THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS

“Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God. ”For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10).

What is the TESTIMONY OF JESUS and THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY?

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and hold fast to the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17).

What does it mean to HAVE the testimony of Jesus Christ?

“I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:9).

Why IMPRISONMENT for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ?

“John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:2).

What JUDGMENT will take place on earth and in heaven, at the end of this age after the saints proclaim the testimony of Jesus Christ?

Early into the latter-day rain of the 21st century, voices are being heard: passionate and enduring voices from everywhere proclaiming the testimony of Jesus: THE MESSAGE FROM GOD through Jesus Christ about His divine plan, His judgment and subsequent sentencing.

“He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but THE WORKERS ARE FEW. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field’” (Luke 10:2). This is the beginning when God will send out everyone to do His harvesting work.

“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).

The testimony of Jesus Christ—the Spirit of prophecy will go out to all the world by God’s Holy-Spirit-filled faithful servants.

Christ said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will witness for me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Acts 1:8 provides the structure of this study:

• Receive power from the Holy Spirit
• Witness for Jesus Christ
• Locations:

1.    Jerusalem—God’s capital on earth
2.    Judea: house of Judah
3.    Samaria: house of 10-tribed Israel
4.    Ends of the earth: all nations on earth.
   

WHAT IS THE POWER FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT?
The power from receiving the Holy Spirit is the spirit of prophesy, that is, coming to see spiritual truths that physical man cannot understand. “When the Spirit rested on them [the 70 elders], they prophesied… Eldad and Medad had remained in the camp… the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp” (Numbers 11:25, 26-27). While Joshua, son of Nun thought they should be stopped, Moses sighed. “I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” (Numbers 11:29)

God was giving His Holy Spirit to only a select few in those days, but Moses’ desire that ALL of God’s people would receive the Holy Spirit, began on the Day of Pentecost after Christ’s resurrection. It has continued to this day and will be fully fulfilled by the end of the latter-day rain when God pours out of His Holy Spirit on everyone.

The power from receiving God’s Holy Spirit gives mortal men and women strength to stand strong and unmoved during ruthless attacks because they understand spiritual truths, they have forged an intimate and unbreakable relationship with God, and they desire to participate in the sufferings of Christ.

“But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved” (Hebrews 10:39).

“And they have defeated himby the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die” (Revelation 12:11).

WHAT IS GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT?
The understanding of spiritual matters comes from receiving God’s Holy Spirit. It is the essence that expands our human ability to know the spiritual world. Those who do not believe in God’s existence, rely solely on worldly knowledge. To explain the wonders of God’s creation, they create fantastical theories that leads them further and further from reality into the matrix of deceit.

“And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. But people who aren't spiritual can't receive these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can't understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means” (I Corinthians 2:13-14).

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (I Corinthians 1:18).

WHAT IS PROPHECY?

The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy, “which in its true spirit and essence is the FORTH-TELLING of the DIVINE PLAN of God before men and angels” (Gavin Finley from http://www.endtimepilgrim.org).

For all God-fearing and God-serving people: male and female, God reminds them to be ready to give an answer for their belief when non-believers ask. During the latter days, devoted Believers: male and female will be brought before leaders to give an account of their belief.  “…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).

“But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope you possess. But respond with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you will be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ” (I Peter 3:15-16).

God has prophesied His decision and He will give the kingdom to Jesus Christ and the saints—together, they will rule.

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominionthat will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14).

The boastful little horn will “wage war against the saints until the Ancient of Days comes and pronounces judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time comes when they possess the kingdom” (Daniel 7:21). This insolent leader will not prevail. Blinded by his arrogance and pride, he will stand against the Prince of princes but will be destroyed (Daniel 8:25).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO WITNESS?
A witness is presented when there is a dispute, which, if it goes into a court, it becomes a legal account that will lead to judgment.

The devoted God-fearing witness will tell the truth and provide an accurate account on spiritual matters without adding or subtracting to it, putting their life on the line without a second thought.

“Hear now, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow so that you may live, enter, and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you” (Deuteronomy 4:1-2).

Only with God’s Holy Spirit and a devoted relationship with God can an accurate understanding of spiritual truths be told. Without both, spiritual matters are blurry, differing interpretations rise up and a false witness is given.

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth” (John 14:15-16).

The false witness does not tell the same account as a Holy Spirit filled, devoted obedient believer. "Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me" (John 14:24).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO WITNESS FOR JESUS?
The witness for Jesus are not conversion stories of believers, nor is it “JUST WORDS of TESTIMONY and WITNESS brought to kings and man before the court of heaven, but a testimony in the blood covenant DEVOTION of the HEART. This TOTAL WITNESS of HEART, MIND, and WILL confirms the 5th seal witness of the saints.The testimony of Jesus by the saints, the BODY of Christ, is presented as a confirming witness to the victory of our sacred HEAD, Jesus CHRIST at the cross of Calvary. This is what Paul meant when he said, ‘I want to KNOW Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death’” (Philippians 3:10). (Gavin Finley from http://www.endtimepilgrim.org).

Witnessing for Jesus is not only telling people what he said—but, a complete witness of heart, mind, and will—standing strong in-love with our Savior and beloved Bridegroom.

“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (Revelation 12:11).

WHAT IS THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS?

The testimony of Jesus are the words given to him to speak from Almighty God for he is a prophet—a messenger of God. It is the divine message from God through Jesus Christ who is also an apostle and high priest of God. The testimony is a legal witness that leads to judgment.

“The testimony, the 5th seal witness presented before the Ancient of Days in the end-time court case, leads to a verdict in righteousness and a legal judgment handed down. After the verdict, there comes a subsequent execution of that judgment, which will be enacted by the angels of the Harvest at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ /Yashuah HaMashiach. His coming as Deliverer and as Judge at the 6th and 7th seals will wrap up Holy history for this age. This is how the testimony of Jesus brought by the saints actually showcases and fulfills the very spirit, character, and meaning of Bible prophecy” (Gavin Finley from http://www.endtimepilgrim.org).

“Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest” (Hebrews 3:1).

