Hamas, Gaza, the Whole Story

 "It also estimates the net worth of several Hamas leaders — all of whom, it notes, live hundreds of kilometres from Gaza, in Qatar. Abu Marzuk, deputy chair of the Hamas Political Bureau is worth $3 billion, while senior leaders Khaled Mashal and Ismail Haniyeh are each worth about $4 billion."

Eleven Billion Dollars, living in luxury far away from the people they are using to try to turn the world against Israel.  

The most amazing thing about the news is how little "news" makes it out past the guardians of the big lie.

"You Have to Push Back"

 What a blessing it is to be part of a body where the gifts of the Spirit are flowing. A friend said she was praying for me and she felt strongly that God was saying to me, "You have to push back." She was totally humble in the presentation, stating she had no idea what those words meant or what I am going through.

At the time I didn't know either, but I knew if I humbly received them as from the Lord, in His time He would reveal the meaning clearly and it would bring life.

The surface is never the truth.

On the surface, a situation at work had escalated and I had confronted it through the proper channels and my efforts to bring it out to the light and have it properly dealt with were pushed down and pushed aside. So, on the surface, God was giving me the green light to push back.

The surface is never the truth.  

I have walked with the Lord long enough to know my voice from His Voice, so I waited.

It is not always this quick, but around 1:30am on the following morning, HE led me to this understanding.

In the upside-down kingdom of God that exists in this evil age, we "push back" by laying down our lives, by not fearing those who can only kill the body, by not having any fear of man.  In this evil age we live lives that are not pushed around by the tactics of the enemy, fear, threat, intimidation, death.

Our "push back" is in our willingness to keep on laying down our lives out of love of the Messiah, following His example, empowered by His life.  His victory in this evil age was through death, through a willingness to say what the Father was saying and do what the Father was doing no matter what the cost.

Deeper still, to a love that is extravagant, to a forgiveness that is radical, to LIFE in every situation, never joining the side that is out to accuse, steal, kill and destroy.

To see as HE sees, from HIS perspective that this evil age is so very temporary and we are living with a hope, joy and peace that is anchored in the eternal age to come, the Kingdom of God.

The Powers that Be

 "It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority was given to him over every tribe, people, language, and nation."  Revelation 13:7

“If anyone is to go into captivity,
    into captivity they will go.
If anyone is to be killed with the sword,
    with the sword they will be killed.”

This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people."  Rev. 13:10

15 Then the Lord said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would not go out to this people. Send them away from my presence! Let them go! ² And if they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ tell them, ‘This is what the Lord says:

“‘Those destined for death, to death;
those for the sword, to the sword;
those for starvation, to starvation;
those for captivity, to captivity.’" Jeremiah 15:1,2

This is ultimately how you know we are still in this evil age.  The Principalities and Powers are still given authority.  Yeshua defeated them at the cross, but the out-working of that only has a "ladder" from the age to come into this evil age.  The evilness of this evil age is still being played out.  The day of the Lord is still on the horizon. Mercy is still being shown to sinners and time is still being given for repentance. All Israel has not had the same Damascus Road experience given to Paul, where the Spirit of grace and supplication is poured out on the remnant people that is still left on the earth after the tribulation, the great one, has purified the earth of all evil.

The Day of the Lord, the resurrection of the dead, the meeting of the Lord in the air to escort He and His victorious army back to the earth to begin His official rule and reign from a throne in Jerusalem, all these things are yet to come and they are all after the tribulation, just read Matthew 24 and see what it says.  

Meanwhile, do not be surprised that the principalities and powers are experiencing a whole bunch of temporary victories, they know their days are numbered, they know Who is God Most High.  If we go into captivity, we know there is a time limit, if we are killed, we know we never die.  Mercy, and only mercy, has made us a winner.

Set Your Heart to Understand

 https://mysteryofisrael.org/the-olivet-key-to-daniels-prophecy-of-the-end/?fbclid=IwAR30TF3PGcVLjfeB9XCvv1tp57d6ZqRxKoRpsptfwax3Wg4Qegt2pzcveuA

 

The above link will take you to six pages that speak of Daniel, the abomination of desolation, and Matt. 24.  It is a "good start" for anyone who wants to set their heart to understand God's clearly displayed, end time plan.

