Scripture in light of "1st century history"

Does studding Eschatology for yourself really Matter?

2012-01-28T17:31:00.004-05:00

Why is the study of eschatology important? First, the Bible is given to us that we might know God’s love for us and how God redeemed us to bring us back unto His very presence.

Anything God has chosen to reveal to us is certainly worth studying. It seems odd, therefore, that Christians would opt to downplay certain parts of God's revelation as irrelevant.

Second, while eschatology may not be among the essential doctrines of the faith, neither is it unimportant. Eschatology deals with God's plan in human history. The Bible also tells us about God in eschatological passages. How can anyone say that God's plan for the human race has no effect on one's life?

In general, I find those who claim that eschatology has no effect on one's lifestyle to be those with a pessimistic view of the future. Eschatology affects one's perseverance. Eschatology has a very profound effect on one's life. You better believe eschatology matters. As a man thinks, so is he (Prov. 23:7). In my last article we say how the church became greatly influenced by gentile thinking and how their ideas of the last day’s are totally alien to Judaism and Old Testament scripture.

But did this influence creep in on other parts of the Bible like the nature of the "Parousia of Christ that was to happen in the last days as will. Now Listen to these suggestions by Kurt Aland....as we discover a decisive turning point in the second half of the second century a watershed decisive for the development of the Christian church. Think deeply on these things.

It was the definite conviction not only of Paul, but of all Christians of that time, that they themselves would experience the return of the Lord; The Apocalypse expresses the fervent waiting for the end withing the circles in which the writer lived-not an expectation that will happen at some unknown point x in time, but one in the immediate present. If we browse through the writings of that period we observe that this expectation of the end continued. In fact, we also find ti the writing of the first half of the second century sufficient evidence to indicate that the expectation of the Parousia was by no means at an end then.

At the end of the Didache ("the teaching of the twelve apostles"), from the time shortly after 100, there is, for example, an apocalyptic chapter which corresponds completely in its outline to the Synoptic apocalypse in Mark 13 (and the parallel chapters in the other Synoptic Gospels.); here we can only very cautiously say that it used the same words, but that its content is imperceptibly in the process of change. It quite similar to the Epistle of Barnabas which was written a little later that the Didache, where we read: (The day is near in which everything will perish together with the evil. The Lord ans his recompense are near.

Again and again the old expressions echo. They echo apparently almost unchanged, but ("doubt about the imminence of the Lord’s return is increasingly mixed with them until around the middle of the second century when the Shepherd of Hermas thinks he has found a solution and expresses it with great thoroughness and emphaisi: the Parousia-the Lord’s return-has been postponed for the sake of Christians them selves. The building of the tower has not been stopped,) it is only temporarily suspended. Therefore and this is the warning of the Shepherd of Hermas, on account of which the entire work was really written do good works for your purification, for if you delay too long, the construction of the tower may be finished and you will not be included as stones built into it.

The thought of a postponement of the Parousia appears all through 2 Clement but here it is expressly mentioned for the first time. Thus, about the middle of the second century, a decisive turning point occurs one which can be compared in significance to all other great turning points, including the Reformation. Obviously, we cannot fix this turning point precisely at the year 150, for it took a while until the though caught hold everywhere. But a development does begin with the Shepherd of Hermas which could not be stopped-a development at the end of which we stand today. As soon as the thought of a postponement of the Parousia was uttered once and indeed not only incidentally, but thoroughly presented in an entire writing-it developed its (own life and power).

At first, people looked at it as only a brief postponement, as the Shepherd of Hermas clearly expresses. But soon, as the end of the world did not occur, it was conceived of as a longer and longer period, until finally-this is today’s situation nothing but the thought of a postponement exists in people’s consciousness. (Kurt Aland. A History of Christianity. (2 vols.) Fortress Press: 1985. Vol. 1,pp.89-102

Above we have heard from a well-known students of Church history who pointed the middle of the second century as the time when a paradigm shift in eschatological concepts occurred. Did all these statements of history just come out of the thin air? These are pretty powerful statements, and they're coming from someone who knows a decisive turning point" when he sees one.

These and other statements made by other students of Church history are not hided in the dark all it takes is a little research to learn the truth of the matter. Does studding Eschatology for yourself really Matter?

The last days.

2012-01-22T19:17:00.002-05:00

After the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 a great number of Jews’s were killed or taken captive and sold as slaves. Concerning Jerusalem Moses said, in Deuteronomy 28:68 "And the LORD will take (you back to Egypt in ships, by the way of which I said to you), 'You shall never see it again.' And there you shall be offered for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves), but no one will buy you." (emphasis added)

The tallest and most beautiful of the young men were saved for the triumphal procession; everyone else over the age of seventeen was sent in bonds to work the Egyptian mines. A great number were also sent into the provinces to provide amusement in the theaters. (Josephus 37:B.C A.D. 70 p. 230)

At the rise of Christianity anti-Semitism and hatred of Jews began to creep into the church toward Jews just because they are Jewish. The church became greatly influenced by gentile thinking such as the Church, was God’s plan B after the Jews reject their Messiah. However the birth of the early first century Church was brought about from within the womb of Judaism. The Church was thoroughly Jewish from its earliest days (since there were no Gentiles in it from 32 to 42). When the Gentiles did begin coming into church it was at the council in Jerusalem. ( Acts 15)

Along with the gentile influence came the idea of the last days on the New Covenant. However in order to determine whether we are in the last days, we should determine how the phrase was originally used in the Hebrew Scriptures. This will help us in regards to our interpretation of the New Testament usage of the term "last days."

First, I would like to consider the first usage of the phrase "last days" and consider those who are primarily addressed:
Genesis 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. So, it is clear that Israel is the subject of Jacob ‘s swan song about the last days and the last days concern the Jews.
Moses confirms that in the latter days the Jews would be ultimate scattered among the nations. Deuteronomy 4:27 And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you. Deuteronomy 4:30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice.

Moses says, the Jews would be scattered among the nations in a (time of tribulation that will come upon them in the latter days). There is no reference to Gentiles being the subject of these latter days.

Was the nation of Israel ultimate scattered among the nations in a time of tribulation? You bet they were many were taken back to Egypt in ships, to work the Egyptian mines. (Deuteronomy 28:68 concerning Jerusalem) "And the LORD will take you back to Egypt in ships, by the way of which I said to you, 'You shall never see it again.' And there you shall be offered for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you." (emphasis added) (Josephus 37:B.C A.D. 70 p. 230)

Moses continues this omen toward the end of the book. Deuteronomy 31:29 For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands. Moses was speaking to a nation of Jews, who evil will befall in the latter days; because they did evil in the sight of the LORD,

Ezekiel identifies Israel also concerning its doom under the nations in the latter days. Ezekiel 38:16 And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes. Nowhere in these passages are referring to the last days of the physical planet but, rather, the last days of Judah and Jerusalem.

Isaiah predicts these last days as well. Isaiah 2:1-2 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. The vision was concerning Judah and Jerusalem not the physical planet.

Throughout the Old Testament God predicts when these latter days come the people of God will understand what He will do to the nation of Israel in destroying it and punishing it for its wickedness.

Along with the punishment of the fleshly nation of Israel for its wickedness, the elect remnant of national Israel would be saved in the latter days. Hosea 3:5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

The fear here is one of reverence in those who worship and serve the God. In the Old Testament, “reverence” occurs as the translation of two Hebrew words: Yare’ (pronounced yaw-ray’), which carries the meaning of “fear.” This word is used to express the attitude toward God Himself. “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him (Psalm 89:7). The thought being one of fear, awe and respect.

Certainly the writers of the New Testament were very aware of those passages we have studied involving the last days of Judah and Jerusalem. Therefore it is safe and logical to say Paul believed they were living in the end of the Jewish age as well:1 Cor 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the age are come.

Paul was describing the history of the Jews and their rebellion against God in the wilderness. We should not ignore the fact that Paul, is discussing the ancient rebellion of Israel which took place in the wilderness before entering into the earthly promised land, was describing the rebellion taking place during the 40-year period in which he was living the period between the giving of the New Testament and the entering into the heavenly Promised Land.

It is evident that national Israel is the main subject involved in these last days. However one might try to argue that the last days concerned the spiritual Israel of God. One would be hard pressed to find scripture were God bringing such evil upon His beautiful bride.

Consider the statement of Daniel about an everlasting kingdom. How great are His signs, And how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation. Daniel 4:3

Daniel 7:14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed..

Daniel 7:27 Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the wholes heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.'

Hebrew 13:20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant. Of course you cannot place last days on a everlasting covenant.

The point is most if not all the disciples were dead not long after the start of the early Church. And their understand about the last days from the Old Testament scripture died with them. As the gentiles began to come into the Church they gave birth to a last days totally alien to Judaism and Old Testament scripture.

2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

2012-01-22T19:10:00.001-05:00

It has been generally believed that Peter here is saying there will be a new physical heavens and earth after the old earth and solar system are destroyed. At first glance, it looks as though Peter was saying just that. But are the physical world and universe what Peter had in mind? There is a lot more to this statement of Peter that meets the eye.

In order to understand what Peter is trying to convey about the “new heaven and earth” we need to think like an Israelite who was familiar with the flood of Noah. The Jews had another understand of the heaven and earth then our modern literal understanding.

Let go back to 2 Peter 3:5-7 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of “old,” and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Notice the context of what Peter writes in these verses 5. The “old” heavens and earth (that then existed) are the same heavens and earth that rain destroyed in Genesis. And rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights. (Genesis7:12)

So, the post flood heavens and earth that then existed are the “old” heaven and earth when Peter was writing. The reason the “old” heaven and earth were destroyed in the days of Noah was because of ungodly men who were thoroughly corrupt upon the earth in God's sight. Genesis 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

The “heavens and earth” that existed after the flood, Peter calls the “now “ heaven and earth in (2 Peter 3:7). Peter also says the reason for the destruction of the current heavens and earth was ungodly men. Peter continually links the two events together. The difference between the two events are the method of judgment. The heavens and earth of Noah’s day were destroyed by water and the heavens and earth Peter refers to are destroyed by fire. Some, who take the literalistic interpretation approach to all prophecy, apply this to the end of the world's history. But prophecies like this actually applied to spiritual things the passing away of the old, order and the transformation of things into newness of life.

Here are two dilemmas with our old modern interpretation that the heaven and earth Peter is refers to are the material world, and universe that will be burned up. Why should we think that fire will destroy (the Glob and Universe) when Peter uses the example of the “old” heavens and earth (that existed) were destroyed in Noah’s flood? We need not. The flood did not destroy the literal heavens and earth, as Peter refers to its destruction in. (2 Peter 3:5) The people came under judgment by water. The literal heavens and earth were not destroyed. Peter explains the earth was standing out of water and in water.

The second dilemma. Have you ever thought to yourself if the literal heaven and earth were destroyed in the days of Noah's flood were did the “now” heaven and earth that Peter mentions will be destroyed by fire come from? Its obvious that Peter had something else in mind other then the literal planet and universe burning up.

ISRAEL was the heavens and the earth that God had formed, and some day that same heavens and earth would pass away as described in (2 Peter 3). In Isaiah 51:13 God said that He had "stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth" Once again, is God speaking here of the literal heavens and earth?

Read on in this same passage to verse 16: "And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people."

This could not be talking of the formation of the literal heavens and earth, for that had taken place more than 3,000 years before! The verse explains itself. He is talking about "Zion." He is talking about "my people Israel" In other words, He is talking about the formation of Israel or the creation of Israel.

In Jeremiah 22:29 God says, "0 earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord." And in verse 1 (along with verses 11, 18 and 24) we read that the words were for the people of Judah, concerning the time when they would be taken "into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans" (vs. 25). It was not the whole physical earth God was talking to, but the people.

The new heavens and earth that Peter mentions where righteousness dwells are based upon "GOD’S PROMISE" The only prophecies "promise" that Peter referred to are in the Old Testament that specifically mention the new heavens and new earth are found in Isaiah 65:17 and Isaiah 66:22.

These are the only two places in the Old Testament where this promise of a new heavens and a new earth can be found, and neither of these speak of a literal heavens and earth passing away. Nor do they speak of a literal new heavens and new earth.

The heaven and earth, in which Peter is refers to in Genesis and 2 Peter 3 are Bible language referring to change or transformation, from a old order and making into a new thing, of God's people.

The Old Covenant was obsolete and growing old and ready to vanish away. (Hebrews 8:13) In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

2012-01-22T19:00:00.003-05:00

Most people are naturally prone to accept without question the teaching from a person or organization they hold in high regard, never considering or presuming that they could be teaching something based upon an assumption or preconceived notion they were taught. It may be that many of us have come to understand these verses based on prior traditional assumptions.

We need to examine the meaning of this word "elements", which is the same word used several other times in the New Testament. The Greek word for "elements" is "stoicheion" and means "something orderly in arrangement - element, principle, rudiment."

The word itself can refer to the parts of which our universe. It can also have another meaning it can refer to the rudimentary things of religion as well as other things too, of course. Perhaps we should consider what other scriptures may have to say on this matter of “the elements” and how the word is used? At this point in our study will look at the symbolic meaning of the passing away of the heavens and the earth, in connection with the "elements.” The elements would be the dong away with the things related to Israel’s religion which would be abolished.

We find this word first in Galatians 4:3 where Paul said, "Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage, under the elements "stoicheion"of the world." Here Paul was saying that the Jewish people before Christ and salvation were living under the worldly ceremonies and ordinances of the old covenant, though now they no longer needed the law as a schoolmaster as they had graduated to Christ by faith. The elements "stoicheion" were no longer needed. When they were under the Mosaic, law before Christ they were in bondage, under the elements "stoicheion"of the world."

The Jewish leader believed just because they were fleshly descendants of Abraham that they had never been under this bondage. However Jesus pointed out whoever commits sin is a slave of sin and bondage. (John 8:33-34)

Then in Galatians 4:9 the word is used again. "But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements where unto you desire again to be in bondage?" Paul follows this by saying that because "You observe days, and months, and times, and years;" verse10. He was afraid he had bestowed his labor upon them in vain. Paul used the term in his stinging rebuke to the Galatians Christians who were tempted to forsake the freedom of the New Covenant for an Old Covenant "elementary" style legalist religious system. The things of that legalist system would shortly be "burned up."

In Colossians 2:8 Paul encourages the Colossian Christians not to go back into these elementary things of the old law. He uses the same word for "elements" ("stoicheion") though here translated "principles" "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." The spiritual lives of these Christians could be spoiled if they listened to those Judaizers who tried to get them to return to the old way. These things would soon go up in smoke.

Then in the same chapter, Colossians 2:20, Paul said, "Wherefore if you be dead with Christ from the elements ("stoicheion") of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances ... " These ordinances would soon "perish" (be destroyed) he said (vss. 22).

The writer to the Hebrews says, "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elements (stoicheion) of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food" (Hebrews. 5:12). In context, the writer to the Hebrews is clearly speaking of Old Covenant truths particularly since he connects it with the term oracles of God, an expression used elsewhere in the New Testament for the provisional.

These words are a complaint, which the apostle makes of a certain defect in the Christian Hebrews, to whom he wrote. What is the defect? The apostle complains was they had not made that progress in their acquaintance with the things of the law or things taught in the oracles of God, which they should have made by then. They should have been moving behind the knowledge of elementary things and teachers spiritual things in Christ. Yet they were still in need of the milk of the word and not solid food.

If these other five places are using the word "elements"(stoicheion) in terms of the old legalist religious system why would we think the meaning in 2 Peter 3:10 would not mean the same thing as in these other places?

When Peter said "the elements shall melt with fervent heat" in II Peter 3:12 the Greek word for "melt" there is "teko which means "to liquefy" But interestingly, in verse 10 where those same identical words (in English in the King James version) are used: "the elements shall melt with fervent heat", the Greek work for "melt" is different. It is "luo", which means "break up, destroy, dissolve, loose, melt, put off." In actuality, this is what happened to those "elements" of the old Jewish religion - they were broken up, destroyed, dissolved, loosened and put off. This is how the elements melted in that day of the Lord when the heavens and the earth felt the judgment of God.

Until we learn to set aside our modern gentile traditional understand of these things and think like a first century Jew who was familiar with this stile of figurative language out understanding of the Bible will forever be on the milk of the word and not solid food.

With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

2012-01-22T18:55:00.002-05:00

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8) In order to truly understand any context of scripture it must be understood in it original historical setting. The main principal design of this chapter is to demonstrate, an objection to the scoffers, that the Lord Jesus had not returned.

We will start with 2 Peter 3:2-4 which reads, that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that “scoffers will come in the last days,” walking according to their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."

Jude 1:18 says there would be "mockers in the last time of the old Covenant. Scoffers is the same Greek word rendered mockers. Now those days of Jude prophecy were being fulfilled.

These scoffers Peter mentioned, are Judaizers and unbelieving Jews that abandon God’s gracious gift of salvation and were trying to get Hebrew Christians to abandon the promise of Christ return. These Judaizers were mocking the Hebrew Christians by saying. "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." These "mockers" were Jews familiar with Jesus promise to return. (Matthew 10:23; 16:27-28; 26:62-65).

These scoffers were also very familiar with the events of the Old Testament. The argument of Peter, in reply to this is strong Peter began his scathing rebuttal to these mockers. He refers to the destruction of the old world by the flood--a fact that cannot be argued. Peter said that those scoffers knew very well what happened in the days of Noah, how the earth was standing out of the water and in the water. Verse 5 for this is unobserved by them willingly. However, they were willing to cast aside that knowledge and ignore it, as they made mockery of Jesus’ promise to come and destroy the then present “heavens and earth,” which was “reserved for fire, on the day of judgment of ungodly men” (verse 7).

In verse 8 we find a statement that has been quoted over and over again but “not like it was originally written.” In 2 Peter 3:8 we find the statement about "one day being as a thousand years," etc. Please note the verse (does not say one day IS a thousand years with the Lord). But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

Peter was defending the promises of God’s word, especially the promises, against those scoffers who jeer and mock God's faithfulness. He was not in agreement with them. Peter wanted to assure his brethren not to fall prey to the words and claims of those evil scoffers that Christ had not returning as promised. They could count on it! Peter ministers to the household of faith as he strengthens them. He says, if God promises to do a certain thing in a day, the promise is sure, and it will come on time. If God promises to do a certain thing in a thousand years, the promise is sure, and it will come on time. It makes no difference to God if the time is a day or a thousand years; God is faithful, to do what he promised. Verse 8 strengthens the sureness of the time statements made by Jesus in Scripture, they not opposing them. Peter was defending the promises of God not agreeing with the scoffers.

Peter's thoughts are rooted in the Psalms: For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. Psalm 90:4 This verse amplifies the teaching, saying that no matter how long time is from man’s perspective, it’s like a twinkling of an eye from God’s eternal perspective. Peter draws on these eternal truths to bring home the point that God is certain to keep his promises on time. Apostle Peter’s readers should not lose heart because God keeps his promise on time.

What are the things that were continuing from the beginning of creation that the scoffers jeered and mocked the household of faith about? (2 Peter 3:4) The system of Moses with its priests hood, and animal sacrifices and the Temple. All these things were continuing when Peter wrote these words.

In fact these may have been the very same scoffers who were bring false witnesses to testified against Stephen. There we read, Now Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. Then they instigated some men to say, "We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God." They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, accosted him, seized him, and brought him before the Sanhedrin.

They presented false witnesses who testified, "This man never stops saying things against (this holy place) and the law. For we have heard him claim that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us." (Acts 6:9-14 New American Bible)

The real purpose of this whole episode, is to introduce Stephen as one who comes against the Temple and the Mosaic law that was handed down to them. The Temple is the holy place mentioned in verse 13. Notice these people were claim that Stephen said Jesus will destroy this place (the Temple ) and change the customs (the laws) that Moses handed down to us." This statement was made long after Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father.

The scoffers Peter writes about were jeer and mocking about the faithfulness to this promise. But what was the reason Jesus had not yet come? The answer to that question is found in a verse that has long been forgotten and completely removed from the context of verse 8 Peter said, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward YOU; not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

The word translated "slow" (Greek "braduno") means just that. Another beautiful truth that is expressed here is that Peter, reminded them once again of the patience and long-suffering of God. The delay should be regarded as a proof of God forbearance, and of his desire that men should be saved.

God wanted 40 years for his old covenant people, to come to repentance, and not reject the salvation, of which Peter and Paul and others spoke of. After those 40 years of patience were over Jesus fulfilled his promise and the things that the scoffers were bragging that were continuing were destroyed including the scoffers.

The concept of the Marriage Supper is also better understood in light of the wedding customs in scripture.

2012-01-11T20:28:00.001-05:00

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb is a magnificent occasion. It stands out. It is alluded to in the Hebrew prophetic poetry. It is time of voicing great joy and gladness. The words of the wedding ceremony are from Psalm and Isaiah…as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall Elohim rejoice over you. Isaiah 62:5 Psalms 19:5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Psalm 30:11-12 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.

At the Marriage Supper the bride and bridegroom are elaborately clothed. Passages of scripture also allude to this practice. They would act and be treated like a king and a queen, even being adorned with crowns. Song of Solomon. 3:11 "Go forth, O daughters of Zion, and gaze on King Solomon with the crown with which his mother has crowned him on the day of his wedding, and on the day of his gladness of heart."

Isaiah 61:10 For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Ezekiel 16:8-13 When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,” says the Lord GOD. “Then I washed you in water; yes, I thoroughly washed off your blood, and I anointed you with oil. I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of badger skin; I clothed you with fine linen and covered you with silk. I adorned you with ornaments, put bracelets on your wrists, and a chain on your neck. And I put a jewel in your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head. Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth.

If you wanted people to think of the most joyous special celebration they could think of, you would pick the wedding feast. Especially in that ancient Near Eastern culture. People really knew how to do it up big when it came to wedding feasts. The celebration might last for days or weeks. They pulled out all the stops richest of foods and the finest of wines, freely flowing. (John 2:1-12) It is a glorious celebration of all who had faith in God and since they are in a spiritual state there no need for food or drink! Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.

The wedding feast to which the saints are invited includes not only the first century saints as the bride of Christ, but others were invited to the wedding feast as well. The "others" include all the Old Testament saints who die in faith like Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob.

In Luke 13, Jesus talked about Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets of Israel–as well as a multitude of people from the east and west and north and south. All of them “reclining at a table in the kingdom of God.” “Reclining at table” That’s the image of an ancient Near Eastern feast, which Jesus uses to describe the kingdom of God.

This are the ones invited. “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9). The man purpose of the wedding feast is “ worship and praising God” for all that He has done. Jeremiah 33:11 'the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say: "Praise the LORD of hosts, For the LORD is good, For His mercy endures forever" and of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,' says the LORD

In his vision in John saw and heard the heavenly multitudes praising God because the wedding feast of the Lamb the "marriage supper"—was about to begin. Revelation. 19:6-9 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude and as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. And he said to me, "Write, `Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'" And he said to me, "These are the true words of God."

There is another very important point that is often over looked about the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. There are three phases to the marriage supper itself. First, a marriage contract between the parents of the bride and the bridegroom. The bridegroom would pay a dowry to the parents of the bride. This was called the betrothal period, what we would today call the engagement.

The second step usually occurred a year later, when the bridegroom, accompanied by his male friends, went to the house of the bride at midnight with a torchlight parade through the streets. The bride would be ready with her maidens, and they would join the parade that would end up at the bridegroom's home.

The third phase was the Marriage Supper of the Lamb itself, as illustrated Revelation. 19:6-9 What John visioned the wedding feast of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and His bride (the Church) in its “ third phase, the implication is the first two phases leading up to the Marriage Supper had already taken place.” So there no way Revelation was written after AD 70 when bridegroom came for his bride.

Christ and his beloved bride.

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This was a time unlike any other time in history. In his letter to the churches of Galatia, Paul affirms that the Son of God came to this earth at just the right time in the divine scheme of things. He expresses the thought like this: “But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth his son, born of a woman, born under the law.” (Galatians 4:4) For centuries this time had been in preparation.

Paul also tell us that Jesus came to fulfill all the promises made unto the fathers. Romans 15:8 I SV For I tell you that the Messiah became a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God's truth in order to confirm the promises given to our ancestors.

The problem was during Jesus' time the Jews were under Roman domination. Many of the Jews were hoping the Messiah would be more like a political Savior, a King the Messiah who would free them from the Roman yoke.

In response to this hope, a huge crowd set up a virtual parade for Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. They laid down palm branches across the road as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (also prophesied regarding the Messiah). And they called out, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." Even Jesus' disciples enthusiastically asked him, "Is this when you will set up your kingdom?"

In short, Jesus did not fit who they expected the Messiah to be. In fact, most of what Jesus did ran contrary to their view of a Messiah. The Old Testament Scriptures do contain a multitude of prophecies about the Messiah who will come as ruling, triumphant King and set up his kingdom. In addition to this portrayal of the Messiah as King, there are hundreds of other Old Testament prophecies clearly refer to the Messiah as a Savior form sin. (Isaiah 53:5)

They thought if Jesus was the Messiah, he should think and behave more like themselves. As time went on many of the Jews were going apostasy from the church 1John 2:19; Act 15:24 and became the primary enemies of Christians in the early years. Paul said, “Five time I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes” (2 Corinthians 11:24) as well as in ‘dangers from my countrymen’ (11:26). Then at Lystra,’...Jews came from Antioch and Iconiun, and having won over the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to dead’ (Acts 14:19) Of course, when the unbelieving Jews instigated the Gentiles, they also joined in persecuting Christians. (Acts 14:2) It shows how passionate the Judaizers hatred was against the Christians. Acts recording in 23:14 how the chief priests and elders has made a great oath to even kill Paul.

They were extremely bitter toward believers and inflicted much tribulation. One of the main purposes of Revelation was to encourage the “bride” in the midst of severe persecutions and tribulation they were undergo. John calls himself their brother and companion in the tribulation. Revelation 1:9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

As time progressed things became worst and Nero began his assault on the Church. This began a great persecution of the Church for 3 ½ years from A.D 64 till A.D 67, These early churches, staggering from both persecution and apostasy. Rather than stand up for Jesus and die many of the Jews went apostasy. It was a rugged time for the infant churches.

The first collective persecution of the Christians took place at Rome under Nero, towards the close of the year 64, very soon after sentence had been passed on Paul.
Nero came up with some most extraordinary ways to tortures Christians. Nero performed the worst atrocities upon his victims he did not won’t to just kill Christians, he wanted to make them suffer first. Nero enjoyed dipping Christians in tar, or oil or resin, and nailed them on pine poles were lighted and burned as torches for the amusement of the mob; while Nero, in fantastical dress, figured in a horse race, and displayed his art as charioteer. Burning alive was the ordinary punishment of incendiaries; but only the cruel ingenuity of this imperial monster, under the inspiration of the devil, could invent such a horrible system of illumination.

Around his palace, were also Christians torches that illumined the night while he yelled: "Now you truly are the light of the world." Nero also performed many other kinds of torture, often killing them in the Amphitheater in front of large crowds of spectators where he did some of his most gruesome murders. The ghastly way in which some of the victims aroused were put to death was to wrap Christians up in animal skins and throw them to lions, or wild dogs to be ripped apart. Many others men and woman were tied between two oxen or horses tearing these men and women apart in front of thousands of entertained spectators.

At other times he would crucify them, and after the crowd would get bored, he would set the Christians on fire. Nero falsely accused and executed Christians, who were infamous for their faith in Christ. Ultimately Christians were executed not for the public good or any criminal acts but on the account that they were believers in Christ.

These are the ones who John said came through that great tribulation in Revelation 7:14 And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. The bride’s is clean and bright, denoting her sinlessness before God. The clean and bright linen which the bride wears also corresponds to the clothing promised to the over comers in the church at Sardis (Rev. 3:4-5).

These Christians had not been defiled by the “harlot woman” and are “virgins to the Lamb of God.” Revelation 14:4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These saints were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. Pentecost, the Feast of Firstfruits, represents the first part of God's spiritual harvest.

Notice how the New International Version interprets this verse. These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were (purchased from among men) and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. (Revelation 14:4) [emphasis added] The purchase here is the betrothed or bride-price for the virgin. We first see this concept of a bride-price in. (Exodus 22:16-17)

Revelation 14:4 states unequivocally that these first century saints are the virgin to the Lamb Christ. The Bible also unequivocally states these number of them which were sealed are from the tribes of the children of Israel. (Revelation 7:4-10) The 144,000 are called "virgins." Isaiah tells us how God loving delights, over this virgin. “For as a young man marries a virgin, So your sons will marry you; And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So your God will rejoice over you. (Isaiah 62:5)

Revelation tell us the bride has made herself ready and the fine linen is identified as the righteous acts of the saints. Revelation 19:7-9 "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His “ wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be “arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the “fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." [emphasis added]

The characteristics describing the bride, making herself ready, and being “arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright,”the righteous acts of the saints” identify those who have been redeemed. In Isaiah 61:10 the saints are joyful to be clothed with the garments of salvation, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah. 61:10)

The chapter begins with a prophecy of Jesus Christ: Isaiah. 61:1-3 Uses the imagery of marriage pictures God's supreme gift. Jesus righteousness, is presented to the saints as a costly robe of righteousness adorning His bride. Just as the bridegroom is adorned with a beautiful robe on his marriage day, so is the bride decked out or adorned with her jewels.

The Bride Of Christ.

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The bride of Christ. Paul tell us that there was a remnant who remained faithful to Yahweh. Romans 9:26-27. Before we start to tie all this in together we need to back up a bit and take a quick look at another historical setting of Israel. Elijah marked a time of awful apostasy in Israel. After Jeroboam died, there were many kings of Israel, but none so wicked as Ahab. He married a heathen woman, named Jezebel, and worshiped gods and built temples for them which provoked the anger of the Lord against Ahab more so than against all the kings of Israel that were before him. So bad was it that Elijah felt he was the only true Israelite left.

