Sometimes we hear a comment and it jolts us, our head turns, and we ask, “did they really say that?” There was such an incident that was recorded at a notable wedding in the Old Testament.  But was there another hidden meaning?

The Book of Ruth is a story of redemption and the climax occurs when Boaz as kinsmen redeemer redeems the land to Naomi and takes Ruth as his Gentile bride.  During their wedding vows a strange toast is offered to them:

“May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the Lord will give you from this young woman.” (Ruth 4:12)

This is a bizarre toast at first glance because it references the sordid events of Genesis 38.  If you recall, Tamar had married Judah’s firstborn son who died with no children.  Under Mosaic law, Judah was expected to provide one of his other sons to provide Tamar with children. But he did not follow through and Tamar ultimately disguises herself as a prostitute and became pregnant by Judah himself.  She gives birth to two illegitimate children, the twins Perez and Zerah.  This is known as “Judah’s sin” and the Torah specifies (Deuteronomy 23:2) that the bastard child is to be cast out of the congregation for ten generations.

But, instead of a mocking insult, Ruth 4:12 is a prophecy that the tenth generation from Perez was none other than David.  And to emphasize this, the book closes with David’s genealogy:

“Now this is the genealogy of Perez: Perez begot Hezron; Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begot Amminadab; Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon; Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed; Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.” (Ruth 4:18-22)

Thus, Boaz was the 7^th generation from Perez in Judah’s lineage, or David’s great grandfather.  But there is more to this story of Ruth and Boaz that has prophetic implications.

Biblical typology is perhaps the least understood but most important concept in the hermeneutics of biblical prophecy. It is a method of biblical interpretation whereby an element found in the Old Testament is seen to prefigure one found in the New Testament. The initial one is called the type and the fulfillment is designated the antitype. Either type or antitype may be a person, thing, or event, but often the type is messianic and frequently related to the idea of salvation.  When one says Joseph is a “type” of Christ or the Passover lamb symbolizes Jesus as the eventual Lamb of God, these are examples of typology.

With only four chapters, the book of Ruth is a beautiful love story.  When Orpah went back to her people, Ruth refused to leave her mother-in-law who was from the tribe of Judah.  Ruth was a Moabitess who chose to stay with Naomi not only because she loved her but also she made a choice to serve Jehovah, the One True God! She told Naomi, “But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.” (Ruth 1:16-17)

As a “type” Ruth represents the Gentiles who have become Christians and are devoted to Jehovah.  She became a part of the family she married into, when she married Boaz, her Hebrew husband.  In this regard, Boaz became her “kinsmen redeemer.”

The role of kinsman-redeemer is found in Leviticus 25 and Numbers 27:8-11, in the case of an Israelite man’s death in which he fails to leave behind a son, the brother of the deceased man is commanded to take his widow as wife and both redeem the land and provide a son to carry on the deceased father’s name.

This event occurs at the midsummer harvest at the threshing floor of Boaz where the winnowing of wheat was conducted.  With use of a prevailing wind the grain would be tossed into the air and the grain would fall below while the chaff, being lighter, would be carried further downwind resulting in two piles.  It was a time of festivities and having “met payroll” it was customary after celebrations for owners to sleep near their wheat to prevent theft.

It is here that Ruth approaches Boaz in the middle of the night while he is sleeping and requests him to spread his skirt over her as he is a near kinsman. This is not the kind of proposition many people might assume it to be.

“It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.  He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative.” (Ruth 3:8-9)

The shul (skirt), or hem, was the emblem of rank or authority in Israel, much like the stripes on the sleeve of a naval officer or airline pilot in our culture.  In the middle of the night with no one else around, Ruth was asking Boaz to put the authority of his house over her. She is invoking her right under the laws of Israel for him to take her to wife. Boaz was delighted to accommodate her and communicated his intentions to take her as his wife.  The next day in the city gate he formalized his redemption of Naomi and the taking of Ruth as his bride.

As we examine the role of Boaz as the goel, or kinsman-redeemer, we can easily see how he, in some ways, pre-figures our own kinsman-redeemer, Jesus Christ. Through his act of redemption, Boaz returns Naomi (Israel) to her land, and also takes Ruth (a Gentile) as his bride. This suggests a parallel with the Church as the Gentile bride of Christ.  That Boaz takes Ruth as his bride “in the middle of the night” symbolizes the Rapture of the Church reminding us that Christ returns for His bride “like a thief in the night.” (1^st Thessalonians 5:2)

Not only does he descend from the tribe of Judah, but Boaz came out of Bethlehem to bless his people and was the great-grandfather of David, the one to whom the promise of Messiah was given (2^nd Samuel 7).  More interesting is his father also took a Gentile bride.  His father Salmon took Rahab as his wife after helping rescue her from the tower of Jericho.  As a result, both Rahab and Ruth are found in the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is also remarkable that to this day the book of Ruth is always read by Jews on the day of Pentecost or Shavuot in Hebrew.  Why? For it is recorded in their rabbinical writings that the redemption of Ruth by Boaz as her kinsmen redeemer occurred on the 6^th of Sivan, or Pentecost.  In addition, not only was the Church born on Pentecost Sunday, but Jews also celebrate the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai on this date as well.

“It is no coincidence that, on the same day of Pentecost in which God appeared to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai and revealed to man a new relationship based upon His sacred Law, He again revealed to man a new relationship based on the Holy Spirit.  The mystical union of God and Israel that occurred on the Feast of Pentecost at the foot of Mount Sinai is exactly mirrored in the union of God’s Holy Spirit with Christ’s Bride, the Church, on Pentecost, fifty days after Christ rose from the dead.” -Grant Jeffrey

In all these ways Boaz is a type of Christ. Christ is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who comes out of Bethlehem to bless his people. He is the Son of David, the redeemer of God’s elect. He sends his laborers into his fields to work. He treats his own people well. He receives and welcomes Gentiles. He pays our debt, and therefore gains the right to make us his bride.

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1^st Thessalonians 4:16-18)

Sources: Grant Jeffrey, Dr. Chuck Missler, Nick Batzig

There is a quote that is attributed to many, “sometimes when you’re looking for an answer, you search everywhere else before you take a look at what’s right in front of you.”  For many centuries, theologians, archaeologists and historians have pondered what God meant in passages such as this:

“And he built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord said, In Jerusalem will I put My name.”  (2^nd Kings 21:4)

Not only does God say He has put His name in Jerusalem but this is this repeated in verse 7, and also Ezra 6:12, 2^nd Chronicles 6:6; 33:4, 1^st Kings 11:36 and 1^st Kings 14:21.  And there are other Scriptural passages where this is sounded.  Was this something to be discovered in an ancient scroll or archaeological site?  Is this a reference to the Temple?  What did God mean by saying that He would put His name in Jerusalem?

There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet and each letter has a specific meaning and a numerical number attached to it.  The 21^st letter is “שׁ SHIN” and pronounced “sheen.” It looks somewhat like an English “w” and it is in the same form in Hebrew and in Aramaic/Syriac, a text used in both the Old and the New Testaments.  In gematria Shin has the numerical value of 300.

For Jews, Shin ש is the letter that is used to denote the unspeakable name of “HaShem” or “The Name.”  It is also the letter that represents “Shaddai” or “El Shadai,” another name for Yahweh.

In Israel and Jewish homes throughout the world it is common for a “mezuzah” or prayer box to be mounted on the doorpost of homes and businesses.  The letter Shin ש is imprinted on every Jewish mezuzah and what is contained within the prayer box is the Scriptural portion of Deuteronomy 6:4 known as “The Shema” in Hebrew, meaning “To Hear.”

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.” (Deuteronomy 6:4)

With the advent of aerial photography, satellite imagery and topographical maps there is a remarkable view that unfolds when one looks upon Jerusalem from a higher vantage point.  In fact, what is portrayed can even be seen in many map inserts of Bibles.

