Revelation 3

The third letter of the Hebrew alphabet is "gimmel" which represents lifting up in pride. These are the three final letters to the last three churches, or church ages.

 

> To the Church at Sardis (means Prince of Joy); addressed to the Pastor (angel), from The One who holds the Holy Spirit and the 7 pastors in His right hand (Jesus, V. 5). In verse one, they are reminded that He sees all; there are no secrets from The Lord. This church is chastised for losing enthusiasm for worship, being faithless and having no charity. (Isa. 52:1, Jer. 51:39) He warns He will come without warning so now is the time to invigorate what little strength they have left. However, He compliments the "few" who have not soiled themselves with this lack of enthusiasm. 

 

 

 

> To the Church at Philadelphia (means Brotherly Love); against their weakness, they have managed to keep God's word and upheld His Son's example of love. For this, The Lord will have Godless nations fall at their feet and admit The Lord loves this church of brotherly love. He further promises to save this church from end time trials because of their patient endurance. Another promise is given to put these people in the New Jerusalem (Isa. 62:2) with a new name (Eze. 48:35).

Note: This church of brotherly love was not told to repent.

 

> To the Church at Laodicea (means People's Rights): Here Jesus is referred to as the "Amen" - the last word and author of God's creation. (Isa. 55:4, Prov. 8:22) He is addressing the last age of the church (TODAY) and proclaiming they are not enthusiastic or anti God's teachings; we are neutral - without feeling. Today, we are so blessed (we think by our own hands), we believe we have no need of God. We are instructed to learn from our trials, be cleansed of wrong doings and use the "Balm of Gilead" (Jesus) to open our eyes and see ourselves as we are. He reminds us we are dearly and tenderly loved so we will be disciplined if we do not repent. He is waiting to live in us, Jn. 14:23. His final promise for following Him is to sit with Him on His new throne, in the New Jerusalem, forever.

To be continued . . . . .

 

Revelation 2

The second chapter corresponds with the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The letter "bet" references a house, entering a house or the family inside. Chapter two addresses four churches (houses of God with His children inside) down through the ages. John is told to write, to the Pastors, what Jesus is saying. 

 

> The first church is in Ephesus, which translates as "Place At The Back". In Acts 20:30, Paul warned this church about following false teachers. Here we read this church has forgotten the excitement they felt when they first believed. They are told to repent or lose their light to the world of outreach and growth; the church will die. They need to regain the feeling of first love. If they repent, find their first zeal, they will be rewarded with eternal life. Gen. 3:22

 

> Smyrna means "Myrrh". The the Pastor of this poor church, rich in faith, John warns of coming persecution and reminds them of rewards of remaining faithful. They had an issue of some Gentiles getting circumcised thinking this was condoned by God and not understanding circumcision was of the Old Covenant. They did not understand the New Covenant no longer required this work under grace of and faith in Jesus resurrection. Their trial is to remain faithful through persecution to attain life forever.

 

> The church in Pergamum (means "First Class Courage"), withstood 200 years of persecution, remaining faithful to God. Now, in this place of pagan rituals, idolatrous feasts and sexual sin, they were following idolatrous teachings of Balaam. The "Balak Theory" (enticing) teaches: if you can't condem them, corrupt them. They also were clinging to teachings of other corrupters of the people. They are told to repent or come against the Word of God (Jesus), which is more to fear than the sword of Rome. 

 

 

> Then, John writes to the leader in Thyatira (means "Sacrifice of Labor"), commending their great works that have even increased in recent days. However, they are tolerating a false prophetess and being led away into sexual vice and idolatrous practices. I Kings 16:31. She is going to be punished along with those who continue to follow chants, spells and the zodiac. A reward of authority over nations will be given to those who do the will of the Lord to the end.

To be Continued . . . . .

Revelation John's Vision

REVELATION 1:9 - 20

(Fourth in a series)

 

> This vision of John's takes place on the Jewish Sabbath (Shabot), which is Friday from sundown to Saturday sundown. John explains he was "in the Spirit" which is to say a state of meditation or study.

> Patmos in Greek means, "Stepped On".

> The Greek New Testament (Septuegent) states he was to write down the vision he is about to be shown in a book, which then would have been a scroll. This is to be sent to the seven churches listed in chapters two and three as a warning.

