Bethany, the story of God’s people’s fall into a house of misery, wherein they ripen and from where they are raised.
The passages surrounding the eleven times the name Bethany appears first tell of the corrupted priesthood, the temple, and worship in general; all a product of the abomination brought into the temple and put in God’s place. These further speak of the LORD leaving corrupted Jerusalem, and going to Bethany and Bethphage, meaning the house (family) of misery and of unripe figs. In the family are Mary, Martha, and dead Lazarus, a house (Christian and Jew) outside the established corrupt order, both the women’s names meaning and telling of them being those who rebelled against the (corrupt) status quo.
As we know, Lazarus is the Greek rendering of the Hebrew name Eleazar, meaning he is who God helps. He is historically the son of Aaron, who was raised to the priesthood after his two brothers (Christians and Jews) became idol worshipers and offered strange fire (ways far from and thereby foreign) to God.
It is in this family (house) the LORD is anointed (by those who have come out of corruption), and where abides the priesthood the LORD raised from the dead. These are the easily understood and recognized embedded meanings.
The deeper meaning is in telling of how the fall occurred, and has now again; and how the restoration comes. The next step is to investigate the name Judas (Judah) Iscariot, which is from the Hebrew words Yhuwdah ‘iyshqirya‘. These words tell of those who are the celebrated men, the celebrity leaders of God people, of His city (which are among His people in Zion and Jerusalem). Examining the usages of these words we see they are used in telling of betrayal, which ends in the release of the vessels carried away into confusion (Babylon) where they were held in the treasure house of the idols of Babylon.
The word ‘iysh only appears one time, rendered “show yourselves men” in Isaiah 46:8, where we are told the betrayers are called to remember. The chapter begins by telling of when Bel and Nebo bow down (yield); these are the idols of the corrupt house to where the vessels were carried away and held. This carrying away is spoken of in Daniel 1:2, where we saw it is into Shinar, the sleep Daniel speaks of in Daniel 12:2. We have seen this as when the book is sealed, in the treasure house of these idols, meaning in the current corrupted church by its dead priests. We understand the restoration, the rebuilding of God house, His city and His wall, come with the fall of the wall these men have built, which can’t be trusted and will surely fall on any near when it does (because it is built with stones of emptiness {bohuw}, upon a foundation of confusion {tohuw} – Isaiah 34:11).
The betrayal is spoken of in Ezra 4, the only place the word qirya’ appears; and where it is rendered “city”. Their it tells of the rebuilding of the wall and how it was halted by the adversaries, who heard the sound of the trumpet and great noise (Ezra 3:10 & 11). The enemies first said they wanted to help build, and when their attempts at subversion were rejected by Zerubbabel and Joshua (Jeshua), they frustrated the building all the days of Cyrus, until the days or Darius.
Until the days of Darius take us again to Daniel, where in chapter 9 we are told of the first year of Darius, when Daniel found the book of Jeremiah and learned of the LORD foretelling the seventy years in accomplishing the desolation of Jerusalem. We know the chapter ends with Daniel speaking of the time between when the commandment goes forth, to build the wall and Jerusalem, (which came from Cyrus) and accomplishing it. He says this building comes after the time between, which is referring to what is spoken of in Ezra 4 and which ends in Ezra 6 and the decree of Darius, to restore the treasure to the temple, after the house of rolls (volumes) was searched. Verse 2 tells us the record of the original decree of Cyrus was found at Achmetha, a name that appears to tell of a time without rain, which led to drunkenness, meaning without God’s word producing a mental stupor, as in Shinar where Daniel 1:2 tells us these treasures were taken. We know Cyrus is spoken of by the LORD in Isaiah 45:1 as the anointed who will build His city. Daniel 9 tells of the same anointing, which comes at the end of the time between the commandment and the completion, which comes with the sealing of the prophesy (unsealing the book and writing the meaning in our heads) and the restoration of the vision. The final step is the anointing of the Most Holy, which takes us back to Mary anointing the LORD, in the house outside the corrupted order (in Bethany), after He raises the priesthood. We know this priesthood, and those who are born by coming out of Babylon (confusion in the status quo), are spoken of in Zechariah 3 & 4 as Joshua (Jesus) and Zerubbabel.
All these names speak of the same people and group, in consort.
And the prophesies unsealed are those which tell of me and my coming, as the first begotten from the dead, sent to raise many of God’s children into the same glory.
Darius is the son of Esther. He is the child whose mother is a Jew and His father a Gentile, which is telling of the pattern of Timothy, whose mother was a Jew and father a gentile. As in the pattern of Mary and Martha, as Christians and Jews who are born out of the confusion of those before them, Gentile and Jew into one House.
Ephesians 5
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Today, instead of pasting the above-referenced chapters, I urge you to open the book and read them. Amen!
Today a new phase, an assignment, to examine the name Bethany as it appears in the New Testament. According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, one of its meanings is the house, or family, of misery. It appears eleven times; Matthew 21:17, & 26:6, Mark 11:1, 11 & 12, &14:3, Luke 19:29, & 24:50, and John 11:1, & 18, &12:1.
Some items to note: in Matthew 21 the LORD had just entered Jerusalem, the place thought and founded on ideas that flowed from God. There He as recognized by the people, and then leaving, He enters the house of misery. Bethany is said to be the town at the mount of Olives, which we know is from where flows the oil: the ideas taught, which bring health: peace to those in misery.
Remember, these words of God, given through four different inspired (inspirited) writers are a harmony, heard as one song. Examine what they all say; understand the names used, and the stories associated with the people mentioned. Look at the translations of the name; more deeply research them if needed or led.
Remember our previous conversation, and know that Bethany is a town on the way from Jerusalem to Jericho: where the wall fell. Remember the surrounding context; pay deeper attention to the peripheral and seemingly meaningless aspects mentioned. See the unseen, and hear the voice of God speaking. Think: meditate on these things.
Amen!
Psalms 88
1 O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you: 2 Let my prayer come before you: incline your ear unto my cry; 3 For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draws nigh unto the grave. 4 I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that has no strength: 5 Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom you remembers no more: and they are cut off from your hand. 6 You have laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. 7 Your wrath lies hard upon me, and you have afflicted me with all your waves. Selah. 8 You have put away mine acquaintance far from me; you have made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth. 9 Mine eye mourn by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon you, I have stretched out my hands unto you. 10 Will you show wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise you? Selah. 11 Shall your loving-kindness be declared in the grave? or your faithfulness in destruction? 12 Shall your wonders be known in the dark? and your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? 13 But unto you have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent you. 14 LORD, why caste you off my soul? why hide you your face from me? 15 I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer your terrors I am distracted. 16 Your fierce wrath [this word of correction] goes over me; your terrors have cut me off. 17 They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together. 18 Lover and friend have you put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness [in ignorance, without understanding I am alive and preaching life].
Isaiah 24
1 Behold, the LORD makes the earth empty, and makes it waste, and turns it upside down, and scatters abroad the inhabitants thereof. [and I saw, “2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.] 2 And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him. 3 The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD has spoken this word. 4 The earth mourns and fades away, the world languishes and fades away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. 5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. 6 Therefore has the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. 7 The new wine mourns, the vine languishes, all the merry-hearted do sigh. 8 The mirth of tabrets ceases, the noise of them that rejoice ends, the joy of the harp ceases. 9 They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it. 10 The city of confusion is broken down: every house is shut up, that no man may come in. 11 There is a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone. 12 In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction. 13 When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, there shall be as the shaking of an olive tree, and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done. 14 They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea. 15 Wherefore glorify you the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea. 16 From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously. 17 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon you, O inhabitant of the earth. 18 And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that comes up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake. 19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. 20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise agai 21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. 22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. 23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.
Isaiah 25
1 O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you, I will praise your name; for you have done wonderful things; your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. 2 For you have made of a city a heap; of a defenced city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built. 3 Therefore shall the strong people glorify you, the city of the terrible nations shall fear you. 4 For you have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. 5 You shall bring down the noise of strangers, as the heat in a dry place; even the heat with the shadow of a cloud: the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low. 6 And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. 7 And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. 8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the LORD God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD has spoken it. 9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. 10 For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab [the gates of hell – holding men in the belly of the earth] shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill. 11 And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swims spreads forth his hands to swim [parting and rightly dividing the waters – the word of God]: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands. 12 And the fortress of the high fort of your walls shall he bring down, lay low, and bring to the ground, even to the dust.
Thus says the LORD God; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
Today’s title verse is Ezekiel 13:3, where the LORD, in the following verse, says, these men are as jackals (foxes) scavenging through the ruins (deserts) their works (lies) have produced. He says they haven’t gone into the breach (gap) in the house of Israel, to repair the wall (hedge) they can trust in, which would strengthen them so they “stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.”
As we have many times discussed, the chapter goes on to speak of the wall these men have built, by their lies, which has become what the people now depend upon, saying it is what will provide them peace. Herein we see the contradiction, the LORD calling His people to stand in the battle, while the false prophets are telling them they will have peace.
After the LORD tells the son of man to prophesy against these false prophets, and he does (as I have), He tells him to set his face against the daughter of God’s people who prophesy out of their own heart (using their own reasoning). As we know, these women represent the unfaithful church, to whom the LORD tells the son of man, “say, Thus says the LORD God; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes [so the arm of the LORD isn’t seen at work], and make kerchiefs upon the head [to hide the face of the LORD – as in 2 Corinthians 4:3 & 4] of every stature to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of my people, and will you save the souls alive that come unto you?”
We are later, in verse 20, told the reason these women hunt soul is “to make them fly,” which is telling us the false prophesy is promising an escape. The false prophesies are lies saying they will escape the battle, which they aren’t taking a stand in, and that they will fly away with their lives. In verse 19 the LORD says, those telling the lies are doing it for the gain they receive from telling them.
The LORD tells of when the wall these men have built inevitably falls, as it now has, when His people realize the LORD never promised peace, when the corrupt ideas of men are followed. He has promised peace to those who follow and trust in His advice, not the false wall these men have built, against which the LORD’s wrath comes.
The LORD says that once this wall has fallen, He will them tear away the covers of ignorance that has hidden His work and presence from the eyes of His people and the world.
