Our story told through a 1,000 different colours, lenses and voices...
until you KNOW the story, YOUR STORY.
Our story told through a 1,000 different colours, lenses and voices...
until you KNOW the story, YOUR STORY.
New Study
The Sin of Adam and the Sin of Eve
God Almighty is establishing an eternal kingdom that spans across vast territories and into multiple dimensions comprised of His royal and holy children as well as subjects. This eternal, holy, royal God-family is in the making in two realms: heaven and earth. Creation in heaven and earth are still learning, still growing spiritually and neither one is ready.
The realm in heaven was created first and comprise of spiritual beings created having the fundamentals of God’s word upon their waking moment. The realm on earth was created second and are mortals having no knowledge of God’s word at birth. These two creations were made to complement each other. Both are from two very different learning environments given two very different roles living two very different stories are a witness as God doubles down in His use of number two.
God’s word is recorded in the Bible. His penmanship is exquisite. His language is a journey beyond mortality into the vast wonders of eternity. His message to all of mankind is clearly preserved in His Holy Days, mirrored in His covenant people, and reflected in His stories of people: their conversations, their healings, their journeys, their everyday lives recorded in the Holy Bible to reveal a precious promise of salvation that is gift wrapped with the great honour of being a member of His holy, royal, ruling God-family.
God’s use of numbers, mirroring and pictures, parables and parallels take Believers into God’s heavenly world that reveals in high-definition clarity His saving plan for all of mankind and the union of two realms: heaven and earth when all things are restored.
The white elephant in the room is often preached but rarely understood. What is God teaching mankind about the sin of Adam and the sin of Eve and how important is it in the 21st century?
ADAM’S TYPE OF SIN
“Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness ofthe offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come” (Romans 5:14).
Adam’s sin was a specific type.
It began in the garden of Eden. While Satan was conversing with Eve, Adam was there listening quietly. As head of the family, he was tasked with protecting his wife, both spiritually and physically and the children to come. But at that moment, he was lured into an internal battle of reasoning within himself the possibility that God Almighty might be holding something back from him. He knew he was a son of God, though mortal, his body shone like the sun. He knew of his brothers in the heavenly creation who are rulers, powers and authorities. He too was given rulership—on earth. Adam likely pondered a disparity that generated resentment because after Eve acted on Satan’s words, Adam followed with an action that broke his covenant with God Almighty.
“But they [the house of Israel—10 tribes], like Adam, have transgressed the covenant; there they were unfaithful to Me” (Hosea 6:7).
Adam’s sin was of the same type as the fallen house of Israel, specially the ten tribes of Israel who were divorced by God. They wanted to be like the nations around them whose kingdoms were grand and stature strong. The leaders of the ten tribes of Israel wanted to rule themselves so that they could self-direct and acquire superpower status, flaunt a massive army and push their influence across the whole world. They wanted an empire that was visually glorious with tall temples and government houses, vast jurisdictions and riches lavished with prestige. Serving and worshipping a fallen heavenly ruler instead of their God was acceptable to them in order to get was they craved. This was in complete opposite to God’s plan for His people. He said that they would become a holy kingdom of royal priests where the inside was glorious and the outside was humble.
God responded to these carnal minded people, “You say, ‘We want to be like the nations like the peoples of the world, who serve wood and stone. But what you have in mind will never happen. As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I will rule over you with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath. I will bring you from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered—with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath. I will bring you into the desert of the nations and there, face to face, I will execute judgement upon you’” (Ezekiel 20:32-35).
God is the potter and His people are the clay. He is working with them to bring them into repentance after they see and experience the horrors of their choices being like the nations. “As for you, O house of Israel’ God said, ‘Go and serve your idols, every one of you! But afterward you will surely listen to me and no longer profane my holy name with your gifts and idols” (Ezekiel 20:39).
God allows choices and the suffering that comes from those choices. From that time into the present, God gave each of the ten tribes of Israel their moment of glory with superpower status and it brought tyranny, suffering and sadness.
Adam’s desire for power and glory by worshipping fallen angels broke the covenant he had made with God. Fortunately, God foresaw into the future and incorporated a saving plan for mortals before the foundation of the world. One, a type of Adam, was inserted into God’s plan that repentant mankind could anticipate. One that would be the example for all of mankind to follow wherever he goes.
JESUS CHRIST IS A TYPE OF ADAM
Jesus Christ is that One who is a type of Adam. Where Adam and the fallen angels failed, Christ succeeded. This is why the Apostle Paul used the term “Adam” in I Timothy 3:13-14. “For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.” The Apostle Paul is referring to Jesus Christ, the Adam—the last Adam. All of the angels in heaven understand God’s word. They are not deceived by Satan’s wily logic. If they sin, it is intentional.
God the Father loves the Son—the tested cornerstone and wearer of many crowns. Through his suffering, salvation came to all of mankind on earth. His love for God’s word and His way brought the Father to trumpet His admiration, “Let all God’s angels worship him… Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy” (Hebrews 1:6, 8-9).
Through Christ, mankind can live. “So it is written: ‘The first man Adam became a living being;’ the last Adam a life-giving spirit” (I Corinthians 15:45).
Finally, the last Adam, like there was an echo of Adams before, Christ achieved what previously could not be done. God Almighty is teaching the first creation in heaven the significance of His Son, Jesus Christ. Creation in both heaven and earth have learned that Jesus Christ is the perfect example for both creations in both realms.
“Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed. He is a pattern of the One to come” (Romans 5:14).
“The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven” (I Corinthians 15:47).
God’s heavenly court comprised once of the great sons of God [Ezekiel 31] has fallen. God’s penmanship is exquisite. When describing His heavenly world, He uses earthly descriptors to provide a rich picture. Trees image leaders. Lebanon is the name of His headquarters and heavenly court. Different types of trees image different types of leaders and the special qualities of those leaders are the same qualities in the trees. For example, the hardy Poplar tree can grow in poor and hash conditions. Its valued quality is its ability to regenerate the soil and rebuild the environment. Cedar trees have the unique qualities that mirror the great leaders in God’s headquarters. These tall and grand trees are dimensionally stable with a built-in thermal insulator. With oils that act as natural preservatives, these trees are resistant to bacteria and fungus. To top it off, they release a fresh aroma that deters pests. God gave the name of His headquarters in heaven, ‘Lebanon’ to mirror on earth His stately and regal leaders—His pride and joy. Olive trees can produce fruit even when they are very old. This fruit when compressed produces a high-quality oil used in ancient times as fuel to shine light—like the work of the priesthood.
All of God’s most esteemed sons in His heavenly court chose to ally with Satan. “Then all the trees [leaders]of Eden, the CHOICEST and BEST OF LEBANON, all the trees [heavenly sons of God filled with God’s Holy Spirit] that were well-watered, were CONSOLED IN THE EARTH BELOW” (Ezekiel 31:16).
God is warring against them. “Open your doors, O LEBANON [name of God’s headquarters], that the fire may devour your cedars [great leaders in God’s heavenly court]! Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen, because the glorious trees have been destroyed; Wail, O oaks of Bashan, for the impenetrable forest has come down” (Zechariah 11:2).
Pride comes before a fall. All of the fallen angels became proud and arrogant. “See, the Lord, the LORD Almighty, will lop off the boughs with great power. The lofty trees will be felled; the tall ones will be brought low. He will cut down the forest thickets with an ax; LEBANON WILL FALL BEFORE THE MIGHTY ONE” (Isaiah 10:33-34).
The fall of His heavenly court was painful for God because He loves all of creation. “Consider Assyria, once a cedar in Lebanon [once a great leader in God’s headquarters]… it was proud of its height. I handed it over to the ruler of the nations, for him to deal with according to its wickedness… On the day it was brought down to the grave I covered the deep springs with mourning for it…” (Ezekiel 31:3, 10b, 15a). God wept.
In God’s goodness, He saw a people who would grow from out of heinous wickedness to become eternally loyally and faithful. To these people, He opened the door to honor them as the new members of His NEW headquarters. “These are those who did not defile themselves with women [false religion], for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb” (Revelation 14:4). With them a great multitude from each nation and tongue will bend their knee and worship Almighty God (Revelation 7:9).
GOD’S NEW LEBANON WILL SPROUTING
“In a very short time, will not Lebanon be turned into a fertile field and the fertile field seem like a forest?” (Isaiah 29:17).
“The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree; he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. PLANTED IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, they will flourish in the COURTS OF OUR GOD. They will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green” (Psalm 92:12-15).
“I [God] will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily, and he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon. His shoots will sprout, and his beauty will be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon” (Hosea 14:5-6).
God’s new government is sprouting and it will grow into a thick forest in Lebanon full of faithful and loyal leaders with many beautiful gifts and wonderful qualities to fill a multitude of positions.
SATAN’S FALL AND DESTRUCTION
Fallen angels were never deceived; their sins are intentional. They broke their covenant with God when they desired self-rule and authority beyond their own jurisdiction. Their pride and arrogance caused them to slip away and God’s Holy Spirit began to drain. In their emptiness, they now believe they can overthrow God Almighty.
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made” (Genesis 3:1a). Satan, through his tantalizing praises, turns pure hearts into bitterness. For people who continually enter into walks with Satan, he darkens their mind and the most glorious attributes of God. Satan who was at one time the most beautiful guardian angel of God has been demoted to a “beast of the field” and after leading Eve astray, God demoted him again to crawl on his belly until he is demoted again into mortality.
God foretells his outcome, “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; 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 Height.’ But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit. Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: ‘Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble, the man who made the world a desert, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?” (Isaiah 14:13-17).
Mortality is the fate of Satan and the fallen angels. They will be drained of all life and die like mortals.
“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).
Satan and his coalition of fallen angels work in darkness. They lead mankind into believing that they are invincible spiritual beings. That is one of the Satan’s many lies. His fate and the fate of all fallen angels is that they will fall from their thrones and die like mere men.
EVE THE MOTHER OF ALL ON EARTH WAS DECEIVED, LIKE ALL OF MANKIND
The creation of male and female was designed to show two leading roles in God’s kingdom: national and religious leadership. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him: male and female he created them” (Genesis 2:1). Both of these roles image God as He is both KING and LORD.
Understandably, both genders will share equally in heirship because both their roles are critical to the preservation of God’s kingdom.
“Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered” (I Peter 3:7).
Eve, mankind was created second intentionally to teach mankind about two separate creations: one in heaven pictured in Adam and one on earth pictured in Eve.
Two creations comprise of the great witness for the need to marry the two. God’s plan from before creation was the marriage of nation and religion into righteous law and order.
The female gender mirrors all men and women on earth and the church whether righteous or ungodly. The destiny for all of mankind is to become a holy kingdom of royal priests.
God’s people were informed of their calling millennia ago. “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" (Exodus 19:6).
God’s church was informed of their calling two thousand years ago. “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 second creation on earth was foretold of their calling through the Apostle John. “And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribes and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom of priests to serve our God and they will reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9-10).
The female gender is the image of theology: knowledge, understanding and wisdom all are used by the female pronoun.
With this understanding, the reading of Genesis 3:15 adds clarity to “I will put enmity between you [the serpent] and the woman [the church], and between your offspring and hers…” God is referring to the church who allowed sin to enter generating a constant battle between two forces: evil and good.
Also, “To the woman he said, ‘I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you” (Genesis 3:16). Not only do women suffer while birthing children, on a spiritual level, the ministry, prophets and priesthood of God have been and continue to be persecuted, some tortured to death while preaching to birth a spiritually healthy congregation in this evil age.
Had Eve not sinned, God’s rulership and His ways would have prevailed birthing a congregation worldwide of righteous God-fearing and faithful people without suffering. From lemons to lemonade, God had planned from the foundation of the world the sacrifice of His Son for the saving of mankind.
“…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 1:19-20).
“He was delivered up by God's set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross” (Acts 2:23).
Suffering is part of the spiritual growth of mankind.
“Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you” (I Peter 5:8-9).
Since all of mankind has fallen into sin, like Eve, they will desire Christ their Saviour and he will rule over them. Mankind needs his guidance and knows it. Even the ministry and priesthood misunderstand scripture and mislead the congregation is evidence of the need for the Word to interpret and clarify scripture.
THE ONLY TEACHER
Jesus Christ is the only teacher. ““Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters” (Matthew 23:8).
It may not be understood by the ministry and priesthood that only Jesus Christ can interpret scripture; he is the only teacher qualified to do that. Unfortunately, there are many different doctrines within Christian churches each strongly upholding their beliefs. The disunity from teaching different doctrines will be resolved by Jesus Christ, the Word, when he returns. The ministry will follow the Apostle Paul’s words to be silent. There will be no debating or pushing their interpretation of scripture onto Jesus Christ, the Adam who wasn’t deceived. “And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbirth, if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety” (I Timothy 2:14-15).
The Apostle Paul was specific to use Adam in verse 13 and 14 of I Timothy 2 because he is identifying Jesus Christ, the last Adam who was successful at withstanding Satan and not falling into sin. Christ is the Word; he knows God’s word thoroughly. The use of the word “women” identifies the leaders of the church who lead the congregation astray following doctrines through their own interpretation.
The ministry and priesthood who continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety will birth a spiritually healthy congregation; only these churches will be saved. I Timothy 2:15 is not referring to physical women because men and women are saved only through the sacrifice of Christ. The Apostle Paul is using language that mirrors spiritual roles. Churches and the ministry of those churches will only be saved by preaching scripture leaning on the interpretation by Jesus Christ, the last Adam. Following the first Adam will lead to death.
There are times when scripture uses a specific gender but it refers only to the spiritual sense. The 144,000 people of Revelation do not defile themselves with false religion. They are virgins. These virgins are not 144,000 women. The use of the word virgin has the spiritual meaning that these men and women are totally faithful to God. “These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb” (Revelation 14:4).
DECEPTION THROUGH IGNORANCE
Often mankind is well intentioned, but fall into sin simply through ignorance. Satan is well versed in the word of God. After fasting for forty days and forty nights, Jesus indeed was physically hungry, but spiritually full.
Satan attacked the physical state of Jesus and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread” (Matthew 4:3). Jesus quoted scripture and said, “It is written, ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4).
This is a double-edged response because the word of God does have a physical filling component about it, but Satan would not have experienced that effect. During a rich spiritual conversation over a meal with friends and family it is both physically and spiritually filling, but the spiritual food will always outweigh the physical.
“Then the devil took Jesus to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone’”.
Satan quoted Psalm 91:10-12. He knew that Jesus dwells in the shelter of God Almighty and God promises to protect everyone who comes to Him seeking refuge. God Almighty declares, “Because he loves me, I will rescue him, I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name… I will answer him, I will be with him in trouble… deliver him and honor him” (Psalm 91:14-15). This is the promise that God Almighty gives to those who love Him.
Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test’” (Matthew 4:7). To put yourself in harms way, is a mockery of the power of Almighty God.
Now, the third time the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him the kingdoms on earth. Having the supreme authority in his evil kingdom to bestow a crown (Isaiah 23:8), Satan offered Jesus rulership over all the earth now—without having to die on the cross, if he bends his knee and worships him. Though Jesus so desired to rescue mankind, he didn’t entertain the thought for a second to worship Satan and violate his covenant with God as Adam and the fallen angels did. He immediately snapped, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only’” (Matthew 4:10).
Jesus Christ is the Word. His perfect understanding of God’s way keeps him from falling into deception. Mankind is born without knowledge; mankind grows in grace and knowledge. Even babes in Christ have not matured to distinguish between right and 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). Satan knew Eve was still a babe in Christ, unable to distinguish between good and evil.
Immature Judo-Christians often lean on their own understanding, as Eve did. They honestly think their way is right, until the consequences occur and they regret their actions.
“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12).
“What fruit did you reap at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The outcome of those things is death” (Romans 6:21).
JESUS SPOKE ONLY THE WORDS OF HIS FATHER
Jesus is the example for mankind. He came to earth not to fulfill his own agenda or preach his own theology. He came to do many things, but most of all, to fulfill God’s salvation plan for mankind.
“For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So, I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say” (John 12:49-50).
The wise counsellor for mankind is Jesus Christ. He only is the perfect interpreter of scripture with a perfect understanding of God’s word.
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that listens to counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:15).
