The War of Ezekiel 38-39

Have you ever read Ezekiel 38-39? It is an interesting passage. Basically Ezekiel is given a description of a last-days surprise attack upon Israel that sees God's hand move and Israel's enemies miraculously destroyed. Who will be involved?

Iran, Turkey, Russia, Libya, and Sudan (Ethiopia region) are the closest modern representations of the ancient names given. But oddly enough, these are all currently coalesced against Israel.

Eze 38:18-23 MKJV
(18) And it shall be on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel, says the Lord Jehovah, My fury shall come up in My face.
(19) For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great quaking in the land of Israel,
(20) so that the fish of the sea, and the birds of the heavens, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all the men on the face of the earth, shall quake at My presence. And the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.
(21) And I will call for a sword against him on all My mountains, says the Lord Jehovah. Each man's sword shall be against his brother.
(22) And I will judge him with a plague and with blood. And I will rain on him, and on his bands, and on the many peoples with him, an overflowing shower, and great hailstones, fire and brimstone.
(23) So I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself. And I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am Jehovah.


If you have ever seen the beginning of the movie Left Behind, you might remember the scene where all of the aircraft are mysteriously falling out of the air. That seems to be an accurate and reasonable recreation of what a futile 'modern' attack on Israel might look like if God intervened. But what would it mean for the rest of us?

First of all, such a war would be instantly covered by the world media. Although most outlets would only get the aftermath of the war, it would all be about the same news: A Massive Military Operation Against the Nation of Israel Has Failed.

What would that do to Christians who have been expecting this type of conflict for a few years now? What would it do to your faith if you knew that Bible prophecy had just been fulfilled in your sight? What would that do to the faith of millions of Muslims who believe it's their destiny to occupy the land of Israel?

What about life as we know it? Gasoline prices would immediately triple. Those who could barely afford the drive to work would have to find a different option. Carpooling? Biking? Working from home? Companies would have to institute work-from-home or 4-day work weeks in order to keep their workers. Others would have to make cutbacks because of the nose-dive our economy would take. A war like this would change things.

Would church services be any more full on Sunday mornings? Perhaps. They were after 9-11... for a few weeks. We should consider these things. In the past couple of weeks, Turkey has signed agreements with Iran that make them strategic partners. This was the last missing link in the coalition of nations described by Ezekiel. Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear sites still seems eminent. Israel cannot afford a nuclear Iran. What will be the spark that sets off the war of Ezekiel 38?

When this happens, will you be prepared to witness like you have never witnessed before? Assuming we get this opportunity, we may never have a better one before the Lord's return.

Keep It Simple

Mat 11:28-30 MKJV
(28) Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(29) Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls.
(30) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

I've been wrestling with my posting - of late. The reasons are many. For one, I have been over-inspired. Since my last posting, the prophetic time clock has moved forward. More pieces have fallen into place that have added resolution to the picture of Jesus' eminent return. There is more news screaming that it's here.... folks... it's literally time. Look up.

So, for no lack of writing material, I've written nothing because I've just been overwhelmed. Today's post is a passage that should help us in these stressful times. However, I'd like to speak about one part of the above passage.

(29) Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls.

Learn from Me, for (because) I am meek and lowly in heart. Stop. WHY is that a reason to learn from a teacher? How many teachers that you've been drawn to because they were meek? How many teachers sell their teaching because of the opposite? They are brash, they are arrogant, they are cocky, they are loud, they are ________?

Truly, in American English is it easy to read this passage incorrectly. Jesus says this: "Look at me. Do I look stressed out? Do I look afraid? Learn this from me and you will find REST." Wow! How can I do that when the economy is tanking? How can I do that if Israel attacks Iran and gasoline goes to $8/gallon?

The yoke of Jesus is simple.

Mat 22:37-39 MKJV
(37) Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
(38) This is the first and great commandment.
(39) And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

When everything is done out of love, the load gets so much lighter, doesn't it? That's why fishing is rarely considered 'work'! If we can simplify our lives, and just get back to the basic - Love - with the love the Lord gives us - then we will find rest even in these perilous times.

Worrying For Nothing

There are many people concerned about world peace right now. It falls right in line with what Luke wrote about the status quo in the last days:

Luk 21:25-26 LITV
(25) And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars. And on the earth will be anxiety of nations with bewilderment, roaring of sea and of surf,
(26) men fainting from fear, and expectation of the things coming on the earth. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

This is the beginning of a great 'shaking'. Truly, it does feel as though things have been shaken up greatly since the 90's. The 90's seem like 50 years ago, don't they?

The world is worried - for good reason. Those who aren't tend to be those in denial or the totally naive. Or there is the group that knows what the Bible says about it all.

One of the focal points of all this unrest is the tiny nation of Israel. Several times this week I have seen news or opinion writers portray Israel in a precarious position. I would like to address this briefly. Israel, the land, the people, the temple, the mosque, the mountain, the goats, the oranges... everything... belongs to the God of Israel (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). He made certain promises regarding His land, about His plans for it, about who would live in it temporarily and permanently, and about when all this would happen.

Something should be understood amongst Christians and Jews alike. Israel's existence is in no danger. She will never again be a non-entity. Israel, as a nation, is as sure as God Himself. She is infinitely more sure than the United States, Russia, and Iran. Is there danger to the Jewish people? Sadly, yes. These are an oppressed people, but that is what it is - oppression. Will they survive? Yes. Will there be sad times? Absolutely.

One of the mightiest angels in God's heaven stands as protector of the nation of Israel - Michael.

Dan 12:1 LITV
(1) And at that time, Michael shall stand up, the great ruler who stands for the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of distress, such as has not been from the being of a nation until that time. And at that time, your people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the Book.

Satan has warred with Michael over the body of Moses. Michael prevailed. If Satan himself cannot prevail over the protector of Israel, we should all realize that Israel is not going anywhere. That is not to say that God's word alone isn't protection enough.

We can muse and distress over the events of the Middle East, but it is in vain. Those who threaten God's chosen people are cursed from the beginning, according to Gen 27:29. Have you ever observed the actions of the cursed? Nothing goes their way. Even small victories are hollow and temporary. They are never fulfilled, and their rage drives them to their next defeat. This is the path of the enemies of God and His people.

Psa 2:1-12 ASV
(1) Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?
(2) The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against Jehovah, and against his anointed, saying,
(3) Let us break their bonds asunder, And cast away their cords from us.
(4) He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh: The Lord will have them in derision.
(5) Then will he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure:
(6) Yet I have set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.
(7) I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my son; This day have I begotten thee.
(8) Ask of me, and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
(9) Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
(10) Now therefore be wise, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
(11) Serve Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
(12) Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, For his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they that take refuge in him.

It's Here, Sooner Than You Think

For the few Christians who have not been stirred from their slumber of late, there are a few warning signs happening now that should bring sobriety. One world government is on our doorstep. How and why? The excuses are being made up and ratified for us. We are giving our sovereignty away each day. The Constitution is no longer of any effect. If those in power don't care for the wording, they change it. As a nation, we've already given in.

But really... how could they pull off a one-world government?

This is how they are currently planning to pull it off:

Copenhagen negotiating text: 200 pages to save the world?

Lord Christopher Monckton, former science advisor to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher spoke to an audience of over 700 at Bethel University in St. Paul recently and had this to say:

"At [the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in] Copenhagen this December, weeks away, a treaty will be signed," Monckton told a Minnesota Free Market Institute audience on Thursday at Bethel University in St. Paul.

"Your president will sign it. Most of the Third World countries will sign it, because they think they're going to get money out of it. Most of the left-wing regimes from the European Union will rubber stamp it. Virtually nobody won't sign it," he told the audience of some 700 attendees.

"I read that treaty and what it says is this: that a world government is going to be created. The word 'government' actually appears as the first of three purposes of the new entity.

"The second purpose is the transfer of wealth from the countries of the West to Third World countries, in satisfaction of what is called, coyly, 'climate debt' – because we've been burning CO2 and they haven't. We've been screwing up the climate and they haven't. And the third purpose of this new entity, this government is enforcement."


This is all okay. At some point, our nation has to give up its status as 'the' superpower. Jesus is not going to walk into Washington DC and set up shop. There comes a time when "The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Messiah. He will reign forever and ever!" Rev 11:15

Maintaining Ownership

Have you ever bought a new car? Fresh off the lot... new car smell... gleaming paint job you could swim laps in... Maybe you haven't but imagine you have. What was it like to park that car in the driveway for the first time? When little Joey came out of the house with the ball bat and started swinging at rocks in the driveway, did you encourage him to GO SOMEWHERE ELSE?

What about after that new car has been sitting in the driveway for 7 years. It has been hailed on, dented, scratched... are you as protective?

