Anointed with Gladness

Anointed  with Gladness

This morning my reading took me to the Book of Hebrews. I have loved Hebrews for decades and have read it and studied it more than any other book except The Revelation of Jesus. Today a scripture caught my attention in a way I haven’t seen before:

“YOU [JESUS] HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS.” Hebrews 1:9 

Over the years when I see pain in our world, I have dealt with it by petitioning the Father that He would usher in the New Heavens and New Earth wherein dwell righteousness (2 Peter 3:13). Really, God’s intervention is our only hope for righteousness. Jesus said: “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” We all have what we consider to be good intentions, even as Christians, but only God is truly pure and good and righteous in all His thoughts and ways. 

So why did Hebrews 1:9 mess with me today? Jesus loved righteousness and hated lawlessness more than anyone and yet, and because of this, God the Father anointed Him with the oil of gladness above anyone else. Loving righteousness and hating lawlessness, to one who is walking spiritually, should not bring despair or hopelessness. Rather, God has an anointing of gladness which will override the pain and potential despair in which the natural man would sink. 

In these lawless days let’s continue to be people of the Kingdom of God—walking after the Spirit and not according to the course of this world. No matter what lies ahead, Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will have His way and no one can stop Him.  

…for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 

 

 

One Woman—Four Views: Part 1

One Woman—Four Views: Part 1 

The Woman Clothed with the Sun Fleeth
from the Persecution of the Dragon
Benjamin West, c. 1797

As a new believer I was taught that the woman in Revelation 12 was the Bride of Christ. A part of the church who followed the Lamb wherever He went, the faithful—those who had made themselves ready. Is this woman in Revelation 12 the Bride of Christ? 

From my study there seems to be four dominate views of Revelation 12’s woman:

1.    The Bride of Christ: all the church or part of the church

2.    Israel: past and/or present

§  Mary representing Israel for she is an Israel descendant.

3.    The constellation Virgo as the woman and Jupiter as the child.

4.    A synthesis of all the faithful throughout history.

5.    And finally, my thoughts. 

Having been an end-time student for decades, I have some very strong beliefs and some not-so-strong beliefs. I find definite problems with Revelation 12’s most popular view that the woman is Israel. In this view there are three major components:

1.    Israel is the woman.

2.    Jesus is the male child, to whom Israel gave birth.

3.    This woman clothed with the sun relates back to Genesis 37. In Genesis 37 Joseph had a dream where the sun, the moon, and 11 stars bowed down to him. Jacob (Israel: Joseph’s father), interpreted the dream relating the sun to himself, Israel, the moon to Rachel (Joseph’s mother), and the 11 stars to Joseph’s brothers. 

Those who interpret Revelation 12’s woman as Israel miss some very important points: 

·       If the woman is Israel, then she is both Israel (the woman) and clothed with Israel (the sun), since she is clothed with the sun, which according to Genesis 37 is Israel. This does not make sense, but if we are to relate it back to Genesis 37, this must be our conclusion.

§  Subcategory: Mary is the woman, a representation of Israel since Mary is an Israeli descendant. Problems with this view: Verse 5 states that the male child, to whom she gave birth, was caught up to God; verse 6 starts with: and or then the woman fled into the wilderness… So the woman fled into the wilderness right after the male child was born and caught up to God. Did Mary flee into the wilderness for 3-1/2 years to be taken care of by God? Did the dragon pursue Mary so that the earth opened its mouth to help her? Is the church her children, the remnant of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus (:17)? Could the 3-1/2 years of her earthly preservation by God be a type or not an actual 3-1/2 years? If this is so, then all the time frames in Revelation are to be in jeopardy of an actual time frame. Whereas God seems to be very specific when it comes to time. This is why Jesus rebuked the leaders of Israel for not knowing their time of visitation (Luke 19:44).

·       The male child, whom they say is Jesus, will rightly rule all the nations with a rod of iron (Psalm 2). However, there is another who will also rule with a rod of iron: the overcomers in Thyatira. So the male child may represent overcomers, ruling with Jesus together.