God Almighty is the source of perfection. Adam lost trust in God and Eve trusted and acted on her own thinking. She assessed what Satan said and it appeared on the outside to be a good thing—“wise”. When the Apostle John saw “the woman—the great prostitute” he was amazed because on the outside she looks good. The angel with the Apostle John said, “Why are you astonished?” (Revelation 17:7). On the outside, things can look right and good. Calling on God for His knowledge, understanding and wisdom is the only safe way to keep from being deceived. Christ is the conduit for all of mankind in prayer to speak directly to our loving and wise Father in heaven.
These mortal bodies worked to teach mankind important spiritual matters which will become common knowledge under Christ’s rule. God is transparent, though His use of imagery, mirroring, parallels, parables is often a mystery to those who don’t ask for understanding and those following teachers who rely on their own interpretations.
God loves the relentless spiritual explorer. “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter” (Proverbs 25:2). However, if the waters become muddy, turn to God and simply ask for his knowledge, understanding and wisdom. He will never decline this request.
CONCLUSION
The sin of Adam mirrors the sins of the fallen angels in heaven who knew better but were enticed by Satan to desire self-direction, self-reliance, self-glory and rulership beyond their jurisdiction and in turn, they were brought into his coalition to battle against God Almighty.
The sin of Eve was caused by relying on self-reasoning. It is the act of using human thinking that always appears to be right but leads to death. This is the sin of all of mankind who through God’s grace has a salvation plan that is brought into fruition when mankind repents, accepts Christ as their Saviour, then God gives them His Holy Spirit which supersedes the spirit of man providing them clarity of thought that leads to righteous actions.
Christ set the example. He spoke only the words given to him by God Almighty because he knows God’s words only bring life and this life, Christ made possible again for all mankind on earth. Whether the sins were of the type of Adam or Eve, all is forgiven for those who repent for our Father in heaven loves all of mankind and wishes that nobody choose death, but life eternal.
Newest Study
I will WAIT on the LORD
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
[and] they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
THE MEANING OF WAITING ON THE LORD
The great prophets were loved by God. He sent them to a rebellious people to warn them and teach them. God gave His prophets eyes to see wickedness at work and ears to understand the workings of deceit. Their job was one filled with sorrow and persecution. They were troubled by the depths that wickedness had crept into every home and governing body. Habakkuk cried out to God in despair.
“How long, O LORD, must I call for help,
But you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’
But you do not save?
‘Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrong?
Destruction and violence are before me;
There is strife, and conflict abounds.
Therefore, the law is paralyzed,
And justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted”
(Habakkuk 1:2-4).
God replied, “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay” (Habakkuk 2:3).
“Wait for the LORD to act for it will certainly come, it will not delay” are God’s promised words. Waiting on the LORD is patiently enduring persecution by the wicked and the spiritually weak. Waiting on the LORD is accepting the punches that come from spiritually lost people enslaved by Wickedness. Waiting on the LORD is giving time for people to repent. Waiting on the LORD is allowing God to be the Judge and build His case against unrepentant people.
From God’s responses, Habakkuk learned of the extent that Almighty God is willing to endure and allow wickedness to work, so that people—all people come into repentance.
“This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (I Timothy 2:4).
“Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn't I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?” (Ezekiel 18:23)
“For I take no pleasure in anyone's death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!” (Ezekiel 18:32).
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” (John 3:17).
HOW WAITING ON THE LORD WAS UNDERSTOOD BY THE GREAT PROPHETS
Habakkuk understood the great distress that would come upon his people because of their rebellious ways and learned that a repentance would occur for his people sometime in the future and he concluded, “Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us” (Habakkuk 3:16b). He confirmed in his last words that God would eventually punish the destroyers. He felt their movements and wrote, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18). God is our Savior using Wickedness to punish His people as He corrects them and brings them back to Him. That is the joyful moment Habakkuk felt.
Waiting on the LORD means that the saints patiently take the punches from the weak, lost and wayward people living in a broken world bent on destroying itself, so that the witness of the gospel may reach them all of them and in deep sincerity, they hope it brings them into repentance and in-love with our God and Father in heaven. The witness of mankind’s salvation and the love Almighty God has for all of mankind will go out to all the world during times of extreme distress. During this time, the descendants of ancient Israel their sons and daughters will take the gospel and witness to the whole world.
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions” (Joel 2:28).
During times of great persecution, the saints will not be afraid. They will confidently stand against Satan and his beastly coalition to bring God’s word to the whole world. Men and women will put their lives on the line to save deceived and tricked mankind by revealing truth, encouraging repentance and spreading God’s word worldwide despite the wave of hatred against them.
“And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down—he who accuses them day and night before our God. They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death’” (Revelation 12:10-11).
CHRIST COMMANDED THE FAITHFUL TO ENDURE PATIENTLY
The history of mankind, both past and present, may come to appear that Wickedness is overpowering Righteousness, but that is not the case. Rather, God is testing all people, God is purifying and strengthening the weak and confirming the strong. It was all planned a very long time ago.
A raging fallen son ruling over Assyria bragged of his destructive achievements to God.
“With my many chariots I have ascended the heights of the mountains [powerful governments, the utmost heights of Lebanon [God’s headquarters in heaven], I have cut down its tallest trees [overthrown God’s great leaders in His headquarters], the choices of its pines [well-respected leaders overthrown], I have reached its remotest heights, and the finest of its forest [regiments of leaders]… With the soles of my feet I have dried up all the streams of Egypt” (Isaiah 37:24-25).
God responded, "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).
God begins His response with, “Have you not heard?” God has not shared His complete plan with the angels in heaven. This fallen angel had not heard how God works and God knows that. He is telling this rogue, fallen son that He remains in charge. God uses the most powerful of the fallen angels to overthrow the less powerful wicked. Eventually, the most powerful of the fallen will be brought down.
During these battles taking place in heaven and on earth, the Apostle John recorded, “He [the beast] was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them… He who has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints” (Revelation 13:9-10).
This will not be a time to be faint or shy away from death and choose to compromise or turn away from God. A focus on God’s grand plan will bring great strength as the saints stand up against Wickedness remaining loyal to God and His ways that bring peace, respect and honour one for another.
As God begins to destroy the wicked, they increase and intensify their attacks on the saints. “‘If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury… There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who received the mark of his name.’ This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus” (Revelation 14:9, 12).
The saints will endure patiently and wait on the LORD because they too, sincerely hope the nations will repent and come into the loving and peaceful family of God. They too, want to see everyone saved.
FOUR CHURCHES OF REVELATION ENDURE PATIENTLY WAITING ON THE LORD
EPHESUS
“You have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary” (Revelation 2:3).
SMYRNA
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown” (Revelation 2:10).
THYATIRA
“I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance.And I can see your constant improvement in all these things” (Revelation 2:19).
PHILADELPHIA
“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth” (Revelation 3:10).
The people within these four different groups holding four different responsibilities in God’s kingdom of priests are patiently enduring during Jacob’s trouble. They see God’s plan for mankind. They desire that everyone repent and come into God’s family. Though they have known the truth for a long time, they will not grow weary, but remain strong under God despite the persecution and the relentless attacks during a time of great deception.
THE THREE CHURCHES OF REVELATION NOT MENTIONED
PERGAMUM
Christ comes to this group of people with a two-edged sword. The sword is symbolic of the word of God. Two-edged is the very clear, uncompromising word of God that will be a sharp action that exposes lies, deception, misinformation and disinformation. These people may be the teachers, researches and scholars who love delving into knowledge, but among them are the scholars teaching and promoting a different history of mankind.
This group of people are located where Satan has his throne, which into the 21st century may be among those who preach his theology: science without God, medicine without God, technology without God, all knowledge without God. This centre of learning without God are all of the schools, universities, research centres, and learning facilities that have rejected God in their teachings.
There are Christians who spend their whole life studying God’s word. They research ancient writings, study languages, translations, and supporting writings from endless sources. They pass judgment on scriptural meaning and publish their work, but their publications have inaccuracies. That is why Christ appears with the double-edged sword. He stands before them to pierce through the layers into their inner soul to discern their deep thoughts and intentions.
These people tolerate the teaching of Balaam who taught Balak how to get the ancient Israelites to sin against God. Balak taught ancient Israel to compromise the word of God and accept false teachings as if they have merit. Some of the people of this group may compromise, while others may not, still the compromise is allowed and Christianized to show a stamp of approval.
Christ urges these people to repent or “he will fight against them with the word of his mouth” (Revelation 2:16).
SARDIS
These are a people who are truly in trouble. Their work is incomplete and they are about to die, that is, become totally wicked. It is any wonder that Jesus is with the seven spirits of God and the seven angels of the seven churches. These people, like the people in Ephesus, do a global work within Christianity. Their work professes to be noble and pure, which it may have been initially, but it has deteriorated to such an extent that Jesus consults the seven spirits of God.
Isaiah 11:2 identifies the seven spirits of God. “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him — the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.”
(1) Spirit of the LORD (the Holy Spirit)
(2) Spirit of wisdom
(3) Spirit of understanding
(4) Spirit of counsel
(5) Spirit of power
(6) Spirit of knowledge
(7) Spirit of the fear of the Lord.
The Sardis group may have had a focus to genuinely care for the needy, homeless, widows and fatherless and over time, organizations, foundations and charities formed. However, today, scandals of how donations are being used is coming to light. If these organizations are pocketing most of the donations or abusing the use of funds, they indeed would be in trouble with God, for they claim to serve the poor and needy, which God considers to be pure religion (James 1:27).
Jesus is warning them to stop and return to their original focus of being the righteous people who truly care for and protect the homeless, the fatherless, the vulnerable and those plunged into distress from a catastrophe: natural or manmade. Today, they are close to having their names erased from the book of life, only a small few are honest and truly serving, such an example may be the doctors without borders and those who fund and prepare relief packages.
The work of “pure religion” will explode in the early years of the Millennium. These people will be in high demand. People who can reach those in need, organize relief packages, provide solutions to needs while life remains physical, as well as, implement mechanisms for spiritual healing and growth. This work is precious and into eternity the need will not got away. Spiritual growth will always need the righteous supporters of pure religion.
LAODICEA
Jesus speaks to this group of people with assuredly: the Amen and the faithful and true witness bringing a claim against them. They are a luke-warm people, who hold lofty claims of themselves. They trumpet their wealth of spiritual knowledge and claim to understand all scriptures. They need nothing. These people are many; they are bold and confident.
These people are part of many churches under different names. They believe that they are worshipping God fully. They lift up their arms and sing, but they are not careful to obey God's commandments, His ordinances, His Sabbath, His Holy Days. They know that Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever and even though the Apostle Paul warned Christians “not to be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings…” (Hebrews 13:9), they do not apply “strange teachings” to their church doctrines that are not what Jesus taught. Many have been caught up into a mass movement. They think there is safety in the numbers on the wide road and the few on the narrow road are outdated.
The importance of testing, re-testing, re-researching and researching again and again will be the lesson for all Christians. Ultimately, those who are humble and leaning on Christ will carefully follow him and reap rewards beyond human imagination.
THE REWARDS THAT COME FROM WAITING ON THE LORD
The prophet Isaiah recorded,
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
[and] they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
Eternal life and being a royal, ruling member in God’ glorious family is the reward. Being intimately close to our Father in heaven is the precious gift that the saints hold dear to their heart. The Apostle Paul fully understood the little sacrifice on this earth compared to the glorious gift of eternal life with our beloved Husband, Jesus Christ and our enduring Friend, our Father in heaven.
“And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:17-18).
WHAT IT MEANS TO GOD WHEN PEOPLE COME TO HIM AND PATIENTLY WAIT FOR HIM
God the Father loves the Son, Jesus Christ. The tested stone, the corner stone of the kingdom that Almighty God is building is Jesus Christ of whom God Almighty is so very proud. “But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom’” (Hebrews 1:8-9).
Indeed, God Almighty the source of all power and might honours the Son, Jesus Christ with the title “O God, your throne will last forever.” This is not a small matter because Jesus said that those who repent, accept his sacrifice and live with Christ in them are loved by God as much as God Almighty loves His Son.
“I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me” (John 17:23).
How is it that God, our Father in heaven can love a fallen creation though repentant and covered by Christ as much as His perfect Son? God says, “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins” (Isaiah 43:25).
“For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more" (Hebrews 8:12).
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalms 103:12).
God is truly love and He is determined to bring all of mankind to Him. “Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon” (Isaiah 55:7).
Our God, the God of Israel, is bountiful in mercy. “Your righteousness is like the highest mountains; Your judgments are like the deepest sea. O LORD, You preserve man and beast” (Psalm 36:6).
This wonderful God is excited about the repentance and future of mankind. In ancient times, He recorded His joy and He foresaw the return of His people with people from other nations and the rebuilding of His temple comprised of righteous, faithful, loyal subjects.
“The righteous man will flourish like the PALM TREE; he will grow like a CEDAR in Lebanon [a faithful and loyal leader in God’s new headquarters]; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him” (Psalm 92:12-15).
God will sing with His devoted people. “In that day—sing about a fruitful vineyard: I, the LORD, am its keeper; I water it every moment. So that no one will damage it, I guard it night and day. I am not angry. If only there were briars and thorns confronting me! I would march against them in battle; I would set them all on fire. Or else let them come to me for refuge; LET THEM MAKE PEACE WITH ME, YES, LET THEM MAKE PEACE WITH ME" (Isaiah 27:3-5).
God does not exclude anyone on earth who are descendants of Adam and Eve from His royal, holy family. “Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, “The LORD will surely exclude me from his people” (Isaiah 56:3).
All who go to God will be welcomed. “And FOREIGNERS who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, and love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, and all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant—THESE I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy 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 NATIONS” (Isaiah 56:6-7).
Those who wait on the LORD will witness the great exodus of people out of Wickedness into the family of God. It will be the joy they will remember forever; it will never diminish over time. The presence of those who overcome will stand tall like a gold medal awarded to Olympic winners. These winners fought against an enemy fixated on their destruction and determined to overthrow every trace of righteousness. Joy will heal the scars of suffering as the family of God both in heaven and earth unite as one righteous body serving their Creator God under the Kingship and Lordship of Jesus Christ.
A Study
Inheritance
When God refers to an inheritance in the Bible, He is always referring to being a ruler over a dominion. God, himself, even though He is King, the ruler of all creation, took the descendants of Jacob as His inheritance. “For the LORD's portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:9). Unfortunately, a time came and the descendants of Israel rejected God as their king. “And the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king” (I Samuel 8:7).
Israel rejected God as their king, because they wanted to be like the nations whose heavenly rulers who received an inheritance at the time of Babel to rule over the nations on earth gave them physical kings to rule over the people in accordance to their orders.
GOD TOOK FOR HIMSELF AN INHERITANCE AND GAVE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HEAVENLY COURT AN INHERITANCE
“When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when He divided the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God” (Deuteronomy 32:8 Berean Study Bible).
“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 New Living Translation).
“…that God Most High gave land to every nation. He assigned a guardian angel to each of them” (Deuteronomy 32:8 Contemporary English Version).
Some translations have incorrectly indicated that when God gave the nations their inheritance, He divided them according to the number of sons of Israel, but Israel was not in existence at the time of Babel when the people were divided. Abraham wasn’t born for another 200 years. Also, God did not give His people, Israel, rulership over the nations especially when they weren’t in existence at the time these nations had begun a rebellion and needed spiritual guidance back onto the path of righteousness.
Israel’s inheritance was Almighty God; He was their King and ruler over them. The nations received as their inheritance, the members of God’s heavenly court. Most of these members received their inheritance at the time of Babel, however, ten members have not yet received the promise of their inheritance. They will receive rulership for one hour in the last days (Revelation 17:12). Unfortunately, all of these heavenly members have chosen to rebel against God. They intentionally and knowingly misled the nations in ancient times to rebel against their true Creator, instead they taught the people to worship them, lessor gods—fallen sons of God.
God identifies the gift and authority to rule over a dominion as an inheritance.
HEIRS WITH CHRIST IS RULERSHIP WITH CHRIST
Common knowledge to Christians is the understanding that those who repent, accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and receive God’s Holy Spirit give birth to a new person who will receive eternal life at Christ’s return. This transformation brings them into the royal, ruling family of God where they will be given their inheritance—eternal life ruling in God’s holy family over a dominion.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance imperishable and undefiled and unfading, being reserved in the heavens for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (I Peter 1:3-5).
“And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him” (Romans 8:17).
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, YOU will receive the CROWN of glory that will never fade away” (I Peter 5:4).
