133 – The Jewish Prophet Haggai

Israeli soldiers sing alongside Idan Raichel | Hebrew songs Israeli army IDF song Ethiopian Jewish. Consider the following account of an Ethiopian Jew: “There was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud.” (See the context: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts+8%3A26-38&version=HCSB )

Consider the following video which gives a quick introduction to the book of Haggai.

What Is the Message of the Book of Haggai? James M. Hamilton Jr., Ph. D. (Bio at bottom of page)

Key To Understanding Haggai

The book of Haggai was written by a Jew, to other Jews, about Jewish matters. There is nothing allegorical about this prophecy; it clearly relates to facts, as opposed to symbolism. The characters in the book can only be identified as being Jews. Nothing can be found in the book of Haggai that detracts from the Jewishness of the characters, or from the problems that are also clearly related to the Jewish people of Jerusalem. Haggai pointed out the problems that existed between God and the Jews; the Church does not enter into the dialog.

Haggai Overview

Of all of the books of the Bible, the book of Obadiah is the shortest; the book of Haggai is the second shortest. Haggai was the first prophet which prophesied to Israel during the postexilic period. The time of Judean Jewish exile was the seventy years of their being held captive in Babylon. Their deportation followed the 605 B.C.- 586 B.C. assault on Jerusalem by the Babylonians. The ministry of Haggai was to call the Jews in Jerusalem to finish the construction of the Temple which had been destroyed by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C.

The following paragraph shows a chronology of events that encompassed Haggai’s ministry. Haggai was a contemporary of Zechariah, whose ministry followed his, and Ezra, who recorded the first return of exiled Jews to Jerusalem.

The construction of the Jerusalem Temple began in 535 B.C., and was halted in 530 B.C. The prophecies of Haggai were most likely given toward the end of 520 B.C. Through the encouragement of Haggai, the Temple was completed in 515 B.C. Haggai most likely returned from Babylon to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel, who became the Governor of Judea. Haggai spoke his prophetic words to Zerubbabel, and to Joshua, who was the high priest, as well as to all of the Jews who were living in Jerusalem.

Consider the following outline of the book of Haggai.

1. Message of rebuke (1:1-11). 2. Word of encouragement (1:12-15). 3. Second message of encouragement (2:1-9). 4. Second message of rebuke (2:10-19). 5. Final message of encouragement (2:20-23).

Consider the following key points of the book of Haggai.

1. Haggai 1:1-11
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Haggai+1%3A1-11&version=HCSB

Message of rebuke

The returning Jews were discouraged by the people who were already living in Jerusalem (Ezra 4:1–5, 24). It was the wrong conclusion of these returning Jews that it was not yet time for them to rebuild the temple (vs 2). But, God reminded them that it was not right for them to live in their own finished homes while the temple still was in a state of ruin (vs 4). God “urged” them to consider the error of their way, and the consequences that would follow if they would not finish the Temple (vs 5–11).

2. Haggai 1:12-15
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Haggai+1%3A12-15&version=HCSB

Word of encouragement

God’s call to the Jews to “carefully, consider your ways” (vs 5, 7), caused the people to repent and obey Haggai’s message to complete the construction of the temple (vs 12). Haggai’s new message of God to the Jews, “I am with you,” resulted in the stirring of the Jews to action (vs 13-14).

3. Haggai 2:1-9
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Haggai+2%3A1-9&version=HCSB

Second message of encouragement

With the building of the temple going strong, God gave a strong encouraging Word, in particular to those whom were elderly and had seen Solomon’s temple. Even though Solomon’s temple was much more majestic, God urged the people to be courageous. He assured the Jews that He would be present among them (vs 4). God also reminded the people of His faithfulness to His covenant promises (vs 5), and of His promises of a greater, and much more glorious temple in the future in the millennial kingdom (vs 6–9). A description of the Millennial Temple is shown in the book of Ezekiel, Chapters 40-48.

Verses 6-7, “I will shake,” relates to: (1) the cataclysmic disturbances in the universe that are described in Revelation, Chapters 6–19; (2) the dominance of the nations by the Messiah; and (3) the setting up of the Messianic kingdom which will never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44; 7:27; Zechariah 14:16–21; Matthew 25:32; Luke 21:26; Hebrews 12:26; Revelation 19:19–21). In essence, we see the events of the tribulation leading to the setting up of the millennium, with the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 19:17-21) being the key event during that transition. The preparation of the nations of the Earth, for their assault on Jerusalem in the Battle of Armageddon, begins in Revelation 16:12.

Verse 7: “I will fill this temple with glory.” When we consider “the temple,” we must go back to a time when there was no Jewish temple; such a time is described in Exodus 33:7 (1491 B.C.). From there, we turn around and go forward as far as we possibly can go. So, hop on board! You’ll enjoy the ride!

“Now Moses took a tent and set it up outside the camp, far away from the camp; he called it the tent of meeting. Anyone who wanted to consult the Lord would go to the tent of meeting that was outside the camp.”

While the tent of Moses was being used as a tent of meeting, the Israelites were constructing a tabernacle, or a sanctuary, which has been called “the tabernacle in the desert.” At times, the terms, “tent of meeting,” and “tabernacle,” are used interchangeably. Consider the following chronology.

God commissioned the construction of the tabernacle/sanctuary (Exodus 25:8-9, 1491 B.C.).
The tabernacle in the desert was completed (Exodus 40:33, 1490 B.C.).
God commissioned King Solomon to build the first temple in Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 28:6, 1015 B.C.).
Solomon finished the construction of the temple in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 5:1, 1004 B.C.)
The forces of Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the temple in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 36:19, 586 B.C.)
The Temple was rebuilt in Jerusalem, being known as Zerubbabel’s Temple (Haggai 1:1-15, 2:1-23; Ezra 6:15, 515 B.C.)
Herod’s Temple, which was a remodeling of Zerubbabel’s temple, was completed in 4 B.C., but was not totally completed until 63 A.D.
https://www.bible-history.com/jewishtemple/
https://www.bible-history.com/jewishtemple/JEWISH_TEMPLEHerods_Temple00000006.htm.
Herod’s Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. https://www.preteristarchive.com/Ancient_Revelations/archeology/2001_harvardhouse_scientific-dating.html
The prophecy of the destruction of the temple was made by Christ in Matthew 24:1-2 (30 A.D.) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+24%3A1-2&version=HCSB

There will be a temple that will be built in Jerusalem during the time of the Tribulation. The Tribulation Temple will not be one where God dwells. The Anti-Christ will most likely authorize the construction of the temple during the first part of the Tribulation, and place it on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. See the following article on the Tribulation temple. http://www.pre-trib.org/articles/view/the-tribulation-temple

There will be a Temple that will be placed by God in Jerusalem during the Millennium (Ezekiel 37:26), following the Tribulation. The Glory of the Lord had previously been seen by the Jewish Prophet Ezekiel departing the temple in 594 B.C. (Ezekiel 9:3; 10:4; 10:18-19, 11:22-23). The Glory will not return until the future kingdom of Messiah, in the Millennial Temple (Ezekiel 43:2–7; 44:4), as was seen by Ezekiel in 574 B.C. At the time that Ezekiel saw the Glory of God leaving the Jerusalem Temple, the city was under siege by the Babylonians. There is no scriptural proof of the Glory of God returning to the rebuilt or remodeled temples of Zerubbabel or Herod. There is presently no temple in Jerusalem. The tribulation temple will not be one of Godly legitimacy. It will only be when Christ sets up His Millennial Kingdom that there will be a Godly Temple in Jerusalem.

