Yes, Jesus is of the tribe of Judah and the line of David who was of the tribe of Judah, you can read the genealogy in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:21-38. Jesus the Son of God was made of a woman, made under the law, Galatians 4:4. Not sure about your question was Jesus a Jew? Today when we hear the word Jew it is taken to mean anyone who is of the religion of Judaism regardless of their genealogy.
The same when we hear the word Gentile or Gentiles, we think of anyone who is not a Jew but there are more to these words. After Soloman died the tribes of Israel divided into the northern and southern kingdoms. The southern kingdom was the tribes of Judah and Benjamin and the Levites tended to the temple; it is called the kingdom of Judah. When they were taken captive by Babylon, the slang term began to be used. Jew is an abbreviated slang term for Judahite, a resident of the southern kingdom of Judah.
The battle of Michael is against three unclean spirits like frogs(why frogs),that FIRST manifest by the MOUTH of the dragon,the MAN Beast like a lamb(a false lamb,a false Jewish messiah- Revelation 13:11 combined with John 5:43-47,actually the MAN of sin,son of perdition)having two horns(i.e. representing two ancient kingdoms),and this false messiah,in fact an esoteric,and kabbalistic, and spiritist messiah, knowledgeable in Torah,a FALSE prophet,and he shall oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God will be enthroned in the temple of God-the Holy City, showing himself that he is God-2Thesslonians 2:3-4 and 9-12.
The battle also is against the unclean spirit of the Beast of sea having 7 heads,10 horns,and upon his 7 heads a NAME of blaspheme.The false messiah will give to the Beast of sea his Power,and his Throne,and great Authority, hen the false messiah, the dragon-Re.13:11-shall take and link the whole structure around the world(Europe,Asia,Africa,Oceania(Australia),North America, Central America and South America) of the Roman Catholic Church to his body, i.e. the 7 heads of the Beast of sea, a Gentilic Beast,which shall sit on the throne of false messiah in Jerusalem in the FIRST half of the last week,week 70th Daniel 9:24-27.So, as JESUS prophesied, Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled- Luke 21:24.
The false messiah from the tribe of Dan- Genesis 49:17-represents the 10 horns of the dragon's body.The dragon's TAIL-Re.12:4-are all false preachers of the Word of GOD- Isaiah 9:15-16.
14For they are the spirits of devils,working miracles,which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world,to gather them to the battle of this great Day of GOD Almighty,the sevenh and last Day,or seventh and last millennium.
15Behold,I come as a thief.Blessed is he that watches,and keeps his garments,lest he walk naked,and they see his shame
Further insights on propetic significance of blessing descendants
Genesis 12:3 shows a blessing from God to Abraham and his descendants which affects all those who bless Israel with a blessing; and curses those with a curse. This effectively puts us all in a position to reap blessings from being part of God's family even if not in the bloodline of Abraham. Romans 9:6-7 shows that is not bloodline that guarantees eternal inheritance and John 8:33-35 makes this clear and the punchline as it were is in verse 44 where Jesus tells them point blank that they are in reality sons of the Devil. They would literally spit in the face of the one who came to save all mankind; including those Gentiles they despised.
It is very interesting to me that there were no punches pulled with any of the Patriarchs in assessing the true condition and resulting destiny of their descendants; indeed it proves inspiration from God. There was never any argument as to the bad news so to speak as to the validity of the message; only anger in the case of Esau of a blessing lost to a usurper brother.
It does seem Esau mellowed out after being in a position where he likely would have killed his brother if his mother didn't have the wisdom to send him away. Eventually there was some restitution of family ties.
I highly recommend Hebrews 11 and 12 for further insight on the saints of God and admonitions for those who profess to be Christians. Here we see how tenacity was ineffective for Esau due to his generally sinful lifestyle; but also we can see Jacob's tenacity wrestling God all night long in Genesis 32 starting in verse 22. He was preparing to meet Esau and sent his family ahead; thus alone in the wilderness and God granted the blessing. Part of it no doubt was an attitude of humility toward his brother who accepted his gift and then he separated from him. Joseph's blessing no doubt validated the dream of his youth and was proven by his humbling as a slave and exaltation.
The consistency of the Bible and uniqueness of Christ
In my last post I describe how the incident in John 9 set apart Christ as doing something new; that only God could perform.
This wasn't something the religious Pharisees could deal with; as the lengthy account of this incident makes painfully clear.
We also see Jesus' claims to be able to forgive sins as something unique; yet the many prophecies in Isaiah should have been enough to convince the Jews that this indeed was the true Messiah. There were references there to healing the blind; ministry reaching out to the Gentiles; as well as things such as Isaiah 61 that Jesus quoted and then cut off before the next verse got into the Second Coming and establishing His Kingdom on the earth at that time.
In the analysis of the "Old" and "New" covenants it is better to say that the New one developed the full meaning of the Old.
It certainly doesn't eliminate moral expectations in regard to murder; adultery and covetousness in the original 10 Commandments; we can look to Colossians 2:16 as to the exception of a mandate for "Holy days" as to not enforcing Saturday as the day of rest. This is a hotbed of controversy for some so I won't elaborate further. It is clear ceremonial laws changed; in regard to foods eaten the Cornelious episode makes that abundantly clear. ( Acts 10).
Christ became the sacrifice for our sins so no further sacrifice is needed. ( Psalm 40:6-8). Clearly the grace of the N.T. is seen in the Old Testament; particularly in regard to the sacrifice of a contrite and broken heart as seen in Psalm 51 and many other places. God Himself at some point abhorred the sacrifices due to the hypocrisy ( Isaiah 1:14). Many call Isaiah the Gospel of the O.T. and it is needed reading to understand prophetic things to come regarding Christ and God's call to the Gentiles.
Many places appear to show Christ before He came on earth physically; it is an interesting study in itself. So is the Godhead.
Mat.25:6-At midnight there was a cry:Behold,the bridegroom cometh;go ye out to meet Him
Rev.19:7-8
7Let us be glad and rejoice,and give honour to him:for the marriage of the Lamb is come,and his wife hath made herself ready
8And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white:the fine linen is the righteousness of saints
How does Revelation describe the marriage supper?
Re.19:17-18
17And I saw an angel standing in the sun;and he cried with a loud voice,saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven,Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great GOD;
18That ye may eat the flesh of kings,and the flesh of captains,and the flesh of mighty men,and the flesh of horses,and of them that sit on them,and the flesh of all men...
Questions?
1-An angel standing in the sun:What sun?
We know that the woman is clothed with the sun-Re.12:1.It must be the light of the greater Light-JESUS. Malachi 4:2-Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;
2- the fowls that FLY in the midst of heaven:What fowls?
Is.60:1-5&8-A clue to understand these allegories:
1Arise,shine;for thy light is come,and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
2For,behold,the darkness shall cover the earth(Israel,the clay-Is.64:8 combined with Gen.1:9),and gross darkness the people:but the Lord shall arise upon thee,and His glory shall be seen upon thee
3And the Gentiles(the waters-Gen.1:9 and Re.17:15)shall come to thy light,and kings(Re.1:6) to the brightness of thy rising
4Lift up thine eyes round about,and see:all they gather themselves together,they come to thee:thy sons shall come from far,and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side
5Then thou shalt see,and flow together,and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged;because the abundance of the sea-Re.17:15-shall be converted unto thee...the Gentiles shall come unto thee
...
8Who are these that FLY as a cloud,and as the doves to their windows?
"Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?/ Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
God breathed into the nostrils of man and made him a living soul. The Gospel of St Mark sets his sights on the Gospel with the Son of man in the glory of his Father with his holy angels.So emphasis is on nations, of light and of the darkness. Nation of Israel and of the Gentiles are besides the point.
The healing of the blind was a case in point. He would be taken apart from Bethsaida, a disbelieving town as Jesus joining his disciples in the ship was a signal to calm the seas. Similarly as with the symbolism of the house, the vessel was separate from the boisterous sea, a metaphor for the wicked world. The blindness of the man shall be only cleared when he saw the holy angels as men set apart in the world of the Spirit. Breath of God is the expression of the eternal word so his divine will is a sign for the truth set in his inward parts. Soul is the inner man for which he is accountable to Him.