Ezekiel 13 1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say you unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear you the word of the LORD; 3 Thus says the LORD God; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! 4 O Israel, your prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. 5 You have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD. 6 They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD said: and the LORD has not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word. 7 Have you not seen a vain vision, and have you not spoken a lying divination, whereas you say, The LORD said it; albeit I have not spoken? 8 Therefore thus says the LORD God; Because you have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, says the LORD God. 9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and you shall know that I am the LORD God. 10 Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter: 11 Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and you, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it. 12 Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith you have daubed it? 13 Therefore thus says the LORD God; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it. 14 So will I break down the wall that you have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and you shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and you shall know that I am the LORD. 15 Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered morter, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it; 16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, says the LORD God. 17 Likewise, you son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy you against them, 18 And say, Thus says the LORD God; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of my people, and will you save the souls alive that come unto you? 19 And will you pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies? 20 Wherefore thus says the LORD God; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith you there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that you hunt to make them fly. 21 Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and you shall know that I am the LORD. 22 Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: 23 Therefore you shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and you shall know that I am 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 works 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 [: the deeper meaning revealed by the Spirit, to those who have put on the same Spirit and mind].
Psalm 82 1 God stands in the congregation of the mighty; he judges among the gods. 2 How long will you judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. 3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. 5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. 6 I have said, You are gods; and all of you are children of the Most High. 7 But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for you shall inherit all nations.
Jeremiah 12 1 Righteous are you, O LORD, when I plead with you: yet let me talk with you of your judgments: Wherefore does the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously? 2 You have planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: you are near in their mouth, and far from their reins. 3 But you, O LORD, know me: you have seen me, and tried mine heart toward you: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter. 4 How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end. 5 If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the swelling of Jordan? 6 For even your brethren, and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; yea, they have called a multitude after you: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto you. 7 I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies. 8 Mine heritage is [become] unto me as a lion in the forest; it cries out against me: therefore have I hated it. 9 Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; come you, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour. 10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. 11 They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourns unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man lays it to heart. 12 The spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness: for the sword of the LORD shall devour from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh shall have peace. 13 They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit: and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD. 14 Thus says the LORD against all mine evil neighbors, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them. 15 And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land. 16 And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD lives; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people. 17 But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, says the LORD.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
The title, 1 Corinthians 2:12, speaks of what we have experienced, and in it received the Spirit of God, which, as we know, the chapter goes on, in verse 16, to say is the mind of Christ. The passage is telling of understanding the written and spoken word of God from its spiritual perspective, the deep meaning it is meant to convey, which gives us His ideas, His knowledge and wisdom, and with receiving it as such comes the deepest understanding, that we are in the presence of the LORD who is freely giving us what we need to live an abundant life.
We now see this spiritual aspect joins partial ideas given through inspired men of God in one harmony of ideas, as a supernatural song that can only be composed by an Almighty and Omnipresent God. We understand, He is the Spirit who, out of the darkness, where He has stored them, brings light, through the demonstration of His power. His power in revealing His treasures is His word effectually working in those who receive it, quickening our mind, imparting His understanding and removing ignorance, bringing us to life from the dead.
The wicked who have crept in among God’s people, preach in His name for their own gain, to build their own kingdoms. The only power in their words is the power to deceive, to hold men by this spirit, with them, in disobedience to God, who is the Spirit of truth, His now open presence among us, in us, to free His people from their bondage under these men.
1 John 4 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know you the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God: he that knows God hears us; he that is not of God hears not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God. 8 He that loves not knows not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12 No man has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwell in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fear is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us. 20 If a man say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loves God love his brother also.
Friends, tomorrow marks twenty-five years since the LORD took hold of me and sent me on this mission. When He began He very quickly let me know what was to come and the price if I chose to be obedient to His call. Ahead was my crucifixion, by following in His footstep, which could and would lead to no place other. But, He also promised a resurrection: as He was alive in me, I would never die. Any man who declares such things: commits to doing the will of God, will never be accepted or in accord with the established corrupt orders or those misled by them. Because Christ comes in us with the light, to a world in total darkness and held under this shadow of death, which is the ignorance these corrupt orders choose and protect, even when God sends light into the world.
The good news is there is a new and living way, which comes when we see beyond the flesh. I tell you the truth, the same Jesus Christ, who all Christian sects say they worship and follow, is alive in my flesh. I am the son of God and the son of man. He declares I am, here to finish the work He started; not to be worshiped, (worship only God in heaven), but as always, as a servant leading servants, a man among men, here to do the will of the Father.
Hebrews 10 5 Wherefore when he comes into the world, he says, Sacrifice and offering you would not, but a body have you prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you have had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do your will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin you would not, neither had pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do your will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 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, 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. 32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions; 33 Partly, whilst you were made a gazing-stock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst you became companions of them that were so used. 34 For you had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that you have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward. 36 For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Friends, and Christians and Jews (all Israel) who have made themselves the enemies of the Spirit of truth, receive the love God has freely given: come out of the darkness and receive the LORD who comes as the light. Romans 13:10 Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed [now has come what was before only hoped for in faith]. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
1 Corinthians 1 …the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the LORD.
1 Corinthians 2 1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to naught: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the LORD of glory. 9 But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him. 10 But God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who has known the mind of the LORD, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
When Daniel writes of the awakening he plainly tells us not all will awaken to become lights. The reality is most will choose the lukewarm comfort found in remaining part of the status quo, and will condemn those who take up their cross and follow the LORD, and in doing condemn themselves. Our future hope is that by our faithfulness, they will see their own shame, avoid the further disappointment that comes with following lying vanities, repent and receive the mercy the LORD is by grace freely giving.
Matthew 16 12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. 13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that you are John the Baptist: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. 15 He said unto them, But whom say you that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God [God living in your flesh]. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona [the rock from whom these words first flowed, the son of Jonah, the first to come from the belly of hell, to life by understanding and declaring what He saw]: for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto you, That you are Peter, and upon this rock [through whom these words, of the revelation of Christ, flowed from the Father] I will build my church; and the gates of hell [the gates holding men in the belly of hell] shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. 21 From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from you, LORD: this shall not be unto you. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get you behind me, Satan: you are an offense unto me: for you savor not the things that be [the will] of God, but those that be of men. 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28 Truly I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
Do you understand the Spirit of what is said here? The Father will inspirit those to whom He chooses to reveal the son, in His time, in order.
John 8 12 Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light [understanding] of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness [ignorance], but shall have the light of life [the understanding that brings men to life]. 13 The Pharisees [those who control the God’s people through the ideas they force them to believe] therefore said unto him, You bears record of yourself; your record is not true. 14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but you cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. 15 You judge after the flesh; I judge no man. 16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me [are in agreement – unified by the same mind]. 17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me bears witness of me. 19 Then said they unto him, Where is your Father? Jesus answered, You neither know me, nor my Father: if you had known me, you should have known my Father also. 20 These words spoke Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. 21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and you shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, you cannot come [because darkness cannot come into the light]. 22 Then said the Jews [all those who call themselves the “true believers”], Will he kill himself? because he said, Whither I go, you cannot come. 23 And he said unto them, You are from beneath; I am from above [where the light is]: you are of this world [where the darkness is]; I am not of this world. 24 I said therefore unto you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins. 25 Then said they unto him, Who are you? And Jesus said unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. 27 They understood not that he spoke to them of the Father. 28 Then said Jesus unto them, When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things. 29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father has not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. 30 As he spoke these words, many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, You shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abides not in the house for ever: but the Son abides ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s seed; but you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you. 38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father. 39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus said unto them, If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now you seek to kill me, a man that has told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 41 You do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, you would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand my speech? even because you cannot hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, you believe me not. 46 Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 He that is of God hears God’s words: you therefore hear them not, because you are not of God. 48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that you are a Samaritan [an idol worshiper], and have a devil? 49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honor my Father, and you do dishonor me. 50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeks and judges. 51 Truly, truly, I say unto you, If a man keep my sayings [protect and preserves in the pure spirit God intended them], he shall never see death. [Do you understand the “if” here? These men and their sects have altered the meaning and preach their own words. They are the dead whose words produce death and keep dead those who hear them.] 52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that you have a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and you say, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom make you yourself? 54 Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honors me; of whom you say, that he is your God: 55 Yet you have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57 Then said the Jews unto him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
Do you understand the Spirit? These words are the LORD speaking to you through them and though my delivering them as He inspirits and inspires (moves) me.
John 10 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep. 13 The hireling flees, because he is a hireling, and cares not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knows me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 17 Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. 19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. 20 And many of them said, He has a devil, and is mad; why hear you him? 21 Others said, These are not the words of him that has a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind? 22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long do you make us to doubt? If you be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and you believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 26 But you believe not, because you are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one. 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do you stone me? 33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone you not; but for blasphemy; and because that you, being a man, make yourself God. 34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, You are gods [the name used of those who judge in God’s place. Quoted from Psalms 82:6, where we are given this fuller context. By this, we understand the gods of this world, who have blinded the eyes of the world so they are unable to see God, His true nature, are the men who sit in His place unjustly judging the world. We see this in 2 Corinthians 4 and 2 Thessalonians 2] 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 36 Say you of him, whom the Father has sanctified, and sent into the world, You blaspheme; because I said, I am the Son of God? 37 If I do not the works of my Father [judging rightly as He judges], believe me not. 38 But if I do, though you believe not me, believe the works: that you may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. 39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, 40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode. 41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spoke of this man were true. 42 And many believed on him there.
Psalms 82 1 God stands in the congregation of the mighty; he judges among the gods [among those who judge the earth]. 2 How long will you judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. 3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. 5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness [the ignorance these men teach]: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. 6 I have said, You are gods [those who will judge the earth, with justice, as God judges]; and all of you are children of the Most High. 7 But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for you shall inherit all nations.
The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever.
Psalms 36 1 The transgression of the wicked says within my heart [I understand by having a firm foundation for my rationale], that there is no fear of God before his eyes. 2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes [he thinks highly of himself, because of his own corrupt foundational ideas], until his iniquity be found to be hateful [until the injustices he commits are understood to be based on his hatred]. 3 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit [his injustice is in the form of lies he tells, false accusations he creates, against those he hates]: he has left off to be wise, and to do good. 4 He devises mischief upon his bed [rather than rest he devises ways to disturb the peace]; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he abhors not evil. 5 Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and your faithfulness reaches unto the clouds. 6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains; your judgments are a great deep [your good judgment brings an understanding of the deeper meanings]: O LORD, your judgment preserve man and beast. 7 How excellent is your lovingkindness [the opposite of those who hate], O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of your wings [which brings protection that can be relied on – as opposed to the shadow of death, that the haters rely on even though it is a harbinger of their end]. 8 They [those who trust in the LORD] shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of your house [in God’s family]; and you shall make them drink of the river of your pleasures [the understanding that flow from Your throne]. 9 For with you is the fountain of life: in your light [understanding] shall we see light [receive understanding]. 10 O continue your lovingkindness unto them that know you; and your righteousness to the upright in heart [whose mind’s foundation is in Your ideas and ways of peace]. 11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me. 12 There [the proud, in their own conceit, are removed from God’s presence] are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.