The Naked Truth

 

Colonialism Related to Modern Evaluation of Ancient Writings

 I know, that is a not-very-inviting headline!  I personally would probably skip reading a blog with that title, but since you are here I will reward you with the best read today.

It is from the silly translation (The Message) of Daniel chapter 9.  "Your compassion is our hope."

Powerful and true words.  Daniel's entire prayer in chapter 9 is so in alignment with the heart of God for His chosen people and chosen land that Gabriel is dispatched to speak with Daniel face to face.  The only other times Gabriel is dispatched it is to announce to key players the arrival of the Messiah, so Mary (Miriam, the name means bitter) and Zechariah, (the name means remember) are given the Great News that Messiah, long awaited, is about to burst on the scene.

Okay so what do we mean by "colonialism"?  The Apocalyptic Gospel Podcast guys interviewed a Jewish Rabbi, Joshua Berman and he used this term related to the "critical scholars" who approach scripture with the idea that, "Everyone through out all time should write and record their history the way that we do now. Our way is the only right way."  Literary conventions have changed over time, we know this is the case and all sorts of things change in cultures over time.  That does not make our time better than other times. I would say Rock n Roll music was way better in the 70's but other people may disagree.  It would be "colonialism" related to Rock n Roll music if I were to say, no other Rock n Roll is any good, only 70's rock, but since I kind of like listening to Olivia Rodrigo, I would never say that.

Quoting from an article on colonialism, "According to Gandhi, it is through the practice of non-cooperation with oppression that the force of truth is animated." (https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/colonialism/)  Using this example the "non-violent" approach to fighting against colonialism in the modern evaluation of ancient writings would be simply to point out, that what is normal and expected in our telling of our story or of our telling of history is not the be-all-end-all, only way, that the story can be told.  When ancient writers want to go back and tell a story from a different angle that is okay and if we would dig a little further, instead of just yelling, "contradiction, contradiction" we would benefit greatly.  It is always good to stay in a place of humility and turn aside to see the burning bush, because if you don't stand there long enough looking at it, you would not know that it is burning, but not consuming the bush!

Slow down and enjoy the differences presented in the creation story and the Noah story and etc. Be a humble student, not a pride-filled professor.  Maybe that is what Yeshua meant in Matthew 23 when He exhorts His followers to have only ONE Leader, Father, Rabbi!

The Cursing of the Fig Tree

 Let's look at these verses and see what was going on, as this one time event. 

Yeshua curses the fig tree.

We need to look at this burning bush and come close to consider this. 

Matt. 21:18-22

Mark 11:12-25

 https://www.gotquestions.org/curse-fig-tree.html

Scarcity vs. Abundance

 James 4:1 "1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? ² You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God."

 

The idea that we don't have enough within our boundary drives man to go off to war to get someone else's boundary. Lives are lost, Minds are destroyed, hope is taken away, PTSD runs rampant, suicides go way up.  

Scarcity that mindset that stuff is limited and God is not going to/or currently giving us enough leads us to go off and fight with other human beings.

But where Jesus is there was always abundance, even when they were down to 4 loaves and 2 fish.

He is enough.

The Tower of Babel, What's the Big Deal?

 A place of safety above the judgment of God in a flood, man made.

 The book of Jubilee's say it was about one mile high.

The goal to make a name for themselves.  To be high above the judgment of God.

It was rebellion and earned them the unfortunate prize of false gods ruling over them.

It also earned them the prize of being divided, division is a judgment a punishment.

 

AI, Yeshua and Cussing

 Part of a very well worded response from BING AI on cussing.

 "However, it is important to note that the appropriateness of swearing can vary depending on the context and social norms. In some situations, swearing can be used to express strong emotions, humor, or camaraderie. It is up to individuals to decide when and where to use profanity, but it is always advisable to be mindful of the audience and the situation."