TWO REALMS: HEAVEN AND EARTH
God is completing His kingdom comprised of life from two realms: heaven and earth. The creation on earth is the final and most critical piece to the completion of His kingdom. Repentant mankind is destined to rule in some of the most important and crucial positions in His kingdom.
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Colossians 1:9-13).
There exists today a dominion of darkness and God’s Son’s kingdom of light. Within the kingdom of light there are countless positions and offices of rulership. God Almighty is seeking to fulfill these positions with repentant and righteous mankind.
The story of Job reveals a golden story found in the precious strands woven within the dialogue of God Almighty, Satan, Job, Job’s friends and Job’s wife. This prized find is an entry into God’s world where only a few ventures. “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings” (Proverbs 25:2). God honours those who search out His hidden mysteries like a great king—a leader going out in front fearlessly with a drive unmatched to discover the priceless truths that the Great God through His ingenious penmanship has hidden and saved for only those with the resilience beyond the ordinary man and woman, those who love the wonders of God and only those who cannot be stopped or filled for God’s wonders excite them and stir their appetite for more.
Job’s story is all about inheritance—the destiny of all of mankind on earth who will become a kingdom of priests—under the name of Israel—a church reborn and righteous.
“They sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation You have made them to be a kingdom of priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9-10).
THE FIRST CREATION—THE REALM IN HEAVEN
Critical to the completion of God’s kingdom is a body of priests—a church—religious leaders who fully understand righteousness. This is very important to Almighty God. It was planned before the creation of heaven and earth.
The realm in heaven was created long before the creation of mankind on earth. The use of the term angels is a generic name for beings in the realm of heaven that include: sons of God, Guardian angels and Archangels which are also referred to as sons of God, Cherubim and Seraphim. In addition, there are the four living creatures, and the Principalities, Powers and Rulers of Ephesians 6:12. To consider also, there are the “beasts of the field” and the “birds of the air” referred to in the Bible that are likely part of life in the realm of heaven.
God’s whole family lives in either heaven or earth.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom HIS WHOLE FAMILY IN HEAVEN and ON EARTH derives its name” (Ephesians 3:14).
The creation in heaven is countless. It likely surpasses all life on earth by two-thirds.
Moses said, “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir; he shone forth from Mount Paran. He came with MYRIADS (TEN THOUSANDS) OF HIS HOLY ONES from the south, from his mountain slopes” (Deuteronomy 33:2).
Jesus Christ was the God who created everything in heaven and earth through the power of His Father. He is first a member of the realm in heaven, but his life on earth has given him membership to the realm on earth.
THE SECOND CREATION—THE REALM ON EARTH
It wasn’t until Lucifer was declared an enemy of God that Jesus restored earth and created mankind. The creation on earth is different to the creation in heaven. Mankind was made mortal. It was planned that mankind would grow into spiritual knowledge, understanding and wisdom and as sin was expected, it was also planned that through suffering, an uncompromising relationship with God would be forged that bring sinners to their knees and elevates them by grace into God’s presence as willing servants honoured by virtue of their salvation plan and committed eternally into preserving righteousness and godliness.
Mankind was destined from before the creation, to become a holy kingdom of royal priests—a church, specialists in teaching God’s theology of love and upholding the laws of God. In contrast, the creation in the realm of heaven appear to specialize in national leadership as they are referred to as princes, “rulers, principalities and powers” (Ephesians 6:12). National and religious leadership will be married together like a man and a woman, forged as one body from two different realms, practising God’s way and enforcing God’s laws throughout God’s kingdom.
BIBLICAL LAWS AND ORDINACES
God gave the ancient Israelites His laws and ordinances. In general, only the males of each family received an inheritance. Daughters received the inheritance only in rare occasions where there wasn’t a male heir. The reason why God instituted this was because the male gender was created from the beginning to mirror the creation in heaven who were created first and are rulers in heaven having already received their inheritance. The female gender was created second to mirror the creation of men and women on earth who are all destined to become priests, God’s church. This explains why the daughters of the family were not given an inheritance automatically. They mirror all of mankind who have sinned, hence, they have lost their inheritance of rulership in God’s kingdom. Fortunately, Christ paid the price for their sins and now an inheritance for mankind—the kingdom of priests, is again possible. The story of Job adds light onto the golden threads in this story.
THE STORY OF JOB
The book of Job begins with Job’s sons who “used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, ‘Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.’ This is Job’s regular custom” (Job 1:4-5).
Job’s sons held feasts celebrating themselves. The New International Version translate Job 1:4, “His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.”
Recording the annual feasting of the sons is important to the deeper story. Often key pieces to understanding the bigger story is written in a few verses. The daughters didn’t hold feasts for themselves, possibly because tradition did not recognize them. It also appears that Job was concerned about the feasting that involved all of his children, which led to the sacrifices at the end of the feasting period.
The book of Job then leaves the scene of his children to enter into a long dialogue that begins with Satan and God Almighty. God is proud of Job, but Satan believes that Job’s loyalty was bought. Satan was allowed to test Job. He suffers immensely but remains completely loyal to God despite his wife’s comment, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9)
Job’s closest three friends did not understand what God was teaching Job, rather they saw the only cause for suffering to be the result of sin. Yet, the Apostle Paul said, “And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him” (Romans 8:17).
Christians will suffer at times by no fault of their own, except that they are serving God and Wickedness is allowed to test their loyalty under duress.
God was allowing Satan to test Job. While Satan was hoping that Job would fall, the opposite occurred. An unbreakable bond and an eternal untouchable loyalty were forged out of his suffering, which only verified God’s declaration of Job in the first verse of the book, “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil” (Job 1:1).
THE PRICELESS ENDING
The golden threads of the story are picked up at the very end as if written only in verses 4 and 5 of chapter one and verses 14 and 15 of the final chapter—as if they were merely ten verses apart.
After Job’s trial, God blessed “the latter part of Job’s life more than the first” (Job 42:12). He was again blessed with seven sons and three daughters, but this time there is no mention of the sons celebrating themselves nor are they given any special attention. In contrast, his daughters born to him after the trial were placed onto the centre of the stage. God is intentionally sharing some important details. The names of the daughters are declared. Naming is very important to God. It identifies and describes something or someone of value in God’s eyes and Job’s daughters have God’s captivating attention.
“He named his first daughter Jemimah, his second Keziah, and his third Keren-happuch. No women as beautiful as Job’s daughters could be found in all the land, and their father granted them an inheritance among their brothers” (Job 42:14-15).
THE MYSTERY IN THE CREATION OF GENDER
The female gender, created second after the male gender was intended from the very beginning to image a group of people that form a church, a religious body of people [physical men and women] that include teachers, religious leaders and the congregation that follow the instructions of God.
The Apostle Paul understood the mystery of creating a man and a woman and the marriage of a male and female. “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 5:31-32).
In the faithful marriage relationship, Christ mirrors the man and the church mirrors the woman. Outside of the marriage, the woman mirrors mankind on earth and churches whether for or against God and the man mirrors the first creation in heaven both the righteous and the fallen.
Job’s daughters mirror three religious bodies known to God from ancient times. They were initially a bitter disappointment going along with the nations like Job’s daughters celebrating with their brothers.
God said, “They broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 31:32).
Ezekiel recorded the history of this one collective body, the nation of ancient Israel, who were comprised of three groups of people who broke the covenant they had with God. The religious leaders established Jerusalem as their centre and the two houses: Judah and Israel worshiped there. These three groups of people are referred to by Ezekiel as three daughters from the same mother. Jerusalem, Israel and Judah—the three sisters all betrayed God to worship other gods.
“Son of man, confront Jerusalem with her detestable practices…” (Ezekiel 16:1) “You, adulterous wife! You prefer strangers to your own husband!” (Ezekiel 16:32) “Like mother, like daughter… Your older sister was Samaria [Israel, the ten tribes], who lived to the north of you with her daughters; and your younger sister, who lived to the south of you with her daughters, was Sodom [Judah]. You not only walked in their ways and copied their detestable practices, but in all your ways you [Jerusalem] soon became more depraved than they… Samaria did not commit half the sins you did. You have done more detestable things than they, and have made your sisters seem righteous by all these things you have done” (Ezekiel 16:44, 46-47, 51).
Jacob’s wife, Rachel, mirrors the loved church who birthed two very loved boys. She died prematurely after the birth of Benjamin. She was chosen by God to live the life of the church God loved. That is why Matthew quoted Jeremiah, "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more" (Matthew 2:18, Jeremiah 31:15).
Rachel had long since died before Jeremiah wrote. Matthew understood that Rachel’s children mirrored the prophets—the righteous teachers that God loved. Her name is used by Jeremiah and understood by Matthew as the one crying for the death of the prophets. Jesus was the last prophet and Herod was seeking to take his life. Matthew recognized the prophecy and quoted Jeremiah as his prophecy was being fulfilled.
Jesus tried to bring the religious leaders back to God. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing” (Matthew 23:37).
With the sacrifice of Christ and the receiving of the Holy Spirit, a new birth was forecasted in the story of Job. Three daughters seeded by a blameless and upright man were born. The spiritual reality is the story of the rebirth of Jerusalem, Israel—the Christians, and Judah—the Messianic Jews walking in the ways of God.
JEMIMAH, KEZIAH, KEREN-HAPPUCH
The oldest daughter’s name is Jemimah meaning “dove” a symbol of peace. Jerusalem in the Millennium under the rule of Jesus Christ and his Bride will be the law-abiding centre living God’s law of love nurturing peace across the world.
The second oldest daughter’s name is Keziah. Another spelling of the word is cassia. Cassia oil is like frankincense oil. It has an unmistakable fragrance and calming aromatic properties. It is expensive, rare, and beautiful. Oil is used in anointings and Cassia oil indicates these anointed leaders will bring calm out of chaos and a sweet fragrance out of a world of stench.
The third daughter’s name is Keren-Happuch means the horn of adornment. This name references leadership that is just, righteous and founded on truth. It is outwardly a beauty in its fullest that comes from noble character.
These three daughters image the transformation of wayward Israel into three beautiful churches. Their beauty will be seen all around the world. They will be a holy kingdom living God’s way and a kingdom of royal priests teaching the world the way of God. The priests in this kingdom are viewed by God as female like Job’s daughters who were born out of intense suffering and blossomed into captivating beauties.
God’s sole purpose for mankind is to produce a planet of priests, all members of Abraham’s family—a holy kingdom of royal priests. God said to His people, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession” (I Peter 2:9). All of repentant mankind will come into the family of God’s people—Israel.
These daughters who image God’s kingdom of priests will receive an inheritance—that is, rulership over a vast dominion (Job 42:15b).
SHE WILL RECEIVE AN INHERITANCE
Written in tradition is the giving of the family inheritance to the oldest son through to the youngest son. In the case of Job, he gave his daughters an inheritance along with his sons. It would appear from the mirroring that God weaves into His stories that an inheritance has already been given to His first creation in heaven—His sons, but we now know through Job’s story, that in fact, the daughters will receive an inheritance. Job’s three daughters mirror the members of the Bride who will marry Christ. They will be co-heirs with Christ ruling over both heaven and earth.
“And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him” (Romans 8:17).
When Job declared, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you” (Job 42:5), he came to understand that beyond the battle against sin is perfection, which can only be achieved through suffering. Christ, a man without sin, achieved perfection from what he suffered. So too, those who follow him will suffer as he did. Perfection is that place where God dwells, flowing with love, peace and tranquility and the righteous guard this place with their life. Knowing God, births a beauty unsurpassed and leadership that is not self-glorifying rather awe-filled with immense admiration for our long-enduring, gracious Father in heaven.
A Study
The Mystery of Iniquity
This is a comprehensive study on the importance of the church, the rise of the Antichrist, the fall of Wickedness and the revelation of God's NEW headquarters. To read it, click onto the What's New tab, then the Mini-book tab and a pdf version is available to download.
A Study
Unfinished Work
Daniel understood from the scriptures that the desolation of Jerusalem, God centre on earth, would last 70 years. In earnest prayer and in fasting, humility and servitude, he came before God Almighty beseeching forgiveness of sins on behalf of all of the twelve tribes of Israel. “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, 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 9:7, 19).
God Almighty heard his prayer and responded to Daniel’s cry to restore honour to Jerusalem—the city God chose to seat His glorious presence. The God of Israel alone is the One who is the Source of all life and power—the “one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist” (I Corinthians 8:6). God has declared to all creation, “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me” (Isaiah 46:9).
Daniel desired that honour be justly restored and returned to the Supreme God and that the desolation of Jerusalem, God’s holy city on earth be filled again with His glory and presence, instead of the destruction and darkness that resulted from the sins of His people.
“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain.
Beautiful in loftiness, the joy of all the earth, like the peaks of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the great King” (Psalm 48:1-2).
Before Daniel finished praying, Gabriel, the messenger-angel gave him God’s response, “Seventy, ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to:
1. Finish transgression = stop/imprison rebellion within your people—the kingdom of Israel, all 12 tribes.
2. Put an end/seal up sin = hate sinning, imprison it, hinder it so that it is impossible to spread.
3. Atoned for wickedness = sins are altogether removed out of the sight of God—blotted out, altogether set aside as the Day of Atonement pictures. Hence, on the Day of Atonement of the last year of this evil age, the people of the 12 tribes of Israel who are not resurrected but come out of the Great Tribulation repentant, accepted Christ as their Saviour and God’s grace will be atoned for.
The three above are then replaced by:
4. Bring in everlasting righteousness which comes only from heaven as a gift of God.
“My righteousness draws near, My salvation is on the way, and My arms will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look for Me and wait in hope for My arm” (Isaiah 51:5).
In the place of the removed transgression is the perfected righteousness.
5. Seal up vision and prophecy which is sealed when it is laid under a seal, so that it can no longer actively show itself.
“Prophecies and prophets are sealed, when by the full realization of all prophecies, prophecy ceases, no prophets any more appear… When the sins are sealed, the prophecy is also sealed, for prophecy is needed in the war against sin; when sin is thus so placed that it can no longer operate, then prophecy also may come to a state of rest; when sin comes to an end in its place, prophecy can come to an end also by its fulfilment, there being no place for it after the setting aside of sin. And when the apostasy is shut up, so that it can no more spread about, then righteousness will be brought, that it may possess the earth, now freed from sin, shut up in its own place” (Kliefoth, Keil and Delitzsch https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/kdo/daniel-9.html).
6. Anoint the most holy is a divine anointing of a new sanctuary, prior to God coming and filling it with His glory.
“The reference is to the anointing of a new sanctuary, temple, or most holy place. The anointing is the act by which the place is consecrated to be a holy place of the gracious presence and revelation of God. If thus the anointing of a most holy is here announced, then by it there is given the promise, not of the renewal of the place already existing from of old, but of the appointment of a new place of God's gracious presence among His people, a new sanctuary.” (Keil and Delitzsch https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/kdo/daniel-9.html)
Recorded by the Apostle John in Revelation 21:22, the New Jerusalem comprises of eternal righteousness. “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp… Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
God’s work is completed when all creation has made their choice. The wicked are destroyed and only the righteous remain. The New Jerusalem will be constructed of layers upon layers of righteous God fearing and serving people. “Therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:19-21).
The people grouped and identified as the church in Philadelphia are the pillars of this great temple. “Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him 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 3:12).
Planet Earth will become the temple of God and righteous mankind will serve as royal priests in His holy kingdom. “You [the Lamb] are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation you have made them to be a kingdom of priests to serve our God” (Revelation 5:9).
The greatest work is yet to be done! Who will do the work? When will the finishing take place?
FIRST: APPOINTED TO PREPARE THE WAY BEFORE GOD’S DAY OF GREAT WRATH: The Preparer is made known as Elijah.
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet BEFORE the coming of the great and dreadful Day of the LORD” (Malachi 4:5).
Elijah was taken in a whirlwind before he could fulfill the task of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children and children to the fathers. This is the process of preaching God’s word, exposing falsehood, bringing people into repentance, baptising and teaching them how to humbly walk with God and live His ways.
Elijah, the Tishbite came from Gilead, the location renowned for their healing balms. It is by no accident that Elijah came from that area. God puts people in places to add greater meaning to the stories He preserves. Elijah lived during a time when he saw all of the house of Israel (the ten tribes) worship rogue gods. He thought he was alone in worshipping the Almighty God, but he was mistaken. Seven thousand unknown to Elijah were blameless before God. Elijah did great miracles displaying God’s superiority before the house of Israel and to the people he said, “‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.’ But the people said nothing” (I Kings 18:21).