4. Haggai 2:10-19
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Haggai+2%3A10-19&version=HCSB

Second message of rebuke

The fourth message of Haggai to the Jews was delivered on December 18, 520 B.C. Just a month earlier, the Jewish Prophet Zechariah began his ministry (Zechariah 1:1). This message of Haggai was meant to show that the Jews’ lack of obedience to God had caused His blessings to them to be withheld. The obedience of these Jews to God would cause His blessings to be showered upon them. This blessing is a reminder of future blessings that God will shower upon the Jews during the Kingdom Age/Millennium. It is a time of God’s restoration of Israel, which was prophesied by the Jewish Prophet Ezekiel in Ezekiel 34:11-31. The particular scripture reference is Ezekiel 34:25-26: “I will make them and the area around My hill a blessing: I will send down showers in their season—showers of blessing.” Often times, Christian congregations sing a song that is titled, “There Shall Be Showers Of Blessing,” without realizing that the verses of reference for that song were given as encouragement to the dispersed Jews in Babylon in 587 B.C., and relate to the blessings that God will shower upon Israel during the millennium. The prophecy relates to the New Covenant of God with Israel, per Jeremiah 31:31–34 and Ezekiel 37:26.

5. Haggai 2:20-23
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Haggai+2%3A20-23&version=HCSB

Final message of encouragement

This fifth message was directed to Zerubbabel, who was the governor of Judah (vs 20). It came on the same day as the fourth message, and returned to the theme of vs 6–9, which related to the millennial reign of the Messiah. The message dealt with the overthrow of the kingdoms of the world and the establishment of the Messianic kingdom (Daniel 2:44 and 7:27). Due to the prophesied events not occurring historically, the promise relates to the royal line through whom the Messiah will come. It looked to the day when the Messiah will reign on earth (Psalm 2; Revelation Chapters 19-20). The following passages tell more about the blessings of the Messianic Kingdom, and God’s promises of Israel’s presence in the Kingdom. (See Isaiah 32:18, below.)

Isaiah 2:4 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

“He will settle disputes among the nations and provide arbitration for many peoples. They will turn their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nations will not take up the sword against other nations, and they will never again train for war.”

Isaiah 11:6-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

6 The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat. The calf, the young lion, and the fatling will be together, and a child will lead them. 7 The cow and the bear will graze, their young ones will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. 8 An infant will play beside the cobra’s pit, and a toddler will put his hand into a snake’s den.

Isaiah 32:16-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

16 Then justice will inhabit the wilderness, and righteousness will dwell in the orchard. 17 The result of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever. 18 Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place, in safe and secure dwellings.

The promises of God to His chosen people, Israel, are firm. (Deuteronomy 7:6)

About the Holman Christian Standard Bible
https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/1599-Geneva-Bible-GNV/

About James M. Hamilton Jr., Ph. D.
https://www.amazon.com/James-M.-Hamilton-Jr./e/B000APFNL6
http://jimhamilton.info/about/

LAST TRUMPET – LAST SHOFAR Blast: Yeshuah Returning SOON.

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132 – Israel 931 B.C. – 586 B.C.

Why Did Hitler Hate Jewish People? As you consider the information that is contained in the opening video, also consider why the Jews fared so well in Germany during the depression. This post will answer the question about Jews that is misunderstood by most of the world.

Deuteronomy 7:6 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth”

Amos 3:2a New American Standard Bible (NASB)
“You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth”

Israel: From 931 B.C. to 586 B.C.

When the first dispersal of the Jews occurred in 722 B.C., by Shalmaneser, King of Assyria, those conquered Jews were living in the northern kingdom of Israel. The record of the northern Jews being carried away to Assyria can be found in 2 Kings 17:1-41. The account of the 722 B.C. diaspora was documented by the Jewish prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 3:6-11). The land in which those Jews had settled in 931 B.C., under the leadership of King Jeroboam, and from where they were dispersed, was known as Samaria. (We’ve all heard the story of the “good Samaritan.”) After the 722 B.C. diaspora, the Assyrians began moving non-Jews into the vacated Jewish lands (Connect 2 Kings 17:5-6 to 2 Kings 17:24).

It was after the death of Israel’s King Solomon, in 931 B.C. (1 Kings 11:43), that Israel became a divided kingdom. Ten of the twelve tribes of Israel followed King Jeroboam and settled north of Jerusalem, in a land that became known as the Northern Kingdom Of Israel, in the land of “Samaria”. The remaining two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, stayed in Jerusalem, which became known as the Southern Kingdom Of Israel, and was also called “Judah.” These Judeans (2 Kings 18:26; Isaiah 36:13) were loyal to Rehoboam as their King. Just as the northern ten tribes (Israel) were taken into exile in 722 B.C., the southern tribes (Judah) would be taken in exile to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C. There were three deportations of Jews from Judah, beginning in 605 B.C., with the last one occurring in 586 B.C. The siege of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar, as was stated in 2 Kings 24:10, ended with the final siege of Jerusalem that began in January, 588 B.C., and lasted for a year and a half (per Dr. Charles C. Ryrie, Dallas Theological Seminary). A good way of remembering the names of Jeroboam and Rehoboam, as they are associated with their northern and southern kingdoms, is that Jeroboam “jumped” to the north, and Rehoboam “remained” in the south. (Check out the following link for information on the divided kingdom: https://www.jewishhistory.org/the-divided-kingdom/)

Even though the Jews of Judea had been taken to Babylon, they were told by the prophet Ezekiel that God would return them to their promised land of Israel, per Ezekiel 36:24-29 (587 B.C.). Ezekiel was one of the exiles from Jerusalem who were taken to Babylon in 597 B.C. The Jewish prophet, Daniel, was also in Babylon, having been taken there in 605 B.C. The Judean Jewish Prophet Jeremiah prophesied from 627 B.C. until about 574 B.C. Prior to the Babylonian assault on Jerusalem, Jeremiah was jailed in Jerusalem by the Babylonian-appointed Judean King Zedekiah. After Jerusalem fell to Nebuchadnezzar, Jeremiah was allowed to remain in Jerusalem; soon after, he was taken by force to Egypt by Jews which had survived the Babylonian assault on Jerusalem. Jeremiah prophesied in Egypt until his death. The accounts of the diaspora of Judah can be found recorded in 2 Kings 24:1 through 2 Kings 25:21. The prophesied return of Judah and Israel to their promised lands will take place during the time that is known as the Kingdom Age/Millennium/1000 Year Reign Of Christ (Revelation 20:4). Following the Kingdom Age will be the Eternal State of the “New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:1-5).

The atrocities that came upon the city of Jerusalem, the Jews and the temple, at the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar and his forces, are documented by Jeremiah in 2 Kings 24 and 2 Kings 25. In order for anyone to understand the plight of the Jews, there must be understanding of the things that happened to the Jews as they were being forced from their city of Jerusalem, and were being taken captive to Babylon, which is located in the present day nation of Iraq. It is also important to know the things that happened to the Jews while they were held captive by the Babylonians for 70 years. Babylon was located 59 miles southwest of present-day Baghdad. Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein viewed himself as being the reincarnated King Nebuchadnezzar. More of the story of the treatment of the dispersed Jews in Babylon can be found in the book of Daniel. It is important to remember that the writings of the Jews were maintained by Jews. As a human being, I am appalled at the atrocities that the Babylonians inflicted upon those Jews.

