Factors that bring in deception; no doubt are with music as I talked about before as well as world wide media influences with the internet. I mention humanism a lot because it presents an idyllic future for men if we have the mindset that we are capable of a peaceful coexistence. Surely our past history as mankind should shatter any illusion of that fact; and the most recent well known incident of someone promising 1000 years of glorious reign was Hitler under the Third Reich. Under that scenario there was much influence from mysticism and the concept of the master race; today it is considered through New Age that we are about to "evolve" to a more advanced level-no doubt borrowing the more recent concept of a more spontaneous stage when there are quick evolutionary shifts explaining the fossil record. We also need to pay attention to John 5:43 for this "self made" man who comes in his own name; who is promised in the future with the Antichrist beast that Israel for a time accepts. We see this prophecy indicated in Isaiah 10:20 (not the verse I was looking for but another prophetic reference to this individual).
We can't ignore the framework already in place (Abraham accords) to be what is eventually added on to with many nations and confirmed as Daniel 9:27 states. I won't tackle the issues currently there that are making the area a particular hotbed for controversy but will say that the Lord will purify His people in the Tribulation so that they are truly a righteous nation and justified to inherit all the territory promised to them in the original land covenant. They will not come to the Messiah until near the end of the Tribulation as stated in Zechariah and many other scriptures.
I can't dogmatically state this is or isn't the time of the Rapture (Rosh Hashanah). Perhaps it is; as when He does come there may be some warning to those alert and there are some unique time markers.
All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased. ( Jeremiah 30:14).
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. ( Isaiah 10:20).
Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened. ( Zech 11:17).
Let us be of those who heed the call; likely those in Israel before Antichrist comes into the Temple after the Rapture.
Isaiah 26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
and again in Zephaniah 2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.
Psalm 31:20 "Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues."
There will no doubt be many hidden in the earth; still a small portion of all humanity as most perish at that time. Again we see that God has His purposes: Two-thirds of all the nation of Israel will be cut off and die,[a] but a third will be left in the land. ( Zechariah 13:8); and man will be in general mors scarce than gold as to the few who survive ( Isaiah 13:12).
Today with the famine for the Word of God ( Amos 8:11) we undoubtably will have the literal famine; war and pestilence with the seal judgments or individual precursors very soon. Knowing these scriptures with a proper declaring of His promises is imperative; not worthless words
My last post started referencing the New Testament. Before we get into that we need to discuss the exile and post Babylonian exile as it had a prophetic timeline of 70 years; but a longer prophetic implication in Daniel 9:24-27. This would involve a 69 week (or 69 x 7 year) period until Jesus was martyred (or cut off) which would be a parenthesis; as it were around the church age which is notably absent. Therefore; their consummation and greatest trial is in the time of "Jacob's trouble" ( Jeremiah 30:7).
God had warned ahead of time with the blessings and cursings of Deuteronomy 28-30 (or around there) of the state; even of the last days where there was a conditional sort of situation that would allow for repentance even in the last days and tribulation ( Deut. 4:30). But the diaspora was a state Israel spent the vast majority of its existence especially after the Babylonian invasion. We would see due to their idolotry a judgment where they would be sent in exile and suffer greatly; but God promised to establish them a second time after captivity ( Jeremiah 30:3; and Isaiah 11:11). They will finally realize who the true Messiah is but according to Zechariah not until near the end of the Tribulation (see Isaiah 10:20 also for them recognizing Antichrist isn't their true hope).
In this study in general; we have looked at those individuals who have caused; in a large part their own headaches and troubles and also the prophets who were challenged and ridiculed by their own people when they were faithfully preaching the truth rather than what people by and large wanted to hear. We certainly see the same thing today. Finally there is judgment where there are innocent victims caught up in events who either don't heed ore aren't aware of the warning signs to escape ahead of time. This today involves those who hate Israel and are allied for their destruction; much like what we see in Psalm 83. That is a sort of national persecution.
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Good thing they weren't straining a camel as chewing tobacco is bad for you...
Anyway; the concept of tithing was still held as an O.T. custom; and naturally; since the Pharisees were rich a tenth of their own moneys made for a big show but wasn't anything compared to the widow's mites (see Luke 21:1-4). Righteous not perverted judgment was expected (see Isaiah 10:1; James 2:13). Apparently Pharisees were involved with the Sanhedrin but primarily over civil matters. (Wikipedia).
Let me see if I'm allowed to mention them; posting now
"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."
A quick overview of the entire chapter of Ezekiel 36 shows that the meaning is primarily in the exodus and eventual regathering of God's people. When we get into a couple chapters later we enter the Ezekiel 38 war which continues showing the fate of nations that fight against Israel. This verse also is used to demonstrate the change in each believer's state; as opposed to the condition mentioned in Jeremiah 17:9 on how deceitful and wicked man's unregenerate heart nature is.
The principle involved in the nation of Israel repenting is found in this verse: Romans 11:25
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
The Lord will therefore use the time of "Jacob's trouble" ( Jeremiah 30:7) to put the Jews through the fire; and at that time 2/3 will perish and 1/3 make it through ( Zechariah 13:8) which signifies the refining fire. Naturally this is preceded by the arrival of the false messiah who will be venerated by many until the time mentioned in Isaiah 10:20 which would be at the midpoint of the Tribulation.
The new covenant mentioned in Jeremiah 31:31 and the next several verses after also could be applied to that which Christ accomplished for those in the church (or church age). It's final fruition will finally reach Israel who rejected the first coming of their king because they didn't recognize Him as the suffering servant; and or assumed He would immediately overtake their enemies and start an earthly Kingdom.
In general I would state that every age or dispensation has a similar fate; a beginning and end. Israel had several Diasporas and in the last days the church in general will fall away.
1 Thessalonians 5:3 KJV: For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
Daniel 11:43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
Isaiah 10:7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.
When the Antichrist arrives; perhaps he doesn't even realize what his destiny is or how far Satan will lead him into destruction at the outset. Prophecy in Daniel mentions his flattery as well as understanding "dark sentences" or the occult. Dividing the land for gain also shows how everyone gets a piece of the action in the Daniel 9:27 covenant; which certainly sounds like some of the concepts going on today to get the Saudis involved as well as other nations to make the borders acceptable to all with the reconfigurations planned.
Going back to our lives today; we could look simply at food and clothing ( 1 Tim. 6:8) and be content (notice it doesn't even mention shelter). However as Paul stated he learned to be content in want as well as plenty ( Philippians 4:11-13). With peace of course we have joy; so that Paul and Silas could sing and pray joyfully in shackled chains ( Acts 16:25-26). The Lord gave them a quick deliverance at that point; with the jailor and his family coming to faith and being baptized before the authorities released them the next day along with Paul's insistence on escort out since they were Roman citizens. His later imprisonments would be longer although he had much latitude in leading other prisoners; and eventually of course he was martyred.
We are seated in heavenly places (Hebrews I think). We have peace the world can't have ( John 14:27). Let us warn others about false peace and avoid the pitfalls ourselves.
Was David doing all those things you have eluded to? was Solomon or Saul or any other doing those works, or was it God doing it through them?
Daniel 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and God doth according to HIS WILL in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
Jeremiah 51:20-24 .... thou art my battle axe and weapons of war ......
Isaiah 10:15 .... Shall the axe boost himself against him that heweth therewith?.....
And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned.
It is interesting that all of this verse as to the work of the Spirit seems to be in regard to Christ; and seems to be rather indirect as to the individual. Rather than defining particular sins or even the sin nature; the sin of unbelief which led to the most serious errors of the Pharisees who deliberately blinded themselves to the truth and then God no doubt hardened them further is the focus here. For righteousness is again pointing toward Christ; and the focus being perhaps at His next phase at the "Second Coming" and how He will be the righteous King. We are reminded of John 20:29 said to Thomas that blessed are those who have NOT seen yet believe. The third part of this verse is judgment; but it points to Christ again; but this time to Satan's condemnation already established; rather than our own.