The Rolling Stone magazine in a review of Guts by Olivia Rodrigo had a very interesting line.

"She uses cussing when it is needed." or something like that and I agree.

Queen of Denmark when sung live by Sinead O' Connor is powerful and cathartic.

as is Last Day of Our Acquaintance.

And it should be pointed out that Yeshua called people "sons of the satan" pretty sure that would have been considered offensive and inappropriate by some.

Yeshua Wanted John the Baptist to Focus on the Resurrection THE SAME AS HE DOES US!

 "the blind see and the lame walk, those with tzara’at are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised and the poor have good news proclaimed to them."  Matthew 11:5

Luke 7:22 "And answering, He said to them, “Go report to John what you saw and heard: the blind see, the lame walk, those with tzara’at are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news proclaimed to them."

If you look at the account of that day, no one was raised from the dead.  In the series, "The Chosen" Yeshua states specifically to the disciples of John, "Oh and tell him the dead are raised also." IMO this is a coded and very merciful, message to John -- "There is no lasting hope in this evil age, but all your hope and my message in this coming is, The Kingdom is Coming and Resurrection after death in this evil age is the path to that Kingdom."  "John, my beloved cousin, you don't have to "look for another" but you do have to take all your hope out of this evil age and transfer it to the Kingdom to come"

"I will rule from Jerusalem, I will be in control of the Kingdom on this earth, but there are two comings, one now, and one at the Day of the Lord."

I Will Die

 When and only when God Most High, the Lord God of Israel, determines that it is time.  

My life is in His hands.

Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!

Target

 I have avoided being 

UP FRONT

 at the Messiah's Community that I regularly attend on Sundays.

Avoided it like the plague. 

Somehow I was nominated for the position of Deacon, and somehow that means I am now a part of a rotation that will put me up front about every 7 or 8 weeks.

I pray and hope that I only say and do what God has for me when I am put in that place.

It s a heavy weight and a heavy responsibility and if you do it in a way that is faithful and true to the Most High God you 

WILL

piss off the principalities and power

sure enough, before I even left the building,

 it started, the inevitable attack.

Pray for your Pastor, 

if He is proclaiming the true gospel, as ours is, he is a target that the principalities and powers will be working overtime to silence, they are very aware that there time is short and getting shorter.

enjoy my Pastor's message it is 100% truth about the gospel of the God of Israel!

(1) Facebook

This is his summary of a recent series.

It is at Markleysburg Union church FB site dated November 26, 2023

 

If Israel As A Nation Has No Hope, I Have No Hope

 It really is as simple as that. Israel is God's portion, He called Abraham and made him a nation, while allowing the other 70 nations to go the way of their choosing under gods that are not God Most High.

Israel is called His son.  Israel is called His beloved bride.  

Do you think He could have a plan that included the rejection of His son or His bride?

The gift and the calling are irrevocable!  That is a beautifully, strong and sovereign word.

Our hope is based on His grace and mercy.  Israel's hope is based on His grace and mercy.

I am thanking the God of Israel today that my hope is sure.

Israel

 The bride to the Bridegroom.

The son to the Father.

The Gomer to Hosea.

The King to His beloved.

Oh what joy to be a part of the recognition, the reunion, the restoration of all things.

Straight - Up Truth

 This is solid truth Start at 28 min. go to 34 minutes, 6 minutes of really good stuff. https://bibleproject.com/podcast/only-way-slay-dragon/

Steve

 I have a friend I can vent to.

I have a friend who loves me when I am an embarassment.

I have a friend who loves me when I am playing the fool.

I have a friend named Steve.

I'm Not Good At That

 Being a dad

Being a husband

Teaching kids under 6

Being patient

Being good with money

Reaching out to others

Being spontaneous

Fixing cars

Keeping things neat and clean

Thanking God for mercy today. This is not a comprehensive list, but each of these things comes to mind.

Very aware lately that this is a time to prepare, but I still find myself drifting, not preparing. 

God have mercy.