Dr. John MacArthur provides excellent commentary on Chapters 24 and 25 of the book of Second Kings. His notes can be found in the MacArthur Study Bible. The MacArthur notes can also be found in Bible Gateway, by clicking onto the link: https://www.biblegateway.com/

2 Kings 24 New American Standard Bible (See verses in link)
(NASB) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+kings+24&version=NASB

Babylon Controls Jehoiakim vs 1-5
Jehoiachin Reigns vs 6-9
Deportation to Babylon vs 10-16
Zedekiah Made King vs 17-20
.
2 Kings 25 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (See verses in link)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+kings+25&version=NASB

Nebuchadnezzar Besieges Jerusalem vs 1-7
Jerusalem Burned and Plundered vs 8-21
Gedaliah Made Governor vs 22-30

Check the credentials of Dr. John MacArthur by clicking onto the following link:
John MacArthur, https://www.gracechurch.org/Leader/MacArthur/John?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Other sources of reference, that work consistently with the writings of John MacArthur, are provided by the following link. Each person that is included in the link has great knowledge of Israel and of the end times. https://success2693.wordpress.com/sources-of-information-preparation-of-articles/ This link goes to one of my archive blogs that I maintain for information purposes.

About the NASB: https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-American-Standard-Bible-NASB/

Consider why the Jews fared so well in Germany during the depression. Consider the following two verses of scripture.

Deuteronomy 7:6 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 1446 B.C.
“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth”

Amos 3:2a New American Standard Bible (NASB) 755 B.C.
“You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth”

Sonido del Shofar HD

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Nice People – Jerry Butler, Betty Everett, The Platters, Lenny Welch, Lionel Richie

Let It Be Me – Jerry Butler and Betty Everett…If a title could be given to this post, it could easily be, “When People Knew How To Sing.” The last two black and white Platters videos were made as part of a movie. The “youngster” in this grouping of talent is Lionel Richie….what can I say? The songs…well they… “take me back.” It was hard to stop adding songs. I hope that others feel the same way about these true artists and the songs that they recorded.

Your Precious Love…Jerry Butler, The “Ice Man”… PBS Special

The Platters ~ Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

The Platters Twilight Time HQ Stereo 1958

The Platters Remember When

The Platters – Only You (And You Alone) (Original Footage HD)

The Platters – My Prayer

Lenny Welch – Ebb Tide

Lionel Richie Lady

Lionel Richie – Hello

Lionel Richie – Three times a lady

Megan And Joshua Christian Wedding

131 – Israel 1446 B.C. – 931 B.C.

Hatikva- Israeli national anthem. The Holocaust and Second World War had ended. Surviving Jews, of both, began their journey to their covenant home land of Israel. The fulfillment of Isaiah 66:7-8 had occurred, with the re-establishment of Israel occurring in one day. On May 14, 1948, Israel was granted statehood by the United Nations. The eternal covenant promises of God to Israel are yet to be fulfilled, per the following link: http://christinprophecy.org/articles/the-jews-in-end-time-bible-prophecy/

This article discusses the history of Israel. It goes back to the year of Israel’s exodus from Egypt, which took place in 1446 B.C. The Israelites had been living under bondage in Egypt for more than 400 years. Suddenly, they found themselves dwelling in the wilderness, being led by Moses who is considered by Jews to be a prophet of God to Israel. The account of the exodus of Israel from Egypt is provided in the following link: http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1663/jewish/The-Exodus.htm

An account of the time that the Israelites spent in Egypt is provided in the following link:
https://answersingenesis.org/bible-questions/how-long-were-the-israelites-in-egypt/

Moses died in the year of 1406 B.C. His successor was Joshua, who led the Israelites across the Jordan River into the Promised land of Canaan in the year of 1406 B.C. The story of Joshua’s leadership of the Israelites is provided in the following link: http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/111849/jewish/Joshua.htm

The history of the Israelites, from their entry into Canaan, until their exile in 586 B.C., is provided in the following link: http://bibleresources.americanbible.org/resource/from-joshua-to-the-exile-the-people-of-israel-in-the-promised-land

The Israelites believed that they were “God’s chosen people.” They believed that God spoke to Moses, and that God’s Words of His national election of Israel were written by Moses in the Jewish writings (Deuteronomy 7:6, of the Tanakh, 1451 B.C.). The Israelites heard the Words of God that were spoken to Moses by God, as they were spoken by Moses to the Israelites while they were in the wilderness between Egypt and Canaan. The Israelites also saw God’s hand of protection and provision while they were living in the wilderness for forty years. See the following link for the words of Deuteronomy 7:6 of: The Book of D’varim (Deuteronomy): Chapter 7, of the Torah – Pentateuch: of the Tanakh. http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/d-varim-deuteronomy-chapter-7

The Jews believed, and still believe, that they were chosen by God to bring the Messiah into the world. God’s chosen people have been known as Hebrews, Israelites and Jews, per the following link: http://www.jewfaq.org/whoisjew.htm

God repeated His choice of Israel, through His words to the Jewish prophet Amos (762-752 B.C.), as follows:

Amos 3:2a New American Standard Bible (NASB)
“You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth”

It was through the Jewish prophet, Zechariah, that God announced a warning to the nations which harm His chosen people, Israel, as follows:

Zechariah 2:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) (520 B.C.)

“For the Lord of Hosts says this: “He has sent Me for His glory against the nations who are plundering you, for anyone who touches you touches the pupil of His eye.”

In the Bible, Jews were called Hebrews or Children of Israel. The terms “Jew” and “Judaism” come from the name of the tribe of Judah.

The Jews also believed that they were chosen by God to live in the land of Canaan, as was spoken by God to Abraham, Issac and Jacob (Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 17:22; Genesis 26:3-5, 24; Genesis 27:28-29; Genesis 28:14-15). The books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy were written by Moses. Jews believe that God spoke the words of those books to Moses (Documented in notes by Dr. Charles C. Ryrie, Dallas Theological Seminary). The following link describes Canaan as being the land that God had promised to the Jews. http://www.jewfaq.org/israel.htm

The Promised Land

The history of the Jewish people begins with Abraham, and the story of Abraham begins when G-d tells him to leave his homeland, promising Abraham and his descendants a new home in the land of Canaan. (Gen. 12). This is the land now known as Israel, named after Abraham’s grandson, whose descendants are the Jewish people. The land is often referred to as the Promised Land because of G-d’s repeated promise (Gen. 12:7, 13:15, 15:18, 17:8) to give the land to the descendants of Abraham.

It is important to know that Jews wrote and maintained the books of the Tanakh. Christians refer to those writings as being the Old Testament of the Bible. The following information provides information on the Tenakh: http://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/hebrew-bible/

Hebrew Bible: Torah, Prophets and Writings (Extracted from the above link)

The Bible, also known as Tanakh, is the founding document of the Jews.

The Hebrew Bible, also known as Mikra (“what is read”) or TaNaKh, an acronym referring to the traditional Jewish division of the Bible into Torah (Teaching), Nevi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings), is the founding document of the people of Israel, describing its origins, history and visions of a just society.

Consider the promised land of Israel, the covenant seed of Abraham.

