Just some thoughts on Revelation 12 it covers the past and the future up to the beginning of the 3.5 years of tribulation.
Part 2
Revelation 12:7-10 We have the war in heaven and Satan and his angels are cast out of heaven down to the earth and will not have any more access to heaven.
Verse 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Is this the angels that overcame Satan and his angels? No. This is about us who are here during the tribulation, we overcome because of the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony and loved not our lives unto death.
The Greek word here translated overcame is nikao meaning to conquer, prevail, victorious, overcome. Perseverance, and faith that is referred to many times in Revelation, Rev. 1:3Rev. 1:9Rev. 2:26Rev. 3:12Rev. 7:14Rev. 14:12Rev. 21:7, and more. We who are living will be here, the blood Jesus shed for us, our faith, and the word of our testimony we will overcome even if we face death, and many will, Rev. 13:15.
Verses 12-17 there is rejoicing in heaven but a warning to those who are here on earth, do we take this warning to heart, horrific times are coming, and many are looking to be taken out but Scripture does not support that. The devil knows his time is very short and he has great wrath.
Satan persecutes the woman/Israel trying to keep the kingdom from being set up, preventing the fulfillment of the promises to Abraham and David. The wings of a great eagle symbolize it will give a swift escape, to her place wherever that may be, Hosea 2:14-15, but it is for the same amount of time as in verse 6 a time and times and half a time, the 3.5 years of tribulation.
Satan the serpent will try to wash Israel away with a flood, but the earth swallows it up. This flood could be a wave of water or more likely an invasion of an army.
Just some thoughts on Revelation 12 it covers the past and the future up to the beginning of the 3.5 years of tribulation.
Part 3
Satan then goes after the remnant of her seed those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. The remnant of her seed is the faithful people here when the tribulation starts. Like the ones before us who have been persecuted and killed, the fathers and prophets, and after Jesus the thousands upon thousands who have been tortured and killed in the name of Jesus, why would the last be spared when the first was not?
This starts the 3.5 years of tribulation as we see in Revelation 13, in the original text it is Satan standing on the sand of the sea to give his power, his seat, and great authority to the beast. We see in Rev. 11:7 and Rev. 17:8 that this is the bottomless pit. There are not seven years as some say we see when Satan is cast down and the beast rises, he is given only 42 months, and that is 3.5 years Revelation 13:5. It all starts when Satan is cast down the short time he has is 3.5 years.
The end of the 3.5 years will be when the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled, Luke 21:24Romans 11:25Revelation 11:2. Then the second coming of Jesus, Matthew 24:29-311 Thessalonians 4:16-17Revelation 1:7Revelation 3:11Revelation 19:11-16Revelation 22:12.
Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
This is what is coming, everyone will be tempted to take the mark of the beast, Jesus will give us if we are here the strength to say no even if we face death. Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Revelation 15:2
I am trying to stop a friend from getting a tattoo, because, she is not thinking clear. I know that in the long run, she'll hate the tattoos, but i have to stop her. I need support, and all of the verses, and explanations that i can get against tattoos, that are in the Bible. Any help is welcome! Thank you!
Q: God tells Rebekah, I will quote, "And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb./and the elder shall serve the younger."(Ge.25:23). On what basis Eve signifies the Woman clothed with the Sun in the vision, and not Rebekah?"
A: Simple. The vision given to John is about the divine Will on the basis of the whole Testament and not merely restricted to blessings given to Abraham as the father of many nations. The covenant sets "them" each representing power and wisdom principle respectively so 'dominion over over His creation has to cover man "after our image". Eve has a distinct role after our likeness"-she is the Mother of all living. The virtue of Rebekah, on that basis, as the rivalry of Jacob and Esau unfolds, is a sad commentary of the domestic unity between her and Isaac becoming frayed.
Seven days as stated in the covenant gives a volume to the man blessed in Jesus Christ. Each Christian shall have his salvation in his Son so the same charge first given to man and woman, over all living cannot be shortchanged. By the same token he tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself has to prove the quality. Simply faith is not enough. Abiding in the Man component fruit shall be abundant. (Ge.1:11) Justification is not simply good enough to be caught upto the throne.
Each heart a spiritual space where the iconography of Re.ch.12 shall fit. Except a child of God is vigilant he is open to the wiles of the red dragon. Each of us travail as St Paul, "For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life./Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit."( 2 Co.5:4-5) It is about this' life' heavenly Jerusalem he spoke in an allegory. Zion/ Jerusalem, the mother of all living. (Gal.4:26)
Q: "The question that Isaiah asks 'who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord ' (Is.40:13) puts the finger on the holiness of God. We shall take the Wisdom part alone. Wisdom declares, "The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way" (Pr.8:22). But how does it connect with Eve, the mother of all living?"
A:
In the everlasting covenant dominion over all living was not intended on man alone. " It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him." (Ge.2:18). Eve as an helpmeet was undertaken as a remedy. On one hand we have man created after our image. That explains male and female in the make of man. The living soul made him wise to name all His creation including Eve. Eve however has yet another function 'after our likeness.' She is after Wisdom as the mother of all living.
What does a good mother do over her charge blessed by God? It requires more than wisdom but the virtue of running her household well. " She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness./ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her./Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all." (Pr.31:27-29). The virtue sets her as the Law of the Spirit so both wisdom and power are ever held in balance. In our times where Christians have not spared holiness of God from gender issue we know how much perverse have churches become.
"Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors./ For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord./ But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death."(Pr.8:34-36) Eve is after the likeness of the Law of the Spirit, " I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was." In short the Word which was God and with God is the mother of Living. Isn't silly to ask if God has a gender?
The Bible mentions the Millennium in Revelation 20:4, which describes a thousand-year period that begins after Jesus' Second Coming. The Millennium is also known as the "thousand-year reign of Christ" or the "millennial kingdom".
Q: The Spirit has designated Eve as the mother of all living. If she is so, how is that the woman clothed with the Sun in the vision is identified and taught by churches as Israel?"
A: In order to illustrate what the children of God are up against in the present times we shall bring St Paul's quote:" But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all."(Gal.4:22-26). The Spirit used St Paul to interpret the spiritual significance of this verse,"And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living." (Ge.3:20). This is what comparing the spiritual with spiritual would mean. "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God./Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual."(1 Co.2:12-13). The woman in the wilderness in the vision of John is about sons of Adam as distinct from those who are led by the Spirit. in v.14 we read"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Does anyone think a false teacher with one eye on the filthy lucre is interested in teaching wholesome doctrine.
As against Wisdom who built the house with seven pillars we have strange woman often presented in the Wisdom literature."Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well." Our very soul presents Jerusalem which is free, so slake your thirst from your own wells than from hell. "For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:/But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword./Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell."(Pr.5:3-5) What has miry clay drawn iron, in the King's dream? Zero and it shows.Dan.2:43
The great catch of fish story appears to have a very positive message, but does it? Sunday school classes seem to teach that Simon's great catch of fish was a miracle given by Jesus to show how Jesus has special powers that he, in this instance, is using to convince a number of would-be disciples to follow him. It is often plays into the prosperity doctrine that belief in Jesus will bring us a great catch of (fill in the blank). And this story of Jesus would seem to support that message. However, I do not believe that is a proper interpretation at all.