Since this verse is a positive influence leading to salvation for His elect and one of condemnation for the unregenerate; we see that this by default puts us in the position to face what Satan does as he is our de-facto ruler if Jesus isn't. (see Matthew 25:41). Hell wasn't apparently created for us but if we are cursed we end up there. Our ruler the prince of the power of the air ( Eph. 2:2) is controlling the masses through his elaborate economic and spiritual world system which is coming to its full and ugly climax as we see Babylon in both forms described in Revelation 17 and 18; and in much of Jeremah in the O.T.
Isaiah 10:7 states Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.
This shows even Antichrist doesn't know how bad he is
The other day I heard about a falling out from a church I used to attend with a good friend of mine. It seems the Pastor only wanted to talk rather than hear what he had to say; and that there is a sort of mindset of exclusivity there in regard to it being the only genuine church denomination as my friend put it. The conversation is skewed by the fact that my friend tends to be very opinionated and rather vocal with an aggressive sort of personality.
I introduce this to say that a church can be increasingly legalistic; or on the contrary embrace the tidal wave of political correctness and hence be a Laodicean type church. in EITHER case I would dare say that a RELIGIOUS spirit can overtake people. There can exist the pride of performance; or the pride of the world and embracing all the damnable heresies in order to emphasize the "love" of God.
I have compared the end of the church "age" or "dispensation" with that of ancient Israel. We are reminded that God was to be worshipped in John 4:24 where the woman at the well was told that God was spirit and we must worship Him in spirit and truth.
The remnant always remains of true "Israel" (see Isaiah 10:20). There is also a confessing church and a small portion of them who are POSSESSING the Holy Spirit and thus truly children of God. It is not in a building; ordinances; catechisms and other structured parts of worship that in themselves have any meaning and indeed once we behold Him much of our current practices will be rendered as archaic and in the past. The end all of all things is heavenly treasure; and we are aliens and strangers on this earth. If we take our experience that we see with our five senses to heart without considering the unseen we are not going to progress. Yes; God uses local assemblies and our fellow believers to (hopefully) be discipled and grow together while enjoying legitimate blessings together of families and friends. But we look to the hope to come.
The key part to this verse that stands out to me in Isaiah 10:27 is "in that day"
Understanding when that day is or was unlocks that verse.
The day that Jesus died on the cross at Calvary is the day that the yoke was destroyed and the burden was removed. However, we receive what He did when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior.
Armageddon; and the ultimate end of Satan at the end of the Millennial reign of Christ is the ultimate conclusion of God's plan in using the enemy of our soul to purge the world of rebels and to end the power of death completely with a new heaven and earth (see 1 Cor. 15:26; Revelation 21 and 22).
Eternal punishment fits the crime so we can understand as wicked as things have been throughout human history it has stored up wrath for Satan as well as the unregenerate ( Romans 2:5 and subsequent verses in that chapter). The philosophy of "do as thou wilt" that is prominent among self proclaimed Satanists is contrasted with a sacrificial love that only Christ can offer. Everything seems backwards but the Lord has the master plan no matter how clever men and their devices are to destroy Christ (see Psalm 5:10; and read Psalm 2). Unregenerate man simply cannot understand how being a servant or slave of Christ brings men to freedom and how the opposite appeals to the flesh leave one in bondage in the end. They think we can somehow go back to Eden (as seen in the humanistic music of the 60's); but we see the result of this "free love" in the 70's and beyond with the rapid decay of traditional families in regard to sustainability of marriages and the removal of God's design for a family and harmonious home life. Whether Satan himself ever realized how wicked he would become is debateable; it would appear that Antichrist himself and or other rulers may not have realized this in verses such as Isaiah 10:7. The enemy always wants to sugarcoat the extreme jeopardy of man remaining in a sinful state by distracting him with grand delusions that lead nowhere but to destruction.
We see in Psalm 23:5 a verse on eating in the presence of enemies which indeed we will do during the Millennium when some inevitably will rebel at the end and insanely under Satan attempt one final time to destroy God and His people leading to failure.
Revelation 13:1-And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a (MAN) Beast rise up out of the sea,having 7 heads and 10 horns,and upon his horns ten crowns,and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Upon the SAND of the SEA?
Remember,John was one among the countless Jewish citzen(i.e. the sand of the sea,according to the Word of GOD- Isaiah 10:22:"For though thy people Israel be as the SAND of the SEA,yet a REMNANT of THEM shall return:the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness")
And how to interpret"SEA" in Rev.13:1?
Now,JESUS revealed that "The waters which thou sawest,where the whore sitteth,are peoples,and multitudes,and nations,and tongues".
INTERPRETING:
"and I saw a(MAN)Beast rise up out of the sea",
therefore,the MAN Beast is a Gentile Beast.
"HAVING 7 HEADS"
7 heads are 7 mountains,on which the woman-the Whore-sitteth.(the Whore rides upon the MAN Beast of sea,the Gentile Beast, in fact she rides upon the Papacy,millennial Popes;the 7 heads(mountains)are Europe,Asia,Africa,Oceania(Australia),North America,Central America,and South America,where the Whore sits or she is established as a whole.
"AND 10 HORNS"
10 horns is linked to the red Dragon- Revelation 12:3&9 combined with Re.13:11-14-,but how?First,one of the 7 heads of the Gentile MAN Beast will be wounded to death,but his deadly wound shall be healed.How?The red dragon shall give him his Power,and his Seat,and great Authority.The Gentile MAN Beast of sea will sit in the Throne of the Beast of the earth,the false messiah,in the holy city,in JERUSALEM,i.e.the Throne of the MAN Beast of the earth(Israel,as an isle in the sea).By the way,this is the most dream of the Pope,it will happen in the first half of the last week that will begin soon
AND UPON HIS HORNS 10 CROWNS
Symbol of the 10 tribes of Israel by which the MAN Beast of sea will be enthroned in the Holy City-Israel- Revelation 11:2 combined 13:4-9
This is likely because it is talking about God chastising his own (or His servants); He "scourges every son that He receives" as well as chastising them ( Hebrews 12:6). Better are the wounds of a friend than the kisses of an enemy ( Proverbs 27:6).
We see what appears in Luke to be a discussion of those fellowservants who are warning about the coming of the Lord and are "beaten by their fellow servants" ( Luke 12:45). We see that verse 39 and 46 indicate a house being "broken into" and verse 46 talks about being assigned in a place with the hypocrites and cut into pieces. That would be metaphorical language fitting into missing the Rapture; and going through the fire of the Tribulation from the way I see it.
Isaiah 10:5-6 discusses the "Assyrian" God's method of chastisement (one code word for Antichrist) who is used to judge a "hypocritical nation." Hence there is ample reason to at least ascribe this message to Israel as a rebellious nation who doesn't recognize their King until they realize that the one they trusted in turns against them.
There are ignorant people in churches today who God may still save or make their garments white in the Tribulation. Whether these are left behind believers or new believers as part of the witnessing campaign of the 144,000 it is martyrdom that is the test of all who truly believe in Christ. Those who know better and yet are truly His own of course (as with teachers) have a greater responsibility; hence the Lord will have to deal with them more harshly. I look at the Tribulation as being a massive campaign by God for fruit production; which He will get one way or another to His satisfaction. The word Tribulation apparently is related to "Tribulum" or the wheat being ripened and harvested rapidly in the blistering sun. It is good to look at such events in relation to the big picture; the worst persecution brings the greatest glory; and will be used to turn Israel back to the true Savior ( Zech 12:12; Rev. 1:7).
