Job 13:15 states: Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
In 1 Kings 13; we see a story of an unnamed prophet who God slayed after disobeying the command not to eat or drink or go back the way he came after a fellow prophet lied to him; later the word of God came through that same prophet foretelling his burial won't be with the other ancestors and he died after leaving the meal; mauled by a lion who then stood next to his natural pray a donkey by the body. It is understood that the Spirit wasn't indwelling as it is today permanently with believers; but it would seem this man was disciplined by the Lord rather than going to hell. The same principle is stated in 1 Corinthians 11:30 where it talks about taking the Lord's supper unworthily (interestingly related to a meal taken wrongly as well).
My general point here is that there are many out there who claim we can "lose our salvation". We forget the many verses that contradict this which I won't get into right now; because there are so many others that seem to justify this concept. I have already discussed at length many times the idea of God chastising those He loves (and the opposite fact that we are all illegitimate sons if not ( Heb. 12:8).) What I am saying now is that the dying process begins at the day of our salvation and continues throughout our "sanctification" process. The outer evidence of this comes from the fruit in our hearts and is tied into our behaviors; attitudes; words; praises; service; etc. The world has it's own way of "sacrifice" whether as dramatic as "stigmata" or some kind of outer manifestation that appears like the wounds of Christ on their body (certainly demonic); or acts of contrition; service; etc. I don't want to force the terminology realted to the 5 points of Calvin to make my point. I do want to suggest that when God begins a work He completes it. Let us learn the lessons from scripture and take them to heart.
"And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits."
Jesus ordained them for a purpose. " And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him./And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach"(3:13-14).Having introduced the disciples the Spirit gives us two symbols which gives an altogether different emphasis to the discipleship.
We shall first examine it before we take up the topic. St Matthew presents the doctrine of his Father before a mountain while St Mark informs us that Jesus first went up into a mountain and calls whom he would. It does not mean the twelve disciples were among them but the emblem of Zion (Is.28:16; Matt.5:1) is the witness for the discipleship. Jesus Christ the rock of ages embodies the doctrine of his Father; so are the twelve disciples. By choosing Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve he was accountable to the Word as he as the word become flesh his testimony also was on the line. Testimony of Jesus: the spirit of prophesy.(Re.19:10) . Mark gives us the list and ends with," And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house." (3:19) The house is not specified but the house serves as a proper context for Jesus and all his twelve disciples. St Mark sets the entire gospel about Jesus as that of the Son so the house referred here is the Father's house." In my Father's house are many mansions:.:( John 14:2) Of whose house are we? Is simplicity in Christ or honor of Herod what do we hunger for?
When it was time he sent them as the key verse says, two by two and gave them authority just as his Father had given him.
Jesus had no place to lay his head. He sent his disciples similarly to depend solely on His Father in heaven. Faith made them feel at home and the peace of which was not as the world gives. This was Christ's testimon.y
First I ask you a question. What came first? Light or darkness? And where and when were they created or formed or made. I firmly believe to fully grasp the first chapter of Genesis unlocks the entire eternal purpose of God he purposed in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world. I Love God's word. And I thank you for taking time to discuss with me. I'm in no hurry. For God has firmly revealed to me that I have need of patience that after I've done the Will of God I might receive the promise. ( Paraphrase. Hebrews 10;36
Greetings brother "One eighty" thank you for taking time to reply to my question and thought. I may be misunderstanding you,if so I apologize. But according to what has been revealed to me personally by revelation is that Jesus is the thoughts of Gods heart. Psalm33:11 And the beginning of the Gospel of John. The logos where we get our word logic or reason. Thus God before Time began purposed all things in his heart before beginning the creation by the word= thoughts. Jesus was in the beginning with God,and when God logos creation began,. I have a question for you to ponder. Which came first light or darkness. Just something to ponder. I seek godly counsel to always make sure God's word doesn't get twisted in my finite mind. For thinkers are what God created us to be. And to always think upon Him And meditate upon his word and he promises that we can understand All things. His word says so. Proverbs 28:5
Brother Ronald may you abound more and more in the Grace and knowledge of God. I agree that God is unsearchable and past finding out. But from my understanding of Scripture Jesus Christ is the thoughts of God. After all he is the creator,sustainer,plan,counsel and eternal purpose in action. Psalm 33:11- the counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Thus Jesus is the thoughts of God. The logos,the very plan in action. In simpler terms God thought it all out before the beginning,then those thoughts were spoken. Thus he did declare the end from the beginning. I can not separate God And his thoughts,for his thoughts,logos as in action is God,was with God in the beginning. I may not be clarifying myself. I apologize if not. I've not used Scripture references for I am persuaded you have the word of God deep in your heart. Thank you for your time
Things didn't work out this time for my trip; won't bore anyone with the details.
I am meditating on Phillipians 1:12-14
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
There are other verses as well that show God using Paul; such as the story in Acts 16:33-35 where the jailor and his family were baptized.
There is no doubt that what caused people to grow bolder was Paul's continuing determination under fierce persecution as well as his heartelt love and committment to the churches he founded. Today; it seems with many missionaries in far away countries at least here in the USA people can keep their distance in terms of feeling a close kinship; and in the intensity of prayers. Of course it is reciprocal to some degree as it was with Paul who was encouraged by those who gave which made up for the lack of others. Paul of course was the perfect example of a selfless believer; accepting hunger and thirst when necessary and doing work of menial labor of tentmaking to supplement monies so as not to be a burden.
Such opportunities do exist today among certain organizations that write to prisoners in restricted countries who are incarcerated due to their faith in terms of written communications with careful restrictions for their own safety as to the contents. God measures every tear in a bottle as ( Psalm 56:8). Psalm 30:5 says For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. This verse is better suited for the explanation of the chastisement of God with Israel and their eventual restoration but also shows that our sufferings in this life are temporal.
