Bible Questions Page 25

Ze.4:11-14 (2 of 2)

Two Witnesses

The four living beasts on the other hand are shown in the vision of John constantly praising God."And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy,LordGod Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." They work in tandem.( In the vision of the seven golden candlesticks these two olive trees are given a body. )

The emblem of the slain Lamb was a symbol in heaven but when Jesus came to the world he was seen as the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. By the same token spirit and soul of man serves him as two witnesses. So when David says,

"Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?/If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there./If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;/Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." (Ps.139:7-10).

This foreknowledge revealed to John the Baptist who Jesus of Nazareth was. God had revealed to him as He revealed Simon Peter. " He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?/ And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God./ And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." (Matt.16:15-17) Similarly David found it amazing.

Ze.4:11-14

Two Witnesses

Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?

12And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?

13And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

14Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by theLordof the whole earth.

They are the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.. The spirit and soul of every man are represented therein. God is a Spirit which is one. In the night vision of Daniel the Son of Man is given dominion and it being a vision the Spirit is specific: like the Son of man, "behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him."(Dan.7:13).

'The books were opened and the judgment was set' in v.10 is about the everlasting covenant Thus the Lord Almighty in terms of the Law and judgment is one party and the God the Son is the other party in the Fellowship between God and Man. In the fulness of time the Son shall have a body, the word become flesh is thus about Father Son relationship where when God breathes into the nostrils of Adam he becomes a living soul and his spirit also is formed in him.(12:1) Thus the relation man holds with God is primarily in the matter of body where the spirit and soul are two witnesses. The two witnesses are like olive branches sustaining a man of God so he shall be able to worship God in Spirit and truth. That is love the Lord with all heart and might. Ignore them is at your peril.

It is for this reason God has two memorials in heaven, the twenty-four elders ("The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him"-Re.4:10) whose prayer is one aspect of body.

The Rapture (part 3) REASONS FOR THE RAPTURE

I have in other posts described why the Rapture is going to occur. It fulfills scriptures such as Malachi 3:16 in the book of remembrance of those who OFTEN talk about the Lord and it is to reward those who patiently wait for His coming ( James 1:12 and other supporting text). My commentary also discussed how it is for the reunion of all the saints; past and present at the Lord's feet; and for us to be presented in the church as "kings and priests" who will rule and reign with Him ( Rev. 5:10). We are the armies of heaven who will eventually return with Christ in Revelation 19:14; and be accompanied by angels as well.

Psalm 40:3 shows how many shall see and fear us being lifted up from the miry clay (verses 1-2). The provoking of the Jews to jealousy ( Romans 11:14) perhaps will occur when the times of the Gentiles are full ( Romans 11:25). In any event the time of Jacob's trouble is specifically for the week of testing for seven years ( Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 9:26-27) which is also known as Daniel's 70th week.

Let us assume for a moment that the Rapture IS going to happen before the end of this year for instance. How many are ready for His coming? How many have their garments unspotted and unwrinkled ( Eph. 5:27). I have mentioned before that whether people believe the Rapture is Pretribulation or some other later date; it is the fruit of our lives that is most important. A theoretical concept won't keep those away who are true servants of the Master; but I guarantee those who are espousing a PreTrib Rapture but whose lives are not according to His will will by and large be shocked in many cases being left behind. Whether all these people never believed inthe first place or the Rapture is a reward issue; surely a great multitude will be saved but die as martyrs in the Tribulation ( Rev. 7:9). That is the purpose for the Tribulation for God's children; along with gathering the unregenerate for destruction.

Has anybody seen the Mike Lindell deposition? I know as Christians we can get upset and frustrated, but we really need to watch what we say. We are what non-believers see as "Christian." He is using profanity and such during the deposition. Watch on youtube.

James 3:1-12 (KJV) 1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Ze.3:5-10

"Helmet of Salvation"

And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment./And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of theLordstood by."

Joshua is held up before Prophet Zechariah as a figure in an objective lesson and in vision the time aspect bears no relation to the earth time. He represents those who are saved in the eleventh hour. Jesus had this mind when he during his earthly discourses laid down the mode of inversion, "So the last shall be first, and the first last:"(Matt.20:16). Also significant is the Parable he spoke preceding it. Merely because these 144,000 were allowed in the eleventh hour and were given change of raiment, neither the office of royalty nor the priesthood suffers because it is God who settled the matter. "Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?" Jesus Christ did not die for a few but for the whole mankind. It is God who has equipped those whom He has chosen in the Son. "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father;" We have received of his fulness and grace for grace. So when the Lord commands.'Let them set a fair mitre upon his head' it is salvation. Not because a TV evangelist can thump a Bible better and draw more viewers.

