Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Haverim! Haverim!
In our culture, I usually do not want to be on the receiving end of my name repeated twice in succession. Not so in scripture. I understand that the repetition of a name in scripture denotes an expression of strong compassion and love from the one speaking to the one receiving. I am sure you can think of numerous examples, but these came to mind as Jacob and I traveled down the road…
From GOD to…
"Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." (Gen 22:11-12), and to
"Jacob! Jacob!" "Here I am," he replied. "I am God, the God of your father," he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. (Gen 46:2-3), and even the LORD to
"The LORD, the LORD GOD, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness and truth; (Ex 34:6)
In the Newer Testament from JESUS to…
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed." (Luke 10:41-42) and even to
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing." (Matt 23:37)
Ok, you get the picture. When Paul heard the voice of JESUS on the road to Damascus speaking, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:4), he immediately understood that these were the words of a compassionate and loving GOD toward Saul leading him to respond, "Who are you, LORD?"
In Matthew, the statement "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 7:21) now takes on new meaning. The people who say, "LORD, LORD" are expressing a love and compassion for the LORD, but their love lacks the actions to accomplish the will of the FATHER.
So the warning to us is, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"
(Luke 6:46-47).
Shema from Dallas
From GOD to…
"Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." (Gen 22:11-12), and to
"Jacob! Jacob!" "Here I am," he replied. "I am God, the God of your father," he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. (Gen 46:2-3), and even the LORD to
"The LORD, the LORD GOD, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness and truth; (Ex 34:6)
In the Newer Testament from JESUS to…
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed." (Luke 10:41-42) and even to
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing." (Matt 23:37)
Ok, you get the picture. When Paul heard the voice of JESUS on the road to Damascus speaking, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:4), he immediately understood that these were the words of a compassionate and loving GOD toward Saul leading him to respond, "Who are you, LORD?"
In Matthew, the statement "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 7:21) now takes on new meaning. The people who say, "LORD, LORD" are expressing a love and compassion for the LORD, but their love lacks the actions to accomplish the will of the FATHER.
So the warning to us is, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"
(Luke 6:46-47).
Shema from Dallas
Side Curls
The long curls (peyot) that some Jewish men wear in order to observe Leviticus 19:27 (Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head") are a fairly recent tradition observed by some groups in the past few hundred years, mostly from Poland and Russia. Interestingly, one tradition links the side curls to a command in Leviticus 19:9-10:
When you reap the harvest of the land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the
gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien.
Some think that by leaving the corners of their heads uncut, these Jewish men are reminding themselves and others of the importance of leaving the corners of their fields uncut -- in other words, of providing for the poor.
When you reap the harvest of the land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the
gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien.
Some think that by leaving the corners of their heads uncut, these Jewish men are reminding themselves and others of the importance of leaving the corners of their fields uncut -- in other words, of providing for the poor.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
A Jew is a Jew No Matter What
I was reading an article tonight that I found interesting. The author questioned why Christians are not interested in making any cultural group other than Jews give up their cultural identities. He pointed out that Hispanic Baptists worship in Spanish, celebrate Cinco de Mayo and other Mexican festivals, and eat cultural foods without getting grief from anyone. Jewish believers, however, are expected to give up all of their festivals and kosher foods if they want to be "one of us." My brothers, this should not be.
Knowledge
Hello All: Since I am on end times I thought I would also post this tid bit. This information was from Lion and Lamb Ministries (Monte Judah).
Dan 12-4 But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge ."
"Many will go here and there"
The world is able to travel with great ease with air travel in great numbers. Could this be what it is referring to?
"Increase knowledge"
I believe it was in 1954 that it was said that the earth had doubled it's knowledge. I am not sure exactly how they have calculated this information. This was published in Weekly Reader.
This year the medical field will double it's knowledge in one year.
By the year 2010 the earths knowledge will have increased by 6 times. I'd say we have increased knowledge.
Dan 12-4 But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge ."
"Many will go here and there"
The world is able to travel with great ease with air travel in great numbers. Could this be what it is referring to?
"Increase knowledge"
I believe it was in 1954 that it was said that the earth had doubled it's knowledge. I am not sure exactly how they have calculated this information. This was published in Weekly Reader.
This year the medical field will double it's knowledge in one year.
By the year 2010 the earths knowledge will have increased by 6 times. I'd say we have increased knowledge.
God Divorcing Israel...Or Not.
Scott, I appreciate your post regarding the Great Mystery. You said that God never divorced Israel and I certainly agree that the Hosea story demonstrates God's faithfulness even when His bride is unfaithful.
Jeremiah 3:8 indicates that during the period of the divided kingdom, God gave FAITHLESS ISRAEL a certificate of divorce and sent her away. UNFAITHFUL JUDAH, however, was not given the certificate.
Granted, I have not spent much effort looking into this. I'm just curious what your take is on the Jeremiah passage. There seems to be a conflict with the Hosea picture.
Jeremiah 3:8 indicates that during the period of the divided kingdom, God gave FAITHLESS ISRAEL a certificate of divorce and sent her away. UNFAITHFUL JUDAH, however, was not given the certificate.
Granted, I have not spent much effort looking into this. I'm just curious what your take is on the Jeremiah passage. There seems to be a conflict with the Hosea picture.
Maurice's Questions
I received these questions from Maurice. This is very exciting to me to see this brother doing a little digging.
If the gate of Judah is for Christians, what are the other eleven gates for? There are twelve gates but only ten tribes, which leaves 2 blank gates. Were the other people slaves like the Jews were?
Maurice
My response...
Good questions.
First, the Judah gate is for all of the tribe of Judah PLUS Gentiles who have become believers in Jesus. The other eleven gates are for the other eleven tribes of Israel (There are actually 12 tribes--not ten). It is my belief that the nation of Israel will eventually come to faith in Jesus; therefore, they will enter the New Jerusalem through their appropriate gate.
That being said, there are several lists of the twelve tribes and, yet, they are not always the same. For example, the twelve sons of Israel are Ruben, Simeon, Judah, Zebulun, Levi, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, and Benjamin. But Jacob (Israel) appropriated (adopted) Joseph's first two sons--Ephriam and Manesseh--as his own. So, the Joseph tribe becomes two separate tribes. That now makes thirteen tribes. God claimed the tribe of Levi for Himself and gave inheritances to the remaining twelve in Canaan.