Man is God's INSTRUMENTS, he does all the WORK'S of God through man.
Man just does not have the KNOWLEDGE to believe God is doing EVERYTHING, through man.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God that worketh IN YOU both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
Jeremiah 51:20 Thou (man) are MY (God's) weapons of WAR ......
Isaiah 10:5 O Assyrian, the rod (weapon) of MY (God) anger, and the staff (weapon) in thy hand is MY (GOD) indignation ...
Isaiah 45:1 ...to Cyrus, whose right hand I (God) have holden, to SUBDUE NATIONS .....
Daniel 4:34 ..... and MY UNDERSTANDING RETURNED .....
Daniel 4:35 ....and he (God) doeth according to HIS (God) WILL ..... among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
God had a purpose for Aaron, also a purpose for those that perished, Aaron also DIED, just a differennt APPOINTED time.
God knows what he is doing and EVIL always works to GOOD.
Genesis 50:20 ....you thought EVIL against me, but God meant it for GOOD ..... to keep many people ALIVE .....
Judas betrayed Christ; EVIL, the Father meant that betrayal for GOOD: to keep all people ALIVE in Christ Jesus ....
Hosea 4:6 My people perish FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE .....
Damascus was a place mentioned several times in Old Testament, Genesis 14:15, Genesis 15:2, 2Samuel 8:5,6, 1Kings 11:1-25, 1Kings 19:14-18, 1Kings 20, 2Chronicles 16,
Isaiah 7:8,9, Isaiah 8:4, Isaiah 10:9, Isaiah 17, James 1:5,
In the New Testament it's the road to Damascus was the place of Saul's conversion to Paul: Acts 9, Acts 22, Acts 26, it's symbolic to many Christians as a turning point in Christian faith.
Lamentations 2:11 and associated passages discuss tears when the Babylonian captivity and it's horrors of stervation and destruction by fire of Jerusalem occur which is much like the theme here.
In terms of being as a vine (v. 8) we see such depictions of Israel in John 15:8 as well as Ezekiel and apparently Psalm 88 as well. Verses 10 to 12 also describe great branches such as a cedar (v. 10) which is also descriptive of other nations such as Lebanon which is compared to a cedar in no less than 100 verses in scripture. Trees also describe Egypt ( Ezekiel 31:18) as well as Assyria as ( Isaiah 10:24) which was "planted" in Lebanon.
Once again as in the previous Psalm; we see evidence of a prophetic mention of the city being burned (verse 16) signifying the Babylonian captivity. Verse 17 seems to indicate Christ as a possible man at the "man of thy right hand" made strong. Quickening the people in verse 18 could signify the Resurrection; or restoration at the end of the Tribulation. The idea of God awakening reminds us of Isaiah 54:7-9 where God briefly turns away; again possibly signifying Jacob's trouble.
Like many times, in our current world: when things go as it's supposed to, not much is mentioned but when it's going wrong, much more said. There was much wrong mentioned about wrongly leaving out Widows, Fatherless children, etc. Matthew 23:14, Mark 12:40, Luke 20:47, Job 22:9, Acts 6:1, Isaiah 10:2 please read in context, by reading all verses around the verses given, so you have the "whole story". They also were judged because of that * Malachi 2:17, Malachi 3:5, Deuteronomy 27:19
1Timothy 5, 1Corinthians 7, Deuteronomy 24:17,
I believe the Rules/Laws GOD gave forth to Moses for the Israelites was the ideal plan. These rules weren't not for "the rebellious nations, surrounding" probably because they may just disregard anyway.
I believe it's good if we look into the Laws & consider sincerely what we can apply today. Deuteronomy 14:29, Deuteronomy 16, we should share in our increase ( abundance ) Deuteronomy 24:19,20,21, elimination of greed, in every area
Deuteronomy 10:18,
James 1:27 , Matthew 25:35-41, Deuteronomy 26:13,14,
Numbers 1:49, Isaiah 10:21, I believe there are multiple places actually, 2Kings 19:30
In my spirit I felt the numbering of Israel was also, that may be why; even Joab who helped kill Urriah, 2Samuel 11:14-24, killed King David's son 2Samuel 18:14-17, took vengeance by killing others while going in for a hug, 2Samuel 20:9,10, 2Samuel 3:26-27 even that guy; feared GOD more than King David & refused to "number Levi ...." 1Chronicles 21:1-8,
Introduction: I am attempting after years of study to give a proper examination of the doctrine of election; associated with the 5 points of Calvin; or what some call the "grace gospel." Ultimately; this is to demonstrate that we cannot save ourselves; it requires Divine intervention. From my viewpoint; this does NOT negate human choices as it were as God in this fallen world always has worked around the circumstances that even His saints have lived in who often should know better; not to mention the kings and those in authority. It is not the constraints on men in this lifetime that should be the focus; although there are limits to God's patience but it is the will of God which is accomplished no matter how much Satan and wicked men work against Him. Thus; He allows the sin of a nation to come to the full before judgment ( Gen. 15:16). He has set times and seasons; and is indeed the Alpha and Omega ( Rev. 21:6-7).
Before getting into scriptures specifically in the Book of John (this forum isn't meant for more than an overview rather than an extensive study) which prove God predestines all those who will come to the faith and hence be saved I wanted to make a few points. First of all; the argument of "what about those who have never heard the Gospel" is not as solid as it may seem. To assume that only those who are in a society that teaches Biblical truth to recieve it; and assumes that others who don't hear it are left out need only go to Abraham being called OUT of Ur of the Chaldees to the land of Promise and follow the true God.
The Exodus took His people to a new land; but only a remnant of Israel was true Israel ( Romans 9:24-29). This is also demonstrated in the O.T. We see the same principle in Isaiah 10:20-23 for the future of the nation of Israel; and also with the church ( Matt. 13:24-30).
Finally; there is a process which determines or proves our spiritual condition set forth for all men.
Philippians 2:13 For it is GOD that WORKETH in you TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
Most DON'T BELIEVE these WORD'S of God.
Do you believe that everything being done, IN YOU and BY YOU, is God's will and is God's work.
Isaiah 10:5 O Assyrian, the rod of my anger, and the staff in their hand is my indignation.
Isaiah 10:6 And I WILL send him against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath WILL I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and tread them down like the mire in the streets.
Isaiah 10:12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed HIS WHOLE WORK upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I WILL punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
Isaiah 10:13 For he saith, by the strength of MY HAND I HAVE DONE IT .......
God didn't punish the king for stealing, raping the women, dashing the children against the streets, and killing men:
He punished him because he thought HE DID IT instead of UNDERSTANDING it was THE WORK'S of GOD through his hand.
TRUTH:
We are the vessel; Christ is the LIFE, TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
Not believing these words causes us to walk in disobedience.
The sins of the flesh are covered by the blood of Christ; NOT BELIEVING his WORDS keeps us from being ONE.
Ephesians 4:4 There is ONE BODY (man) and ONE SPIRIT (Life and Truth).
2 Samuel 24:1 And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he (the LORD) moved (caused) David against them to say, Go, number Israel.
1 Chronicles 21:2 And SATAN stood up against Israel, and provoked (caused) David to number Israel.
Same event in the history of Israel; yet one says Satan caused, and one says the LORD caused.
Isaiah 54:16 Behold, I (the Father) have created the smith (Christ) that bloweth the coals in the FIRE (our God is a consuming FIRE), and that bringeth forth an instrument (Satan) for his (Christ) WORK; and I (the Lord) have CREATED the waster (SATAN) to destroy (destruction of the flesh).
1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such a one to SATAN for the DESTRUCTION OF THE FLESH, that the spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
God does EVERYTHING through the hands of men, God brings his judgements on earth through the hands of men.