A time resting on our near horizon will shake the people of the 21st century house of Israel, the ten tribes, the Christians and they will be confronted again.
"Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse" (Malachi 4:5-6, NLT).
Before the time of God’s great wrath, Elijah the prophet or an Elijah-type will do as John the Baptist did prior to Jesus’ ministry. He will bring many people to see God’s truth and turn them away from wickedness. They will be baptised and open their heart to obey God and live in peace, during a time when the whole world is controlled by the harlot of Revelation, Satan and the beast.
John the Baptist prepared the way for the ministry of Jesus. He preached od’s word, uncovered the false teachings of the Jewish priesthood, taught about God’s salvation for mankind, brought people to repent and baptised them onto the path of righteousness.
The disciples understood the mission given to John the Baptist. “Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:16-17).
“And you, my child [John, the Baptist], will be called a prophet of the Most High; to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun [Jesus] will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace” (Luke 1:76-79).
“And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come” (Matthew 11:14). If John the Baptist was sent to fulfill the work of Elijah and turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and children to the fathers preparing the way for Jesus’ ministry, then another Elijah-type prophet or Elijah himself will come to prepare the way before the wrath of God. “For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:17). This great day of wrath is scheduled to begin when the Lamb opens the sixth seal.
“There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sack cloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth… Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!’” (Revelation 6:12-16).
Why do all these people run and hide crying out to the mountains and the rocks to fall on them, but that they refused to heed the message of Christ’s return and salvation through his sacrifice. These people were those who decided when Satan was thrown down to earth with his rogue and rebellious angels to surrender and worship him and the beast because they will say, “Who is like the beast and who can make war against him?” (Revelation 13:4) They will not choose to risk their safety under the rule of the beast and Satan to call out to the Almighty God for help.
These same people will enjoy living under Satan’s rule. It will be as in the days of Noah when people were eating, drinking, giving in marriage and worshipping Satan. These people were oblivious to the upcoming flood that took their lives, so too, the return of Christ will be a great surprise for the wicked worshipping Satan. They will recognize the Lamb of God and they will be terrified because they will have received the witness and rejected it.
At Christ’s return, the first resurrection will include all of the prophets of old, the apostles, and all of the saints into the 21st century. It appears some of the wicked will also be brought back to life into their former physical bodies to witness Christ’s return. “The high priest said to him, ‘I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.’ ‘Yes, it is as you say,’ Jesus replied. ‘But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven’” (Matthew 26:63-64).
Now, at Christ’s return the unfinished work of the prophets will explode into action!
SECOND: THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST AS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
God Almighty is the Great Potter molding people into priests as He creates a holy kingdom of royal priests on earth. This kingdom will be His new temple that will cover the earth through the leadership of the “tested stone”—His Son. “But of the Son He says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom’” (Hebrews 1:8).
God works in stages and through processes. Righteousness on earth will not be instantaneous. Christ’s rule over the nations will progressively bring all nations into servitude to Almighty God.
“In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever” (Daniel 2:44).
God’s righteous government will increase and eventually through the rulership of Jesus Christ cover the whole earth.
“Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were shattered and became like chaff on the threshing floor in summer. The wind carried them away, and not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that had struck the statue became a great mountain [government] and filled the whole earth” (Daniel 2:35).
The crushing and putting and end to opposition will take work. God has pre-appointed prophets to work with Him and Jesus Christ to bring opposition to an end and establish righteous rulership.
THIRD: APPOINTED OVER NATIONS AND KINGDOMS: The judge of the nations is made known to be Jeremiah.
Jeremiah: “See today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10).
Resurrected Jeremiah working under the leadership of God Almighty and Jesus Christ, will lead the operation to humble nations, destroy completely unrepentant nations, and bring into submission repenting nations.
· To tear down: make low/reduce their power
· To destroy: completely annihilate nations refusing to repent
· To overthrow: bring into submission and under the authority of the conqueror
Then,
· To build: existing repentant nations will be strengthened
· To plant: humble peoples, families will be established to grow into nations
The repentant 21st century nations of Israel will be called into battle and strengthened by God after He rescues them from captivity and the ten tribes under the overall leadership of Ephraim “will become like mighty men, and their hearts will be glad as with wine [ecstatic that God heard their cry for help and is leading them into battle against their oppressors” (Zechariah 10:7).
God will use both houses of Israel to fight. “I will bend Judah as I bend my bow and fill it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and make you like a warrior’s sword” (Zechariah 9:13).
The Satan-worshipping nations will feel the great wrath of Almighty God as He leads His remnant exiles against them. God’s remnant will not be afraid; they will have witnessed the power of their God and learned to trust Him. “Then the LORD will appear over them; his arrow will flash like lightning. The Sovereign LORD will sound the trumpet; He will march in the storms of the south, and the LORD Almighty will shield them. They will destroy and overcome with slingstones. They will drink and roar as with wine… The LORD their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people” (Zechariah 9:14-16).
When the battles are fought and dust settled, Jeremiah will lead the work in building and strengthening the repentant nations and bringing together humble peoples and families calling out to God and establish them in peace and safety so that they can grow spiritually and come to know their loving Creator.
FOURTH: APPOINTED TO RAISE UP THE TRIBES OF JACOB (12), RESTORE THE PROTECTED ONES OF ISRAEL, MAKE YOU A LIGHT FOR THE NATIONS TO BRING GOD’S SALVATION TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH: The servant of Almighty God is Isaiah who will lead the raising up of his people—the whole kingdom of Israel as a holy kingdom of royal priests to minister to the world God’s gift of grace.
“And now says the LORD, who formed Me [Isaiah] from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, that Israel might be gathered to Him—for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and My God is My strength— He says: ‘It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth’” (Isaiah 49:5-6).
"I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations” (Isaiah 42:6).
1. Raise up the 12 tribes is to authenticate and give authority to the Kingdom of Israel, to become internationally renown as a holy kingdom of royal priests under God.
2. Restore the protected ones of Israel is to acknowledge and restore respect and honor to a special group of people, who throughout time, were totally dedicated to God and following Christ wherever he goes, but were persecuted by their own people.
3. Enlighten the nations about the truth—God’s word and His way of love—God’s grace and salvation plan for them.
FIFTH: APPOINTED TO RESURRECT ANCIENT FALLEN ISRAEL: The honor to give life and the chance of repentance to a fallen, lost and ancient people, is given to Ezekiel by God and through His power to resurrect ancient Israel into the 21st century at the beginning of Christ’s millennial reign.
God said to Ezekiel, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD’” (Ezekiel 37:4-6).
“So, I prophesied as I was commanded. And… there was a noise, a rattling sound and the bones came together, bone to bone…” (Ezekiel 37:7).
God will give them His Holy Spirit and they will live (Ezekiel 37:14).
SIXTH: APPOINTED TO REUNITE THE TWO HOUSES OF ISRAEL INTO ONE KINGDOM: This blessed prophet, Ezekiel will also reunite the kingdom of Israel. ALL of Israel, both houses, will be rejoined as one. A double blessing will be revealed when the ancient and new also come together at the same time, into this newly re-united kingdom.
“The word of the LORD came to me [Ezekiel]: ‘Son of man, take a stick of wood and write on it, ‘Belonging to Judah and the Israelites associated with him.’ Then take another stick of wood, and write on it, ‘Ephraim’s stick, belonging to Joseph and all the house of Israel associated with him.’ Join them together into one stick so that they will become one in your hand…Hold them before their eyes… I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains [government] of Israel. There will be one king over them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms” Ezekiel 37:15-17.
Early in the Millennium, the nations will see the work of God Almighty through His Son—the King of kings and Lord of lords. They will see the reunification of two houses divided for thousands of years come into ONE loving and peaceful union. They will witness a great resurrection back into physical bodies of an ancient people and the welcome into their 21st century covenant family kingdom of Israel. The excitement and wonder of this resurrection and unification will dazzle the world and the awe of Almighty God dwelling among them will bring fearful respect as they come to understand the unique role this kingdom holds.
SEVENTH: APPOINTED KING OVER ALL ISRAEL: The man after God’s heart will rule as King of Israel—King David and he will establish and enforce God’s law and order over the whole kingdom of Israel
The king over all of the 12 tribes of Israel in ancient times, will again rule over them during the Millennium and throughout eternity. “My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees” (Ezekiel 37:24). Law and order will be followed, justice will be enforced and truth and honesty will be respected.
EIGHTH: APPOINTED GOVERNOR TO ENSURE THE BUILDING OF THE NEW TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM COMPRISES OF ONLY THE RIGHTEOUS: The guard against wickedness is Zerubbabel.
He is like a signet ring, God said. He will have the authority to make official everything needed to ensure the building of the New Jerusalem comprises only of the righteous. He will scrutinize everyone before allowing them to take on critical roles and offices within the NEW temple.
In Haggai 2:23 we read, “‘On that day,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you.’”
Ancient kings used signet rings to officiate a command. “A signet contained an emblem unique to the king. Official documents were sealed with a dollop of soft wax impressed with the king’s signet, usually kept on a ring on his finger. Such a seal certified the document as genuine, much like a notary public’s stamp today.
It is important to understand who Zerubbabel is. He is the governor of the rebuilt Jerusalem and is himself of royal blood, being a descendant of David and the grandson of Judah’s King Jehoiachin. Years earlier, Jehoiachin had lost his throne when he was deported to Babylon; in fact, God pictured Jehoiachin as a signet ring being removed from God’s finger (Jeremiah 22:24). Now, God calls Zerubbabel the “signet ring,” but this time it won’t be removed.
In Haggai’s prophecy, God is giving Zerubbabel encouragement and hope. The governor is “chosen” for a unique and noble purpose. As God’s signet ring, Zerubbabel is given a place of honor and authority. God is reinstating the Davidic line and renewing His covenant with David.”
https://www.gotquestions.org/Zerubbabel-signet-ring.html
NINTH: OFFERED THE POSITION IN THE NEW JERUSALEM TO GOVERN GOD’S HOUSE/TEMPLE AND EXERCISE AUTHORITY IN GOD’S COURTS: A high priest in his time, Joshua will be offered governorship in God’s temple and charge in God’s legal system.
“Then I said, ‘Let them put a clean turban on his head.’ So a clean turban was placed on his head, and they clothed him, as the angel of the LORD stood by. Then the angel of the LORD gave this charge to Joshua: ‘This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘If you walk in My ways and keep My instructions, then you will govern My house and will also have charge of My courts; and I will give you a place among these who are standing here’” (Zechariah 3: 5-7).
The Joshua of Zechariah 3 was a Levite and descendant of Aaron in post-exilic Jerusalem in approximately 538 B.C. The prophet Haggai also refers to the high priest Joshua: “In the second year of Darius the king [537 B.C.], in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest” (Haggai 1:1).
Joshua would soon help rebuild the temple (Ezra 5:1-2). God used the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to communicate His command to rebuild the temple and encourage the people in their work. Joshua served as the spiritual leader and high priest who supported the effort, and Zerubbabel was the governor of Judah, also involved in the work.
As the first high priest in the rebuilt Jerusalem, Joshua played a significant historical role and was a precursor to Ezra, who came to Jerusalem during the second wave of returning exiles.
God told the prophet Zechariah to place a crown on Joshua’s head: “Take the silver and gold and make a crown, and set it on the head of the high priest, Joshua son of Jehozadak” (Zechariah 6:11). Joshua was already the high priest, and the prophet was to symbolically crown him king. The coronation was to serve as an encouragement to Joshua in his work of rebuilding the temple. Also, it was a visual prophecy of the future Messiah—who would be both high priest (Hebrews 6:20) and king (Matthew 27:11). Significantly, the name “Joshua” is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek name “Jesus.” Thus, the priest-king Joshua was a foreshadowing of the coming Messiah, and the similarity extended even to his name.”
https://www.gotquestions.org/Joshua-in-Zechariah.html
Joshua, after his resurrection will be appointed governor of God’s house and in-charge of God’s court where grievances will be resolved, justice enforced and sentencing executed. RIGHTEOUS rulership will be respected and honoured.
TENTH: GIFTED WITH THE WISDOM OF INTERPRETING DREAMS/VISIONS: Two men interpreted dreams and visions—Daniel of the House of Judah and Joseph of the House of Israel.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” (Romans 1:16).
Daniel a Jew, of the tribe of Judah was first to be given the interpretation of dreams and visions. He was given rulership over the entire province of Babylon and in-charge of the wise men, the priests in Babylon. This special gift is given by God to those intimately close to Him. He places them in a powerful and unique role to see and understand God’s wisdom. Upon his resurrection, he will again reveal God’s mysteries to the world.
Joseph, prince among his brothers was given the birthright blessing, hence the double-portion. His two sons: Manasseh and Ephraim were adopted by Jacob and brought into the family as equal members. The younger son, Ephraim was given the leadership over the ten tribes of Israel. This house was first to relentlessly and arrogantly rebel against Almighty God and He eventually divorced them and they became known as Gentiles—simply meaning “of the nations” –not of the covenant family. Joseph was second to be given the interpretation of dreams and visions as the Apostle Paul understood, “first to the Jews(for they protected the oracles of God )and then to the Gentiles (for they departed and in God’s great joy, they returned and were grafted back in). Joseph’s rulership covered all of Egypt and during the great famine, he fed the WHOLE world and brought them into servitude to Pharaoh. He mirrored Jesus Christ feeding the whole world and bringing the whole world into servitude to Almighty God. This vast task will be given to him again as Christ’s rule during the Millennium grows to cover the whole earth.
The twelve apostles will work with both Daniel and Joseph. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth'" (Acts 13:47). Their job is not finished.
The mysteries of God will be revealed to everyone and all will come to know Almighty God intimately. “And many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.’ For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3).
“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).
FINALLY, JUDGEMENT WILL BE MADE.
When all of God’s creation in heaven and earth have made their choices final, judgement will be made by God Almighty, Jesus Christ and the saints.
“Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!” (I Corinthians 6:2-3)
“Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel’” (Matthew 19:28).
“Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge” (Revelation 20:4).
God Almighty will complete His great work through His servants from old all the way into the 21st century. A glorious work is being done and the grand crescendo rests on our near horizon eagerly waiting for the cue.
A Study
Wait Patiently
“I heard [God’s approaching judgment] and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us” (Habakkuk 3:16).
Though evil was everywhere within his homeland and outside, a lamenting Habakkuk heard God’s words and came to understand His plan, concluding that he will wait and endure patiently. God’s two-fold plan works to bring people to repentance or to their destruction because of their refusal to repent.
God wants all of mankind to live forever with Him in His kingdom. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9).
God’s goodness brings shame on sinful behaviour and in turn sincere repentance. “Therefore, the Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who wait for Him” (Isaiah 30:18).
Those who embrace wickedness and rebellion are building up God’s wrath against them. Their dirty deeds are recorded filling up the books in heaven where judgement will be made and their destruction sentenced.
“But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed” (Romans 2:5).
Our Creator God is not only our ALL-POWERFUL King who rules, but He is also our High Priest, the LORD who lives righteously and perfectly. The ancient Israelites as they were exiting Egypt came to learn about the Almighty God of all creation first as their King as God fought against Egypt and her gods, then as they travelled into the desert, He taught them about himself as their High Priest—their perfect theologian full of rightness: kindness, compassion, long suffering, temperance, goodness and love.
“Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him [Moses] and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed before him [Moses] and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin” (Exodus 34:6).
Knowing the Great Creator is all goodness, a quick self-reflection brings those with a conscience to shame and moves them to walk on the righteous path set before them by God.
“Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)
But, to those who cast off God’s way and consider it as weakness and a liability, they will be brought to judgement, sentenced and destroyed.
Before that day of Judgement, wickedness will continue and lamentations will increase triggering fervent prayer and supplications to Almighty God for a rescue as this evil age erupts spewing lies and deceit throughout the world like a poisonous gas.
From out of the shadows, Wickedness will face off against God-fearing, God-serving believers as we enter into a time of great distress like never before or be again. God has already warned believers to prepare and He commanded them to wait for Him and endure patiently.
“The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months… He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them… If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints” (Revelation 13:5, 7, 9-10).
The body of people named by Jesus Christ as PHILADELPHIA, keep Christ’s command to endure patiently, hence, they will be kept from the hour of trial to come upon the whole world (Revelation 3:10).
