Friday, March 9, 2012

Understanding the Lion's Warnings

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.
Amos 8:11-12

The LORD is very patient in meeting out final justice on any land.  It is obvious that His love compels Him to warn the offenders repeatedly in order to draw those hearing the warnings to a place of humility, repentance, and joyful obedience to His word.  Combine this with the thought that was revealed in Amos 3:6b, "...shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?"  In essence, the Lord pulls down the hedge of protection and allows the guilty nations to see calamity in His attempt to turn hearts towards home.  If repeated catastrophe strikes, it would make sense to pray for wisdom.  The question needing asked is: "Is this due to sin or is this  just part of life in a fallen creation?"  It would also make sense to turn to the word and look for similar precedent.  No matter how bad the sin of a nation is, God always sends warnings.  Anyone remember of the story of Jonah and wicked Nineveh?

In chapter four, as mentioned in The Lion Warns, the Lord sent 5 groups of warning "roars" intended to draw the peoples attention back from the folly of sin to their relationship with God.  In each warning, it was said, "yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD."  These warnings were:
  • Famine--Amos 4:6
  • Selective drought--Amos 4:7-8
  • Blight, mildew, and insect predation--Amos 4:9
  • Pestilence, military loss, overwhelming stench--Amos 4:10
  • Total overthrow--Amos 4:11

Amos 8 reveals that there is a spiritual parallel to famine in the land, and it is not a famine of food, but of God's word.  Remember, we live by every word which proceeds from God.  As an example that could be applied to many formerly Christian nations, let's apply these 5 warnings as spiritual parallels to my home, America.   Those of you reading overseas, remember, this may be seen in your land if you look for the warnings.  Especially those of you in Europe!  Indulge me if you will.  

  • Famine--the entire truth of God is no longer proclaimed, and when it is, it is immediately attacked.  When have you last heard sermons on salvation, eternity, the 2nd coming of Christ, Hell, repentance, justice, and judgment?  Rather, we hear fluff and stuff!  "Pamper me and prosper me, Oh Lord!"  There is already a famine of truth in the land.
  • Selective drought--The days of national revival seem to be gone.  We get selective "outpourings".  Yet, the last one that Christians ran all over the country to attend ended in disgrace as one of the leaders was found to be committing adultery.  Saying this, I am still holding out for the promise of the Latter Rain, but it will only come to those who walk in truth and desire holiness of life.
  • Insects are always shadows of demonic activity, and blight and mildew are representative of a corruption to the fruit and work of the church.  Do I need to say much more?  Empty altars, heresy, compromised lives, half-truths.....
  • Fallen soldiers--the nation is filled with burnt out, fallen down servants of the Lord.  Many have fallen to ill gotten gain, sexual sin, pride, compromise....   Again, need more be said?
  • Overthrow--whole denominations that once were bastions for and standards of witness, testimony, and holiness are now wallowing in filth like dogs returned to vomit and washed pigs returned to mire!  Many churches in Europe have been changed to mosques--that is overthrow!
We need to look again unto Jesus.  We were not called to be sated with worldly pleasures, but to be light in darkness.  Paul actually prayed for hedges to be pulled down so that men would turn towards Christ.  Our hedge is down and the Lion is roaring.  Can you understand what you are hearing?  Pray for understanding as Yeshua HaMashiyach is Soon2Come!

Today's News
Abby Lee Miller Tells Lifetime‘s Dance Mom’s Contestants to Dance Burlesque | Video | TheBlaze.com Godlessness and pedophilia always follow the acceptance of homosexuality!

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Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Placating A Lion?

Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years: And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
Amos 4:4-5

"Go ahead and worship all you wish; however, I hate your charade!"  In essence, this is the very message God gave Amos. The people of Israel continued on in worship as if nothing was wrong.  They saw no reason to walk in humility nor strive for holiness nor uphold justice to the impoverished in their relationship with the LORD.  They continued on in sin while praising a holy God.  Such a dichotomy!   They felt that they could go to the "church", jump, shout, sing, and worship, thereby doing God a favor for even being in "worship", while they continued to live self-centered, fleshly, sinful lives.  Surely God was not smart enough to see past the religious fantasy world they had created.  He surely could not see the wickedness and contempt for Him that they held in their unregenerate heart?  They were only placating a LION!  Consequently, The LION was ashamed to look on their sin.


The many sins of Israel were clear. The worst was forgetfulness. They had forgotten that they were chosen to be better than the world, to be a witness to those without hope.  As the chosen and redeemed, they were set free from Egypt to be a light in the world.  However, those redeemed are responsible to live according to the purposes the LORD outlined to them in His covenant with them. They had gotten so far from His word that they were trying to sin and worship at the same time.  Let's look at one example found in Amos 2:8.  "And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar..."  Exodus 22:26 required that an outer garment taken from a fellow Israelite had to be returned at night so the poor owner would not be cold nor oppressed.  However, the elite were taking the coats and actually laying beside the altar on them in the hopes that sleeping there would allow them to have a vision from God.  This was a normal practice in that day.  God was more concerned about injustice than giving a cruel, unforgiving person a fresh revelation!  The offender should have read Exodus 22:27! "For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious."

Thank the LORD that today's church is not like those stubborn, hard-headed Israelites who were trying to placate the LORD with false worship!  Or are we?  We surely would not sin so presumptuously!  Or would we?  God's word to them was actually a judgment on their sins of presumption.  The temptation would be to explain away their behavior by pointing to their empty and vain "service".  It would be hard for them to deal with their sin in meekness and humility.  Is God allowing this today?  Are we like the Laodicean Church?   Are we sinning and worshiping  simultaneously while thinking all is OK?  Is the LION even at the door attempting to get our attention?  


Do you not understand that we too are a chosen people called to strive for holiness (see 1 Peter 2:9-10)?  Can you not see that God is more concerned about brokenness and humility than He is with empty worship?  Think about it!  We practice and practice for the performance of worship, but do we struggle in prayer for the presence of God in worship?  Performances are nice.  They can make you weep, and smile, and elicit a wide range of emotional responses, but like the false worship of ancient Israel--it can be deceptive.  Emotinal responses and false worship can even be  claimed to be "in the Spirit"!  Which spirit is it?  Is it God's HOLY SPIRIT? If you are not breaking through in prayer and seeking the face of God wholeheartedly, your worship may not be acceptable to this God with whom we have to deal!  "Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel."  Amos 4:12

Do you not realize that Christ can see through all pretense?  You see God is God!  As God He is utterly all knowing!  That is why we call Him the Omniscient One.  Rend your hearts and not your garments.  Turn to Jesus as He is an glorious advocate and mighty to save!  DO it now--He is Soon2Come!!

I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.  Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. 
Amos 5:21-24

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Monday, March 5, 2012

The Lion Warns

Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.
Amos 4:12

Imagine a lion with its prey in sight.  Can you see it as it stealthily stalks its prey?  What one thing would the lion not do if it were preparing to strike?  It would not roar!  Yet, in the message of Amos, God is seen as roaring multiple times.  Amos even begins his oracle with this revelation of God as a roaring lion, "The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem..." (see Amos 1:2).  It is this roar, this warning to the prey that exposes the loving heart of God.  He does not strike without extending grace to those who are His target.  He roars as a means of allowing an escape from His attack.  The LORD would rather see the backslider flee to an altar in repentance for sin than to strike and bring suffering.  This is the heart of a loving Savior who always has redemption in mind.  The LION roars to warn.

The fourth chapter reveals five roars of grace (five is the biblical number signifying grace) where the Lion has roared in an attempt to make the children of Israel flee.  His purpose in sending these warning judgments is clear, God is trying to turn the people away from wrath to the place of grace and mercy. It would be easily understood if the children of Israel had pondered the questions posed in chapter 3:6, "Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?"  God has let their hedge of protection down.  