Photo by BiblePictureLibrary.com

There are three significant valleys that make up the city of Jerusalem, two that flank its outskirts and one that runs near the center of the city.  These are the Kidron Valley, the Hinnom Valley and the Tyropean Valley.  When one views this on a map it marks the outline of a perfect Hebrew Shin ש.  It is the Name of God in Hebrew.

When King David first conquered this area and settled it as his capital city, he would have had no idea that this city was seated on the Name of God.  “Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build an house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel: But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.” (2^nd Chronicles 6:5-6)

Today, this information is now commonly presented to tourists in sky tours or in scale models of Jerusalem.  But the remarkable geographic phenomenon of Jerusalem does not end with the Shin ש.

Map by Carl Gallups

The city of Jerusalem is also made up of three mountain heads comprising one mountain known as Zion and is why Jerusalem is referred to as “Zion” or the “City of Zion.”  But Zion certainly has three heads, the uppermost head is called Moriah, the center head is called Ophel, and the bottom head of the mountain is called Zion.  One mountain, with three distinct heads.

It is a topographical depiction of the Christian Trinity, One God as Three distinct Persons.  But there is more.  These three mountain names have three significant underlying meanings yet their significance could not have been known thousands of years ago prior to the revelation of Jesus Christ and the New Testament.

In Hebrew, the word Ophel means “my fortress, tower, strong hold.”(Strongs #H6076)  All of these are names for Yahweh, God the Father as described in the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms.

Zion means “the mark, the sign, the waymark, the pillar.” (Strongs #H6725)  We are reminded that in Ephesians 1:13 Paul states that the Gentiles were included in the family of God, “Having believed, you were MARKED in him with a SEAL, the promised Holy Spirit.”  It is the Holy Spirit that is the seal or “mark” on every born-again believer.

Mount Moriah means “to see God or to be seen of God.” (Strongs #4179).  In Genesis 22 Moriah is where Abraham took his only begotten son Isaac as a sacrifice before the Lord intervened and provided the sacrifice Himself, a ram caught in the thicket.  It is here that the Temple Mount exists today and within this story is the Biblical typology pointing to God’s only begotten Son who would one day be our sacrificial Lamb. And it is in Jesus Christ, when we are able to see God in the flesh.

Ophel- “My Fortress”- God the Father

Moriah- “To see God”- God the Son

Zion- “The Mark”- God the Holy Spirit

When God declared that Jerusalem was where He had place His name, He meant it literally.  The very valleys comprising the city declares His name. The mountains that His city sits upon literally cries out His name.

Maybe this is what Jesus was referring to during the last week of His life before the Crucifixion:

“Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen,  saying: “ ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”  And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.”  But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”(Luke 19:37-40)

God’s word is perfect and infallible.  And God’s Name is not just written in the land of Israel, but physically on our hearts!  All of humanity has the undeniable mark of God’s creation but each of us must choose whether to give our hearts totally to Him or not.  When we give our lives to Christ then we receive His mark upon us, the seal of the Holy Spirit.  The beautiful aspect of this is, when the enemy comes against us, God tells him, “You can’t have them because My name is written there! He/She belongs to Me.”

“O Clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.  Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.  For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. (Psalm 47:1,6-7)

There is no one like Him.  Has God left His mark on you?

Sources: Michael Munk, Carl Gallups, Dr. J. Stark, Heather Hampton

There is a false dichotomy today in that most people feel there is nothing supernatural in organized religion or Christianity anymore, and neither do they perceive anything supernatural from the naturalistic Darwinism they have received from their public education and the media.  By default, many are looking at the landscape finding there is nothing to feed their spiritual needs, and many of these people are drawn to books on crystals, tarot cards, how to contact the spirit world and other occult practices.  They say to themselves, “there is a spiritual part of me that needs to be nourished.”

Christianity in the United States is declining at a precipitous rate, according to last Thursday’s Pew Research polling data, and the percentage of Christians in the country has hit an all-time low.  In their data results (click here), over the last ten years the percentage of U.S. adults that identify as Christians dropped by a remarkable 12 percent from to 77 percent to just 65 percent, the lowest point in the nation’s 243-year history. During the same period, the number of religious “nones” — those who self-identify as atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular” — has shot up by a stunning 17 percent and this group now makes up more than a quarter of the population (26 percent).

The most egregious data point is the number of religiously unaffiliated, acute among young adults, resulting in a markedly less religious generation. Fewer than half of Millennials (49 percent) describe themselves as Christians, while four-in-ten identify as religious “nones” and 10 percent identify with non-Christian faiths.  The prior “Generation X” (born 1965-1980) scored demonstrably higher 15 years ago in comparison at the same age reference point in a recent Gallup poll (click here).  The Church must painfully acknowledge our failure in reaching this “lost generation.”

THE MILLENNIAL GENERATION (born 1981-1996)

“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)

“The largest community that is being least affected by our modern church is the Millennial generation.  These are tomorrow’s decision makers, they will shape the future of the political and social society for coming generations.  Unfortunately, these people are leaving the church in scores, and many churches don’t know what to do about it.  They are completely ill-equipped to handle this problem.  Even churches that have tried to address the needs for the upcoming generation have missed the mark by attempting things like church makeovers or implementing rock concert-style worship services which are not what these generations of people are looking for.  And even worse, some churches are shrugging this generation of people off as unreachable.”  –Allie Anderson, author, Unscrambling the Millennial Paradox

Many believe the divide that separates Millennials from the previous generation is the biggest generation gap that this world has ever seen, because of the dramatic way in which the world has changed over the last 100 years, and especially over the last 20 years.  History provides literally no template for how to deal with the modern generation.  It is the advent of the Internet and computer technology that serves as a defining signature for their generation, thus the behavioral traits are not necessarily constrained to the United States but can be found in the modern world-at-large.

Anderson states further, “the communication gap is (due to) emergent technology.  The previous generation looks at the new generation and doesn’t know how to connect.  Previous generations could relate but now it is much more complicated.”

In so many ways this emergent technology has created a much more isolated society, especially among Millennials who have been raised on its utility.  Today, we are so wirelessly “connected” that it is not uncommon to see a family of four sitting in a restaurant immersed in four different screens oblivious to one another.  By our human DNA we are “wired” for community so to speak, but often we are separate while all sitting in the same room together.  Hence, we have the rise of social media and reality TV.  The desire is in us to connect, but the world has changed.

But it’s not just emergent technology.

“No generation prior to the Millennial generation was less parented.  We live in an age of single parent families, these kids need fathers, they need mothers, brothers, sisters, they need mentors.” -Dr. Thomas Horn

There is more.  As I heard one say, “In the modern era we frequently find that we have substituted friends and co-workers for “family.”  Today, the Church needs to step up and be that family and replace the absent aunts and uncles that traditionally surrounded people.”

“We are at a critical stage historically, spiritually, and socially, and that the Millennial generation is facing challenges that would have been completely foreign to other generations because of technology, change in how we assimilate information and communicate with one another. 

(A recent poll stated that 61% of professing U.S. Christians believed in at least one form of occult practice, i.e. spirited objects, reincarnation, astrology, etc.)

There’s also what our friend Russ Dizdar (deliverance minister) might call the ‘Black Awakening.’ We’ve never seen a time in American history where people have been so open to occult influences.  Much of the Church in the locally communities in America, some 60-70%, hold occult ideas.  We are now seeing it go to new places – legislation, infanticide, euthanasia of the elderly, the devaluation of what it means to be human.  What we are communicating to the Millennials is frightening frankly.” – Horn

ARE MILLENNIALS “UNREACHABLE?”

“who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.” (Acts 11:14)

“No, but it’s ironic.  They (Millennials) have desires that stem from the fact they were made in the image of God.  They have been telling us what they want, it’s amazing.  They want a place where they belong, a place of community, a place where they can ‘activate.’  They are asking the church to tackle the hard issues.  The Church is sometimes unable to know how to tackle hard issues with love.  We must balance truth with love in the same message, they are ready to hear it Scripturally.  They are ready to transfer from milk to the meat of Scripture.  They are asking for things that are in fact very deep.” -Anderson

WHAT ARE MILLENNIALS LOOKING FOR?

