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.
Newest Study
The BEattitudes, truly a Journey into Life, Eternal
LIKE A CHILD
So, it begins. Baby steps at first. Establish your footing and reach out. This walk cannot be done alone, take his helping hand.
POOR IN SPIRIT
“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God” (Matthew 5:3).
This journey begins with a revolutionary change in understanding. Planet earth fades out of view when all creation is visible. Multi-dimensional worlds filled with life, dominions and kingdoms capture your attention and above all, a throne room surrounded by four living creatures with four heads and bodies covered with eyes standing at four corners before the Great Creator.
His voice like a trumpet commands and it happens. He speaks and his creation obeys. He whispers and His subjects worship Him. He leans back and earth appears; there He rests His feet.
The poor in spirit recognize their Grand Creator, His wonder and greatness. They feel their utter spiritual bankruptcy before Him and bend their knee in reverence.
Jesus Christ has paved their way onto the journey into life, eternal. Through him, the journey can be made, the obstacles overcome, the barriers torn down and the way made straight.
“Jesus said, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6).
More than that, it is Christ living in you that makes the journey into life, eternal complete.
“I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me”(Galatians 2:20).
Allow Christ to live in you. The journey into life, eternal is a one of hope, adventure, relentless determination, and refreshing joy bursting out of darkness into full light.
The poor in spirit depend on Almighty God for His guidance in knowledge, wisdom and understanding. The completion of this lap of the journey is a confirmation of becoming a royal member in the eternal God-Ruling Family. The transformation into an eternal body will not change the realization of the poor in spirit for the Great Creator. Knowing Almighty God is a wonder and an exhilarating energy that humbles the created to honour, revere and pledge their loyalty to and love for Him for all eternity.
In awe, they come before the Great Shepherd, their Heavenly Father who responds by giving them His kingdom: leadership and influence within God’s eternal, limitless expanse that controls and governs all of His creation. For each of the beatitudes of Matthew 5, Jesus revealed the priceless reward: a honoured position, an envied role, a rich opportunity. Those who mourn will receive the richest of opportunities.
THOSE WHO MOURN
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).
Jesus is not referring to depressed people sobbing for their own loss. Those who mourn, deeply regret the entry of sin on earth. They lament their sins, the sins of their people and the sins of the world. They pray for their own forgiveness and the forgiveness of sins of the world who simply do not know what they are doing. They long for the return of Jesus Christ and seek a city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
These people will receive special comfort, not just pardoned for their sins but participation in the healing of mankind. Like Ezekiel who through the power of Almighty God will raise defeated ancient Israel back into physical life, so will those who mourn the spiritual decay of their fellow brothers and sisters. “Then he said to me, ‘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… So I prophesied as I was commanded and there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone” (Ezekiel 37:4,7).
Through the power of Almighty God, Ezekiel will command on a wonderful day still in the future for the very dry, lifeless bones to rattle, come together, clothe themselves with flesh and finally breathe. Ezekiel who mourned the decay of all Israel, will be comforted when through God’s power, he resurrects them and hears their repented cry, “Our hope [for eternal life] is gone. We are cut off.”
Ezekiel will then preach to them as he did in their ancient days, “Therefore prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘O My people, I will open your graves and bring you up from them, and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put My Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD’” (Ezekiel 37:12-14).
Such is the reward of those who mourn because of the spiritual decay of God’s creation on earth. God has promised them special comfort and great honour in the participation of the healing of creation on earth.
A dying planet will seek healing and find it through the God-fearing and God-serving people who have Christ in them doing the work of Almighty God. He desires that everyone repent. He is a gracious God.
“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 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. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (I Timothy 2:1-5).
“Therefore, the Lord longs to be gracious to you…” (Isaiah 30:18a).
It is not only grace that our loving Father in heaven longs to give, but RULERSHIP in his holy, royal, ruling family. This coronation will be awarded to the meek.
BLESSED ARE THE MEEK
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).
The meek will rule the earth. Inheritance throughout the Bible is often not fully understood. It is the receiving of the family heritage after death, but the death God Almighty considers is the death of the old, sinful self after repentance and baptism into the birthing of a new person. This new man or woman matures into living the ways of God through the help of God’s Holy Spirit and the entering of Christ in you. The inheritance awarded to these overcomers is eternal rulership in His family kingdom.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise” (Galatians 3:28-29).
God has given himself an inheritance.
When God gave the members of His heavenly court, rulership over the nations at the time of Babel (Deuteronomy 32:8), He took the descendants of Jacob as His inheritance. “For the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:9). God Almighty declared Himself King over the descendants of Jacob approximately 300 years before Jacob’s grandfather, Abraham was born and called by God.
The meek will rule the earth.
Meekness is a discipled character of servitude who lives in perfect harmony with a mild and gentle spirit that simultaneously does not allow lines to be
crossed, one who is slow to anger, not easily provoked, without compromise and bias, or easily swayed. This individual will inherit, that is, rule the earth.
The rulers in Christ’s Millennial reign and throughout eternity will never compromise God’s laws or His way. They will follow Christ’s instructions carefully and meticulously and shepherd the people in service, kindness, mercy, law-keeping, justice—in complete fullness of righteousness.
At their very core, the meek desire the total care for those under their wings. They do not seek attention, self-glory or power. They are perpetually overlooked and considered insignificant by carnal mankind. But, Almighty God will raise them up and coronate the meek who serve as the servant of all to rule in strength, judging impartially and in justice.
“Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6).
A great resurrection into immortal bodies is on our near horizon. This journey into life, eternal on earth is the training field for transformation into righteousness—simply living God’s ways of love.
Even the smallest of beginnings are noticed.
GROWING UP
Spiritual maturity brings to light the importance of discipline and practice in righteousness.
“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways” (I Corinthians 13:11).
It is time to grow up.
“For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14).
The babes in Christ cannot distinguish good from evil. The spiritually mature have trained and seasoned responses to life’s conflicts. They are shrewd and recognize the tactics and playbook of Wickedness. They respond like doves of peace working to understand and resolve issues as well as apply healing remedies.
HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6).
Hunger is associated with food, the word of God and thirst is associated with water, God’s Holy Spirit. The word of God is personified in Jesus Christ because he has a complete and perfect understanding of God’s instructions. He is flawless in the understanding and application of God’s word.
“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35).
Following Jesus Christ, allowing him in you, asking him for direction and doing as he instructs brings perfection.
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh" (John 6:51).
Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, mankind has an opportunity for life, eternal. Repentance brings God’s grace and baptism God’s Holy Spirit through which sin can be overcome. Jesus Christ is the conduit for mankind to receive God’s word and His Holy Spirit.
“But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life” (John 4:14).
God’s Holy Spirit is inexhaustible. The human spirit is limiting and full of weaknesses. The most righteous of human actions cannot quality for eternal life. “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…” (Isaiah 64:6). The “filthy rages” Isaiah was referring to are the cloths used during a woman’s menstrual period, which is the physical indication that no conception took place—no life was conceived during that cycle. The most righteousness among mankind can never conceive eternal life through their own works.
The desire for God’s righteousness is a precious love. God has given mankind His commandments and ways and loving Him is the application of this knowledge. The Apostle Paul recorded the key components of the full of armour of God. It comprises of:
· Belt of truth: The belt keeps pants up. Truth stops shameful behaviour.
· Breastplate of righteousness: Vital organs are protected by the breastplate, so righteous actions sustain life.
· Feet that run to peace: No delay or lingering, but an immediate thoughtful response to conflicts while applying an understanding of the issue without compromise, knowledge free of bias or lies and wisdom from God to achieve a fitting resolution.
· Shield of faith: Unwavering belief in God’s promises for Believers regardless of the direction of the world around them.
· Helmet of salvation: Thoughts lead to actions. Guarded thoughts lead to life preserving actions.
· Sword of the Spirit/the word of God: Information is power; God’s word is life, eternal.
· Prayer: The leaders in the community are targeted first and persecuted most often. Pray for them; pray for all Believers and pray for the repentance of all of mankind.
God’s word and His Holy Spirit is the package that brings life, eternal. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled; they will reach a complete knowledge and understanding of God’s word and live His ways perfectly.
THOSE WHO ARE MERICFUL
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7).
The merciful understand the frequency of sinning and the ease of falling. They also see the greater picture of fallen man. Their mistakes, along with the many mistakes of all of mankind have polluted earth and caused suffering at all levels for people. Forgiveness of mistakes made, acknowledges the fragility of the human spirit and the absolute need for God’s Holy Spirit. Forgiveness of sin acknowledges self-weakness and self-imperfection.