·       A huge problem with Jesus being the male child is when Jesus was “caught up” He was not a child: He was King of Kings and Lord of Lords—the Lord God Almighty. 

I don’t see how Revelation 12’s woman could be Israel or Mary. 

More to come.

Your thought?

God is NOT a Vending Machine

God is NOT a Vending Machine 

Clipartkey.com

Ridiculous statement, right? However, this is some’s working theology. To them God is more of a vending machine than a person. What do I mean? No one would really consider putting money into God to get something in return, now would they? Yeah, they would. 

I heard a leader in a church the other day bring up the whole doctrine of “you reap what you sow.” Their premise is that the seed is in itself, just as Genesis states. What you sow you reap. You sow discord, you will reap discord; you sow money, you reap money; your sow anger, you reap anger, and so on—for the seed is within itself. How should we view this man’s (and many others’ doctrine)? What does the Bible say? 

First, and always the best place to start, let’s look at the two scriptures this man used as his premise in their context: Galatians 6:8 and Genesis 1:11-12: 

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:8

 

Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:11-12 

We’ll take a look at Galatians first. Yes, it does say: for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. But is this the end of Paul’s thought? No, he goes on to paint this scripture in broad strokes. Paul continues: For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Paul is saying that if you live according to your flesh (the natural impulses if mankind without the Spirit) you will live with the consequences of those life choices. The fruit of that lifestyle is death, corruption, destruction, along with many other descriptive lifestyle outcomes, all which are related to death. Think about a garden where anything you plant only bears bad fruit. That is the picture.  

The flip side is the life yielded to the Holy Spirit. Earlier in Galatians Paul talks about the fruit of the Spirit contrasted to the works of the flesh. What we plant does grow and it produces fruit according to its kind: fruit either in the kind of the flesh or in kind of the Spirit—broad strokes. Galatians 5 clearly makes distinction between the two. If we live by the Spirit we will not need to be governed by a law. The Holy Spirit, as we yield to Him, will produce His fruit in us. A life yielded to the Holy Spirit bares the Holy Spirit’s fruit. Howbeit, if, as a Christian, we feed the flesh by living to gratify the flesh as we see the law of the Spirit as opposed to the flesh, we, aware of that law, will live a life of exhaustive restraint of the flesh. This life of carnal Christianity leads to a circular condemnation/grace pattern. Law must restrain the carnal Christian, while the Spirit-led life bring freedom from law. 

The life yielded to the Holy Spirit will produce not only the fruit of the Spirit, but also the works of the Spirit—broad strokes. The life yielded to the flesh will also reproduce after its kind: both fruit and works. Whichever you feed, flesh or spirit (by the Holy Spirit), determines what your life’s garden will grow. So yes, you reap what you sow, but not like a vending machine’s input/output. 

Now let’s look at Genesis 1:11-12. In context, the seed is in itself, is strictly talking about seeds—that is plants—not words, people’s actions or intentions. Plants generating seeds, those seeds falling into the soil, sprouting, and growing reproducing seeds according to their own kind, is the intent of Genesis 1:11-12. Though many would like to, we cannot translate this over into a formula for mankind sowing into their lives and reaping what they sow: anger, discord, etc. as stated above. Proverbs 15:1 states that a gentle answer turns away wrath. This person is not reaping what they sowed. They are receiving the opposite. There are many such scriptures. Some could say that Paul reaped what he sowed when he was put to death for Christ due to his previous murderous ways. Yet all the apostles except John were martyred. In reality, Paul received grace, acceptance, and love not only from the Lord, but also from those whom he used to persecute. 

Consider that we are dealing with God—a Person—who is not an input/output vending machine. He is a Person. He deals with us according to His nature and not according to what we, in our human understanding, think we deserve: 

He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:10-12 

This is our God.

So great is His grace!

So willing to pardon and restore. He does not give us what we deserve; He does not make us reap what we sow. Listen to this incredibly glorious truth from Ephesians: 

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him… Ephesians 1:7-9a NASB 

He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention [!].

He lavished His grace on us [!]. 