I do not believe is bad to be interested in that, we can study other people's beliefs and understanding of a particular scripture, but we must pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When I discuss anything with a brother or sister on this site a subject that we have different understandings of, I in prayer study to see both views and confirm the truth even if I am wrong the Holy Spirit will show us the truth maybe not that minute but if continue to pray about it the truth will come. All things are not revealed to us like Paul said about milk and meat it is not our time it is God's time.
I cannot say anyone is bad because of their understanding of prophecy, I can only say my understanding is different if they are willing to sit down together and study for the truth do so. We must not be dogmatic we must do it in love of the truth.
Salvation is by faith Jesus the Son of God shed His blood for our sins and was raised from the dead, a gift of grace from God His Father who gave Him to die for us in the plan of God that was conceived before the foundation of this world not understanding prophecy.
I do not know how much you have studied Revelation; you may know this but the events in Revelation are in order but it's not chronological order from start to finish. It is more of a circular order of the same events; John adds more information of parts of the same event in other chapters of what is going on at the same time.
As in Rev. 11, the two witnesses, parts of Rev. 12 and Rev. 13 show different things going on, but they are happening during the 42 months, a time, and times, and half a time, 3.5 years of Satan, the beast out of the bottomless pit, and the false prophet not different times. There are parallels between the visions John wrote down all through Revelation that we must recognize.
" and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him."
Herod was not farther from truth to set John in relation to Jesus. Nevertheless he had blood on his hand. Satan is a murderer. (John8:44) Mark set the Gadarenes episode to bring out the similarities with the unclean spirits, be it one or legion having the same cast of mind, they know the truth when they see or hear it. Is is under the department of conscience. Herod's conscience pricked that he put to death an innocent man. But Satan had given him safe cover as with the man with the legion at his throat. He would not cast them out by faith. Instead he did some monkeying. his untamed spirit was such the Marvel comics could have found their superhero, 'dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:"(5:3)
Satan had given his seat and authority as he did with the beast. (" and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority-"Re.13:2)"For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly." In what was his fear different from the Jews? "This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me./Howbeit in vain do they worship me."(7:6-7) Herod read the script given to him and he had a part to play. Hearing with his heart and understanding the will of God and being converted was not allowed. Instead Satan gave him pomp and circumstance, as sop to the dignity of a ruler. Do we not see such honor unravelling before our very eyes? Power is potent as a drink. Even after drawn over hot coals of impeachment what do we hear? "They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; They have beaten me, and I felt it not: When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again."(Pr.23:35)
Such honor is like the golden ring on the snout of a swine.
Thank you Brother . Is it bad for me to be interested in this theory ? Are Preterists or partial Preterists bad for believing this ? I'm genuinely ignorant so any help would be good .
There are several speculations on what the mark may be, a literal mark, a computer chip, symbols, and more but the mark of the beast will be based on worship. It is the false prophet, the second beast who causes people to worship the first beast and his image. The number 666 goes back to Babylon, the 36 gods numbered 1 through 36, 6 columns and 6 rows the numbers were arranged in such a way that the sum of any given row, column, or diagonal was 111, and therefore the sum of all six rows or all six columns was 666, like 18+20+22+21+17+13 =111, 1+2+3 to 36=666.
We are told to have faith and patience Luke 21:19Hebrews 6:12 and hear in Revelation 13:10 and Revelation 14:11 that if we are strong in our faith and patience we will have the steadfastness and endurance (the meaning of patience) to not give into the temptation of the three who is to come, Satan, the beast out of the bottomless pit and the beast who will be the false prophet, even if we face death, the hour of temptation, Rev. 3:10.
Something like this was done in the past in the Decian persecution in 250 AD. The decree ordered sacrifices be performed in the presence of a Roman magistrate, it was a signed and witnessed certificate, issued to that effect. People had to perform a sacrifice to the Roman gods and the well-being of the emperor.
Christians were put to death for refusing to perform the sacrifices, many others apostatized and performed the ceremonies, and others went into hiding. Those who compromised were able to prosper economically. By way of contrast, those who did not have the certificate were unable to buy or sell and suffered economic hardship. Buying and selling was done in marketplaces ruled by Rome. This may be similar to what is coming but a mark instead of a certificate.
Jesus Christ as the Lord is the Lord of heaven so he is heavenly. All the prophets until John served the Son as the double for Jesus Christ. "The law and the prophets were until John."( Luke 16:16)
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,/Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son" (He.1:1-3). It is of him Moses had warned,"The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken."(De.18:15). Moses stood as a stand-in for him. So did every prophet. He is the heir so seven days in the covenant in which seven is a kangaroo word.
The Spirit gives us multiplying of loaves 8:7-9 "And he (Jesus) blessed, and commanded to set them also before them./So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets./And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away." Here we seven baskets of the broken meat which stands as the testimony of the Son to his Father. Generally speaking the command numbers are incorporated in the God document to distinguish which is which. Considering the manner imposter church has let them proliferate shows the enemy is within the house. Jesus would soon clear his house of the Canaanites. "and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of theLordof hosts."(Ze.14:21)
While studying the significance of the command numbers Twelve and Seven respectively their place in the body of Scriptures is to fix the role of the Son as the heir of all things and the Son of man who is the Word become flesh. It is in the latter role whose humanity sets the doctrine of God as the good news since he died and rose again. "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."(He.2:9). So he appointed the twelve in obedience to the Word who was with God.( John 1:1). By healing two, where twelve years are a reminder of the word of God stated in Ge.6:3. As the Word become flesh he obeyed the word of God. Similarly when virtue went out Jesus it was the Spirit's way of reminding that he was anointed for his ministry. He was the Servant-Messiah, fulfilling what was spoken of him by the prophets, "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses."(Matt.8:17)
For this reason the Spirit gives us the number of baskets as twelve, which serves as a testimony to God. "And they did all eat, and were filled./And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes."(vv.42-43)
The Holy Spirit tags the entities who made the everlasting covenant as the Father and the Son. Of the latter John says,"All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made./In him was life; and the life was the light of men."(John1:3-4). Fulfilling the divine Will of the Father we have the tag Seven which is Perfect number. Seven provisions in the covenant therefore are seven days. Thus when the angel warns "for the hour of his judgment is come" the hour is set in heaven and it is not as we count earth time. Ministry of Jesus is from heaven so what role did all the prophets until John did? ( Luke 16:16)
Going to the shore and returning late Thursday. May still try to use cell phone but generally looking for some down time alone with the Lord and hopefully faithful to anyone open to receiving Gospel literature and or have any conversations about Christ.