Another body of people grouped by Jesus Christ under the name of EPHESUS, too, endure patiently. “I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary” (Revelation 2:3).
Throughout history, persecution, attacks, torture and death have been inflicted on people who stand against Wickedness. A body of people under the name of SMYRNA have suffered in the past even to death; they continue to suffer in our present day and this same group of people will suffer as prophesied in the near future. During their suffering, all believers will feel the Smyrna’s distress and patiently endure in prayer for them and for those causing the harm praying for their repentance so that they pull away from Satan’s cruelty and turn to their loving God.
In ancient times, Wickedness infiltrated the two houses of the kingdom of Israel. Isaiah, the prophet, lamented the state of his people who were applying a 21st century tactic of labelling the truth-speaking people as “conspiracy theorists.” “Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it” (Isaiah 8:11-12).
The God of Israel urged His people to fear Him and He would be a safe place for them, as well as a testing stone and an unmoveable force that can bring them to their knees. To the ancient priests and 21st century ministry who preach falsehood, God Almighty will bring them to nothing (Isaiah 8:13-16).
ISAIAH, like Habakkuk was comforted that judgement will come and he replied, “I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in Him” (Isaiah 8:17).
MICAH lamented during a time when wickedness had filled the hearts and minds of his people and godlessness overtook the land. He recorded, “The godly have been swept from the land; not one upright man remains. All men lie in wait to shed blood; each hunts his brother with a net. Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire—they all conspire together” (Micah 7:2-3). Micah pushed away to affirm his allegiance to the God of Israel, “But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD. I wait for God my Saviour; my God will hear me” (Micah 7:7).
JEREMIAH recorded his deep sadness for the wickedness of his people. While they revelled in rebellion, he wrote, “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my inheritance [my King]; therefore, I will wait for him’” (Lamentations 3:22-24).
This evil age has dragged on for 6,000 long years and has given grief to those who obey and serve God. During this age, believers waited and endured patiently knowing that God is working to bring all of mankind into repentance. Jeremiah recorded, “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him” (Lamentations 3:25).
KING DAVID pledged his allegiance to the God of Israel and remained faithful his whole life. During adversarial times, David called to God for rescue and He heard him. David knew, without question that the God of Israel is the Supreme God, while the nations of the world worshipped rogue angels—fallen sons of God from God’s heavenly Holy Council who were given rulership over the nations. However, after they began their rule one by one they turned against God to grapple with Satan for supreme dominance. No fault of their own, the nations of the world were taken captive, deceived and tricked and forced to remain loyal to Wickedness. “In the day of my distress I call on You, because You answer me. O Lord, there is none like You among the gods, nor any works like Yours” (Psalm 86:7-8); “For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods” (Psalm 95:3).
King David declared, “I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope” (Psalm 130:5). He encouraged everyone to do the same. “Wait for the Lord and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it” (Psalm 37:34). The Psalmist added, “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes” (Psalm 37:7).
During this final chapter of this evil age, the people on earth who serve Wickedness are being forced out into the open. These people hold high positions. They are wealthy and they have a collective agenda. While waiting and enduring patiently for God’s orders for Christ to return, believers are urged by Jesus to overcome. To the seven churches of Revelation, of which, each group seem to specialize in a core function within this kingdom, all are urged to overcome—to stand strong in living righteously and in total allegiance to Almighty God.
Ephesus is commended for not tolerating wicked people, yet during their early years they had unfailing love and unrelenting strength taking a global message out to the world, but today, they have fallen working powerlessly and achieving little. As they overcome to see their state in the final latter days, they rise up again full of power as God pours out His Holy Spirit and the gospel of the Kingdom of God will be heard in full measure.
Smyrna are the spiritual warriors going ahead of the rest proclaiming truth and justice, yet feeling inadequate and oppressed by the many wolves in sheep clothing. They will prevail and their perceived weaknesses will prove to be their strength as they trust in God and lean on Him.
Both the towns of Ephesus and Smyrna are located on the coastline. The sea is often used to image the homeland of Wickedness. Spiritual warriors guard the arrival of Wickedness and those who take the gospel worldwide will always tackle the enemy first as they go into foreign homelands.
Pergamum is located where Satan has his throne—the centre of false teaching. His headquarters is a vascular web comprised of schools, universities, theological centres, scientific researchers, news media, social media and all platforms that provide and promote thoughts, ideas and beliefs that reject God. Pergamum is not standing up to the compromised teachers and those spreading lies, instead they cower, stepping back slowly into the shadows giving full power to those spreading disinformation, misinformation and misconceptions. Those who overcome will find strength in God and reveal the twisting of truth, the covering of lies and the blatant and malicious efforts to spread disinformation in order to enslave the people.
Thyatira, it appears, are the people holding all of the nation’s leadership positions. This group of people have a long history of dysfunctional leadership. However, overtime, they are doing more of the right ways than previously. Jesus is urging these people today, to remove and not tolerate those who behave like Jezebel, the wicked queen and wife of King Ahab. She killed Israel’s prophets and replaced them with her vile prophets leading the people astray into sinning against God. Jezebel images a group of people holding national leadership positions who have “learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets” (Revelation 2:24) and they practice them, corrupting every level of every function within national leadership. Jesus Christ is urging Thyatira to rid themselves of this body of people. As the national leaders overcome, the swamp will be drained and law and order will be enforced.
Sardis is a group of people whose work is likely involving charities and similar organizations. Originally, their works were good, but today, it has become a money-making enterprise barely reaching people in need. Many charities have become an empty shell and some have entered into the shadows working for Wickedness preying on children, women and the vulnerable spawning an industry that is detestable and filled with crimes against humanity. Jesus describes these people as “having a reputation of being alive, but you are dead” (Revelation 3:1). Corruption has destroyed the work these people have been given; they need to overcome and sanitize their organizations.
Philadelphia is the name given to a group of people dedicated to obeying God and following Christ wherever he goes. So narrow is the way and yet, they found it. They will not be swayed, their love for God and Christ is unbreakable. Jesus will open the door for them—a door that no man can shut. The wicked will try, but they will fail. The truth will go out unhindered during a time of great distress by people with unconditional devotion to serving Almighty God.
Laodiceans are a very large, confident, out-spoken group of people trumpeting their conviction to Jesus and God but their theology is not pure—it is tainted to the point that Jesus spews them out. Christ will not accept them as they are. Laodiceans mirror the churches claiming to know the scriptures, yet all teaching different theologies, while shaking their finger at each other. Christ is not among any of them. He urges them to humble themselves, recognize their shameful arrogance and come to him to exchange their misunderstandings, misinformation and misconceptions with pure truth—gold refined in the fire. He loves them that is why he urges them to overcome—to self-reflect and repent.
Jacob’s trouble is brewing before us. God will correct his people and bring them to their knees. This painful correction will expose their sins, their wayward lifestyles, their godlessness and urge them to return to God and find the narrow path of righteousness. In their suffering, they will learn to wait and endure patiently for God who is bringing His people and the whole world into repentance.
“But you must return to your God, maintaining love and justice, and always waiting on your God” (Hosea 12:6).
“Be patient, therefore, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful” (James 5:7-11).
The one tribe, Dan, excluded from the 144,000 people in Revelation will also say, “I await Your salvation, O LORD” (Genesis 49:18).
A time is coming, after Jacob’s trouble when the people on earth will say, “Surely this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He has saved us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited. Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation” (Isaiah 25:9).
God Almighty and our LORD is showing all of mankind that Satan’s theology leads to suffering, chaos and destruction. No one will be without excuse; God’s word will go out to all the world.
Micah recorded God’s declaration to mankind, “He has shown you, O MANKIND, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to ACT JUSTLY, to LOVE MERCY, and to WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD?” (Micah 6:8).
A Study
Being BLAMELESS Before GOD
“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD.
And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you. YOU MUST BE BLAMELESS BEFORE THE LORD YOUR GOD. Though these nations, which you will dispossess, listen to conjurers and diviners, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so” (Deuteronomy 18:11-14).
WHY?
Because doing these things is calling on the ROGUE, FALLEN ANGELS IN HEAVEN for help, favours or blessings. These are the practices of those who serve and worship the enemies of God. Once righteous angels serving God in His Holy Council have fallen to serve Satan. They are now our enemies too. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).
BEING BLAMELESS IS SERVING AND WORSHIPPING ONLY THE ALMIGHTY GOD, THE SUPREME KING, THE HIGHEST PRIEST, THE GREAT CREATOR AND SOURCE OF ALL POWER AND STANDING UNDER HIS FLAG AS AN ETERNAL LOYAL AND FAITHFUL PATRIOT.
Into the 21st century, Judo-Christians may feel confident that they stand blameless before God Almighty, but is that true? Being a patriot of God is loving Him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Loving God is keeping His commandments, statutes and ordinances (John 15:10). God’s Sabbath is one of the commandments. God’s Holy Days reveal God’s timeline of events that bring salvation to all of mankind. These annual celebrations are preserved during this evil age by those who treasure the oracles of the Supreme God.
Key to being blameless in the 21st century is the cleansing of all things practiced by the nations of the world who had served and worshipped the ancient gods—fallen sons of God. Witchcraft, spiritism, wizardry all belong to 21st century Wicca. Many who worship Satan hide their practices from public view, but in plain sight traditional holidays remind Christians of their treasonous years when they served and worshipped heavenly rebels. Christianized holidays taken out of pagan rituals continue without the origins or meaning being questioned. Old superstitions are repeated carelessly and without thought of how they were once used. The expressions: “knock on wood”, “blow out the candles and make a wish”, and “throw a penny in the wishing well” along with many more, are the residue of calling out to the ancient rogue gods for favours and blessings. This practice of an action outside of prayer and devotion transferred into Christianity, another example is the act of “crossing the fingers” that calls on “luck” instead of “faith” continues without question.
HOW CAN 21ST JUDO-CHRISTIANS UNDERSTAND THE COMPLETE COMMITMENT GOD ALMIGHTY DEMANDS IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED BY HIM AS BEING BLAMELESS?
The answer to this question begins with the questions the disciples asked Jesus, “When [referring to the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem] will this happen, and what will be the sign of your comingand of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3b) All of these three questions are part and parcel of being blameless before God.
1. WHEN WILL THIS HAPPEN [THAT IS, THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE]?
The destruction of the temple referred to by Christ is more than the physical destruction that took place in Jerusalem on 70 A.D. and a rebuilding in the last days where sacrifices will again take place and be stopped (Daniel 12:11, Matthew 24:15).
It also has a spiritual warning for Judo-Christians. Jesus added, “For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many” (Matthew 24:5). The body of the believers is the temple of God. Jesus warned his disciples that many will attempt to destroy spiritually and physically those obeying God. Jesus’ death is also embedded into the destruction of the temple. The death of his body was an accepted payment the led to his resurrection—the FIRST of the first resurrection from the dead.
“Jesus answered, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.’ This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” (John 2:19-20)
Being blameless is remaining faithful to God during times like no other nor ever will be again—times of such distress that being a follower of Christ will be a death sentence (Matthew 24:9).
2. WHAT WILL BE THE SIGN OF YOUR COMING?
The sign of the son of Man’s return will appear after “the sun is darkened, and the moon does not give its light; the stars fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies are shaken” (Matthew 24:29). All the nations on earth will see and mourn Christ’s return. A loud trumpet call will be made and the elect will for resurrected.
Prior to the sun and moon being darkened, life on earth will be just like how things were in the days of Noah. Little is known about life on earth prior to the flood but all that is very important to a Judo-Christianity is recorded in both the Old and New Testaments for them.
Genesis 6 is a key introduction to this mystery. “The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth and his heart was filled with pain” (Genesis 6:5-6).
The people were wicked. They were not serving and worshipping their Creator; they were worshipping Satan and living his way. They were cruel, corrupt, unforgiving, selfish, heartless and revelling in everything detestable to Almighty God.
In serving Satan, they participated in breeding a new species on earth. From the marriage of fallen sons of God (ben Elohim, הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ בְנֵי־) and the daughters of men, Nephilim were born. These fallen sons transformed themselves into human bodies capable of reproducing. They left their heavenly abode and their place of authority in heaven to work with Satan in seeding children for Satan on earth.
The parable of the weeds reveals the sinister seeding of God’s enemy. “Jesus told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.” Jesus also provided the interpretation: the one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom, the weeds are the sons of the evil one, the enemy who sows them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age and the harvesters are angels” (Matthew 13:24-25, 37-39).
Are the weeds merely unrepentant mankind? Jesus interprets the parable and said that the weeds are the sons of the evil one. Jesus Christ seeds the good seed—righteous people whose names have all been written in the Book of Life before the foundation of the world. It was Jesus Christ who created everything in heaven and on earth—all was created through the power of his Father and ALL of it was good.
Seeding to birth and grow a wicked people was done by Satan after the original seeding by the Son of God, during the night when dirty deeds are done.
In the 21st century, this story appears like a science fiction movie or another old Greek myth, but recorded by Apostle John, inhabitants on earth live whose names are not written in the Book of Life, which holds the names of all of the children born from Adam and Eve recorded at the foundation of the world.
“All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all WHOSE NAMES HAVE NOT BEEN WRITTEN IN THE LAMB'S BOOK OF LIFE, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world” (Revelation 13:8).
“The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth WHOSE NAMES HAVE NOT BEEN WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE FROM THE CREATION OF THE WORLD will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come” (Revelation 17:8).
A future on the near horizon is recorded showing these inhabitants being astonished and that will be because their Saviour has arrived on earth and they believe they will rise to rule supreme. This seeding took place through fallen heavenly angels transforming themselves into men, marrying women on earth who conceived and birthed Nephilim. The ability to change from a heavenly spiritual state into human form is recorded many times in the Bible without question on the validity of that ability.
The Apostle Paul said to welcome strangers because some of them may be heavenly angels transformed into human form.
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2).
Abraham greets three men who he knew were angels transformed into human form.
“And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground” (Genesis 18:2).
Lot recognized the two angels in human form who had previously come to Abraham’s tent.
“The two angels entered Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them, bowed with his face to the ground” (Genesis 19:1).
Jacob recognized an encampment of angels in human form pitched next to his camp.
“Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, ‘This is the camp of God.’ So he named that place Mahanaim” (Genesis 32:1-2).
Jacob knew the man he wrestled all night with was an angel with the authority to bless him.
“That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me” (Genesis 32:22-26).
Gideon came to realize that the man under the tree was the angel of God and he thought he would die having seen him face-to-face. The voice of Almighty God assured him his safety. It is only Almighty God who does not transform himself into human form. The form of God Almighty is too powerful for mortal eyes to bear.
But the LORD said to him, “Peace be with you. Do not be afraid, for you will not die” (Judges 6:23).
Jude’s story offers more details to understanding a 21st century mystery that was common knowledge in ancient times.
“And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, bound for judgment on that 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 people of Sodom and Gomorrah and people in the cities around them pursued strange flesh with the angels who left their proper dwelling in heaven and transformed themselves into human form, no doubt, with the specific intention to mate in order to seed a different species—the children of a mixed union bent on doing evil. That is why they are presently in chains. God did not punish by eternal fire incest when Lot’s daughters had intercourse with their father or Ham when he violated his father’s body or the temple prostitutes having same-gender sexual relationships. God will not tolerate the mixing of the species between heaven and earth to seed a hybrid.
God is very clear that reproduction takes place only on earth. “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30). That is why these angels left heaven and transformed themselves into a human form on earth. They are part of Satan’s rogue heavenly coalition with a sinister plan to overthrow Almighty God. Satan are seeding his own children through these fallen angels.
Isaiah recorded Satan’s fall and future captivity. “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; 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.’ But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit” (Isaiah 14:13-15).
He also recorded the future of Satan’s children. “The offspring of the wicked will never be mentioned again. Prepare a place to slaughter his sons for the sins of their forefathers; they are not to rise to inherit the land and cover the earth with their cities” (Isaiah 14:20b-22).
These are likely the inhabitants in Revelation whose names have not been written in the Book of Life. They are different from the unrepentant people whose names are written in the Book of Life at the foundation of the earth but will be erased, because they refuse to repent. King David understood their fate. “Add iniquity to their iniquity; let them not share in Your righteousness. May they be blotted out of the Book of Life and not listed with the righteous” (Psalm 68:27-38).