Words do matter. I am not saying they don’t. That words matter is all over the Bible, but just not the way this leader presented them. Jesus Himself said we will be held accountable for every idle word we speak. Thankfully, we are under His New Covenant of grace and forgiveness. 

God is not a tit for tat, what goes around comes around, reap what you sow god. 

God is not a vending machine! 

God is a Person.  A loving Father… 

and for that 

I am grateful!

A Glimpse into the Millennial Age

A Glimpse into the Millennial Age

Artist unknown

It has come to my attention lately that most Christians’ thinking pole vaults right over the Millennial Age into Heaven. Understanding the millennium has transformed my walk with God. How we live in this life most certainly effects the rewards we receive and our positioning in the next age. The clearest scriptures on the millennium come from Revelation 20: 

And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. Revelation 20:4-6 

Revelation 20:6 says that we shall reign with Him for a thousand years. Did you catch that? We are going to reign with Jesus Christ throughout His Kingdom on earth! During the millennium there are three categories of people: 

1.    The resurrected saints with new bodies (1 Corinthians 15). These include OT saints.

2.    The unredeemed at the end of this age who did not receive the mark of the beast and continued to live on into the millennium (Isaiah 65:20, Revelation 20:7-9).

3.    Those who received the mark of the beast (whom Jesus kills at His return) and the dead who did not receive Christ during their life. These dead await the second resurrection. They will be cast into the lake of fire with the devil and his angels (Revelation 20:14-15). 

Isaiah 65, especially verse 20, bothered me for years. It reads: “No longer will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his days; For the youth will die at the age of one hundred And the one who does not reach the age of one hundred will be thought accursed.” I could not grasp how people could die in Heaven. Then I understood it isn’t about Heaven, it is about the millennium. During the millennium there are still unsaved natural people living on the earth. These people are reproducing and living life just like we do now with this one huge difference: the devil is bound during these 1000 years and is unable to effect or influence them. They can and do still die. Some do receive Christ and all have the free will to do so. Others become the enemies of God and are rallied by the devil when he is released from his prison at the end of the millennium. These are those who make war against Jesus at the end of the millennium—Magog. (Armageddon is at the end of this age and is Jesus’ war against the antichrist.) Revelation 20 goes on to explain:

Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:7-10 

Lately I have updated my favorite scripture. For over 20 years—more like 30—Hebrews 1:8 has been my favorite scripture. Now I have two: Hebrews 1:8 (the testimony of the Father about the Son) and Hebrews 11:10 (the significance of seeing the city—New Jerusalem):

But to the Son [Jesus] He [the Father] says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. Hebrews 1:8 

[Abraham left everything] …for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Hebrews 11:10 

If we saw the city—New Jerusalem—the city of the great King, where He will literally sit on His Throne and rule and reign during the Millennial Age, I believe we too, like Abraham, would leave everything for His Majesty, King Jesus. If we could see this City more clearly, like Abraham, it would capture our hearts in such a way that we too would leave everything for the City and the King of that City. The Bride of Christ is the City Abraham saw. 

9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper.

 

19 The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; 20the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. 

This indeed is the City with foundations that Abraham saw. Having seen it he left everything and was willing to live as a wanderer in this life. We too will be a part of this City during the millennium. Psalm 46: 4 talks of this city. Jerusalem doesn’t have river that runs through her. Verse 4 of this psalm is describing New Jerusalem: There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. This river is more fully on display in Revelation 22. So beautiful the description yet we only get a glimpse of her here on earth. 

I have two prayers I pray over and over: Lord, show me Your City and the Lion Who sits upon the Throne. 

I want to see this City and her King. 

Does God Hate?

 Does God Hate?

All of us have heard, “That’s your opinion” or “That’s your reality” or “Let’s agree to disagree.” With some things sure there is room for opinions, perspectives, and disagreements. But if you disagree with God it usually has huge ramifications. 

Does God hate? Yes. Proverbs 6: 16-19 states:

There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, 19 A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers. 