AI Gives a Good Answer

I asked AI "BING" version what is the meaning of Romans 11:28   "Concerning the Good News, they are hostile for your sake; but concerning chosenness, they are loved on account of the fathers"TLV

In Romans 11:28, the apostle Paul addresses Gentile Christians. He emphasizes two contrasting aspects regarding the Jewish people:

1. As Enemies for the Sake of the Gospel:

   • Paul acknowledges that many Jewish people have rejected Christ and are, in a sense, “enemies” of the gospel.
   • Their unbelief has led to a temporary estrangement from God’s plan.

2. As Beloved Due to God’s Choice and the Patriarchs:

   • Despite their unbelief, God has not abandoned the Jewish people.
   • They remain deeply loved by God because of His irrevocable promises to their forefathers (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob).
   • God’s original choice of Israel as His people still stands, even though they are currently in a state of estrangement.

In summary, Romans 11:28 underscores God’s faithfulness and His ultimate plan to show mercy to both Jews and Gentiles who come to Him through faith in Christ. It highlights the tension between God’s sovereignty and human choices, emphasizing His enduring love for His chosen people. 🙏📖

Gangs of New York

 

“The appearance of the law must be upheld – especially when it’s being broken.”  Boss Tweed  from the movie "Gangs of New York"

This is going on all around us.

The only good is God.  The Creator is good.

Chaos, darkness is the enemy that He will annihilate at the end of this evil age!

Maranatha!!

 

 

 

Revealed, Given, Veil Removed, Weak, Empty, Broken

 Isaiah 53:1 "Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"

 1 Corin. 4:7  "For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?"

ONLY if the God of Israel chooses to reveal the Son of Man, the Cloud-riding King of Kings, the arm of the LORD, to you.  ONLY then is the veil removed.  ONLY from a place of total weakness, brokenness, and poverty, do we receive LIGHT.

When a strong delusion is sent by God, when a partial hardening is ordered by God, we had better run away from any temptation to exalt our current knowledge of holy things, because that knowledge has been GIVEN by grace alone.  I repent of the many and myriad times that I have exalted my knowledge of holy things, may God have mercy on my soul.

At Rest, In Him We Work

Genesis  2:15 " Then Adonai Elohim took the man and gave him rest in the Garden of Eden in order to cultivate and watch over it."  TLV

 And Jehovah God taketh the man, and causeth him to rest in the garden of Eden, to serve it, and to keep it.  YLT

Only two versions use rest in place of put or placed, but I like the imagery very much, don't you?

Rest comes before work, we work from a place of rest, we strive from a place of rest.  We are truly at rest in Him, and from that place, we work, because from that place He works through us.

OH for our lives to be, "I only say what the Father says, I only do what the Father does!"

Weakness is No Fun

 Thanking God today for the example and words of Paul.

Ability and power and doing are so exalted in this evil age.

Paul's words and life example that when he is weak then he is strong are so true in the kingdom of God

"We don't know what to do but our eyes are on You."

"Not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord." 

This path, this wisdom, this Life is so very opposite of the wisdom of this age.

Only God can reveal the truth of weakness.

Only God can show us how to accept and bless the times when we cannot do.

Only God can we cannot.

Prophet and Apostle Are Not Titles You Apply to Yourself

 

"Anyone calling themselves…

Anyone taking on,

or being given certain titles

to hide behind,

to revel in,

to be dignified through,

will find themselves

wearing crowns

which do not fit

before the Throne…"

Lars Widerberg

Revelation kicked my butt

 The verse by verse study of Revelation and how a vast majority of the verses in that book relate back to verses in the Law, the prophets and the writings (sadly called the Old Testament by some), really, truly kicked my butt. We kept with it, we kept at it, when the pace got to be too much we took one week breaks in between, but it still felt like everything else had to be pushed aside and all focus was put on that book.

I think I am still in recovery from that study.

Add to that a "cold" that settled in my ear which occurs almost annually and has left me with one good ear.

Add to that COVID coming back to the nursing home and the horrendous, money-driven over reaction that occurs in health care settings.

Add to that just some musings on mortality and the fragility of life.