Elijah had been true to the Lord, and under God had done his best to fight the idolatry that covered the nation. In God's power he had challenged the prophets of Baal on mount Carmel. God had wonderfully proved himself to be the one true God by answering Elijah's prayer and sending fire down from heaven to consume Elijah's offering, when all the crying of the prophets of Baal to their god had been in vain.

The prophets of Baal had been killed, and the people had bowed down and cried 'The Lord he is God'. Then the Lord had sent rain on Israel and ended the drought, but all seemed in vain. Jezebel still dominated over Ahab, and Elijah found himself having fly for his life. In this situation Elijah cried out to God in despair. In his flight from Jezebel God asks Elijah what he is doing. Elijah replies I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty.
The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down you altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me. Elijah was in despair, yet after God had dealt with him in earthquake and fire and thunder and a great stillness, God points out to Elijah that his assessment of the situation was wrong. God tells Elijah "Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him." For the entire story, read all of 1 Kings 16-19.

Paul goes into the history of the Jews, and for this he chooses a spectacular example in the history of Elijah the prophet. "I ask then: Did God reject his people? by no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what the scripture says in the passage about Elijah - how he appealed to God against Israel: 'Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me?' And what was God's answer to him? 'I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.' So to, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace then it is no longer by works; if it were grace would no longer be grace." (Romans 11:1-6)

Paul asks the question as to whether God has rejected his people. This seems to be so because the nation of the Jews had been rejected by God, and the understanding prevalent at the time was that the whole nation of the Jews constituted the chosen people of God. Much like some believe today.

Paul's answer to his own question is a plain rejection of such an idea. Has God rejected his people? By no means! Paul then proves his point by two illustrations. The first one is concerning himself, and second is found in the history of the Jewish nation.

Paul argues that to say God had rejected his people, and had gone back on his word, was proved wrong straight away because of his own experience. Paul then describes briefly his Jewish pedigree. He was a true Jew. He could trace his ancestry back to Abraham, and to the fact he belonged directly to the tribe of Benjamin. What Paul is arguing is that here was a true Jew, of the nation of the Jews, and this true Jews was accepted by God.

Paul plainly had in mind the fact of his conversion. As a Jew he was angrily opposed to Christians, and to the Gospel. He went out of his way to exterminate the followers of Jesus. Never in his wildest dreams do he think of becoming a Christian and a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Yet in spite of this God stopped him in his tracks and in his virulent attack of the church of Christ, and made him one of Christ's disciples. Paul had no desire to become a Christian yet he was owned by God, and made by God one of God's own people. Paul saw this as a very powerful argument that God had not rejected his people. If God had rejected his people he would not have gone out of his way to save and accept Paul who was a true Jew.
Paul then is tells the truth. God foreknew Paul, and it was because he was foreknown by God before the foundation of the world, that God accepted him in Christ's death, and numbered him amongst the members of the true Israel of God.

What Paul is arguing, therefore, is that God had not rejected the people of the Jews altogether. The nation of Israel had been rejected, but there was still the remnant whom God had chosen before the foundation of the world, and these were being saved all the time.

Paul tell us about this remnant in Romans 9:26-27 "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' There they shall be called sons of the living God." Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: " Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, The remnant will be saved. For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the LORD will make a short work upon the earth.

Paul argues that this was and is the pattern of the work of God since the days of Elijah. Just as in the past God preserved a remnant chosen by grace all down the history of the Jews, so now and in the future he was doing the same, as in the time of Baal.
What was true of Paul in this respect was all the apostles, and many other Jews, the 3000 converted on the day of Pentecost, and indeed many thousand souls were added (Act 2:41) God had not forgotten his promise to Abraham. There were on Gentiles in the early Hebrew Christian Church from 32 to 42. He was accepting all the true children of Abraham by faith. Paul himself, happened to be one of those Jews, that God had not forgotten.

The Gentiles did not start coming into the Hebrew Christian Church until the council at Jerusalem in the 60's. Starting from Pentecost, the infant Church was being trained and prepared as a pure virgin to take on the role of a wife and fitting bride for her mate.
Here is one prime example from the words of Paul. 2 Corinthians 11:2-3 NIV I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. “I promised you to one husband, to Christ, “ so that I might “present you” as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. (emphasis added)

It should not be over looked here that Paul says he promised the Church of Corinth to one husband, to Christ as a pure virgin. The church was already promised to Christ as a radiant, blameless bride. This is the period of time that she is observed for her purity. It is with this remnant of Spiritual Israel that Yahweh make his bride.

Old covenant Israel the treacherous wife of Yahweh.

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In Exodus 19 Yahweh comes down to the Israelites to sign the wedding covenant agreement with the people. Moses now brings the proposal of Yahweh to the elders and the people. Israel promised to be faithful in all things. Exodus 19:6-8 'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the LORD commanded him. Then all the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD.

The proposal was accepted. "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." Now the bride, the children of Israel, had to be prepared for the wedding. Exodus 19: 10 "Then Yahweh said to Moses, 'Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes. 11 And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day Yahweh will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people'."

Later, Yahweh gave the bride the contract or agreement for the marriage. The terms of the Covenant contract between Yahweh and Israel contained Ten Commandments. The main condition of this marriage contract was that the Wife (the congregation of Israel -PSALM 135: 4), would not become an adulteress women.

Let's have a look at a few of the clauses of this marriage contract found in the Book of -EXODUS "You shall have no other Gods before Me"... -EXODUS 20: 3. ."You shall not commit adultery"... -EXODUS 20: 14.

Now readers, what finally happened in this relationship between Israel and Yahweh is that, the congregation of the “Nation of Israel” (the Wife of Yahweh) became an adulteress women. Jeremiah 3:6 The LORD said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: "Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot. Finely Yahweh call her a harlot. (Hosea 9:1)

As a wife treacherously departed from her husband so does the Nation of Israel treacherously departed from her husband. Jeremiah 3:20 Surely, as a wife treacherously departs from her husband, So have you dealt treacherously with Me, O house of Israel," says the LORD. The children of Israel are a stiff necked lot for the marriage had only just begun when they went astray.

God would punish them and they would cry out for help. He would help them and they would obey for a time and disobey again. Judges 2:11 Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of Yahweh, and served the Baals; 12 and they forsook Yahweh God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked Yahweh to anger. 13 They forsook Yahweh and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. 14 And the anger of Yahweh was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.

Now, because Israel breached the marriage contract by committing adultery, Yahweh then made judgment on her according to the terms set forth in the marriage contract, which started at (Mount. Sinai) and gave her a bill of divorce. In Jeremiah 3:8 Yahweh gives Israel a bill of divorce for her adultery. The Greek word apoluo, translated as “divorce in this passage, means to let loose from, let go free.

Unlike marriage, divorce was not instituted by God. In His comments on divorce, Jesus explained that divorce represents a change in God’s order because "from the beginning it was not so" (Matthew 19:8). He further observed that it was because of the "hardness" of the human heart that Moses "allowed" divorce (Matt 19:8) Yahweh determines to override the law for the sake of a future divorce from His partner National Israel. (Deuteronomy 24:1-4)

Israel has left her husband, Yahweh, and committing spiritual adultery “with another” (Baal) and worshiped wooden images. (1 Kings 16:31). Then Ezekiel writes "How degenerate is your heart!" says the Lord GOD, "seeing you do all these things, the deeds of a brazen harlot. (Ezekiel 16:32)

This deeds entitled Yahweh to divorce his wife National Israel. In terms of the divorce law, Yahweh cannot remarry the former wife (Israel), and the unfaithful wife cannot return to her husband. Such action would pollute the land even more severely. Jeremiah 3:1 "They say, 'If a man divorces his wife, And she goes from him And becomes another man's, May he return to her again?' Would not that land be greatly polluted? But you have played the harlot with many lovers; Yet return to Me," says the LORD.

Also according to the law once at women has become a harlot she could not be taken as a wife. Leviticus 21:7 'They shall not take a wife who is a harlot or a defiled woman, nor shall they take a woman divorced from her husband; for the priest is holy to his God. If Yahweh asked the priest to do something that was just right and holy would He not do the same? Under just these two sets of circumstances Yahweh could not remarry His old bride. So, if one is to obey the law, no renewal of the relationship between God and National Israel was possible.

While Yahweh could not remarry His old harlot bride He also could not comply walk away from her because through her the Messiah would be born. (Isaiah 9) So Yahweh waited until Jesus the Messiah was born then He judged the harlot according to the terms of the marriage contract. Ezekiel 16:38 "And I will judge you as women who break wedlock or shed blood are judged; I will bring blood upon you in fury and jealousy. This judgment was done when the harlot was completely destroyed in A.D. 70.

This left the way open for Yahweh to take a “virgin as wife.” Leviticus 21:13-14 'And he shall take a wife in her virginity. 'A widow or a divorced woman or a defiled woman or a harlot these he shall not marry; but he shall take a virgin of his own people as wife.

Israel the vineyard: of the Lord.

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The application of the vine goes back to the time the nation of Israel left Egypt. David. Speaking of God, said, “You brought a vine out of Egypt: you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land.....You vine is cut down, it is burned with fire; at you rebuke your people perish.” (Psalms 80:8-9, 16)

Isaiah later continues this figurative language about the house of Israel to which he says; Isaiah 5:1-7 I will sing for the One I love a song about His vineyard: My Loved One had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. 2He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it, and cut out a winepress as well. Then He looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. 3Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between Me and My vineyard. 4What more could have been done for My vineyard than what I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad? 5Now I will tell you what I am going to do with My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed. I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled. 6 I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briars and thorns will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it. 7The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden of His delight. And He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.What did God want to communicate to the people of Judah in the Song of the Vineyard? It’s obvious that the Song is actually a true story. In the story God planted a vineyard and it’s clear it. He chose fertile soil on a hillside where there would be plenty of sunshine and rainfall. He cleared away the stones—which is no small task in the land of Israel!

The Lord planted His “choicest vine” of Abrahams descendants in the vineyard. For protection and security, He planted a hedge and built a wall around the vineyard, and built a watchtower in the center. In addition, He made a winepress in anticipation of a bountiful harvest. Then He looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit.

God gave His people every advantage and opportunity to produce good fruit. However, Israel produced nothing but the worthless fruit of wild grapes. In sorrow and disappointment, the vineyard keeper decided to turn away from His vineyard and allow it to go to waste. He would no longer cultivate and protect it, and it would become overgrown with briars and thorns. God would remove His hand of protection from the nation, and would literally allow it to be destroyed verse 5.

There are several other “vineyard passages” in the Old Testament. Israel is likened to a vine or vineyard in Jeremiah 2:21 and 12:10, Ezekiel 15 and Hosea 10:1. In every one of these passages God’s people were expected to produce fruit. In fact, Ezekiel belabors the point that producing fruit is the only purpose for a vine! It’s good only for producing fruit—and it’s expected to bear good fruit!

The good fruit here is related to the fact that Israel was to be the light of God unto the gentiles. However Jesus said when they win one over they made him twice as much a son of hell as themselfs. ( Matthew 23:15)

What more can the Lord do for them? In Isaiah’s Song, God’s vineyard willfully produced only wild, worthless, unusable fruit—in spite of the fact that God did everything that could possibly be done to assist it to produce a glorious harvest.

John’s original Jewish audience know these metaphors were drawing no the spiritual truths and historical realities of the nation of Israel. The language had a specific purpose to remind Israel of her long history.

As a result John writes in Revelation14 about the subject of God’s divine wrath poured out upon the vine. This is done by way of the picture of a harvest by which God reaps the earth. Revelation 14:14-20 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the “vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe." So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.

One may note some key elements in these verses: (a) The Reapers are. The Son of Man (is the Lord Jesus Christ) with His holy angels (vss. 14-14-20) This stresses the source. It is an act of God.

The “vine of the earth, are fully ripe." The words “are ripe” represent the Greek akmazw which means “to be in its prime, be at its peak of ripeness.” A peak of ripeness THEN not over 2.000 years later.

Israel is the only nation in the Bible call the vine. Jeremiah 2: 20 Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality. How then have you turned before Me Into the degenerate plant of an alien vine?

Then to this, John adds the word “grapes.” John’s original Jewish audience know these metaphors were drawing no Isaiah. He dug it up and cleared out its stones, And planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, And also made a winepress in it; So He expected it to bring forth good grapes, But it brought forth wild grapes. (Isaiah 5:2)

The vine of the earth, in the land of Israel, is thrown into the great winepress of the wrath of God. Isaiah 5:2 63:3 "I have trodden the winepress alone, And from the peoples no one was with Me. For I have trodden them in My anger, And trampled them in My fury; Their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, And I have stained all My robes. For the day of vengeance is in My heart, And the year of My redeemed has come.

The term “earth” is often used in our translations of the book of Revelation. The Greek word ym would often be better translated “land.” Its definition is given by various Greek Lexicons as land, earth, soil, or dirt. Our modern definition of the word “earth” makes many passages appear to be world-wide when the context indicates a localized action or condition. Note how it is normally translated “land” as in Matthew 10:15 and Mark 11:24.

The Results of the Reaping, a harvest would be bloody carnage occurring particularly in Palestine. This will result in the bloodiest battle and carnage of human flesh that Israel has ever known. From this battle blood will flow up to the horse’s bridle. Revelation 14:20 . And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.

The blood flowing as high as the horses’ would portray the gravity of this judgment. The distance of 1600 stadia (about 180 miles) just happens to be the approximate length of the land of Palestine.

Revelation perfect "harmony."

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When I began to study the book of Revelation I begin to see the complete and perfect "harmony" that Revelation has with all the Bible. One of the promises themes that runs throughout the Bible is God’s promise Wedding to Israel. (Isaiah 62) In Matthew Jesus spoke in parables about the wedding feast and said: "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, "and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. "Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding." ' "But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business "And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. "But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. (Matthew 22:2-7)

A call went out to them that were bidden, “as in already invited to the wedding.” In its 1st-century Palestine setting, the parable in Matthew 22:1-14 is one of many which Jesus declares that God was going to bring about His kingdom. The time had come when God was going to consummate all his promises to Israel including the wedding.

The king sends his servants to call them in, and they would not come. Then he sends forth other servants to tell them again, and still they don't come. Did you see the mercy the Lord showed in this parable on the ones bidden (Israel) to the wedding? Two times the Lord asked the people of Israel to come and they chose not to.

They PAID NO ATTENTION to the second invitation and ignored the king in favour of their agriculture and commerce. And the rest of the servants the (prophets) they seized and treated spitefully, and killed. Jesus speaking to Pharisee, and scribes later said, "Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city. (Matthew 23:34)

Paul confirms this as will. Act 7:52 "Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, 1Thessalonians 2:15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men,

Notice also that those the king invited made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. " They thought more of their agriculture and commerce then the kings invitation to come to the wedding. Jerusalem was a beautiful city, and the center of the commercial world, which trades and does commerce with the nations of the world John tell us when all these things were destroyed the merchants will cry and weep. (Revelation 18:11-19)

Next the king was going to sent out his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. (Matthew 22:7; Luke 19:43; 21:20-22)

The analogy of Matthew 22:1:7 refers unmistakably to the time when Babylon/Jerusalem is destroyed as will. There are two very important parallels that should not be over looked. One there is gong to be a wedding. Two the king will sent out his armies, to destroyed those murderers, who killed his servants and burned up their city.

These events Jesus mentioned are synonymous with John’s teaching in Revelation after all Jesus was John’s teacher. In Revelation 18:24 we see that it was Babylon the Harlot Jerusalem who killed the “prophets and saints” and were guilty of “all who were slain on the earth.” That city would be burned. Revelation 18:18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning saying, “What is like this great city?

What happened after God the king sent out his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. The wedding of the Lamb begin. Revelation 19: 6:9 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."

John’s prophecy is in perfect hominy with Jesus’ teaching in (Matthew 22:2-7) The Wedding motif in Revelation, demands that we place Revelation in the first century context along with the fall of Jerusalem that Jesus also mentioned in (Matthew 22:7)

The city of Tyrus.

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As we have seen Tyrus was a beautiful seaport, and the center of the commercial world, which trades and does commerce with the nations of the world.

Lest continue 22 "The merchants of Sheba and Raamah were your merchants. They traded for your wares the choicest spices, all kinds of precious stones, and gold. 23 "Haran, Canneh, Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Assyria, and Chilmad were your merchants. 24 "These were your merchants in choice items--in purple clothes, in embroidered garments, in chests of multicolored apparel, in sturdy woven cords, which were in your marketplace. 25 "The ships of Tarshish were carriers of your merchandise. You were filled and very glorious in the midst of the seas. 26 Your oarsmen brought you into many waters, But the east wind broke you in the midst of the seas. 27 "Your riches, wares, and merchandise, Your mariners and pilots, Your caulkers and merchandisers, All your men of war who are in you, And the entire company which is in your midst, Will fall into the midst of the seas on the day of your ruin. 28 The common-land will shake at the sound of the cry of your pilots. 29 "All who handle the oar, The mariners, All the pilots of the sea Will come down from their ships and stand on the shore. 30 They will make their voice heard because of you; They will cry bitterly and cast dust on their heads; They will roll about in ashes; 31They will shave themselves completely bald because of you, Gird themselves with sackcloth, And weep for you With bitterness of heart and bitter wailing. 32 In their wailing for you They will take up a lamentation, And lament for you: 'What city is like Tyre, Destroyed in the midst of the sea? 33 'When your wares went out by sea, You satisfied many people; You enriched the kings of the earth With your many luxury goods and your merchandise. :34 But you are broken by the seas in the depths of the waters; Your merchandise and the entire company will fall in your midst. 35 All the inhabitants of the isles will be astonished at you; Their kings will be greatly afraid, And their countenance will be troubled. 36 The merchants among the peoples will hiss at you; You will become a horror, and be no more forever.' " ' " (Ezekiel 27:22-36).

All of this greatness, all of this power, all of this glory, all of this wealth, all of this commerce is going to cease. The Lord is going to bring it all to an end.

Israel always wanted to be like other nations. (1 Samuel 8:5) However the problem is if you don’t learn anything from the history that tells why those nations were destroyed you are boomed to repeat it.

Ezekiel prophesied this warning to people of Tyrus century’s before now God give Christ this revelation to show to John. In Revelation, chapter eighteen, the Bible speaks of the destruction of the commercial system of Babylon/Jerusalem in the great tribulation period. God is finally brings an end to commercialism that has preyed upon the weakness of man. These are many parallels between Ezekiel 27 and Revelation 18. Tyrus was at one time, the center of the commercial activity of the world. (27:8-21) Babylon/Jerusalem was the center of the commercial activity of the world. (Rev. 18:12:13)

Tyus claimed 'I am perfect in beauty.' (27:3) Babylon/Jerusalem “glorified herself.” (Rev. 18:7)

The merchants said, “What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?” (27:32) In Rev. 18:18 the merchants cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What is like this great city?

The mariners, and all the pilots of the sea threw dust on their heads while walling and weep, because they have been made rich by bringing the merchandises. (27:30-32) The merchants threw dust o their heads while wailling and weep over the rich wealth that are lost. (Rev. 18:19)
Their kings will be greatly afraid, And their countenance will be troubled. (27:35) The kings of the earth will stand at a distance for fear of her torment. (Rev 18:9-10)

Tyre will fall into the midst of the seas on the day of its ruin. (27:27) Babylon/Jerusalem will be threw into the sea. (Rev 18:21)
The greatness, and glory of Tyrus, would be no more . (27: 36) The greatness, and glory of Babylon/Jerusalem will be no more. (Rev. 18:21-22)

The message against Tyre was given in the year 586 B.C., just after the fall of Jerusalem. The name Tyre means "rock." It was built on an island rock about half a mile from the main-land. Unlike other Phoenician cities, it formed a little kingdom in itself. Hiram, king of Tyre, built a house for David in Jerusalem. (2 Sam. 5:11) This same Hiram brought materials to Jerusalem to build the temple. The wood was hewn in Lebanon, taken to the sea, and sent in floats over seventy-five miles to Joppa. ( 2 Chron. 2:16)

He also furnished sailors for Solomon's navy when it went from Ezion-geber to Ophir for gold. (1 Kings 9:26) Tyre again supplied cedar wood for the building of the second temple. (Ezra 3:7-8) Tyre citizens were merchant traders and abounded in wealth.

Here in Ezekiel, however, is a picture of the greatness of Tyre, and of its fall. How well equipped was this city! How widespread was her trading and how valuable her goods! Yet "thy riches, thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy marines, and thy pilots, thy entire company, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee . . . shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin." Knowledge is power. And interior knowledge of scripture brings great power. Israel know what was written in Ezekiel, about Tyre any why. They also know there was nothing wrong with wealth after all God really blessed her as a nation. But when wealth is made into a minister called legalized extortion on the backs of other people by the Temple Priests of all people Jerusalem was headed to doom.
The more I read the Bible the more I understand that fleshly Israel stacked up a long list of reasons as to why she was headed to destruction. In Malachi 2:1-9, the people of Israel, and in particular their priests, were guilty of having “corrupted” the covenant that God had made with them. She treacherously departed from God her husband. Jeremiah 3:20 Surely as a wife treacherously departed from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD.

She backslide on God and played the harlot. Jeremiah 3:6 The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.
She became murderers. Isaiah 1:21 How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.

She turned her Messia over to be put to death.. She made wealth out of legalized extortion. And the list goes on. It is times like this that I say thank you Lord for it is only by you grace that I am not in there place.

The city of Tyrus.

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Many years before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D.70 under divine inspiration Ezekiel predicted the fall of the city of Tyrus. Ezekiel 27 So the word of the Lord came again unto me, saying, And it is a lamentation that he is told by the Lord to take up a funeral dirge for Tyrus.

This great glorious, beautiful seaport, sort of the center of the commercial world, which trades and does commerce with the nations of the world, is going to be destroyed, it’s going to die. So the funeral dirge, the lamentation for Tyrus.

Thus saith the Lord God; And again the claim, “God is speaking”. O thou that are situated at the entry of the sea (Ezekiel 27:3), This is a reference to the harbor of Tyrus, and there was two entries from the harbor, one from the north, and one from the south, so that it made it easier to enter the port, because of the direction that the wind might be blowing. You could enter the port from the south, or the port from the north.

you are a merchant of the people for many coast lands, Thus saith the Lord God; O Tyrus, you have said, I am of perfect beauty ( 27:3). That was the claim.

Your borders are in the midst of the seas, It was, it’s a, it’s directing the attention to this island city of Tyrus, a half mile off shore. your builders have perfected thy beauty. They have made all of your ship boards of fir trees from Senir: Which is mount Herman, the beautiful fir trees on mount Herman.] they have taken the cedars from Lebanon to make the masts for the ships. Because they’re tall and straight, and of course they’re strong, they resist dry rot. The oaks of Bashan Which was famous for its oaks, it was on the other side of the Jordan river. that use them for the oars of these ships; and the company of the Ashurites have made your benches of ivory that have been brought out of the islands of Chittim. Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt Comprised the sales of these ships. they were blue, and purple from the coast of Elishah which covered thee (Ezekiel 27:4- 7).

So there were beautiful ships of the Phoenician merchant marine. With their beautiful blue, and purple sails as they plied the waters of the Mediterranean, were the main merchants of those days.

The inhabitants of Zidon A neighbor city, twelve miles, fifteen miles away from Tyre. and Arvad were your mariners: The sailors your wise men, O Tyrus, that were in you, were your pilots. The men who learned to navigate by the stars and all, pilots of the ships. The ancients of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee as thy calkers: and your ships of the sea with their sailors were in thee to occupy your merchandise. So it speaks of the very prosperous commercial enterprise by the people of Tyrus, their ships, the description of the ships, but then, Those of Persia and Lud and Phut were your army, your men of war: and they hanged the shield and helmet in thee; and they set forth your beauty. The men of Arvad with your army were upon your walls round about, and the Gammadims were in your towers: and they hanged their shields on the walls round about; that you might be made perfect, or in beauty. Tarshish An area of Spain was your merchant by reason of the multitude of all kinds of riches; They brought from Tarshish silver, iron, tin, lead, and they traded in your fairs. Which were the trademarks. Javan, Tubal, Meshech, There around the Black sea in Russia. they were your merchants: they traded in slaves They used in those days slave trading from those tribes, and at that time they were just tribal people, and they were slaves actually, and trading in slaves. vessels of brass in your market. The house of Togarmah Which was Armenia] traded in your fairs with your horses and their mules. And the men of Dedan Now this is not Dedan of Arabia, but this is Dedan that is further north. were your merchants; many coasts were the merchandise of your hand: they brought you for presents these horns or tusks of ivory and ebony. Syria was your merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of your making: and they occupied in thy fairs with their emeralds, and their broidered work, and the fine linen, the coral, and the agate. Judah, the land of Israel, they were your merchants: they traded in your market the wheat of Minnith, and pannag, A couple of areas in Israel that were noted for the wheat and the honey, Of which the land of Israel was known, as the land of milk and honey. and oil, and balm. Damascus Syria, the capital was your merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all the riches; in the wine of Helbon, An area just north of Beirut, where they grew the grapes for wine and it was a famous wine in those days. the white wool. Dan also Javan going to and fro occupied your fairs: they brought the bright iron, the cassia, the calamus, and they were in your market. More into spices. And Dedan This is the Dedan of Arabia. was there with the precious clothes for the chariots. Arabia, and all of the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in the lambs, and the rams, and the goats: in these were thy merchants (Ezekiel 27:8-21).

I think you’re getting the idea, and the feel of a vast commerce in all of these goods. It would be more or less, like going over to the port of Los Angeles, and watching these ships come in from the far east with all of the goods from the far east, the various kinds of merchandise. More on this tomorrow.

The musicians, mourn over the collapse of this international system call Jerusalem.

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The merchant, money changers and priest and others were all getting rich on the extortion of others. King Herod was rich off the backs of the people with his taxes, building his massive structures as monuments to himself, and keeping the Priesthood content by building them the Temple.

Jewish history records that these High priests who walked the temple courts during the first century, were despised by the majority of the people for their brutality and hunger for money. So much so that there is a strong condemnation of these men in the Talmud. Tosefta, Menachoth 13.21 states a Rabbinic Lament over the brutality of the Sadducees - Abba Saul ben Betnith and Abba Jose ben Johanan of Jerusalem say: “Woe to the house of Boethus! Woe to me because of their rods!" (Simon, son of Boethus, father in-law to Herod. He was a high priest during the reign of Herod the Great)

"Woe to the house of Qadros (Cantheros)! Woe to me because of their pens!" (Simon Cantheros was one of the high priests appointed during the rule of Herod Agrippa) “Woe to the house of Elhanan, woe to the house of whispers!" (Elhanan is translated ‘Ananus or Annas’ in Greek and here refers to the high priest Annas of the New Testament and his sons.) "Woe to the house of Elisha! Woe to me because of their pens!" "Woe to the house of Ismael ben Phiabi! For they are high priests and their sons, treasurers and their sons-in-law who were (temple) officers!" "And their servants came and beat us up with staves!" (Ishmael son of Phabi was a high priest under Valerius Gratus, procurator of Judea or may refer to Ismael son of Fabi who was a priest under Herod king of Chaleis.)Jewish history records that these High priests who walked the temple courts during the first century, were despised by the majority of the people for their brutality and hunger for money. So much so that there is a strong condemnation of these men in the Talmud. Tosefta, Menachoth 13.21 states a Rabbinic Lament over the brutality of the Sadducees - Abba Saul ben Betnith and Abba Jose ben Johanan of Jerusalem say: “Woe to the house of Boethus! Woe to me because of their rods!" (Simon, son of Boethus, father in-law to Herod. He was a high priest during the reign of Herod the Great)

"Woe to the house of Qadros (Cantheros)! Woe to me because of their pens!" (Simon Cantheros was one of the high priests appointed during the rule of Herod Agrippa) “Woe to the house of Elhanan, woe to the house of whispers!" (Elhanan is translated ‘Ananus or Annas’ in Greek and here refers to the high priest Annas of the New Testament and his sons.) "Woe to the house of Elisha! Woe to me because of their pens!" "Woe to the house of Ismael ben Phiabi! For they are high priests and their sons, treasurers and their sons-in-law who were (temple) officers!" "And their servants came and beat us up with staves!" (Ishmael son of Phabi was a high priest under Valerius Gratus, procurator of Judea or may refer to Ismael son of Fabi who was a priest under Herod king of Chaleis.)

Yet Scripture says that God will have His way with this City, it belongs to Him, and one day, soon and very soon, He will make a lesson and an astonishment to the nations that are all around the city of Jerusalem when he execute judgment on them. Ezekiel 5:15 'So it shall be a reproach, a taunt, a lesson, and an astonishment to the nations that are all around you, when I execute judgments among you in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I, the LORD, have spoken.

Indeed the destruction of Jerusalem was a lesson and an astonishment to the other nations. Musicians, mourn over the collapse of this international system because the whole world economy fell with it. This is the loss of world-wide trade. Revelation 18:1-12 “And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore.” “merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble”

The musicians, grieve over twenty-nine items of wealth in verses 12-14. First, they mourn the loss of precious metals and stones. They also grieve over the loss of precious fabrics. They grieve over the loss of their furnishings business. Souls that derive their central value from material things find disappointment. Wealth escape from them. There come a point when they will never find fulfillment in these things again because God removed them. (Revelation 18:14).