Let’s looks at the end of verse 17: hands that shed innocent blood. God HATES hands that shed innocent blood. What blood is more innocent than the blood of the unborn? (See Romans 9:11 for the innocence of the unborn.) Every year there are estimated, according to WHO, 40-50 million abortions, which is approximately 125,000 abortions per day worldwide. And although the abortion rate is declining in the US, since Roe v Wade, the US alone has aborted over 60 million babies. 

Some people justify their pro-abortion views (and votes) assuming that these little people inside the womb don’t feel pain. Dr Ben Carson, who has operated on the unborn, says they do in fact feel pain and considers abortion murder. (https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/dr.-ben-carson-speaks-of-fetal-pain-describes-abortion-as-barbaric-and-murder) 

When considering who to vote for President of the United States in November, consider whether or not you want the blood of the innocent on your hands. If you vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, you are voting for two people who are not only proponents of abortion rights, but actively ensure the right to abortions and are supporters of PPL. For a thorough rundown of both President Trump’s and Biden’s views on abortion visit: https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54003808 

When it comes to abortion, it is not a matter of opinion, it is a matter of guilt or innocence before God. President Trump is not a perfect man, and neither are you. President Trump has stood up for nearly everything I consider of great value as a devout Christian. However, if you cast your vote for Joe Biden, you share his guilt. You too have innocent blood dripping off your hands. 

Consider before you vote.

The Seed of Satan: Part 4—Who is the He?

The Seed of Satan: Part 4—Who is the He?

In Part 4 we will focus on 2 Thessalonians 2:6-9. This section of scripture is back dropped with the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him via the rapture of the church (verses 1-2). Through it is not specifically stated we can see that Satan is lurking in the background always ready to bring his lawless son of destruction on the world stage. The only thing holding back his revealing is the Holy Spirit—the Restrainer. 

Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3Let no one in any way deceive you, for [it will not come] unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 5Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? 6And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. 7For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains [will do so] until he is taken out of the way. 8Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9[that is], the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 10and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.  

The Holy Spirit restrains Satan from bringing the antichrist onto the world stage before the kairós—the exact right time. That is verse 7. Verse 7 is not talking about holding back sin in the world—it is talking about restraining a person—Satan. Verse 8 continues: Then that lawless one will be revealed—that is after the restrainer is taken out of the way. Satan would have produced his man of sin far before his God-ordained appointed time, but God restrains him. The antichrist cannot possibly be the one who is restrained, since he will be of human descent. This restraining is taking place throughout the years in the spiritual realm, where Satan has already existed since before the Garden. Therefore, the two “hims” in verse 6 represent two different persons: Satan, the first him: And you know what restrains him [Satan] now, and the antichrist who: in his time he [the antichrist] will be revealed. 

Could it be that the Holy Spirit restrains Satan until his time comes to produce this Seed of Satan—the antichrist—whom, I propose, is likely a Nephilim? 

Plain exegesis shows this section of scripture has nothing to do with the Holy Spirit, the Restrainer, being removed along with the rapture of the church, but rather it has to do with the Holy Spirit being taken out of Satan’s way to produce his son of destruction—the antichrist. Could it be that this taking away of the Holy Spirit allows for another period of time where, as in Genesis 6, God allows fallen angels to come into the daughters of men to have children by them? These scriptures seems to lend to the view that this mixed breeding of angels and women led to the Flood. Jesus said that His return would be as in the days of Noah (Matthew 24:38). Likewise, Jude 6 discusses certain angels who left their proper abode whom God has already put in chains awaiting their judgment. Why chain these angels and not all fallen angels? Demons too fell in betrayal along with Satan. Why aren’t they already chained? Jude 6-7 ties the sexual sin of Sodom and Gomorrah to these chained angels, noting they too went after strange flesh:

And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. Jude 6-7 

Your thoughts?

Exegesis Matters

Exegesis Matters

Author unknown

Yesterday a new video popped up on “recommended for you” YouTube. I thought, “Why not?” On came Ben and Jodie Hughes of “Pour it Out.” They have 114,000 subscribers, 26,225 people have viewed this particular video in 3 days, there are 1.3K up votes, and only 22 down votes. The video is entitled: What Really Occurs in the Spirit Realm When You Speak. It begins: 

Jodie: “You know, Job 22:28 says: You shall decree a thing and it will be established. And we are in a season where God is anointing our voice to new levels of authority that your voice and your faith is shifting the earth.”