At the beginning of the chapter we see a scene of Simon fixing his nets, tired, and fishless. Jesus is not far away, preaching to the multitudes but yet Simon does not seem interested. Jesus singles Simon out and asks him to sail off into the deep waters and to throw his net out again. Simon agrees, reluctantly, but does it anyway which may be one of the few high points of this story. He has enough faith in this unknown rabbi to at least humor him. Perhaps it was the persuasion of the other disciples that convinced him, but regardless, he consented.
Things went downhill from there. While fishing in the deep (not the shallows) Jesus gave him more of his idol than he could handle. The fish broke his nets and their weight began to sink the boat. Simon likely realized that most of the fish would rot at the dock. In his panic, he asked Jesus to leave him. A reluctant Simon took a chance on this rabbi and now is losing his livelihood and possibly his life. In his desperation, Simon pleads with Jesus for his physical salvation by addressing his sinful spiritual depravity.
We know that the disciples were afraid because after arriving back on land, Jesus said, "Fear not". We end this story with the disciples giving up their lives for Jesus. Why? A lot happened here. Simon may be now boatless, his entire livelihood is gone. What are his options?
Q: The second rider was given a sword 'to take peace from the earth'? (Re.6:4) What serves the purpose of a pair of balances that the rider on the black horse carried?
A: The power was given from heaven and the word of God is clear."A false balance is abomination to theLord:" Further down the word of God assures, "The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them." (Pr.11:1, 3) God and mammon address the heart of man. If one honours God, he shall observe the two commandments of Jesus Christ. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind./This is the first and great commandment./And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself./On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."(Matt.22:37-40). Hypocrisy of white sepulchres is where heart tries to serve both God and mammon. The many wars on the earth create artificial scarcity and those who benefit shall have to face the Word of God. "And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God."(Re.19:12). In the inaugural vision of Jesus Christ, "And his eyes were as a flame of fire;/And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace;"(1:14-15)
In mid-air Jesus Christ is shown in his wrath. "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God./And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written,King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords." (19:15-16) Devil has his angels as Christ has his cloud of witnesses. Here also in mid-air two camps shall fight it out.
Who can say in good conscience that he loves his neighbour if he were to price-gouge or scalp him in his dire necessity?
You'd never hear it in the news; but on average, over 200,000 people die every day in this world. Do the math. There's an estimated 6 billion people in the world. If the average person lives to be 70-years old, that means 6 billion people will all die within the next 70-years (on average). If we divide 6 billion by 70, and then divide that result again by 365 days in a year, we get 234,834 people dying every single day. Of course, on some days more people die, and on others less. My point is that 6,000,000,000 people living today will all be dead within 150 years from today. It's either Heaven or Hellfire.
How tragic that the average Christian today has been choked by the cares and riches of this carnal world... "And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection" ( Luke 8:14). Oh, how the tears will flow in Heaven, from the eyes of believers who lived for the pleasures of this temporal life, who selfishly did their own thing, who worked all the overtime they could get; but hardly ever, if ever, told lost souls how to be saved through Jesus Christ.
Souls are dying, brother, do you care? Souls are dying, sister, do you care?
Q: "The woman has a place prepared for her" (12:6) while in v.14 the two wings of a great eagle are given to find her place, of her own choosing obviously. For what purpose?"
A: We shall find from earlier instances so the actions are consistent and true; secondly from the event leading to. Lastly the divine Will as expressed.
in the vision of Daniel(12:5-8) the River Ulai is set within his visual frame so Daniel is a spectator as well as a player, standing on this side of the vision. The man clothed in linen with his gesture"he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, " indicates he represents heaven." The river is the river of time, and times ("that it shall be for a time, times, and an half") are already decreed. Now we have a second instance in Ge.ch.32 where Jacob is in a crisis. It shall lead to what is referred as the testimony of Jacob. In his prayer "for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands."(Ge.32:10) explains the meaning Mahanaim. Again a river separating two bands. Literally as well as a heavenly pointer to what was to come. Fearful of the safety of himself and his family he sent them over while he is alone. It is decision time. Earlier the angels of God simply passed the message from the throne. This division set by the river of time shows the choice: God or mammon? Later comes his encounter with the angel. He shall come out from there as one having no more confidence in his flesh In short, across the river of time on one camp we have God and on the other Esau and his four hundred men. By the same token those who shall be led by God to the place prepared for them and it is called Zion.("For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation,"-Ps.132:13)"Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."(Ps.50:5) The second band find their own level which is the earth. It is a rubble, outer darkness.
Thanks again for your thoughtful reply! I really appreciate the depth of your insights and your commitment to finding the Truth.
1. Earth's Age:
I totally get your skepticism about both the 6,000-year and 4.54 billion-year views. Science uses methods like radiometric dating to estimate the Earth's age, but it's always evolving. On the other hand, religious interpretations vary, with some seeing the creation story as symbolic. I think science explains "how" things work, while religion covers the "why."
2. Isaiah 40:21-22 - The Circle of the Earth:
You mentioned Isaiah saying God "sits upon the circle of the earth." Whether that's literal or poetic, the key takeaway for me is that God's perspective is way bigger than ours-like we're tiny grasshoppers in comparison.
3. John 17:4-5 - Jesus' Existence Before Creation:
Jesus' prayer about being glorified with the Father before the world began highlights His eternal nature. He was there from the start, making everything through Him ( John 1:3). It's a powerful reminder of His divine role in creation.
4. John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God:
This verse points to Jesus as the way we understand God. Even though no one has seen God, Jesus, who is one with the Father, makes Him known to us. It shows how Jesus bridges the gap between us and the divine.
5. The Search for Truth:
I agree with you that Truth is the most important thing. When Pilate asked "What is truth?" ( John 18:38), Jesus answered it in John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life." For me, that's the ultimate truth-everything else helps us get closer to understanding that.
Thanks again for the great discussion! I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts.
Q: What does the verse12 in the vision of John signify? The great eagle refers to the Lord Almighty is it not? If so why the voice from heaven, cry,"Woe to ye?"
A: Yes and No. Let us put the whole verse ,which is exclaimed from heaven."Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." How did the devil come down to you'? We read of "mighty men which were of old, men of renown," (Ge.6:2,4) and the mingled people mentioned in Ezra 9:2 began from here. The two camps of angels that Jacob saw at Mahanaim, refer to angels, cloud of witnesses as well as fallen angels that corrupted the earth. They are like two wings of an eagle. In our times also we see that Israel is helped by the spirit of disobedience working in the world. So the word of God says, "woe to ye" Celebrity culture did not pop up out of nowhere. What makes Elon Musk rant? Devil knows he has but a short time. The place chosen for the woman in wilderness is not from God. "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.(v.14) The holocaust under the Nazi regime is part of the line,"he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child."(v.13)
The two wings the great eagle that refers to v.6 is of God. They are grace and truth which establishes the other camp of angels that Jacob beheld. "And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him./And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim." (Ge.32:1-2) The place name in Hebrew means two camps or two companies.
Q: Do the remnant of her seed refer to the nation of Israel or to left-out church?