Many critics of the Prophet Amos mention him as a doom and gloom prophet; however, a close and prayerful reading shows many pictures of grace.  While he is tough at times--like calling the wives of the elite "cows of Bashan"--his Holy Spirit inspired work shows that God yearns for us to draw to him when we are erring.  Consider the rest of chapter four.  God allowed them to have meaningless worship while their altars remained empty.  They loved to worship, but it was worship compromised with sin and rebellion.  As a result, there was no bread and no rain.  Is this not like today?  Many are shouting and whooping and hollering their praises while living a compromised life.  As a result, the bread of God's word and the presence of God's rain (the Holy Spirit) are withheld from the service.  If church is all about a shout while the altars remain empty of repentant sinners or saints crying out in prayer for a lost world, maybe it is time to listen for a warning roar?  "...yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD (Amos 4:6, 8, 9, 10, 11, )."  Can you hear his warning roar?

Rather than a national revival in nations where the Gospel once thrived, we have small regional revivals where God's presence moves for a short time.  Have you not seen revivals where hungry and thirsty believers drive hundreds of miles at great personal expense just to see the LORD move briefly?  Wouldn't you rather have a move where the rain of God's presence falls across the land?  This regional move scenario is portrayed in Amos' revelation.  "And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered. So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD (Amos 4:7-8)."  God is roaring, "Return to the altars of your hometown, repent, plead, pray for the latter rain."  Can you hear His warning roar?


From lack of bread and rain to mildew, caterpillars, scorching winds, plagues, and loss in battle, the LORD was trying to warn them to flee to Him before He finally allowed them to be deported and dispersed by the Assyrians.  We know that Israel did not heed the call at that time.  In mercy and as a part of God's plan, we are seeing these tribes returning home now as was promised.  As a result, this is a loud roaring for the entire world--the Day of the Lord is near upon all heathen (Obadiah v.15). This is an assurance that God will do what He says He will do.  He keeps his promises as far as redemption is concerned.  Beware, however, He also keeps His promises of justice on the unrepentant who will not heed His warning roars.  How about you--can you hear His warning?  Deal with your sin quickly while the Lion of Judah is roaring before he begins His charge.  Do it quickly, Jesus Christ is Soon2Come!

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Saturday, March 3, 2012

When the LION Roars

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?...Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
Amos 3:3 & 7

There are literally hundreds of Christians who are trying to get the attention of both unbelievers and nominal believers alike.  The message is the same, Jesus is coming soon so prepare your heart.  A large part of that message is wrapped around the coming of Jacob's Trouble.  The time of justice against sin is around the corner but most will not heed the message.  Furthermore, those sharing the news or striving for deeper devotion to Christ are ridiculed and mocked.  If you don't see this, go to any Youtube channel that is teaching on prophesy and current events. Read through the comments section--if you dare!

This is the same situation that Amos, the first writing prophet, is addressing sometime near 760 BC.  The nation of Israel was committing gross sin while still claiming a privileged status as the people of God.  Their immorality was disgusting to the LORD as was their heartless worship.  They had a shell of religion that made allowances for sin and injustice in the land.  God never grants privileged status to sin blatantly ever; therefore, we need to live meekly and humbly at the foot of the cross!  To make it worse, they refused to heed the prophets and attempted to lead those striving for holiness into sin.  "But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not" (Amos 2:12). "They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly (Amos 5:10)."


After reminding Israel of God's mercy and grace in choosing them to be His people, Amos, under the Holy Spirit's unction, asks a series of questions in chapter three that reveal God is fed up and about to strike as a Lion.  Before we go to those questions; remember, God is love!  The heart of the Gospel of Christ is love for fallen man.  Yet, if sin is not dealt with at the cross, if it is not repented of, if it is ignored or justified, and it is not cleansed by faith in the blood of Jesus then God will eventually in love bring justice in the hope of redemption.  You must  deal with sin at the cross of Christ the Lamb or risk seeing Christ the Lion.  He paid too great a price to mock and ignore His sacrifice.