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"(Ep.6:17)

Ze.3:1

Joshua the High Priest(1 of 2)

"And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of theLord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him."

This vision is revealed by the 'a man with a measuring line in his hand' who figures in the preceding chapter, so we may assume the line is introduced in connection with a latter temple which is in the pipeline as the expression is, since there is nothing of the former extant. Haggai's prophecy now comes in focus, "For thus saith theLordof hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;/And I will shake all nations," (Hag.2:6-7). As with visions we are looking at the Now in the determined will of God.

What is a temple without the High Priest? Here the angel of the Lord points out to Zechariah Joshua the high priest. The same time we come across in the Book of Haggai, "Came the word of theLordby the prophet Haggai, saying,/Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest,"(Hag.2:1-2)" With regards to the accuracy of names no one shall dispute.

Instead we shall consider the circumstances in which Joshua is placed. Satan is contending with the Lord with regards to the person, "Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel." The Lord asks Satan, 'is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?'. God is referring to the great tribulation and Joshua is brought in as representing Jesus Christ. ("consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus" -He.3:1) The Hebrew name Joshua means 'God is our salvation' hellenized name for Jesus. In short the vision as presented before the prophet speaks of the authority of God to choose and people Jerusalem according to His own will and pleasure.

So what we have God's reproof of Satan's audacity to murmur. "And theLordsaid unto Satan, TheLordrebuke thee, O Satan

Ze.1: 12 (3 of 3)

"Seventy Years"

"Then the angel of theLordanswered and said, OLordof hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?"(v.12)

Here the 70 has double purpose. It refers to the years of captivity God had set down. It is also a command number (7x10) to indicate the latter days.. In the Gospel of St Luke Jesus sends the other 70 disciples. (One interesting feature is that Satan falling from heaven is mentioned only in terms of this mission.(Luke10:17-18). Thus we need settle the time period for the vision of Four Carpenters towards the end. They shall step in on the history of nations, to which we have two sets of angels with seven trumpets and angels with seven vials respectively. (Re.8-19). In between Ch.12 and ch.13 provide us insights into the great tribulation overwhelming the Gentile nations. If the Lord permits we shall come to it by and by.

And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.

20And theLordshewed me four carpenters.

21Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.

Ze.1:7-17

The Man Among the Myrtle Trees (2 of 3)

The boisterous winds in heaven mirror on the earth so the sea is always synonymous for restless sea, "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt."(Is.57:20). There is no stopping till God steps in and bring judgment upon the four beasts. So what peace are we looking at?

The only answer is in the vision of St. John."And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth,"(Re.7:1). From the following verses it shall be clear that a body of 'the nation of Israel' has to be preserved. They shall be as trees of righteousness as myrtle tree signifies. Compare with 144,000 the first fruits standing with the Lamb on Mount Sion.(Re.14:1)

Who are they? There is no more temple worship, no king and no more Levitical priesthood. Yet we have here Joshua ( along with Zerubabbel) an historical personage figuring in the vision. "And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of theLord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him." Satan is resisting him before the most High, with 'facts'. But by holding up the four winds the angels at the command has set curfew 'which is the half an hour silence in heaven' signifying that Satan and his cohorts shall not interfere in this translation. "And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour." (Re.8:1)

Thus a brief respite is allowed for the left-behind church to step into the void just as Seth stepped in place of Abel whom Cain slew. This group shall be in place of Israel till a remnant from them make up the body of Christ or New Jerusalem.

Ze.1:1-6 (2 of 2)

"The Word"

The imagery which Zechariah uses of the stone, having eyes is with regards to the Branch. "For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes." The seven eyes refers to this verse, "stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth."(Re.5:9) Spirit of God is the driver behind the first vision of the myrtle tree.

3Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith theLordof hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith theLordof hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith theLordof hosts.

4Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith theLordof hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith theLord.

5Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?