A: Both. In the vision the woman after dislodged from her preeminent position is helped on the earth and we have two distinct narratives. This verse is a transition point before the beast and the great tribulation are introduced. The last verse in this chapter says, "the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."This discounts the nation of Israel per se. In order to understand we need to set them in context of the sealing 144,000 in Ch.7. They are Christians but left out from the main event, rapture so we shall say these are the mingled people nevertheless redeemed by their stepping in the breach even as Seth did. As Jesus says in the Parable, "Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?"(Matt.20:15-16) The same quality of his Son is made manifest in the many numbers of martyrs. The tag 144 (12x12) refers to the gospel of Christ. (144x1000). They have a quality that they are redeemed from the earth.(Re.14:3)
"And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood."(v.15) Behemoth "(he) is the chief of the ways of God) belongs to the earth,"Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth."( Job 40:23,19). By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent." This may refer to crocodile or Rehab or behemoth. "The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil." (Pr.16:4)
Q: "It is obvious the Spirit served the vision of John in Ch.12 as a counterpoint to the inaugural vision of Jesus Christ holding seven stars in his right hand. It evokes the vision of Daniel all the terror of judgement which is set in the books already opened. Are they all alike and as interchangeable?"
A: The Ancient of Days is the Law of the Spirit figuratively expressed and also Jesus Christ the Word become flesh. In his majesty with seven stars in his right hand poses the question,"Yea, before the daywasIamhe; andthere isnone that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?" (Is.43:13). The stars are the churches. Seven expresses perfection where life and the Law of the Spirit merge. The Dragon has seven heads and seven crowns but the ten horns sets his judgment at time appointed. So whosoever enters six days in the everlasting covenant but do not enter the seventh day (Ge.2:1) he is accrsed as the beast who is qualified as the son of perdition. He has also as many horns."having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy."(13:1) The reason is simple. in refusing the Law of the Spirit he has become the son of Satan. It is thus the Woman loses her position and whatever name sons of Adam may have that does not restore former glory. From outer darkness the saved nation may move up as sons of God are caught up to the throne. The earth is condemned for fire notwithstanding. The volume of the holy city of God does not recognise their former names. The new earth means that everyone shall have accordingly a new name "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."(Re.2:17) It explains "the the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."(Dan.12:3)
Q:"For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven." Where do we see the Gospel of God in working while we follow the woman displaced from her position. Or the vision of John sets the will of God in terms of Jesus Christ, in mid-air the earth and in lower parts?"
A: We saw in Ch.6 with the breaking of the first four seals the riders setting out each after the path appointed by God so the rider on the white horse ses forth to conquer and conquering. In Ch.12 "And there was war in heaven:" (vv.7-8) As a result there are fallen angels. Angels "which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day." Re.12:9. The angels in v.9 are part of the corruption of mingled people that shall leave its taint till that great day. In this context we shall look up the significance of 120 days in Ge.6:3. Gospel is set in terms of "After our likeness" so 12x10 is not as many numbers but those who shall find their way into 144,000 in Re.14:1. Because God chose them. They turned around their own lives about the Law of the Spirit which refers to Ps.119:89
One point to remember what we are talking about resurrection having their own order does not apply here since the vision is the will of God all mapped out in entirety. For this reason Jesus shall see,"And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."( Luke 10:18) The woman preserved in the wilderness carries number of days which is Gospel based. " And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days."The tag of earthly ministry has its own significance (v.6) as "where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time,"(v.14)
Lastly Noah is set "after our likeness' So the volume of the Man is set in terms the ark as the holy city of God has is volume for each saint. (Re.21:16-17)
Q: "What is the significance of the stars, the moon or the sun in the vision of Ch.12 if the woman is not the chosen one?"
A: First of all the stars are part of the ensemble the the Gospel of God signifies. "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.""(Dan.12:3). They denote the cloud of witnesses, and it is Person specific. Son as the soul of God witnesses, whch is what our inner man signifies in us. This being the case what is the significance of God making man a living soul? The gospel of God is preached and it is the very breath of God. All it requires to open your ear of faith. St Paul explains the process. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God./But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world."(Ro.10:17-18). The number Twelve is expressed in terms of the Son. The command number Three and Gospel of God is consistent throughout, which gives us 12=3x4. This is the basis for the four and twenty elders arranged about the throne of heaven. They represent the heaven earth and the lower parts, (3x8).
Now we shall consider the rest of the regalia that made woman 'clothed with the sun'. The woman was called to occupy a position so when the Spirit speaks,"And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed."(Ge.2:25) glory of God was her covering. It is what the Spirit intends with the vision. It is for our spiritual instruction. Power and Wisdom are expressed in glory but with the fall of man the Gospel did not work well in her case. Her loss of position is a commentary on Re.12:4. "And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth". Sons of Adam listened to heresies peddled by false teachers. They serve as the tail of the crooked serpent. (Is.9:15). Their works shall show up in heaven.
Q: "The reference to Zion travailing in labor the Spirit sets forth in a vision and it is assigned to John and not to Isaiah? Who does the woman clothed with the sun represent? What is the significance of Zion and man child in Isaiah ch. 66?"
A:
Let us take the verse " Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child." Before refers to the phrase, 'In the beginning'. Ge.1:1)The foregoing verses prove that it is so. It is about the heaven and is a throne and God asks,"And where is the place of my rest?"(66:1,7). The v.7 makes it clear that the man child has to do more with the covenant God enters with the Man, (Ge.ch.1) leading to the rest of God in Ge.2:1. Forget about the nation of Israel or about the church of God on the earth.
Now for the verse from the vision, in Re.12:2 "And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, ". Who is she? The woman is the mother of all living and her travail is on account of man's sin of disobedience. (Ge.3:16,20)
"Before she travailed she brought forth" is the voice of the Lord and it has a sign. Death on the cross is obliquely stated but the foundation is a stone, "Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone"(Is.28:16)
"And she brought forth a man child,"(Re.12:5) The man refers to the covenant he represents soul of every believer who abides in him. It is preserved in heavenly places which explains the unseen world of the divine Will. His soul body and spirit made man as one. (Ph.2:6-7) Inner man is a proof this sanctification:" For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one". It explains the redemption of our bodies. (Ro.8:23). Thus our faith has its upper end where we abide in Jesus Christ while we are in our bodies, "but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." That is faith with works. (Ro.12:1-2)
"Has the Spirit worded the birth of Cain to indicate that the first man was earthy? Apparently Eva names him to indicate the truth of Pauline dictum in 1 Co.15:47. (Ge.4:1) By the same token would you say Eve called Seth the one appointed by God after the similitude of the Word?"
A:
Similitude as a principle works between the unseen world and the world made to appear so one may say appointed by God .(He.11:3).The The same conflict between body and the spirit of man has their context in the creation. The word of God frames the worlds, which is the sound and also a sign. Thus the Word made flesh is the key to understand the nature of Similitude. God a Spirit, the Voice of the Lord and is also a sign. (Is.7:14) Similitude brings all knowledge of the holy as understanding so only faith can settle the matter. (Pr.9:10) Eve understood the role of Seth without having to be told or put in so may words, Seth was appointed by God to be after the similitude of the lord from heaven, "the second man is the Lord from heaven.". Why second man? Seth is after the likeness of Jesus Christ. The word is already set. "that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Col.1:18) The covenant where man is created "after our likeness" explains the similitude. Jesus Christ the Lord from heaven represent man in the everlasting covenant.
This also explains the significance of 'Abide in me" aspect of the Similitude. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out"( John 6:37). What it is do the work of God but believe in the one whom he sent. Those who abide in him are dead to world of sin and are in heavenly places. The Mahanaim experience of Jacob tells we live simultaneously in two places so St Paul would despair, "knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:/(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"(Ge.32:1-2. 2 Co.5:6-7)
Q:"How valid is the assertion that Jesus Christ epitomises God and the Law of the Spirit in the everlasting covenant? Can you give a coherent example?"