According to Genesis 15:18 and Joshua 1:4, the land God gave to Israel included everything from the Nile River in Egypt to Lebanon (south to north) and everything from the Mediterranean Sea to the Euphrates River (west to east). So, what land has God stated belongs to Israel? All of the land modern Israel currently possesses, plus all of the land of the Palestinians (the West Bank and Gaza), plus some of Egypt and Syria, plus all of Jordan, plus some of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Israel currently possesses only a fraction of the land God has promised. (Above extracted from https://www.gotquestions.org/Israel-land.html)

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130 – The Jewish Prophet Zephaniah

Joshua Aaron – Kadosh Ata. Prophecy and worship. This post has both. The opening song is sung by Messianic believing Jews. Consider the verses of worship that follow.

2 Chronicles 5:13-14 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)

13 And they were as one, blowing trumpets, and singing, and made one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with trumpets, and with cymbals, and with instruments of music, and when they praised the Lord, singing, For he is good, because his mercy lasteth forever) then the house, even the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud,

14 So that the Priests could not stand to minister, because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.

2 Chronicles 6:12-14 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)

12 And the king stood before the altar of the Lord, in the presence of all the Congregation of Israel, and stretched out his hands,

13 (For Solomon had made a brazen scaffold, and set it in the midst of the court, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits of height, and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the Congregation of Israel, and stretched out his hands toward heaven.)

14 And said, O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee in heaven nor in earth, which keepest covenant and mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their heart.

2 Chronicles 7:1-3 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)

1 And when Solomon had made an end of praying, fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices: and the glory of the Lord filled the house,

2 So that the Priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house.

3 And when all the children of Israel saw the fire, and the glory of the Lord come down upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the earth upon the pavement, and worshipped and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good, because his mercy lasteth forever.

The following video is an overview of the Book of Zephaniah.

Read Scripture: Zephaniah

Consider the key points of the book of Zephaniah.

Zephaniah’s prophecy was directed to Judah, which was the southern kingdom of Israel. He ministered during the reign of King Josiah, who reigned between 640-609 B.C. Zephaniah may have been a distant relative of Josiah. He was also a contemporary of the Jewish prophets, Jeremiah and Nahum, and maybe Habakkuk. The recovery of the Law by Hilkiah in 622 B.C. (2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 34) was the high point of Josiah’s reign, which led to a revival of Israel’s spirituality. Baal worship was cut off (Zephaniah 1:4), but Judah’s sinful moral condition continued. The severe immorality of the people of Judah justified the severe judgments that were prophesied by Zephaniah. The wicked King Manasseh preceded King Josiah. The revival of Josiah’s reign was not strong enough to bring about a significant change in the practices of Assyrian worship that Manasseh allowed to find a stronghold in Judah.

It was during the time that Josiah was king of Judah that Assyria was losing its Kingdom power. Assyria was a brutal empire. The way that they treated their victims, especially the defeated leaders, was so severe that I am not even going to describe it in this article. A link at the bottom of this page will provide such information.

Assyria had overthrown the northern ten tribes of Israel in 722 B.C. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria It was destroyed in 612 B.C. by the combined forces of the Medes and Babylonians, which resulted in the total overthrow of the Assyrian Empire. It was due to the sinful spiritual state of Judah, that Zephaniah’s prophesy was largely focused on the coming of the Judgment of God, which is also known as the “Day Of Yahweh,” or “Day Of the Lord.”

It is best to understand the meaning of the Day of the Lord as being a time when God aims His judgment directly on the world. It can also be a time of blessing, such as that which occurs during the Kingdom Age/1000 Year Reign Of Christ/Millennium. The Second Coming Of Christ is a key element of the Day of the Lord. Facing Judah in Zephaniah’s prophecy was the Babylonian captivity; it was seen as the Day of the Lord for the Judeans of that time. It was between 605-586 B.C. that the Babylonians overthrew Judah. During three deportations, Jews of Judah were taken to Babylon where they would serve 70 years of captivity; they would return to their home, per the prophecy of the Jewish prophet Jeremiah in 597 B.C (Jeremiah 29:10).

Jeremiah 29:10 New Living Translation (NLT)

10 This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.

Consider the following outline of the book of Zephaniah.

The Day of the Yahweh

The ultimate judgment of the Day Of Yahweh on all of the earth. (1:1-3).
The impending judgment of the Day of Yahweh on Judah (1:4-18).
The plea of Zephaniah for Judah to repent (2:1-3).
The judgment of the Day of Yahweh to fall on surrounding nations (2-4-15).
Israel’s apostasy that led to her captivity (3:1-7).
The restoration of Israel (3:11-13)
God’s blessing in the restoration of Israel (3:14-20).

The coming judgment of God on all of the earth is also seen in the fulfilling prophecy of the Day of the Lord. Zephaniah’s prophecy concludes with the ultimate restoration of Israel which will take place during the millennium, after the second coming of Christ.

Consider the following verses of prophecy that relate to the restoration of Israel by God. The notes come from the MacArthur Study Bible, and are posted on BibleGateway.com (Every serious student of the Bible should have both of these tools.)

Isaiah 11:11-12 New Living Translation (NLT)

11 In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time
to bring back the remnant of his people—
those who remain in Assyria and northern Egypt;
in southern Egypt, Ethiopia, and Elam;
in Babylonia, Hamath, and all the distant coastlands.
12 He will raise a flag among the nations
and assemble the exiles of Israel.
He will gather the scattered people of Judah
from the ends of the earth.

11:11 second time. The first return of Israel to her Land was from Egyptian captivity (Ex. 14:26–29). The second will be from her worldwide dispersion (51:9–11; see note on 10:20).

11:12 four corners of the earth. This figurative expression depicts the whole world (Rev. 20:8). The faithful remnant of Israel will return from a worldwide dispersion to their Land.

Jeremiah 23:3-4 New Living Translation (NLT)

3 But I will gather together the remnant of my flock from the countries where I have driven them. I will bring them back to their own sheepfold, and they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 Then I will appoint responsible shepherds who will care for them, and they will never be afraid again. Not a single one will be lost or missing. I, the Lord, have spoken!

23:3, 4 I will gather. God pledged to restore exiled Israelites to their ancient soil. Cf. similar promises in chaps. 30–33, and 16:14, 15. The land in view was lit. Palestine, being contrasted with all the other countries (v. 3), thus assuring that the regathering would be as literal as the scattering. The restoration of Judah from Babylon is referred to in language which in its fullness can only refer to the final restoration of God’s people (“out of all countries”and v. 8), under Messiah. “Neither shall they be lacking” indicates that no one will be missing or detached. These are prophecies not yet fulfilled. Cf. 32:37, 38; Is. 60:21; Ezek 34:11–16.

Ezekiel 37:21-23 New Living Translation (NLT)

21 And give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: I will gather the people of Israel from among the nations. I will bring them home to their own land from the places where they have been scattered. 22 I will unify them into one nation on the mountains of Israel. One king will rule them all; no longer will they be divided into two nations or into two kingdoms. 23 They will never again pollute themselves with their idols and vile images and rebellion, for I will save them from their sinful apostasy. I will cleanse them. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.

37:21–23 God made 3 promises that summarized His future plans for Israel: 1) restoration, v. 21; 2) unification, v. 22; and 3) purification, v. 23. These promises bring to fulfillment: 1) the Abrahamic Covenant (cf. Gen. 12); 2) the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7); and 3) the New Covenant (cf. Jer. 31), respectively.

Worship – Followed by verses and MacArthur Study Bible notes.

Consider the hand of Yeshua Ha-Mashiach, ” The Christ, The Anointed One”, “The Messiah”, resting on your shoulder.

Sarah Liberman – Fire of Your Spirit

Joshua 5:13-15 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)

13 ¶ And when Joshua was by Jericho, he lift up his eyes and looked: and behold, there stood a man against him, having a sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou on our side, or on our adversaries?