Moses knew the consequences of treason and worshipping objects that invoke God’s heavenly enemies. He offered his life in order to pay the penalty of the sins of the Israelites, so that they would live. He was committed to doing all he could to keep Israel in God’s favour. “So Moses returned to the LORD and said, ‘Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made gods of gold for themselves. Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written. The LORD replied to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot out of My book’” (Exodus 32:31-33).
The worshipping of God’s enemies, rogue heavenly beings either directly or through idols invoking their power will cause God to erase the names of those of people from the Book of Life.
All of the inhabitants whose names are not written in the Book of Life at the foundation of the earth will worship the beast (Revelation 13:8). They will recognize their god.
Being blameless is not participating in anything that constitutes service and worship of the rogue heavenly rulers, powers and authorities spoken of by the Apostle Paul (Ephesians 6:12).
The world will soon change when Satan and his coalition of fallen angels are thrown down to earth. Mankind on earth may think of this alien arrival as merely creatures from a different galaxy, but a rude awakening will come their way. This alien arrival will demand worship, enlightening mankind to their godship. An idol will be erected that has the ability to kill anyone who does not bend their knee (Revelation 13:14-15).
Jesus said, “It will be as in the days of Noah.” The people before the flood were worshipping Satan as they will do again in the last days. “The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshipped the beast and asked, ‘Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?’” They will surrender without a fight and come to enjoy his rulership because Jesus added, “They will be eating and drinking and giving in marriage.” This “marriage” may even be again the fallen angels marrying women on earth—a treasonous act to seed children of Wickedness.
While the whole world is astonished by this powerful new arrival and they will feel they have no other choice but to worship them, a remnant people will remain faithful. This remnant people do not defile themselves with the rituals, ceremonies, vile acts and corrupt theology of these ruthless, rogue gods thrown out of heaven. These faithful are 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel. “These are those who did not defile themselves with women [false religion and treason], for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as first-fruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths, they are BLAMELESS” (Revelation 14:4-5).
God has preserved throughout time a remnant people, the faithful who remain loyal to Him unconditionally. When Elijah felt all alone, he cried out to God declaring that he was the last of the faithful and loyal, but God answered him and said, “Nevertheless, I have reserved seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him” (I Kings 19:18).
The number 7,000 equals 7 X 1,000. This number is an eternally complete number of people who are reserved and out of view, until it is time to stand up against rogue heavenly rulers, powers and authorities. These are the blameless.
3. WHEN WILL BE THE END OF THE AGE?
After the gospel has gone out to everyone throughout the nations into the whole world, then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).
During Jacob’s trouble, while the world is worshipping Satan and the beast (that rogue coalition of heavenly rulers, powers and authorities), the twelve 21st century nations of Israel who do not escape will be invaded, enslaved and divided as spoil among the nations to be used and their servants. These people will fulfill the commission and the gospel will go out to everyone in all the nations. The people of the nations will be without excuse. A multitude from every nation will repent and turn to Almighty God.
Those who do not will mourn when they see Jesus Christ return with the righteous angels. They will witness the great first resurrection of the righteous and they will be terrified because they knowingly ignored the gospel they heard and continued to serve Satan.
Being blameless is participating fully in getting the gospel out to everyone on earth. God is offering all of mankind salvation. Satan is the father of lies and he is working hard to keep the world under his spell. Being blameless is speaking the truth, even if that is a death sentence.
Stand strong with the blameless from ancient times.
Noah served only Almighty God during times when the earth was filled with fallen angels, demi-gods raging wickedness. “This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God” (Genesis 6:9).
Abraham was born at a time after the flood when Nephilim were again on the earth. More angels allied with Satan to overthrown Almighty God and seed their own. “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless” (Genesis 17:1). He put his full trust in Almighty God and served God unconditionally; he was blameless.
During a time when the whole earth was again captured by rogue heavenly rulers, powers and authorities demanding worship, God had taken the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as His inheritance, for Him as their King. The rogue heavenly rulers, powers and authorities brought anarchy and rebellion against God. God described this hostile environment as a desert, barren and a howling waste.
“But the LORD’s portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance. He found him in a desert land, in a barren, howling wilderness; He surrounded him, He instructed him, He guarded him as the apple of His eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions. The LORD alone led him; no foreign god was with him” (Deuteronomy 32:10-12).
A day in the past, Satan came before God with the righteous sons of God and God showcased Job’s loyalty. Satan discounted it as loyalty for blessings. God allowed Satan to test Job and he proved to be the blameless man God admired. Prompted by his wife to curse God when he was suffering intensely, Job would not. He knew that God owns everything; through His power all was created and the created are nothing compared to the Creator. God blessed Job after Satan’s severe test and honoured him again with being blameless.
“There once was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil” (Job 1:1).
Being blameless is serving and worshipping ONLY the Almighty God, our Creator, our Supreme King, our Highest Priest, our Father and Friend in heaven and following our Messiah wherever he goes, our good Shepherd, our Husband-to-be, our King and Lord.
When God commanded, “You shall have no other gods before Me,” he was not talking about man-made objects or distractions in life. The second commandment addresses the wickedness of using idols, man-made objects, to invoke favours from rogue heavenly rulers, powers and authorities.
The first commandment was Almighty God directly identifying mankind’s only enemies; sons of God demanding worship. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Theologians have mythicized our true enemies participating in the lie Satan initiated until it is time for their arrival. Mankind will be caught off guard, but not the blameless. They are ready and waiting; their loyalty is unconditional.
Recorded in Psalm 15, King David prayed:
“LORD, who may dwell (rest) in your sanctuary—that place which is private for You?
Who may live on your holy hill—God’s place of authority?”
God Almighty replied:
“The one whose walk is blameless—an unbreakable allegiance to Almighty God
who does what is righteous—actions are right
who speaks the truth from their heart—honest to the core
whose tongue utters no slander—do not character assassinate people
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others—does not minimize, discount, make light of or even mock a different opinion.
Who despises a vile man—those God has totally rejected and cast away
but honors those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his oath even when it hurts,
who lends his money without usury
and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.”
About these people God said, “He who does these things will never be shaken.”
These people will not fall into corruption and rebellion like the fallen angels. They will remain strong and unmoveable during times of extreme distress.
The eons of time Satan was allowed to torment and test the first creation in heaven is nearly complete. One-third of the first creation have chosen to serve Satan. Over the past 6,000 years, many on earth have solidified their position and on Judgement Day, the unrepentant will be destroyed with the rogue heavenly rulers, powers and authorities. Then, God will create a new heaven for the first creation and a new earth for the second creation and only those whose walk is blameless will live eternally.
A Study
Love One Another AS I HAVE LOVED YOU
“Little children, I am with you only a little while longer. You will look for Me, and as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:33-35).
What does that look like?
In John 13, the Apostle John began with Jesus showing his disciples the FULL extent of his love. It began with a demonstration of greatness. “He got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciple’s feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him” (John 13:4-5).
The washing of the feet of the disciples mirrors a state of humility that is associated with selfless even slave-like service to others who come into the home. People sold into slavery and those who have lived in destitution appreciate the purchase of their life. In ancient times, living in a hot, dry climate and wearing open footwear brought in a lot of dirt inside the home. The custom was to wash the feet of those coming inside to keep the dirt from being brought in. The foot washing ceremony instituted by Jesus points to a cleansing that takes place at the entrance before entering God’s home. It is an annual reminder for believers to be the servant of servants and humbly wash each other’s feet before entering a holy place.
The Commander of God’s army later known in the New Testament as Jesus Christ stood before Joshua and identified the first step in cleansing, the removal of dirty shoes. “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 5:15).
The same command was given to Moses by Almighty God. “When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered. “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground” (Exodus 3:4-5).
The removal of the foot wear covered in dirt is the first step and the second is the washing of the feet to remove additional uncleanness. God’s holy place is clean, no trace of sin. Coming into God’s holy place is a two-step process. Baptism is the first step and living life in humility and righteously is the second step.
After washing the disciple’s feet, Jesus said, “Do you understand what I have done for you?” (John 13:12b). It is Jesus Christ who initiated the second cleansing step—the washing and removal of dirt from off their feet was a mirror of their spirit walk before God to ensure they remain on the straight and narrow prior to entering His home. Receiving God’s Holy Spirit after baptism makes the full extent of love possible for followers of Christ.
Jesus said, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and rightly so, for that is what I am’” (John 13:13). God’s faithful body of people have ONE TEACHER, Jesus Christ—the head of the body. The body of the church does not comprise of hierarchical compartments separating one from another but rather, a family. “Don't let anyone call you 'Rabbi,' for YOU HAVE ONLY ONE TEACHER, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. And do not call anyone on earth your father, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have ONE INSTRUCTOR, that is, Christ” (Matthew 23:8, 10).
Jesus, as their only Teacher, set the example for his students to do the same for their brothers and sisters who are following Christ. His example taught them to humbly and in righteousness remove the dirt—the misconceptions, misinformation and disinformation from the walk of their brothers and sisters in Christ, so that they remain on the straight and narrow path towards God’s home. Jesus confirmed their understanding of him as their Teacher. He said, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and rightly so, for that is what I am’. As their Teacher, he added, “I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you.” Then Jesus added, the cornerstone of truth, “I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13:16). The disciples are the servants; God Almighty is their master. Jesus Christ is the messenger; God Almighty sent him. Nobody is greater than God Almighty, the Source of all power and life. The understanding Jesus made clear to his disciples was that everyone on earth and in heaven is subject to Almighty God. The mistake Satan and his followers have made is that they believe as a coalition that they can overthrow Almighty God. Their pride and arrogance are the poison that has twisted and darkened their thoughts into a futile rebellion. Jesus concluded, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you DO them” (John 13:17). Jesus wants his followers to walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).
Jesus then prophesied his betrayal as a witness to his disciples that he is the One that God has sent to save them. “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He” (John 13:19). Mankind is easy prey to deception. Even after Jesus had died and rose, he had to prove himself as their Saviour.
“Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’
They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’
He asked them, ‘What things?’
They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel [all twelve tribes]. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’
Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory.’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight… They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon’” (Luke 24:13-27, 30-31, 33-34).
The witness of Jesus as the Saviour for the Jews, their brothers in the ten tribes and for all of mankind was extensive and complete. It was evident that some of Jesus’ followers hoped that he would rule as their King and Lord then and there, but they did not understand the process of salvation. Paying the penalty for sin made possible redemption through God’s grace and still the important second step—the receiving of God’s Holy Spirit, so that they could learn to walk in God’s way of love to the full extent.
Christ’s death on the cross was yet another example of his love for all of mankind. “Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, HE HUMBLED HIMSELF and became OBEDIENT TO DEATH—even DEATH ON A CROSS” (Philippians 2:6-8).
The core of Christ is to do the will of his Father. He does not seek to challenge his Father—“did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,” (Philippians 2:6) instead he remains a humble servant, even to the point of being beaten beyond human recognition, shamed and death on the cross. His love for his church and mankind is without a doubt, genuine and eternal. His capacity to love goes beyond the ability of mortals. Only by being filled with God’s Holy Spirit can this sacrificial love be expressed.
It will be both a deeply emotional and humbling revelation for deceived mankind when they learn that Jesus who is God—the Son, willingly submitted to becoming mortal and suffering, so that he could save creation on earth and truly understand the human experience—the weaker vessel and intercede for mankind before God, the Father.
“For this reason, he had to be made like his brothers in every way, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17).
His sacrifice for his church and all of mankind demonstrates the depth of his commitment for our success and his love, which flows out “wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:18-19).
Christ demonstrated to what extent love can go. “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:12-14).
Followers of Christ are his friends of whom, he gladly laid down his life to save them. His example will be witnessed in another group of people during the Great Tribulation. “Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, ‘It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and BY THE WORD OF THEIR TESTIMONY. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death” (Revelation 12:10-11).
These followers of Christ will demonstrate their great love for God and Christ as many have done throughout the ages, during the time of great distress. They will not shy away from dying to stand against a powerful coalition of rogue heavenly rulers, powers and authorities who arrive on earth, having been thrown out of heaven, and witness before them to the whole world the testimony of Jesus Christ. In doing so, they will conquer Satan. They will gladly put their life on the line and die, if necessary, to bring truth to the world. They will stand loyal and strong working with God and Christ to awaken people from the spell of deception and in turn, save them. They understand the full extent of loving one another, desiring that all come into repentance, be given grace by God and welcomed into the family of God as a righteous royal, ruling member.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). Christ followers endure patiently because they want to see all of mankind repent and enjoy eternal peace and love.
It will be visually evident who are truly the disciples of Christ because they will do as he did. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). They will exhibit all of the properties of love outlined by the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 13:4-7:
o Suffers long, patient
o Kind
o Does not envy
o Does not brag
o Not puffed up, proud or arrogant
o Not rude
o Not self-seeking
o Not easily angered
o Keeps no record of wrongs
o Does not rejoice in iniquity
o Rejoices in truth
o Protects
o Eager to believe the best in others
o Does not lose hope even when repeatedly disappointed
o Provides the power to endure anything.
The same will carefully help one another, recognizing the vulnerability of being humble God-fearing and God-serving people in this angry and dark age saturated in sin.
They put on the armour of God and without compromise, they seek to apply the wisdom of God in responding to adversity having a mindset that is striving to achieve peace, even when it is not immediate. They will search out medicinal and nourishing words for each matter individually. Peacemakers bring a delightful aroma to our Father in the third heaven, like seeing an exquisite display of golden apples in settings of silver.
Christ came not to do away with the law but to expound on it. The six commands after loving God are all components to how to love your fellow brothers and sisters. Christ brought to the surface the depth of loving one another when he gave the disciples a new command. He said that they should love one another as he loved them. He demonstrated the full extent of loving one another. He came to serve as the servant of all; he died to save all twelves tribes of Israel and people from all nations on earth; he did the will of His Father and spoke only His Father’s words. The Father and the Son work as one to save mankind. Christ’s followers have joined that team and work to awaken and save by living as Christ lived and declaring the testimony of Jesus.
All of mankind have sinned; one is not better than the other. Yet, from out of sin through the work of God’s hands, a rebirth takes place that opens the eyes to the pain on self and others from wickedness. God’s second creation, repentant mortal man on earth, will overcome through suffering and grow into perfection to become a holy kingdom of royal priests.
The New Testament echoes God’s objective for the followers of Christ. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (I Peter 2:9).
Whether Old Testament or New Testament, God’s objective hasn’t changed. “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” (Exodus 19:6).
Christ appearing like a sacrificed lamb, was the only one who was worthy to take the scroll and the four living creatures and the 24 elders sang a new song, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom of priests to serve our God” (Revelation 5:9-10).
Repentant Old Testament Israel, New Testament Israel and people from every tribe, language and nation will be blessed to be part of a holy kingdom of royal priests.
God will accomplish His work in man forging an unbreakable loyalty to serve and love their Creator, the Source of all power and life and they will never look back. They will discover the full extent of love and embrace it with all their heart, mind, soul and strength and never again will they be turned away from our gracious, enduring and loving Father in heaven.
New Study
Who is the GREATEST in the Kingdom of God?
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked,
‘Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’”
Matthew 18:1
Jesus invited a little child to stand among them. ‘Truly I tell you,’ He said, ‘unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’ Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world for the causes of sin. These stumbling blocks must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!’” (Matthew 18:1-7).
The child Jesus brought among them radiated the characteristics of those who God Almighty deems as the greatest in His Kingdom. The child brought clarity to the meaning of sonship in God’s family by being a living example of awe and excitement for the word of God—eager to listen, humble and trusting, reverent and loving.
Jesus said that those who take on these precious traits will in turn be emulating him. Jesus is the perfect example for mankind of that child.
OUR HUMBLE SAVIOR
JESUS CHRIST DOES NOT SEEK SELF-GLORY
“He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed him not” (Isaiah 53:2-3).
When Jesus was on earth, his appearance was ordinary. He did not seek to win the affection of mankind through good looks, but by bringing them to love the word of God. He did nothing to bring attention or glory to himself, but to bring mankind to acknowledge and glorify God. He was willing to accept denial from the Jews, if only they would recognize the miracles that he did, as a direct result of receiving power from God.
“If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me. But if I am doing them, EVEN THOUGH YOU DO NOT BELIEVE ME, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father” (John 10:37-38).
In the 21st century, men who do not have any supernatural abilities, yet sit in a place of authority would not hesitate to subdue their opposition and demand respect, but Jesus, our humble savior, lives by the gospel of peace.