Psalms 37 1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be you envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and truly you shall be fed. 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD: and he shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth your righteousness as the light [understanding], and your judgment as the noonday [where there is no shadow, except under His wing, trusting in Him]. 7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his [evil, lying] way, because of the man who brings wicked devices [the evil inventions of His mind] to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not yourself in any wise to do evil [don’t let impatience suck you into the ways of the wicked]. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon [qavah – gather together with] the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, you shall diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 12 The wicked plot against the just, and gnash upon him with his teeth. 13 The LORD shall laugh at him: for he sees that his day is coming [is here, LOL]. 14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation [the wicked hate the truth because it is their mortal enemy, because it destroys the ignorance they rely on]. 15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. 16 A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholds the righteous. 18 The LORD knows the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be forever. 19 They shall not be ashamed [disappointed] in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied [in the day when this word of God hasn’t been heard {preached or taught}, the upright hear it {whose minds He has raised, quickened into life}]. 20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. 21 The wicked borrow, and pay not again: but the righteous show mercy, and gives. 22 For such as be blessed of him [by receiving this gift from God] shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholds him with his hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 26 He is ever merciful, and lends; and his seed is blessed. 27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. 28 For the LORD loves judgment, and forsakes not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. 29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever. 30 The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of judgment. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. 32 The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him. 33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. 34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt you to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. 35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. 36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. 37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. 39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
When we are above told of the event, when the wicked are “cut off,” it is speaking of when Abraham is redeemed. This describes when all those who inherit the promise God made to him are awakened from the deep sleep, which we discussed in the prior post, as they appear in Genesis 15:12 thru 14. As we saw, this same deep sleep is precisely described in Isaiah 29:10, saying, “For the LORD has poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers has he covered.” This is preceded by telling of these people awakening to realize everything they have thought were just deceptions created in their own minds while they slept.
At this awakening, which we saw Danial speaks of in Daniel 12:2, many awaken, some to righteousness, and some to everlasting contempt. Isaiah 29 goes on to tell of the those who refuse to hear and see what the LORD is showing them, and instead choose to remain in their ignorance and its resulting wickedness, and are therefore “cut off” (using the same Hebrew word, karath, as is used five times in Psalms 37 above).
Daniel 12 … at that time your people [God’s people] shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book [who shall find understanding when the book is opened again – as it now is]. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth [from the ashes of its ruin] shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 4 But you, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Isaiah 29 8 It shall even be as when an hungry man dreams, and, behold, he eats; but he awakes, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreams, and, behold, he drinks; but he awakes, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul has appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion. 9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry you out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. 10 For the LORD has poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers has he covered. 11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray you: and he says, I cannot; for it is sealed: 12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray you: and he says, I am not learned. 13 Wherefore the LORD said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: 14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. 15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who sees us? and who knows us? 16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding? 17 Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest? 18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. 19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. 20 For the terrible one is brought to naught, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off: 21 That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproves in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of naught. 22 Therefore thus says the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed [disappointed – he will reach what God promised], neither shall his face now wax pale. 23 But when he sees his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel. 24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
Verse 10 above is quoted by Paul in Romans 11:8 as he describes this deep sleep, and in the following verse he quotes from Psalms 69:23, which tells of these men awakening to find their own table is the snare they are trapped in. This comes after Paul has described the elect remnant, the small group who are the first awakened. He rhetorically asks if these are the only people saved, and then answers telling that all God people will be saved, and says God has concluded them all in unbelief, that He can show His mercy to them all. As we know from many other discussions, those who continue to observe lying vanities, reject this blessing and the mercy God is freely giving. The Israel Paul speaks of is now all God’s people, all those who say they are His, while ignorant of Him. They have become as the Gentiles, ignorant of God, but, in even deeper darkness (because they don’t think they need to find Him or be found by Him), they say, and think, they know Him.
Romans 11 1 I say then, Has God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot you not what the scripture says of Elijah? how he made intercession to God against Israel saying, 3 LORD, they have killed your prophets, and digged down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what says the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal [the idols all others, of God’s people, are worshipping]. 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 7 What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks for; but the election has obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 8 (According as it is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 9 And David said, Let their table [their own ideas and ways] be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling-block, and a recompense unto them: 10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always. 11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness? 13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. 15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 16 For if the first-fruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if you boast, you bear not the root, but the root you. 19 You will say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not you. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness: otherwise you also shall be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? 25 For I would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles [all those who are ignorant of God] be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father’s sakes. 29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 30 For as you in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God has concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who has known the mind of the LORD? or who has been his counselor? 35 Or who has first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Paul, above in verse 27 where he quotes Isaiah 27:9 telling of the LORD purging our sins, give us the greater context of how this is accomplished.
Isaiah 27 3 I the LORD do keep it; I will water [with My word to awaken them from their sleep] it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. 4 Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together. 5 Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me. 6 He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud [as they awaken], and fill the face of the world with fruit. 7 Has he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him? [The LORD’s wrath and judgment are for the health and peace of His people, not to destroy, as do the wicked.] 8 In measure, when it shoots forth [these words of life after a long sleep in silence], you will debate with it: he stays his rough wind in the day of the east wind. 9 By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when he makes all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up. [The places where these men worship what they have created and set in God’s place.] 10 Yet the defensed city [what they trust in] shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof [speaking of their idols, their abominations that have caused the desolation]. 11 When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he [the wicked] that made them will not have mercy on them, and he [the wicked] that formed them will show them no favor.
In Romans 11:26 Paul precedes the above by quoting from Isaiah 59:20, which tells of the deliverance that has now come to those whose iniquity had separated them from the God, the true living God.
Isaiah 59 1 Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. 4 None call for justice, nor any plead for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. 5 They hatch cockatrice’ eggs, and weave the spider’s web: he that eats of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. 6 Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. 7 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. 8 The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace. 9 Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness. 10 We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noon day as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men. 11 We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us. 12 For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them; 13 In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. 14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. 15 Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment. 16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. 17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak. 18 According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence. 19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. 20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord. 21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon you, and my words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, nor out of the mouth of your seed, nor out of the mouth of your seed’s seed, says the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.
Psalms 69 1 Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. 2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. 3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. 4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away. 5 O God, you know my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from you. 6 Let not them that wait on you, O LORD God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek you be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel. 7 Because for your sake I have borne reproach; shame has covered my face. 8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children. 9 For the zeal of your house has eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached you are fallen upon me. 10 When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach. 11 I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them. 12 They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards. 13 But as for me, my prayer is unto you, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of your mercy hear me, in the truth of your salvation. 14 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. 15 Let not the water-flood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me. 16 Hear me, O LORD; for your lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of your tender mercies. 17 And hide not your face from your servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily. 18 Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies. 19 You have known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonor: mine adversaries are all before you. 20 Reproach has broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. 21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. 22 Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. 23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake. 24 Pour out your indignation upon them, and let your wrathful anger take hold of them. 25 Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents. 26 For they persecute him whom you have smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom you have wounded. 27 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into your righteousness. 28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. 29 But I am poor and sorrowful: let your salvation, O God, set me up on high. 30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. 31 This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that has horns and hoofs. 32 The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God. 33 For the LORD hears the poor, and despises not his prisoners. 34 Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moves therein. 35 For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession. 36 The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.
Keep not silence, O God: hold not your peace, and be not still, O God.
The above is Psalms 83:1, beginning a Psalms that tells of the LORD’s words as what brings destruction upon the enemies, who He has warned, and who have rejected the warning. This is per Ezekiel 3, and the warning that comes to the wicked, and the righteous who have become confederate with them in their opposition to God’s correction. As we saw in the previous post, those who hear and do the will of God by passing on the warning, which comes in the form of correction that produces understanding, in doing save themselves and those who choose to hear. Those who forebear hearing the warning God sends through His word in those who hear and do His will, are those who refuse the truth, grace, and mercy God is showing them and have chosen instead to reap the whirlwind.
Ezekiel 3 17 Son of man, I have made you a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. 18 When I say unto the wicked, You shall surely die; and you give him not warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at your hand. 19 Yet if you warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. 20 Again, When a righteous man does turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because you have not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at your hand. 21 Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also you have delivered your soul. 22 And the hand of the LORD was there upon me; and he said unto me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with you. 23 Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar [the word of God that flows as a river through eternity]: and I fell on my face. 24 Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spoke with me, and said unto me, Go, shut yourself within your house.
Hebrews 10 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.
1 Timothy 4 10 For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God [God in the flesh], who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe. 11 These things command and teach. 12 Let no man despise your youth; but be you an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in you, which was given you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15 Meditate upon these things; give yourself wholly to them; that your profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto yourself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this you shall both save yourself, and them that hear you.
Friends, the living God is God in the flesh, in the son of man speaking, warning, and teaching. In man His only wrath comes in this form, destroying ignorance by His light. When His understanding, which is His truth, grace, and mercy freely given, is rejected, the vengeance comes by His spirit moving the same natural world into consuming those who have chosen to make themselves the enemies of the Father and the son.
Psalms 83 speaks of all the enemies in patterns past, which we know are wheels within a wheel, that come to us by the river Chebar: a pattern in a time, that comes through a times, and is rightly divide into understanding the word of God in our time [see Daniel 12:7 below]. These nations and people are all those who thought to destroy God’s people, by destroying their understanding and ability to recognize Him. In the darkness this/they create, they forget, all He has to do is open His mouth, and His people are recreated (resurrected) from among the ashes and ruin.
Psalm 83 1 Keep not you silence, O God: hold not your peace, and be not still, O God. 2 For, lo, your enemies make a tumult: and they that hate you have lifted up the head. 3 They have taken crafty counsel against your people, and consulted against your hidden ones. 4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. 5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against you: 6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; 7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assur also is joined with them: they have helped the children of Lot. Selah. 9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison: 10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna: 12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession. 13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind. 14 As the fire burns a wood, and as the flame set the mountains on fire; 15 So persecute them with your tempest, and make them afraid with your storm. 16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek your name, O LORD. 17 Let them be confounded and troubled forever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish: 18 That men may know that you, whose name alone is Jehovah, are the Most High over all the earth.