6But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as theLordof hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

Ze.1:1-6 (1 of 2)

"The Word"

1In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of theLordunto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,/

"TheLordhath been sore displeased with your fathers." The Babylonian captivity gave Daniel another vision as only as distance permits a man to get an objective look for what Jerusalem really represented. God's promises shall never change so while we consider Jerusalem her glory shall never be on the earth. This is the whole burden of this book.

The captivity similarly gave Haggai who was more a contemporary of Zechariah yet another view.."Once more (itisa little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land;and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations."(Hag.2:6-7)

In order to understand the drift of Zechariah's visions, we need have a thorough understanding of Haggai. Especially this verse."The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,' says the LORDof hosts. 'And in this place I will give peace,' says the LORDof hosts." (Hag.2:9). This glory is not created on the earth by free will offering of the people as was the case with tabernacle in the wilderness. Not was it in the case of King Solomon. All that gold and silver amassed by David and his son were scattered since their disobedience necessitated God to take some drastic steps. There shall no more kings to lead them for the simple reason that there was nothing to bind them as one. They had rejected the statutes which the Lord faults them through Zechariah, "But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers?"(v.6)

The Lord had enough of their offerings. For this reason Haggai says,"The silverisMine, and the goldisMine,' says the LORDof hosts.(Hag.2:8-NKJV). In place of rituals and traditions of their fathers He wanted them to have fleshy hearts.

Romans 8:12-13

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Romans 6:16-23

16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

One can have all the enteral security they want, if they stayed secured. But not when they sin.

Every word of God is pure! ( Proverbs 30:5-6)

The word (pure) is #2889; it means sound, clear, unadulterated, uncontaminated, innocent or holy.

Comparing the KJB and the Nasb.

KJB ( Col 1:14) "In whom we have redemption through his blood"'

The Nasb says "in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins"

Here the Nasb removes the blood of Jesus Christ!

KJB ( 2 Sam 21:19) Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite.

The Nasb says "Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite"

Here the Nasb says Elhanan killed Goliath, wouldn't that be adding to the Word? ( Prov 30:5-6) ( Rev 22:18-19)

KJB ( Jn 7:8) Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.

The Nasb says "Go up to the feast yourselves; I am not going up to this feast, because my time is not yet fully arrived".

Jesus went to the feast so the Nasb is making Jesus look like He's a liar, but ( Proverbs 30:5-6)

KJB ( Jn 6:47) "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life"

The Nasb says "Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who believes has eternal life"

The KJB is the Inspired Word of God! There are many verses where Jesus tells us we should keep His Words!

All modern versions fit perfectly with this verse ( Jer 23:36) The word (perverted) is #2015; it means to turn about or over, to change, overturn pervert, change. Someone is changing the words of the living God, that would be all modern version bibles.

( 1 Tim 4:1) In the (latter times which is our time now) many will give heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.

( 2 Tim 4:3-4) Do you not see that the Nasb is doctrine that's not sound? You could safely say its even anti-Jesus!

Modern versions are all the same, they are only words of men, these bibles are not Inspired by God!

The Truth matters.

Blessings.

Do we have the True Word of God today?

( Isa 45:22-23) v23 "I have (sworn) by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return.

The word (sworn) is #7650; it means to be complete, to seven oneself, (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) charge (by an oath, with an oath)

( Ps 12:6-7) v6) The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified (seven) times.

The word (seven) is #7659; it means dual adverb of 7651, seven times, 7651; from 7650, a primary cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one) an infinite number, 7650; to be complete, to seven oneself, (as if repeating a declaration seven times) charge (by an oath, with an oath). The same meaning as the word (sworn) As God said "I have sworn by myself the word is gone out of my mouth"..

Also a time in the Bible is 1 year, so purified (seven) (times) is purified 7 years. It took 7 years to finish the translation of the KJB.

( 2 Tim 3:16) "All scripture is given by inspiration of God". The word (scripture) is #1124; it means a document, holy Writ, (or its contents or a statement in it) especially to write, write (-ing, -ten)

The scripture that is inspired by God is a written document!

One that we have today! ( 2 Tim 2:15) "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth". If we are told to "Study" and "rightly divide the word of truth" then we most defiantly do have scripture, the word of truth in a written document with us today!

( 2 Pet 1:19-21) v20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the (scripture) is of any private interpretation. v21 "but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost". (scripture) is #1124; its a written document, holy Writ, the same meaning as the scripture inspired by God in ( 2 Tim 3:16)

moved by the Holy Ghost? What does the Holy Ghost do?

