Selah - An Indepth Study

Hebrew word “Selah” - Pronounced “SAY’ - luh”.   
Also spelled: Sela, (Grk): Petra, (Calah), Sala, Sal, Salal, Solela.  These words all have integrated meaning from the root word meaning to lift/lifted up.

The exact meaning has been debated since the second century.
Since the 19^th century, it has become the focus of a handful of publications exploring it’s meaning and function in the Psalms.  The unearthing of the Dead Sea Scrolls offered a clue in understanding it’s use in the *Second Temple period.

It appears that the meaning and function of our word Selah has been missing in action since antiquity.
The Vulgate (Latin version of the Bible) offers the even more enigmatic semper, which means always. 
The Septuagint translated this word to mean through the Psalm, or inter-Psalmic – a division.

AS A VERB:  Strong’s Concordance states Selah is a live term in the *Second Temple Period.
What do you suppose they mean by a “live” term?  Read a little further and find out:

In Psalms & Habakkuk.  In Psalms, it appears 71 times in 39 Psalms.  Many of the lines that include selah use it as a conclusion or break in the stanza.  Thirty-one of these were directed to the choirmaster or director.  These uses easily reference selah as a type of musical instruction,  which strongly indicates that it represents a fairly common feature of Jewish worship, and particularly worship in the late Persian period. The use of this word was revived in the first century BC (says BDB Theological Dictionary), which makes it highly likely that the Jewish communities of the first century AD knew of it and probably used it, and that means we should expect to see it in the New Testament.  A key feature remains the achievement of a kind of mass-harmony. It seems to us that those Jewish communities enjoyed an ability to sing the way a flock of starlings may dance and pump: without central direction or plan but without anyone bumping into their neighbor.  Here, is the meaning of a "live" term.  After all, we are talking about the verb form.

 

In Habakkuk, it appears 3 times in Chapter 3:3, 9 and 13.  Here it calls us (as in most of the Psalms) to pause, reflect and praise God; to “lift up, exalt”.  It most commonly occurs per Psalm just once, or twice but it also occurs three times and once it occurs four times (in Psalm 89).

Haba. 3:9, In some translations “Selah” is omitted, in the original Hebrew text, at the end of 9a and at the end of verse 13. 

Recent studies show that if we develop a mindset of gratitude it will improve mood, decrease depression and improve sleep. Our bodies were designed to give praise and thanks to God.  By living a life of selah, lifting up the Lord, through controlled song and dance in our worship, that blessing returns to us.

AS A NOUN:  Sela refers to a “cliff or crag”.   Even when used to “lift up, exalt” it is a fitting definition for both the soaring cliffs of Petra (Greek for Sela) and the omnipotent God of Psalms, who deserves constant praise. 

Gen. 5:25, we find the name of MethuSelah, the oldest living man.  His name means “His Death Brings Desparing Rest”.  (Desparing means: unequaled.)  Selah can reference something unequaled.  The Flood came AFTER Methuselah died.  Can we see an unequaled period of devastation (or change), when there was a new beginning?  Could this also be the original meaning of the verb used in the Psalms to indicate a musical rest or a pause to praise?  The flood was a period of rest for Noah and his family.

Judges 1:36, refers to Sela as a place (a noun).

I Sam. 23:28, shows the word Sela as a place where Saul stopped pursuing David.  David went on to En Gedi (Oasis on west shore of Dead Sea) which is not far – both are in the southern and southwest area of the Dead Sea. Sela was Edom’s capitol.  Saul's search for David in Sela, was interrupted; could David have been hiding in the rock cliffs of Sela?

II Kings 14:7, references Sela as part of Edom (the capitol).  This verse could be transliterated as the king “took the rock by war”.  The meaning to Sela here is “rock”.  Selah was a specific city (possibly modern-day Petra), a stronghold noted in Edom.

 

Psalm 32:7, Selah highlights the very nature and character of God.  Good example in this verse: “hiding place” can reference Selah as a noun and “songs of deliverance” (praise of God) reference the word as a verb.  The overall message in this Psalm is one of human sin followed by divine deliverance.  (Sin = verb; deliverance = noun)

Isa. 16:1 references Sela as a place made of rock. 
Isa. 42:11 infers Sela is mountaintops. 
Isa. 63:1 references Edom, whose capitol is Sela.  Isaiah is describing the coming of Christ as vengeance for Edom’s persecution of His people.  (Will Edom/Sela shelter God’s people?)

