Over the last several posts, we have talked about what happens when individuals experience God’s glory and about a near future date when God’s glory will be poured out upon the earth in a big way. Is there a difference between God’s glory and God’s spirit?

The two are connected, but there seems to be a difference as well. We understand that the Trinity is intricately interconnected. Jesus stated that if we have seen him, we have seen the Father (Jn 14:9), and the writer of Hebrews states that Jesus is a reflection of God’s glory (Hb 1:3). Also, the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Glory (1Pt 4:14) and is a Spirit of power enabling Christ to be raised from the dead (Ro 1:4). So, despite all these interconnections, what is the difference when it comes to experiencing God’s glory and God’s Spirit?

If we look at our past posts, those who experienced God’s glory fell to their faces in worship as they felt unworthy to be in God’s presence. His glory humbles us and puts us into a place where we can worship God in purity of intent without any hidden agenda. Yet, we find when people experienced God’s Spirit, they became empowered to act in a way that is pleasing to God and uphold God in the highest regard.

There were also physical manifestations when humans experienced God’s Spirit. In Acts chapter 2 we see that “tongues of fire” fell upon Christ’s disciples, they spoke in other languages, became embolden to proclaim Jesus Christ to the masses and many people came to believe in Jesus Christ that day. In many other encounters in Scripture, speaking in tongues was a manifestation of their experience of receiving God’s Holy Spirit, and many signs and wonders manifested as well. That was not always the case, but it did occur quite often. Why is that not seen today as well? This was covered in a previous post (Kingdom Age), so I will not go over that again here. I refer you to that post.

I will also point out that while the two are different, they do work in concert. God’s glory humbles people and helps them to understand their hopeless position compared to who God is, and that all praise must go to God because he is the all-in-all. Once an individual understands they are nothing compared to him, then God’s Spirit can use that person and make them a powerful instrument for God, embolden them to teach about who God is, his love for mankind, and how to help others come to him.

So, it seems we are poised for a time no one has ever witnessed before. God’s glory is going to fill the earth bringing in the greatest harvest of souls ever experienced by helping humans understand their place with God which will increase their desire to know him. Then God’s Spirit will empower those who come to him to go and be his ambassadors to their fellow humans to help them experience both God’s glory and God’s Spirit as well.

This will be a remarkable time in which to live. Are you ready for it?

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

I read a verse which I had read many times before, but the words suddenly stunned me. This was when Moses was interceding for the Israelites asking God to forgive them for their sin of rebellion by not entering the Promised Land due to the bad report ten of the twelve spies gave when they returned from spying out the land which God had promised them. “The LORD replied, ‘I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth, not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times—not one of them will ever see the land I promised an oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it’” (Nu 14:20-23).

Now the word translated here as “fills” in the Hebrew means “will be filled.” So, it seems to be a future action and not a present action. It seems God is making a contrast here. While the Israelites experienced God’s glory through the various miracles he performed for them, they did not esteem him and trust him to carry them through. Yet, at some future point, God’s glory will become so profound that it will seem to fill the entire earth and will not be able to be denied as the Israelites had done.

Now, to my knowledge, that has not yet been fulfilled. As we saw in the last post, God’s glory is displayed constantly for us to see. Yet, this particular verse seems to imply something different, something more dramatic. Are there other references for this within Scripture? Yes. Yes, there is.

In Psalms, we read, “Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen” (Ps 72:19). Again, this seems to indicate some event to occur at a future time.

In Isaiah, when he experienced God and the seraphim surrounding God’s throne, we read, “And they [seraphim] were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory’” (Is 6:3). Since this is occurring in heaven where there is no time element, this is an exclamation in the present even though as we see from other verses, this will be an event in our future.

Then in Habakkuk we read, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Hk 2:14). Again, Habakkuk seems to imply a time in his future which this would occur and just how impactful it will be. And, so, it seems, it is still a time future for us as well. Yet, it may be closer than you think.

Some may claim this proclamation of God’s glory filling the earth is referring to Christ’s millennial kingdom when he will be the King of kings reigning over the entire earth from Jerusalem. Yet, there are additional verses within Scripture that talk about this time in our future describing it to be somewhat different from this time described by the verses we have identified above. The timing seems to be tied to what is described in Daniel chapter 7 where one of the verses states, “Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High” (Da 7:27). This is in reference to the fourth beast which Daniel saw in a vision that was different from any beast he had ever seen. God stated he would destroy this beast and turn its rule over to “the holy people,” that is, those who follow him. You can learn more about this aspect from a previous post I did (Kingdom Age).

Now if there is a time coming where God will reveal his glory in a miraculous and marvelous way, wouldn’t it be at least implied in the New Testament? Well, I think it is there. I think many times we gloss over its reference because many of us haven’t been taught about such an event occurring. Perhaps Jesus was implying such a time when he taught his disciples how to pray. He first says, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt 6:10). Many say Christ is referring to his millennial rule here. Yet, that would be Christ’s kingdom, not necessarily God’s kingdom. Perhaps Christ is referring to this time where God’s glory will be spread out over the entire world in a tangible way, just like his glory is spread out over the entire heavenly realm. So, maybe our view of what Jesus was praying needs a little re-thought on our part.

Another aspect to consider is that when God’s glory was experienced by anyone, it brought them to obeisance and a feeling of unworthiness causing one to bow in reverence. Yet, when Christ rules, God’s spirit will instead empower individuals. We’ll talk more about this in a future post.

In addition, it seems Jesus prophesied about this aspect of God’s glory filling the earth as well when he was telling his disciples about future events. He says, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be peached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Mt 24:14). Many claim this is Christ speaking of the evangelism that will occur during the Tribulation period through the leadership of the 144,000 evangelists that Christ will raise up to evangelize the whole world (Rv 7, 14). Yet, after speaking about this time, Christ goes on to talk about what will occur after this time, so it seems the time spoken of here is before the Tribulation period and may likely be the time of God pouring out his glory over the earth.

Why did the apostle Paul not talk about such a time occurring? I addressed this in a previous post (Church Age). He likely assumed he was already in such a time because God had poured his spirit out and much of what will occur when God pours out his spirit again was already occurring. Yet, one of the things he said to Titus likely helps us to understand that he began to understand this time of God pouring out his glory was not yet occurring (Empowerment of the Holy Spirit). He told Titus to teach what Jesus had taught them until God’s glory has manifested itself to purify a people for his very own (Tt 2:11-14).

So, it seems we are on the cusp of something wonderful that God will bring upon our world and upon us. Are you ready for it? Are you excited about it? I’m reminded about a scene from the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey where the question was asked, “What’s going to happen?” The simple response was, “Something wonderful.” Well, that’s what’s going to happen here: something wonderful. Do you plan on being around to experience it? I trust you will.

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

In our last post, we saw examples of God’s glory being manifested in a physical way, typically as a type of cloud or mist. We also talked about one of the aspects of God’s glory being that it should produce awe, respect, and worship of God himself. Yet, there is another aspect to God’s glory, and that is its ubiquitous nature.

What do I mean by that? I mean God’s glory is all around us. The apostle Paul stated it this way: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Ro 1:20). What is he saying? All of creation around us testifies to us of God’s power and divinity being reflected back to us, that is, God’s glory is on display all around us 24/7.

“Wait a minute,” you may say. “I was taught that all of creation was happenstance. Given enough time, chance itself will yield such a creation.” Well, the short answer is “no.” Evolution is adaptation not creation. Even the laws of thermodynamics agree with this. Matter naturally goes from order to chaos—not vice versa. And, if you understand how living things are created, you will come to the realization that these same laws apply. For example, you need proteins to make proteins. And if that is the case, where did the first protein come from? Oh, amino acids by chance came together in the right order to produce a protein. But that is only half the solution. You not only need protein, but proteins configured in just the right conformation: one structure to carry the unfolded protein into another protein structure to fold the protein into its proper 3-D configuration. You can look further at this argument here (Fingerprint of God-Part 1).

But that is only the beginning of the complexity of all that exists around us. When one looks at the structure of matter, it is, of course, composed of atoms, nature’s basic building blocks. Yet, atoms are a conundrum of existence. What keeps an atom together? There are forces within its nucleus that help to achieve this, but again, even an atom is quite complex, and the right atoms being formed by happenstance is also an infinitesimally small probability. You can look further into this argument here (When God Removes His Fingerprint). So, part of God’s glory is him holding all of creation together. The writer of Hebrews states this is a function of none other than Jesus Christ himself (Hb 1:2-3) who also reflects to us God’s glory. Therefore, us accepting Christ helps us to accept his glory at the same time.

What does all this mean for us? It means that seeing all of nature around us, seeing the cosmos above us, hearing the wind, smelling the fragrances that waft on the breeze, and touching the delicate flowers that bloom in our garden beds, and understanding the complexities of all these things gives testimony to us of God’s glory. It is undeniable and will be a testimony against us as we stand before God one day to give an account of our lives. He will require proof of why you did not believe these things. Do you have that? Or are you just going off the saying of someone else? Have you taken your “logic” to the very end of that logic trail? If you investigate thoroughly, that trail does not lead you where you think it leads. If you are honest with yourself and your trail of logic, it will lead you to God, to his glory, and to Jesus Christ himself.

So, this is the second aspect of God’s glory. It is both tangible yet ubiquitous. It is both something you feel, but also something you see. It is not the element of seeing alone that helps you to understand God’s glory in these elements, but what you can’t see about these elements that helps you to display the awe, respect, and worship toward God that he deserves. Paul said this in Colossians: “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible” (Cl 1:16). While part of what Paul is describing is the spiritual aspects of the invisible, it can encompass the physical invisible forces he created to hold all that we see, appreciate, admire, and cherish together.

There is also a third element to God’s glory that we will explore next time. I hope you join me.

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

According to Strong’s Concordance, there are at least a dozen different Hebrew words in the Old Testament translated to mean “glory,” and at least seven Greek words in the New Testament translated as “glory.” Yet, there is only one that is most associated with God when a biblical author is describing the glory of God. That Hebrew word is kavod and the Greek word meaning the same is doxa.

The other words are often used to describe one’s splendor, grandeur, loudness, beauty, prominence, ampleness, or honor. These can be used as in either a good or bad connotation. Other usages are presented in their negative connotation, such as being boastful, self-centered, or prideful. When used in a derogatory way, their usage leads us to contrast those traits to God’s glory and see how mankind falls short of the ideal concept of the term “glory.”