A:
God created Man "in our image and after our Likeness" Whosoever may enter into this Fellowship of God with his Son has to meet both requirements. Man with his tripartite nature possess body, spirit and soul. It only refers to 'in our image'. After our likeness applies to the Word or the Law which was with God and was God. God a Spirit where the Father Son relation places Jesus Christ as the soul component so when God sent him as the Word made flesh. So John refers the Son of man as "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory)" and "And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."((1:14-16) Jesus Christ is the face of the Law of the Spirit, in bodily form. In being conformed to the image of his Son set Christ as the Head of the body. So after his likeness explains our groying from glory to glory. (2 Co.3:18)
The Psalm 139 delineated by David sets this aspect of soul and David himself is set "a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do."(Ac.13:22)
A few examples we shall consider:"Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me." (139:3) The sovereignty of soul is with God. 'Behind and before' refer to the worlds unseen and made to appear. Laid thine upon me' is David's confession that he is blessed in the covenant.(Ge.1:28) " Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?/If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there./If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;/Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." Here we see David identifying with death and resurrection of his Son. So his soul is after his likeness,- and as God says, "he will do everything I want him to do."
Q:"Seth is mentioned only twice after his life is told. In Ge.Ch. 4 he seems 'as appointed by God' to serve the same office as Jesus the branch. Can you explain?
A:Out of the root of Jesse we have a Branch, "and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:"(Is.11:1) Certainly a Messianic prophecy which is applied to Seth as well. God's curse on serpent, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel," is basically the enmity of the Law of the Spirit and the law of sin. (Ge.3:15) Serpent was cursed under the head of the latter. The sons of perdition arises from this point. Evidence of this enmity we have in this line, "And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel."(He.12:24) Abel's blood cries for vengeance while Seth quietly stepping into the breach made by Cain is after his likeness.' God sets his after our image, the soul aspect. Whereas Seth serves as the role of fulfilling what Jesus would have done, When God calls David as a man after my heart. "'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do."(Ac.13:22)
Eve chooses the name Seth inspired by the word as he does as Jesus Christ the Word made flesh would have done. " For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew."(4:25)"Another seed refers to the sons of God (Ro.8:14) while Seth is according to the flesh, son of Adam,' after his likeness'. Salvation offered by Jesus refers to the generation of Jesus Christ. (Matt.1:1). The Spirit sets the context by the life of Seth, by delineating a holy family, appointed by God' another seed.
Hello. I am currently trying to work through some questions I have that at first blush don't seem important, but which have served to cause a huge amount of doubt for me. Can someone explain why there are people who believe that Enoch was taken to heaven and other who do not believe this? I read an answer to this earlier and now I wonder how much of the Bible could have been damaged by people who may have changed a word here and there to suit their views when it was translated. (Old argument, I know but the difference is that I have ALWAYS believed the Bible w/o question. Something lately has caused a good bit of doubt and I want to fix it.
Q: "In the everlasting covenant man is created 'after our image and our likeness" This being the template and established by Law of the Spirit" in 5:3 we have the order apparently changed. "And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth."
A:Adam is the son of God because he is the living soul. Soul is set there after a similitude. In the Father Son relation the similitude in heaven is followed after on the Earth. His soul is as unique as our iris scan or gait recognition. No man can possess or kill it. It is divine breath which which He garnished the heaven and every thing else in it." "By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth."(Ps.33:6). The same word is obeyed,"That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment."( Job 38:13-14)
So what is our image in the case of God? Take the attribute of light as Holiness of God. After our image sets God as the Father of light. Since Jesus Christ who was the Word made flesh, he is qualified as the true Light. After our likeness is word-based so In the Gospel of John we read "In him was life; and the life was the light of men.."( John 1:4) The Law of the Spirit sets life synonymous with light.
Adam possesses soul 'in his image' so the representational aspect of Jesus and Adam can be brought into stark relief. "for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."Ge.1:17. Adam sinned and came under the law of sin. So he shall be called to account for his sin. In his image is not in our image. What made Seth step in place of Abel when he was created in the image of Adam a fallen man? He had faith as well as works to be counted 'After our likeness. (God)" said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel."4:25)
"No where in the Bible we read God named Adam by his personal name. "In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;"However in the next verse the Spirit explains it by "Male and female created he them; and blessed them and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created." Is it not curious having to life the entire context of their creation from Ge.1:28?"
A: In the Genealogy of Jesus Christ he is recorded as the son of God (in small letter) to distinguish from Jesus Christ. The word as a sign was already sent out ("And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins."(Matt.1:21;Is.7:14; Luke 3:38)
The Law of the Spirit has already settled the name and his role and his fullness which requires no afterthought. The Law is perfect.
For this reason on day Six God sets out His Will and it is fulfilled in his Son, in vv.26-28. As mentioned earlier Law is perfect. His gifts and calling are irrevocable. "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth./So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them./And God blessed them." Male and female he created them refers to the holiness of God where Power is male and wisdom is of female principle. "Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars." Cannot the Law set the fulness of God in his Son as amny pillars as stated here. The Command number Seven refers to the Law of the Spirit. The red dragon has seven heads but ten hors inform us the Law of sin invented by the son of God is already judged. ( 1 John 1:8)
The Spirit also sets the idea of the Bride of Christ here. It is Adam who names Eve.
In John 1:29 Jesus is made manifet to take away the sin,-notice here the word "sin" is singular. This is the penalty of sin! Death. Separation from God." Did not Satan sin? Sin of pride I can cite. Adam's sin was in disobedience and God speaks of death. What determines sin?
A: "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law./And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." The Law mentioned here is the Law of the Spirit. The Spirit gives the Law a face, for the simple reason:"For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell:(Col.1:19)
"In Jesus Christ was no sin. He was the Word made flesh, and was the emblem in the divine Will as the slain Lamb. So all the requirement for remedying sin was in the world unseen, and in the world made to appear, John the Baptist testified him as the Lamb of God. So all that fuss about the Law of Moses and animal sacrifices is mere smoke and mirrors as imposter churches make a case for supporting Israel in a war that is not from God. Little do they know of Scripture; nor do they want to be corrected. The Law of the Spirit sent Jesus as the fulfilment of the Law.
" He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."( 1 John 3:8)."The purpose is stated clearly, It is not to support Israel or any other ungodly nation.
God knew precisely who are His and who are of the devil. In Amos we have God dealing with Israel and their humbug.:Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:
3And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them:"(Amos:9-2-4)
Q: "God's requirement of what must be believed is based on the amount of revelation He has given mankind up to that time. Salvation is by faith in the crucifixion of Christ./ The knowledge we have is what already happened and we believe and have faith in that. It's hindsight! Od Testament saints did not have that knowledge. Does God reveals complete or in piecemeal?"
A:
In the beginning God created heaven and the earth. Ge.1:1. God a Spirit formed these worlds by the word of God. (He.11:3) This Word is God and was with God. So Jesus was with the Word which is the Law in the beginning, ( John 1:1)."All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." and we have this verse: Jesus Christ the same yesterday and forever' was in the divine Will and it was made to appear in the fulness of time. So crucifixion of Jesus or when is not the issue. It is faith with which God made the worlds to appear.