( Jn 14:26) "he shall teach you all things" He taught them all things

( Rev 22:7) ( Rev 22:18-19)

Can man, today, be given the spiritual gift of healing as Jesus and some of his disciples had back in the New Testament times.

Re.21:13-15 Part V "Holy City of God" (3 of 7)

"And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city"

Here the Spirit instructs us how the city of God shall be measured. "The angel speaking with St John had a golden reed. This measurement is uniform for both worlds of the Spirit and the earth. "According to the measure of Christ so the Gospel of God is same as that of Gospel of Christ. The length of 12x1000 refers to the gospel work so we are not looking at the day appointed for the Son but 'now is the day of our salvation.' It is 120. This basic unit of 120 days we already mentioned in the post Blood of the Lamb.( Ge.6:3)

"And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years." 12x10 refers to the Son of man who reconciled both heaven and the earth and St Paul speaks of Jesus Christ who holds them both (Col.1:16) Thus his atoning work brought us under a single scale and 120x100 speaks the entire day decreed for the Son. Both length breadth and height of it are equal. Every saint redeemed from the earth has thus a certain volume in which both worlds of the Spirit and the earth are represented.

The golden reed represents faith. Faith is one as gospel is. ("One Lord, one faith, one baptism"- Ep.4.5)

This is set on a mountain, curiously enough the Spirit sets Ezekiel in his vision under almost identical circumstance. ."(Ez.40:2-3) Notice the significance of line of flax in his hand? The angel is none other than a fellow servant even as John whose measuring reed is mentioned specifically stated. We see in these two same distinction between the vision where Ezekiel as with Daniel represents the nation of Israel. Both mountain serving as a backdrop establishes Zion as intended, as His holy habitation.

The BEST way to defend yourself against the cunning deceptions of Satan like Universalism and such is to gird yourself with a thorough knowledge of God's Word and a firm commitment to obedience. Yet many Christians remain vulnerable because they're unwilling to do that.

Vagabond (1 of 2)

Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me." (v.14)

A vagabond is one with no fixed address floating around like invasive species creating problems to the law and native citizenry. Cain realizes that he was one. God as the creator drives him out as he had sent his father from His presence. Even where his parents had reared with sweat of their labor he was too hot to handle. God gave him good counsel as to how he could manage his anger but no! he simply could not handle the burden of sin. Now he was a murderer and a slave to sin. Jesus was a son who learned his lessons well so when he came to the world he had understood the key to an overcoming life. He was the truth. He said with an emphasis, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin./ And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever." ( John 8:34-35)

Jesus was the truth so he would in the likeness of men would say "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."(Matt,8:30) But does that make him a vagabond? "I am the Truth and he assured, "In my Father's house are many mansions." Jesus was well aware where he came from and where he was going to. He was the Word become flesh so he submitted himself to perfect the will of the Father.

Parenthesis

While speaking of the unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost it is as though coming from Trinity. (Matt.12:31-32). 'Therefore I say unto you' in v.31 is from the Son and the following verse is from the Father. This coming from the Holy Ghost would go against his own narrative mode. In the Gospel of John Jesus speaking about the Holy Ghost speaks thus," Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.( John 16:13). 'He shall not speak of himself'. For this reason it is implied that the Trinity is witnessing the unpardonable sin is accounted on anyone who disregards the warning.

There is a time lapse, which is not because God is slow in hearing the prayers of a saint. The Holy Ghost the third office organizes the will of God according to the Word so the timing is perfect. In Daniel's case the angel of his Presence had to attend what changes in the light of his request. "The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia," (Dan.10:13-ESV).This mode of parenthesis ought to inform the length breadth and depth of Power and Wisdom of God.

The intent of the word wide web also throws light on the Law. "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple."(Ps.19:7) Jesus obeyed the will of his Father and it was not only in big events like his death and resurrection but in obedience to the word. Marriage at Cana has this" "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come."( John 2:4), and this, "Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready." ( John 7:6). "And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified."( John 12:23)

Kangaroo Words (2 of 3)

In order to fix part of the divine Will in the narrative we have such expressions, 'In the fullness of times, in the beginning in the latter days. While we have time as intended by the Son which are already in the flux. "And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.(Re.9:15)". An hour a day a month or a year are as an expression for judgments that do not make a full end but warn man to 'Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord( Ac.3:19-NIV)'." "Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed-without remedy

(Pr.29:1-NIV)".