Just today I feel God is pulling me out of the FUNK that I was in.

Just today He accomplished some stuff through me.

Just today I was able to focus on Israel and the incredible speed that things are moving at in the Middle East at this time.

So, fair warning, I will be posting very frequently for the remainder of this year. We need to see clearly what is happening in the middle east.  

HIS SECOND COMING HAS NO HIDDEN AGENDA, HIS SECOND COMING DOESN'T HAVE MYSTERY.

Very good scholars have made mistakes about this.  They say things like, "His first coming He didn't come as He was expected."  "His first coming had a purpose that was hidden from the principalities and powers."  Both of those statements are true and YET both of those statements have absolutely nothing to do with His second coming.  He is coming to judge, to defeat Israel's enemies, to bring Israel to a "Paul on the road to Damascus" moment where they acknowledge that He is Lord and All Israel is saved. He is coming to sit on a throne in Jerusalem and rule the earth and all who dwell in it. Period. Maranatha!

The Messiah Will...

 None of these things were accomplished in His first coming, but He is coming again!

Six things to be done in the 70 weeks of Daniel (Dan. 9:24):

(1) “To finish (put an end to) the transgression.” The Hebrew word pesha` (HSN-<H6588>) means revolt; rebel; sin against lawful authority. It is often translated “transgression” (Ps. 51:1; Isa. 43:25; etc.). This transgression has reference to the sins of Israel at Jerusalem, the culmination of their sins when they will be saved from all sin at the return of their Messiah who will turn ungodliness from Jacob and convert the nation in a day (Rom. 11:25–29; Isa. 66:7–10; Ezek. 36:24–30).

(2) “To make an end of sins” concerning Israel and Jerusalem. This has never been done, but will be accomplished at the second coming of Christ (Ezek. 36:24–30; 37:24–27; 43:7; Zech. 14). The Spirit of repentance will be poured out upon Israel just before the second coming, and a fountain for sin and uncleanness will be opened to the whole nation at that time (Zech. 12:10—Zech. 13:1; Rom. 11:25–29).

(3) “To make reconciliation (atonement; Hebrew: kaphar (HSN-<H3722>), to cover; make atonement) for iniquity.” This was done for Israel and all others on the cross (Isa. 53; Col. 1:20; 2:14–17; 1Pet. 2:24), but Israel as a nation has not yet experienced this covering for sin. They will be fully reconciled to God at the second coming of Christ (Isa. 1:18–20; 66:7–8; Zech. 12:10—Zech. 13:1; Mt. 23:37–39; Rom. 11:25–29).

(4) “To bring in everlasting righteousness.” When transgression comes to an end, when an end of sins is made, and when full atonement for all sin is experienced by Israel, then everlasting righteousness concerning Israel and Jerusalem will be ushered in (Isa. 9:6–7; 12:1–6; Dan. 2:44–45; 7:13–14, 18, 27; Ezek. 43:7; Zech. 14; Lk. 1:32–33; Rom. 11:25–29; Rev. 11:15; Rev. 19:11—Rev. 20:10; Rev. 21:1—Rev. 22:5).

(5) “To seal up the vision and prophecy.” The prophecies concerning Israel and Jerusalem and their eternal restoration under their Messiah will be fulfilled. The word for “prophecy” here should have been translated “prophet.” It could also mean that there will be no more need for inspired men to rebuke Israel at Jerusalem in the attempt to lead them to God and righteousness when the Messiah comes, “for all shall know the Lord from the least unto the greatest of them” (Isa. 11:9; 66:7–10; Jer. 31:31–40; Rom. 11:25–29).

(6) “To anoint the most holy.” This refers to the cleansing of the holy of holies, the temple, and the city of Jerusalem from the abomination of desolation, the sacrilege of Gentiles; and to the anointing of the Millennial temple of Ezek. 40–43; Zech. 6:12–13. “The most holy” is never used of a person, nor would the Jews ever associate this term with their Messiah who is always distinguished by the simple title, Messiah. Therefore, to teach that this refers to man crowning Christ is out of harmony with Scripture. Man is not to anoint and crown Christ. This has already been done by God the Father (Lk. 22:29; Acts 1:7; 2:36; Php. 2:9–11; Heb. 1:1–3; Rev. 11:15; 19:11–21; Dan. 7:13–14).