14 And he said, Nay, but as a captain of the host of the Lord am I now come: then Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith the Lord unto his servant?

15 And the captain of the Lord’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe of thy foot: for the place whereon thou standest, is holy: and Joshua did so.

5:13–15 Commander. The Lord Jesus Christ (6:2; cf. 5:15 with Ex. 3:2, 5) in a pre-incarnate appearance (Christophany). He came as the Angel (Messenger) of the Lord, as if He were a man (cf. the one of 3 “angels,” Gen. 18). Joshua fittingly was reverent in worship. The Commander, sword drawn, showed a posture indicating He was set to give Israel victory over the Canaanites (6:2; cf. 1:3).

Consider the Geneva Bible
https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/1599-Geneva-Bible-GNV/

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https://equippingblog.wordpress.com/
.
http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-worst-ways-to-die-torture-practices-of-the-ancient-world-a-625172.html
The Worst Ways to Die: Torture Practices of the Ancient World …

Preemie Juniper, Born At 23 Weeks 6 Days

Born 4 Months Early, This Tiny Survivor Beats the Odds | Short Film Showcase

129 – About Equipping Blog

The author of this blog has observed four major factors of concern in today’s world. Those factors very clearly relate to the areas of: “Family, Finances, Faith and Future.” This blog will address events that relate to those four factors, as well as to any other key issues that may arise, and will help people to be better equipped to understand such things.

This Equipping Blog is not a religious blog. The term, “religion,” has been shown to relate to groups of people whom are attempting to gain favor with their gods. They attempt to attain grace with their particular god, so that they might spend their after-life in a state of which they have no knowledge, but which they believe to be an eternity of paradise. These groups of people do not have an assurance of that which is required of them to find their eternity in such a place of bliss. To the contrary, Christians and Jews view their eternal state to be with God, based on a relationship with God. It is impossible to discuss matters that relate to Jews or Christians, without making reference to the documents that relate to their understanding of God. Because there are so many significant current day world events that relate to Jews and Christians, articles will be written that relate to those groups of people.

A discussion on religion, and religions, is provided by the following link.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_religions_and_spiritual_traditions

Religion is a collection of cultural systems, beliefs and world views that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. While religion is hard to define, one standard model of religion, used in religious studies courses, was proposed by Clifford Geertz, who simply called it a “cultural system.”

It is important to state that neither Judaism, nor Christianity, are cultural systems, as is stated above. Judaism and Christianity are not religions.

The following link shows a list of the largest religions in the world. Unfortunately, Christianity is shown as being a religion, which is false. Fortunately, Judaism is not shown in the list, which of course is due to the fact that there are fewer numbers of Jews in our world than are found in most religions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_religious_groups

Largest religions – Worldwide percentage of Adherents by Religion, 2010[28]

Christianity (31.5%); Islam (23.2%); Irreligion (16.3%); Hinduism (15.0%); Buddhism (7.1%)

To say that someone is a “religious person,” means that such a person does certain things, in certain ways, at certain places and times, to attain acceptance in the eyes of “their god.” However, Jews and Christians do not view such ritualism as being paths to God.

This blog may address issues that relate to “religions.” Issues may also be addressed that relate to Jews and Christians.

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128 – Israel, A Commentary

Jewish children Singing “Hatikvah” the early 1930’s

The nation of Israel is rich in its culture and history. No one can deny the contributions to our world that have come from such a small nation, having such a small citizenry. Please consider the value to society that the nation of Israel has provided, in spite of the many obstacles that have been placed in its way. The opening video shows a major obstacle that the Jewish people have had to overcome. These Jewish children in Germany, in the 1930s, are seen singing Hatikvah, which would become the national anthem of the nation of Israel. Many of the children, if not all of them, would be murdered in the Nazi death camps during the Holocaust, where bodies of murdered Jews were said to have been used to make soap and lampshades.

https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3313120,00.html
http://www.historynet.com/a-human-skin-lampshade-sparks-a-journey-into-the-heart-of-the-holocaust.htm

The Holocaust was the systematic, bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. Holocaust is a word of Greek origin meaning “sacrifice by fire.” The Nazis, who came to power in Germany in January 1933, believed that Germans were “racially superior” and that the Jews, deemed “inferior,” were an alien threat to the so-called German racial community.

The Jews are a people of great pride for their nation of today, as well as for their history. It is impossible to discuss Jews, or the nation of Israel, without making reference to the documents that relate to their understanding of God, the Mosaic Law, and the prophets of Israel.

This study of Israel is not “religious.” The term, “religion,” has been shown to relate to groups of people whom are attempting to gain favor with their gods. They attempt to attain grace with their particular god, so that they might spend their after-life in a state of which they have no knowledge, but which they believe to be an eternity of paradise. These groups of people do not have an assurance of that which is required of them to find their eternity in such a place of bliss. To the contrary, Jews view their eternal state to be with God, based on a relationship with God, whom they know as Elohim, YHWH (Yahweh), Adonai, Adonai Yahweh, Yahweh Saboath, El Shaddai, which are Hebrew translations for “God.”

As with most non-Jews, my view and perception of Israel is “from without.” As a gentile (not Jewish), having grown up in a city having a large Jewish population and influence, I have come to love the Jewish people, whether they are naturalized citizens from other countries, or if they are home-grown in my nation of The United States Of America. There are many people residing in other nations, as well as in America, that do not share my love or appreciation for the nation of Israel, or of its people. The purpose of my study of Israel is to paint a “prettier face” on a people whom are, all too often, shown as having an “ugly face” in our world’s community of nations. The history of the Jews shows that the nation of Israel has often come under great oppression, from many other nations and peoples, with the result of many Jewish deaths having taken place. Of strategic importance, is that Israel is the only democratically run nation in its region of the world. A variety of sources of information will be used to show Israel in the light in which I see in that nation and its people. In my own country, the nation of Israel was treated by our government with a great lack of respect during the years of 2009-2016.

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Responsible Parenting

PSALM ENCHANTED EVENING with Marty Goetz – At the end of this video you will see the daughter of Marty and Jennifer Goetz; her name is Misha. Continue with this post to see how well Misha has developed into a wonderful young lady.

WOW! Amazing Aaronic Benediction blessing HEBREW and English – Misha Goetz, as a young woman, accompanies her father, Marty, in singing a beautiful song.

We Being Many – Marty Goetz and Misha at Harvest Christian Fellowship – The third generation of the Goetz family is shown with Misha holding her son, Caleb. The Goetz family has been faithful in following the teachings of God’s Word, as is written:

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

4 “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Consider Marty Goetz, “the stay at home father.” Not only has he been a stay at home father, he has also been “a responsible stay at home father.”

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127 – The Jewish Prophet Micah

Prophecy and praise!!! This post has both. The opening song is sung by Messianic believing Jews. The following video is an overview of the book of Micah. This post also has video teachings of the conditions of the future tribulation and millennium. The prophetic teaching of Micah is something that should continue to be a topic of review for everyone. The national anthem of Israel closes this study. The video shows clips of Jews returning to Israel after the Holocaust of World War II, and includes scenes of present day Israel. (Psalm 122:6,” Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.” NASB).

Read Scripture: Micah

The Book of Micah, An Overview.