Praying my car won't be broken into; got a steering wheel lock but have to street park in not so great area. Free parking is nice but not in unsupervised regions.
Look at earlier postings about ideas related to genetic DNA manipulation to render someone not human and therefore unredeemable. This would explain the wholesale destruction of all men except for Noah and his immediate family who was said to be "perfect" in his generations. ( Gen. 6:9). This would almost certainly have a primary reference to his genetic line not being contaminated with the sons of the giants or "men of renown" mentioned in Genesis 6:4. Christ came to redeem men not hybrid creatures and naturally angels that fell would also be unredeemable. Whether this business would be sold as an "evolutionary leap" or promise immortality or both is uncertain; but the "strong delusion" ultimately is sent by God; therefore men will worship the Beast and of course Satan who empowers him. The idea of rebellion comes to mind with what Cain did; and the original concept of the tower of Babel will come to its fruition "bringing the whole world together" in unity; so to speak.
The Tribulation likely begins with one man controlling all of the earth's wealth. That is seen in prophecies in Daniel 11:38 and prophecies such as him "dividing the land for gain" ( Daniel 11:39). See also Habukkuk 2:9 and the whole chapter there to see the consolidation of wealth. Despite his control of the 10 nation beast empire; we see in Revelation that the nations from the east and north amass to go after him. (sixth trumpet starting Revelation 9:13.) Therefore, he may have control over everyone economically but nations will still fight him. By Armageddon in Meddigo at least it appears all are damned after they are enticed to gather by the 3 demons from the frog like spirits coming from the "unholy" trinity. After fighting each other they turn and fight Christ which of course is futile. THose in the Ezekiel 38 campaign however have one sixth remain; I am guessing some don't have the mark and make it into the Millennium. I may discuss that later.
Since I had several postings on the subject yesterday; I would recommend you to look at that if helpful.
On my last commentary yesterday, I discussed the "mark of Cain" as mentioned in Genesis 4:15. This was something God allowed after Cain murdured his brother and was promised that he would be a vagabond on the earth from that point forth and Cain protested saying that was too hard. The Lord could have wiped him out at that point; but there was a greater lesson there.
Later on we see Lamech in Genesis 4:24 saying that he would be avenged seventy seven times after his violent acts.
Several things can be pointed out here; firstly this was the first time a mark on a person was given; and also God ultimately was the authority. Cain at the time would have been the only man alive; conceivably marrying one of his sisters later born to Adam and Eve so that God had to preserve him to continue the human race at that point at least until Seth was born; of course God knew ahead of time that others would reproduce; but also at the time there was no formal law regarding murder.
The main concept here and later passages is any mark whether of God or Satan is an identifier of a master and ownership. The idea that we ultimately have free will in regard to this issue seems to be ultimately not true. God once again mentions a mark with those who are mourning over the abominations at the time in the Temple of Jerusalem ( Ezekiel 9:4). God's mark again is mentioned with the 144,000 in Revelation 7 starting in verse 4. This is to make the judgments of God to not affect these men.
Of course the infamous mark of the Beast in Revelation 13 is something people will take or "decide" on; but all those whose names are not written in the Book of Life will not only take it but worship the Beast. ( Rev. 13:8).
Computer chips are now assimilating economic and health care information; so likely a chip is meant ("chargma") in original language means a mark on or under theskin
Hi everyone, i was kinda curious about revelation as it seems to be filled with many prophecies. so one thing that comes to mind is "what is the mark of the beast" found in revelation 13? would appreciate the explanation! thank you
Full Preterists believe Revelation happened in the first century. Partial Preterists believe that most of the prophecies of Revelation have been fulfilled but the second coming of Jesus is still to happen. This is not my understanding.
Dear sister what you are praying for are indeed honourable requests . I hope that God grants all your loving desires . Is your husband a Christian ? In all honesty his behaviour doesn't sound like that of a Christian man . I'm sorry for your situation and I hope and pray that God gives you a good resolution of it .
Hello brother I have to agree with you . The Bible does say that there is one Spirit of Truth and we are neither male or female in Christ we are all the Bride . Christ got his bride the same way Adam got his . From a wound in his side . Both were in a deep sleep . Personally I don't think that women should take to the pulpit and give a lesson in a formal church service and none do in my congregation . I have met many sisters who have more knowledge and understanding of the Bible than I do and I have been very happy to learn from them in private conversation . This site is not a formal church situation so I don't have any problem in reading and learning from messages posted by women . Anyone who can enhance my understanding of God's Word is a blessing to me . God uses many different types of people to get His message across and God is Righteous so we can't argue with His methods .
Hello Brother Adam and thank you for replying to me . I have only recently come across this interpretation and I have read through Revelation with this theory in the back of my mind . It's been very interesting and I can see how it could fit from chapter six up to the end of chapter eighteen . This theory does depend on the reader having some knowledge about the history of the Roman empire so it requires a bit of study . I was just wondering if any brother or sister had heard of this and wondered what they thought . Thank you and God bless .
"And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years," The Spirit gives us when it comes to the healing of the daughter of Jairus and the woman with an issue of blood the number in terms of years in both cases.