The Rhetorical questions begin with a query about two walking in agreement.  God is saying that the prophets walk in agreement with me.  Therefore, their message is not their own--it is mine!  In verse 7, He reminds that He has chosen to reveal what is about to happen to those in close fellowship with Him.  

This is the same scenario currently seen.  God is speaking to those who will take time to fellowship with Him, to pray, and to listen.  Like ancient Israel, however, most are not heeding the message to deal with sin and injustice in the land.  Are they members of the Laodicean Church which thinks it is in fellowship with God while it is not? It is a rich church who thinks its "blessings" are proof of that fellowship.  It is increased with goods and filled with meaningless worship (worship as entertainment like Amos addresses) while Christ stands outside attempting to get its attention.  It is the church that will be snared to the ground, vomited at the rapture, like a bird caught in a trap.  Trappers do not set traps for no reason. (See Amos 3:5--"Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?)


Amos began his work with a sobering thought.  The LORD was roaring. We again see the allusion to God as the lion began in the first chapter now in chapter three.  "Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing (Amos 3:4)?"  God has his prey in sight.  It is the unrepentant.  He has warned and plead and called and cried for truth, but the apathetic are not heeding the alarm.  "Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid (3:6a)?"  Of course people react to an alarm, but the majority are not reacting to it.  They are ignoring God's roar.  The young lions, God's preachers, can sense the kill ahead so they too roar from the den, yet they are not heeded either.  Rather, they are ridiculed and mocked further angering the Great Lion.  Therefore, the LORD will bring calamity with the hopes of repentance and redemption.  "Shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it (Amos 3:6b)?"

"The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?"  The LORD is roaring and His servants can do nothing but share His message.  Can you hear the roaring of the LION of Judah?  Do not wait until the Lamb turns Lion--repent today and call on the Name of the LORD.  All who do so will be saved, but do it quickly as He is Soon2Come!



And he said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.
Amos 1:2

Dedicated to a Young Lion who has roared bravely from the den.  Fear not, the Great Lion will avenge you Pastor Nadarkhani.




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Thursday, March 1, 2012

Jesus Loves You--Life, Alone, Is In His Blood!

"For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."
Hebrews 9:19-22

It was the late 1700s before brilliant minds began to discover oxygen's importance to burning or oxidizing.  The discovery that oxygen is transported to every cell via blood cells followed.  Oxidation is needed so that the body can burn energy that is also provided through the circulatory system. It would also be found that the needs of every cell for anything vital to life is provided by blood flow. Furthermore, the body relies on blood circulation to carry away waste products in order to prevent deadly pollution in the body.  Life really is in the blood.  Of course, those who knew the Torah/Pentateuch would have known this long before science proved it because it is clearly stated in the text.  "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."  Leviticus 17:11

Blood is vital for the soul of man or woman.  Is this not what is stated in the verse above?  IT was the very creator of blood who breathed life into humanity that also said that there is no spiritual life except through a blood sacrifice.  Just to be sure that Israel got it, GOD had Moses state it again, "For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof...(Leviticus 17:14a).  What would happen to a physical body were the blood drained?  That is an answer that everyone seems to know--death.  Now, if God stated that blood was needed for the soul's atonement, what happens to a bloodless religion?  Death!  Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.  Spiritual death, eternal separation from God follows just as assuredly as a bleeding body dies from exsanguination.


While studying the Book of Amos today, I went to investigate a term in a popular commentary.  In essence, some argue that Amos was only preaching a social gospel--one where social justice and good deeds alone reign supreme.  This commentary was exposing that false notion.  Yet, it is a popular idea, nonetheless.  If we will be good to each other, and do good to those around us, surely God will allow us access into His presence!  Will HE?  Morality cannot save!  Moreover, a Christless morality destroys while giving the illusion of goodness because it lacks one vital, life giving component--the Blood of God's only acceptable sacrifice.