> Jesus fulfills the roles of prophet, priest and king. In His life, He is a prophet; in heaven He is our High Priest and future king (the "Is, Was and Is Coming).

> Lampstands are menorahs with the seven lamps. The menorah references Jesus and the first seven words of Gen. 1:1 which translate from Hebrew "In - beginning - God - Jesus - created - heavens - earth" and reference the "Berisheet Prophecy", which connects the seven days of creation as a foretelling of the six millenium of man and the second coming (seventh) of Christ. Seven is the number of completion.

> V. 13 shows Jesus as a priest in a robe and sash. His white hair defines maturity, wisdom and authority. Bronze references judgement.

> V. 14 references Daniel 7:9 & 10.

> The right hand is mentioned in verse 16 which refers to protection and authority. The stars reference pastors. Just as stars can reference angels, the angels of the seven churches also reference the pastors. The double edged sword is the word of God. 

 

> V. 17 shows us the awe of John in the presence of such a powerful being. Throughout the Bible, worship is a common reaction to His glory. The right hand of Jesus placed on John's head is mindful of the patriarchs of the Old Testament giving blessings to their first born sons. John is of Jesus right hand of favor.

> I like the way the Greek reads for verse eighteen: "And the Ever-living One - I am, living in the eternity of the eternities. I died, but see, I am alive for evermore; and I possess the keys of Death and Hades." Here, again, is reference to the I Am, I Was, I Am Coming, definition of Jesus.

> In verse 20, Jesus explains the stars as the angels of the seven churches and the lampstands as the churches holding the knowledge of the mystery of Gen. 1:1.

> In Greek, verse twenty reads, "As to the hidden meaning the mystery of the seven stars which you saw on My right hand and the seven lampstands of gold, the seven stars are the seven angels messengers of the seven churches assemblies and the seven lampstands are the seven churches." If seven is the number of completion, the seven churches most likely represent the ages of the Christian church through history. 

 

* To be continued . . . . .

 

Revelation First and Last

Revelation 1:4 - 8

(Third in a series)

 

In verse four, John is describing Jesus as "Him who is, and who was, and who is to come,".

> In Hebrew teachings the "Is, Was and Is To Come" is "Yahweh". In Hebrew language, vowels are not present so it would be "YHWH", pre incarnate Jesus of the Old Testament. The four letters translate: The HAND of GRACE, NAILED in GRACE.

 

 > The seven spirits referenced, in the Greek, refers to "the seven-fold Holy Spirit". Isa. 11:2

> Verse 5 talks of Jesus Christ of the New Testament, faithful witness = martyred for our sins; first born from the dead = we follow Him to everlasting life after death; ruler of the kings of the earth = He is over all those in authority, as He will be over us as kings and priests now and in the kingdom yet to come. Ps. 89:27

> The verse goes on to remind us of His love for us; Grk: "To Him Who EVER loves us and has once [for all] loosed freed us from our sins by His own blood,"

> Verse 6: All believers are priests (Gentiles are inheritors of all the promises made to Israel through Abraham). Ex. 19:6, Isa. 61:6

> Verse 7: He is coming in the clouds, every eye will see Him, all people will mourn. Zech. 12:10-14, Jn. 19:37 ALL PEOPLE: Whatever race, color or religious choice, those who do not accept Jesus as Son of God will mourn for not accepting Him as Savior.

> For Verse 7, the Greek reads: "Lo, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth shall gaze upon Him beat their breasts mourn lament over Him. Even so. Amen - so be it." Dan. 7:13

> In Verse 8, John quotes Jesus as being the Alpha and Omega. These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. The first letters of the Hebrew (God's language given to Adam) alphabet are Aleph and Tav. Aleph references the first, the head, the great sacrifice; tav refers to a sealed covenant. Rev. 22:13

> This verse goes on to quote the Lord God who Is, Was and Is to Come. Lord - Jesus, God - of the Father; Jesus will rule this earth as God. Is. 9:6 Greek text adds, "- the Ruler of all." Messianic text adds, "God of heaven's armies." Isa. 9:6

So Be It!

Revelation's Berisheet Prophecy

REVELATION

(Second in a series)

 

Starting in 1:4, we happen on our first mention of "7"; seven churches.

> Interesting: 7 days of creation, 7 thousand years of history and 7 churches addressed here. Could there be a connection?

