Hope this makes sense, I have tried to write as opportunity permits.

Considering John: Certainly John had great understanding, but certain truths were hidden from him. When JESUS came to be baptized John said, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. (Matt 3:14-15). Near the end of his life, John questioned his imprisonment through his disciples. Clearly he did not understand the sequence of events that led to his imprisonment or ultimately his death. He did understand his role in reference to JESUS. "The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less." (John 3:29-30). Although John said this, apparently his word did not reach all of his disciples (Act 19:1-7).

The fact that John did not completely understand the plan should be no surprise to us. The disciples did not understand that JESUS would die on a cross and they were with him for three years. The Jews, including Paul, did not understand that the gentiles would partake of salvation in the Messiah because these things were a mystery hidden by GOD. Did John have to die as did? I can only look toward the prophecies of the future Elijah coming in Revelations. Though he has not arrived, he will die the death foretold in the 11th chapter of Revelations, but only after the LORD protects him for 42 months. Why? Because that is part of GOD’S plan. Sometimes the wrongful death of individuals is used to judge people and nations such as the generation at the crucifixion (Matt 27:25) and in Revelations where the angel said, "You are just in these judgments…for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve." (Rev 16:5-6). In the Jewish mind according to Josephus, Herod Antipas was judged because he executed John.

Firewood in the Wilderness: No easy answer to Sandi’s question either. A lot of miracles happened in the wilderness like clothes that did not where out. I think it was Rabbi Stan who thought the Jews might not have even needed to use the latrine because manna was so perfect. I am still trying to figure out how they raised and feed the 200,000 lambs in a wilderness environment that had to be sacrificed each year at Passover. At some point, you just have to give it over to the miraculous power of the hand of GOD.

Scott