In the previous post we covered the Command number 12 being assigned to the gospel whether in heaven or on the earth. For this reason the Spirit refers to the everlasting gospel. ("And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."-Re.14:6)
The spiritual significance of the gospel is set in terms of man. In the case of Noah we have this rule:"And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years."(Ge.6:3) Life of The two who stood in need of healing was set in context of the word of God. By the same token having decreed a day for the Son (Ps.2:7-8) the seven 'days' are not days as we normally apply the duration of 24 hours. Instead it is set in the context of the everlasting covenant between God and Man. It is how we approach the entire opening chapter of the Book of Genesis. 'Days' and years" are kangaroo words so we are warned to look beyond the chronological time. We are considering the word as eternal and his promises are yea in his Son.
The woman with the issue of blood came where Jesus was present in order to get the healing. He was in a throng did not stop her, She herself thought of a way and "She said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole./ And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague./ And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?"(vv.28-30) She was a pioneer for this reason. We read in 6:56 the sick touching the hem.
I didn't read this until after I already posted about people trying to distort the truth. This is a good example of what I was referring to and sure is a creative excuse not to follow God's commands that I've never heard before. If someone wants to please a false god, wokeism, leftism, feminism, or any other religion then follow this advice, but if someone wants to follow God then follow what He says in the Bible.
The real question is what is the goal: to please God or please man? We already know what God wants because its written down and is clear what it means. Naturally, some will try to twist that to mean whatever else they want it to mean, but that doesn't make it true. God knows our hearts when we try to distort the truth.
Dear Brothers and Sisters do any of you hold the belief that the book of Revelation is mostly about the fall of the roman empire ? If yes why and if no why not please .
Why wouldn't women be allowed to preach as long as they speak from the Spirit of Truth? The term "woman" simply refers to a form of flesh. There's no such thing as female or male Spirit. The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts as nothing. God is Spirit. Spirit gives birth to spirit; flesh gives birth to flesh. Certainly males can and do often times speak and preach NOT from the Spirit of Truth , but from faith in the flesh as being one's identity. Again God is Spirit and Spirit gives birth ONLY to spirit.
Speaking Truth given us ONLY by the Holy Spirit, is communicated from the Mind of God to the mind of His creation, discerning not whether the speaker perceives one's self as male or female. We All were created by His Spirit as perfect equals. Focusing on bodies will show us this isn't true. The Vision of Christ overlooks the physical and knows you exactly as you were created; out of Holiness. If God is perfect and eternal, then by definition anything He creates would also have to be perfect and eternal. This is flawless logic. Nothing and no one can change God's Mind. Truth should not be complicated.
Regarding your question: "Is anyone up for discussing God's eternal purpose?" (question mark added):
The use of the word "eternal" is appropriate because everything regarding God is "eternal" and I might add "perfect". Nothing He does is limited by time, due to His omnipresence. He's never done anything in the past or future. Anything He creates always has and always will be exactly as He created it NOW. God did not do anything yesterday, nor tomorrow.
His PURPOSE is always creation NOW, extended and shared always NOW, never wavering, changing, or ceasing. What He creates is fully created and created perfect Now for eternity. He does not acknowledge time, thus not bound by time's laws. He creates in His Own Likeness, i.e. of like quality; and in His Own Image, i.e. His Own Thought. We are the Thought of God, and He retains His extensions of His Thoughts (you, us) in His Mind. And thoughts can never leave their Source.
God created us to extend His Thoughts. As God created us, this is actually our natural God given ability; yet extending God's Love can be put off temporarily, resulting from believing in lies told us by our own self-serving ego.
Only beings of like order can truly communicate, which is why Jesus APPEARED as human flesh. Yet ONLY minds can truly communicate, and communication with the Mind of God Who is SPIRIT (not a body) is life. God created every mind by communicating His mind to it. Again, communication with God is Life.
God created you to create. It is His PURPOSE and WILL. His Will and purpose be done because there is no other will or purpose that can usurp His power. It does not exist in His Mind, but only in the minds of the insane (myself included). Is it difficult to accept the law of creation that you love your creations as your self because they are literally a part of you? If so, we should be joyful Love creates Itself and NOTHING but Itself. We should not perceive ourselves in any other light.
Jesus the Messiah/Christ God's only begotten Son is the purpose, I do not know if I am reading your question correctly, may you and others have more or different understandings.
1 Corinthians 2:16 tells us we have the mind of Christ, but no one can know the mind of God. 2 Peter 3:18 tells us to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus. All began with Jesus; Jesus is the beginning of God's plan. Isaiah 45:18Isaiah 46:8-10 God and there is none like Him, He declared the end from the beginning His counsel (His purpose and plan by His will) shall stand and God will do all His pleasure, Psalms 33:11.
God is not in our time the end of His plan is as the beginning God's plan was completed when He made it, we have the Bible, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit His plan is made known to us as our time comes to be, as in Ephesians 1:10-12 to be the praise and glory to God.
God declared from the very beginnings of history, Acts 17:24-26 there is but one human race, we all are of the same blood, and in Jesus Christ we become brothers and sisters. In God's plan, it is finished, nothing will change. In God, it is finished already to Him who is from everlasting to everlasting, Psalms 90:2 and how He can "calleth those things which be not as though they were." Romans 4:17-18.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
"And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;"(v.7)
This number is constant and it broadly signifies the gospel. When God sent forth his word it signaled the good news of fellowship where all are invited in his Son. So 3x4 makes up the command number. For this reason when Judas Iscariot left the original twelve it necessitated choosing one to fell into the breach. "Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles." Besides those who were assembled in the number were multiples of 12."12x10 clues us in what bonded them, - it was the word, the peace which the Lord had left them with, -or the presence of the Lord, the word is set down by the command number (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)"Ac.1:26,15; John 14:27).
This gospel outreach was in the divine Will when he appointed a day for the Son with the emblem, the slain Lamb before the foundation of the world(Re.13:8) Pre-eminence of Jesus Christ was established in heaven and on the earth and the lower parts. So the Four and twenty elders (8x3) are as memorial before the throne of God. This significance we see in the multiplying of loaves in vv.37-43. "And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes." These baskets are memorial of his ministry.