God formed all hearts alike and breathing into the nostrils of man makes every one equal before the Law of the Spirit. This Spiritual understanding requires no other revelation outside faith and the Bible. We have been foreknown and blessed before the worlds began. So it complete if faith makes you believe in his Son.
Everlasting covenant between God and Man also gives access to man before Law of the Spirit time and space is of no consequence, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:/Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."( Luke 17:20-21). Faith gives you place in the kingdom and it is 'Abide in me' life and your works meet the requirement of the Law. It takes you all the way to the beginning and is a life from everlasting to everlasting. There is nothing in between. Salvation is complete revelation to be spiritually discerned.
Part 2
Revelation 12:7-10 We have the war in heaven and Satan and his angels are cast out of heaven down to the earth and will not have any more access to heaven.
Verse 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Is this the angels that overcame Satan and his angels? No. This is about us who are here during the tribulation, we overcome because of the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony and loved not our lives unto death.
The Greek word here translated overcame is nikao meaning to conquer, prevail, victorious, overcome. Perseverance, and faith that is referred to many times in Revelation, Rev. 1:3 Rev. 1:9 Rev. 2:26 Rev. 3:12 Rev. 7:14 Rev. 14:12 Rev. 21:7, and more. We who are living will be here, the blood Jesus shed for us, our faith, and the word of our testimony we will overcome even if we face death, and many will, Rev. 13:15.
Verses 12-17 there is rejoicing in heaven but a warning to those who are here on earth, do we take this warning to heart, horrific times are coming, and many are looking to be taken out but Scripture does not support that. The devil knows his time is very short and he has great wrath.
Satan persecutes the woman/Israel trying to keep the kingdom from being set up, preventing the fulfillment of the promises to Abraham and David. The wings of a great eagle symbolize it will give a swift escape, to her place wherever that may be, Hosea 2:14-15, but it is for the same amount of time as in verse 6 a time and times and half a time, the 3.5 years of tribulation.
Satan the serpent will try to wash Israel away with a flood, but the earth swallows it up. This flood could be a wave of water or more likely an invasion of an army.
See part 3.
Part 3
Satan then goes after the remnant of her seed those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. The remnant of her seed is the faithful people here when the tribulation starts. Like the ones before us who have been persecuted and killed, the fathers and prophets, and after Jesus the thousands upon thousands who have been tortured and killed in the name of Jesus, why would the last be spared when the first was not?
This starts the 3.5 years of tribulation as we see in Revelation 13, in the original text it is Satan standing on the sand of the sea to give his power, his seat, and great authority to the beast. We see in Rev. 11:7 and Rev. 17:8 that this is the bottomless pit. There are not seven years as some say we see when Satan is cast down and the beast rises, he is given only 42 months, and that is 3.5 years Revelation 13:5. It all starts when Satan is cast down the short time he has is 3.5 years.
The end of the 3.5 years will be when the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled, Luke 21:24 Romans 11:25 Revelation 11:2. Then the second coming of Jesus, Matthew 24:29-31 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 Revelation 1:7 Revelation 3:11 Revelation 19:11-16 Revelation 22:12.
Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
This is what is coming, everyone will be tempted to take the mark of the beast, Jesus will give us if we are here the strength to say no even if we face death. Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Revelation 15:2
God bless,
RLW
Q: God tells Rebekah, I will quote, "And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb./and the elder shall serve the younger."(Ge.25:23). On what basis Eve signifies the Woman clothed with the Sun in the vision, and not Rebekah?"
A: Simple. The vision given to John is about the divine Will on the basis of the whole Testament and not merely restricted to blessings given to Abraham as the father of many nations. The covenant sets "them" each representing power and wisdom principle respectively so 'dominion over over His creation has to cover man "after our image". Eve has a distinct role after our likeness"-she is the Mother of all living. The virtue of Rebekah, on that basis, as the rivalry of Jacob and Esau unfolds, is a sad commentary of the domestic unity between her and Isaac becoming frayed.
Seven days as stated in the covenant gives a volume to the man blessed in Jesus Christ. Each Christian shall have his salvation in his Son so the same charge first given to man and woman, over all living cannot be shortchanged. By the same token he tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself has to prove the quality. Simply faith is not enough. Abiding in the Man component fruit shall be abundant. (Ge.1:11) Justification is not simply good enough to be caught upto the throne.
Each heart a spiritual space where the iconography of Re.ch.12 shall fit. Except a child of God is vigilant he is open to the wiles of the red dragon. Each of us travail as St Paul, "For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life./Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit."( 2 Co.5:4-5) It is about this' life' heavenly Jerusalem he spoke in an allegory. Zion/ Jerusalem, the mother of all living. (Gal.4:26)
Q: "The question that Isaiah asks 'who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord ' (Is.40:13) puts the finger on the holiness of God. We shall take the Wisdom part alone. Wisdom declares, "The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way" (Pr.8:22). But how does it connect with Eve, the mother of all living?"
A:
In the everlasting covenant dominion over all living was not intended on man alone. " It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him." (Ge.2:18). Eve as an helpmeet was undertaken as a remedy. On one hand we have man created after our image. That explains male and female in the make of man. The living soul made him wise to name all His creation including Eve. Eve however has yet another function 'after our likeness.' She is after Wisdom as the mother of all living.
What does a good mother do over her charge blessed by God? It requires more than wisdom but the virtue of running her household well. " She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness./ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her./Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all." (Pr.31:27-29). The virtue sets her as the Law of the Spirit so both wisdom and power are ever held in balance. In our times where Christians have not spared holiness of God from gender issue we know how much perverse have churches become.
"Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors./ For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord./ But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death."(Pr.8:34-36) Eve is after the likeness of the Law of the Spirit, " I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was." In short the Word which was God and with God is the mother of Living. Isn't silly to ask if God has a gender?
The Bible mentions the Millennium in Revelation 20:4, which describes a thousand-year period that begins after Jesus' Second Coming. The Millennium is also known as the "thousand-year reign of Christ" or the "millennial kingdom".
COME LORD JESUS COME
30 He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household."
32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.
33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.
COME LORD JESUS
Q: The Spirit has designated Eve as the mother of all living. If she is so, how is that the woman clothed with the Sun in the vision is identified and taught by churches as Israel?"
A: In order to illustrate what the children of God are up against in the present times we shall bring St Paul's quote:" But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all."(Gal.4:22-26). The Spirit used St Paul to interpret the spiritual significance of this verse,"And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living." (Ge.3:20). This is what comparing the spiritual with spiritual would mean. "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God./Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual."(1 Co.2:12-13). The woman in the wilderness in the vision of John is about sons of Adam as distinct from those who are led by the Spirit. in v.14 we read"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Does anyone think a false teacher with one eye on the filthy lucre is interested in teaching wholesome doctrine.
As against Wisdom who built the house with seven pillars we have strange woman often presented in the Wisdom literature."Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well." Our very soul presents Jerusalem which is free, so slake your thirst from your own wells than from hell. "For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:/But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword./Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell."(Pr.5:3-5) What has miry clay drawn iron, in the King's dream? Zero and it shows.Dan.2:43
The great catch of fish story appears to have a very positive message, but does it? Sunday school classes seem to teach that Simon's great catch of fish was a miracle given by Jesus to show how Jesus has special powers that he, in this instance, is using to convince a number of would-be disciples to follow him. It is often plays into the prosperity doctrine that belief in Jesus will bring us a great catch of (fill in the blank). And this story of Jesus would seem to support that message. However, I do not believe that is a proper interpretation at all.