> God worked on creation for six days and rested on the 7th. (A day is as a thousand years to God.) There are listed, in the Bible, six thousand years of man before the second coming of Jesus.

> Many of the ancient church fathers, from the first three centuries AD, taught this theory. Leaders of the church such as Barnabas, Irenaeus, Hippolytus, Commodianus, Victorinus, Methodius and Lactantius wrote things like: "Therefore, children, in six days, or in six thousand years, all the prophecies will be fulfilled", "The Sabbath is a type of the future kingdom. . . For 'a day with the Lord is as a thousand years", "Resurrection of the body will be when six thousand years are completed,", and "In the seventh millennium we will be immortal and truly celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles."

 

 

> Could the first six churches listed in Revelation 2 and 3 be the ages of the church? Could the 7th church listed be the age we are presently in?

> From the Hebrew language, take the first word of Gen.1:1 (beginning) and break down the meaning of each letter and the term "In beginning" tells us, "The Son of God, Creator, is coming out of His home and will be part of an epic event that will bring a covenant for the future of mankind". The term "In beginning" (Heb: Berisheet") is all about home and new beginnings.

> The Book of Revelation is about Jesus bringing our new beginning.

 

Writer of Revelation

REVELATION

(First of a series)

 

This book is literal for Israel and spiritual for Gentiles. It is A Revelation (or Apocalypse, Heb: "Unveiling") of Jesus Christ"; the focus is on Jesus. Rev.1:1 & 2

 

> There are over 500 references to the Old Testament; many from Isaiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah and Daniel.

> The information in this book came from God to Jesus to John by way of an angel (with understanding coming through the Holy Spirit, 2Pet.1:20).

> The author was the youngest disciple, one of the sons of Zebedee, he saw Jesus as God in flesh, was one of the three frequently named as being in attendance (Peter, James and John) and the one whom Jesus loved; because John was the one who understood that God is love. John came to understand God's plan of redemption and the part Jesus played. Jn. 1:1-3, 1:14 John could have been as young as 13 when he was called as a disciple. Although there is no exact date, Revelation was probably written around 90 - 95 AD, making John about 106 years old. He was favored to care for Jesus' mother and the only disciple spared from martyrdom. The name John translates from Hebrew to "Grace"; John represented the grace of God. (All believers are under God's loving grace since the resurrection of Jesus.)

> John was in exile on the very small isle of Patmos, one of 12 islands called the Sporades (meaning "scattered"): the 12 tribes of Israel were scattered; the 12 disciples scattered to preach the gospel to all the earth. The name Patmos is so old it is unclear the meaning or language it comes from. Abarim Publications defines the meaning as "getting stepped on".

 

> Among many symbols in this book, the number "7" is used over 50 times. Among this is the seven beatitudes (blessings), which I will discuss as we encounter them.

> There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet and 22 chapters in this book; not a coincidence. Each chapter relates to the meaning of each alphabetical letter - in order.

> The first chapter relates to the first letter of the alphabet "alef" which also represents the number 1. The meaning of this first letter is "leader", "ox", "first" and "strong". Jesus is ruler over the universe, He is our sacrifice (the bullock is the only sacrifice of the ox, lamb or dove that the priest laid his hands on to transfer our sins to the bullock before sacrifice), Jesus is the first born of God's children and our strength.

> In Greek translation, John is called Jesus "bond" servant just as believers are referred to as "bond" servants in Rev. 1:1. We were purchased by the unsolicited sacrifice of Jesus and become indentured when we accept Him as savior; we belong to Him.

 

> Verse 3 gives us the first of the seven beatitudes I mentioned. "Blessed is the one who reads out loud this prophecy". Blessed is to be happy, envied. To read out loud is to see and to hear the word of God. To read out loud is a reference to reading in assemblies (churches, V. 1:20) of believers.

> Based on the Passover and the book of Exodus, Revelation reveals the end times will be like the time of Israel before their escape from Egypt (Heb: "stress") on a worldwide scale. Then, the great and final victory comes. This book is relevant to every generation since but most relevant to those alive in the end.

> Isa.46:9 & 10, 2Cron.33:7

The Red Thread

Hebrew color for royalty is the color red.

In Hebrew the name "Adam", meaning man, is directly related to the Hebrew word "adama", meaning earth, and "dam" meaning blood - which is red.  The three words (Adam, adama and dam) sound almost identical except for the addition of the "ah" sound at the end of the word "adama" and the omission of the "ah" at the beginning of "dam".  