“The Millennial generation is leaving partly because of the communication gap taking place.  Millennials will say they want a church that is ‘new,’ that is, focused on ‘new’ and leaving traditions behind.  Many churches have responded with church makeovers, coffee shops in the lobby and they don’t mean that kind of ‘new.’ They mean a church that is willing to activate and take it (Good News) to the streets. They want a church that is actively seeking relationships with people that gives them a community and a place to belong. One thing to remember is that these people can stream anything they want into their living room, on Sunday morning or anytime during the week. If they want it, it’s out there, and it’s available for streaming.  So, if they show up at your church, it’s because they are looking for an interpersonal relationship of some kind and that the most important thing to remember.  What they are truly look for, is a place where they belong.” -Anderson

“These kids (Millennials) need fathers, they need mothers, brothers, sisters, and they need mentors.  Really what is key to reaching this generation is becoming just that.  (Exercising) the spiritual gifts, being a friend, caring for these people.  Statistics will tell us that Millennials are leaving the church in droves, but where they are staying and where they are flourishing is because they have a very strong mentoring presence.  Once they believe someone loves them and cares about them, now they are open to your theology, to your deeper teachings, going from milk to meat of the Word, but not until then.  A big rock concert is not going to cut it.  A coffee shop in the middle of your church lobby is not what they are looking for primarily.  Now those are all fine furnishings, but they need mentors, friends, and everyday champions.” -Horn

Today, the Church has an unprecedented opportunity to reach a “lost generation.”  We are at a precipice, a moment in time that will determine.  Will this generation truly be lost?  Or will its harvest become a Great Awakening?

“Once the church makes a connection with this youngest generation in a lasting and meaningful way, they will become the biggest group of activists for the Great Commission this world has ever seen.” -Anderson

The true early Church was familial, a community of individuals each contributing in their own way, demonstrating the love of Christ and exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit endowed to them.  It is the model we need to get back to and what the Millennials are screaming for, the sense of family.  Could this be you?

“Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)

Sources: Dr. Thomas Horn, Allie Anderson, Steven Bancarz, Witness Lee

What were the teachings of the ancient church fathers who spoke about “six thousand years?”  Although their teachings were not authoritative as the Holy Scriptures, initially they all taught the same doctrine having been taught directly by the apostles and their disciples.  In that regard, then we can presume their apostolic teaching is correct.

In the chart below you can see that Polycarp and Ignatius were students of the apostle John after he vacated Patmos to live his final years in Ephesus.  In fact, it is documented that Polycarp assisted John in the planting of churches there for 20 years.  Irenaeus was born in Smyrna and became Polycarp’s disciple but attests to having met and spoken with John (“an old man”) on several occasions.  Justin Martyr, born in Nablus in 100AD, was also a disciple of Polycarp and Hippolytus was born in 170AD and was a student of Irenaeus. His Against Heresies is a key writing for the early church.

Coupled with the findings of the Dead Sea Scrolls, today we also benefit greatly from discovery and translation of many ancient writings of the early church.  With the expertise of archaeologists and scholars trained to identify false or corrupt writings hijacked by early Gnostics we have the luxury of seeing the Bible validated in so many of these recent discoveries.

“And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.” (Genesis 2:2)

Dr. Ken Johnson is an author, scholar and ancient writings expert who performed research for Dead Seas Scrolls project and analysis on early Church documents.

“The idea that Jesus will return to set up His millennial kingdom in the Jewish year 6,000 is taught by several ancient church fathers.  The first coming of Jesus Christ was about 4,000 years after Creation.  These ancient church fathers taught the Second Coming would be about AD2000.  The most descriptive is the Epistle of Barnabas which devotes an entire chapter on this issue.  Remember, this does not mean they were correct; but if they believed and were taught this, it proves the ancient Christians were premillennial……With the calendars (primarily Hebrew calendar) being confused and inaccurate, we can’t say for certain when the year 6,000 will occur.”    Dr. Ken Johnson, 2016

Here is a compilation of quotes:

Barnabas, AD First Century

“Therefore, children, in six days, or in six thousand years, all the prophecies will be fulfilled.  Then it says, ‘He rested on the seventh day.’ This signifies at the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus, He will destroy the Antichrist, judge the ungodly, and change the sun, moon, and stars.  Then He will truly rest during the Millennial reign, which is the seventh day.” Epistle of Barnabas 15;7-9

Papias, AD First Century

“I was taught by the Apostle John, himself, that after the resurrection of the dead, Jesus will personally reign for one thousand years.” Papias, Fragment 6

Irenaeus, AD 180

“The day of the Lord is as a thousand years; and in six days created things were completed.  It is evident, therefore, they will come to an end in the six thousandth year.” Against Heresies 5.28

Justin Martyr, AD Second Century

“There will be a literal one-thousand-year reign of Christ.” Justin Martyr, Dialogue 81

Hippolytus, AD 205

“The Sabbath is a type of the future kingdom…For “a day with the Lord is as a thousand years.”  Since, then, in six days the Lord created all things, it follows that in six thousand years all will be fulfilled.” Fragment 2; Commentary on Daniel 2.4

Commodianus, AD 240

“We will be immortal when the six thousand years are completed.” Against the Gods of the Heathens 35

“Resurrection of the body will be when six thousand years are completed, and after one thousand years (millennial reign), the world will come to an end.” Against the God of the Heathens 80

Victorinus, AD 240

“Satan will be bound until the thousand years are finished; that is, after the sixth day.” Commentary on Revelation 20.1-3

Methodius, AD 290

“In the seventh millennium we will be immortal and truly celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.” Ten Virgins 9.1

Lactantius, AD 304

“The sixth thousandth year is not yet complete.  When this number is complete, the consummation must take place.” Divine Institutes 7.14

Elijah Prophecies:  we have the Jewish perspective

The ancient Jewish historian, Josephus, stated that Elijah ran the school of the prophets and that Elijah’s outline of prophecy was written in what was called the “Epistle of Elijah” which still existed in his day (70 AD).  In the Talmud and the commentary, Tanna Debe Eliyyahu, it says that Elijah taught that there would be six thousand years of human history and then the establishment of a one-thousand-year Messianic Kingdom. The six-thousand years would be divided into three ages of two thousand years each. The first age is the “Age of Chaos,” the second is the “Age of Torah,” and the third is the “Messianic Age.” This temporary Messianic age must be the Church Age because what follows is a one-thousand-year Messianic Kingdom.

It is traditional Jewish understanding that the Jewish Messiah would come 4,000 years after the creation of Adam and Eve.  Here is such an interesting quote:

“‘The Tanna debe Eliyyahu teaches: The world is to exist six thousand years. In the first two thousand there was desolation; [i.e. no Torah. It is a tradition that Abraham was fifty-two years old when he began to convert men to the worship of the true God; from Adam until then, two thousand years elapsed] two thousand years the Torah flourished; and the next two thousand years is the Messianic era, [i.e. Messiah will come within that period] but through our many iniquities all these years have been lost. [He should have come at the beginning of the last two thousand years; the delay is due to our sins.]'”  Talmud in Sanhedrin 97

“After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.” (Hosea 6:2)

Ancient Book of Enoch

The Holy Spirit inspired Jude to quote Enoch for a reason.  It is an ancient book that is believed to have been written approximately 3000 B.C. and kept by Noah.  Is not and never was intended as canon, but today many in the church discard the book as a historical reference due to its details on the interactions of the fallen angels with human women resulting in the Nephilim (Genesis 6).  The Book of Enoch opens by addressing those in the Tribulation period.  It contains numerous prophecies about the flood and fire judgments, and the two comings of the Messiah.  It teaches that the Messiah is the Son of God and that He will shed His blood to redeem us, even the exact generation it would occur!