 

credit to Ken Kovach

100% TRUTH

 

Revelation 21 References and Verses

                                                 Revelation 21 References and Verses

“The ultimate purpose of the entire segment, is to exhort believers in the present to persevere through tgemptations to compromise, so that they may participate in the consummate glory of the people of God.”  G.K. Beale

Verse 1 - “new” refers predominantly to a change in quality or essence rather than something new that has never previously been in existence” Isaiah 65:16,17 and 66:22;  2 Corin. 5:14-17 The sea has been associated with cosmic evil, rebellious nations and Idolatrous trade activity. Isaiah 51:10,11

Verse 2 - Isaiah 52:1, 61:10, 62:1-5

Verse 3 - Ezekiel 37:26-28, 43:7, 47:22,23, Leviticus 26:11-12, Jeremiah 11:4,5, 31:33 Zechariah 8:8, Deut.29:12,13, 

Verse 4 - Isaiah 25:8, 35:10, 

Verse 5 - Isaiah 43:19, 65:16, Daniel 2:45, 

Verse 6 - Isaiah 55:1, 41:4, 43:10, 44:6, 48:12, 49:10 Psalm 36:8,9, Joel 3:18 

Verse 7 - 2 Samuel 7:14, Psalm 89:26,27, Isaiah 55:1-3, Psalm 2:7

Verse 8 - Deut. 18:9-11, 20:8, Judges 7:3, Psalm 106:36-38, Jeremiah 3:7-10

Verse 9 - 

Verse 10 - Ezekiel 40:2, 43:5, Isaiah 2:2-3, 4:1-5, 25:6-26:2, Micah 4:1-2

Verse 11 - Isaiah 58:8, 60:1,2, 19 Daniel 12:3, Ezekiel 43:2

Verse 12 -  Isaiah 26:1, Ezekiel 40:5,6

Verse 13 - Ezekiel 48:31-34

Verse 14 - 1 Chron. 24:3-19, 26:17-19, Isaiah 54:11-12,

Verse 15 - Ezekiel 40:3-5,

Verse 16 - Zechariah 1:16, 2:2,

Verse 17 - Deut. 3:5, 28:52,

Verse 18 - 1 Kings 6:20-22

Verse 19-20-21 - Ezekiel 28:17-21, 39:14 Isaiah 54:11,12, Lam. 4:1-2, 

Verse 22 - Haggai 2:9, Jer. 3:16-17, Isaiah 65:17,

Verse 23 - Isaiah 24:23, 30:26, 60:19-20, Zech. 14:6,7

Verse 24 - Isaiah 60:3,5

Verse 25-26 - Isaiah 60:11

Verse 27 - Leviticus 10:10, Isaiah 52:1, Ezekiel 44:9, Psalm 68:30, 72:10,

Revelation 19 Verses and References

 Revelation 19 

We have just seen the justice that was given to Babylon in Chapter 18 this leads to the praise at the start of Chapter 19.

Verse 1 - Psalm 113-118 are the hallel Psalms.  Hallelujah is Hebrew for praise Yahweh and I have to believe it is the sovereign hand of God that has preserved this Hebrew phrase and directly inserted it into so many other peoples and languages.