It is a little bit hard to draw the line, but bear with me. Spiritually speaking, we can easily become like the man with the 7-year old Oldsmobile in the driveway. When the Spirit of the Lord is heavy upon us, we claim and we declare the blood of Jesus over our families, homes, or churches. We war continually against spirits, powers, and principalities. But as life goes by and we get beaten up a little, we might relax our guard.

The enemy does respect the authority of the child of God. However we must maintain the watch. We must be continually vigilant.

(1Pe 5:8 KJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

If we concede our duty as God-ordained protector of our homes - even for a season - we open the door to the enemy that once was shut. Re-claim. Re-assert. Recover.

Head Knowledge vs Heart Knowledge

Imagine that you were in big car wreck and due to head trauma, you lost your memory for a while. Perhaps you couldn't remember your spouse, if your relationship was good or bad, or even how you met. In the process of relearning about your life, you memorized certain dates - like your anniversary. Until your memory was restored, all you had was a head knowledge of a pivotal day in your life. It was a factual day, a big day, but with no recollection... just a day.

Stare down at your wedding ring. What would it mean to you in that situation?

When the prodigal son came back home, the Father immediately put a robe around his shoulders and placed his ring on his finger. He restored his authority immediately. Wow! What do you think that might have meant to the wayward son?

As Christians, we walk around with that ring on, but we really do not understand the implications. It's as though we have amnesia, unable to associate what we have with how we got it. The ring is an object with no real significance in our lives and it effects how we live.

The devil knows what that ring means. All of his host know what that ring means. But until you step into the realm of authority that the ring signifies, nobody has to respect the fact that it's on your finger and that you are a child of the King.

What is the result of living with title only? Powerlessness. Just ask Nebuchadnezzar. He was given a form of amnesia of his own because of pride:

Daniel 4:33-36 LITV
(33) The same hour the thing was fulfilled on Nebuchadnezzar. And he was driven from men, and he ate the grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the heavens, until his hair had grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.
(34) And at the end of the days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to the heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High. And I praised and honored Him who lives forever, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His rule from generation to generation.
(35) And all those living in the earth are counted as nothing. And He does according to His will among the army of Heaven, and among those living in the earth. And no one is able to strike His hand or say to Him, What are You doing?
(36) At that time my reason returned to me, and the glory of my kingdom, my majesty, and my brightness returned to me. And my advisers and my nobles sought to me. And I was reestablished in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me.

The Laborers Are Few

Luk 10:1-2 GNB
(1) After this the Lord chose another seventy-two men and sent them out two by two, to go ahead of him to every town and place where he himself was about to go.
(2) He said to them, "There is a large harvest, but few workers to gather it in. Pray to the owner of the harvest that he will send out workers to gather in his harvest.

Have you noticed this passage before? Notice it says... pray for workers to be sent out. Why? Because it's the workers that determine the harvest. Jesus never says here - pray for the harvest. He says to pray that workers will be sent out. If we lack harvest, it will be because the work was not done - not that it couldn't be done.


Luk 10:8-9 GNB
(8) Whenever you go into a town and are made welcome, eat what is set before you,
(9) heal the sick in that town, and say to the people there, 'The Kingdom of God has come near you.'

I've heard it also said by people whom I respect that it's not God's will to heal everyone. I contend that the moment God tells His people - who are called by His name and are indwelt by His Spirit - to go out and heal anyone who is sick, that it became a matter of OUR will, not His. His will was made known - "heal the sick". If the sick aren't healed, why not? Because it wasn't His will? If it wasn't His will, why did He give that choice to someone else? It's a thinker. These weren't 'just his disciples' either. These were 72 followers, many of which still carried around some really screwed-up theology. Having it all together was never a requirement. Being obedient is.

The Harvest IS great and the laborers are few. We must teach that the Kingdom of God is at hand.

Got Passion?

2Ki 13:18-19 LITV
(18) And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them up. And he said to the king
of Israel, Strike the earth. And he struck three times, and stopped.
(19) And the man of God was angry with him, and said, By striking five or six
times, then you would have stricken Syria until it was finished; but now, you
shall strike Syria three times.

Elisha was the prophet who administered this test to Joash, King of Israel.
Don't you think this was confusing to the king? After all, there weren't very
good instructions to the test. As a great teacher said, the greatest tests
aren't the ones we know we are going through. The greatest tests are the ones
where we live seemingly insignificant moments out of our heart and we discover
what we're composed of in the process. Joash's problem was that he was a leader
without passion. Everything he did showed it, and everyone who followed him was
affected by it.

Could it have been that even if Joash had taken a mighty swing and had broken
all the arrows on the ground with one strike, the prophet might have said, "Just
as you broke the arrows you shall break all those who stand in your path." It
was a matter of passion. There was none.

We long for significance in the Kingdom of Heaven, but we are afraid to get
passionate for fear of public opinion. We value our reputations more than we
value the work of God (this is a form of idolatry). Is it any wonder we live
lives of meaningless influence, or none at all? If you were the Lord of the
Universe, how much would you entrust to 'you'?

It's Okay!

My daughters are just learning to walk. Whenever they wipe out, it's my foremost goal to stand them up and get them walking again, all the while saying, "It's okay! It's okay!" I don't want them to dwell on failure because it prohibits them from future success. At the least, it delays it.

What makes any one of us think our Heavenly Father's goal is any different when we fall? Do we really think he wants us to wallow in our failure? Get back up! It's okay!

What Was... Will Be

Remember in the Exodus, right before the 'redemption', there was a travail in the land.

Exodus 2:23 LITV
(23) And it happened during these many days that the king of Egypt died, and the sons of Israel groaned from the slavery. And they cried, and their cry went up to God from the slavery.

So God sent a deliverer, but he wasn't warmly welcomed. In fact, Satan tried to kill all the male Hebrew children in an effort to see that deliverance didn't come. It came anyways. And before deliverance came, it got DARK.

Exodus 10:21-23 LITV
(21) And Jehovah said to Moses, Stretch out your hand to the heavens so that darkness may be on the land of Egypt, and one may feel darkness.
(22) And Moses stretched out his hand to the heavens, and darkness of gloom was in all the land of Egypt three days.
(23) They did not see each one his brother, and they did not rise up, each one from his place for three days. Yet to all the sons of Israel there was light in their dwellings.

A few hundred years later, Israel's cry again reached the ears of God. And they once again wanted deliverance - from Rome.

So God sent a deliverer, but he wasn't warmly welcomed. In fact, Satan tried to kill all the male Hebrew children in an effort to see that deliverance didn't come. He came anyways. But before deliverance came, it got DARK.

Matthew 27:44-45 LITV
(44) And also the plunderers crucified with Him defamed Him, saying the same.
(45) And from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.

It's getting dark again, friends. There is a cry reaching Heaven. Blood has a voice, and the cries of millions of unwanted babies are being heard (but they are SAFE!). Satan will always declare war over the seed of men because from that seed deliverance always comes. Do they kill babies in Eastern lands? Strangely... no. Only in the lands where the freedom to spread the Gospel still exists is there a warrant out for the unborn. The deliverers are those who declare the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Ultimately, however, there will come a future dark day.

Revelation 16:10 LITV
(10) And the fifth angel poured out his bowl onto the throne of the beast. And its kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues from the pain.

We will then participate in the final redemption, with our Deliverer claiming forever what He has already purchased. There will be no more darkness and no more death.

Postponed Covenant

I'm sure most everyone has heard that perhaps the largest terrorist plot since 911 was recently foiled. Life goes on as usual. Most people found that to be an interesting headline, and nothing more.

But all the experts say it's not a matter of if, but when. So what happens when?

Is that the next wave of church/endtime/apocalyptic interest in this nation? It seems that even back in the time of Ezekiel and Jeremiah, people refused to heed warnings but went about their lives as usual. I found something interesting in Ezekiel:

Ezekiel 5:1-2 LITV
(1) And you, son of man, take to yourself a sharp sword, the razor of a barber. Take it to yourself and make it pass over your head and over your beard. And take to yourself scales to weigh, and to divide them out.
(2) You shall burn a third part in the fire, in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled. And you shall take the third part and beat with a sword all around it. And you shall scatter the third part into the wind, and I will draw out a sword after them.

Why Ezekiel's hair? I believe that God was talking about his covenant with Israel, and that He was going to postpone it for a season due to their disobedience. The Nazir covenant was one that meant your hair was never cut - the Nazarite vow. Yet God told Ezekiel to shave his head and do different things with the hair.

It was a temporary judgment, because all hair grows back. That's grace. We learned this lesson from Samson. The unfortunate thing is what Samson and Israel both had to endure because of their disobedience. Are we different in this nation?