Why does the Bible say that there is no salvation outside of Jesus Christ?  Because it was He alone who shed the blood required to save the soul.  All sacrifices in the Old Testament attest to the need for blood to save, and they all, ALL, foreshadow the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ at Mount Calvary.  There is no other salvation because no other but Jesus met the absolutely perfect requirements to be the atonement.  Sin is an affront to an eternal GOD.  The penalty of sin against GOD is equally eternal.  It took the blood, then, of something eternal to negate and atone for sin.  Jesus is just that.  He is man/God in one.  He is the bridge between lost humanity and holy God!  Just as the blood of all physical mankind came from Adam, the blood of all spiritual mankind comes through Christ, the spiritual Adam. Salvation comes through trusting by faith in the grace God gives to humanity through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)


Take time to consider the ramifications of the following verses:

"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;" Romans 3:23-25

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."  Acts 4:12

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  John 14:6

It is absolutely clear that there is no life without the blood.  Your body would die as it cannot release its toxins nor receive vital nutrients.  It is just as obvious that you do not have eternal life no matter how good or how religious you are unless you have the blood of Jesus Christ which alone removes the toxin of sin and and brings the life giving promises of GOD in and through Christ.  If you find yourself undone before God today, call on Jesus and ask Him to allow the blessings of heaven to graciously circulate from heaven into your life.  Do it quickly!  Truly Jesus is Soon2Come!
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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Beware the Mark: An Eternal Decision

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Revelation 19:20

It is one of the most ominous warnings in the entire Bible.  On the day that one accepts the mark promoted by the False Prophet thus showing allegiance to the Antichrist, and ultimately Satan, an eternal decision will be made that cannot be reversed.  There is no repeal, no reprieve, no second chance.  The decision is final.  Consequently, even  some of the judgments of the Wrath of God are reserved specifically for those aligning themselves against the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is important to understand that Jesus will not return as the meek and lowly crucified Savior of Mount Calvary; no, He is returning as the Lion of Judah, Captain of the LORD's hosts and in righteousness He does judge and make war.  

And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
Revelation 16:2

God is loving.  Furthermore, He is the God of the second, third, and even fourth chances.  Wouldn't you agree?  It was Jesus who taught us about "seventy times seven" was it not? So what changes with the acceptance of the mark that forces severe justice on all who receive it?  At this point, I would like to propose one possibility.  It is one that I balked at but actually began to study at length later.  During the 1980s, Mary K. Baxter wrote a popular yet controversial work called A Divine Revelation of Hell.  One of the visions she was given was that the Antichrist was able to erase the brain.  Later, The Left Behind Series and other works also included this as a means of destroying the ability to individually repent.  After reading the works of other writers over the years, I felt that I had to investigate this myself.  Having been an educator with many courses on the brain, how it learns, and current research in brain mapping, what I found is a distinct possibility that this just might be the case--the brain of the recipient of the mark may be altered in such a way as to forever mar the ability to repent and trust Christ.  The very thought is horrid!

Brain Mapping During Prayer


Before you scoff, consider Satan's ego.  He wishes to be like God as the scriptures plainly teach.  "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High (Isaiah 14:14)."  Jesus taught that individuals need to be born again in John 3.  Truly, trusting Christ as Savior forever changes an individual.  Furthermore, believers are said to receive a "down payment" on their trust by having the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives (Romans 8:18-30, 2 Cor. 1:22, 5:5, Eph. 1:13-14).  The change that Christ brings to those trusting in faith is absolutely amazing.  Is the devil also trying to mimic salvation?  Is he giving a second birth of demonic origin that is negatively altering those who trust his Antichrist?  Interesting questions to say the least!  