Names serve as kangaroo words throwing up long shadows. Creation of Eve is an example. "And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living." (Ge.3:20). Adam assigning his wife the name, Eve, has led some scholars conclude it as an example of paronomasia. The Hebrew word hawwa is a play on the word meaning 'life'. Does God need play with words?

The Spirit uses the role of Eve in relation to Adam who foreshadows Christ the head. His deep sleep anticipates his death and Eve expresses his body, the church. Adam in giving the name 'mother of all living' is on the basis 'I am the truth and the life.'

"Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is (De.10:4)".

The expression 'the heaven and the heaven of heavens' is similar to 'time and times and the dividing of time.' Daniel the seer refers to the latter days. "And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time(Dan.7:25).

Kangaroo words (1 of 3)

While explaining the fulness of God in his Son the Spirit splices his deity and humanity explains kangaroo words, end time events riding the specific events as well as persons doubling for the advent of the Son 'in the fulness of time. For instance the spirit of Christ and the indwelling Spirit after his Ascension are all pointing to the fulness of God.Consequently the Spirit loads words with spiritual shadows. God sent 'his only begotten Son' refers to the logos aspect of Jesus Christ.

Whereas the sons of God who went into the daughters of men and corrupted the old world are rogue elements not being subject to the word.( Ge. 6:2). Ishamael and Isaac are both sons of Abraham but one is the son of promise. In order to distinguish the Word becoming flesh, from humanity of Jesus, Promise of the Word necessitate this narrative mode as we see in the matter of God tempting Abraham. Before Abraham could harm his son the angel of the Lord restrains hi Notice the usage of 'the only son' in this verse, "For now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me."(Ge.22:12b). Both examples are set in direct frame of reference to the Son of man. Isaac is the heir of promise while Ishmael is the son of the bondmaid.

The Spirit incorporates the deity and humanity of the Son to delineate them in the larger context of the Father Son fellowship. Kangaroo words similarly set events within another. Thus Israel being led through the wilderness is an example. "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.(1 Co.10:11-AKJV)" But what is the spiritual principle for the Kangaroo Words? Abiding in Christ like branches to the true Vine we are connected to the world of the Spirit. This 'being hid in Christ' we are in heavenly places. (Col.3:1-3)

God's plans for the Nations (part 4)

We are in the "Church Age" at this point; and heading toward the final version of the "Revived Roman Empire" as seen in Daniel 2:42-44. The final composite kingdom of the Antichrist is like a lion (Babylonian symbol but modern day Great Britain); a bear (Media Persian symbol also Russia) a leopard (fitting into the Greek or Mediterranean Kingdom); and the final composite Beast of the last days which encompasses the entire earth ( Daniel 7:2-8). This will come eventually with the Antichrist for "one hour" (probably the 7 Year Tribulation) taking over a kingdom of 10 Kings who are yet to have a kingdom ( Revelation 17:12).

Since nations are still mentioned in verses about the Millennium ( Psalm 86:9 as one example) coming to the Lord it is clear they are in God's design to be restored. For now; territorial integrity is important; although God will have to settle many disputes when He comes ( Isaiah 2:4).

God has established through the Abrahamic covenant and other promises to Joshua and Caleb that He would give the 12 Tribes inheritance of all the territory described from the "Great Sea" to the Euphrates ( Joshua 1:4). God does honor covenants though; so agreements made with those in other nations or even Israel itself say with settlements should be honored.

We also need to keep in mind Joshua 5:14 where the Angel of the Lord states He is for the Lord's army not necessarily siding with anyone. This is why God allowed Israel's enemies to prosper at times for chastisement; as was made clear in God's prophecies about Babylon and even the pagan invaders stated this (although I can't find the verse at present). It is humbling to think about this at present; we in our proud nation think the worst thing to happen would be invasion from another nation and submission but are we better than Israel and the Babylonians? This may happen before the Tribulation if He tarries (our borders are already breached BTW). Food for thought.