The color red lends to the story of the creation and it's key word "adam" comes by the word "adom", meaning red.  The close connection between the physical elements becomes closer: red, (adom), is the color of dam (blood).

The Hebrew language tells us that tears are the "blood of the eyes".  The emission of blood and tears from the body is referred to "shedding".  While shedding blood usually indicates an injury of the body, shedding tears depicts injury of the soul.

Adam comes by the name "Edom" - (Edom).  The connection is the color red (adom), that connects to blood (dam), which connects to "adam" (man or mankind).

In Gen 25:30, we find Esau asking his brother to feed him with red pottage; thus his name was called "Edom".  Thus, Esau is the father of Edom.  Also see reference to his birth in Gen 25:25, relating red to his name, Esau.  Esau was a hunter, associating his life style to blood by killing.  And, his father, Isaac, blessed him with blood when he said, "by your sword shall you live".  

On the priests' breastplate the ruby (red gem) stood for the tribe of Reuben, sixth born son of Israel.  The number six represents man.  Adam (man) was created on the sixth day.   Refer to first paragraph of this writing.

Hebrew word "chakliyl" literally means "dark" or a person stimulated by wine (suph) which means "a reed" and is used to refer to the Red Sea.  

The Greek word "purrhos" (used to write the original text of the New Testament) references to the color of fire or flame (red).

Symbolically, in scripture, the color refers to sin & suffering in Isa 1:18; Godly vengeance against sinners in Ps 75:18 and Isa 63:2; bloodshed and war in 2Kings 3:22, Nahum 2:3, Zech 1:8, 6:2, Rev 6:4, 12:3; and temptation to sin in Pro 23:31.

Wine, which is red, is frequently mentioned in Old and New Testaments:  Wine for communion.  Jesus turned water to wine, wine for drink, wine for medicinal use in Proverbs.  

The Israelites built the temple in the desert using scarlet, blue and purple fabric.

Every mention of a birth is a reference to blood; blood of the mother is shed to give life. 

The first plague of Moses in Exodus was turning water to blood (red).  The first miracle of Jesus was turning water to wine (red).  The first trumpet in Revelation will bring hail mixed and fire mixed with blood (red).  

Rubies (red gems) are also used on the priests' breastplate, in the temple in the desert and the foundations of the New Jerusalem.

The Greek word "Petra" refers to a red rock city in Jordan, 120 miles south of Jerusalem that is invisible from the air and impenetrable from the ground.  (More on this later).

God made the first kill; shedding red blood - Gen 3:21
Nile river turned to blood - Ex 7:17
scarlet was used to weave the breastplate of the priests - Ex 28:15 


red heifer offering - Nu 19:3 - 6
sin is scarlet (red) - Isa 1:18
red horses       - Zech 1:8 

Christ sweat blood in Gethsemane - Lk 22:44  
blood of Jesus - 1 Jn 1:7
red horse    - Rev. 6

red dragon   -  Rev 12 
wine of God's wrath - Rev 14:10 

Between the words red and scarlet, can you see the red thread that runs from Genesis through Revelation?  What does it mean?  Many things.  It certainly is a special color that shows us more of God's divine order.
Amen 

Mt. Moriah

Jewish/Hebrew peoples believe Mt. Moriah to be the spot of the creation of man. 

From my last post, we know Isaac was offered on Mt. Moriah, as a precurser to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 

God told David to build the temple on Mt. Moriah.

In 2Sam 24:24, David bought the threshing floor (and oxen) from Araunah, a Jebusite, for 30 shekels of silver.  I find it interesting that threshing was the act of sifting chaf from wheat.

In 1Cron 21:24, David buys the entire site of Mt. Moriah for six hundred shekels of gold.  The threshing floor was part of Mt. Moriah.

* In a beautiful gesture, both times, David refuses to take the threshing floor or Mt. Moriah as a gift.  He proclaims he will not offer anything to God that does not come with a price to him.  Do any of us feel this way today?  This had to be one reason that David had God's heart.  (He was being repentant for a foolish act that caused 70,000 men to die of a plague.)

David built an alter on Mt Moriah and eventually the City of David surrounded that spot.  This former City of David is now Jerusalem.