At the beginning of the chapter we see a scene of Simon fixing his nets, tired, and fishless. Jesus is not far away, preaching to the multitudes but yet Simon does not seem interested. Jesus singles Simon out and asks him to sail off into the deep waters and to throw his net out again. Simon agrees, reluctantly, but does it anyway which may be one of the few high points of this story. He has enough faith in this unknown rabbi to at least humor him. Perhaps it was the persuasion of the other disciples that convinced him, but regardless, he consented.
Things went downhill from there. While fishing in the deep (not the shallows) Jesus gave him more of his idol than he could handle. The fish broke his nets and their weight began to sink the boat. Simon likely realized that most of the fish would rot at the dock. In his panic, he asked Jesus to leave him. A reluctant Simon took a chance on this rabbi and now is losing his livelihood and possibly his life. In his desperation, Simon pleads with Jesus for his physical salvation by addressing his sinful spiritual depravity.
We know that the disciples were afraid because after arriving back on land, Jesus said, "Fear not". We end this story with the disciples giving up their lives for Jesus. Why? A lot happened here. Simon may be now boatless, his entire livelihood is gone. What are his options?
Q: The second rider was given a sword 'to take peace from the earth'? (Re.6:4) What serves the purpose of a pair of balances that the rider on the black horse carried?
A: The power was given from heaven and the word of God is clear."A false balance is abomination to theLord:" Further down the word of God assures, "The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them." (Pr.11:1, 3) God and mammon address the heart of man. If one honours God, he shall observe the two commandments of Jesus Christ. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind./This is the first and great commandment./And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself./On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."(Matt.22:37-40). Hypocrisy of white sepulchres is where heart tries to serve both God and mammon. The many wars on the earth create artificial scarcity and those who benefit shall have to face the Word of God. "And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God."(Re.19:12). In the inaugural vision of Jesus Christ, "And his eyes were as a flame of fire;/And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace;"(1:14-15)
In mid-air Jesus Christ is shown in his wrath. "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God./And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written,King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords." (19:15-16) Devil has his angels as Christ has his cloud of witnesses. Here also in mid-air two camps shall fight it out.
Who can say in good conscience that he loves his neighbour if he were to price-gouge or scalp him in his dire necessity?
How tragic that the average Christian today has been choked by the cares and riches of this carnal world... "And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection" ( Luke 8:14). Oh, how the tears will flow in Heaven, from the eyes of believers who lived for the pleasures of this temporal life, who selfishly did their own thing, who worked all the overtime they could get; but hardly ever, if ever, told lost souls how to be saved through Jesus Christ.
Souls are dying, brother, do you care? Souls are dying, sister, do you care?
BY: DR. JOHN R. RICE
COME LORD JESUS
Q: "The woman has a place prepared for her" (12:6) while in v.14 the two wings of a great eagle are given to find her place, of her own choosing obviously. For what purpose?"
A: We shall find from earlier instances so the actions are consistent and true; secondly from the event leading to. Lastly the divine Will as expressed.
in the vision of Daniel(12:5-8) the River Ulai is set within his visual frame so Daniel is a spectator as well as a player, standing on this side of the vision. The man clothed in linen with his gesture"he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, " indicates he represents heaven." The river is the river of time, and times ("that it shall be for a time, times, and an half") are already decreed. Now we have a second instance in Ge.ch.32 where Jacob is in a crisis. It shall lead to what is referred as the testimony of Jacob. In his prayer "for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands."(Ge.32:10) explains the meaning Mahanaim. Again a river separating two bands. Literally as well as a heavenly pointer to what was to come. Fearful of the safety of himself and his family he sent them over while he is alone. It is decision time. Earlier the angels of God simply passed the message from the throne. This division set by the river of time shows the choice: God or mammon? Later comes his encounter with the angel. He shall come out from there as one having no more confidence in his flesh In short, across the river of time on one camp we have God and on the other Esau and his four hundred men. By the same token those who shall be led by God to the place prepared for them and it is called Zion.("For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation,"-Ps.132:13)"Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."(Ps.50:5) The second band find their own level which is the earth. It is a rubble, outer darkness.
Thanks again for your thoughtful reply! I really appreciate the depth of your insights and your commitment to finding the Truth.
1. Earth's Age:
I totally get your skepticism about both the 6,000-year and 4.54 billion-year views. Science uses methods like radiometric dating to estimate the Earth's age, but it's always evolving. On the other hand, religious interpretations vary, with some seeing the creation story as symbolic. I think science explains "how" things work, while religion covers the "why."
2. Isaiah 40:21-22 - The Circle of the Earth:
You mentioned Isaiah saying God "sits upon the circle of the earth." Whether that's literal or poetic, the key takeaway for me is that God's perspective is way bigger than ours-like we're tiny grasshoppers in comparison.
3. John 17:4-5 - Jesus' Existence Before Creation:
Jesus' prayer about being glorified with the Father before the world began highlights His eternal nature. He was there from the start, making everything through Him ( John 1:3). It's a powerful reminder of His divine role in creation.
4. John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God:
This verse points to Jesus as the way we understand God. Even though no one has seen God, Jesus, who is one with the Father, makes Him known to us. It shows how Jesus bridges the gap between us and the divine.
5. The Search for Truth:
I agree with you that Truth is the most important thing. When Pilate asked "What is truth?" ( John 18:38), Jesus answered it in John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life." For me, that's the ultimate truth-everything else helps us get closer to understanding that.
Thanks again for the great discussion! I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts.
Q: What does the verse12 in the vision of John signify? The great eagle refers to the Lord Almighty is it not? If so why the voice from heaven, cry,"Woe to ye?"
A: Yes and No. Let us put the whole verse ,which is exclaimed from heaven."Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." How did the devil come down to you'? We read of "mighty men which were of old, men of renown," (Ge.6:2,4) and the mingled people mentioned in Ezra 9:2 began from here. The two camps of angels that Jacob saw at Mahanaim, refer to angels, cloud of witnesses as well as fallen angels that corrupted the earth. They are like two wings of an eagle. In our times also we see that Israel is helped by the spirit of disobedience working in the world. So the word of God says, "woe to ye" Celebrity culture did not pop up out of nowhere. What makes Elon Musk rant? Devil knows he has but a short time. The place chosen for the woman in wilderness is not from God. "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.(v.14) The holocaust under the Nazi regime is part of the line,"he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child."(v.13)
The two wings the great eagle that refers to v.6 is of God. They are grace and truth which establishes the other camp of angels that Jacob beheld. "And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him./And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim." (Ge.32:1-2) The place name in Hebrew means two camps or two companies.
Q: Do the remnant of her seed refer to the nation of Israel or to left-out church?