The merciful pray to God to bring mankind to their knees so that their sins can be forgiven; for sinners simply do not know what they are doing. Satan deceives the whole world and the Great Harlot of Revelation will work her
magic to lure the nations into exchanging God’s grace and the sacrifice of Christ for a false hope that she will wrap in false righteousness.
“And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world…” (Revelation 12:9).
The witchery of the Great Harlot will brew a potion that will lure the nations into a massive commercial enterprise that goes beyond trading precious and valuable physical wares to include the spiritual soul of man. “The merchants [wicked facilitators] of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more—cargoes of gold… bodies and souls of men” (Revelation 18:13).
Deception, deception, deception is the key trick in Satan’s playbook. “The light of a lamp will never shine in you [Babylon, the Great Harlot] again. The happy voices of brides and grooms will never be heard in you again. For your merchants were the greatest in the world, and you deceived the nations with your sorceries” (Revelation 18:23).
And yet, God longs to give wayward mankind His grace.
Like Almighty God, the merciful want to see everyone repent and become members of God’s holy, royal, ruling family.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birthinto a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you” (I Peter 1:3-4).
From the big picture view, mankind was attacked at the very beginning by a crafty deceitful being. God foreknew the attack and the outcome. It became a core element of His plan in molding a people who would become a kingdom of priests. Through suffering, mankind will repent and perfection will be achieved. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and yet, all who repent will receive grace and no remembrance of their sins. In addition, they will be blessed and given eternal life in God’s grace-filled, holy, royal family of
love.
The merciful will be like God who said, “No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:34).
BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART
“Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8).
Knowing God is one thing, but seeing God is the ultimate experience. Seeing God is witnessing pure righteousness in action. The depth, height and breadth of every thought in action, every piece of knowledge built to formulate understanding that culminates into wisdom will be seen by the pure in heart because at their very core is an unbreakable relationship with Almighty God, loving Him with all their heart, mind, soul and strength.
Purified by the refiner’s fire, these people are allowing God to mold them. They trust God believing that He will not allow more than what they can bear. They seek His clarity in righteousness, His perfect wisdom, and His enduring love. They will see Him on that day and it will be awesome.
Repentant mankind is destined to be resurrected into the family of Almighty God. King David asked God, “What is mankind that You are mindful of him, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:4).
The Apostle John pondered the same question. “Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And THAT IS WHAT WE ARE! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure” (I John 3:1-3).
Jesus works at one with God to ensure the perfection of repentant mankind and the trumpeting of God’s love for them as He loves the Son. “I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one—I in them, and You in Me—that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me and LOVED THEM EVEN AS YOU LOVED ME” (John 17:22-23).
How is it that Almighty God can love repentant mankind to the same degree that He loves Jesus Christ?
Job said, “What is man that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart upon him?” (Job 7:17)
Job added, “Can a man be of use to God? Can even a wise man benefit Him?” (Job 22:2)
The Great Creator is at work building a perfect kingdom comprised of righteous beings from the first creation in heaven and the second creation on earth. The created in heaven and on earth are all children of God of whom He has great plans for their role in His grand design.
“For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom HIS WHOLE FAMILY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH derives its name” (Ephesians 3:14).
Our Great Creator desires a family—children and a kingdom for His Son. Together, they love the creation in both heaven and on earth. Repentant, humble and serving mankind is of great value to Almighty God. His desire to extend grace to mankind is impatient. “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore, he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18)
God describes His family as a garden called Eden. It is a cultivated garden of tall, graceful trees, flowering trees, bushes and flowers each a captivating sight of righteous beauty.
“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).
Palm trees can grow and thrive in harsh hot, dry conditions. They are found near water sources and store it in their fruit, roots and trunk to access when the water table is low. Like people filled with God’s Holy Spirit, the palm tree images righteous people who are not corrupted when surrounded by wickedness.
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 angels 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 uses the name of His headquarters in heaven, ‘Lebanon’ comprised of His stately and regal leaders to mirror Lebanon on earth renown for great cedars.
“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 is prophesying about the beauty of His people, all twelve tribes who are twelve nations into the 21stcentury, after they repent, turn to Him and journey into life, eternal along with a countless multitude from the nations of the world. God’s family, headed by Jesus Christ is an image of a majestic, cultivated, exquisite garden.
God is also re-establishing a new government and it is already sprouting. It will grow into a thick forest in Lebanon full of faithful and loyal leaders with many beautiful gifts and wonderful qualities.
“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).
God suffered a painful loss in heaven with the falling of one-third of the angels, but He is re-building and He will fill all of those positions once held by the fallen angels in heaven with repentant, righteous mankind. Creation on earth is destined for great glory. How is that our Great Creator is mindful of us, none other than His great love for us.
STANDING TALL
Margaret Mead noticed and said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
The few, the remnant of God-fearing and God-serving people on earth will be successful against all odds because their God is the Almighty. He will go out ahead of them and fight against Wickedness with them on the day of Armageddon. The resurrected saints will stand tall with Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords and fight against and overthrow Satan and his beastly coalition.
The love of righteousness is the key to this unbreakable loyalty for God and His order, His laws and ways.
Peace will come to earth and it begins with the peacemakers.
THE PEACEMAKERS
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
Peacemakers wear the armour of God, running to establish peace and
working to halt division and destruction of relationships. The Apostle Paul said that mankind’s only enemies are rogue, fallen angels who hold very powerful positions. They exist both on earth and in heaven. These rogue evil angels work to destroy mankind and they incite wars and destruction. Knowing the enemy is the first step to overcoming conflict. God identifies those who work to preserve relationships without compromise of truth and righteousness as His children who are in His likeness.
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High,because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (Luke 6:35).
God desires to extend grace to sinners. He is long-suffering and endures patiently for the repentance of mankind. He has a carefully stepped-out plan. He will give mankind a fair and just opportunity for repentance. Believers need to do the same. God’s plan is still in motion. Not everyone is called to this day. Their time will come, pray that they repent at their time of their calling because God is holding positions of great esteem in His eternal kingdom for them.
Until then, unrepentant mankind is caught in a Satanic spell. They buy into hatred, anger, bloodshed as a means of solving conflicts. Much of the angst in the world comes from lies and a secret plan of destruction of mankind by evil and jealous fallen angels. Truth is suppressed, honesty is ignored and justice is often foregone.
This evil age presents many challenges for the peacemakers who will not compromise or tolerate lies and yet, through the wisdom of God various resolutions can be made and levels of peace achieved even in the most difficult conflicts.
“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; or the LORD will see it and be displeased, and turn His anger away from him. Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked” (Proverbs 24:17-20).
Help one another freely. Never forget God’s goodness in your calling, else your behaviour would be no better than those still waiting for God’s call that will awaken them to their mistakes. This evil age is difficult for both the called and the uncalled.
THOSE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).
The ugliness of sin, the cruelty of wickedness, the destruction of rebellion drives an uncompromising commitment to keep God’s laws and live His way. This life is worth nothing when evil rules and putrefies the air we breathe. The overcomers who love righteousness will never give in to something they detest and God awards their passion and resilience with entry into His holy, royal, ruling kingdom.
To endure persecution for the sake of righteousness requires a deep love for God’s way, an understanding of Wickedness and their sadistic desires to destroy God’s creation on earth, and wisdom to endure suffering for truly it is just a short time compared to timeless eternity.
Like the Son of God, they love righteousness and hate wickedness. “But about the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and have hated wickedness; because of this, God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of exultation above Your companions’” (Hebrews 1:8-9).
Both Jesus and Steven prayed to God, “Father forgive them because they do not know what they are doing.” They understood the need to extend grace one to another.
"You have heard that it was said, 'you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:43-48).
Mankind’s only enemies are evil fallen angels who capture leaders on earth and lure them into wickedness and corruption (Ephesians 6:12). Some have given their soul to Satan in exchange for power, wealth and elitism on earth. Others are bribed and some are simply misguided souls caught up into worldliness.
God allows persecution. He is refining repentant mankind and molding them into a special, new creation that will not collapse under duress or choose to return to wickedness.
“Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (II Timothy 3:12).
Satan hates believers who love God and wait for Him, living on earth as pilgrims seeking a kingdom whose architect is God.
The Apostle Paul reminded the Hebrews, “Remember the early days that you were in the light. In those days, you endured a great conflict in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that YOU YOURSELVES HAD A BETTER AND PERMANENT POSSESSION. So, do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward. You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay. But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 10:32-38).