Worrying About Nothing

Ezekiel 1:28-2:2 LITV
(28) As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of the rain, so appeared the brightness all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Jehovah. And I saw, and I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking.
(1) And He said to me, Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.
(2) And the Spirit entered into me as He spoke to me, and He made me stand on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me.

Ezekiel 3:8-9 LITV
(8) Behold, I have made your face strong over against their faces, and your forehead strong over against their foreheads.
(9) I have made your forehead as an adamant harder than flint. Do not fear them, and do not be frightened by their faces, though they are a house of rebellion.

One of the new cries of my heart is boldness. Lord, make me bold! Lord, give me strength to do what you set before me! I'm not the only one that prays this. In fact, I hear it often. Funny thing, however, is that God provides all of that when the time comes. All we have to remain is 'willing'.

Ezekiel was floored, but the Holy Spirit filled him and he was then 'made' to stand. Will you be able to stand when the time comes? Yes. And then when it's time to face the critics, or the skeptics, or even the enemy... He can make your forehead like flint! That's tough, by the way. You aren't going to shout 'that' guy down! Ezekiel would have worn us out!

I take renewed comfort that God will give us all we need to serve Him.

Kingdom Is

Kingdom is the realization that all I have is the Lord.
Kingdom is knowing that He is truly enough.
Kingdom is the worldly view that I apparently don't have much, but that I obviously have everything.
Kingdom is giving away all I've been given, because it was given, and there will be more.
Kingdom is only having a sack lunch that can feed 10,000 people.
Kingdom is rebuking cancer.
Kingdom is fellowship that never ends.
Kingdom is God obsession.
Kingdom is taking possession.
Kingdom is casting a shadow.
Kingdom is spontaneous acts of love and kindness.
Kingdom is compassion.
Kingdom is unbridled fury against powers of darkness.
Kingdom is wisdom in motion.
Kingdom is guerrilla warfare.
Kingdom is walking in the supernatural.
Kingdom is seeing as the Father sees.
Kingdom is doing as the Father does.
Kingdom means no goodbyes.

Too Much Light

Have you ever wondered about our solar system? Isn't it interesting that life as we know it depends totally upon a molten hot globe of fire in the dead center of our solar system? I mean, if you read much fantasy growing up, it's not hard to envision the opposite. Perhaps it's a gigantic ball of ice that offsets the heat given off by the earth! But no... it's not that way.

That much light gives off so much heat! So much energy! If you get too close... bad news! Even if you just stay outside too long!

In the Hebrew, the word for 'sun' is 'shemesh', or 'east' (by implication, from where the sun rises). Jesus is directly linked to this phrase, as He is the 'son', and will return by splitting the eastern sky.

Matthew 24:27 LITV
(27) For as the lightning comes forth from the east and shines as far as the west, so also will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Have you noticed that the closer you get to God, the less you care about the fleshly things of the world? The analogy is the same. Too much sun hurts the flesh. In fact, if you get too close all flesh is consumed. That is what we as Christians should be shooting for. I want to be so close to God that the fleshly lusts are just consumed.

If The Frog Croaks

Leviticus 11:29-36 LITV
(29) And these shall be unclean to you among the swarming things which swarm on the earth: the weasel, and the mouse, and the great lizard according to its kind,
(30) and the gecko, and the monitor, and the lizard, and the sand lizard, and the barn owl.
(31) These are unclean to you among all which swarm; anyone who touches them in their death is unclean until the evening.
(32) And anything on which any one of them falls in their death is unclean, whether of any vessel of wood, or garment, or skin, or sack; any vessel in which work is done shall be caused to go into water, and shall be unclean until the evening; then it shall be cleaned.
(33) And any earthen vessel into the midst of which any one of them falls, whatever is in it shall be unclean, and you shall break it.
(34) And of all the food which may be eaten, that on which such water falls shall be unclean, and all drink that may be drunk in any such vessel shall be unclean.
(35) And anything on which any part of their dead body falls shall be unclean; an oven or hearth shall be broken down; they are unclean; yes, they are unclean to you.
(36) But a fountain or a well, a collection of water, shall be clean; only that touching the dead body is unclean.

Our pastor commonly tells us that we are to be rivers, not lakes. Water has to keep moving in order to keep the dead flushed out of it. The scripture above describes just that. If something dies in a clay pot, you must destroy the pot. If it dies in a fountain, the fountain is still clean.

This also describes our spiritual condition. There is a difference between stumbling and being lame (always stumbling). If we are spiritually dead, we are headed for destruction. Our earthen vessel bodies cannot - on their own accord - make themselves clean again. But with the Living Water of Jesus within us, even sin cannot make us unclean. Yes, we may stumble, but we get back up without pulling up 'lame'.

The devil uses guilt as a great weapon against the Christian trying to walk in Christ. He would have every Christian believe they are simply lame. Remember, guilt is always from the devil if you are in Christ. By the way, the last thing he wants to do to a lost person is make them feel guilty. If guilt has plagued your walk, realize that you've been a target. Move on in victory!

Shut Up and Get To Work!

Exodus 14:15-16 LITV
(15) And Jehovah said to Moses, Why do you cry to Me? Speak to the sons of Israel, and let them pull up stakes.
(16) And you, raise your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it so that the sons of Israel may go in the midst of the sea on dry ground.

TheIsraelites were pinned down between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army. Time was running out. Moses was talking big talk, but the people were afraid. Then an odd thing happens. God tells Moses to quit talking and get to work.

"Raise your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it..." Well, duh. What else was Moses going to do?

The observation I gained from this passage is that whenever we hear God speaking to us, He is usually telling us to take some authority that we didn't previously think we had. It's almost as if following Him restores much of what we gave up in the garden. In Eden, man had dominion over the earth. After Eden, man struggled to make a living from the earth. But following God, man once again is expected to start exercising dominion.

A Land Full of Giants

Deuteronomy 9:1 LITV
(1) Hear, O Israel, you shall cross over the Jordan today, to go in to expel nations greater and mightier than yourself, cities great and walled up to the heavens;

Promised Land living, although great and God-purposed, is not something you are going to attain on your own. By our own strength, we really have no chance. The nations and inhabitants of this land are mightier than we are.

The biggest problem with Promised Land living is the risky lifestyle. To be anything like Caleb, we must approach the giants and gently explain the options to them. If the giants choose not to listen, then God had better be in our corner. It's a step of faith that most Christians don't care for. So what exactly does that mean?

It could mean a lot of things, so it might be able to identify what it doesn't mean. When was the last time in our Christian walk that we have been out of our comfort zone at work, at school, or at church? What was it? Identify the giant you faced. Was it the giant of passing the offering plate at church? Or was it the giant of praying for the sick man at McDonald's? Maybe it was saying the prayer at a company party. Remember who is in your corner. Remember WHO is in your corner. Be a risk taker. I'm doing my best to live up to this very thing. Ultimately, my reputation with man isn't worth anything anyways.

The Millennium Pt2

The Millennium is the Sabbath day of God's first millennial week. God created the world in 6 days and rested on the 7th. Man, created on the 6th day, really saw nothing until the 7th day when his eyes were opened to the creation of God.

Maybe that's what we're heading towards. We are being built, now, as the stones being chiseled for the temple were chiseled out of earshot of the building site. We, too, are being hewn and shaped for our real place in God's House, and we haven't seen it yet!

1Co 2:9 MKJV
(9) But as it is written, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard," nor has it entered into the heart of man, "the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

Doesn't it make you wonder? Seeing what God created in the span of six 24-hour days, what has He created for us in the span of six 1000-year days? It 'has not entered into the heart of man'.

The Millennium

One Thousand years of peace! Guys, it isn't that far off. I'm telling you, it's not. God reveals things to His people - and those who are seeking Him in this are all saying the same thing: aint much time left. We have to be particularly careful to NOT fall into the group Peter said would emerge:

2Pe 3:3-4 LITV
(3) first, knowing this, that during the last days scoffers will come walking according to their own lusts,
(4) and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For from which time the fathers fell asleep, all things remain so from the beginning of creation.

These are all church people, by the way. Worldly people don't know He's coming and don't care.

Back to the 1000 years... where will you be? What will your purpose be? Suppose for a moment the Tribulation begins next year some time. That puts the Millennial beginning 8 years from now, approximately. Could it happen? There is no doubt. Will it? Watch and see - that's what I'm doing.

What will life be like on earth? Perfect utopia under a Wise King. Will there be sin? Yes, in the hearts of mortal man. This is because some will survive the Tribulation Period. These will have children and grandchildren, and they will ALL have a decision to make about whether or not to follow Jesus. Some will choose not to, in their heart.