The merchants who became rich by her “Jerusalem” on the backs of the people will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing” out of fear. (Revelation 18:15). The apostate religion was good for business. Now that the great whore has fallen and now that the corrupted system has fallen, their business is ruined. Their profits slip through their fingers. ‘For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ (Revelation18:6).

Captains of ships and sailors stand in shock over the fall of Babylon’s/Jerusalems world economy. The transportation industry comes to a halt. (Revelation 18:17) The musicians, in the transportation industry watch as the international economic system go up in smoke, they lament because there is no other city that had such a strong world economy. (Revelation 18:18-19).

The merchants do not grieve for the loss of Jerusalem as much as they mourn their own personal losses. Jesus warned against making wealth a god.“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

In Revelation 6:9-10 we see souls under the altar of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. They cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"

Each of them; was given a white robe and it was said to them that they should rest “a little while longer,” until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. (Revelation 6:11) Notice is says “a little while longer” not over 2000 years.

Now the time had come when God would avenge these souls that cried out for avenges. Revelation 18:20-21 “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you (holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her)!” Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. (emphasis added) They grieve over the loss of their furnishings business.

And the ten horns which you saw on a the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.

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Revelation 17:16 And the ten horns which you saw on a the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. As we have seen the book of Revelation is not hard to understand as long as we keep it within its original first century setting.

During the early days of Christianity it was seen as just another sect of Judaism. In Philippians 4:22, we learn of saints in "Caesar's household," which at that time would be Nero's household. The good news of the gospel gave an impulse to the growth of Christianity. (Act 2:47) Soon after the Jewish authorities felt threatened by this new oddball religion of “righteousness without works” and convinced Rome that it was not apart of legal Judaism, and a unlawful, religion.

Because Rome had the men and ships to stomp out Christianity were every it started. Israel entered into a alliance with Roman in order to destroying the church. John uses the symbol of a women sitting on a scarlet beast to picture this arrangement between Israel and Roman to destroying the Church. (Revelation 17:2-3) The alliance between Israel and Rome against the Church had been temporarily successful.

Now God would step in to alter the course of events. God would now use the same beast, “Roman” as a instrument of judgment on the harlot women. Revelation 17:16 tells us that the beast and the ten kings will “hate the harlot” and destroy the harlot with fire. God has put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. v. 17

This was accomplished by God sending the Jews a strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 2Thessalonians 2:11 The nation of Israel thought God was going to restore a earthly throne in literal Jerusalem. They thought the world to come would consist of a literal fulfillment of all their Messianic prophecies. She wanted her types and shadows to be fulfilled in a literalistic or nationalistic manner being blinded by the earthly or carnal system of Moses. So the Jews foolishly believed the time had come for them to “throw off the Roman yoke” that they were under and thereby established the kingdom of her prophecies which proved to be her complete destruction. There is no doubt that this Zealot rebellion movement was filled with a theocratic ideal and fervent messianic hopes.

Rome did not initiate the war against Jerusalem. Jerusalem was already under the authority and control of Rome. Headstrong man in Jerusalem itself, kept irritating the people and inciting them to rebel against Rome. The people quit paying their taxes. This would have been sufficient in itself to cause Rome to turn against Jerusalem. In November of 66 Jewish Zealots had driven all Roman forces from Jerusalem and had actually slain more than 600 Roman troops. The bull-necked emperor Nero gave two simple commands - destroy Jerusalem - level the temple. The Romans knew the world was watching and knew that the stakes were high. If the Jews were to win their independence the whole empire would be in revolt.

When Jerusalem was surrounded, the Christians were to think of their safety, and seize the first opportunity for flight. The expression “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. (Revelation 8:4) Is similar to Jesus’ warning when these things started happening to flee into the mountains. (Matthew 24:16-20) Had they not left Jerusalem they two would have been caught in the judgement.

Nero picked the heavy, plodding fifty seven year old commoner Vespasian, who would be assisted by his energetic son Titus. Josephus tells us that when Cestius Gallus had earlier come with his army against Jerusalem, after some time he raised the siege many of the oldest of the Jews went out from Jerusalem as from a sinking ship. He says that a few years later, when Vespasian come with his troops against Jerusalem, a great multitude fled from Jerusalem to the mountains for security.

Titus pressed the siege of Jerusalem, which was crowded with people because of the paschal festivities, cutting off the water and food supply. The besieged were terribly hard pressed by these tactics, as well as by the insufferable heat. Those who tried to escape were captured and crucified before the very walls as an example to others. According to Josephus, such famine that a mother actually ate the flesh of her own small son. He tells of 2,500,000 assembled at the last Passover just before the city was taken by Titus. 1,000,000 perished in the siege, 347,000 perished in other places. Of the remainder, 97,000 were carried into captivity and 11,000 starved through neglect or sullen refusal of food. On July 17th the daily sacrifices were interrupted.

The Romans put to the sword all Jews whom they happened to encounter. The Temple swam with the blood of more than 8000 Zealots. Titus desired greatly that the Temple should be spared, and promised to spare the Jews if they would stop their resistance. Several times he sent Josephus to persuade his countrymen, but the providence of God directed otherwise

First the Jews themselves set fire to the court of the temple, and afterwards the Romans. Fire consumed the buildings and the temple went up. The destruction of the temple occurred on the Jewish Sabbath, August 10th, 70. When Jerusalem was captured, the temple was burned and scavengers would turn over every stone to retrieve the melted gold. The Jewish people were expatriated, and never since has sacrifice been offered up to God on Jewish altars.

After bitter fighting and frightful massacres, in September of 70, after a stubborn and desperate resistance, the city fell and the national existence of biblical Judaism came to an end. The Holy City was taken and burned, and the Tenth Legion encamped in the ruined temple. The temple was leveled to the ground and utterly destroyed. Only the Roman garrison was left. John’s prophecy that the “beast, will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire had been fulfilled.

Many years before John made his prophecy about the beast, burning the harlot with fire Ezekiel had this to say. "Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: 'Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give up the inhabitants of Jerusalem; 'and I will set My face against them. They will go out from one fire, but another fire shall devour them. Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I set My face against them. 'Thus I will make the land desolate, because they have persisted in unfaithfulness,' says the Lord GOD." (Ezekiel 15:6)

And the ten horns which you saw on a the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.

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The apostle John sees a scarlet woman called “ Babylon the Great, Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth.”

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The apostle John sees a scarlet woman called “ Babylon the Great, Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth.” She is drunk on the blood of Christians the martyrs of Jesus. (Revelation 17: 5-6) John also uses the symbol of a women sitting on a scarlet beast to picture this arrangement between Israel and Roman to destroying the Church. (Revelation 17:2-3)

God gives us a way to identify the harlot the woman who drunks the blood of Christians the martyrs of Jesus. No Christians were ever martyrs for Jesus during the time of Israel’s captivity in Babylon. Jesus was not even born. It was fleshly Israel who killed his prophets and saints of Jesus. Act 7:52 "Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, 1Thessalonians 2:15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men,

Revelation 18:24 says that the great city is guilty for having shed the blood of the Hebrew prophets of all who were slain on the earth. Jesus said the same concerning the rulers of Jerusalem, the Pharisees: "Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, "that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar" (Matt. 23:35). The once and faithful city has become a harlot and murderers!" Isaiah 1:21 How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; Righteousness lodged in it, But now murderers.

From Moses through the prophets, Israel is repeatedly characterized as an imperious whore. In more than 80 instances, she is specifically denounced as a harlot or lewd woman. Ezekiel 16:15 Israel you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot because of your fame and poured out your harlotry on every passer-by who might be willing. Fleshly Israel is the same harlot woman we see showcased throughout Holy Scripture.

“On her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT...” Revelation 17:5. Only apostate Israel can be the “mother” of spiritual whoredom with the name MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT written ON HER FOREHEAD. Long before John wrote the Book of Revelation, Jeremiah said, “You had a “harlot's forehead”, you refused to be ashamed.” ( Jeremiah 3:3) As a result, when she became a spiritual whore, she was indelibly marked, “Mother of Harlots.”

John goes on to write, “And the women whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 17:18) The title “the great city” is exclusive to Israel. When the two witnesses are killed, their dead bodies lie in the streets of “the great city” (hey polis megaley) Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. (Revelation 11:8). This unmistakably implies to the city of Jerusalem. Jesus was crucified, in the city of Jerusalem. Not Sodom and Egypt. Because apostate Israel has now become an enemy of God and his people God called “fleshly Israel” by the names of her former enemy’s Babylon, Sodom and Egypt, and Gog and Magog.

The apostle Peter uses the word "Babylon" to describe Jerusalem, in a greeting at the end of his first epistle. 1 Peter 5:13 Salute you doth the assembly in Babylon jointly elected, and Markus my son. Peter was in Jerusalem, writing to these in Jerusalem, not Babylon. He is clearly identifying the moral cesspool of antiquity, Babylon, with the city where Christ was killed. At the time Peter wrote 1 Peter, the literal city of Old Babylon was in ruins, and uninhabited. Therefore, "babylon" was a name for Jerusalem.

The colors of the woman’s adornment matches those of the Temple and the priesthood. The high priest also wore a gold plate on his forehead that was engraved “holiness to Yahweh” (Exodus 28:36-38). In Revelation 17:4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a “golden cup” full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. Daniel 5:3 Then they brought the “golden vessels” that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.

Because of the harlotry and alliance between Israel and Rome against the Church the women would drink the cup of God wrath. Revelation 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Revelation 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.

Do the prophets ever mention, Jerusalem receiving a cup of wrath during these End Times? You bet they did for instance, Jeremiah 25:15-18, prophecy verses refer to the future, mentions that Jerusalem will drink from the cup of the Lord’s hand (wrath). Jeremiah 25:15-18 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it. And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them. Then took I the cup at the LORD'S hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom the LORD had sent me: To wit, Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, an hissing, and a curse; as it is this day;

In addition, Isaiah 51:17 Rouse yourself! Rouse yourself! Arise, O Jerusalem, “You who have drunk from the Lord's hand the cup of His anger;” The chalice of reeling you have drained to the dregs.

Some have wrongly concluded that the woman is Rome however Rome was never in covenant relasonship with God and therefore could not have forsaken God and became a spiritual whore. The implications and evidence of scripture that "Jerusalem” is Babylon the Great, Mother of Harlots are endless. If we remaining true to the number one rule to let God’s words interpret God’s words. God will open up a endless new way of seeing scripture.

The great harlot of Revelation.

2011-11-14T20:42:00.002-05:00

One of the mane reasons why the book of Revelation has been so confusing to many is because we have “all” been taught to try to understand the book “out of its original historical setting in which it was originally written.” John’s original audience know these symbols were drawing no spiritual truths and historical realities of the nation of Israel.

All we need to understand these symbols is a burning desire to study the Old Testament to see what it has to reveal along with “recorded history.” To the ungodly these symbols were flags of warning being raised. To believers these symbols were signs of victory. I cannot say this enough. God never intended for the book of Revelation to be a great mystery to Christians. Lest continues were John writes; Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, "Come, I will show you “the judgment” of the “great harlot” who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth “committed fornication”, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication." (emphasis added) (Revelation 17:1-2)

Many have made the assumptions that the“Great Harlot” mentioned in Revelation can apply only to Rome, Islam, and even the US.

The truth is John used language in the book of Revelation that is closely associated with the language used in Old Testament. This type of language was not new to John’s original audience. John did not randomly pull this kind out of language out of the sky as if it was never used before in scripture. This language had a specific purpose to remind Israel of her long history.

All we have to do is let scripture interpreted scripture to find out the identity of the “great harlot. In Hosea 9:1 we read, Do not rejoice, O Israel, with joy like other peoples, For you have played the harlot against your God. You have made love for hire on every threshing floor.

Over and over God calls the fleshly nation of Israel “a harlot” in scripture. Jeremiah 2:20 "For of old I have broken your yoke and burst your bonds; And you said, 'I will not transgress,' When on every high hill and under every green tree You lay down, playing the harlot. (Jer 3:1.6; Eze 16:15-17, 16:28)

The women here is also pictured and introduced as a prostitute women. Spiritual fornication or harlotry in scripture indicates the breaking of God’s covenant, or a departure from God. The LORD said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: "Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot. (Jeremiah 3:6) The nation of Israel had been in covenant relationship with God for 15.000 years, and had been referred to as a women married to the Lord, had sworn faith and love in all things to her rightful husband; but as so often the case in the day of her redemption and visitation, she has shamefully forsaken and rejected God in whoring after strangers. Jeremiah 3:20 concerning Jerusalem, Surely, as a wife treacherously departs from her husband, So have you dealt treacherously with Me, O house of Israel.’ says the Lord. Rome is never called a harlot in scripture, Rome was never associated with God in a covenant relationship as a wife.

Lest return to Revelation 17:1-2 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication."

What does the term mean she sits on many waters or lives by many waters’? This terminology is used in (Jeremiah 51:13) concerning the ancient city of Babylon were it was first applied. There it denoted the vast expanse of influence she had in both civil and political realms. “waters" in Revelation often signifies "people" or nations instead of "H2O." (Dwelling upon many waters) denoted the broad expanse of the Babylon kingdom in the exercise of its political and civil power. Babylon was the civil king of that day. Jerusalem was to the world religiously what Babylon was politically.

John makes another observation. And I saw a “woman sitting on a scarlet beast” which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. (Revelation 17:3) Here the harlot women is riding or sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

An interpretive angel appears for the express purpose of explaining the vision: “But the angel said to me, "Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.” (Revelation 17:7) Then in verses 9 and 10 this angel explains the vision: “Here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitting. And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.”

Most scholars recognize that the seven mountains represent the famed seven hills of Rome. John’s original audience who lived under the rule of Rome, which was universally distinguished by its seven hills would have immediately recognizable this symbol. How could the recipients, living in the historical churches of Asia Minor and under Roman imperial rule, understand anything else but this geographical picture of John?

But there is an additional information involved. The seven heads have a two-fold referent. We learn also that the seven heads represent a political situation in which five kings have fallen, the sixth is, and the seventh is yet to come and will remain but a short while. It is surely no accident that Nero was the sixth emperor of Rome, who reigned after the deaths of his five predecessors and before the brief rule of the seventh emperor.

Flavius Josephus, the Jewish contemporary of John, clearly points out that Julius Caesar was the first emperor of Rome and that he was followed in succession by Augustus, Tiberius, Caius, Claudius, and Nero (Antiquities 18; 19). We discover this enumeration also in other near contemporaries of John: 4 Ezra 11 and 12; Sibylline Oracles, books 5 and 8; Barnabas, Epistle 4; Suetonius, Lives of the Twelve Caesars; and Dio Cassius’ Roman History 5.

The text of Revelation says of the seven kings “five have fallen.” The first five emperors are dead, when John writes. But the verse goes on to say “one is.” That is, the sixth one then reigning even as John wrote. That would be Nero Caesar, who assumed imperial power upon the death of Claudius in October, A.D. 54, and remained emperor until June, A.D. 68.

John continues: “The other is not yet come; and when he comes, he must continue a short space.” When the Roman Civil Wars broke out in rebellion against him, Nero committed suicide on June 8, A.D. 68. The seventh king was “not yet come.” That would be Galba, who assumed power in June, A.D. 68. But he was only to continue a “short space.” His reign lasted but six months, until January 15, A.D. 69. Thus, we see that while John wrote, Nero was still alive and Galba was looming in the near future. Revelation could not have been written after around Domitian (81-96), according to the internal political evidence. In this vision we discover strong evidence that Revelation was written before the death of Nero, which occurred on June 8, A.D. 68.

The woman/whore represents apostate Israel and sitting on the beast means she is using the political power of the beast. A beast is a symbol used to depict a political state, such as the lion, bear, and leopard of Daniel 7, representing the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persian and Greece respectively.

The ten horns of the beast (17:12-17) are defined as ten kings or provincial governors who aided in the war against the Lamb Christ. verse 14. Farrar lists ten major provinces that constituted the Roman Empire in the days of Nero–namely: Italy, Achaia, Asia, Syria, Egypt, Africa, Spain, Gaul, Britain and Germany.

The book of Revelation can be understood all we need is a burning desire to grasp the Old Testament and the desire to first century study history.

The sounding of the trumpet.

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But in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets. (Revelation 10:7) One of the keys to tell “when a verse of scripture you are examining has been fulfilled” is to look for other scriptures that have the same (time statements). In this way you have a guide to determine when the (time frame) of the scripture you are examining has been fulfilled as will. You are then letting the (time statements) of other scriptures interpreted (the time frame) of the scripture you are examining.

John is writing about the very same (time frame and event) of the other disciples, but in apocalyptic language. What was the biblical (time-element involved) before the seventh angel was to sound his trumpet? The Bible tells us the time-element involved here was when the “mystery of God” would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets. (Revelation 10:7) In other words the sounding of the seventh angel and the mystery of God are biblically tied into one event. These two events would happen simultaneously according to John.

God always supplies us with tools in order to understand how a prophecy has been fulfilled in the book of Revelation. God never gives a prophecy without also giving us a way to know “when and how” that prophecy has been fulfilled. “Using the books of Romans, Ephesians, Colossians, and 1 Peter as a “guide” and the “word mystery” as a template we can know the “time frame” when the seventh angel sounded his trumpet.

The mysteries were a familiar subject to the apostle Paul; a topic which he addresses in his epistle to the Ephesians in chapters 1:9-10, 3:3-9, and 5:32: “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will. He might gather together in one all things in Christ.” “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery the mystery of Christ which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God.” “This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” The mystery centers around the Person and work of Christ,

The apostle preached it to the Colossians in chapter 1:26-27: “The mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints…the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

The Romans heard it in chapter 16:25-26: “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began. but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith.

The apostle Paul referred to the gospel as a mystery which in the time of the Old Testament was kept secret, but in his time, the New Testament dispensation, it had been revealed. This agrees with his fellow laborer and apostle Peter when he spoke of the burning desire that the prophets of the Old Testament had as they “enquired and searched diligently” of the things which they, through the Holy Spirit, were prophesying.

They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen. (1 Peter 1:12 NLT) For all their searching, they were made to understand that the fullness of those things which they desired to know was to remain a mystery in their time and be revealed to those of another time.

Wonderful truths were now being unveiled that once were hid away in the heart of God. In all of his many references to mysteries, all of which are not mentioned here, it is the mystery of the gospel the apostle Paul speaks. It is this to which he referred in addressing the Corinthians in Chapter 2:7, “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.”

Thus we are informed by the apostle Paul that the mystery of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ was being reported to the saints as he wrote this epistle. Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the “revelation of the mystery,” which was kept secret since the world began (Romans 16:25).

Now is when we allow the inspiration of Scripture to tell us the time and manner the last trumpet sounded. According to the inspired Apostle Paul the mystery that had been hiding from the ages and generations, was now is made manifested to his saints (Colossians 1:26; Ephesians 3:3; 6:19). The things that had been hidden before the world was created concerning Christ were now unveiled and made public.

Since Paul says the (time-element) “the mystery” was established by the preaching of Christ to the saints the seventh trumpet according to John in Revelation 10:7 had to also begin to sound. The inspired Apostle John ties the events of the mystery being finished and the sounding of the seventh angel together. They cannot be separated. Paul said the conditions were meant according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began. but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith. (Romans 16:25-26) John said when those conditions were meant the seventh angel would begin sounding his seventh trumpet.

This, of course, puts the sounded of the seventh trumpet and its results in the spiritual realm along with the saints coming to Mount Zion the city of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22) Much of what God does is out of the senses of this world like the salt of the earth; Matthew 5:13 the new temple of God I Corinthians 3:16 the priesthood of God, 1 Peter 2:9 and the new city of God that come down from heaven (Revelation 21:2)

The correct time and place for the last trumpet in the last book of the Bible will never be found in out future events or history. A literal concept of the sounding of the trumpet is contrary to the (time-element) and purpose of John's revelation. The revelation or gospel, of Christ, was connected with the sounding of the last trumpet. We will do well to allow the inspiration of scripture to tell us when the time last trumpet sounded.

Revelation wow I will never understand it.

2011-11-06T17:26:00.002-05:00

Please don't be deceived by those people who come along and say, "The book of Revelation is apocalyptic; therefore, you can't understand it." That's a bunch of nonsense — just nonsense. I heard that nonsense for years. Over the next two weeks or so we will examine John’s use of apocalyptic language in the book of Revelation. I will also show you a “key” to knowing how a verse has “been fulfilled” by using other verses as a “template” that are also in the Bible. God does not use a word in one place and then change its meaning in another place.

Apocalyptic literature is a type of literature that flourished in Judaism. All the term means is that the book of Revelation is a type of prophetic literature that uses a lot of Jewish symbols. Because it contains so many symbols, some peo...ple will tell you the book just cannot be understood. Well if Revelation was not meant to be understood God would never have said blessed is he who reads and those who ear the words of this prophecy. (Revelation 1:3) John wrote these things down so that we could know about them, as will.
God does not use symbols randomly, just pulling them out of the sky as if they have no meaning whatsoever. Symbols are used for a specific purpose. They stand for something and they have a beeper meaning behind them. They were not selected to take up space in scripture.

When a symbol is used, in Revelation, always look for the meaning behind it in other places of the Bible. Another key to understanding the book of Revelation, is a very important key, let scripture interpreted scripture and accept the "plain sense interpretation." My "Golden Rule of Interpretation" that I use throughout the Bible from beginning to end, whether it's prophecy or not, is this. Let scripture interpreted scripture and accept the plain sense that makes sense. Don't look for or try to make the verses fit into our future, then you will end up with what has become traditional nonsense."

God doesn't write in riddles to confuse us. He knows how to communicate. If you don't understand it, don't worry about it. Put aside what is confusing and hang on to what you do understand. Don't give into the temptation I will never ever understand Revelation. The more time you spend reading Revelation along with studying the Old Testament the more you will understand Revelation.. "The book of Revelation is not a hard book to understand at all.

In the mid-60s A.D. there were two big crises. The first was the Jewish leaders who persecuted Christians. The second crisis was the Roman empire who persecuted Christians. John the author of Revelation, did not want Christians to lose their hope. The central message of Revelation is that God is fulling the hope of Israel and God is in control.

The symbols in the book of Revelation were not written to confuse Christians. They were written so the Romans couldn't understand it not Christians. John used images and descriptions familiar to his Hebrew audience. “Using Old Testament prophecies in a book like Daniel for example as a “guide” we see a basic "template" of the “First prophecies.”

This is an extremely important point because the way in which the first prophecy is given is the best clue to understand the “time frame” when John’s “Second prophecy about the same event was being fulfilled” in Revelation. We will compare the language of Daniel with John’s Revelation in this short study. The beast in Revelation 13 is depicted in the following terms: "It was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion" (Revelation. 13:2). Notice the animals mentioned-a leopard, a bear and a lion.

To understand prophecy, it is important to understand the symbols used. All we need to do is carefully study the Old Testament we can expect an answer. God does not use a symbol in one place and then change its meaning in another. So we will use Scripture to interpret Scripture. The symbols God used in prophecy are consistent.

Daniel saw a vision of four beasts rising from the sea. "I was looking in my vision by night, and then, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. "And four great beasts were coming up from the sea, different from one another. • Lion. "The first was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle. I kept looking until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man; a human mind also was given to it. • Bear. "And then, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear. And it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and thus they said to it, "Arise, eat much meat!' • Leopard. "After this I kept looking, and then, another one, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it. • Terrible Beast. "After this I kept looking in the night visions, and then, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. It engulfed and crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. (Daniel 7: 2-7)

Daniel tells us these four successive powers would govern from his time down to the coming of the ruling Messiah (Daniel 2:37-44). As we survey the four kingdoms of Daniel 7. The 4 beasts vision of Daniel chapter 7. are commonly explained as follows: Lion = Babylonian Empire. Bear = Media-Persia, Empire. Leopard = Greek Empire. 4 th Beast = The Roman Empire. It is generally accepted, with good reason, that the four beasts in both Daniel 2 and 7 represent the kingdoms of Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, and Rome, in that order, reflecting the order of their appearance. John writes during the Roman Empire.

The Roman Empire, the fourth kingdom, would continue to exist in some form until its fatal encounter with the Kingdom of Christ, the fifth and final kingdom. Daniel 2:37-44 Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

John looked backward from his perspective in the time of Rome Empire and Daniel was looking forward beginning with Babylon. By uses the “template in Daniel 7 we know when Revelation. 13:2 was fulfilled. People have spent centuries explain...ing away the symbols in Revelation simply because they don’t take the time to study the basic "template" of the symbols in the Old Testament and try to remove them out of there first century historical setting in which the book was originally written.

I'm saying take the time to study the Old Testament "templates" and take the plain sense approach. The symbols stand for something that is often found in the Old Testament all we have to do is accept them how the disciples used them in “their first century historical setting” that makes plain sense. You will find that God wants to communicate, that God knows how to communicate, and that God what us to understand what He communicates in the book of Revelation.

The Mark Of The Beast.

2011-10-23T10:19:00.001-04:00

Revelation 13:16-18 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.

The first thing one must understand about the book of Revelation is that it is a book composed almost entirely of symbols that a first century Jew would found immediately recognizable. These symbols were used before in such books as Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah.

Jesus, Paul, and John used a lot of metaphors from Old Testament scripture. John more then any other disciples uses metaphors. And because we have all been ironically taught “not to flow” the first principles of sound biblical hermeneutics to let scripture interpreter it's own many have found the book of Revelation hard to understand and given up all together.

However in Revelation also, we are to study the passage or verses in question, and see how the “words are used” in other related situations throughout scripture. In this way, we have God, interpret His Word. The Jews in the first century were very familiar with figurative language and they surely understood the language Jesus and the disciples used in the same way it was used in Old Testament scripture.

The "mark" received upon the right hand or the forehead, is a Jewish symbolic picture (as is virtually all of Revelation). It is not a "physical" mark on a persons body. The first century Jews were familiar with this Jewish thought and they know (exactly were John was coming from). But how did one, receive "the mark" and what did it mean in Jewish thought? It means that those who "took the mark" willingly, on their "right hand"did whatever they did under the control of a ungodly religious and they acted in accordance.

The "mark" on the foreheads, was referring to the fact that Rome and their ideologies religions etc, were controlling the "minds and thoughts" of those who willingly followed this mind set. A perfect picture of this action in see in John. Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, Behold you King!" But they cried out, Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!" Pilate said to them, Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priest answered, "We have no king “but Caesar!" (John 19:14-15)

In John 11:48 we read, Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. Then the chief priest and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, What shall we do' For this Man works many signs. "If we let Him alone like this everyone will believe in Him, “And the Romans will come and take away both place and nation.” This is the meaning of the "mark of the beast. Those who "took the mark" in the foreheads, were referring to the fact that Rome and their ideologies religions etc, were controlling the minds and thoughts of those who willingly followed this mind set. All the Jews understood this typological picture.

The metaphors that John used from the Old Testament are a little harder to see sometimes, especially when we have not been taught to look for them. A good example of this is when a "mark" is spoken of, it should bring to mind as it did the Jews a previous reference to a mark, found in another place in the Old Testament.

The very same language about a “mark” is spoken of in a previous reference. It is found in Ezekiel 9:3-8. 3Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub, where it had been, to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed with linen, who had the writer's inkhorn at his side; 4 and the LORD said to him, "Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it." 5 To the others He said in my hearing, "Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity. 6 "Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary." So they began with the elders who were before the temple 7 Then He said to them, "Defile the temple, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out!" And they went out and killed in the city. 8 So it was, that while they were killing them, I was left alone; and I fell on my face and cried out, and said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Will You destroy all the remnant of Israel in pouring out Your fury on Jerusalem?"

In this context, Jerusalem was also about to be besieged and destroyed (by the Babylonians). The Lord commanded an angel to place "a mark on the foreheads" of those that lamented the wickedness of the city. This angel is described as having "a writer's inkhorn at his side" (9:3), with which he was to mark the righteous.

It is clear from the context that this was not to be taken literally, as if an angel needed to carry a pen around with him and an inkhorn in which to dip it. This was a figurative symbolic way of showing that there was a specific class of people within the doomed city that were being set apart for preservation (9:6). We must allow Scripture to interpret itself whenever possible.

Since John was a Hebrew he used numerous Jewish metaphors out of the Old Testament in his book of Revelation. John thinks in Hebrew, and his writing naturally affected the vehicle of express.

In Revelation, a similar "mark" is placed on those whom God wishes to preserve. Revelation 7:2-8 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have SEALED THE SERVANTS OF OUR GOD ON THEIR FOREHEADS. And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.

A "mark" is also received by those loyal to the beast, one which sets them apart for destruction (14:9-11) The mark is an emblem of ownership and submission. The mark is said to allow some to purchase, and others not to purchase (That's MONEY) it is said to bear the name, number & image of the beast. Remember when Christ asked: "Whose superscription is this"? Roman currency bore the “image of Caesar.” It is a well recorded fact that within the Roman Empire, nobody bought, sold or traded without Roman currency. This was the purpose of the moneychangers on the court of the gentiles. Since Rome was paid tribute from the Temple treasury, it had to be Rome coinage!

No one "can buy or sell" describes the ban the Pharisees put on Christian Jews who were considered apostates see Acts 21:21 where they accuse Paul of teaching apostasy against Juduism). In fact the law is still in the Tosefta: "We do not sell to them, nor do we buy from them. We do not take from them, nor do we give to them." (t Hullin 2:20). Having any interaction whatsoever with Christians back then could land a Jew in big trouble. A Rabbi b. Hyrkanos was put on trial for his life in the latter first century just because he "enjoyed" an interpretation of a scripture that came from a Christian Rabbi (b Abodah Zarah 16b-17a). Apparently the Christian heretics were considered "harlots" and Jews were stay "far from them."