Jesus did not come to earth to do his own will, but the will of his Father—our Father, in heaven.

"For I came down from Heaven not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me" (John 6:38).

Jesus did not come to earth to preach his own words and establish his own doctrine. He came with God’s word and God’s doctrine.

"The words that I speak to you I speak not of myself, but the Father that lives in me, he does the works" (John 14:10).

“For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what I say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So, whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say” (John 12:49-50).

The words Jesus spoke is the doctrine of God. "My doctrine is not mine; but His that sent me (John 7:16).

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE TO BE WITNESSED?
The testimony of Jesus is THE MESSAGE FROM GOD through Jesus Christ about His divine plan, His judgment and subsequent sentencing. Christ did not add or subtract from the words of God, nor did he apply his own personal interpretation. He spoke only the words of God.

God’s words are plain and require action. Jesus said, "Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and PUTS THEM INTO PRACTICE is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24).

God-fearing people hear the words spoken by Jesus and PUT THEM INTO PRACTICE.  There are people who HEAR the words of God and do NOT put them into practice. To those people, Jesus said, “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:23). These hearers of the words of Jesus did not put into practice God’s law.

“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness” (I John 3:4).

“Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46)

Unfortunately for some people, they have tricked themselves into seeking a congregation that fits their own fancy. They are not humble and teachable nor are they dedicated to understanding God’s word.

“You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules” (Matthew 15:7-9).

Only the people who LIVE God’s way will enter into His eternal kingdom. Jesus’ warning to mankind: “Not everyone that says unto me ‘Lord, Lord’, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that DOES the will of my Father which is in Heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

The message Christ told mankind stressed the importance of DOING, actively embracing the God’s word and overcoming—a lifestyle change to live God’s way.

“But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God” (John 3:21).

Christ set an example for mankind. In the sample prayer, Christ said, “Thy will be DONE on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

There has always been a remnant group of people who HEAR the Word of God and DO. They keep the commandments of God and understand the testimony of Jesus Christ. These people are hated by Satan.

“Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God's commandsand hold fast their testimony for Jesus” (Revelation 12:17).

WHAT FOUR LOCATIONS WILL RECEIVE THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS?
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will witness for me in Jerusalem, and in all Judeaand Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

It was God’s intention to be specific with the FOUR locations and the order from where the testimony of Jesus would be sent.

1. Jerusalem is God’s centre on earth.
2. All Judea is the house of Judah.
   
3. All Samaria is the house of the 10 tribes/Israel.
   
4. The ends of the earth are all the nations on earth.
   

The sequence of sending His message to the world began with Jerusalem—God's centre on earth, then to all of the house of Judah, then to all of the house of Israel—10 tribes, and then to every nation on earth.

The greatest witness is yet to come. It will take place during a time of great trouble when mankind cannot rely on themselves. They will be broken, confused and feeling hopeless. During that time, a remnant people will speak the testimony of Christ—truth will go out shining brightly in a time of pitch blackness.

WHO IS IDENTIFIED AS THE REAL ENEMY IN THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS?

“The testimony of Jesus is a LEGAL ISSUE in the dispute between Yehovah-Everlasting God and Lucifer in the end-time court case that we see laid out in the book of Revelation” (Gavin Finley from http://www.endtimepilgrim.org).

WORSHIP GOD!
“Then the angel said to me, ‘Write: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’ At this, I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you [the Jews] and with your brothers [the Christians] who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy’” (Revelation 19:10).

A time of great distress is coming in the 21st century. All Jews and Christians will be forced to take a side. Those who hold fast and do not let go of the testimony of Jesus and worship God will be saved. This is a spiritual matter that concerns believers today and in the future. It is prophetic—the spirit of prophecy. Mankind will be judged after the full witness has gone to the whole world.

HOW TO WORSHIP GOD:

KEEP GOD’S COMMANDMENTS AND ORDINANCES:
Waste no time learning how to obey God. “One of them [a Pharisee] an expert in the law, tested him [Jesus] with a question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments’” (Matthew 22:35-40).

After a lifetime of searching, finally, Solomon discovered wisdom and understanding. “When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God [wisdom]and keep His commandments [understanding],because this is the WHOLE DUTY OF MAN” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

God has tested his creation and concluded the same: “And this is what he says to all humanity: The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding’” (Job 28:28).

FORGE AN EVERLASTING, PASSIONATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY:
In the parable, THE TEN VIRGINS, five are wise and five are foolish. “This story of the ten virgins is a lesson in devotion, Holy Spirit willingness in surrender to Christ and our preparedness with a supply—the extra cruse of oil outside of our lamps, the souls of men. The light from the lamps flicker as the night drags on and that is to be expected in the slumbering party.But, at the midnight hour, comes crunch-time and the resource outside “self” is either there or it is not. So, the lamps either burn out in the midnight hour or find resupply in God to recharge the lamps to full brightness, thereby, allowing the wise virgins to go out from their comfort zone to meet the coming Bridegroom. In the manner of the eastern wedding ceremony He is approaching them in the night.” (Gavin Finley from http://www.endtimepilgrim.org).

The five foolish virgins in the parable describe a group of Christians who are semi-committed; their devotion is luke-warm. Their relationship with God is poorly developed and it does not bother them. Their luke-warm devotion creates an equally stunted poorly illuminated eschatology and a failure to embrace the true spirit, character, meaning, and message of Bible prophecy.

When the cry was made, the five foolish virgins realized their relationship with God was only superficial and they go to buy oil—to ignite their desire to know God. Initially, these lazy virgins try to enter by holding onto the coattails of the wise virgins. They say, “Give us some of your oil, our lamps are going out.” But the wise know that entering into the wedding banquet is by individual invitation; nobody comes in as an extra. So, the foolish virgins set out to polish their relationship with God. Confident of their progress, they run back to find the door is closed. They cry, “Sir! Sir! Open the door for us!”

Christ opens the door and says, “I tell you the truth, I don’t know you” (Matthew 25:12).

Christ does not recognize them as his sheep—his followers, because they were only doing what it takes to get what they want when they are in trouble. They had no lasting relationship with God nor did they have Christ dwelling in them.