On this spot, Solomon built the first temple inside which was the Holy of Holies.  (Heb: Kadosh Hakado Shin)

The temple was later destroyed and rebuilt then replaced with a mosque which stands over the former Holy of Holies, the point of creation and the spot where the Arc of God's Covenant was placed. 

It is the place God has chosen for Himself to manifest His glory.  Rev. 21:3




Looking from the South, the Temple Mount towers over the Southern Ridge  the City of David. (Note: the large building in the top center of the illustration.)  It's high elevation, on "the sides of the north", signifies its greater holiness and suitability for the location of God’s Temple, where Israel’s sacrifices would all be offered.  (The utmost point, top right in illus, is a monument to Calvary.)  In the foreground of the above illustration is the Kidron Valley.
 
Ps 48:2,  Zaphon is the higher area behind the temple; the north side of the temple.  This Psalm talks of the power of this city because God has chosen it for His dwelling place, in the Holy of Holies and in the millennium. The writers of this Psalm, Sons of Korah (temple Priests), considered themselves keepers ("gatekeepers")of secrets of God.

Isa 14:13-14,  “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God (2^nd Heaven); I will also sit upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds (1^st Heaven); I will be like the most high.  This is Lucifer talking but tells us where God will make His home - on Mt. Zion ("mt. of congregation") in the sides of the north (holy of holies) - with man.


Isa 14:13,  Zaphon refers to the north quarter of the city; ie: sides of the north.  Northern point of the city is the temple, northern area of the temple is the Holy of Holies.

Ezek 38:6,  Beth Togarmah means "House of Togarmah".   Togarmah is a son of Gomer, son of Japheth, son of Noah, Gen 10:3.  Japheth is the son that went north after the flood.


* The north wall of Jerusalem, behind the temple, is referred to as the "sides of the north".  It is the highest elevation, second only to Calvary, in Jerusalem.

Clear as mud?  I have always been curious about the phrase, "sides of the north".  Now, I have a location: northern most part of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem; the Holy of Holies.  This is to be God's dwelling place for the universe for all eternity.  Mt. Moriah, Heb: "Chosen of The Lord".
Amen

Sign on the west wall of the temple.

Genesis 22

All Christians are aware that Abraham was asked by God to offer his beloved son, Isaac, as a sacrifice.  (Yes, he was asked.  In original Hebrew text God actually says, "Please".  Abraham did not have to do this and neither did God - or Jesus.)  This is a foretelling of the sacrifice our Heavenly Father made with  His beloved son, Jesus.   

Gen 22, gives us the story of Abraham, a parallel for God in this case, who is offering his son for a sacrifice - a type of the Christ.  In these passages, Isaac says "Father" (as Jesus called from the cross) and Abraham says "Here I Am" (as God answers us who believe in His son.)  The incident takes place on Mt. Moriah.  Moriah in Hebrew translates, "The Lord Is My Teacher".  This story is, no only a great lesson for Abraham, but for us.


Calvary is the highest point of Jerusalem and can be seen from where Abraham obeyed God by preparing to take the life of his only son.  If we were to stand on Mt. Moriah and look north across the northern Kidron Valley we would see Calvary.
This is a great story that deepens with translation:

> V.1: This is a test.  God tests all of us from time to time.  God called and Abraham answered, "Here I Am".  First point: This is an example of what each of us should do - answer God when He calls us to do something.  Second point: Abraham is pointed out in this verse as a parallel of God by saying "I Am" - God's name given to Moses.

The word "tested" is from the Hebrew word meaning "high above".  God raised Abraham (high above other men) by constantly testing him over and over.   Again, Moriah means "The Lord Is My Teacher."

> V.2:  God asks Abraham to sacrifice his only son, whom he loves.  God loved His only son, Jesus, but was willing to sacrifice Him for His love for us.  * Isaac had an older brother, Ishmael.  God did not recognize Ishmael as Abraham's son at this point.  Why?  Because Ishmael was born from the impatient efforts of Sarah and Abraham; rather than waiting on God for the promised son, Isaac.  Isaac was given by God through Sarah, Abraham's wife, whom he loved.

Mt. Moriah was the highest point in, what became, the City of David (Jerusalem).  Be sure to read my next posting about this fascinating spot.

> V. 3:  Shows Abraham being obedient the very first thing in the day.  
* This is the first time in the Bible that the words "love" and "worship" are mentioned; they are mentioned together.  Worship is love; we are to love to worship.