Verse 2 - The specific reason for this praise is the judgment of Babylon. Jer. 51:25, 2 Kings 9:7 the “hand” is figurative language for the oppressive power. The cry of “how long” in Rev. 6:10 has been answered. Psalm 79:10, Deut. 32:43, 

Verse 3 - Divine judgment. Isaiah 34:9-10,

Verse 4 - Psalm 106:42-48

Verse 5 - Psalm 22:23, 133:1, 135:1

Verse 6-8 The exhortation to praise is met with mighty praise. By judging and dispensing with the world system that pretended to be on the throne, the truth of who really is on the throne is praised.  “The existence of Babylon was a necessary factor in the bride’s preparation for the marriage. How is this so? Babylon’s oppression and temptation was the fire ultimately used by God to refine the saints’ faith to prepare them to enter the heavenly city."  1 Peter 4;12, 19, Phil. 1:28-30. The righteous deeds are holding, persevering in the testimony of Yeshua. The bride “prepares herself” and is “given”. Lev. 20:7,8; Phil. 2:7,8 Verse 7 - Psalm 118:24; 1 Chron. 16:28,31; Isaiah 62:1-5; Hos. 2:20; 

Verse 8 - Zech. 3:5,6; Isaiah 52:11; 61:10; Psalm 45:13; 132:9; Ezek. 1:24; Isaiah 44:23; Amos 3:13,4:13

Verse 9 - The blessing of being an individual within the group who is invited to the banquet is emphasized. Meals with God have been a theme throughout scripture. Isaiah 25:6-9; Genesis 18; Exodus 24:9-11; The last supper, the post-resurrection meal by the lake. The principle is included in “those who hunger now, being satisfied”. Marriage, feast and vindication flow through Isaiah 54:5-55:5 also.

Verse 10 - Angels proclaim from heaven and we from the earth and so we are brothers, but the presence of an angel must be overwhelming because John does this twice. All true prophecy is a testimony to Yeshua. Joel 2:28-32; Ezek. 39:29

Verse 11 - “Then I saw”  is an introduction to another vision. The beast and his forces were God’s agent in defeating Babylon and now they must be defeated. Psalm 9:8, 72:2; 96:13, 98:9; Isaiah 11:4, 65:16; Jer. 42:5;

Verse 12 - Fiery eyes are associated with judgment. Many diadems emphasize that this is the true King. 

Verse 13 - Isaiah 63:1- 3;

Verse 14 - Many scriptures have angels in this army and some have saints.

Verse 15 - Isaiah 49:2; 11:4; Hosea 6:5; Psalm 2:8,9; Micah 5:6; Isaiah 63:2-6; 

Verse 16 - Psalm 72; Daniel 4:37; 

Verse 17,18 - Ezek. 39:4, 17-20; The goal of many sections of Ezekiel is to reveal the divine name by saving Israel and judging God and Magog.

Verse 19 - Gathering for war Ezek. 38:2-9, 39:2; Zechariah 12-14 and Zeph. 3

Verse 20 - Numbers 16:33; Psalm 55:15; Daniel 7:11; The one sentence "battle" that takes place, would be better characterized as a "vanquishing!"

Verse 21 - Ezek. 38:20-23

Revelation 17 and 18

                                                   Revelation 17 and 18 Overview

One book, one story. At the tower of Babel the nations were scattered and put under the dominion of gods who were in rebellion. This created a world system in opposition to God and His plan. God chose Abram and declared that He would make a nation out of Abram. The Babylon economic and religious world system continues to this day. It must be judged and done away with in order for restoration to come. Different empires have at different times embodied this system, but it is key to see that the statue of the dream from the book of Daniel was one statue.  No matter what nation or system is heading this up at the end of the age, it is the system and the powers behind it that are being judged and eliminated.  Babylon is portrayed as being in the wilderness but on many waters. (Rev. 17:1,3)  Babylon is said to be supported by peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. Many are deceived and cling to her for material success and security. It appears to be an economic religious system that believers are warned to come out of. The beast appears to be a political-military system. These two systems are married, the kingdom that is ruling becomes the driver of the economy. Only at the very end of time does God cause a division among these two systems and the beast turns on and destroys the Babylon system. Since the two systems have been “hand in glove” from the tower of Babel onward it is easy to see how the woman personifying the systems would say, “I will never…”  The picture of God causing enemy armies to turn on each other is not a new one in scripture and so it happens again at this last time.

Large portions of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel 7 and Jeremiah are brought to mind by all that we see in these two chapters. 