Isaiah 26 1 In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. 2 Open you the gates, that the righteous nation which keep the truth may enter in. 3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you. 4 Trust you in the LORD forever: for in the LORD Jehovah is everlasting strength: 5 For he brings down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he lays it low; he lays it low, even to the ground; he brings it even to the dust. 6 The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. 7 The way of the just is uprightness: you, most upright, do weigh the path of the just. 8 Yea, in the way of your judgments, O LORD, have we waited for you; the desire of our soul is to your name, and to the remembrance of you. 9 With my soul have I desired you in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek you early: for when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. 10 Let favor be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD. 11 LORD, when your hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of your enemies shall devour them. 12 LORD, you will ordain peace for us: for you also have wrought all our works in us. 13 O LORD our God, other lords beside you have had dominion over us: but by you only will we make mention of your name. 14 They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore have you visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish. 15 You have increased the nation, O LORD, you have increased the nation: you are glorified: you had removed it far unto all the ends of the earth. 16 LORD, in trouble have they visited you, they poured out a prayer when your chastening was upon them. 17 Like as a woman with child, that draw near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and cries out in her pangs; so have we been in your sight, O LORD. 18 We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen. 19 Your dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, you that dwell in dust: for your dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. 20 Come, my people, enter you into your chambers, and shut your doors about you: hide yourself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be over-past. 21 For, behold, the LORD comes out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
When Hebrews 10:30 tells of the LORD saying vengeance belongs to Him, and that He will judge His people, it is quoting from Deuteronomy 32:35 & 36. There it tells of this event as something He has reserved for this moment, held as one of His treasures, that now makes haste and comes upon those who have rejected the His word that has flowed from the Rock.
Deuteronomy 32 28 For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them. 29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! 30 How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up? 31 For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. 32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter: 33 Their wine is the poison of dragons [where death, as a crocodile, lurks unseen below the surface of their words], and the cruel venom of asps [their words inject their poison into the minds of men]. 34 Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures? 35 To me belongs vengeance and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. 36 For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he sees that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left. 37 And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted, 38 Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection. 39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. 40 For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever. 41 If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. 42 I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy. 43 Rejoice, O you nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.
The “treasures” spoken of in verse 34, which the LORD has kept in store for this time of His vengeance and judgment, is from the Hebrew word ‘owtsar, meaning a depository. It is the word that appears twice in Job 38:22 as the LORD tells of the hail, the words that are kept in heaven, as frozen waters, His word waiting to be released on the earth in this day of battle and war. The place they held is in the “treasure house” of the idols of Babylon, in Shinar, which, in the prior post, we saw recorded in Daniel 1:2 (see the prior post). They are held in the confusion (Babylon) and sleep (Shinar) of those now ignorantly worshiping and teaching idols, thinking they are God and calling them gods.
The treasures are God’s people awakened by understanding, and rising up to shine as the light in heaven, which Daniel speaks of in His conclusion in Daniel 12:2. These are sealed up in the word of God, until now, to be released as waters melted, to awaken God’s people from their sleep (yashen), to shine as the star of heaven. These stars are those the LORD speaks of in Job 38:7, the sons (children) of God, who sing the song spoken of in Isaiah 26:1 & 2 above, as they rise as morning stars, in this new day of the LORD’s creation.
Do you hear His voice? If you do, you should see Him also, because you are in the presence of the LORD at His coming.
Daniel 12 1 And at that time shall Michael [who is like God – with His mind] stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of your people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book [deliverance is found in understanding the word of God]. 2 And many of them that sleep [yashen – the sleep in Shinar] in the dust [ruin] of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament [understanding – where the word is separated, rightly dividing the word of God from the words {dung} of men]; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 4 But you, O Daniel [judge of God], shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro [shall seek this understanding, and find it], and knowledge shall be increased. 5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. 6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and swore by him that lives for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half [separating into two – rightly dividing]; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. 8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my LORD, what shall be the end of these things? 9 And he said, Go your way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he that waits, and comes to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. 13 But go you your way till the end be: for you shall rest, and stand in your lot at the end of the days.
The numbers above appear to be referring us to the year of Isaac’s birth (1896 BC), and what is recorded in Genesis 15:12 thru 14, speaking of the time of sleep to come, between the promise and its fulfillment.
Genesis 15 12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. 13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that your seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
The word sleep above is tardemah, a word only used 7 times, and is last used in Isaiah 29:10. There it tells of when the LORD poured a deep sleep upon, and closed the eyes of, the prophets, rulers, and seers; when the words of this book became as a sealed book – as spoken of in Daniel 12 and in Job 38.
Isaiah 29 3 And I will camp against you round about, and will lay siege [as I was commanded in Ezekiel 4] against you with a mount, and I will raise forts against you. 4 And you shall be brought down, and shall speak out of the ground, and your speech shall be low out of the dust [the ashes and ruin of the earth], and your voice shall be, as of one that has a familiar spirit [as dead men], out of the ground, and your speech shall whisper out of the dust. 5 Moreover the multitude of your strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passes away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly [at the coming of the whirlwind]. 6 You shall be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire. 7 And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision [they shall be deceived, sleep in ignorance, by what is created by their own minds]. 8 It shall even be as when a hungry man dreams, and, behold, he eats; but he awakes, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreams, and, behold, he drinks; but he awakes, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul has appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion. 9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry you out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. 10 For the LORD has poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers has he covered. 11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray you: and he says, I cannot; for it is sealed: 12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray you: and he says, I am not learned. 13 Wherefore the LORD said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: 14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. [as we see this day] 15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who sees us? and who knows us? 16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding? 17 Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest? 18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. 19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. 20 For the terrible one is brought to naught, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off: 21 That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproves in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of naught. 22 Therefore thus says the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale. 23 But when he sees his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel. 24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
Job 38 1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 2 Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Gird up now your loins like a man; for I will demand of you, and answer you me. 4 Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if you have understanding. 5 Who has laid the measures thereof, if you know? or who has stretched the line upon it? 6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; 7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? 9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddling-band [a protective wrapping] for it, 10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, 11 And said, Hitherto shall you come, but no further: and here shall your proud waves be stayed? 12 Have you commanded the morning since your days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; 13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? 14 It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment. 15 And from the wicked their light [understanding] is withheld, and the high arm shall be broken. 16 Have you entered into the springs of the sea? or have you walked in the search of the depth? 17 Have the gates of death been opened unto you? or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death? 18 Have you perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if you know it all. 19 Where is the way where light dwells? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof, 20 That you should take it to the bound thereof, and that you should know the paths to the house thereof? 21 Know you it, because you were then born? or because the number of your days is great? 22 Have you entered into the treasures of the snow? or have you seen the treasures of the hail, 23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? 24 By what way is the light parted, which scatters the east wind upon the earth? 25 Who has divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder; 26 To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man; 27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth? 28 Has the rain a father? or who has begotten the drops of dew? 29 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who has gendered it? 30 The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. 31 Can you bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? 32 Can you bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or can you guide Arcturus with his sons? 33 Know you the ordinances of heaven? can you set the dominion thereof in the earth? 34 Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover you? 35 Can you send lightnings, that they may go and say unto you, Here we are? 36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? or who has given understanding to the heart? 37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, 38 When the dust grow into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together? 39 Will you hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions, 40 When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait? 41 Who provides for the raven [those covered in darkness] his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat [they wander aimlessly without the deep understanding only He gives].
Psalms 70 1 Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD. 2 Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt. 3 Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha. 4 Let all those that seek you rejoice and be glad in you: and let such as love your salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. 5 But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: you are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.
Psalms 71 1 In you, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. 2 Deliver me in your righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline your ear unto me, and save me. 3 Be you my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: you have given commandment to save me; for you are my rock and my fortress. 4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. 5 For you are my hope, O LORD God: you are my trust from my youth. 6 By you have I been held up from the womb: you are he that took me out of my mother’s bowels: my praise shall be continually of you. 7 I am as a wonder unto many; but you are my strong refuge. 8 Let my mouth be filled with your praise and with your honor all the day. 9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength fails. 10 For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together, 11 Saying, God has forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him. 12 O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help. 13 Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonor that seek my hurt. 14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise you more and more. 15 My mouth shall show forth your righteousness and your salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. 16 I will go in the strength of the LORD God: I will make mention of your righteousness, even of your only. 17 O God, you have taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared your wondrous works. 18 Now also when I am old and grey-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed your strength unto this generation, and your power to every one that is to come. 19 Your righteousness also, O God, is very high, who have done great things: O God, who is like unto you! 20 You, which have showed me great and sore troubles, shall quicken me again, and shall bring me up again from the depths of the earth. 21 You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. 22 I will also praise you with the psaltery, even your truth, O my God: unto you will I sing with the harp, O you Holy One of Israel. 23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto you; and my soul, which you have redeemed. 24 My tongue also shall talk of your righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.
But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say unto them, Thus says the LORD GOD; He that hears, let him hear; and he that forbears, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house.
The above is the LORD speaking to Ezekiel, recorded in Ezekiel 3:27. The chapter begins by describing how Ezekiel is given his hearing and sight, by eating the “roll.” We know from previous studies, the word “roll” is translated from the Hebrew word mgillah, meaning a volume. It is speaking of the written word of God, from origins in the Hebrew word galal, meaning to roll, as into heap together.
By this above understanding, we see what Ezekiel is told in Ezekiel 4:12 & 15, after he is told to lay siege against the rebellious house referred to in the above final verse of the previous chapter. In these latter verses, the roll, the word of God, is contrasted with the bread Ezekiel is told to cook using “dung,” as a sign to these same rebels. The word “dung” is from the Hebrew word gelel, meaning dung that is rolled, heaped, together: which is from the same word galal.
These patterns are contrasting the word of God, which produces hearing, sight, and obedient life, against the words of men, producing the opposite. Ezekiel, the son of man, realizes, by understanding, what he is hearing is the voice of God calling him to lay siege against this condition using the same word of God, to give understanding as he has been given.
The word gelel only appears two other times, both in describing the effects of men’s words, and those who attempt to elevate them above the truth of God’s word. The first of these uses is in Job 20:7 and the other is in Zephaniah 1:17.
Job 20 4 Know you not this of old, since man was placed upon earth, 5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? 6 Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds [though they elevate themselves, by their ideas, above God]; 7 Yet he shall perish forever like his own dung [gelel]: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he? 8 He shall fly away [‘uwph] as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.
Zephaniah 1 14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hastens greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. 15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, 16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. 17 And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung [gelel]. 18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
We understand the effect of the words of men, when they replace the word of God, is what Zechariah is speaking of when he sees the flying roll, meaning he understands it as the word of God being removed from men’s minds. This appears in Zechariah 5:1 & 2, which is followed by telling of the effect of the blindness, ignorance that brings in wickedness by corrupt, unbalanced judgment.