For example, the book prophesies that the Messiah would be in the seventieth generation from Enoch:

“The one who fixes everything will be the seventieth generation not that everything will be accomplished in the seventieth generation.” Enoch 10

And, if you review the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Luke 3:23-38 and count the generations from Enoch forward you will see that He was the 70^th generation counted.

Enoch wrote 48 prophecies that were completely fulfilled in both the Old and New Testaments and you can find these easily online.  But, in addition he also prophesied in Enoch 91-93 that there would be a total of 7,000 years of history before the earth would end (prior to a “new heaven and a new earth” found in Revelation 21).

“For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.” (Psalm 90:4)

“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2nd Peter 3:8)

SO, SINCE CREATION WHERE ARE WE TODAY ON THE CALENDAR?

On September 30 Rosh Hashana celebrated the beginning of the new year of 5780 AM on the Jewish calendar. The many adherents to this calendar may not realize that this year stems from Seder Olam Rabbah, a late Tannaitic work written in 169 A.D.  Concurring with rabbinic instruction it is speculated by some that the dates were changed to obfuscate the interpretation of Daniel 9:24-27 which perfectly translates to the date and year of Christ’s crucifixion in 32 A.D.  To this day, Jewish rabbis will not share these verses of Daniel or discuss its interpretation.

“AM” means Anno Mundi, or from the first day of Creation.  That would mean that Creation began on Saturday evening, October 7, 3761 B.C. and which does not correlate with academic historical dating.  There is wide consensus and acceptance that there is a discrepancy based on rabbinic dating of time between the destruction of the First Temple and Second Temple as well dating of certain Persian kings after Cyrus.  On average the discrepancy is believed by scholars and academicians to be in the range of 160-240 years.

When will the “sixth day” begin?  Twenty- five years ago Christian archaeologist and pastor Dr. Grant Jeffrey, like others at that time, estimated it was calculated to end between 1975 A.D. and 2075 A.D.

However, given the more recent discoveries, the range has now narrowed.

“With the calendars being confused and inaccurate, we can’t say for certain when the year 6,000 will occur.  An approximate range would be between the years AD 2030 and 2067, although it could occur even earlier.”  Dr. Ken Johnson

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”  (Proverbs 30:5,6)

Sources: Dr. Ken Johnson, Dr. Grant Jeffrey, Dr. Randall Price

In several verses the Bible tells us that the Old Testament was given as an example for us.  The story of ancient Jericho serves as such an ensample and it points to the five differing aspects of God’s grace that would be revealed to us in the New Testament.

There was something very strategic about Jericho.  When God first brought Israel up out of the Wilderness it was the first thing they saw across the valley after crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land.  It was a formidable and evil obstruction to their taking possession of the Land.

Lexham Bible Dictionary: Jericho–Manner of Jericho’s Destruction.  The wall of the final Bronze Age city of Jericho is referred to as a cyclopean wall that encapsulates the city and its construction dates to Middle Bronze III around 1600 B.C.

Wikipedia estimates that Jericho was first constructed around 8000 B.C. based on carbon dating, although that dating system has been proven to be unreliable.  You can find other sources, but regardless, there is general consensus that this ancient city was antediluvian in its earliest construct.  Why are you sharing this?

“Cyclopean” masonry by almost any source is a reference to rare megalithic architecture believed to have been built by ancient or mythical giants. For those who adhere to the literal interpretation of the Bible, that clearly points to the “giants” or the Nephilim we find in Genesis 6:1-5. The non-canonical accounts found in the Books of Enoch and Jasher lend further testimony to this interpretation.  There are several other examples of cyclopean masonry that have been discovered, including Greece, Malta, Peru.  In each of these sites there is massive ancient stone architecture that essentially could not be replicated today even with our advanced technology.

Okay, whether I concur with the literal interpretation of Genesis 6 or not, what does this have to do with God’s grace?

We all know this story.  By the Lord’s instruction, after marching around the walls of Jericho for six days on the seventh day they repeated the procession and then all the Israelites shouted and the walls of the city came tumbling down, verified by modern archaeology.

The story of Jericho is told in Joshua 6:1-27 and is where we learn about the true inhabitants of ancient Jericho.  From all accounts, Jericho was a demonic stronghold. In Verse 18 God says the city is “accursed” including all that were in it except for Rahab and her family.

Recent textual discoveries in ancient Ugarit confirm the Scripture record of centuries filled with idolatry, sodomy, bestiality, sorcery, and child sacrifice in Jericho. Consequently, each generation had polluted the next with idolatry, perversion, and blood.

“And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.” (Joshua 6:2)

According to Biblical scholars, “the mighty men” is a reference to the Gibborim in Hebrew. This phrasing is derived from the exact same word that Moses used in Genesis 6:4 to signify the “giants.” Thus, they were counted as detestable before the Lord and their evil was destroyed and burned.

 “Accursed”: Strongs #H 02764, “cherem”, meaning “devoted, dedicated, utterly destroyed, (or appointed to) utter destruction.”

In all other Caananite conquests the Israelites were allowed spoils, but in Joshua 6:17-19 they were specifically told not to take any personal possessions from Jericho, not even grains.  Why?  Because the city and everything in it was cursed, so they could not touch anything or take anything out.  Objects can retain demonic power and God wanted to keep them out of His people Israel.

In the next chapter (7) of Joshua, we are reminded of Achan’s sin whereby he took spoils of the “accursed things” and hid a Babylonian garment, 200 shekels of silver, and 50 shekels of gold under his tent.  Not only did he pay with his life for this sin but so did his entire family, and his sin had earlier cost the lives of 36 Israelites (verse 5) who had gone up against the men of Ai.

In the New Testament, Paul also says that if you want God to walk among you, you must put away the unclean things.  “What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.  As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.  Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” (2^nd Corinthians 6:16-17)

• It is important to remember that you are not an island. What you bring home effects your family and children.  That that is thought to be secret to your family is NOT a secret in hell or the kingdom of darkness.  Things that are connected to the kingdom of darkness become a conduit for evil to come in. 

• Because of Achan men, women, and children died. It is important to remember that there are consequences of sin that go beyond YOU! 

It seems sanctification is never spoken of anymore.  Instead, the “three second salvation” is the desired transaction for most with little reflection on the ugliness of sin that Christ paid for on the Cross.  More often, you will discover that those who consecrate themselves before the Lord experience greater levels of the power of God in their lives.

Thirty-five years ago, I was fascinated with astrology.  Then upon becoming a born-again believer I remember distinctly how the Holy Spirit came in and told me to “destroy all of your astrology books, throw them out of this house and never look at them again.”  Unbeknownst to me, it was my Jericho!  I obeyed the Lord and threw those materials out and have never looked back (nor wanted to look back).  For when the Holy Spirit comes into your spiritual house and rearranges things, He often casts things out for they cannot be in the same place as Him.

The Five Aspects of Gods’ grace:

Unmerited Favor.  Too many people stop right here, it is our “warm and fuzzy.”  Jesus Christ DID DIE FOR YOU while you were a sinner and it is great to acknowledge this critical truth.  But it was never intended to simply be an intellectual observation! ”But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) 

Christ wants you to ENTER into Saving Grace.   He is your Savior, let Him save you!  Yield to the Holy Spirit and to the ugliness of your sin.  There are so many people today who are still in love with their sin without proper repentance.  They make excuses for it and refer back to Unmerited Favor! For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

Transforming Grace. Once we are saved a transformation takes place where we are transformed from what we were to who we should be in Christ. “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Empowering Grace. This is where the Church needs to be, taking down Jerichos! “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (2^nd Corinthians 10:3-5)

We are reminded that in Acts 5:15-16 Peter reached a point in empowering grace that created a field of the Kingdom around him so that if you were in his proximity (“the shadow of Peter passing by) your sickness or malady was healed.  We are so far away from that today!