Ben: “Are you ready to make decrees in your life, your circumstances, your church, [and] your family that are going to shift things? You are about to do that? We are excited about this show. Let’s do it “Pour it Out.”” 

Ben: “We are talking about one of our favorite things, what a surprise. Today we are talking about decrees: the power of decrees and the power that is in your mouth. I want to say this: I think we all know the verse – we may have heard it some time or another – where it says that there is the power of life and death in the tongue. The power of life and death is in the tongue. We, of course, want to focus on the life part today. But the important thing is that we have such power in the words that we speak…” 

I painfully listened to this 28 minute video, while the Ben and Jodie Hughes embarrassingly mishandled the Word of God. While preparing to write Confronting the Wind, I studied what the Bible says about the power of mankind’s words for well over a year. The two scriptures Ben and Jodie began with (Job 28:22 and Proverbs 18:21) were both taken out of context and therefore their meanings were changed from God’s intent. They further used these two opening scriptures as the backdrop for their entire message which, as stated above, receive 1.3K up votes and over 26K views!! Incredible that so many in body of Christ are so completely without a biblical knowledge. As God said about the Ninevites, so are Christians who buy into this doctrine, they are persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left. Believing things that aren’t true is not only counterproductive, but also destructive.  

Here is the truth about those two scriptures: 

First, Job 22:28 as Jodie accurately quoted, says: “You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And light will shine on your ways.” Following is an excerpt from Confronting the Wind (Amazon): 

Eliphaz: An Exercise in Exegesis: Job 22:28

“You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And light will shine on your ways.”  

“Decree a thing and it will be established for you” has become the emphasis of many Charismatic ministries. Since I first wrote this study I have seen whole conferences devoted to decreeing and declaring. To whom are they decreeing and declaring? That is a good question. For example, let’s say I need money to pay unexpected bills. If I believe there is creative power in my declaration and decree, then my actions will be to declare and decree into the heavens or into the atmosphere or to the devil or … to God. I would say, “Release money to me. I command that all my needs are met, in Jesus Name.” Now, of course, there are a great number of scriptures I can quote in my decree and declaration. But, is this the biblical pattern—to speak into the atmosphere? Is this what Jesus did? The apostles? If, however, my paradigm is that God is the keeper of all my answers, the One who hears all my prayers, and who meets all my needs, then I will, instead of declaring and decreeing, simply ask.

In a meeting I attended, a leader’s message was on decreeing and declaring. The point the leader was making was that we can decree a thing as the church or as an individual and it will be established for us. So, in the meeting people decreed things they wanted done. Maybe even things God wanted done? Consider if it is true that we can declare/decree a thing and it will be established, then something or someone is establishing it—for it will be established for you. Meaning again, there is a silent agent. We must conclude therefore that the silent agent is either God, the words themselves, man’s own resident supernatural power, some unseen unmentioned force, or the devil. Who or what is, in reality, empowering the words?

Think about it...

Getting back to the meeting… I already had reservations about declaring and decreeing things and the power of people’s words, so the sermon did not set well with me. I went home and looked in the Bible for “Decree a thing and it will be established for you.” There it is in Job 22:28, spoken by Eliphaz the Temanite… oops… Let’s look at God’s opinion of Eliphaz. God said to Eliphaz in Job 42:7, It came about after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has.” Therefore, to use Job 22:28 in the way many do, is completely against sound Biblical exegesis. We cannot pull from Eliphaz’s words to establish a doctrinal position any more than we could Satan’s words. For example, why is it that we never see cards with “Therefore if you worship before me, it shall all be yours”? Because the source was Satan. He said this when tempting Jesus. We cannot build upon Eliphaz’s words any more than we can Satan’s. Both do not speak according to what is right.

Now let’s look at Proverbs 18:21. Following is another excerpt from Confronting the Wind:

Concerning Proverbs 18:21

 

Now let’s tackle Proverbs 18:21, Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

 

I cannot remember a time when I heard this scripture quoted in its entirety, and therefore presented accurately. To surmise that people have power to command life and death with their words is not what this scripture is saying. First of all it is a proverb. We cannot form a doctrine on a proverb. Furthermore, the focus of Proverbs 18:21 is on “those who love the power of the tongue.” It is pointing to the speaker—the speaker is the reaper of the words. “Those who love it” is the speaker; “will eat its fruit,” meaning those who love to wag their tongue will reap the consequences of their own words. The New Living Translation (NLT) provides clarity, The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Of the eight commentaries I looked at, all agree with the NLT’s translation. Additionally, Proverbs 18:21 aligns perfectly with Matthew 12:34-37.

 

In Matthew, Jesus also said it was the speaker who would receive the ramifications of what they say.

 

“You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35 The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. 36 But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:34-37

 

Words are the window into the heart. In the Garden, Satan told Eve she could be like God if she ate the fruit. Could it be some Christians are falling for the same lie Eve believed in the Garden? God’s words are creative. He can create something out of nothing just by speaking. Can a man do that? Can the devil? Or is this a uniqueness belonging only to God? Some have purported procreation proves mankind has creative ability within himself. Is procreation creating? God said the seed was within itself (Genesis 1:11-12). So do plants have creative power? Do cows or horses or cats or dogs have creative power? This, then, would be the logical conclusion, would it not?

Usually—almost always—clarity of scripture comes from its context. My two excerpts above are only small samples of my book and therefore only glance at the subject. Speaking things into existence is a characteristic that belongs only to God. Many people quote Romans 4:17 to justify speaking things into existence. But what does Romans 4:17 say? …(as it is written, “I have made you [Abraham] a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed — God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did. So we see from this scripture that it is not mankind who calls things into existence, rather it is God! 

Please study your Bible. 

Please don’t buy into false doctrines. 

Please don’t believe what Ben and Jodie are feeding people. 

So many believe this doctrine. It is dangerous and tips into a heresy that began in the Garden between the serpent and mankind. Seems he hasn’t changed his strategy much.

 

The Seed of Satan: Part 3

The Seed of Satan: Part 3

Now let’s look at Daniel 8. Daniel 8 is divided into 4 Acts, if you will. Act one is the vision (8:1-14); In Act 2 Gabriel speaks to Daniel and is told to give him understanding of the vision (8:15-19); Act 3 (8:20-26) Gabriel interprets the vision; and finally, Act 4 is Daniel’s response to the above vision and encounter with Gabriel (8:27). 

Daniel 8:10-12 is my primary text. If the antichrist is a Nephilim, a mingled seed of Satan and a woman (see The Seed of Satan: Part 1), then this view point seems to bring light to these otherwise difficult scriptures:

9 Out of one of them [the kingdom represented by Alexander the Great’s four generals] came forth a rather small horn [the antichrist: compare with Revelation 13 and 17] which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Beautiful Land. 10 It grew up to the host of heaven and caused some of the host and some of the stars to fall to the earth, and it trampled them down. 11 It even magnified itself to be equal with the Commander of the host; and it removed the regular sacrifice from Him, and the place of His sanctuary was thrown down. 12 And on account of transgression the host will be given over to the horn along with the regular sacrifice; and it will fling truth to the ground and perform its will and prosper. 13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to that particular one who was speaking, "How long will the vision about the regular sacrifice apply, while the transgression causes horror [aka the abomination of desolation (see Matthew 24:15)], so as to allow both the holy place and the host to be trampled?" 14 He said to me, "For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the holy place will be properly restored."

Setting the stage is Daniel 8:19: He [Gabriel] said, "Behold, I am going to let you [Daniel] know what will occur at the final period of the indignation, for it pertains to the appointed time of the end.” Daniel 8:26 sandwiches the timing: “The vision of the evenings and mornings Which has been told is true; But keep the vision secret, For it pertains to many days in the future.” And Jesus Himself ties the Abomination of Desolation into future end-time events:

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

 

Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand)…” Matthew 24:14-15 

We must, therefore, keep the time of the end in view as we discuss this part of Daniel. 

Due to the clarity of the vision regarding Alexander the Great and the subsequent division of his kingdom to his four generals, some have accused Daniel’s vision as having been written following these events. They try to reason away its prophetic nature. And although this vision has a “down payment” fulfillment in Antiochus Epiphanes, for he is a prototype of the antichrist, the vision’s fulfillment does pertain to the antichrist at “the appointed time of the end.” 

Characteristics revealed for this time and person are thus:

1.    It will be in the later period of their kingdom (The four generals’ kingdom subsequent to that of Alexander. This kingdom stretched from Macedonia to Egypt and from Greece to part of India. See the map above.).

2.    Transgressors will have reached their fullness. (Have they yet?)

3.    A kings will arise at (“the appointed time of the end.”) He is:

a.    Insolent,

b.    Skilled in intrigue, and

c.     Mighty in power that is not his own.

4.    This king will:

a.    Destroy to an extraordinary degree,

b.    Do as he pleases,

c.     Destroy mighty men,

d.    Destroy the holy people,

e.     Through his shrewdness he will cause deceit to succeed by his influence,

f.      Magnify himself in his own heart,

g.    Destroy many while they are at ease,

h.    He will even oppose the Prince of princes, and

i.      Be broken without human agency. 

When juxtaposing the above description with 2 Thessalonians 2’s lawless one—the son of perdition, we find the two are nearly identical. 

Gabriel explains to Daniel the vision, except he doesn’t explain how this one, the antichrist, could possibly: 

1. Grow up to the host of heaven (hosts are warring angels: Hebrew Lexicon),
2. Cause some of the hosts (warring angels) and some of the stars (often meaning angels) to fall to the earth (see Revelation 12:4 and Isaiah 14:13),
3. Magnify itself to be equal with the Commander of the host (Jesus)
4. Remove sacrifice from Him,
5. Throw down His sanctuary,
6. Have the host given over to him along with the regular sacrifice,
7. Fling truth to the ground, and
8. Perform its will and prosper. 

In this blog (Part 3) we will discuss #1 and #2 in the above list. 

If we view this Assyrian (the little horn), as he is often called, as a Nephilim and not just a fallen angel’s seed mingled with a woman, but Satan himself, then this seems to bring some clarity to these hard-to-understand scriptures in Daniel 8. Reading through commentaries on Daniel 8:10-11, I found many who want to minimize their reach to Antiochus as the little horn and the stars and hosts as the leaders of the Jewish people and/or the Church. Revelation 12:4’s stars were swept from heaven by the dragon (Satan) and thrown to the earth. Revelation 12:9 brings further precision that these that were thrown down are fallen angels. This correlates with Daniel’s stars which also fall from heaven. Furthermore, Revelation’s beast—this horrific Satan empowered world ruler—is futuristic. (See Revelation 1:1, 1:3, 1:19, and 4:1 for further futuristic references.) 

Now let’s look specifically at 8:10: “It grew up to the host of heaven,” (NASB) what could this possibly mean? Daniel 8:10 could easily be translated that its influence reached into the warring angels’ realm. How could a man, even a very evil influential man, penetrate into the angelic realm? Seems absurd. However, what if this little horn whose reach was into the angelic realm was part angel—even part Satan himself? Then this seems to make more sense that he would have influence with angels. 

Revelation 12 says that there is coming a time when the dragon will be thrown to the earth and his angels along with him. He at this point will no longer have access to heaven or the Throne of God. When someone has a demon living inside of them, the demon can come and go at will (Matthew 12:43-45). If Satan was mingled with and inside a man, then he too could come and go at will. He could, even as Revelation 12:10 says, stand before the Throne of God and accuse us day and night—until he is cast out and thrown to the earth. 

There are 7 years left of Daniel’s 70 week prophecy. Revelation clearly reveals the tribulation is 3-1/2 years (1260 days; 42 weeks; time, times, and 1/2 a time). What do we do with the first half of the remaining week? This will be discussed in my next blog: Part 4.

 

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