Things tend toward degeneration, and without vigilance, constant maintenance and reform, decline into total decay and finally destruction. So, now as a church and nation we stand at this precipice, having lacked the will and fortitude to perform the necessary periodic maintenance, without the strength to reform, choosing comfort and “peace,” thinking it is found in sloth and abandoning our natural instincts to fight, have opted instead to lay down in surrender and die a death by suicide. Even the strongest among us now has become as a woman, without strength, choosing the comfort in the arms of the same domestic enemies who pillaged our treasure, perverted all equity in judgment, as they destroyed all truth and rational discourse. These, our captors, use their power in government to force all into relying on its protection and provision, and have rendered inviable all other options. The end they have inevitably chosen for us is a self-inflicted collapse.
Of course, these same people seeing only from the perspective of their power think themselves immune to what they have inescapably inflicted on those they have led into this abyss. They, blinded as was Samson, realizing they have become captive of their own lacking and lust, have (seemingly) choosen to use their final remaining strength to pull the house down upon itself.
Friends, I have hoped we would reform, but I fear we (church and nation) have instead chosen the end we have here discussed many times – total collapse. The ship will not make it through this. There will be a remnant that will make it through, and they should consider what will be built upon the rubble.
Thus says the LORD:
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the LORD;
23 (As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the LORD, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon [those hearing/understanding]; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the LORD’s Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 LORD, now let you your servant depart in peace, according to your word:
30 For mine eyes have seen your salvation,
31 Which you have prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.
33 And Joseph [those separated as divine provision] and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary [those rebelling against the corrupted establishment] his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 And there was one Anna [favored], a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel [those seeing the face of God], of the tribe of Asher [those prospering honestly – happy (blessed) are they]: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the LORD, and spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the LORD, they returned into Galilee [the inner circle], to their own city Nazareth [those separated for God’s purposes].
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why have you thus dealt with us? behold, your father and I have sought you sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that you sought me? know you not that I must be about my Father’s business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spoke unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
This is the LORD telling us of the consolation that comes as our being blessed with a child born as the established and corrupted nation and church destroy themselves. Telling of this was also the prominent accusation against the LORD at His crucifixion, as it is again now, saying that he said, “I will destroy these, and in three days raise them up.” What he actually said was, what I am actually saying is, “You will (have by neglect) destroy these, and after three days I will (I am) raise them up again.”
The aspect of those thinking they will use the same old destructive and corrupted ways to rebuild, even now that they know it is the only way, refusing to acknowledge they can’t use the same means that destroyed church and nation to raise it to life. Should the people look for life to the dead?
Isaiah 8 begins by speaking of the writer going into the prophetess and she bearing a son named Maher-shalal-hash-baz, meaning have (instant) to the spoil, eagerly to the plunder. This is the original reference to what is said in Luke 2:36 above and the prophetess who comes to the LORD in that instant (verse 38) and speaking to all those looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
All of these facets are spoken of in Isaiah 7, 8 & 9, which were discussed in the prior post. This is the light sent into the darkness, that lights upon Israel [Luke2:32 & Isaiah 9:8] – those who will see the face of God and rule with Him as He raises up Him nation and church in righteousness. (Read the prior post.)
Isaiah 9
2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before you according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4 For you have broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
8 The LORD sent a word into Jacob, and it has lighted upon Israel.
9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,
10 The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.
11 Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together;
12 The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
13 For the people turns not unto him that smites them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.
14 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.
15 The ancient and honorable, he is the head; and the prophet that teaches lies, he is the tail.
16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
Friends, those ignorant men who have led us into hell think this is some kind of game they can play, making up their own rules as they go. They have chosen their end. This isn’t a game, and they don’t make or change My rules.
Luke 2:32 above is quoted from Isaiah 42:6, not only telling of the LORD coming as a light to lighten the gentiles, but as a covenant to Israel. Isaiah goes on to end the chapter speaking of these men as those who by rejected the LORD advice having set themselves on fire, and they don’t even know it. These are the same fires 2 Peter 3 speaks of. Again, as we have many times discussed, their corrupted thinking, the foundational ideas upon which these destroyers of the earth base their decisions and policy, are the “element” that melt away. We know the word there used to tell of the “elements,” that melt from the same fires their corrupted ideas themselves create, is stoicheion, meaning foundational principles. We are told there of our looking for a New heaven, and New Earth, wherein dwells righteousness (truth and equitable justice – “to order it,” Isaiah 9:7 above).
When Luke 2:25 speaks of this as the “consolation” of Israel (the light to the gentiles and the glory in Israel as the light lighted upon them) Luke uses the Greek word paraklesis, meaning the work of the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit (the one unseen and unknown – secreted name).
This word is used to perfectly describe what is waited for. It is translated as “exhortation” in Hebrew 12:5 to tell us what we have forgotten if we think this correction from the LORD is some strange thing.
It says, “5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My son, despise not you the chastening of the LORD, nor faint when you are rebuked of him: 6 For whom the LORD loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.”
This is a quote from Proverbs 3:11 & 12, and there we see the full context of the correction and the way of the LORD is creating His New Heaven and New Earth, wherein dwells righteousness.
Proverbs 3
1 My son, forget not my law; but let your heart keep my commandments:
2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you: bind them about your neck; write them upon the table of your heart:
4 So shall you find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to your navel, and marrow to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your substance, and with the first-fruits of all your increase:
10 So shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst out with new wine.
11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12 For whom the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights.
13 Happy [blessed] is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding.
14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things you canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retains her.
19 The LORD by wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding has he established the heavens.
20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21 My son, let not them depart from your eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 So shall they be life unto your soul, and grace to your neck.
23 Then shall you walk in your way safely, and your foot shall not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you shall not be afraid: yea, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.
25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes.
26 For the LORD shall be your confidence, and shall keep your foot from being taken.
27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.
28 Say not unto your neighbor, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when you have it by you.
29 Devise not evil against your neighbor, seeing he dwells securely by you.
30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done you no harm.
31 Envy you not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
32 For the forward [twisted or perverted] is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesses the habitation of the just.
34 Surely he scorns the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
Isaiah 42
1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
5 Thus says God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which comes out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
6 I the LORD have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and give you for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
10 Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, you that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.
11 Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar does inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.
12 Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.
13 The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.
14 I have long time held my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
15 I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.
16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
17 They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, You are our gods.
18 Hear, you deaf; and look, you blind, that you may see.
19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD’s servant?
20 Seeing many things, but you observe not; opening the ears, but he hears not.
21 The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable.
22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivers; for a spoil, and none says, Restore.
23 Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?
24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.
25 Therefore he has poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it has set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.
2 Peter 3
1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 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:
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 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 the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 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.
9 The LORD is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our LORD is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him has written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