JESUS CHRIST CAME TO SERVE
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
Learn from Jesus through his example of gentility and his humble spirit that fills his heart. The drive to seek our own way and revel in self-glory, attention seeking and self-reliance is the way of the pagans taught to them by their rogue heavenly rulers, powers and authorities. Peace is found when complete trust in God is given to Him and unrelenting belief that wisdom, understanding and truth comes only from Almighty God.
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30).
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
“Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4).
Those who war against Almighty God, our Father in heaven will lose and they will not find peace living in wickedness.
JESUS CHRIST DOES NOT SEEK HIS OWN AGENDA
“Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, HE HUMBLED HIMSELF and became OBEDIENT TO DEATH—even DEATH ON A CROSS” (Philippians 2:6-8).
The core of Christ is to do the will of his Father. He does not seek to challenge his Father—“did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,”(Philippians 2:6) instead he remains a humble servant, even to the point of being beaten beyond human recognition, shamed and death on the cross. His love for his church and mankind is without a doubt, genuine and eternal. His capacity to love goes beyond the ability of mortals. Only by being God can this sacrificial love be expressed.
It will be both a deeply emotional and humbling revelation for mankind when they learn that Jesus who is God—the Son, willingly submitted to becoming mortal and suffering, so that he could save mankind and truly understand the human experience—the weaker vessel and intercede for mankind before God, His Father.
“For this reason, he had to be made like his brothers in every way, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17).
His sacrifice for his church and all of mankind demonstrates the depth of his commitment for our success and his love, which flows out “wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:18-19).
Christ puts his comfort aside to preserve righteousness and restore the kingdom of God to the way it was before iniquity was found. He has won many heavenly battles unseen by human eye to overthrow Wickedness. He wears today, many crowns. He is the rider on the white horse.
“…before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war… on his head are many crowns… his name is the Word of God” (Revelation 19:11-13).
The greatest in God’s kingdom is the servant of all; he/she will rule with Christ.
BUT…
Woe to the trouble-makers who intentionally put stumbling blocks before these precious people of God. Woe to the angry rebels who bully God’s servants on earth. Woe to the God-haters bent on tricking and deceiving the babes in Christ. Woe to those who sow wickedness and delight in the choking of God’s word. Woe to those who live in pride and arrogantly supress the spiritual growth of God’s repenting people. Woe to those who carelessly ignore the scratches and bruises on God’s people walking on unpaved roads. Woe to those who feed themselves the meat of God’s word and leave mere scraps for the starving children of God. Jesus declared that if these dark instruments of Wickedness harm the spiritual walk of repentant, vulnerable people growing in God’s ways that it would be better for them to have a very large heavy weight chained around their neck and be thrown into the depths of the sea never to rise up again. These people have no place in God’s kingdom.
After the end of this age and the resurrection of all of the righteous, God’s family in eternity will comprise only of God-fearing, God-loving, humble servants giving full honour to the power and glory of their Father in heaven—the ALMIGHTY GOD. In this newly restored peace, God will then create a “new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1) and a great honour will be bestowed on this new earth. Beyond human reasoning, the GREAT GOD will move His throne to earth and live among men. “They will be His people, and God himself will be with them and be their God” (Revelation 21:3).
Who can know the fortunes of mankind that lies within the heart of God to move His great throne and temple to be close to mankind, the weaker vessel with a history of sinning? Never-the-less, never question the wisdom of God, hold fast to this wonder and treasure it.
This is the inheritance offered to mankind. It was always part of God’s plan—from our beginning. “So, don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
ALL THIS HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR HUMBLE SAVIOR
Follow him, grow in humility and teachability; lean not on your own understanding; lean on the Teacher [Christ]—our only Teacher; learn only through him, then share his teachings with your brothers and sisters—your brethren in Christ serving them, as the least of all servants.
A Study
The day and hour are unknown, but YOU will NOT be surprised
“For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief” (I Thessalonians 5:2-4).
NO SURPRISE, NO MYSTERY, NO SECRECY. THOSE WHO OVERCOME WILL BE READY.
The disciples asked Jesus about the sign of his coming. He replied, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark, and THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN until the flood came and took them all away” (Matthew 24:36-39).
The only people on earth prior to the great flood who were NOT surprised, was Noah, his wife and family. The rest of mankind were oblivious. They were celebrating life and marriage planning the same lifestyle for generations to come.
The reason for their destruction is recorded in Genesis 6:5-6. “The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.”
They were destroyed when God cleaned the earth from wickedness and one only family who spent 100 years preparing for the great flood, began the new era. The flood took by surprise the rest of mankind. This same similar situation will exist prior to the return of Christ. What could that time look like?
“When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman… But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 13, 16-17). The faithful church is protected during the Great Tribulation, but her churches who keep the commandments—the congregations who don’t preach that the Ten Commandments were nailed to the cross and those who hold to the teachings of Christ following him wherever he goes, will be the victims of Satan’s wrath and the trampling of the beast.
Satan standing on the shore, the boundary line between Wickedness and earth conjures up the beast—a coalition of rebellious and God-hating heavenly rulers, powers and principalities who reside in the place imaged as the raging sea. They are the enemy of mankind identified by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:12. This terrifying and wild beast has seven heads—ruling kingdoms, each kingdom despises the Great King, God Almighty. Written on each head is a blasphemous name like “I AM,” “KINGDOM OVER ALL” or “WORSHIPPED BY ALL” names that declare their supremacy over Almighty God.
Daniel saw this fourth and final beast. “Terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns” (Daniel 7:7). Each horn images a leader—a king. They are ten kings ruling for “one hour” during the Great Tribulation. These kings were promised rulership a long time ago, likely at the time of Babel when the sons of God in His Holy Council received an inheritance, rulership over the nations. At this time, God Almighty gave himself an inheritance, rulership over the descendants of Jacob (Deuteronomy 32:8-9). The promise to these ten kings will be fulfilled, but for a short time and they will rule along with the beast (Revelation 17:12).
Conflict bubbles and boils within this beastly coalition as three kings are overthrown and a little horn grows. One that is not of royal descent. He is boastful, arrogant and defiant. He is determined to subdue any force that will not surrender.
The victims most likely crushed and trampled would be God’s covenant people who turn to seek their God and obey Him. The little horn known as the Assyrian will not tolerate such a detestable revolt and he will unleash on these people, who form multiple nations into the 21st century his rage to such a degree that many will die while the remainder are thrown into captivity.
The nations of the world will witness the horror, power and force used on these God-fearing nations and conclude, “Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?” (Revelation 13:4). The whole world will be astonished. They will surrender and follow the beast. “Men worshiped the dragon because Satan had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast” (Revelation 13:4). Their reward for their submission and service is the captured followers of Christ who serve God. The beast is thought by some Biblical scholars as a physical nation or group of nations on earth, but that cannot be the case since all the nations on earth, except the captives, surrender and worship both Satan and the beast. The nations accept their powerless position and surrender accepting a different Saviour and a rebellious theology.
Satan will rule on earth declaring himself as the Almighty, Supreme God while the little horn—the Assyrian—the Antichrist will rule over the nations on earth offering extended life through their alien technology and superior science all adding to their extensive knowledge in every area known to man. The power these rulers display will dazzle the nations like a magic spell and they will fall into deception without a fight. The myth of worshipping gods will become a reality into the 21st century for the nations and they will come to delight and celebrate this surreal lifestyle. They will consider this leadership as good and plan their future with Satan as their eternal head and the Antichrist as their eternal King of kings and Lord of lords. Corruption in politics, business, and in the service industries will continue. Justice will fall by the way side and oppression will increase. And yet, the nations will not call out to Almighty God for help, despite the global witness of the captives. It is this resolution that triggers God’s wrath against the nations all before the second coming of Jesus Christ; it will be just like the days of Noah. Many people will continue to love sin and wickedness will be their delight.
The captives will remember their God. “Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their heart will be glad as if from wine; Indeed, their children will see it and be glad, their heart will rejoice in the LORD. I will whistle for them to gather them together, For I have redeemed them; And they will be as numerous as they were before.When I scatter them among the peoples, they will remember Me in far countries, and they with their children will live and come back” (Zechariah 10:8-10).
Their witness will go out to all nations. “And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days” (Joel 2:28-29).
Mistaken scholars preach the fragmentation and in some cases the decimation of God’s covenant people. They declare that Almighty God, who took these people as His inheritance to rule over them forever has rejected them and they no longer exist as a cohesive body. These scholars will give an account to Almighty God who has heard their falsehood. “Have you not noticed what these people are saying: 'The LORD has rejected the two families [House of Israel and House of Judah] He had chosen'? So, they despise My people and no longer regard them as a nation” (Jeremiah 33:24).
To these naysayers God declares, “‘Only if the heavens above could be measured and the foundations of the earth below searched out, would I reject all of Israel's descendants because of all they have done,’ declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 31:37).
God has a plan for His people and all of mankind. His plans cannot be thwarted. What He says He will do, nothing will keep Him from accomplishing His will. He will bring His people to their knees and in the last days, they will remember Him and turn their hearts sincerely and eternally to Him, their Creator, their King. “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
“As I live," declares the Lord GOD, "surely with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out, I SHALL BE KING OVER YOU. I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands where you are scattered, with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and with wrathpoured out; and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face” (Ezekiel 20:33-35).
God will judge His people for their unfaithfulness and godlessness during a time when they felt mighty and strong, suddenly all will be taken away from them. The nations of the world will experience the same, they will witness the attack on God’s covenant people and in fear, surrender to Satan and the beast without a fight.
“I will now bring Jacob back from captivity 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 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 Almighty God (Ezekiel 39:24-29).
Bearing the heavy yoke of captivity and servitude both houses: the Christians and the Jews will repent. Both will turn to their God, together. Israel and Judah will go home together: “‘I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,’ says Almighty God. ‘And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it’” (Jeremiah 30:3).
Their Messiah’s return will not surprise them. They will be prepared because they will:
· Recognize how things were during the days of Noah.
· Complete the witness of the gospel to the whole world.
· Humbly wait for their rescue by their God.
· Learn again the meaning of God’s Holy Days which lay out the plan of God for all of mankind.
· Delight in God’s goodness by choosing them again to serve as priests and teachers of righteousness.
· Love the word of God and His righteousness.
The day and the hour will come when God Almighty deems enough time is given for His people and the nations to repent.
His people will not return alone for with them a countless multitude of people from all nations of the world will join them (Revelation 7:9). Satan’s reign over the earth will come to a sudden end. The beast and false prophet will be overthrown and destroyed by the anointed King of kings and Lord of lords.
The world will be forever changed. Deception will be washed and scrubbed from the face of the earth. The sky will be rolled back and the people on earth will see the vast heavenly realm and its dominions. Satan, the father of iniquity was once a guardian cherub in the third heaven given the great honour to serve before the Great God. His beauty was exceptional and his position was envied, yet that was not enough. His pride caused him to fall away and God removed him out of His presence into the heavenly realm where he built a vast empire of rebels selling his theology to the creation there. A battle in heaven still awaits on our near horizon. Satan knows he will fail and be thrown down to earth where he will sit disgruntled on a deteriorating throne. His decaying status will continue to rot. His captivity is assured and a changed body from eternal to lowly mortality is prophesied before he is burned to ashes. The world watching will be sickened having eaten from his fruit.
“Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. By your many sins and dishonest trade, you have desecrated your sanctuaries. So I made a fire come out from you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching. All the nations who knew you are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more’” (Ezekiel 28:16-19).
A wonderful life is the destiny for all of mankind who call on the name of Almighty God. This evil age will end; glorious light will replace darkness all in God’s time. The saints are preparing now for Christ’s return; they are pilgrims looking for the kingdom whose maker and architect is Almighty God. They will wait for God patiently because they too, want all of mankind to repent and be saved.
A Study
The Vigilant, Wakeful Almond Tree
“So, Moses spoke to the Israelites, and each of their leaders gave him a staff—one for each of the leaders of their tribes, twelve staffs in all. And Aaron’s staff was among them. Then Moses placed the staffs before the LORD in the Tent of the Testimony. The next day Moses entered the tent and saw that Aaron's staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds”
(Numbers 17:8).
The almond tree is the first of all fruit trees to break out of dormancy after a chilly winter and cover itself with life, a showy display of abundant soft pink and white blossoms.
Keil and Delitzsch point out that God uses the almond tree “as a symbol of the swift fulfilment of His word.” Aaron’s staff sprouted, budded, blossomed and produced almonds over-night symbolized the absolute decision of God’s choice that the tribe of Levi work to lead His ministry on earth and they would do exactly that: initiate the word of God, demonstrate it, and teach all Israel God’s law and ways so that righteousness would be produced.
When God chooses people, miracles happen. He chose Jeremiah before he was even conceived to do an important work for Him. He was appointed “over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10). Those kingdoms that would be uprooted would be destroyed and those torn down would be overthrown. And finally, Jeremiah was commissioned to build and plant kingdoms. Jeremiah was young at the time this commission was given to him and he questioned his ability. But, God Almighty assured him. He touched Jeremiah’s mouth. “The hand is the instrument of making and doing; the touching of Jeremiah's mouth by the hand of God is consequently an emblematical token that God frames in his mouth what he is to speak,” Keil and Delitzsch explain. (https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/kdo/jeremiah-1.htm)
God confirmed his action by giving Jeremiah a vision. Jeremiah saw the branch of an almond tree. This would not be a mystery for Jeremiah. God confirmed what he already knew. “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled” (Jeremiah 1:12).
“Jeremiah sees in spirit a rod or twig of an almond tree. God calls his attention to this vision, and interprets it to him as a symbol of the swift fulfilment of His word. The choice of this symbol for the purpose given is suggested by the Hebrew name for the almond tree, שׁקד , the wakeful, the vigilant; because this tree begins to blossom and expand its leaves in January, when the other trees are still in their winter's sleep and so of all trees awakes earliest to new life… The figure of the almond rod was meant only to afford to the prophet surety for the speedy and certain fulfilment of the word of God proclaimed by him,” adds Keil and Delitzsch to their interpretation.
The next vision Jeremiah sees is a boiling pot pouring out from the north towards Jerusalem. It is not describing the Babylonian invasion, but one that will take place hundreds of years into the future. God said, “I am about to summon all the peoples of the northern kingdoms. Their kings will come and set up their thrones in the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem; they will come against all her surrounding walls and against all the towns of Judah.” (Jeremiah 1:15-16).
This imagery is a prophecy still unfulfilled—a future, terrifying event that points to Revelation when God Almighty is pouring out His wrath on the rogue heavenly rulers thrown out of heaven ruling on earth over the nations. They worshipped Satan and the beast because they said, “Who can war against them” (Revelation 13:4). “Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty… Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon” (Revelation 16:13-16). The intent of the nations of the world is to take Jerusalem—God’s headquarters on earth, as their sovereign rule. The battle to overthrow the Great God—the Almighty, which began in heaven before the creation of mankind, will rage on earth.
This heavenly battle included luring God’s inheritance—the descendants of Jacob, into serving His enemies—the fallen, rogue sons of God. It wasn’t a difficult task.
The leaders of faithless Israel and unfaithful Judah lapped up the ways of these rogue gods. The desire for power, self-glory, self-direction, self-reliance is what Israel desired when they told God, “We want to be like the nations.” Both houses left their God to worship the gods ruling over the nations because they offered the nations rulership that satisfied the carnal desire for control, self-gratification and unbridled drive for super power status. Servitude to God and living humbly before God was out of the question for both houses of Israel. Hence, corruption filled the highest offices like an open, infected sore spreading across the body untreated.
“The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’ Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols. Therefore, I bring charges against you again… ‘Has a nation every changed its gods? But my people have exchanged me, their Glory, for a god that cannot help them at all! Be appalled at this, O heavens, and shudder with great horror, declares the LORD’” (Jeremiah 2:8-9, 11).
The guilt of the house of Judah and Israel is treason against their King to serve lesser gods ruling over the nations. The grandeur they saw in Egypt and might in Assyria lured them away into a world of taking instead of giving, controlling instead of serving, hating instead of loving.