This will serve to prove that even when satan is bound and falling for a thousand years, man will still have the capacity to do his own thing, go his own way, and live for himself. We have a sin nature.

But meanwhile, life here will be pretty good for those who are mortal. Perfect peace and wise government, along with the blessing of God upon the world and no satanic influence. We are talking about a remnant of people who come out of tribulation and will prosper to enormous proportions. By the end of the 1000 years, there will probably be more people living on earth than ever. Maybe even more than have ever died to that point. Isn't that a mind-blower? But such is the way living in a utopia would be. No war - no disaster... only peace. Until they reopen the pit for a season... more on that later. Mull over this verse:

Isa 65:20 BBE
(20) No longer will there be there a child whose days are cut short, or an old man whose days have not come to their full measure: for the young man at his death will be a hundred years old, and he whose life is shorter than a hundred years will seem as one cursed.

Anyone Can Procreate...

In Genesis, man is given the commission to go forth and multiply.

Gen 1:28 LITV
(28) And God blessed them; and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fish of the seas, and over birds of the heavens, and over all beasts creeping on the earth.

That was before man sinned, however. Once he did, things got a little more difficult. There was soil to till and were animals to chase. Sweaty work. But along came the Promised Land, which brought more options.

Deu 8:1 LITV
(1) You shall take heed to do every commandment which I am commanding you today, so that you may live and may multiply and may go in and possess the land which Jehovah has sworn to your fathers.

Now we can go forth, multiply, and possess! That's really a reversion to 'taking dominion' again. When Jesus says He has given us the keys to the Kingdom, He means that the right is given to us to take ground - we must simply take action. We lost dominion, but He regained it for us if we'll take it. By following His commands we can step into our destiny.

Jesus Himself follows this pattern. He overcame death and claimed the keys of hell itself when He died and rose. This was the price paid by a Kinsman Redeemer to recover what was lost. But He has not officially retaken possession of His physical Kingdom - yet. He will when He begins to open the seals of the deed (read Revelation).

I Dig This

Deu 8:7-9 MKJV (7) For Jehovah your God brings you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills, (8) a land of wheat and barley and vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey, (9) a land in which you shall eat bread without want. You shall not lack any thing in it. It is a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you may dig copper.

Promised Land living! A time when all of your provision is made and 'you have no lack'! Wow that is AWESOME! We talk about it a lot. Drinking out of wells we didn't dig and eating from vineyards we didn't plant. Mmmmm....

But that's our 'provision'. What about wealth? What if we want to be provided for, AND we want a little extra? Is that wrong for a Christian?

God isn't against you getting a little extra in the Promised Land. On the contrary, He is into 'abundance'. But, there's a small price to pay. You have to dig.

It's a land whose stones are iron, but you have to mine them, and then smelt them. There is a little sweat involved. Is copper more your gig? You don't have to steal it here. But you do have to find it, dig it up, and then you can make rolls of pennies out of it.

The blessing of God is so abundant! We feel guilty if we want a little extra. But He owns the cattle of a thousand hills! He has 'riches in Glory'! It can't be wrong to have a little! He has placed it before us to work for, which - by the way - is a far cry from the cursed land. The cursed land is a place where people have mined for years, but have never found a prize. The cursed land is a land where people toil and sweat for a paltry sum, and then they place it in a bag with holes. Seek the Promised Land! God intended it for all of us!

The Ultimate Ramez

Deuteronomy 8:3 LITV
(3) And He has humbled you, and caused you to hunger, and caused you to eat the manna, which you had not known, and your fathers had not known, in order to cause you to know that man shall not live by bread alone, but man shall live by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of Jehovah.

I've talked about the 'ramez' before. It's something that rabbis use as a teaching tool - it's an 'implication'. Jesus infuriated the 'wise' men of His time by constantly dangling these implications in their faces.

The above verse is one of my favorites - and there is so much in it, a book could probably be written. You'll notice in the above, I've italicized the word 'Word', which is likely italicized in your bible. This means it's not in the original text. However, the translators rightly included it and capitalized it. Read the verse without 'Word' in it.

The verse talks about manna. Manna means 'what is it?'. Jesus declared Himself to be the Bread from Heaven. But again, from even a logical standpoint, let's make this verse into an equation.

Man shall not live by bread alone. Of course! We must have Jesus. So mathematically,

Life (man shall not live without) = (bread alone) manna + (but by) _____ (that proceeds from the mouth of God)

Life = (manna + X) Notice... manna is part of the solution. It's integrated in.

The divine implication, of course, is Jesus Himself. Jesus is the Word that Proceeded from the mouth of God. Also notice this... we aren't told the name of Jesus outright (what is it?) but we ARE told that 'He' is equivalent to 'that which proceeds from the mouth of God'. So what does that phrase mean in the Hebrew?

'That proceedeth out' is the Hebrew word 'matsah'... yes Matzah (matzo)... as in Unleavened Bread.

H4161
מצא מוצא
môtsâ' môtsâ'
mo-tsaw', mo-tsaw'
From H3318; a going forth, that is, (the act) an egress, or (the place) an exit; hence a source or product; specifically dawn, the rising of the sun (the East), exportation, utterance, a gate, a fountain, a mine, a meadow (as producing grass): - brought out, bud, that which came out, east, going forth, goings out, that which (thing that) is gone out, outgoing, proceeded out, spring, vein, [water-] course [springs].

Look at all that imagery! It is 'all' Jesus. This is one reason a book could be written about this verse. It's also proof that Hebrew is a divinely inspired language that man could not contrive. Soak on this a while.

Do You Know You?

Deu 8:2 And you shall remember all the way which Jehovah your God has caused you to go these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, to try you, to know that which is in your heart, whether you will keep His commandments or not.

Every time I read a verse like this, I have to double-take it. Does God really need to test us so that He knows what we're made of? I contend - no. I believe God wants US to know what we're made of. Especially when times get trying, it's crucial that we as believers have confidence that we can stay the course.

It's not a lot different than boot camp. It's unbelievably difficult, but when you're done with the training and the bullets start flying for real, you can know within yourself that you've passed hard tests before.

Does Your Sacrifice Stink?

I've had this verse lodged in my skull for quite a while now. It just looked... odd.

Matthew 3:11-12 LITV
(11) I indeed baptize you in water to repentance; but He who is coming after me is stronger than me, of whom I am not able to lift The sandals. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire,
(12) whose fan is in His hand, and He will cleanse His floor and will gather His wheat into the storehouse. But He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

We are talking about the Fire of GOD falling in our lives! This is a picture of sacrifice. Don't all Christians have a deep-rooted desire to be accepted of God? Even Cain had a desire to be accepted.

But the sacrifice is just a stinky carcass until His fire falls on it. ANY sacrifice is this way. It just draws flies. So if we are giving our all to the church but neglecting our family, His fire wont fall on it, and it will never be holy. In fact, the longer we pretend, the stinkier it will become until nobody wishes to be near us.

I was wondering... why did John say "baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire"? Why that order? I've always thought I needed the fire so the Holy Spirit would come. But He comes so the fire will fall. That second verse reminded me of this verse:

Mal 3:3 LITV (3) And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and He shall purify the sons of Levi and purge them like gold and like silver, that they may be presenters of a grain offering in righteousness to Jehovah.

Who is the priesthood? It 'was' Levi, but now it's us! He purges us first - THEN we can be presenters of our sacrifice.

As born-again Christians, we have been empowered to do EVERYTHING that God commissioned us to do. He doesn't commission us then expect us to beg for the tools to do the job. We walk as Jesus did - having open heavens above our head. The power of Heaven is at our disposal. We do not have to 'earn' it, or become 'holy enough' to use it. We simply realize that it's there - for us - and grasp it in order to achieve our purpose of representing Jesus to everyone we meet.

Recognizing The Spirit

I've been spending a lot of time thinking about the Holy Spirit, and how important it is to recognize His voice. We need to know what He is saying, not simply 'what He said'. This thought process has taken me down some interesting avenues.

We believe the Spirit comforts us. He is the comforter. But what does He comfort us 'from'? Why do we need a comforter and the rest of the world doesn't? He comforts us because we are to go where things get uncomfortable. The rest of the world has no such commission. I always thought He comforted us when someone dies, or we lose a pet. He does, but that isn't the gift. The Holy Spirit is of such vital importance - but He doesn't step into His role two or three times in our lives (hopefully) when we experience grief or loss. That's not the point or the purpose.

He also convicts. How do we know that? Because we feel bad when we sin - and why else would we? That seems indirect, doesn't it?

He also teaches. How do we know that? Because we start realizing things that we know could not be revealed to us unless it was done supernaturally. Once again... the Holy Spirit is there - but we have 'deduced' His Presence.

