Posts filed under ‘israel’
Avoid Sinking
As if all this is not enough to become incensed over, the Levite has the audacity to bring the concubine home, then he uses what happened to her (as if he really cared), to exonerate himself! Instead of giving her a proper burial, to show some sense of honoring her, he cuts her up into 12 pieces as though he’s cutting up an animal sacrifice and sends one piece to the elders of each tribe of Israel. They get the message and wonder aloud what to do about it.
Easy to Fall
Now Micah was by no means innocent and clearly deceived because he rejected God’s rule. He knew what he was getting and incorrectly believed that God would bless him because he now had a Levite in his house. He was clearly deceived into thinking this but why? It all started back in Judges 17:3 when we learned Micah had a habit of worshiping idols and using divination to gain knowledge and “wisdom.” Too many Christians can’t find their way around the Bible, but they all want God to “speak” to them and above all things, “bless” them.
Our New Default…
Before we became Christians, we had specific “defaults” in how we reacted to situations. These often stemmed from the way we were brought up, at least in part, as well as the personality we had and how that personality developed in us over the years. How things impacted us as a child and how we saw our parents react toward one another and God (if God was in that equation), created a pattern for the way we ourselves learned to deal with situations. Interestingly enough though, our default to the many situations we faced in life was a learned process. We may have seen how our parents handled stress for instance, and we began imitating that reaction so that it stayed with us and carried us over into adulthood. Now, that pattern may be firmly established within us so that we find ourselves reacting to stress nearly the same way our parents did and taught us through osmosis.
It’s Been Happening for Awhile
A reader sent me a link to a fairly long article but very much worth the read and I would encourage readers to read it.[2] The article starts out with an introduction written by Dr. Stanley Monteith for Thomas Horn years ago, but what is fascinating about that it is that it is still pertinent today, if not more so. I would encourage readers to head over there when done here to read the article for themselves. It goes into great detail about how powerful people chose to do what they could to create a feudal system for the entire world where there would be two levels to society: the lords and the serfs. Anyone who doesn’t think that this plan is very much under way is deceived or non-thinking. It is happening and the Bible indicates that it will happen and will come to fruition. When it does, the son of perdition himself – the Antichrist – will step up to rule that global kingdom.
Forgetting to Remember
It is sad that we must be reminded and remind ourselves to not forget to remember God. He must be at the forefront of our minds. He must become the most important part of our lives. Unless He is that, we will all be continually forgetting to remember Him.
Rev 14B: Reaping the Harvests
From this passage we learn that God is gathering a great harvest of souls. Commentators see these two harvests as either the first being for the righteous and the second for the wicked. For the righteous of course, eternal life is provided, and for the wicked, just and eternal punishment awaits. Some commentators believe the two are for the same harvest – the harvest for the wicked. The reason they believe it is repeated twice is for emphasis, showing that God will surely bring it about. It’s difficult to go into all the pros and cons of each view, but readers should avail themselves of study tools that may help them come down on one side or the other. Remember, we are trying to determine God’s meaning here, not what we think it means or what we want it to mean. What is God telling us here?
Continue Reading February 23, 2023 at 11:42 AM Leave a comment
Revelation 15: Beginning of the End
Before unleashing the final seven of twenty-one total judgments (Revelation 16), during the coming Tribulation period, John the apostle sees numerous things happening in heaven in preparation. John sees the temple in heaven, the sea of glass (see also Revelation 4:6), and the seven angels with seven bowl plagues appearing with them (after one of the 4 Living Creatures gives the angels their bowls).
Continue Reading February 20, 2023 at 3:21 PM Leave a comment
Rev 14: The Lamb and Proclamations
One of the biggest points that this text drives home is that God is GOD and there is no other! The fact that things are done according to God’s timing and for His glory often make us question His involvement in the affairs of humanity. However, it becomes exceedingly clear from Scripture that God is not only involved in our affairs (in our lives, locally, statewide and federally as well as globally), but in the affairs of all people throughout the globe! Our God not only holds all these things in His extremely capable hands, but nothing escapes His notice. Nothing.
Only God Masters the Future
So if God IS in control, what do we do? Several things. First, we trust Him above all things, even when we cannot see clearly. This may require work on our part; an effort to give up the things that weigh on us and trust Him for His outcome. Second, we continue to live our lives. This is the biggest proverbial smack in the face to the handful of elite billionaires than anything else. By living our lives, we show them we are not afraid nor will we be bullied. Let them do whatever they think they can do to allow them to gain power over the world. We, however, will continue to celebrate the life God has given us and we will do that by getting together with other Christians in fellowship, enjoying family time, taking trips for relaxation and more. Third, we need to become people of praise. There is no greater thing we can do than to praise God for His expected provision, wisdom, discernment and strength. Often, we might need to offer a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15), when we don’t necessarily feel like it. Sometimes, this is all I can do even though my heart isn’t in it, though it usually comes along.
Just File It Under News…
When that action occurs, then the Tribulation will start. Everything else prior to that is simply the gears in motion to get the world to that point and unfortunately, we have no idea exactly how long it will be before we see the event just described occur. Paul thought it would happen during his lifetime. Others thought the same and in fact, in every generation, there have been believers who pinned their hopes on end times prophecy being fulfilled during their lifetimes. Clearly, it didn’t though. We are still here, still waiting and watching for the same events that all previous generations looked forward to seeing.
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