Now that we have that straight in our minds, we get a wrinkle in Revelation 7 when God lists the tribes again. This time he leaves out Levi and Ephriam and includes both Manessah and Joseph (remember Manessah was a sub-tribe of Joseph originally). Why? I don't know. But since he treats Joseph, Ephriam and Manesseh as three separate tribes, that now gives us 14 total.
Here's the connection I make with that. There are 12 New Testament apostles. Then Mattias is added to replace Judas Iscariot and Paul is added for the Gentiles. Therefore, there are 14 NT apostles.
Your last question regarding the ones who left Egypt with the Israelites--were they slaves? I expect some (most) were. However, I think they probably "picked up" some people along the way. Moses' father-in-law was not Jewish but seems to have spent at least part of the 40 years of wandering with the Israelites. For some reason, however, when it was time to enter Canaan, all of his people went back to Midian.
I don't know what difference any of this makes but it certainly is interesting and fascinating to me to watch how God works among His people.
If the gate of Judah is for Christians, what are the other eleven gates for? There are twelve gates but only ten tribes, which leaves 2 blank gates. Were the other people slaves like the Jews were?
Maurice
My response...
Good questions.
First, the Judah gate is for all of the tribe of Judah PLUS Gentiles who have become believers in Jesus. The other eleven gates are for the other eleven tribes of Israel (There are actually 12 tribes--not ten). It is my belief that the nation of Israel will eventually come to faith in Jesus; therefore, they will enter the New Jerusalem through their appropriate gate.
That being said, there are several lists of the twelve tribes and, yet, they are not always the same. For example, the twelve sons of Israel are Ruben, Simeon, Judah, Zebulun, Levi, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, and Benjamin. But Jacob (Israel) appropriated (adopted) Joseph's first two sons--Ephriam and Manesseh--as his own. So, the Joseph tribe becomes two separate tribes. That now makes thirteen tribes. God claimed the tribe of Levi for Himself and gave inheritances to the remaining twelve in Canaan.
Now that we have that straight in our minds, we get a wrinkle in Revelation 7 when God lists the tribes again. This time he leaves out Levi and Ephriam and includes both Manessah and Joseph (remember Manessah was a sub-tribe of Joseph originally). Why? I don't know. But since he treats Joseph, Ephriam and Manesseh as three separate tribes, that now gives us 14 total.
Here's the connection I make with that. There are 12 New Testament apostles. Then Mattias is added to replace Judas Iscariot and Paul is added for the Gentiles. Therefore, there are 14 NT apostles.
Your last question regarding the ones who left Egypt with the Israelites--were they slaves? I expect some (most) were. However, I think they probably "picked up" some people along the way. Moses' father-in-law was not Jewish but seems to have spent at least part of the 40 years of wandering with the Israelites. For some reason, however, when it was time to enter Canaan, all of his people went back to Midian.
I don't know what difference any of this makes but it certainly is interesting and fascinating to me to watch how God works among His people.
"I make known the end from the beginning"
Hello All: I thought this was very interesting.
Isaiah 46:10 says: “ I make known the end from the beginning.”
The passage in Isaiah declares the end days by telling us the beginning.
The Creation story is prophecy.
Adam ate of fruit. Lived to be 930 years and died in that 1000 year day. 2 Peter 3:8 (1 day is as a 1000 years)
Each day of creation is a corresponding 1000 year in the history of the world. The pattern is stunning.
In the first day created light and darkness. In the first 1000 years Adam came in he was with God and sinned and brought darkness in the world. He was separated from the light. Darkness and light were separated. Adam died in the first day. (By the way we are not all made in the image of God. Adam was made in the image of God. We are made in the image of Adam. We have to be born again in the spirit of God because we are born in the image of Adam.)
What was the 2nd day of creation? The waters. What was in the second 1000 year period. The flood.
What was in the 3rd day of creation? Plants yielding seed. What was in the 3rd millennium. Abraham in his seed all the families would be blessed. Israel means the planting of the Lord.
On the 4th day he brought forth lights and the expanse of heaven, the signs and seasons. What happen in the fourth millennium, Kings, Profits who are said of them they are lights that show forth the signs and seasons of God.
The 5th day - living creatures. What happen in the 5th millennium. The Messiah showed up to make us new creatures.
6th day - Men and Women told them to fill the earth and subdue it. What has happened in the 6th millennium? We have filled the earth with us. Men and Woman have subdued the earth.
7th day is Sabbath and the day of rest, the time he will return. Since there was confusion with dates in the middle 2000 years with the king and profits the exact year is not known and it is written that no one knows the time.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
David's harp
Shabbat Shalom
I found this reading very encouraging to me from my the Torah portion Mishpatim. According to an ancient Jewish legend, King David awoke each night at midnight and studied the Torah. This is why he wrote, "I have not forgotten Your Torah. At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to you because of Your Righteous ordinances" (Psalm 119:61-62). The Rabbis wondered about this. How did David know when it was midnight? If he was asleep, why did he awaken at midnight and give thanks?
According to one legend, God gently woke David at midnight each night. When he went to bed, David hung his harp in the open window of his bedchamber. Every night at midnight, a gentle north wind blew in through the window, vibrating the strings on the harp, playing it like a bow plays over the strings of a violin.
A harp was hanging above David's bed. As soon as midnight arrived, a north wind came and blew upon it and it played of itself. He arose immediately and studied the Torah till the break of dawn. (Berachot 3b)
We know in Hebrew the word for "wind" and "spirit" is the same. God played across the strings of David's harp. The sound would rouse the king from his slumber. He rose, blessed the Lord, and turned to study Torah.
We know from the Psalms how much David loved God's Torah. While David harp sang in his hands, the Spirit of God sang through his poetry. To David God's Torah was truth. David understood salvation was not to be found in works. Instead he declared his hope and longing for God's salvation (Yeshuah).
I hope for Your salvation, O LORD,
And do your commandments.
I long for Your salvation, O LORD,
And Your Torah is may delight. (Psalm 119:166, 174)
As King of Israel David is commanded to write out his own copy of the Torah onto a scroll. He is to keep it with him always, and he is to read and study from it every day of his life( Deuteronomy 17). Perhaps this explains David's delighted in the study of Torah. To David, each law was a small revelation of godliness, a clue about God's nature. Each commandment was a revelation of God's will. For King David, the study of the Law was the study of the Lawgiver.
