The Rocks Will Cry Out

If God is not praised, the rocks will cry out. Lk. 19:40 - Nature will "cry out"/erupt/ rebel. As praise to God has become less and less, nature does more and more damage.

 

> Look around you; nature is running amok. Seasons are changing, oceans are rising, birds don't know when to migrate, storms, volcanic activity, floods, droughts, earth quakes and on and on. 

 

> Who can add 2 + 2 - ?an is trying to address smog, air pollution, drought, floods, wild fires, global warming, carbon emissions, volcanoes and everything else that is going out of control in nature.

 

All we need is God on our side.

> School minus God = ___

> Families minus God =___

> Relationships minus God =___

> Business minus God = ___

> Law minus God = ___

> Medicine minus God =___

> Government minus God =___

> The world minus God =___

 

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 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 . . . . .

 

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

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