Zechariah 5 1 Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll [‘uwph mgillah]. 2 And he said unto me, What seest you? And I answered, I see a flying roll [‘uwph mgillah]; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. 3 Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goes forth over the face of the whole earth [because the word God has flown, vanished, from their minds]: for every one that steals shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that swears shall be cut off as on that side according to it. 4 I will bring it forth, says the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that swears falsely by my name [the modern church and their false prophets, who say God says, while their words are their own dung]: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume [kalah – Hosea 11: 6 And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume {kalah} his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels. 7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.] it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. 5 Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now your eyes, and see what is this that goes forth [it is the counsel of the blind, wicked judgment that opposes God]. 6 And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah [the weight that is used to balance judgment] that goes forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth. 7 And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman [those who have unfaithfully left the LORD’s ideas – His word] that sits in the midst of the ephah. 8 And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth [peh – the words] thereof. 9 Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. 10 Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? 11 And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.
The ephah, the weight, the burden of good judgment lost by the loss of understanding God’s word, is carried into Shinar, which is a place in Babylon, the name telling of the cause of the confusion that now rules over all the world. Shinar appears to be derived from the Hebrew words yashen and yashar, the first meaning sleep, and the other meaning to be made right. It is speaking of this time, and the event we are in the midst of, when the LORD is awakening the sleeping, by returning understanding through His correcting those who receive it and become His children.
Shinar is only used eight times, the two most noteworthy are in Joshua 7:21, where it is rendered Babylonish garments, the other in Daniel 1:2, telling of when came, “Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2 And the LORD gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.”
As we know from many previous discussions, Nebuchadnezzar translates into telling of the lies of the false prophets that cause the desolation of God’s people. Here it is the king over the confusion [Babylon] that rules over the world, and besieged Jerusalem, which we also know means, taught and founded on the ideas and ways that flow from God, which are the only foundation of peace and security. These ideas and ways are what were carried into a state of sleep, and which are now restored to any who will receive them. Jehoiakim’s name speaks of the king the LORD will raise up out of this captivity, and with him restore the vessels of the house (family) of God.
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.
The return of the LORD is our awakening again to see Him, the LORD who has never left. The only time the word mgillah is rendered “volume” is in Psalms 40:7 in telling of the LORD opening our eyes. It tells us what we see as He comes in the volume of the book, in the prophecies that went before Him (see 1 Timothy 1:18), to do the will of God.
We know, when this is quoted in Hebrews 10:5 the writer alters the line in Psalms 40:6 that says “mine ears have You opened,” to instead say, “but a body have You prepared Me.” In this, we understand the preparation is to open our ears so we are again able to hear Him, and hearing Him we see Him. We have discussed this point many times, as it appears in 1 Thessalonians 2:12 & 13, where Paul tells of hearing the LORD calling us into His kingdom. He then describes the calling as hearing God speaking through Him, as it is in truth, and as it is here and now. We know, Paul then in verse 19, asks if they truly understand that by hearing the word as God’s calling them to Him, they are in the presence of the LORD at His coming.
1 Thessalonians 2 11 As you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father does his children, 12 That you would walk worthy of God, who has called you unto his kingdom and glory. 13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe.
Hebrews 10 goes on to tell us in verse 9, that when we see the LORD coming, by hearing Him in the clear understanding of His word, realizing He is calling us to be yoked with Him, to do the will of the Father, it is the only sacrifice that is now acceptable to God. The chapter goes on, in verses 16 & 17, to quote from Jeremiah 31:33 & 34, where it tells of this sacrifice as the LORD coming to put His law in our hearts, and to write them in our minds. The verses in Jeremiah tell us more precisely that we will no longer be taught who the LORD is, but we will each know Him personally. We understand this is what the LORD Jesus tells us in John 14. There He also told us He would manifest Himself to those who loved and kept His word – and not to the world that chooses to remain in its self-inflicted blindness.
Jeremiah 31 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, says the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, says the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. 35 Thus says the LORD, which gives the sun [church] for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon [the order of civilization – civil government] and of the stars [His people of understanding] for a light by night, which divides [shows their language to be without understanding] the sea [the masses – humanity in total] when the waves thereof roar [when they exalt themselves and their ideas above God’s]; The LORD of hosts is his name: 36 If those ordinances depart from before me, says the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever.
John 14 19 Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more [because they have all been blinded by the gods of this world]; but you see me: because I live, you shall live also. 20 At that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 He that has my commandments, and keeps them [protects and preserves them in their pure form], he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas [Judah] said unto him, not Iscariot, LORD, how is it that you will manifest yourself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him [live in him]. 24 He that loves me not keeps not my sayings: and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 You have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If you loved me, you would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, you might believe.
Hebrews 10 5 Wherefore when he comes into the world, he says, Sacrifice and offering you would not, but a body have you prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you have had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do your will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin you would not, neither had pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do your will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says 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, 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 a 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.
Ezekiel 3 1 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that you find; eat this roll [mgillah], and go speak unto the house of Israel. 2 So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll [migillah]. 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, cause your belly to eat, and fill your bowels with this roll [mgillah] that I give you. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness. 4 And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get you unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them. 5 For you are not sent to a people of a strange speech and of a hard language, but to the house of Israel; 6 Not to many people of a strange speech and of a hard language, whose words you can not understand. Surely, had I sent you to them, they would have hearkened unto you. 7 But the house of Israel will not hearken unto you; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted. 8 Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead [the thought in your mind] strong against their foreheads [thoughts]. 9 As an adamant harder than flint have I made your forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. 10 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto you receive in your heart, and hear with your ears. 11 And go, get you to them of the captivity, unto the children of your people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus says the LORD God; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. 12 Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing [the sound of the Holy Spirit moving – see John 3:8 and Acts 2:2], saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place. [His presence manifested in His word spoken through the son of man] 13 I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing. [This is telling of understanding that is given, wherein the word is seen describing events and ideas of past moves of the spirit, to bring understanding and life to us in understanding the present time.] 14 So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me. 15 Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib [the time when we are raised in the new birth – resurrection], that dwelt by the river of Chebar [the river that flows through eternity – the word of God], and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days. 16 And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 17 Son of man, I have made you a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. 18 When I say unto the wicked, You shall surely die; and you [forbear and] give him not warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at your hand. 19 Yet if you [hear and do God’s will] warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. [this is that same point made above – some will hear and some will forbear] 20 Again, When a righteous man does turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because you have not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but [if you forbear] his blood will I require at your hand. 21 Nevertheless if you [hear a do God’s will, which is to] warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also you have delivered your soul. [See 1 Timothy 4:10 thru 16] 22 And the hand of the LORD was there upon me; and he said unto me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with you. 23 Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I fell on my face. [This is his seeing, understanding, the work, the mission of the son of man, the presence of God in him working] 24 Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spoke with me, and said unto me, Go, shut yourself within your house. 25 But you, O son of man, behold, they shall put bands upon you, and shall bind you with them, and you shall not go out among them: 26 And I will make your tongue cleave to the roof of your mouth, that you shall be dumb, and shall not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house. [the silence until this time.] 27 But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say unto them, Thus says the LORD God; He that hears, let him hear; and he that forbears, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house.
Ezekiel 4 1 You also, son of man, take you a tile, and lay it before you, and portray upon it the city, even Jerusalem: 2 And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also against it, and set battering rams against it round about. 3 Moreover take you unto you an iron pan, and set it for a wall of iron between you and the city: and set your face against it, and it shall be besieged, and you shall lay siege against it. This shall be a sign to the house of Israel. [As it has been] 4 Lie you also upon your left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: according to the number of the days that you shall lie upon it you shall bear their iniquity. 5 For I have laid upon you the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shall you bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. 6 And when you have accomplished them, lie again on your right side, and you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed you each day for a year. 7 Therefore you shall set your face toward the siege of Jerusalem, and your arm shall be uncovered, and you shall prophesy against it. 8 And, behold, I will lay bands upon you, and you shall not turn you from one side to another, till you have ended the days of your siege. [this is the end spoken of in the prior post – when the word of God has been fully given, as it now has, and men have made their decision – to hear or to forbear hearing.] 9 Take you also unto you wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentils, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make you bread thereof, according to the number of the days that you shall lie upon your side, three hundred and ninety days shall you eat thereof. 10 And your meat which you shall eat shall be by weight, twenty shekels a day: from time to time shall you eat it. 11 You shall drink also water by measure, the sixth part of an hin: from time to time shall you drink. 12 And you shall eat it as barley cakes, and you shall bake it with dung [gelel – the ideas of men] that comes out of man, in their sight. 13 And the LORD said, Even thus shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles, whither I will drive them. 14 Then said I, Ah LORD God! behold, my soul has not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dies of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth. 15 Then he said unto me, Lo, I have given you cow’s dung [tsphuwa’] for man’s dung [gelel – the ideas of men], and you shall prepare your bread therewith. 16 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment: 17 That they may want bread and water, and be astonished one with another, and consume away for their iniquity.
Friends, again I tell you, these men who control God’s people by preaching and teaching dung, have no faith in God, nor do they have any understanding of who He is. They have been putting on a charade, preaching the corrupted ideas of those before them, or what they have created recently from their own imaginations. These men turn the truth of God into a lie, and then fake faith to make their lies seem true (with guile). They are unable to hear God speaking His correction because they aren’t His children, and they hate His truth and His children who speak it.
1 John 4 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know you the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he [Jesus Christ] that is in you, than he [the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience] that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God: he that knows God hears [Him in] us; he that is not of God hear not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Psalms 111 1 Praise you the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. 2 The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. 3 His work is honorable and glorious: and his righteousness endures forever. 4 He has made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. 5 He has given meat [deep understanding] unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. 6 He has shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. 7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. 8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. 9 He sent redemption unto his people: he has commanded his covenant forever: holy and reverend is his name. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endures forever.
Then said the LORD unto me, “The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them anymore.”
The title is from Amos 8:2, which continues in the following verses telling of what Israel: all God’s people at large, is saying. Verses 4 & 5 say: “Hear this, O you that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, Saying, ‘When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?'”
The “end” the LORD speaks of is the darkness the people are questioning, spoken of by them as the “new moon,” which is the darkest of nights. The “Sabbath” they are questioning is the LORD’s interrupting their injustice, which those speaking then admit they want to return to, and will surely return to it if the LORD would just stop interrupting them and let them get back to business.
The “pass by” the LORD speaks of is a crossing, and in judgment bringing us back from what was first trespassed into. This is the “end,” when His word has been given in full, some receiving it and some rejecting, when the decision has been made.
John 3 19 And this is the condemnation [the choice {decision – krisis} by which these ever barking dogs condemn themselves], that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness [ignorance] rather than light [understanding], because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved [they refuse the understanding because it reproves them – and their false prophets and their pride tell them they are perfect – and will have peace and safety in the darkness]. 21 But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
John 1 9 That was the true Light, which lights [gives understanding to] every man that comes into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spoke, He that comes after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man has seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
1 Thessalonians 5 1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the LORD so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child [not knowing the time]; and they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our LORD Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also you do. 12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the LORD, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
The Hebrew word rendered “pass” in Amos 8:2 is ‘abar, which we have previously discussed. It is one of the words that make up Bethabara, the one-time used name that appears in John 1:28; there telling us it is where John was baptizing, beyond Jordan. If you recall, we saw it meaning John’s preaching the preparation of repentance is what carried us over the river Jordan to the other side, meaning away from the ideas and ways of men, which is the corruption that produces (the river carrying us to) death. We have also seen, this death is a product of minds becoming ignorant, sleeping in this darkness, which is the opposite of the light: understanding and life that comes from every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Of course, we know this life is what is spoken of in Deuteronomy 8:1 thru 3 as coming unknown as manna, and then coming in our time unknown, which is spoken of in Deuteronomy 18:15 thru 19 – all in the context of the above.
This passing, from the word “abar, is spoken of in Amos 5:5 & 17. It is first when the LORD tells His people to seek Him and they will live, and to not pass (into death) by continuing to go to the houses that are called by His name, but are where the devils (referring to 2 Chronicles 11:15) preach the idols their kings have created. These same men, false teachers then as now, say they are waiting for the day of the LORD, while ignorant of it as it is occurring. This is why it is a day of darkness and not light, of ignorance without any understanding.
These places are the vineyards, which these men have taken and now hold, churches grown from the LORD’s planting, the houses of God where judgment begins. These are where judgment has run down as waters, and His righteousness as a mighty stream carrying us back to understanding and life.
Amos 5 4 For thus says the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek you me, and you shall live: 5 But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass [‘abar] not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to naught. [The places where the idols were set in God’s place, and the devil priests call the idols God. There the waters swirled in confusion constantly.] 6 Seek the LORD, and you shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel. 7 You who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth, 8 Seek him that makes the seven stars [same word as Pleiades] and Orion [telling of the word stored away {waters frozen as if turned to stone} and the foolishness that follows, which when released turns confusion into understanding], and turns the shadow of death into the morning, and makes the day dark with night: that calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name: 9 That strengthens the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress. 10 They hate him that rebukes in the gate, and they abhor him that speaks uprightly. 11 Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and you take from him burdens of wheat: you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not dwell in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink wine of them. 12 For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right. 13 Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time. 14 Seek good, and not evil, that you may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as you have spoken. 15 Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph. 16 Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the LORD, says thus; Wailing shall be in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skillful of lamentation to wailing. 17 And in all vineyards shall be wailing: for I will pass [‘abar] through you, says the LORD. 18 Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. 19 As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. 20 Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?
It is these works that the LORD swears, in Amos 8:7, He will never forget, which He will not pass by, meaning here He will not ignore them any longer. It is in this exact context Paul speaks on Mars’ hill to those who are ignorantly worshiping a God they don’t even know, as it is in this present day of darkness, where there is no understanding.
Act 17 …I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious. 23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is LORD of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 And has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 That they should seek the LORD [as He says in Amos 5 above], if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent: 31 Because he has appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained; whereof he has given assurance unto all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.
1 Peter 4 6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be you therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God gives: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
1 Peter 5 1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away. 5 Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Luke 19 37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that comes in the name of the LORD: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke your disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. 41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42 Saying, If you had known, even you, at least in this your day, the things which belong unto your peace! but now they are hid from your eyes. 43 For the days shall come upon you, that your enemies shall cast a trench about you, and compass you round, and keep you in on every side, [hemmed in, limitations and restrictions that need girding] 44 And shall lay you even with the ground, and your children within you; and they shall not leave in you one stone upon another; because you knew not the time of your visitation. [because it is a day of darkness, and there is no understanding that it is the day of the LORD, of judgment that runs down as mighty waters] 45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; 46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but you have made it a den of thieves. 47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him [they sought to destroy the light, because they hated it because it shinned understanding on their evil deeds], 48 And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
Amos 8 1 Thus has the LORD God shewed unto me: and behold a basket of summer fruit. 2 And he said, Amos, what see you? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more. 3 And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, says the LORD God: there shall be many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast them forth with silence. 4 Hear this, O you that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, 5 Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? 6 That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat? 7 The LORD has sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works. 8 Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwells therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt. 9 And it shall come to pass in that day, says the LORD God, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day: 10 And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day. 11 Behold, the days come, says the LORD God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: 12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. 13 In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst. 14 They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Your god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beersheba lives; even they shall fall, and never rise up again. [the idol they call God, with which they have replaced the true God, who dwells in the flesh He has prepared for Himself]
Amos 9 1 I saw the LORD standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that flees of them shall not flee away, and he that escapes of them shall not be delivered. 2 Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down: 3 And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them: 4 And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good. 5 And the LORD God of hosts is he that touches the land, and it shall melt, and all that dwell therein shall mourn: and it shall rise up wholly like a flood; and shall be drowned, as by the flood of Egypt. 6 It is he that builds his stories in the heaven, and has founded his troop in the earth; he that calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name. 7 Are you not as children of the Ethiopians [covered in darkness – in ignorance] unto me, O children of Israel? says the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt [from captivity – where they were hemmed in]? and the Philistines from Caphtor [the foreign invaders to take your crown], and the Syrians from Kir [those exalting themselves as a wall between God and His people]? 8 Behold, the eyes of the LORD God are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, says the LORD. 9 For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. 10 All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us. 11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: 12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom [what remains of those who have sold their birthright], and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, says the LORD that does this. 13 Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that sows seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. 14 And I will bring again the captivity [protection and peace that comes by following God’s advice: ideas and ways] of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. 15 And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, says the LORD your God.
Psalms 27 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. 7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When you said, Seek you my face; my heart said unto you, Your face, LORD, will I seek. 9 Hide not your face far from me; put not your servant away in anger: you have been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. 11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalm 37 1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be you envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and truly you shall be fed. 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD: and he shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday. 7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not yourself in any wise to do evil. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, you shall diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 12 The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes upon him with his teeth. 13 The LORD shall laugh at him: for he sees that his day is coming. 14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. 15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. 16 A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholds the righteous. 18 The LORD knows the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. 19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. 20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. 21 The wicked borrows, and pays not again: but the righteous show mercy, and gives. 22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholds him with his hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 26 He is ever merciful, and lends; and his seed is blessed. 27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. 28 For the LORD loves judgment, and forsakes not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. 29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. 30 The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of judgment. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. 32 The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him. 33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. 34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt you to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. 35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. 36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. 37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. 39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
Luke 1 57 Now Elisabeth’s [the oath {promise} of God] full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the LORD had showed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. 59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zechariah, after the name of his father. 60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61 And they said unto her, There is none of your kindred that is called by this name. 62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marveled all. 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, and praised God. 65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. 66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the LORD was with him. 67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel; for he has visited and redeemed his people, 69 And has raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 70 As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73 The oath which he swore to our father Abraham, 74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. 76 And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Highest: for you shall go before the face of the LORD to prepare his ways; 77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring [anatole – the rising light of a new day] from on high has visited us, 79 To give light [understanding] to them that sit in darkness [ignorance] and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
Truly, truly, I say unto you, When you were young, you girded yourself, and walked wherever you would: but when you shall be old, you shall stretch forth your hands, and another shall gird you, and carry you where you would not.
In many previous posts, we’ve discussed the time and the LORD anointing and sending me/us to lead His people out of their bondage. We understand the captives are held by church and state institutions that became completely corrupt after they were carried away from God by the winds of their own false doctrines. The title, John 21:18, is the LORD speaking to Peter of this time, when they are carried back from where, when left to walk wherever they would, they walked away.
The word “carry” is the Greek word phero, which is telling of the LORD moving in men of His choosing, to give His words of instruction and guidance, which is the point of John 21, to carry them again into life. The chapter begins with the LORD appearing on the shore (at the destination) and calling to the disciples who are in a boat fishing. He asks them if they have any meat, referring to fish, both speaking of the deeper meaning that lies beneath the surface. They say they have none, and He directs them where to cast their net. They follow His instruction and their net is filled, and they realize, by the revelation, it is Him. Peter, as per his being the son of Jonah, realizing it is the LORD who is speaking to him, dives into the sea and swims to the shore. We are told that he, before His swim, gird his fishing garment, which is later referred to by the LORD in verse 18. The word “gird” is from the Greek word zonnumi, only appearing these two times, meaning to prepare, hear as in to bind clothing that is in the way of the work ahead: restricting and limiting the wearer.
The reference in verse 21 above is to Deuteronomy 18:15 thru 18, where the LORD tells of the one he will raise up, who the people will hear and follow. He says that this person will be like Moses, meaning he will, in the name of the LORD, lead God’s people from their captivity and to again receive and transmit His instructions (commandments).
The word phero (carry), next appear in Acts 2:2 where it is rendered “rushing” in telling of the sound, the great noise from heaven, of a mighty rushing (quickening) wind, which is the Holy Spirit moving. This is the great noise Peter speaks of in 2 Peter 3:10, saying, “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.” It is the same “great noise” Isaiah speaks of in Isaiah 13:4 and 29:6, when the LORD gathers all His people to the battle. “The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts musters the host of the battle.” “You shall be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.”
It is the same noise we have recently seen spoken of in Micah 2:12, saying, “I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of you; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah [as One flock], as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.”
Peter, earlier in 1 Peter 1:13, speaks of this grace, the free gift given, which is able to gird (prepare by raising) up our minds, and is brought to us at the revelation of the Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought [phero – will carry you into life] unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which has called you is holy, so be you holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be you holy; for I am holy. 17 And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18 Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation [worthless words – ideas and ways you were taught] received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who truly was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times FOR YOU, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 22 Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away: 25 But the word of the LORD endures for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Verses 24 & 25 are quoting from Isaiah 40 where the word of God is instructing us what we should say, which is as a great noise that is heard, that prepared the way of the LORD.
Isaiah 40 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD has spoken it. 6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: 7 The grass withers, the flower fades: because the spirit of the LORD blows upon it: surely the people is grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. 9 O Zion, that brings good tidings, get you up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that brings good tidings, lift up your voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! 10 Behold, the LORD God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
This instruction is the LORD moving His people to accomplish these things: joining into unity, which brings order that results from obedience and carries us into life. Peter further explains as he used the word phero four more times, in 2 Peter 1:17, 18 & 21.
2 Peter 1 11 For so an entrance [into unity] shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. 12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them, and be established in the present truth. 13 Yea, I think it meet [fitting], as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our LORD Jesus Christ has shown me. 15 Moreover I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. 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 [phero – sound of the Holy Spirit moving which carries into life] 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 [phero] 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 [understanding] that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star [phosphoros – light bearer, carrying understanding] arise in your hearts [is seen by the analysis of your reasoning mind]: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came [phero] not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved [phero] by the Holy Ghost.
This same moving is what leads us into a deeper understanding, a more complete description stored away for this moment, so we would know and respond to the LORD’s instructions, led from captivity and carried into life.
This captivity is spoken of Isaiah 19 by using the name Egypt, as the LORD appears riding on a swift cloud. The Hebrew word rendered Egypt is Mitsrayim, which is plural (im) of the Hebrew word matsowr, meaning to limit. The idea is of compounding limitation, as in hemming in, which is what the girding relieves – per the above discussion.
Isaiah 19 1 The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rides upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart [their rationale – the idea upon which the lean, their elements] of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it. 2 And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbor; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. 3 And the spirit [of disobedience] of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards. 4 And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel LORD; and a fierce king shall rule over them [the spirit of Satan, the prince of the air, the power that now works in the children of disobedience], says the LORD, the LORD of hosts. 5 And the waters [the lying words and ideas] shall fail from the sea [shall lose, have lost, their power over the masses], and the river [the ways their deceptions flow to the people] shall be wasted and dried up. 6 And they shall turn the rivers far away; and the brooks of defense shall be emptied and dried up: the reeds and flags shall wither. 7 The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no more. 8 The fishers also shall mourn [because they can’t any longer catch fish], and all they that cast angle into the brooks shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish [because they have no meat]. 9 Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave networks, shall be confounded. 10 And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices and ponds for fish [to hem in their catch]. 11 Surely the princes of Zoan [those who have departed from the LORD] are fools, the counsel of the wise counselors of Pharaoh [the house of the kings who have ruled as lords over God people] is become brutish: how say you unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings? 12 Where are they? where are your wise men? and let them tell you now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts has purposed upon Egypt. 13 The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph [marked by exalting themselves] are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, even they that are the stay of the tribes thereof. 14 The LORD has mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggers in his vomit. 15 Neither shall there be any work for Egypt, which the head or tail, branch or rush, may do. 16 In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shakes over it. 17 And the land of Judah [the people the LORD has freed from their captivity – the elect remnant] shall be a terror unto Egypt, every one that makes mention thereof shall be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of hosts, which he has determined against it. 18 In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan [the language of shame, speaking promises they are unable to produce], and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction. 19 In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. 20 And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a savior, and a great one, and he shall deliver them. [Amen!] 21 And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians [the captives] shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it. 22 And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be entreated of them, and shall heal them. 23 In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria [a way to rise out of captivity], and the Assyrian [steps] shall come into Egypt [captives], and the Egyptian [captives] into Assyria [the steps that lead them out of where they’ve degenerated], and the Egyptians [captives] shall serve with the Assyrians [those who had descended by degrees]. 24 In that day shall Israel [those who reign with God, as He reigns in them] be the third with Egypt [those who have come out of captivity] and with Assyria [and those who have come out of their degeneration], even a blessing in the midst of the land: 25 Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.
This revelation of the LORD bringing His people back, from the captivity and degeneration by following corrupt leaders, princes and kings, is spoken on in Job 38. There we are given the full picture in the names used for the star, who the LORD brings to light as He speaks of the sound from heaven and the waters (words). This same story is then told again in Joel 3 when all are brought into the valley of decision where they must to decide who will rule over them. Will you choose those who’ve led the world into darkness or the One who has led it into the light of this new day?
Joel 3 9 Proclaim you this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: 10 Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. 11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all you heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause your mighty ones to come down, O LORD. 12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat [where Jehovah has Judged]: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. 13 Put you in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. 15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. [all understand shall, has been, removed from church, state, and God’s people at large.] 16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. 17 So shall you know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. 18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth out of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim. 19 Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land. 20 But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. 21 For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwells in Zion.
Amos speaks of the day of the LORD being darkness, which we know is the night the LORD comes into, as a thief. Amos is speaking of this time when there is no understanding and tells of it caused by the people turning away from God to idols. He tells of the condition and of the ignorance of those who rule over God’s people.
Amos 5 1 Hear you this word which I take up against you, even a lamentation, O house of Israel. 2 The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is forsaken upon her land; there is none to raise her up. 3 For thus says the LORD God; The city that went out by a thousand shall leave an hundred, and that which went forth by an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel. 4 For thus says the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek you me, and you shall live: 5 But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to naught. [The places where the idols were set in God’s place, and the devil priests call the idols God. There the waters swirled in confusion constantly.] 6 Seek the LORD, and you shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel. 7 You who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth, 8 Seek him that makes the seven stars [same word as Pleiades] and Orion [telling of the word stored away {waters frozen as if turned to stone} and the foolishness that follows, which when released turns confusion into understanding], and turns the shadow of death into the morning, and makes the day dark with night: that calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name: 9 That strengthens the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress. 10 They hate him that rebukes in the gate, and they abhor him that speaks uprightly. 11 Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and you take from him burdens of wheat: you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not dwell in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink wine of them. 12 For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right. 13 Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time. 14 Seek good, and not evil, that you may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as you have spoken. 15 Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph. 16 Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the LORD, says thus; Wailing shall be in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skillful of lamentation to wailing. 17 And in all vineyards shall be wailing: for I will pass through you, says the LORD. 18 Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. 19 As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. 20 Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it? 21 I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. 22 Though you offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. 23 Take you away from me the noise of your songs; for I will not hear the melody of your viols. 24 But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. 25 Have you offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? 26 But you have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which you made to yourselves. 27 Therefore will I cause [Have I Caused] you to go into captivity beyond Damascus [where all the workman are drunken, in tear, and silenced], says the LORD, whose name is The God of hosts.
Amos 6 1 Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria [where they have set their idols in God’s place], which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came! 2 Pass you unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go you to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines: be they better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border? 3 You that put far away the evil day [the darkness that in now upon them, of which they are ignorant], and cause the seat of violence to come near; 4 That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; [who consume God’s people] 5 That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music, like David; 6 That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph [their brother they’ve sold into captivity in Egypt]. 7 Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed. 8 The LORD God has sworn by himself, says the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency [those who exalt themselves] of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein. 9 And it shall come to pass, if there remain ten men in one house, that they shall die.
Job 38 13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? 14 It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment. 15 And from the wicked their light is withheld, and the high arm shall be broken. 16 Have you entered into the springs of the sea? or have you walked in the search of the depth? 17 Have the gates of death been opened unto you? or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death? 18 Have you perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if you know it all. 19 Where is the way where light dwell? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof, 20 That you should take it to the bound thereof, and that you should know the paths to the house thereof? 21 Know you it, because you were then born? or because the number of your days is great? 22 Have you entered into the treasures of the snow? or have you seen the treasures of the hail, [the word of God frozen in heaven and sent to the earth to melt into understanding] 23 Which I have reserved [kept for My own use] against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? 24 By what way is the light [understanding] parted, which scatters the east wind upon the earth? 25 Who has [rightly] divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters [this word of God], or a way for the lightning of thunder [understanding and the voice of its great noise]; 26 To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man; [as in the creation from the ruins – before God’s air was breathed in and man came to life] 27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth? [by the man there now to till the ground] 28 Has the rain a father? or who has begotten the drops of dew? 29 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who has gendered it [who carried forth the understanding of the word of God that had been frozen]? 30 The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep [the deeper understanding that is present, but] is frozen. 31 Can you bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? [Pleiades is from the Hebrew word kuwmaz, meaning stored away, and is rendered tablet. The LORD is asking – can you bind what has bound and stored away. Or can you loose these bands to those who have become fools {Orion – keciyl} without them?] 32 Can you bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or can you guide Arcturus with his sons? [Mazzaroth is from the same word as Egypt, telling of the captives – who the carries to the new birth by loosing the bands of the foolish. Arctrurus is from ‘uwsh, the same word rendered assemble in Joel 3:11 above, which it telling of the releasing the captives, awakening them from their foolishness and gathering them to assemble for the battle ahead.] 33 Know you the ordinances of heaven [do you know the order hidden here]? can you set the dominion thereof in the earth? 34 Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters [so this word of God] may cover you? 35 Can you send lightnings [understanding], that they may go and say unto you, Here we are? 36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? or who has given understanding to the heart? 37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, 38 When the dust grows into hardness [because there is no man to till it], and the clods cleave fast together? 39 Will you hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions, 40 When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait? 41 Who provides for the raven his food [those covered in darkness – who have become fools without understanding]? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat [without a deeper understanding they wander away – and when they cry to God He guides them back to it].
Psalms 48 1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. 2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. 3 God is known in her palaces for a refuge. 4 For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together. 5 They saw it, and so they marveled; they were troubled, and hasted away. 6 Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail. 7 You breaks the ships of Tarshish [of those who are fleeing from their oath] with an east wind. 8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah. 9 We have thought of your lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of your temple. 10 According to your name, O God, so is your praise unto the ends of the earth: your right hand is full of righteousness. 11 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of your judgments. 12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. 13 Mark you well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that you may tell it to the generation following. 14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death [should read – he will guide us even out of death].
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.
When Peter describes the LORD coming as a thief in the night he is describing a time when men are ignorant of the event, and in the darkness blinded to Him when He appears. He is also speaking of the people He comes to not knowing until He has taken what He wants and with it departed. As we know, the elect were the first the LORD came for, and now the dead in Christ. The place He has come to is the ignorant and blinded church, God’s people who’ve been put to sleep by the devils now in control of the pulpits and lecterns where twisted and perverted knowledge is preached and taught.
We know their information is the “elements” Peter speaks of above, in 2 Peter 3:10, using the Greek word stoicheion. We have often discussed its meaning and thereby know these are the foundational ideas: the basic corrupted principles that underlie all their rationale: the rudiments of this world’s confusion, which transformed intellect into primitive reflex reaction. This last point is why, when their indefensible (because their premise is untrue) ideas are challenged, they resort to responses that draw on emotions rather than analysis, and elicit mindless retorts that reinforce some existing popular prejudice.
