prophesied to come out of the dragon, the false prophet and the beast (Revelation 16:13) came out of the Nile. This very river, Pharaoh claimed to have created became the cesspool of wickedness. The message: Pharaoh’s Nile River is full of evil spirits and the heavenly king of Egypt has no power to take them away (Exodus 8:8).
Pharaoh pleaded to have the frogs taken away. Moses replied, “It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the LORD our God” (Exodus 8:10). And Moses added, “The frogs will leave you and your houses, your officials and your people; they will remain only in the Nile” (Exodus 8:11).
God’s point to the Egypt’s ruler in heaven was that he has failed to rule righteously and his people, the Egyptians on earth, will not be resurrected first into His kingdom. There was likely a chance for the Egyptian people and likely for any of the heavenly rulers over the nations to have their people on earth resurrected at the first resurrection, but all of these rulers turned against Almighty God and taught the people in all the nations on earth to worship them. Hence, the myriad list of gods—elohim worshipped all around the world.
EPHRAHIM, GOD’S FIRSTBORN
God has declared that His people will be the first to be resurrected into His kingdom. He has a salvation plan for all of mankind and it begins with the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus, born from the tribe of Judah in the kingdom of Israel. God is specific as to which house of the two, who will be first to be resurrected. Ephraim was given the leadership over the ten tribes of Israel. He was Joseph’s youngest son. God had prophesied that Ephraim will be His firstborn. These people from the ten tribes of Israel who accept Christ as their Saviour, the Christians will come out of the Great Tribulation weeping and begging for forgiveness and life eternal. They will be exactly like Jacob when he wrestled with the Jesus Christ, the Old Testament Angel of God. God will recognize their sincerity and they will be blessed.
“Behold, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, including the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor. They will return as a great assembly! They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn” (Jeremiah 31:8-9).
JESUS CHRIST, THE FIRST OF THE FIRSTBORN
Jesus was first born in his family on earth and consecrated to God according to God’s Law given to Moses. “And when the time of purification according to the Law of Moses was complete, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”) (Luke 2:22-23).
Jesus Christ was consecrated to Almighty God into His priesthood on earth. He died and was resurrected; he is the first of the first resurrection. “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (I Corinthians 15:20-22).
Also in Hebrews 1, “For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father”? Or again: “I will be His Father, and He will be My Son”? And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all God’s angels worship Him” (Hebrews 1:5-6). Jesus Christ is the first to be resurrected from mortals. He is King over all kings and Lord over all lords both in heaven and on earth.
GOD’S PRIESTHOOD: AN ADJUSTMENT FROM THE FIRSTBORN SON TO THE LEVITES
God made an adjustment in His selection of His priesthood when ancient Israel left Egypt. He selected the Levites to serve Him (Numbers 3). This change pointed to Moses given God’s Law and His Holy Spirit both essential for service to God. This tribe would be blessed with the essential components to serve Him. They remained God’s priesthood all through ancient Israel’s journey in the wilderness, into the Promised Land until they entered into captivity. God is likely to uphold this change in the future.
“But the Levites who went far from me, going astray from me after their idols when Israel went astray, shall bear their punishment… Because they ministered before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I swore with an uplifted hand concerning them that they would bear the consequences of their iniquity, declares the Lord GOD. They shall not come near to me, to serve me as priest, nor come near any of my holy things and the things that are most holy, but they shall bear their shame and the abominations that they have committed. Yet I will appoint them to keep charge of all the work for the temple and everything to be done in it" (Ezekiel 44:10, 12-14).
“But the Levitical priests, who are descended from Zadok and who kept charge of My sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from Me, are to approach Me to minister before Me. They will stand before Me to offer Me fat and blood, declares the Lord GOD” (Ezekiel 44:15).
THE FIRSTBORN WHO LOST THEIR BIRTHRIGHT BLESSING
Not all of the firstborn sons received the firstborn, double blessing inheritance. Esau lost the firstborn double blessing and well as Rueben, Jacob’s firstborn son.
REUBEN
Jacob’s firstborn son was Reuben born from his mother, Leah. She was not Jacob’s beloved wife, but keeping with God’s Law, Reuben was destined to receive the double portion, firstborn blessing. He was aware of the firstborn birthright; but he wanted more. He attempted to establish his own ruling family line coming directly from him and exclude his brothers by taking one of his father’s concubines and impregnating her. Jacob understood the presumptuous attempt and took the firstborn birthright from him. He gave Judah the ruling sceptre passing over Simeon and Levi because of their war-like retaliation towards the people of Shechem in responding to the rape of their sister, Dinah. Judah proved his service to his father by putting his life on the line to protect Benjamin during his journey to Joseph in Egypt. The riches of the birthright blessings went to Joseph who proved to be a righteous God-fearing and God-serving son. This change in the giving of the firstborn inheritance was a God sanctioned decision because only the righteous, God-fearing and God-serving people will be in the first resurrection and receive rulership and great blessings.
ESAU
The loss of Esau’s firstborn birthright is a relevant study into the 21st century. Esau came to Jacob starving after coming in from the field. He approached Jacob and asked for a bowl of soup. Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright” (Genesis 25:31). Esau agreed saying, “Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?” (Genesis 25:32)
But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.”
So, he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. “Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So, Esau despised his birthright” (Genesis 25:34).
Esau did not understand the value of the birthright. While he believed that he would die imminently, the selling of the birthright was an easy payment for life. He relies on the food given to him by Jacob to revive him. That would become a prophetic act when the “older” is revived by the “younger,” still a future event.
Here, Esau mirrors the ungrateful ancient Israelites who had God Almighty—the Creator as their king, but they rejected Him. The nation of Israel was God’s inheritance; Israel became subjects to Almighty God. They took for granted the priceless gift of His perfect leadership, perpetual forgiveness and enduring love.
The resurrection described in Ezekiel 37 of the very dry, ancient bones of the whole house of Israel in the valley could take place just prior to the re-unification of the two houses of Israel after Christ’s return. Then, we will see the older serve the younger.
The “younger” are the repentant and humble, obedient and loving Israelites of the latter days who come out of the Great Tribulation who have been refined and tested by God. They will be stronger spiritually than the “older” who when resurrected say, “Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off” (Ezekiel 37:11b).
ESAU, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNGODLY AND UNREPENTANT MEMBERS OF GOD’S COVENANT FAMILY
Isaac sent Esau to hunt venison and make him his favourite meal, anticipating his death and planning to give Esau the firstborn inheritance. Esau arrived back from hunting and said, “My father, sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing” (Genesis 27:31).
Esau was not a polite and caring individual. He was gruff and commanding. “Sit up,” he said to father when he entered his room. Isaac was confused because moments earlier he thought he had blessed Esau.
When Isaac realized that he had not blessed Esau, he trembled violently. Esau burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said, “Bless me—me too, my father!” (Genesis 27:34)
The Apostle Paul understood the importance of BEING RIGHT WITH GOD, when he wrote, “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or UNHOLY LIKE ESAU, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, HE WAS REJECTED, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears” (Hebrews 12:15-17).
It was God who rejected Esau, not Isaac. Esau did not value the birthright nor did he respect God. His marriage choices were a source of grief to both Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 26:35). Looking through the reflection into the parallel story, it is evident that Esau’s religious preferences, like many of the covenant people then and today, were not the ways of God. The people who reflect Esau will not inherit the blessings from God just because they are DNA Israelites of the covenant family.
Jesus said, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:22-23).
Many Judo-Christians are not living righteously. They are living according to their own interpretations of God’s word.
THE OUTCOME CHANGED
Jacob believed that the birthright was his; he had purchased it for a single meal. Isaac may have known about that. If so, he did not validate the purchase. Rebekah was told by God, that the older [Esau] would serve the younger [Jacob]. This meant that the younger would receive the family birthright inheritance—rulership and blessings. It is highly likely that Rebekah shared that with Isaac when she was in turmoil and worried about losing her life due to the intense wrestling of the twins in her womb. Still, Isaac ignored her testimony. It is the work of God that Isaac had suffered blindness; it mirrored his spiritual condition being unable to see what lies ahead of him. He failed to ask God for guidance, knowing Esau’s behaviour and marriage choices.
When Sarah told Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away, it distressed him greatly. He went to God on the matter and God said, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned” (Genesis 21:11-12).
Rebekah worked to correct a direction that would bring chaos and destruction into God’s covenant family. She gave specific instructions to Jacob to dress and cover himself to deceive Isaac into believing that Jacob was Esau. This action pricked Jacob’s conscience and he said, “But my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I’m a man with smooth skin. What if my father touches me? I would APPEAR to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing” (Genesis 27:11-12).
Jacob understood what the action APPEARED to look like if their true intentions was not known. In addition, Jacob feared being cursed because he knew his father had a relationship with Almighty God and power to bless or curse. Jacob was a God-fearing man who knew God.
When Esau learned that the birthright inheritance was given to Jacob, he went into a rage and planned to kill his brother. He did not acknowledge the vow he made upon selling his birthright for a single meal, instead his hatred for his brother spilled over onto his children and descendants for many years to come. This is a prophecy of family members hating and spreading hatred towards the God-fearing and God-serving people. Jesus prophesied, “They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me” (John 16:2-3).
It is no surprise that descendants of Esau have taken leadership offices throughout Judea during Jesus’ life on earth and likely continue to hold, key leadership positions today in Western Europe, the West and Israel. Herod the Great, client-king over Judea ordered the death of Jesus after he was born. He was an Edomite. His son, Herod Antipas ruler of Galilee ordered the beheading of John the Baptist. They are willing to kill to protect their rulership.
ESAU AND GOD
Esau may feel sorry for himself and continue to behave badly, but God did not abandon him. Before Isaac died, Esau packed up his family and everything he owned and moved away. God took care of him and gave Esau his own land, the area around Mount Seir where once the Horites lived. The Horites were a similar race of people like the Anakites who were very large and tall.
As God battled the giants for Israel, He first battled the giants for Esau and his children. “They were a people strong and numerous, and as tall as the Anakites. The LORD destroyed them from before the Ammonites, who drove them out and settled in their place. The LORD had done the same for the descendants of Esau, who lived in Seir, when he destroyed the Horites from before them” (Deuteronomy 2:21-22).
Though God gave him land, he was not satisfied. His story is about a people within the covenant family who refuse to repent, so God will not confirm the covenant with them. Their hatred for their own brother continues to burn into an unquenchable fire.
THE EDOMITES CONTINUE IN ANGER AND RAGE AGAINST THE DESCENDANTS OF JACOB:
God has prophesied His judgement on the Edomites for their uncontrolled rage. “For three sins of Edom, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath. Because he pursued his brother with a sword, stifling all compassion, because his anger raged continually and his fury flamed unchecked, I will send fire upon Teman that will consume the fortresses of Bozrah” (Amos 1:11-12).
THE EDOMITES WERE WILLING TO ENSLAVE THEIR OWN COUSINS: “This is what the LORD says: ‘The people of Tyre have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! They broke their treaty of brotherhood with Israel, selling whole villages as slaves to Edom’” (Amos 1:9).
“For three sins of Gaza, even for four I will not turn back my wrath, because she took captive whole communities and sold them to Edom” (Amos 1:6).
THE EDOMITES WERE VIOLENT AGAINST THEIR COUSINS: “Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be cut off forever” (Obadiah 1:10).