Countless people have pastored churches, taught Sunday school classes, led Bible studies, sung in choirs, and been involved in every conceivable area of ministry only to one day abandon their ministries and embrace the world. Somehow they stopped resisting the Devil and lost the courage to stand firm. How about you? Is your commitment strong? Are you willing to stand firm for the Lord today?

The Indwelling Spirit

The attitude of a believer to the spirit of life is demonstrated in this incident "And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?/ But he(Jesus) turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of./ For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."( Luke 9:54-56) John was for imitating the exploits of Elias while Jesus was for fulfilling the will of God. John and James had to learn which would come by and by, and only after they received the Holy Spirit. As many as are led by the Spirit are the children of God.

Water and fire are two witnesses to which Jesus alluded in Luke 12:54-56

The word-wide web set up by the Spirit of God is ever in control so symbols, emblem and events are all in accordance so God is in control. The fourth beast in the vision of Daniel is about to fulfill in not so distant future. "Even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows". Well my readers say hello to the High Tech! Meet the killer robot and AI he is a little gizmo, little horn that has eyes and mouth to speak. " I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them."(Dan.7:20-21) It is the same spirit of Satan even as he gave the beast power to blaspheme. It came out of the ten horns, which indicate he is under judgment.

Who but a man makes a robot works? He cannot work with wisdom of heaven which is the significance of God being with Moses, "And I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." (Ex.4:12). "Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments./For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods"(Ex.7:11-12) The eternal Word in control.

Re 11:13 Part IV (4 of 4)

"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."(Ro.8:11)

God framed worlds with his word so faith shall never be out of step with the will of God. "So that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear' goes for the natural world as well. Water is formed accordingly from atoms of hydrogen and oxygen. So a mist going out of the ground is not wandering out, freed from its leash. The dog knows his master. "But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground." Pendent to this is the characteristic of the soil. Volcanic ash is inert but add water to it is active. It is thus the natural world proves faith and ''Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The Spirit of God working with the waters gives man a hands -on experience of spirit of life. "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?" In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."(1 Co.2:11)

The indwelling Spirit serves as the world of the Spirit bringing heavenly realities into the heart of a believer. The same two witnesses are realized in us so to speak. God breathed into the nostrils of man and made him a living soul. A believer who would be led by the same Spirit that raised up Jesus is in heavenly places, to which the blood of the Lamb is a sign. It serves the same purpose as the slain Lamb before the foundation of the world as an emblem. God rested from his labors on the seventh day and sanctified the day so Jesus made manifest the same faith, and the Lamb of God was led to the slaughter even as the Scriptures indicated. This is the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sins.

The word-wide web set up by the Spirit of God is ever in control of symbols, emblem and events.

Re.11:8-12 (4 of 4)

So as we see these two witnesses could be any city, Babylon, Sodom of Egypt. Jerusalem is associated with the shedding of innocent blood of which the death of the Son on the cross is preeminent in terms of cities. As Nahum lamented, "Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery; the prey departeth not;/ The noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of the pransing horses, and of the jumping chariots./ The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword and the glittering spear: and there is a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcases; and there is none end of their corpses; they stumble upon their corpses:."(Nah.3:1-3)

11:8-12

"After three days and an half spirit of life entered into them"

Here we have another time frame associated with the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. The Spirit uses the tags associated with the Son so the Parable of the Fig tree has the owner of the vineyard complaining, "For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. " Three is a command number, which the Spirit has frequently used to indicate what to look for so our spiritual edification is not on any haphazard manner. In the Psalm quote we have this question, "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?". Only those who are called and it is what we see in the case of two witnesses." "And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them."

Death of saints never stopped the Vanity Fair, and the life shall go on merrily and it has been the case ever since Cain killed his brother. Never a thought that the blood spilled on the ground was an insult to the holiness of God. It is in this connection we need understand the commandment of God to Moses. (See the post under Nu.19:16)

Re.11: 8-12 (3 of 4)

The Earth and the Fulness

"The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein./ For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods./ Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?"(Ps.24:1-3)

Before we take up the topic on hand we shall refresh the matter of the earth and the fulness thereof. The Lord God had intended his Son as his heir. So the fulness of Jesus Christ must be applied as to the entity and its appurtenance. It is a legal term. God established it upon the flood so when the Spirit begins the creation account he informs us, "And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."(Ge.1:2) Thus God optimize the value of his property so we can well understand the concern of the owner in the Parable of the fig tree, "So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'"( Luke 13:7-NIV) And Isaiah has dilated upon his anguish, "And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard./ 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?" (Is.5:3-4)

God sent his prophets from time to time to the earth but the wicked husbandmen treated them vilely and killed many of them. The two witnesses signifying the worlds of the Spirit and of the earth, are presented by the Spirit. They represent from Abel to Zechariah as martyrs and many more. It is in the vein Jerusalem is represented in v.8. This is to be spiritually understood. The Earth abides forever since it belongs to the Son in whom God desired all his fullness to dwell. He is the visible image of the invisible God.