He leads us, too, right? Why else did I take that turn back there and end up witnessing to the paper boy?

There must be more to Him than our ability to reason He is there. There must be a 'voice', and we MUST be able to hear Him.

I am not to the point where I'm making up things to explain away all the reasons why I don't hear Him. Granted, there aren't many people I can talk to about it - because most of them have made peace with the silence.

I'm determined to get to the quiet place.

Signs

There are a lot of conspiracy theories out there. A lot of folks think the government is up to something (mostly no good) and could be right. Many think it's the world banking system. Some think the Masons... some the Illuminati. Some think it's the CIA, or the EU, or the UN... everyone has an opinion of what is going on and who is behind it.

The best selling book ever written has the answers already, however. All of this is predicted and the outcome is very clear. What is uncertain are some minor details and an exact timeline, but it's plain to see we're coming to a head on most of it. The time draws near. It's time to be looking up.

Gettin' By

Aint good enough.

I was scanning the news online just a moment ago - looking for something that popped out as a commentary piece. It's all so disgusting. This is a prophecy commentary blog - and everything screams 'endtimes' to such a degree that it's easier to talk about daily experience. Prophetic news doesn't even stand out anymore. It used to be that an earthquake warranted conversation for a month. The wildfire in California? Boring. To everyone but the 10,000 people who may lose their homes.

That is STAGGERING. 2-4,000 homes?

Yeah but Qaddafi has designed a car.

Okay this takes a toll on our phyche if we aren't careful. It's not like life is 'easy' without all the constant (and I mean relentless) flow of bad news. That's why it's imperative that we, as Christians, live under open Heaven. We MUST realize that our citizenship is in an extra-terrestrial kingdom, and being as such, we can live in its reality as opposed to this mess here. It sounds escapist, I know, but that where the draw comes from. The lost world is attracted to those of us who have this peace to impart.

What else does it mean? It means that our perspective changes, if nothing else. Our economic situation, our social situation, our physical situation, and very much our spiritual situation are - or should be - affected by this perspective. Someone reading this is hurting. BE WELL!

Gettin' by aint enough. The world is gettin' by. We have to be sleeping in the boat through the storm (so we'll be rested when it's over).

Credentials In The Spirit World

The earthly realm is the chessboard for spiritual warfare. The good news is that the Kingdom of Heaven is growing, and the numbers of the demonic are staying the same. But, not unlike children, demons will do what they can get by with doing. Stewardship of the Kingdom and its progress has been granted to the Church. We expand Kingdom territory by the authority granted to us, not by our own might or power.

Here is a problem. Many Christians do not understand authority. They cannot - or will not - place themselves under the authority of a local church. They've never yielded to discipleship - or a spiritual mentor - or the guidance of a pastor. But this aside, they hope the Holy Spirit will grant them victory in the spirit realm.

The results can be catastrophic, as it very nearly was for the seven sons of Sceva. Acts 19 records the story of these men who were operating out of association, but not operating out of relationship. Had these sons subjected themselves to the authority of the Holy Spirit, they would have had His authority to cast the demons out. It's really a question of spiritual credentials. If someone knocks on my door and says, "You need to come with me by order of the President of the United States.", then I'm going to want to see credentials. If it's my next door neighbor, Ed, with a crayon colored ID tag, I'll probably go back to my knitting. However, if I know Ed works for the President, I'd go.

Demons know your credentials.

God is a god of order. He ordains the order, we follow it. If we do not, it is impossible to be spiritually victorious. IF we are in right-standing with the God and abiding in Him, then we are under His authority, which means we are also accountable to others in our spiritual walk. If our pride prevents us from doing this, it's best to stick with Sunday school hand puppets and stay away from the demonic.

Casting Crowns

1Jn 2:28 Now, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

A common misconception, I think, is that when Jesus returns for those who belong to Him, they will all be zapped away to Heaven where all shortcomings will be forgotten and everything will be hunky-dory, so to speak.

Truthfully, scripture does not indicate this. John reminds us that those of us who ignore our calling and our lineage in order to partake of the world and its offerings will stand before Jesus - ashamed. Saved as of by fire, another scripture says.

Pastor illustrated very clearly for us last weekend that we can most certainly forfeit our inheritance, just as the prodigal son did. Was he still accepted? Yes - but he was quite ashamed.

Remember that there will come a day when the single most important thing to us will be whether or not we have a crown to throw at the feet of Jesus. Let's not trade our crowns away for junk.

Keeping It In Order

I remember a long, long time ago... probably 25 or 30 years ago, a man in my church was asked, "If you were mowing your lawn, and an angel in disguise came up and told you the Lord would return tomorrow, what would you do?" The man said, "I guess I'd finish mowing my lawn."

I remembered that. Yes, living in the last days is about not only getting your life in order, it's about keeping it in order. If we should be doing something other than mowing our lawn, let's put the mower up and get to it. Prioritize. God has nothing against us taking care of our personal affairs, as long as we have property prioritized them. The Kingdom comes first.

God told Haggai the prophet that Israel was more concerned with their homes than with HIS house, which lay in ruins. God's complaint wasn't that the people were mowing their lawns, but that they'd lost their sense of priority.

Let's get our house in order and then keep it in order, so that when the time comes, we leave no ends untied.

Am I A Conquering King?

I've been dwelling on what it means to be a king and a priest. It's a subject that I don't think I'll be departing from - ever. For me to reach the destiny that Jesus purchased for me - on earth - requires me to step into this role with my whole heart. So... what is there to it?

Simply dwelling on being a king, the implications are that I change the way I operate in the flesh. A king has authority in the physical realm. God didn't make me a king to claim authority in the heavenlies because He knew that was not sufficient. But in the earthly domain (dom, or kingDOM), it's enough.

If there is something in the earth to claim for the Kingdom of God, it is up to me as a conquering king to lay claim to it. Is it my work place? Is it my home? Is it the local elementary school? And what exactly does it mean to lay claim to something?

It's my office building. God placed me there to make a difference - on earth as it is 'in Heaven'. Yes, but i'm not even a manager. That doesn't matter - I lay claim to that office as territory to glorify God. I claim the hallways, that no spirit warring against God should have free reign (this may fall more under my priestly authority). I lay claim to 'people'. What does that mean? I don't even know yet, but I believe that at some point, God will give me opportunity, grace, and audacity to witness to everyone that I claim - with all faith that salvation will come or seeds will be planted. Yes, that's far out. But it's mine - I've claimed it.

For those of you who seek the Holy Spirit and His Presence - perpetually - I know this is stirring something within you. You ARE both king and priest. That isn't a cute title, and it's not going to be on a nametag you get after the horn blows. It's for here. It's for now.

We do not war against flesh and blood, either. Therefore, we declare war on spirits by our priestly authority, but we bind and loose them according to our kingly authority. I'm not in competition with other kings in God's court. If they have claimed something for the Kingdom - I rejoice with them and move on to unclaimed or occupied lands.

Another Kingdom precept is that it's not by my power that I hold what is claimed. It's the power of the Most High. Therefore, if the enemy, or the EU, or NATO, or the UN, or Uncle Ed is upset and wishes to reclaim something that I've already declared Heaven's territory... that's fine. Come and get it, Uncle Ed.

Scriptural Logic

There are certain formulas that can be derived from scriptures. Here's one I thought about just recently.

The Church was birthed from the death of a perfect Lamb. Life and freedom were birthed from the death of the Passover lamb. Christ was our Passover Lamb, therefore, the Church = Life and Freedom.

Ahh well... it's where I'm at today.

The Consecration Offering

Wow the 200th post is slow in coming. I've been out in training for work and it is GOOD to be back.

We are familiar with the concept of offerings in the Old Testament; a lamb for this, a bull for that, a dove if you can't afford it, etc. Not all of these make sense. They just seem like instruction - maybe cryptic keys to something in God's realm. Truly - most of these offerings seem very formulaic.

In Exodus 29 we read about the priests who have to give an offering of consecration. A certain amount is for them to 'consume' - because they are about the work of God. But that which is not consumed by them is TOTALLY burned up. Interesting. It seems... wasteful, doesn't it?

The picture is this: the flesh is a tool for Kingdom work. Nothing more. The flesh is never to be used for anything more, or for anything less. It's the FLESH. And when we are done with it, ultimately, it goes up in smoke. Why? Because it is HOLY.

Exodus 29:34 LITV
(34) And if any is left of the flesh of consecration, and of the bread, until the morning, you shall burn what is left with fire; it shall not be eaten, for it is holy.

This is for priests, remember? We are priests. And we are consecrated to God and to His Kingdom business. In the end, when that horn blows, our flesh 'dissolves', if you will. It vaporizes, and we become SPIRIT (or smoke). Why? Because WE are holy.

