And the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
Continuing: As we saw in the prior post, it’s a simple story that has unfolded before the eyes of all. It is unseen by the faithless and unfaithful because of the ideas (idols) they have created, teach, and worship in God’s place while calling them God. The vail that covers their eyes (understanding minds) is their abusing the word of God and not looking to or waiting for the LORD to reveal its meaning. This is the vail that is still not taken away, and their shame appears as a disappointment when their lies do not come to pass. The condition of their mind is the wilderness we have just been through, to relearn what was once known – before it was replaced with the ways and ideas of captivity and bondage. Therefore, if this good news (gospel) is hidden it is from those who refuse to turn to the LORD, and instead choose to remain in the darkness hoping to hide their shame.
2 Corinthians 3
16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the LORD, the vail shall be taken away.
17 Now the LORD is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the LORD, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD.
2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the LORD; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the LORD Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death work in us, but life in you.
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the LORD Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Friends, these same blind and lost men who have followed gods of their own creation, have turned the truth of God into a lie, and worship their own creations rather than the Creator. These men (church and state) have twisted and perverted truth, abusing it into fables and fiction for which the hearers are lusting.
Romans 1
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen [being revealed now to those who have waited for the LORD and turned to Him from idols], being understood by the things that are made [that now appear], even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the un-corruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense [just reward] of their error which was meet [the inevitable culmination].
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind [without proof they are in the faith], to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
2 Peter 1
16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our LORD Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2 Peter 2
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily [from their own imagination] shall bring [have brought] in damnable heresies, even denying the LORD that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you [words engineered to deceive and manipulate you out of your money, of which the true cost is you lose your soul by trusting their lies]: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not.
4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to Hades, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
9 The LORD knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations [the place where the LORD’s presence and work are denied], and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished [see Isaiah 27:1 and the context in the previous post]:
10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise [God’s] government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the LORD.
12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you [while they are eating and drinking here with us, they keep their lies and idols, attempting to hide them from God’s eyes];
14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor [these men are keeping the idol worship, the same abominations that have cursed God’s people into desolation, and will curse them again if kept], who loved the wages of unrighteousness [they love the money (which is the root of all their evil) they have gotten from the idol worship, more than they love God];
16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: [by] the dumb donkey speaking with man’s voice forbid the madness of the prophet [these false prophets].
17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
The word “devour” in the title, which is from Revelation 12:4, is from the Greek word katesthio, which means to swallow, as the whale (ketos) did Jonah, and the earth did the LORD with a wide-open mouth suppressing and slandering truth. This is the “dragon in the sea” spoken of in Isaiah 27:1, who the LORD punishes in the moment (rega’ – the wink of His eye) of His indignation against the enemies who have devoured His people.
This indignation is what is spoken of in Hebrews 10:27, which will devour the enemies, who have trampled under their feet the son of God and call this work an unholy thing.
Hebrews 10
15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, [in Jeremiah 31:33 & 34]
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the LORD, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus [into the presence of God],
20 By a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that has said, Vengeance belongs unto me, I will recompense, says the LORD. And again, The LORD shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
The LORD’s indignation (Isaiah 26:20) is the Hebrew word za’am, which is God’s verbally expressed displeasure with sin (errors of omission and commision). This is often expressed against the rivers of the wicked, rivers as the serpent Leviathan, in which we know death lurks (as a dragon) in the waters, which flow into the sea of all the people of the earth, as in Isaiah 27:1. Za’am is used in Habakkuk 3:12, where it is said of the LORD’s indignation threshing the heathen, those who don’t know Him, yet vilify and profane Him while spewing their errors.
Habakkuk 3
1 A prayer of Habakkuk [taken by [God’s] hand] the prophet upon Shigionoth [those who have strayed into error].
2 O LORD, I have heard your speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive [quicken – bring to life] your work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known [give us understanding – knowledge]; in wrath remember mercy [and it is so, My wrath is understanding, and those who forsake it reject mercy].
3 God came from Teman [the right hand (power) from looking toward the sun rise (for light)], and the Holy One from mount Paran [the cloud, where understanding of the knowledge is given by the light seen in it – see Numbers 10:11 thru 14 & Job 37:21 & 38:34 thru 38]. Selah [think about it]. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.
4 And his brightness was as the light; he had horns [rays of light] coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.
5 Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.
6 He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow [all the place that have raised themselves up from the earth]: his ways are everlasting.
7 I saw the tents of Cushan [the houses of darkness] in affliction: and the curtains [separation] of the land of Midian [strife] did tremble [agitation as the product].
8 Was the LORD displeased against the rivers [the means by which the waters of death flowed]? was your anger against the rivers? was your wrath against the sea [the people who became agitated by what flowed into them], that you did ride upon your horses [God’s people become His goodly horse in he battle – see Zechariah 10:3 for who the anger is against] and your chariots of salvation [the product of the LORD’s power raised in His people]?
9 Your bow was made quite naked [see Isaiah 52:10], according to the oaths of the tribes [see Genesis 49:8 thru 12, & 22 thru 26], even your word. Selah [think about it]. You did cleave the earth with rivers [this rightly divided pure word of God, flowing directly from Him].
10 The mountains [the high places of men – see Ephesians 6:12] saw you, and they trembled: the [these] overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands [the light coming from His hand, where is His power] on high.
11 The sun and moon [church and civil government] stood still in their habitation: at the light of your arrows they went, and at the shining of your glittering spear [this word coming from the hand of God].
12 You did march through the land in indignation [za’am], you did thresh the heathen in anger.
13 You went forth for the salvation of your people, even for salvation with your anointed [I am]; you wounded the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah [think about it].
