Wednesday, December 30, 2015

“mingled people”, who and what warning? 521-2 - 15 - 4

As an aside, when I first looked at this question about mingled people I thought of the church of Pergamos often referred to as the married church. This was the marriage of the early apostolic church and pagan Rome.
Emperor Constantine had a vision during the campaign against Maxentius in which the Christian sign appeared in the sky with the legend “In this sign, conquer.” As a result of his victory, Constantine converted to Christianity. There is some question as to his total commitment to Christianity or whether his was just a political move. In any event, the church of Thyatira resulted with its many pagan icons and practices.
So here the mingling the apostolic church with the pagan church resulted in hundreds of years of false doctrine and relegation of the laity to the authority of the clergy.
Then there is the interesting concept of fallen angels and their off-spring.
Ezekiel 30:5, “Ethiopia, and Libya, and Lydia, and all the mingled people, and Chub, and the men of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword.”
Does this harken back to Geneses 6:2, “That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.”
 Continuing in Geneses 6:4, “There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.”
Giants, Strong’s H5303, a bully or tyrant: - giant
Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew Definition: 1) giants, the Nephilim
Daniel 2:43, “And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.”
Strong’s H6154 – mingled, a mixture, (or mongrel race): - Arabia, mingled people, mixed.
Man has long tried to explain these Nephilim/ hybrids as the off-springs of the gods of old seducing the women of earth. The Greeks and Romans had very similar myths of beings who were half men and half god. What I once discounted as interesting fiction now resonate as fallen angels impregnating earth women.
References are made to the Rephaites in Genesis 14 and in Numbers 13:33, “We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” There are additional references in the Old Testament, enough to prove that they were still around after the flood.
The human species is beings coming so evil that perhaps Satan doesn’t need his minions, the fallen angels, to corrupt humans. There are hints of research in the area of Chimeras perhaps driven by the dream of the perfect soldier. As humans flirt with Transhumanism, the singularity point and introducing animal DNA into humans we are indeed in the days prophesied “As it was and the days of Noah.” Perhaps the greatest warning against research into combining human and animal DNA is the concern that Chimeras are unredeemable.
I believe that all kinds of monsters exist today, however, far more concerning are the monsters being created in the minds of men. In our continuing arrogance surely we will “Inherit the wind.”

Monday, December 28, 2015

The Preparing myself spiritually for the Day of the Lord and the final judgment upon the earth. 519-1 - 6 - 7

Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Peter provides excellent advice as we approach The Day of the Lord. 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” and 1 Peter 4:7, “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”
According to Strong’s sober (G3525) vigilant (G1127) and watch (G3525) reinforce each other and also include be discreet, keep awake.
As a believer I could chose to passively rest in the knowledge that I’m protected from Satan by the covering blood of Jesus. However, as a believer I must be proactive by staying in the Word and daily putting on the “Full armor of God,” including “The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
As a believer I want to be like the five wise virgins of Matthew 23 and have my lamp full of oil so I can greet the bridegroom when he comes. Also, I don’t want to be like the wedding guest in the Kingdom of Heaven parable (Matthew 22) who is not properly dressed to attend the wedding of the king’s son and was cast “into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” I work at being the spotless bride preparing for the wedding feast, nevertheless, I too often fail.
While I labor at being spiritually prepared in the end times, what of the unbelievers? When I stand before the Lord at the Bema judgment seat I want to hear the Lord say "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" and not be the unprofitable servant who is "passed into outer darkness." The first servant had profitably invested the Lord's 10 talents and the unprofitable servant had buried the gold talent for fear of losing it. This parable reminds me that I risk losing friends by being productive with my witness for Jesus Christ. The days before the return of the Lord are growing short and it is past time to be concerned about what friends and family may think.
It’s time to be like Paul in Ephesians 6:1-20, “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Discerning the distinctions between metaphorical terms and literal terms 519-1 - 6 - 3