> V. 4:  It took 3 days to get to Mt. Moriah.  Interesting:  Christ was dead 3 days before resurrection.  There were three hours of darkness after Jesus died.  Peter denied Jesus 3 times, there were 3 crosses, etc, etc.  Three is a very important number as there are 3 beings in the God Head.

>  V.5:  Abraham had such faith in God that he told his servants, "we will come back to you".  He was confident his son would be spared.  Jesus was spared to return to His everlasting life when raised from the dead.  Was Abraham in possession of this knowledge through foresight?  Or . . did he just have faith in God to resurrect his son to fulfill the initial promise ?

>  V.6:  The wood for the fire was placed on the back of Isaac; Christ carried the wooden cross on his back, up Mt. Calvary.  

> V.7:  In conversation, Isaac calls Abraham, "Father" and Abraham answers, "Yes, my son".  Here is conversation between the Father and the Son, a parallel reference to God and Jesus.  Isaac notices there is no lamb for sacrifice.  Most commentaries suggest that Isaac was not a boy but, rather, a young man.  One commentary (From Oxford Church in England) speculates he could have been as old as 33.  This is very interesting considering that Christ was said to be that age when he was crucified.  Heb 11:17 - 19

>  V.8:  Abraham told Isaac, "God Himself will provide the lamb", referring to Jesus, our sacrificial lamb.  We see no evidence that Isaac argued here.  This shows me that Isaac had faith in similar quantity to his father, Abraham.

> V.9:  Abraham following through with what God told him to do, in full confidence that God would save this young man he had promised would populate nations.  He believed the original promise God made in Gen 15:5.

> V.10:  Abraham was prepared to follow through with the sacrifice.  Regarding faith: you have to take the first step and show God your faith.  Moses stepped into the red sea BEFORE the waters parted.

> V.11:  Here is his reward for obedience, at the last minute.  God spared Isaac.
* To Abraham, Isaac had died when God spoke in verse 2, because he decided then to obey God. Thus he received him back ‘raised’ from the dead on the 3rd day, just like Jesus!

> V.12:  Abraham "feared God" - trusted, reverenced God.   God LOVED the world to sacrifice His son, His only son, whom He loved.

>  V.13:  The ram that God provided to Abraham was perfect, without blemish, just as Jesus was perfect.  The ram was caught in the bush by it's horns so there was not blemish on the animal.

> V.14:  Abraham named the place, "God Will Be Seen" (original text).  This is fascinating in light of the history of Mt. Moriah. (Be sure to read my next blog.)  There is revelation going on with Abraham.  God is allowing him a glimpse of the future.  Jn 8:56   Calvary can be seen from Mt. Moriah.

> V.15 & 16:  This Angel of The Lord is none other than Jesus Himself.  This fact is substantiated by the act of "swearing by Himself".

> V.17 & 18:  God reminds Abraham of His original blessing in Gen 15:5, that He will keep that promise for the faith, trust and obedience Abraham has shown.

As inheritors of the promises of Abraham, we, as Christians, can be just as sure of God's love and care for us.     

Isn't the Bible fascinating?  So much in every word.  We need only to Seek and Find.
Amen

"I Am"

The great "I Am Who I Am" statement in Ex.3:6 shortened to "I Am" throughout the Old Testament, is continued in the New Testament with all the "I Am" quotes of Jesus.  (via the Hebrew language, this statement can also be rendered "I Shall Be As I Shall Be" referring to the coming of Jesus and again in the second coming.)

In essence, Jesus was continuing to state that He was/is God (in flesh).  This explains why the priests and Jewish leaders were so consumed with jealousy and venomous hatred.  He kept saying, "I Am".  This was the name of God in their books of Moses.  Jesus kept stating that He was God.  Absolute blasphemy for a man who was a mere carpenter from little ol' no nothing Nazareth.  They were waiting for the glowing son of God, in great majesty to descend from the clouds with a righteous flaming sword to slay all the enemies of Israel.  Am I clear here?

Take a look at the New Testament and circle every time Jesus said "I Am" in the gospel of John, who saw Jesus as the Son of God.  Amazing how many times He told people who He was and very few actually "got it".  The pharisees  understood what He was saying but were enraged with vile jealousy over such a statement. After all, they, as religious leaders, would certainly know the son of God if he were standing in front of them.