Isaiah 10:5 O Assyrian, the rod of MINE (God's) anger, and the staff in their (Assyria) hand is MINE (God's) indignation.
Isaiah 10:6 I (God) will send him (Assyria) against a hypocritical nation (Israel), and against the people of my wrath will I (God) give him (Assyria) a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the street.
Jeremiah 51:7 Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S HAND .......
In the past I've used that analogy of the puzzle pieces. The Gospel paints a picture starting from Genesis.
The problem often comes when one have a picture in mind and try to fit pieces of the puzzles together that don't belong so they have to reshape the surrounding pieces to there liking, usually by spritualizing all the pieces/scripture, or they take one piece of a puzzle/scripture that represents their picture and try to fit it in a 1000 piece puzzle that it doesn't belong to, so they reshape the 1000 pieces by spritualizing.
Here's an example.
Who's the writer referring to here?
"Therefore my people" are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.
Isaiah 5:13.
I've heard it taught that this was all of creation. ( A piece of puzzle that don't even fit the chapter or anywhere else in the 66 books. )
But if they would let the scripture say what it is saying you would find the answer throughout the chapter, especially verse 7.
"For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry"
Isaiah 5:7.
Here's just a few of many other puzzle pieces.
Exodus 3:10.
Exodus 5:1.
Exodus 8:23.
Leviticus 26:12.
1 Samuel 2:28-29.
1 Kings 6:12-13.
Isaiah 1:3.
Isaiah 10:24.
Isaiah 14:25.
Jeremiah 1:16.
Jeremiah 2:11.
Ezekiel 11:20.
Ect...
There's hundreds that reference Isaiah 5:13. to Israel!!
And Hosea 2:23 suggests God's not done with them. Also Romans 11:1.
God is in the generation of the righteous. Psalms 14:5.
We become his people by seeking him, not everyone will do this.
Zachariah gives a distinction between between the heathen nations and God's people. Zachariah 8:7.
Another distinction.
Mathew 7:21-23. You can't be his people and he not know you.
Brother Rick, what do you believe is God's definition of GRACE and MERCY.
Are you not saved by God's works. Do you believe you have any part in your salvation.
God's word says it's all his works and none of our own ( Psalms 92:4-6)
We ALL KILLED CHRIST, yet he FORGAVE US and SAVED US.
Why wouldn't his grace and mercy extent to all MURDERERS, does the number of people one kills make one more guilty. David killed numerous, yet God said he was a man after his own heart.
David was a VESSEL, CHOSEN to fulfill the WORK'S of GOD, a vessel of honour, other are CHOSEN to fulfill the WORK's of God by being vessels of dishonour,
All is of GOD. God WILL SAVED the vessels of dishonour also, because they had no choice in GOD'S PURPOSE for creation.
Those that are saying LORD, LORD, DID WE NOT, are the ones that did't believe ALL WORKS are of GOD, we are just the axe in the hand of the Lord. ( Isaiah 10:15)
Dgjot, ask the Spirit to give you spiritual eyes instead of natural eyes.
John 6:63 It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing, THE WORDS (Christ is the WORD) that I speak unto you, they (the words, Christ) are SPIRIT, and they (the words, Christ) are LIFE.
...the fearful...unbelieving...murderers (if you hate your brother, you are a murderer ( 1 John 3:15)....
Shall have their part in the lake of fire (THE WORDS ARE CHRIST)
Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire (THE WORDS ARE CHRIST)
Colossians 1:27 ....this mystery.... CHRIST IN YOU....(living lake of fire) you are IN IT NOW.
Isaiah 10:16 ...and under his glory (you are the glory of God) he shall kindle a BURNING like the burning of a FIRE (THE WORDS ARE CHRIST).
Everyone is going to be judged in the WORDS ( in Christ, in the Fire (lake of)
The fire burns the trash and purifies you.
The fire is GOOD and necessary.
The fearful no longer fear, the unbelieving, BELIEVE, you love you enemies.
Sister Diane, one of your comments implied you study the New Testament more than the Old Testament.
On of the greatest truths of God's sovereignty and man foolish worldly wisdom that he possess FREE WILL is in Isaiah 10:5-23
Isaiah 10:5 O Assyrian the rod of MINE anger, and the staff in THEIR hand is MINE indignation.
God is using a nation and it's people for his judgements.
Isaiah 10:6 For I WILL SEND him against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of MY WRATH will I give him a charge, to take a prey, and to tread them down like mire of the streets.
These people are going to kill, possibly rape, steal, and destroy other people. And God is the one CAUSING them to do so.
Isaiah 10:12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath PERFORMED HIS whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will PUNISH the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
Isaiah 10:13 For he saith, By the strength of mine hand I HAVE DONE IT, and by my wisdom, for I am prudent ...
Notice that God didn't say he was going to punish the king because he killed, and stole and raped and destroyed other people; but, God was going to punish the king because he took credit and thought it was his works.
God is no different today, he uses people to do HIS WORK and then punishes them because they took credit; NOT KNOWING ALL WORKS ARE OF GOD were are just the axe in GOD'S HAND.
Isaiah 10:15 Shall the axe BOOST ITSELF against him (GOD) that heweth therewith?
Brother David, May CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.
The scriptures and meaning behind those scriptures I quoted to you are in DIRECT OPPOSITION to there being a LITERAL HELL.
So EACH has to be reconciled to each other through scripture.
Scripture says those in the first resurrection (resurrected with Christ) will not see death but will be instantly in the presence of Christ, in Spirit, with a glorified body.
Scripture says those in the second resurrection will be raise back in their sinful flesh and cast alive into the lake of fire.
If the lake of fire is LITERAL FIRE those thrown into it alive will LITERAL DIE within seconds. Therefore there would be no nations to rule and judge in the ages to come. This doesn't reconcile our two different scriptures.
If the lake of fire represents the judgement IN CHRIST who is a consuming FIRE, then the two scriptures reconcile with each other.
Isaiah 10:16 Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of Host, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory (priest) he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.
Isaiah 4:4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purge the blood of (new) Jerusalem from the midst (CHRIST IN YOU) thereof by the SPIRIT OF JUDGEMENT and the SPIRIT OF BURNING.
Isaiah 47:14 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not delivery themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to set before it.
This is also spiritual fire from the fact you can't warm yourself from it. The ones in the first resurrection also have to go through this fire.
Mark 4:49 And everyone shall be salted with FIRE.
Matthew 3:11 ....he shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost and FIRE.
Brother Carleton, I don't know what anabaptist teach. I was raised with the doctrines taught by southern baptist. Through thousands of hours studying the scriptures and begging Christ to show me the meaning; I no longer adhere to the doctrine of hell, and that man has FREE WILL and goes to an abode called heaven.
The word of God CAN NOT contradict. Hundreds of verses says all creation will obey and worship God.
A literal hell makes these words a lie; but Spiritual FIRE and Spiritual JUDGEMENT don't CONTRADICT.
Isaiah 10:16 Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of host, send among his fat ones a leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a BURNING like the burning of a FIRE.
Isaiah 4:4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the SPIRIT OF JUDGEMENT, and by the SPIRIT OF BURNING.
May CHRIST CAUSE us walk in the WORDS of GOD.
Isaiah 63:17 O Lord why has THOU MADE US TO ERR from thy ways, and hardened our hearts from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribe of thine inheritance.