Micah ministered in the period of 753-686 B.C. He was a contemporary of the Jewish prophets, Isaiah and Hosea. Micah predicted the fall of Jerusalem, which occurred in 586 B.C., and was quoted, as such, by the Jewish prophet Jeremiah in the defense of his life against the Jewish leaders and non-leaders (Jeremiah 26:16-18, and all of chapter 26, 609 B.C.). Micah also prophesied the fall of Samaria, (the ten northern tribes of Israel) which took place in 722 B.C., and the restoration of Israel during the Kingdom Age/1000 year reign of Christ/millennium. The prophecy of the birthplace of Christ is the crowning point of all of Micah’s Words from God.

Jeremiah 26:16-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) (Key vs 18)

Jeremiah Released

16 Then the officials and all the people told the priests and prophets, “This man doesn’t deserve the death sentence, for he has spoken to us in the name of Yahweh our God!”

17 Some of the elders of the land stood up and said to all the assembled people, 18 “Micah the Moreshite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah and said to all the people of Judah, ‘This is what the Lord of Hosts says: Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become ruins, and the temple mount a forested hill.’

Key events of Micah’s prophecies:

Micah 1:1-1: God’s Word given to Micah about the coming events that would affect Samaria and Jerusalem.
Micah 1:2-7: The destruction of Samaria.
Micah 1:9-13: The destruction of Jerusalem.
Micah 2:6-7: The temptation to preach that which people wanted to hear.
Micah 3:1-4: Judgment on Israel’s leaders.
Micah 3:5-7: Judgment on Israel’s false prophets.
Micah 3:8: Micah affirms that he is spiritually empowered by God to prophesy the truth of God’s Word.
Micah 3:9-12: Judgment on Jerusalem.
Micah 4:1-8: Christ/Messiah will rule in the kingdom/millennium.

Micah 4:1-3 The following video tells of the conditions that will be present during the millennium.

Come Let Us Go Up

The Millennium

Micah 4:1-3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Instruments Of Peace To Be Present During The Millennium

1 And it will come about in the last days That the mountain of the house of the Lord Will be established as the chief of the mountains. It will be raised above the hills, And the peoples will stream to it. 2 Many nations will come and say, “Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord And to the house of the God of Jacob, That He may teach us about His ways And that we may walk in His paths.” For from Zion will go forth the law, Even the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 3 And He will judge between many peoples And render decisions for mighty, distant nations. Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they train for war.

The reverse of Micah 4:3 takes place during the tribulation, prior to the battle of Armageddon and the peace of the kingdom/millennium, as prophesied by the Jewish Prophet Joel.

The Tribulation

Joel 2:1 New King James Version (NKJV)

1 Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain!Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the Lord is coming, For it is at hand

The following video tells of the conditions that will be present during the tribulation, preceding the battle of Armageddon. The words of the song come from Joel 2:1-11, and deal specifically with the victorious invading army from the north (vs 2:20, Assyria) that overran Samaria in 722 B.C. The Babylonian invasion of Judah in 586 B.C. also came from the north. Combined with Joel 3:9, we see the preparation of Israel for war at the end of the tribulation, at a time preceding the battle of Armageddon.

Gaither Vocal Band, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound – Blow the Trumpet in Zion [Live]

Instruments Of War To Be Present During The Tribulation

Joel 3:9-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

9 Say to the nations far and wide: “Get ready for war! Call out your best warriors. Let all your fighting men advance for the attack. 10 Hammer your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Train even your weaklings to be warriors. 11 Come quickly, all you nations everywhere. Gather together in the valley.” And now, O Lord, call out your warriors! The glorious coming kingdom

Micah 4:9-5:2: The suffering that precedes the kingdom

Micah 4:9-10: The suffering of Israel from the Babylonians and Assyrians

Micah 4:11-13: The campaign of Armageddon immediately preceding the second coming of Christ which brings in the Kingdom Age/1000 Year Reign Of Christ/Millennium.
The world, including the USA, will be lined up against Israel, but God will give victory to Israel. (Zechariah 12:3-4; 14:1-16; Matthew 24:29-30; Revelation 16:12-16; 19:14-21)

Micah 5:2-5a

The prophecy of the birthplace of Christ

Micah 5:2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

A New Ruler Will Come From Bethlehem

2 Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity,from eternity.

Micah 6:6-8

A Life of Justice, Kindness, and Humility Is the Way to Approach God

Micah 6:8 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
8 Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 7:18-20

An expectant hope that God will uphold His Word to His people, Israel.

Micah 7:18-20 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
18 Who is a God like you, forgiving iniquity and passing over rebellion for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not hold on to his anger forever because he delights in faithful love. 19 He will again have compassion on us; he will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
20 You will show loyalty to Jacob and faithful love to Abraham, as you swore to our fathers from days long ago.

The prophecies of the Old Testament were made by Jewish prophets to Jews. They relate specifically to Jews, about Jewish matters, but their fulfillment will affect non-Jews. All prophecies were made for the purposes which God has set forth in His Word. The Kingdom of God, also known as the millennium and the 1000 year reign of Christ. It is the time when Christ will rule over all things, as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Revelation 19:16). Following the 1,000 year reign of Christ, all of those whom have been born again will enter the eternal state, which has the following conditions: (“He”is God).

Revelation 21:4 New Living Translation (NLT)

4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Zechariah 2:8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

God’s Love For Israel

8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, “After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.

Isaiah’s Example Of God’s Love For Israel

Isaiah 1:1 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Rebellion of God’s People

1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which he saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

The prophet Isaiah’s ministry covered a time from 739-683 B.C., and dealt with the sins of the Jews. Yet, in spite of the rebellion of God’s People toward God, God planned for a healing of the nation of Israel which would restore it to its proper place of prominence during the time of the Kingdom Age.

Isaiah 53:1-6 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Suffering Servant

1 Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. 3 He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. 6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.

The discussion of the above verses relates to the sins of Israel toward God, and the spiritual healing of the Jews through Christ, which will take place at the second coming Of Christ when He sets up His Messianic 1000 year reign. The King James Version states Isaiah 53:5, as follows:

Isaiah 53:5 King James Version (KJV)

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

The subject of Isaiah 53:1-6 is: “God, Israel and Christ.” The healing of the Jews’ spiritual condition comes only through the crucifixion of Christ on the cross.

Hatikva- Israeli national anthem

Carla And Derek Christian Wedding

Women Of Faith – A Mix

Shout to the Lord

There is none like you
Women Of The Gospel

ABOVE ALL

My Heart, Your Home

Just Give Me Jesus-Anne Graham Lotz

“In The Presence Of Jehovah” By Chonda Pierce

Chonda Pierce tells a very emotional story about her life, and uses the phrase, “second row… piano side.” Consider the treasures of your life.

James 4:6 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)

6 But the Scripture offereth more grace, and therefore saith, God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Women Of The Gospels

Mary, The Mother Of Jesus

Matthew 1:18-25 New Living Translation (NLT)

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah

18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’”

24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Re: Matthew 1:22-23, Prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 (742 B.C.); Isaiah 9:6 (740 B.C.)

The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise

Luke 1:46-47 New Living Translation (NLT)

46 Mary responded,

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

Woman With The Issue Of Blood

Matthew 9:20-22 New Living Translation (NLT)

20 Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, 21 for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”

22 Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

Women Who Followed Christ, And Supported His Ministry

Luke 8:1-3 New Living Translation (NLT)

1 Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, 2 along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; 3 Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.

Woman With A Spirit Of Infirmity

Luke 13:11-13 New Living Translation (NLT)

11 he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” 13 Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!

Woman Who Anointed Jesus

John 12:1-8 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

1 Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.