So, what does the “glory of God” actually mean or connote? The root of the word implies a heaviness. But this is not our standard use of the word but a usage to imply respect, awe, and honor in the most reverent of ways and attitude that leads one to both worship and praise God.

There are three ways Scripture utilizes the phrase “glory of God.” The first way is as a literal physical entity. In this post, let’s look at a few of these events in Scripture when God’s glory is presented to us in physical form.

When God presented himself to the children of Israel as a cloud with thunder and lightning on Mount Sinai, Scripture describes this as God presenting his glory to them. This revealed the seriousness of worshiping God with respect and honor that is due him. In this instance, it produced actual fear in the heart of each Israelite in addition to the awe his presence evoked (Ex 19:16). Hearing God speak was so terrifying, they asked Moses to speak with God and then relay his message to them rather than them hearing God speak to them himself (Dt 5:24-27).

When Moses first erected the tabernacle, God’s glory filled it (Ex 40:34-35) with a visible presence that prevented anyone from entering because of the magnificence of God’s presence there. The same thing happened when king Solomon dedicated the first permanent temple for God in Jerusalem (2Ch 5:13-14). In each case, duties withing the tabernacle or temple had to be halted due to God’s presence being so thick within the structure no one could bear to be in it (Ex 40:35; 2Ch 5:14).

The prophet Isaiah also experienced this when he had his vision of standing in God’s holy temple in heaven (Is 6:4) which elicited his cry of just how unholy he was compared to God’s holiness (Is 6:5) which caused him to say, “Woe is me! For I am undone” (Is 6:5). John the revelator also experienced the same phenomenon, and no one could enter the temple due to God’s presence there (Rv 15:8).

The prophet Ezekiel experienced the glory of God both exiting the temple in Jerusalem (Ek 11:22-23) as well as enter the new temple that will one day be erected to worship the Lord God again (Ek 43:4-5). Ezekiel also fell to his face upon his first encounter (Ek 1:28) and was only able to stand and perform due to the help of God’s Spirit (Ek 2:2).

Peter, James, and John experienced the glory of God as a bright cloud as well when Jesus Christ was transfigured before them (Mt 17:5). They, too, fell upon their faces due to the experience (Mt 17:6).

In each of these cases, those who experienced God in this way had a feeling of inadequacy overwhelm them being in God’s presence. The idea of one’s own goodness completely evaporated instantly upon their encounter with God. As we can see, experiencing the presence of God automatically demands respect, awe, and worship. Hence the true meaning of biblical authors using the essence of the word kavod or doxa.

When we pray, this is the attitude we should also have as we approach him. Not that we are afraid of him because, after all, we are his children and co-inheritors with him (Ro 8:17). Even in our day-to-day lives we can, and should, have reverence for those who are over us, like our parents, even though we are close to them and love them greatly. Even more so should we have this attitude toward God himself. May we ever do so.

Next time, we’ll look at another aspect of God’s glory.

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

In my last post, I went over three of the seven ways Christians and angels are similar. Let’s go over the final four now.

1.      Both are Called to Obey and Enact Christ’s Word (that is, the Logos of God)

David tells us about angels in Psalm 103: “Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word” (Ps 103:20).

John tells us what Jesus said about us: Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching [Greek: logos: i.e., word]. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (Jn 14:23).

The Holy Spirit enables us to do, or possess, at least six things: (1) Our Speech: “For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit” (Jn 3:34). So, the Holy Spirit allows our speech to be in alignment with God’s Word; (2) Our Authority: “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ep 2:6). Therefore, we have authority given us though the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us as we yield to his control; (3) His word to not return void: “It [my word] will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Is 55:11). Therefore, if we speak God’s words, they will also not return void; (4) His word to not fail: “For no word from God will ever fail” (Lk 1:37). So, if we speak his words, they also will not fail; (5) Us to remember His words: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (Jn 14:26). We can rely on the Holy Spirit to bring to our minds God’s words appropriate for whatever occasion we need them, as long as we have stored them in our minds; and (6) Us to have the mind of Christ: The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1Co 2:16). Therefore, the Holy Spirit will help us to think like Christ does.

Scripture (words of God) impacts both us and angels. When we pray Scripture, we are giving voice to God’s Word causing angels to respond. Angels will serve us: “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hb 1:14). Therefore, they minister for us because they obey God’s word. If we have the mind of Christ, then we will be praying his words which will be effective and enable angels to act on our behalf. This does not mean we are praying to angels, but we are aligning our thoughts and desires with those of God. And angels act on God’s words. The Holy Spirit allows us to do this. It is amazing how the Trinity works in concert in our lives.

We influence angels according to Scripture because angels observe us. Paul tells us, “. . . We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings” (1Co 4:9). We should therefore be conscious of our actions because not only are others looking at us but so are the angels. Are we teaching the right things to those who observe us?

We help angels understand salvation. Peter tells us, “Concerning this salvation . . . Even angels long to look into these things” (1Pt 1:10-12). Salvation is an awe and mysterious thing to angels. We should not take it for granted for, indeed, it is awesome and a mystery. While the angels had a choice to make, they did not have multiple opportunities as we do or have their status change by choosing Christ over Satan as has been done for us. We are now joint heirs with Christ. That is not true for angels.

What can praying scripture do for us? It aligns our thoughts and will with that of God. We cannot be effective if we are not in his will. It gives us confidence in our prayers because they are aligned with the word of God. Only his word is powerful and effective; ours is only if they repeat back to him his words or our words are spoken according to his will. It increases our faith because God cannot go back on his word so we can pray with confidence in his response. His words will not return to him void.

God’s word is powerful. Scripture tells us: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hb 4:12). His word changes us inside and out. Scripture also tells us: Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word (Ps 103:20). His word sends angels into action.

2.      Both are to Fight Against Evil

Paul tells us in Ephesians: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ep 6:12). We often forget this and make our struggle with other individuals forgetting the dark forces which are manipulating many human beings. We need to focus on the spiritual. God’s angels also fight these dark forces. Scripture tells us that Michael the archangel helped to defeat a principality of Persia so another angel could get a message to Daniel (Dn 10:13); Michael will defeat Satan in the end (Rv 12:7-8).

Angels fight for us and with us. We have examples in Scripture of this to encourage and strengthen us. In one example, the king of Aram, a country in Mesopotamia where the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are located, which is today’s Iraq, went to capture the prophet Elisha because he was telling the King of Israel how to evade the Aramean army. The king of Aram thought he had a spy in his army but was told the prophet Elisha was telling the King of Israel his own battle plans. He therefore sent his army to the city of Dothan in Samaria where Elisha was staying so he could capture him and thereby prevent him from speaking further to the king of Israel.

We find what happened in 2 Kings chapter 6: “When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots [of Aram] had surrounded the city. ‘Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?’ the servant asked. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hill full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2Ki 6: 15-17). God had his angels to protect Elisha with an entire angelic army and in greater number than the king of Aram could muster in the physical.

Angels fight other angels of Satan. An angel fought a demon to get an answer to Daniel concerning his prayer (Dn 10:12-14). Angels fight against human foes as well. A large host of angels came with God to Mt. Sinai (Dt 33:2) and provided protection to Israel (Ps 68:7, 17). As we just mentioned, an angel army surrounded Elisha when the Arameans came to take him (2Ki 6:17). Jesus had access to more than twelve legions of angels at his beck and call (Mt 26:53). We would likely be surprised at what we would see if we could visualize what is going on around us in the spiritual realm.

3.      Both Have Abilities to Fight and Serve

Not all angels are of the same rank and purpose, and, therefore, have different missions in how they follow and obey God’s purpose, whether it is to deliver messages, protect, or to fight against the enemy. Christians are given different gifts of service and ministry for fighting spiritual battles as well. All Christians have access to the armor of God (Ep 6).

Angels do God’s bidding on our behalf. There are many examples in Scripture of this as well: Angels visited Lot and his family in Sodom to keep his promise to Abraham (Gn 19:1); an angel helped Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, obtain a wife for Isaac (Gn 24:40); an angel guarded the children of Israel along their way (Ex 23:20); an angel kept Daniel safe from the lions (Dn 6:22); an angel fought a demon to get a message from God to Daniel (Dn 10:13); an angel rolled the stone away from Christ’s tomb (Mt 28:2-7); an angel opened the gates of the prison for Peter to escape (Ac 5:19); and an angel caused Herod Agrippa to be struck with a sickness causing him to die quickly (Ac 12:23).

We are also equipped to do God’s bidding. God has given us both defensive and offensive weapons (Ep 6): the belt of truth holds the armor together understanding that Jesus Christ and his words are the only truth in this world; our minds are protected with the helmet of salvation as the knowledge about our present and our future is based upon what Christ did for us on the cross; we have the breastplate of righteousness which we have only because of Christ’s blood which he shed for us. God who is above any and all declares us righteous. Anyone who says otherwise are in error to the One True God. We have the shield of faith which is strong enough to defend anything the enemy sends our way because we are solid in our belief in what Christ has done for us. And we have the Sword of the Spirit; the Word of God; which wields only truth and is sharper than any two-edged sword which penetrates to the very essence of one’s thoughts and world perspective to deliver that truth. All of this is accomplished through the footwear which delivers the Gospel of Peace beyond all comprehension to all those who we come in contact with: both friend and foe alike. All of this makes us truly powerful in our spiritual battles with the enemy.

4.      Both Encourage Each Other

We are told in Psalms: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” (Ps 91:11). While this is also a prophetic psalm about Christ, the psalmist is also stating what is true about his followers.

The psalmist also tells us: “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them” (Ps 34:7).

Peter tells us: “Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things” (1Pt 1:10-12).

We need to be more mindful of our actions because the spiritual realm is listening, watching, and being taught by us. Next time, we’ll look at some cautions we need to consider as we partner with angels to follow God’s commands.

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

God had not spoken prophetically to Israel for nearly 400 years! Then he showed up in a big way fulfilling many prophetic announcements of his arrival. Was Israel ready? No, not really. It’s hard to realize you are living through fulfilled prophecy. Doing so tests all your preconceived ideas of what it would be like if you were to do so. But now, it’s not a thought process. It’s real. It tests the mettle of your beliefs. We find this awesome time of God becoming human in Matthew Chapter 1 and Luke Chapter 2.