Perhaps this explains why so many disciples of Messiah are turning back to the laws of the Torah. Has the Spirit of God been playing across the strings of your heart, awakening you to study His Torah?
I found this reading very encouraging to me from my the Torah portion Mishpatim. According to an ancient Jewish legend, King David awoke each night at midnight and studied the Torah. This is why he wrote, "I have not forgotten Your Torah. At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to you because of Your Righteous ordinances" (Psalm 119:61-62). The Rabbis wondered about this. How did David know when it was midnight? If he was asleep, why did he awaken at midnight and give thanks?
According to one legend, God gently woke David at midnight each night. When he went to bed, David hung his harp in the open window of his bedchamber. Every night at midnight, a gentle north wind blew in through the window, vibrating the strings on the harp, playing it like a bow plays over the strings of a violin.
A harp was hanging above David's bed. As soon as midnight arrived, a north wind came and blew upon it and it played of itself. He arose immediately and studied the Torah till the break of dawn. (Berachot 3b)
We know in Hebrew the word for "wind" and "spirit" is the same. God played across the strings of David's harp. The sound would rouse the king from his slumber. He rose, blessed the Lord, and turned to study Torah.
We know from the Psalms how much David loved God's Torah. While David harp sang in his hands, the Spirit of God sang through his poetry. To David God's Torah was truth. David understood salvation was not to be found in works. Instead he declared his hope and longing for God's salvation (Yeshuah).
I hope for Your salvation, O LORD,
And do your commandments.
I long for Your salvation, O LORD,
And Your Torah is may delight. (Psalm 119:166, 174)
As King of Israel David is commanded to write out his own copy of the Torah onto a scroll. He is to keep it with him always, and he is to read and study from it every day of his life( Deuteronomy 17). Perhaps this explains David's delighted in the study of Torah. To David, each law was a small revelation of godliness, a clue about God's nature. Each commandment was a revelation of God's will. For King David, the study of the Law was the study of the Lawgiver.
Perhaps this explains why so many disciples of Messiah are turning back to the laws of the Torah. Has the Spirit of God been playing across the strings of your heart, awakening you to study His Torah?
Snake in the Tree, Not in the Grass
Just trying to capture the thought from our discussion last night. I heard this idea from Rabbi Thomson, the guy whose picture is hanging in the Sukkah, and expanded the thought.
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. (John 3:14-15)
This passage in scripture, written by John, has always been a bit puzzling to me. I understand that JESUS was lifted up, but why did John choose to depict JESUS as a snake? If the picture was simply "lifted up," then John could have said, "Just as Moses lifted up his hands" or "Just as Moses ascended the Mountain." As in all biblical pictures, the meaning is much deeper than seen at the initial glance.
In scripture, the "snake or serpent" is frequently used to depict Satan and those associated with him. It was the serpent in the Garden who deceived Eve (Gen 3:1) and was condemned to craw in the dust, evil men are said to have the "poison of vipers on their lips" (Psa 140:3), John called some who were coming to him "you brood of vipers (Luke 3:7), a term also used by JESUS in reference to the teachers of the law and Pharisees (Matt 23:33), and in Revelations, John refers to Satan as "that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray." (Rev 12:9). I see the picture of believers who can "will pick up snakes with their hands…it will not hurt them at all" (Mark 16:18) as a testimony of the power of GOD in the believer over Satan, rather than a commandment to pick up snakes. So given the frequent comparison of snakes to Satan, why is this image used to depict JESUS?
Peter tells us "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24). I cannot comprehend how one man could carry the sins of the entire world both past and future. But at the moment in time when JESUS "bore our sins," John implies, through his reference to the snake, that JESUS took on the appearance of the author of all sin, that is Satan. In that condition and for that instant, the LORD was distant from HIS SON, which led to the exclamation from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matt 27:46).
Through that sacrifice, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Cor 5:21). Or stated another way, "GOD made him who had no sin to become a snake so that we who were snakes might become righteous before GOD."
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. (John 3:14-15)
This passage in scripture, written by John, has always been a bit puzzling to me. I understand that JESUS was lifted up, but why did John choose to depict JESUS as a snake? If the picture was simply "lifted up," then John could have said, "Just as Moses lifted up his hands" or "Just as Moses ascended the Mountain." As in all biblical pictures, the meaning is much deeper than seen at the initial glance.
In scripture, the "snake or serpent" is frequently used to depict Satan and those associated with him. It was the serpent in the Garden who deceived Eve (Gen 3:1) and was condemned to craw in the dust, evil men are said to have the "poison of vipers on their lips" (Psa 140:3), John called some who were coming to him "you brood of vipers (Luke 3:7), a term also used by JESUS in reference to the teachers of the law and Pharisees (Matt 23:33), and in Revelations, John refers to Satan as "that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray." (Rev 12:9). I see the picture of believers who can "will pick up snakes with their hands…it will not hurt them at all" (Mark 16:18) as a testimony of the power of GOD in the believer over Satan, rather than a commandment to pick up snakes. So given the frequent comparison of snakes to Satan, why is this image used to depict JESUS?
Peter tells us "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24). I cannot comprehend how one man could carry the sins of the entire world both past and future. But at the moment in time when JESUS "bore our sins," John implies, through his reference to the snake, that JESUS took on the appearance of the author of all sin, that is Satan. In that condition and for that instant, the LORD was distant from HIS SON, which led to the exclamation from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matt 27:46).
Through that sacrifice, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Cor 5:21). Or stated another way, "GOD made him who had no sin to become a snake so that we who were snakes might become righteous before GOD."
Thursday, February 19, 2009
A Gentile in the Tribe of Judah
Moses sent 12 spies into Canaan. Caleb, the representative of the tribe of Judah, was the son of Jephunneh, a Kennizite (Numbers 32). Kennizites were Gentiles not Israelites. Now that's something to chew on. How did a Gentile earn the privilege of representing the tribe of Judah? The same tribe, by the way, that we have been grafted into through Messiah...the Lion of Judah.
The Mystery is Great
These thoughts need more refinement, but I wanted to post after our discussion last night.
"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church. (Eph 5:31-33, NIV)
Given our conversation last night, the end of the passage might better be rendered, "I am talking about Christ and the assembly". The passage is now more inclusive to be Israel and those grafted into Israel. "And so all Israel will be saved." (Rom 11:25-26).