Number 42 (2of 2)

The Spirit gives the beast 42 months to denote that his authority came from Satan himself. So are these children. Do we not see these children of Belial hating a man for color? or for his baldness? Of what business it is for them to judge another man's servant? Children of Belial serve their master and they have another gospel and another christ. "Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. "(Ps.69:4) This was fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ. "But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.'( John 15:25)

The angel talking with John refers to the temple of God to which shows a courtyard, and it falls in with his Jewish background. But the courtyard refers to the camp without where Christ suffered, "Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate."(He.13:12)

The Children of Belial or the Gentiles by their deeds (because of resisting the gospel of Christ) shall injure the building of the church which however shall go on despite of their interference. This shall go on for 42 days.

Number 42 (1 of 2)

"But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months./ And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth."

In order to understand this chapter we shall do well to keep the provision under the Law of Moses. "And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days."Nu.19:11

The Gentiles mentioned here are the unrighteous. The reconciling work of Jesus Christ has done away with the middle wall of partition between the Jews and the Gentiles. These have a form of godliness but they deny the power thereof. In Ps.59 we read of them going about creating tumult and controversies. Swords are in their mouths. "They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city."( Ps. 59:6-7) They are called the children of Belial. On the other hand the righteous are walk by faith and not by sight. St Paul expresses them in this verse, "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him." Having died to sin and the worldly glory they groan inwardly 'that mortality might be swallowed up of life." (2 Co,5:4-6) "The voice of rejoicing and salvation

Is in the tents of the righteous,"( Ps. 118:15-16-NKJV)

Who are the children of Belial? They figure in the life of Elisha. "And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head./ And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them."(2 Ki.2:23-24) The two bears that avenged the prophet serve as two witnesses.

Re.11:1-4 (3of 3)

The Bowl upon the top of it and the manner it fed are the ways of God feeding separately each agency, whether it is the Spirit of Christ or the spirit of counsel, 'Of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace'( John 1:16)

Interesting additions are the two witnesses in the olive trees on either side. The Spirit lays emphasis in the rhetorical question, which he himself answers (vv.12-14) and these are very pendent on the point of golden oil. Two pipes indicate from God the Father and God the son nourishing the prayer and praise aspect of every believer. "Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth"(v.14). The whole tenor of Jesus while on the earth highlighted both aspects.

To sum: the Golden Candlestick bridges each heart to the throne of grace.

In order to understand the significant of numbers used by the Spirit we need a fair grasp of what the ministry of Reconciliation of Jesus intended to achieve. "I am the Resurrection and life" and as such we are dead to the world so we may live in Christ in heavenly places by faith.

"And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein."(11:1) Paraphrasing the word of God every one of us need to answer this question, "where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?" While we are in this earthly tabernacle we are engaged in gathering with Christ and have part as fellow laborers. So the angel asks John to measure the temple himself. Prayer and praise are set as memorial in heaven of which the four and twenty elders and four beast signify Glory of His grace and His Gospel. Are we in step with the realities of heaven or scattering His grace and gospel for praise of men?

Study: Re. 11:1-3 (1 of 3)

Gospel Is One

"And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein./ But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months./ And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth."

"And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth."

What do we make of the term 'my two witnesses'? The clues are given in this chapter. Firstly all power is given to them and it is what we see in the Lamb 'as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth."(Re.5:6) . Power devolved from one who prevailed upon to open the book bound with seven seals is worthy to send them forth on his behalf. "And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon."(Re.5:2-5). It is as though we are seeing the night vision of Daniel through the light of the Son. The Ancient of days gave the authority. "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him./ And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."(Dan.7:13-14)

Secondly they are prophets and also a time frame is appointed as a day is appointed for the Son. Jesus himself gave testimony and it is the spirit of prophecy.