Don’t shrink back, pray for God’s strength during adversity; He gives generously.
Mankind is not the enemy we battle against.
THOSE INSULTED, PERSECUTED AND MALIGNED BECAUSE OF CHRIST
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12).
To suffer with Christ by Wickedness, is the least Believers can endure in gratitude to Christ’s great sacrifice in saving mankind. This type of suffering tests faith, fortifies your position and binds like minds together. It cements loyalty and intensifies reverence for our loving God.
It opens the door into seeing the greater plan that God engineered before creation and for these people who are suffering because they are listening to the fullest, seeing in vivid detail and fortifying an unbreakable and intimate relationship with the Great Creator, Almighty God and His Son, our humble Saviour.
Enduring these types of attacks takes an understanding of the great battle at play. Some of the most powerful angles, sons in God’s family given great authority are at war against God and have been warring against Him before the creation of mankind on earth. Satan was ready and waiting.
These fallen angels will fight until they are destroyed. They have fought to seize God’s kingdom for themselves. Daniel recorded their sinisterly plans. Two kings battle against each other: the king of the north and the king of the south. Out of direct view from earth, these rogue heavenly kings will not concede. The reign of the kings of the north will end with a contemptible leader who is not a member of the royal line. This king “will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place. He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired of women [Christ], nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all” (Daniel 11:36-37). This is not a mortal king.
This king is described through God’s imagery as the “little horn” that rises up and overthrows three existing kings imaged as “horns”. “Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land. It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host [angels in heaven] down to the earth and trampled on them” (Daniel 8:10). This “little horn” is active in heaven and on earth during this time.
“It set itself up to be as great as the Prince of host [Jesus Christ]; it took away the daily sacrifice from him, and the place of his sanctuary was brought low” (Daniel 8:11).
Judgement will come upon this “little horn” before he is destroyed. His actions against Jesus Christ in heaven and the degradation of his sanctuary is temporary and allowed as God gathers evidence against him.
The “little horn” will wage war against the saints and succeed for a time, times and half a time. Then Almighty God will end the persecution. He will set up His court and award the kingdom to the persecuted saints. They, together with Jesus Christ, will be given God’s kingdom. “The court will set, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom and all rulers will worship and obey him. THIS IS THE END OF THE MATTER” (Daniel 7:26-28a).
God Almighty brings the closure of the matter. He is in full control.
This is why Believers are persecuted because of Christ. These rogue heavenly rulers despise Jesus Christ and will fight to the death to take God’s kingdom by force. Those who follow Christ are hated for their allegiance to Almighty God and Jesus Christ.
THE BLESSED, THEIR HONOUR AND JOY
The Apostle James gave us visibility into God’s wisdom. It corresponds to Jesus’ promise of blessings for those who apply it. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17).
Mankind’s journey on earth could be summed up as the handiwork of Almighty God molding a fleshly creation into spiritual perfection. In so doing, they come to recognize their insignificance compared to the Great Creator, their vulnerability and need to put their complete trust in Him who is perfection. They grow to understand the magnitude of their Great Creator and hold this Being in great esteem, loving Him with all their heart, mind, soul and strength.
They are captivated by His word and crave the outpouring of His Holy Spirit. As their spiritual growth increases, heavenly wisdom opens her heart to reveal the vastness of God’s love, and finally they see God in His full glory and they feel completeness. God’s plan is still in motion. Wait for God to fulfill His plan. Let Him take pleasure in the progress of His handiwork and rejoice with Him.
Our journey into perfection begins with the recognition of being utterly spiritually bankrupt before God and is completed by being abundantly spiritually rich in exercising the greatest form of love: standing strong during times of persecution, being prepared to lay down your life for God’s truth and remaining faithful to Him, loyal and devoted to His law, His ways, and His righteousness.
The blessings that will be given upon completing the race will be bountiful happiness and eternal peace.
Live God’s way and be the light in the darkness, like the lighthouse warning the seafarers of dangers. Stand tall and show mankind the way to Almighty God and His righteousness, else darkness will continue to reign and they will remain miserable, suffering in their sin.
The Beatitudes of Matthew 5 identify specific attributes of spiritual growth on the journey into life, eternal. Transformation out of the spirit of man into God’s Holy Spirit to live God’s way through Christ, His Word—the Expert of His word, will lead repentant mankind into perfection.
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect”
(Matthew 5:48).
A Study
The Stars in our Night Sky
One star in particular rose into the night sky on earth many years ago, during a cold Autumn season. Wise men from the east saw it rise, recognized it and came to worship the individual that the star was identified with. The star belonged to Jesus, the God Son and it rose from the east. In relationship to earth, this is the directional-location of the residence of Almighty God.
God Almighty lives in east: “And the glory of the Lord came into the house by the way of the gate facing toward the east” (Ezekiel 43:4).
His throne is in His temple located in the east: “Then He brought me into the inner court of the Lord’s house. And behold, at the entrance to the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east; and they were prostrating themselves eastward toward the sun” (Ezekiel 8:16).
Jesus Christ, the prince, will give offerings to God Almighty from the gate facing east: “When the prince provides a freewill offering, a burnt offering, or peace offerings as a freewill offering to the Lord, the gate facing east shall be opened for him. And he shall provide his burnt offering and his peace offerings as he does on the sabbath day. Then he shall go out, and the gate shall be shut after he goes out” (Ezekiel 46:12).
Almighty God appoints and uses the east wind to do His work, blowing His people westward, breaking the strength of the unrighteous leaders, destroying the disobedient and scorching the self-driven and self-reliance pride of mankind into humble, indentured servants.
· God Almighty uses the east wind to do His work: “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land,so the waters were divided” (Exodus 14:21).
· God Almighty appoints the east wind to do His work: “When the sun came up God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he became faint and begged with all his soul to die, saying, “Death is better to me than life” (Jonah 4:8).
· God Almighty drives the tribes of Israel to the ends of the earth: “You contended with them by banishing them, by driving them away. With His fierce wind He has expelled them on the day of the east wind” (Isaiah 27:8).
· God Almighty breaks the leadership of His people who are guilty of taking His people into the great waters of disobedience: “Your rowers have brought you into great waters; The east wind has broken you in the heart of the seas” (Ezekiel 27:26).
· God Almighty destroys His own people when they rebel: “Behold, though it is planted, will it thrive? Will it not completely wither as soon as the east wind strikes it—wither on the beds where it grew?” (Ezekiel 17:10).
· God Almighty burns the source of self-reliance to bring the whole world to their knees: “Then behold, seven ears, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up after them” (Genesis 41:6).
It is no wonder the star identified as belonging to Jesus, the God Son, rose from the east; it is the directional-location of the temple and residence of Almighty God. Though stars are really planets, by identifying them as stars, God is showing their ability to reflect light imaged as His righteousness through obedience to His laws of love and obedience sheds light on the dark ways of wickedness, bringing wayward people onto the path of truth and love.
“I, Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright morning star” (Revelation 22:16).
Special to this star from the east is the descriptor as a “morning” star. It shines the brightest among the other stars and can be seen glowing even when the bright light of the sun begins to rise. Morning stars are angels who glow in righteousness living God’s law perfectly. To the church of Thyatira, Jesus said that those who overcome and do his will, they will rule over the nations with him and they will be given “the morning star” (Revelation 2:28). It means that they will rule with Christ with strength in righteousness and their leadership will shine brightly throughout the earth.
“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; a star shall come forth from Jacob,
a scepter shall rise from Israel, and shall crush through the forehead of Moab, and tear down all the sons of Sheth” (Numbers 24:17). Jesus is the star that shines brightly out of the descendants of Jacob who desperately need his direction and Jesus is the scepter/the king who rose from out of God’s covenant people, Israel through whom they rely on and by whom they receive grace and salvation.
If the God Son has a star in our night sky, then it can be thought that every star in our night sky is specifically identified with an angel in heaven. God Almighty, the Great Creator spoke to Job, “On what were its [earth’s] footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:7)
Jesus Christ is not the only morning star; there exists many more because many were singing when God laid the earth’s cornerstone. These great heavenly leaders shine brighter than other angels and sons of God. Each are known and named. “He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name” (Psalm 147:4).
“Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing” (Isaiah 40:26).
Abraham’s descendants will be countless and like the stars in the night sky. Their repentance will lead them into righteousness and obedience to Almighty God’s laws of love and they will shine gloriously. “And the LORD took him outside and said, ‘Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.’ Then He told him, ‘So shall your offspring be’” (Genesis 15:5).