God provides story after story for Believers to learn and understand the importance of forging and enduring relationship in-love with Him.

THE BOOK OF HOSEA provides a detailed parallel of Hosea and his wife, Gomer.“This is a story of failure of devotion, which leads to trials and tribulation, a redemption from a slave market, which is increasingly the picture of our world today. The story of Gomer goes on to foretell the subsequent sequestration after redemption from the slave block in which love is rekindled. This then leads on to restored love and the ultimate glorious destiny of the Elect, the covenant people of God.”(Gavin Finley from http://www.endtimepilgrim.org).

If the story of Gomer in the book of Hosea is not understood, then God has provided a different genre in the song of the Shulamite woman, which mirrors the story of Gomer and the trials and eventual glory of the end-time Church. “Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved?” (Song of Solomon 8:5)

GOD’S WARNING TO 21ST CENTURY BELIEVERS: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” God is warning believers not to behave like the ancient Israelites who have a long history of a fleeting relationships with God and call out only when they are in trouble.

“What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears” (Hosea 6:4).

God is perfecting His people and His people are building a lasting and enduring relationship with Him. “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).

The delay of the Bridegroom could be intentional, so that God can sift-out the pretenders from those who are truly committed to obeying God and living in harmony with Him. “In the last days, scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’ But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and with water… By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men” (II Peter 3:3-7).

The Apostle Peter reminds 21st century believers, “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God” (I Peter 1:22-23) and “make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him… Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:4b, 18a). Such are the wise virgins.

Apostle James reminds the wise virgins, “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:7-8) and “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the CROWN OF LIFE that GOD HAS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM” (James 1:12).

RUN THE RACE TO THE END:
God is developing a people who have a conviction for righteousness that will not ever break or fade away. “…though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (I Peter 1:6-7).

The Apostle Peter provided the steps that refine and build the discipline to win. “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness... participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance, and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love... make your calling and election sure. IF YOU DO THESE THINGS, YOU WILL NEVER FALL” (II Peter 1:3-10).

The Apostle Paul added, “And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation” (Romans 5:4) and “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

The Apostle Paul is a coach who won’t allow his athletes to fall, instead he relentlessly stands by their side commanding attention. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

HAVE FAITH IN GOD PRIOR TO CHRIST’S RETURN:
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he existsand that he rewards those who EARNESTLY seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well. In My Father's house there are many mansions.And if not so, would I have told you that I go 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 14:1-3).

God has preserved already a place for repentant mankind in His kingdom. Christ is preparing it. This place is an eternal abode that includes a position of authority working with God and for God.

ALLOW CHRIST TO LIVE IN YOU:
Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). The words of Jesus are the words of God. Our Messiah will be our eternal guide in truth and righteousness. 

He is the tested stone of Isaiah 28:16:
“So, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.”

He is the cornerstone of Ephesians 2:20:
“Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesushimself.”

He is the precious cornerstone of I Peter 2:6:
For it stands in Scripture: "See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame."

At the conclusion of these 6,000 years of man’s rule, all people will have heard the testimony of Jesus, either directly from Jesus when he walked the earth or by his devoted saints.

The testimony of Jesus came directly from God. God has a divine plan for mankind; it will lead to judgment on earth and in heaven. King Solomon concluded, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Jesus summarized the commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37-39).

There is no greater love than to lay down your life for another. A time of trouble lies on the near horizon, those who love God and hold fast to the testimony of Jesus will not shrink back in the face of death. There is time for everything, now is the time to strengthen your relationship with Almighty God—our Creator and hold fast to testimony of Jesus.

Click here to read more about the key to the house of David, the Good Samaritan, this is our King.

For the printable/pdf copy of this article, click here.

“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.”

​​Gavin Finley from http://www.endtimepilgrim.org has provided a visually enriched image illustrating the great work of Israel’s latter-day sons and daughters who will prophecy to the whole world, during a time when God is pouring out His Holy Spirit over the whole planet. What might they be saying, these latter-day descendants: both sons and daughters from both houses of Israel?

The full meaning of every scripture can be determined by how words are used in other scriptures; it is a matter of studying the whole Bible. Numbers 11:24-25 describes a situation where people were given God’s Holy Spirit and they prophesied.

“He [Moses] brought together 70 of their elders and had them stand around the tent. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took of the Spirit that was on him [Moses] and put the Spirit on the 70 elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did not do so again.”

In addition to these 70 elders who were at the tent, God gave two other people who were in the camp His Holy Spirit and they prophesied in the camp (Numbers 11:26). Moses referred to these 72 people as prophets when he responded to Joshua’s jealousy, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” (Numbers 11:29).

On a side point, the number 70 and 72 depending on the translation of Acts 10:1 is like a mirror of Numbers 11:29. Interesting that Acts 10:1 was not translated consistently as 70 or 72, as if by some heavenly means to preserve the differentiation of the 70 at the tent and the 2 in the camp.  Never-the-less, Jesus appointed 72 people to spread the gospel to the Gentiles telling them that “the kingdom of God is near” (Acts 10:1-12). They were helping the work of Jesus.

Returning to the original point, God’s purpose of giving the 72 Israelites God’s Holy Spirit was two-fold:
 

1.      To help Moses deal with rebellious Israel who had just rejected the manna from heaven and wanted meat from earth. 

God correctly understood the rejection of the ancient Israelites.

 “Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he [God] heard them his anger

 was aroused… But now we [the Israelites] have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna…”

Moses relayed God’s message, “Now the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat it. You will not eat it for just one day or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it—because

 you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’”

God provided helpers for Moses during this most difficult time. “I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone” (Numbers 11:1, 18b-20,17).
 

2.     To fulfill the prophecy of the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit. The Acts 10 account was only the beginning of God’s

outpouring of His Holy Spirit, but that the numbers would increase and fulfill Moses’ desire, “I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” (Numbers 11:29). Joel, a prophet fore-saw the

outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit over the whole earth recorded in Joel 2:28-29.

Moses recognized the God-given ability to prophecy is the work of a prophet, “I wish that all the LORD’s people were 

prophets” (Numbers 11:29). What might the 72 elders in Numbers 11 and the sons and daughters of ancient Israel of Joel

2:28 have said and be saying today and in the future?

God is very clear in Numbers 11 that Moses needed help in managing a rebellious and difficult people. The 72 elders upon receiving of God’s Holy Spirit, understood the voluminous significance of God’s purpose for Israel and prophesied a message of loyalty to God, acknowledgement that God is the supreme God and Creator of all and support for the work of Moses, along with a stern warning to ancient Israel to stop their rebellious actions and remember their covenant of obedience with God.

We can assume that the descendants: sons and daughters of this rebellious house of Israel into the 21st century, will speak the same message as the 72 elders of the book of Numbers. They will be filled with God’s Holy Spirit and they will urge their people and all peoples from all nations to repent of their wayward ways and worship the Creator—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and serve Him only.

It will be fully realized during very dark times. 21st century Israel: the house of Judah and the house of Israel will be in trouble. 

“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time” (Daniel 12:1).

God told Moses, “Behold, you will rest with your fathers; and this people will rise and play the harlot with the gods of the foreigners of the land, where they go to be among them, and they will forsake Me and break My covenant, which I have made with them. Then My anger shall be aroused against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them, and they shall be devoured. And many evils and troubles shall befall them, so that they will say in that day, ‘Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?’ And I will surely hide My face in that day because of all the evil which they have done, in that they have turned to other gods” (Deuteronomy 31:16-18).

Both houses of Israel: Judah and Israel (10-tribed Israel) will depart from God.

God will bring 21st century houses of Israel to their knees. “The LORD will judge his people and have compassion on his servants when he sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free. He will say: ‘Now where are their gods, the rock they took refuge in, the gods who ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise up to help you! Let them give you shelter! See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me… Rejoice O nations, with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants; he will take vengeance on his enemies and make atonement for his land and people” (Deuteronomy 32:36-43).

“Then it will happen on that day that the Lord will again recover the SECOND TIME with His hand, the remnant of His people, who will remain, from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and from the islands of the sea” (Isaiah 11:11).

Their cry that will acknowledge the existence of God—their God, will come from the arrival of gods from the heavens. One of these gods will claim to be the supreme God. This arrival will come with a full display of miracles and super-human abilities that will rekindle the concept of the reality of God and the gods of old. It will lift the amnesia that covers 21st century Israel from their deep darkness and finally, they will remember their roots and spiritual calling.

“The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will unheard-of things against the God of gods” (Daniel 11:36).

“He [the beast out of the earth] performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earthin full view of men” (Revelation 13:13).

All 12 tribes of Israel will return into captivity. They will suffer and endure merciless mockery. Their captors will say, “Where is their God?” (Joel 2:17b). After they repent, God will take pity on His people (Joel 2:18) and He will say, “Never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations” (Joel 2:19b) and “never again will my people be shamed” (Joel 2:27b).

During this time with eternal sincerity, the people remaining in all 12 tribes of Israel, will ask for forgiveness. Both houses—at the same time, never before in their history, will come weeping back to God—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

God Almighty will come to their rescue, AGAIN.
 

“Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life… I will say to the north, ‘GIVE THEM UP!’ and to the south, ‘DO NOT HOLD THEM BACK’” (Isaiah 43:4-6).

“In those days, at that time, the people of Israel and the people of Judah TOGETHER will go in tears to seek Yahuah, their God. They will ask the way of Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and bind themselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten” (Jeremiah 50:4-5).

As we close out the final years of this evil age, the descendants—the sons and daughters of ancient Israel will not lose hope. Their prophecies will be heard, like the prophets of old: Abraham—the great and faithful prophet, Moses—the humble and enduring prophet, Aaron and Miriam—Moses’ supporters, Deborah—a judge and prophet, King David—a king and prophet, Huldah—the prophetess who spoke the words of God, warning the house of Judah of their unfaithfulness and gave comfort to the king of Judah, and all of the major and minor prophets of the Old Testament.

The New Testament is a witness of a growing body of prophets. Jesus Christ heads this growing body of people. He is their one and only teacher. The church is silent before him, receiving all their instruction directly from him as Paul explained in I Timothy 2:12-14, “I do not permit a; woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived and became a sinner.”

Ancient pagan teachings have tried to usurp the authority of God as head, by establishing temples lead by a female goddess. This is all part of the great rebellion in heaven. The Apostle Paul warned mankind that our enemies are not flesh and blood, but rogue rulers and powers in heaven (Ephesian 6:12). They perpetually lead mankind astray, appealing to mankind’s desire for self-direction, self-reliance and self-glory. During the time of Apostle Paul, goddess worship in Ephesus was a powerful religion headed by Artemis—goddess of fertility. She had her own following who met at the Temple of Artemis.

Watchtower provides the history. 

“MOTHER-GODDESS worship was still practiced during the days of the early Christians. The apostle Paul met up with it in Ephesus in Asia Minor. As in Athens, another goddess-worshiping city, he had borne witness to ‘the God that made the world,’ the living Creator, who is not ‘like gold or silver or stone, like something sculptured by the art and contrivance of man.’ This was too much for the Ephesians, most of whom worshiped the mother-goddess Artemis. Those who made a living by fashioning silver shrines of the goddess incited a riot. For about two hours, the crowd shouted: ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!’—Acts 17:24, 29; 19:26, 34."

"The Greeks also worshiped an Artemis, but the Artemis worshiped in Ephesus can only be loosely identified with her. The Greek Artemis was a virgin goddess of hunting and childbirth. The Ephesian Artemis was a fertility goddess. Her huge temple at Ephesus was considered one of the seven wonders of the world. Her statue, thought to have fallen from heaven, represented her as a personification of fertility, her chest being covered with rows of egg-shaped breasts. The peculiar shape of these breasts has given rise to various explanations, such as that they represent garlands of eggs or even bulls’ testicles. Whatever the explanation, the symbol of fertility is clear.” https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1991481

The spiritual intent of goddess worship was to usurp God Almighty as supreme teacher of His word and the producer of spiritual children into His family and move the glory to mankind who is imaged as the woman. It is the arrogance of mankind to believe that they can produce spiritual children of God through their own teachings. The female gender was created to image mankind—the church (both the faithful and false churches), while the male gender was created to image the God-kind in heaven.

“A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man” (I Corinthians 11:7).

God’s purpose of creating mankind, male and female was not to create disparity on earth between the genders or to elevate one over the other, but rather, to teach mankind on earth about the differences between the God-kind in heaven and mankind on earth. The God-kind in heaven was created before mankind, that is why God created the earthly man before the earthly woman. The God-kind in heaven already rule; they have positions of great power and authority in heaven, and they existed long before time. There is a lot to know about the God-kind in heaven especially the levels of authority. Mankind, that is, both earthly male and female mankind will not have authority over the God-kind in eternity.

“But I would have you know, that the head of every man [the existing god-kind in heaven] is Christ; and the head of the woman [mankind] is the man[Christ]; and the head of Christ is God” (I Corinthians 11:3).

The order of authority is clear from I Corinthians 11:3: 

1.   God Almighty is head of all.

2a. Christ rules second in-charge over the existing heavenly rulers. 

      2b.   Christ’s Bride will co-rule with Christ as a unified body; he is the head and she is his body. 
CHRIST’S BRIDE WILL NOT USURP THE EXISTING HEAVENLY RULERS.

     2c.  Other heavenly rulers continue to rule and hold their original positions in their domain, but now they are under Christ’s rule.

3.   The remaining resurrected mankind will be subject to those above them.

After Jesus died, paid the penalty of the sins of all mankind and was resurrected by God Almighty, he was then anointed kingship and priesthood: King of kings and Lord of lords. Now, Jesus Christ is king over all of mankind and head of the church.

God’s faithful body of people have ONE teacher, Jesus Christ—the head of the body. The body of the church have the same status—all brothers and sisters.“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).

All of mankind, men and women alike have sinned often by being deceived, they became a sinner. However, one man—the second Adam was not the one deceived and he did not sin. From creation, God provided the story of mankind’s redemption through Christ. He was created before the church and she owes her eternal life to his great love for her and willingness to sacrifice his life for her. He is the only teacher and his church is silent before him. This is important, so that churches do not teach that they have authority on earth over Jesus Christ or stand on earth in God’s stead. Ancient pagan teachings have tried to usurp the authority of Jesus Christ over the church and promote their own authority.

God’s faithful body of people have ONE teacher, Jesus Christ—the head of the body. The body of the church have the same status—all brothers and sisters.“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).

Christ’s growing body of people, sons and daughters, descendants of ancient Israel are preparing for the greatest witness of all time. They will prophesy the words of their head, Jesus Christ. They are prepared and ready to participate in the sufferings of Christ during the upcoming reign of the wicked one. God cannot be stopped. He will pour out His Holy Spirit even on the nations outside of Israel—the whole world will come to see and understand the marvellous work of God. Then, they will know that God—our Creator is in 21st century Israel and that God is the Almighty Creator God and there is no other (Joel 2:27).

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In the beginning, God [Elohim] created both the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1). “Elohim” is the Hebrew word for Gods; it is masculine plural. From scripture, two Gods can be identified as working together to create the heaven and earth.

TWO GODS: GOD THE FATHER AND HIS SON
The greater God is identified as God the Father, while the second God is the Son. 

“I am God [El, masculine singular], and there is no other; I am God[s] [Elohim, masculine plural], and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand and I will do all that I please” (Isaiah 46:9b-10).

Through Isaiah, God identified a singular God, the one speaking and a plural form of God, indicating more than one. Jesus Christ is easily identified as a secondary God who participated in the creation of heaven and earth.

“He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the preeminent over all creation. For by him [Christ] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him” (Colossians 1:15-16).

Of the two Gods identified, God the Father reigns supreme; He is head and all powerful and His Son is subject to him. “Now when it says that ‘everything’ has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ” (I Corinthians 15:27).

The use of the words “Father” and “Son” identify the relationship between these two Gods. Relationship is key to understanding the order of authority and the intimacy within the union.

His Son, Jesus Christ is represented as the body of the Supreme God. The imagery of one body pictures the level and strength of unity they have in their relationship.

“But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God” (I Corinthians 11:13).

God Almighty does not reveal himself in form to mortals, but mankind can know Him by knowing Christ. “The Son is the image of the invisible God, preeminent over all creation” (Colossians 1:15). Jesus Christ, co-creator, is preeminent over all creation in heaven and on earth.

God the Father and His Son created life in heaven. Countless spiritual beings exist; they existed in abundance before the creation of mankind on earth. This was an intentional plan. The earth remained formless and void until it was time.

HISTORY BEFORE THE CREATION ON EARTH
God knew from the very beginning that all would not go well in the heavenly realm; He foreknew the arrival of iniquity and lawlessness. That was the reason for the delay in completing the creation on earth. God will not harm His creation, but He will use Wickedness to test and purify His creation. That time had come.

Lucifer, who was created perfect and most beautiful, fell into pride due to his exceptional beauty. He spread his philosophy and theology far and wide in heaven, long before the creation of Adam and Eve. God had determined a time in the future when He would destroy Lucifer, who became Satan, and his followers and replace them and the positions they hold—every last one of them—with repentant righteous mankind. None of these rogue heavenly rulers, powers and authorities would allow that; they became the fierce, unseen enemy of mankind from day one of our creation.

God announced mankind’s rescue plan. Many beings from the heavenly realm participated, but as scripture tells us, “the first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit” (I Corinthians 15:45)—only the “last Adam” was successful.

God contests mankind to search the scriptures to find the deep things of God. His transparency is evident by those who have become like the great kings who stand in front and face the unknown—the complex challenges with relentless effort and unwavering determine to solve and resolve the mysteries that are heavenly treasures more valuable than gold or silver.

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings” (Proverbs 25:2).

THE REVELATION HIDDEN IN THE CONVERSATION IN PSALM 2
A fascinating turn from traditional understanding is introduced in Psalm 2. It was asked in heaven, “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD [God the Father] and against his Anointed One [Jesus Christ]” (Psalms 2:1-2).

The conversation between God the Father and His Son describe an end-time setting when Satan and one-third in heaven who ally with him are thrown down to earth and he captures the nations. This fall from heaven will be witnessed by everyone on earth. Satan and his allies are one-third of the creation in heaven. They number in the billions. The skies of earth will rain with flashes of lightning until every last one of them is out of the heavenly realm. All of them will be raging because they have lost their place in heaven. While billions of spirit beings rejoice with the thrust of Satan and his coalition from out of their realm, they gasp in horror and fear for mankind on earth, “Woe to the earth and sea, because the devil has gone to you!” (Revelation 12:12).

Mankind is not worried because they have no idea what end-time battle rests on their horizon. Jesus warned them a long time ago, “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the worlduntil now—and never to be equaled again” (Matthew 24:21).

Mankind can search their history for times of great distress, but what lies on their horizon in the end-time war of Gods [that is, God Almighty and Jesus Christ] against Satan and his coalition has never happened before on earth nor will it ever happen again. The final great spiritual war will take place on earth. Woe, woe, woe to the people on earth.

“The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him… Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12:9, 12).

Satan will summon the beast from out of the sea; it will comprise of the rogue heavenly rulers, powers and authorities thrust down with him. Then, people will see with their own eyes the enemies Paul warned Christians about. “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). No longer with they be lurking unseen in the shadows. These are not mythical characters; they are raging, malicious, sinister, rogue, heavenly rulers, powers and principalities unseen previously by mankind and they will sweep the nations into their lair with every intent to keep them bound under their subjection.

The coalition will be terrifying. They will spread their hatred for God the Father and His Son worldwide. God and His Son continue, “Let us break their chains and throw off their fetters.” These nations are chained up to the rogue heavenly rulers, powers and authorities thrust out of heaven. “The One [Jesus Christ] enthroned in heaven laughs, the LORD [God the Father] scoffs at them” (Psalm 2:3-4). They are laughing at the rogue heavenly forces knowing they can easily break the power of Wickedness.

The nations will worship Satan and the beast because they are powerless to overthrow them. They will say, “Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?” (Revelation 13:4) They won’t even resist.

“I [the end-time heavenly ruler referred to as the king of Assyria]” boasts, “I removed the boundaries of nations, I plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their kings. As one reaches into a nest, so I gathered all the countries; not one flapped a wing, or opened its mouth to chirp” (Isaiah 10:13b-14). It will be an unprecedented time on earth.

The final seven years of this evil age will be terrifying. Evil heavenly rulers, powers and principalities will rule over all the nations on earth, except for the one family of nations that they will be taken captive and used as slaves—21st century Israel.

During that time, Babylon will trade her wares: beliefs, theology, ideology, and technology and mankind will sell all they have to buy it. They will be filled to the brim with deception and serve this alien invasion because they do not know God and His Son.

God will rebuke them in his anger and terrify these alien invaders. He will declare the One He has appointed over the nations. “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: You are my Son [Jesus Christ]; today I have become your Father.” God the Father and head of the God family declared long ago, “I will make the nations your [Jesus Christ’s] inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.You [Jesus Christ] will rule them with an iron sceptre; you will dash them to pieces like pottery” (Psalm 2:5-9).

Psalm 2 is an intriguing series of verses that captures an important conversation between God the Father and His Son. It describes the nations raging against the God family and then concludes with God the Father declaring His Son as inheritor of all of the nations on earth.

This is a fascinating statement that fits into a lost puzzle piece in history recorded in the Song of Moses that has remained invisible to Jews and Christians for hundreds of years.

“When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God” (ESV Deuteronomy 32:8).

The New International version translates this verse as, “When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race, he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court.”

Other translations state, “When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel” (King James Version).

Mike Heiser, author of Unseen Realm, provides his study on the different translations of Deuteronomy 32:8. “Most English Bibles do not read ‘according to the number of the sons of God’ in Deuteronomy 32:8. Rather, they read ‘according to the number of the sons of Israel.’ The difference derives from disagreements between manuscripts of the Old Testament. ‘Sons of God’ is the correct reading, as is now known from the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The notion that the nations of the world were geographically partitioned and owe their terrestrial identity to the sovereign God takes the reader back to the Table of Nations in Genesis 10-11, and two details there regarding God's apportionment of the earth that are important for the context of the textual debate in Deuteronomy 32:8. First, the Table of Nations catalogs seventy nations, but Israel is not included in the inventory. Second, the use of the same Hebrew root in both passages to describe the "separation" of humankind and the nations substantiates the long-recognized observation of scholars that Genesis 10-11 are the backdrop to the statement in Deuteronomy 32:8. Israel alone is Yahweh’s portionand so is not numbered among the seventy other nations.” (Mike Heiser, Deuteronomy 32:8 and the Sons of God, p. 2).

“Deuteronomy 32:8–9 harks back to events at the Tower of Babel, an event that occurred before the call of Abraham, the father of the nation of Israel. This means that the nations of the earth were divided at Babel before Israel even existed as a people.God decreed, in the wake of Babel, that the other nations he had forsaken would have other gods besides himself to worship” (Mike Heiser, Unseen Realm, p. 68).

This end-time conversation in Psalm 2 of God the Father and His Son is a battle of who will rule over mankind. The “sons of God” who received the nations as their inheritance recorded in Deuteronomy 32:8, that is, rulership over them are battling in the final great battle on earth to keep their inheritance, but as God the Father declared, they have already lost their inheritance to Jesus Christ. “I will make the nations your [Jesus Christ] inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.You [Jesus Christ] will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery” (Psalm 2:9).

The Apostle Paul assured us that these wicked heavenly rulers, and mighty powers will be taken down. “The end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet” (I Corinthians 15:24-25).

THE CREATION BOTH IN HEAVEN AND EARTH NEED RIGHTEOUS LEADERSHIP
It would seem from scripture that both God the Father and His Son planned to have members from the creation in heaven rule over mankind on earth, since mankind has a long history of losing their way and returning to sin. These rulers were highly regarded by God, but they fell into sin and led the nations astray. King David understood the battle that was raging at his time. He pleaded with God to simply take back the nations since they are His anyway. But, God operates under His legal system. Authority given cannot be taken away unless it is lost through God’s legal system.

“Rise up, O God [Elohim, masculine plural], judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance” (Psalm 82:8). King David was pleading with both the Father and the Son to just take back the nations from these rogue, wicked heavenly rulers.

OUR HUMBLE SAVIOR
Now begins the incredible, wonderful and passionate story of our humble Savior. God the Father described His Son as a tender shoot, like a root out of dry ground.

“He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground” (Isaiah 53:2a).

God often uses imagery in His stories to illustrate the greater picture. In the beginning, somewhere back before time, God’s Son may not have been part of the saving plan, but due to the failures in heaven, one and only one saving plan became evident. It required the blood of a perfect sacrifice.

The failures in heaven are recorded in Ezekiel 31. God described the best and most respected in the heavenly realm—the prince ruling over Assyria.

“The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it [the heavenly ruler over Assyria], nor could the pine trees equal its boughs, nor could the plane trees compare with its branches—no tree in the garden of God could match its beauty. I made it beautiful with abundant branches, the envy of all the trees of Eden in the garden of God” (Ezekiel 31:8-9).

“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… to the grave” (Ezekiel 31:16b, 17b).

These “trees” that God described as cedars are leaders, God’s “choicest and best of Lebanon.” Lebanon is God’s imagery for His headquarters—the place where the tallest and finest cedars [specialized leaders] grow. God has told us that they have all been imprisoned in the pit/grave—the lowest place in existence—the most degrading place for those who held the highest positions in God’s government. God tells Pharaoh that he too, is destined to be with these imprisoned members of God’s heavenly court. God is talking to rogue heavenly rulers, powers and authorities. Many of them remain today, imprisoned, not yet judged and sentenced; they await judgment still in the future.

“In that day the LORD will punish the gods in the heavens and the proud rulers of the nations on earth. They will be gathered together like prisoners in a pit. They will be confined to a dungeon and punished after many days” (Isaiah 24:21-22).

Unlike some of the previous heavenly rulers who appear to have been selected for a specific rulership position by “a great eagle with powerful wings, long feathers and full plumage of varied colors” described in Ezekiel 17:3, God chose His Son, himself. Right now, we see through a glass darkly; the imagery of the great eagle in Ezekiel 17:3 is difficult to identify. Still, God, himself, took “a shoot from the very top of a cedar and planted it… on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain heights of Israel, he planted it…it will become a splendid cedar” (Ezekiel 17:22-23).

Christ, the last Adam, was chosen by God the Father and qualified as a splendid leader in God’s NEW headquarters—Israel. God has declared His new headquarters—“the mountain heights of Israel” (Ezekiel 17:23). This is ecstatic news for the earthly realm that God will establish His new headquarters with His second creation, on Earth, in Israel.

His Son was always part of the God family prior to the creation of heaven and earth ruling under His Father, but with the failure of once righteous heavenly leadership over the nations and the triumph of His Son over them, God the Father announced His Son as King of kings and Lord of lords. This is no longer a matter for debate, but still a battle will rage on earth during the final seven years of this evil age as these rogue heavenly forces try to overthrow God’s declaration.

THE SON OF GOD SEEKS NO GLORY TO DISTRACT MANKIND FROM GOD’S MESSAGE TO THEM.
“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. In the 21stcentury, 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, a humble savior, lives by the gospel of peace.

“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).

THE SON OF MAN 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).

“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).

CHRIST DEMONSTRATED HIS INFINITE LOVE FOR MANKIND BY DYING ON THE CROSS
“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).

There is no redemption for the sinning heavenly beings—the rogue rulers, powers and authorities in heaven. Christ loves righteousness and there is no limit to what he can suffer to preserve and restore righteousness. The core of Christ is to do the will of his Father. He does not seek to challenge his Father—“equality with God something to be grasped,” 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, willingly submitted to mortality and suffering, so that he could save and truly understand the human experience—the weaker vessel and intercede for us 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).

YASHUAH HAMASHIACH/JESUS CHRIST CONTINUES TO HOLD THE HIGHEST HONOR ABOVE ALL CREATION
“That power is like the working of his [God’s] mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present agebut ALSO IN THE ONE TO COME. And God placed all things under his feet…” (Ephesians 1: 19b-22a).

Yashuah HaMashiach/Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords. No creation in heaven or earth will be able to contest his rule.

God Almighty is so pleased with the achievements of Jesus Christ that He speaks of him with absolute reverence.

“But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God [Christ], will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God [Christ], your God [the Almighty God], has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy’” (Hebrews 1:8-9).

A ROYAL MONARCHY WILL RISE AND RULE OVER THE REALMS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH
God created intentionally the intimate relationship between a husband and wife to reflect the spiritual equivalent, that is, the intimate relationship between Christ and his church.It is a mystery. The Apostle Paul reminded Christians that God’s creation of the genders reflects the heavenly realm (male) and the earthly realm (female).

“For we are members of His body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is profound, but I AM SPEAKING ABOUT CHRIST AND THE CHURCH” (Ephesians 5:30-32).

Eve was created from a rib from Adam to image the righteous church (Eve) receiving eternal life through Christ (the last Adam). Christ will have pre-eminence over his wife. He is the head in this union of two working as one.

“And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy” (Colossians 1:18).

Christ is the Word of God. The church will look to Christ for instruction; he is the expert. She will not bring her own theology or her scriptural interpretations to sway him over to her understanding. It was the church from the beginning who was deceived teaching the traditions of men, Christianizing pagan holidays and applying their own interpretation and bias on scriptures.

The Apostle Paul clearly wrote, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve” (I Timothy 2:12-13). Adam pictures the first creation in heaven who were created perfect and full of God’s word. Eve pictures the second creation on earth who have been created to grow in the knowledge of the LORD. The heavenly creation—the first creation, outside of the rogue and wicked heavenly rulers, powers and authorities, are without sin; they are perfect in God’s law and God’s way. There is no plan of salvation for the fallen heavenly creation, unlike the gracious salvation plan for mankind.