Factors that bring in deception; no doubt are with music as I talked about before as well as world wide media influences with the internet. I mention humanism a lot because it presents an idyllic future for men if we have the mindset that we are capable of a peaceful coexistence. Surely our past history as mankind should shatter any illusion of that fact; and the most recent well known incident of someone promising 1000 years of glorious reign was Hitler under the Third Reich. Under that scenario there was much influence from mysticism and the concept of the master race; today it is considered through New Age that we are about to "evolve" to a more advanced level-no doubt borrowing the more recent concept of a more spontaneous stage when there are quick evolutionary shifts explaining the fossil record. We also need to pay attention to John 5:43 for this "self made" man who comes in his own name; who is promised in the future with the Antichrist beast that Israel for a time accepts. We see this prophecy indicated in Isaiah 10:20 (not the verse I was looking for but another prophetic reference to this individual).
We can't ignore the framework already in place (Abraham accords) to be what is eventually added on to with many nations and confirmed as Daniel 9:27 states. I won't tackle the issues currently there that are making the area a particular hotbed for controversy but will say that the Lord will purify His people in the Tribulation so that they are truly a righteous nation and justified to inherit all the territory promised to them in the original land covenant. They will not come to the Messiah until near the end of the Tribulation as stated in Zechariah and many other scriptures.
I can't dogmatically state this is or isn't the time of the Rapture (Rosh Hashanah). Perhaps it is; as when He does come there may be some warning to those alert and there are some unique time markers.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. ( Isaiah 10:20).
Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened. ( Zech 11:17).
Let us be of those who heed the call; likely those in Israel before Antichrist comes into the Temple after the Rapture.
Isaiah 26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
and again in Zephaniah 2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.
Psalm 31:20 "Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues."
There will no doubt be many hidden in the earth; still a small portion of all humanity as most perish at that time. Again we see that God has His purposes: Two-thirds of all the nation of Israel will be cut off and die,[a] but a third will be left in the land. ( Zechariah 13:8); and man will be in general mors scarce than gold as to the few who survive ( Isaiah 13:12).
Today with the famine for the Word of God ( Amos 8:11) we undoubtably will have the literal famine; war and pestilence with the seal judgments or individual precursors very soon. Knowing these scriptures with a proper declaring of His promises is imperative; not worthless words
My last post started referencing the New Testament. Before we get into that we need to discuss the exile and post Babylonian exile as it had a prophetic timeline of 70 years; but a longer prophetic implication in Daniel 9:24-27. This would involve a 69 week (or 69 x 7 year) period until Jesus was martyred (or cut off) which would be a parenthesis; as it were around the church age which is notably absent. Therefore; their consummation and greatest trial is in the time of "Jacob's trouble" ( Jeremiah 30:7).
God had warned ahead of time with the blessings and cursings of Deuteronomy 28-30 (or around there) of the state; even of the last days where there was a conditional sort of situation that would allow for repentance even in the last days and tribulation ( Deut. 4:30). But the diaspora was a state Israel spent the vast majority of its existence especially after the Babylonian invasion. We would see due to their idolotry a judgment where they would be sent in exile and suffer greatly; but God promised to establish them a second time after captivity ( Jeremiah 30:3; and Isaiah 11:11). They will finally realize who the true Messiah is but according to Zechariah not until near the end of the Tribulation (see Isaiah 10:20 also for them recognizing Antichrist isn't their true hope).
In this study in general; we have looked at those individuals who have caused; in a large part their own headaches and troubles and also the prophets who were challenged and ridiculed by their own people when they were faithfully preaching the truth rather than what people by and large wanted to hear. We certainly see the same thing today. Finally there is judgment where there are innocent victims caught up in events who either don't heed ore aren't aware of the warning signs to escape ahead of time. This today involves those who hate Israel and are allied for their destruction; much like what we see in Psalm 83. That is a sort of national persecution.
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Good thing they weren't straining a camel as chewing tobacco is bad for you...
Anyway; the concept of tithing was still held as an O.T. custom; and naturally; since the Pharisees were rich a tenth of their own moneys made for a big show but wasn't anything compared to the widow's mites (see Luke 21:1-4). Righteous not perverted judgment was expected (see Isaiah 10:1; James 2:13). Apparently Pharisees were involved with the Sanhedrin but primarily over civil matters. (Wikipedia).
Let me see if I'm allowed to mention them; posting now
"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."
A quick overview of the entire chapter of Ezekiel 36 shows that the meaning is primarily in the exodus and eventual regathering of God's people. When we get into a couple chapters later we enter the Ezekiel 38 war which continues showing the fate of nations that fight against Israel. This verse also is used to demonstrate the change in each believer's state; as opposed to the condition mentioned in Jeremiah 17:9 on how deceitful and wicked man's unregenerate heart nature is.
The principle involved in the nation of Israel repenting is found in this verse: Romans 11:25
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
The Lord will therefore use the time of "Jacob's trouble" ( Jeremiah 30:7) to put the Jews through the fire; and at that time 2/3 will perish and 1/3 make it through ( Zechariah 13:8) which signifies the refining fire. Naturally this is preceded by the arrival of the false messiah who will be venerated by many until the time mentioned in Isaiah 10:20 which would be at the midpoint of the Tribulation.
The new covenant mentioned in Jeremiah 31:31 and the next several verses after also could be applied to that which Christ accomplished for those in the church (or church age). It's final fruition will finally reach Israel who rejected the first coming of their king because they didn't recognize Him as the suffering servant; and or assumed He would immediately overtake their enemies and start an earthly Kingdom.
In general I would state that every age or dispensation has a similar fate; a beginning and end. Israel had several Diasporas and in the last days the church in general will fall away.
1 Thessalonians 5:3 KJV: For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
Daniel 11:43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
Isaiah 10:7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.
When the Antichrist arrives; perhaps he doesn't even realize what his destiny is or how far Satan will lead him into destruction at the outset. Prophecy in Daniel mentions his flattery as well as understanding "dark sentences" or the occult. Dividing the land for gain also shows how everyone gets a piece of the action in the Daniel 9:27 covenant; which certainly sounds like some of the concepts going on today to get the Saudis involved as well as other nations to make the borders acceptable to all with the reconfigurations planned.
Going back to our lives today; we could look simply at food and clothing ( 1 Tim. 6:8) and be content (notice it doesn't even mention shelter). However as Paul stated he learned to be content in want as well as plenty ( Philippians 4:11-13). With peace of course we have joy; so that Paul and Silas could sing and pray joyfully in shackled chains ( Acts 16:25-26). The Lord gave them a quick deliverance at that point; with the jailor and his family coming to faith and being baptized before the authorities released them the next day along with Paul's insistence on escort out since they were Roman citizens. His later imprisonments would be longer although he had much latitude in leading other prisoners; and eventually of course he was martyred.
We are seated in heavenly places (Hebrews I think). We have peace the world can't have ( John 14:27). Let us warn others about false peace and avoid the pitfalls ourselves.
I have a question?
Was David doing all those things you have eluded to? was Solomon or Saul or any other doing those works, or was it God doing it through them?
Daniel 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and God doth according to HIS WILL in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
Jeremiah 51:20-24 .... thou art my battle axe and weapons of war ......
Isaiah 10:15 .... Shall the axe boost himself against him that heweth therewith?.....
Are we not the POT and God the POTTER?
God Bless YOU
And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned.
It is interesting that all of this verse as to the work of the Spirit seems to be in regard to Christ; and seems to be rather indirect as to the individual. Rather than defining particular sins or even the sin nature; the sin of unbelief which led to the most serious errors of the Pharisees who deliberately blinded themselves to the truth and then God no doubt hardened them further is the focus here. For righteousness is again pointing toward Christ; and the focus being perhaps at His next phase at the "Second Coming" and how He will be the righteous King. We are reminded of John 20:29 said to Thomas that blessed are those who have NOT seen yet believe. The third part of this verse is judgment; but it points to Christ again; but this time to Satan's condemnation already established; rather than our own.