Jeremiah 48:28, NIV says “rocks”.  Hebrew says “Selah”.  Greek says, “Petra”.  These three words reference the same thing: a place of rocky cliffs.

Daniel 11:41, predicts that Edom will be delivered.  Sela was the capitol of Edom.  Sela will be delivered.

Obadiah 1:1-3, Here Edom is referenced as having clefts of rocks – where Sela is.  It is easy to hide in the clefts of rocks.

In Habukkuk. 3:3, “God came from Teman (south of Jordan), from Mt. Paran.”  According to Rashi (a second century Hebrew historian) this references the giving of the Torah (the five books of Moses).  The Torah was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai.  We then conclude that Paran is another name for Sinai.  (Teman and Paran, are south of Judah, in Edom.  Edom is also in the area of Sinai.) 
* Simplify:  Mt Paran is in Teman – Torah was given from Mt. Sinai (also called Mt. Paran) – Both are in the southern area of Judah in Edom, who’s capitol city is Sela.
Different names of places are used possibly due to different times in history with different tribes and people inhabiting these areas and using variations of languages.

Haba. 3:19, In this verse, the term “high places” is referenced by some scholars as Sela.

Mt. 24:16, In this verse, the term “mountains” is referenced by some scholars as Sela.  (Matthew wrote in great detail to the Hebrew people.)  New Testament calls this Petra in the Greek. 

Lk. 21:1, Here, the word “mountains” is also referenced as Sela, by Bible scholars.  (N.T: Petra)

Rev. 6:15 & 16,  Scholars of the Bible interpret “rocks” and “mountains” as a reference to Sela just southeast of Dead Sea, which is in the south of Israel.

Rev 12:13 & 14 Read these verses with substituted words.  Interpretation: Dragon = Satan, woman = Israel, male child = Jesus, wings = airplane, wilderness = Sela, a time = one year, times = 2 years, half a time = six months. 

P.S:  Job 28:19, The price of wisdom, which is to seek and find answers in God’s Word, is worth more than pure gold.  The word “valued” (“compared” in the NIV is a mistranslation) is taken from “Calah” which is another term for Selah.  Is he saying, the place of Sela is of high value?   Also of great value is praising or listening for God (Selah as a verb).

My Research Summary:
Sela(h): noun = Sela, verb = Selah, Greek = Petra
For this word to be referenced so many times, it must be important.
Since it is hidden, is it a reference to the End Times and/or meant for us to “seek and find” a “pearl of great price” (as in Job 28:19)?

Sela was built during 3 periods: 18th century thru 2^nd century BC when it was destroyed by an earth quake; second century to 106 BC; and 106 BC to 363 AD.
Sela was the capitol of Edom (Heb: red); Edomites descended from Esau who had red hair. Gen. 36:43  
Mt. Seir is in Edom, southeast of the Dead Sea.  Gen. 32:3, 36:8,  Deut. 2:22.
Heb: Seir means “hairy” or “rides on the storm”.  Esau was known as being hairy with a temper.

Sela was capitol of Edom, land of Edomites, enemies of the Hebrew people, descendants of Esau.  God takes evil and turns it to good. 

Did David hide from Saul at Sela Before moving to the En Gedi Oasis?  I Sam. 23:25 & 28

As a verb it means a pause in prose where one listens and God speaks; His word is a resting place.
In Hebrew, as a noun, Sela means lofty, craggy rock, stronghold, cliff.  Jesus is our rock of safety.

 

The rocky cliffs of Sela (called Petra in the New Testament) glow golden red at sunset.  Dwellings and passageways are built into the walls with doorways and windows. There is only one way in and out; it is narrow.  This stronghold cannot be seen from the sky.