A: Both. In the vision the woman after dislodged from her preeminent position is helped on the earth and we have two distinct narratives. This verse is a transition point before the beast and the great tribulation are introduced. The last verse in this chapter says, "the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."This discounts the nation of Israel per se. In order to understand we need to set them in context of the sealing 144,000 in Ch.7. They are Christians but left out from the main event, rapture so we shall say these are the mingled people nevertheless redeemed by their stepping in the breach even as Seth did. As Jesus says in the Parable, "Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?"(Matt.20:15-16) The same quality of his Son is made manifest in the many numbers of martyrs. The tag 144 (12x12) refers to the gospel of Christ. (144x1000). They have a quality that they are redeemed from the earth.(Re.14:3)
"And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood."(v.15) Behemoth "(he) is the chief of the ways of God) belongs to the earth,"Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth."( Job 40:23,19). By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent." This may refer to crocodile or Rehab or behemoth. "The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil." (Pr.16:4)
Q: "It is obvious the Spirit served the vision of John in Ch.12 as a counterpoint to the inaugural vision of Jesus Christ holding seven stars in his right hand. It evokes the vision of Daniel all the terror of judgement which is set in the books already opened. Are they all alike and as interchangeable?"
A: The Ancient of Days is the Law of the Spirit figuratively expressed and also Jesus Christ the Word become flesh. In his majesty with seven stars in his right hand poses the question,"Yea, before the daywasIamhe; andthere isnone that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?" (Is.43:13). The stars are the churches. Seven expresses perfection where life and the Law of the Spirit merge. The Dragon has seven heads and seven crowns but the ten horns sets his judgment at time appointed. So whosoever enters six days in the everlasting covenant but do not enter the seventh day (Ge.2:1) he is accrsed as the beast who is qualified as the son of perdition. He has also as many horns."having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy."(13:1) The reason is simple. in refusing the Law of the Spirit he has become the son of Satan. It is thus the Woman loses her position and whatever name sons of Adam may have that does not restore former glory. From outer darkness the saved nation may move up as sons of God are caught up to the throne. The earth is condemned for fire notwithstanding. The volume of the holy city of God does not recognise their former names. The new earth means that everyone shall have accordingly a new name "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."(Re.2:17) It explains "the the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."(Dan.12:3)
Q:"For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven." Where do we see the Gospel of God in working while we follow the woman displaced from her position. Or the vision of John sets the will of God in terms of Jesus Christ, in mid-air the earth and in lower parts?"
A: We saw in Ch.6 with the breaking of the first four seals the riders setting out each after the path appointed by God so the rider on the white horse ses forth to conquer and conquering. In Ch.12 "And there was war in heaven:" (vv.7-8) As a result there are fallen angels. Angels "which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day." Re.12:9. The angels in v.9 are part of the corruption of mingled people that shall leave its taint till that great day. In this context we shall look up the significance of 120 days in Ge.6:3. Gospel is set in terms of "After our likeness" so 12x10 is not as many numbers but those who shall find their way into 144,000 in Re.14:1. Because God chose them. They turned around their own lives about the Law of the Spirit which refers to Ps.119:89
One point to remember what we are talking about resurrection having their own order does not apply here since the vision is the will of God all mapped out in entirety. For this reason Jesus shall see,"And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."( Luke 10:18) The woman preserved in the wilderness carries number of days which is Gospel based. " And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days."The tag of earthly ministry has its own significance (v.6) as "where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time,"(v.14)
Lastly Noah is set "after our likeness' So the volume of the Man is set in terms the ark as the holy city of God has is volume for each saint. (Re.21:16-17)
Q: "What is the significance of the stars, the moon or the sun in the vision of Ch.12 if the woman is not the chosen one?"
A: First of all the stars are part of the ensemble the the Gospel of God signifies. "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.""(Dan.12:3). They denote the cloud of witnesses, and it is Person specific. Son as the soul of God witnesses, whch is what our inner man signifies in us. This being the case what is the significance of God making man a living soul? The gospel of God is preached and it is the very breath of God. All it requires to open your ear of faith. St Paul explains the process. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God./But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world."(Ro.10:17-18). The number Twelve is expressed in terms of the Son. The command number Three and Gospel of God is consistent throughout, which gives us 12=3x4. This is the basis for the four and twenty elders arranged about the throne of heaven. They represent the heaven earth and the lower parts, (3x8).
Now we shall consider the rest of the regalia that made woman 'clothed with the sun'. The woman was called to occupy a position so when the Spirit speaks,"And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed."(Ge.2:25) glory of God was her covering. It is what the Spirit intends with the vision. It is for our spiritual instruction. Power and Wisdom are expressed in glory but with the fall of man the Gospel did not work well in her case. Her loss of position is a commentary on Re.12:4. "And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth". Sons of Adam listened to heresies peddled by false teachers. They serve as the tail of the crooked serpent. (Is.9:15). Their works shall show up in heaven.
Q: "The reference to Zion travailing in labor the Spirit sets forth in a vision and it is assigned to John and not to Isaiah? Who does the woman clothed with the sun represent? What is the significance of Zion and man child in Isaiah ch. 66?"
A:
Let us take the verse " Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child." Before refers to the phrase, 'In the beginning'. Ge.1:1)The foregoing verses prove that it is so. It is about the heaven and is a throne and God asks,"And where is the place of my rest?"(66:1,7). The v.7 makes it clear that the man child has to do more with the covenant God enters with the Man, (Ge.ch.1) leading to the rest of God in Ge.2:1. Forget about the nation of Israel or about the church of God on the earth.
Now for the verse from the vision, in Re.12:2 "And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, ". Who is she? The woman is the mother of all living and her travail is on account of man's sin of disobedience. (Ge.3:16,20)
"Before she travailed she brought forth" is the voice of the Lord and it has a sign. Death on the cross is obliquely stated but the foundation is a stone, "Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone"(Is.28:16)
"And she brought forth a man child,"(Re.12:5) The man refers to the covenant he represents soul of every believer who abides in him. It is preserved in heavenly places which explains the unseen world of the divine Will. His soul body and spirit made man as one. (Ph.2:6-7) Inner man is a proof this sanctification:" For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one". It explains the redemption of our bodies. (Ro.8:23). Thus our faith has its upper end where we abide in Jesus Christ while we are in our bodies, "but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." That is faith with works. (Ro.12:1-2)
"Has the Spirit worded the birth of Cain to indicate that the first man was earthy? Apparently Eva names him to indicate the truth of Pauline dictum in 1 Co.15:47. (Ge.4:1) By the same token would you say Eve called Seth the one appointed by God after the similitude of the Word?"
A:
Similitude as a principle works between the unseen world and the world made to appear so one may say appointed by God .(He.11:3).The The same conflict between body and the spirit of man has their context in the creation. The word of God frames the worlds, which is the sound and also a sign. Thus the Word made flesh is the key to understand the nature of Similitude. God a Spirit, the Voice of the Lord and is also a sign. (Is.7:14) Similitude brings all knowledge of the holy as understanding so only faith can settle the matter. (Pr.9:10) Eve understood the role of Seth without having to be told or put in so may words, Seth was appointed by God to be after the similitude of the lord from heaven, "the second man is the Lord from heaven.". Why second man? Seth is after the likeness of Jesus Christ. The word is already set. "that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Col.1:18) The covenant where man is created "after our likeness" explains the similitude. Jesus Christ the Lord from heaven represent man in the everlasting covenant.
This also explains the significance of 'Abide in me" aspect of the Similitude. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out"( John 6:37). What it is do the work of God but believe in the one whom he sent. Those who abide in him are dead to world of sin and are in heavenly places. The Mahanaim experience of Jacob tells we live simultaneously in two places so St Paul would despair, "knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:/(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"(Ge.32:1-2. 2 Co.5:6-7)
Q:"How valid is the assertion that Jesus Christ epitomises God and the Law of the Spirit in the everlasting covenant? Can you give a coherent example?"