In the night vision of Daniel the Spirit refers to the Son"and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven." One like the Son of man considering it was a night vision we can be certain that we are looking at the everlasting covenant when "the judgment was set, and the books were opened."(Dan.7:11,13). The Gospel sets with the generation of Jesus Christ those who are his and those who rejected it as belonging 'in this adulterous and sinful generation'. So predestination merely refers to the calling and we who are his, are warned to make our calling and election sure.
Jesus would yet preach in Bethesda so his obedience to the Word overrode everything else. "woe unto thee, Bethsaida!,"(Matt.11:21-22)
"And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country." (v.10)
Mark sets Jesus crossing" the other side of the sea into the country of the Gadarenes."The sea mentioned here is the lake of Galilee on the south. Lucan gospel explains the location so we may conclude that Jesus with his disciples arrived there from Galilee. ("which is over against Galilee".-8:26) Gadara is not directly named in the scripture but was a walled city where the Gentiles lived mostly and was a part of the Decapolis. The point of location we need note to our intent and purpose is this: geographically Gadarenes is situated on the east of the Jordan river. Crossing of the Jordan river in spiritual terms signifies death.
Jesus cast out the many demons from the man. They all had a request:"And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
"For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit."/And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many./And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country."(vv.8-10)
Unclean spirits require a body which is impossible for Satan to create. He is the father of lies and not of life. For this reason he used a serpent to beguile Eve and being cast out they had unanimously chose the herd of swine.
"All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds."(1 Co.15:38-40). Here we have a country separate from the land of Galilee. In the Parable of Lazarus and the rich man, the latter had a place while Galilee signified the blessed state of the beggar. The other man's riches come in all forms and weights. Sheep, cattle and swines are part contributing to the wealth, and the rich man who wished Lazarus to visit him had chosen his own country. His cry came too late. ( Luke 16:24)
1:1 The first line encapsulates the generation of Jesus Christ which delineates the Alpha and Omega mode of the holiness of God. As provided for man his blessings surely are let in his Son. So he is the son of Abraham whom God blessed. (Ge.12:3). He is also the son of David whom God blessed by equal measure,"and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever."(2 Sa.7:12). These blessings did not begin with Abraham but from the everlasting covenant. It is set down as the driver so both Gentiles and Israel are to be allowed in the Fellowship of God with Man.(Ge.1:28) This universality of the Word become flesh we see in the arrival of the Magi and his attitude towards the Gentile centurion. (8:10) He was looking for faith in the world before whom he appeared as the Apostle.
The Sermon on the Mount presents him state the holiness of His Father as perfect. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."(5:48) He shall prove with his life that it was doable. Blessings presented in this discourse carry for those who refused it. In Ch.23 his discourse 'Woe to ye' was condemnation to the nation that shortchanged Mercies of his Father for the traditions of their fathers. "Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers./Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?"(23:30-31) The parables are a literary devise that the Spirit uses with telling effect to separate the chaff from the good seed. "And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them."(21:45)
Fulfillment of the Scriptures is a notable feature of the Gospel so Alpha and Omega aspects of the kingdom of heaven keep the Son of man in the crosshairs from beginning till the end. Jesus began his ministry where the quote from isaiah served as a cue. "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."(4:14-17)
Necessary doctrines: God's covenants with Israel and the church.
The question that arises is this; since we are "grafted in" hence Jews and Gentiles are part of God's elect in this age as we see illlustrated in Romans 11. If we continue to verse 23; however we see that even Jews are grafted in once they believe in the truth about Jesus. ( Romans 11:25). We also see this principle in Luke 21:24 as well as various Old Testament scriptures about the Resurrection of all saints ( Daniel 12:13) and King David himself ruling with Christ ( Daniel 7:27 and other passages). There are those who stubbornly only consider these promises to be fulfilled in the church and say God is done with Israel. This helps to discount a millennium as something which is symbolic of the church (even though that has lasted almost 2000 years now since Pentecost). I would say that we need to draw the line if there is a display of antisemitism; for instance with a superiority complex developing because of these theories. Admittedly there is much evil among all; including those Jews who are living in unbelief when we see; for instance Tel Aviv and the abominations of those living out a lifestyle like Sodom ( Revelation 13:16-17). We also need to seek out individuals whether Jew or Gentile to preach the Good News; without partiality to anyone. Finally; there is difficulty with some in regard to sacrifices actually occurring in the Millennium; deeming them an abomination as Christ has already fulfilled all things necessary. That would depend on the purpose of these; as to commemorating God and having a ceremonial purification; for instance. Such activity would help to bring all to worship in Israel; fulfilling prophecies such as Isaiah 56:7 and Zechariah 14:17. Despite all this; I wouldn't consider this essential doctrine to break fellowship but important nonetheless to get a correct grip on the rest of scriptures to avoid what could be bigger error of essential truths.
This book is describing the transatlantic slave trade. And they would be sent into Egypt Again, which means this particular nation of people have had a history of being enslaved prior.
Me Personally have been going to church my entire life and not once have I ever heard the Priests, Pastor's preach this book in complete.
Which Is why most don't understand even though it's clear who the people are the book speaks of and who claim to be but are not.
The most high Yahweh leadath Israel into captivity in Egypt for disobeying his laws and sent Moses to being them out but they hardheaded Israelites continued there disobedience of his laws so the most high sent them into Egypt again this time on ships with yolks of iron upon thy necks sold to thy enemies separated from there children never to see them again given names and nationalities of the gentiles so they would no more be known as Israel and would work on pagan gods of the heathen so they will be broken.
v.29 "and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken." In Re. Ch.12 we see the reason why."And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,/And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven."(Re.12:7-8) Jesus had warned, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand."(12:28) This war result in Satan cast down. "for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."(Re.12:12b.) Jesus ses it happening." And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."( Luke 10:18) These seventy other disciples indicate the latter end of 'everlasting gospel' mentioned in Re.14:6-8). Jesus is on the earth and yet he see what must yet happen! In the passage one angel speaks 'his hour of judgment is come. In the next verse the second angel announces, "Babylon is fallen' which in chapters 17 and 18 are in detail shown. To our intent and purpose the discourse of Jesus in vv.29-51 cover Babylon, both Jews and the Gentiles. vv.16-20 owe to the Roman army almost at the doors.(v.33)
"'This generation shall not pass' refer to the generation of Jesus Christ. (Matt.1:1) It covers both Abraham and David. Son of Abraham sets him as the Word become flesh. (Before Abraham was, I am- John 8:58) We shall explain the shortening of Great tribulation from this logos aspect. Heaven and earth is set in terms of time on a single scale of Alpha Omega aspect. "that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.(2 Pe.3:8) As the lord from heaven Jesus sends the twelve disciples must integrate the everlasting gospel preached by the 70 other disciples as well. The war in heaven casts out Satan to the earth and he knows 'that he hath but a short time.'. Great tribulation is on reconstituted time vv.21-22
"And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory./ And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
The elect includes both the nation of Israel and the Gentile nations. Daniel the Seer belongs to the former. He also was curious as the disciple to know the end times. But the Angel of the Lord did not dilate much on the topic. Instead he said, "But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days."(Dan.12:13) When Jesus went in Spirit to the souls in prison he surely was one among many saints in the OT period. They are witnesses to the gospel below the earth. There is a cloud of witnesses which Daniel had seen in the night vision, " and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." (7:10). The Spirit refers to the judgment with regards to the beast, to which he is also a witness. The beast referred in terms of the times of the Gentiles is shown as emerging from the bottomless pit. " the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them."(Re.11:7). In Re. Ch.13:1 "and saw a beast rise up out of the sea." This beast emerges in the vision of Daniel rises from the sea. ("And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another." Dan.7:3). In this context what Jesus refers here is a sign. " When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)/Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains."(vv.15-16)
This background helps us to place the great tribulation mentioned in v.21
In the Book of Genesis God separated the waters above from water below (Ge.1:6-7)which is a signal for the rise and fall of nations,- and the vision of Daniel on the banks of Ulai in Dan.12 gives us a river of time so history of these are set, and it leads us to the throne of God and of the Lamb and beyond to the saved nations on the earth.