Romans 12:1 LITV
(1) Therefore, brothers, I call on you through the compassions of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service.

Dry Spells

There are 7 high holy days instituted by God that He declared as His 'moedim', or appointed times. These revolve around rains and harvest. There are 4 spring feasts and 3 fall ones.

The last of the spring feasts is Pentecost. Pentecost, as most church-goers know - was a time when the Spirit of God fell in power upon the believers of the Acts church. But more than that, it represented the 'rain' of the Spirit falling upon all believers to empower them for their holy commission of spreading the Gospel.

But then there is this interesting time between the rain of Pentecost and the rain of Ingathering... called... summer. It's long. It's hot. It's DRY.

Ever have those dry times? You should know that it's part of the season. Don't be alarmed.

My pastor has said more than once... it's during these times that the water is there, you just have to dig a little to get it. Hallelujah for shovels! Yes, there is an early and a latter rain, but in the middle when it seems like there's nothing doin'... get your shovel.

World Power Shift

With every passing day, it seems like the United States is trying its best to self-destruct economically, morally, socially... you name it. This is what Rome did after it reached it's height of power. Rome was never conquered - it just self-destructed. The United States will probably never be conquered, but certainly there will be no need. The power is shifting to the east - to China. Why?

China has the greatest population of Christians in the world. They are still a minority in China, but things are changing. Although Christianity isn't persecuted in China as much as it used to be, it's still a dangerous place to be a Christian leader. Yet, for all of this, the Chinese are training thousands to go into Muslim lands and spread the gospel. This is largely unheard of in the United States.

Lest we think it's about national power, it's not. It's simply about spreading the Word of God. The fight for the U.S. is now at home. The open door that was presented to the Philadelphian church in U.S. is closing, quickly. In fact, once China is unequivocally the most powerful nation in the world, it still wont be about power. In the book of Revelation, China is probably only referenced one time (ch 16). They will play a part in the end-time scenario, but it's not about national power - it's about Israel - who is blessing them, and who is cursing them.

Once the United States falls off the roster as world-policeman, we will likely see the war of Ezekiel 37 and 38. Will we as the Bride of Christ see this battle? Possibly. It's setting up - now. The question is, what takes the U.S. out of the world's visual as sole protector of Israel? Will it be a silly president? Will it be a national disaster? Will it be a trumpet blast?

I Just Didn't Know

In the distant past, a man named Jacob was on a journey and he became stranded by darkness - unwilling to risk proceeding. In that spot, he had a dream from God who made him a promise.

Gen 28:11-16 MKJV
(11) And he came on a certain place, and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took of the stones of that place, and placed them at his head. And he lay down in that place to sleep.
(12) And he dreamed. And behold! A ladder was set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to Heaven! And behold! The angels of God were ascending and descending on it!
(13) And behold! Jehovah stood above it, and said, I am Jehovah, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac! The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your seed.
(14) And your seed shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south. And in you and in your Seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
(15) And, behold, I am with you, and will keep you in every place where you go, and will bring you again into this land. For I will not leave you until I have done that which I have spoken of to you.
(16) And Jacob awakened from his sleep. And he said, Surely Jehovah is in this place, and I did not know.

We are all on a journey. There are times when it seems to get so dark that we cannot proceed. It's at that point when the Promises of God should become the most visible. When you are just standing there, wondering what to do next, wait. And when God gently reminds you of His promises, take off your shoes because there in the darkness - you stand upon Holy ground. God is in the place with you - and you did not know it.

Many hundreds of years later near that very same spot, a Roman centurion stood on detail - doing his job. He'd done the job many times before, and yet the day was different. The prisoner on 'this' day was different. He didn't complain. He didn't yell. He didn't curse. He didn't whine. He didn't cry. All this despite the most horrific scourging he'd witnessed. And as the sky grew dark, the prisoner said, "Forgive them Father, for they just don't know." The centurion winced at the thought. Surely Jehovah is in this place, and I did not know.

What Really Matters

It's easy to get caught up in LIFE, isn't it?

This just occurred to me: if it really mattered, it would have been around 500 years ago. And if it really matters, it will be around in 500 years.

Start filtering!

My job: important, yes, but worth going 'postal' and shooting people over before turning the gun on myself? No.

My family: good one! Your little boy or little girl (or little wife) was known by God from the foundation of the earth. They will hopefully be known in 500 years as well. Check!

My church: if you are part of the Bride of Christ, His Body here on earth, then 'check', that passes the filter.

My house! There probably are a few homes that have stood 1000 years... but not many. For the sake of the filter, increase the increment to 5000 years and retest.

The sales numbers this month... my business meeting this morning... my headache... does the milkman spit in my milk... the dog ate my couch... the in-laws are coming to stay...

While God is in to the very details of my life, let that be a testimony of His love for me. It is not His will that I miss Kingdom opportunities because I am bent out of shape over my half-eaten couch.

The Man With The Violin

I believe this was an email that circulated. It bears printing because of the many spiritual truths hidden within.

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.1 hour:He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin valued at $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the price of seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.... what else are we missing?

Silly Crazy

A typical American man - a bachelor - enjoys a 'normal' life of living in the big city. He has a job - makes good money. He enjoys a good party and all that comes with it. Occasionally he will have a few too many, but driving home isn't that big of a deal since he only lives a few miles away (and police are rarely seen). Sometimes a girl comes home with him. Sometimes she stays several days. It's all about living it up while you can... sewing wild oats, they call it.

A foreign man is living in a 2-room earthen home. He can't read or write, but the religious leader down the street tells him all he needs to know about the news, the threats, the injustices, the defilement of his faith... and that is enough. His plan is to carry out justice on his own against those who hate him - and his god. Late nights are spent planning attacks, sharpening knives and oiling weapons. Several times a week he gets together with others like him who yell and scream out against foreigners who plot against them. Sometimes they burn flags, or pictures, or cars...

Then there is a married man living in quiet suburbia. He drives a nice car and brings home a nice paycheck. His kids are good kids, but they barely know dad because he doesn't have the time for them. Things aren't good with the wife because of the late hours at the office. Because of that, she is always angry. She isn't interested in a physical relationship and neither is he - with her. He suspects she finds physical fulfillment, just not from him. Why shouldn't she? He does. Both wish they things were different. Both wish things were the way they 'used' to be. Divorce seems like a good option, but what about the kids? What would they say at church? As long as both are playing their little family game, no harm no foul. Maybe after the kids are gone...

All of these scenarios are madness. Unfulfilling, vicious cycles of worldly passions that lead nowhere but down.

But then the married man finds Jesus. He realizes he has hope. He realizes he has misprioritized everything in his life! He comes clean before his family. They don't know what to think but they are all excited - blown away. They all start going to church and growing in their faith. The year-end raise doesn't come but they don't care - God is so Good! He gets passed over on the promotion because he just isn't putting in the hours he used to - but he has his family back! The guys at work are all shaking their heads... "He has gone CRAZY!"

Christianity is FOOLISHNESS to those who are perishing.

As a dear friend put it this morning... the demoniac of the Gaderenes tore his clothes off and howled at the moon day-in, day-out, and the people were accepting of this. But when he met Jesus and was healed, the people became AFRAID. This... is backwards. We should weigh and measure everything the world exalts as normal and acceptable. For though it may seem right, in the end it could lead to death.

The Full Revelation of Jesus

There is no better model to follow than that which Jesus set. If we, as disciples, or scholars, or whatever we are, have committed to learn the ways of Jesus and the mindset of God, studying Jesus is the only way. In doing this, do not omit the book of Revelation, because it is the "Revelation of Jesus".

In Jerusalem 2000 years ago He walked as our Suffering Servant. But very soon, He returns as our ruling King. 2000 years ago, He came to seek and to save the lost, but soon He comes to judge. There is no condemnation for those who are in Him. What about those are aren't?

He is the Good Samaritan. He placed us - stripped naked, robbed, and half dead - into the care of the Inn Keeper - the Holy Spirit - and said, "Here is a deposit, I'll be back on the third day.

We are in the third day. He will be back - today. Do any of the letters He wrote in Revelation apply to our lives today? It's not too late to buckle down. It's not too late to look up. We are instructed to do both.

The Ramez

In Hebrew, the word for 'hint' is ramez. It was a widely used method by rabbis to their disciples or followers, but Jesus used it to frustrate those who antagonized Him. It means 'hint', but a better word might be 'implication'.

Here is a for-instance:

Matthew 21:15-16 ASV
(15) But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children that were crying in the temple and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were moved with indignation,
(16) and said unto him, Hearest thou what these are saying? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea: did ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou has perfected praise?

This would have infuriated the chief priests and the scribes because of the hidden implication. Jesus was quoting Psalm 8, only He didn't quote the entire verse - on purpose.