His coming was on the heels of the Hasmonean Dynasty. Around 168 BCE, Antiochus IV Epiphanes of the Seleucid Empire of Persia suppressed the Jews greatly and went so far as to desecrate their temple in Jerusalem, and a priest by the name of Judas Maccabeus initiated a seven-year rebellion which gained momentum very quickly, known as the Maccabean Revolt. During this time, Jerusalem and the temple was regained with the temple being rededicated. This time became known as the celebration of Hanukkah where the amount of oil for the temple menorah was just enough to last a day, but it lasted for eight days giving time for more of the sacred oil to be prepared. After a seven-year battle, Judas was killed in battle and his brother, Jonathan, led the Jews to an eventual defeat of their enemies and was made not only High Priest, but king as well, initiating the Hasmonean Dynasty where the priesthood and kingship were merged for almost twenty-two years. Rivalry between sons for kingship brought Rome into their midst due to these siblings’ thirst for power, and Rome never left. Eventually, Rome took over the position of power and even controlled the power of the high priest by housing the ephod worn by the high priest within the Roman Tower of Antonia built adjacent to the temple.

Various religious sects emerged which diluted the truth of scripture even through the tradition of scripture became even stronger in their culture. While Scripture became a nationalistic symbol of the Jews, it became less about personal belief in God and more about the celebration of tradition surrounding those beliefs. Israel had lost their way both as a nation physically and spiritually. Now, God decided to step in and show the error of their interpretation of scripture as well as reveal to them how they had come to serve the Law rather than having the Law serve them and point them to God.

God revealed himself as El Hakavod, God of Glory. God revealed his glory to mankind through the birth of Jesus Christ just as the ancient prophets had foretold. He was Jehovah Ori, the Lord my Light. Jesus illuminated the way to the proper way to God. He was El Tamim, Perfect God. Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for mankind. He was El Nasah, God who Forgives. His action on the cross gives us forgiveness. He was Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord our Righteousness. We are declared righteous because of him taking our place. Christ, as our Messiah, restored what Satan took from Adam and gave us power to be the Children of God and joint heirs with Christ.

From this example presented today and all the examples presented in previous posts we have discussed, I think we can conclude that God is predictably unpredictable. He always showed up, and while he presented a side of himself that fit the occasion, he did not typically present himself as people expected or desired. Let’s do a quick recap:

Flood – God was decisive, appeared malicious at first glance, but we find him extremely gracious once we understand what was at stake and what Satan had actually done. We must see the why and not just the what.

Tower of Babel – Here God appears lenient—just the opposite of what we observed from him showing up at the Flood. Here, he let people continue but with new confinements. We see here that God wants the best for us.

Red Sea – God made the Israelites sweat it out to get them to realize their dependence on him. Our battle is not with those we can see but with those forces we can’t see.

Hezekiah – God even let others get destroyed to teach a valuable lesson to those who remained. God let Hezekiah help preserve his people but made him realize only through dependence on him would their victory be assured. Turning to God is not insurance but assurance. Through this example we see the powerful weapon prayer actually is for us.

Birth of Christ – Jesus did not come as the religious leaders had expected their Messiah to come and reveal himself. Jesus taught what they did not expect. He seemed practically anti-Scripture to them because they had applied their own desires to Scripture and not let Scripture formulate their ideas. We need to be on the same page as God and not vice versa.

Today – Do we have an expectation of how God will show up? Do we expect him to show up? Are we willing to be surprised and willing to change and adapt to how he decides to show up? We do not want to be like the Pharisees and miss the blessings that are in store for us.

Join me next time when we take these examples and apply them to our situation today. You may even be surprised at our findings. Please join me.

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, destroyed Samaria in 722 BC and took the northern kingdom of Israel as captives to Assyria. Then, eight years later, Sennacherib attacked Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel, and laid siege to all fortified cities, including Jerusalem. We find this in 2Kings chapters 18 and 19.

Hezekiah accomplished several mighty engineering feats to try and prepare for the coming invasion by Assyria. One thing he did was connect the Gihon Spring just outside the city wall in the northern part of Jerusalem to the Pool of Siloam in the southern part of Jerusalem by digging an underground pathway through solid rock so the spring could flow within the city. Then, even if surrounded, the people would still have water and thereby preserve life longer for them to try and defend themselves. He also built another wall outside the current one so it would encompass the Gihon Spring, and he reinforced the terraces of the City of David (the southern portion of Jerusalem). He also made weapons and shields.

This achievement by Hezekiah is still observed today: called Hezekiah’s tunnel. It still has water running through it, and one can observe where the two teams of miners met. Hezekiah had one team dig from Siloam north and another dig from Gihon south. Today, there is a plaque where the two teams met. It is amazing how much Hezekiah was able to accomplish without modern technology.

Another play Hezekiah instituted was bribery. This was something kings would often do: either bribe the attacker with monetary gain, or bride another nation to help come defend them from their attacker. Hezekiah had all the silver stored in the temple treasury (300 talents – 11.25 tons, worth about $70.8 MM in today’s value) taken out for part of the bribe and then stripped gold off from the doors of the temple (30 talents – 1.125 tons, worth about $8.4 MM in today’s value) to bribe and ask Sennacherib to leave (for a total value in today’s money of $79.2MM). Yet, Sennacherib did not leave but fortified his efforts.

Hezekiah took the letter he received from Sennacherib and laid it before God at the temple and pled for Jerusalem’s salvation. He also had the prophet Isaiah beseech God as well. Hezekiah realized that all the preparation he had made, which was brilliant, significant, and formidable would not be enough. He realized only God himself could save them. God answered Hezekiah’s prayer in a big way.

That night, 185,000 of Sennacherib’s men were slain (2Ki 19:35). The remaining fled and retreated to Assyria. God accomplished in one night what Hezekiah could not accomplish in months and months of preparation. Because Hezekiah had the faith to depend upon God rather than in all the work he had done to prepare for defense, God intervened in a way Hezekiah could have never conceived.

It seems God always works in ways that are above and beyond our way of thinking. He had a way prepared through our dilemma even though our efforts haven’t been able to conceive of a possible solution. God revealed himself as being Jehovah Nissi, The Lord Our Banner or Victory. God destroyed the power of Sennacherib in one night. He only needed a short time to accomplish complete deliverance for Hezekiah and all of Jerusalem. God became Jehovah Maginenu, the Lord our Defense. He demonstrated that he was on their side and would defend them by his own might. In addition, he was Elohim Aizar, God our Helper. He had led them out of Egypt and proved he would be with them in all situations if they just trusted in him.

God was revealing to Hezekiah how victories are won. God wanted Hezekiah, and all of Jerusalem, to understand that their struggle was not necessarily with man but with powers in the spiritual realm which only God can defeat (Ep 6:12). Prayer was their weapon to overcome these forces, and prayer is still our weapon today to overcome these forces that battle against us.

Are you fighting your battles this way, or are you, like Hezekiah, doing your best to prepare for the fight only to find all your efforts are fruitless? You cannot win. Yet, with Christ, all things are possible (Pp 4:13). Use your most powerful weapon imaginable: go to God in prayer.

Next time, we’ll see God show up in even a bigger and more personable way. Until then. God bless!

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

We find this experience in Exodus chapter 14. Only a short time earlier, the Israelites had left Egypt after the ten plagues had devastated the economy and spirit of the Egyptian people. The Egyptians had asked them to leave and even gave the Israelites gold, silver, and precious stones to bribe them to leave and never return. I can image the Israelites were on an all-time high. Just a few days before, they were being oppressed beyond comprehension, and now, almost overnight, they were free! Free! I’m sure they felt like they had to pinch themselves to believe their experience was real. Yesterday, they had been slaves with nothing. Today, they were free with more wealth than they ever dreamed!

After the Israelites left, Pharaoh realized he had just let go the slave force the Egyptian empire had relied upon for centuries. How was the empire now going to function? Despite their hatred for the Israelites, he realized their economy still needed them. So, he and his army went after them. The Israelites were now squeezed between the Egyptian army behind them and the Red Sea in front of them. Mountains stood on their right and left. They literally had no place to go. Without God intervening, they would be destroyed, or recaptured and go into an even more severe servitude than they had lived through previously. What the Israelites did not know was that God had forced them into this place where they now had to rely totally on him.

Israel needed to understand God was the Faithful One despite the time they had been in slavery. God needed to show the Israelites they could depend on him for all things and that doubt was the path to destruction, but faith was a path to salvation. Freedom does not come freely but comes with responsibility. God had plans to make them into an ambassador nation to reveal himself to the world (Ex 19:6). Therefore, the Israelites needed to learn how to rely on the Lord for all their needs. He could not only supply their needs but do so in ways they could not ever fathom.

God revealed himself as Jehovah Yishi, the Lord my Salvation. God held the Egyptians at bay at the same time he made a way through the Red Sea for the Israelites. He did something for them that was so extraordinary they could never have conceived of such as act. Never would them being able to escape the Egyptians by walking through the Red Sea on dry ground even be a considered possibility. They were experiencing a God who could save my impossible means. In addition, he showed himself to be Jehovah Ozi, the Lord my Strength. He demonstrated that only he had the power to get the Israelites out of their situation. God had put them in an impossible situation that human actions, thoughts, and abilities were unable to do or conceive. God demonstrated he was Jehovah Mazud, the Lord my Fortress. He had led them out of Egypt and proved he would be with them in all situations if they just trusted in him. If they rested in him, their fortress, they would be protected and safe. God was creating in them a mindset that with him they were safe from all foes and could become a nation to be his influence in the world. Satan has tried to thwart this plan ever since.

Next time, we’ll see how God can accomplish the impossible in hardly any time at all. Give God a day, and one’s world can change drastically. I hope you join me.

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

We find the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis chapters 10 and 11. Nimrod rebelled against God and created a kingdom rather than having people spread throughout the world as God had commanded. It is believed that this biblical figure is the same historical figure as Gilgamesh. He and his wife created a new, separate, religion apart from God where they worshipped the stars, the Nephilim, and all the hybrid creatures these fallen angels had made. This was likely the start of all the mythologies of the various cultures we know about today and became the counterfeit to what God established. His wife, Semiramis (Summer-amat) became known as Queen of Heaven and her son as Tammuz, the sun god, as he was touted to be a resurrection of his father, Nimrod, who supposedly had manifested himself in the sun after his death and had impregnated Summer-amat via rays of the sun.

Satan again tried to establish his one-world government through Nimrod (Gilgamesh) and to unite the people through a polytheistic form of worship that was opposed to God. As counter to this, God confused their language so they would have to obey his requirement to spread throughout the world (Gn 11:9). Man had become arrogant and full of pride and wanted to do things their way rather than how God wanted things to be done.