According to the Abstract First day set two nations of light and darkness. Second day provided us the heaven a label for the world of the Spirit. God blessing Abraham (12:3) sends him along and his looking for a city was spiritual insight so faith explains what Abraham deprived of the Promised Land because of the sin of Amorites, could still thrive despite of it. " For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."(He.11:10). It is thus we consider the cloud of witnesses which validates heroes of faith as the double for the Son.
The fall of Babylon described in St John's vision explains the fate of Jerusalem and the nations which rejected the Son. "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder./ And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them."(v.45). Specific to the nation of Israel we have this verse, "And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus:"(Re.17:6; Matt.23:35-36)
vv.14-18 "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful." In their opposition to God they are as one and yet Jerusalem shall be destroyed by the Gentiles. Re.18:21 the "stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all."(18:21)
" Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (v.28)
It is a categorical statement and rules of engagement in the Kingdom of his dear Son vastly differs from that of the pagan world. We shall see the damage done already by the miry clay so the strength of iron has become as oppressive as the weakness of clay has made their creed,-the liturgical worship of the congregation akin to the mumbo jumbo to which Jesus alluded,"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." This vain repetition consequently has made the faith they rely on to none effect. The same Scripture the imposter church follows as a believer yet so many doctrinal heresies would require so many denominations ,-and the religious wars of the past and inquisition with its instruments of cruelty that one may ask, "Is Christ so divided among you?" Jesus set an example but still the princes of the Holy See and TV celebrities overlord their flock as though they were entitled to have different rules than they impose on other. Jesus has clearly shown us an example.
"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them./ But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;/ And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant."
Humility of the suffering Servant was not for himself but to give life as ransom for many. Jesus explained the reward of following him through thick and thin. They shall "inherit everlasting life.(19:29). Hope of 'every one that hath forsaken houses' is eternal habitations. "In my Father's house are many mansions". He has also given them a route map. "I am the way." ( John 14:2-6)
"But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able."
Having announced what Jerusalem signaled he foresees the fire already kindled. This is what we can gather from the Lucan gospel. ""I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?/ But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!/ Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:" ( Luke 12:49-51)" John the Baptist also had touched upon before Jesus had begun his ministry. He asked 'many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, thus: "Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?"/"And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (Matt.3:7,10). From the next verse it is very clear that he is referring to the day of wrath.(Mal.3:2) it has several degrees where he sits "as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver," leading to the day of judgment which is 'qualified by 'unquenchable fire.'
"He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:/ Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (3:11-12)
From these verses we may conclude that Jesus Christ with his resurrection shall present before the Jews and the Gentiles as a stumbling block. Either they will choose or deny him. "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder."(21:44) His disciples are called to throne of glory where the quality of it is hundredfold meaning whatever they lost in the process was chaff.
"He that is able to receive it, let him receive it." (v.12) Compare with this verse, " He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."(Re.3:6). The Spirit places at the end of each message to seven churches where what is revealed to each church hold variations and what does it tell us? "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ./For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit./For the body is not one member, but many"(1 Co.1:12-14).
The members cannot be members of any other spirit than that of 'one Spirit' which is God. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"(1 Co.3:16). The stone upon which this temple is being built is in heaven, and the seven pillars are built exact specifications. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." So gold silver wood that you gather shall be to no avail if you build up on the wrong foundation and the fire shall prove ine day.
This being the case celibacy gives no one special privilege or honor; for that matter being asexual from birth carries no shame either. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."(Col.3:17)
We see through these various sayings a glimpse of the itinerary of Jesus, each step leading closer to the mount Calvary. The Spirit says, "And came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;/And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.. Jordan serves as a death knell sounded but he as Faithful and true witness brought glory to his Father. "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."(Ps.107:20)
"The beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them."
First point to note is that the beast is a composite figure as the two witnesses represent the saints to whom Jesus Christ gave power according to the promise of God, and are called and blessed in his Son.. "The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies."(Ps.110:2) These enemies on the earth are caused by 'the war in heaven.'(Re.12:7). And the consequence of it we read in v.12. "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."
This short time is clearly set by the Spirit even as the earthly ministry of Jesus and of the two witnesses. 42 is a number designated by God so the time of the Gentiles or heathen is likewise determined. John was sent as a messenger who was killed by the sword. Herod Antipas, it must be stressed was a vassal king to Caligula as another Herod, Herod Agrippa would have James killed. One killed because of his oath and the other killed James because he wanted to please the crowd. in whichever case the beast is associated with qualities totally antithetical to Jesus. The beast rising out of the sea (Re.13:1) is from below the earth as Jesus is from heaven. He is the king," The Lord sitteth upon the flood."(Ps.29:10) What is the characteristic of the sea? The beast represent the wicked," But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt."(Is.57:20). While we have the likes of Herod whose power is derived from some one else as enemies to Christ, the two witnesses represent an angel a man so the golden reed is their measurement and signify the everlasting gospel entrusted to them. Herod also gave rise to a political movement in the days of Jesus. (Matt.22:15-16)
The '1260 days' is a tag supplied the Spirit to indicate the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. By the same token the Gentiles are allowed to operate for 42 months. The 42 months' similarly is a tag. In an earlier post we saw 'the hour" during which the power of darkness prevailing over the children of disobedience. ( Luke 22:53). The beast as well as the enemies to Jesus who took him in the night belonged to the son of perdition. Judas Iscariot belonged to this group. This conflict reveals two laws, of the Spirit and of the sin.
Let us look at the characteristics of the two witnesses. They are representatives of several prophets coming under the earthly ministry of Jesus who is the fulfillment of the law. They were "clothed in sackcloth'. It echoes the mourning of Daniel for three weeks,"(Dan.10:2-3)
"And have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will." This recalls to us the seven plagues of Egypt" and of Elijah, "These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy." In short these two witnesses present a composite picture of heroes of faith(He.11:33-38)
On the flip side the number 42 months gives the beast who is a composite figure. John the Baptist was beheaded under a Herod and we have the beast in the Acts of the Apostles, "Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church./And he killed James the brother of John with the sword./And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also."(Ac.12:1-3)
Finally " Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein." This temple is not anything extant but what was founded on Zion. (1s.28:16) We see its culmination in Re.21.22-23
And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it./... for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."
"And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth."(11:3)
Who is the authority to confer power on men but the Lord from heaven, who is heavenly? "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." The risen Christ in his humanity was the Word become flesh, so his authority stretched from Alpha the beginning. In his Ascension he was to be seated on the right hand of the Most High so Omega aspect, the ending referred to fulfilling the divine Will of his Father. " Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power"(Ps.110:1-3). Firstly the two witnesses belong to 'thy people'. These were given to the Son. "and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are."( John 17:11)
The chapter began with a golden reed and the angel directing John what to leave out and what to include requires attention. "for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months." This reed is a single measurement. "And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel."(Re.21:17) Gold signifies faith and here single measurement is of the angel,- the fellow-servant of John and of the man to whom the Son has given authority. Power of the little ones and their angels positioned to behold the face of the Father always defines the golden reed. Every other scale is false.
Prophesy is another feature and the two witnesses would do it for "a thousand two hundred and threescore days. "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John."(Matt.11:11)
The days is a tag supplied the Spirit to indicate the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. By the same token the Gentiles are allowed to operate for 42 months. This conflict reveals two laws, of the Spirit and of the sin.
"And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven." (v.13)
At the same hour refers to the hour Jesus spoke about at the night he was taken in. ( Luke 22:53)It is the power of darkness that caused the nation of Israel reject the true Light and the time of the Gentiles before the Son appeared in mid-air to collect. "and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory./ And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."(24:30-31)
The ministry of the two witnesses has the same duration as the day decreed for the Son. John the Baptist was sent according to the Scriptures as a voice preparing the way. "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts./But who may abide the day of his coming? "(Mal.3:1-2) Purifiers work refers to the great tribulation. The script for the day of his coming consists of several phases which is clearly laid out in Matt.3:13. "Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
The chaff shall be cast to the winds. (the imposter church), purging his floor is the earth(*the left behind church), and it leads to the unquenchable fire. "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."(Re.20:10). * Cf the vision of the Woman Clothed with the Sun and she is sent to a place prepared for her. "(12:14)
Hi Jagggard912. This is not an easy question to answer, only because how our minds & hearts have been affected by current govt laws, often apalling court judgements, & the sentiments of society in general. However, since your question relates only to God's view of capital punishment (both by God's Command to His people Israel & His expectancy for the present day we're in), my short answer is, Yes, I believe that nothing has changed before God about sin, of wilful murder & what he expects as the correct punishment to be meted out.
There is no question about God's requirements in relation to murder, adultery, kidnapping, sodomy, rape, witchcraft, etc. ( Genesis 9:6; Exodus chaps 21, 22, 35; Leviticus chaps 22, 24, & others), though proponents for a 'no capital punishment', will claim that Israel was a theocracy (rule under God alone), whereas Gentiles have their own govts & subject to new laws consistent with the consensus of society's expectations. But has God changed? So, why does God allow govts to enact laws inconsistent with His Requirements? Well, I could confidently say that no govt anywhere, would give much regard to God's Laws & Requirements for the proper functioning of society. Many may have started well, having a strong Judeo/Christian foundation, but having sinful, & many Christ-rejecting men at the helm, given to society's whims & for the on-going battle for votes, some God-honoring Laws are side-lined, if not altogether discarded.
So what happens when a capital crime is committed (i.e. wilful murder) and is proved beyond doubt with hard evidence & not just circumstantial? Usually, a life sentence in prison, either for life or parole, & rarely the death penalty. If the prisoner is released back into society, whether as a murderer, rapist, child molester, etc., & he re-offends, hardly anyone batters an eyelid, as the prisoner has served his time. But when that criminal offends again, I ask, 'who then are the real criminals?' Society remains mute.
"And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him./And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?"
The High Priest Joshua represents the High Priest of our Profession. Joshua, God our deliverance is a Hebrew variant of the name Jesus. (He.3:1). Satan is resisting the man as he did with Michael over the body of Moses.(Jude.v.9). Jesus did no sin and knew no evil so Ministry of reconciliation here as a substitutional symbol.
"is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" refers to the great tribulation and the 144,000 representing the 12 tribes so martyrdom does not distinguish between the Jews and the Gentiles.
"Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel./And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment./And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments." (vv. 3-5) Here are two verse for meditation:
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."(Is.61:10)
"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."(Is.61:3)
"For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us."(2:14)
Up Down
This ministry of reconciliation is across while what we considered under 'the other sheep' ( John 10:16). The worlds of the Spirit and the body were reconciled up and down. "The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies". Then the question arises what is 'the rod of thy strength'? "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations." The Word of God prevails over his enemies. These events are given in Re.19:13-18; Ps.110:2
Here we have even unto the world which is length and breadth of the earth. "and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." All power given unto the risen Christ covers both heaven and the earth. That explains the great army of saints following the Word of white arrayed in white.(Matt.28:18-20)
Across
St Paul refers to the Gospel of peace between the Jews and the Gentiles, "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;/And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross" (vv.15-16) The cross is the focus while the sword is the focus in up and down.
Time of the Gentiles
This occurs on the earth since the time tag of 42 months establish the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. "for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months." Jewish diaspora in waves under Assyria, Babylon and Rome are referred as the time of the Gentiles.(Re.11:2). What occurs in Palestine in our times falls under this heading.
The 144,000 who are sealed in place of 12 tribes are neither Jews nor the Gentiles but martyrs.(Re.7) "is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" (Ze. 3:3)
You are giving a great highlight about JESUS's work, and quoted John 10:16, that says: Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold (the Gentiles): them also I MUST bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. In my vision, JESUS was speaking of His Universal work bringing the Gentile people to salvation according the plan of GOD the Father in to create one Universal fold and one Universal Shepherd.
There is an wonderful and wise interpretation of Paul Apostle, saying to the Church of Ephesians 2:12-18
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without GOD in the world:
13 But NOW in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For He is our peace, who hath MADE BOTH ONE, and hath BROKEN DOWN the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the Law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that He might reconcile both unto GOD in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off (the Gentiles), and to them that were nigh(the Jews).
18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. - Hallelujaaaah!!!
'In the beginning' is provided by the third office in Trinity. In organizing the narrative it is Spirit who makes it according to scriptures. The Ethiopian eunuch would not have had help in understanding the passage from Isaiah but the Spirit set up the encounter between Evangelist Philip and the Ethiopian official. Jesus settle in Capernaum and the passage reads,"That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,/ The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;/The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up./From that time Jesus began to preach."(Matt.4:14-17)
The Spirit works on a need-to-know basis. So Jesus leaves behind his anonymity to begin his earthly ministry as though on cue.
'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The Word is both sound and a sign. Jesus was in humanity a sign. "And there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:/For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."(Matt.12:39-40)
When God commanded "Let there be light" there was light. We have God a Spirit explained in terms of the Word. The Word was God the Father. The Word became flesh, the Son. The Third office of the Spirit is in the department of Unity of the Spirit and sets tags on the basis of the earthly ministry giving us how to interpret the realities of heaven of the earth.
'Israel, my Firstborn' (Ex.4:22) According to the eternal purpose, which God purposed in Christ the nation was called. (Ep.3:11). According to the pattern that God showed Moses it is clear that it was the fellowship of God with Man was the basis. It served the pattern for all the tabernacles from the first to the eternity. "Behold the tabernacle of God is with men"(Re.21:3). Israel and the Gentiles were foreknown equally
'Firstborn from the dead' referred to his Son; and the condition was any man who allowed to be conformed to the image of his Son. "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers (Ro.8:29). Israel in rejecting him was tantamount to Esau spurning his birth-right.
Conforming to the image of His Son entails his death and resurrection so the way the Son took presents a newness of life for the believer. Atonement of Jesus Christ covers those who have received him by faith, regardless of Jews or Gentiles. God's deep purpose has been revealed since the outpouring of the Spirit signalled a new body, not of the flesh but of the Spirit. "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence (Col.1:18; Re.1:5)."
'O Lord, save thy people, the remnant of Israel "(Je.31:7 and they shall find grace. "How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? For the Lord hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man (Je.31:22)". It is no longer Israel as their firstborn but the Church as the Bride of Christ, in which Israel shall have a part.
"And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree."(Is.34:6)
Before going into the topic we shall set a framework within which this verse is to be interpreted. "the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain./Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved." (He.12:27-28)
The Word of God mentions three heavens which we may consider as three layers of animator's ceil superimposed in which the throne of God is the rest frame, to draw a term from astrophysics (it is used to study the movement of celestial objects with reference to a star) so the unshakeable kingdom refers to the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Re.22:1) The earth abides forever which refers to the Son, fulfilling the visible aspects of the kingdom. So the Word of God which is the Law is written as the name of the Father in the foreheads and the new name "and I will write upon him my new name."(Re.3:12). Jesus Christ promises, "and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem." (v.12)
Now we shall examine the overall judgment of nations, the Gentiles, Israel under the holdall of the term, the heathen."
Judgment upon them is sure to come,""For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion." (Is.34:8)
'Leaf falleth off from the vine' evokes the discourse of Jesus,"I am the true Vine' discourse. "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."( John 15:6) and Israel as Jesus would hint, "Now learn a parable of the fig tree."(Matt.24:32)
There were many Jewish people in the Church of Rome,and the Apostle Paul in his universal epistle to the Church of Rome, he wrote: Romans 2:5-16:
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the Day of WRATH and revelation of the RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT of GOD;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, ETERNAL LIFE:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, INDIGNATION and WRATH,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew FIRST, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew FIRST, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with GOD
12 For as many as have sinned WITHOUT Law(the Gentiles)shall also perish without Law: and as many as have sinned in the Law(the Jews) shall be Judged by the Law;
13 (For not the hearers of the Law are just before GOD, but the doers of the Law shall be justified.
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the Law, do by nature the things contained in the Law, these, having not the Law, are a Law unto themselves:
15 Which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts(Hallelujah!!), their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another-)
16 In the Day when GOD shall Judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. (The Day arrived-Woe of the inhabiters of the Earth)
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I LAY MY LIFE DOWN for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold (the Gentiles peoples): them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17 Therefore doth MY FATHER LOVES 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.
Yes, Jesus is of the tribe of Judah and the line of David who was of the tribe of Judah, you can read the genealogy in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:21-38. Jesus the Son of God was made of a woman, made under the law, Galatians 4:4. Not sure about your question was Jesus a Jew? Today when we hear the word Jew it is taken to mean anyone who is of the religion of Judaism regardless of their genealogy.
The same when we hear the word Gentile or Gentiles, we think of anyone who is not a Jew but there are more to these words. After Soloman died the tribes of Israel divided into the northern and southern kingdoms. The southern kingdom was the tribes of Judah and Benjamin and the Levites tended to the temple; it is called the kingdom of Judah. When they were taken captive by Babylon, the slang term began to be used. Jew is an abbreviated slang term for Judahite, a resident of the southern kingdom of Judah.
Hope this helps.
God bless,
RLW
The battle of Michael is against three unclean spirits like frogs(why frogs),that FIRST manifest by the MOUTH of the dragon,the MAN Beast like a lamb(a false lamb,a false Jewish messiah- Revelation 13:11 combined with John 5:43-47,actually the MAN of sin,son of perdition)having two horns(i.e. representing two ancient kingdoms),and this false messiah,in fact an esoteric,and kabbalistic, and spiritist messiah, knowledgeable in Torah,a FALSE prophet,and he shall oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God will be enthroned in the temple of God-the Holy City, showing himself that he is God-2Thesslonians 2:3-4 and 9-12.
The battle also is against the unclean spirit of the Beast of sea having 7 heads,10 horns,and upon his 7 heads a NAME of blaspheme.The false messiah will give to the Beast of sea his Power,and his Throne,and great Authority, hen the false messiah, the dragon-Re.13:11-shall take and link the whole structure around the world(Europe,Asia,Africa,Oceania(Australia),North America, Central America and South America) of the Roman Catholic Church to his body, i.e. the 7 heads of the Beast of sea, a Gentilic Beast,which shall sit on the throne of false messiah in Jerusalem in the FIRST half of the last week,week 70th Daniel 9:24-27.So, as JESUS prophesied, Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled- Luke 21:24.
The false messiah from the tribe of Dan- Genesis 49:17-represents the 10 horns of the dragon's body.The dragon's TAIL-Re.12:4-are all false preachers of the Word of GOD- Isaiah 9:15-16.
14For they are the spirits of devils,working miracles,which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world,to gather them to the battle of this great Day of GOD Almighty,the sevenh and last Day,or seventh and last millennium.
15Behold,I come as a thief.Blessed is he that watches,and keeps his garments,lest he walk naked,and they see his shame
Genesis 12:3 shows a blessing from God to Abraham and his descendants which affects all those who bless Israel with a blessing; and curses those with a curse. This effectively puts us all in a position to reap blessings from being part of God's family even if not in the bloodline of Abraham. Romans 9:6-7 shows that is not bloodline that guarantees eternal inheritance and John 8:33-35 makes this clear and the punchline as it were is in verse 44 where Jesus tells them point blank that they are in reality sons of the Devil. They would literally spit in the face of the one who came to save all mankind; including those Gentiles they despised.
It is very interesting to me that there were no punches pulled with any of the Patriarchs in assessing the true condition and resulting destiny of their descendants; indeed it proves inspiration from God. There was never any argument as to the bad news so to speak as to the validity of the message; only anger in the case of Esau of a blessing lost to a usurper brother.
It does seem Esau mellowed out after being in a position where he likely would have killed his brother if his mother didn't have the wisdom to send him away. Eventually there was some restitution of family ties.
I highly recommend Hebrews 11 and 12 for further insight on the saints of God and admonitions for those who profess to be Christians. Here we see how tenacity was ineffective for Esau due to his generally sinful lifestyle; but also we can see Jacob's tenacity wrestling God all night long in Genesis 32 starting in verse 22. He was preparing to meet Esau and sent his family ahead; thus alone in the wilderness and God granted the blessing. Part of it no doubt was an attitude of humility toward his brother who accepted his gift and then he separated from him. Joseph's blessing no doubt validated the dream of his youth and was proven by his humbling as a slave and exaltation.
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, even so "IN CHRIST" shall all be made alive.
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming"
What an marvelous saying!!
The key is being "in Christ"
This is the baptism he came to perform on all those who accepts him as savior! ( Jews and Gentiles alike)
This is what Paul is saying in 1 Corinthians 12:13. "unto the Jews first and then to the Gentiles"
This is what John the Baptist is saying to the Jews when preparing the way for their Messiah.
THE RESURRECTION.
The belief in the resurrection of the body is an vital aspect of our faith as we see in 1 Corinthians 15:17-20
Also the resurrection promotes a "New birth" taken place!
This is where the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead quickens our mortal bodies as mentioned in Romans 8:11-14.
So, we are baptized into Jesus death as mentioned in Romans 6:3.
Romans 6:4-11 gives us our present state by the power of the Holyspirit.
Verse 11 says we are to reckon "or to recognize" ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We have been given an earnest of the Holyspirit to will and perform inside us!
So, We have been given the earnest of the Spirit,
Sealed and predestinated, with a promise of redemption for the purchased possession. "by the blood of Christ."
This is what the resurrection means to us.
God bless.
In my last post I describe how the incident in John 9 set apart Christ as doing something new; that only God could perform.
This wasn't something the religious Pharisees could deal with; as the lengthy account of this incident makes painfully clear.
We also see Jesus' claims to be able to forgive sins as something unique; yet the many prophecies in Isaiah should have been enough to convince the Jews that this indeed was the true Messiah. There were references there to healing the blind; ministry reaching out to the Gentiles; as well as things such as Isaiah 61 that Jesus quoted and then cut off before the next verse got into the Second Coming and establishing His Kingdom on the earth at that time.
In the analysis of the "Old" and "New" covenants it is better to say that the New one developed the full meaning of the Old.
It certainly doesn't eliminate moral expectations in regard to murder; adultery and covetousness in the original 10 Commandments; we can look to Colossians 2:16 as to the exception of a mandate for "Holy days" as to not enforcing Saturday as the day of rest. This is a hotbed of controversy for some so I won't elaborate further. It is clear ceremonial laws changed; in regard to foods eaten the Cornelious episode makes that abundantly clear. ( Acts 10).
Christ became the sacrifice for our sins so no further sacrifice is needed. ( Psalm 40:6-8). Clearly the grace of the N.T. is seen in the Old Testament; particularly in regard to the sacrifice of a contrite and broken heart as seen in Psalm 51 and many other places. God Himself at some point abhorred the sacrifices due to the hypocrisy ( Isaiah 1:14). Many call Isaiah the Gospel of the O.T. and it is needed reading to understand prophetic things to come regarding Christ and God's call to the Gentiles.
Many places appear to show Christ before He came on earth physically; it is an interesting study in itself. So is the Godhead.
Rev.19:7-8
7Let us be glad and rejoice,and give honour to him:for the marriage of the Lamb is come,and his wife hath made herself ready
8And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white:the fine linen is the righteousness of saints
How does Revelation describe the marriage supper?
Re.19:17-18
17And I saw an angel standing in the sun;and he cried with a loud voice,saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven,Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great GOD;
18That ye may eat the flesh of kings,and the flesh of captains,and the flesh of mighty men,and the flesh of horses,and of them that sit on them,and the flesh of all men...
Questions?
1-An angel standing in the sun:What sun?
We know that the woman is clothed with the sun-Re.12:1.It must be the light of the greater Light-JESUS. Malachi 4:2-Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;
2- the fowls that FLY in the midst of heaven:What fowls?
Is.60:1-5&8-A clue to understand these allegories:
1Arise,shine;for thy light is come,and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
2For,behold,the darkness shall cover the earth(Israel,the clay-Is.64:8 combined with Gen.1:9),and gross darkness the people:but the Lord shall arise upon thee,and His glory shall be seen upon thee
3And the Gentiles(the waters-Gen.1:9 and Re.17:15)shall come to thy light,and kings(Re.1:6) to the brightness of thy rising
4Lift up thine eyes round about,and see:all they gather themselves together,they come to thee:thy sons shall come from far,and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side
5Then thou shalt see,and flow together,and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged;because the abundance of the sea-Re.17:15-shall be converted unto thee...the Gentiles shall come unto thee
...
8Who are these that FLY as a cloud,and as the doves to their windows?
Next
"Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?/ Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
God breathed into the nostrils of man and made him a living soul. The Gospel of St Mark sets his sights on the Gospel with the Son of man in the glory of his Father with his holy angels.So emphasis is on nations, of light and of the darkness. Nation of Israel and of the Gentiles are besides the point.
The healing of the blind was a case in point. He would be taken apart from Bethsaida, a disbelieving town as Jesus joining his disciples in the ship was a signal to calm the seas. Similarly as with the symbolism of the house, the vessel was separate from the boisterous sea, a metaphor for the wicked world. The blindness of the man shall be only cleared when he saw the holy angels as men set apart in the world of the Spirit. Breath of God is the expression of the eternal word so his divine will is a sign for the truth set in his inward parts. Soul is the inner man for which he is accountable to Him.
In the night vision of Daniel the Spirit refers to the Son"and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven." One like the Son of man considering it was a night vision we can be certain that we are looking at the everlasting covenant when "the judgment was set, and the books were opened."(Dan.7:11,13). The Gospel sets with the generation of Jesus Christ those who are his and those who rejected it as belonging 'in this adulterous and sinful generation'. So predestination merely refers to the calling and we who are his, are warned to make our calling and election sure.
Jesus would yet preach in Bethesda so his obedience to the Word overrode everything else. "woe unto thee, Bethsaida!,"(Matt.11:21-22)
"And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country." (v.10)
Mark sets Jesus crossing" the other side of the sea into the country of the Gadarenes."The sea mentioned here is the lake of Galilee on the south. Lucan gospel explains the location so we may conclude that Jesus with his disciples arrived there from Galilee. ("which is over against Galilee".-8:26) Gadara is not directly named in the scripture but was a walled city where the Gentiles lived mostly and was a part of the Decapolis. The point of location we need note to our intent and purpose is this: geographically Gadarenes is situated on the east of the Jordan river. Crossing of the Jordan river in spiritual terms signifies death.
Jesus cast out the many demons from the man. They all had a request:"And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
"For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit."/And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many./And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country."(vv.8-10)
Unclean spirits require a body which is impossible for Satan to create. He is the father of lies and not of life. For this reason he used a serpent to beguile Eve and being cast out they had unanimously chose the herd of swine.
"All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds."(1 Co.15:38-40). Here we have a country separate from the land of Galilee. In the Parable of Lazarus and the rich man, the latter had a place while Galilee signified the blessed state of the beggar. The other man's riches come in all forms and weights. Sheep, cattle and swines are part contributing to the wealth, and the rich man who wished Lazarus to visit him had chosen his own country. His cry came too late. ( Luke 16:24)
1:1 The first line encapsulates the generation of Jesus Christ which delineates the Alpha and Omega mode of the holiness of God. As provided for man his blessings surely are let in his Son. So he is the son of Abraham whom God blessed. (Ge.12:3). He is also the son of David whom God blessed by equal measure,"and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever."(2 Sa.7:12). These blessings did not begin with Abraham but from the everlasting covenant. It is set down as the driver so both Gentiles and Israel are to be allowed in the Fellowship of God with Man.(Ge.1:28) This universality of the Word become flesh we see in the arrival of the Magi and his attitude towards the Gentile centurion. (8:10) He was looking for faith in the world before whom he appeared as the Apostle.
The Sermon on the Mount presents him state the holiness of His Father as perfect. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."(5:48) He shall prove with his life that it was doable. Blessings presented in this discourse carry for those who refused it. In Ch.23 his discourse 'Woe to ye' was condemnation to the nation that shortchanged Mercies of his Father for the traditions of their fathers. "Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers./Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?"(23:30-31) The parables are a literary devise that the Spirit uses with telling effect to separate the chaff from the good seed. "And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them."(21:45)
Fulfillment of the Scriptures is a notable feature of the Gospel so Alpha and Omega aspects of the kingdom of heaven keep the Son of man in the crosshairs from beginning till the end. Jesus began his ministry where the quote from isaiah served as a cue. "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."(4:14-17)
The question that arises is this; since we are "grafted in" hence Jews and Gentiles are part of God's elect in this age as we see illlustrated in Romans 11. If we continue to verse 23; however we see that even Jews are grafted in once they believe in the truth about Jesus. ( Romans 11:25). We also see this principle in Luke 21:24 as well as various Old Testament scriptures about the Resurrection of all saints ( Daniel 12:13) and King David himself ruling with Christ ( Daniel 7:27 and other passages). There are those who stubbornly only consider these promises to be fulfilled in the church and say God is done with Israel. This helps to discount a millennium as something which is symbolic of the church (even though that has lasted almost 2000 years now since Pentecost). I would say that we need to draw the line if there is a display of antisemitism; for instance with a superiority complex developing because of these theories. Admittedly there is much evil among all; including those Jews who are living in unbelief when we see; for instance Tel Aviv and the abominations of those living out a lifestyle like Sodom ( Revelation 13:16-17). We also need to seek out individuals whether Jew or Gentile to preach the Good News; without partiality to anyone. Finally; there is difficulty with some in regard to sacrifices actually occurring in the Millennium; deeming them an abomination as Christ has already fulfilled all things necessary. That would depend on the purpose of these; as to commemorating God and having a ceremonial purification; for instance. Such activity would help to bring all to worship in Israel; fulfilling prophecies such as Isaiah 56:7 and Zechariah 14:17. Despite all this; I wouldn't consider this essential doctrine to break fellowship but important nonetheless to get a correct grip on the rest of scriptures to avoid what could be bigger error of essential truths.
Me Personally have been going to church my entire life and not once have I ever heard the Priests, Pastor's preach this book in complete.
Which Is why most don't understand even though it's clear who the people are the book speaks of and who claim to be but are not.
The most high Yahweh leadath Israel into captivity in Egypt for disobeying his laws and sent Moses to being them out but they hardheaded Israelites continued there disobedience of his laws so the most high sent them into Egypt again this time on ships with yolks of iron upon thy necks sold to thy enemies separated from there children never to see them again given names and nationalities of the gentiles so they would no more be known as Israel and would work on pagan gods of the heathen so they will be broken.
v.29 "and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken." In Re. Ch.12 we see the reason why."And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,/And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven."(Re.12:7-8) Jesus had warned, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand."(12:28) This war result in Satan cast down. "for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."(Re.12:12b.) Jesus ses it happening." And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."( Luke 10:18) These seventy other disciples indicate the latter end of 'everlasting gospel' mentioned in Re.14:6-8). Jesus is on the earth and yet he see what must yet happen! In the passage one angel speaks 'his hour of judgment is come. In the next verse the second angel announces, "Babylon is fallen' which in chapters 17 and 18 are in detail shown. To our intent and purpose the discourse of Jesus in vv.29-51 cover Babylon, both Jews and the Gentiles. vv.16-20 owe to the Roman army almost at the doors.(v.33)
"'This generation shall not pass' refer to the generation of Jesus Christ. (Matt.1:1) It covers both Abraham and David. Son of Abraham sets him as the Word become flesh. (Before Abraham was, I am- John 8:58) We shall explain the shortening of Great tribulation from this logos aspect. Heaven and earth is set in terms of time on a single scale of Alpha Omega aspect. "that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.(2 Pe.3:8) As the lord from heaven Jesus sends the twelve disciples must integrate the everlasting gospel preached by the 70 other disciples as well. The war in heaven casts out Satan to the earth and he knows 'that he hath but a short time.'. Great tribulation is on reconstituted time vv.21-22
"And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory./ And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
The elect includes both the nation of Israel and the Gentile nations. Daniel the Seer belongs to the former. He also was curious as the disciple to know the end times. But the Angel of the Lord did not dilate much on the topic. Instead he said, "But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days."(Dan.12:13) When Jesus went in Spirit to the souls in prison he surely was one among many saints in the OT period. They are witnesses to the gospel below the earth. There is a cloud of witnesses which Daniel had seen in the night vision, " and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." (7:10). The Spirit refers to the judgment with regards to the beast, to which he is also a witness. The beast referred in terms of the times of the Gentiles is shown as emerging from the bottomless pit. " the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them."(Re.11:7). In Re. Ch.13:1 "and saw a beast rise up out of the sea." This beast emerges in the vision of Daniel rises from the sea. ("And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another." Dan.7:3). In this context what Jesus refers here is a sign. " When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)/Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains."(vv.15-16)
This background helps us to place the great tribulation mentioned in v.21
In the Book of Genesis God separated the waters above from water below (Ge.1:6-7)which is a signal for the rise and fall of nations,- and the vision of Daniel on the banks of Ulai in Dan.12 gives us a river of time so history of these are set, and it leads us to the throne of God and of the Lamb and beyond to the saved nations on the earth.
According to the Abstract First day set two nations of light and darkness. Second day provided us the heaven a label for the world of the Spirit. God blessing Abraham (12:3) sends him along and his looking for a city was spiritual insight so faith explains what Abraham deprived of the Promised Land because of the sin of Amorites, could still thrive despite of it. " For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."(He.11:10). It is thus we consider the cloud of witnesses which validates heroes of faith as the double for the Son.
The fall of Babylon described in St John's vision explains the fate of Jerusalem and the nations which rejected the Son. "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder./ And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them."(v.45). Specific to the nation of Israel we have this verse, "And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus:"(Re.17:6; Matt.23:35-36)
vv.14-18 "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful." In their opposition to God they are as one and yet Jerusalem shall be destroyed by the Gentiles. Re.18:21 the "stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all."(18:21)
" Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (v.28)
It is a categorical statement and rules of engagement in the Kingdom of his dear Son vastly differs from that of the pagan world. We shall see the damage done already by the miry clay so the strength of iron has become as oppressive as the weakness of clay has made their creed,-the liturgical worship of the congregation akin to the mumbo jumbo to which Jesus alluded,"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." This vain repetition consequently has made the faith they rely on to none effect. The same Scripture the imposter church follows as a believer yet so many doctrinal heresies would require so many denominations ,-and the religious wars of the past and inquisition with its instruments of cruelty that one may ask, "Is Christ so divided among you?" Jesus set an example but still the princes of the Holy See and TV celebrities overlord their flock as though they were entitled to have different rules than they impose on other. Jesus has clearly shown us an example.
"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them./ But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;/ And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant."
Humility of the suffering Servant was not for himself but to give life as ransom for many. Jesus explained the reward of following him through thick and thin. They shall "inherit everlasting life.(19:29). Hope of 'every one that hath forsaken houses' is eternal habitations. "In my Father's house are many mansions". He has also given them a route map. "I am the way." ( John 14:2-6)
"But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able."
Having announced what Jerusalem signaled he foresees the fire already kindled. This is what we can gather from the Lucan gospel. ""I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?/ But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!/ Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:" ( Luke 12:49-51)" John the Baptist also had touched upon before Jesus had begun his ministry. He asked 'many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, thus: "Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?"/"And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (Matt.3:7,10). From the next verse it is very clear that he is referring to the day of wrath.(Mal.3:2) it has several degrees where he sits "as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver," leading to the day of judgment which is 'qualified by 'unquenchable fire.'
"He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:/ Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (3:11-12)
From these verses we may conclude that Jesus Christ with his resurrection shall present before the Jews and the Gentiles as a stumbling block. Either they will choose or deny him. "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder."(21:44) His disciples are called to throne of glory where the quality of it is hundredfold meaning whatever they lost in the process was chaff.
"He that is able to receive it, let him receive it." (v.12) Compare with this verse, " He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."(Re.3:6). The Spirit places at the end of each message to seven churches where what is revealed to each church hold variations and what does it tell us? "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ./For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit./For the body is not one member, but many"(1 Co.1:12-14).
The members cannot be members of any other spirit than that of 'one Spirit' which is God. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"(1 Co.3:16). The stone upon which this temple is being built is in heaven, and the seven pillars are built exact specifications. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." So gold silver wood that you gather shall be to no avail if you build up on the wrong foundation and the fire shall prove ine day.
This being the case celibacy gives no one special privilege or honor; for that matter being asexual from birth carries no shame either. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."(Col.3:17)
We see through these various sayings a glimpse of the itinerary of Jesus, each step leading closer to the mount Calvary. The Spirit says, "And came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;/And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.. Jordan serves as a death knell sounded but he as Faithful and true witness brought glory to his Father. "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."(Ps.107:20)
"The beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them."
First point to note is that the beast is a composite figure as the two witnesses represent the saints to whom Jesus Christ gave power according to the promise of God, and are called and blessed in his Son.. "The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies."(Ps.110:2) These enemies on the earth are caused by 'the war in heaven.'(Re.12:7). And the consequence of it we read in v.12. "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."
This short time is clearly set by the Spirit even as the earthly ministry of Jesus and of the two witnesses. 42 is a number designated by God so the time of the Gentiles or heathen is likewise determined. John was sent as a messenger who was killed by the sword. Herod Antipas, it must be stressed was a vassal king to Caligula as another Herod, Herod Agrippa would have James killed. One killed because of his oath and the other killed James because he wanted to please the crowd. in whichever case the beast is associated with qualities totally antithetical to Jesus. The beast rising out of the sea (Re.13:1) is from below the earth as Jesus is from heaven. He is the king," The Lord sitteth upon the flood."(Ps.29:10) What is the characteristic of the sea? The beast represent the wicked," But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt."(Is.57:20). While we have the likes of Herod whose power is derived from some one else as enemies to Christ, the two witnesses represent an angel a man so the golden reed is their measurement and signify the everlasting gospel entrusted to them. Herod also gave rise to a political movement in the days of Jesus. (Matt.22:15-16)
The '1260 days' is a tag supplied the Spirit to indicate the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. By the same token the Gentiles are allowed to operate for 42 months. The 42 months' similarly is a tag. In an earlier post we saw 'the hour" during which the power of darkness prevailing over the children of disobedience. ( Luke 22:53). The beast as well as the enemies to Jesus who took him in the night belonged to the son of perdition. Judas Iscariot belonged to this group. This conflict reveals two laws, of the Spirit and of the sin.
Let us look at the characteristics of the two witnesses. They are representatives of several prophets coming under the earthly ministry of Jesus who is the fulfillment of the law. They were "clothed in sackcloth'. It echoes the mourning of Daniel for three weeks,"(Dan.10:2-3)
"And have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will." This recalls to us the seven plagues of Egypt" and of Elijah, "These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy." In short these two witnesses present a composite picture of heroes of faith(He.11:33-38)
On the flip side the number 42 months gives the beast who is a composite figure. John the Baptist was beheaded under a Herod and we have the beast in the Acts of the Apostles, "Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church./And he killed James the brother of John with the sword./And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also."(Ac.12:1-3)
Finally " Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein." This temple is not anything extant but what was founded on Zion. (1s.28:16) We see its culmination in Re.21.22-23
And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it./... for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."
"And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth."(11:3)
Who is the authority to confer power on men but the Lord from heaven, who is heavenly? "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." The risen Christ in his humanity was the Word become flesh, so his authority stretched from Alpha the beginning. In his Ascension he was to be seated on the right hand of the Most High so Omega aspect, the ending referred to fulfilling the divine Will of his Father. " Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power"(Ps.110:1-3). Firstly the two witnesses belong to 'thy people'. These were given to the Son. "and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are."( John 17:11)
The chapter began with a golden reed and the angel directing John what to leave out and what to include requires attention. "for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months." This reed is a single measurement. "And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel."(Re.21:17) Gold signifies faith and here single measurement is of the angel,- the fellow-servant of John and of the man to whom the Son has given authority. Power of the little ones and their angels positioned to behold the face of the Father always defines the golden reed. Every other scale is false.
Prophesy is another feature and the two witnesses would do it for "a thousand two hundred and threescore days. "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John."(Matt.11:11)
The days is a tag supplied the Spirit to indicate the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. By the same token the Gentiles are allowed to operate for 42 months. This conflict reveals two laws, of the Spirit and of the sin.
"And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven." (v.13)
At the same hour refers to the hour Jesus spoke about at the night he was taken in. ( Luke 22:53)It is the power of darkness that caused the nation of Israel reject the true Light and the time of the Gentiles before the Son appeared in mid-air to collect. "and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory./ And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."(24:30-31)
The ministry of the two witnesses has the same duration as the day decreed for the Son. John the Baptist was sent according to the Scriptures as a voice preparing the way. "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts./But who may abide the day of his coming? "(Mal.3:1-2) Purifiers work refers to the great tribulation. The script for the day of his coming consists of several phases which is clearly laid out in Matt.3:13. "Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
The chaff shall be cast to the winds. (the imposter church), purging his floor is the earth(*the left behind church), and it leads to the unquenchable fire. "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."(Re.20:10). * Cf the vision of the Woman Clothed with the Sun and she is sent to a place prepared for her. "(12:14)
There is no question about God's requirements in relation to murder, adultery, kidnapping, sodomy, rape, witchcraft, etc. ( Genesis 9:6; Exodus chaps 21, 22, 35; Leviticus chaps 22, 24, & others), though proponents for a 'no capital punishment', will claim that Israel was a theocracy (rule under God alone), whereas Gentiles have their own govts & subject to new laws consistent with the consensus of society's expectations. But has God changed? So, why does God allow govts to enact laws inconsistent with His Requirements? Well, I could confidently say that no govt anywhere, would give much regard to God's Laws & Requirements for the proper functioning of society. Many may have started well, having a strong Judeo/Christian foundation, but having sinful, & many Christ-rejecting men at the helm, given to society's whims & for the on-going battle for votes, some God-honoring Laws are side-lined, if not altogether discarded.
So what happens when a capital crime is committed (i.e. wilful murder) and is proved beyond doubt with hard evidence & not just circumstantial? Usually, a life sentence in prison, either for life or parole, & rarely the death penalty. If the prisoner is released back into society, whether as a murderer, rapist, child molester, etc., & he re-offends, hardly anyone batters an eyelid, as the prisoner has served his time. But when that criminal offends again, I ask, 'who then are the real criminals?' Society remains mute.
Here we shall look at Ze.3:1-3
"And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him./And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?"
The High Priest Joshua represents the High Priest of our Profession. Joshua, God our deliverance is a Hebrew variant of the name Jesus. (He.3:1). Satan is resisting the man as he did with Michael over the body of Moses.(Jude.v.9). Jesus did no sin and knew no evil so Ministry of reconciliation here as a substitutional symbol.
"is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" refers to the great tribulation and the 144,000 representing the 12 tribes so martyrdom does not distinguish between the Jews and the Gentiles.
"Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel./And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment./And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments." (vv. 3-5) Here are two verse for meditation:
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."(Is.61:10)
"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."(Is.61:3)
"For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us."(2:14)
Up Down
This ministry of reconciliation is across while what we considered under 'the other sheep' ( John 10:16). The worlds of the Spirit and the body were reconciled up and down. "The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies". Then the question arises what is 'the rod of thy strength'? "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations." The Word of God prevails over his enemies. These events are given in Re.19:13-18; Ps.110:2
Here we have even unto the world which is length and breadth of the earth. "and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." All power given unto the risen Christ covers both heaven and the earth. That explains the great army of saints following the Word of white arrayed in white.(Matt.28:18-20)
Across
St Paul refers to the Gospel of peace between the Jews and the Gentiles, "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;/And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross" (vv.15-16) The cross is the focus while the sword is the focus in up and down.
Time of the Gentiles
This occurs on the earth since the time tag of 42 months establish the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. "for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months." Jewish diaspora in waves under Assyria, Babylon and Rome are referred as the time of the Gentiles.(Re.11:2). What occurs in Palestine in our times falls under this heading.
The 144,000 who are sealed in place of 12 tribes are neither Jews nor the Gentiles but martyrs.(Re.7) "is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" (Ze. 3:3)
Bennymkje
You are giving a great highlight about JESUS's work, and quoted John 10:16, that says: Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold (the Gentiles): them also I MUST bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. In my vision, JESUS was speaking of His Universal work bringing the Gentile people to salvation according the plan of GOD the Father in to create one Universal fold and one Universal Shepherd.
There is an wonderful and wise interpretation of Paul Apostle, saying to the Church of Ephesians 2:12-18
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without GOD in the world:
13 But NOW in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For He is our peace, who hath MADE BOTH ONE, and hath BROKEN DOWN the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the Law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that He might reconcile both unto GOD in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off (the Gentiles), and to them that were nigh(the Jews).
18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. - Hallelujaaaah!!!
'In the beginning' is provided by the third office in Trinity. In organizing the narrative it is Spirit who makes it according to scriptures. The Ethiopian eunuch would not have had help in understanding the passage from Isaiah but the Spirit set up the encounter between Evangelist Philip and the Ethiopian official. Jesus settle in Capernaum and the passage reads,"That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,/ The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;/The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up./From that time Jesus began to preach."(Matt.4:14-17)
The Spirit works on a need-to-know basis. So Jesus leaves behind his anonymity to begin his earthly ministry as though on cue.
'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The Word is both sound and a sign. Jesus was in humanity a sign. "And there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:/For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."(Matt.12:39-40)
When God commanded "Let there be light" there was light. We have God a Spirit explained in terms of the Word. The Word was God the Father. The Word became flesh, the Son. The Third office of the Spirit is in the department of Unity of the Spirit and sets tags on the basis of the earthly ministry giving us how to interpret the realities of heaven of the earth.
'Israel, my Firstborn' (Ex.4:22) According to the eternal purpose, which God purposed in Christ the nation was called. (Ep.3:11). According to the pattern that God showed Moses it is clear that it was the fellowship of God with Man was the basis. It served the pattern for all the tabernacles from the first to the eternity. "Behold the tabernacle of God is with men"(Re.21:3). Israel and the Gentiles were foreknown equally
'Firstborn from the dead' referred to his Son; and the condition was any man who allowed to be conformed to the image of his Son. "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers (Ro.8:29). Israel in rejecting him was tantamount to Esau spurning his birth-right.
Conforming to the image of His Son entails his death and resurrection so the way the Son took presents a newness of life for the believer. Atonement of Jesus Christ covers those who have received him by faith, regardless of Jews or Gentiles. God's deep purpose has been revealed since the outpouring of the Spirit signalled a new body, not of the flesh but of the Spirit. "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence (Col.1:18; Re.1:5)."
'O Lord, save thy people, the remnant of Israel "(Je.31:7 and they shall find grace. "How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? For the Lord hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man (Je.31:22)". It is no longer Israel as their firstborn but the Church as the Bride of Christ, in which Israel shall have a part.
"And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree."(Is.34:6)
Before going into the topic we shall set a framework within which this verse is to be interpreted. "the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain./Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved." (He.12:27-28)
The Word of God mentions three heavens which we may consider as three layers of animator's ceil superimposed in which the throne of God is the rest frame, to draw a term from astrophysics (it is used to study the movement of celestial objects with reference to a star) so the unshakeable kingdom refers to the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Re.22:1) The earth abides forever which refers to the Son, fulfilling the visible aspects of the kingdom. So the Word of God which is the Law is written as the name of the Father in the foreheads and the new name "and I will write upon him my new name."(Re.3:12). Jesus Christ promises, "and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem." (v.12)
Now we shall examine the overall judgment of nations, the Gentiles, Israel under the holdall of the term, the heathen."
Judgment upon them is sure to come,""For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion." (Is.34:8)
'Leaf falleth off from the vine' evokes the discourse of Jesus,"I am the true Vine' discourse. "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."( John 15:6) and Israel as Jesus would hint, "Now learn a parable of the fig tree."(Matt.24:32)
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the Day of WRATH and revelation of the RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT of GOD;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, ETERNAL LIFE:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, INDIGNATION and WRATH,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew FIRST, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew FIRST, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with GOD
12 For as many as have sinned WITHOUT Law(the Gentiles)shall also perish without Law: and as many as have sinned in the Law(the Jews) shall be Judged by the Law;
13 (For not the hearers of the Law are just before GOD, but the doers of the Law shall be justified.
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the Law, do by nature the things contained in the Law, these, having not the Law, are a Law unto themselves:
15 Which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts(Hallelujah!!), their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another-)
16 In the Day when GOD shall Judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. (The Day arrived-Woe of the inhabiters of the Earth)
The Word is GOD, self-executing
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I LAY MY LIFE DOWN for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold (the Gentiles peoples): them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17 Therefore doth MY FATHER LOVES 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.
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