Enduring Grace.   Like Paul, we need to finish the race with our eyes fixed on Christ.  “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

All of us have spiritual strongholds that gives the enemy access to mess with us.  When God transforms us by grace, He enables us to knock down these strongholds.  Many are lies or hurts received as a child. “I am ugly, dumb, uneducated. I can’t do anything right.” Or someone violated our trust, possibly a victim of rape or incest.  “It’s your fault.” Divorce, “you caused it.” Because a demon found an opportunity to create a lie and use this as a base of operation to limit your life, even as a Christian, it is the Holy Spirit giving us empowering authority to call out and cast down these strongholds. 

I encourage you by the authority of Jesus Christ to call out your stronghold as a lie and to cast it down.  Loose the Word of God on your stronghold and watch the walls of your Jericho tumble down!

Sources: Dr. Chuck Missler, Dr. Michael Lake, Chuck Davis

There is a major change taking place in the world today that is mostly unrecognized by the Church.  The “New Age” is being replaced by a new global movement that expresses itself in three primary ways. It is the “Age of Re-Enchantment” that celebrates “Oneness.”  Why should this be important to the Church?

“The fact remains that as the garments of Christianity are culturally discarded, a new wardrobe is being fashioned from an ancient loom.”  Carl Teichrib, Game of Gods: The Temple of Man in the Age of Re-Enchantment

Seeing past the hype, the rumors, the clickbait, and the sensational, it is important for Christians to stay informed about the direction of culture/society so that we do not become gullible participants and our churches do not succumb to world views which stand in conflict with the Bible.  It is important for us to ask, what is the ”heart of the issue” in order that we can formulate a Biblical response.

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2^nd Corinthians 5:20)

TWO PRIMARY VIEWS OF REALITY

The primary duel is “Two-ism” vs. “One-ism” as it relates to God and nature.  This impacts so many things: human meaning, philosophy, law, religion, political theory, law, ethics, economics, gender and sexuality, views of nature, and technology.  Is reality “Two” or “One?”

“If God and nature make up reality, then all is two, and everything is either Creator or creature.  On the other hand, if the universe is all there is, then all is one.”   Peter Jones, The Other Worldview.

Materialism and atheism even fit under this “One-ism.” Why?  Because they say, ‘man is all there is, there is no separation.’ However, the Bible tells us very differently that God is holy, distinct and separate from His creation.

“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.  He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.  For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,  and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” (Colossians 1:16-21)

SO, WHAT DOES “ONENESS” LOOK LIKE?

Oneness says we are all one, all part of the creation and universe, it is neo-paganism.  Bowing ourselves before nature, believing there is nothing higher than mankind, it is readily seen through different lens:

• Eastern Religions: Reality is One; we are returning to the All.
• Classic & Neo-Paganism: Nature is the embodiment of divinity. Humanity and nature are One.
• Occult: Through ritual mankind acts upon and within the All.
• Cosmic Humanism: Collective humanity is the evolutionary agency of cosmic divinity.
• Secular Humanism: Man is the measure of all things. Nature is all there is.  Nothing exists outside of nature.

In the West we see this every day in one form or another.  What do their adherents say?

• We cannot imagine a God outside of creation, and thus refuse to acknowledge His position.
• We cannot fathom a God whose existence is not tied to natural process, therefore nature is divine.
• We cannot comprehend a God whose separateness (holiness) levels-out humanity before Him: kings, popes, princes, paupers- “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
• Therefore: We bend our knees to what is created and choose our own spirituality. Ours is an experience of spiritual connection, a divine destiny with a material world.
• We will determine our destiny, humanity declaring ourselves to be Masters.

In their hearts and minds, this is an acceptable and desirable alternative to Jesus Christ.

ISN’T THIS JUST THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT?

The New Age tended to focus on Self– self-realization, self-actualization, self-empowerment, awakening to your Divine Self.

• Today this is viewed as personally shallow and without deeper context; a materialist form of spirituality

Today, Re-Enchantment focuses on the We: The Community of All- our meaning is found in the universal; we are in communion with nature and the super-natural, we are one cosmic family.  Self is absorbed into a meaningful experience of purpose and wholeness.

• Viewed as social and communal, grounded in ancient wisdom, and imbuing a sense of magic: We feel our Oneness.
• It is the New Spirituality.

Today in the West, our culture has changed, Christendom has been rejected in the media, in our classrooms, in our laws and in the political debate.  What the “world” speaks today is paganism, the ancient wisdom.  Today we see Jesus Christ being rejected and the embrace of Re-Enchantment and Oneness instead.  They pursue the “divinity of nature” (see Romans 1:25) and the “divinity of man” (see Genesis 3:5).  It is the essence of paganism.

At the Miller Bible College in Saskatchewan, there is a modular lecture series entitled “Secular Pagan Trends” that uses this chronological chart:

Today we ask, what is truth? What is real? Am I a man or a woman? I don’t know.  That is the post-modern mindset that no longer accepts the norms and is in a vacuum of thought.  Re-Enchantment fills that void.  It says, “turn your eyes back to creation, your purpose and meaning back to earth, your Mother, your spirituality.”  It is paganism.

Whether we like it or not, we have family members, relatives, friends and acquaintances who embrace this “oneness” spiritual movement.  We are not untouched by the challenges the world imposes upon us.

What you may consider marginal is now mainstream.  What you consider “counterculture” is now in the main.  We as the Church are now the “counterculture.”  We must be Christ’s ambassadors in this new culture! 

A couple of years ago I preached a sermon on being an ambassador for our King.  Just as an ambassador is a legal representative of a king (or queen or prime minister) in a foreign country likewise, we represent our King wherever we are as a “sojourner on earth” (Psalm 119:19) as our “citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20).  As ambassadors we are to know our King’s power and position, and represent His interests, not our own.  We are to understand the customs and culture of the “foreign land” we are in, but you are set apart from it.  And we are to effectively communicate our King’s message while we are there.

It is interesting that after Jesus ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, not very long afterwards the Jews were dispersed from the Land and scattered throughout the world.  Likewise, the Church also departed from Israel not long after the Ascension as the Gospel was taken to the Gentile nations.   Jehovah is a God of restoration and one cannot help but note that trends are reverting back to the old.  Just as God promised, He has brought Israel back to the Land.  And now we see that the world is reverting to paganism, the so-called ancient wisdom.  The question becomes, will the Church revert back to its original roots?

How best to be an ambassador for God?  No finer example can be found than in Acts 17:16-32 where we find Paul at Mars Hill in Athens encountering the trendsetters of his day.  He walked the streets and studied their pagan culture to understand their worldview.   It is from here that He shares the gospel, the King’s message.   In verse 17 it says he engaged both Jews and Gentiles in the marketplace.  In verses 22-23 he speaks about the “Unknown God.”  The response in verse 32 tells us that some mocked him, and others wanted to hear more.  The Bible tells us that some plant, some water, “but it is God who brings the increase.” (1^st Corinthians 3:6-9)

This blog is now subscribed on six different continents, some in Asia and Africa may have a slightly different perception of this message.  But for those of us who live in the West, I submit to you as you look up and out the window, you are looking at your Mars Hill today.

The “Oneness” spiritual movement has only one destination, it is the One World Government the Bible tells us is coming.  Therefore, let us be effective ambassadors for Christ today, “as though God were making an appeal through us.”

I want to acknowledge and thank Canadian author and researcher Carl Teichrib for content reflected in this article.

If you would like to make a donation to Carpenter Ministries, Inc. please click on “Contributions.”  We are a fully organized 501(C)3 ministry operating in Virginia. Maranatha!

The Bible tells us that Jesus will be from Nazareth, yet born in Bethlehem, and that He will come out of Egypt.  This all seems incoherent at first glance, doesn’t it?   Regardless, what we discover in the New Testament is that our Savior fulfilled all these prophecies to the “T.”   When God speaks through one of His prophets, you can be assured it will be fulfilled completely and in His perfect timing.

“Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” (Isaiah 46:10)

Sadly, the professing Church of today almost completely ignores and neglects the study of prophecy, a neglect which results in the loss of one of the most powerful weapons against unbelief. That the denial of the Bible as the inspired Word of God has become widespread in the West is but one result of this.  But in other parts of the world, this is not true.

Last week there was an event overseas that served reminder of a prediction made almost 2600 years ago that has been vastly overlooked by many Bible scholars, and that the Church should be aware.  On Saturday a missile attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure by a combination of cruise missiles and drone missiles were launched by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards from Khuzestan and the Anbar province of western Iraq, according to multiple sources.

The prophet Jeremiah predicted a portion of Iran would one day undergo a massive disaster, that this epic event would be caused by the Lord, occur in the latter days, and precipitate the worldwide dispersion of many Iranian exiles. Specifically, he stated that there would be “no nations” that these exiles “will not go.”  Where will this occur?  Elam.

“The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.  And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.  For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the Lord; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them: And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the Lord. But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the Lord.” (Jeremiah 49:34-39)

WHERE IS ELAM?

During the time of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Elam comprised what is today considered the central western portion of Iran.  Elam basically hugged much of the northeastern coastline of the Persian Gulf.  Persia, spoken of by Ezekiel, encompassed most of today’s northern Iran at their time.

WHO IS ELAM IN THE BIBLE?

Elam was a son of Shem, Noah’s oldest son.  His descendants settled in what is today central western Iran, east of the Tigris River.  The Elamites were a war-like people, according to Genesis 14:1-9.  And Isaiah 22:6 tells us the Elamites were experts in archery. (Hence, “break the bow.”)

Map by Bill Salus

WAS THIS PROPHECY NOT FULFILLED IN ANCIENT TIMES?

The prophecy regarding Elam is believed to have been issued by Jeremiah in 597 BC, one year prior to Nebuchadnezzer’s conquest of Elam in 596 BC.  Although subjugated by the Babylonian king, as a whole the Elamite culture and language remained intact and they were not dispersed worldwide.

Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon in 539 BC commencing the Persian Empire until 330 BC.  The Persian Empire extended through most of the Middle East and encompassed Elam.  However, Ezra 4:9 reveals the Elamites still had political representation during that time and Ezra 2:7, 31 states that the Elamites returned to their homeland after the Babylonian Captivity.

Furthermore, Acts 2:9 references Elamites in Jerusalem at Pentecost.  And Jeremiah 25:17-29 and Isaiah 11:11 give evidence of Elam’s existence in the last days.  There is no historic record of people from this specific region/ethnic group being dispersed worldwide at any time.

Thus, the historical tracking and Scriptural evidence suggest that these Elamite prophecies remain unfulfilled.  Of notable importance, none of the events cited above indicates Elam aroused the fierce anger of the Lord, suggesting it is an event in waiting.

CAN YOU SUMMARIZE THIS PROPHECY SUCCINCTLY?

The most important declaration in this prophecy to note is that Elam has done something that has provoked the “fierce anger” of the Lord.  As a result, God has Jeremiah declare eight times, “I will” bring about a judgment against Elam:

1. Break the bow of Elam, the foremost of their military might,
2. Bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven,
3. Scatter them (Elamites) toward all of those winds (worldwide)
4. Cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies and before those who seek their life,
5. Bring disaster upon them, my fierce anger,
6. Send the sword after them until I have consumed them, (then, afterwards)
7. Set My throne in Elam, (?)
8. Destroy from there the king and the princes, and
9. (in the latter days) bring back the captives of Elam.

It appears that Elam (or political leadership of Iran) does something that angers the Lord greatly so that they become “dismayed” suffering a “disaster” and that a “sword” falls upon them, suggesting His judgment is military related.  This provocation may involve Israel.

Today, Iran’s quest for regional power includes potential acquisition of nuclear weapons and equipping an array of surrogates with missiles.  Enemies that might “seek to end” the rogue state’s ambitions include: America, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and a number of other Sunni Muslim states (Iran is Shiite Muslim).

WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES TODAY?

That the Elamites were expert archers, it is interesting to see how Jeremiah picks up on this theme.  The Hebrew word for bow is qesheth. Without a functional bow, an archer is unable to launch arrows at his target.  Today, Iran’s greatest military strength is its large arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles that have been borrowed from technology imported from Russia, China and North Korea. They are also seeking a nuclear warhead.   Many of these strategic missile sites are situate in southwestern Iran facing the Persian Gulf in what was Elam and they may be the target of this prophetic judgment.

But another major issue is Iran’s strategic development of its nuclear program.  One of their chief nuclear sites is the Bushehr nuclear reactor inside the boundaries of ancient Elam and which is loaded with Russian made nuclear fuel rods. It is a nuclear disaster waiting to happen. (See map)

The Bushehr project began in 1975 under the Shah’s government but came to an abrupt halt in 1979 during the Islamic revolution when German manufacturers withdrew from the project.  The Iranians were unable to complete it, so they contracted the Russians and the reactor became operational in May, 2011.

The Bushehr nuclear plant sits atop three tectonic plates making it vulnerable to seismic activity. There was a 6.3 earthquake in the province of Bushehr on April 9, 2013 that killed 37 and injured 850 people. This quake prompted Russian scientists to promptly visit the facility to inspect their nuclear fuel rods.

The question becomes, is this prophecy a military action against Iran by another country(s) or a natural disaster involving a nuclear site?  And will the Church be present to see this event?  We don’t know these answers until it happens, but we should be aware of this prophecy for it will happen one day according to God’s word.

Finally, this prophecy also appears separate from the Gog and Magog invasion in Ezekiel 38-39.  Nowhere in the Book of Ezekiel is there a reference to Elam.  For although there is a worldwide dispersion from this area of southwestern Iran, according to Ezekiel there will be a “Persia” in northern Iran that will join the eventual Russian-pan Arab invasion of Israel.

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2^nd Peter 1:20-21)

FOR TODAY, BE REMINDED

Over the last 10 years one of, if not the fastest growing underground church movements in the world is in Iran.  The Holy Spirit has begun an incredible work in that nation and it is mostly unreported in the West.  The Iranian Awakening is a house church movement that is often led by women and is exploding despite intense scrutiny and persecution.  It is being accompanied by incredible testimonies of visions, dreams, miracles, and healings.  When I first learned of the underground movement in Iran years ago it was reported that many Iranians were very much aware of this Jeremiah prophecy and that it served as a catalyst for their salvation.  Please pray for them!

Sources: Bill Salus, Bill Koenig

If you would like to make a donation to Carpenter Ministries, Inc. please click on “Contributions.”  We are a fully organized 501(C)3 ministry operating in Virginia. Maranatha!

In effect, the Bible tells us in 2^nd Corinthians 5:1 that in this “earthly tent” we live, we are only renting it for a time as we pass through this life.  I heard it shared this way, you can purchase a flash drive or CD and it might weigh only .3 of ounce.  You can load it with 5 million bytes of data and it will still weigh .3 ounces. The software has no mass, only its embodiment, but it can pass through the air.   We know from Einstein’s Theory of Relativity that time is a relative physical property.  Time is related to mass, an acceleration of gravity.  If you have no mass, you have no time.  We know that God created time, that He is outside of and not subject to the commodity of time, and that He created time ostensibly for redemptive purposes.

Scientists will tell us that 99% of the human body is comprised of six main elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, etc.  But that is not the real you.  The real you….is like the software.  The real you is eternal whether you are saved or unsaved.  In that regard, the Resurrection and judgment is not good news to the non-believer.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, we will personally be subject to four different judgments, but we are not to view them as a negative.

FOUR JUDGMENTS

FIRST, as a believer, our first step is to accept the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross.  It is here that we see initially the judgment of our sins on the Cross.  In acknowledging before God that we are sinners and that Jesus the Son of God died for us to pay the penalty of our sins, and that by His resurrection alone we too are promised resurrection.  At the cross, Jesus bore the judgment of our sins.