 

From the Hebrew alphabet (Alef-bet) the letters that make up the word, Sela, are hey, lamed and samech.  Hey (heh) references God’s grace.  Lamed (LAH-mehd) references a shepherd’s staff of protection.  Samech (SAH-mehkh) references a prop that lifts up.  Defining these letters in the word Sela/Selah we can define the word to represent the grace of God, the protection of our divine Shepherd and lifting up praise to both.

Question: Is the craggy cliffs of Sela where God will shelter His chosen people in safety during the tribulation?
AMEN

The Precious Book of Psalms

The Psalms were written as independent pieces, by many authors, for different purposes over many centuries.  David is the best known author but not the only one.  Despite this, they are listed in a sort of "Divine Order".  There is a divine order to everything in the Bible.  Psalm 72 is accepted as written by Solomon while Psalm 90 is accepted as being written by Moses.

In II Sam 22 and I Chr 16 you can find two more Psalms of David. In Psalms 18 and 105 you can find lines from these two Psalms.  Note: we are told in I Chronicles that the Psalm is by David.  Therefore, Ps 105 cannot be an "orphaned" Psalm, as stated below.

David was favored by God because he offered so much praise.  We should recognize God through praise much more than we do.  I believe His favor would be greater, if we did.

The words "Psalm" and "Psalter" come from the Greek translation of the Old Testament where they originally referred to stringed instruments such as harp, lyre and lute, then to songs sung with their accompaniment.  Some are written as prayer to God and others written as praise of God;  prayer and praise as professions of faith and trust.

There are 150 Psalms: 34 lack super scriptions; they were written above or outside something else.

Psalms: 1 & 2 are known as "The Introductory" Psalms

Songs of the Sons of Korah: 42 - 49, 84 & 85, 87 & 88

Songs of Asaph: 50, 73 - 83

Songs of Ascents:  120 - 134

Psalms 93 through 100 carry a theme of "The Lord Reigns".

Psalms 113 through 118 are known as "The Hallel" (Hallel means praise) and are recited by Observant Jews on Jewish Holy Days as an act of praise and thanksgiving. 

Psalms 120 through 136 are referred to as "The Great Hallel".  Hallel is a Jewish prayer, a verbatim recitation of praise.

Psalms 146 - 150 are recognized as "The Conclusion" Psalms.  They proclaim praise to the Lord more than others.
There are further compilations.  These writings are separated into five books, each of which was provided with an appropriate concluding doxology. 

Book 1:  In Psalms 1 - 41 "Yahweh" is used and are pre exile from the period of the monarchy.  This name (Yahweh) is the greatest reverence for God.

Book 2:  In Psalms 42 - 72 "Elohim" is used and are also pre exile and from the period of the monarchy.  "Elohim" is a plural word referring to God and Jesus (if not also the Holy Spirit).

Book 3: 73 - 89

Book 4: 90 - 106

Book 5:  107 - 150
* In Psalm 110, David is proclaimed as "a priest forever" along with being a king, composer, warrior and prophet.

It has been speculated, these books may have been divided to make five because Moses wrote five books.

Psalms that are not credited to an author are sometimes called "orphaned".  They are: 1, 2, 10, 33, 43, 71, 91, 93 through 97, 99, 104 through 107, 111 through 119, 135 through 137 and 146 through 150.

Psalms 10 and 43 are believed, by some, to be continuations of their previous psalm.  This would exempt them from "orphan" status.

 Interesting:
Psalm 117 = shortest chapter
Psalm 119 = longest chapter
Psalm 118 = middle chapter of the Bible
   594 chapter before Psalm 118
 +594 chapters after Psalm 118
 1188 = Ps. 118:8  Read this verse !
*(This has to be divine order)

The book of Psalms is called "heart of the Bible"
David, the author, is called "A man after God's heart"
The Psalms are written as songs to God
The word Psalm means "Song/hymn"

The Psalms are poetic, prophetic, encouraging, instructional, exalt God, hopeful and conversational.