God worked differently this time. He demonstrated himself to be Jehovah Royi, the Lord my Shepherd. He forced the people to separate into various languages and dialects so they would spread throughout the earth as he ordained. Shepherds sometimes must do something drastic to some of his sheep to force them to obey him and prevent the other sheep from following along with the sheep that is disobedient. This is what God had to do in this situation as well. He showed himself to be El Kanna, Jealous God, by limiting how one group of humans could force their will onto the entire population – at least for a time. He wanted their worship and praise and was making every opportunity for them to do that. God was also Jehovah Shalom, the Lord our Peace, as it would be quite some time for mankind to overcome their differences and be able to act globally again. God protected man from Satan’s influence and made Satan have to start over again on his plan. Satan was not as brazen this time as he was previously, but he was certainly not subtle either.

Tune in next time when we will see how God began to work with a group of people to portray his character to the world and how Satan did all he could to prevent that.

Until then, God bless.

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

We find the story of the Biblical world-wide Flood in Genesis chapters 6-9, and we find the purpose for the Flood in chapter 6, verses 1-10. Certain of Satan’s angels somehow married human women and had children by them (Gn 6:2). The Bible itself is somewhat cryptic of what actually occurred. This could be because the story was well known at the time, so the writer of Genesis (who is believed to be Moses), may not have thought detail was important.

At first glance, this chapter in Genesis sounds as if God is vindictive in his actions, and some have touted this to be the case, saying God was vindictive in the Old Testament, but loving in the New Testament. Yet, that can’t be the case. God states he doesn’t change (Ml 3:6) and that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hb 13:8). Therefore, something else must be going on here. One thing to consider is how words are translated from Hebrew into English. For example, the word translated “regret” in this passage actually means “a big sigh” in Hebrew. Now, if you have children, I’m sure you’ve given a big sigh yourself many times. That didn’t mean you were willing to get rid of your children but were deeply wounded and hurt by some of their decisions. I think that is how God was feeling here. While, granted, his actions were drastic, it would seem something bigger was at play here. We need to understand the why and not just the what. There are extra-Biblical sources, like the Book of Enoch, while not Scripture, which can at least give us a good flavor of what may have been happening during this time of Earth’s history.

The Book of Enoch tells us there may have been 200 angels involved in appearing on Earth and marrying human women. Their offspring became giants, called Nephilim (Gen 6:4). This extra-biblical source also states the height of these Nephilim when fully grown may have been up to 300 cubits (450 ft). That’s quite high: half the height of the Empire State building in New York City! Now, that could be an exaggeration, but this information certainly helps us see the gravity of the situation. With their large size came an extremely ravenous appetite. Mankind could not produce enough to feed them, so they ate birds, beasts, reptiles, and fish to satiate their hunger – including the animals’ blood. This turned the beasts of the earth violent.

Scripture also states these Nephilim became mankind’s heroes, men of renown (Gn 6:4). This would seem to imply they fought with each other, and humans looked up to them for their bravery and skill. The animal kingdom was originally designed to be one of peace and harmony, but Satan had now made it violent between beast of the animal kingdom and between men as well. Bloodshed became common whereas it was not supposed to be that way because God had set the world up to be a peaceful, accommodating place for humans. Satan polluted the creation God had made and turned it violent.

In addition, it seems Satan tried to remake mankind in his own image and changed humans from the way God had made them. He was infusing angel DNA into mankind’s genome. It seems the human genome was being subverted. Apparently only Noah and his family were the only ones left pure in their genome. The word “blameless” used in this passage can also mean “pure.”

The Flood was a way for God to not only bring judgment to the guilty but as a way to preserve humankind as God had made them.

Prior to the Flood, God had revealed himself utilizing three names. The first of these was Elohim. He was the Eternal God, the Creator, the Three-in-One. He was the one who had made everything. He also presented himself as Jehovah (or Yahweh). He was Lord, the Self-Existing One. He was without beginning or end. Uncreated. Omnipresent. Omniscient. Then, he was also Jehovah Elohim, the Lord God. He is the one who keeps his covenants.

Now, God was revealing himself through the manifestation of his characteristics. While these may have been announced in Scripture later, in hindsight we can see these traits being exhibited here as well. He was Jehovah Shaphat, the Lord Our Judge. He did away with all that Satan had made wrong. He wiped from the face of the earth those who had yielded to Satan and let their human genome become contaminated to be more like Satan. Yet, we see God was also El Rakhum, the Merciful God. He protected Noah and his family from judgment and allowed mankind to continue as he designed them. In addition, he presented himself as El Khanun, the Gracious God. He gave the people on the earth 120 years to repent and get ready for what was coming. God could have healed their bodies if they had repented, but, sadly, they did not. He demonstrated himself to be Jehovah Boray, The Lord the Creator. During the Flood, God re-sculpted the Earth through his judgment. The water canopy surrounding the earth collapsed producing a deluge, the waters under the earth broke forth to help produce enough water to cover the face of the entire earth. In addition, the continent(s) were further divided, producing large seas and oceans with mountains and valleys. The earth Noah and his family exited onto from the ark was very different from the earth they left to enter the ark. God also presented himself as El Amen, the Faithful God. He provided a promise which he will never go back on. The promises given to Adam were now given to Noah, and God promised to not destroy the world again by a Flood. The rainbow was given as a symbol for this promise.

In Satan’s first attempt to overthrow God’s efforts and set up his kingdom on the world, we see he was very brazen in his attempt. God was equally brazen in his response to Satan’s efforts so that he could preserve what he had created and given to Adam with a promise for his race to continue and for God to redeem them back to himself. Going forward we’ll see how Satan became less and less brazen in his efforts. Each attempt seemed to become more subtle, but just as deadly.

Join me next time when we’ll see how God showed up at the Tower of Babel. Until then, God bless!

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Perhaps you consider this a strange question because God is always with us, so he always shows up. While true, there are grander times, so to speak, when we expect God to do something on a grand scale. When does he show up to do that?

Let’s look at a few Biblical examples and then see if we can apply what we learn from those.

God first showed up at Creation, right? Do we know when that occurred? The short answer is No, but some people have tried.

Here are five individuals who have attempted to do just that. Of course, there are some assumptions that must be made which many who make such predictions seldom seem to point out. Yet, surprisingly, they all came to the same general conclusion as they used the Bible as their main source of predictability.

James Usher was an Archbishop of the Church of Ireland in the 17th century. He arrived at the date of 4004 BCE for the year of Creation, and this seems to be the date most used by Christian scholars (but typically not Jewish scholars).

Then there is Sir Isaac Newton, English mathematician, physicist, astronomer, alchemist, theologian, and author, who also lived in the 17th century. He predicted the year of Creation to be very close to that predicted by Usher: 4000 BCE.

Then Johann Kepler, the famous German astronomer who lived in the 16th century, predicted 3992 BCE.

Then there was Venerable Bede who was a monk in Northumbria, Scotland who lived in the 8th century, and who dated Creation to occur in 3953 BCE.

Then there is Yose ben Halafta, a Rabbi in Sepphoris, Israel, in 2nd century who derived the year of Creation to be 3761 BCE, and this is the year the Jewish calendar typically goes by.

Many who try to predict when Christ will return abide by the notion that the six days of creation are symbolic of God working in 1,000-year intervals. They believe each day of creation to be an actual 24-hour day but believe the creation week to be a template for the time for the Earth to exist. This is based upon two scriptures (2Pt 3:8 and Ps 90:4) which state, “with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day,” and “a thousand years in your sight are like a day.”

If literal, then Earth will exist for 6000 years and then the Millennial Kingdom will represent the final 1000-year interval because it is symbolic of the Sabbath, a day of rest after Creation was accomplished. This thereby gives the total time of Earth’s existence to be 7000 years to match the creation week.

So, after 4,000 years following Creation, Christ was born, died, and rose again. Then after an additional 2,000 years, Christ will return and set up his earthly kingdom. If we take into account that Christ will return after 6000 years (meaning his second coming), then we have to take away 7 years for the length attributed to the Tribulation Period and then add a year since there is no year 0, to come up with a year of Christ appearing in the sky for the Rapture Event that ranges, based upon the five years for Creation which was just presented, from 1990 CE to 2233 CE – quite the span:

Usher: 6000-4004+1= 1997 – 7 = 1990 CE (a year in the past)

Newton: 6000-4000+1= 2001 – 7 = 1994 CE (a year in the past)

Kepler: 6000-3992+1= 2009 – 7 = 2005 CE (a year in the past)

Bede: 6000-3953+1= 2048 – 7 = 2041 CE (18 years from now)

Halafta: 6000-3761+1= 2240 – 7 = 2233 CE (210 years from now)

This indicates that, while, in general, it looks like they came up with roughly the same year for creation, when looking at more specific details, they are vastly different.

Knowing that the Rapture has not yet occurred, this means three of these dates are already incorrect. Of the remaining two, it means the Rapture could happen from 18 to 210 years from now. What does this mean? Either you believe the first three predictions of Creation were incorrect and the Rapture is close or far away, or it means we cannot go by dates – which the Bible has already told us (Mt 24:36).

Yet, what this can do for us is allow us to put a historical timeline together to help us see when various occurrences happened in history. This allows us to compare what happened in the Bible with other known extra Biblical events. This is very useful for our understanding of our history.

Also, knowing these dates can help us have a better understanding of the order of Biblical events. For example, if we break the timeline into 500-year gaps of time, we can memorize the following:

~4000 BCE– Creation (4004 BCE)

3500 BCE – Jared, father of Enoch (3544 BCE)

3000 BCE – Noah (2948 BCE)

2500 BCE – Shem (2446 BCE)

2000 BCE – Abraham (1996 BCE)

1500 BCE – Moses (1491 BCE)

1000 BCE – David (1060 BCE)

500 BCE – Return from Babylonian Captivity & Dedication of 2nd Temple (516 BCE)

0 – Birth of Christ (2 BCE)

500 CE – Bible Ratified (397 CE – Council of Carthage)

1000 CE – Schism (1054 CE) & Crusades (1095 CE)

1500 CE – Protestant Reformation (1517 CE)

2000 CE – World Economic Forum (1971 CE)

Now let’s look at some of these more specifically and see how God showed up. But before we do that, we need to understand that God didn’t show up and say, “I’m God. Listen to me.” No, he demonstrated various characteristics of himself and presented himself by using many different names to suit the occasion of what was going on at the time. God is multidimensional and has presented himself and his different characteristics over time. In hindsight, we can see that he had these characteristics even before he officially presented or announced a specific characteristic of himself. We want to see how God presented himself differently in each example we are going to go through. We will see that he rarely presents himself the same way twice and adapts how he will reveal himself to the situation at hand.