Literal terms are just that, literal. “A metaphor is a comparison made between two or more things using figurative or descriptive language. Metaphors serve to make difficult to understand ideas or concepts more tangible. Metaphors also infuse written text with vivid descriptions that make the text more vibrant and enjoyable to read.”
The above is a quote from the webpage “15 Famous Metaphors in The Bible”
The 15 examples of Metaphors listed include two by Isaiah.
 Isaiah 64:8, “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.”
Isaiah 5:5, “And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:”
The other 13 Metaphors listed are Proverbs 13:14, Psalms 23:1, John 6:35, John 8:12, Revelations 19:7, Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 18:2, Revelations 21:6, Genesis 49:9, John 14:6, John 15:5, Corinthians 5:17 and Matthew 5:13.
So how do I discern the distinctions between metaphorical terms and literal terms? By reading the Word, discerning areas of agreement and disagreement:
Although Revelations 21:6 is included as a metaphor I believe God meant it as literal when He said, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end."
Same for John 14:6, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” The author states that “In this example, followers of Christ are said to be “a new creation.” It is metaphorical, of course, because something already existing cannot be created.” Wrong, we are a new creation as we reject our old self.
Metaphors not mentioned in the above webpage:
John 10:7, “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.”
John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
Surely Jesus was not saying that he was an actual door, rather that he is the way to salvation.
Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34 quote Jesus as saying, "how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!"
Jesus has feathers, I think not! Rather Jesus seeks to gather us up and cover us with the redemption he earned for us through His work on the cross.
Then there is twisting of Scripture which is metaphoric in nature but used as literal to promote an agenda.
Matthew 16:18, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” This has been twisted by the Roman Catholic Church to qualify the apostle Peter as the first pope establishing an unbroken line of popes since the days of Christ. The rock that Jesus speaks of is indeed Himself. The name Peter (Petros) means a small stone. This passage has been used to justify revelations by the pope as having more authority than the Word of God.
When Jesus told the disciples in Corinthians 11:24 and 25 to drink wine and eat bread in remembrance of Him it was just that, a commemoration of the gift of Jesus provided by his death on the cross. This is also been twisted by the Roman Catholic Church into the doctrine of transubstantiation, that the wine and bread actually becomes a very blood and body of Christ. When Jesus initiated this ritual he was physically in the presence of his disciples, obviously a metaphor.

Friday, December 25, 2015

What is “God fearing” and How does the fear of God manifest in my life? 519-1 - 5 - 2

As an aside, when considering the expression "the fear of the Lord" two other terms come to mind, “The Day is Near” and “The Day of the Lord.” Throughout the Old Testament warnings of this day is given by a number of the prophets. Our awesome God is a loving God, however, he is also a righteous God and will not permit sin into His presence. Nevertheless we are promised 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
I work at being humble, praying, and seeking His face, and turning from any and all wicked ways. And always having oil in my lamp for fear of missing out when the bridegroom comes.
Searching Scripture helps me in understanding the term “God fearing.” Proverbs is rich with admonitions. Proverbs 2:5, “Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.”
Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” This is not fear in the usual sense rather it is having a right relationship with God, of being absolutely in awe of God, holding him in complete respect and being obedient to His will.
A few more verses in The book of Proverbs that refer to the fear of the Lord are 2:5, 3:7, 9:10, 10:27, 14:26 and there are several more.
Job was schooled by God; Job 28:28, “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”
In addition to having a sense of awe and knowledge and understanding of God, I’m aware of the many warnings of coming judgment. Warning passed on by Isaiah, Joel, Ezekiel, Job and more. Isaiah 2 speaks to judgment beginning in verse 1 with “a rod out of the stem of Jesse” and in verse 2 “knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.” With thanks to Strong’s H3374, here fear is infinitive; morally reverence; dreadful, exceedingly, fearfulness.
Last year and in another class I was responding to a question concerning “the fear of the Lord.” This brought to mind the famous sermon by the fire and brimstone preacher from the 1700s Jonathan Edwards; “Sinners in the hands of an angry God.” In today’s Church of the Laodicea’s, this sermon would likely be considered unacceptable and certainly not PC.
I've listened to this very visual sermon which is more than 40 minutes in length. It should “Put the fear of the Lord” into anyone hearing it. Rev. Edwards reminds us that we are held by a fine thread above Hell. Only the hand of God holds us securely if it is His desire. Thankfully I know from Ephesians 2:8 that it is by grace that I’m saved through faith; and that not of myself, rather through the gift of God.