The thorn in the flesh which Paul testified of in 2 Corinthians 12:7

2011-10-23T10:06:00.002-04:00

Over the years I have read were many in our day have made the assumption that the thorn in the flesh which Paul testified of in 2 Corinthians 12:7, was some physical ailment. These theories are made on the assumptions that we can't really know from the scriptures what the thorn in Paul’s flesh was.

Has biblical hermeneutics digressed so far that comparing scripture with scripture is not longer considered an option? One of the first principles of sound biblical hermeneutics is that the scripture is it's own interpreter. i.e., they are not subject to private interpretation. We must carefully examine the passage in question, and then see how the language is used throughout scripture.

In this way, we have God, Word, interpret His Word. In the case of Paul like the rest of the disciples and Jesus, he was very familiar with the figuratively language and he surely used it in the same way it has been used throughout Old Testament scripture.

God is the author of these scriptures, and we would "expect" there to be consistency in the use of the word, in like situations. For example, Joshua 23:13 "Know for a certainty that the Lord your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you".

This is not a literal scourges in their sides and thorns in their eyes to signify some bodily disorder (as man would assume today.) God is using this to illustrate that the people of other nations will be His instrument to trouble them and cause them to fall. In the book of numbers, God uses the same language, but switches the use of the thorn to the side, and scourges to the eyes.

Numbers 33:55 "But if you will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which you let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein you dwell".

A thorn in your side "is" a metaphor thorn in the flesh. And contrary to popular belief, it's not physical. It's people who were if left among the people of Israel, would trouble them. This is what the thorn in the side "signifies" in God's Word. Paul, being Hebrew of Hebrews and a man of knowledge of scripture would be very familiar with these terms and how God used them in the Old Testament. Another good example is Judges 2:3 "Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you." These men were to be a thorns in their side and their gods shall be a snares and trouble to Israel.

The fact, is we use very similar language to describe people today. For example, we would say someone is, "a pain in the neck." Does this convey that we have literal pains in our necks? No. This phrases conveys the exact same meanings as Paul's thorn in the flesh. He was simply using a common expression of those days, just as we do in our day.

It is a common mistake to assume that the thorn in the flesh was a disease or ailment that Satan gave him. But it is obviously that metaphors, are involved here “since it's not a literal thorn” and when metaphors is involved, we have to let God's Word itself interpret the metaphors. We don’t have to make assumptions, or guess at what it might mean. We compare scripture with scripture to discern God's truth.

Now that we have seen consistently seen what the metaphor thorn represents throughout the Old Testament scripture, we can take what we've learned and see if it will fit consistently with other scriptures. The first thing that we notice is that God further defines the thorn in the flesh as, "The Messenger of Satan!"

This holds true consistently in the New Testament scriptures as well. Jesus speaking to the Jewish leader had this to say. “You are of your father the devil and the “desires of your father you want to do.” Notice Jesus said they desired to do the will of their father.

Literal disease's and sicknesses are "not" messengers of Satan that come to “BUFFET” Paul. God's scriptural metaphor of thorns in the old testament are totally consistent with the messengers of Satan, and totally consistent with the Judaizers who Jesus said desired to do his will. Thorns in the bible never signifies a illness or sickness.

What was Paul’s Thorn in the side? The adversaries of God and his servants who come to trouble them. The Judaizers, who were the enemies of God, and “the saints” were a “thorn in the side of Paul,” because they hated him for teaching against their doctrines. These thorns which were sent to buffet Paul were not of God, but messengers of Satan. Their defining characteristic is that they are thorns and “brier” bushes, not a tree from which to get good fruit. Luke 6:44 "For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of (thorns men) do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes".

As an apostle who was teaching against their doctrines Paul was imprisoned, flogged, and many times was near death. Five times he received the forty lashes minus one. Three times he was beaten with rods, once he was stoned, three times he was shipwrecked and for a night and a day he was adrift at sea. He was frequently on dangerous journeys, in danger from rivers, bandits, from his own people and also the gentiles. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)

An ancient Jewish writing describes the procedure for receiving stripes in a Jewish court: “The two hands of the criminal are bound to a post, and then the servant of the synagogue either pulls or tears off his clothes till he leaves his breast and shoulders bare. A stone or block is placed behind him on which the servant stands; he holds in his hands a scourge made of leather, divided into four tails. He who scourges lays one third on the criminal’s breast, another third on his right shoulder, and another on his left. The man who receives the punishment is neither sitting nor standing, but all the while stooping; and the man smites with all his strength, with one hand.” (Mishna, fol. 22, 2; cited in Clarke)

Paul speaks of being in prison several times, even though Acts only tells us of one instance to this date (in Philippi, Acts 16:20-24). We know Paul was close to death when an angry crowd tried to execute him by stoning in Lystra (Acts 14:19), but there were many other times as well.

He was in danger in the city, in the wilderness, at sea, and from the falsehood of certain brothers and sisters. He was always working hard, through many sleepless nights, he was hungry and thirsty, many times without food, he suffered cold and was naked. Besides all these things he was also under pressure because of the anxiety he fell for all the Churches. These thorns are totally consistent with the messengers of Satan, and totally consistent with the Judaizers who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. (Revelation 2:9)

The same Judaizers that persecuted and BUFFETED Christ Matthew 26:67 BUFFETED Paul 1 Corinthians 4:10-11 "We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are BUFFETED, and have no certain dwelling place;"

Like wise they were a thorn in Paul’s side. They made Paul's life very difficult. Being human, just like the rest of us, Paul wanted to have this thorn, removed yet God would not extract them from him
God's Grace was enough! 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." Notice Paul ties his infirmities, here with persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake.

In Paul's weakness he learned to surrender his own will to the will of God. Paul says He would "gladly Glory in his infirmities (2 Corinthians. 12:9)". Yes, rather than somber in his troubling circumstances, he will glory in them, for in them he has the opportunity to experience the power of Christ. He says "I take pleasure in infirmities, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10)."

In Ezekiel 2:6 we read were God is talking about the house of Israel. "And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though “briers and thorns” be with thee, and thou dost dwell among SCORPIONS: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house." Sound familiar?

Only the people of Israel are ever called a “ rebellious house” in scripture. The briers, thorns, and scorpions are all symbolic of Israel which come against the Lord and his saints.

Compleat Salvation.

2011-10-15T15:54:00.003-04:00

Long before I hard of fulfilled eschatology and started studying the Bible for myself. I often hard the viewpoint that assumed salvation was completed and done at the cross. Yet the more I studied Scripture the more clear it became that the writers were saying complete salvation was ready to be reviled to the first century saints. The cross was a process of salvation which started at the cross.

The inspired Apostles Paul “know” they hadn’t received all that was to be theirs, at the cross, and his writings reflected that truth. And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for “now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” The night is far spent, the day is at hand.. (Roman 13:11-12) Quoting a dear friend of mind Arthur Melanson. The new testament writer “were embryonic s” ons in a halfway as were all Christians of that period. End quote.Salvation i.e., "deliverance" was inaugurated in the ministry of Jesus. It was ratified or confirmed through His Cross (not at the Cross). Think about it if salvation was all in all secured at or on the Cross, then what need was there further for the Resurrection of the saints??? - do you follow? The Cross was the linch-pin, the central part in securing our salvation.

Paul confirms this in his epistle as well. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heave for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith “for salvation ready to be revealed” in the last time. ( 1 Peter 1:3-5)

The inspired Apostles speak of salvation, ready to be reviled “years after” the cross. Who is correct the inspired writers of the Bible or to days teaching of men? The expectation for complete salvation of the believers in the "last days" of the Old Covenant "age" had not yet been realized. They had not yet been "clothed upon" with the redemption for which they were waiting ( 2 Cor. 5:2-4).

Weren’t Paul and Peters and their converts already saved? Yes they were, but not in the fulness of salvation that was consummated at the Parousia of Christ. Hebrews 9:28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Complete salvation had an out working to completion in that generation. This point is evident throughout the New Testament. Numerous verses relative to the believers "enduring to the end to be saved", and the like (Matt. 10:22; Heb 6:4-6; Heb 10:26-31, 2 Peter 2:20- 22, etc.),

We must be careful not to divide the language and teaching up between the two testaments to such an extent that we make them totally disconnected from each other. The New Testament was not written to introduce a new concept of the work of Jesus our “High Priest” into salvation that is totally alien to the teaching of the old testament. God introduced his plans of salvation, to Israel in the types and shadows of the High Priest under the old covenant system. First notice how the work of the High Priest is described in the Old Testament by Moses, then how the writer of Hebrews associates that work to Jesus as our High Priest unto complete salvation.

In Leviticus we read were Moses called Aaron the High Priest to going into tabernacle to make atonement for yourself and for the people sins. So they brought what Moses commanded before the tabernacle of meeting. And all the congregation drew near and stood before the LORD. Then Moses said, "This is the thing which the LORD commanded you to do, and the glory of the LORD will appear to you. "And Moses said to Aaron, "Go to the altar, offer your sin offering and your burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself and for the people. Offer the offering of the people, and make atonement for them, as the LORD commanded." (Leviticus 9:5-7)

According to the pattern of the Old Testament, forgiveness of sins (did come when the High Priest went into the tabernacle) but when the (High Priest came out of tabernacle and blessed the people of Israel). In Leviticus 9: 22-23 we read. Then Aaron lifted his hand toward the people, blessed them, and came down from offering the sin offering, the burnt offering, and peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of meeting, and came out and blessed the people. Then the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people.

Notice here that Israel's did not know their sins were forgiven until Aaron the High Priest (came out of the tabernacle to bless the people). Question how could the people of Israel have known their sins had been forgiven if the High Priest Aaron had not came out of the tabernacle to bless them with the good news that God had accepted their atonement for sin another year? No one dear go into the tabernacle to see what happen because they know they would die on the spot. So Aaron had to come out of the tabernacle and blessed the people of Israel.

These types and shadows are of vital importance, to understand how complete salvation was accomplished by the antitype our High Priest Christ Jesus in the New Testament. All the Apostles understood this simple Old Testament concept bout the High Priest and their writings reflected that truth.

In Hebrews 9:24-26 we read, For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another. This is a picture of Christ our High Priest (going into the Holy place to appear in the presence of God for us. This fulfilled the type and shadows of Aaron the High Priest going INTO the earthly tabernacle. (Leviticus 9:5-7)

Then we read in Hebrews 9:27-28 were it says, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time apart from sin, for salvation. (Hebrews 9:27-28) This fulfilled the type and shadows of Aaron the High Priest (coming OUT of the earthly tabernacle to bless the people. (Leviticus 9: 22-23)

They understood the Parousia or reappearance of Christ was simply our High Priest coming out of the Holiest of all during the same generation unto salvation. The writer of Hebrews as we see shows Christ Jesus fulfilling the type and shadow of Leviticus 9 placing the return of the High Priest in the same generation.

There is no distinction in the language made by the writer of Leviticus 9 and Hebrews 9. The language used closely connects both appearing The disciples never had a concept of our High Priest Jesus coming out of the Holy place over two thousands years away. They saw one short fulfillment period with two phases to it. A atonement for sin phases 9:24-26 and a complete redemptive/salvation phases 9:28. And there writing reflects that truth. And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; (for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed). The night is far spent, the day is at hand.. (Roman 13:11-12)

If we are still waiting for our High Priest Jesus to come out of the Holy Place we don’t have complete salvation according to scripture.

Jewish Imagery

2011-10-09T12:41:00.002-04:00

"Immediately after the distress of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken (Matthew 24:29)."

This text has been the subject of all sorts of speculation and wild theories about the end of time and the events that will happen at the return of Christ. Many this text is talking about a literal destruction of the world. But let us put out of our minds what we have been taught about this passage and let the scripture speak for its self.

The first thing we must understand here is this Jewish Imagery was used before in books like Genesis, Joel, Isaiah, Ezekie, Haggai, and Nahum. And since the writers of the Old Testament used such highly symbolic language to picture the actions of God, is it not likely that the writers of the New Testament, and Jesus in particular would use the same kind of imagery to describe events of historic proportions? Why should Jesus not have used the same Jewish symbolic language from the Old Testament to describe events at the destruction of Jerusalem?

The problem is that we are not accustomed to dealing with such symbolic language like the sun being darkened and the stars falling, etc, without thinking literally. To the Jews, this was not new language. When the rulers of a nation that God destroyed passed away, it was said that the sun was darkened and the stars fell from the sky, etc.

To help understand how the Jews communicated in terms of symbolical language, open your Bible and turn to (Genesis 37:9). This is the way language is used in the Old Testament. It was adopted for like use in the New Testament.

This kind of language in relation to Israel began in the Bible in Genesis 37:9. When Joseph told his brothers his dream, He said, "Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me."

His father understood the meaning of that dream and asked,"What is the dream that thou haste dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth" (vs.10)? As you can see, Joseph dream was related to his father, mother, and brothers, not the universe.

Another biblical example is fall of Babylon by the hands of the Medes. This type of apocalyptic, figurative language, also describes the desolation and judgment of God by invading forces. Take for example the prophesied fall of Babylon to the Medes in 539 BC.

"Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. And I will punish the world for their evil..." (Isaiah 13:9-11)."

This is applied to Babylon, as mentioned in verse 1. The fall of Babylon is represented by the stars and constellations of heaven withdrawing their light, and the sun and moon being darkened (xiii. 9,10).

Now note the prophecy of Ezekiel against Egypt: "And when I shall put thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light. All the bright lights of heaven will make dark over thee, and set darkness upon thy land, saith the Lord GOD" (Ezekiel 32:7-7). This applied to Egypt, as mentioned in vs. 2, 12-16.

And further note Amos 8:9, "And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day." This had reference to the northern kingdom.

Such "decreation of heaven and earth" language is used in Psalm 18:5-16 to describe the downfall of Saul's Kingdom. In Isaiah 13:6-19, we see that destruction of heavens and earth pertain to when the Medes broke up the Babylonian empire. Nahum applies this earth-shattering metaphor to Yahweh's judgment of Nineveh (Nahum 1:1-5). Isaiah applies this language to Edom of 703 BC (Isa 34:3-8). Ezekiel applies this language to Babylon's victory over Egypt (572 BC) in Ezekiel 32:7-11.

The sun, moon, and stars speak of the downfalls of rulers and authorities. Rev 12:1-4; and Rev 8:10-9:2 use the casting down of stars to speak of rulers. Isaiah 14:12 calls Nebuchadnezzar the Morning Star cast down to earth. In Rev 1:20, the stars are rulers/messengers of the Churches. The "shaking of the heavens and earth" was used by Haggai in 2:7 and 2:21-23 to speak of political overturnings when the great Persian empire was all aflame with rebellion and conflict and the Jews were expecting this to work in their favor as they were being restored to Palestine and rebuilding the Temple.

Another good example is the prophet Joel: "And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. ("And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood,) Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass. That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls. (Joel 2:28-32)"

Peter used similar ancient language on the day of Pentecost when he quoted from Joel 2: and said (this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel) "And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come" (Acts 2:17, 19-20). Peter said those were the days. These events happened at Pentecost. This is not language that signifies an absolutely literal, materialistic, or natural fulfillment, as can be discovered by anyone who honestly studies these things.

There is no question about when these things would happen.

We have literature that we must read figuratively unless the words demand otherwise. We must do this with all passages in the Bible that tell us the things we are reading are in symbols.

Paul and the Mosaic Law.

2011-10-08T11:32:00.002-04:00

When Paul taught the gospel to the Jews in the first century he was under a set of unique circumstances than when we preach the gospel today. The problems Paul faced was unique to his day and age. The Jews loved the Mosaic Law and were absolutely convinced they could keep the righteousness of the Law in their own strength, and self-effort. They believed they could keep all the requirements of the Law unto salvation in their self righteousness.

It is also important for us to recognize that Paul had a high regard for the law. He tells us that the "law is holy, and the commandments are holy and just and good" (Roman. 7:12). He described himself as a strict observer of the law, "a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee." There was no one who tried harder to be justified by the law than Paul. He understood the purpose of the law (Galatians. 3:24-25) and was devout concerning the law before he was a Christian as well as after he became a Christian.

Paul was not against the law. His own words bear witness to this fact. So what was he against? He was against those who would teach the law as a means for salvation. That was the unique difference how Paul taught the gospel in his day. In Galatians 5:4-5 Paul says “You have become estranged from Messiah, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace”.

Paul never teaches that the Mosaic Law is bad he was against those who would teach you had to keep the Mosaic Law in order to have salvation. Paul taught (justification by faith). This was definitely Paul’s downfall with the Jews salvation without works of righteousness. Paul got himself into double trouble when he preached against not only the works or self- righteousness but
keeping the Mosaic Laws for salvation.

Paul's problems came because people believed false rumors about him. These rumors also got Paul in trouble with Jewish Christians. James the physical brother, of Jesus was a key pillar of the mother church and tells Paul rumors had been told about him. “They have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses telling them not to circumcise their children or observe the customs” (Acts 21:21)

Although Paul had not taught these things, many of the zealous Jews were distressed, thinking that he had. Yes, Paul taught the Gentiles that it was not necessary for them to circumcise their children as a necessity for salvation. However he never said the Jews could not circumcise their children out of respect for their Jewish heritage. In fact, Paul circumcised the half-Jew Timothy in order that he might win some Jews (Acts 16:3; 1 Corinthians. 9:20-21).

He refused to circumcise Titus, because the Judaizers were trying to bind circumcision upon him and others as necessary for salvation. Therefore, in order to teach the Judaizers that circumcision was not necessary for salvation, Paul did not give in to them for one minute (Galatians. 2:3-5).

To alleviate these fears, James encouraged Paul to go to the Temple, and take a Hebrew vow according to the Torah. (Acts 21:22-24) Under such a vow they would let their hair grow, not eat anything from the grape moist or dried; they were not to come near any dead body nor to make themselves unclean for their father, mother, brother, or sister when they died (Numbers. 6:3-7). They were to present an offering when the days of the vow were completed (Numbers. 6:13-21). Taking the vow was not intimated to Paul. (Acts 18:18)

By accepting James and the elders proposal, Paul is simply becoming a Jew to the Jew that he might win some (1 Cor. 9:20-21). For the sake of others he acted. After all, that was what he was encouraged to do, "that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing" (Acts 21: 24). The book of Acts offers several examples of Paul’s practice of Torah: in 18:18, he cuts his hair in order to complete a (Nazirite?) vow; in 21:21-26, he performs rites of purification to counter the charge that he is encouraging fellow-Jews to abandon the law; and in 24:17-19.

So Paul never teaches that the Mosaic Law is bad he was against those who would teach keeping the Mosaic Law in order to have salvation. The coming of Christ and the arrival of the eschatological age of salvation had brought epochal changes with regard to the role and function of the Mosaic law. The Mosaic law was no longer the regulating code for behavior. Christ had delivered them from the curse of disobedience to the law. Galatians 3:10–14 (ESV) For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith."But the law is not of faith, rather "The one who does them shall live by them."

For reasons of culture, conscience, and testimony, Jew and Gentile fellowship in the early church was made possible and peacefully coexist. The Gentile Christians were given the freedom to not practice the Torah observance, while Jewish believers were given the freedom to continue to practice many aspects of their former heritage, and culture, and lifestyle. Paul encourages believers to remain in the condition to which they were called. (1 Corinthians 7:17-24)

So when Paul taught the gospel to the Jews in the first century he was under a set of unique circumstances than when we preach the gospel today. The problems Paul faced was unique to him and the people of his day and age. Paul has to do a balancing act between not looking as tho he is against the former Jewish heritage, and culture, and lifestyle. And yet against the works of righteousness under the Mosaic law for salvation.

Paul had a lot on his plate.

Paul used the metaphor “ body ” in scripture.

2011-10-08T11:14:00.002-04:00

In order to truly understand how Paul used the metaphor “ body ” in scripture, we must think like a Hebrew. All scripture is written from a Hebraic perspective and we must understand how Paul used that method to describe corporate covenant identity. For example, Paul tells us how all Israel was united with Moses by baptism. 1 Corinthians 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

"Baptized unto Moses" what does this mean? It is not talking about physical be baptized in WH2O. Rather Israel had submitted to Moses "sphere of authority" as God gave him. The Israelites by this event, left Egypt, escaped from Pharaoh, and entered upon their march, in a corporate "body of Moses." The term, "baptized into Moses" gives us a lucid idea of what Paul meant by being covenant.

During the transition period when the Old Covenant was fading away. At this time, the saints were being Baptized in the corporate "body of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12) This is speaking about position, not only practice. This is a corporate body of believers wherein Christ is the head. We must read the Bible and think in terms of covenants.

This is very important to understand in order to get past the false idea of a physical bodily resurrection in scripture . By and far most commentators say and assume that Paul is talking about the physical body. It's kind of crazy to me how many commentators don't even deal with the “corporate body of Moses” and “corporate body of Christ" in scripture they just assume Paul is always addressing a physical body. Often, in the things, that are over looked God expresses deep truths.

With that thought in mine before we get into how Paul used the metaphor “ body” let see how he used another metaphor “house” in relations to covenants. Hebrews 3:5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward. Moses was faithful in all His house or covenant as a servant. Now notice what is says about Christ being the head over his house or covenant. Hebrews 3:6 NIV But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast. Notice here is says, WE ARE HIS HOUSE. The house is made up of a corporate body of believers. It is NOT a literal house. It is NOT a physical body. It is a spiritual house of believers.

I don’t believe Paul change the subject when he address a tent or house in (2 Corinthians 5:1-4) Acts 18:3 tells us that Paul was a professional tentmaker. What does Paul mean when he writes about living in a tent of house? Is he talking about a real literal tent or house? No so why is it assumed Paul jumps into talking about our physical human body. I believe he is talking about the same corporate “house of Moses.” The old "tent or house of Moses was being made useless, and being torn down. Peter also used this same corporate language in 1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

The Bible never contradict it self. To declare (a proposition, statement, etc.) opposite of (a proposition, or statement), made some were else in the Bible. The Bible is clear our physical bodies returns to the earth and our spirits returns to God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:7 Psalms. 146:4.

Therefore Paul never contradict what was written in Ecc 12:7 and Psa. 146:4 which was his Bible at the time. With this thought before us lest look at 1 Corinthians 15:53-54 NASB For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. In Paul's argument in this chapter he has been talking about two bodies. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:44 NASB)

Now lest see what two bodies Paul was talking about here. So also it is written, "The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL." The last Adam became a LIFE GIVING SPIRIT. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. (1 Corinthians 15:45-46 NASB) Here again Paul is using CORPORATE BODY language. The body of Adam and the body of Christ. Because of Adam’s sin all humanity was in the mortal corporate body of Adam. In the corporate body of Christ all humanity was made alive and put on immortality.

All that are in the first Adam put on immortality in the second Adam Christ. Notice what is swallowed up. and when this corruptible may have put on incorruption, and this mortal may have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the word that hath been written, `The Death was swallowed up to victory; (1 Corinthians 15:54 YLT) This is the death that came from Adam. So in the context of chapter 15 mortal is connected with the corporate body of Adam, as opposed to the immortality corporate body of Christ.

Alright, let's look at how Paul uses this word glory or glorious in terms of covenant change. For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory. (2 Corinthians 3:9 NASB) This verse is much clearer in YLT. for if that which is being made useless is through glory, much more that which is remaining is in glory. (2 Corinthians 3:11 YLT)

And in Roman 8:18-19 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. And in Philippians 3:12 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. This should be clear that Paul is contrasting the two covenants.

If it be argued that the creation here is the earthly creation. When did the earthly creation eagerly waiting to be called the sons of God? (Roman 8:19) The earthly creation was never in bondage of corruption and waiting the adoption, the redemption of the body. The corporate body of Moses was and they were waiting the glorious liberty of the children of God. (Roman 8:21-26)

The Bible never contradict it self. To declare (a proposition, statement, etc.) opposite of (a proposition, or statement), made some were else in the Bible. The Bible is clear our physical bodies returns to the earth and our spirits returns to God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:7 Psalms. 146:4.

Therefore Paul never contradict what was written in Ecc 12:7 and Psa. 146:4 which was his Bible at the time. With this thought before us lest look at 1 Corinthians 15:53-54 NASB For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. In Paul's argument in this chapter he has been talking about two bodies. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:44 NASB)

Now lest see what two bodies Paul was talking about here. So also it is written, "The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL." The last Adam became a LIFE GIVING SPIRIT. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. (1 Corinthians 15:45-46 NASB) Here again Paul is using CORPORATE BODY language. The body of Adam and the body of Christ. Because of Adam’s sin all humanity was in the mortal corporate body of Adam. In the corporate body of Christ all humanity was made alive and put on immortality.

All that are in the first Adam put on immortality in the second Adam Christ. Notice what is swallowed up. and when this corruptible may have put on incorruption, and this mortal may have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the word that hath been written, `The Death was swallowed up to victory; (1 Corinthians 15:54 YLT) This is the death that came from Adam. So in the context of chapter 15 mortal is connected with the corporate body of Adam, as opposed to the immortality corporate body of Christ.

Alright, let's look at how Paul uses this word glory or glorious in terms of covenant change. For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory. (2 Corinthians 3:9 NASB) This verse is much clearer in YLT. for if that which is being made useless is through glory, much more that which is remaining is in glory. (2 Corinthians 3:11 YLT)

And in Roman 8:18-19 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. And in Philippians 3:12 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. This should be clear that Paul is contrasting the two covenants.

If it be argued that the creation here is the earthly creation. When did the earthly creation eagerly waiting to be called the sons of God? (Roman 8:19) The earthly creation was never in bondage of corruption and waiting the adoption, the redemption of the body. The corporate body of Moses was and they were waiting the glorious liberty of the children of God. (Roman 8:21-26)

Paul has been talking about the change of covenants. Now lest look at how he used the"metaphor body" to speak about the change of covenants. He hasn't switched his topic between the corporate body of Adam and Moses and Christ to a physical, biological bodies, he is still talking about covenant identity. Now lest look Phil. 3 21 a little deeper. who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

The first thing that should be obvious is the statement “our vile body” or our body of “humiliation,” which is the true meaning of the word vile. "Body" here is singular, he is not talking about plural bodies. The "our bodies" plural, but "our body" singular the corporate body of Moses. If Paul were talking bout the transformation of individual bodies Paul would have said “our bodies plural.” The fact is that in this text the body is one or singular, and it was composed of as many members waiting for the body of humiliation “corporate body of Moses” to be transformed into the glorious “corporate body of Christ.” The vile body singular, (not bodies) was waiting to be transformed into the glorious body singular, of Christ (Philippians 3:12)

The purchased possession was the body of humiliation waiting for the change manifestation of the sons of God. (Roman 8:18:23) The redemption of our body (not bodies) in Roman 8:23 is equated with our vile body (not bodies) in Philippians 3:21 and corresponds to the redemption of purchased possession in Eph 1:14. We today ARE the sons of God and HAVE redemption and we are waiting for it so these things do not apply to us today.

Certainly if Paul wanted us to understand that he meant bodies plural in the above verses he would have used it as he did in Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. And in Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

When Paul talks about being baptized in Moses and in Christ. This shows us that the physical people of Israel who made up the Old Covenant were the corporate body of Moses. And those who put their trust in Christ become part of the corporate body of Christ. In Romans 7:4 Paul is telling these believing Jews not to put themselves under the Law now that they are part of the body of Christ.
Paul uses this language all over the New Testament it is mostly ignored.

However Paul uses the metaphor “ body ” as a corporate body of Adam and corporate body of Moses. We are the corporate body of Christ and members individually 1Cr 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. Could Paul concept of the corporate body with many individuals be made any more clear then what his says in this verse?

A bodily resurrection of Christ

2011-10-01T13:11:00.004-04:00

People sometimes ask me if Preterist believe in a bodily resurrection of Christ? I have no reason why? The answer is firmly and solidly based in the Scriptures! In this article I would like to show one very important reason why Jesus appeared in such a state that he was easily recognizable to the saints after his resurrection.

There never has been an event in history more important than when Jesus rose from the dead. But there was a problem. Their was increases tension between Jesus and the Jewish leaders until it reaches its climax in connection with his death and burial. Thus the unbelieving Jews, had a plan to conceal the truth that Christ had risen.

The chief priests and the Pharisees had gone to Pilate and had asked for guards to be placed around the tomb of Jesus, for they remembered that our Lord had said He would rise again after three days.

Pilate granted their request, and gave them guards “four men who watched for three hours, then relieved by four men for the next three hours, etc., for the next three days”. They also put a seal on the stone. A seal consisted of placing a cord across the stone and securing the ends with clay stamped with an official seal of Rom. If the seal was broken it would be readily apparent.

The problem was that in spite of all these precautions they now had an empty tomb and no explanation except the truth of the resurrection. WHAT TO DO? The watch reported to the chief priests what had happened. (Matthew 28:11?)

Let’s stop here and educate ourselves a bit about the REAL Roman guard. The total number of the guards would have been from ten to thirty men. The soldiers did not get scared, deserted their post, ran back into the city, and reported to the Jewish priests. They were not the kind of men to jeopardize their Roman necks by sleeping on their post they were Roman soldiers, not merely Jewish temple guards...

The soldiers had very strict training the punishment for deserting one’s post or falling asleep while on guard duty was death. The fear of punishments produced faultless attention to duty, especially in the night watches. Since the penalty for falling asleep while on guard duty was DEATH, the last thing “all the soldiers guarding the tomb” would do was jeopardize their necks by falling asleep or admitting to anybody that they had fallen ASLEEP. Roman soldiers would have NEVER used falling asleep on duty as an excuse. These were soldiers, Roman soldiers, and if they had “run away” to ANYONE, they would have been put to death.