The scripture is clear, "His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross"
(Eph 2:14-16). Both Jew and Gentile become one man in CHRIST, but why was it necessary to make "one new man out of the two"?
If GOD is just, HE must be the GOD of both the Jew and the Gentile so that the entire creation has an equal opportunity of salvation. Further, GOD never divorced Israel and the story of Hosea bears out GOD’S longsuffering toward his bride. "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning" (Matt 19:8). If GOD never divorced Israel, HE cannot take on another bride or HE becomes an adulterer subject to the judgment of HIS own law.
Therefore, believers in JESUS must be grafted into Israel (Rom 11:17) making one, and only one, bride to be presented to the LAMB.
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear."
(Rev 19:7-8)
Scott
"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church. (Eph 5:31-33, NIV)
Given our conversation last night, the end of the passage might better be rendered, "I am talking about Christ and the assembly". The passage is now more inclusive to be Israel and those grafted into Israel. "And so all Israel will be saved." (Rom 11:25-26).
The scripture is clear, "His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross"
(Eph 2:14-16). Both Jew and Gentile become one man in CHRIST, but why was it necessary to make "one new man out of the two"?
If GOD is just, HE must be the GOD of both the Jew and the Gentile so that the entire creation has an equal opportunity of salvation. Further, GOD never divorced Israel and the story of Hosea bears out GOD’S longsuffering toward his bride. "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning" (Matt 19:8). If GOD never divorced Israel, HE cannot take on another bride or HE becomes an adulterer subject to the judgment of HIS own law.
Therefore, believers in JESUS must be grafted into Israel (Rom 11:17) making one, and only one, bride to be presented to the LAMB.
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear."
(Rev 19:7-8)
Scott
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Sealed Before the LORD
He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
(Rev 13:16-17)
People who view Revelations outside the framework of scripture have a tendency to see the prophetic descriptions in the book as symbolic and not literal. It is important to recognize that the prophecies relating to the first coming of JESUS CHRIST were fulfilled in literal terms, not symbolic. From the Psalmist quotation of JESUS’ words on the cross (Psa 22:1) and the depiction of HIS death (Psa 22:14-18), to the words of Isaiah, "he was led like a sheep to the slaughter" (Isa 53:7), all find literal fulfillment in the life of JESUS. Even the prophecy of Zechariah, "your King comes to you…gentle and riding on a donkey" (Zech 9:9), was a literal donkey. Therefore, it is more reasonable to conclude that the prophecies contained in Revelations will receive literal fulfillments.
So how will the above prophecy of receiving a mark be fulfilled and what is the significance of where the mark is located, that is, the right hand or forehead? Scripture has a remarkable way of defining scripture and the more I study, the more I become convinced that a "shadow" or "type" already exists in scripture to give us insight into the events depicted in Revelations. Solomon knew what he was talking about when he said, "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." (Eccl 1:9)
In the Shema "Hear, O Israel" (Deut 6:4), the LORD instructs Israel to tie the commandments "as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads." (Deut 6:8). Isn’t that interesting? The mark of the Beast in Revelations will be on the same places that are currently reserved by the LORD for HIS commandments. By his actions, the Beast is attempting to replace the knowledge and instruction of the LORD with the commandments of the Beast. Everyone who accepts the mark will, in effect, be accepting the lifestyle and instruction of the Beast. The Revelation passage further specifies the "right hand" as opposed to "hands" in the original commandment. Again, I think this is an attempt to imitate the many passages about JESUS who sits at the "right hand" of GOD (Heb 1:13), and may also be a reference to the hand containing the signet ring (Jer 22:24), used to seal documents in the name of the king.
So I was reading this morning in Exodus the 28th chapter, thanks Bryan for assigning homework, and I read the following:
"Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD. Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. It will be on Aaron's forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron's forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the LORD." (Ex 28:36-38)
Among the garments and accessories the LORD told Aaron to wear, was a gold plate engraved with the words, "HOLY TO THE LORD." The passage likens the engraving on the plate to the engraving on a seal, specifically in other translations, the seal on a signet ring. The engraved words both display the name of GOD and indicate that the wearer is set apart for the service of GOD. This plate, which is understood to be more like a rectangular band, was located on "Aaron’s forehead continually," as if, to deflect the judgment of the LORD away from Aaron when Israel sinned. I don’t understand exactly how this was to work (a shield, a deflector plate, a force field?), but the engraved plate protected Aaron by providing a continual reminder to LORD, or maybe the angels, that Aaron was acceptable before the place of worship.
In the book of Revelations, those with "the seal of God on their foreheads" (Rev 9:4) are not harmed by some of the coming judgments (Rev 7:2-3). Like Aaron, the servants of the LORD are protected because they have a seal on their forehead. Scripture is clear that this seal, like the plate Aaron wore, contains the "Father's name written on their foreheads" (Rev 14:1). Like the FATHER’S NAME, the scriptures tell us, "Christ...anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us" (2 Cor 1:21-22) and "having believed, you were marked in him with a seal" (Eph 1:13). We understand that the seal is the HOLY SPIRIT and the FATHER’S NAME, but scripture also seems to be drawing on the image of the physical gold plate Aaron wore that can be seen, at least by angels.
The location of this "seal" does not escape the notice of Satan. Seeking to claim ownership of GOD’S creation for himself, Satan will require a mark over the places previously reserved by GOD. The scripture warns us, "there is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name." (Rev 14:11). The last 42 months of the Beast’s reign, "calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’" (Rev 14:12-13). I believe these "saints" are those who come to believe in JESUS as MESSIAH after the rapture.
The book of Revelations holds out the following promise to those who endure to the end, "They will see his (the LORD GOD) face, and his name will be on their foreheads." (Rev 22:4)
(Rev 13:16-17)
People who view Revelations outside the framework of scripture have a tendency to see the prophetic descriptions in the book as symbolic and not literal. It is important to recognize that the prophecies relating to the first coming of JESUS CHRIST were fulfilled in literal terms, not symbolic. From the Psalmist quotation of JESUS’ words on the cross (Psa 22:1) and the depiction of HIS death (Psa 22:14-18), to the words of Isaiah, "he was led like a sheep to the slaughter" (Isa 53:7), all find literal fulfillment in the life of JESUS. Even the prophecy of Zechariah, "your King comes to you…gentle and riding on a donkey" (Zech 9:9), was a literal donkey. Therefore, it is more reasonable to conclude that the prophecies contained in Revelations will receive literal fulfillments.