I Am:  The bread of life - Jn 6:35  I am reminded of communion and the broken  bread (His body) that heals us.
           The light of the world - Jn 8:12   I am reminded of the healing of the blind to bring them into the light of His truth and out of the darkness of lies and confusion.  I was blind, bur now I see.
           The Good Shepard - Jn 10:11  Jesus left the 100 to find the one lost.  Something unheard of among shepherds.
           The gate for the sheep - Jn 10:7   He said, "My sheep know me."  He brings us through that narrow gate that is a difficult journey to follow Him along the path to everlasting life.
           The resurrection and the life - Jn 11:25  Through His death and resurrection, we are now inheritors of eternal life.
           The way and the truth and the life - Jn 14:6  Belief in Him and what He did on that tree is the truth that leads us to life after death.
           The true vine - Jn 15:1  Jesus is the vine, believers are the branches that are to produce fruit/good in our lives.  Apart from the vine, we cannot function; we would die.
In Jn 7 people wanted to seize Jesus because He said, "I am".
* Each of these statements also refers to a side of God Himself.

I have heard it stated that Jn 7, at the Feast, is counted as the first time Jesus said, "I Am". Actually, In Jn 4:26 (three chapters prior to chapt. 7) Jesus says, "I Am He" to the Samaritan woman at the well.

You will find it very interesting to take the time to circle every time Jesus says "I am" in the gospel of John.

Let's go back to Ex 3:6 and 3:14  
Here the "I am" translates from the Hebrew "Yahweh" which translates into English as "I Shall Be As I Shall Be".  "Shall Be" as future tense here is a reference to Jesus coming.  ("Yahweh" actually translates more correctly, in other places of the bible, as "I Was, I Am, I Shall Be", which tells us a lot more about the plurality of God.  I will go into this another time.)

Note:  In Jn 1:21, John the Baptist stated, "I Am NOT" stating he was not the "I Am".  The Baptist had great anointed knowledge from the Holy Spirit.

In Revelation (NIV), I have counted ten "I am" statements with two places where I believe are mistranslated to leave out "I am" statements.  Considering this book is prophesy, the number 10 represents the law and the number 12 represents government, this is a very interesting issue.

Rev 4:8 concludes with the phrase, "who was, and is, and is to come."  This representing the Hebrew word "Yahweh".

Anyway, this study could be continued much deeper, if the reader is so disposed at this  time.  I am moving on.

May you be blessed anew today with a fresh anointing that will bless you with God's grace, health, patience and wisdom.
 Amen

None Doubted

Good morning! 
It's a bit cloudy where I am today.  But, that is keeping the hot summer temperatures down.  There is always something good to be found - even on a cloudy day.

Have you ever noticed that no one that Jesus healed doubted his healing?  None questioned or hesitated when Jesus said, "take up your bed and walk", "Lazarus, come forth", "go, your faith has made you whole", "get up", "go, and sin no more". 

He commanded the storms to stop and they did.  He commanded demons to depart - they did.  He commanded water to turn to wine - it did.  He commanded fish to jump into Peter's net - they did.  He prayed five fish into enough to feed 5,000 people with a lot left over.  So much more words He spoke and "it was so".

He told the men He called to "follow me" and they did.  They just got up and went with Him.  There was no question, no hesitation.

I like to think about the commanding presence He had.  In Song of Songs, the writer tells us He was like the cedars of Lebanon; stout and straight. 

As the King of Kings, Lord of Lords and Son of the Almighty God of the Universe, He was royalty of royalty.  I can imagine His regal demeanor.  We are told there was nothing unusual about His appearance; he looked like every other 30 year old Hebrew man of the day.  After all, He was able to disappear into the crowd when He needed to.  Neither His clothes or His looks were different.  But, oh the manner in which He spoke!

Why can't we see Him this way?  Why do we make Him weak and "pretty" in our eyes?  even blonde with blue eyes?  (I am sure He had intense eyes.  After all, He can see into your very soul.) 

Crowds of people flocked to Him - by the hundreds.  Many were captivated and became the foundation of the greatest religious movement ever known.  Christianity swept the globe and has maintained it's will-not-die presence to this day.  Because of the man from heaven that was not doubted by those who experienced Him.

May you ask Him for your healing and may He open your eyes to see Him more and more every day.
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