Examples:
Fearful?  Read Psalms 56, 91, 23
discouraged:  42
lonely:  62, 71
sinful:  32, 51
worried: 37,73
angry:  13, 58
resentful:  77, 94
forsaken:  88
doubting:  119 

The word "Selah" appears in 39 Psalms and the book of Habakkuk.  The meaning of this word has been discussed a lot.  I, personally, believe it to have three meanings depending on where it is placed.  It could mean to take a pause for reflection.  It can mean a pause to listen for God to convey a message to you.  In certain psalms that refer to the end time, a place of refuge or safety, it can refer to the place known as Petra.  In this instance, Selah/Petra relates to a place next to The Valley of Moses.  The Hebrew word "Selah" translates into the Greek word "Petra".  This place has a fascinating history.  (I will be writing on this topic at a later date.)

I want to end with the Introduction to the Book of Psalms from the Hebrew Old Testament (The Tenach):

For nearly three thousand years, every situation in a Jew's life has been reflected in King David's Book of Psalms.  Referring to this Book, God said to David, "One day of your songs and praises is more precious to Me than the thousands of offerings that will be brought by your son Solomon."  In illness and in strife, in triumph and in success, the Jew opens his Book of Psalms and lets David become the harp upon which his own emotions sing or weep.  Who can assess the worth of the little Book that has been the chariot bearing countless tears to the Heavenly Throne?

Upon reading of King David's many ordeals, one can begin to understand how he could compose the psalms that capture every person's joy and grief, thanksgiving and remorse, cries from the heart and songs of happiness.  He was the Sweet Singer of Israel; more than that however, he experienced the travail of every person, and that is why everyone can see himself mirrored in David's psalms. 

Many of the psalms were composed to be sung by the Levites in the Temple, with musical accompaniment, and such psalms generally begin by naming the instrument upon which they would be played.  Many of the psalms are attributed to authors other than David, but according to one view in the Talmud, he was the author of them all, presumably drawing upon ideas or texts and weaving them into his own compositions.

Whatever  the authorship of the psalms, one thing is certain:  Since the day it was composed, the Book of Psalms has become interwoven with the souls of countless Jews.  The psalms are part of the daily prayers.  They are recited at moments of illness and crisis.  They are changed joyously in times of good fortune and when heartfelt prayers have been answered.  The last verse of the Book proclaims: "Let all souls praise God, Hallelujah!"  The Sages expounded homiletically that the verse also means to teach:  "Praise God for every breath that you are privileged to take."  This degree of gratitude that sees everything - even as automatic an act as drawing breath - as a Divine gift is one of the countless teachings of David.  It is the soul that permeates the entire Book of Psalms.

Amen

Jesus Loves YOU

Sometimes we just need to hear it.
We definitely need to know it.

Are you depressed?  Sad?  Confused?  Lost?  Lonely?  Lost control?
Talk to God. 
I know, it sounds too simple.  It is a cliche'.  Maybe it's a cliché because it works.  He loves you as an individual.  He knew you in your mother's womb.  He knows every thought you have and loves you anyway.  He cannot not love you.  He is the total capsulation of love. 

You don't have to go to a great cathedral and use fancy words.  Talk to Him while you work.  Sit down with a cup of tea and talk to Him.  Worried coworkers will think you crazy?  Just project your thoughts His way.  He can read your mind.  He knows the secrets in your heart and mind that you have buried.  He understands what you feel.  Of course He will hear you.  We so often underestimate Him.

Read His word.  Don't know where to start?  John is a great book.  Try the Palms or Proverbs.  You can find reassurance and answers there.  What day of the month is it?  Pick that number and read that Psalm or that chapter of Proverbs.  He will speak to you.

Think of how much He loves you.  A mighty spiritual being that lives outside of time and space made Himself a minute speck of flesh and blood to become acquainted with what it feels like to be human.  He left His place of serene paradise to come to this earth of pain and suffering to know you; to spend time with people; and, He enjoyed life.
 

Then, He made the ultimate sacrifice to be tortured beyond recognition and die in agony so we might have a chance to know that serenity in paradise with Him forever.

Think on the calm, quiet, still, order and health He offers you.  Just sit and think about it.

What do you need?  Ask Him for it.  Nothing fancy here, either.  All you need to do is think what you need and direct those thoughts toward Him.  He already knows but just wants enough faith from you for you to ask.  Your Father wants to give you your hearts desires; to see you happy and well.

Then, thank Him.  Thank Him and go on with your day believing that this Man/God loves you so much that your slightest want or need is His absolute joy to give you. 
Jesus loves YOU

What a beautiful God we have.
Amen

The Perfect Number

Three, the perfect number.