Based upon these facts, let’s go back now and analyze Matthew 28:12-15 The only solution that makes sense was to make up a lie. The ruling Jews were evil, not stupid. It was at this juncture that the ruling Jewish leaders came up with a plan to destroy the faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

When the chief priests met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day. (Matthew 28:12-15 NIV). We see the lie that the disciples stole the body of Jesus was commonly reported among the Jews.

Let’s see what really happened on Resurrection Day:

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." (Matthew 28:1-10 NIV)

And in verse 16 were read. Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; “but some doubted”. (Matthew 28:16 NIV) Please keep in mind that some doubted.

Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. (Mark 16:12-13NIV)
It is here that we read about the doubt of Thomas who was indeed also a believer of Jesus.. Now Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:23-28 NIV).

It is very important to see that Thomas also did not believe until he saw with his eyes that Jesus was indeed alive. Thomas was a real believer but had his real doubts about the resurrection of Christ. We are not told if he had his doubts because of the false lie that was commonly reported among the Jews. However he had real doubts non the lest.

The Jewish believers struggled with a physical resurrection of Jesus so how could they ever understand (a resurrection of Jesus in the unseen ream)? “Unless Jesus’ body had been resurrected, His disciples would have had no assurance that His soul had been to Hades and had been resurrected.

How could the saints, or we, “see or comprehend’ what God accomplished in the spiritual ream, if Jesus did not REAPPEAR and show Himself in a physical bodily form in the physical ream? How could God have shown us the resurrection of His Son without the physical bodily aspect? The physical resurrection of Christ was essential to verify the spiritual to which it was tied.

Remember Matthew said, there was a reported among the Jew that the disciples came at night and stole the body of Jesus. The Jewish leaders were trying to cover up the resurrection as if it never happened. Jesus proved he had indeed been resurrected it by eating broiled fish and a honeycomb in their presence! “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” (Luke 24:39) The concocted lie was weak and had more holes in it then a piece of Swiss cheese.

Everything Jesus did in His earthly ministry was a type, or shadow, of a greater spiritual truth. He fed five-thousand because He is the Bread of Life. He calmed the stormy sea because He is the Prince of Peace. He forgave sin because He is the Savior of the world. He raised the dead and showed with his own resurrection that He is the Resurrection and the Life.

Paul understood that Jesus physical body resurrection pointed to greater spiritual truth and he writes. "Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 2Cr 5:16 In other words Christ existed as a complete and living personality before his birth into flesh, the same can be said after his ascent back to were he was before. (John 6:62)

Our physical body is a compilation of an entire recipe consisting of DNA, RNA, electrons, neurons, atoms, cells, blood, tissue, intellect, consciousness and your blueprint as an individual. A physical resurrection of our bodies would have NO POINT since we will not continue living on this planet, breathing earth’s oxygen and eating earth’s food, after we die physically.”

It is interesting to note. Have you ever thought of how the corpses of the first century saints could be put back together when they were eaten by lions and other animals, and digested into countless other human bodies. How will those that were set on fire and their ashes, scattered be put back together? After death, various body particles return to dust, get assimilated into plants, and other kinds of life.

The Bible is really clear our physical bodies returns to the earth and our spirits returns to God who gave it. Ecc 12:7 The Bible states clearly the physical body RETURNS to the earth - not to heaven. In discussing man's plight on earth the Psalmist said: "His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts PERISH [cease]" (Ps. 146:4).

John also understood is simple truth. Notice John said. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. (1 John 3:2)

The beloved John who leaned back on Jesus' breast during the Last Supper, and the only male disciple present at the crucifixion. (John 13:23) Certainly John know what Jesus looked like before and after his resurrection yet he says it has not yet been revealed what they shall be like. Our spirits or spiritual bodies will not be something that was changed or made over from our physical bodies because we are NOW COMPLETE in Christ. Our spirits or bodies ARE suited for the heavenly and the spiritual realm.

2011-10-01T12:31:00.001-04:00

The identification of Paul's "man of sin" is mentioned 2 Thessalonians 2:4-7. First of all let me say these studies are NOT all about who is right and who is wrong. These studies are all about what does the Bible really say. Paul told Timothy, Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, (rightly dividing the word of truth). 2 Timothy 2:15

Over the centuries, a variety of people were identified as the "son of perdition or man of sin” Attila the Hun, Napoleon, the Pope, Mohammed, Hilter, Mussolini, Stalin, Franklin Roosevelt, Henry Kissinger; and Mikhail Gorbachev. Virtually every unpopular public figure has qualified. Unfortunately, it's a tradition that has not died.

The truth is as we will see. Paul was talking about something present while he was writing, and which would come out into the open within his generation. Paul wrote during the time when the literal, Temple was still standing. There is no need for us to wish for the building of a third temple when these thing have already been fulfilled in the time when the second Temple was standing.

In 2 Thessalonians 2:4 it says, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. The first thing that should be notice in this verse, that goes against the teaching that the man of sin or son of perdition is the Holy Spirit is that he opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God. How does God opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God?

I propose that Paul's "man of sin" was, a specific person who set himself up in the Temple that was standing when Paul was writing. Paul gave no hint to the Thessalonians that this event would occur centuries later in some other "rebuilt temple.” Why would he be addressing a rebuilt temple when there was already a literally temple standing then? His first readers expected this fulfillment in their lifetime as we will see.

Since we are over 2000 years removed from this historical event it is not important to us to know exactly who the “son of perdition,” was. So (take your pick.) Nero, a Zealot leader; the corrupt chief high priest. Paul never called the “son of perdition.” the Antichrist he called him the “son of perdition” or “man of sin.”

Date the fall of 66. Josephus records that John of Gischala, the son of Levi, was established as the Zealot leader in control of the Temple area (there were three Zealot factions). This John physically entered the Temple, presented himself to the Zealots as a God-sent ambassador; and persuaded them to defy the laws of Rome and go to war to gain independence. He also instigated the calling in the Idumaeans to keep the Jewish sympathizers from submitting to Rome. He ordered the death of Ananus and the removal of the priesthood. After these atrocities, he became the official leader of the Zealot group in control of the Temple area. In short, this John established himself in the Temple, the one standing when Paul wrote.

Touching on the corrupt of the chief high priest. The people of Jerusalem were in such a state of fear that they allowed the robbers to get way with appointing the high priests themselves. The zealots as they called themselves made the temple their one personal refuge. Casting lots to decide who should be appointed high priest. The lot fell to Phannias the son of Samuel, from the village of Aphtha, a man not only unworthy of the office but so ignorant he didn’t even know what the high priesthood was. (Josecphus 37 B.C A.D. 70)

Nero Caesar declared himself god incarnate (the god apollo). Nero order an idol (a statue) of himself to be set up in the Temple. While Nero never entered the Temple in Jerusalem in person nevertheless a case could be made that it was his seat in the sense of the Jews having given him their worship for a season.

Point two. Paul wrote this letter (between A.D. 51 - 52). Paul reminded his first readers the Thessalonians, that they already knew what was restraining the "son of perdition." 2 Thessalonians 2:6 And now YOU KNOW what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. Paul did not have to tell them. And he didn't. Nor was it necessary; for they had discussed these matters before in many a private conversation verse 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? They know his identity and what was restraining him according to the inspired Apostle Paul. This is not Paul’s opinion, this is inspired writ,i.e, God’s opinion.

No hints were necessary to the Thessalonians, for they had a key they know what reminded him. And since THEY KNOW what reminded him he could not possibly have been someone that would exist in our future centuries later. This language plainly indicates that the apostle and his readers were well acquainted with the name "son of perdition’ and knew what was restraining him.

The Character of the Canaanites cult Justifies the Command to Destroy Them.

2011-10-01T11:50:00.003-04:00

We know from the Bible and from experience that God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, forgives rebellion and sin. The Bible tells us that again and again.

A question I’ve seen asked here on facebook goes like this. “Why the heck would we want to believe in a God who commanded his chosen nation to annihilate the other nations and a savior who promised to come back with a vengeance to destroy those who did not believe in him?

The divine command to exterminate from the face of the earth all men, women, and children belonging to Canaan is one of the most frequently raised objections to seeing God as just and loving in the Old Testament. How can God's fairness and mercy be seen in such blanket and wholesale condemnation of entire nations? It’s important to be able to answer to this questions.

In Deuteronomy 20:16, 17 God gives these instructions to Israel. In the cities of the nations the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes. Completely destroy them the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites as the LORD your God has commanded you. Read also Deuteronomy 7:1-6.

First of all God gave the Canaanites 400 years to repent while Israel was in Egypt and 40 more years while Israel wandered in the wilderness. The point is that the Israelites' possession of the Promised Land had to wait. It had to wait more than four hundred and forty years, because that was how much time God gave the Canaanites and Amorites to turn back from their evil ways. God was not impatient. The characteristic of God is seen in the patience and the long suffering of God.

Second the Canaanites had access to truth. The Canaanites knew about the complete destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. They knew Sodom was a warning to the nations that God would judge evil. (2 Peter 2:6) They were wicked not ignorant people. We know that they had heard of these events, for Rahab confessed that some of these events had terrorized her city of Jericho and that she, as a result, had placed her faith in the God of the Hebrews (Joshua 2:10-14).

What was going on in Canaan that was so bad that God singled them out and ordered even the children killed? The judgment on the people in Canaan, was similar to the Flood or Sodom and Gomorrah. The Canaanites were not everyday people. God told Moses that the nations that the Hebrew were replacing were wicked. (Deuteronomy 9:5)

How "wicked" were these people? The text tells us that they were burning their own sons and daughters in sacrifices to their gods. The victims were not only infants; children as old as four were sacrificed. (Deuteronomy 12:3) When a people starts to burn their children in honor of their gods and practice sodomy, Incest, bestiality, the land itself begins to "vomit" them out. (Leviticus. 18:23-25, 20:3) Probably the ultimate sexual depravity is intercourse with animals.

The religion of these people was a fertility cult. They turned their women into temple prostitutes. Canaanite religion, was a fertility religion that involved temple sex. The Canaanites broke every moral law. In other words, they put their false gods before the well being of their wives and children.

The Canaanites worshiped other gods, which the Old Testament frequently denounced as no more than sticks or pottery made by human hands that could not “see or hear or eat or smell” (Deuteronomy 4:28 NIV). The Canaanites were literally destroying themselves with their sin. They were doing things that were just awful and hideous. They were cut off to prevent Israel and the rest of the world from being corrupted (Deut. 20:16-18).

Moses spoke these 'Last Words' to the Israelites before he hands over the leadership to Joshua, and then dies. Notice particularly what Moses says. Deuteronomy 18:9-12 “When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there. 10 For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, 11 or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. It is because the other nations have done these detestable things that the Lord your God will drive them out ahead of you.

The Canaanites become a Snare to Israel After Not Being Fully Destroyed as commanded. Israel's failure to fully exterminate all the Canaanites is a good object lesson to the fact that they should have been removed. Because they came back time and time again to haunt the children of Israel until the Canaanites led them to idolatry and pulled their hearts away from God.

Israel’s failure to fully exterminate all the Canaanites as God commanded them empowered them to adopt the sin of the Canaanites and thereby procure God’s judgment on them. For God does not show favoritism. Israel was warned not to let the Canaanites live in their land, but to completely destroy them (Exod. 23:33; Deut. 20:16–18), lest the Israelites learn the Canaanite ways (Exod. 34:15–16). If they did not destroy them, the land would “vomit” them out just as it had vomited out the Canaanites (Num. 33:56; Lev. 18:28; Deut 4:23–29, 8:19–20).

Instead, the Israelites worshiped the Canaanites’ gods and “did evil” (Judg. 10:6; 1 Kings 14:22; 2 Kings 17:10). They had “male shrine prostitutes” (1 Kings 14:22), committed acts of “lewdness,” adultery, and incest (Jer. 5:7; 29:23; Hos. 4:13–14; Ezek. 22:10–11; Amos 2:7), and even Solomon set up an altar to Molech (1 Kings 11:5, 7–8). But instead of repenting when things went badly, they concluded in their way.

In Judges 3 we read of the Jews falling away from God through relations to the Heathen Canaanites. And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites: And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods. (Judges 3:5-6)

Because the Israelites were not zealous about carrying out our Lord's commands it cost them dearly. The Psalmist has this to say. They did not destroy the peoples, Concerning whom the LORD had commanded them, But they mingled with the Gentiles And learned their works; They served their idols, Which became a snare to them. They even sacrificed their sons And their daughters to demons, And shed innocent blood, The blood of their sons and daughters, Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with blood. Thus they were defiled by their own works, And played the harlot by their own deeds. Therefore the wrath of the LORD was kindled against His people, So that He abhorred His own inheritance. And He gave them into the hand of the Gentiles, And those who hated them ruled over them. (Psalms 106:34-4)

The nation of Israel was familiar with the history of Canaan and why God commanded them to completely destroy them and they still adopted their customs after God warned them not to go after other gods. Deuteronomy 6:14 "You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you

God strongly warned the nation of Israel and they still played the harlot with other gods, (Judges 2:17). They were backsliders and the fear of God was not in them" (Jeremiah 2:19-20) Please read all the chapter.

So the Lord said that Israel became “like Sodom to me” (Jer. 23:14). In short, Israel was Canaanized. God sent prophets to warn Israel of their coming destruction, but they didn’t repent and He visited destruction on Israel for committing the same sins. So now we understand from scripture why the destruction of Israel was more then just the rejection of there Messiah.

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:4–5, we don’t fight with “the weapons of the world,” but “we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God” (NIV). In other words, in knowing the truth about God we now wage war in the realm of ideas that says God is not a just God. Because when all the evidence is gathered in a good attorney has a closed case.

God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithful, to his words even in the times of judgement.

No mose sea.

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It am always amazed how God used Paul and John to teach the same message of salvation but in a different, languages that the Gentiles and Jews could easily understand. Paul wrote as a gentile that he might win the gentiles. And John uses... symbolic, language from the Old Testament that his Jewish audience wound relate to.

Paul writes to his gentile audience, and describes how the middle wall of partition between Gentiles and Jews has been taken down by Christ.

Ephesians 2:11-19 Wherefore remember, that you being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. Easy language that any gentiles could understand.

The apostle John writes to his Jewish audience. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the “sea was no more”. (Revelation 21:1) John also writes that the middle wall of partition between Gentiles and Jews has been taken down by Christ. However John drew many of his metaphors and apocalyptic from the Old Testament that his Jewish audience would easily recognize?

Many of the deeper meanings of the Old Testament are missed because symbolic, language is used so extensively. There is probably no greater symbolic, language which related to gentiles in the Old Testament then the metaphor of the sea. John drew many of his metaphors and apocalyptic language from the Old Testament that a first century Jew would have found immediately recognizable. The metaphor sea was used before in such books as the, Psalms, Isaiah, Daniel, and Zechariah. They are all closely associated with the book of Revelation.

The metaphors in the Old Testament are a little harder to see sometimes, especially when they are only alluded to. They can be used so subtly that it is easy to miss the real message. Lest consider the uses of some of these metaphor, about the sea from the Old Testament and to whom it refers.

Isaiah 60:1-5 we read. Arise shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. {2} For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. {3} And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. {4} Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. {5} Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.

The sea here is obviously referring to the Gentiles. The abundance of the sea that are being converted are the forces of the Gentiles according Isaiah. This passage speaks of a uniting of Gentiles and Jehovah (Yahweh).

The Psalmist speaks of the prophecy that God would gather the Israelites that were scattered among the nations or the sea: Psalms 68:22 The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea: This cannot be talking about the literal sea H20 because the nation of Israel was never literally under the depths of the sea. However Israel was scattered among the nations, her enemies that were described by the prophets as the sea. Throughout her physical existence Israel was plagued by captive captivity of the sea, particularly being taken captive into Babylon.

The Psalmist also tells us of Yahweh’s righteousness and salvation who’s confidence are at the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea. Psalms 65:5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:

It is interesting here how the Psalmist describes those upon the sea as "afar off." That is how Paul describes the Gentiles in Ephesians 2:12 That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14

Zephaniah pronounces how the Messiah would bring peace unto the heathen nations and reign over them from sea to sea. Zechariah 9:9-10 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. {10} And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.

Daniel describes the four beasts ( Beasts are symbols of Nations & their Governments gentiles nations) Babylon, Greece, Medo-Persia, and Rome) as the beasts of the sea. The "sea" symbolizing "heathendom.” Daniel 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. In John’s time, they were in the age of Rome, Empire the fourth period

John drew many of his metaphors and apocalyptic language from the rest of the Old Testament that was his Bible. The language "land/earth" is generally associated with the Jews in Revelation and the sea is associated with the Greeks/Gentiles.

In the church age, there is no more sea, that is, no more Gentiles. The Jew/Gentile distinction of the old covenant has been destroyed by Christ. There is no more distinction between Israel and the Gentile nations: Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

It was predicted that the heavenly Jerusalem would be the worship center for all the nations: Jeremiah 3:17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.

The house of Israel the vineyard of the Lord.

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During the Old Covenant Israel was like a vine planted in the land. In Psalm 80:8-11 a summary of the history of Israel is record that goes on to describe how this vine spread across the country from Jordan to the Mediterranean which opens with the words. You have brought a vine out of Egypt; You have cast out the nations, and planted it. You prepared room for it, And caused it to take deep root, And it filled the land. The hills were covered with its shadow, And the mighty cedars with its boughs. She sent out her boughs to the Sea, And her branches to the River.

Yahweh as John the baptist used metaphor from the culture of Israel that they would immediately recognize. Grape vine and vineyard were critical to life of the people of Israel, and they were highly valued. (1Kings 21:2-3)

Psalm 80:8-11 archaeology shows very clearly how Israel subsequent entry into the Promised Land, their "planting." God's planting became a wild vine, a vine in short which rejected its Husbandman. It ran wild and produced wild grapes, or as Isaiah put it, Isaiah 5:1 Now will I sing to my well beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My well beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: 2: And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. 3: And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. 4: What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? 5: And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: 6: And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. 7: For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

It is clear from these verses that the house of Israel are the vineyard the men of Judah are his pleasant plant. The output of a vineyards depends basically on three things: climate, soil quality and work. Notice that after Yahweh had done the initial preparatory work of digging, planting clearing out the stones and hedging He expected good grapes. Yahweh had done more then His share in these three areas. What turned out? Isaiah 5: He looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. All vineyards, orchards and gardens must be given time to come to fruition. Now the time had come and Yahweh expects results in proportion to the input He has made to the vineyard.

Many centuries later Jesus used this metaphor of a vineyard in Mark 12:1-12 that would immediately brings to mind the figure of a vineyard referring to Israel in (Isaiah 5:1-7) What then does all this mean? God expected them to produce spiritual fruit. After all, this is the main produce of every spiritual vineyard. But notice the language Jesus used as he speaks the Pharisees and scribes. Matthew 23:15 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. The nation of Israel was to be a light to all the other nation and lead them to God but instead they shut up the kingdom of heaven against men. Those who produced wild fruit wound deeply regret it on the Day of Judgement.

Isaiah says the hedges of protection is removed. Isaiah 5:5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down. This picture is repeated again using the same metaphor.

Notice language by the Psalmist about the hedges of protection Psalm 80:12-16 Why have You broken down her hedges, So that all who pass by the way pluck her fruit? The boar out of the woods uproots it, And the wild beast of the field devours it. Return, we beseech You, O God of hosts; Look down from heaven and see, And visit this vine And the vineyard which Your right hand has planted, And the branch that You made strong for Yourself. It is burned with fire, it is cut down; They perish at the rebuke of Your countenance. Did they perish by fire after God removed his hedges of protection? You bet they did.

Some years later after John the baptist and Jesus made their prediction about the harvest. The apostle John writes about the very same harvest in Revelation. Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." 16 So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested. 17 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe." 19 The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. 20 They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia. (Revelation 14-15)

There are some very important things here that must be understood in context of these verses. One the language of a sickle, cutting into a ripe harvest is was used by God before about His judgment in (Joel 3:1-13) Two a winepress is used to separate the seed from the wine. Pressing - The skins and seeds and stems are separated from the juice This metaphor of separating is used by John the baptist and Jesus as well making a reference to flesh Israel.

Three the word “earth” is often used in our translations of the book of Revelation. The Greek word γη would often be better translated “land.” Its definition is given by various Greek Lexicons as land, earth, soil, or dirt. This word does not have a “planet” meaning as does our term “earth.” This Greek word is translated “earth” only 65 % of the time when it appears outside Revelation. However, the word is translated 97% of the time “earth” in the book of Revelation. This makes many passages appear to be world-wide when the context indicates a localized action or condition.

The land or earth is the land of Palestine clearly under discussion here by John. Notice how it is normally translated “land” as in Matthew 10:15, 11:24.

Forth the distance of the blood flowing out of the winepress is 1,600 stadia. They were wild grapes of the vine of the land who world be trampled. The blood flowing as hight as the horses’ bridles would portray the gravity of this judgment. The distance of 1,600 stadia (about 180 miles) just happens to be the approximate length of the land of Palestine. The judgment would be in the land of Palestine not the planet “earth.”

John the baptist timing about God’s judgment on that very generation was right on. However there is a 40 year period called the all ready but not yet. God waited another 40 years for his judgment not welling that anyone should perish.

Are the Jews that live in the Middle East today the same as the biblical Jews in the Bible?

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There seems to be a lot of hip these days based on the traditional teaching that the Jews, living in the Middle East today are the same biblical Jews that are in the Bible. The biblical term of a “Jew or Israelites" (is from the Twelve Tribes or Children of Israel) the descendants of the patriarch Jacob/Israel, and the historical population of the kingdom of Israel, followers of the Mosaic law.

Paul identified himself as a Jew, and Israelite even to his dying day. In Acts 23:6 he confessed, But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!" In Act 21:39 Paul said, "I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people."
He even declared that concerning the observance of the Torah he was "blameless," which indicates that he observed a Jewish lifestyle to the very end (Philippians. 3:6). Paul testified that he kept the Torah throughout his life (Acts 25:7-8, see also Acts 28:17).

However the Jews in the Middle East today ARE NOT the biblical Jews in our bible by any stretch of the imagination. That is certainly no argument. There is no biblical Jewish Race today. Here is a quote from Encyclopedia Brittanica (1973), vol. 12, page 1054, were it actually states. The finding of physical anthropology show that, contrary to the popular view, there is on Jewish race. Anthropometric measurement of Jewish groups in many parts of the world indicate that they differ greatly from one another with respect to all the important physical characteristics.

The reason behind this, of course is mixed bloodlines through the mixed marriages bringing about the most mixed racial origins of these people today. On top of that, the majority of so-called Jews in the world today are not Jews at all. (Even without the mixed blood), because their ancestry is that of the Khazars whose ancestors go far back to the turks and Huns, and who as a nation in A.D. 740 adopted the Jewish religion and became known as Jews.

To the contrary of the traditional teaching of men the facts surrounding the evidence in historical documentation shows there is no (biblical Israel today). Even if someone really wonted to proof he is a biblical Jew from the blood line of Abraham he could not because God had all the genealogy records and destroyed in A.D. 70 Why because God now has (one "Chosen People").

A dear and good friend Evangelist John L Bray who has spent many years around the world in many libraries gives us further historical documentation on this. He states in his book Matthew 24 Fulfilled page 210:

The prediction of judgment upon Israel was for THAT generation. That generation of opposed of Christ had said, "His blood be on us, and on our children" (Matthew 27:25). And it was. That judgment came about in A.D. 67-70, and the nation was decimated. Some say that the Jews today are guilty of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This is not true any more that are Gentiles who reject Him now. The nation that was officially guilty of the death of Christ received its judgment. Gods judgment is not upon Jews today because of what others did many years ago. We need to understand this.

In settlers of Khazaria were Turks and Huns. In A.D. 740 King Buulan of Khazaria decided to adopt the Judaisticre legion for his country. A number of Jews were already living there. So he converted to Judaism, along with all his officials, and his whole nation ended up being known as a nation of Jews. In 907 Russia came in and dominated the situation, and the Khazars were scattered, many of them going down into Poland and Lithuania, where at the dawn of our modern civilization the largest concentration of Jews were found. Today, the largest percentage of so-called Jews in the world have as their background this group of people. This is fully documented in detail in my book, Israel in Bible Prophecy.

Naturally, these people are not a "race" of Jews, and yet it is thought by some that they constitute the major portion of the 14,000,000 so-called Jews in the world today. Their features are different than the Sephardim Jews; their language backgrounds are different (the Ashkenazim speaking Yiddish, and the Sephardim with their Hebrew and many of them who speak Spanish on account of their own mixed-up background in Spain). In Israel they have their separate organizations, and the nation there is divided between these two mixed-up bloodlines of people. In the 12th century the Ashkenazim Jews made up only 6.7% of the Jews, but around 1965 they numbered 11,000,000 or about 86% of all the Jews in the world. Think of the implications of this!

In a recent book, Palestine is Coming, by Kermit Zarley, it was stated that "British Minister of State Lord Moyne supported his governments White Paper of 1939 by publicly opposing further Jewish immigration. He argued the Jews were not demonstrably the true descendants of the ancient Hebrews and therefore without legitimate claim to the Holy Land. He meant that Jews were hardly a pure race, being a much more heterogeneous group that popularly conceived. For this, he was assassinated by the Stern Group on November 6, 1994" (Kermit Zarley, p.131).

"A common error and persistent modern myth is the designation of the Jews as a race. This is scientifically fallacious, from the standpoint of both physical and historical tradition. Investigations by anthropologists have shown the Jews are by no means uniform in physical character and that they nearly always reflect the physical and mental characteristics of the people among whom they live" (Colliers Encyclopedia, 1977, vol. 13, p. 573).

Being a Jew has nothing to do with race as such. Sammy Davis, Jr. became a Jew. Elizabeth Taylor became a Jew when she married Eddie

Fisher. In June of 1991 Tom Arnold and Rose anne Barr, the T.V. entertainer, renewed publicly their wedding vows, and he was celebration his conversion to Judaism. Jews can be of different races. It is like someone who is a Catholic or a Protestant; they can be of any race or color. In Israel they have a peculiar law which says what their government says is a Jew. I quote this from Funk and wags New Encyclopedia, vol. 14, p 214: "In 1970 the Israeli Knesset adopted legislation defining a Jew as one born of a Jewish mother or a convert." It matters not who the father is, nor to what race he belongs. And a convert can be from and race. So you see, we are not talking about a "race" of people when we talk about the Jewish people. End quote.

Those fact can by found by anyone who has the time to look unto these things. In fact the biblical Jews had a unique status according to the Bible. They were chosen as the people who would hear and record the words of God. (They were the keeps of scripture). They were chosen as the people who would be a light unto the gentiles for salvation (Matthew 23:15, John 4:22) They were chosen as the people through who the promise (seed of Abraham would come) The Messiah (Christ)... “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” (Galatians 3:16) They were a unique people chosen for a unique purpose.

Today because of mixed-up bloodlines of people and conversion and mixed marriages let alone if someone wonted to proof he was a biblical Jew from the blood line of Abraham he could not because God had all the genealogy records and destroyed in A.D. 70. God made sure there is no way to brag ( I am one of "Chosen People" of God). God has one people his Church which started with biblical Israel in the Bible. (Acts 7:37-38)

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John the baptist, and Christ, both warned of the impending wrath to come on that generation. John only preached regarding the coming of the Messiah, "His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire" (Matthew 3:12 NKJV).

John used a lot of metaphor from the culture of Israel that the Pharisees and Sadducees would immediately recognize. Winnowing fans and Threshing floors were critical to harvest time and to the life of the people of Israel, and they were highly valued. Because of the need for wind, threshing floors were normally located on hilltops or in large open fields, and were often used as landmarks (Genesis 50:10, 2 Samuel 6:6) or meeting places (1 Kings 22:10).

Threshing floors were used to separate grain from the chaff at harvest time. This was usually a two step process. First, the cut stalks of grain were spread on the threshing floor and a threshing sledge was pulled over the stalks by oxen or donkeys. The sledge was a simple wooden sled or heavy board with stone or metal spikes on the bottom that would break the heads of grain from the stalks.

Isaiah 41:15 "Behold, I will make you into a new threshing sledge with sharp teeth; You shall thresh the mountains and beat them small, And make the hills like chaff. The same thing could be accomplished by having the oxen trample the stalks (Deuteronomy 25:4) or by beating them with heavy sticks (Judges 6:11).

The second step was to toss the broken stalks into the air. During the times of ancient Israel winnowing fan and threshing floor, were well apart of their culture and the Pharisees and Sadducees were will familiar with them. Because of the Israelites' familiarity with the winnowing fan and threshing floor, it was a ideal illustrative purposes.

When the Bible speaks of winnowing fan the shovel or wooden fork it was used to separated the grain from the chaff by throwing it against the wind. The wind causes the mass of material to fall to the threshing floor. Since the grain is the heaviest, it naturally falls beneath the fan to the threshing floor. The straw and the chaff which are lighter are blown to the side into a heap. The Psalmist was also familiar with this concept. Psalm 1:4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Jeremiah was also familiar with this. Jeremiah 13:24 "I will scatter you like chaff driven by the desert wind.

Because there was generally a breeze blowing in the evening, this was the time when it was normally done. So Naomi said to Ruth concerning Boaz: "Behold, he winnoweth barley tonight in the threshing floor" (Ruth 3:2). The wind would blow the lighter chaff to one side, that was later burned, while the heavier grain would fall back on the floor, to be gathered into the barn. Threshing and winnowing are common metaphors for judgment. (Daniel 2:35; Isaiah 21:9-10; Jeremiah 15:7, 51:2, 33; Hosea 13:3)

What is often missed in scripture is Jesus used a similar illustration as John when talking about the harvest and judgment at the end of the Old Covenant age. Notice the language of separating the tares from among the wheat by Jesus. Matthew 13:24-30 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; "but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. "But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. "So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' "He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' "But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 'Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."