Economic alliances equated with idolatry Isaiah 23:1-18; Nahum 3:4 Ezekiel 16:1-36

Isaiah 21:1-10 the prophet is given a vision in the desert that speaks of the fall of Babylon.

Daniel 7 the heads the horns the 10 kings, the rise and fall of the beast.

Jeremiah 51:7-8 Babylon intoxicates the earth and falls suddenly.

“Any institution or facet of culture that is characterized by pride, economic overabundance, persecution and idolatry is part of Babylon.”  

“Mystery” often involves the fulfillment of prophecy in a reverse or ironic manner.

Part of the portrayal of Babylon comes from the portrayal of Jezebel in 1 Kings.

Protection from deception is given for those seeking God and understanding Daniel 11:33, 12:10.

Verse 11 7th 8th, Proverbs 6:16, Eccl. 11:2, Micah 5:5.  Numbers can and are used symbolically at times.

Ezekiel 16 and 23 have judgement coming on Israel for playing the harlot with the nations.

“Come out of her” Isaiah 48:20, 52:11; Jer. 50:8, 51:6,45

Revelation 18 

Babylon and Edom’s destruction. Isaiah 13:21; 34:11,14;

Tyre’s destruction Ezekiel 26-28

Verse 6 being paid back double may not be a good translation it may be “given the equivalent of her work” Isaiah 40:2; Jer. 16:18;

Verse 7 Isaiah 47:7,8

Verse 8 Isaiah 47:9,14;

Verse 9-11 Ezek. 27-29-36; 26:16

Verse 12-13 Ezek. 27:7-25;

Verse 17-19 Ezek. 27:28-33

Verse 20-21 Jeremiah 51

Sorcery, fornication and Idolatry are often mentioned together in the prophets.

The Marks of the New Birth a sermon by John Wesley

 So I will post this here and make it my goal to come back and listen to it soon and/or read it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntmUzpg0Cik

http://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-sermons-of-john-wesley-1872-edition/sermon-18-the-marks-of-the-new-birth/

GO AGAIN!

 Then the LORD said to me, “Go again; show love to a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, just as the LORD loves the Israelites though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.”   Hosea 3:1

The gift and the calling of God are irrevocable.

SILENCE!   

I say to all the voices that proclaim otherwise.

You are lying about the faithfulness of God.

CEASE!

DESIST!

KNOCK IT OFF!

Cyrus and the Treasures of Darkness

 I wonder if there is more to this section than meets the eye or if it is just saying, "Part of my proof to you Cyrus that I am the God of all the gods is that I will give you secret and hidden treasures." Just a very practical, down-to-earth acknowledgment that as part of his plunder when he conquers other lands, God will reveal to him where the people tried to hide their treasures and his kingdom will be richer and stronger because of it.   It is such a powerful section of scripture, given to the prophet Isaiah before Cyrus was even born.  Cyrus a foreign king, given the designation "anointed" Messiah!  Wow.

Isaiah 45 Thus says the Lord to Cyrus His anointed,

Whom I have taken by the right hand,
To subdue nations before him
And [a]to loose the loins of kings;
To open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:
2 “I will go before you and make the [b]rough places smooth;
I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.
3 “I will give you the [c]treasures of darkness
And hidden wealth of secret places,
So that you may know that it is I,
The Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.
4 “For the sake of Jacob My servant,
And Israel My chosen one,
I have also called you by your name;
I have given you a title of honor
Though you have not known Me.
5 “I am the Lord, and there is no other;
Besides Me there is no God.
I will [d]gird you, though you have not known Me;
6 That [e]men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun
That there is no one besides Me.
I am the Lord, and there is no other,
7 The One forming light and creating darkness,
Causing [f]well-being and creating calamity;
I am the Lord who does all these.

Footnotes

1. Isaiah 45:1 Lit I will loose
2. Isaiah 45:2 Another reading is mountains
3. Isaiah 45:3 Or hoarded treasures
4. Isaiah 45:5 Or arm
5. Isaiah 45:6 Lit they
6. Isaiah 45:7 Or peace

Let's talk about it, this is a conversation starter!