“And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” (John 9:39 NASB)

“When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-14 NASB)

In Hebrews 10:10,14,17-18, it cannot be made more clear, that Christ was judged and punished for ALL our sins, both confessed and unconfessed, both all past and future sins.  Paul reminds us in Romans 5:1-11 that, as a result, we are declared righteous before God, not based on what we have done, but for what Christ has done for us.  It is why we preach “Christ crucified” in order to compel repentance and belief.

The Bible tells us that as we go through this life that there are three other judgments that we need to consider.

SECOND, there is a Self-Judgment that we are to exercise continually whenever we are about to partake Communion.  We are instructed that before receiving the elements of Communion we must ask the Holy Spirit to examine and illumine our sins in order to confess them.  In Corinth this intended act of “communion” with the Lord had become a thoughtless and even selfish church ritual.  Have you seen it before?  It is why Paul wrote to them:

“Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.  For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.  That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.” (1^st Corinthians 11:28-30 NIV)

Here Paul informs us that there are real consequences for taking Communion in a careless manner.  It is important for us to commemorate the Crucifixion in humility and with a repentant heart, having confessed our sins before the Lord.  The elements have been ordained to soberly remind us of the high cost of God’s forgiveness. Eating and drinking them vividly depicts our union and solidarity with Christ as our Savior, Lord and Source of spiritual life.

Many churches today hurriedly “go through the motions” of celebrating Communion and “checking it off the box” in the order of service without approaching the Lord in the reverential tone and manner He prescribes.  This is a mistake and time should be allotted for this self-examination by members, a form of self-judgment aided by the Holy Spirit.

We are reminded that “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1^st John 1:8-9 KJV)

It is important to understand this moment.  When we confess our sins before God as a believer, this is not a legal transaction akin to a judge and a criminal.  This is more a form of family forgiveness, much like that of a father and a wayward child.  This feeds into the next form of judgment.

THIRD, is the Disciplinary Judgment that is mentioned in 1^st Corinthians 11 and further amplified in Hebrews 12:7-13. 

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” (1^st Corinthians 11:31-32 KJV)

Aided by the Holy Spirit, if we thoroughly examine ourselves, and condemn and correct what we find amiss, we can often escape times of God’s “chastening” in our lives.  To be exact and severe on ourselves and our conduct enables us to avoid the severity of God’s discipline.

But the writer of Hebrews reminds us that when God’s “chastening” or Disciplinary Judgment occurs in our lives, He disciplines us out of love just as we discipline our children.

“It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.  Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?  For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.  All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” (Hebrews 12:7-11 NASB)

Judgment looks back to the past on sinfulness in order to bring about retribution.  But instead, as God employs discipline in our lives, He is looking forward to our restoration, exhorting and strengthening us along the way.

As we move towards the FOURTH JUDGMENT, we are continually reminded that the Bible implores us to take the Christian life seriously, to live by the Word and will of God. In his letters to the Corinthians he exhorted believers to take the “far look”, that the present is all temporary if not a testing ground for our faithfulness.  He used the analogy of a runner’s marathon race.  Why?

The ancient Grecian and Isthmian athletic games were well-known by the Corinthians. The arena contained a raised platform on which the president or judge of the games sat.  From here judges rewarded all contestants and awarded all winners.  It was the “bema seat” or “rewards seat.”  It is in this context that Paul likens our faith walk to that of a long-distance race. (Hebrews 12:1; Galatians 5:7; 1^st Corinthians 9:24-27; 2^nd Timothy 4:7; Romans 5:3-4)   

The Bible says that our FOURTH JUDGMENT will be the Bema Judgment (2^nd Corinthians 5:10) or Judgment Seat of Christ and which is visually amplified in Revelation 4 when the elders of the Church fall down before the throne of God and “cast their crowns” before Him.  Wearing white robes in verse 4 signifying that they have gone through the Bema Judgment and received their crowns, then casting them before the Lord Jesus Christ in honor and gratitude.  (See blog post dated 7/31/19)

How we live today is how we will be rewarded tomorrow.  God is evaluating us today with view of rewards for eternity.  Yes, we are living in this present world, but we are moving towards glory and resurrection.  Not our innate glory, but the reflection of Christ’s glory in us!

No one knows the day or hour, but the next event for the Church will be the Rapture.  Immediately after the Rapture we will all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ whereby our Lord will evaluate our lives.  “Surrounded by a cloud of witnesses” we are in a marathon race, how are you running yours?

“And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42)

In a handful of mail, it was the first thing you picked up.  Before the advent of the Internet, written correspondence was the norm and quite often nothing was more cherished than receipt of an exotic postcard.  Like little self-made telegrams behind the jots of smudged ink, on the other side a photo of some distant location that prompted your imagination. In some respects, the Book of Philemon is like a “postcard” of the New Testament, a brief personal letter.  Seemingly devoid of any church doctrine, some have even asked, “why is it included in the canon of Scripture?”

At that time the population of the Roman Empire was estimated to be 120 million and of that total, 60 million were slaves, virtually one in every two people was a slave.  The average slave sold for 500 denarii and a single denarius was equivalent to one day’s pay of a common laborer.  Although Roman law allowed slaves to purchase their own freedom it was not common (i.e. Acts 22:28).  Mostly a sad life filled with drudgery, often slaves were separated from family.  When slaves escaped, it was common for them to flee to the city of Rome where they could disappear within its large population.  It is here in 60 A.D. that the Book of Philemon is born, one of Paul’s four “prison epistles.”

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

While preaching in chains during his first imprisonment, Paul made a convert of Onesimus (“o-NEH’-sih-muhs”), a runaway slave from the house of Philemon.  And Paul knew his master quite well from his third missionary journey, for Philemon had converted to Christianity when Paul had visited Colossae.  Onesimus had obviously become quite meaningful and helpful to Paul in ministry and he wanted to keep him.  But incredibly, and most likely after many emotional conversations, Paul insists that he return to his master in Colossae, but under a different set of circumstances.  Ironically, it would be Onesimus who would hand deliver this brilliant letter to Philemon.

 ^“Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-labourer, And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house” (Philemon 1-2 KJV)

It is a standard greeting for Paul, but he chooses not to refer to himself as an apostle, but as a “prisoner” to contrast his own imprisonment with the matter of Onesimus, for context.  Timothy and Paul are well known to Philemon and he is greeted as a fellow “bondsman” or brotherhood in Christ.   Most feel this is a personal letter but make note that it is also written to Apphia (likely his wife and who would have managed the slaves) and Archippus (means “horse master”), possibly his son or business manager, and the “church in thy house” (home churches were the norm for the first 200 years).

Verses 4-7 denote why he is well known to Paul and Timothy.  In his prayers Paul is thankful to God for the fruitfulness and many good things he has heard about Philemon.  As a wealthy man Philemon has used his resources for the benefit of the Church.  There was a massive earthquake in the area of Colossae around 60 A.D. and some have speculated that he may have been a great source of aid in the region during that disaster, but it is purely conjecture.

Paul does not use his apostolic authority to instruct Philemon in verses 8-9, but invokes his heart for this matter, it is for the sake of Christian love.  He then refers to Onesimus as his “son” who came to Christ in prison.  “I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds.” (v 10) And in the next verse (11) he has a total play on words.

Onesimus means “profitable” in Greek and inherent to this word play Philemon means “holy kiss” or “greeting.”  It is still the standard greeting in the Middle East today.  In other words, “he was unprofitable to you in stealing from you, he became profitable to me in ministry, I return him to you, thus greet him with a holy kiss as your brother in Christ.”