14 You did strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly.
15 You did walk through the sea with your horses, through the heap of great waters.
16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he comes up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops [the enemy that has come and why there is no life or fruit, and why the herd is scattered].
17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
Ezekiel uses the word za’am only three times, in Ezekiel 21:31 and 22:24 & 31, speaking of this time of the LORD’s indignation when the false prophets and priests refuse to be cleansed by it and instead conspire to continue in error.
Ezekiel 21
22 At his right hand [where Satan is standing to resist the cleansing – Zechariah 3:1] was the divination for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, [and his words were as] to appoint battering rams against the gates, to cast a mount, and to build a fort [against the LORD and His anointed].
23 And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.
24 Therefore thus says the LORD God; Because you have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, I say, that you are come to remembrance, you shall be taken with the hand.
25 And you, profane wicked prince of Israel [the spirit of Satan in those resisting the LORD’s word and work – who are defined below], whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,
26 Thus says the LORD God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.
27 I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him [the LORD said I AM – as Shiloh].
28 And you, son of man, prophesy and say, Thus says the LORD God concerning the Ammonites, and concerning their reproach; even say you, The sword [this word of God], the sword is drawn: for the slaughter it is furbished, to consume because of the glittering [the obvious appearance]:
29 Whiles they see vanity unto you, whiles they divine a lie unto you, to bring you upon the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end.
30 Shall I cause it to return into his sheath? I will judge you in the place where you were created, in the land of your nativity.
31 And I will pour out mine indignation [za’am’] upon you, I will blow against you in the fire of my wrath, and deliver you into the hand of brutish men, and skillful to destroy.
32 You shall be for fuel to the fire; your blood shall be in the midst of the land; you shall be no more remembered: for I the LORD have spoken it.
Ezekiel 22
1 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Now, you son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? yea, you shall shew her all her abominations.
3 Then say you, Thus says the LORD God, The city sheds blood [drains the life from man] in the midst of it, that her time may come, and makes idols against herself to defile herself.
4 You are become guilty in your blood that you have shed; and have defiled yourself in your idols which you have made; and you have caused your days to draw near, and are come even unto your years: therefore have I made you a reproach unto the heathen, and a mocking to all countries.
5 Those that be near, and those that be far from you, shall mock you, which are infamous and much vexed.
6 Behold, the princes of Israel, every one were in you to their power to shed blood [Satan’s power, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience – by which act all the many princes described here following].
7 In you have they set light by father and mother: in the midst of you have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in you have they vexed the fatherless and the widow.
8 You have despised mine holy things, and have profaned my Sabbaths [my interruptions to bring you back on course].
9 In you are men that carry tales to shed blood: and in you they eat upon the mountains: in the midst of you they commit lewdness.
10 In you have they discovered their fathers’ nakedness: in you have they humbled her that was set apart for pollution.
11 And one has committed abomination with his neighbor’s wife; and another has lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in you has humbled his sister, his father’s daughter.
12 In you have they taken gifts to shed blood; you have taken usury and increase, and you have greedily gained of your neighbors by extortion, and have forgotten me, says the LORD God.
13 Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at your dishonest gain which you have made, and at your blood which has been in the midst of you.
14 Can your heart endure, or can your hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with you? I the LORD have spoken it, and will do it.
15 And I will scatter you among the heathen, and disperse you in the countries, and will consume your filthiness [all the things spoken of above] out of you.
16 And you shall take your inheritance in yourself [God’s Spirit of Holiness – His presence in US] in the sight of the heathen, and you shall know that I am the LORD.
17 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
18 Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross [polluted]: all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver [impure mixed with the pure].
19 Therefore thus saith the LORD God; Because you are all become dross, behold, therefore I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem.
20 As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you.
21 Yea, I will gather you, and blow upon you in the fire of my wrath, and you shall be melted in the midst thereof.
22 As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall you be melted in the midst thereof; and you shall know that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you.
23 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
24 Son of man, say unto her, You are the land that is not cleansed [because they rejected the word of God], nor rained upon [no waters from heaven – because their prophets and priests refused to receive and then deliver God’s rightly divided word flowing in pure form from His throne and the Lamb’s] in the day of indignation [za’am].
25 There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey [with mouths open wide to consume the prey – as a whale]; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.
26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths [my interruptions to correct them], and I am profaned among them.
27 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.
28 And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus says the LORD God, when the LORD has not spoken [the lies they tell in His name].
29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.
30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation [za’am] upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, says the LORD God.
Revelation 12
1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: [This is the nation awakened and restored, the people, church, and civil government again raised up into heaven, shining and reflecting God light and righteous rule on earth. Call us the deplorables if you wish, but we know your definitions are always the reverse of reality.]
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. [Satan’s spirit in his minions, all still infesting and infecting seat of power in church and state.]
4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars [the people] of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael [he who is like God] and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. [All this has happened before our eyes.]
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens, and you that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time.
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood [of lies].
16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Psalms 148
1 Praise you the LORD. Praise you the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
2 Praise you him, all his angels [messengers]: praise you him, all his hosts [His army].
3 Praise you him, sun and moon [church and civil governments]: praise him, all you stars of light [His elect who are awakened into light].
4 Praise him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters [Word of God] that be above the heavens.
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
6 He has also stablished them for ever and ever: he has made a decree which shall not pass [away].
7 Praise the LORD from the earth, you dragons [places that have swallowed up God’s people, and who will vomit them out at this time], and all deeps:
8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapors; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
14 He also exalts the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise you the LORD.