Psalms 8:2 CEV
(2) With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless.

The priests and scribes, naturally, had this memorized. They were not happy at being labeled 'enemies' of God, which is what Jesus did. Watch for the ramez in scripture.

Disciples

Many churches have a mission statement that sounds something like this: 'Making disciples of Jesus Christ'. I saw one recently advertised, and the thought struck me...

If only one person were really 'like' Jesus... If only one were doing things greater than He did, what would life be like in NWA? Would Jesus make a stir in NWA? Would Jesus be famous by now? After say, 2 years? Would He be attracting 4000 or 5000 families, especially in this economy, who simply show up to eat?

Disciples are those who are 'like' their rabbis. Or, they at least are striving diligently to be like their rabbi. That being the case, how close are we? Are we on the verge?

Okay... Jesus aside, what if we were just like Peter? Or Paul? What if everywhere we went the miraculous followed? Maybe that is happening. I'm certainly seeing more of it than I did a few years ago, and I DO think that is a sign of the times.

Watch out, folks, because Jesus said we would do greater things than He did. If you don't believe that has been achieved yet, it WILL be. We do need disciples - real ones.

God is Good, but...

Really there is no addendum to that statement. God IS good! But…

God is also just. Not 'fair', but just, and just falls under the umbrella of 'good'. If God were not just, He would not be Good.

This looks problematic, and I guess it is, to an unbelieving world. Because God is just, He has to punish sin and that has a nasty look to it, often enough.

In John 12, Jesus said that He did not come to judge the world but to save it. That is indeed why He came, and yet it's possible for us to miss this salvation – to reject Him. Jesus did not condemn the harlot, yet He warned her to stop sinning.

Why?

The writer of Hebrews cautions the brethren against accepting the gift of God while yet continuing to sin, as if to take advantage of grace. Bad idea… read the warnings.

Jesus is the atonement for all who believe upon Him as such. Not accepting Him places us in a precarious position of living in sin without atonement. Judgment can fall upon a culture, but God tends to draw a clear line distinguishing who is His and who is not.

Mal 3:17 ASV
(17) And they shall be mine, saith Jehovah of hosts, even mine own possession, in the day that I make; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

Accept Christ as Lord and Savior because of His substitute. He DID go in our place, because God is Good!

Backing Up

I've not been writing much lately. It's not that I've been dry, but the word in my head has been so strong that I really didn't want to see it written. It sometimes even offends my own spirit.

With going full bore into Kingdom stuff for a while, it's easy to get pulled into the immense scope and responsibility of walking as Jesus walked. But there are some fundamentals that require attention.

The Kingdom is about giving what you have. "Silver and gold have I not, but what I have I give..." If you have no peace, you cannot impart peace. If you have no hope, then all you can impart is hopelessness.

Love is the fire that fuels the Kingdom and all Kingdom work. Without love, we are what? Perhaps the reason many have nothing to give is that they do not realize what they have been given. Not only do you have to have the gift, you must realize you have the gift.

It's like having a checking account and a bunch of checks. It's difficult to write checks to people if you do not know how much money you have in the bank.

As Christians, we've been shown much love. Scripture says:
1Jn 4:19 HNV(19) We love Him, because he first loved us.

I can write checks, because dad first wrote me one.

God has deposited something in our checking accounts and therefore we can write MANY checks. It's about giving away what we have. We tend to wander aimlessly, giving nothing, because we lose sight of what we have been given.

Does this tie in to forgiveness? I can't forgive because I've lost sight of what God has forgiven me?

Jesus said this of the harlot:Luk 7:47 HNV(47) Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."

Those who have need of little (a fallacy) receive little, and therefore give little away. This is 'not' Kingdom living.

You Must Be Family

After the centurion pleaded with Jesus for the healing of his servant, Jesus marveled at this gentile's faith. What Jesus said next to His Jewish followers probably shocked them.

Mat 8:11 MKJV
(11) And I say to you that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of Heaven.

The Jews of Jesus' day commonly spoke of and yearned for this meal with their fore-fathers as a beloved part of their eschatology. But the reference by Jesus of 'many coming from the east and west' was a gentile reference, reinforced by their recent dealings with the centurion. Why was this so shocking? Because only FAMILY could sit down at the table with the patriarch.

War and Peace

The Kingdom of Heaven works violence in the physical world. It will remain this way until the King Himself comes and sets up His physical kingdom on earth. From that point, there will be peace in the physical, but not in the hearts of all men.

I'm reminded of 3 primary verses:
Mat 11:12 MKJV
(12) And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of Heaven is taken by violence, and the violent take it by force.

Mat 10:34-35 MKJV
(34) Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I did not come to send peace, but a sword.
(35) For I have come to set a man against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

Eph 6:12 MKJV
(12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The Gospel of the Kingdom creates division. The intent is to bring Heaven to earth, yes, but to also call out those who belong to the Kingdom. We were always called out, to be set apart - sanctified. Different. Not in order to appear superior, but to distinguish between who are the Lord's and who are the world's. When mom heeds the call, and dad does not, there is no peace in the home. This was all modeled by Israel, sanctified and set apart from the rest of the world. They warred, much.

This is not unlike the Word of God, an instrument of peace, yes, but also violence.
Heb 4:12 MKJV
(12) For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Why did the Lord create a nation of kings and priests? What are kings for if not for protection? The job of the priest is mediation and intercession between Heaven and earth. The king has authority in the physical realm, the priest in the heavenly. These are positions of violent authority - not simple figureheads. Our kingship and priesthood are tools given to us - necessary for warring in the physical and in the spiritual for the purpose of taking heaven and earth for the Kingdom of God. Without these offices, we have no real authority in either realm.

In a kingdom of perfect peace, there is no need for either office. God rules, everyone else abides peacefully. Therefore these offices were not created for use in the post-millennial utopia, although they may still exist. They were made for NOW.

What Do You Carry?

Mat 10:12-13 MKJV
(12) And when you come into a house, greet it.
(13) And if the house is worthy, let your peace come on it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.

Getting used to the idea that I have an element of Heaven within me - to give - just freaks me a little, to be honest. It means I have a responsibility to give something away that I have not been in the past. Perhaps I should have included the following verse:

Mat 10:8 MKJV
(8) Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. You have received freely, freely give.

As I have been given... freely... Notice that it doesn't itemize everything I've been given. I tend towards the belief that I've been given ALL of it, and might have ANYTHING at my disposal at any given time. Now, what soldier on the battlefield wouldn't jump at the opportunity of being in 'that' position?

Many claim that this was simply a commission to the disciples, except for all the people that regularly heal the sick and cleanse the lepers and raise the dead (yes, it's happening). They missed the cease and desist memo. And apparently they are still 'unlawfully' tapped into the power source that allows them to do such things, because according to Jesus Himself, Satan's kingdom is NOT divided against itself.

That isn't readily explained by those think the Christian walk is paying the 10 and giving 3 hours a week - 4 if you're fanatic. It's the last days, though, my friends. Everything is extreme. The scripture is becoming more extreme every time I read it. I'm all in.

I will let no man challenge me on any work, be it in the natural or the miraculous, if that work successfully navigates the filter of scripture.

Give What You Have

Mat 10:8,9 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. You have received freely, freely give. Do not provide gold nor silver, nor copper in your purses

Jesus told the disciples to go and give... give... give... then He says, "Don't take any money."

As Christians, we've used money as a replacement for Kingdom work. It's the old "I gave at the office" mentality. I tithe, what more do you want? Get off your REAR and give something eternal to someone who needs it. That's the message to us.

Children of the Kingdom - Pt2

Mat 8:5-12 KJVR
(5) And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
(6) And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
(7) And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
(8) The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
(9) For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
(10) When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
(11) And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
(12) But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
(13) And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.


But what about this passage in verse 12? The children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness. What? Why? Who are the children of the kingdom?

Let's look further. The phrase 'children of the kingdom' is only used one other time by Jesus:

Mat 13:37-38 KJVR
(37) He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
(38) The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

The good seed is the children of the kingdom, but a good seed that does not sprout and bear fruit – which apparently is VERY possible – is tossed out. All good seed 'is expected' to sprout into a tree that produces fruit.

If we do not produce fruit, we will be cast into the fire. That's offensive in many ways, but John said it, and then Jesus said it. That's twice, and by the testimony of two or more shall a matter be decided.

Mat 7:19 KJVR(19) Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Why did Jesus say this? Scare tactics? Should this be personally frightening to anyone seeking the will of God for their life? No, but we should be motivated to bear good fruit.