A Common Neuron (Brain Cell)

Brain mapping was made possible with the invention and use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.  When we think, act, or use our brain in any way, the neurons (brain cells) "fire" and a charge is sent along a conductive fiber line known as a axon.  At the end of each axon are small terminal fibers that send that impulse to little lines or fibers, dendrites, around the next neuron cell body.  Let's say that you are doing a math problem while the MRI is monitoring the brain, the region of the brain "lights up" showing which area of the brain is being used to solve the problem.  Repeated mapping of this "math region" implies that this is where math reasoning originates.  Ironically, there has been a lot of research into what areas of the brain control spirituality using this method.  Furthermore, the ability to stop the neurons from firing (essentially erasing a control region of the brain) also exists.  Again, could this be the reason that accepting the mark forever changes ones ability to seek God?  Is it possible that some sort of technology reprograms or erases the mind of those who live during this frightening time?

The Region of the Brain Mapped As the Spiritual Center


There is an escape!  His name is Jesus.  There is a promise for those who wholeheartedly seek Him that they will be kept from this hour of Tribulation.  So what is your choice?  Make the right one, as I don't wish for anyone to be on earth at this time to see if this is a correct interpretation.  Remember, not taking the mark means martyrdom during that time in the Tribulation.  If you cannot live for Jesus today, how will you die for Him then?  I guess the answer is always the same, by grace.  Choose that grace now and spare yourself as Jesus Christ is Soon2Come!

The Brain During Worship


And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Revelation 20:4

Mind Altering Technology--Not a Fantasy
Prune bad brain wiring with magnetic pulses - health - 18 February 2012 - New Scientist  In other words, prune, as in cut, the undesirable dendritic connections to ERASE memories.
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Saturday, February 25, 2012

YHWH who...!

I wrote a rather long note to a friend today, Iline, on the single mention names of the LORD, a correlation to the tabernacle furniture positioning, and the numbering of the sites in the tabernacle.  It is very interesting to see the amazing pattern showing the magnificence of our salvation that is visible to those looking.  Let's look:






1. The Gate of the Tabernacle and YHWH Jireh--The name YHWH Jireh translates best into English as "The LORD will see to it."  So what will He see too?  Your salvation when you trust Him by faith as Abraham did.  Remember, salvation is by grace through faith as we trust the saving power of God in Christ!  The gate is the point where we enter into unity with the LORD because HE will see to our salvation just as Abraham found out when he entered by FAITH into the promise. He knew that the LORD would provide the ultimate lamb and trusted accordingly. (See Genesis 22:14)

2. The flaying tables  and YHWH Rapha--the LORD that heals. The place where the animals were dispatched and the implements used are often left out of diagrams of the Tabernacle.  These tables, however, align themselves with the name YHWH Rapha--the LORD who heals thee.  So how does he heal? The number two corresponds to Christ, to fellowship, and to the cross. For instance, Psalm 22 is 2 x 11 or Christ's fellowship with the confusion caused by sin.  Psalm 22 is the Psalm of that fellowship--it is the greatest picture of the cross in the Old Testament!  It is the Psalm of the Christ, where Christ the only mediator, the middle man on a cross, the second person of the Godhead associated with the sin of humanity at Mount Calvary. In our fellowship with Him there is healing. It is not just physical healing but also spiritual healing. It is where he does surgery to cut Egypt from the hearts of His followers. We are as sheep to the slaughter, but it is a slaughter of healing. He takes the world from us and heals us by perfecting His image in us. " As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." Romans 8:37 (see Ex 15:26)

3. The Brazen Altar and YHWH Nissi--Three represents the wholeness or completion of God. I often just shorten this to God or the Trinity. Notice that the name Jehovah Nissi was revealed the very first time God called the Israelites to war. Up to that time He did all the fighting for them. There has to be an offered sacrifice on the altar. We are to sacrifice ourself and die to Christ daily. Did not Paul write, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)"  Our fight is a fight of faith. We lay our lives down, but GOD is the banner of victory in this fight. Again, He is perfecting the image of Messiah in us. An interesting statement was made at the revealing of that precious name, "For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation," Exodus 17:16. Amalek is a type and shadow of the flesh. We are to crucify the flesh and its lusts from generation to generation. We will win if we remember that His banner over us is love!