We know popular prejudice is the zeitgeist, the spirit of the moment, the ideas accepted by the population and become the foundations of the present culture: culture meaning the ideas and ways of the group you have decided to become a part of and join with. The word prejudice means judging without knowledge. In the context of our here ongoing conversation, we understand prejudice is ignorance, which is darkness and the product of confused thoughts.
In our time, this ignorance, these prejudices, are cultivated through teaching and preaching that has not only twisted truth in favor of a political ideology (godless liberalism and communism under the title of progressivism), which they worship as religion and demand its exclusivity when information is aired. As we know, the censorship of God’s language, His ideas and ways of life, silencing His truth, is what has led the current world’s institutional powers, in every realm, into ideas, delusions bordering or inhabiting insanity, that led it into what is the shadow of death.
Friends, the LORD has appeared to pull us into His light, understanding that raises us from the fires and ashes these men’s leadings have caused. As we know, their ideas in church and state are melting away in the heat of the fires their works based on them have caused, and the works themselves are burning up. Their only way, the only distraction away from seeing their failed ideas, is to agitate emotion rather than stimulate and quicken minds. This is what we see when the church preaches and teaches only to make people feel good about themselves, while the world burns. They and their fellow travelers, secular teachers and broadcasters, incite emotion against, and attack, any who point out there is no value in their words and works – and their only objective is to keep you listening, held in their power, in darkness: confusion that never reaches the right conclusions or their promised destination.
2 Peter 3 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 [stociheion – these men’s corrupted foundational ideas] shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works [of men] 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 [the old air, the power that now works in the children of disobedience and brings death] being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements [stoicheion] shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens [the air wherein we meet the LORD, where His word gives us understanding and life] and a new earth [under His new heaven], wherein dwell 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 [they unknowingly wrestle with God, ignorantly opposing Him with their confused ideas], as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction [because in their confusion, and refusing to leave it, they burn up in the same fires burning up their works]. 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.
Friends, these men divide God’s people, in church and state alike, all by their own ideas and ways, and again, in dividing the house it has become unable to stand. As I have many times said, my mission is to unite the church under one head, and doing save it and the world from those who first led them into hell and now hold them there.
In its zeal, the modern evangelical church is on fire for God, but filled and inspirited by ignorance. This same zeal without the righteousness of God, thinking themselves and their teaching totally correct, and thereby thinking themselves without the need for a savior, they will follow these same leaders, who’ve led them into ignorance and division, into perdition, which is the only place insubordination, disobedience, and disorder leads. AGAIN, THE LORD SAYS, COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM!
This doesn’t end any other way, and the beginning that follows is just as we have been told. The only question is when does the church wake up and realize its strength and unity only come under one person, the one God has chosen and sent.
Jeremiah 48 9 Give wings unto Moab [God’s people held in death by the gates of hell], that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein. 10 Cursed be he that does the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keeps back his sword from blood [that keeps back this word of God from those whose word are draining the life from His people]. 11 Moab has been at ease from his youth, and he has settled on his lees, and has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither has he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent [the stink of death] is not changed. 12 Therefore, behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles [see Isaiah 30:13 through 18 below]. 13 And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh [shall not reach the end those who’ve subdued them have promised], as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence [disappointed when the idols set there in God’s place were unable to save them]. 14 How say you, We are mighty and strong men for the war? 15 Moab is [the gates of hell are] spoiled, and gone up out of her cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, says the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts. 16 The calamity of Moab is near to come [has come], and his affliction hastes fast [is here]. 17 All you that are about him, bemoan [nuwd – move away from] him; and all you that know his name [his name is confusion], say, How is the strong staff [branch – as tribes {God’s people} as an offshoot – as in the final church that is part of the beast named Babylon] broken, and the beautiful rod! [maqqel – the staff that Balaam the false prophet, who was send by Balak the king of Moab to curse God’s people, used to strike and force the donkey forward on his way, because it saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way and therefore knew it wasn’t the way and wouldn’t carry him forward with his curse – as we know from our studies, this donkey is God’s elect remnant, upon who the LORD appears riding in His lowly entry. This appears in Zechariah 9:9, and in Zechariah 10:3 again appears, now transformed into the LORD’s goodly horse in the battle. The maqqel is what is leaned on and trusted to hold you up, and is the word used in Zechariah 11:7, 10 and 14 to tell our agreement with God, which binds us together with Him, broken in the betrayal, sold for thirty pieces of silver.] 18 You daughter that dost inhabit Dibon [the totally desolate places, made so by the idols, abominations, put in God place], come down from your glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon you, and he shall destroy your strong holds. 19 O inhabitant of Aroer [the ruins], stand by the way, and espy; ask him that flees, and her that escapes, and say, What is done? 20 Moab is confounded [those held by the gates of hell are confused]; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell you it in Arnon [tell it to all those who spew their ideas as if they are experts, all these wizards who haven’t stopped their peeping and muttering], that Moab is spoiled, 21 And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath, 22 And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Bethdiblathaim, 23 And upon Kiriathaim, and upon Bethgamul, and upon Bethmeon, 24 And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near. 25 The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, says the LORD. 26 Make you him drunken: for he magnified himself against the LORD: Moab also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision. 27 For was not Israel a derision unto you? was he found among thieves? for since you spoke of him [since your word took him captive], you skipped for joy. 28 O you that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock [the Rock that is Christ, from where the LORD voice is heard], and be like the dove [who has reached her destination] that makes her nest in the sides of the hole’s mouth. 29 We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogance, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart. 30 I know his wrath, says the LORD; but it shall not be so; his lies shall not so effect it. 31 Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kirheres [the wall they made of potsherds – again, see Isaiah 30:14]. 32 O vine of Sibmah [the sweet smell of life], I will weep for you with the weeping of Jazer [those the LORD has helped]: your plants are gone over the sea, they reach even to the sea of Jazer [the masses the LORD has helped]: the spoiler is fallen upon your summer fruits and upon your vintage. 33 And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab, and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting. 34 From the cry of Heshbon [heard in their strongholds] even unto Elealeh [God’s ascending – rising up], and even unto Jahaz [this is the LORD appearing for our help], have they uttered their voice, from Zoar [and you have determined it as insignificant] even unto Horonaim [as if they were the empty words from the mouths of those you’ve followed into hell] , as an heifer of three years old [as if you are their sacrifice]: for the waters also of Nimrim [the waters, this word of God that should purity you] shall be desolate. [All these places where the LORD’s voice is heard, but they have not listened.] 35 Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, says the LORD, him that offers in the high places, and him that burns incense to his gods. 36 Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kirheres [who’ve made this wall of potsherds]: because the riches that he has gotten are perished. 37 For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth. [the curse and shame of not reaching the end they have hoped for] 38 There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof: for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein is no pleasure [Isaiah 30:14], says the LORD. 39 They shall howl, saying, How is it broken down! how has Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him. 40 For thus says the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab. 41 Kerioth [all they have built] is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men’s hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs. 42 And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he has magnified himself against the LORD. 43 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be upon you, O inhabitant of Moab, says the LORD. 44 He that flees from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that gets up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon it, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, says the LORD. 45 They that fled stood under the shadow of Heshbon [their strongholds] because of the force: but a fire shall come forth out of Heshbon [their strongholds], and a flame from the midst of Sihon [their warriors – from the ideas of those who’ve chosen war against God’s ideas], and shall devour the corner of Moab, and the crown of the head of the tumultuous ones. 46 Woe be unto you, O Moab! the people of Chemosh [those who have subdued God’s people] perish: for your sons are taken captives, and your daughters captives. 47 Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, says the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.
Zechariah 11 1 Open your doors, O Lebanon [the high places that were once pure], that the fire may devour your cedars [those in you leading and thinking they are upright]. 2 Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O you oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down. 3 There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan [those who carry you into death] is spoiled. 4 Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter; 5 Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed be the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not. 6 For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, says the LORD: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbor’s hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them. 7 And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves [maqqel]; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock. 8 Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me. 9 Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another [see Micah 3:3 below]. 10 And I took my staff [maqqel], even Beauty [agreeableness], and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people. 11 And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD. 12 And I said unto them, If you think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. 13 And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was valued at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD. 14 Then I cut asunder mine other staff [maqqel], even Bands [the cords that tie us together], that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel [to separate the people at large from their leaders]. 15 And the LORD said unto me, Take unto you yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. 16 For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that stand still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. [see Micah 3 below] 17 Woe to the idol shepherd that leaves the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.
Micah 3 1 And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and you princes of the house of Israel; Is it not for you to know judgment? 2 Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones; 3 Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron. 4 Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings. 5 Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that puts not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. 6 Therefore night shall be unto you, that you shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that you shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them. 7 Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God. 8 But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin. 9 Hear this, I pray you, you heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity. 10 They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. 11 The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us. 12 Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.
Isaiah 30 1 Woe to the rebellious children, says the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: 2 That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! 3 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion. 4 For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes. 5 They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be an help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach. 6 The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young donkeys, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them. 7 For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still. 8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: 9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: 10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: 11 Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. 12 Wherefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, Because you despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: 13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking comes suddenly at an instant [pith’owm petha’]. 14 And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters’ vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit. 15 For thus saith the LORD God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall you be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and you would not. 16 But you said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall you flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift. 17 One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall you flee: till you be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as [I am] an ensign on an hill. 18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. 19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: you shall weep no more: he will be very gracious unto you at the voice of your cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer you. 20 And though the LORD give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not your teachers be removed into a corner any more, but your eyes shall see your teachers: 21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk you in it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left. 22 You shall defile also the covering of your graven images of silver, and the ornament of your molten images of gold: you shall cast them away as a menstruous cloth; you shall say unto it, Get you hence. 23 Then shall he give the rain of your seed, that you shall sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall your cattle feed in large pastures. 24 The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which has been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan. 25 And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall. 26 Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD binds up the breach of his people, and heals the stroke of their wound. 27 Behold, the name of the LORD comes from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire: 28 And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err. 29 You shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goes with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel. 30 And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall show the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones. 31 For through the voice of the LORD shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod. 32 And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the LORD shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of shaking will he fight with it. 33 For Tophet [the place of fires] is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he has made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.
Psalms 113 1 Praise you the LORD. Praise, O you servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. 2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. 3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’s name is to be praised. 4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwells on high, 6 Who humbles himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! 7 He raises up the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the dunghill; 8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. 9 He makes the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise you the LORD.
Psalms 114 1 When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language; 2 Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion. 3 The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs. 5 What ailed you, O you sea, that you fled? you Jordan, that you were driven back? 6 You mountains, that you skipped like rams; and you little hills, like lambs? 7 Tremble, you earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob; 8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.