We now want to go through several examples of how God showed up and presented himself for the occasion. We’ll investigate the first example next time. I hope you join me to see how he showed up during the time of the Biblical Flood. Until then, God bless!

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Many people see Ezekiel’s vision in the first chapter of the book by his name as evidence that even the Bible supports the presence of UFOs. Is that really true? Let’s investigate.

Ezekiel saw this vision in the fifth year of his Babylonian captivity. He was 30 years old at the time. The vision was something quite extraordinary, to say the least. First, Ezekiel saw a large, dark, storm cloud come toward him from the north. Yet, this was no ordinary storm cloud. It was surrounded with brightness with lightning within it. Yet, within the center of this cloud was something that looked like molten metal gleaming, and from which the lightning originated. It must have looked quite ominous. If you’ve seen the movie Independence Day, it may have looked something like that, but with more light exuding within and without the billowing, folding dark cloud.

So, we first must ask ourselves if this is unique to Ezekiel, or did this occur before? Well, if we go back to the book of Exodus, we see something similar to this. When Moses and the children of Israel gathered at Mt. Sinai after their exodus from Egypt, something similar occurred. They also saw a tremendous black, rolling cloud come toward them from the north, with thunder and lightning, and it descend upon the mountain in front of them (Ex 19:18; Dt 33:2).

Ezekiel then saw what he called four living creatures (Ek 1:5) or cherubim (Ek 10:1). These creatures appeared to have four faces, with each facing a different direction: the face of a man was in one direction with that of an eagle opposite it; to the right was the face of a lion with that of an ox opposite it. The creatures each had four wings. Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the sole of a calf foot. And they sparkled like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides, they had human hands. Each one of them went straight forward, without turning as they went. Each creature had two wings: one set was outstretched and long enough to touch the wings of the other creature near it; the other pair covered their bodies. Each creature traveled straight forward, appearing to dart in all directions, appearing like flashes of lightning. This is how one would expect a sentry to perform if it is protecting something or someone.

It is interesting that when the tabernacle was first erected, three tribes, with their standards, camped on each side of the tabernacle. There was one main tribe on each side. Reuben (with the face of man as its standard) was on the South, Dan (with the image of an eagle as its standard) was on the North, Judah (with the image of a lion as its standard) was on the East, and Ephraim (with the image of an ox as its standard) was on the West. Some have also indicated that these represent the four gospels and their portrayal of the characteristics of Christ: Matthew (kingly nature of Christ, as the lion), Mark (humanity of Christ), Luke (heavenly origin of Christ, as the eagle), and John (the servitude of Christ, as the ox).

We also see how cherubim were portrayed throughout scripture: guarded Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve were cast out of the garden (Gn 3:24); their replicas placed on the Ark of the Covenant depicted paying deference to the center of the Mercy Seat where the Shekinah glory of God was to appear to the High Priest in the Holy of Holies (Ex 25:19-22); on the veil between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies – protecting where God dwells (Ex 26:31); in various places throughout the curtains of the tabernacle and on walls of the temple (Ex 36:8; 1Ki 6:29); and two giant cherubim in the Holy of Holies in the temple (1Ki 6:27). In addition, we see these four creatures again in Revelation where they stand before God’s throne and sing praise to him (Rv 1:13-16). It seems each time we encounter these creatures, they are associated with protecting God’s throne and his holiness.

Then, next to these creatures were four “wheels.” These appeared to be two wheels together at perpendicular angles, so they could travel in any direction. They were also large and had what appeared to be “eyes” along their rims (Ek 1:15-18). Some have proposed that these “wheels” convey certain characteristics of God: the mobility of the wheels suggest the omnipresence of God; the eyes represent God’s omniscience; and their elevated position represent God’s omnipotence.

Then, above these creatures was a canopy that looked like crystal and on top of this canopy sat what appeared to be a throne, bright blue in color like that of a sapphire. And on this throne sat one who from the waist up looked as bright as molten metal, and from the waist downward the appearance of fire (Ek 1:27-28). You can imagine how awe-inspiring all of this was to Ezekiel. We also see something similar in Revelation where Christ appeared to the apostle John (Rv  1:13-16). We also see someone who appeared to Moses, Aaron, his sons, and the elders of Israel at Mt. Sinai who they met and ate with. This one was sitting on something which appeared the color of sapphire (Ex 24:9-11). It would seem Israel experienced both God, the first part of the Godhead, as well as the pre-incarnate form of Christ, the second part of the Godhead. This second part of the Godhead was always the one who appeared, and revealed himself, to man.

The response of both Ezekiel and John were the same. They both fell facedown (Ek 1:28; Rv 1:17). They were so overwhelmed, knew they were in the presence of someone greater than themselves, and felt very unworthy to be in his presence.

So, despite some who try to make this into an alien encounter, it is actually Ezekiel being visited by God who was revealing his glory to Ezekiel (Ek 1:28). Of course, if you want to get technical, you could claim this to be an unworldly encounter as God is not of this world, although it is part of his creation (Gn 1). Also, Ezekiel saw this vision of God’s glory several times (Ek 1:4-28, 2:12-14, 3:23, 10:1-22, 11:22-23). In addition, we have already seen that both Moses and John also saw something similar to what Ezekiel saw. Something similar is also described several times in the book of Psalms (Ps 80:1, 99:1, 104:3-4).

So, what was the point of God revealing himself to Ezekiel in this manner? Well, I guess only God knows, but it could be some of the following: this proved to Ezekiel he was receiving a message from God, proved to Ezekiel he was the same God as who appeared to Moses, and seeing God’s glory helped Ezekiel feel confident in his message to those who may doubt him. In addition, it showed that even though Ezekiel and many other Jews were now in Babylonian captivity, God had not abandoned them, he still loved them, and he wanted them to obey and love him in return.

Doesn’t God still do that with us today? How many times do we fail him? Yet, he still loves us and gives us more chances. While his patience with us will not last forever, we can be confident that he still loves us no matter what and keeps giving us opportunities to receive him, love him, and obey him. Our God is really a great God, isn’t he? And this passage helps us understand just how great and marvelous he really is!

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Year of Prophecy: 51 AD (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Year of Fulfillment: Still in the future

Time until fulfillment: >1971 years (not yet fulfilled)

We have been talking about prophecies which have already been fulfilled. Yet, there are several important prophecies which have not yet been fulfilled. One of them is known as the Rapture. Let’s explore it here.

The name “Rapture” comes from the Greek word harpadzo (found in 1Th 4:17) which means “to seize or carry off.” Paul is referring to the translation of the church from earth to heaven. I prefer to call this “The Receiving” because it is tied to the traditional view of a Jewish wedding. The details have already been provided in previous post. Yet, it shows the bridegroom comes to receive his bride unexpectedly; yet she is expected to be found ready. She then goes back with her husband to his father’s house where he has prepared a place for them to live. Doesn’t that sound very similar to these verses in 1 Thessalonians? It is also similar to what Christ told his disciples before he was taken and crucified (Jn 14:1-3). To me, the phrase “The Receiving” sounds more personal and intimate.

From the time of Pentecost in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit was given to each individual believer in Christ until the present day, the Church Age has existed. The initial Christians were Jewish, and it was not until the Jerusalem church started undergoing persecution (Ac 8:1-3) that the Jewish Christians (true Jews or Jewish proselytes) were scattered throughout the known world and continued to talk to others about Christ (Ac 8:4), which eventually led to Gentiles becoming Christians (Ac 10:23-48). God using Paul to become an Apostle to the Gentiles (Ac 9:15). As the Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot) represented, the Church (i.e., the believers in Christ) is composed of all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile (Ro 1:16). As a whole, more Gentiles became Christians than did Jews; however, Paul taught that this was by God’s design. This would be true until the “full number of the Gentiles has come in” (Ro 11:25). However, God has not turned His back on the Jews (Ro 11:26). The Rapture, or The Receiving, is the event which will end the Church Age. It occurs somewhat before the Tribulation Period (this is the start of the future prophecy of the Feasts of Israel ). At the time of God’s choosing, those Christians who are dead will rise in an incorruptible body, and those alive will be changed instantaneously into an incorruptible body (1Co 15:51) and will meet Christ in the air to be with Him forever (1Th 4:13-18).

As we have seen earlier, almost all of the prophecies that deal with Israel as a nation have had a timetable given to them, if people were diligent enough to understand them. However, although the rapture is prophesied (1Co 15:51-53; 1Th 4:13-18), its timing is unknown and there is no scripture that gives a timetable for it. Some believe there is reference to this event in Old Testament scripture in poetic terms (SS 2:8-14); however, Paul called the rapture a “mystery” (1Co 15:51). Therefore, it was not a recognized Old Testament teaching. The apostles and the early Church taught the imminency of Christ’s return (e.g. Pp 3:20, 4:5; 1Th 1:10; Tt 2:13; Ja 5:7-9; 1 Jn 2:28; Rv 22:20), implying things may occur before the imminent event, but there is nothing that must occur before it happens.

As stated above, the bride was expected to be ready at all times. Are you ready for your bridegroom? What if he came today? Would you be smiling and ready to receive him or miss him because you weren’t looking for him?

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Birth, Death, Burial, Resurrection, and Ascension

Year of Prophecy: © 3760 BC (Genesis 3:15)

Year of Fulfillment:  3 BC (birth: Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7)

Time until fulfillment: 3757 years

There are many prophecies in the Bible regarding the birth of Christ, but Genesis 3:15 is the first. There are too many prophecies with correct fulfillment to be mere coincidence. A few are the following: a descendant of King David and of King Solomon (2Sa 7:12-17, 1Ch 28:4-5; Mt 1:1, 6-7), would be preceded by a forerunner (Is 40:3, Ml 3:1; Mk 1:2-4, Mt 3:1-3), born of a virgin (Is 7:13-14; Mt 1:18-25, Lk 1:26-35), the time of His coming given (Da 9:24-27; Mk 11:1-11, Lk 19:29-38), the place of birth given (Mi 5:2-3; Lk 2:1-7, Mt 2:1-6), and a celestial announcement of His birth (Nu 24:17; Mt 2:1-2). With the birth of Eve’s first son, Cain, there was hope that God’s promise was being fulfilled since his name probably meant ‘acquired.’ However, Cain turned out to be the first murderer! Satan had lost no time. He was at work in the life of Cain (Jn 8:44) and has worked throughout history to try and prevent Christ’s birth and the effectiveness of those serving Christ.