In Hebrew, the number three is represented by the third letter of that alphabet: gimel, which loosely resembles a backward "L".  This letter is represented by a camel and means to lift up, pride and/or benefit.

There is so much about this number and so many mentions of this number in the Bible that I am going to single out and list, in summary form, just a few:

3 days Moses traveled with the arc of the covenant, Nu 10:33
3 cities of refuge, Nu 35:14
3 days Joshua camped before crossing into Jordan
3 times Samson lied to Delilah, Jgs 16:15
3 times each year Solomon made sacrifice to the Lord at the alter he had built for the lord, I Kings 9:25

David's choice in I Chron 21:12 involves 3 options;
Two riddles are given in Prbs 30:15 and 18, using the number 3
3 times a day Daniel prayed, Dan 6:10
3 days Jesus was missing before being found in the temple
3 is the number of the God Head

There were 3 women at the well
Jesus was 3 days in the grave
After He died, there were 3 hours of darkness
3 women came to the tomb
3 times Peter denied Christ

3 times Jesus told Peter, "Feed/shepherd my lambs/sheep"
There were 3 disciples at the Mt. of Configuration
There were 3 crosses
There were 3 nails used to hang Jesus
At 3 pm each day was the temple sacrifice

At 3 pm Jesus gave up His spirit
3 parts of man: spirit, body and soul
3 parts of the planet: sky, earth and sea
Noah had 3 sons to replenish the earth
3 young men were thrown into the fiery furnace

Jonah was 3 days in the big fish
And there are many, many more uses.  A concordance is an interesting tool for further research.

Themes of the first 3 chapters of Genesis are reflected in the last 3 chapters of Revelation.

The third section of Psalm 119, v.17-24, represents the pride of the writer as he brags of his accomplishments.

The book of Revelation is dominated with the number seven, but you can find several references to thee number 3:
3 woes to Babylon
3 hallelujahs to Babylon's fall
3 angels
3 measures of barley
3 unclean spirits
. . . and more.
Do you see any connection with any of the numbers in situations I have listed?  I won't tell you of any in this posting.

It is a fascinating journey any time you want to study a number in the Bible. God's word, imparted by the Holy Spirit to human hands to write in divine order.

Amen

Divine Order

I love to see divine order in the Bible.  This book that has defied the ages and everyone who has tried to disprove it only to become a believer.  I love it!  It's like an ace up the sleeve of God.  Seek and you shall find.

If you have not read my blogs in March of this year about "The Book", you can find more listings of divine order there.


The original text of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, the language that God gave to Adam.  This is an amazing language that could not have just "evolved".  There is divine order in the Hebrew language.  It uses letters for numbers.  Names have meanings that fit the story or person.  Numbers have meaning and relate to God, text or story.  It is detailed, full of signs and meanings under the surface.

Over the years, I have noticed how most churches like to stick to what they can explain in the stories of the Old Testament and the instructions of the apostles in the New:  The lesser prophets are glossed over, the major prophets are used for reference, Revelation is usually misinterpreted, can't preach on Song of Solomon (too much sex for church), don't need Proverbs because we are all that smart and Psalms are just poetry.  Even the stories of the Old Testament are just for introducing kids to the Bible.  Wrong answer; thanks for playing; let's try again.

The Bible is so much more.  There are pearls in the most unexpected places.  No one likes to read the "begats" but therein lies the connections, the lineage and where all the tribes of man came from and are found today.  I will confess that history and geography are not as interesting to me but I have a friend who studies both and her understanding amazes me.

Anyway, let's get to it.  It is so exciting to find divine order, connection and God at work through His Spirit working through the writers. 

In the book of Revelation, we see 22 chapters.  The Hebrew alphabet has 22 letters.  Not too long ago, I found out that each Hebrew letter corresponds to a chapter, in order.  Example: Rev 1 discusses Jesus.  First Hebrew letter, Alef, refers to the leader or head.  This continues throughout the book with Chapt 22 talking about Eden restored in the form of the New Jerusalem (heaven) on earth.  The last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Tav, stands for covenant.  This Eden restored/heaven is the renewal of the first covenant God/Jesus made with Adam in Gen 2.  The number 22 represents revelation/light (light on the word/idea).