Since this verse is a positive influence leading to salvation for His elect and one of condemnation for the unregenerate; we see that this by default puts us in the position to face what Satan does as he is our de-facto ruler if Jesus isn't. (see Matthew 25:41). Hell wasn't apparently created for us but if we are cursed we end up there. Our ruler the prince of the power of the air ( Eph. 2:2) is controlling the masses through his elaborate economic and spiritual world system which is coming to its full and ugly climax as we see Babylon in both forms described in Revelation 17 and 18; and in much of Jeremah in the O.T.
Isaiah 10:7 states Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.
This shows even Antichrist doesn't know how bad he is
The other day I heard about a falling out from a church I used to attend with a good friend of mine. It seems the Pastor only wanted to talk rather than hear what he had to say; and that there is a sort of mindset of exclusivity there in regard to it being the only genuine church denomination as my friend put it. The conversation is skewed by the fact that my friend tends to be very opinionated and rather vocal with an aggressive sort of personality.
I introduce this to say that a church can be increasingly legalistic; or on the contrary embrace the tidal wave of political correctness and hence be a Laodicean type church. in EITHER case I would dare say that a RELIGIOUS spirit can overtake people. There can exist the pride of performance; or the pride of the world and embracing all the damnable heresies in order to emphasize the "love" of God.
I have compared the end of the church "age" or "dispensation" with that of ancient Israel. We are reminded that God was to be worshipped in John 4:24 where the woman at the well was told that God was spirit and we must worship Him in spirit and truth.
The remnant always remains of true "Israel" (see Isaiah 10:20). There is also a confessing church and a small portion of them who are POSSESSING the Holy Spirit and thus truly children of God. It is not in a building; ordinances; catechisms and other structured parts of worship that in themselves have any meaning and indeed once we behold Him much of our current practices will be rendered as archaic and in the past. The end all of all things is heavenly treasure; and we are aliens and strangers on this earth. If we take our experience that we see with our five senses to heart without considering the unseen we are not going to progress. Yes; God uses local assemblies and our fellow believers to (hopefully) be discipled and grow together while enjoying legitimate blessings together of families and friends. But we look to the hope to come.
Understanding when that day is or was unlocks that verse.
The day that Jesus died on the cross at Calvary is the day that the yoke was destroyed and the burden was removed. However, we receive what He did when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior.
Armageddon; and the ultimate end of Satan at the end of the Millennial reign of Christ is the ultimate conclusion of God's plan in using the enemy of our soul to purge the world of rebels and to end the power of death completely with a new heaven and earth (see 1 Cor. 15:26; Revelation 21 and 22).
Eternal punishment fits the crime so we can understand as wicked as things have been throughout human history it has stored up wrath for Satan as well as the unregenerate ( Romans 2:5 and subsequent verses in that chapter). The philosophy of "do as thou wilt" that is prominent among self proclaimed Satanists is contrasted with a sacrificial love that only Christ can offer. Everything seems backwards but the Lord has the master plan no matter how clever men and their devices are to destroy Christ (see Psalm 5:10; and read Psalm 2). Unregenerate man simply cannot understand how being a servant or slave of Christ brings men to freedom and how the opposite appeals to the flesh leave one in bondage in the end. They think we can somehow go back to Eden (as seen in the humanistic music of the 60's); but we see the result of this "free love" in the 70's and beyond with the rapid decay of traditional families in regard to sustainability of marriages and the removal of God's design for a family and harmonious home life. Whether Satan himself ever realized how wicked he would become is debateable; it would appear that Antichrist himself and or other rulers may not have realized this in verses such as Isaiah 10:7. The enemy always wants to sugarcoat the extreme jeopardy of man remaining in a sinful state by distracting him with grand delusions that lead nowhere but to destruction.
We see in Psalm 23:5 a verse on eating in the presence of enemies which indeed we will do during the Millennium when some inevitably will rebel at the end and insanely under Satan attempt one final time to destroy God and His people leading to failure.
Upon the SAND of the SEA?
Remember,John was one among the countless Jewish citzen(i.e. the sand of the sea,according to the Word of GOD- Isaiah 10:22:"For though thy people Israel be as the SAND of the SEA,yet a REMNANT of THEM shall return:the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness")
And how to interpret"SEA" in Rev.13:1?
Now,JESUS revealed that "The waters which thou sawest,where the whore sitteth,are peoples,and multitudes,and nations,and tongues".
INTERPRETING:
"and I saw a(MAN)Beast rise up out of the sea",
therefore,the MAN Beast is a Gentile Beast.
"HAVING 7 HEADS"
7 heads are 7 mountains,on which the woman-the Whore-sitteth.(the Whore rides upon the MAN Beast of sea,the Gentile Beast, in fact she rides upon the Papacy,millennial Popes;the 7 heads(mountains)are Europe,Asia,Africa,Oceania(Australia),North America,Central America,and South America,where the Whore sits or she is established as a whole.
"AND 10 HORNS"
10 horns is linked to the red Dragon- Revelation 12:3&9 combined with Re.13:11-14-,but how?First,one of the 7 heads of the Gentile MAN Beast will be wounded to death,but his deadly wound shall be healed.How?The red dragon shall give him his Power,and his Seat,and great Authority.The Gentile MAN Beast of sea will sit in the Throne of the Beast of the earth,the false messiah,in the holy city,in JERUSALEM,i.e.the Throne of the MAN Beast of the earth(Israel,as an isle in the sea).By the way,this is the most dream of the Pope,it will happen in the first half of the last week that will begin soon
AND UPON HIS HORNS 10 CROWNS
Symbol of the 10 tribes of Israel by which the MAN Beast of sea will be enthroned in the Holy City-Israel- Revelation 11:2 combined 13:4-9
UPON HIS 7 HEADS A NAME OF BLASPHEMY
Will be name of last Pope?
Getready
We see what appears in Luke to be a discussion of those fellowservants who are warning about the coming of the Lord and are "beaten by their fellow servants" ( Luke 12:45). We see that verse 39 and 46 indicate a house being "broken into" and verse 46 talks about being assigned in a place with the hypocrites and cut into pieces. That would be metaphorical language fitting into missing the Rapture; and going through the fire of the Tribulation from the way I see it.
Isaiah 10:5-6 discusses the "Assyrian" God's method of chastisement (one code word for Antichrist) who is used to judge a "hypocritical nation." Hence there is ample reason to at least ascribe this message to Israel as a rebellious nation who doesn't recognize their King until they realize that the one they trusted in turns against them.
There are ignorant people in churches today who God may still save or make their garments white in the Tribulation. Whether these are left behind believers or new believers as part of the witnessing campaign of the 144,000 it is martyrdom that is the test of all who truly believe in Christ. Those who know better and yet are truly His own of course (as with teachers) have a greater responsibility; hence the Lord will have to deal with them more harshly. I look at the Tribulation as being a massive campaign by God for fruit production; which He will get one way or another to His satisfaction. The word Tribulation apparently is related to "Tribulum" or the wheat being ripened and harvested rapidly in the blistering sun. It is good to look at such events in relation to the big picture; the worst persecution brings the greatest glory; and will be used to turn Israel back to the true Savior ( Zech 12:12; Rev. 1:7).
Man is God's INSTRUMENTS, he does all the WORK'S of God through man.
Man just does not have the KNOWLEDGE to believe God is doing EVERYTHING, through man.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God that worketh IN YOU both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
Jeremiah 51:20 Thou (man) are MY (God's) weapons of WAR ......
Isaiah 10:5 O Assyrian, the rod (weapon) of MY (God) anger, and the staff (weapon) in thy hand is MY (GOD) indignation ...
Isaiah 45:1 ...to Cyrus, whose right hand I (God) have holden, to SUBDUE NATIONS .....
Daniel 4:34 ..... and MY UNDERSTANDING RETURNED .....