God let them go and replied, “Go and serve your idols, every one of you! But afterward you will surely listen to me and no longer profane my holy name with your gifts and idols” (Ezekiel 20:39). After each tribe experiences their day in the sun, they will see their glory fade away as others come to steal the lime-light from them. This decaying world does not bring eternal joy, rather all is vanity, fleeting moments that come and go. Only through serving and obeying the Great God, our Creator and Source of all life can eternal joy and happiness be achieved by giving instead of taking, serving instead of controlling, loving instead of hating.
After a time of great distress, both houses will remember their God. “In those coming days,” says the LORD, “the people of Israel will return home together with the people of Judah. They will come weeping and seeking the LORD their God. 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 50:4-5). This will happen in the last days.
After they feel the wrath of the rogue heavenly gods that once ruled over the nations, they will remember their God and beseech him earnestly. “Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days” (Hosea 3:5). God will hear them and appoint “shepherds after his own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding” (Jeremiah 3:14).
The lampstand of gold in the tabernacle in the wilderness is the artefact that confirms the survival of the seven churches that is comprised of the twelve tribes of Israel. Though their journey has moved like the tide during times of turbulence and peace, the pounding purified them each protected by the flower of the almond—God’s sure word that they would live.
“Then you are to make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. It shall be made of one piece, including its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals. Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. There are to be three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the first branch, each with buds and petals, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches that extend from the lampstand. And on the lampstand there shall be four cups shaped like almond blossoms with buds and petals. For the six branches that extend from the lampstand, a bud must be under the first pair of branches, a bud under the second pair, and a bud under the third pair. The buds and branches are to be all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold. Make seven lamps and set them up on the lampstand so that they illuminate the area in front of it. The wick trimmers and their trays must be of pure gold. The lampstand and all these utensils shall be made from a talent of pure gold” (Exodus 25:31-39).
Though the candles flicker today with every effort made by God’s enemies to snuff out the light, God’s word is sure and swift. Soon, God’s inheritance—His people will overcome and light the world, burning brightly never to flicker or fade.
Like the almond tree, God’s leadership is the first of all the different leaders in heaven to bring life out of death and repentance from wickedness into desiring righteousness. Such is the symbolism of the vigilant, wakeful almond tree.
A Study
No GREATER Love
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends”
(John 15:13).
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
“But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
“By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (I John 3:16).
“For God so loved the world that He gave the only begotten Son, so that everyone believing in Him should not perish, but should have eternal life” (John 3:16).
These words have all been said before among Christians, and yet, are they understood? The magnitude of love that suffers long, endures intense pain for others while waiting patiently is merely the tip of God’s love, His way of life and His character.
God, our Father in heaven is paving the way for mankind through His beloved Son—the tested stone that is a proven foundation. “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken” (Isaiah 28:16).
Jesus Christ is that tested stone; he is the precious cornerstone that God, the Father holds very dear to His heart. God, our Father in heaven, has awarded this Son, this beloved Son to be His ONLY Heir of His kingdom. God has many sons in His family. The first creation in heaven is comprised of countless sons of God. God brings this large royal, ruling family together and He presides over them. “God presides in the great assembly; he gives judgment among the ‘gods’” (Psalm 82:1). Before time was created, He gave them ruling power and authority to make decisions and exercise judgment. “God presides in the great assembly; he gives judgment among the ‘gods’” (Psalm 82:1).
From this creation, God has established his headquarters described throughout the Bible in earthly imagery as Lebanon with its great cedars. This wonder would have remained a mystery to mankind on earth, except for the bitter disappointment of their fall. These heavenly sons of God in His headquarters—His Holy Council, from the first creation, allied with Satan to overthrow Almighty God. This aggression and decision to war against God opened the door for mankind to fill their positions. These great cedars—heavenly rulers, powers and authorities have fallen and God Almighty will replace them with humble, repentant mankind. “Replenish the earth,” God told Adam and Eve. “‘Replenish’—build up again,” God said. From the second creation, God will fill His NEW headquarters—mortal mankind on earth. God will give grace and from the work of His hands, He will transform them into eternal sons and daughters who will be made perfect through suffering, binding themselves eternally in love with their Creator.
When speaking of His heavenly creation, God has no earthly equivalent except to use imagery on earth. Trees image leaders. Different trees on earth image different types of leaders. The great leaders in God’s headquarters—His heavenly council are described as cedars.
Imagery of the great cedars bring an immediate rich visual of the most spectacular trees on earth. They have the unique qualities that mirror the great leaders in God’s headquarters. These tall and grand trees are dimensionally stable with a built-in thermal insulator. With oils that act as natural preservatives, these trees are resistant to bacteria and fungus. To top it off, they release a fresh aroma that deters pests. God created sons in heaven with all of these eternal qualities and superior strength to lead His kingdom in truth, understanding and wisdom of His law and His way. God gave the name of His headquarters in heaven, ‘Lebanon’ to mirror on earth His stately and regal leaders—His pride and joy.
King David knew and fully understood God’s government in heaven comprising of many positions of multi-layered structures. He used the same imagery as Almighty God. “The trees of the LORD are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted” (Psalm 104:16).
In God’s great love for the first creation in heaven, He gave His Holy Spirit abundantly as evidenced in His words of warning to the heavenly ruler over Egypt.
“Consider Assyria, once a cedar in Lebanon… The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it, nor could the pine trees equal its boughs, nor could the plane 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).
The great fall of God’s government in heaven—the fall of many of his sons is recorded by Ezekiel as God shared His lament and deep pain for the choices ALL of them made. They ALL fell from righteousness and chose to ally with Satan in an attempt to overthrow Almighty God.
“Then all the trees of Eden, the CHOICEST and BEST OF LEBANON, all the trees that were well-watered, were CONSOLED IN THE EARTH BELOW” (Ezekiel 31:16). The earth below is the prison for the conquered rogue heavenly rulers, powers and authorities. It is the lowest place in existence. A humbling for the once mighty. How the mighty will fall!
Foolish fallen rulers, powers and authorities (Ephesians 6:12), knowingly chose to ally against their Creator trumpeting themselves as the Supreme God resulting in Almighty God’s constant declaration that He, the God of Israel, is the one and only Supreme God and resulted in the first commandment for His people, Israel—"You shall have no other gods before me.”
These inferior gods—sons of God from the first creation will fail. Fire from God will devour them and they will fall, though once they were glorious.
“Open your doors, O LEBANON, that the fire may devour your cedars! Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen, because the glorious trees have been destroyed; Wail, O oaks of Bashan, for the impenetrable forest has come down” (Zechariah 11:2).
“See, the Lord, the LORD Almighty, will lop off the boughs with great power. The lofty trees will be felled; the tall ones will be brought low. He will cut down the forest thickets with an ax; LEBANON WILL FALL BEFORE THE MIGHTY ONE” (Isaiah 10:33-34).
King David longed for the day that these rogue heavenly rulers would be overthrown. He praised the Almighty God daily. “For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods”(Psalm 97:9). “For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods” (Psalm 95:3).
The Psalmist added, “Your enemies… who said ‘Let us take possession of the pasturelands of God’… Cover their faces with shame so that men will seek your name, O LORD. May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace. Let them know that you whose name is the LORD—that YOU ALONE are the MOST HIGH OVER ALL THE EARTH” (Psalm 82:2, 12, 16-18).
God, the Great Creator—the Ancient of Days—the Life-Giving One of ALL creation, hurts when His creation sins.
On the day the greatest leader in God’s heavenly court chose to ally with Satan, God wept. This son of God inherited rulership over the ancient kingdom of Assyria, the very kingdom that captured the kingdom of Israel comprised of ten tribes in approximately 722-740BC. Deuteronomy 32:8 recorded the inheritance awarded to God’s heavenly court. “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). God gave Himself an inheritance; He received the descendants of Jacob that began with Abraham then Isaac onto Jacob. They received God Almighty as their inheritance. They will be eternally God’s people; He will not forsake His inheritance. He will work with them and achieve His objective.
Both the heavenly and earthly creation have brought suffering for God Almighty. “Consider Assyria, once a cedar in Lebanon” (Ezekiel 31:3). God is referencing the heavenly world when He uses earthly imagery. This cedar of Lebanon, leader in God’s great heavenly court became proud of the heights he achieved and began to lean on his own understanding. He began to fall from God’s way and became wicked. “It was proud of its height, I (God Almighty) handed it over to the ruler of the nations, for him to deal with according to its wickedness. I cast it aside… On the day it was brought down to the grave I covered the deep springs with mourning for it…” (Ezekiel 31:3, 10b, 11, 15). God wept intensely.
He foresaw the fall of this great leader long ago and put plans in place that would birth a different creation—one that would be reborn through suffering, be offered grace and awarded eternal life when humble and in servitude. To this fallen son who was once a great heavenly leader, 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 (Isaiah37:26). God planned a long time ago to use this rogue leader to punish weaker rogue rulers. It came to pass as God authorized it.
The Psalmist longed to see justice. “The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; Yes, the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon” (Psalm 29:5).
The great day of reckoning will include both the rogue heavenly rulers, powers and authorities and unrepentant leaders on earth.
“In that day the lord will punish the powers in the heavens above and the kings on the earth below. They will be herded together like prisoners bound in a dungeon, they will be shut up in prison and be punished after many days” (Isaiah 24:21-22).
All of the proud and lofty, abusers of power and authority will be brought before God’s heavenly court and will give an account for their actions. “For the LORD of hosts will have a day of reckoning against everyone who is proud and lofty and against everyone who is lifted up, that he may be abased. He will cut down the tall cedars of Lebanon and all the mighty oaks of Bashan. Against all the lofty mountains, against all the hills that are lifted up” (Isaiah 2:12-14).
The rogue heavenly rulers, powers and authorities will be overthrown and on their Day of Judgment; they will be humbled, made mortal, and die.
God declared, “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 82:6-7).
God loves His creation. He opened the door for the heavenly sons of God in His Holy court a kingdom on earth—rulership over the nations, but they ALL failed. No more will God bestow such power and might on His creation. The pain of their failure is too great to bear. “Therefore, no other trees [leaders] by the waters [receiving abundant amounts of God’s Holy Spirit] are ever to tower proudly on high, lifting their tops above the thick foliage” (Ezekiel 31:14). God Almighty turned to one special Son.
It was planned from the beginning of the creation of both heaven and earth. Ezekiel recorded the announcement of Almighty God when He turned to a special Son—the tested stone and precious cornerstone. “I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar [top leadership body] and plant it [establish through an anointing]; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it [start a NEW government] on a high and lofty mountain [God’s most high federal government]. On the mountain [federal government] of Israel I will plant it [establish it]; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar [a righteous great leader]… All the trees [leaders] of the field [everywhere] will know that I the LORD bring down the tall trees [proud and arrogant leaders] and make the low tree [humble leaders] grow tall [rule in the highest offices throughout both realms: heaven and earth]. I dry up the green tree [God takes down the present rogue leaders] and make the dry tree [humble leaders not yet ruling] flourish. ‘I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it’” (Ezekiel 17:22-24). This declaration is ABSOLUTE!
So great is God’s love for mankind that He was willing to allow THIS SON to die in order to rescue mankind. His ONLY Heir of His kingdom—the splendid cedar of Ezekiel 17:23. God desires that ALL of mankind repent. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). He wants all of mankind to choose LOVE over hatred, KINDNESS over abuse, COMPASSION and FORGIVENESS over cold-heartedness and ever-punishing, PATIENCE over intolerance, RIGHTEOUSNESS over wickedness.
God mirrors heavenly prophecies in the lives of special people on earth. Abraham had more than one son. His firstborn was Ishmael. Then, by a miracle, Isaac was born. After Sarah died, Abraham remarried and six sons were born to him by Keturah, but ONLY ISAAC was his HEIR. “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son [heir], even though God had said to him, ‘It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned’” (Hebrews 11:17-18). This story is a mirror of a heavenly story. Isaac is described in Hebrews as the ONLY Son meaning only HEIR. Jesus Christ is not God’s only son after the first creation in heaven, but he is God’s only HEIR and God was willing to put that Son’s life on the line to rescue every man and woman on earth. His love for mankind is great!
This special Son of God during his days on earth, “offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his REVERENT SUBMISSION. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:7-10).
It is difficult for mankind on earth to understand the happenings in the spiritual world. This humble and deeply reverent Son did not seek his own way, rather he submitted to our Father in heaven and God brought him into perfection. He was made mortal for a time. He was not in heaven enjoying the extra-ordinary abilities of being spiritual and the power and authority of being King of Salem and High Priest. Rather, he was an ordinary man on earth. “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not” (Isaiah 53:2-3).
This Son, who created heaven and earth through the power of His Father, willingly accepted the task of becoming mortal. He put his spiritual life on the line and in suffering, he became perfect—fully understanding the weaknesses of being human and vulnerabilities so that he could facilitate for all of mankind. In this perfection, Jesus Christ became the recipient of being coronated King of kings and Lord of lords. He is King over all kings in both heaven and earth and Lord over all priests in heaven and on earth. This Son with all his successes deserves the adoration and love from God the Father, but Jesus revealed a greater God, one whose love goes beyond the deserved to the undeserved. Jesus said of the repentant believers, God loves them in the same degree that He loves him.
“I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me” (New Living Translation John 17:23). How can that be?
This Son is greatly honoured by God, the Father. “But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions” (Hebrews 1:8-9).
“O God… therefore God, your God…” of THIS Son, the Almighty God—God of all gods, speaks as if they are an equal with reverence and great honour. The Almighty God has given Jesus Christ, THIS Son, all power in heaven and earth to overthrow wickedness and restore God’s kingdom to way it was before sin was found.
“For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he ‘has put everything under his feet’. Now when it says that ‘everything’ has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ” (I Corinthians 15:25-27).
And yet, it was written that God Almighty—the source of ALL power, loves repentant mankind as much as THIS Son. Our Father’s love is a mirror of the love Jesus Christ demonstrated while on earth.
The Apostle Paul understood the mysteries of the deep things of God. “I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of His love, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:16-19). God is love.
This earthly existence operates in darkness and ignorance. The great depths of God’s love that can become known through Jesus Christ remains still a rare visible wonder. The Apostle John understood the great love of God and desired with all his heart to be transformed into His family. When in a vision, he stood in the throne room, he saw God holding a scroll. He understood the meaning of the scroll in God’s hand, that it was a legal document involving the release of mankind from their death sentence. A mighty angel trumpeted, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” No one was found! Not in heaven, not on earth or even among those imprisoned under the earth (Revelation 5:3).
The Apostle John became distraught. What happened to the Messiah, he must have thought? “I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals’” (Revelation 5:4-5).
Jesus Christ at that moment in time was traveling. He was neither under the earth sentenced with the rogue heavenly rulers already overthrown by God; He was not on earth because God—the source of all life, had accepted his blood as the sacrifice for mankind and he was brought back into eternal life. He was traveling for the short moment back into the heavenly realm—the third heaven where God’s throne resides and he arrived resurrected appearing like a sacrificed lamb, bloodied and torn, for the sins of mankind. This imagery of the sacrificed lamb reveals the contents of the scroll being related to the only Son of God being worthy to open it. The heavenly realm who witnessed this great sacrifice understood the meaning of being coronated King of kings, Lord of lords. Mankind is yet to understand the magnitude of the Father and Son’s great love for them. Their love surpasses all human knowledge and travels deep into selflessness to rescue a creation held in captivity and fallen into the depravity of wickedness to offer them grace and the status of being a HOLY, ROYAL members of GOD’S ETERNAL FAMILY RULING in His GREAT kingdom.
God Almighty will rebuild his fallen heavenly headquarters. He has already chosen the NEW members. The repentant righteous will hold all of the open positions.
“The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree; he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. PLANTED IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, they will flourish in the COURTS OF OUR GOD. They will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green” (Psalm 92:12-15).
“I [God] will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily, and he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon. His shoots will sprout, and his beauty will be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon” (Hosea 14:5-6).
God’s new government is sprouting and it will grow into a thick forest in Lebanon full of faithful and loyal leaders with many beautiful gifts and wonderful qualities. How wonderful is our Father in heaven who is patiently enduring, while working with His people and all of mankind to mold and form a kingdom of priests—righteous, law abiding, caring shepherds who will reign with Christ over both realms: heaven and earth.
Is it so difficult to love your fellow brother and sister during this time when ignorance is thick and covering the whole earth? “Father forgive for they do not know what they are doing,” was Christ’s response; that is the example for today. Live in peace, work to teach by example, and love for soon the whole world will know God and look to those who followed Christ wherever he went as bright lights—delights to their eyes.