In the preceding chapter Mark prepares us with the number 12. The woman with the issue of blood and the daughter of Jairus are both tagged by the number 12. Jesus commanded the word "Talitha cumi" and was in keeping with the divine Will.(Ps.107:20; 5:41) "And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years," Her faith completed the divine Will and the healing. What connected her with Christ while she was among a throng? His virtue went out to establish that he was Christ. How a believer can deny the truth? "Thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." (Ps.45:7)
I heard some years ago that a Pope predicted that the Antichrist would espouse solar power and be an environmentalist; probably Ratzinger but I am having trouble finding the quote. There are many other interesting statments about dangers of humanism and such that that Pope did say; which I agree with despite disagreeing with Catholic theology. In any event; in light of the prophecy in Revelation 16:10-11 and the first bowl being a blister from the sun; I am postulating that the mark could be empowered from solar energy. That would explain the devastation of the darkness on the land that would put an end to any sort of communication the chip would offer (if that is the mark).
It is clear now that all medical records could be for a person in such a database; but I believe that there will be a genetic change to the DNA of the beast as part of what makes a person unredeemable. Also I would expect some sort of "high" similar to a drug that electric impulses or some magnetic energy would give to someone that would give them an addictive high. No doubt any food will be in short supply the entire 2nd half of the Tribulation; so these people will be doped up somehow. Once this feeling is suddenly cut off; that will allow the level of desperation to escalate to where the demons released in Revelation 16:13 will have total control.
We need only to see the rapid decline from the first seal when people will have some sort of false worldwide peace the end of the Tribulation to see how fast men can fall. This can in some ways be compared to the time of Creation and the original fall of man until today; or even how fast people went from Palm Sunday and adoration of Christ to the behaviors less than a week later at the Crucifixion. There is no peace for the wicked at any time as stated several times in Isaiah; and repeated as to no desire for peace in many other verses. Luke 3:7 was in Christ's time but applies today.
In 1 Kings 13; we see a story of an unnamed prophet who God slayed after disobeying the command not to eat or drink or go back the way he came after a fellow prophet lied to him; later the word of God came through that same prophet foretelling his burial won't be with the other ancestors and he died after leaving the meal; mauled by a lion who then stood next to his natural pray a donkey by the body. It is understood that the Spirit wasn't indwelling as it is today permanently with believers; but it would seem this man was disciplined by the Lord rather than going to hell. The same principle is stated in 1 Corinthians 11:30 where it talks about taking the Lord's supper unworthily (interestingly related to a meal taken wrongly as well).
My general point here is that there are many out there who claim we can "lose our salvation". We forget the many verses that contradict this which I won't get into right now; because there are so many others that seem to justify this concept. I have already discussed at length many times the idea of God chastising those He loves (and the opposite fact that we are all illegitimate sons if not ( Heb. 12:8).) What I am saying now is that the dying process begins at the day of our salvation and continues throughout our "sanctification" process. The outer evidence of this comes from the fruit in our hearts and is tied into our behaviors; attitudes; words; praises; service; etc. The world has it's own way of "sacrifice" whether as dramatic as "stigmata" or some kind of outer manifestation that appears like the wounds of Christ on their body (certainly demonic); or acts of contrition; service; etc. I don't want to force the terminology realted to the 5 points of Calvin to make my point. I do want to suggest that when God begins a work He completes it. Let us learn the lessons from scripture and take them to heart.
"And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits."
Jesus ordained them for a purpose. " And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him./And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach"(3:13-14).Having introduced the disciples the Spirit gives us two symbols which gives an altogether different emphasis to the discipleship.
We shall first examine it before we take up the topic. St Matthew presents the doctrine of his Father before a mountain while St Mark informs us that Jesus first went up into a mountain and calls whom he would. It does not mean the twelve disciples were among them but the emblem of Zion (Is.28:16; Matt.5:1) is the witness for the discipleship. Jesus Christ the rock of ages embodies the doctrine of his Father; so are the twelve disciples. By choosing Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve he was accountable to the Word as he as the word become flesh his testimony also was on the line. Testimony of Jesus: the spirit of prophesy.(Re.19:10) . Mark gives us the list and ends with," And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house." (3:19) The house is not specified but the house serves as a proper context for Jesus and all his twelve disciples. St Mark sets the entire gospel about Jesus as that of the Son so the house referred here is the Father's house." In my Father's house are many mansions:.:( John 14:2) Of whose house are we? Is simplicity in Christ or honor of Herod what do we hunger for?
When it was time he sent them as the key verse says, two by two and gave them authority just as his Father had given him.
Jesus had no place to lay his head. He sent his disciples similarly to depend solely on His Father in heaven. Faith made them feel at home and the peace of which was not as the world gives. This was Christ's testimon.y
I am meditating on Phillipians 1:12-14
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
There are other verses as well that show God using Paul; such as the story in Acts 16:33-35 where the jailor and his family were baptized.
There is no doubt that what caused people to grow bolder was Paul's continuing determination under fierce persecution as well as his heartelt love and committment to the churches he founded. Today; it seems with many missionaries in far away countries at least here in the USA people can keep their distance in terms of feeling a close kinship; and in the intensity of prayers. Of course it is reciprocal to some degree as it was with Paul who was encouraged by those who gave which made up for the lack of others. Paul of course was the perfect example of a selfless believer; accepting hunger and thirst when necessary and doing work of menial labor of tentmaking to supplement monies so as not to be a burden.
Such opportunities do exist today among certain organizations that write to prisoners in restricted countries who are incarcerated due to their faith in terms of written communications with careful restrictions for their own safety as to the contents. God measures every tear in a bottle as ( Psalm 56:8). Psalm 30:5 says For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. This verse is better suited for the explanation of the chastisement of God with Israel and their eventual restoration but also shows that our sufferings in this life are temporal.