Daniel 4:35 ....and he (God) doeth according to HIS (God) WILL ..... among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
God had a purpose for Aaron, also a purpose for those that perished, Aaron also DIED, just a differennt APPOINTED time.
God knows what he is doing and EVIL always works to GOOD.
Genesis 50:20 ....you thought EVIL against me, but God meant it for GOOD ..... to keep many people ALIVE .....
Judas betrayed Christ; EVIL, the Father meant that betrayal for GOOD: to keep all people ALIVE in Christ Jesus ....
Hosea 4:6 My people perish FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE .....
God Bless YOU!
2Kings 5,
2Kings 8, notice 2Kings 8:12,13, 2Chronicles 24:23, 2Chronicles 28:5,23,
Isaiah 7:8,9, Isaiah 8:4, Isaiah 10:9, Isaiah 17, James 1:5,
In the New Testament it's the road to Damascus was the place of Saul's conversion to Paul: Acts 9, Acts 22, Acts 26, it's symbolic to many Christians as a turning point in Christian faith.
Hopefully these are helpful in your study
Lamentations 2:11 and associated passages discuss tears when the Babylonian captivity and it's horrors of stervation and destruction by fire of Jerusalem occur which is much like the theme here.
In terms of being as a vine (v. 8) we see such depictions of Israel in John 15:8 as well as Ezekiel and apparently Psalm 88 as well. Verses 10 to 12 also describe great branches such as a cedar (v. 10) which is also descriptive of other nations such as Lebanon which is compared to a cedar in no less than 100 verses in scripture. Trees also describe Egypt ( Ezekiel 31:18) as well as Assyria as ( Isaiah 10:24) which was "planted" in Lebanon.
Once again as in the previous Psalm; we see evidence of a prophetic mention of the city being burned (verse 16) signifying the Babylonian captivity. Verse 17 seems to indicate Christ as a possible man at the "man of thy right hand" made strong. Quickening the people in verse 18 could signify the Resurrection; or restoration at the end of the Tribulation. The idea of God awakening reminds us of Isaiah 54:7-9 where God briefly turns away; again possibly signifying Jacob's trouble.
1Timothy 5, 1Corinthians 7, Deuteronomy 24:17,
I believe the Rules/Laws GOD gave forth to Moses for the Israelites was the ideal plan. These rules weren't not for "the rebellious nations, surrounding" probably because they may just disregard anyway.
I believe it's good if we look into the Laws & consider sincerely what we can apply today. Deuteronomy 14:29, Deuteronomy 16, we should share in our increase ( abundance ) Deuteronomy 24:19,20,21, elimination of greed, in every area
Deuteronomy 10:18,
James 1:27 , Matthew 25:35-41, Deuteronomy 26:13,14,
In my spirit I felt the numbering of Israel was also, that may be why; even Joab who helped kill Urriah, 2Samuel 11:14-24, killed King David's son 2Samuel 18:14-17, took vengeance by killing others while going in for a hug, 2Samuel 20:9,10, 2Samuel 3:26-27 even that guy; feared GOD more than King David & refused to "number Levi ...." 1Chronicles 21:1-8,
Introduction: I am attempting after years of study to give a proper examination of the doctrine of election; associated with the 5 points of Calvin; or what some call the "grace gospel." Ultimately; this is to demonstrate that we cannot save ourselves; it requires Divine intervention. From my viewpoint; this does NOT negate human choices as it were as God in this fallen world always has worked around the circumstances that even His saints have lived in who often should know better; not to mention the kings and those in authority. It is not the constraints on men in this lifetime that should be the focus; although there are limits to God's patience but it is the will of God which is accomplished no matter how much Satan and wicked men work against Him. Thus; He allows the sin of a nation to come to the full before judgment ( Gen. 15:16). He has set times and seasons; and is indeed the Alpha and Omega ( Rev. 21:6-7).
Before getting into scriptures specifically in the Book of John (this forum isn't meant for more than an overview rather than an extensive study) which prove God predestines all those who will come to the faith and hence be saved I wanted to make a few points. First of all; the argument of "what about those who have never heard the Gospel" is not as solid as it may seem. To assume that only those who are in a society that teaches Biblical truth to recieve it; and assumes that others who don't hear it are left out need only go to Abraham being called OUT of Ur of the Chaldees to the land of Promise and follow the true God.
The Exodus took His people to a new land; but only a remnant of Israel was true Israel ( Romans 9:24-29). This is also demonstrated in the O.T. We see the same principle in Isaiah 10:20-23 for the future of the nation of Israel; and also with the church ( Matt. 13:24-30).
Finally; there is a process which determines or proves our spiritual condition set forth for all men.
Rod: Exodus 4:17,
Job 9:34, Job 21:9, Psalms 2:9, Psalms 89:32, Psalms 125:3, Proverbs 10:13, Proverbs 13:24, Proverbs 22:15, Proverbs 23:13,14, Proverbs 26:3,
Proverbs 29:15, Isaiah 9:4, Isaiah 10:5, Isaiah 10:15, Isaiah 10:26, Isaiah 11:1,4, Jeremiah 10:16, Revelation 12:25,
Staff: Genesis 32:10, Genesis 38:18, Exodus 12:17, Exodus 21:19, Leviticus 26:26, Numbers 13:23, Judges 6:21, 2Samuel 3:29, 2Samuel 23:7,21, 2Kings 4:29,31, 2Kings 18:21, Isaiah 3:1, Isaiah 14:5, Isaiah 28:27,
Hopefully these are helpful
What is DISOBEDIENCE:
Is it not, not believing what God says.
Not believing is disobedience.
Philippians 2:13 For it is GOD that WORKETH in you TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
Most DON'T BELIEVE these WORD'S of God.
Do you believe that everything being done, IN YOU and BY YOU, is God's will and is God's work.
Isaiah 10:5 O Assyrian, the rod of my anger, and the staff in their hand is my indignation.
Isaiah 10:6 And I WILL send him against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath WILL I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and tread them down like the mire in the streets.
Isaiah 10:12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed HIS WHOLE WORK upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I WILL punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
Isaiah 10:13 For he saith, by the strength of MY HAND I HAVE DONE IT .......
God didn't punish the king for stealing, raping the women, dashing the children against the streets, and killing men:
He punished him because he thought HE DID IT instead of UNDERSTANDING it was THE WORK'S of GOD through his hand.
TRUTH:
We are the vessel; Christ is the LIFE, TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
Not believing these words causes us to walk in disobedience.
The sins of the flesh are covered by the blood of Christ; NOT BELIEVING his WORDS keeps us from being ONE.
Ephesians 4:4 There is ONE BODY (man) and ONE SPIRIT (Life and Truth).
God Bless You!
2 Samuel 24:1 And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he (the LORD) moved (caused) David against them to say, Go, number Israel.
1 Chronicles 21:2 And SATAN stood up against Israel, and provoked (caused) David to number Israel.
Same event in the history of Israel; yet one says Satan caused, and one says the LORD caused.
Isaiah 54:16 Behold, I (the Father) have created the smith (Christ) that bloweth the coals in the FIRE (our God is a consuming FIRE), and that bringeth forth an instrument (Satan) for his (Christ) WORK; and I (the Lord) have CREATED the waster (SATAN) to destroy (destruction of the flesh).
1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such a one to SATAN for the DESTRUCTION OF THE FLESH, that the spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
God does EVERYTHING through the hands of men, God brings his judgements on earth through the hands of men.
Isaiah 10:5 O Assyrian, the rod of MINE (God's) anger, and the staff in their (Assyria) hand is MINE (God's) indignation.
Isaiah 10:6 I (God) will send him (Assyria) against a hypocritical nation (Israel), and against the people of my wrath will I (God) give him (Assyria) a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the street.