Lest look unto this a little deeper from the historical context of the first century. First let me explain something..... For the enemy to plant his seed in the same field was an out-right disrespect to the farmer. Back then the only time a second farmer planted on the same field as another represented a deep hatred. Problem was, the farmer knew who their enemy was.

The farmer's helper wanted to pull up the weeds and the tares but was forbidden. The farmer told him to let them grow together. If any of the weeds or tares were pulled out, it could destroy the roots of the wheat. The farmers, knowing it wouldn't be so easy to decipher. So he tell the helper to wait until full grown then the reapers will gather them.

In truth they all look the same viewing it with the naked eye. From the distance and even close up, tares looks like wheat. They look very different when full grown. Likewise during the first century the only one who could tell the tares form the wheat was the Lord Himself who explains it to us plainly. Matthew 13:38 "The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. In John Jesus is speaking to the Jewish leaders said. "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. (John 8:44)

These were the tares the sons of the wicked one among the wheat the sons of God. The primary rule of hermeneutics is to let (Scripture interpret Scripture). This means that no part of Scripture can be interpreted in such a way as to render it in conflict with what is clearly taught elsewhere in Scripture.

Notice what the prophets Jeremiah had to say about a winnowing fan the city of Jerusalem. Jeremiah 15:5-7 "For who will have pity on you, O Jerusalem? Or who will bemoan you? Or who will turn aside to ask how you are doing? You have forsaken Me," says the LORD, "You have gone backward. Therefore I will stretch out My hand against you and destroy you; I am weary of relenting! And I WILL WINNOW THEM WITH A WINNOWING FAN in the gates of the land; I will bereave them of children; I will destroy My people, Since they do not return from their ways.

Now notice what the prophet Hosea had to say about the chaff on the threshing floor. Hosea 13:3-4 Therefore they will be like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears, like chaff swirling from a threshing floor, like smoke escaping through a window. "But I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me. John the Baptist applied all these things to the people of his time and generation. There is a period called the all ready but not yet. God waited another 40 years for them to repent however John was indeed right God’s judgement did come upon that very generation.

In my next article we will take a look and some of the prophecies in the Old Testament by Yahweh/Jesus that also lead up to the judgement of fleshly Israel.

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Some of John the Baptist's disciples came to Jesus on his behalf to ask the question, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" (Luke 7:18)

Then Jesus answered and said to them, 'Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.'" (Luke 7:21-23)

While John the Baptist was a great man, like us he was not perfect. This was the worst moment of John’s life. His imprisonment and he is about to lose his life. John sends two of his disciples to Jesus with this question, "Are You the One who is coming, or do we look for someone else?"

Luke’s account repeats the question. The first time the question is spoken by John to his two disciples. The second time the question is spoken by the disciples. The wording of the two questions is the same. The question which John’s disciples asked Jesus is precisely the question John instructed them to ask.

We will not appreciate this passage of Scripture unless we begin by understanding the seriousness of his question. John here is not openly questioning God, nor does he question himself or his ministry. John does not question the fact that Messiah will come. John questions that Jesus is the coming Messiah.

John’s task was to condemn Israel’s sins and to warm them of the impending judgment of God. It was a call to repent for their sin to avoid the wrath of God. Matthew 3:7-12 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, "and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. "And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. "His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

John understood the prophecy in the Old Testament about the comings of the Messiah which are signs of the blind seeing, the lame walking, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and judgment vengeance of God.

One of the prophecies Jesus was fulfilling is Isaiah 35:4-6 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you." Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert.

John fully grasp the prophecies of the Old Testament and thus the two-fold coming of Christ, but when he hard about all the miracles that Jesus was doing and there was no judgment vengeance of God that led him to conclude that Jesus might not be the Messiah. The Old Testament prophets contained an emphasis on both areas, but in practical outworking John focused on the impending judgment side of Messiah’s coming as seen in Matthew 3:7-12. Given this perspective of John’s words here, to the Pharisees and Sadducees we can see that John believed the judgment of God would happen in his life time. Thus John sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"

There is another important point about John that must not be overlooked. John had very little contact with Jesus. From what Luke tells us in his gospel, we would have to conclude that Jesus and John were virtual strangers. There was the contact between Mary and Elizabeth, at which time John leaped in his mother’s womb (Luke 1:41), but early in his life, John began to live a secluded life in the wilderness. The only way that John recognized Jesus as the Messiah was by means of the Spirit’s descent upon Him (John 1:29-34).

The point here is that John did not have a close relationship with Jesus which might have assured him of Jesus’ identity and of His ultimate fulfillment of the messianic prophecies, especially those John had emphasized. Jesus’ response to John was very simple. He simply told John’s emissaries to tell John what they had witnessed: "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor" (Luke 7:22).

In effect, Jesus is suggesting to John the solution to his problem. He is simply telling John to do what every saint must do, compare the prophecies of the Old Testament with the deeds Jesus was doing. If Jesus fulfills these prophecies, then the Bible bears witness to the fact that He is the Messiah. Note how the words of Jesus do compare with these Old Testament messianic prophecies in Isaiah.

Luke 7:22 And He answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them.

Isaiah 29:18 And on that day the deaf shall hear words of a book, And out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.

Isaiah 35:4-6 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you." Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert.

Jesus assures John that he was Israel’s Messiah to come from the knowledge that the deeds and declarations of Jesus fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies which spoke of His healing ministry and of His preaching good news to the poor and the oppressed was being fulfilled.

John was a great prophet, but John was not perfect, as our text makes clear. All humans have a weakness. And in fact John was not alone in this, for Peter tells us that all of the Old Testament prophets struggled to grasp the meaning of biblical prophecy. (1 Peter 1:10-12) Indeed, they even struggled to grasp the meaning of their own prophecies.
Indirectly the apostle Peter tells us some things Paul wrote are HARD to understand." 2 Peter 3:15-16 (NASB) just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. Even the apostle Peter was struggling to understand some of the truths about which Paul wrote.

“Is it possible that maybe, just maybe we don’t understand everything there is to know about scripture either?

2011-08-31T14:36:00.001-04:00

Gen 28:12 Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it

The term "Jacob's Ladder" has become a common phrase—it has been used as a movie title, a book title, a name of a flower, and even as a name of an electrical device. But from where did this phrase originate?

Genesis 28:10-12 first mentions "Jacob's Ladder" when it says: "Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran. When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway/ladder resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it."

It is in this passage that God reveals Himself to Jacob and reaffirms the covenant He made with Abraham, promising Jacob (who will later be named Israel). In this vision Jacob sees something similar to a ladder or a stairway (Hebrew word: Sullam) which signifies a connection between God and man. These two passages of Scripture reflect two issue of salvation: One group tries to reach heaven based on their own actions aside from God's help, for instance, the men of Babel who tried to reach heaven by their own actions, aside from the help of God.

Genesis 11:1-4 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. Then they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth." The Jews like the men of Babel tried to reach heaven by their own actions, aside from the help of God through the Mosaic, law.

But the other group has access to heaven based on the provisions of God and only the provisions of God. In this instance, it was God who provided the means necessary to link Himself to man as opposed to those who tried through self rightness.

As Christians we see this dream of Jacob's as highly symbolic, representing the Mediator, Jesus Christ, who came to earth and became that ladder or stairway for us to reconnect the relationship with God that was severed because of sin. Romans 5:1-2 says: "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we (have gained access) by faith into this grace in which we now stand."

What is interesting is this very powerful statement from our Lord Jesus. Jesus Himself said He was Mark 1:51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.” According to the Bible, Jesus was our ideal "Jacob's Ladder" who came to earth, through the provisions of God, and redeemed us so that we may reach heaven for eternity.

The "first fruits" and "the harvest" Part 2

2011-08-28T13:44:00.001-04:00

In the process of revealing His plan of salvation for mankind, God established His annual Holy Days around the harvest seasons in the Middle East (Leviticus 23:9-16, Exodus 23:14-16). Just as His people harvested their crops around these Festival seasons, God's was showing Israel how He would harvest people for eternal life in His Kingdom.

Israel’s first fruit offering of men and women to God is outlined in the Old Testament. The Festival of First Fruits ( Leviticus 23:9-14). And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 10 "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest. 11 'He shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. 12 'And you shall offer on that day, when you wave the sheaf, a male lamb of the first year, without blemish, as a burnt offering to the LORD. 13 'Its grain offering shall be two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to the LORD, for a sweet aroma; and its drink offering shall be of wine, one-fourth of a hin. 14 'You shall eat neither bread nor parched grain nor fresh grain until the same day that you have brought an offering to your God; [it shall be] a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

The first ripe barley was to be seen around April. It was these first ripe sheaves that were to be brought to the Lord and waved before Him as an anticipation of the harvest that was about to be reaped in the following month and a half. It also acknowledged that it was God who’ provided for them by offering back to Him first what He had given them. Lev 23:9-14 is the only passage that gives us information as to what the events were, even though there’s been much additional tradition that has been added to the celebration of the festival.

The festival - similar to Passover, Pentecost, Trumpets and the Day of Atonement was to be of one day duration (Leviticus 23:12) at which time the sheaf of the first fruit of the barley harvest was brought to the priest and waved before the Lord so that the offerer would find acceptance (Lev 23:10-11). The priest waved the barley before the presence of YHWH on the behalf of the of nation of Israel before after the Sabbath.

The Israelites were also not allowed to eat of the new harvest until the offering of the first fruit was brought and presented to YHWH (Lev 23:14), impressing upon them the importance of giving to God first before they thought of themselves.

In the New Testament, we find the fulfilment of this festival in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Therefore, the New Testament writers clearly proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ as being the first fruit offering to God. Paul announces in I Corinthians 15:20 that ‘...Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep, and, again, in Colossians 1:18 that‘...Christ is the first born from the dead...’ while Revelation 1:5 also announces to the reader that Jesus is ‘...the first born from the dead...’

It isn’t just that figurative language is being used to speak of Jesus’ resurrection but that it took place on the exact same day as the festival of first fruits was commanded to be waved before God in the Temple. Just like the seed of barley that fell into the earth and brought forth a sheaf, so the seed of Christ’s body was sown into the earth and brought forth new life as it was raised in power.

Clearly, the wave of sheaf before the presence of YHWH is used as representative of a person and all that person represented and its significant. As I noted above, the command to Israel in Lev 23:9-14 mentioned a single sheaf and its possible that one stalk was brought to be waved as representative as the entire harvest of the nation.

If God’s original intention, was to brings home the importance of one individual being acceptable to Him and that, because of Him, the nation would be able to find acceptance the figurative type of the "first fruits" and "the harvest" was it. The New Testament writers don’t drop the ball they don’t stop at simply stating that Jesus has risen as a fulfilment of the festival for they use this as the starting point to say more about the implications of the resurrection for believers. Paul writes in I Corinthians 15:23 that Christ is the first fruits from the dead then at His coming those who belong to Christ.’

In the eyes of the early Church, Jesus’ resurrection is the anticipation of or the promise that the final harvest of resurrected believers will take place. Just as the sheaf waved before the Lord was the promise of the future harvest, so, too, the acceptance of Jesus into Heaven through the resurrection and ascension is the promise to all believers that there was coming a time when all those who die in Christ (His Church) will similarly be raised from the dead into new life and be acceptable to God.

Being the beginning the sheaf offered as the first fruit was the promise or guarantee of the harvest that was about to be gathered in soon (not over 2,000 years letter ). This was the hope of Israel. (Acts 26:6-8) The whole Old Testament points to this hope During the Old Covenant era while man was separated, from God at the end of his biological life involved the withdrawal of a person’s vital power the (nepes, “soul” departing from the body). (Genesis 35:18-19) They went to a place of the dead in the Old Testament, Hebrew called Sheol. In the New Testament the Greek word is Hades and waited for the atoning work of Christ and the resurrection from the dead. The close association between the grave and Sheol has long been recognized among the Israelites.

Israel’s hope was resurrection and God delivering them from the power of death. Many of the Old Testament saints expressed this hope. The context of the book of Job, in particular, is overall a good context in understanding how the old covenant saints hoped for resurrection. For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, Then without my flesh shall I see God.. (Job 19:26 American Standard). It depends on the Version of Scripture you use. Many of them like the American Standard bible use the Hebrew text which says "without my flesh I will see God."

The psalmist knew was God's ultimate caring and power to bring spiritual life from spiritual death Psalms 34:22 The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned. Psalms49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me. Selah. Psalms 130:7-8 O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption. And He shall redeem Israel From all his iniquities.

There is no doubting that death was something that the Israelites wrestled with while waiting for Yahweh’s power to release them from the grip of Sheol. God promised in Hosea 13:14, "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes." Paul many century’s latter quotes this scripture as God fulfillers his promise. 1Corinthians 15:55-57 "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Because God chose Israel as the first fruit of all the nations of the earth, He was anticipating His plan for the final harvest in which other nations would be gathered in to the Kingdom of God.

"But each one in his own order: Christ the first fruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. (1 Corinthians 15:23) The "first fruits" and

2011-08-28T13:17:00.002-04:00

In order to understand the biblical view of the resurrection we must first understand the concept of the "first fruits" and "the harvest" according to the language, and culture and historical setting in with scripture was originally written. How did the Biblical Jews understand the concept of first fruits and the harvest?

Were did this idea of "first fruits" originate? "On the same general principle that the firstborn of man and beast belonged to the God of Israel and were to be devoted to Him (Nehemiah 10:35-39).

The first fruits including the first grain to ripen each season, were to be brought as an offering to God. Every Israelite who possessed the means of agricultural productivity was under this obligation (Exodus 23:19; 34:26; Numbers 15:17-21; 18:12-13:). "Speak the to children of Israel, and say to them." When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest. He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted on your, behalf on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it (Leviticus 23:10-11).

The first fruits were brought in a basket to the sanctuary and presented to the priest, who was to set the basked down before the altar. Then, the offering recited the story of Jacob’s going to Egypt and the deliverance of his posterity from there. He then acknowledged the blessings with which God had visited him (Deuteronomy 26:2-11).

It would be natural for Paul to have thought of Christ as the first fruits, because the day of Christ’s resurrection was the second day of Passover week on which the first ripe sheaf of the harvest was offered to the Lord (Lev 23:10-11,15).

Paul was also establishing another basic point. While Christ was the first fruits of the resurrection. The first century saints were also significance of the "first ripe sheaf" (Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:15; James 1:18). All of the first century saints who put their trust in Christ were apart of collective believers known as first fruits to God. This select group of Christians were purchased from the earth as a FIRST FRUITS offering to God. (1Corinthians 6:20, 7:23) The Greek for purchased, means to go to the market. It is a picture of God coming to the earth, to select His FIRST FRUITS representative of a whole harvest before God (Revelation 14:4).

Eternal Life, or resurrection was a gift to the first fruits christians. The time for death to be abolished had arrived. (2 Timothy 1:10) One of the principles that a first fruit offering taught was that a future harvest was promised - the first fruit were just a taste of what lay in store at the end of the full ingathering of the harvest. Every Jewish Christian understood this Old Testament concept. The second important truth inherent in the first fruits figure is the readiness of the harvest to be gathered as signified in the offering of the first fruits. The act of reaping had already begun, with the first fruits and the harvest would soon be ready to be cut (Revelation 14:15).

The harvest were all the saints who had died under the Old Covenant and had not received the promise of resurrection. Paul clearly taught that the resurrection was the hope of Israel. Acts 26:6-8 (NKJV) "And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. 7 "To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. 8 "Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?

These were people like Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Job, Isaiah, and Daniel etc. These "Old Covenant saints" were the rest of the harvest, the general resurrection. These were the ones Jesus addressed "though he may die, he shall live in. (John 11:23). Knowing the biblical concept of the first fruits and the harvest we can appreciate why God said: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. God is not the God of the dead, but of the living (Matthew 22:32; Mark 12:27; Luke 20:38).

The harvest, follows the ripening "perfecting and offering of the first fruits saints." With the return of Christ and the destruction of temple, the way into God presence was now fully opened. (Hebrew 9:8) The Hadean realm was emptied, and all the Old Covenant saints harvest were gathered in the general resurrection in A.D.70. This is the second resurrection that John mentioned in the first part of verse 5 of chapter 20 of Revelations.

God is a God that cannot lie Hebrews 6:18 and he fulfilled his promise of resurrection to Israel. The term "first fruits" itself implies, that the remainder of the harvest was ripe and ready to be gathered.

I dare say the harvest was gathered and is not rotted.

Jesus the true Israel of God.

2011-08-06T11:27:00.001-04:00

One term of critical importance in the Bible is the word Israel. There is much reward if we spend time prayerfully considering this important key word in scripture. Let examine the matter in more detail.
The Old Testament is full of “Types and shadows” that pointed to Christ.

These are intentionally placed in the Scripture to describe and identify the Messiah when He came. Some “types” are people, such as Melchizedek, or Isaac. Some “types” are things such as Noah’s Ark. Some “types” are ceremonies such as Passover and events. Each of them beautifully picture the life and ministry of Jesus Christ hundreds of years before His Incarnation.

Lest look at some of these Types. And the Lord said to Moses in Midian, "Go, return to Egypt; for all the men who sought your life are dead." Then Moses took his wife and his sons and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. (Exodus 4:19-20) Here we have a type that was to be fulfilled in Christ centuries later.

"Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king." Matthew 2:1 Because Herod was threatened by this new child king, he sent soldiers who "slew all the children that were in Bethlehem." Verse 16. Joseph was warned of the impending crisis in advance. "The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word." Verse 13. So the holy family arose and "departed into Egypt." Verse 14 Matthew writes that little Jesus remained in Egypt "until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet.

Another type. When the young nation of Israel came out of Egypt, God called that nation "my son" in Exodus 4:22. When the baby Jesus came out of Egypt, God said, "Out of Egypt have I called my son." (Matthew 2:15) Matthew 2:15 is an important verse for several reasons. Matthew here is quoting Hosea 11:1 which was prophecy, approximately 800 years earlier which reads, (‘"When Israel was a child, I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son. ) Matthew declares it "fulfilled" in Jesus Christ! Here Matthew is beginning to reveal a truly shocking principle that he and Paul develops throughout the Gospel. Matthew’s use of inaplhrwqh while citing Hosea 11:1 indicates that Christ’s departure out of Egypt was the fulfillment of Hosea 11:1. Therefore, Hosea 11:1 is solely a reference to Jesus as Israel.

Prior to Matthew 2:15, Matthew uses this exact same fulfillment formula to show two direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. The prediction of Isaiah 7:14 finds its direct fulfillment in the virgin birth of Christ according to Matthew 1:23. The prediction regarding the birthplace of the messiah in Micah 5:2 finds its direct fulfillment in Matthew 2:5-6. Based upon the pattern of these prior precedents, it would seem that the use of the identical fulfillment formula in Matthew 2:15 would also suggest that Hosea 11:1 finds a direct fulfillment in Christ.

The apostle Paul also followed the principle of applying statements originally made about the nation of Israel to Jesus Christ. The clearest example of them all is where God called Israel "the seed of Abraham." (Isaiah 41:8) Yet Paul later wrote that Abraham's seed does not refer to "many," but to "one, singular... which is Christ." (Galatians 3:16)
Another statements originally made about the nation of Israel is God called Israel "my firstborn" in (Exodus 4:22). Yet Paul said it was Jesus Christ who is "the firstborn of every creature." (Colossians 1:15).

Isaiah ALSO APPLIED ISRAEL TO MESSIAH, Isaiah 49:3–6: 3 He said to Me, "You are My Servant, Israel, In Whom I will show My glory."4But I said, "I have toiled in vain, I have spent My strength for nothing and vanity; Yet surely the justice due to Me is with the LORD, And My reward with My God." 5And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, To bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel might be gathered to Him (For I am honored in the sight of the LORD, And My God is My strength), 6 He says, "It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth." (NASB)

Lest look at these verse more closely. According to verse 3, Yahweh is speaking to “My Servant Israel.” Verse 5 then states one of the purposes of this “Servant.” The Servant’s role is “to bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel might be gathered to Him.” Verse 6 also states that the role of the Servant is “to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel.” God will also “makes” the Servant to be “a light to the nations” (v. 6).

What is significant here is that the Servant is clearly linked with Israel (v.3) yet He is also distinct in some way since He is the one who will “restore” Israel. The nation Israel cannot restore itself, for it is sinful nation. But the Servant—who is Jesus Christ the true Israel—can restore the nation Israel and bring blessings for the nations. Thus, this passage teaches that Jesus, the true Israel, who would restore the nation Israel and bring light to the nations. “Isaiah 49 shows that the servant ‘Israel’ will bring national Israel back to God and also extend Yahweh’s salvation to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah is applying the honorific title of “Israel” to the Messiah because he is the true servant who will finally accomplish the task of Israel.

How did the disciples link Isaiah 49:3–6 to Christ Jesus? The disciples asked Jesus the question, “So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6 NIV). The disciples do not believe that Jesus’ identity rules out a restoration of the kingdom to Israel. Jesus’ answer to their question is significant: “He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority” (Acts 1:7). Jesus does not correct them or say, “Don’t you get it. I am not the Servant, Israel. Instead, Jesus informs them that the timing of Israel’s restoration is not for them to know, but is only possession of the Father. They are to be concerned with the proclamation of the Gospel to the world.

A very careful study of the first book of the New Testament reveals that Christ the true Israel actually repeated the history of ancient Israel, point by point, and overcame where they had failed to do.

In Psalm 80:8, God calls Israel a "vine" that He brought "out of Egypt." Yet Jesus later declared, "I am the true vine." (John 15:1). Thus there is only one true Israel, Jesus Christ, and none other; restoration plan of salvation throughout all history.

As Jesus is the true Israel according to Scripture, And all who are apart of his (new creature) are apart of the Israel of God. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." (Galatians 6:14-16)

"Israel and the Church are one. Part two.

2011-07-24T15:12:00.001-04:00

Contrary to Modern dispensational claims, the Church was very much a part of God's plan from the beginning. Romans 9:22-26 (which cites Hosea 1) states that the children of Israel, both Jews and Gentiles, will be as the sand of the sea, too numerous to measure or number. Hosea 1:10-11 "Yet the number of the children of Israel Shall be as the sand of the sea, Which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass In the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' There it shall be said to them, 'You are sons of the living God.'

That the Gentiles would be included among God's people was God's plan even before the cross (see Amos 9:11 "On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old; That they may possess the remnant of Edom, And all the Gentiles who are called by My name," Says the LORD who does this thing.

And in Acts 15:16-17. 'After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; So that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the LORD who does all these things.

The Bible uses the same terms to describe both Israel and the Church, those of the household of faith. Here are a number of metaphors for the ekklesia. Both are called the beloved of God, the children of God, the field of God, the flock of God, the house of God, the people of God, the wife of God, the children of Abraham, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, the chosen people, This presents a dilemma for those who say the church is God’s Plan B. Does Scripture say God has two sets of these chosen peoples? Of course not.

Did Paul the Jewish Rabbi reject or abandon his Jewish lifestyle after his conversion on the Damascus Road? By no means, as the following events during his ministry clearly indicates: He observed the Jewish customs and traditions.

Although Paul knew and taught everywhere that the Law of Moses ended for those who died with Christ Romans 6 and that no one was justified and obligated to keep its commands for salvation, Paul used the law that he might gain them that are under the law. When Jewish customs which would not compromise his Christian principles could be kept he did them.

From Paul's own writing we read, "And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law" (1 Corinthians 9:20-21).

Paul identified himself as a Jew, and Israelite even to his dying day. In Acts 23:6 he confessed, But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!" In Act 21:39 Paul said, "I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people."

He even declared that concerning the observance of the Torah he was "blameless," which indicates that he observed a Jewish lifestyle to the very end (Philippians. 3:6). Paul testified that he kept the Torah throughout his life (Acts 25:7-8, see also Acts 28:17).

In fact Paul never taught the Jews not to circumcise their children in respect of their heritage. Paul might win some, of the Jews by the Jewish heritage of circumcision he had the half-Jewish Timothy circumcised. (Acts 16:1-3)

Nevertheless, Paul refused to have Titus circumcised because the Judaizers were trying to bind circumcision upon him and others as being necessary to salvation. To clearly show this to be false teaching Paul rejected the pressure to have Titus circumcised.

Paul had a deep respect for God's Law issued by Moses. And he had a love for his own people, national Israel, and honored his heritage as a Jew. He states that the "law is holy and the commandments holy and just and good" (Romans 7: 12). He described himself as having been a strict observer of the law, "a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee.

Paul regularly attended synagogue. "He came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures" (Acts 17:1-2).

Paul went to Jerusalem for the "feast" (most likely Passover) at the end of his second journey (Acts 18:21-22; see also 1 Cor. 5:7).

Paul took the Nazarite vow (Acts 18:18; see also Num. 6:2-6,13-18).
Paul sailed away from Philippi "after the days of Unleavened Bread" (Acts 20:6), indicating that he observed Passover and the days of unleavened bread (chag hamatzot) with the Church at Philippi (1 Cor. 5:7).

After leaving Philipi he sailed along the coast of Asia Minor, stopping at a few places along the way, but skipped Ephesus because he wanted to be in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 20:16). This was at the end of his third missionary journey.

Paul lived "in observance of the Torah" (Acts 21:23-24) and offered sacrifices in the Jewish Temple (Acts 21:26).

Paul observed that the prison ship (on which he was sailing to Rome) was going too slowly and "the fast was now already past" (Acts 27:9).

The "fast" was universally regarded to refer to Yom Kippur.
Did Paul abandon his Jewish roots and Israel heritage? Of course not. Paul used his Jewish heritage to show everyone that salvation is of the Jews.

So the Church is not God’s Plan B but God’s plan right on time. The Church is "the Israel of God" (Gal. 6:16) and is composed of those Jews and Gentiles who are regenerated by means of their faith in Jesus (Matt. 3:9, Luke 3:8, Gal. 3:6, 9)

The word *Church* as used by our Lord and King in Mat 16:18 is one of the most dynamic evidences that the Church is the Israel of God. The word *Church* in this text is the Greek word *ecclesia* and is also taken to identify an*assembly or congregation*. And the assembly or congregation is a collective group that shares a single identity as the Israel of God. The Septuagint Greek Version of the Scriptures made about 280BC and used by Jesus and the Apostles, uses the Greek *ecclesia* in several places to describe *holy* Israel assembled as a congregation before the Lord (Lev 8:14; Num 20:8; Deu 18:16; Jud 20:2, 21:8; 1Sam 17:47; 2Chron 30:23; Psa 107:32).

When Jesus used the word *ecclesia* in the text of Matthew 16:18, he was saying Israel in theological and Scriptural terms. The *assembly or congregation* was the appointed meeting place between God and man. When Jesus said he would *build his Church, or his assembly or congregation* of Israel, he was at the same time establishing that his Church would be the meeting place of God and man. God will no longer meet in the temple were his people were separated from him. The marks and identifies the group Jesus called *HIS* church his Israel.

"Israel and the Church." Part one.

2011-07-24T15:03:00.001-04:00

There is a Modern teaching that God has not one, but two separate peoples of God: Israel and the Church. This teaching was developed in the 1830's by J.N.. Darby, who sought to divide the Bible into passages for Israel and the Church. According to Darby, Jesus came to deliver the kingdom to the Jews, but the Jews rejected Him and caused Him to die on the cross something unforeseen by God. Thus, Christ's death on the cross was not part of God's plan, and as a result, the coming of the kingdom was postponed. Christ's rejection caused a "parenthesis" in time in which the "prophetic clock" stopped ticking. Because the Jews rejected the Messiah, God created the Church as a Plan B that Darby claims was wholly unanticipated, even by the Old Testament prophets.

Christ's death was not an unfortunate accident brought on by the unanticipated rejection by the Jews. On the contrary, speaking of the cross, Jesus said "But for this purpose I came to this hour" (John 12:27). The Church is not a parenthesis lying between God's dealings with Israel and the Church, but rather, the Church is Israel and therefore the "fullness of God.

That sounds like heresy to many people and I understand that feeling because of what we have traditionally been taught. However, there was a time when such a statement would cause no reaction at all. This is very difficult for people to accept and some have asked: "If the church is not God's Plan B, why don’t we read about the Church in the Old Testament?" Since some have asked about that, it seems probable that others are wondering, and this article will be an effort to answer that question.

The word "church" does not appear in English translations of the Old Testament (as it does in the New Testament). The Greek translation of the Old Testament (called the Septuagint or LXX) uses the word ekklesia (from ek- + kaleo, "to call," "called out," "assembly," "congregation"). Ekklesia is used frequently in the Greek Old Testament for the assembly of the Chosen People before God, above all for their assembly on Mount Sinai where Israel received the Law and was established by God as his holy people (Exodus 19).

Many Jewish Christians in the first century relied heavily upon the Septuagint LXX, and the New Testament is filled with quotations from it. Thus, the early Jewish Christians were well acquainted with the biblical concept that God's church in Old Testament times was made up from the nation of Israel.

It was no accident that Stephen, a Jewish Christian who followed Greek customs, called Israel the "church;" for his Bible, the LXX, regularly uses ekklesia to refer to Israel. Acts 7:37-38 KJV: "This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. This is he, that was (in the church in the wilderness) with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us.

Under the Old Covenant the Church was the "congregation" and "assembly" of Israel. Exodus 12:6: Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. Too often, the Church is called the building of God.

When we speak of the church, the thought is a Gentile organization of believers, going to church. We think of a building, starting a church, the authority of the church, the organization of the church, and the list could go on. The point is that we really use the word as it is defined in the dictionary, which is proper, but it only proves that the English word church agrees with the meaning given in the English dictionary.