We're in this together
I do not believe is bad to be interested in that, we can study other people's beliefs and understanding of a particular scripture, but we must pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When I discuss anything with a brother or sister on this site a subject that we have different understandings of, I in prayer study to see both views and confirm the truth even if I am wrong the Holy Spirit will show us the truth maybe not that minute but if continue to pray about it the truth will come. All things are not revealed to us like Paul said about milk and meat it is not our time it is God's time.
I cannot say anyone is bad because of their understanding of prophecy, I can only say my understanding is different if they are willing to sit down together and study for the truth do so. We must not be dogmatic we must do it in love of the truth.
Salvation is by faith Jesus the Son of God shed His blood for our sins and was raised from the dead, a gift of grace from God His Father who gave Him to die for us in the plan of God that was conceived before the foundation of this world not understanding prophecy.
I do not know how much you have studied Revelation; you may know this but the events in Revelation are in order but it's not chronological order from start to finish. It is more of a circular order of the same events; John adds more information of parts of the same event in other chapters of what is going on at the same time.
As in Rev. 11, the two witnesses, parts of Rev. 12 and Rev. 13 show different things going on, but they are happening during the 42 months, a time, and times, and half a time, 3.5 years of Satan, the beast out of the bottomless pit, and the false prophet not different times. There are parallels between the visions John wrote down all through Revelation that we must recognize.
God bless,
RLW
" and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him."
Herod was not farther from truth to set John in relation to Jesus. Nevertheless he had blood on his hand. Satan is a murderer. (John8:44) Mark set the Gadarenes episode to bring out the similarities with the unclean spirits, be it one or legion having the same cast of mind, they know the truth when they see or hear it. Is is under the department of conscience. Herod's conscience pricked that he put to death an innocent man. But Satan had given him safe cover as with the man with the legion at his throat. He would not cast them out by faith. Instead he did some monkeying. his untamed spirit was such the Marvel comics could have found their superhero, 'dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:"(5:3)
Satan had given his seat and authority as he did with the beast. (" and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority-"Re.13:2)"For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly." In what was his fear different from the Jews? "This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me./Howbeit in vain do they worship me."(7:6-7) Herod read the script given to him and he had a part to play. Hearing with his heart and understanding the will of God and being converted was not allowed. Instead Satan gave him pomp and circumstance, as sop to the dignity of a ruler. Do we not see such honor unravelling before our very eyes? Power is potent as a drink. Even after drawn over hot coals of impeachment what do we hear? "They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; They have beaten me, and I felt it not: When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again."(Pr.23:35)
Such honor is like the golden ring on the snout of a swine.
There are several speculations on what the mark may be, a literal mark, a computer chip, symbols, and more but the mark of the beast will be based on worship. It is the false prophet, the second beast who causes people to worship the first beast and his image. The number 666 goes back to Babylon, the 36 gods numbered 1 through 36, 6 columns and 6 rows the numbers were arranged in such a way that the sum of any given row, column, or diagonal was 111, and therefore the sum of all six rows or all six columns was 666, like 18+20+22+21+17+13 =111, 1+2+3 to 36=666.
We are told to have faith and patience Luke 21:19 Hebrews 6:12 and hear in Revelation 13:10 and Revelation 14:11 that if we are strong in our faith and patience we will have the steadfastness and endurance (the meaning of patience) to not give into the temptation of the three who is to come, Satan, the beast out of the bottomless pit and the beast who will be the false prophet, even if we face death, the hour of temptation, Rev. 3:10.
Something like this was done in the past in the Decian persecution in 250 AD. The decree ordered sacrifices be performed in the presence of a Roman magistrate, it was a signed and witnessed certificate, issued to that effect. People had to perform a sacrifice to the Roman gods and the well-being of the emperor.
Christians were put to death for refusing to perform the sacrifices, many others apostatized and performed the ceremonies, and others went into hiding. Those who compromised were able to prosper economically. By way of contrast, those who did not have the certificate were unable to buy or sell and suffered economic hardship. Buying and selling was done in marketplaces ruled by Rome. This may be similar to what is coming but a mark instead of a certificate.
Hope this helps.
God bless,
RLW
Jesus Christ as the Lord is the Lord of heaven so he is heavenly. All the prophets until John served the Son as the double for Jesus Christ. "The law and the prophets were until John."( Luke 16:16)
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,/Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son" (He.1:1-3). It is of him Moses had warned,"The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken."(De.18:15). Moses stood as a stand-in for him. So did every prophet. He is the heir so seven days in the covenant in which seven is a kangaroo word.
The Spirit gives us multiplying of loaves 8:7-9 "And he (Jesus) blessed, and commanded to set them also before them./So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets./And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away." Here we seven baskets of the broken meat which stands as the testimony of the Son to his Father. Generally speaking the command numbers are incorporated in the God document to distinguish which is which. Considering the manner imposter church has let them proliferate shows the enemy is within the house. Jesus would soon clear his house of the Canaanites. "and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of theLordof hosts."(Ze.14:21)
While studying the significance of the command numbers Twelve and Seven respectively their place in the body of Scriptures is to fix the role of the Son as the heir of all things and the Son of man who is the Word become flesh. It is in the latter role whose humanity sets the doctrine of God as the good news since he died and rose again. "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."(He.2:9). So he appointed the twelve in obedience to the Word who was with God.( John 1:1). By healing two, where twelve years are a reminder of the word of God stated in Ge.6:3. As the Word become flesh he obeyed the word of God. Similarly when virtue went out Jesus it was the Spirit's way of reminding that he was anointed for his ministry. He was the Servant-Messiah, fulfilling what was spoken of him by the prophets, "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses."(Matt.8:17)
For this reason the Spirit gives us the number of baskets as twelve, which serves as a testimony to God. "And they did all eat, and were filled./And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes."(vv.42-43)
The Holy Spirit tags the entities who made the everlasting covenant as the Father and the Son. Of the latter John says,"All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made./In him was life; and the life was the light of men."(John1:3-4). Fulfilling the divine Will of the Father we have the tag Seven which is Perfect number. Seven provisions in the covenant therefore are seven days. Thus when the angel warns "for the hour of his judgment is come" the hour is set in heaven and it is not as we count earth time. Ministry of Jesus is from heaven so what role did all the prophets until John did? ( Luke 16:16)
Going to the shore and returning late Thursday. May still try to use cell phone but generally looking for some down time alone with the Lord and hopefully faithful to anyone open to receiving Gospel literature and or have any conversations about Christ.