4. The Brass Sea and Jehovah-Mkaddesh--The sea represents the water of the Word and the sanctifying presence of the Holy Ghost where we are to wash daily. Of course, 4 represents the world. The LORD sanctifies us at this great place as we seek to enter into a deeper walk. Paul also revealed to the Thessalonians that we are to present ourselves for sanctification and that this is God's will (1 Thessalonians 4:3).  See Ex 31:13 for this precious name! 




5. The Table of Shewbread and YHWH Shalom--What was Gideon doing in Judges 6 when the LORD our Peace appeared. He was threshing and trying to hide the grain. Isn't the table of the LORD also about bread? Even the mention or the winepress is important. We receive both at the LORD's table. Bread, the broken body of Christ in fellowship, and the wine, the glorious shed blood that gives life eternal! Furthermore, the LORD is calling Gideon to fight Midian but revealing Himself as the LORD our Peace! Ironic, unless we see that in the battle of life Christ is our peace. We feast at his table where we receive grace, fellowship, and strength for the battle.

6. The Menorah and YHWH Rophe--The LORD is man's shepherd (hence the 6). How many branches are there on the Menorah that cannot stand alone--6. He is the vine, and we are the branches. We only bear fruit as we let the LIGHT of His Word and OIL of His Spirit guide us. In doing so, we burn brightly for Messiah Yeshua. He then daily cleanses the soot (caused by the wick and not the gold nor oil) from our lives. When we burn for Christ, the wick is not seen, only the flame. Surely, he anoints our head with oil to overflowing! This is the place of witness to the world. So much more to say here as I could literally write a book on this one piece of furniture. (Psalm 23)

7. The Altar of Incense and YHWH tsidqenuw--This is the only name in the set mentioned twice. That in and of itself is significant. Also remember, I mentioned single mention names. There are other YHWH names such as the LORD of Hosts or LORD of the Sabbath, but they are used repeatedly. Jeremiah 23:6, 33:16 announces this name. 

When the Psalms transition from book to book, they end with a double amen (See Psalm 41 as an example as this Psalm is the end of the Genesis Psalms). This double use of the LORD our Righteousness is that place of transition. We are preparing to boldly enter the Throne of Grace in perfection--thus the seven. We are not perfected by our pathetic attempts but by Christ and His mercy alone. Offering my works is offering strange fire and is an affront to God's work in Christ. He is Savior, our Savior and not we ourselves. He is our righteousness. He perfects us to enter boldly through the prayer of faith that is directly related to His passion and sacrifice at the brazen altar!  Unless we come through the fire of His name and effort alone, we will be struck down in the attempt to enter further.

8. The Ark of the Covenant and YHWH Shamma--Ezekiel gives us that great vision of the LORD in the Millennial Temple where He is seen. The LORD is there, Ezekiel 48:35. It is the last word, the end of the story. However, it is not the end but a New Beginning as the number 8 signifies. The word for ark can also be translated as coffin and it is used that way in Genesis. When we bury ourselves in this most holy place,the LORD reigns over us (Psalm 91). We die to self and find life in the process. Not just any life, but a new beginning. This is the Secret Place! This is life beyond the veil. It is the chief goal of allowing Christ to reign over our lives so that all the world may know of His presence in us.  This is the place of Psalm 24--Christ the KING who we willingly allow to reign supreme in our lives.  Strive to enter this place!


For more information on shadows such as these, I recommend:
EW Bullinger's, Number In Scripture: Its Supernatural Design and Spiritual Significance


Ervin N. Hershberger's masterpieces:  Seeing Christ in the Tabernacle and Seeing Christ in the Old Testament both by Vision Publishers of Harrisonburg, VA
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