One morning star, a guardian cherub, walked in the third heaven among the fiery stones where God’s throne is located. He was a model of perfection and beauty. Before the earth was prepared for the creation of mankind, He began to ponder a different way of life. He thought he knew better and his most high position and good looks seeded a single lift of pride that over time enveloped him. Lucifer, which means ‘light bringer’ was a morning star who once brought God word and wisdom to creation in heaven.
God, our Great Creator is not limiting when giving His Holy Spirit to creation. God’s knowledge, understanding and wisdom is limitless; His plans for His kingdom are transparent and His kingdom’s ever-expanding future is beyond human imagination or ability to comprehend. Some angels in heaven have been given an abundant amount of God’s Holy Spirit so that they grew spiritually reaching great heights that mortal man cannot fathom. Lucifer was one who reached heights that boggles the mind of man. He was anointed a guardian cherub by Almighty God; he was loyal to God—blameless, until he acted on his own thinking and turned against God’s laws of love to spread selfishness, self-direction, self-reliance and self-glory. He was expelled from out of the third heaven where God rules from His throne to reside in heaven until he loses the war and is thrown down to earth. His shining glory fades and his form distorts at every level of his fall until he finds himself in the lowest hole of Sheol, below all of the other fallen angels, disgraced and awaiting destruction.
“How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn!
You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations!” (Isaiah 14:12)
“You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty… I have 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 28:12b, 18b-19).
Satan, adversary of God, lured one-third of the creation in heaven into sin and destruction. “His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth” (Revelation 12:4).
When war breaks in heaven, “the little horn” of Daniel will rise up and overthrow three of the ten kings promised rulership by God in ancient times. God will fulfill His promise and those rebels will rule but for only “one hour”. The “little horn” will continue to increase in power and authority while in heaven reaching “the starry host”, (righteous angels) and he will “throw some of them down to earth and trample on them” (Daniel 8:10). Mortals on earth will witness the fall of angels as “the little horn” battles in heaven. The heavenly will meet the earthly and both will become a single battle ground until Wickedness is purged out of heaven onto earth. “Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short,” trumpets a voice in heaven (Revelation 12:12).
God Almighty will purge the heaven of rebellious angels. They will lose their position in heaven and the stars filling earth’s sky will fall. “Immediately after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken” (Matthew 24:29).
“All the stars in the sky will be dissolved and the heavens rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like shriveled figs from the fig tree” (Isaiah 34:4).
These angels held at one time very high positions in God’s heavenly court, His government and were precious members of His holy, royal, ruling family. They turned against Him. While we still see stars in the night sky on earth, a purging will take place. God will rebuild His holy court and government filling all the positions once held by the fallen angels with repentant mankind. Lowly mortals will be raised to immortality and awarded positions of great honour.
God’s new Lebanon/holy court/headquarters will include His people—Israel. “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 people into the 21st century will finally turn to Him and set down their roots deep underground to remain loyal and unbendable at all times.
God’s new government is sprouting and it will grow into a thick forest full of faithful and loyal leaders with many beautiful gifts and wonderful qualities from all nations, from all languages, from everyone on earth.
“There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3).
A Study
Divine Perfection and Number 3
“Therefore, you are to be PERFECT,
as your heavenly Father is PERFECT”
Matthew 5:48.
Through the Apostle Paul, God Almighty urges Judo-Christians to be perfect as He is perfect. This appears to be an impossibility as weak people sin daily, fall short, and continually make mistakes. The word in context belongs to the package identifying God’s seal on divine perfection. It is comprised of three specific characteristics wrapped up in a specific number to confirm and assure Judo-Christians that Almighty God is speaking, authorizing and sealing His words.
Christ was three days and three nights in the grave, three times three. Christ was tempted by Satan with three scenarios. Countless times written in the Bible significant events and requests, take place after three days, in the third year, after three years, three times, three cycles, in the third season, the third heaven, in addition to the significance of the number of children, such as Job’s three daughters at the end of his story and the three adulterous sisters: Jerusalem, the house of Judah and the house of Israel. God’s penmanship is exquisite and every word small or great is intentional.
The first of the three qualities packaged in divine perfection is faithfulness. God Almighty has remained faithful and true to His people despite their treasonous apostacy.
Isaiah prayed, “O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness” (Isaiah 25:1).
Be perfect as God is perfect. Be faithful as God is faithful during times of peace and duress.
During the Great Tribulation, a people are seen standing beside a sea of glass mixed with fire. They are victorious in three areas:
1. The beast
2. His image
3. His number of his name (Revelation 15:2).
VICTORIOUS OVER THE BEAST
Satan gives his power to the beast who is conjured up from the Abyss by the sea that place of Wickedness. The sea is often referred to as the haven of the fallen angels and those who support them. Satan’s battleship is located on the high seas. “Say to Tyre, situated at the gateway of the sea, merchant of peoples on many coasts, This is what the Sovereign LORD says, ‘You say, O Tyre, I am perfect in beauty.’ Your domain was on the high seas; your builders brought your beauty to perfection” (Ezekiel 27:3). This battleship on the high seas has: a mast—a cedar of Lebanon imagery for a member of God’s headquarters who fell away, oars—oaks of Bashan imagery of the strong leaders from God’s legal team who have joined Satan, a deck of inlaid ivory— imagery of once precious members of God’s family, a sail of embroidered linen— imagery of once righteous members of God’s family, blue and purple awnings— imagery of royal members who were once filled with God’s Holy Spirit. Satan has swept one-third of the angels into buying his ideals and joining his coalition of Wickedness attempting to overthrow the Great Creator—Almighty God.
The victorious saints will remain faithful and loyal to Almighty God during times when Satan and his beastly coalition are thrown down and ruling on earth. They will not accept positions of leadership or influence over the people in support of Satan’s regime on earth. They will oppose the wickedness of the beastly rule and call to the people on earth to awaken to truth and move to stand under the glorious flag of the Great Creator. These victorious saints will not be silent, but brought before kings and rulers to speak words given to them by Christ.
VICTORIOUS OVER THE IMAGE
Idol worship will again rise up. Made by human hands, these objects will be infused with spells that can be used to call on fallen gods for earthly needs. A large idol will be erected by the inhabitants whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world and it will be mandated that everyone bow down and worship it. This act of worship is a pledge of allegiance and adoration to their superior force. This mandated worship that has a penalty of death for those who refuse, is designed to totally subdue the people by removing freewill, free choice and all freedoms outside of their mandates.
The victorious saints will not worship the idol or give this rogue, ruling heavenly force that is thrown out of heaven and conjured up by the sea from the Abyss, any legitimacy or respect. When thrown out of heaven, the righteous angels rejoice as the wicked swamp of fallen angels is cleaned out of heaven but they cry, “Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you!” (Revelation 12:12)
The victorious saints will not give the beastly coalition any honour or respect entitled only to the Great Creator, our loving Father in heaven. The beastly coalition of ten heavenly rulers who receive a kingdom for just one hour and the “little horn” who rises up sparking civil war within this coalition, will discredit themselves. They are a raging group of bitter, power-hungry, ruthless rebels all plotting each other’s overthrow. The “little horn” will overthrow three of the ten heavenly rulers and establish himself as supreme over the whole coalition. He will declare and coronate himself as god over all gods, even challenging the all-mighty God.
The victorious saints will worship only the God of Israel—the Almighty God, the Great Creator.
VICTORIOUS OVER THE NAME/THE NUMBER/THE MARK
When Cain murdered his brother, God marked him because he knowingly and willfully broke His commandments. The mark is God’s judgement resulting from intentional sinning. Receiving the mark or number of the beast is the participating in the sinful acts of the beast. Though corruption runs rampant today, under the rule of Satan and his beastly coalition, wickedness will reach its fullest. Laws that keep people safe and at peace will all be neutralized. Chaos will reign. No charges will be brought against murderers, rapists, thieves, liars and anyone participating in God’s-defined wrong doing.
A fully functional enterprise will arise where the buying and selling between man and Babylon will bring in great wealth and riches for the “sea traders” of every credential and Babylon. The products for sale will be Babylon’s promise of eternal life through her alien technologies, her theology of the survival of the fitness and total disregard for the Judo-Christian Saviour and Almighty God. The people of all the nations on earth will buy into her sins and will give up all of their riches to access her healing technology, her promises of peace and safety as she rides the fallen heavenly beast. After their surrender to the beast, the people of the nations will be eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage; simply, they will accept Satan’s rule on earth, resign to and enjoy it. They will unite as one with their wicked, fallen heavenly rulers as it was in the days of Noah. Indeed, wickedness will reach its fullest before Christ returns.