Praying my car won't be broken into; got a steering wheel lock but have to street park in not so great area. Free parking is nice but not in unsupervised regions.
Agape. Rich P
Look at earlier postings about ideas related to genetic DNA manipulation to render someone not human and therefore unredeemable. This would explain the wholesale destruction of all men except for Noah and his immediate family who was said to be "perfect" in his generations. ( Gen. 6:9). This would almost certainly have a primary reference to his genetic line not being contaminated with the sons of the giants or "men of renown" mentioned in Genesis 6:4. Christ came to redeem men not hybrid creatures and naturally angels that fell would also be unredeemable. Whether this business would be sold as an "evolutionary leap" or promise immortality or both is uncertain; but the "strong delusion" ultimately is sent by God; therefore men will worship the Beast and of course Satan who empowers him. The idea of rebellion comes to mind with what Cain did; and the original concept of the tower of Babel will come to its fruition "bringing the whole world together" in unity; so to speak.
The Tribulation likely begins with one man controlling all of the earth's wealth. That is seen in prophecies in Daniel 11:38 and prophecies such as him "dividing the land for gain" ( Daniel 11:39). See also Habukkuk 2:9 and the whole chapter there to see the consolidation of wealth. Despite his control of the 10 nation beast empire; we see in Revelation that the nations from the east and north amass to go after him. (sixth trumpet starting Revelation 9:13.) Therefore, he may have control over everyone economically but nations will still fight him. By Armageddon in Meddigo at least it appears all are damned after they are enticed to gather by the 3 demons from the frog like spirits coming from the "unholy" trinity. After fighting each other they turn and fight Christ which of course is futile. THose in the Ezekiel 38 campaign however have one sixth remain; I am guessing some don't have the mark and make it into the Millennium. I may discuss that later.
On my last commentary yesterday, I discussed the "mark of Cain" as mentioned in Genesis 4:15. This was something God allowed after Cain murdured his brother and was promised that he would be a vagabond on the earth from that point forth and Cain protested saying that was too hard. The Lord could have wiped him out at that point; but there was a greater lesson there.
Later on we see Lamech in Genesis 4:24 saying that he would be avenged seventy seven times after his violent acts.
Several things can be pointed out here; firstly this was the first time a mark on a person was given; and also God ultimately was the authority. Cain at the time would have been the only man alive; conceivably marrying one of his sisters later born to Adam and Eve so that God had to preserve him to continue the human race at that point at least until Seth was born; of course God knew ahead of time that others would reproduce; but also at the time there was no formal law regarding murder.
The main concept here and later passages is any mark whether of God or Satan is an identifier of a master and ownership. The idea that we ultimately have free will in regard to this issue seems to be ultimately not true. God once again mentions a mark with those who are mourning over the abominations at the time in the Temple of Jerusalem ( Ezekiel 9:4). God's mark again is mentioned with the 144,000 in Revelation 7 starting in verse 4. This is to make the judgments of God to not affect these men.
Of course the infamous mark of the Beast in Revelation 13 is something people will take or "decide" on; but all those whose names are not written in the Book of Life will not only take it but worship the Beast. ( Rev. 13:8).
Computer chips are now assimilating economic and health care information; so likely a chip is meant ("chargma") in original language means a mark on or under theskin
Full Preterists believe Revelation happened in the first century. Partial Preterists believe that most of the prophecies of Revelation have been fulfilled but the second coming of Jesus is still to happen. This is not my understanding.
God bless,
RLW
"And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years," The Spirit gives us when it comes to the healing of the daughter of Jairus and the woman with an issue of blood the number in terms of years in both cases.
In the previous post we covered the Command number 12 being assigned to the gospel whether in heaven or on the earth. For this reason the Spirit refers to the everlasting gospel. ("And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."-Re.14:6)
The spiritual significance of the gospel is set in terms of man. In the case of Noah we have this rule:"And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years."(Ge.6:3) Life of The two who stood in need of healing was set in context of the word of God. By the same token having decreed a day for the Son (Ps.2:7-8) the seven 'days' are not days as we normally apply the duration of 24 hours. Instead it is set in the context of the everlasting covenant between God and Man. It is how we approach the entire opening chapter of the Book of Genesis. 'Days' and years" are kangaroo words so we are warned to look beyond the chronological time. We are considering the word as eternal and his promises are yea in his Son.
The woman with the issue of blood came where Jesus was present in order to get the healing. He was in a throng did not stop her, She herself thought of a way and "She said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole./ And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague./ And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?"(vv.28-30) She was a pioneer for this reason. We read in 6:56 the sick touching the hem.
1 Corinthians 14:34
1 Timothy 2:11-12
The real question is what is the goal: to please God or please man? We already know what God wants because its written down and is clear what it means. Naturally, some will try to twist that to mean whatever else they want it to mean, but that doesn't make it true. God knows our hearts when we try to distort the truth.
Why wouldn't women be allowed to preach as long as they speak from the Spirit of Truth? The term "woman" simply refers to a form of flesh. There's no such thing as female or male Spirit. The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts as nothing. God is Spirit. Spirit gives birth to spirit; flesh gives birth to flesh. Certainly males can and do often times speak and preach NOT from the Spirit of Truth , but from faith in the flesh as being one's identity. Again God is Spirit and Spirit gives birth ONLY to spirit.
Speaking Truth given us ONLY by the Holy Spirit, is communicated from the Mind of God to the mind of His creation, discerning not whether the speaker perceives one's self as male or female. We All were created by His Spirit as perfect equals. Focusing on bodies will show us this isn't true. The Vision of Christ overlooks the physical and knows you exactly as you were created; out of Holiness. If God is perfect and eternal, then by definition anything He creates would also have to be perfect and eternal. This is flawless logic. Nothing and no one can change God's Mind. Truth should not be complicated.
Regarding your question: "Is anyone up for discussing God's eternal purpose?" (question mark added):
The use of the word "eternal" is appropriate because everything regarding God is "eternal" and I might add "perfect". Nothing He does is limited by time, due to His omnipresence. He's never done anything in the past or future. Anything He creates always has and always will be exactly as He created it NOW. God did not do anything yesterday, nor tomorrow.
His PURPOSE is always creation NOW, extended and shared always NOW, never wavering, changing, or ceasing. What He creates is fully created and created perfect Now for eternity. He does not acknowledge time, thus not bound by time's laws. He creates in His Own Likeness, i.e. of like quality; and in His Own Image, i.e. His Own Thought. We are the Thought of God, and He retains His extensions of His Thoughts (you, us) in His Mind. And thoughts can never leave their Source.
God created us to extend His Thoughts. As God created us, this is actually our natural God given ability; yet extending God's Love can be put off temporarily, resulting from believing in lies told us by our own self-serving ego.
Only beings of like order can truly communicate, which is why Jesus APPEARED as human flesh. Yet ONLY minds can truly communicate, and communication with the Mind of God Who is SPIRIT (not a body) is life. God created every mind by communicating His mind to it. Again, communication with God is Life.
God created you to create. It is His PURPOSE and WILL. His Will and purpose be done because there is no other will or purpose that can usurp His power. It does not exist in His Mind, but only in the minds of the insane (myself included). Is it difficult to accept the law of creation that you love your creations as your self because they are literally a part of you? If so, we should be joyful Love creates Itself and NOTHING but Itself. We should not perceive ourselves in any other light.
Peace
God's eternal purpose
Jesus the Messiah/Christ God's only begotten Son is the purpose, I do not know if I am reading your question correctly, may you and others have more or different understandings.
1 Corinthians 2:16 tells us we have the mind of Christ, but no one can know the mind of God. 2 Peter 3:18 tells us to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus. All began with Jesus; Jesus is the beginning of God's plan. Isaiah 45:18 Isaiah 46:8-10 God and there is none like Him, He declared the end from the beginning His counsel (His purpose and plan by His will) shall stand and God will do all His pleasure, Psalms 33:11.
God is not in our time the end of His plan is as the beginning God's plan was completed when He made it, we have the Bible, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit His plan is made known to us as our time comes to be, as in Ephesians 1:10-12 to be the praise and glory to God.
God declared from the very beginnings of history, Acts 17:24-26 there is but one human race, we all are of the same blood, and in Jesus Christ we become brothers and sisters. In God's plan, it is finished, nothing will change. In God, it is finished already to Him who is from everlasting to everlasting, Psalms 90:2 and how He can "calleth those things which be not as though they were." Romans 4:17-18.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
God bless,
RLW
"And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;"(v.7)
This number is constant and it broadly signifies the gospel. When God sent forth his word it signaled the good news of fellowship where all are invited in his Son. So 3x4 makes up the command number. For this reason when Judas Iscariot left the original twelve it necessitated choosing one to fell into the breach. "Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles." Besides those who were assembled in the number were multiples of 12."12x10 clues us in what bonded them, - it was the word, the peace which the Lord had left them with, -or the presence of the Lord, the word is set down by the command number (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)"Ac.1:26,15; John 14:27).
This gospel outreach was in the divine Will when he appointed a day for the Son with the emblem, the slain Lamb before the foundation of the world(Re.13:8) Pre-eminence of Jesus Christ was established in heaven and on the earth and the lower parts. So the Four and twenty elders (8x3) are as memorial before the throne of God. This significance we see in the multiplying of loaves in vv.37-43. "And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes." These baskets are memorial of his ministry.
In the preceding chapter Mark prepares us with the number 12. The woman with the issue of blood and the daughter of Jairus are both tagged by the number 12. Jesus commanded the word "Talitha cumi" and was in keeping with the divine Will.(Ps.107:20; 5:41) "And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years," Her faith completed the divine Will and the healing. What connected her with Christ while she was among a throng? His virtue went out to establish that he was Christ. How a believer can deny the truth? "Thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." (Ps.45:7)
I heard some years ago that a Pope predicted that the Antichrist would espouse solar power and be an environmentalist; probably Ratzinger but I am having trouble finding the quote. There are many other interesting statments about dangers of humanism and such that that Pope did say; which I agree with despite disagreeing with Catholic theology. In any event; in light of the prophecy in Revelation 16:10-11 and the first bowl being a blister from the sun; I am postulating that the mark could be empowered from solar energy. That would explain the devastation of the darkness on the land that would put an end to any sort of communication the chip would offer (if that is the mark).
It is clear now that all medical records could be for a person in such a database; but I believe that there will be a genetic change to the DNA of the beast as part of what makes a person unredeemable. Also I would expect some sort of "high" similar to a drug that electric impulses or some magnetic energy would give to someone that would give them an addictive high. No doubt any food will be in short supply the entire 2nd half of the Tribulation; so these people will be doped up somehow. Once this feeling is suddenly cut off; that will allow the level of desperation to escalate to where the demons released in Revelation 16:13 will have total control.
We need only to see the rapid decline from the first seal when people will have some sort of false worldwide peace the end of the Tribulation to see how fast men can fall. This can in some ways be compared to the time of Creation and the original fall of man until today; or even how fast people went from Palm Sunday and adoration of Christ to the behaviors less than a week later at the Crucifixion. There is no peace for the wicked at any time as stated several times in Isaiah; and repeated as to no desire for peace in many other verses. Luke 3:7 was in Christ's time but applies today.