A:
God created Man "in our image and after our Likeness" Whosoever may enter into this Fellowship of God with his Son has to meet both requirements. Man with his tripartite nature possess body, spirit and soul. It only refers to 'in our image'. After our likeness applies to the Word or the Law which was with God and was God. God a Spirit where the Father Son relation places Jesus Christ as the soul component so when God sent him as the Word made flesh. So John refers the Son of man as "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory)" and "And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."((1:14-16) Jesus Christ is the face of the Law of the Spirit, in bodily form. In being conformed to the image of his Son set Christ as the Head of the body. So after his likeness explains our groying from glory to glory. (2 Co.3:18)
The Psalm 139 delineated by David sets this aspect of soul and David himself is set "a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do."(Ac.13:22)
A few examples we shall consider:"Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me." (139:3) The sovereignty of soul is with God. 'Behind and before' refer to the worlds unseen and made to appear. Laid thine upon me' is David's confession that he is blessed in the covenant.(Ge.1:28) " Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?/If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there./If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;/Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." Here we see David identifying with death and resurrection of his Son. So his soul is after his likeness,- and as God says, "he will do everything I want him to do."
Q:"Seth is mentioned only twice after his life is told. In Ge.Ch. 4 he seems 'as appointed by God' to serve the same office as Jesus the branch. Can you explain?
A:Out of the root of Jesse we have a Branch, "and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:"(Is.11:1) Certainly a Messianic prophecy which is applied to Seth as well. God's curse on serpent, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel," is basically the enmity of the Law of the Spirit and the law of sin. (Ge.3:15) Serpent was cursed under the head of the latter. The sons of perdition arises from this point. Evidence of this enmity we have in this line, "And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel."(He.12:24) Abel's blood cries for vengeance while Seth quietly stepping into the breach made by Cain is after his likeness.' God sets his after our image, the soul aspect. Whereas Seth serves as the role of fulfilling what Jesus would have done, When God calls David as a man after my heart. "'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do."(Ac.13:22)
Eve chooses the name Seth inspired by the word as he does as Jesus Christ the Word made flesh would have done. " For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew."(4:25)"Another seed refers to the sons of God (Ro.8:14) while Seth is according to the flesh, son of Adam,' after his likeness'. Salvation offered by Jesus refers to the generation of Jesus Christ. (Matt.1:1). The Spirit sets the context by the life of Seth, by delineating a holy family, appointed by God' another seed.
Q: "In the everlasting covenant man is created 'after our image and our likeness" This being the template and established by Law of the Spirit" in 5:3 we have the order apparently changed. "And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth."
A:Adam is the son of God because he is the living soul. Soul is set there after a similitude. In the Father Son relation the similitude in heaven is followed after on the Earth. His soul is as unique as our iris scan or gait recognition. No man can possess or kill it. It is divine breath which which He garnished the heaven and every thing else in it." "By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth."(Ps.33:6). The same word is obeyed,"That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment."( Job 38:13-14)
So what is our image in the case of God? Take the attribute of light as Holiness of God. After our image sets God as the Father of light. Since Jesus Christ who was the Word made flesh, he is qualified as the true Light. After our likeness is word-based so In the Gospel of John we read "In him was life; and the life was the light of men.."( John 1:4) The Law of the Spirit sets life synonymous with light.
Adam possesses soul 'in his image' so the representational aspect of Jesus and Adam can be brought into stark relief. "for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."Ge.1:17. Adam sinned and came under the law of sin. So he shall be called to account for his sin. In his image is not in our image. What made Seth step in place of Abel when he was created in the image of Adam a fallen man? He had faith as well as works to be counted 'After our likeness. (God)" said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel."4:25)
"No where in the Bible we read God named Adam by his personal name. "In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;"However in the next verse the Spirit explains it by "Male and female created he them; and blessed them and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created." Is it not curious having to life the entire context of their creation from Ge.1:28?"
A: In the Genealogy of Jesus Christ he is recorded as the son of God (in small letter) to distinguish from Jesus Christ. The word as a sign was already sent out ("And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins."(Matt.1:21;Is.7:14; Luke 3:38)
The Law of the Spirit has already settled the name and his role and his fullness which requires no afterthought. The Law is perfect.
For this reason on day Six God sets out His Will and it is fulfilled in his Son, in vv.26-28. As mentioned earlier Law is perfect. His gifts and calling are irrevocable. "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth./So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them./And God blessed them." Male and female he created them refers to the holiness of God where Power is male and wisdom is of female principle. "Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars." Cannot the Law set the fulness of God in his Son as amny pillars as stated here. The Command number Seven refers to the Law of the Spirit. The red dragon has seven heads but ten hors inform us the Law of sin invented by the son of God is already judged. ( 1 John 1:8)
The Spirit also sets the idea of the Bride of Christ here. It is Adam who names Eve.
Q:
In John 1:29 Jesus is made manifet to take away the sin,-notice here the word "sin" is singular. This is the penalty of sin! Death. Separation from God." Did not Satan sin? Sin of pride I can cite. Adam's sin was in disobedience and God speaks of death. What determines sin?
A: "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law./And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." The Law mentioned here is the Law of the Spirit. The Spirit gives the Law a face, for the simple reason:"For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell:(Col.1:19)
"In Jesus Christ was no sin. He was the Word made flesh, and was the emblem in the divine Will as the slain Lamb. So all the requirement for remedying sin was in the world unseen, and in the world made to appear, John the Baptist testified him as the Lamb of God. So all that fuss about the Law of Moses and animal sacrifices is mere smoke and mirrors as imposter churches make a case for supporting Israel in a war that is not from God. Little do they know of Scripture; nor do they want to be corrected. The Law of the Spirit sent Jesus as the fulfilment of the Law.
" He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."( 1 John 3:8)."The purpose is stated clearly, It is not to support Israel or any other ungodly nation.
God knew precisely who are His and who are of the devil. In Amos we have God dealing with Israel and their humbug.:Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:
3And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them:"(Amos:9-2-4)
Q: "God's requirement of what must be believed is based on the amount of revelation He has given mankind up to that time. Salvation is by faith in the crucifixion of Christ./ The knowledge we have is what already happened and we believe and have faith in that. It's hindsight! Od Testament saints did not have that knowledge. Does God reveals complete or in piecemeal?"
A:
In the beginning God created heaven and the earth. Ge.1:1. God a Spirit formed these worlds by the word of God. (He.11:3) This Word is God and was with God. So Jesus was with the Word which is the Law in the beginning, ( John 1:1)."All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." and we have this verse: Jesus Christ the same yesterday and forever' was in the divine Will and it was made to appear in the fulness of time. So crucifixion of Jesus or when is not the issue. It is faith with which God made the worlds to appear.
God formed all hearts alike and breathing into the nostrils of man makes every one equal before the Law of the Spirit. This Spiritual understanding requires no other revelation outside faith and the Bible. We have been foreknown and blessed before the worlds began. So it complete if faith makes you believe in his Son.
Everlasting covenant between God and Man also gives access to man before Law of the Spirit time and space is of no consequence, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:/Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."( Luke 17:20-21). Faith gives you place in the kingdom and it is 'Abide in me' life and your works meet the requirement of the Law. It takes you all the way to the beginning and is a life from everlasting to everlasting. There is nothing in between. Salvation is complete revelation to be spiritually discerned.