4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.

7 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

The Widow Who Gave Two Mites

Luke 21:1-4 New Living Translation (NLT)

The Widow’s Offering

21 While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.

3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

Many Women Observing The Crucifixion

Mark 15:37-41 New Living Translation (NLT)

37 Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

39 When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

40 Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), and Salome. 41 They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there.

The Women Near The Cross

John 19:25 New Living Translation (NLT)

25 Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene.

Women That Followed Jesus To The Tomb

Luke 23:49, 55-56 New Living Translation (NLT)

49 But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.

55 As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.

Women At The Empty Tomb

Luke 24:1-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

The Resurrection

24 But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 3 So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.

5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”

8 Then they remembered that he had said this. 9 So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. 11 But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it.

Discussion On The Road To Emmaus About The Women At The Empty Tomb

Luke 24:22-24 New Living Translation (NLT)

22 “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. 23 They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! 24 Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”

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Terry MacAlmon – A Mix

In The Presence Of Jehovah

Holy Are You Lord

We Glorify The Lamb

All The Glory

When I Look Into Your Holiness

Ephesians 5:19 New Living Translation (NLT)
19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.

Ephesians 2:8-9 New Living Translation (NLT)
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

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Carman – A Mix

Carman 1955

Carman – I got the Joy

Carman – Sunday School Rock

Carman – Holding On

7 Ways 2 Praise

The Old Rugged Cross

My Jesus, I Love Thee

The image of Carman in “Hunger
For Holiness” does not show, but
the video will appear when you
click onto to the arrow.

Hunger For Holiness

Carman – I Feel Jesus

Carman – Serve The Lord

About Carman

Carman Posts Good News: ‘I’m 100% Cancer Free with a Beautiful Godly Wife’
12-18-2017

Popular Christian musician Carman Domenic Licciardello, known to fans simply as Carman, took to Facebook over the weekend to announce that he no longer has cancer and that he’s now a married man.

Read more

https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2017/december/carman-posts-good-news-im-100-cancer-free-with-a-beautiful-godly-wife

Psalm 150 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
A Psalm of Praise.
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
2 Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.

3 Praise Him with trumpet sound;
Praise Him with harp and lyre.
4 Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
5 Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!

John 3:16 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

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The Via Dolorosa

Por La Via Dolorosa. The Via Dolorosa (Latin: “Way of Grief,” “Way of Sorrow,” “Way of Suffering” or simply “Painful Way”) is a street within the Old City of Jerusalem, believed to be the path that Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion, per https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Via_Dolorosa). No one needs to understand the words of the song to know all that is happening in the video to “Christ, our Lord and Savior”(Acts 2:36).

Bunnies, and colored eggs and chicks, often overshadow the truth of the day that we honor Christ for being resurrected from death. Many churches advertise egg hunts that will take place, “immediately following Sunday morning services.” However, “the things of Easter” create confusion in the minds of children and adults that don’t know Christ as “The Risen Lord and Savior.” Believers in Christ are familiar with “the death, burial and resurrection of Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). But, bunnies, colored eggs and chicks, and egg hunts, could very easily misconstrue the truth of that verse to be, “the death, burial and Easter of Christ.” Our Lord never observed Easter, because there was no festival or day that was known as Easter, until it was invented in later years (see my link on any of my posts on Passion Week). Christ was a Jew. He observed Passover and The Feast Of Unleavened Bread, and every other feast that God directed Jews to observe (see Leviticus 23). The word “Easter” is written in the King James version of the Bible in Acts 12:1-4 (42 A.D.), which has nothing to do with the resurrection of Christ, but relates to the abuse that had been planned for the Apostle Peter by Herod, and was far from being the account of the glorious resurrection of Christ. The time of that Acts 12 occurrence was stated as being “the Days of Unleavened Bread and Passover,” in the following translations: New King James Version, New International Version, English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation, New English Translation, and others. It is important for parents to know the truth of Passion Week, so that they can teach it to their children. Unfortunately, “Easter” is often preached from many pulpits.

The videos of the Passion of the Christ are very graphic. They show the reality of the Friday on which Christ was crucified, and endured the beatings which came upon Him. See the 30 A.D. fulfilled prophecy of Isaiah 53:7, that was given by God to Isaiah in 712 B.C.

Isaiah 53:7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

“7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, He did not open His mouth.”

As we view the video, we can easily understand that there is no room for bunnies, colored eggs or chicks, or “Easter,” to show proper respect for the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, “our Lord and Savior.”

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The Feast Of Unleavened Bread – It’s Fulfillment

For calendar year 2018, March 30-April 7 is listed as being the time of the Feasts of “Passover and Unleavened Bread,” (often called “Passover” for the entire period of time). Passover was observed for one day, being followed by Unleavened Bread for seven days. Passover began at sunset on Friday (March 30), and ended at sunset on Saturday (March 31), at sunset. Unleavened Bread began on last Saturday at sunset (March 31), and will be ending at sunset today, Saturday, April 7. Most of the readers of this blog will see the last day of Unleavened Bread coming to a conclusion in a few hours. There are others, whom reside near the International Time Zone, that will have already gone past the sunset of Saturday. These two feasts of God’s appointed times, per Leviticus 23:1-2, come first each calendar year. Notice in the passage that God has chosen the Jews to proclaim these Holy days.

Leviticus 23:1-2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Holy Days
1 The Lord spoke to Moses: 2 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: These are My appointed times, the times of the Lord that you will proclaim as sacred assemblies.

The Sabbath is such a day of special gifting from God to the Jews, per Exodus 31:12-13.

Exodus 31:12-13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Observing the Sabbath
12 The Lord said to Moses: 13 “Tell the Israelites: You must observe My Sabbaths, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, so that you will know that I am Yahweh who sets you apart.

The first mention of Sabbath in God’s Word is shown in Exodus 16:23, and was given by God to the Jews. This teaching of Sabbath was made by God to Moses in the year 1491 B.C., which occurred 2513 years after God spoke the words, “seventh day,” in Genesis 2:2. In that verse, “seventh means seventh,” per Strong’s Concordance Lexicon. (Dating by Scofield Study Bible)

Exodus 16:23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
23 He told them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil, and set aside everything left over to be kept until morning.’”

It is important to remember that the Jews are “God’s chosen people,” per Deuteronomy 7:6.

Deuteronomy 7:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 For you are a holy people belonging to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be His own possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.

The Jews were chosen by God to be a holy and righteous people to bring a Holy and Righteous Messiah into the world. God has also chosen a special purpose for the Jews during the end times: “the Kingdom Age, the Millennium, the thousand-year reign of Christ,” per Zechariah 8:22-23.

Zechariah 8:22-23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
22 Many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the Lord of Hosts in Jerusalem and to plead for the Lord’s favor.” 23 The Lord of Hosts says this: “In those days, 10 men from nations of every language will grab the robe of a Jewish man tightly, urging: Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”

With all of the preceding having been said, let’s be blessed by the music of worship and praise, as is being led by Paul Wilbur.

Paul Wilbur – Hinei Ma Tov Umanaim

Paul Wilbur – Sing Hallelujah

The Shout of EL Shaddai by Paul Wilbur.wmv

The following information comes from a Jewish website, Chabad.org. It explains the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and is included in the discussion of Passover. It is important to remember that the term “Passover,” is often used to identify all of the eight days of Passover and Unleavened Bread.