What is the most convincing evidence that we are in the Last Days? 519-1 - 5 - 6

For years there has been a pervasive anticipation that we are in the last day. In my opinion, most people fit into one of four groups. One group ignores the possibility and gets caught up in reality shows such as “Dancing with the Stars.” Members of the second group are the unbelievers and are often frightened without knowing the source of their fear, just that these are scary times. Then there is the third group waiting to be rescued by ET. As a member of the forth group, the BACs, I’m filled with expectation and seeking to be with the Lord.
An Internet search for “end of days” resulted 829,000,000 hits. The website, “Signs of the End of the World” was interesting.
To me the most convincing evidence that we are in the Last Days is how closely world events are fulfilling Bible prophecy.
Daniel 12:4, "But thou, 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." More than 800 million search results, knowledge increase? Many do run to and fro either physically with international travel or through cyber-land.
Paul had much to say about the last days and cautioned that “In the last days perilous times shall come.” 2 Timothy 3:1
Perilous times you say? In the United States we have a hapless administration either totally out of its league or following the dictates of its handlers. More and more countries are becoming nuclear with her their leaders’ fingers poised above the red button as “Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” Luke 21:10. There is concern about an EMP attack from other countries or a solar flare, either of which could potentially send us back to the 19th Century. Israel is becoming more and more isolated as even the United States is turning on her.
Jesus shared with his disciples the signs of his coming including great earthquakes in divers places, famines, pestilences and signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars. The great earthquake of a few years ago released radiation from a Japanese nuclear facility. There have been four blood moons in the last two years as well as unusual eclipses.
2 Timothy 3:2-5, in my opinion, has a correlation to Isaiah 5:20, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Men are lovers of self, are covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy and that is only verse 2. Verse 3 continues with men lacking natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.” “Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;” in verse 4. As a BAC I follow the warning in verse 5, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
As it was in the days of Noah, so it is today. I am so grateful that I know my destination and it is glorious and coming shortly.
 

Saturday, December 19, 2015

“The Harbinger” by Jonathan Cahn revisited 519-1 - 4 - 7

Isaiah 9:10, “The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.” [KJV]
Jonathan Cahn wrote a best seller titled “The Harbinger: The ancient mystery that holds the secret of America's future” released 2011-09-03. The book compares the reaction of Northern Kingdom to the first invasion of the land by the Assyrians to that of the United States after 911. Neither the Northern Kingdom nor the United States repented their sins and with great defiance stated that they would rebuild even better.
As it was in the Northern Kingdom thousands of years ago so it is today in the US, defiance rather than repentance. The day after 9/11 Senate Majority Leader, Tom Daschle in a statement concerning a 'Joint Resolution of Condemnation for the September 11, 2001 stated the following: “But there is a passage in the Bible from Isaiah that I think speaks to all of us at times such as this: 'The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.'” [The Harbinger page 117]
New York City Mayor, Rudolph Giuliani and New York State Governor, George E. Pataki said much the same; Major Giuliani after the attack and Governor Pataki when dedicating the building of the "Freedom Tower" on the 4th of July 2004. [The Harbinger page 62]
When he was the Democratic Candidate for Vice President John Edwards spoke the same verse while at a prayer breakfast. Again, no repentance and Senator Edwards careen was later destroyed. [http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=84922#axzz1M02bgo9D]
There is a message for America In the book the Harbinger. We started out as a very God centered and blessed country. We have mastered the trifecta of evil, abortion on demand, same-sex marriage and throwing Israel under the bus. God is dropping/ has dropped His hedge of protection from America. It is my prayer that it is not too late to salvage our country.
As an aside, three years ago I wrote a Sorites for an Issachar course based on Jonathan Cahn’s book and Isaiah 9:10.
Israel (Northern Kingdom) worships idols and is warned by the prophets
The prophets are ignored by an Israel who does not have ears to hear
An Israel without ears to hear is defeated by the Assyrians
A defeated Israel is a defiance Israel
A defiance Israel says we will rebuild
A rebuilt Israel fall falls again never to again be a nation.
America has/ is replicating the defiance of the Northern Kingdom. We have turned away from God and made idols of our celebrities, bigger homes and such. So another Sorites intentionally left open-ended.
We in America are to live by God’s commandments
The Commandments are ignored by a defiance America
A defiance America watches as her towers fall
The fallen towers inspire the still defiant America
An inspired defiant America has defiant leaders
Defiant leaders vow we will rebuild America
A rebuild America experiences an economic collapse in 2008
An economic collapse in 2008 results in major political changes
Major political changes give power to a very liberal administration
A liberal administration encourages a dependent, immoral society
A dependent, immoral society votes for four more years of the same liberal agenda

Friday, December 18, 2015

Revisiting Hosea 5 and the second coming? What are the roots of anti-Semitism? 521-1 - 14 - 5

Hosea 5:15, “I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.” As the people of Israel cry out in desperation they will finally realize that Yeshua, who they rejected, was and is the Messiah they have sought for so long.
Before the second coming the world will have gone through a seven year tribulation. At least seven years before the second coming there will be a rapture of the Church according to the pre-trip proponents. Revelation chapter 12 suggests a mid-trib rapture with the second coming occurring three and a half years later. Pre, mid or post tribulation, there will be a seven year tribulation before the return of Christ. Then Jesus will descend with the two edge sword of the Word and annihilate Israel’s enemies at the glorious second coming.
As to the roots of anti-Semitism, it started in the garden with thousands of years of plotting and scheming by Satan. Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” [KJV]
Then there is “The Everlasting Hatred” of the Edomite’s and Ishmaelite’s. Rebecca, the wife of Isaac, was told by God that she had two nations warring in her womb. These were Jacob, later renamed Israel by God, and Esau. The story is well known of how Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of porridge and how Rebecca and Jacob later deceived Isaac and to giving Jacob his blessing. While in my opinion God orchestrated his covenant being passed on to Jacob there has been an obsessive hatred of the Jews by the descendants of Ishmael and Esau. Romans 9:13, “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” [KJV]
Surprisingly enough, during the Great Tribulation the remnant of Israel, the woman in Revelation 12, will seek refuge in Edom/ Petra and will be supernaturally protected there.
The Roman Catholic Church was/is responsible at least in part for the heresy of Replacement Theology. The Reformers never completed the Reformation and also allowed Replacement Theology to creep into the Protestant churches.
There were concordats between the Roman Catholic Church and Adolf Hitler and the Roman Catholic Church and Mussolini. By these agreements the church was not to interfere with the state and vice a versa. Pius XII earned the less than desirable title of “Hitler’s Pope.” The Roman Catholic Church has attempted to redact history, however, there are many, many pictures available demonstrating a very cozy relationship.
The current United States administration is not only distancing itself from Israel, it is seeking to undermine their country. It brings to mind the expression, “Keep your enemies close and your friend even closer.”

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Mystery Babylon 521-2 - 13 - 5

Revelation 17:5, “And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth.” [KJV]
Revelation 17:9, “And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.” [KJV] Seven mountains, Rome and the Vatican?
Babylon is mentioned 265 times in the KJV of the Bible. Babylon was the capital of the 1st World Dictator, Nimrod/ Rebel, meaning "a mighty hunter in defiance of the Lord." Fast forward to the End Days, coming, a one world government united with a one world religion.
Was Jezebel, the Harlot, the woman who rides the beast the Roman Catholic Church as foretold by Jesus in His letter written to the church in Thyatira? Revelation 2:20, “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.” [KJV] This reference was to Jezebel, wife of Ahab. Her method of procuring the vineyard of Naboth for her husband was a model for the RCC’s Inquisition.  
Eventually Ahab repented and temporarily stayed the hand of God. Jezebel didn’t fare as well and met the end prophesied in I Kings 21:23, “eaten by dogs.” The Harlot – future One World Church, Rome, Babylon? Forewarning of what would happen to the Harlot when the dogs/ kings of the earth turn on her?
Revelation 17:18 refers to the woman as “That great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” Revelation 18:3, “For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.” [KJV]
As for the kings of the earth and merchants, Revelation 18:10, “Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.” [KJV]
 “To the nearly I billion Roman Catholics misinformed by their hierarchy; to the 400 million Protestants equally ignorant of the facts; and to the genuine martyrs on both sides, this book is dedicated.” So opens Dave Hunt’s “A Woman Rides the Beast: The Roman Catholic Church and the Last Days.” Dave Hunt identifies the Roman Catholic Church as the Whore (Harlot) of Babylon based on the prophecies in chapters 17 and 18. The book ends with appendix I: "The Lutheran – Catholic Joint Declaration Justification," the joint declaration (JD) was signed on October 31, 1999. October 31, the same day as in 1517 that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle chapel. A move to a one world religion? 

Yes, God judges nations on the basis of their dealings with Israel! 521-1 - 1 - 2

Ezekiel 36:23, “And I will sanctify (H6942) my great name, which was profaned among the heathen (H1471), which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen (H1471) shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified (H6942) in you before their eyes.” [KJV]
God is jealous of his name and keeps His Unconditional Covenants with his chosen people:
The Abrahamic Covenant: Genesis 1 7:7-8
The Land Covenant: Genesis 15:18-21
The Davidic Covenant: 2 Samuel 7:16
The Everlasting Covenant: Genesis 26:3-4
And yes, this still applies today. In recent years we in the United States have had a number of warnings or “shakings” to quote Messianic Rabbi Jonathon Cain. There are voices “crying in the wilderness” that is present day America, however, few listen. Rather most are doing “what is right in their own minds,” filling their inherent spiritual gap with the untempered mortar of sinful behavior.
I have posted any number of times concerning God’s dropping of the hedge of protection that is been around the United States since its inception. We have been a longtime supporter of Israel though lukewarm at times. When we act against the interests of Israel we pay for it. Perhaps the best recent illustration of this was during the withdrawal from Gaza. The Israeli settlers were removed from Gaza and in the United States people had to evacuate due to hurricane Katrina.
Again and again the POTUS and his minions fail to support/ undermine Israel in her right to the land deeded to her by God in His unconditional covenant and so much for His hedge of protection. Isaiah 5:5, “And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden (H4823) down:” [KJV]
Last year Israel was been in a violent struggle with Hamas who has fired thousands of rockets into Israel from Gaza, recall the ill-fated Gaza withdrawal and our reward of Hurricane Katrina.. The residents of Israel have seconds to run for cover from the incoming missiles. Israel’s iron Dome has been likened to the hand of God protecting Israel and has done an exemplary job. Israel is now very involved in a ground offensive to wipe out missal launching sites and tunnels used by the terrorists. Israel was criticized for not responding proportionately to Hamas. If while it is true that many more were killed in Gaza than Israel, it must be remembered who started firing the rockets and who uses human shields to protect those rockets.
Ref: Strong’s and Touch Bible:
H6942 – sanctify, verb:
Includes To consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy and set apart.
H1471 – heathen:
Nation, people usually non-Hebrew. Also, a swaem of locusts
H4823 – trodden:
Abasement, a trampling place, trampling

What of the occult today? 519-1 - 4 - 3

I’ve mentioned before that I circled the drain of the New Age years ago. This has provided me with discernment. 2 Timothy 3:5 pretty much sums up the New Age, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” [KJV] too often new agers think they are a little gods in the making. I remember when we would greet each other with “The Christ in me sees the Christ in you,” Holy Spirit perhaps. This form of spirituality can seem close to Christianity thereby opening one up to the deception of thinking they actually are Christians.
Pride often comes into play as it did thousands of years ago in the garden when Satan said you can become as God. Colossians 2:18, “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,” [KJV] When one thinks one is approaching little godhood most assuredly they are vainly puffed up by his/ her fleshly mind.
Colossians 2:19, “And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” [KJV] Jesus is our Head and we, the Church, are His body. Unbelievers often substitute other and bizarre gods and/ or rituals when denying Jesus as the Head.
For me it is Sola Scriptura using the King James Version of the Bible. Unfortunately there are many organizations claiming to be Christian while promoting a very shaky doctrine. Some in the New Apostolic Reformation are claiming to manifest gold teeth, gold dust and gemstones. Nothing new here as this is just recycled Eastern spirituality as practiced by the late Guru Sai Bara for decades.
Dabbling with occult tools such as Ouija boards seem to be getting more press these days. Entities have been known to jump on an Ouija board and pretty much take over a person’s life. An example is the late Jane Roberts who channeled an entity named Seth for decades. Ms. Roberts died at the relatively young age of 55 and had been ill for decades.
Today our world calls good evil and evil good. It’s like there’s a mindset bordering on demonic possession on the part of many in power throughout the world. In his commentary Angels Volume 2: The Invisible War, Chuck Missler warns that “You and I are involved in a invisible war in hyperspace—a supernatural warfare in which we are both the puppets and prize!” CM discusses fallen angels, demons, spiritual warfare, and our ultimate protection as Christians: the Armor of God. Very informative!

Saturday, December 5, 2015

The importance of Isaiah 7:14 519-1 - 3 - 5

Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” [KJV]
As Ahaz refused to ask for a sign, God would give one of His own choosing, a sign for the ages far beyond the time of Ahaz. The sign would bring to a culmination the prophecies and promises relating to "the house of David.”
Why a virgin birth? Because God said so, a favorite subject that I have written about before. Isaiah 7:14 is just one of the hundred plus prophecies concerning the coming Messiah.
It is awesome to realize how God works and how interwoven His Word is. In Genesis 3:15 we learn of the coming Messiah. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” [KJV] A women doesn’t have a “seed”, rather it comes from a man so a prophecy of the virgin birth.
It is amazing to see how God laid the groundwork for the virgin birth. In the time of Moses the daughters of Zelophehad had no brother for their father to leave his goods and property to. The daughters petitioned Moses. Numbers 27: 4, “Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father.” [KJV] In turn Moses brought the problem of no male heir before God who said , Numbers 27:8, “And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.” [KJV] When the daughter married her father would adopt his son-in-law as his son.
Later God had all He could tolerate from King Jeconiah, a descendant of King David. Jeremiah 22:30 “Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.” [KJV] The blood curse pronounced on Jeconiah and his sons, the only males in the royal line, meant that the Messiah could not come from a male in the line of David. However, the petition of the daughters of Zelophehad provided a work-around.
Mary had no brother so her father could adopt her husband Joseph. Joseph was in the line of King David via Solomon thus under the blood curse. Mary was in the line of Kind David through his son Nathan. Mary was the biological mother of Jesus born of her “seed” as proclaimed by God thousands of years before in the Garden of Eden. God is awe-inspiring!