Let's finish with this parable:

Luk 13:6-9 MKJV
(6) He also spoke this parable: A certain man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard. And he came and sought fruit on it, and found none.
(7) And he said to the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none. Cut it down, why does it encumber the ground?
(8) And answering, he said to him, Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and throw manure.
(9) And if it bears fruit, well; and if not, then after that you shall cut it down.

See, God is patient with us and our fruit-bearing. He intends for us to 'get around to it', but sometimes we are too stubborn. And we wonder why we have so much 'crap' in our lives. Maybe it's a last-ditch effort to get us to bear fruit.

Children of the Kingdom Pt1

Mat 8:5-12 KJVR
(5) And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
(6) And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
(7) And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
(8) The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
(9) For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
(10) When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
(11) And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
(12) But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
(13) And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.


This is one of my favorite passages in scripture. The centurion is just endearing to me. His faith is so highly attractive! He leads his life out of knowledge of authority and respect. But this story has a twist.

Jesus was compelled to heal out of compassion. But it wasn't necessary! Why? Because the man's FAITH allowed the Kingdom to come through Jesus and do the healing. Either way, the man's servant gets healed, right? What was the difference?

Don't explain it away as a compassionate act by Jesus because He was impressed by the man's faith. He WAS impressed, but there was a shift. The faith of the man became the healing agent, not the compassion of Jesus. Is that offensive? That does not lessen or negate the compassion of Jesus, who WAS going to heal the man. What it ADDS is a dimension of Heaven on earth - the ability of 'faith' to release the healing power of Jesus upon the earth. That's the Kingdom. That's what we pray for in the Lord's prayer - reread it. This is that 'faith of a mustard seed'. Jesus spoke of the mustard seed twice. Once referring to FAITH, and the other referring to the KINGDOM.

More to come...

A Concealed Kingdom

In Numbers 24, Balak was a king who greatly feared the nation of Israel and tried to get Balaam, a prophet of sorts, to curse them. Balaam was a dabbler in witchcraft, which made him a very interesting character. But in this instance, the scripture says he did not 'seek for secret arts' but rather set his face toward the wilderness.

Num 24:1-9 MKJV
(1) And Balaam saw that it pleased Jehovah to bless Israel, and he did not go, as at other times, to seek for secret arts, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
(2) And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel pitched, according to their tribes. And the Spirit of God came upon him.
(3) And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor has said, and the man whose eyes are open has said;
(4) he has said; he who heard the words of God, who saw the vision of the Almighty, falling down but having his eyes open;
(5) How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your tabernacles, O Israel!
(6) They are spread forth like the valleys, like gardens by the river's side, like the trees of aloes which Jehovah has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters.
(7) He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters. And his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.
(8) God brought him forth out of Egypt. He has as it were the strength of an ox. He shall eat up the nations, his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.
(9) He crouched. He lay down as a lion, and as a great lion. Who shall stir him up? Blessed is he who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you.


Balaam set his face – for once – towards the wilderness because the wilderness is not the habitation of man. He set his face towards a place where only God dwelled.

Now, concerning Israel, Balaam saw how good the tents were. Tents. Individual dwellings. He said… wow… they are EVERYWHERE.

But beyond that, they are like Jehovah has planted them – like cedar trees beside the waters! Does that sound familiar?

(7) Blessed is the man who trusts in Jehovah, and Jehovah is his trust.
(8) For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters; it sends out its roots by the river, and it shall not fear when the heat comes, but its foliage shall be green; and he is not worried in the year of drought, nor will it cease from yielding fruit.

Jehovah shall pour water out of His buckets. Hmmm….
Act 2:17 MKJV
(17) "And it shall be in the last days, says God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.

His seed shall be in many waters?
Joh 16:7 MKJV
(7) But I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you. But if I depart, I will send Him to you.

So His Spirit will dwell in all of us… in each 'tent', or body.

And his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. What a kingdom prophecy! Our King is indeed higher than all others.

God brought Him forth out of Egypt. Remember… Jesus' parents fled to Egypt with Him in order to escape the brutal baby-killing Herod.

He has the strength of an Ox. Yes, Jesus was the ultimate servant – usually represented by an Ox. But you don't want a weakling of a servant, you want one that can pull a plow if need-be. Jesus was our Suffering Servant.

He lay down as a lion, and as a great lion. Who shall stir him up? Blessed is he who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you. Jesus is our Lion of the tribe of Judah. Who indeed shall stir Him up? He came first as a Suffering Servant, but will return as a triumphant King. He is Ox (servant), Man (human), Lion (king), and Eagle (God).

Balaam gave us a hidden prophecy about a Kingdom to come, and a King to come. Israel was the original template for such a kingdom:
(Exo 19:6 MKJV) And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the sons of Israel.

We are the Bride, however, and the final, beautiful, spotless, purchased prize of the King and we are expected to walk as such!

The Redemption Problem

Rth 4:1-6
(1) And Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by. And he said, Such a one! Turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside and sat down.
(2) And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, Come sit down here. And they sat down.
(3) And he said to the kinsman, Naomi, who has come again out of the country of Moab, sells a parcel of land which was our brother Elimelech's.
(4) And I said I will tell it in your ear, saying, Buy it before those who live here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem, redeem it. But if you will not redeem, tell me so that I may know. For there is none to redeem besides you. And I am after you. And he said, I will redeem.
(5) And Boaz said, In the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must buy also from the hand of Ruth of Moab, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.
(6) And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem for myself, lest I mar my own inheritance. You redeem my right to yourself, for I cannot redeem.

The book of Ruth is a picture of God's salvation plan – to redeem fallen man with a kinsman redeemer. The rules for redeeming by a kinsman were outlined in Leviticus 25. The redeemer had to be 'related'. If the redeemer couldn't redeem, then the stranger was permitted to keep until the year of Jubilee. For that reason, the redemption price was pro-rated to account for the amount of time left before Jubilee.

There was a caveat to the redemption plan, however, and that is if you sold a dwelling within a walled city, you had only one year to redeem it before you lost it forever.

Adam did that. He sold his stakes in the city of God:
Psa 48:1-3
(1) A Song and Psalm for the Sons of Korah. Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness.
(2) Beautiful on high, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
(3) God is known in her strongholds for a refuge.

The references in scripture as God being our stronghold and refuge are so numerous, they would require hours to compile. So what was the big deal about the redemption account as described in Ruth?

There was a redeemer in front of Boaz.

Many scholars simply say 'no picture is perfect'. But God's pictures are always perfect, and this redeemer in front of Boaz was a flaming problem to the salvation story in my own eyes. Who was in front of Jesus to redeem us?

I believe that even when the prophecy was given to Satan in front of Adam and Eve that the heel of the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent, Eve was expecting a redeemer. She was expecting him to come in her lifetime. There was a possibility that Eve thought perhaps Cain was the one… but then, he slew Abel. So along comes Seth, which means 'appointed', and Eve thought God had appointed her another savior. Only Seth could NOT redeem. He was plagued by the same sin debt. The redeemer had to be a related kinsman without the same debt as the ones to be redeemed. Along comes a Son – of – man.

Pillars

Isa 6:1-4(1) In the year that King Uzziah died I then saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple.(2) Above it stood the seraphs; each one had six wings; with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.(3) And one cried to another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah of Hosts; the whole earth full of His glory.(4) And the doorposts moved at the voice of the one who cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

In this temple vision that Isaiah had, he sees the glory of God filling the temple. He describes great grandeur; the whole earth is filled with His glory!

Then there's a subtle little statement... the doorposts moved. Some translations say the foundations - others say 'the pillars'. The temple pillars moved at the sound of His voice.

Every congregation has pillars. We discussed these just the other night - the 5-fold ministry as given in Ephesians chapter 4. Apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists are the pillars of the church. They NEED to shake and be moved at the sound of His voice.

Perspective

Can we have wrong-minded faith? Have we ever heard this statement… or perhaps even said it: I just KNEW he/she was the one for me! God told me He would provide and he/she was that provision! I just knew it!

Abraham ‘thought’ that Ishmael was the answer to God’s promise of an heir. He ‘knew’ it. He was sure of it, after all, he was 99 years old and all was well. Then God comes along and says “I’m about to make good on my word.” Abraham falls out. This does not negate the fact that Abraham had faith – and had believed God – that God had answered his prayer for an heir and had given him just such an heir, Ishmael. His faith was there, but he was wrong. However the faith of Abraham was attributed unto him as righteousness.

Abraham bargains with God for the fate of Sodom – for his nephew Lot lived there. God agreed that if even 10 righteous were found, He would spare the city. The next day, Abraham watches from a distance as smoke rises from Sodom. Abraham did not have the luxury of the scriptures to know the fate of his nephew. What was Abraham’s view of God’s mercy at that point? Not even 10.