So how will the above prophecy of receiving a mark be fulfilled and what is the significance of where the mark is located, that is, the right hand or forehead? Scripture has a remarkable way of defining scripture and the more I study, the more I become convinced that a "shadow" or "type" already exists in scripture to give us insight into the events depicted in Revelations. Solomon knew what he was talking about when he said, "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." (Eccl 1:9)
In the Shema "Hear, O Israel" (Deut 6:4), the LORD instructs Israel to tie the commandments "as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads." (Deut 6:8). Isn’t that interesting? The mark of the Beast in Revelations will be on the same places that are currently reserved by the LORD for HIS commandments. By his actions, the Beast is attempting to replace the knowledge and instruction of the LORD with the commandments of the Beast. Everyone who accepts the mark will, in effect, be accepting the lifestyle and instruction of the Beast. The Revelation passage further specifies the "right hand" as opposed to "hands" in the original commandment. Again, I think this is an attempt to imitate the many passages about JESUS who sits at the "right hand" of GOD (Heb 1:13), and may also be a reference to the hand containing the signet ring (Jer 22:24), used to seal documents in the name of the king.
So I was reading this morning in Exodus the 28th chapter, thanks Bryan for assigning homework, and I read the following:
"Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD. Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. It will be on Aaron's forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron's forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the LORD." (Ex 28:36-38)
Among the garments and accessories the LORD told Aaron to wear, was a gold plate engraved with the words, "HOLY TO THE LORD." The passage likens the engraving on the plate to the engraving on a seal, specifically in other translations, the seal on a signet ring. The engraved words both display the name of GOD and indicate that the wearer is set apart for the service of GOD. This plate, which is understood to be more like a rectangular band, was located on "Aaron’s forehead continually," as if, to deflect the judgment of the LORD away from Aaron when Israel sinned. I don’t understand exactly how this was to work (a shield, a deflector plate, a force field?), but the engraved plate protected Aaron by providing a continual reminder to LORD, or maybe the angels, that Aaron was acceptable before the place of worship.
In the book of Revelations, those with "the seal of God on their foreheads" (Rev 9:4) are not harmed by some of the coming judgments (Rev 7:2-3). Like Aaron, the servants of the LORD are protected because they have a seal on their forehead. Scripture is clear that this seal, like the plate Aaron wore, contains the "Father's name written on their foreheads" (Rev 14:1). Like the FATHER’S NAME, the scriptures tell us, "Christ...anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us" (2 Cor 1:21-22) and "having believed, you were marked in him with a seal" (Eph 1:13). We understand that the seal is the HOLY SPIRIT and the FATHER’S NAME, but scripture also seems to be drawing on the image of the physical gold plate Aaron wore that can be seen, at least by angels.
The location of this "seal" does not escape the notice of Satan. Seeking to claim ownership of GOD’S creation for himself, Satan will require a mark over the places previously reserved by GOD. The scripture warns us, "there is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name." (Rev 14:11). The last 42 months of the Beast’s reign, "calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’" (Rev 14:12-13). I believe these "saints" are those who come to believe in JESUS as MESSIAH after the rapture.
The book of Revelations holds out the following promise to those who endure to the end, "They will see his (the LORD GOD) face, and his name will be on their foreheads." (Rev 22:4)
Enjoying the Postings
I am greatly enjoying everyone’s postings. I can see that a cross section of the heart could be look like the Shin and I am sure that there are pictures like this that we would never see without the help of others, so thanks Sandi.
Just wanted to add a couple thoughts. In relation to the seventy palms, I will communicate Sandi’s thought to Teresa that seventy was also the number of Jacob’s family that entered Egypt (Gen 46:27). I also see the seventy that JESUS sent out in pairs as a picture of the gospel going to all the nations, which Jewish tradition said was 70, supported by the number of animals sacrificed during the Feast of Tabernacles.
On Brian’s posting, I do not initially understand why a person with a defect cannot make the offering. After all, the LORD made that person as they are. It must relate to a picture. Just as the offered animal must be free of defect because it was a picture of JESUS, the person offering might need to be free of defect because they are a picture of JESUS as HE stands as a priest before the heavenly altar of the LORD. I have no idea how long eyebrows could relate to JESUS.
Scott
Just wanted to add a couple thoughts. In relation to the seventy palms, I will communicate Sandi’s thought to Teresa that seventy was also the number of Jacob’s family that entered Egypt (Gen 46:27). I also see the seventy that JESUS sent out in pairs as a picture of the gospel going to all the nations, which Jewish tradition said was 70, supported by the number of animals sacrificed during the Feast of Tabernacles.
On Brian’s posting, I do not initially understand why a person with a defect cannot make the offering. After all, the LORD made that person as they are. It must relate to a picture. Just as the offered animal must be free of defect because it was a picture of JESUS, the person offering might need to be free of defect because they are a picture of JESUS as HE stands as a priest before the heavenly altar of the LORD. I have no idea how long eyebrows could relate to JESUS.
Scott
Blessings
A Jewish home is thought to be a mikdash me'at, a miniature temple, small sanctuary, where blessings are spoken.
"The LORD bless you and keep you. The LORD cause his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The LORD turn his face toward you and give you his shalom."
There are three parts to this blessing corresponding to the three persons of God. Three blessings in one.
First Blessing: "The LORD bless you and keep you." These words are from the Father and reveal two things about his nature. He is determined to bless and keep his children.
Second Blessing: "The LORD cause his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you." These words come from the Son , who put a face on the Father, so that when you saw Jesus, you saw the Father. John 14:9 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Cor 4:6
Third Blessing: "The LORD turn his face toward you and give you his shalom." These words are from the Holy Spirit, the person of God who confronts humanity with God's grace and is the agent of God's peace. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard you hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Phil4:7
Something else very interesting, when an ochocardiagram is made of the heart, it reveals that the tissues that separate the chambers of the heart form the letter "shin", which is a symbol for God. This reminded me of 2 passages Duet.6:6 "These commandments I give to you today are to be upon you hearts." and Proverbs 7:1-3 "My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of you eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them down on the tablet of your heart."