Today, the churches teach hundreds of different doctrines. Christ urged the churches of Revelation to overcome—return to the pure word of God and remove misinterpretations and untested teachings. Christ asks God’s people to be silent of their own theology and humble themselves. Repeat only the teachings of Christ, live as he lived, and follow him only.

Habakkuk said,"But the LORD is in His holy temple.Let all the earth BE SILENT before Him" (Habakkuk 2:20).

Zechariah said,"BE SILENT, all flesh,before the LORD; for He is aroused from His holy habitation” (Zechariah 2:13).

“Women will be saved through childbirth, if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety” (I Timothy 2:15).

This scripture is a spiritual teaching and difficult for many to understand. The church will be saved by birthing a congregation worthy of God’s kingdom. Churches who continue to preach misconceptions, misinterpretations, traditions of men, and pagan practices will not be saved. The ministry of the church will be held accountable for their theology.

“I WILL SEND MY SON—He will search for my sheep and look after them. He will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. He will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and He will bring them into their own land. He will pasture them on the mountains of Israel. He will tend them in a good pasture and they will feed in rich pastures. I will search for the lost sheep and bring back the strays. He will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong He will destroy. He will shepherd the flock with justice” (Ezekiel 34:9-16).

Mankind have all sinned and proven many times over, to be easily deceived. God worked hard with the people of Israel to make of them a holy kingdom of royal priests, but many wandered away from their calling leaving only a remnant of faithful followers. There is an order of authority that will be enforced when the heavenly and earthly realms come under one monarchy.

The order of authority is clear from I Corinthians 11:13: 

1.   God Almighty is head of all.

​2a. Christ rules second under God Almighty. 

       2b.  Christ’s bride will co-rule with Christ. Christ will have pre-eminence as they rule as a unified body.

3.   Other heavenly rulerscontinue to rule and hold their original positions in their domain under Christ’s rule.

4.   The remaining resurrected mankind will be subject to those above them. They will be the least in the kingdom.

“But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man [the heavenly creation], and the man [Christ] is the head of a woman [the second creation/mankind], and God is the head of Christ” (I Corinthians 11:3).

CHRIST’S BRIDE—THE SAINTS WILL CO-RULE WITH HIM
God has already made it known that the saints will co-rule with Christ. “But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever… As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possess the kingdom” (Daniel 7:18, 22).

This bride is a special group of people who follow Christ wherever he goes. Like him, they do not shrink back, but they stand strong against all odds. They have bound themselves in an allegiance with the Almighty God of Israel and their Savior, Jesus Christ.

“But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls” (Hebrews 10:39).

She has learned to be humble and teachable. This body of people search the scriptures daily; they test the teachings of men and hold fast to the teachings of God. To this group of people God promises, He will preserve, not necessarily their physical lives, but their eternal life and their exquisite crown that radiates with the glory of God.

She is truly the Queen of mankind on earth. Today, she is insignificant and unknown, but when Christ returns, she will be exalted to the highly adorned office as bride of Christ, Queen of the realm on earth and she will be radiant.

“He did this to present her to himself as a glorious churchwithout a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault” (Ephesians 5:27).

A royal wedding is on our near horizon. The King, Christ from above the heavenly realm will marry his Bride—the church, the Queen from the earthly realm. As God [Elohim: God the Father and Jesus Christ] said, “He made them in His image; male and female He made them (Genesis 1:27). The creation of gender on earth was intentionally designed to reflect the two realms, the first creation: the heavenly and the second creation: the earthly.

On a side point, this poses a problem with God, when mankind tries to change their gender. It affects the spiritual mirror, which God uses to teach mankind about heavenly matters.

A wedding is soon to come and the wife of the Lamb will sit with her husband. “Come, I will show you the bride the wife of the Lamb. And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It shone like the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel” (Revelation 21:9b-11a).

She is sitting with her husband on a great, high throne and that throne is being moved to earth out of heaven after a NEW heaven and a NEW earth (Revelation 21:1) is created. God our Creator has decided to dwell with men in their realm on EARTH; God will move His great throne and temple there.

“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God” (Revelation 21:3).

This great honor is beyond human reasoning that the Great God would want to live with them. 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 SAVIOUR
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.

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For centuries, structures have been built for the worship of gods and goddesses and in the case of the Jewish and Christian faith, a place where believers gather to worship the one Creator, God. The first structure of the ancient Israelites was the tabernacle in the desert built from specific directions from God. The first permanent structure was the temple in Jerusalem by the orders of King Solomon. The second temple was built by the Jews after their release from the Babylonians and the third and final physical structure was the temple built in Jerusalem that was destroyed in 70 A.D..

Many structures have been built in ancient times for gods and goddesses, as well. Well known Greek temples include: Temple of Artemis, Temple of Hera, Temple of Apollo, Temple of Zeus, the Parthenon, the Temple of Poseidon, the Temple of Nemesis, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Temple of Apollo, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Temple of Athena, and the Temple of Dionysus. The structure was a centre for the god or goddess for their worship and the teaching of their theology. The Romans adopted many of the Greek gods and goddesses and in many cases, they changed the Greek name into a Roman name. Gods and goddesses were worshiped all over the world in ancient times and continue to be worshiped by some today.

Today, the ancient gods and goddesses are considered mythical characters. Evidence of their presence is not felt or seen, so any existence of them in the past is considered a fantasy. 

The Jewish and Christian faith advocate the worship of ONE God, the Creator. The Old Testament often spells out which God they worshiped, by adding “the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” This God identified the descendants of Abraham through Isaac and then through Jacob as His people, because the rest of the people were divided, boundaries set and given their inheritance—members of God’s heavenly court.

“When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race, he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court. But the LORD’s portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:8-9).

Unfortunately, the members of God’s heavenly court did not remain faithful to Him. All of them joined mankind’s great adversary and together, they have formed a very powerful coalition that has cast a spell-like deception on mankind and they continue to lead them astray.

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