Okay!  Recently, I found this order taking a step further with Psalm 119, the longest Psalm.  This Psalm has 22 sections AND each section relates to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet - in order of appearance.  Tadaaaaa! 

We can conclude that each section of Psalm 119 relates, in subject, to each chapter of Revelation.  Oooooooh!  Example: first section of the Psalm v. 1-8 is parallel to Hebrew letter Alef, meaning leader or head (same as Rev 1) and these verses also refer to our head of the church, Jesus.  This theme runs consistent with all the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order.  Then . . . the last section of the Psalm, v. 169-176 proclaims a desire to have a covenant with God.

God is speaking to us through his words in this book.  Read it!  Seek and you will find.  Knock and the door will be opened.  He has so much to say to us.  He wants to communicate with you.  You are His great desire. 

We will go more into detail about this later.
Praise be to the Almighty Trinity God of the universe!
Amen

Psalm 91

To God's holy people in this world, Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Paraphrased greeting from Apostle Paul to the Ephesians)

On this quiet Sunday morning, I would like to share my favorite psalm with you:  Psalm 91

Whoever dwells in the secret place of the Most High (Jesus)
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God in whom I trust".
Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His feathers,
and under His wings you will find refuge;
His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror by night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you say, "The Lord is my refuge",
and you make the Most High your dwelling
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
For He will command His angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
"Because He loves me," says the Lord,
"I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

This is a promise of protection to all who believe in Him.  What a wonderful protective father is our God.

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
(Eph 6:24)

Amen

Good News !

Surely, we can agree that life can be full of bad news.
I have some good news this morning.

(In Greek, the language of the New Testament, Gospel means "Good News".)

Psalm 22 tells of the crucifixion.   This surely is good news that Christ took all our suffering, pain and sin on Him so we might live beyond this physical life.  This psalm was written 2,000 years before His birth - David was quite a profit, among his many other talents.

Mt 2:17 confirms that Jesus is the son of God Himself.  Reference Ps 2:7


Mt 12:50 is good news.  Here, we are told that to follow the example of Jesus makes us brothers and sisters to Him; children of God.

Mt 19:2 tells of the massive amount of healings Jesus performed.  Good news: He wants us to be healthy.

Mt 19:29 says if we have to sacrifice anything to follow Him, it will be given back to us - multiplied; and . .  . we also get eternal life.

Mt 28:18 Jesus assures us He has the right to do anything He wants - just as God Himself has the power.  Hey, this is the guy I want for a brother.


Jn 1:34  has John The Baptist testifying that Jesus is chosen by God to be our savior to eternal life.

Jn 1:45 has one apostle telling another that he has found the person written about in the Old Testament by Moses and all the profits.

Ex 3:14 God tells Moses "I Am".  Throughout the gospels, Jesus makes the statement "I AM" over and over again.  This is why the Pharises were so angry with Him; they new every word of the Old Testament and God, the "I Am".  (They call God "Yahweh" and I have done a fascinating study on this name.  I will share it some time.)

Jn 15:7  Jesus promises the prayers of a believer will be answered.  Now that's good news!

Jn 16:27  Just to love Jesus brings the love of the Almighty God.

Jn 17:6-19  Read this prayer Jesus asked of God for His disciples.  WE (believers) are disciples today. 

Jn 20:19 & 20  Here is the scene where Jesus shows His disciples (us) proof of His resurrection from death.

Jn 20:29  Jesus blesses those who were not present to know Him or see His nail prints - that is us today.  We are blessed by the Son of God.  Definitely good news.

Jn 20:30 & 31  Here, we get good news of our faith giving us good health. 

Jn 21:23  Jesus is coming back - He Himself, the one with the Father, said so. 

Jn 21:25  John's personal statement, as a witness, of what he witnessed walking with Jesus.

If all this good news does not brighten your day, read Psalms 88 and 89.  Psalm 88 gives us all the woes of this human life and Psalm 89 tells of the blessings and good news of the days we have to look forward to.
Have a wonderful day !!

Amen