These thoughts are from John Garr's The Book of Blessings.
Shalom,
Sandi
"The LORD bless you and keep you. The LORD cause his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The LORD turn his face toward you and give you his shalom."
There are three parts to this blessing corresponding to the three persons of God. Three blessings in one.
First Blessing: "The LORD bless you and keep you." These words are from the Father and reveal two things about his nature. He is determined to bless and keep his children.
Second Blessing: "The LORD cause his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you." These words come from the Son , who put a face on the Father, so that when you saw Jesus, you saw the Father. John 14:9 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Cor 4:6
Third Blessing: "The LORD turn his face toward you and give you his shalom." These words are from the Holy Spirit, the person of God who confronts humanity with God's grace and is the agent of God's peace. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard you hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Phil4:7
Something else very interesting, when an ochocardiagram is made of the heart, it reveals that the tissues that separate the chambers of the heart form the letter "shin", which is a symbol for God. This reminded me of 2 passages Duet.6:6 "These commandments I give to you today are to be upon you hearts." and Proverbs 7:1-3 "My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of you eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them down on the tablet of your heart."
These thoughts are from John Garr's The Book of Blessings.
Shalom,
Sandi
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
I re-digress
Have any of you ever seen the Jazz Singer? You know the first "Talkie" with Al Jolson. Somethings are very surprising. I had always heard of this famous movie, but had not seen it. Well, if you haven't seen it, here's how it goes. Jakie Rabinowitz is the son of the Synagogue Cantor. Five generations of Cantors(song singers). At 12, his father catches him singing jazz in a saloon and throws him out of the house, on the Day of Atonement. He is supposed to be the next Cantor not a jazz singer. It shows his father singing and they are carrying this huge, ornate Torah Scroll and other happenings at the Synagogue. Years pass and Jakie gets his big break on Broadway and returns to NY. Moma still loves him, but Papa again throws him out. Papa falls ill and is unable to sing on the Day of Atonement. Moma comes to see Jakie at rehearsal for his Broadway show and begs him to come sing. It is opening night, what is he to do, choose his career or God. It is funny because he is speaking with his mother with his face painted black like we have seen before when he sings mammy. In the end, Jakie sings at the Synagogue, Papa dies after hearing him sing and he still got his Broadway show. One of the ending lines, most of the dialogue is still like a silent movie, goes like this "-a jazz singer-singing to his God."
I know this is straying from our usual, very important, content, but I was just so surprised that one of the most ground breaking movies had a Jewish theme and I never knew it. And probable a few years ago would not have cared.
Thanks for indulging me.
Shalom,
Sandi, DD and BFSer
I know this is straying from our usual, very important, content, but I was just so surprised that one of the most ground breaking movies had a Jewish theme and I never knew it. And probable a few years ago would not have cared.
Thanks for indulging me.
Shalom,
Sandi, DD and BFSer
And now I regress...I mean digress
This is nothing as noble as Teresa's and Scott's posts but something I found funny and interesting.
The NIV reads in Lev 21:16-20, "The Lord said to Moses, 17 "Say to Aaron: 'For the generations to come none of your descendants who has a defect may come near to offer the food of his God. 18 No man...20 who is hunchbacked or dwarfed...
According to my Hebrew Interlinear Bible, that translation is correct. However, the Chumash renders Lev 21:20 as, no man "who has abnormally long eyebrows..." The commentary adds that they are so long that they rest on his face. Wow! Those are long eyebrows.
Having reached the stage of maturity where my barber asks, "Do you want me to trim those eyebrows?" I begin to worry. Do I have a blemish? Am I defective? As for the priests, why didn't they just cut their eyebrows? I can't find such a prohibition and do not believe it falls under the "sides of your head" clause in Lev 19:27. Perhaps the Nazarite vow would give some concern; otherwise, WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?
Anyway, I don't see a connection between long eyebrows and being a hunchback. I do, however, much prefer the hunchback rendition. At least it doesn't make me feel like I have a bodily defect.
The NIV reads in Lev 21:16-20, "The Lord said to Moses, 17 "Say to Aaron: 'For the generations to come none of your descendants who has a defect may come near to offer the food of his God. 18 No man...20 who is hunchbacked or dwarfed...
According to my Hebrew Interlinear Bible, that translation is correct. However, the Chumash renders Lev 21:20 as, no man "who has abnormally long eyebrows..." The commentary adds that they are so long that they rest on his face. Wow! Those are long eyebrows.
Having reached the stage of maturity where my barber asks, "Do you want me to trim those eyebrows?" I begin to worry. Do I have a blemish? Am I defective? As for the priests, why didn't they just cut their eyebrows? I can't find such a prohibition and do not believe it falls under the "sides of your head" clause in Lev 19:27. Perhaps the Nazarite vow would give some concern; otherwise, WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?
Anyway, I don't see a connection between long eyebrows and being a hunchback. I do, however, much prefer the hunchback rendition. At least it doesn't make me feel like I have a bodily defect.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Teresa's baby steps into blogging
From my Torah reading on Shabbat in Beshalach a found some interesting thoughts. In the reading of the Exodus from Egypt Joseph's empty tomb represented Israel's redemption from Egypt, for Joseph had prophesied that God would bring them up from there, and he had made them promise to bring his bones with them. The empty tomb signified that the promised redemption had occurred. Just as the redemption from Egypt betokens our redemption in Messiah, so too Joseph's empty tomb portends Messiah's empty tomb. In fact, the tomb in which the Master was laid belonged to a man named Joseph. I thought how the future resurrection of the dead would be a witness to those left behind that the promised redemption had occurred.
This reading was also interesting. Exodus 15:27 Then they came to elim where there were twelve springs of water and seventy date palms, and they camped there beside the waters.
The twelve springs and the seventy palms of Elim beg for interpretation. The Targum Pseudo-Yonaton reports that the twelve springs symbolize the twelve tribes, one spring for each tribe. The seventy palms symbolize the Sanhedrin; that is, the seventy elders of Israel. If so, the elders of Israel grow up from the water of the springs of Israel. Perhaps the twelve springs represent Israel and the seventy palms represent the seventy nations of the world. If so, the nations drink from the springs of Israel. Perhaps the twelve springs represent the twelve disciples and the seventy palms represent the seventy disciples. If so the multitude of Yeshua's disciples grow from the teaching of the twelve.