Christ’s death was also foretold. Christ was betrayed by a friend (Ps 41:9; Jn 13:21) for 30 pieces of sliver (Zc 11:12; Mt 26:15, Lk 22:5) which was used to buy a potter’s field (Zc 11:13; Mt 27:9-10), forsaken by friends (Zc 13:7; Mt 26:56), accused by false witnesses (Ps 35:11; Mt 26:60), silent to accusations (Is 53:7; Mt 27:14), spat upon, smitten and scourged (Is 50:6, 53:5; Mt 27:26, 30), was crucified with criminals (Is 53:12; Mt 27:35), was pierced (Zc 12:10; Jn 19:34) but no bones were broken (Nu 9:12, Ps 34:20; Jn 19:33-36), and was buried with the rich (Is 53:9; Mt 27:57, 60). In addition, Christ’s resurrection was foretold (Ps 16:10-11, 49:15; Mk 16:6) as well as His ascension (Ps 68:18, 110:1; Lk 24:51, Acts 1:9).

One event in and of itself may not be convincing, but the sheer number of the events which were prophesied and fulfilled become overwhelmingly persuasive. As we see above, it was almost 4000 years before Christ came after God stated He would come, but the timing of His coming was as God desired (Gal 4:4). During the interval between the prophecy and its fulfillment, God allowed so many prophecies to be stated. This should have been overwhelmingly convincing to everyone when Christ did arrive on the scene. However, doubt is a very effective tool used by Satan (Gen 3:1). We should not allow time to be a factor in our thinking of prophetic fulfillment because the concept of time is a human phenomenon and not God’s (2 Pet 3:8). Our source of belief should be on what God said and not the time it takes for its fulfillment.

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Year of Promise: © 1295 BC (Joshua 9:1-27)

Year of Promise Broken: © 1051 (2 Samuel 21:1)

Time until fulfillment: ~ 244 years

As previously noted, God made many prophecies through people He chose to speak for Him. These usually spoke proclaiming their words were directly from God. However, others spoke prophecies that they themselves spoke, although they were God inspired. In addition, God sometimes held people to the promises they made as well. An example of that is presented here.

When Joshua and the Israelite army started their conquests in Canaan, the people from the town of Gibeon decided to try trickery to save their lives. God had told the Israelites to drive out completely all those who lived in Canaan, over time, and not to make any covenants with them (Ex 23:31-33). However, having seen their neighbors being wiped out by Israel, the people of Gibeon, descendants of the Amorites (2Sa 21:2) of whose land was promised to Israel through Abraham (Gn 15:21) and who lived in a nearby section of Canaan, put on old clothes, packed moldy bread, and feigned they had traveled a long distance. They did this so they could make a peace treaty with Israel and would agree to be their servants if Israel agreed to spare their lives (Js 9:1-13). Joshua and the leaders, knowing God’s command to them about the inhabitants of Canaan (Js 9:7), did not trust them at first, but later believed them. Yet, they did not seek the Lord in regard to their decision (Js 9:14). Later, Joshua found out about the ruse, and made the Gibeonites slaves to Israel (Js 9:15-27).

However, during the time of Saul, the first king of Israel (1Sa 11:17-25), Saul tried to annihilate the Gibeonites (2Sa 21:2) and God showed his displeasure by sending a 3-year famine during the reign of King David (2Sa 21:1). The reason God did this is unknown but may be tied to the command God had given Israel, which stated the alien within their land should be treated as native-born (Lv 19:33-34). When David asked the Gibeonites what they wanted for retribution, they replied they wanted seven of Saul’s sons delivered to them for execution (2Sa 21:6). This was done and later, David gathered their remains as well as those of Saul and Jonathan, who had previously died in battle, and buried them in a family tomb within Saul’s family (2Sa 21:7-14), and God again blessed the land (2Sa 21:14).

You may find this a bizarre story. I will admit it is one of the more unusual stories in the Bible. Yet, it does show how seriously God takes his promises and the promises of those who he has placed in charge. Even after 200 years, God still held to what Joshua had promised the Gibeonites. Maybe Saul focused on the deception of the Gibeonites and felt he was being patriotic by taking them out. This is a caution to us to understand carefully the history of an event before we take action based upon our own beliefs without all the facts. God upheld Joshua’s original promise, and Saul should have also. I think we can see time is inconsequential to God. We cannot use it as an excuse.

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Year of Prophecy: © 1745 BC (Genesis 49:5-7)

Year of Fulfillment: © 1295 BC (Joshua 19:1-9; 21:1-42)

Time until fulfillment: ~ 450 years

As we have noted, God made many prophecies through people He chose to speak for Him. These usually spoke as their words being directly from God. However, others spoke prophecies that they themselves spoke, although they were God inspired. One example of this was Jacob pronouncing that both Simeon and Levi would have no major inheritance.

When Jacob was on his deathbed, he gathered his sons around him and stated what would happen to them in coming years (Gn 49:1). For Simeon and Levi, he stated the following, “I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel” (Gn 49:7). The reason for this goes back to earlier days of Jacob’s life when he had left his father-in-law, Laban, to return to be near his father. He dwelt in Shechem in Canaan and bought a plot of ground there (Gn 33:18-19). Jacob’s daughter, Dinah (and the sister to Simeon and Levi), started interacting with the local women and became involved with the son of Hamor, the ruler of that area. Hamor’s son wanted to marry her but had already had intercourse with her prior to this request (Gn 34:2-4). Simeon and Levi were enraged at this but kept their anger to themselves—for a time. They told Hamor that in order for his son to marry Dinah, all the males of the city had to be circumcised. While the men were still very sore and unable to fight well, Simeon and Levi killed every male and brought their sister back to their home (Gn 34:13-31). Jacob was very displeased with his sons, and scolded them, but took no further action (Gn 34:30-31).

Hundreds of years passed after Jacob’s prediction. The Israelites were made slaves in Egypt for 430 years (Ex 12:40), they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years (Js 5:6), and they had several years of conquest before each tribe finally had their inheritance provided (Js 13-21). Who remembered what Jacob said by that time? Also, there was no specific attempt in Joshua 13-21 to limit these two inheritances. However, God did not forget. The tribe of Levi became the priests, and they had no specific parcel of land, but had certain cities throughout the land assigned to them (Js 21). Simeon was given an inheritance within the territory of Judah (Js 19:1-9). Therefore, Simeon had no clearly defined area, just a number of cities mentioned. Later, by the time the kingdom of Israel was divided into the Northern (Israel) and Southern (Judah) kingdoms (1Ki 12), Simeon is not mentioned. The Southern Kingdom was stated to be composed of Judah and Benjamin (1Ki 12:21). There is some evidence that some descendants of Simeon migrated east of the Jordan (1Ch 4:38-43) and may have been taken captive with the Northern Kingdom by Assyria.  However, for the most part, it seems that most of Simeon had been absorbed into Judah’s territory. God ensured that Jacob’s prediction came true. The process of time did not change the outcome. Although people forgot, God did not.

I think this helps us to see that we can rely upon what God promises or what is recorded in his Word. We may think time has a way of diluting or dissolving things, but we would be wrong.

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Year of Prophecy: © 1462 BC (Leviticus 23)

Year of Fulfillment:  32 AD (Matthew 21:1-11; 27:32 - 28:15; Mark 11:1-11; 15:21 - 16:14; Luke 19:28-44; 23:26 - 24:12; John 12:12-19; 19:16 - 20:18; Acts 2)

Time until fulfillment: ~ 1494 years

The prophecy through the feast of Israel is an example of fulfilled Biblical Prophecy. To show how the amount of time passing between prophecy and fulfillment doesn’t matter, we will cover ten of such prophecies. This is the tenth of the ten examples.

God has a way of interweaving multiple aspects and meanings into events so that they are meaningful for the present, for the past, and for the future. This is especially true for the feasts that He provided to the nation of Israel in Leviticus. They were practically meaningful to the Israelites since God tied many of them to the different harvests times, but also made them memorials to commemorate His appointment with them so they could look back on the events and their original occurrence to see how He had guided and protected them and to give a visual to what He would be doing in their future. Their significance cannot be understated, because they were to be held in perpetuity (Ex 12:14, 17, 24; Lev 23:14, 21, 41). We will briefly look at four of them here since in our “present”, their “future fulfillment” has already occurred.

Feast of Passover (Pesach; 14th day of the first month: Lev 23:5)

Passover is probably the most known feast and the one which most people identify with those being Jewish. It commemorates the exodus of the children of Israel, under the leadership of Moses, from Egyptian slavery (Ex 12). The preparation for the feast began on the 10th day of the first month (Ex 12:3), called Preparation Day, when a lamb was chosen for Passover. The animals were to be examined to be sure they were without defect (Ex 12:5). This Preparation Day has demarcated other significant events in Jewish history. It was the day Joshua led the children of Israel across the Jordan River into the Promised Land (Js 4:19), and the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey (Zc 9:9; Mt 21:1-17; Mk 11:1-11; Lk 19:28-48; Jn 12:12-17). Since Jesus ate with Lazarus six days before Passover (Jn 12:1), being the ninth day of the First Month, this indicates His entry into Jerusalem was on the tenth day of the First Month.

Passover itself was held on the 14th day of the First Month (Ex 12:6, Lv 23:5). Since the day began at sundown (Gn 1:5), the lamb was slaughtered just before sundown (Ex 12:6; i.e., on the 13th day) and roasted over a fire. Therefore, the Passover meal was observed at the start of Passover (i.e., that night, the beginning of Passover). On that first Passover, the people took the lamb’s blood and marked it on the sides and top of the doorframe (Ex 12:7), which, if these marks were connected, would form a cross. The people then ate the meat of the lamb roasted in the fire, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread (Ex 12:8). Each subsequent Passover was observed as a memorial of this ‘passing over’; blood was sprinkled only on this first Passover (Dt 16:1, 3). The Passover sacrifice could only be done in the place God would choose as a dwelling for His Name (Dt 16:5). Jerusalem was the place God chose for His dwelling (2Ch 3:1, 1Ki 8:29), and the place where Christ was later crucified (Mt 27:22-56; Mk 15:12-41; Lk 23:13-49; Jn 19:1-37).