So the question naturally arises as to whether the Church is an extension of the Old Testament Israel, or if it refers to something entirely new in God's plan and purposes in the New Testament. This is perhaps the crucial question, and a lot of the discussion concerning the relationship between the "Church" and "Israel" hinges on how we decide to answer it. The reason I am providing all of this detail is because in the New Testament the word ekklesia is translated as "Church" in our English Bibles.

Jesus used the Septuagint LXX, to teach and speak in either Greek or Aramaic and we must depend on translations to determine what He actually said. Since our earliest manuscripts are in Greek, that is what we must work from in order to understand the "original." Our Savior said, Upon this rock I'll build my ekklesia Christ promised to build an assembly, congregation, group, family or community that would be uniquely His. He came to seek and save the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 10:6; 15:24) not to build a religious institution.

Building upon the Old Covenant ekklesia church, "congregation" and "assembly," Jesus said to the Samarian woman at the well, "You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews (John 4:22). The "New Covenant church" was therefore born from among the Jewish people.

Another fact from first century history that is not widely known is, there were no Gentiles in the early church, at the start of the New Covenant from AD 32 to 42. The first followers of Jesus (Yeshua) were all Jews, as were all the apostles and writers of the New Testament, except for Luke.

Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost (i.e., Shavu'ot) was entirely Jewish, copiously quoting from the prophets and David, which would have meant little to a Gentile in earshot (if there were any). These earliest members of the new church met regularly in the Temple, where Gentiles were explicitly excluded (Acts 2:46).

Note that the apostles Peter and John are recorded to have gone to the Temple for prayer during the time of the minchah (afternoon) sacrifices (Acts 3:1). The ministry of the Apostles continued exclusively among the Jewish people, among whom were "thousands who believed and were zealous for the Torah" (Acts 21:20). Do you see now that the "church" is not God's Plan B? When Stephen was called before the High Priest and the council, he gave a defense that was thoroughly Jewish, encompassing the entire history of Israel before he was martyred (Acts 7).

The Gentiles did not start coming into the Church until ten years later at the Jerusalem council. In Acts 15:1-17, Peter said: "Simon has declared how God at first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for his name (v. 14)." This is the meaning of ekklesia. It is impossible for the Gentiles to have started the church when they did not enter the church until ten years later. The Church was already started.

The New Covenant ekklesia, was started from a remnant of the Old Covenant ekklesia. Romans 11:5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (See also Rom. 9:27; Joe 2:32)

Out of that ekklesia, His assembly, His congregation, His group, His gathering, would be made up from all kinds of people. Galatians 3:28 states, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. This ekklesia is also the Israel of God. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God (Galatians 6:15-16).

In the New Testament sense, the word "ekklesia" refers to the group of "called out" people (from every tribe and tongue) in covenant with God by means of their trust in Jesus Christ. I Peter 2:9-10 says "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy."

That is the meaning of ekklesia! Notice all of the descriptive terms used in this passage, each one emphasizing a different facet of this ekklesia. How can we fail to understand this?

It appears to be a major fault of various English translations of the "Christian Bible" that the word "Church" was translated from the Greek word ekklesia in the New Testament, since this suggests an anti-Jewish bias in their work by implying that there is a radical discontinuity between "Israel" and the ekklesia of Jesus (i.e., the "Church").. In other words, if the same Greek word (ekklesia) is used in both the LXX and the NT, then why was a new word coined for its usage in the English translation of the New Testament? Why not rather translate the word as it was used in the LXX, or better still, as it was used in the OT Scriptures?

2011-07-10T10:41:00.001-04:00

The whole context of the last ten chapters of Isaiah is rich with Messianic prophecies, overtones that most also be understood in their culture and historical setting. Because of our tendency to over spiritualize the language in Isaiah 65 we miss the actual meaning.

This is especially true when a specific message is given to Israel about their own situation. Another great example of this is found in Isaiah 65:21-23 which reads, They shall build houses and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat; For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. We need to look more closely at the language and similarities uses in Isaiah 65:21-23 to see how it is used elsewhere in the Old Testament. As with the wolf and the lamb.

After Jehovah delivered Israel from the bondage of Egypt He set forth some conditional promises concerning the possession of the land of Canaan. The promises concerning the possession of the land of Canaan were conditional upon faithfulness and obedience on the part of the people of Israel, who were repeatedly warned that if their hearts turned away from Jehovah they would be plucked from off the land (Deut. 4:26; 8:19, 20; 30; 17, 18; Josh. 23:13; 16).

The covenant made at the end of the wilderness journey is limited to a recital of the terms and conditions upon which the children of Israel would be permitted to occupy the land of Canaan, which God had promised their fathers.

In a great prophetic section of Deuteronomy Moses says unto Israel. The fruit of thy ground, and all thy labors, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed always; so that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see. Jehovah will smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore boil, whereof thou canst not be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the crown of thy head. Jehovah will bring thee, and thy king whom thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation that thou hast not known, thou nor thy fathers; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone. And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all the peoples whither Jehovah shall lead thee away. Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather little in; for the locust shall consume it. (Thou shalt plant vineyards and dress them, but thou shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worm shall eat them. Thou shalt have olive-trees throughout all thy borders, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast its fruit. Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but they shall not be thine; for they shall go into captivity). All thy trees and the fruit of thy ground shall the locust possess. (Emphasis added Deuteronomy 28:33-42 ASV)

There are also similarities to this language which are seen in Zephaniah. And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their complacency, Who say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil. Therefore their goods shall become a booty, (and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof). (Emphasis added Zephaniah 1:12-13)

Failing to build their lives in God's mandatory holy behavior, the people of Israel found themselves surrounded by prophets who were predicting their doom. "To Babylon you must go, and there you will be rescued; there God will ransom you out of the power of your enemies." (Hosea.4:10).

The captivity, Hosea announced, would take the House of Israel out of the Promised Land and carry them away in chains to a place that would stretch all across the pagan North throughout a great wilderness to a area called 'Babylon' -- where they would have to stay for 70 years.

Failing to keep their end of the conditions of the covenant they were plucked off their land by Jehovah and sent to Babylon and their valuables were stolen and homes inhabited by another and the vineyards they planted they did not drink the wine there of and their sons and daughters, were taken into captivity.

It is evident that there was not much "rejoicing" going on in Israel during the times of their captivity. Jehovah promised to have compassion on the people of Israel. Hosea.4:10 you will be rescued; there God will ransom you out of the power of your enemies." God is a covenant making and covenant keeping God. The term "Messianic prophecy" refers to a compilation of over one hundred predictions (conservative estimate) in the Old Testament regarding the Messiah. They have undeniable accuracy even though these prophecies were recorded by numerous writers into various books over 1000 years.

One such book is Isaiah were we read (They shall build houses and inhabit them. They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat); For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people. And My elect shall long enjoy (the word of their hand). They shall not labor in vain Nor bring forth children for trouble. For they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the Lord, And their offspring with them. (Emphasis added Isaiah 65:21-23)

Isaiah was well-acquainted with the prophecies in Deuteronomy and Zephaniah. He know the trouble Israel had losing their homes to others and their vineyards and their children in captivity. There would be great blessing in the Messianic kingdom. No more would the people of Israel be taken into captivity by their enemies in the Messianic kingdom. They shall build houses and inhabit them. They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat. (Isaiah 65:21-23) The Messianic kingdom was "created for rejoicing." It is interesting that Isaiah 65:22 says "as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people." We need to take a look at the way this language is used elsewhere in the Old Testament Hebrew. (note especially the connotations of blessing attached to a life span of 100 or more years in Deut. 34:7 and 2 Chron. 24:15)

“The lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people" means they will live from generation to generation. The human life span is usually shorter in captivity were there is a poor diets because of lack of food resources and really hard work etc. God's glorious message declares that their efforts "will not be in vain" (21-22). They will not die young and fail to accomplish what they started. They will live to a ripe old age, full of years, seeing all their efforts bear fruit.

So this language in Isaiah 65 should be taken in its historical setting as well. If we argue that Isaiah 65 only has a spiritual reality, then we forever miss the physical blessing of God to Israel as will.

,“this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world."

2011-07-09T11:57:00.002-04:00

Jesus said,“this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew. 24:14, KJV). In “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”(Mark 16:15, KJV). The year is 33 A.D.

Paul his missionary journeys completed, writes from his imprisonment in Rome to the saints in Colosse...the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Colossians 1:23) ...The year is 64 A.D.

Christ‟s command to preach the gospel to“every creature.” Paul writes:“…the gospel, which you have heard which was preached to every creature under heaven. Jesus said to preach the gospel to every creature; Paul said it was done. To the Church of Rome Paul writes.... So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed; “Their sounds has gone out to all the earth. And their word to the ends of the world. (Romans 10:17:18) Jesus command to preach the gospel in all the world. Paul said it was done.

Paul, thirty one years later, proclaimed the conditions of the gospel were fulfilled (remember, this is not Paul’s opinion, this inspired writ, ie., God’s opinion). So how do we biblically explain this? How could the apostles have reached the whole world in a little over 30 years from the time they were commissioned? They did not have radio or television, they usually walked, rode donkeys, or perhaps horses at best. Have we also been traditionally taught wrong on this issue as well?

The answer is simple: We cannot apply our modern assumptions to scripture. The key to understanding any passages of Scripture has always been a good grasp of the culture, language, and historical setting in which it was originally written. We have traditionally misunderstood the Greek word oikoumene which has been translated “world” in many English versions of the Bible. Because of our modern culture when most Christians see the word world, used in scripture they assume it means the whole planet earth. However Jesus, Paul and others in the first century meant something much less.

If they were referring to the globe, then Paul‟s claims are outrageous and ridiculous. However Jesus and Paul’s use of the word world was not the globe we call planet earth, it was the Roman Empire. When Jesus command to preach the gospel to the whole world, he was not speaking about a global perspective of people living over 2,000 years into the future. He was talking about the Roman Empire.

Is there any scripture to back up such a claim? Yes indeed. The primary rule of hermeneutics is to let (Scripture interpret Scripture). This manner of speaking and language was not new in the first century. Notice the accusation that is brought against Paul and Silas when they preached in Thessalonica: “These men who have (upset the world) have come here also” (Acts 17:6). They upset their know world, not the whole planet earth Paul was accused again before Felix:“…we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among (all the Jew throughout the world)…” (Acts 24:5). It might be suggested that such accusations were exaggerated; however, they are consistent with Paul‟s own claims in his letters. He freely admitted that he had preached “throughout the whole world.”

Lest look at more evidence in scripture. Elsewhere, the apostle Paul stated that the faith of the Christians in Rome was being “(proclaimed throughout the whole world)” (Romans 1:8).

In Act 19:27 we read, "So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia (and the world worship)." Diana of the Ephesians (Acts 19:24-37), as known from many statues of her image and as depicted on coins. However no one thought she was worshiped by the whole world.

.And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great (dearth throughout all the world): which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. (Acts 11:28, KJV) (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius Caesar the word is the Roman empire)

The New International Version reads, One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world.(Acts 11:28, NLT) Are you starting to get the culture, language, and historical picture?

Extra-biblical sources reflect the same limited world view. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that (all the world should be taxed) (Luke 2:1, KJV) The NASB renders “all the world” “the inhabited earth.” Luke, considered the Roman Empire to be“the world” as well. Again we cannot apply our modern assumptions about the world to scripture.

Is there any evidence of this manner of speaking in the Old Testament ? Yes indeed there is. The Old Testament continually used the word world to refer to something much less than the entire globe. Five centuries earlier, Daniel predicted the appearance of the Greco-Macedonian Empire saying it would “rule over all the earth” (Dan. 2:39). Nobody had the idea the Greeks would ruled the whole planet. Back in Genesis we read of a famine that covered “all the earth” (Gen. 41:57). This did not include the whole planet either, only the known world of that time.

It is imperative that we understand what Jesus and his apostles really meant when they used the term world if we expect to understand what they were predicting. The preaching of the gospel“throughout the whole world” was supposed to be fulfilled within one generation of Christ‟s earthly ministry (Matt. 24:14, 34), and we should not be surprised to discover that it was. There is no need to require a modern fulfillment.

Paul, thirty one years later, proclaimed the conditions were fulfilled. What happened a few short years after Paul said those words? The end came! The spring of A.D. 67 marked the beginning of a 3½-year period of tribulation unlike anything the Jews had ever known. Roman armies invaded Palestine from the north and began burning town after town, either killing the inhabitants or selling them into slavery. Finally, in the summer of A.D. 70, Jewish animal sacrifices ceased and the Temple was completely destroyed. The “last days of the Old Covenant”came to an end. That was“the end” Jesus was talking about in (Matthew 24:14).

No matter what our old traditions assume about “the word world.” Their world was the Roman Empire, and as far as Paul was concerned, the gospel had been preached to that world by 64 A.D.

Since the gospel was preached in all the world the end of the Old Covenant world or age followed soon after. This kind of language in scripture should not come as a surprise because older people who come to America use this kind of language all the time. Older people who come to America from other countries after spending some time here sometimes say I miss the old word. They are not talking about the whole world or global. They are talking about their world in the since of their old country.

Isaiah 11 and Romans 15 the wolf now dwelling with the lamb

2011-07-04T13:54:00.004-04:00

By Adam Maarschalk.

In what sense is the wolf now dwelling with the lamb (Isaiah 11:6), the cow and the bear grazing together (verse 7), the nursing child playing over the hole of the cobra (verse 8), and the earth full of the knowledge of the Lord (verse 9)? Good question—let’s ask the apostle Paul. He quoted the next verse as being fulfilled in his own lifetime: “IN THAT DAY the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of Him shall the nations inquire, and His resting place shall be glorious” (Isaiah 11:10). Romans 15:12, where Paul cites this verse, reads this way: “The root of Jesse will come, even He who arises to rule the Gentiles, in Him will the Gentiles hope” (Romans 15:12).

The context of both Isaiah 11 and Romans 15 suggests a bringing together in Christ the remnant of God’s people from among both the Jews and the Gentiles. Isaiah uses figurative language; Paul in Romans is more straightforward. Why not? The “mystery of God” spoken of by the prophets had been revealed and was about to be fulfilled in Paul’s day (cp. Eph. 3:6 with Rev. 10:7).

“This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (Eph. 3:6). There is no Jew or Gentile in Christ Jesus (Rom. 10:12-13; Gal. 3:28, 5:6, 6:15-16); “the dividing wall of hostility” has been broken down (Eph. 2:14).

The wolf (Gentiles), so to speak, now dwells safely with the lamb (Jews), i.e. among those who belong to Christ. The Gentile nations which were deceived and dwelling “far off” (Eph. 2:11-22; Rom. 9:22-26) prior to Christ’s work on the cross are now brought near (so that without distinction “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”; Rom. 10:12-13)...

The wolf and the lamb will feed together.

2011-07-03T10:18:00.003-04:00

By Terry Cropper

Seven centuries before the birth of Jesus Christ, the prophet Isaiah peered into the future and depicted the glorious nature of the Messianic era with these words. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain," says the LORD. (Isaiah 65:25) A parallel verse is Isaiah 11:6-9

As with most of the Bible because of our modern culture we tend to take this language to be fulfilled literally. I often pointed out how the Messianic prophecies, must be understood in their culture and historical setting. In other words we need to look closely at the language in these passages and see how God use metaphors in other scriptures to make his point to the people of that time.

The first piece of evidence is found were Jesus used figurative language to emphasize a point, make a impression, or attract the attention of the listener in his audience. Speaking of Judaic authorities Jesus told the disciples. Behold, I send you forth as (sheep in the midst of wolves): be you therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16) The disciples or anyone else who hard Jesus use this expression would never forget the Judaic authorities as "wolves”.

The Book of Acts was written to provide a history of the early church and there, the writer states, "For I know this, that after my departure (savage wolves) will come in among you, not sparing the flock. (Act 20:29) The disciples would never forget Jesus words.

Other good examples are found in Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. And in John 10:12-13 "But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. "The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. It is clear that God's people are often referred to as lambs or sheep or the flock. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. (Luke 10:3 KJV)

God often used animals in figurative language to describe the hostility between men. This kind of language was first used in the Old Testament. Every Jew that was familiar with the Old Testament know how God used metaphors to describe men. Here is a passages that show the wolf as a false teacher: Benjamin shall raven as a wolf in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil. (Genesis 49:27)

Here are some passages that show sheep as the saints. Psalms 95:7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. (Psalms 95:7) Yet for Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. ( Psalms 44:22)

Speaking to the leader of Israel God used this metaphors to describe his people. Ezekiel 34:2-11 "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? "You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. "The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. "So they were scattered because [there was] no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. "My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them. 'Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: " As I live," says the Lord GOD, "surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock" 'therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the LORD! 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them." 'For thus says the Lord GOD: "Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.

Notice what the prophet Isaiah writes, O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!" Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. (Isaiah 40:9-11)

Bible prophecy often makes use of figurative language for a forth coming event and a special time elements involved in the prophet's message. Now notice how Matthew makes the connection of the good shepherd to Christ. Matthew 9:36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.

This figurative language was well known to all the members of Israel who were familiar with the Old Testament. This language was studied by all the congregation of Israel on the Sabbath in the synagogue. It was spoken in homes and by the rulers of Israel.

This is the reason Isaiah chose to use figurative language to describe the Messianic era. It is clear from scripture that people are often referred to as wolves and sheep. Often the context of a passage will point out whether figure of speech is intended. The is equally helpful in identifying what I believe to be the significance of Isaiah 11:6 and 65. Therefore, it is my conclusion that Isaiah is showing a represents of the peace in Messiah’s coming Kingdom . The wolf and lamb represented in Isaiah 11 are referring to the uniting in Christ Jesus. There is no difference. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb in peace.

This peace treaty that was brought about by the blood of Christ in God’s holy mountain is also seen in Isaiah 56:6-8 "Also the sons of the foreigner Who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, And to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants--Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And holds fast My covenant Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations." The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, "Yet I will gather to him Others besides those who are gathered to him."

The little child leading them is simply referring to the peace, and ruling nature, of the Messianic reign. Christ is the Prince of Peace and He alone brings peace. He alone can tear down hostility. God’s people are no longer a prey for the wolves to devour: To correctly interpret biblical prophecy, we need an approach that will allow us to understand how the Jews understood prophecy and what the prophet said or wrote to his own people, and times."

“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

2011-06-26T15:03:00.004-04:00

Most Christians are very familiar with the passage, "That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

Let’s examine it a little more closely and try to understand this passage in its historical context. During the early days Christianity was seen as just another sect of Judaism, a legal religion. (Acts 2:47) The preaching of Paul and Peter in Rome was an epoch in the history of the church. In Philippians 4:22, we learn of saints in "Caesar's household," which at that time would be Nero's household. The good news of the gospel gave an impulse to the growth of Christianity. (Act 2:47)

As time progressed things got worse and the Jews convinced Rome to recognize Christianity as not being a part of Judaism and therefore it was classified as an illegal religion in Rome. At the time Paul wrote this letter, the persecution of Christians was intensifying and he was keenly aware of the implications resulting from publicly confessing Jesus as Lord. The Apostles were commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus. (Acts 5:40) When the council had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. (Acts 5:41-42)

The Apostles departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame in the name of Jesus. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul knew a lot about persecuting Christians because he was one of the Jewish ringleaders who persecuted Christians until he himself very dramatically met Christ. As we know, he stood by and approved of the stoning (murder) of Stephen.

To confess with your mouth in those days that Jesus is Lord was an all-in proposition. When you publicly identified with Christ, everything could, and usually did change. You could lose your job, your status, your property, your health, your freedom, your family, and even your life. Act 15:25-26: “It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

When Paul said that the followers of Christ were to confess Jesus as Lord, everyone knew it wasn’t just lip service. This confession was so significant, it could cost your life... it was definitely not done because everyone was doing it. The early Christians confessed it when they were ready to give their all and all for Christ.

When Paul wrote this passage in his letter to the Romans, he was already acquainted with persecution. Paul was in prison more than once, he was stoned and left for dead, beaten with rods, and received lashes several times (2 Corinthians 11:24) as well as in ‘dangers from his countrymen’ (11:26). Of course, the Jews instigated the Gentiles, who also joined in persecuting Christians. (Acts 14:2)

Luke closed the book of Acts and shows how the chief priests and elders made a great oath to kill Paul. (Acts 23:14) This shows how passionate the Judaizers’ hatred was against Christians who confessed the name of Jesus as Lord. The primary enemies of Christ and the church in the early years were the unbelieving Jews. Paul was ultimately martyred for his confession of Christ and the Gospel.

We are also told "there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem;" and that "they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (Acts 8:1) During the first century after Jesus' death nearly all of his followers suffered martyrdom for His sake.

The Roman government also made it common practice to violently persecute, torture, imprison, and kill Christians. It was not until about AD 63, under the reign of the ruthless Roman emperor Nero that the Jews got Rome involved and Christianity was classified as an illegal religion in the Roman Empire.

This action caused the great persecution of the Church for 3 ½ years from A.D 64 till A.D 67. Staggering from both persecution and apostasy, (John 1:19; 2 Timothy 2 1:15; 4:10) many in these early churches had forsaken their faith rather than stand up for Jesus and die. They experienced Jewish persecution, but now they were experiencing an even greater Roman persecution in addition to that of the Jews. It was a rugged time for the infant churches.

Also during these days the Roman Emperors were worshiped as gods. In 44 BC, Julius Caesar permitted a statue of himself with the inscription, "The unvanquished god," and declared himself dictator for life. This belief in the emperor's divine authority eventually led to the requirement of a sacrifice to the emperor as a sign of loyalty. The requirement of a sacrifice to the emperor became a significant source of conflict with early Christians. Christians refused to worship the emperor as God, and therefore, would not sacrifice to him. This led to persecution of the Christians by the Roman political authorities that enforced the practice. Those Christians recognized another King unlike the Judaizers. (Please read John 19:15.) The Christians refused to acknowledge the divine status of Emperor worship, and refused the traditions and gods of the Roman Empire.

Nero came up with some most extraordinary ways to torture Christians. Nero performed the worst atrocities upon his victims; he did not just want to kill Christians, he wanted to make them suffer first. Nero enjoyed dipping Christians in tar, oil or resin, and nailed them on pine poles, which were lighted and burned as torches for the amusement of the mob. Meanwhile, Nero, in fantastical dress, figured in a horse race and displayed his art as charioteer. Burning alive was the ordinary punishment of incendiaries, but only the cruel ingenuity of this imperial monster, under the inspiration of the devil, could invent such a horrific system of illumination.

Around his palace were also Christian torches that illumined the night while he yelled, "Now you truly are the light of the world!" Nero also performed many other kinds of torture, often killing them in the Amphitheater in front of large crowds of spectators where he did some of his most gruesome murders. The ghastly way in which some of the Christians were put to death was to wrap them in animal skins and throw them to lions or wild dogs to be ripped apart. Many other men and women were tied between two oxen or horses tearing these men and women apart in front of thousands of entertained spectators.

At other times he would crucify them, and after the crowd would get bored, he would set the Christians on fire. Nero falsely accused and executed Christians, who were infamous for their faith in Christ. There were many rumors flying about that Christians were cannibals (because of the 'Lord's Supper' in which they eat the 'flesh' and drink the 'blood' of Jesus Christ) and that they performed human sacrifice (none of this was true). But ultimately Christians were executed not for the public good or any criminal acts but on the account that they were a threat to the Roman Empire and the old system of Judaism.

This great persecution was raised against all who professed their belief in the name of Jesus Christ as the Messiah. This also explains why Peter denied Christ. Lord warned the apostle that he would deny Him three times Peter boasted, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble” (Matthew 26:33). “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You” (Mark. 14:31). The Bible repeatedly warns us not to place too much confidence in our own abilities. If Peter had not been so sure that although all denied Christ, he never would, he would probably never have fallen.”

We need to be careful to not overlook those first century saints who confessed "Jesus is Lord;" it was an all-in proposition that required their everything – even their lives. They didn’t just give Christ lip service, they give Him their lives. Luke 21:16-18 states, "You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost.”

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

2011-06-19T14:31:00.003-04:00

Revelation 21:3-4 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. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (NIV Bible)

A parallel verse is Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

These verses are often thought of as not being fulfilled because there is still crying, death and sorrow on the earth. At first glance, this seems to be what the verse is saying. We all want God to wipe away our tears. We all wish for no more death or sorrow and pain.

But, when we take a closer look at these verses and compare them to other passages of scriptures in their historical context, it becomes clear that John indented for us to see a much deeper meaning.

From the book of Genesis to Revelation its all about man's existing before God. Those who lived under the Old Covenant were separated from God because of sin death. In Isaiah 59:2 we read, But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. The Bible further indicates to us that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

Examine Paul's reference to dying. I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, (sin revived and I died). (Romans 7:9) Were there is sin, there is death, and were there is death man was separated from God. There is a world of difference between the way people today views death, and the way the inspired writes view it.

The inspired writer of Hebrews tells us that men were subject to slavery all their lives because of the fear of death. It further informs us that the one who had the power of death is the devil. Hebrews 2:14-15 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death that is, the devil and free those who all their lives were held in slavery (by their fear of death)

Why is death so dreaded that it enslaves men all their lives? It is a dreaded enemy to those who have been separated from God by their sin. In the Garden of Eden, God promised Adam and Eve that the devil would be defeated, and that the dreaded events of their sin in the Garden could be reversed, through a solution which God Himself would provide. He promised a Savior, who would be born of the woman, who would destroy the devil (Genesis 3:15).

As time passed, God continued to reveal His purposes and promises to men through the Scriptures, more and more details concerning the promised. The Savior would be the offspring of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), Isaac, and Jacob. He would come from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:8-12). He would be a "king," an heir to the throne of king David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). He would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), and would be both divine and human, the Son of God and the Son of man (see Isaiah 9:6; 11:1-5; 52:13--53:12). God even indicated that the place of the Savior's birth would be Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).

It was Jesus Christ who brought the solution to sin and death. He suffered the wrath of God, the punishment which our sins deserved and demanded. By his death he destroyed him who holds the power of death that is, the devil and free those who all their lives were held in slavery (by their fear of death)

That is what the writer to the Hebrews was saying when he wrote these words: The "He" of verse 14 is Jesus Christ. He took on flesh and blood. The Son of God took on humanity, adding humanity to His deity. He, on the cross of Calvary, "partook of death" in our place that he might destroy him who holds the power of death that is, the devil.

There is no longer any fear of death, for He paid the penalty for our sins. He also rose from the dead, assuring us of eternal life after death, life in the presence of God. The works of the devil has been destroyed and death no longer has a grip on humanity, one which makes slaves of the fear of death.

What is John really saying to us God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying? This too is a promised in the Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Savior. He would swallow up death forever and wipe away the tears from all faces of his people.

This wonderful promise is in both the New and Old Testament. In Isaiah 25:8 we read, He will swallow up death forever. (The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces); he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. This idea is not a original idea of John.

This is proof that the description in Revelation 21:3-4 belongs not to any time on earth, but eternity. Neither death, shall sorrow, or crying, or pain, will be anymore: for the former things are gone away. Like a parent encouraging a child, God is tells us that in the end all will be well with no tears, no pain, no mourning.

The Sovereign LORD will swallow up death forever. (Isaiah 25:8) This too is not a original idea of Paul’s. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 "Death is swallowed up in victory.""O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Under the former old covenant there was death, and sorrow, crying and pain; all which occasioned many tears because of separation, from God but now pain sorrow and tears have all fled away, and the saints have everlasting life and joy. What a way to end the last book of God’s love story to man

"The" millennium reigned with Christ not on earth.

2011-06-18T12:29:00.003-04:00

There seems to be quite a lot of confusion and misunderstanding with regard to God's eternal kingdom. As long as man thinks only in physical terms he cannot grasp the nature of the eternal kingdom, and therefore will draw many wrong conclusions regarding the fulfillment of the prophecies regarding that kingdom.

The Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah because they were looked for a physical political king that would again set up a physical kingdom like their former days and throw off the Roman yoke. They thought that the Messiah would be a military leader. Jews hated the rule of the Roman government. This is the reason why the Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come. (Luke 17:20) They did not like his answer.

This vain belief is why the Jews rejected Christ, for they were looking for an earthly king to rule over a earthly kingdom. Jesus had to be very careful at this time. When many people saw this miracle, they wanted to make Jesus the king in Jerusalem. (John 6:4-15) They thought He could perform a miracle and force the Roman government to leave Jerusalem. The crowd wanted to take him by force and make him king. Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. Vs 15

They only wanted an earthly kingdom, so the crucified Him, the Son of God. It was difficult for people in the time of Christ to understand the *prophets’ words about the *Messiah.

Such products of Jewish imagination has passed over into Christianity. One of these misunderstand is based on Revelation 20:4 the "Millennial Reign" of Christ with the saints. There is a doctrine that the "Millennial Reign" of Christ will be upon “the earth with the living saints.” But lest look at the verse. Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw (the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus), and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and (they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years).

Revelation 20:4 is the only place in the entire Bible that mentions a thousand years reign of Christ. "If one examines the texts carefully, in Revelation 20:4 it becomes rather obvious that John is NOT talking about the earthly reign but is describing a scene in heaven. The martyrs are in heaven here and in every other place in Revelation (cf. 6:9-10).

It also should becomes rather obvious in this verse the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus are the ones who lived (spiritually) and reigned with Christ a thousand years. "The thousand year reign, was only for those that died (were beheaded) and reign with Christ for a thousand years.