After Bryan lesson on Sunday about the blood of Abel I found this reading interesting. Genesis 4:10 He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground."
In the Bible, blood is regarded as containing the essence of the soul. Leviticus 17:11 says that "the soul of the creature is in the blood." From the Hebraic perspective, then, the idea of Abel's blood crying out to God from the ground is not just a literary flourish. The traditional telling of the story of Cain and Abel, recorded in Targum Yonaton, lends a Messianic interpretation to the story. In the Targum, we are told that Cain and Abel brought their sacrifices on the fourteenth day of the month of Nisan - Passover: And it was at the end of days, on the fourteenth of Nisan, that Cain brought of the produce of the earth .. and Abel brought of the firstlings of the flock.
In the Targum, Cain and Abel offer their sacrifices on the same day that the Passover lambs would one day be offered. Cain strikes down Abel and spills his blood that same day. It is the first instance of manslaughter. Abel's blood cries out from the ground.
Notice the foreshadowing of Messiah that is present in this story. Messiah may be likened unto Abel. He is the righteous one who does good. On the fourteenth day of Nisan, the same day that the Passover lambs were offered in the Temple, Yeshua was killed. Like Abel, He was slain by the hands of men.
Cain may be likened unto sinful humanity, under control of sin. So, too, Messiah was slain for the sin of humanity. In a sense, it is as if the story of the crucifixion of Messiah answers the story of Cain and Abel.
The writer of the book of Hebrews makes a reference to the blood of Yeshua, "which speaks better than the blood of Abel" Hebrews 12:24. Abel's blood, spilled on Passover, cried out in a voice of condemnation. Yeshua's blood, spilled on Passover, cried out in a voice of forgiveness. "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" Luke 23:34. Hence, the blood of Yeshua truley does speak "better than the blood of Abel."
This reading was also interesting. Exodus 15:27 Then they came to elim where there were twelve springs of water and seventy date palms, and they camped there beside the waters.
The twelve springs and the seventy palms of Elim beg for interpretation. The Targum Pseudo-Yonaton reports that the twelve springs symbolize the twelve tribes, one spring for each tribe. The seventy palms symbolize the Sanhedrin; that is, the seventy elders of Israel. If so, the elders of Israel grow up from the water of the springs of Israel. Perhaps the twelve springs represent Israel and the seventy palms represent the seventy nations of the world. If so, the nations drink from the springs of Israel. Perhaps the twelve springs represent the twelve disciples and the seventy palms represent the seventy disciples. If so the multitude of Yeshua's disciples grow from the teaching of the twelve.
After Bryan lesson on Sunday about the blood of Abel I found this reading interesting. Genesis 4:10 He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground."
In the Bible, blood is regarded as containing the essence of the soul. Leviticus 17:11 says that "the soul of the creature is in the blood." From the Hebraic perspective, then, the idea of Abel's blood crying out to God from the ground is not just a literary flourish. The traditional telling of the story of Cain and Abel, recorded in Targum Yonaton, lends a Messianic interpretation to the story. In the Targum, we are told that Cain and Abel brought their sacrifices on the fourteenth day of the month of Nisan - Passover: And it was at the end of days, on the fourteenth of Nisan, that Cain brought of the produce of the earth .. and Abel brought of the firstlings of the flock.
In the Targum, Cain and Abel offer their sacrifices on the same day that the Passover lambs would one day be offered. Cain strikes down Abel and spills his blood that same day. It is the first instance of manslaughter. Abel's blood cries out from the ground.
Notice the foreshadowing of Messiah that is present in this story. Messiah may be likened unto Abel. He is the righteous one who does good. On the fourteenth day of Nisan, the same day that the Passover lambs were offered in the Temple, Yeshua was killed. Like Abel, He was slain by the hands of men.
Cain may be likened unto sinful humanity, under control of sin. So, too, Messiah was slain for the sin of humanity. In a sense, it is as if the story of the crucifixion of Messiah answers the story of Cain and Abel.
The writer of the book of Hebrews makes a reference to the blood of Yeshua, "which speaks better than the blood of Abel" Hebrews 12:24. Abel's blood, spilled on Passover, cried out in a voice of condemnation. Yeshua's blood, spilled on Passover, cried out in a voice of forgiveness. "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" Luke 23:34. Hence, the blood of Yeshua truley does speak "better than the blood of Abel."
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Fire From Heaven
I almost cannot hear an insight from the Jewish perspective without considering the application to Revelations. Afterall, I think the Bible is the key to interpreting the book of Revelations because "there is nothing new under the sun." (Eccl 1:9). I will go into more detail examples in the future. The thought for this blog begins with the following passage...
"Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth." (Rev 13:11-14)
John records that the future beast will perform "great and miraculous signs" with the assistance of the dragon (Satan, Rev 12:9) to "deceive the inhabitants of the earth." False signs should be no surprise to us since Satan and his servants will go to any extreme (2 Cor 11:14-15) to deceive and the Jewish nation is open to deception if they "seek a sign" (1 Cor 1:22). Although the beast will perform many false signs, John singles out one sign in particular, the ability to cause "fire to come down from heaven to earth in view of men." This sign is clearly intended to be the crowning deception of the beast, but why perform this particular sign?
When used symbolically in scripture, fire is always a picture of GOD and is never used to represent man. The LORD passed between the animals prepared by Abraham as both a "smoking fire pot" and a "burning torch" (Gen 15:17). Because both elements represent fire, the Jews understood the covenant to be between GOD and GOD as the representative of Abraham. Elsewhere in scripture, the GOD appears as a burning bush (Ex 3:2), as a fire on top of Mount Sinai (Ex 19:20), leading the nation in the wilderness "by night as a pillar of fire" (Ex 13:21), described as a "consuming fire" (Ex 24:17), and in Ezekiel’s vision of GOD above HIS throne "like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him" (Ezek 1:26). In Revelations John saw JESUS with "eyes…like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters" (Rev 1:14-15) and when HE returns JESUS will be "revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels" (2 Thess 1:7).
On at least three occasions in scripture, fire came from the presence of the LORD to consume a sacrifice on the altar in front of the Israelites. At the dedication of the tabernacle after Moses and Aaron blessed the people, "Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown." (Lev 9:24). At the completion of the temple after Solomon finished praying, "fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple." (2 Chron 7:1-3) and "when all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD" (2 Chron 7:3). The Israelites saw fire as the presence of the LORD.