“For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.  If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.” (v. 15-17 NKJV)

Paul’s appeal is on the basis of love.  Love cannot be compelled.  It is not just an emotion it is a commitment.  In giving us free will, God allows us to make a choice whether we turn our back on Him.  This letter is not intended for coercion or to pressure, it is to make the choice in the love of Christ.  It is predicated on the same logic as Joseph to his brothers (“what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good” Genesis 50:20)

He presses the point. “He is more than a servant, he left you as a slave, but he returns to you as a brother.  If you are a partner (“koinonos”=fellowship) with me, then receive him as myself.”  The Greek word for “receive” literally means “receive into your family circle.”

Paul then signs a ‘blank check’ to Philemon in verse 18. Onesimus has apparently robbed Philemon of some value enough to get him to Rome and Paul is signing an open ‘IOU’ for restitution.  Paul knows there is a debt to be paid and he is willing to pay it.  He apparently asks for the paper to be brought to him to sign when he says, “I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it” (v. 19) for in prison he would have been signing with a manacled hand.

This letter should leap out to each of us as a personal message!  For each of us is Onesimus in one form or another before the Lord.  But it takes more than love to solve the ‘problem’ for each of us.  Someone has to ‘pay the debt’.  Is not that what Christ has done for us?  It is the imputation of our debts (sins) on Him.

Paul is interceding for a runaway slave, but nowhere in this letter will he specifically ask Philemon to grant his freedom.  But he knows that his Master is in heaven, thus he is expected to be obedient and out of obedience his actions will exceed the request.  “Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.” (v. 21)  In fact, so convicted is Paul (v. 22)  that he expects early release and he intends to visit Philemon to see how he handles this and implores not only Philemon but his church to pray “I shall be given to you.”

This was a private letter, so that it was circulated publicly suggests strongly that, although not recorded, Paul’s request was fulfilled.  And it would have been Philemon who actually circulated this letter.

That is why this little “postcard” epistle is included in the Bible.  Not only is it a love letter, but it captures the essence of the Church and the nature of God.  It reveals the heart, soul and spirit of the Church, its people and its destiny.

Everyone on the face of this planet is an Onesimus.  Either as a bondservant to sin and death or as a born-again brother or sister purchased through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.  At one time as non-believers we were all “unprofitable” to our Lord, but as believers today we are “profitable” (“saved unto good works”) for our Lord Jesus Christ.

“God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” (1^st John 4:16)

Both Joseph and Philemon need to be our active role models today.  For just as our brothers and sisters can offend us or turn their backs on us at one time or another, we too need to respond to them with the love of Christ as they did.

The question isn’t ‘are you an Onesimus?’  It is, ‘are you a philemon?  That is, can you be reconciled and extend to them who have offended you a ‘holy kiss?’

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

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Carpenter Ministries, Inc. is fully dependent upon the support of others for the continuation of this ministry.  If “A Carpenter’s View” blesses you in any way or adds value to you I would ask you to prayerfully consider supporting us with your financial gifts.  Donations can be made in three ways, please go to “contributions” on the blog site to find.   

Whenever we think of parables in the Bible, we often only think of the parables spoken by Jesus and recorded in the New Testament.  However, to the surprise of some, there are also several parables in the Old Testament including Jotham’s parable in Judges 9 that sheds considerable light on past and future events in both testaments.

His name means “my father is king.”  And his father certainly lived like a king, but he refused to establish any form of dynasty in Israel for himself or his sons.  It is obvious that Abimelech thought his warrior hero father had made a mistake.  He was the son of Gideon by a concubine who lived with her father’s family in Shechem, and he undoubtedly was shunned by his half-brothers.  His father was an Israelite, but his mother was a Shechemite.

The story of Gideon’s success as a great warrior is riveting and a great testimony unto the Lord.  However, his epitaph is shadowed with disappointment.  He had missed a great opportunity to bring reform and revival to the land of Israel.  Instead of using the moment of his heroism to bring glory to God, he chose instead to profit himself.  It is thus recorded, “And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baal-Berith their god.” (Judges 8:33)

Our story now unfolds.  It is interesting that in Judges 9-10, Gideon is always called Jerubbaal, never Gideon.

“And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother’s brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying, Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.” (Judges 9:1-2)

His mother’s brothers pledged allegiance to Abimelech, and they gave him 70 pieces of silver from the house of Baal-Berith to finance a crusade against his 70 half-brothers.  In this act he made the public announcement that he had renounced the God of Israel for Baal.  With hired men he went to the house of Ophrah and slew all of Gideon’s sons except the youngest Jotham who hid himself in the slaughter. (verses 3-5)

“And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.” (verse 6)

It is here that in his godlessness and selfish acts Abimelech defiled a place sacred in Jewish history.

Beth Millo translates “house of the fortress” and is the section of the upper classes.  The word “plain” is ‘elown’ or a “great tree or oak” and is undoubtedly the well-known sacred tree of Moreh (Genesis 12:6; 24:1-5; 35:4; Deut. 11:26-32; Josh 8:30-35; 24:25-26)

“And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.” (verse 7)

Mount Gerizim was a place for blessings to be read (Deut. 27:12, 28), but Jotham’s speech was anything but a blessing.  He continues:

The Parable of the Trees

“The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.  But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.  But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?

Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.  And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

(In each case, the trees refused the honor.  Each would have to sacrifice something in order to reign and they weren’t prepared to make that sacrifice.)

Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.”  (verses 8-14)

(A bramble, or thornbush, was a useless nuisance, the most worthless plant in the Middle East.  It produces no fruit, and is too low to the ground to produce any shade.  Its wood cannot be used for any kind of construction because it splits too easily.  It is good only as fuel for the fire.  And this was, of course, the symbol of Abimelech.)

It is known as the principle of “expositional constancy” whereby the Holy Spirit tends to use the same symbols consistently throughout Scripture.  As an example, remember that both Ezekiel 31 and Daniel 4 use trees to symbolize leaders or nations.  Last week’s blog cited the “parable of the fig tree.”   The Bible clearly uses all four of the trees to reference Israel.  How so?

Jotham had clearly made his point.  If you read chapters 9-10 Abimelech, the “bramble king” would be unable to protect the people and would cause judgment to come that would destroy those who trust in him.   After three conditional clauses, this was a prophecy and a curse.   In its fulfillment, both Abimelech and his followers would destroy one another (literally in verse 57) and leading to his ignominious death.

Jotham’s parable looks all the way back to Genesis where we are first introduced to thorns being a symbol of the “curse.”  In speaking to Adam after the Fall, God says, “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life.  It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.” (Genesis 3:17b-18)

Thorns are a symbol of the “curse” and impending judgement.  Throughout the Middle East it is the Acacia bush which is known as “the thorn bush of the desert.”  And it is highly likely that this was the type of bush or bramble that Moses encountered at Mount Horeb.

“And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.” (Exodus 3:2)

It was a burning bush that is not consumed.  It is a symbol of grace.  Why?

Acacia= “thorn bush of the desert”

Thorns= symbol of the curse

Fire= symbol of judgement

Even the writer of Hebrews reveals that thorns were viewed negatively in the ancient cultured and considered a curse.  “For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.” (Hebrews 6:7-8)

After being mocked, beaten and spat upon by the Roman soldiers, Jesus was crowned with thorns and this highlighted that His suffering and death were a curse. “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.” (Hebrews 3:13)  When our Lord was crowned with a crown of thorns, His torturers unknowingly punished Him with a symbol fitting of the suffering Messiah.

Fortunately for us, Jesus rose from the dead and is gloriously revealed as the King and Savior of this world.  Thus, for all who believe, we are not bramble dedicated for destruction.  In fact, as Christians we are branches “grafted in” to the Olive Tree and bearing fruit for our Lord.  (Romans 11:17-24; Ephesians 2:11-13; 2:19; 3:6)

Carpenter Ministries, Inc. is fully dependent upon the support of others for the continuation of this ministry.  If “A Carpenter’s View” blesses you in any way or adds value to you I would ask you to prayerfully consider supporting us with your financial gifts.  Donations can be made in three ways, please go to “contributions” on the blog site to find.