The fact that the souls are beheaded is indicative of Roman execution and that these martyrs did not die under the Jewish persecution in Palestine that arose over Stephen. Jewish execution was typically by stoning. (Acts 7:59) In other words, they are martyrs under Nero that have been gathered unto rest in paradise to await the general resurrection. Like the souls under the altar in Revelation. 6:9-11, they have paid the ultimate price for their testimony and won the martyrs’ crown. The martyrs reign because they have been faithful unto death.

When large numbers are used in scripture (i.e. thousand, etc.) they are always used figuratively. John borrows a lot of his figuratively language from the Old Testament. David used this type of figuratively language when he said. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills Psalms 50:10 For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills. Does anyone suppose God only owns the cattle on a 1000 hills and not hill 1001? He owns the cattle on three thousand hills. He owns the cattle on all the hills. The Lord owns them all. There is no statement that the Lord owns ONLY the cattle on a thousand hills. The phrase "A THOUSAND" is not the # 1,000......... It comes from the Greek word "Chilioi" which is a plural of uncertain affinity. It means completion, totality, completely, and is not meant to be taken literally.

Another good example is found in Deuteronomy 7:9 "Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments. Does anyone suppose God only keeps his covenant and mercy for a thousand generations and when the thousand generations it is over He stops? There is no statement that the Lord will not keep covenant and mercy AFTER the thousand generations.

So there is no evidence in Revelation 20:4 that there will be a reign of Christ is with living saints upon the earth. There is no mention by John in Revelation 20:4 that the thousand year reign of Christ is on the earth. There is no mention of the saints that were NOT beheaded are reigning with Christ. The martyrs that had been faithful unto death are reigning with Christ in heaven, not for one thousand literal years but for all eternity.

Probably one of the reasons there are such differing ideas regarding the kingdom and the time of its establishment is a failure to think Spiritually. In 1 Corinthians 2:13-14, Paul said, These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. The things of God are spiritually discerned.

Jesus told Pilate in John 18:36-37, "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." Pilate asked, "Art thou a king then?" Jesus replied, "Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness of the truth." It is quite obvious that Jesus was indicating that his kingdom was spiritual and not physical.

In Luke 17:20-21, when asked when the kingdom would come, Jesus replied that, "the kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or Lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you" Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:50 that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.

With a proper concept of the nature of the kingdom, the time is not nearly so complicated and difficult. All the objections to accepting the very clear time statements are made on the basis of certain happenings which have not physically happened. There were some physical things that were predicted to happen, which did happen, but if one views everything in a physical manner, then he will windup in the same dilemma as Nicodemus

Notice Hebrews 12:18-23. The writer compares the coming to (spiritual Mt. Zion) to (literal Mt. Sinai), 18 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. 20 For they could not endure what was commanded: "And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow." 21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling. 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect.

Notice the writer says ( But YOU HAVE COME) to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels. During the first century this was a all ready but not yet because the Old Covenant was growing old and ready to vanish away. Hebrews 8:13 In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. However after the Old Covenant was done way with that mountain is a PRESENT REALITY.

If one really believes God, that we too are gathered at that mountain he can be assured that Christ came in his eternal kingdom. There are many things to be accepted by faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. It is also impossible to please God without that faith. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Now look at the time statements. In Daniel 2:44, Daniel said, "In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom..." As he interprets Neuchadnezzar's dream, he says that Nebuchadnezzar was the first of four kingdoms. It was in the days of the kings of the fourth kingdom that the eternal kingdom, which would take in all other kingdoms, was to be set up. Most agree that this was in the days of the Roman empire.

Now notice what Isaiah wrote. "It shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it." (Isaiah 2:2). What last days? In verse 1 he said it was the word that Isaiah saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

If we truly believe the words of Jesus his kingdom comes with out observation Luke 17:20-21 and is not of this world John 18:36-37

The antichrist.

2011-06-05T08:08:00.001-04:00

Before we begin to sort through the confusion, of today’s Anitchrist let's first establish what is generally thought as the modern day understanding of Antichrist. The Antichrist of today's speculative theology combines the characteristics of Daniel's "prince who is to come" and other features from the Book of Daniel (9:26; 7:7-8, 19-26; 8:23-25); elements from Matthew and Daniel's "abomination of desolation" (Matthew 24:15; Daniel 9:27); Paul's "man of lawlessness" (2nd Thessalonians 2:3); The "Beast" (Revelation 13:11-18).

The Antichrist will make a covenant with the Jews guaranteeing them peace and security in their own land. In the middle of the covenant period, he will break the covenant and turn on the Jews. He will then make war with the Jewish saints and will overcome them (Revelation 13:17; Daniel 7:21). Of course, during this three-and-one-half year period of time two-thirds of the Jews living in Palestine will be killed (Zechariah 13:8-9). I think you get the scenario.

Now lest look at the Biblical antichrist the one John teaches in Bible. The word "antichrist" is only used four times in the scriptures, all by the apostle John (1st John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2nd John 7). Surprisingly, the word "antichrist" never appears in the book of Daniel, 2nd Thessalonians 2:3 or Revelation.

With the use of the original Greek words, antichrist we can clearly see that they were many in the first century. (It was not a single individual but many). In the original languages the letter (a) in the word antichrist is not capitalized. It was capitalized later by the translators. The antichrist was a movement not a single individual.

John's description of antichrist is altogether a different doctrine of Antichrist." then today’s modem image. Anyone "who denies that Jesus is the Christ" (1st John 2:22). Anyone who "denies the Father and Son" (1st John 2:23). "Every spirit that does not confess Jesus" (1st John 4:3). "Those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist" (2nd John 7). There you have it. Antichrist is mentioned only four times in Scripture and only in two Epistles of Saint John. Antichrist is not mentioned at all in the book of Revelation, as some seem to believe.

None of what John writes above relates to the modern doctrine of the Antichrist as previously outlined. The modern days Antichrist is a single individual while John’s antichrist are many ( a movement). John’s first century readers knew the antichrist movement was coming. This movement was already present when John was writing and was made up of "many antichrists." John uses their presence as proof that it was then already the last hour of the old covenant. (1 John 2:18, 19) This is not John’s opinion, this is inspired writ, i.e, God’s opinion.

John's antichrist doctrine is a theological concept related to an apostasy that was fomenting in his day. John’s antichrist were contemporaries of John and former church members who had gone apostasy from the faith, i.e., in a collective sense. They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, in order that it may be shown that they all are not of us. (1 John 2:19)

Many people prior to Jerusalem's destruction in A.D. 70 questioned and disputed basic Christian doctrines of Christ.. John’s antichrist was anyone "who denies that Jesus is the Christ" (1st John 2:22) Notice what Peter told the Jews. “The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom you delivered up, and DENIED HIM in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go” (Acts 3:13). (PRESENT TENSE) Here in Acts they denied that Jesus was the Christ. Those who deny that Jesus is the Christ are, according to the Bible, are liars and antichrist (1 John 2:22).

John’s antichrist were anyone who "denies the Father and Son" (1st John 2:23). In Judea 1:3-4 we read, Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For (certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness AND DENY THE ONLY LORD GOD AND OUT LORD JESUS CHRIST. (PRESENT TENSE) These men are antichrist.

John’s antichrist was "Every spirit that does not confess Jesus" (1st John 2:23). "Every spirit that does not confess Jesus." Here is what Peter said about them and their denial. 2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, (PRESENT TENSE) even as there will be false teachers among you, (THEIR FUTURE) who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even DENYING THE LORD who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

John’s antichrist were "Those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh.(2nd John 7). For many deceivers HAVE GONE out into the world (PRESENT TENSE) who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. Here we have the inspired words of John himself who tells us many antichrist deceivers HAVE GONE out (PRESENT TENSE) into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. How much more clear can John be?

Many claim to be Christians yet they DENIED HIM Christ by their works. Paul spoke to Titus about this issue. Titus 1:15-16 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works THEY DENY HIM, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work..

The antichrist in John’s day is simply in belief system that disputes the fundamental teachings of Christianity, beginning with the person of Christ. These antichrists are "religious" figures that loved the old Mosaic, covenant and that way of life and went apostasy. (1 John 2:19) The antichrist, contrary to much present-day speculation, is not a political figure, no matter how anti- (against) Christ he might be. The modem manufactured composite Antichrist is not the antichrist of 1st and 2nd John: "Putting it all together, we can see that antichrist is a system or movement of apostasy and individual apostates. In other words, antichrist was the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy that a time of great apostasy would come, when 'many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many' (Matthew. 24:10-11)."

Were many being mislead in the first century? O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not OBEY THE TRUTH, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? (Galatians 3:1) Who bewitched them after starting out in the Spirit, into thinking they can be made perfect be the works of the flesh (the law) v.3 The antichrist Jews of that day who also believed that the gentiles MUST be circumcised according to the custom of Moses, to be saved. (Acts 15:1) So John’s description of antichrist is altogether a different doctrine of Antichrist." then today’s modem image.

What about the pre-tribulation rapture?

2011-05-31T18:51:00.003-04:00

Where do the pre-tribulation rapture theory originated? The pre-tribulation rapture originated over in England. The theory it has all but vanished away there. But still in America the literal concept lives on, and it is at the local church level it persists strongly. Unfortunately many have swallowed the new teaching "hook line and sinker."

Morgan Edwards was born in May 9, 1722, in Trevethin Parish, Monmoughshire, Wales about 100 miles from Bristol, England. He died in 1795, long before Margaret Macdonald was ever born, and long before J.N. Darby ever developed his pre-tribulation rapture theory. In fact, the book by Morgan Edwards gives us his views on eschatology. His book was published in 1788- ever before Emmanuel Lacunza's book was completed in manuscript from 1790.

The fact of the matter is that Edwards published the teaching of a pre-tribulation rapture long be before Margaret Macdonald and J.N.Darby. Edwards' first pastorate was a small church in Boston England. Seven years later he became pastor of Baptist church in Cork, England. It was here he was ordained to the ministry in 1757.

Edwards then resigned from the pastorate after 10 years, and in 1771 became an itinerant evangelist helping the churches of the Southern colonies from the Philadelphia Baptist Association. Morgan Edwards in America was "one of the most important and influential Baptist leaders during the latter part of the eighteenth century." "He is mentioned in all of the histories of Baptists in the United States."

Edwards was highly influential in the Baptist life of America. He was the first historian of Baptists in America. Albert Henry Newman's in his book (A History of the Baptist Church in the United States 1894). said Morgan Edwards certainly did bring "strange things" to the Baptist people in America in 1788.

Edwards believed that the "lake of fire brimstone was "on the moon"! Edwards was a literalist so far as the New Testament was concerned, but not as much as with the Old Testament. Edwards believed that Abraham looked for a real literal city. He acknowledged the Bible was the word of God, while not denying the textual difficulties.

It was believed that a fifteen year old girl in Scotland by the name of Margaret Macdonald was the originator of pre-tribulation teaching in 1830.

It was also believed that the lrvingites in England started publishing this teaching in 1830 after getting it from Margaret Macdonald. It has been published that she was the first ever to teach a pre-tribulation rapture. At any rate, it was in 1830, forty-two years after Morgan Edwards book was published, in Philadelphia Pa. We know now that she was not the originator of the pre-tribulation rapture teaching.

Morgan Edwards was the first it ever teach a pre-tribulation rapture. Edwards' book was published in 1788. According to Edwards, the Rapture should have accursed 3 ½ years before the beginning of the Millennium in 1996. This means that the "literal rapture" should have accursed in 1993.

From what source did Morgan Edwards get his theory of the pre-tribulation rapture, or was it something that he devised in his own mind independently of others? From statements he made, he evidently felt he was teaching something new. And who was the first to cope it from Edwards in America? Its difficult to believe that the teaching of the pre-tribulation rapture was not preached also from the various pulpits where Edwards ministered.

One doesn't usually write a book to tell how its influential Baptist leader devised things in his own mind. Unfortunately many Christians today, don't know anything about this historical fact and it is at the church level who is last to find out.

The Great Apostasy.

2011-05-29T16:19:00.003-04:00

PAUL WARNED THE EVANGELIST TIMOTHY... In latter times some would depart from the faith - (1Timothy 4:1)

In the earlier article I wrote about the (glory of the rapture) a sister in Christ mentioned that it has not happen yet because of TWO event that must take place first. She ask me to Look up 2 Thess. 2:1-4. The falling away from God AND the revealing of the Antichrist. First let me say these studies are not about who is right or wrong but are about what does the Bible really say. In this article I will address the Apostasy and in my next article I will address the antichrist.

First of all the word Antichrist is NOT mentioned in 2 Thess. 2:1-4. The word "antichrist" is only used four times in the scriptures, all by the apostle John. In 2 Thess, 2: 3 Paul calls him the (man of sin or son of perdition not the Antichrist. Also the first century saints know was straining him THEN so it cannot be a future event 2 Thess 2:6. More on the Antichrist later.

Apostasy, from the Greek word apostasia, means “a defiance of a system or authority; a rebellion; an abandonment or breach of faith.” In the first-century world, apostasy was a technical term for revolt or defection from the faith.

It is commonly taught that the "falling away" referred to by Paul concerns the modern church, in our day which of course meaning to take place in a far-away future from the Apostolic Age. But, the real evidence comes from the NT writings themselves, especially the TIME statements. When Paul was inspired to write this letter to the Timothy A.D.. (between the years 63-66 A. D) the apostasy
was already on the way.

When Paul wrote this letter to Timothy the Temple was still standing and “falling away” refers to those who were returning back under the Mosaic Covenant which represented in their mind, the whole context of these Scriptures makes perfect sense. The defection from the faith was to characterise the latter days of the old covenant had already set in.

The apostle Paul’s exhortation to Timothy implies that the apostasy specified would come under the notice of Timothy. 1 Timothy 18, 20 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, (PRESENT TENSE) concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. Here Paul tells Timothy some have rejected the faith. Not some will rejected the faith.

The apostasy was alive and well on planet Earth in the first century. It had already revealed itself, and the apostle Paul describes it from actual observation. Phygellus and Hermogenes, who deserted the apostle. 2 Timothy 1:15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. The ‘falling away’ from the truth had already set in is evident from the reiterated exhortations and warning which the apostle addresses to Timothy.

The pull of the Old Covenant world system continued to draw many Christ away. Paul said that Demas had forsaken hin. 2 Timothy 4:10 Demas has forsaken me, shaving loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.

There was Apostasy to a great extent in the churches of Judea. Judea 1:3-4 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For (certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ). (PRESENT TENSE)

After urging his readers to contend earnestly for the faith, Jude then highlights the reason: “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. (vs. 4). In this one verse, Jude provides the Christians with two characteristic of apostasy and apostate teachers that was happening then.

First, Jude describes the apostates as “ungodly men” as those who use God’s grace into lewdness. Paul says in 2 Thess. 2:7 that this very same lewlessness was already (PRESENT TENSE) at work.
Second, Jude says in their apostasy they “deny the only Lord God and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (PRESENT TENSE)

Apostasy shows its true nature. Paul tells us in his letter to Titus: "To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed." (Titus 1:15-16) Through their unrighteous behavior, it shows their apostasy from God and their true selves.

When the apostle John was inspired to write his letters he gives evidence of a departure from the faith - cf. 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. These Jews who went apostasy were Christian origin.
The love of money causes many to stray from the faith. 1 Timothy 6:9–10 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which (some have strayed from the faith) in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:9–10 For which some have strayed from the faith. (PRESENT TENSE) Again, if these Scriptures do not relate to the apostasy of unbelieving people of that generation, who went apostates from the faith, then who do they point to?

God was taking apostasy and false teaching so seriously it is mentioned in Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

Do you see the context of all the letters together? It was impossible for those that have been enlightened (by the gospel of Christ) and have tasted the heavenly gift, (salvation) and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come (The Christian age of grace) if they fall away apostasy (return back under the Mosaic Covenant) to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. Apostasy from the faith was so serious to God one could lose their very salvation

The "reason" here given is, that the crime of apostasy would be so great, and they would so effectually exclude themselves from the only plan of salvation, that they could not be saved. This is strong language.

The Judaizers' error gave birth to the book of Galatians about apostasy. Paul ask the Churches of Galatia, I marvel that (you are turning away) (PRESENT TENSE) so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-7) What was the different gospel which is NOT another. The gentiles must be circumcised according to the custom of Moses. (Acts 15:1)

The Judaizers were teaching a doctrine which "troubled churches" and was a perversion of the gospel of Christ ( Galatians 1:7). Those who taught this doctrine were accursed of God (1:8-9). Paul described these men as "false brethren" (2:4).

The Great Apostasy "happened in the first century. We therefore have no Biblical warrant to MOVE the apostasy Paul addressed into our history . The apostasy was alive and well in the first century and during the time of Paul and John’s writings.

The Dead in Christ Shall Rise First.

2011-05-29T13:23:00.002-04:00

The Dead in Christ Shall Rise First. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 “..and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with then in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall the ever be with the Lord.”

In my last status we looked at how the first century saints who were alive at Christ’s Parousia were TRANSLATED into the fullness of the new covenant order without first passing through physical death at the consummation of the kingdom.

At the Parousia of Christ, there is a resurrection and in this verse it is the dead in Christ 4:16. But just who are the dead in Christ? Before going to into the Old Testament prophets, I would ask you to please consider just one piece of evidence that persuades me who are “the dead in Christ.”

After his appearance before the governor, Paul continued to remain a prisoner in Caesarea for at least two more years. When the time came that Felix would step down from the governor‘s seat, Portius Festus became governor in his stead. After only a few days, King Agrippa and his wife Bernice came to visit the new governor, to pay their respects. Upon learning of the matter concerning Paul, King Agrippa expressed his desire to hear Paul himself. And so, consequently, Paul now makes his appeal before the king (Acts 26:6-8). He said, And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, o King, I am being accused by the Jews. Why is it considered incredible among you people if God does raise the dead?

In light of the evidence shown, above should there really be any question that “the resurrection” was indeed “the hope of Israel.” Those saints who lived under the Old Covenant that had died, God had not yet fulfilled all the promises He had made to them [Israel]. Paul spoke these words to King Agrippa some 34 years after the cross. These are the dead in Christ.

It’s very interesting that in the Old Testament we see a connection between the “end of the old Jewish age“ and “the resurrection. The Prophets as we promised earlier, and of whom Paul spoke in his defense were for example, in Daniel 12:1-3, some 600 years B.C.. In the account by Daniel, we read of this promise in 12:1-3, as he prophesies concerning the promise of “the resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.” The word "resurrection" does not appear in the Old Testament, but the concept does.

Now notice these words of hope [of the resurrection] by David. Psalms 49:15 (NKJV) But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me. Selah This verse expresses hope that God will provide salvation beyond the grave, one of the few Old Testament references to life after death.

Speaking of Abraham, “he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”? (Hebrews. 11:10) Abraham had in mind, the “heavenly” city of Jerusalem not the “earthly” land of Canaan?

It is clear from the above verses that Paul sees the resurrection of the dead as that which fulfills "the hope of Israel dead.." Listen carefully to Paul as he tells us the reason why Christ came the first time Romans. 15:8 “For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision [old covenant Israel], on behalf of the truth of God, to confirm the promises given to the fathers.” Christ came to confirm the promises given to the fathers [Israel].” Salvation is of the Jews. (John 4:22)

Prior to Jesus' messianic work, no one went to Heaven. John 3:13 (NKJV) "No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. If prior to Jesus' messianic work, no one went to Heaven where did people go when they died? They went to a holding place of the dead and waited for the atoning work of Christ and the resurrection from the dead.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for where they were prior to the resurrection is Sheol or Hades. In the New Testament the Greek word is Hades. What this place amounted to was a waiting area for disembodied spirits.

The Old Testament uses the word "Sheol" to refer to a place in the depths of the earth. The expressions, "go down" or "brought down" are used twenty times in connection with Sheol. The "depths of Sheol" are mentioned six times (Deut. 32:22; Ps. 86:13; Prov. 9:18; 15:24; Isa. 7:11; 14:15). Four times Sheol is described as the farthest point from heaven (Job 11:8; Ps. 139:8; Isa. 7:11; Amos 9:2). Often Sheol is parallel with the "pit" (Job 17:13-14; 33:18; Ps. 30:3; 88:3-4; Prov. 1:12; Isa. 14:15; 38:18; Ezek. 31:14-17). Nine times it is parallel with death (2 Sam. 22:6; Ps. 18:4-5; 49:14; 89:48; 116:3; Prov. 5:5; Isa. 28:15,18; Hos. 13:14; Hab. 2:5). Sheol is described in terms of overwhelming floods, water, or waves (Jonah 2:2-6). Sometimes, Sheol is pictured as a hunter setting snares for its victim, binding them with cords, snatching them from the land of the living (2 Sam 22:6; Job 24:19; Ps. 116:3). Sheol is a place of no return (Job 7:9; 10:21; 16:22; 21:13; Ps. 49:14; Isa. 38:10). People could go to Sheol alive (Num. 16:30,33; Ps. 55:15; Prov. 1:12)

To be taken out of Sheol and brought into the presence of the Lord is what the Bible calls resurrection. God had promised to redeem His people from the grave: Hosea 13:14 (NKJV) "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction! Pity is hidden from My eyes.

So the dead in Christ, were the saints like Moses, Abraham, David, Daniel, etc that were resurrected fully into the presence of God and the living saints were changed of translated into it at the end of the Jewish age, or Old Covenant without passing through death. Which we know this to be in AD 70.

In John 11:25-26 (NKJV) Jesus said to Martha, Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

There are two categories of believers that are being discussed here. Those old covenant saints that believed in Christ but died (physically) shall live (spiritually) V. 25 For those who died under the Old Covenant Christ was the resurrection. And whoever lives (physically) and believed in Christ will never die (spiritually) V 26.

Where there is no death, there is no need of a resurrection. We have eternal life and can never die spiritually. Therefore, we don't need a resurrection. At death, we go immediately to heaven as spirits..

The resurrection was a one time event in which the Old Testament saints were brought out of Hades or "Sheol" into the fulness of God’s presence. As believers, we live in the presence of God, and at physical death, we simply drop the flesh and dwell in the spiritual realm. Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.

THE GLORY OF THE RAPTURE

2011-05-28T10:00:00.002-04:00

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52) 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 holds similar verses.

The first thing we should notice about these verse is the word WE. Here Paul is talking about his contemporary. (We as in Paul and his first century contemporary) shall not all sleep, but shall all be changed. Part of the confusion in th...ese verse is the meaning of the change of the living.

The word Rapture as taught today automobiles driven by Christians will suddenly be driver less; planes piloted by Christians will be pilot less, does not appear in the Greek or English Bible.

The word“ caught" in the Greek is harpazo to seize, pluck, pull, take. How, then are we to understand the words caught up or changed? There were Paul’s way of describing the experience of transition from the Old Covenant order of death Romans 7:9 into the new redeemed order.

Paul was using accommodative language in 1 Corinthians 15:15 and 1Thessalonians 4:17 to picture spiritual truths of 'the new redeemed covenant order.' The object of Paul was to assure the living that they would suffer no loss of rights or privileges in the kingdom by the dead in Christ. They became, without passing through physical death residents of the new consummated kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Those who were alive at Christ’s par were TRANSLATED into the fullness of the new covenant order without first passing through physical death. The dead in Christ were resurrected or raised into the kingdom and the living were caught up or changed or from the old covenant order into the new covenant order.

Special attention should be given to the words (WE SHALL BE FOREVER WITH THE LORD). Paul said in the most emphatic terms that he taught nothing more or less than what Moses and the Prophets predicted, (Acts 24:14f) Therefore Paul’s eschatological teaching in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 was grounded firmly in the teaching of "law and prophets."

Beginning early in Genesis and continuing throughout the Jewish age, God’s Spirit did not dwell with man kind because of sin. The whole of the Old Testament points to this. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear (Isaiah 59:2). This was what David meant when he wrote, Behold, I brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me (Psalms 51:5)

God, speaking thought the prophets, said that a day would come when He would make His sanctuary in the midst of his people forever (Jeremiah 31:31-33; Ezekiel 37:26-28) This would destroy the work of Satan done in the Garden of Eden that brought separation between God and man. Man would again be in God’s presence forever. (Leviticus 26:11-13)

Paul uses different comparisons other then 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 to help us understand how those Old Testament prophets were fulfilled. Notice how all the verses address the very same subject of man back into God presence forever as those of 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

Consider these words of Paul. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved, and (raised us up together), and made us sit together (in the heavenly places) in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-6) ” There saints were raised up together and seated in heavenly places. The phrase “caught up together” is essentially identical with “raised up together. If the saints were “raised up together”and seated in heavenly places entailed no physical change, why should “caught up together?”

Now Consider the book of Hebrews. But you have come to Mount Zion and to the (city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem), to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect. (Hebrews 12:22-23) A change of Covenant order not a geographical change.

Paul told the Colossians they had been delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of his dear Son: (Colossians 1:13) They underwent a change of kingdoms - a change so great that it had eternal consequences. And yet there was nothing perceptible to the visible world of sound and sight.. They could not "prove' the change by any geographical change. It could not be confirmed by this world and its citizens.

Paul’s teaching is rich and full of spiritual significance that fulfils the promise of the Old Testament. (Jeremiah 31:31-33; Ezekiel 37:26-28; Leviticus 26:11-13)

Paul never meant for us to receive his teaching with a literal mind. He spoke of spiritual things and wanted Christians to understand with spiritual faculties. Remember this scripture: 1Cr 2:9-12 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

Paul calls Christians "ambassadors." An ambassador is one who represents a kingdom or other government, but resides in a different land. Christians are thus ambassadors for God's Kingdom, representing His way of life in our current earthly situation and age in which we reside. We are in the Kingdom of God. Yet we cannot prove to anyone geographically were that Kingdom and government is? No but yet that Kingdom and government are more real then anything on this earth because every on earth rust away or dies. Much of what God does is out of the sight and senses of this world.

In closing Jesus prayed for the disciples and said this John 17:15 "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

"Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven.

2011-05-19T09:13:00.004-04:00

"Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30)

A better Translation would be. Then the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. A sign was not to appear in the heavens, but the very destruction of the Temple was proof that God’s presence was no longer residence in the Temple and the Son of Man was ruling and reigning in heaven. The Temple Jesus said would be destroyed represented the (Presence of God the shekinah of glory). Even after Jesus said. Your house (temple) is left to you desolate. (Matthew 23:38) They was a continuous offering of animal sacrifices as tho the shekinah of glory was still residence in the Temple

The destruction of the Temple was proof to unbelieving Israel of the Son of Man Messiahship. Clearly, the Pharisees wanted proof that Jesus was truly the Messiah and the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant.

Jesus speaking of the house of Israel said, "But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We will not have this man to (reign over us).' (Luke 19:14) This statement was no mistake. And the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. (1 Samuel 8:7)

The destruction of the Temple was also a sign that the Son of Man was sited in heaven bringing vengeance upon His enemies. A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."(Psalms 110:1) The judgment would be a noticeable event. It will not be a quiet or hidden event, but one out in the open where everyone can see it,

All the tribes of the earth shall mourn. The tribes here is a reference to Israel which has always been organized in a tribal structure. Israel is described in the book of Joshua as tribes. Chapter 18: 1-2

"And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled themselves together at Shiloh, and set up the tent of meeting there; and the land was subdued before them. And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance.

Deuteronomy 33:4-5 Moses commanded a law for us, A heritage of the congregation of Jacob. And He was King in Jeshurun, When the leaders of the people were gathered, All the tribes of Israel together.

All the tribes of the earth will mourn This prophecy is cut from the same cloth as Zechariah which speaks of all the inhabitants of Jerusalem shall mourn. All the tribes or people of the land of Judea shall mourn. Let us examine this passage in its context and seek to discover its true significance.

And I will pour out on the house of David, and on the (inhabitants of Jerusalem), the Spirit of grace and prayers. And they (i.e., the inhabitants of Jerusalem shall look on Me whom they have pierced), and shall mourn for Him. As one mourns for an only son, and will be bitter over Him like the bitterness over the firstborn. In that day (i.e., when they look on Him whom they had pierced) the mourning (in Jerusalem) will be great, like the mourning of Hadad-rimmon in the valley of Megiddo. And the land shall mourn, families by families alone; the family of the house of David alone, and their wives alone; the family of Nathan alone, and their wives alone; the family of the house of Levi alone, and their wives alone; the family of Shimei alone, and their wives alone; all the families who are left, family by family alone, and their wives alone. Zechariah 12:10-14 (emphasis added)

Notice the emphatic time statements. The old inhabitants of Jerusalem were the ones that were going to mourn. The Hebrew word for "family" is mishpachah and it means "family; by extension a tribe or people." So, in essence, Zechariah was saying that the "tribes of the land" would mourn. Who were those "tribes?" "The inhabitants of Jerusalem."

The word "earth" is from the Greek word ge which can also be translated as area, region, or land. " In most of Revelation, is often better translated "land" (i.e. the promised land). According to Zechariah, the "earth" is the land of Palestine, specifically, Jerusalem. With all of this information, we can see that the "tribes of the earth" in Revelation 1:7 are the nation of Israel. The "earth" is Palestine. The land that would mourn is Jerusalem.

The blood flowing as high as the horses' bridles would portray the gravity of judgment (Revelation 14:20). The distance of 1600 stadia (about 180 miles) just happens to be the approximate length of the land of Palestine.

There is another verse in Zechariah that should not be over looked. "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then (THEY WILL LOOK ON ME WHOM THEY PIERCED Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. (Zechariah 12:10)

Zechariah was the back drop of the apostles John’s writings. Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, (even they who pierced Him). And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7)

For John Zechariah 12:10 was applicable to Jesus' crucifixion; but it would receive final fulfillment when "all the tribes of the earth" would mourn when they looked on him whom they had pierced. because of the great calamities coming upon them. "the mourning in Jerusalem" would be great