Once started, the LORD instructed Moses, "the fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood" (Lev 6:12). In Jewish thought, people brought the sacrifices, but the LORD provided the flame because "God is a consuming fire" (Heb 12:29). At this point, the altar was not a place to BYOF (bring your own fire). When the two sons of Aaron attempted to bring their own fire, contrary to the LORD’S command, they died before the LORD (Lev 10:1).
The pattern repeats for a third time in the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. After calling out to the LORD, "fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD-he is God! The LORD-he is God!" (1 Kings 18:38-39). It is interesting to note, I have not found in scripture the lighting of the fire for the second temple, which operated in the days JESUS walked the earth.
We do have one last event recorded in scripture of fire coming down from heaven prior to the Book of Revelations. No, its not when James and John wanted to "call fire down from heaven" (Luke 9:54). On the Day of Pentecost (Feast of Weeks, Shavout), the HOLY SPIRIT came down and was distributed as "tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them" (Acts 2:3-4).
In the future, a new temple will be constructed, not by GOD, but by one who "will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God." (2 Thess 2:3-4). It is all part of Satan’s plan to receive the praise and admiration due the LORD. After brokering a peace that leads to the construction of the temple, the Adversary will fulfill two of the most important prophecies associated with the MESSIAH, world peace (Isa 9:7) and construction of the temple (Zech 6:12). The only thing left is for the Adversary to take the seat of the MESSIAH on the throne and proclaim himself to be GOD. A position foretold both by both Paul (2 Thes 2:3-4) and Daniel (Dan 11:36-37).
One small problem with Satan’s plan will remain, how to convince the very Orthodox Jews that the Adversary is really the long awaited MESSIAH. Looking to the scriptures, these Jews will look for the confirming sign GOD performed at the dedication of the first temple. The stage is now set for the Adversary to cause "fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men." Is the Adversary capable of bringing down fire from heaven? "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" (Job 1:16). Incorrectly reported by the servant of Job, this fire was not from "God," but from Satan as part of the trials brought on Job.
Many will believe the deception, but a few will understand that the collective actions of the Adversary are not consistent with the word of GOD. These faithful few are referred in scripture as "a remnant chosen by grace" (Rom 11:5-6) and "Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved" (Rom 9:27).
"Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth." (Rev 13:11-14)
John records that the future beast will perform "great and miraculous signs" with the assistance of the dragon (Satan, Rev 12:9) to "deceive the inhabitants of the earth." False signs should be no surprise to us since Satan and his servants will go to any extreme (2 Cor 11:14-15) to deceive and the Jewish nation is open to deception if they "seek a sign" (1 Cor 1:22). Although the beast will perform many false signs, John singles out one sign in particular, the ability to cause "fire to come down from heaven to earth in view of men." This sign is clearly intended to be the crowning deception of the beast, but why perform this particular sign?
When used symbolically in scripture, fire is always a picture of GOD and is never used to represent man. The LORD passed between the animals prepared by Abraham as both a "smoking fire pot" and a "burning torch" (Gen 15:17). Because both elements represent fire, the Jews understood the covenant to be between GOD and GOD as the representative of Abraham. Elsewhere in scripture, the GOD appears as a burning bush (Ex 3:2), as a fire on top of Mount Sinai (Ex 19:20), leading the nation in the wilderness "by night as a pillar of fire" (Ex 13:21), described as a "consuming fire" (Ex 24:17), and in Ezekiel’s vision of GOD above HIS throne "like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him" (Ezek 1:26). In Revelations John saw JESUS with "eyes…like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters" (Rev 1:14-15) and when HE returns JESUS will be "revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels" (2 Thess 1:7).
On at least three occasions in scripture, fire came from the presence of the LORD to consume a sacrifice on the altar in front of the Israelites. At the dedication of the tabernacle after Moses and Aaron blessed the people, "Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown." (Lev 9:24). At the completion of the temple after Solomon finished praying, "fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple." (2 Chron 7:1-3) and "when all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD" (2 Chron 7:3). The Israelites saw fire as the presence of the LORD.
Once started, the LORD instructed Moses, "the fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood" (Lev 6:12). In Jewish thought, people brought the sacrifices, but the LORD provided the flame because "God is a consuming fire" (Heb 12:29). At this point, the altar was not a place to BYOF (bring your own fire). When the two sons of Aaron attempted to bring their own fire, contrary to the LORD’S command, they died before the LORD (Lev 10:1).
The pattern repeats for a third time in the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. After calling out to the LORD, "fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD-he is God! The LORD-he is God!" (1 Kings 18:38-39). It is interesting to note, I have not found in scripture the lighting of the fire for the second temple, which operated in the days JESUS walked the earth.
We do have one last event recorded in scripture of fire coming down from heaven prior to the Book of Revelations. No, its not when James and John wanted to "call fire down from heaven" (Luke 9:54). On the Day of Pentecost (Feast of Weeks, Shavout), the HOLY SPIRIT came down and was distributed as "tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them" (Acts 2:3-4).
In the future, a new temple will be constructed, not by GOD, but by one who "will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God." (2 Thess 2:3-4). It is all part of Satan’s plan to receive the praise and admiration due the LORD. After brokering a peace that leads to the construction of the temple, the Adversary will fulfill two of the most important prophecies associated with the MESSIAH, world peace (Isa 9:7) and construction of the temple (Zech 6:12). The only thing left is for the Adversary to take the seat of the MESSIAH on the throne and proclaim himself to be GOD. A position foretold both by both Paul (2 Thes 2:3-4) and Daniel (Dan 11:36-37).
One small problem with Satan’s plan will remain, how to convince the very Orthodox Jews that the Adversary is really the long awaited MESSIAH. Looking to the scriptures, these Jews will look for the confirming sign GOD performed at the dedication of the first temple. The stage is now set for the Adversary to cause "fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men." Is the Adversary capable of bringing down fire from heaven? "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" (Job 1:16). Incorrectly reported by the servant of Job, this fire was not from "God," but from Satan as part of the trials brought on Job.
Many will believe the deception, but a few will understand that the collective actions of the Adversary are not consistent with the word of GOD. These faithful few are referred in scripture as "a remnant chosen by grace" (Rom 11:5-6) and "Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved" (Rom 9:27).
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