The victorious saints will not participate in trading with Babylon and the beast. They will hold dear the testimony of Christ and obey God’s commandments. They will put their life on the line to remain faithful and true to Almighty God—the true supreme God of all gods. Many will die for the love of God and looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
These victorious saints will endure patiently during times like no other ever on earth. They will all mourn for the destruction on earth of all things right and good. And yet, they will all say, “I will wait on the LORD.” God, our loving Father knows when it is the right time to bring His wrath and send His Son.
The victorious saints will overcome by conquering the three components that make up divine perfection:
1. Total faithfulness and loyalty under the glorious flag of Almighty God
2. Keeping the first commandment to love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength where no pressure or mandate can move you away from the love of our dear Father in heaven and our Saviour who paid the price so that mankind could live
3. Loving righteousness and living righteously in times of peace and in great distress. Never trading God’s righteous ways for wickedness. Loving fellow man as yourself. Keeping God’s commandments of love and never departing from them.
The Apostle Paul said, “It was he [Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13)… “no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ” (Ephesians 4:14-15).
The victorious saints will mature into the full measure of the stature of Christ and conquer Wickedness. No torture or persecution will push them off the path of righteousness for their relationship with Almighty God is runs deep; their love is unrelenting; their strength comes from God Himself and they cannot be moved.
The number three is God’s seal of divine perfection. They are three impenetrable qualities bound as one.
Jesus Christ set the example of divine perfection:
1. Total loyalty to and faith in Almighty God. Anticipating the scourging and his crucifixion, Jesus asked God, the Father if there was another way to save mankind, but ended his prayer with, “not my will, but your will be done” (Luke 22:42). Jesus remained loyal and faithful during extreme suffering and death.
2. Jesus’ last temptation by Satan. “All this I will give you,” Satan said, “if you will bow down and worship me” (Matthew 4:9). No matter how Jesus longed to save mankind immediately, he would not bend his knee to Wickedness. He, like the prophets was unbreakable waiting patiently for the LORD, the only being worthy of worship.
3. Love for righteousness. “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 by anointing you with the oil of joy” (Hebrews 1:8-9).
“Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered. And having been made PERFECT, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him and was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 5:8-10). Jesus Christ is that tested stone that Isaiah said would not disappoint us.
“Therefore, 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 the tested stone that Christians lean on, maturing and attaining to his fullness within the ONE body where Christ is the head and the church is his body of many members.
Many people from many nations of many different languages will reach divine perfection and enter into God’s kingdom of love. Three beautiful qualities will merge as ONE solid and eternally bound divine state of perfection. The battle has already begun; the time is now. Stand strong and proud under the glorious flag of Almighty God, love Him and His righteousness with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Life is not worth living under the chaos and cruelty of Wickedness.
A Study
God Feels Deep Emotion
“In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy, he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years” (Isaiah 63:9).
God our Father in heaven, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob feels our pain and He weeps when His children die spiritually.
Hidden in God’s multi-dimensional mastery of writing is a story of great sorrow and suffering. Seldom read or understood is the historical record of the complete fall of God’s heavenly court. Every member small and great fell from righteousness to ally with Wickedness. Though foreknown, on the day the great fall took place, God wept bitterly for He loves His creation in both heaven and on earth.
The historical record of this painful and dark event is recorded in Ezekiel 31. God begins the story warning the heavenly ruler over Egypt that his fall from righteousness is coming. He urges this heavenly ruler to consider the most notorious leader in His heavenly court, the heavenly ruler over Assyria. That ruler, God describes as a great cedar. The use of the imagery of a cedar is to provide the creation on earth with an image they understand. Imagery of the great cedars bring an immediate rich visual of the most spectacular trees on earth. 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—a pride and joy.
The heavenly ruler who received the nation of Assyria as an inheritance (Deuteronomy 32:8) was envied by all the leaders in God’s family (Eden) (Ezekiel 31:9) and it was God who made this leader beautiful; He nourished it with abundant waters [His Holy Spirit] from the deep springs (Ezekiel 31:4). But soon after receiving his rulership over Assyria, he grew proud and arrogant due to his great height, the power he had acquired (Ezekiel 31:10). He, like Satan who had grown proud and arrogant over his beauty, fell from righteousness and humility. God loved this heavenly ruler and in great distress He was forced to hold back His Holy Spirit and watch this leader die spiritually, and He wept.
“On the day it was brought down to the grave, I covered the deep springs with mourning for it; I held back its streams, and its abundant waters were restrained. Because of it, I clothed Lebanon with gloom… 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 31:15-16).
All of the members of God’s heavenly court, the sons given an abundant flow of His Holy Spirit, fell out of righteousness and God overthrew them and imprisoned them in the Abyss [the Pit, inside the earth].
God Almighty loves, cares and dearly protects those who serve Him. He feels their distress when they are suffering and He suffers intensely when His children die.
There is a principle recorded in Matthew 25:40 that states as you treat the least of God’s children you have done to the King [of kings], Jesus Christ and in turn God our Father in heaven.
“And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.’”
Jesus Christ is the conduit for all of mankind. He bought and paid for their lives and now, only through him, access to Almighty God is possible.
Christ is the lamp, the mechanism of which God Almighty’s burning glory flows.
“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” (Revelation 21:22-23).
The treatment of those considered vulnerable members of God’s family is felt by Jesus Christ and continues up to God Almighty.
“Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him” (Proverbs 14:31).
“Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender” (Proverbs 19:17).
A king from the house of Judah, upon his resurrection, will testify to the pain a father feels to witness the torturous deaths of his sons. King Zedekiah is that father.
“The Chaldeans seized the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at
Riblah, where they pronounced judgment on him. And they slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon” (II Kings 25:6-7).
The witness of the deaths of his sons were the last visual memories of King Zedekiah. A loving father feels their suffering. Almighty God scanned the face of the earth and likens His sacrificing love for His children to a loving and vulnerable mother.
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you” (Isaiah 49:15).
God, our Father in heaven, loves His children and desires that nobody is lost and that everyone enters into His kingdom. This great love for all of mankind is demonstrated in the action of allowing His unique Son, the Son through whom all creation in heaven and earth was made, to suffer and die. God Almighty felt the suffering of His beloved Son as intensely as Christ. King Zedekiah will testify to that along with every loving mother.
To the house of Judah who rejected this Son and initiated the scourging and crucifixion, our Father will say, “As much as your scourged and crucified the Son of God, you scourged and crucified Me.”
Still in the future, these words will sound and then the house of Judah will awaken to their darkest fear and weep bitterly. God will apply His principle of love. “They will look on me, the one they have pierced” (Zechariah 12:10) and they will weep bitterly. Truly, as they pierced the Son of God sent to earth to heal and save, they pierced the God the Father of whom they have long claimed to love and worship. God’s principle of love is to treat others the way you want to be treated because nobody hates himself/herself. “Indeed, no one ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church” (Ephesians 5:29). Those who sacrifice for others feel their suffering and give to those in need. They will be remembered by God and blessed for it. God’s principle of love is rewarding. Those who are willing to die to save others fulfill in full the meaning of God’s love. Through suffering, God’s circle of love brings in everyone who loves one another and they all become ONE. The lines distinguishing one from the another become blurred because the whole body of many become so tightly unified by speaking the same thing, behaving and living the same way.
A time is coming soon when God’s great love will flow out like a rushing river over two broken houses. The house of Judah will receive grace. “I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication” and all of the house of Israel will learn that they are again part of the covenant family and are indeed loved by God.
“At that time, I will plant a crop of Israelites and raise them for myself. I will show love to those I called ‘Not loved.’ And to those I called ‘Not my people,’ I will say, ‘Now you are my people.’ And they will reply, ‘You are our God!’” (Hosea 2:23)
At that time, God’s enduring love will manifest in the establishment of God’s NEW heavenly court comprised of members from ALL 12 tribes of Israel.
God is already assembling a new government of faithful and loyal children. Children who are humble, God-fearing and God-serving.
“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 [giant leaders in God’s heavenly court]. His shoots will sprout, and his beauty will be like the olive tree [priestly] and his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon [deterrents of pests and bugs = sin]” (Hosea 14:5-6).
God’s new government is sprouting and it will grow into a thick forest in heavenly Lebanon full of faithful and loyal leaders with many beautiful gifts and wonderful qualities.
Who is mankind that God is mindful of them? They are a kingdom of holy, royal, ruling priests in the making and all of their suffering God feels and longs to bring them close to Him and hover over them as the apple of His eye.
“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. As an eagle stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, He spread His wings to catch them and carried them on His pinions” (Deuteronomy 32:11).
Soon Jacob’s troubles will be over and the world will be free. Rejoicing lies on the near horizon.
“Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; break forth in song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and He will have compassion on His afflicted ones” (Isaiah 49:13).
What a wonderful future awaits repentant mankind!
A Study
The White Stone
During the time of Jesus on earth, a white stone was given to an accused who through a jury was deemed innocent, hence acquitted. A black stone signified guilt. To have been handed a white stone, the accused could walk away free from condemnation after being tried.
There is a group of people recorded in Revelation 2 who “live—where Satan has his throne.” Biblical scholars scour the planet trying to identify that location, but it is illusive because likely it is simply not one geographical location, but rather places peppered over the planet—places where falsehood, deception and lies are birthed.
Common places of thought, research, studies and teaching all take place in today’s universities and colleges as well as specialized institutions. From there, information is generated, beliefs are published, and theological changes are debated and canonized. Through this core body, information is dispersed and great libraries are founded.
“Pergamum’s library was the center for all things cultural. The Greek writer Plutarch said that it had approximately 200,000 volumes. It came to be known as one of the most important libraries in the ancient world and was second only to the Library of Alexandria. According to the ancient chronicler Pliny the Elder, the Library of Pergamum became so famous that it was considered to be in “keen competition” with the Library of Alexandria. Both attempted to amass the most complete collection of texts, and they developed rival schools of thought and criticism. In fact, legend has it that Egypt’s Ptolemaic dynasty halted shipments of papyrus to Pergamum in hope of slowing the library’s growth. As a result, the city may have later become a leading site for parchment production. A distinguished citizen of Pergamum and wife of a town councilor, Flavia Melitene, was instrumental in supplying the library with many of its works. Notably, she presented a statue of the Roman Emperor Hadrian to the library as a gift. Legend has it that Mark Anthony, ruler of the Macedonian empire at its height, later gave all 200,000 volumes within the library to Cleopatra as a wedding present. The volumes were destined for the Library of Alexandria - ending the recognition of the Library of Pergamum as one of the greatest of its time. It is possible that these volumes were destroyed in the fire at the Library of Alexandria, as the date in which it burned to the ground is unknown.”
A love of learning is a prized gift, but when studies by leading researchers draw students away from God then they become instruments of deception working for Wickedness. The theology of Evolution is an example as well as the Christianization of pagan holidays. All of the Christian bishops who participated in the council of Nicea to formalize changes away from the practices of Jesus who is the same yesterday, today and forever will be brought into judgement and will have to account for their actions.
Jesus said to this group of people in his time on earth and those since then who are characterized as influential religious leaders, scholars and researchers that when he returns he will stand before them with a sharp, double-edged sword. He will confront them on their teachings by judging their word against the word of God. The sword is consistently imaged in the Bible as God’s word. The sword Jesus will hold before them will be sharp—uncompromising and double-edged—address every view and every angle strictly from the lens of Almighty God.
Jesus said, “You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and committing sexual immorality” (Revelation 2:14). The teaching of Balaam is an expanded view of creation to include the worship of the gods of the nations as if these gods were entitled. Eating their food is symbolic of believing and behaving as the unholy nations do. This simply results in rebellion against Almighty God—the God of Israel.
The Pergamum-like people love digging deep to find information; that is their strength. They are relentless. As in ancient times and into the present, this group of people don’t always find the pure word, rather only portions of it. They are relying too much on their own intellect; they need to lean on Christ for clarity. Christ is coming to purge falsehood, misconceptions, misunderstandings and disinformation from everywhere on earth.
Jesus added, “You also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans” (Revelation 2:15). The teaching of the Nicolaitans is the belief and establishment of a hierarchical structure within an organization. Matthew recorded, “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).
“God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other” (I Corinthians 12:25).
God’s structure is not a pyramid, but a cube with layers and layers of strength placed one above the other forming an unbreakable bond. Each layer is valued equally and critical to the overall strength of the structure.
Into the 21st century, Pergamum-like groups exist in every country worldwide. They are known as experts and highly respected sources of information. Many do not advocate for creation or direct the people to worship God. Many have devised their own formula for the salvation of mankind, which excludes the sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus urges these people to overcome and for those who awaken, repent and stand up for God’s word, His truth and His grace, God will take away their shame by giving them a new name—a name that reflects their win against lies, misinformation, and disinformation. That new name will be written on a white, water-washed stone which they will hold up high with eternal gratitude for God’s grace in their acquittal.
Stones are symbols of long-lasting and robust characteristics. These people will be rewarded with "hidden manna". God knows their passion for discovery and He will reward them with knowledge that is "hidden", deep things that cannot be discovered without God's direct guidance. They will venture into eternal wonders and the energy from discovery will draw them intimately close to Him. They will marvel at God's intellect, complexity and composition. They will wonder and never be satisfied for they will discover His never-ending greatness.
For those who overcome within the Pergamum-like group of people, they have a riveting future of exploration, discovery and wonder that they will share with all creation for all eternity.
Revelation Illustrated
A Timeline of Revelation Illustrated
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ORDER in TEN
Mankind’s journey out of ignorance into God’s truth and His sanctuary of peace and tranquility is a walk following our Messiah through a complete series of growth processes, knowledge building, understanding refinement and the ignition of true wisdom. God’s written word is an engineering feat of multidimensional stories crossing over time into ever-lasting space about His creation on earth as mortals and in heaven as spiritual beings. He is teaching both creations how to live righteously; He is warning both creations of the consequences of sin; He is the loving parent wanting to save them.
Through numbers God stamps a message. The number ten trumpets law and order and how it will be re-established by the overthrowing of Wickedness through the sword of truth, Christ’s humble sacrifice and God’s wonderful grace.
LAW AND ORDER IN 10 COMMANDMENTS
God established 10 Commandments as the umbrella for all laws and ordinances that preserve order, peace and love. All of God’s commandments are summarized in TEN fundamental rules.
· The 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) (Deuteronomy 5:6-21).
JUDGEMENT EXPRESSED IN THE NUMBER TEN
God executes judgement expressed in the number TEN: commandments, plagues, days, times, generations, cycles, and jubilees.
From Adam to Noah there were TEN generations and then the great flood came and destroyed everyone except EIGHT people. Mankind would start again with a family whose head was righteous, blameless and close to God.
“Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God” (Genesis 6:9). Noah lived God’s way (righteous), he was loyal and faithful to Almighty God (blameless) and he shared a close relationship with God (walked). In TEN generations, God determined the time of His judgement.
· TEN generations passed between the creation of Adam and birth of Noah (Genesis 5):
1. Adam
2. Seth
3. Enosh
4. Kenan
5. Mahalalel
6. Jared
7. Enoch
8. Methusaleh
9. Lamech
10. Noah
God respects, values and protects those who uphold His law. He promised Abraham that He would not destroy Sodom if TEN righteous men could be found there. God would have saved Sodom if His law was present if only in TEN heads of household.
· 10 righteous men would have saved Sodom (Gen 18:32).
Abraham understood God’s word and His commandments. He was careful and specific when he asked God, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only TEN can be found there?” (Genesis 18:32). Abraham was asking to save the law abiding, but only Lot and those in his household were saved. All of Sodom was lawless, corrupt and participating in forbidden acts.
SUPREMACY OVER NATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP
God brought upon ancient Egypt TEN plagues. These ten different plagues taught them that the God of Israel reigns supreme both on a national level and on a religious level as Highest Priest.
GOD ALMIGHTY IS KING OF ALL KINGS AND LORD OF ALL LORDS
1. The staff, a symbol of authority is like a sceptre. The first act demonstrating God’s supreme authority was the turning of Aaron’s staff into a snake. like the Egyptian magicians meaning they both had authority, but Aaron’s swallowed up all of the staffs of the magicians (Exodus 7:12). God has supreme authority.
2. The water of the Nile River and all water ways were turned to blood by God through Aaron’s staff. Life in the water died and a stench came out. The Egyptian magicians could also curse the water, but they could not heal it. The Egyptian magicians can present a sacrifice of blood, but it cannot forgive sins.
3. The plague of frogs that likely mirror the evil spirits that are prophesied to come out of the dragon, the false prophet and the beast (Revelation 16:13) came out of the Nile. This very river, Pharaoh claimed to have created became the cesspool of wickedness. “Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt and prophesy against him and against all Egypt. Speak to him and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Pharaoh king of Egypt, O great monster who lies among his rivers, who says, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it myself’” (Ezekiel 29:2-3).
Pharaoh’s river is full of evil spirits plaguing him and the king had no power to take them away (Exodus 8:8).
VERSE TEN
Moses replied, “It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the LORD our God” (Exodus 8:10). And Moses added, “The frogs will leave you and your houses, your officials and your people; they will remain only in the Nile” (:11).
4. Dust that covered Egypt became a plague of gnats. Like sin, it was everywhere on people and animals. The magicians could not produce gnats because only the Almighty God can determine sin. The magicians declared, “This is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19). Like the writing on the wall, only God Almighty determines judgement.
5. The plague of disease-carrying flies was designed by God to show Pharaoh a distinction between the Egyptians and God’s people. This distinction will be fully recognizable in the Millennium under the rule of Jesus Christ. They will be a kingdom of priests living righteously. Pharaoh asked Moses to pray for him so that the flies go away. Like Job who prayed for his three friends, Moses prayed for Pharaoh likely asking for mercy.
6. The death of the Egyptian livestock brought Pharaoh a sure warning that everything under his rulership would die because he lives in sin and he remains an enemy of Almighty God.
7. The plague of boils brought upon all of Egypt kept the magicians from coming before Moses and Aaron. They could not stand. This rogue leadership was falling apart under the force of Almighty God.
8. The plague of hail struck all of Egypt except for Goshen. After seven plagues, finally Pharaoh admits, “This time I have sinned. The LORD is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong” (Exodus 9:26-27).
The magicians had drained their power and Almighty God stood alone thundering to the people on earth, “I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth” (Exodus 9:14).
The heavenly rogue Pharaoh had declared to the Egyptians that he was a Creator, of the Nile, but alas, God Almighty, the God of Israel brought this lofty son down, well below the Almighty God.
9. The plague of locusts resulted because Pharaoh would not humble himself; he returned to sinning. God will bring everyone to their knees to confess their sins. The locusts consumed all of their food—spiritually their beliefs and theology were destroyed. God’s word is spiritual food. Pharaoh knew their false teachings were destroyed by God’s truth and he was forced to admit his sin. “I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you. Now forgive my sin once more and pray to the LORD your God to take this deadly plague away from me” (Exodus 10:16-17).
10. The death of the first-born Egyptians was a direct result of Egypt’s spiritual darkness. God hardened Pharaoh’s heart because He was talking to the heavenly ruler over Egypt who turned against Him to declare himself to be the creator of the Nile. God Almighty pronounced the death of the first-born Egyptians as a clear message to this rogue heavenly King that he cannot save his people.
Pharaoh let God’s people go and God Almighty began His ministry. He provided His TEN commandments, His calendar and His Holy Days.
IT BEGAN WITH THE PERFECT SACRIFICE CHOSEN ON THE 10TH DAY OF THE FIRST MONTH
God taught Egypt that He reigns supreme. The second plague of the water of the Nile turning to blood taught them that they do not have a worthy sacrifice, but God does. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
God taught ancient Israel to take a lamb one for each family on the 10th day of the first month (Exodus 12:3) to symbol a new beginning with their God as people whose sins can be forgiven because they will be redeemed along with all the world. God’s salvation plan begins without delay on the FIRST month and on the 10th day to remind them of His law.
· Choose the lamb on the 10th day of the first month (Exodus 12:3).
10 DAYS BETWEEN JESUS’ ASCENSION AND PENTECOST—50-40=10 DAYS.
God accepted the sacrifice of Jesus, His only Heir and fifty days later gave His Holy Spirit to a body of people who triggered the birth of a church different from all other churches. The TEN days between Jesus’ ascension and Pentecost likely fulfilled the legal processes of accepting his sacrifice and the legal writing of forgiveness of sin.
10 DAYS BETWEEN ROSH HASHANAH/FEAST OF TRUMPETS AND YOM KIPPUR/DAY OF ATONEMENT—THE TEN DAYS OF AWE
God’s Holy Days were given to ancient Israel to reveal His plan for them and all of mankind. The Passover Lamb was accepted and Jesus Christ became the example for all of mankind. He was sinless and the Days of Unleavened Bread mirror mankind following him wherever he goes. Jesus became the first of the first-fruits to be raised from mortality to immortality assuring the resurrection of the saints. Then on the day of Pentecost, God’s Holy Spirit was given to the re-born church. Many days pass before the trumpets will blow on ROSH HASHANAH/FEAST OF TRUMPETS. On this day, Christ will return to usher in the long-waited Jubilee. Together with the resurrected saints and his great army from heaven, he will overthrow Satan, the beast and false prophet. The TEN-day battle will bring subdue lawlessness and re-establish God’s law.
10 JUBILEE CYCLES CONFIRMS THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF LAW
Daniel 9 reveals the timing given to God’s people to finish their work for Him. “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy” (Daniel 9:24). Seventy sevens equals 490 Biblical years.
Images provided by Gavin Finley from http://www.endtimepilgrim.org displays TEN Jubilee cycles.
These TEN Jubilee cycles do not include the period of time from Christ’s death to his return. As Gavin points out in Revelation 11:1-2. That time period was given over to the heathen Gentiles and so, the Jubilee cycles stopped until the end of the evil age when Jesus Christ returns to usher in righteous leadership beginning with the Jubilee year and the end of corruption, slavery and debt.
The whole house of Israel, all twelve tribes still have a lot of spiritual work to do.
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. Atone 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 and having accepted Christ as their Saviour and God’s grace will be atoned for.
The three above will be replaced with:
4. Perfected righteousness.
5. Fulfilled visions and prophecy which is laid under a seal, so that it can no longer actively show itself because it is fulfilled.
6. Anointed 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.”
After Rosh Hashanah/Feast of Trumpets 10 days pass before judgement is brought upon the world on the Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur. During these 10 days, Christ will battle the enemies of God. Wickedness will be overthrown. God’s Law will be reinstated.
10TH DAY OF TISHREI—THE DAY OF ATONEMENT/YOM KIPPUR—JUDGEMENT DAY
On this wonderful day, repentant 21st century nations of Israel are atoned for their sins along with all of the people from the nations who repented during the Great Tribulation. God’s law on this day is ACTIVE. It will bring into judgement all of the wicked and they will be destroyed. The weeds will be gathered and burned. “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age” (Matthew 13:40).
“The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels” (Matthew 13:39).
“But you [Satan] are cast out of your grave like a rejected branch, covered by those slain with the sword, and dumped into a rocky pit like a carcass trampled underfoot. You will not join them in burial, since you have destroyed your land and slaughtered your own people. The offspring of the wicked will never again be mentioned. Prepare a place to slaughter his sons for the iniquities of their forefathers. They will never rise up to possess a land or cover the earth with their cities” (Isaiah 14:19-22).
TEN FINGERS AND TEN TOES
God created mankind male and female. Both have TEN fingers and TEN toes given so that they could write God’s law in their hearts and remain balanced as they walk in His ways.
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THE 144,000 of REVELATION and the PHILADELPHIA CHURCH
The female gender mirrors priesthood; the male gender mirrors national leadership
God created mankind male and female, both are created in the image of God. God is both KING and LORD. This simple statement is rich in meaning as God specifically created two mortals with two unique bodies that fulfill two key roles. It was not by accident; it was intentional.
Repentant mankind forms the temple of God, a kingdom of holy, royal priests
The Apostle Paul taught the Christians that “you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you” and “if anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy which temple you are” (I Corinthians 3:16-17).
This scripture is often interpreted from a physical perspective. Many religiously scrutinize what they eat and how they live in order to keep their physical body pure. Healthy living is important and should never be understated, however, the wonderful news the Apostle Paul was teaching lies in the spiritual meaning. Mankind has the Saviour who paid the price for the sins of all of mankind. Because the penalty of sin is paid an intimate relationship with our Creator is possible upon receiving His Holy Spirit. Mankind collectively, men and women from all nations become the body of Jesus Christ when they repent and receive God’s Holy Spirit. They become a body, a group of people, who have been washed clean—purified of sin and now bind with God in oneness—in unity, in submission to His laws and His ways. They are seen by God as a spiritual virgin. The use of the female gender in this case identifies a religious body of people—a church in contrast to a nation of people, of whom God uses the male gender.
“But the one being joined to the Lord is one spirit” (I Corinthians 6:17). This is a spiritual teaching by mirroring the physical body to the spiritual body, which is comprised of many members fulfilling many different critical responsibilities. “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink. For also the body is not one member, but many” (I Corinthians 12:12-14). Each spiritual member in God’s kingdom, once male or female, will be awarded an honoured title of equal value under the kingship of Jesus Christ. No one will be made to feel superior or inferior, more or less worthy; their value is equal before God.
A global body of people is forming the temple of God. Every man and woman on earth who repents, accepts Christ as their Saviour and receives God’s Holy Spirit will become part of a global body of priests, members of a royal and holy God family. This body must remain pure and undefiled. This means they must remain faithful and loyal embracing only the Creator’s theology, His laws and ways. People who buy into the theology and the practices of Satan and the rogue gods who ruled over the nations become defiled and as the Apostle Paul warned, “God will destroy them” (I Corinthians 3:17). God warned ancient Israel many times to refrain from the practices of the rogue gods ruling over the nations. These practices of the rogue gods are in direct opposition to and are full of vile defiance against the Almighty God. Obeying God, keeping His laws and living His ways is purifying and symbolic of being a virgin. These people, God describes as being blameless. They may not be perfect in righteousness, but they will not bend their knee to Satan and his rogue beastly coalition.
The meaning of being blameless
Noah was described by God as being both righteous and blameless. “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).
Noah was blameless among the people of his time; he was faithful to God. Noah was NOT worshipping Satan like everyone else on earth. He was worshipping the Creator—the Almighty God. Noah was keeping God’s law, His ordinances and His ways.
Jesus revealed the Satanic worship of the masses when he said, “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 were oblivious, until the flood came and swept them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:36-38).
· The people did not believe Noah’s warning of a coming flood. They were oblivious because they were living in darkness, wicked people following Satan’s rule.
Only the wicked will not be able to identify the signs of God’s wrath and the coming of Christ.“But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief. For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober” (I Thessalonians 5:4-6).
· Those obeying God are the children of light and they will recognize the signs prior to the return of Christ. The most significant of these signs is the repentance of the 21st century nations of Israel. Jesus said, “Now learn the lesson from the fig tree” (Matthew 24:32). The fig tree is symbolic of God’s people. It will be during the time of Jacob’s trouble, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will awaken the asleep among the 12 tribes of 21st century Israel. It will be during a time of great distress and they will start returning to their God, as “new twigs”—new growth, then you will know that summer is near and Jesus excitedly added, “Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door” (Matthew 24:32-33).
The saints are purified and made spotless
During the Great Tribulation, all of the nations of earth will surrender to the supernatural and overwhelming strength of Satan who also give power to his coalition—the beast of Revelation. The whole world, that is all the nations except God’s people, will be astonished at the beast and will follow the beast (Revelation 13:3b). They will witness his power and destruction on God’s repenting people and the people in the nations will say, “Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?” (Revelation 13:4b).
The beast will make war against the saints and God will allow the beast to conquer them (Revelation 13:7) and in Daniel, “this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgement in favor of the saints of the Most High” (Daniel 7:21-22a). God is allowing this attack because He is purifying and strengthening the saints. “Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. When they fall, they will receive a little help… Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time” (Daniel 11:33-35).
A different group of people: the 144,000 of Revelation
There is a special group of people who are immediately characterized by God as blameless. These are the 144,000 people from twelve tribes of Israel. “These are those who did not defile themselves with women [false religion], for they kept themselves pure” (Revelation 14:4). Jesus used God’s imagery of “women” for churches because he speaks exactly as God speaks and assumes Christians, like the Apostle Paul, understand God’s penmanship that uses imagery, parallels, parables, mirroring, numbers and stories to reveal the spiritual picture. The 144,000 “follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless” (Revelation 14:4b-5).
Characteristics of the 144,000 of Revelation
God’s use of describing Jesus Christ as “the Lamb” in Revelation emphasizes the importance and value of the sacrifice of His Son. The multiple crowns worn by Christ (Revelation 19:12) reveals multiple victories both in heaven and on earth. His sacrifice is core to God’s saving plan and His futures plans for creation both in heaven and on earth. The 144,000 people of Revelation have a significant role in God’s new government. The number 12 symbolizes perfect government nationally and religiously and 1,000 symbolizes eternity. 144,000 symbolizes the two different types of leadership: national [12] and religious [12] bound together into an eternal perfect government and all coming from the kingdom of Israel. The characteristics of these people are:
· They are undefiled by the false theology of Satan and the rogue gods (Revelation 14:4).
· They all come from the 12 sons of Jacob, except for Dan, likely due to his involvement with false religion. God will choose Jacob again (Isaiah 14:1).
· They are honest. They do not deceive, compromise or whitewash wickedness that leads to the perversion of justice (Revelation 14:5).
· They follow, not lead, the Lamb – they speak the pure word of God—no self- interpretations of scripture taught as doctrine (Revelation 14:4). Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. They follow his example without changing anything he did or taught.
· They are servants of God—humble, not self-elevating (Revelation 7:3).
· They are sealed/protected from the wrath of the Lamb and God (Revelation 7:3).
· They have the name of the Son and God, the Father on their foreheads [pledged allegiance to Jesus Christ and Almighty God] in contrast to the “inhabitants on the earth” who have the name and number of the beast on their foreheads (Revelation 14:1).
· They are offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb—possibly meaning that they are the first to be resurrected upon Christ’s return (Revelation 14:4b), right when the sixth seal is opened.
· They are standing with “the Lamb” on Mount Zion (Revelation 14:1).
· They are the “called, chosen and faithful followers” with Christ when he battles the beast (Revelation 17:14).
· They sing a new song that only they know. A song may be the joy released from victory. [Moses recorded a song in Deuteronomy 32, Deborah sang a song in Judges 5, the four living creatures and the 24 elders sing a new song in Revelation 5:9-10) (Revelation 14:3).
The 144,000 of Revelation appear to be similar to the Philadelphia church
The record of the churches of Revelation appears to describe seven different groups of people within the kingdom of Israel from ancient times all the way to the end of this evil age. The church of Philadelphia shares similar characteristics to the 144,000 people of Revelation.
· They “keep my word and have not denied my name” is similar to not being defiled by false religion.
· They “will be kept from the hour of trial” is similar to being sealed and protected from the wrath of the God and the Lamb.
· They are promised leadership in God’s temple on Mount Zion. “He who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God” is similar to the numerical value of 144,000 = 12x12x1,000 = leaders in God’s new perfect government/temple.
· They will have God’s name and Jesus’ new name on their foreheads. “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” is similar to having the name of God and the Lamb written on their forehead.
· They are the new Jerusalem. “I will write on him… the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem” supports the idea that Christ will have his resurrected Bride with him when he overpowers the beast and he shows Satan, the beast and the false prophet who tried to overpower God’s heavenly government comprised the Son and beings from the first creation that the NEW and eternal government has the victory and it is comprised of Christ and his resurrected Bride—the new Jerusalem who will stand with him together on Zion [God’s holy mountain/temple].
· They already have their crown. “Hold on to what you have, so no one will take your crown” [they already have rulership—priestly authority not necessarily within a structured church but as a scattered body of people]. They are like the 144,000 who are servants of God, men and women with a level of authority, serving Him.
“I know that you have little strength.” Jesus promises this body of men and women an open door that no man can shut. They are spiritually strong, but a scattered group with little structural support, yet they remain strong during times of great distress.
Throughout time, the large and highly structured religious bodies persecute individuals who will not adhere to their teachings. The great harlot will do the same. Jesus said that the road towards God’s kingdom is narrow and few find it. “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:14). The road where the bulk of mankind travel is not leading them to life.
God has preselected men and women from 12 tribes of Israel who He knew ahead of time would remain blameless. They may not add up physically to exactly 144,000, but the use of that number reveals a spiritually strong group of men and women from God’s people who will never leave Him or forsake Him. These people will not defile themselves, nor deny the name of Christ because they will follow him wherever he goes. They are totally devoted to God and Christ. The 144,000 of Revelation like the people that make up the Philadelphia church will not fall away or be swept into deception. They will stand strong scattered among twelve tribes of Israel. These people will be among the first to be resurrected and stand with their Saviour, their Groom under the glorious flag of Almighty God in unwavering support for God’s gracious ways and His loving law. Humbly, they will eternally stand grateful for the completed work through the miraculous touch of the Great Potter’s hands.
A 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.
Passover: God's First Holy Day; First Step in Mankind's Salvation Plan
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
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.