Passover Observances
https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/871715/jewish/Passover-2018-Pesach.htm
Passover is divided into two parts:

The first two days and last two days (the latter commemorating the splitting of the Red Sea) are full-fledged holidays. Holiday candles are lit at night, and kiddush and sumptuous holiday meals are enjoyed on both nights and days. We don’t go to work, drive, write, or switch on or off electric devices. We are permitted to cook and to carry outdoors (click here for the details).

The middle four days are called Chol Hamoed, semi-festive “intermediate days,” when most forms of work are permitted.

The following passages of scripture explain the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The last passage will show the fulfillment of “The Feast Of Unleavened Bread.”

The Feast Of Unleavened Bread

Exodus 12:14-20 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
14 “This day is to be a memorial for you, and you must celebrate it as a festival to the Lord. You are to celebrate it throughout your generations as a permanent statute. 15 You must eat unleavened bread for seven days. On the first day you must remove yeast from your houses. Whoever eats what is leavened from the first day through the seventh day must be cut off from Israel. 16 You are to hold a sacred assembly on the first day and another sacred assembly on the seventh day. No work may be done on those days except for preparing what people need to eat—you may do only that.

17 “You are to observe the Festival of Unleavened Bread because on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. You must observe this day throughout your generations as a permanent statute. 18 You are to eat unleavened bread in the first month, from the evening of the fourteenth day of the month until the evening of the twenty-first day. 19 Yeast must not be found in your houses for seven days. If anyone eats something leavened, that person, whether a foreign resident or native of the land, must be cut off from the community of Israel. 20 Do not eat anything leavened; eat unleavened bread in all your homes.”

Note: Exodus 12:14 a memorial. The details of how this Passover Day was to be memorialized in future years were laid down (vv. 14–20), and then repeated in the instructions to the elders (vv. 21–27). Prescribing the eating of unleavened bread for 7 days, demanding a thorough house-cleaning from leaven (v. 15), issuing a stern warning of banishment for eating leaven (v. 15), and bracketing the 7 days with special holy days (v. 16), served to proclaim the high importance of the nation’s remembering this event.(MacArthur Study Bible)

Exodus 13:3-10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
3 Then Moses said to the people, “Remember this day when you came out of Egypt, out of the place of slavery, for the Lord brought you out of here by the strength of His hand. Nothing leavened may be eaten. 4 Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving. 5 When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which He swore to your fathers that He would give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, you must carry out this ritual in this month.

6 For seven days you must eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there is to be a festival to the Lord. 7 Unleavened bread is to be eaten for those seven days. Nothing leavened may be found among you, and no yeast may be found among you in all your territory. 8 On that day explain to your son, ‘This is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9 Let it serve as a sign for you on your hand and as a reminder on your forehead, so that the Lord’s instruction may be in your mouth; for the Lord brought you out of Egypt with a strong hand. 10 Keep this statute at its appointed time from year to year.

Note: 13:2–10 Further explanation tied their departure to the divine promise of entrance and residence in a new land where commemoration of the Exodus would occur through annual observance of this 7 day feast. Again the pedagogical opportunity afforded was not to be overlooked (vv. 8, 16). (MacArthur Study Bible)

Leviticus 23:6-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 The Festival of Unleavened Bread to the Lord is on the fifteenth day of the same month. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. 7 On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly; you are not to do any daily work. 8 You are to present a fire offering to the Lord for seven days. On the seventh day there will be a sacred assembly; you must not do any daily work.”

Note from Leviticus: 23:6–8 Feast of Unleavened Bread. This festival connected with the Passover, commemorated Israel’s hurried departure from Egypt and the associated hardships (cf. Ex. 12:15–20; 13:3–10; Num. 28:17–25; Deut. 16:3–8). (Mac Arthur Study Bible)

Numbers 28:17-25 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
17 On the fifteenth day of this month there will be a festival; unleavened bread is to be eaten for seven days. 18 On the first day there is to be a sacred assembly; you are not to do any daily work. 19 Present a fire offering, a burnt offering to the Lord: two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old. Your animals are to be unblemished. 20 The grain offering with them is to be of fine flour mixed with oil; offer six quarts with each bull and four quarts with the ram. 21 Offer two quarts with each of the seven lambs 22 and one male goat for a sin offering to make atonement for yourselves. 23 Offer these with the morning burnt offering that is part of the regular burnt offering. 24 You are to offer the same food each day for seven days as a fire offering, a pleasing aroma to the Lord. It is to be offered with its drink offering and the regular burnt offering. 25 On the seventh day you are to hold a sacred assembly; you are not to do any daily work.

Note: Numbers 28:16–25 See Leviticus. 23:5–8. (MacArthur Study Bible)

Deuteronomy 16:1-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Festival of Passover

16 “Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the Lord your God, because the Lord your God brought you out of Egypt by night in the month of Abib. 2 Sacrifice to Yahweh your God a Passover animal from the herd or flock in the place where the Lord chooses to have His name dwell.

The Festival Of Unleavened Bread

3 You must not eat leavened bread with it. For seven days you are to eat unleavened bread with it, the bread of hardship—because you left the land of Egypt in a hurry—so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt. 4 No yeast is to be found anywhere in your territory for seven days, and none of the meat you sacrifice in the evening of the first day is to remain until morning. 5 You are not to sacrifice the Passover animal in any of the towns the Lord your God is giving you. 6 You must only sacrifice the Passover animal at the place where Yahweh your God chooses to have His name dwell. Do this in the evening as the sun sets at the same time of day you departed from Egypt. 7 You are to cook and eat it in the place the Lord your God chooses, and you are to return to your tents in the morning. 8 You must eat unleavened bread for six days. On the seventh day there is to be a solemn assembly to the Lord your God, and you must not do any work.

Note: Deuteronomy 16:1–8 keep the Passover. The offering of Passover itself was to be only a lamb (Ex. 12:3–11). However, additional offerings were also to be made during the Passover and the subsequent 7 days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (cf. Ex. 12:15–20; 13:3–10; Lev. 23:6–8; Num. 28:19–25). Therefore, sacrifices from both the flock and the herd were used in keeping the Passover. (MacArthur Study Bible)

The Fulfillment Of The Feast Of Unleavened Bread – The Sinlessness Of Christ (verse 8)

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast permeates the whole batch of dough? 7 Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch. You are indeed unleavened, for Christ our Passover has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore, let us observe the feast, not with old yeast or with the yeast of malice and evil but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

See the following notes from the MacArthur Study Bible.

5:6 glorying. Better, “boasting.” It was not good because their proud sense of satisfaction blinded them to their duty in regard to blatant sin that devastated the church. leaven. See note on Mark 8:15. In Scripture, it is used to represent influence, in most cases evil influence, although in Matt. 13:33 it refers to the good influence of the kingdom of heaven (cf. Ex. 13:3, 7). whole lump. When tolerated, sin will permeate and corrupt the whole local church

5:7 Christ, our Passover. Just as unleavened bread symbolized being freed from Egypt by the Passover (Ex. 12:15–17), so the church is to be unleavened, since it has been separated from the dominion of sin and death by the perfect Passover Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ. The church is, therefore, to remove everything sinful in order to be separate from the old life, including the influence of sinful church members.

5:8 keep the feast. In contrast to the OT Passover feast celebrated annually, believers constantly celebrate the “feast” of the new Passover—Jesus Christ. As the Jews who celebrate Passover do so with unleavened bread, so believers celebrate their continual Passover with unleavened lives.

Closing comment: Sin is “serious stuff.”

27 Week Old Preemie – Kaitlyn

Caitlin & P.J. Christian Wedding