Jeremiah 51:7 Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S HAND .......
Satan is an INSTRUMENT IN GOD'S HAND.
God Bless You
In the past I've used that analogy of the puzzle pieces. The Gospel paints a picture starting from Genesis.
The problem often comes when one have a picture in mind and try to fit pieces of the puzzles together that don't belong so they have to reshape the surrounding pieces to there liking, usually by spritualizing all the pieces/scripture, or they take one piece of a puzzle/scripture that represents their picture and try to fit it in a 1000 piece puzzle that it doesn't belong to, so they reshape the 1000 pieces by spritualizing.
Here's an example.
Who's the writer referring to here?
"Therefore my people" are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.
Isaiah 5:13.
I've heard it taught that this was all of creation. ( A piece of puzzle that don't even fit the chapter or anywhere else in the 66 books. )
But if they would let the scripture say what it is saying you would find the answer throughout the chapter, especially verse 7.
"For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry"
Isaiah 5:7.
Here's just a few of many other puzzle pieces.
Exodus 3:10.
Exodus 5:1.
Exodus 8:23.
Leviticus 26:12.
1 Samuel 2:28-29.
1 Kings 6:12-13.
Isaiah 1:3.
Isaiah 10:24.
Isaiah 14:25.
Jeremiah 1:16.
Jeremiah 2:11.
Ezekiel 11:20.
Ect...
There's hundreds that reference Isaiah 5:13. to Israel!!
And Hosea 2:23 suggests God's not done with them. Also Romans 11:1.
God is in the generation of the righteous. Psalms 14:5.
We become his people by seeking him, not everyone will do this.
Zachariah gives a distinction between between the heathen nations and God's people. Zachariah 8:7.
Another distinction.
Mathew 7:21-23. You can't be his people and he not know you.
Heresies are built this way.
God bless.
Exodus 20:10, Leviticus 25:6, Deuteronomy 5:14, Amos 8:4-7,
Matthew 25:31-46, James 1:27, Jeremiah 5:28-29, Jeremiah 7:5-7, Jeremiah 22:3, Malachi 3:5,
Deuteronomy 14:28-29, Deuteronomy 16:10-14, Deuteronomy 24:17-21, Deuteronomy 26:10-19, Leviticus 23,
Isaiah 56, Matthew 12,
Hopefully these are helpful in your seeking of GOD's will & your walk
Are you not saved by God's works. Do you believe you have any part in your salvation.
God's word says it's all his works and none of our own ( Psalms 92:4-6)
We ALL KILLED CHRIST, yet he FORGAVE US and SAVED US.
Why wouldn't his grace and mercy extent to all MURDERERS, does the number of people one kills make one more guilty. David killed numerous, yet God said he was a man after his own heart.
David was a VESSEL, CHOSEN to fulfill the WORK'S of GOD, a vessel of honour, other are CHOSEN to fulfill the WORK's of God by being vessels of dishonour,
All is of GOD. God WILL SAVED the vessels of dishonour also, because they had no choice in GOD'S PURPOSE for creation.
Those that are saying LORD, LORD, DID WE NOT, are the ones that did't believe ALL WORKS are of GOD, we are just the axe in the hand of the Lord. ( Isaiah 10:15)
ALL God's desires and thoughts will COME TO PASS.
Isaiah 10:5 O Assyrian, the rod of my anger, and the staff in thy hand is my indignation.
Isaiah 10:6 I will SEND him ....
Isaiah 10:12 ....I will punish ... the king...
Isaiah 10:13 For he saith, By my hand I have done it ....
If you study this chapter and God causes you to understand, then you will have to agree with God that he does CAUSE man TO DO HIS WILL.
There is other examples if you study long enough.
John 6:63 It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing, THE WORDS (Christ is the WORD) that I speak unto you, they (the words, Christ) are SPIRIT, and they (the words, Christ) are LIFE.
...the fearful...unbelieving...murderers (if you hate your brother, you are a murderer ( 1 John 3:15)....
Shall have their part in the lake of fire (THE WORDS ARE CHRIST)
Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire (THE WORDS ARE CHRIST)
Colossians 1:27 ....this mystery.... CHRIST IN YOU....(living lake of fire) you are IN IT NOW.
Isaiah 10:16 ...and under his glory (you are the glory of God) he shall kindle a BURNING like the burning of a FIRE (THE WORDS ARE CHRIST).
Everyone is going to be judged in the WORDS ( in Christ, in the Fire (lake of)
The fire burns the trash and purifies you.
The fire is GOOD and necessary.
The fearful no longer fear, the unbelieving, BELIEVE, you love you enemies.
Don't call GOOD (the lake of fire), EVIL.
On of the greatest truths of God's sovereignty and man foolish worldly wisdom that he possess FREE WILL is in Isaiah 10:5-23
Isaiah 10:5 O Assyrian the rod of MINE anger, and the staff in THEIR hand is MINE indignation.
God is using a nation and it's people for his judgements.
Isaiah 10:6 For I WILL SEND him against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of MY WRATH will I give him a charge, to take a prey, and to tread them down like mire of the streets.
These people are going to kill, possibly rape, steal, and destroy other people. And God is the one CAUSING them to do so.
Isaiah 10:12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath PERFORMED HIS whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will PUNISH the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
Isaiah 10:13 For he saith, By the strength of mine hand I HAVE DONE IT, and by my wisdom, for I am prudent ...
Notice that God didn't say he was going to punish the king because he killed, and stole and raped and destroyed other people; but, God was going to punish the king because he took credit and thought it was his works.
God is no different today, he uses people to do HIS WORK and then punishes them because they took credit; NOT KNOWING ALL WORKS ARE OF GOD were are just the axe in GOD'S HAND.
Isaiah 10:15 Shall the axe BOOST ITSELF against him (GOD) that heweth therewith?
The scriptures and meaning behind those scriptures I quoted to you are in DIRECT OPPOSITION to there being a LITERAL HELL.
So EACH has to be reconciled to each other through scripture.
Scripture says those in the first resurrection (resurrected with Christ) will not see death but will be instantly in the presence of Christ, in Spirit, with a glorified body.
Scripture says those in the second resurrection will be raise back in their sinful flesh and cast alive into the lake of fire.
If the lake of fire is LITERAL FIRE those thrown into it alive will LITERAL DIE within seconds. Therefore there would be no nations to rule and judge in the ages to come. This doesn't reconcile our two different scriptures.
If the lake of fire represents the judgement IN CHRIST who is a consuming FIRE, then the two scriptures reconcile with each other.
Isaiah 10:16 Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of Host, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory (priest) he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.
Isaiah 4:4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purge the blood of (new) Jerusalem from the midst (CHRIST IN YOU) thereof by the SPIRIT OF JUDGEMENT and the SPIRIT OF BURNING.
Isaiah 47:14 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not delivery themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to set before it.
This is also spiritual fire from the fact you can't warm yourself from it. The ones in the first resurrection also have to go through this fire.
Mark 4:49 And everyone shall be salted with FIRE.
Matthew 3:11 ....he shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost and FIRE.
The word of God CAN NOT contradict. Hundreds of verses says all creation will obey and worship God.
A literal hell makes these words a lie; but Spiritual FIRE and Spiritual JUDGEMENT don't CONTRADICT.
Isaiah 10:16 Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of host, send among his fat ones a leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a BURNING like the burning of a FIRE.
Isaiah 4:4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the SPIRIT OF JUDGEMENT, and by the SPIRIT OF BURNING.
May CHRIST CAUSE us walk in the WORDS of GOD.
Isaiah 63:17 O Lord why has THOU MADE US TO ERR from thy ways, and hardened our hearts from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribe of thine inheritance.
Questions? Let's talk.