Therefore, Preparation Day marks judgment and Passover marks deliverance. During the exodus, the lamb was secured so that its blood would deliver the Israelites from the judgment of death (Ex 12:12-13). When the Israelites crossed the Jordan, they consecrated themselves to the Lord (Js 3:5) and stones were erected to signify God’s fulfilled promise of their deliverance (Js 4:19-24). When Jesus entered Jerusalem on the colt, he spoke of judgment as well (Jn 12:30-32) which was a fulfillment of the judgment of which the prophet Isaiah had spoken (Is 6:10, 53:1; Jn 12:38-40) due to their spiritual blindness. Jesus was then crucified on Passover about the same time as when the lamb was slain for Passover (Jn 19:31). Therefore, just as the lamb from the original Passover saved the Israelites from physical death, Jesus, the Lamb of God, saves us from spiritual death (1Co 5:17).

These events are not mere coincidence and are mentioned in the Bible for their significance. The original Passover then pointed to the purpose of Jesus Christ’s first coming. The prophet Daniel even pinpointed the time in history when Christ would be presented to Israel (Dn 9:25-26). The time from the decree of Artaxerxes given to Nehemiah (Ne 1-2) to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls and defenses until Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the colt was 483 years, as stated by Daniel. Therefore, the end of the 483 years or “until Messiah the Prince” (Dn 9:25) was in 33 A.D. Both Daniel (Dn 9:25) and Zechariah (Zc 9:9) refer to Christ as a Prince or King. Therefore, Christ was presenting himself to Israel as their King as prophesied; however, the Jewish leaders rejected him (Lk 19:47, Jn 12:37). Jesus wept over Jerusalem because they did not recognize him or his significance to them and for the judgment that would befall them (Lk 19:41-44). If the Jewish leaders were such scholars of the Scriptures as they claimed (Jn 9:34), they should have known to have looked for him on that very day since Daniel had prophesied, and recorded, it so many years prior. God had given them many years to understand the prophecy. Besides, they knew of the Magi and their seeking of the Messiah’s birth (Mt 2:3-6). All they had to do was put two and two together; but alas, history records their rejection through spiritual blindness (Is 6:10, Jn 12:37-40) instead.

Feast of Unleavened Bread (Matzah; 15th - 21st day of the first month: Lv 23:6-8)

This feast followed immediately after Passover with the first and last days of the feast being Sabbaths (or days set aside from normal activities). During the Exodus, unleavened bread (bread without yeast) was eaten because they left Egypt in haste and did not have time to make bread with yeast (Ex 12:34). Leaven (or yeast) symbolizes sin and how its effects readily permeate one’s life (1Co 5:7-8; Ga 5:9). Three commandments were given with this feast: i) to sanctify (or dedicate to the Lord) their firstborn (Ex 13:2), ii) remember the Exodus by eating unleavened bread (Ex 13:6), and iii) to observe the feast when they entered the Promised Land (Ex 13:5, Js 5:11). These commandments symbolized God’s deliverance (God protected their firstborn while those of the Egyptians died), their separation from the moral pollution of Egypt and their separation unto God (Js 5:9), and their recognition of God keeping His promise to Abraham (Gn 13:15). They were to also teach their children of this significance (Ex 13:8) to remind them of the historical appointment the nation had with God on that day as well as the lesson of separation and holiness.

This feast speaks of sanctification, a separation from something/someone and a separation unto something/someone else. The first Sabbath of the feast commemorated the day the Israelites left Egypt (Ex 13:3) and crossed the Red Sea - separating themselves from Egypt. The completion of this feast, the second Sabbath, was not held until they entered Canaan, the Promised Land (Ex 13:5; Js 5:10-11). The five days in between these two Sabbath days then represented the period of time the children of Israel were in the wilderness. Therefore, the first Sabbath was the Israelites separation of Egypt and unto the Lord, after which they grew in their relationship to God during their travels to the Promised Land. The final Sabbath of the feast represented the finality of their Egyptian separation (Js 5:9).

Since Christ’s death occurred just before the beginning of Passover (Mk 15:42-43; Lk 23:54; Jn 19:42), Jesus’ sinless (unleavened) body was in the tomb during the beginning of the feast of unleavened bread. Therefore, this symbolizes his death and the accomplished positional sanctification in those who believe in Him (1Co 6:11; 2Th 2:13; 1Pt 1:2; Hb 13:12). Just as the Jews (slaves) were separated from the Egyptians (masters), the apostle Paul states that through the shed blood of Christ’s death for our sin, we are now separated from our former masters, Sin and Satan (Ro 6:1-7:6). Therefore, the first part has already been accomplished through Christ’s death. However, the prophetic nature of the remainder of this feast is now and future. Those who are believers have the capacity to be conformed to the image of Christ (1Co 2:16; Pp 1:6), and are therefore undergoing progressive sanctification. Final sanctification (or glorification) will occur in the future when Christ makes us like Him (1Th 3:13; 1Jn 3:2).

Feast of First Fruits (Bikkurim; 16th day of the first month: Lv 23:9-14)

The first occurrence of this feast was not until the Israelites entered Canaan (Lv 23:10; Js 5:11-12). As was noted above, the Israelites entered the Promised Land on the 10th day of the First Month. This was the beginning of the harvest season—first barley and then wheat. This six-month period enabled the Israelites to eat off the land during their conquest of the land (Js 5:12).  This demonstrates the appropriateness of God’s timing. After crossing the Jordan River, the Israelites recommitted themselves to God by reinstating the rite of circumcision (Js 5:2) which God has provided as a symbol of His covenant with Abraham (Gn 17:9-14). The Israelites then observed the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of First Fruits (Js 5:10-12). It is noted that they did eat roasted ‘old corn’ (i.e., corn they did not personally gather) on the day after Passover (Js 5:11). They did not eat of the new grain until the wave offering of the new grain was made and presented to the Lord (Lv 23:14). Although this feast occurred at the time of the first harvest, the feast of First Fruits memorialized the event of entering the Promised Land; it did not function as an agricultural or fertility feast as some of the surrounding nations perhaps practiced, and was later expanded to thank God for his provision and acknowledge His supremacy over all.

The apostle Paul interprets the significance of this feast by declaring that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the first fruit of our resurrection to come (1Co 15:20). Therefore, just as Christ was crucified just before Passover and his body was in the tomb on the first day of Unleavened Bread, His resurrection occurred on the day of First Fruits. The idea of “first fruit” is giving the best of something with it being a representative of what is to come. Physically, this represented the coming crops. Spiritually, Christ’s resurrection symbolized the first fruits of resurrection with a whole harvest of resurrected believers to someday follow (1Th 4:13-17).

Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost (Shavuot; 5th day of the third month: Lv 23:15-22)

Pentecost was held 50 days after the Feast of First Fruits (Lv 23:16). During the Exodus, this timeframe put them at the foot of Mt. Sinai (Ex 19:1-2). Although not celebrated until they reached the Promised Land, it is likely that the time of this feast marked the ratification of the Mosaic Covenant by the Israelites.  Once the Israelites entered Canaan, this feast marked the beginning of the wheat harvest, 50 days after the barley harvest. A first-fruit of the wheat harvest was also to be offered to the Lord (Lv 23:16-18). There is a major difference between the two offerings of these two harvests. When presenting the first-fruit of the barley harvest, one unleavened loaf was presented (Ex 12:15; Lv 23:10-11). This offering had to be unleavened because the Feast of First Fruit was held during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Lv 23:4-14). However, during the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), two leavened loaves were offered (Lv 23:17). Also, during both harvests, grain was left at the edges of the fields for the poor and for non-Jews (Lv 23:22). This is further demonstrated when Ruth, a Moabitess (a Gentile), was allowed to glean during the barley and wheat harvests from the field of Boaz (a Jew) without reprimand (Ru 1:22, 2:21-23).

Luke refers to the prophetic significance of this feast when he stated in Acts 2:1, “and when the day of Pentecost was fully come,” indicating that a future fulfillment of the feast was about to occur. What occurred at this time was the giving of the Holy Spirit (Ac 2). This was a paradigm shift of how God related to man. After Acts 2, with the nation of Israel temporarily set aside (Ro 11:25), along with the Temple, God began to work with individuals rather than with a nation with each person’s body becoming the Temple for the Holy Spirit (1Co 3:16). Therefore, since the giving of the Law and the establishment of the nation of Israel as the medium through whom God would reveal Himself to man occurred at, or near, the first Pentecost, and was also a significant paradigm shift in God’s relation to man, it would seem logical that this second paradigm shift would also have occurred at Pentecost.

Therefore, the two loaves made of finely ground wheat flour and leaven (yeast) were doubly symbolic of both Jews and Gentiles together to which Jesus alluded to in his teaching the disciples that he had food to which they know not of (Jn 4:32) with his encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in Sychar (Jn 4), which began with the giving of the Holy Spirit (Ac 2), which God taught to Peter in a vision (Ac 10:15) right before the first Gentile received the Holy Spirit (Ac 10:24-48), and by which God made Paul, a Jew, an apostle to Gentiles (Ac 9:15). This is also to what Paul spoke when he stated that the partition (the Balustrade: the partition in the Temple beyond which a Gentile could no longer go) had been removed by Christ and His death for mankind’s sin (Ep 2:12-16). The apostles also recognized this as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Ac 15:15-18; Am 9:11-2; Ob 17, 19-21).

As we have seen, these four feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Pentecost) had national, practical, memorial, and prophetic significance. They are grouped in the first three months of the Jewish calendar and for the most part have been fulfilled in our current past. The next feasts did not occur until the seventh month with the next three also occurring in close proximity to each other. These three are still in our present future.

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Year of Prophecy: © 500 BC (Ezekiel 26)

Year of Fulfillment: 356 BC

Time until fulfillment: ~144 years

The prophecy against Tyre is an example of fulfilled Biblical Prophecy. To show how the amount of time passing between prophecy and fulfillment doesn’t matter, we will cover ten of such prophecies. This is the ninth of ten.

When Joshua led the children of Israel into the Promised Land, not all the Canaanites were destroyed (Jd 1:27-36), and although the city of Tyre was part of Asher’s inheritance (Js 19:24-31), it remained a fortified city (Js 19:29). By the time of King David, there was peace between Tyre and Israel (1Ki 5:1), and the king of Tyre helped Solomon build the Temple in Jerusalem by supplying materials and workers (1Ki 5:2-12). This peace ended during the reign of Ahab, king of Israel. Ahab married Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal king of Sidon (and Tyre), who brought the worship of Baal to Israel (1Ki 16:31) which included the sacrifice of living children.  Later, the Phoenicians started to sell Jewish captives as slaves to the Greeks to which the prophet Joel prophesied against (Jl 3:4-6).