“Thus says the Lord GOD: Because Edom acted revengefully against the house of Judah and has grievously offended in taking vengeance on them, therefore thus says the Lord GOD, ‘I will also stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off man and beast from it. And I will lay it waste; from Teman even to Dedan they will fall by the sword’” (Ezekiel 25:12).
THE EDOMITES BECOME A TOTALLY CORRUPT PEOPLE:
“Concerning Edom Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Is there no longer any wisdom in Teman? Has good counsel been lost to the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed? Flee away, turn back, dwell in the depths, O inhabitants of Dedan, for I will bring the disaster of Esau upon him at the time I punish him. If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave gleanings? If thieves came by night, they would destroy only until they had enough’” (Jeremiah 49:7-9).
EDOMITES TURN A BLIND EYE:
The Antichrist will “enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, EVEN EDOM, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon” (Daniel 11:41). These Edomites go untouched by the Antichrist. What type of alliance will they have with this beast power at that time?
But they will not go unpunished by God.
“In that day… Your warriors, O Teman, will be terrified, and everyone in Esau’s mountains will be cut down in the slaughter. Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be cut off forever… you should not look down on your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble” (Obadiah verse 10).
THE EDOMITES TRANSFORM INTO THE IMAGE OF WICKEDNESS AND UNREPENTANT ISRAEL:
“The LORD is angry with all nations… My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens; see, it descends in judgment on Edom, the people I have devoted to destruction. The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood, it is covered with fat—the blood of lambs and goats, fat from the kidney of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah [the redeemed—accepted sacrifice] and a great slaughter in Edom [the unredeemed]… For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of retribution, to uphold Zion’s cause. Edom’s streams will be turned into pitch, her dust into burning sulfur; her land will become blazing pitch! It will not be quenched night and day; its smoke will rise forever [until its God-determined end]… No nobles will be left to proclaim a king, and all her princes will come to nothing” (Isaiah 34:1-12).
God is angry with all of the nations because they surrender to Satan and the beast. When they are thrown out of heaven and arrive on earth their display of power will be overwhelming. “One of the heads of the beast appeared to be mortally wounded. But the mortal wound was healed, and the whole world marveled and followed the beast. They worshiped the dragon who had given authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against it?” (Revelation 13:3-4)
So, they surrender.
God’s day of vengeance will protect the redeemed [in Bozrah] and destroy the unredeemed in Edom [the place of rebels]. A concentration camp of types will appear and be referred to as Bozrah. There, the repentant and God-fearing people will be imprisoned. The reference of Bozrah may not necessarily be the physical Bozrah on earth rather an emblematic place where the God-fearing covenant people are held hostage.
The King James version states in Micah 2:12, “I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of people."
Bozrah is mentioned only in the King James version. Other translations simply refer to a “pen,” which infers an enclosure for sheep—an image of a large apprehended number of righteous people imprisoned by ungodly family members. They are making lots of noise knowing their rescuer is on his way and they are mere moments away from their release and the ushering in of the millennial reign of Jesus Christ.
“One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate, and go out by it. Their King will pass through before them, the LORD as their leader” (Micah 2:13).
God’s use of King and Lord in the same sentence identifies Jesus Christ [King over all kings and Lord over all lords] is both their sovereign and religious leader. He is head of the state and the church.
Isaiah provides even greater details of this event. “Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save. Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress? “I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained. For the day of vengeance was in My heart, and the year of My redemption had come… And I trod down nations in my wrath, and made them drunk in my fury, and made their life-blood run down to the earth.” (Isaiah 63:1-4, 6).
Keil and Delitzsch provide a well-researched interpretation, “The meaning is, that no one joined Him with conscious free-will, to render help to the God of judgment and salvation in His purposes. The church that was devoted to Him was itself the object of the redemption, and the great mass of those who were estranged from Him the object of the judgment. Thus, He found Himself alone, neither human co-operation nor the natural course of events helping the accomplishment of His purposes. And consequently, He renounced all human help, and broke through the steady course of development by a marvellous act of His own. He trod down nations in His wrath, and intoxicated them in His fury, and caused their life-blood to flow down to the ground… all that is intended is, that Jehovah caused the nations to feel the full force of this His fury, by trampling them down in His fury… Not only is the name of Edom made covertly into an emblem of its future fate, אדם becoming אדם upon the apparel of Jehovah the avenger, when the blood of the people, stained with blood-guiltiness towards the people of God, is spirted out, but the name of Bozrah also; for bâtsar means to cut off bunches of grapes (vindemiare), and botsrâh becomes bâtsı̄r, i.e., a vintage, which Jehovah treads in His wrath, when He punishes the Edomitish nation as well as all the rest of the nations, which in their hostility towards Him and His people have taken pleasure in the carrying away of Israel and the destruction of Jerusalem, and have lent their assistance in accomplishing them.” (https://biblehub.com/commentaries/isaiah/63-3.htm)
The insight of Keil and Delitzsch
Revelation 14: “Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine, because its grapes are ripe. So, the angel swung his sickle over the earth and gathered the grapes of the earth, and he threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and the blood that flowed from it rose as high as the bridles of the horses for a distance of 1,600 stadia.” (Revelation 14:18-20).
God’s repenting people will have the whole world against them. This has, I think, already begun internally. It poses the question, could most of the leaders and unelected officials in Western Europe, the West and Israel in the 21st century-today, be Edomites? Because the actions of our politicians are destroying our countries from within.
Klaus Schwab has publicly stated, “You’ll own nothing and you’ll be happy.”
Jesus Christ will come to the rescue God’s humbled people at the end of the Great Tribulation. No nation on earth will support him, but in his great fury, he will take them all down by himself.
Scriptures in Revelation confirm this great end-time battle., “And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and the blood that flowed from it rose as high as the bridles of the horses for a distance of 1,600 stadia” (Revelation 14:20).
Again, “He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13).
And again, “And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty” (Revelation 19:15).
The story of Jacob and Esau is about the national government leadership of two nations that came from Isaac. From this one story, two important decisions of God were revealed:
1. Determine the right nation for His headquarters.
2. Subdue the stronger: the “older” or the “younger.”
God is working to subdue the rebel human spirit to bring all of mankind to their knees.
THE RIGHT NATION
1. God sought to choose the nation that would be used to establish His kingdom on earth and from within that nation, His Son would be born. Of the two sons, Jacob was chosen who had twelve sons. God chose the nation that would overcome the desires of the flesh and choose to obey God willingly and eternally. From that repentant and humble nation, God would establish the rulership of His Son in the highest level of their government, Christ will rule as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Ezekiel 17 records God’s plan for Christ. “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain heights of Israel, I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar” (Ezekiel 17:22-23).
The imagery of “cedar” represents the strong, tall, and evergreen—eternal leadership in God’s heavenly government.
Jesus, the Son of God is the “shoot” God chose from His heavenly government and He will reign at the highest level of government, the mountain heights, in the kingdom of Israel. This will be fully evidenced at the return of Christ when he rules as King of kings and Lord of lords.
WHO IS THE STRONGER?
2. The stronger during this evil age, has always been the bullies, the liars, thieves, those ignoring the law of the land and projecting their evil deeds onto others. These lawless people are prepared to take a life to secure their objective. The stronger was Esau and his descendants as well as the Esau-types within the family of Jacob, which became the kingdom of Israel.
Focusing on the Esau-types from within the kingdom of Israel, a review of their history reveals the “older” is the ancient Israelites who behaved like Esau, while the “younger”—modern Israelites who have access to God’s Holy Spirit behave like Jacob. The chosen nation has now become twelve nations of people into the 21st century, but they are not yet all refined like silver or tested like gold. Their time of trouble rests on the near horizon.
It will be a time of great trouble for Jacob, but scripture confirms that they will be saved out of it. Two-thirds may die, but a remaining one-third will be refined, tested and they will call out to Him acknowledging their sins. God will hear them (Zechariah 13:8-9) and He will save them.
Over 3,500 years journeying through time, finally in the latter days the descendants of Jacob will truly repent and enter into an everlasting covenant that will not be broken. The Ezekiel 37 resurrection of ancient Israel will likely occur in the 21st century, sometime after Christ’s return. The “older” and the “younger” together will come in an emotional heart-felt embrace like Jacob returning home embracing Esau. Esau at that time did not enter into any conflict with Jacob; his 400 men accompanying him remained still. This prophecy will be fulfilled. Jacob will take his inheritance of rulership and the remnant of Esau will submit in peace.
God will rebuild the kingdom of Israel and they rule over the small remnant of Esau and the nations on earth under Christ. “In that day I will restore the fallen tent of David. I will repair its gaps, restore its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old, that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear My name,” declares the LORD, who will do this. “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when the plowman will overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes, the sower of seed. The mountains will drip with sweet wine, with which all the hills will flow” (Amos 9:11-13).
God has revealed the future thousands of years ago. “Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor” (Numbers 24:18).
“Those from the Negev will possess the mountains of Esau; those from the foothills will possess the land of the Philistines. They will occupy the fields of Ephraim and Samaria, and Benjamin will possess Gilead” (Obadiah 1:19).
God’s repentant and humbled people, all twelve nations of the 21st century will receive an inheritance of rulership. The ancient fracture between the two houses of Israel will be healed.
“Then the jealousy of Ephraim [the house of Israel] will depart, and the adversaries of Judah will be cut off. Ephraim will no longer envy Judah, nor will Judah harass Ephraim. They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west; together they will plunder the sons of the east. They will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them. The LORD will devote to destruction the gulf of the Sea of Egypt; with a scorching wind He will sweep His hand over the Euphrates. He will split it into seven streams for men to cross with dry sandals. There will be a highway for the remnant of His people who remain from Assyria, as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt” (Isaiah 11:13-16).
The firstborn blessing will be awarded to a humble, repentant, God-fearing and God-serving people—God’s early fruit. Only they will be part of the first resurrection and receive the firstborn inheritance of rulership with Christ and abundant blessings.
In ancient times, God gave His people through Moses His Law. The foundation of God’s Law consists of the ten commandments. But God also gave His people many specific federal and civic regulations that brought judgement and resolution to everyday business and life in general.
GOD TAUGHT HIS PEOPLE HIS WAYS OF LOVE
God provided instruction between employers and employees, treatment between all people, farming practices, animal care, clothing manufacturing, honest business practices, caring for one another and your own body.
“Do not hold back wages of a hired man overnight. Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind… Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly… Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life…Do not mate different kinds of animals… Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed… Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material… Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it… Do not practice divination or sorcery… Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves… Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them… Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God… When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt… Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. Use honest scales and honest weights… Keep all my decrees and all my laws and follow them. I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19).
God was teaching His people how to live righteously. He knew their success was limited. He knew they needed His Holy Spirit to fulfill the Law, after all, God’s Law is spiritual. It will not be valued by carnal-minded mankind. God would wait for Christ’s redemptive sacrifice before tearing the veil from the top down to open entry for individuals to know Him, the Almighty God—Great Creator.
God’s plan for creation on earth involves a development and growth into spiritual maturity. This process will ebb and flow like the tide. It was foreknown and inserted into the design, because God is molding a different creation from the first creation in heaven. He is creating a kingdom of priests, experts in righteousness who suffered from sin and have grown to hate wickedness. God will produce perfection in repentant mankind. The Law of Christ when applied assists this process of spiritual growth where judgement and condemnation are silenced and daily forgiveness through the intercession of Jesus Christ is given.
God’s time of rest symbolized in the weekly Sabbath has not yet come; He is hard at work. Mankind will experience to the fullest, the mire of wickedness. A time is coming, a time of great desperation, people will seek laws that protect them, sensitivity that is tangible, compassion that is felt, patience that will bring them to marvel in the light, long suffering that will soften their heart in gratitude. Repentant creation on earth will fully understand the pain and hardship of living in sin. God is both King and Lord. God’s first creation in heaven is comprised of kings and princes. His second creation on earth will comprise of lords and priests. Both creations are made in the image of God. Upon completion, creation on earth will radiate the glory of God.
God’s family is still in the making both in heaven and on earth. A great rebellion has taken place in heaven where one-third of that creation has fallen into iniquity, lawlessness. There is no saving plan for them; they have sinned knowingly. Their pride and arrogance have poisoned their thinking. God’s Holy Spirit is being drained from them; they will be destroyed.
Creation on Earth is a work in progress, also. God is molding people. He is working in stages. First, He will bring His people to their knees; they will become a model nation on earth. He is testing and strengthening them. He will purge and destroy the unrepentant. All the nations on earth will see their example and then God will pour out His Holy Spirit on earth.
During this work in progress, the Law of Christ is actionable. It is the principle of living as Christ lived. He lived by the Law of God, but he did not force that law like a dictator onto people. His leadership style was not tyrannical. He taught according to what the people understood and worked patiently to stimulate their spiritual growth. He healed, forgiving sins. He raised from the dead, giving life again.
THE APOSTLE PAUL SAW THE POWERFUL FORCES LEADING TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY
The Apostle Paul knew if he is to reach people and bring them out of darkness and onto the path of righteousness of God, he would have to address their traditions and passionate beliefs in order to rouse actual spiritual growth. He acquired their friendship by sacrificing his freedom, so that he would be a trustworthy guide for them.
He saw all of the laws at work. Not merely the fundamental laws that comprise of ten commandments, but the numerous forces operating to support God’s eternal governing structure. He knew Christ’s redemptive sacrifice freed him from the grip of spiritual death and from all of the codified opinions of the religious leaders from the past and into the present. All of the heavy burdens placed on the Jewish people disintegrated when Christ died on the cross. The veil ripped from the top down giving the congregation equal access to Almighty God through Jesus Christ. The hierarchical structure collapsed. The Apostle Paul limited his freedom willingly because he wanted to reach all people. He did not judge them, rather worked tirelessly to empower them into spiritual growth that could surpass him.
“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.” The Apostle Paul entertained discussions on the law, to win the Jews. The Jews were given the oracles of God—God’s teachings. They preserved the Law and the Prophets that we today refer to as the Old Testament.
In Acts, Paul’s dedication was recorded. “The Jews all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I have lived as a Pharisee” (Acts 26:4-5)
Paul understood the strict and disciplined practices held by the Jews by keeping the Law of God and their oral traditions of the elders. This quality prompted Paul to write “What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God” (Romans 3:1).
Almighty God entrusted the house of Judah with His Law and the writings of the Prophets. From this house, Jesus was born to be King over all kings. He will enforce the Law of God to ensure that love will become their governing foundation.
“To those under the law [those are the people under the law of sin and death as well as those still practising the oral laws and traditions of men] I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.”
The Apostle Paul may have fasted according to Jewish tradition and restricted his Sabbath travel based on the codified opinions of the elders to prevent grievances, while at the same time, introducing them to the revelation that they are now free from the Law of Sin and eternal death because now, the door is open again for eternal life. There will be a resurrection into eternal life in God’s family as equal members.
“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:27-28).
The Apostle Paul may have drawn their attention to the mirroring in the practice of animal sacrifices, which demonstrated the need for a Saviour and deep sorrow for their sins. Maybe also, then, pointing to grace.
Recorded in Hebrews, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them (although they are offered according to the law)” (Hebrews 10:8). “Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:3). “Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body [the church is the body of Christ] You prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight’” (Hebrews 10:5).
The Apostle Paul worked to unravel the Jewish traditions and separate them from the Law of God. Years of practicing the traditions of the elders brought the Jews into a toxic mindset that they thought they were above all people. Indeed, keeping God’s Law will bring all people close to God, but not to be elevated as to put down people when God has not called all people yet. The returning, repentant ten tribes of Israel play a critical and most important role within God’s grand plan. They were once divorced from the covenant family and yet, they are the first of all nations to receive God’s grace. Law without grace brings tyranny. Grace without law brings compromise.
The Apostle Paul tried to bring the people to understand the spiritual picture and subdue their drive for physical rituals as if to earn salvation. The practice of circumcision was introduced to ancient Israel by God. It is a mirror of an important spiritual principle. It symbolizes the ceasing of walking in the flesh—the cutting away of sinful behaviour to live righteously, walking in the spirit. The eliminating of sinful behaviour is painful. Since only men are circumcised, God is being very specific in the meaning of circumcision. He is declaring that men who live in wickedness will never be able to seed a righteous people. The church (the woman) may conceive, but the children will never walk in God’s ways. That brings meaning to God’s warning in Malachi where He vows to send Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Their wayward leadership has corrupted the children.
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse” (Malachi 4:5-6).
Throughout the Bible, God symbolizes sinful behaviour as actions of the uncircumcised—the wicked. Ezekiel 31 is a record of God describing the fall of one of the once-great leaders in His headquarters in heaven. God is warning the heavenly ruler over Egypt to self-reflect quickly because he is walking in the same footsteps as the fallen heavenly ruler over Assyria.
God said, “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his hordes: ‘Who can be compared with you in majesty? Consider Assyria, once a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches overshadowing the forest” (Ezekiel 31:2-3).
These rulers that God was talking to are not mortals; they are spirit beings. God concluded, “Yet you, too, will be brought down with the trees of Eden to the earth below; you will lie among the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword. ‘This is Pharaoh and all his hordes declares the Sovereign LORD’” (Ezekiel 31:18b).
God is prophesying the fall of the heavenly ruler over Egypt.
The heavenly ruler of Assyria was already condemned by God.
Sadly, this once-great leader in God’s headquarters in heaven became proud and arrogant. This toxic condition pulled him away from God into a thinking that he was equal to the Almighty God. He tried to overthrow God, Himself.
The heavenly king of Assyria bragged, “With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, the utmost heights of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the choicest of its pines. I have reached the remotest heights, the finest of its forests” (Isaiah 37:24b).
God continues to use imagery when describing events in heaven because He is using earthly imagery to describe the magnitude of heavenly events. The heavenly king of Assyria has a dominion in heaven, likely having the same name as his kingdom on earth.
This pompous being cannot hide from Almighty God. “I know where you stay and when you come and go and how you rage against me” (Isaiah 37:28). This “uncircumcised” rebel has fallen and is sentenced in the pit with all of the other fallen, judged and sentenced heavenly rulers.
When God dethroned the king of Assyria, He brought down all of the rebel members of His headquarters in heaven. “I brought it [king of Assyria] down to the grave with those who go down to the pit [the Abyss]. Then all the trees of Eden [members of God’s family], the choicest and the best of Lebanon [God’s headquarters in heaven], all the trees that were well-watered [once filled with God’s Holy Spirit], were consoled in the earth below” (Ezekiel 31:16).
The spiritual importance of circumcision is not the physical act but the spiritual devotion and eternal commitment to living righteously.
The Jews kept the practice of circumcision and they endorsed it as part of their signature. When God’s Holy Spirit is lacking, the practices implemented by God lose their spiritual meaning and it becomes merely a crude ritual. During the return of the ten tribes back into the covenant family, the Jews were forcing them to become “Jews” where the spiritual meaning of God’s practices was absent—unrealized and the practice became one on the list in order for them to qualify for eternal life based on their traditions and beliefs.
It is difficult for 21st century Christians to understand what was endured by the returning ten tribes of Israel because they had forgotten much of their ancient teachings and were heavily relying on the Jews for instruction. Jesus taught against the traditions of the elders because it nullified the Law of God. Paul unraveled the traditions, so that the ten tribes of Israel could focus on what truly constitutes right actions that justify them of sin and the overcoming that God desires for them to enter into His kingdom.
The Apostle Paul unraveled the Jewish push on circumcision. 119 Ministries explain this topic well.
“In the first century, certain sects of Judaism taught that Gentiles could not be “saved” and made part of God’s people unless they “became Jewish” through ritual conversion, which was a long process that included getting circumcised. Thus, “circumcision” referred not only to the surgical removal of the foreskin but also to having a “Jewish status” in the minds of many first-century Jews. Likewise, “uncircumcision” refers to having a “Gentile status.” With that in mind, we can understand Paul’s statement as such:
1 Corinthians 7:18-19
“Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised [Jewish]? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision [become a Gentile]. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised [a Gentile]? Let him not seek circumcision [to become Jewish]. For neither circumcision [being Jewish] counts for anything nor uncircumcision [being a Gentile], but keeping the commandments of God.”
Paul was not speaking against the actual act of circumcision but rather against Gentiles being pressured to convert to Judaism.
The false teachers taught that the Gentile believers must get circumcised in order to be saved and included among God’s people. We see this false doctrine also expressed in Acts 15:
Acts 15:1
But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are
circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
Essentially, the false teachers believed that the only way Gentiles could be “saved” was to “become Jewish” through ritual conversion.”
This controversy sparked what has come to be called the Jerusalem Council, in which the apostles ruled that Gentiles and Jews are “saved” in the same way—by grace through faith in the Messiah (Acts 15:7-11). (119ministries. https://www.119ministries.com/teachings/)
The Apostle Paul exercised the Law of Christ in strength to correct and re-establish God’s path of righteousness.
Into the 21st century, the Christians have their own traditions that conflict with the Law of God and hundreds of differing doctrines among themselves. Jesus Christ will bring both houses into unity at the beginning of his millennial reign. The nations of the world will see law and grace come together. These two forces at work will produce righteousness unseen within a kingdom ever on earth previously. A model kingdom will rise in God’s radiance and glory.
“To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.”
The ten tribes of Israel, once divorced by God, were characteristic of breaking the Law of God. They reveled in lawlessness for hundreds of years. Some of their disdain came from the abuse of God’s Law. In ancient times, they begged for grace, relief from the oppressive taxes imposed by Solomon. Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, listened to his younger advisors and said, “Whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions” (I Kings 12:11).
That tyrannical response burned into the hearts of the ten tribes and a declaration of war was made, a separation took place but not war by the command of God. The Apostle Paul understood their history clearly. He did all he could to correct the Jews, while guiding a people healing from ancient hurts to submit and keep God’s Law. The Law of Christ gave the Apostle Paul power to be patient, kind, compassionate, long-suffering to bring babes in Christ into maturity.
Into the 21st century, different barriers have risen. Like Naaman, who entered the temple of Rimmon with his master, bowed before that god, not of his free will but because his master leaned on his arm prostrating him as well.
“‘But may the LORD forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning on my arm and I bow there also—when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant for this’” (II Kings 5:18).
Naaman’s heart was in the right place, but living in this evil age often causes God-fearing and God-serving people into an action that bites their conscience.
Elisha understood the barriers believers endure. When Naaman explained his dilemma, Elisha simply responded, “Go in peace” (II Kings 5:19). His response eased the distress of Naaman’s troubled conscience. Barriers are everywhere. The Law of Christ recognizes the barriers; it takes away judgement and condemnation. Each individual will grow at their own pace and dismantle barriers accordingly. The Law of Christ is a focus on loving one another even while we are all still sinners.
“To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.” So many rules and regulations imposed onto the Jewish people over time trapped them into the belief that rituals save. The Apostle Paul didn’t eat meat offered to idols when he was with the people who would not eat it. He limited his freedom under God’s Law so not to offend those people who remained under laws imposed by man.
Into the 21st century, God-fearing people practicing the Law of Christ will not condemn or judge people observing Christmas and Easter though these celebrations have been Christianized from pagan holidays. They will expose them when they can. They may find it better to teach God’s Holy Days instead and the mysteries God has revealed for them and all of mankind. The wisdom of God will direct them. The Law of Christ will search out where truth can rise and shine brightly out of darkness to bring spiritual growth.
“I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”
The Apostle Paul lived the Law of Christ. He sacrificed his freedom to establish friendship and trust. He exercised the new forces that came into action after Christ’s death. The outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit unveiled powers inaccessible to mankind previously. The offer of eternal life, the ability to overcome to live righteously, the peace that flows knowing God, trusting Him and believing that He will keep His word, and love are now the driving forces of God-fearing and God-serving people.
“I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings” (I Corinthians 9:19-23). The Apostle Paul loved as Christ loved. He was driven and self-discipled to save.
The Law of Christ is the wisdom of living under God’s law while loving and nurturing babes in Christ who cannot distinguish between right and wrong. Caring for people does not require anyone to denounce their faith or break God’s law. It is the gentle walk of love that recognizes the pitfalls and barriers everywhere in this fallen and dark world on earth that hinders repenting people, which at times, causes them to fall. Without judgement or condemnation, reach out and hold fast to help them up again.
CHRIST PROVIDED A DEEPER AND RICHER UNDERSTANDING OF GOD’S LAW
God’s Law is not merely the ten commandments but a relationship with Him and one another. It is a commanding love for one another beyond human capability. Jesus taught God’s Law to his disciples elevating their understanding to see life with God and the depth of relationship it brings with Him and all creation.
Christ did not come to do away with the law or do away with some of the law. "Don't ever think that I came to set aside Moses' Teachings or the Prophets. I didn't come to set them aside but to make them come true” (Matthew 5:17).
Christ came to amplify the law. To merely refrain from adultery is obedience to the “letter of the Law,” but to obey both the spirit and letter of the Law, self-control must be exercised where even lusting becomes a violation of the spirit in keeping the Law of God.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28).
Jesus called out the unjust actions of people in strength and forgave sins in gentility.
Certain scribes and Pharisees were trying to trick Jesus into saying something that they could hold against him. They had brought a woman caught in adultery. The man with her was not brought, which under the Mosaic Law both are guilty. The sin demanded both to be stoned to death. Every one of the scribes and Pharisees accusing the woman were guilty of a crime under the Mosaic Law, that would demand the death sentence. Yet, they ignored their own deadly sins, protected the co-sinner in the affair and demonstrated their bias also breaking the Mosaic law to drag a vulnerable person before Jesus.
“But what do you say?” they asked Jesus. At this point, Jesus stooped down and started to write in the sand. When he finished, he said, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then He bent down and wrote again. One by one, the people left (John 8:7–9).
Using the brilliance of God’s wisdom in his teaching, Jesus must have amazed the woman, who anticipated death by stoning, instead, she received grace directly from her Saviour. Her accusers did not receive forgiveness of sins nor the partner in the affair; they remain dying under the Law of Sin and Death. Jesus said, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, Lord,” she answered.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Now go and sin no more” (John 8:10-11).
Jesus had the authority from Almighty God, the Father, then to forgive sin. Her story of grace would have spread far and wide.
Jesus loved. He wanted to bring the Jewish priesthood out of darkness to become a humble priesthood serving Almighty God.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37)
CHRIST UNDERSTOOD GOD’S PLAN FOR MANKIND THAT THEY WOULD GROW INTO SPIRITUAL MATURITY
Jesus understands that people begin as babes in Christ, unable to distinguish right from wrong.
“For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14).
CHRIST UNDERSTOOD THAT FREE AGENTS WILL EACH ACHIEVE VARYING DEGREES OF MATURITY
Regardless, while we were all sinners, Jesus died to save us all. God Almighty gave us His only heir to die for mankind. It was a great demonstration of his love for this creation on earth.
“But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
INDIVIDUAL CHOICE, VARYING GROWTH LEVELS
God does not force the same growth from everyone. He wants free will.
The principle of the varying degrees of spiritual maturity is seen in the parable of the talents. Three servants were given talents. “To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability… The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time, the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them” (Matthew 25:14-30).
The servant who gained five talents was praised. The master replied, “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.”
The servant who gained two talents was praised, also. The master replied the same, “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.”
The servant who gained nothing. The master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant!”
The master concluded, “For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And that worthless servant will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:29-30).
When God calls a servant, He will give them His Holy Spirit according to their ability. To squelch God’s Holy Spirit is to rob yourself of life eternal. All of the forces that were made available to repentant mankind after Christ’s death, can only be activated by choice.
The Law of Christ will bring each repentant individual back under the care of Almighty God. In time, this evil age will come to an end and all of mankind will know their Father in heaven, the only All-Powerful God—the God of Love. In the meantime, live in peace.
In the beginning, Elohim [Hebrew: masculine plural] created. At least two Gods were present in the creation of heaven and earth. This presentation will provide a discussion on two Gods in existence before the creation of heaven and earth and the mysteries that baffle Bible scholars taking them in many different directions.
The Apostle Paul identified two Gods. “He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the preeminent over all creation. For by him [Christ] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him” (Colossians 1:15-16).
What evidence is there in the Old Testament of the beings present at the creation of heaven and earth?
YAHUAH, THE SUPREME GOD
Throughout the Old Testament, the invisible God revealed Himself not in form, but spoke directly to people.
King David knew the supreme God and wrote, “And so, the heavens will praise your wonderful deed, O Yahuah [YHUH], even your faithfulness, in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the sky is equal to Yahuah [YHUH]? Who is like Yahuah [YHUH] among the sons of God, a God feared greatly in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all surrounding him?” (Psalm 89:5-7)
Yahuah [YHUH} declared His being. “I am God [El, masculine singular], and there is no other; I am God[s] [Elohim, masculine plural], and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand and I will do all that I please” (Isaiah 46:9b-10).
God spoke and Isaiah recorded that Almighty God exists as well as Gods [Elohim], but there is no one like Him. He knows the end from the beginning and His purpose cannot be thwarted or changed by anyone else.
The Psalmist confirmed the word of Almighty God. “For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods” (Psalm 97:9).
And, “For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods” (Psalm 95:3).
“This is what the LORD says— Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6).
God’s word is true and need not be doubted. He alone is Supreme and unique to all that exists.
Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.” “I will cause all My goodness to pass before you,” the LORD replied, “and I will proclaim My name—the LORD—in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live” (Exodus 33:19-20).
Job was very much aware of life in heaven. He had a personal discussion directly with God. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations? ...On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:6-7)
So, at the time that earth was made suitable for mankind, at that time, angels and sons of God existed.
The Apostle Paul identified a second God who created through the power of the unique, all-powerful God.
“He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the preeminent over all creation. For by him [Christ] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15-17).
The New Testament provides a clearer window into the understanding of the second God who was present at the creation of heaven and earth initially and present of course, when the earth was prepared for the second creation, that is, mankind. This being is very important to Almighty God. The Apostle Paul wrote the praising words of the Almighty God about His only Heir of His kingdom.
Hebrews 1:2 “But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. So He became as far superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father”? Or again: “I will be His Father, and He will be My Son”? Verse 6 And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all God’s angels worship Him.”
Verse 13 “Yet to which of the angels did God ever say: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet”?
There are many key important points in that verse:
“But unto the Son: "Your throne, O God, is to the age of the age, and the scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy. And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment” (Hebrews 1:11 and Psalms 102:26).
God Almighty is truly pleased with this unique Son. Key points:
Where is this Son mentioned in the Old Testament? Here is where we delve into the many scriptures that remain a mystery for some scholars.
THE WORD, THE SPOKESPERSON
The Apostle John said, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God [divine]. He was with God in the beginning” (John 1:1-2).
Jesus was the spokesperson for God during the whole of his physical life on earth. “I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it” (John 12:49).
The Word, Logos, is the God-Speaker who has complete knowledge of the instructions of Almighty God and is able to teach, reason, explain and correct. The Apostle John said that he was with the Almighty God in the beginning before creation. He too, is a God.
A SPOKESPERSON—THE WORD, MUST BE EVIDENT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
To identify this being in the Old Testament, a spokesperson for the Almighty God should be evident. Angels are God’s messengers to mankind. There is an angel—the angel of the LORD—of God [YHWH], who communicates many messages to many people for Almighty God.
To ABRAHAM, the angel of God spoke God’s words. “And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham’ and he said, ‘Here am I’. He said, ‘Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now, I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me’” (Genesis 22:11-12).
It was Almighty God instructing Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, to test him and it was His words again refraining Abraham from continuing. God provided the ram for the sacrifice that would mirror the future, redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
It may appear that it is the angel speaking, but it becomes clear when the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time and said, “I swear by myself,” declares the LORD, “that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the starts in the sky and as the sand on the seashore” (Genesis 22:15-17). The angel of the LORD does not swear a vow to anyone.
On a side note, but important to review, God recognized Isaac as Abraham’s only heir. Isaac was not Abraham’s only son because Ishmael was born from Sarah’s handmaid and after Sarah died, he later married Keturah and they have six sons from their union. There are some important points that need to be detailed here.
The request to sacrifice his son, did not puzzle Abraham because he knew the Almighty God and completely trusted Him. “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, even though God had said to him, ‘Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned. Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, [the Apostle Paul noted from the spiritual perspective] he did receive Isaac back from death’” (Hebrews 11:17-19).
To HAGAR, God heard the boy and He sent the angel of God to speak. “Then God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, "What is wrong, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he lies. Get up, lift up the boy, and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation” (Genesis 21:17-18).
· The angel of God spoke to Hagar informing her that Ishmael would not die, but grow up and become a great nation. God Almighty did not neglect Ishmael. “God was with the boy as he grew up” (Genesis 21:19a).
To Abraham, God Almighty promised that His angel will go ahead to find a suitable wife for Isaac. Abraham said to his servant, “The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me out of my father’s household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give this land—he will send his angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there” (Genesis 24:7).
· The angel of God guided the servant to God’s choice for Isaac.
To JACOB, the angel of God repeated God’s instructions. Jacob said, “And the angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, ‘Jacob’: And I said, ‘Here am I’ He said… ‘I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you… I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land’” (Genesis 31:11-13).
For JACOB, the angel of the LORD was his protector. Then Jacob blessed Joseph and said, "May the God before whom my fathers: Abraham and Isaac walked faithfully, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the Angel who has delivered me from all harm—may he bless these boys” (Genesis 48:15-16).
· The Angel of God had become more than a spokesperson for God Almighty, but also a protector.
To MOSES, God with the angel of the LORD, spoke in the burning bush. “Now Moses was tending the flock… There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up… When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look,God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses, Moses’ and Moses said, ‘Here I am.’ ‘Do not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’ Then he said, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’ At this, Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God” (Exodus 3:1-6).
The angel of the LORD was the visible form within the flames of the burning bush see by Moses, but Almighty God was invisible. After God introduced Himself to Moses, he was afraid to look because nobody can look directly at the Almighty God and live. Moses understood that.
God commissioned Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. But Moses said, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11)
To MOSES, God Almighty revealed His title, I AM. Moses asked God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ What should I tell them?”
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
God added, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation” (Exodus 3:13-15).
· God declared to Moses that He is the ultimate being in existence; He is the I AM. This is important because sons of God ruled over the nations on earth and many of them were declaring themselves to be the Ultimate Being, the Source of all that exists.
THE I AM
Scholars have mythicized the gods who ruled over the nations in ancient times. It is all part of Satan’s plan to run amuck unnoticed. God Almighty had to prove His superiority to the ancient Israelites because the rebel sons of God ruling of the nations on earth had professed to be equal to the Almighty God. The king of Egypt, declared himself to be a Creator.
KING OF EGYPT
“Speak to him and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Pharaoh king of Egypt, O great monster who lies among his rivers, who says, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it myself’” (Ezekiel 29:3).
The heavenly king over Egypt declared to have created the prized resource that blessed Egypt abundantly. He wasn’t the only son of God who elevated himself to the level of the Supreme God.
KING OF ASSYRIA
The king of Assyria in heaven tried to overthrow Almighty God. All is seen by God. He said to this rebel, “Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: ‘With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses. I have reached its farthest heights, the densest of its forests’” (Isaiah 37:24).
God is using His same imagery to describe His federal government as a mountain, His headquarters named Lebanon, cedar and cypress trees as the great leaders in His government. The King of Assyria participated and likely lead the overthrow of God’s headquarters in heaven, but this rebel failed to see that God foreknew the great fall from the beginning. The event strengthened the righteous in heaven and purged the proud and arrogant. God said, “Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it. In days of old I planned it; now I have brought it to pass, that you have turned fortified cities into piles of stone… But I know where you stay and when you come and go and how you rage against me. Because you rage against me and because your insolence has reached my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will make you return by the way you came” (Isaiah 37:26, 28-29).
KING OF WICKEDNESS
Lucifer tried to overthrow Almighty God, too. God said, “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain, I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High’” (Isaiah 14:13-14).
Many people in the 21st century embrace the scholars mythicization of the rebel ancient gods because there is no visible interaction today. Believers live by faith and the knowledge of God’s promises today, but in the past, the people felt the strike of the whip of these rebel gods and heard the voice of the Great God.
THE POWER OF THE GODS
The story of Jonah reveals the fear the ordinary person felt if they angered the gods. Jonah ran away from the LORD when he was asked to preach to Nineveh. He boarded a ship and a violent storm rose jeopardizing their lives. Immediately, the crew on board knew one of the gods was angered. “All of the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god… Jonah was below deck asleep… The captain went to him and said, ‘How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us, and we will not perish.’ Then the sailors said to each other, ‘Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.’ They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah” (Jonah 1:5-7).
Jonah confessed that he was running away from the God of heaven, “who made the sea and the land.” “This terrified them and they asked, ‘What have you done?’” (Jonah 1:10)
They threw Jonah overboard and the sea became calm. People in ancient times experienced the wrath of rebel sons of God and the Almighty God moving His servants to accomplish the task given to them. This was not a strange event; it was common.
This is important to remember because God had to constantly prove His superiority to His people who lived witnessing the power the rebel gods ruling over the nations wielded.
This is the reason for God to declare His title to Moses and the ancient Israelites. He is the I AM. He is the Ultimate Being, the Source of all things.
GOD ALMIGHTY AGAINST BAAL ZEPHON
Because Almighty God is invisible to mortals, He cannot show himself lest they die, God needed to prove Himself. He had the Israelites camp at the Red Sea opposite Baal Zephon. This great statue troubled the Israelites. Baal Zephon is equated with the Greek god Zeus who was considered to be King over all gods. The God of Israel would confront this heavenly rebel god at the very place that would require a great miracle to prove who was the most powerful. Almighty God had planned this decisive event. He would show His great power and perform the wonder miracle of parting the Red Sea and dry it for the Israelites to walk on without sinking or stumbling. It was this event that brought the escaping ancient Israelites to finally respect and trust God Almighty (Exodus 14:31).
“And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.”
Baal Zephon could not protect the Egyptian army that was swallowed up in the Red Sea.
To MOSES, Aaron would be his spokesperson as the prophets on earth were for God. The Angel of the Lord speaks the words of Almighty God. God replicates His way of doing things. He also uses people to speak for Him.
God said to Moses about Aaron, “He will speak to the people for you. He will be your spokesman, and it will be as if you were God to him” (Exodus 4:16).
The LORD answered Moses, "See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet” (Exodus 7:1).
To the ANCIENT ISRAELITES, their God and the angel of God traveled with them all the way to the Promised Land.
The Egyptian army followed the Israelites into the Red Sea pounding the ground with the hooves of their horses and iron chariots. The angel of God moved and stood behind the Israelites to protect them and Almighty God did the same in the pillar of cloud.
“And the angel of God, who had gone before the camp of Israel, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from before them and stood behind them” (Exodus 14:19).
To the ANCIENT ISRAELITES, the angel of the LORD has authority to forgive or not to forgive sins."See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to bring you to the place I have prepared. Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your transgression, since my Name is in him” (Exodus 23:20-21).
“He will not forgive your transgression” indicates that this angel of the LORD has power to judge and sentence; he is no mere messenger. “My Name [YHWH] is in him” reveals his identity. His name is YasHUaH—the only angel known with God’s name in his. God Almighty mentioned this key point because He knows His people will come to know this Angel very soon and they better be ready to obey.
This verse disclosed who the angel of the LORD who traveled with the ancient Israelites to and into the Promised Land. This angel has power to forgive sins. God Almighty waits to inform ancient Israel of the power this Angel has to just before they enter the promised Holy Land. It is a marker, a prophecy that will be fulfilled when the 21st century nations of Israel return home. The Messiah will begin his reign and rebels will not be allowed to enter.
To JOSHUA, the commander of God’s army appears
Out-of-the-blue, the heavenly Commander of God’s army appears before Joshua. He identifies himself and then tell Joshua to take off his sandals because before him stands a holy being who has just made the soil around him holy. This is exactly Almighty God’s statement to Moses.
“Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in His hand. Joshua approached Him and asked, “Are You for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as Commander of the LORD’s army.” Then Joshua fell face-down in reverence and asked Him, “What does my Lord have to say to His servant?” The Commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so” (Joshua 5:13-15).
To GIDEON, the angel of the LORD met with him and performed the priestly function of a burnt sacrifice. Through these stories we see the different roles and responsibilities of the Angel of the LORD. This story begins where God Almighty commissioned Gideon to lead a battle for freedom against the Midianites. While Gideon initially tried to escape this task, he eventually put his trust in God that He would give him victory. He asked the angel of the LORD who is present to stay because he wanted to give an offering to God Almighty.
“Then the angel of the LORD put out the end of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. Then the angel of the LORD vanished from his sight. When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD,he said, ‘Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.’ The LORD said to him, ‘Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die’” (Judges 6:21-23). Almighty God is not alarmed because the angel of the LORD is not the I AM, the Almighty God. However, While Gideon learned that the angel that disappeared was not the one that mortals cannot look upon else they die, still, he acknowledged the angel of the LORD as a God, a divine being.
In this story, Gideon was talking with both the angel of the LORD and the LORD. The LORD was waiting with the angel of God under the oak tree while Gideon prepared the offering. “Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak” (Judges 6:19).
When the angel of the LORD vanished, suddenly Gideon realized that the angel of the LORD was more than an angel-messenger, but a God—divine. He remembered the words of Moses and feared that he will die.
Moses said, “Now, show me your glory” (Exodus 33:18) God said, "You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live” (Exodus 33:20).
Gideon remained talking with someone that he called ‘LORD’ and believed that He was the LORD Almighty because he asked for proof. “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me” (Judges 6:17). The LORD was invisible only His voice could be heard. Gideon did not fear for his life when talking with the LORD because He was invisible. He feared only the face-to-face contact, which was with the angel of the LORD. The Almighty God reassured Gideon, “Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die.”
THE ANGEL OF THE LORD, A PRIEST OF GOD
When the title, “lord” is used in scripture, it is to point to the authority of the priesthood who, in the heavenly realm, are the masters in righteousness, wisdom, understanding and God’s word. Both the Father and the Son are rulers and priests.
The Psalmist wrote, “The LORD [the Father] says to my Lord [the Son]: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. The LORD will extend your mighty sceptre from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies. Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy majesty, from the womb of the dawn you will receive the dew of your youth.’ The LORD [the Father] has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek’” (Psalm 110:1-4).
Before Jesus Christ judges the nations for their treason and wicked behaviour, his role of a priest is confirmed by Almighty God who adds that the Son will remain a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. This is important because “grace triumphs over judgement” (James 2:13). Jesus Christ will exercise righteous judgement against the nations.
“The Lord [Jesus Christ] is at your [the Father] right hand; he will crush kings on the day of his wrath. He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth. He will drink from a brook beside the way; therefore, he will lift up his head [Christ will be rejuvenated by “drinking from the brook” that is, his case against the wicked will be complete so that he can confidently go onto to victory]” (Psalm 110:5-7).
Notice the Apostle Paul is specific about the role of a priest. To prevent tyranny and a dictatorship, God’s theology must be applied to judgement.
“Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness… So, Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father… You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek’” (Hebrews 5:1-3, 5-6).
The job of a priest is to:
The Psalmist prophesied about the Son of God who is both King and Lord. He taught God’s people to keep the Law of God and understand the depth of His Law. He preached God’s word, unveiled God’s grace and His love and taught all people to love God Almighty with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and to love one another.
JESUS RULES OVER HIS KINGDOM IN HEAVEN
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place” (John 18:36).
Scriptures state that Jesus, the Son of God is both king and priest.
To JACOB, the angel in the form of a man blessed him. “But Jacob replied, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’ Then the man asked him, ‘What is your name?’ ‘Jacob,’ he answered. Then the man said, ‘Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.’ … Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘It is because I saw God face-to-face, and yet my life was spared’” (Genesis 32:30).
Jacob understood that the Angel that he wrestled with was able to bless him. Jacob was begging for the blessing of life. On a quick side note, this event was a prophecy; it will take place during the last days of the last days of this evil age. The Jacob covenant people who were slow to mature spiritually will come into the full realization of the existence of the I AM and the spiritual world. The first resurrection will have taken place and they will be terrified that they will lose out on eternal life. They will wrestle with Jesus Christ, King over all kings and Lord over all lord begging as Jacob did for life, this time they will beg for eternal life.
Jacob knew this angel was a God, one of the Elohim. He didn’t understand the distinction between the I AM—the Ultimate Source of life, energy, radiance so brilliant humans die when they look upon Him. The other Gods-Elohim are not the Great Source of all things.
While no one in human form can see God Almighty—the Father, face-to-face and live, Yashuah, God’s Son does manifest himself in human form and interact with humans, face-to-face. Yashuah is no mere messenger, but has authority and as God’s plan unfolds, he is given more and more authority as he works with his Father.
This Angel of the LORD works as a partner with the I AM throughout God’s engagement with His people beginning with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is God’s messenger to them. He is the Commander of God’s army protecting them during the Exodus, their wandering in the wilderness and fighting with them, as they fought their enemies entering the Promised Land. This Angel was commissioned by the I AM to lead God’s people into the Promised land and given authority to judge their sins. This responsibility to lead and judge is that of a ruler, a prince, a king. This Angel holds the role of a priest qualified to conduct a sacrifice to the Almighty God. This is the responsibility of a priest. This Angel is a ruler—a prince—a king and a priest—a lord.
GOD SPOKE FROM HEAVEN DIRECTLY TO MOSES
God does speak to people directly. He has not spoken from heaven since He praised Jesus after his baptism. His silence has given rise to disbelief. Proving God’s existence through His spoken word is a challenge in a physical world. Even Moses had to remind the ancient Israelites that God spoke from heaven giving them His instructions.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘You yourselves have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven’” (Exodus 20:22).
GOD SPOKE DIRECTLY TO ELIJAH AND THE WORD CAME TO HIM ALSO
Elijah’s chat with Almighty God and the Angel is clear that two were there with him. Before God spoke directly to Elijah, “The word of the LORD came to him: ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” (I Kings 19:9b).
Elijah replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts, but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”
Then an utterance was heard, “‘Go and stand on the mountain before the LORD.’ And the LORD passed by.”
Now, begins a powerful piece of writing.
“A strong wind tore through the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD. But the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind the earth shook. But the LORD was not in the shaking of the earth. 12 After the earth shook, a fire came. But the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a sound of gentle blowing. 13 When Elijah heard it, he put his coat over his face, and went out and stood at the opening of the hole. Then a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (I Kings 19:11-13)
Elijah proceeded to respond with the same answer that he gave to the word of the Lord, word-by-word to the gentle voice. “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts, but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”
The word of the Lord asked the same question as the LORD, word-by-word because he is the messenger for God. Elijah understood that. His repetition indicates that he understood that he was speaking to two separate beings. God’s messenger to Elijah is like Jesus who speaks only the words given to him by the Father and how to say it. The presence of Yashuah, God’s messenger, sparkles out throughout the Bible in the deliverance of the word of the LORD.
Peter applied the same Old Testament phrase when remembering the words of Jesus. “The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, ‘Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:61-62).
This time the word “Lord” is lower case distinguishing it from “LORD” all uppercase who is the Supreme God.
THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME TO THE PROPHETS
Many of the prophets in the Old Testament, like Zechariah, had the word of the LORD come to them in the form of a vision. “On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo. During the night I had a vision—and there before me was a man riding a red horse!” (Zechariah 1:7)
Samuel’s introduction to the voice of Almighty God trumpets the knowledge of first knowing the word of the LORD before recognizing the call of God.
“Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, because the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.” This introduction is true for all Believers. No one can come to the Father except through the Son, the Word of God.
“Once again, for the third time, the LORD called to Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” Then Eli realized that it was the LORD who was calling the boy. “Go and lie down,” he said to Samuel, “and if He calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’” So, Samuel went and lay down in his place. Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening” (I Samuel 3:7-9).
The Apostle Peter reminded the weak, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (II Peter 1:20-21).
THE WORD CAME IN THE FLESH
The work of Jesus during his ministry on earth was extensive and reached far and wide. The Apostle John wrote, “If every one of them [things done by Jesus] were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25). His works alone should have brought every Jew and all who knew him to their knees.
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
Many people witnessed the truth and still, some rejected him. “The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God’” (Luke 1:35).
Why bury a curious mind? Why judge before hearing? Why hate before loving?
Jesus said, “Why do you call it blasphemy when I say, 'I am the Son of God'? After all, the Father set me apart and sent me into the world” (John 10:36).
THE OLD TESTAMENT CONFIRMS:
The Jews refused correction. Jesus wanted to rescue them from the burdens placed onto the congregation from their added traditions of the elders. They plotted to kill him, disregarding the commandment of God: Do not kill. The pendulum had moved far into self-righteousness. The leadership had become conceited and arrogant. They were not humble and far from the teachable mind of a little child. Spiritual blindness had set in, causing them to walk away from the path of righteousness.
GOD SPOKE FROM HEAVEN
Many people were a witness to God Almighty speaking from heaven praising His beloved Son.
“After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!” (Matthew 3:16-17)
This is not to be disregarded because the Apostle Paul confirmed God’s legal practice that establishes fact.
“Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (II Corinthians 13:1). Indeed, there were two or three witnesses at Jesus’ baptism.
“A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (Deuteronomy 19:15).
The disciples were eye witnesses to the works of Jesus. “We did not follow cleverly invested stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from a Majestic Glory, saying’ ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain” (II Peter 1:16-18).
JESUS SPOKE FROM HEAVEN
“As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’ ‘Who are You, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied” (Acts 9:3-5).
Paul fully understood the words of Jesus and warned, “See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven” (Hebrews 12:25).
A VOICE FROM HEAVEN, THE WORD—THE SON, SPOKE TO CORRECT A WRONG BEHAVIOUR
The Jews were continuing their practice of not fellowshipping with gentiles.
Jesus had brought the divorced gentiles house of Israel, the ten tribes back into the covenant family, but the Jews were not ready to accept their return. “But a voice from heaven answered a second time, ‘What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy’” (Acts 11:9).
END TIMES, GOD WILL SPEAK FOR ALL TO HEAR
THE TWO WITNESSES RESPOND TO A VOICE FROM HEAVEN
“And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them” (Revelation 11:12).
A VOICE FROM HEAVEN URGING HIS PEOPLE
“I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues” (Revelation 18:4).
GOD’S DECLARATION OF THE KINGSHIP OF HIS SON WILL BE HEARD WORLDWIDE
“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God, day and night” (Revelation 12:10).
“Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).
The Old Testament is a rich source of writing that unveils the Almighty God—the I AM, of which, there is none like Him. The Son is the second God present at the creation of heaven and earth. The Son of God is the angel of God and the angel of the Lord in the Old Testament who spoke to the patriarchs and their wives, to ancient Israel and led them into the Promised Land. He made himself known to Joshua as the Commander of God’s army who makes holy the place where He stands. He is the second God present upon creation of heaven and earth. He was the word to the prophets. He is a priest who performed the sacrifice for Gideon. Almighty God warned ancient Israel to listen to this angel because he is no ordinary being. His name is in the name of Almighty God. He is YasHUaH. Throughout the Old Testament, God revealed the details of His salvation plan for His people and all of mankind. The Psalmist sang in joy anticipating the victory of this Son of God, God’s only Heir as King and Lord over His kingdom.
OLD TESTAMENT TESTIMONY
The New Testament is a companion to the Old Testament. It is a book filled with God’s teachings on love. The I AM of the Old Testament is the Almighty God who gives the gift of grace to repentant mankind. Law without love is tyranny. God Almighty is a high priest who is the master on righteousness. His gift of grace humbles creation. Humility gives rise to the invincible strength of servitude. “Ask for wisdom,” God says. She is central to justice and love. A solid understanding of both books Is vital.
NEW TESTAMENT TESTIMONY
Pieces to the great puzzle come together from the two books to unravel the mysteries, reveal God’s saving plan for mankind, the stepping stones to the return of our King of kings and Lord of lords and give glory to the Great God—the Most High—the Ancient of Days, our Father in heaven, the I AM.
The Gods-Elohim at creation can be identified. Needed is both the Old Testament and the New, together to fully understand the magnitude of our Creator, the Son of God—the only Heir, and the calling of mankind and the future high positions we will hold.
“For many will come in My name, claiming,
'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many.”
Matthew 24:5
MANY ANTICHRISTS WILL COME CLAIMING TO BE THE MESSIAH OF MANKIND
Jesus warned those following him that many will come declaring to be the saviour and deceive many. This scripture is often understood to be pointing to false prophets declaring themselves as a saviour, and rightly so.
However, from the broader view, Matthew 24:5 is also pointing to everyone in the healthcare industry who work to save lives without giving credit to all the healing properties God Almighty engineered in the human body and redirecting people’s faith towards human technologies rather than seeking the Creator. The healthcare industry also functions with the pharmaceutical companies promoting solutions that all to some degree have unhealthy side-effects. Medbeds may be the next disclosure to be unveiled in due time along with future exotic technologies.
Matthew 24:5 also points to researchers, bishops, scholars and “experts” who declare themselves as authoritative figures on information and truth. They turn the people’s attention to their theories and interpretations weaving in manipulated science and technology as their proof. Disinformation by nefarious characters is at work throughout the world adding to the many saviours of mankind who are injuring them and in cases, killing some.
MANY ANTICHRISTS WILL COME IN THE END TIMES
Two thousand years ago, the Apostle John said, “Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour” (I John 2:18).
The Apostle John believed that he was living in the last hour over two thousand years ago because he was surrounded by people, his tribe’s people, who had rejected Jesus as their Saviour. This same consistency of faith will surround Christians in the last hour.
Family members, neighbours, cities and nations will follow a different saviour. They will do what they have ridiculed their ancient ancestry did those many years ago. Under the rule of beastly coalition, these rulers will demand worship. They will require the practice of making idols of gold and silver and setting them up in their homes to be used as communication conduits for favours and help. This new reality will come unexpectantly because knowledge of the spirit world is minimal. People worshipping gods in ancient times, making idols and worshipping them is viewed into the 21st century as a religious people believing and living in a mythical world. This is because there is no evidence of gods or angels engaging with mankind today. However, in ancient times, angels manifested themselves on numerous occasions.
Dark forces on earth are highly skilful at deceiving mankind. Deception will increase as this evil age comes to a close. When the beastly coalition of ten kings begin their rule on earth, they will not initially be completely wicked. The good these kings will do will cloak their evil actions.
“In the latter part of their reign [10 kings], when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise” (Daniel 8:23).
It will be deceiving when an alien arrival bringing mankind on earth healing technologies, exotic science, and wonders beyond their imagination extends their goodwill to them. Few will be suspicious because of their apparent favour.
THE ANTICHRISTS WILL DENY THE SON OF GOD
“I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist” (II John 1:7).
Many people do not accept Jesus of Nazareth as the Son of God. They accept that he lived many years ago and though many witnessed countless healing miracles, incredible incidences of demon-possession removal and his teaching of the complete word of God. When he spoke with authority, they realized his exceptional knowledge of God’s word, yet, they still refused to acknowledge his supernatural abilities as having come from God Almighty.
Many, many scriptures have preserved the wonder the Jews experienced during Jesus’ life on earth. “The Jews there were amazed and asked, ‘How did this man get such learning without having been taught?’ ‘My teaching is not My own,’ Jesus replied. ‘It comes from Him who sent Me’” (John 7:15-16).
“When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
“The officers answered, ‘No one ever spoke like this man!’” (John 7:46)
Matthew wrote, “And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, ‘whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?’” (Matthew 13:54)
Luke recorded, “And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, ‘Is not this Joseph's son?’” (Luke 4:22)
Jesus wanted the Jews, his tribal people, to believe God’s message. He wanted them to scrutinize his actions and if his actions are those of Almighty God, then acknowledge it as being of God, at least. If his actions are righteous and his love for all people demonstrated in his miraculous healings, then give credit and make the connection. He came only to do the will of the Father, the Almighty God.
“If I’m not doing the things my Father does, don’t believe me. But if I’m doing those things and you refuse to believe me, then at least believe the things that I’m doing. Then you will know and recognize that the Father is in me and that I am in the Father” (John 10:37-38).
THE ANTICHRISTS WILL DENY THE FATHER WHO ALONE HAS SUPREME POWER
When people deny Jesus Christ as the Son of God, they also deny Almighty God, the Father. The Father and the Son are a united body of two separate spirit beings in a family relationship.
“Who is the liar, if it is not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father, but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well” (I John 2:22-23).
God designed the family relationship on earth to provide a mirror of understanding as He builds His God-family. Creation in heaven is part of the God-family; they are identified as “sons of God.” They are all, like the Son of God, individuals with free-choice, assigned roles and responsibilities.
Not all of the sons of God in heaven have kept their role and fulfilled their responsibilities. Some have intentionally chosen to operate beyond the authority given to them by Almighty God. Such beings are in deep trouble. “And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day. In like manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are on display as an example of those who sustain the punishment of eternal fire” (Jude 1:6-7).
The Psalmist knew and sang, “For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods” (Psalm 97:9) and “For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods” (Psalm 95:3).
Future events on earth, will unveil fallen sons of God who will demand worship from all of mankind. The “little horn” will go where all other fallen sons of God failed. He will declare himself the Supreme God. Denying the Father as the Almighty God and he will also unveil himself as the Messiah of mankind.
THE “LITTLE HORN” WILL CLAIM TO BE THE SUPREME GOD MESSIAH
When the “little horn” in Daniel arrives on earth, he will claim to be the Supreme God Messiah. His arrival will come in a storm. His battle against the ten kings of the beast will result in the overthrow of three of the kings. The remaining seven will surrender to him. The power he has to overthrow three of these kings will come directly from Satan who will give him his throne, power, and great authority.
The ten kings in Daniel 7 are the same ten kings in Revelation 17. A battle for supremacy takes place when these rebel kings are completely wicked. The “little horn” will come out as the winner.
The “little horn” is given a throne, power and great authority by the dragon.
The “little horn” becomes the leader of the last-days beast. He is the beneficiary of Satan’s throne, power and great authority. “And the dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority” (Revelation 13:2b). Satan steps out of this final great battle to give the beast as much strength as possible to collectively attempt to take down Almighty God and Jesus Christ.
The “little horn” becomes the ultimate recipient of power. “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power… He will destroy the mighty and the holy people” (Daniel 8:23-24).
The “little horn” achieves such power that he goes to battle against God’s army in heaven.
“It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them” (Daniel 8:10).
The “little horn” is allowed success as God Almighty builds the legal case against him and the coalition. The attack on God’s army also tests the angels—sons of God in heaven, as to their loyalties. Mankind is likely going to witness this attack at some level. It will be terrifying for all creation in heaven and on earth. God’s enemies are spiritual, fallen sons of God who have had rulership over the nations on earth and remain in power in heaven, today.
Not all of the rulers in heaven have been overthrown and imprisoned in inner earth. For example, the king of Babylon in the last days, will oppress God’s people and with great fury, subdue the nations with unrelenting attacks. Even in heaven, this same king will attack righteous angels, sons of God to such a degree that they are relieved and very grateful when the king of Babylon is taken down by God. The ancient kingdom of Babylon on earth is nothing more than mounds of sand, yet the king of Babylon will wield great power in the last days. This king is a spiritual ruler not yet fully judged by God and shackled.
“On the day the LORD gives you [God’s people] relief from suffering and turmoil and cruel bondage, you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon: ‘How the oppressor has come to an end! How his fury has ended! The LORD has broken the rod of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers, which in anger struck down peoples with unceasing blows, and in fury subdued nations with relentless aggression. All the lands are at rest and at peace; they break into singing” (Isaiah 14:3-7).
The great war recorded in Daniel 10:1 takes place on earth and in heaven, at the same time during the last days. It will be a time like no other on earth, nor ever to occur again. The next verse records the reactions of the angels, sons of God in heaven who too, have suffered from the terror attacks of the king of Babylon. God’s imagery of different trees is used to identify the types of leaders in heaven victimized by the king of Babylon. “Even the pine trees [evergreen trees imaged for eternal beings] and the cedars of Lebanon [members in God’s headquarters] exult over you and say, ‘Now that you have been laid low [overthrown and humbled], no woodsman comes to cut us down.” The grave below [prison in inner earth] is all astir to meet you [king of Babylon] at your coming; rouses the spirits of the departed to greet you—all those who were leaders in the world; it makes them rise from their thrones—all those who were kings over the nations. They will all respond, they will say to you, “You also have become weak, as we are; you have become like us” (Isaiah 14:8-10).
The angels, sons of God feared for their own spiritual lives, relieved they declare, “No woodsman comes to cut us down.” Two different types of leaders are in the “grave below”:
1. PHYSICAL: The spirits of the kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers, chancellors ruling over the nations on earth who have died over the centuries and are guilty of ruling wickedly are all imprisoned in inner earth awaiting judgement and sentencing.
2. SPIRITUAL: The heavenly kings given rulership over the nations are sitting on thrones in prison in inner earth. These fallen heavenly kings will say to the king of Babylon, “You also have become weak, as we are; you have become like us.” They will be disappointed to learn that another rebel leader in their coalition has fallen.
The 21st century descendants of Jacob, all twelve nations plus one, will be in great distress during the Great Tribulation. They will be the target of the wrath of these evil characters. It will be a time like no other on earth, a time when spiritual warfare will explode and spill over onto earth. Mankind will see, with their own eyes, God’s enemies. They will be terrified.
There are a series of events that must happen before Jesus Christ can return to earth.
THE GREAT WAR BEGINS IN HEAVEN AND SPILLS OVER ONTO EARTH
The “little horn” will stand against the Prince of the host.
The rebellion begins in heaven. The “little horn” increases in power where he can lead his rebel army against the forces of Almighty God. “It set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host; it took away the daily from him, and the place of his sanctuary was brought low” (Daniel 8:11).
This rebel set himself up to be as prestigious and powerful as the Commander of God’s army—Jesus Christ. God Almighty allows this to happen. Every event will begin and end at God’s appointed times. Mankind will witness this event and it will give rise to the title, Antichrist.
War will begin in heaven, where Jesus’ sanctuary is invaded and his daily practices are stopped. “Because of rebellion, the host [army] and the daily [Jesus’ daily practices in heaven] were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground” (Daniel 8:12).
The word “sacrifices” has been inferred and added to the translation after the word “daily” in Daniel 8:12. The Hebrew does not include the word “sacrifices.” The scripture is referring to the daily practices of Jesus Christ in heaven. Identifying Jesus as the Prince of princes, also places Jesus in heaven ruling over princes. Jesus is not yet ruling on earth. Daily, Jesus intercedes for mankind. Intercession for repentant mankind will be stopped for a time.
THE “LITTLE HORN” TAKES A THRONE IN HEAVEN
The “little horn” will exalt himself above all gods. He will set himself up as supreme, establishing himself to come before mankind in his own name—the one with supreme authority. “He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods… He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all” (Daniel 11:36-37).
This cocky rebel thinks he has obtained supreme power in heaven. God Almighty revealed through Daniel, “He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place” (Daniel 11:36).
GOD’S SET TIMES AND LAW WILL BE CHALLENGED
God’s established timeline cannot be changed by the “little horn.” In his pride and great arrogance, he will seek to do all he can to change it and God’s established law. He will try to pardon himself, Satan and the coalition members. “He will speak against the Most High and oppress the saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time” (Daniel 7:25).
The saints will be the target of his wrath knowing the battle for supreme rulership of God’s kingdom is at play. He will try to extend his rulership in heaven and on earth and change God’s law to place himself above God’s law and create rules for himself allowing him to do as he pleases without consequences—ultimate lawlessness. This is a war in heaven and on earth at the same time. This type of war has never occurred on earth before; it will be a time like no other.
THE SAINTS WILL BECOME PERFECT THROUGH SUFFERING AND RECEIVE GOD’S KINGDOM
God allows the saints to suffer because He is refining them; they are destined to receive His kingdom; they must be perfected. “Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time” (Daniel 11:35). Co-rulers with Jesus Christ, these saints will receive the supreme rulership of God’s kingdom for all eternity. “‘Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’ This is the end of the matter” (Daniel 7:27-28a).
WAR IN HEAVEN SPILL OVER ONTO TO EARTH, THE GOSPEL MUST GO OUT TO ALL THE WORLD
The Archangel Michael and his army will battle in heaven against Satan and his coalition. Satan and the fallen angels will be thrown down to earth because the Archangel Michael and his army will prove to be stronger (Revelation 12:9).
The “little horn” will oppose Jesus Christ and target everyone who obeys Almighty God and follows Jesus Christ. Many people will fall away from the truth. The spiritual forces in their face will weaken them. Jesus has warned believers to remain firm and they will be saved.
Jesus provided the end-time series of these events on earth. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” The gospel must go out as a legal witness to the whole world first. Christ will bring judgement on the world after the wrath of God is complete. They must be without excuse.
THE JEWS WILL ACCEPT A DIFFERENT MESSIAH
The “little horn” will claim to be the Supreme God Messiah who alone can intercede for mankind. Initially, the Jews will believe this Antichrist. Jesus warned them. “I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him" (John 5:43).
Jesus came to earth, not of his own authority, but the authority of the Father in heaven. He came to earth to do the will of the Father, not his own will.
The “little horn” will appear on earth. He will be visible to all of mankind. Many will fall away from the faith upon seeing this rebel, claiming to be the Supreme God Messiah. They will know that some of the angels in God’s army will be destroyed, thrown down to earth for the world to see and then, crushed before them. “It threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them” (Daniel 8:10b).
The Apostle Paul forewarned believers that such a character would come and to beware. “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him, we ask you, brothers, not to be easily disconcerted or alarmed by any spirit or message or letter seeming to be from us, alleging that the Day of the Lord has already come. Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed. He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So, he will seat himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God” (II Thessalonians 2:1-4).
THE SON OF DESTRUCTION
Judas Iscariot, despite knowing so much of God’s word having learned so much from Jesus, was a family-member who betrayed Jesus prior to his crucifixion. Jesus said, “While I was with them, I protected and preserved them by Your name, the name You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled” (John 17:12). He was referred to as the son of destruction in this case. Family members who betray family members should know better, more than a stranger.
Another son of destruction will appear in the last days. “Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed” (II Thessalonians 2:3). This son will betray Jesus Christ by claiming to be the Messiah of mankind. He will be so much worse than Judas Iscariot; he will also claim to be the Supreme God of all creation. He will be the ultimate son [family member] of destruction. He will deny the Father and the Son claiming to be the Supreme God Messiah.
THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS
This rebel is identified as the “man of lawlessness.” He must be close to approaching his death. Even Satan is described as a “man” prior to his death. “Those who see you will stare; they will ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made the kingdoms tremble” (Isaiah 14:16). God said, “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain…’ but you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit” (Isaiah 14:13-15).
This is a spiritual war at play. Thrown out of heaven with Satan, this being will continue his lie until he is destroyed. He is the man ruling without law—a creator of chaos. He will decay according to the level he falls and like Satan, eventually die like mere men (Psalm 82:6).
NO MAN CAN SEE ALMIGHTY GOD AND LIVE
Many people will become confused when the beast is ruling on earth. Jesus said to the Jews, “I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him” (John 5:43). Jesus told the Jews that he came to do the work of the Father through the Father’s authority and despite the countless miracles, his great work and perfect example, he was rejected. Jesus said that they will accept someone that they will see with their own eyes who claims to be the Supreme God—someone who comes in his own name and sit in the temple claiming to be God—knowing that no mortal can live after seeing the Supreme God in all His glory.
“But,” God Almighty said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live” (Exodus 33:20).
The Apostle John said, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father's side, has made Him known” (John 1:18).
The Apostle Paul said, “He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen” (I Timothy 6:16).
WHY WILL THE JEWS ACCEPT A DIFFERENT MESSIAH
This deception will only be for a time. The Apostle Paul stated, “What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they cannot see and ears so that they cannot hear, to this very day” (Romans 11:7-8). The Apostle Paul is talking about grace. It was a difficult teaching for the
Jews because they understood the importance of God’s law and they were convinced that keeping the law perfectly was possible for mankind.
The veil of stupor was due to the Jews rejecting Jesus, his teaching and their stubborn refusal to recognize his work on earth. The great job of taking the gospel to the whole world was offered to them first, but they rejected it.
“Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: ‘It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life; we now turn to the Gentiles’” (Acts 13:46).
It was then given to the repentant people of the ten tribes of Israel who were referred to at that time as Gentiles because that was the name for all people outside of the covenant family. The ten tribes are the prodigal son in scripture, who were once divorced from the covenant family but brought back into the family by Jesus. In the time of Apostle Paul, he referred to them as Christians.
THE SPECIAL CALLING OF THE HOUSE OF JOSEPH
In general, the house of Joseph who are today, the English-speaking West, took the lead to take the good news of God’s kingdom and the resurrection into eternal life for repentant mankind to the world. Missionaries have gone out, but the great witness that involves a legal testimony of their sins allying with Satan and the beast and God’s grace given to those who repent has not yet started. The ordinary men and women from the 21st century nations of Israel will ignite a religious revival that will never end. God’s law and His word will be taught to the nations of the whole world. They will be without excuse.
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).
The West will be the main target of the “little horn” and his beastly coalition, especially those who follow Christ faithfully. Western Europe will see the gospel going to all the world and eventually join with the English-speaking West.
“You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22).
ALL ISRAEL, PEOPLE FROM ALL OF THE TWELVE NATIONS OF ANCIENT ISRAEL, WILL BE SAVED
While the West leads the way, to take the gospel to the whole world, a mystery will be unveiled. The Apostle Paul was clear, the Jews will remain blind “until the full number of the Gentiles [their brothers from the ten tribes of Israel, today, ten nations plus one] have come in. And so, all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:25).
The Jews knew their brothers from the ten tribes were divorced from the covenant family. They believed that they only would be saved through their strict adherence of keeping the God’s law and the many added laws of their elders. The Apostle Paul was clear that salvation is by, “grace, then it is no longer by works, if it were, grace would no longer be grace” (Romans 11:6).
God foreknew that every man and woman would fall into sin. God’s theology is all about forgiveness, patience, kindness, compassion, peacefulness and love. God’s law teaches us about love that is manifested in His theology. Law without love is tyranny. It must be bound with love in order to lead in righteous rulership.
“God has bound all people over to disobedience so that He may have mercy on them all” (Romans 11:12). All of mankind have sinned. All of mankind will be offered grace upon their repentance. No person can shake their finger at anyone else.
God foreknew everything a long time ago, even before creation. He is teaching creation in heaven [the legal specialists] and on earth [the soon-to-become priestly specialists] the importance of their two roles that He will bind them together into one structure so that rulership in His eternal kingdom will be righteous. Creation in heaven will bind with creation on earth to work as one.
THE JEWS WILL AWAKEN
The Jews will awaken to their grave mistake. The veil of stupor will be lifted. They will weep bitterly realizing that they crucified the Son of God. “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn” (Zechariah 12:10).
Alas, they will be ashamed and terrified, until they see the hand of their God fighting for them. God Almighty will demonstrate the power of grace towards them. “On that day, declares the LORD, I will strike every horse with panic, and every rider with madness. I will keep a watchful eye on the house of Judah, but I will strike with blindness all the horses of the nations. Then the leaders of Judah will say in their hearts: ‘The people of Jerusalem are strong because the LORD Almighty is their God’” (Zechariah 12:4-5).
Grace triumphs over judgement. “There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you” (James 2:13).
GOD ALMIGHTY WILL BRING THE TEN TRIBES TOGETHER WITH THEIR BROTHERS, THE JEWS
Many of the people of the West and western Europe will be taken into captivity during Jacob’s trouble, the Great tribulation by the “little horn.” There the gospel will be taught, one-on-one, to the families where they are enslaved. When the time is complete, God will rescue them, a second time.
“Then it will happen on that day that the Lord will again recover the second time with His hand, the remnant of His people, who will remain, from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and from the islands of the sea” (Isaiah 11:11).
A second exodus is part of God’s plan and it will be glorious. The exodus out of Egypt that brought fear to all surrounding nations on earth will be a shadow compared to the mighty exodus to come.
“So behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when they will no longer say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of the land of Egypt.’ Instead they will say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought and led the descendants of the house of Israel up out of the land of the north and all the other lands to which He had banished them.’ Then they will dwell once more in their own land” (Jeremiah 23:7-8, Jeremiah 16:14-15).
These descendants of the house of Israel will fulfill the seventy-week prophecy.
THE SEVENTY-WEEK PROPHECY
God wants to save everyone among His covenant people, as well as, all people of the nations. He has strategically placed the calling of mankind in an order within His grand plan for creation in heaven and on earth. Many Biblical scholars focus on the timeframe of the seventy-week prophecy in Daniel 9. This study is a focus on what must be accomplished in the appointed time that God has given His covenant people to complete the processes for their entry and readiness into His kingdom.
“Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city to stop their transgression, to put an end to sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place” (Daniel 9:24).
Daniel 9:24 addresses all the people within the 12 tribes into the 21st century who are now twelve nations plus one. They have been given a limited amount of time for all of them to recognize sin, hate sin and stop sinning, live in perfect righteousness, fulfill prophecy and be ready to partake in the glorious anointing of God’s new temple. This is a monumental calling where little evidence of any achievement is visible today. They are to be the model kingdom in the Millennium. They will be the people to fulfill Daniel 9:24.
The three above will be replaced by:
4. Bring in everlasting righteousness which comes from heaven as a gift of God.
Righteousness comes from heaven as the gift of God (Psalm 85:11-14, Isaiah 51:5-8).
5. Seal up vision and prophecy will occur when prophecy is fulfilled. Prophesied events
will become history, no longer a mystery or topic of interpretation.
Prophecies and prophets are sealed, when by the full realization of all prophecies,
prophecy ceases, no prophets any more appear.
6. Anoint the most holy is a divine anointing of a new sanctuary, prior to God coming
and filling it with His glory
This reference is to the anointing of a new sanctuary, temple, or most holy place. The anointing is the act of consecrating to be a holy place of the gracious presence and revelation of God. It is not a renewal of a previous holy place, but a new place of God's gracious presence among His people, a new sanctuary.
The Great Tribulation of terrifying leadership will draw people to cry out for saving. The oppression and the cruelty will be difficult to tolerate. Suffering brings perfection. “Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. From the time the daily is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days” (Daniel 12:10-12).
Again, the word “sacrifice” is added in the translation after daily. When Jesus is kept from doing his daily practice, mankind is in trouble. Only through the name of Jesus, can mankind be saved. The “little horn” will do all he can to bring mankind into an unredeemable state. Daily, Jesus intercedes for repentant mankind. One thousand two hundred and ninety days is 3 ½ prophetic years plus 30 days.
1,260 DAYS
Key events take place for 1,260 days.
For 1,260 days the 21st century people will experience great distress. God Almighty is calling them back to Him, purifying the repentant and teaching them and the world the pure word of God through the teaching of the two witnesses.
1,290 DAYS
After a period of three and a half years, the military and religious oppression will be halted.
Daniel recorded a period of 1,290 days to begin when the daily practice of Jesus Christ is stopped to when the abomination that causes desolation is set up. A 30-day period is extended beyond 1,260 days. Like the eye in a storm, a period exists to get refuge.
Jesus urgently warned, “So, when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ described by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (Matthew 24:15-16).
The abomination that makes desolate may be an attempt of the “little horn’ to atone mankind into his order. This rebel will try to prevent the redemption of mankind. God is asking the wise to remain strong and unwavering. Jesus warned the Jews in Jerusalem to flee.
Sometime after 1,260 days Daniel recorded, “the court will sit, and his power [the power of the fourth beast] will be taken away and completely destroyed forever” (Daniel 7:26). Subpoenaed, judged and sentenced by Almighty God, the “little horn” will be found guilty under God’s law.
1,335 DAYS
The extended period of 45 days after 1,290 days could be the great, final battle when Jesus Christ stands on the Mount of Olives.
Suddenly, all directions are pointing, at one time, to the Saviour of mankind. His feet stand on the Mount of Olives; it is split east and west. Then the mountain moves one part to the north and the other to the south. All directions in motion simultaneously point to the return of Jesus Christ. From that location, everything on earth changes immediately.
Jesus Christ is the rock “not made of human hands” that will crush into fine dust the ancient structure to ruled earth since Babylon.
“By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes [Jesus Christ], and he shall be broken—but by no human hand” (Daniel 8:25).
The evil spirits that look like frogs come out of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet and lead the kings of the world into battle on that great day of the God the Almighty (Revelation 16:13-14). Jesus Christ will come with the saints and his army. His feet will split the mountain and a valley for escape rescues the faithful fleeing from the son of destruction. It will be a unique day without light, no cold or frost with no separation between night and day (Zechariah 14:7).
GOD ALMIGHTY AND JESUS CHRIST WIN
“On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem… the Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord and his name the only name” (Zechariah 14:6, 9).
Like the pompous “Assyrian” recorded by Isaiah, these leaders and their armies will be struck down by a flesh rotting plague. “Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. On that day men will be stricken by the LORD with great panic. Each man will seize the hand of another, and they will attack each other. Judah too will fight at Jerusalem. The wealth of all the surrounding nations will be collected—great quantities of gold and silver and clothing” (Zechariah 14:12-14).
God Almighty has a plan. Every step will be fulfilled in the appointed times. Trust and faith in our Father in heaven will be essential. Our Father knows best.
THE APPOINTED TIMES
Gabriel, the angel said to Daniel, “I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time to the end” (Daniel 8:19).
The saints will be oppressed and some of the wise “will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time” (Daniel 11:35).
The fourth beastly coalition will fight among themselves. The king of the north and the king of the south will battle against each other. Imaged in the two legs, two feet and five toes on each foot of the statue in Daniel, these two forces will hate each other. “The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time” (Daniel 11:22).
The final great battle on earth is meticulously timed by God. “At the appointed time he [the king of the north] will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before” (Daniel 11:29).
The nasty and brutal “little horn” will rise up and prosper in everything it does, but only “until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place (Daniel 11:36).
God Almighty has set the appointed times. He engineered the timeline sufficient to bring a solid case against the wicked, purify the faithful, and bring mankind into repentance. The courts will sit. The righteous will be given life and the wicked death. People will be without an excuse.
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