After Nebuchadnezzar took Zedekiah, king of Judah, and Jerusalem, captive, Nebuchadnezzar also took Palestine, Syria and cities on the coast, including Tyre (after a 13-year siege in 573 BC), captive. The inhabitants fled to an island part of the city about one-half mile offshore. The channel between them and the shore was about 20 miles deep; the walls facing the shore were 150 feet high, and the walls on the other sides stood sheer against the sea; shore-based artillery were useless at such a range. The citizens of Tyre now considered their city impregnable. It stood until the time of Alexander the Great (356 - 323 BC). When Alexander defeated Sidon, Tyre sent him their good wishes and support. However, when Alexander asked to be allowed to sacrifice to the shrine of Heracles inside their city (a god whom Alexander claimed to be of descent), Tyre refused. Wishing to come to amicable terms, Alexander sent envoys to Tyre, but they were killed and thrown over the city walls into the sea. Becoming very angry, Alexander determined to build a causeway into the sea to be able to fight against the city. He used every stone and timber left of the original city and threw them into the sea to build this connection to the new city - 60 feet wide all the way to the island.  Although the citizens of Tyre tried to stop Alexander and his troops, Alexander was much too determined. When the causeway was within artillery range, Alexander used stone throwers and light catapults reinforcing them with archers and slingers for a saturation barrage. During the time it took to build the causeway, Alexander built a fleet from the conquered nations to attack Tyre as well. Alexander succeeded in taking the city after a seven-month siege in 332 BC.

Tyre never recovered to its former glory. Yet, it did manage to recover. Antigonius, a successor of Alexander the Great, later besieged the city. Also, during the Crusades, the Muslims further destroyed the inhabitants and the city. All that remains today is a local fishing village, named Sứr, where fishermen spread their nets to dry and to repair.

Every event which Ezekiel prophesied came true. In Ezekiel 26, God made the following proclamations concerning Tyre:

• Many nations would come against Tyre (Ek 26:3)

• The walls of Tyre would be broken down (Ek 26:4)

• Dust would be scraped from her, and she would be left like a bare rock (Ek 26:4)

• Tyre would be a place for the spreading of nets (Ek 26:5)

• Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, would build a siege wall around Tyre (Ek 26:8)

• Nebuchadnezzar would plunder the city (Ek 26:9-12)

• The stones, timber and soil of Tyre would be cast into the sea (Ek 26:12)

• The city would never be rebuilt (Ek 26:14).

Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the original city and Alexander used everything left to build the causeway across the channel to the island city. The city on the mainland was never rebuilt. Again, we can trust what God tells us.

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Year of Prophecy: © 650 BC  (Nahum)

Year of Fulfillment: 612 BC 

Time until fulfillment: ~38 years

The prophecy against Nineveh is an example of fulfilled Biblical Prophecy. To show how the amount of time passing between prophecy and fulfillment doesn’t matter, we will cover ten of such prophecies. This is the eighth of ten.

Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire. It had a very long history. It was originally built by Nimrod (Gen 10:8-12) around 6000 BC. It was a beautiful city of wide boulevards, large squares, parks and gardens. The city was 700 hectares large with 15 gates—each named after an Assyrian god. The walls were 12 km in circumference. Aqueducts and canals lead water from sources in the hills 50 km away. The surrounding area was an agrarian society which used intricate irrigation systems which fed the agriculture.  Most housing was of mud bricks with only one story and flat roofs. Most people of that time had modest housing, but palaces and temples could cover large areas inside the city. These would be quite ornate due to highly skilled craftsmen with expertise in sculpture.

The Assyrians were noted for their vast knowledge in warfare and organization. Their literature covered legal issues, medicine, and history. Large libraries were built. Because of the Assyrian obsession with war and invasion, knowledge in many areas increased due to assimilation of all these diverse people. In science and mathematics, they were the first to divide the circle into 360 degrees and the first to invent longitude and latitude in geographic navigation.  For their time, they had sophisticated medical sciences. They obtained all this at a great price. Their actions to other peoples were ruthless. The following has been noted: they flung away the bodies of soldiers like so much clay; they made pyramids of human heads; they burned cities; they filled populous lands with death and devastation; they reddened broad deserts with carnage of warriors; they scattered whole countries with the corpses of their defenders as with chaff; they impaled 'heaps of men' on stakes, and strewed the mountains and choked rivers with dead bones; they cut off the hands of kings and nailed them on the walls leaving their bodies to rot with bears and dogs on the entrance gates of cities; they employed nations of captives in making brick in fetters; they cut down warriors like weeds, or smote them like wild beasts in the forests, and covered pillars with the flayed skins of rival monarchs.

About 150 years prior to Nahum’s prophecy, the prophet Jonah had prophesied against the city as well, but both the people and their king repented (Jh 3:3-10). This time, the judgment was assured and final (Na 3:19). The fulfillment came in 612 BC when Nabopolassar, the king of Babylon, took his army, attacking from the south, and united with the Medes and Scythians, attacking from the north, to lay siege against Nineveh. The walls were too thick to penetrate, so the decision was made to starve them out. This took over 3 years and several massive attacks which were unsuccessful.  During this time, the Assyrians became so confident in the failure of their attackers that they began to hold parties becoming drunk in their revelry. An oracle had told the king he would be safe until the river became his enemy.  During the siege, the Tigris River became so swelled due to heavy rains that it caused one part of the wall to collapse. Seeing this as a sign of doom, the king of Nineveh took his household and possessions and committed mass suicide so as not to fall into the hands of the Babylonians. The people opened the gates of the city to Nabopolassar; however, no mercy was bestowed onto the city. It was completely destroyed. When Alexander the Great came through this area during his conquests, he could not even tell that a city had ever been there. All the greatness that Nineveh and the whole known world knew of Nineveh had all been forgotten. All of this had been prophesied by the prophet Nahum: an "overflowing flood" would "make an utter end of its place" (Na 1:8); Nineveh would be destroyed while her inhabitants were "drunken like drunkards" (Na 1:10); Nineveh would be unprotected because "fire shall devour the bars of your gates" (Na 3:13); Nineveh would never recover, for their "injury has no healing" (Na 3:19); the downfall of Nineveh would come with remarkable ease, like figs falling when the tree is shaken (Na 3:12).

Nineveh’s destruction was swift and complete (Na 2:6-11; Is 10:5-19). Nineveh and her people had once repented from their actions (Jh 3:6-9), but now are destroyed because of their pride (Is 5:12).  Nineveh was lost to history until 1845 AD. Great palaces and temples have been excavated and the evidence indicates that the destruction of the city was due not only to invasion but by flood and fire, just as was prophesied. This should serve as solemn council to all nations who hold that the greatness of their past ensures its continued future and greatness.

Again, we can trust in what God tells us. This should be both comforting as well as a warning. There are many things in scripture which are promised to us which we can claim. Yet, there is also coming destruction and judgment predicted. Are you ready for those as well? You can be. It’s just a simple conversation with the God of all promises.

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Year of Prophecy: ©689 BC (Isaiah 45:1)

Year of Fulfillment: 539 BC (2 Chronicles 36:20-23; Daniel 5:30-31)

Time until fulfillment: ~150 years

The prophecy that Cyrus would defeat Babylon is an example of fulfilled Biblical Prophecy. To show how the amount of time passing between prophecy and fulfillment doesn’t matter, we will cover ten of such prophecies. This is the seventh of ten.

Cyrus II (also known as Cyrus the Great) was the founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire that continued for two centuries until the time of Alexander the Great. He inherited the throne at his father’s death, Cambyses I, in 559 BC and soon managed to unify the Median and Persian kingdoms into a single nation. Then, in 539 BC, he went after the kingdom of Babylon. Over the previous 14 years, Babylon had not had strong leadership, for its king Nabonidus had not been in the city during this time and he had left his son, Belshazzar, in charge of affairs in Babylon (Dn 5). Nabonidus had also fallen into disfavor with the Babylonian priesthood. Cyrus attacked Opis on the Tigris River defeating the Babylonians and causing Nabonidus to flee and later return to Babylon.  This gave Cyrus control of Babylon’s vast canal system. According to Herodotus, Cyrus had the Euphrates River, upriver from Babylon, diverted enough to cause the water level flowing through Babylon to drop to the height of one’s thigh and enabled the Persian army to march through the riverbed into Babylon during the night and capture the city. Cyrus himself entered Babylon shortly thereafter and proclaimed himself “king of Babylon.”

The prophet Isaiah predicted this long before it ever occurred. Isaiah was a prophet during the reigns of the Judean kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah (Is 1:1). He began his ministry around 740 BC and may have lived into the first part of the reign of Manasseh.  Isaiah prophesied to both Israel and Judah. The main world influence during the time of Isaiah was the Assyrian Empire. The main subject of the first 12 chapters of the book of Isaiah is the prophecy of the demise of Israel by Assyria in three stages.  Although Isaiah warned, Israel did not heed. Then, starting in chapter 13, Isaiah turns to Judah and predicts the punishment of Judah for the same reasons God allowed the destruction of Israel by Assyria. The interesting thing about the prophecy against Judah is that Isaiah prophesied the overtaking of Judah by Babylon and the demise of Babylon long before Babylon was anything to write home about. It was another century before Babylon came onto the world scene as a nation with which to be reckoned. Not only did Isaiah predict the invasion of Judah by Babylon almost a century before it occurred, but he then predicted that Judah would return to their homeland and by whom it would occur. This definitely shows that God is in control of all situations. The prophet Jeremiah would later prophesy that Babylon would take Israel captive for 70 years under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar (Jr 25). However, Jeremiah was not very specific in what would happen to Israel at the end of this 70-year period. He states that Babylon will be punished and enslaved by other nations, but not specifically about Israel’s return. By Isaiah giving specific prophesy about Israel’s return and under whose reign it would happen, it gave the people hope and assured them that it would occur—especially to those who were keeping track of the years of captivity. This must have been very exciting to Daniel when he realized that he was living during the time of fulfillment of these prophesies by Jeremiah and Isaiah (Dn 9:1-2).

This should be exciting to us as well. Why? It means whatever God has recorded in His Scripture will come to pass and we can be sure of it. Do you know what promises you can claim? Maybe it’s time to read and find out.

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens