I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for sending this lesson to me!
It speaks right to the heart of my greatest issue right now.
I have lots of time on my ands, lots of time to dwell on the hurt I have caused to others throughout my life. There are countless times that I could have been a better person, made better choices, taken different paths. But I am coming to realize that being here was God’s way of saying “The Lord is a jealous and avenging God” (Nahum 1:2)
By choosing things I wanted to do, by not putting God at the fron of my life, I spurred His jealousy and He brought Himself to the front and center of my life. And I couldn’t be more THANKFUL that this happened!
I’M NOT SAYING THAT I ENJOY PRISON. What I am saying is that I would never have found my way without Him doing tis, and my sins were leading me to eternal death. I still struggle with guilt for the people I have hurt over the course of my life (one person more than all others combined) but I can readily and frelly say that I am a better person now and will never make the choices I have made in the past. When someone asks to borrow from me I will give freely, when someone hurts me I will turn the other cheek to them, I will guard all of my words, and actions for the rest of my days and strive to continue to grow into the man God intended me to be.
Thank you for being a part of my journey…
John

The rain reminds us of our Father’s Love,
When He washes away all evil from above!
It’s like tears falling from His loving eyes,
Because of our sins that makes Him Cry!

The rain makes everything gloomy, seem fresh,
Because God gives the greatest and nothing less!
Just as our lives that become so very dry,
However God sends His rain from the sky!

The rain causes you to lay down and sleep,
Because of His love that is always very unique!
Reminding You that He loves You so much,
That you can even feel His warm touch!

The rain causes even a rainbow to appear,
To assure that His favor and love is near!
Understand the tears that falls from His eyes,
Because He’s pouring out His mercy and Grace from the Sky!

The rain is so refreshing in its own way,
Therefore, allow it to fall all over you, today
It removes the burdens, the stress and pain,
So, let’s come together and receive the rain!

Redemption

Lesson by a Dick Conner’s’ Correctional Center who wishes to remain anonymous

Galatians 3:13  Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),
At no time in His life previous to His Crucifixion did He make expiation for sin. He bare our sins “in His body upon the tree” not “unto the tree” as some would translate it. His redeeming work began and ended on the Cross.
1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
Christ gave Himself for us, “that He might redeem us from all iniquity,” that is, that He might set us free from the power of all that is contrary to the will of God. He who could accomplish it must be possessed of both Godhood and manhood, and in this combined nature the Lord Jesus, the Son of God paid the price and accomplished the work. The shedding of the blood, in the language of Scripture, involves the taking, or the giving, of the life.
The blood of Christ” signifies the death of Christ by His blood shedding. In His crucifixion God’s divine justice smote Him. The sword of Jehovah was awakened to smite “the Man “who was “Jehovah’s Fellow.” He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed… It pleased Jehovah to bruise Him: He hath put Him to grief. He made His soul “an offering for sin.” He who knew no sin He made to be sin on our behalf. God dealt with Him, the sinless One, as He must deal with sin. Imagine Jesus on the Cross and you are in the crowed around Him. He calls your name 3 times and you finally look up at Him. He tells you with His arms outstretched and nails in His hands that He loves you this much. Jesus wants to fellowship with you and He loves spending the time with you. Let Jesus take your burdens so you can rest with peace and love in your heart.

by Victor Davis
Before I came to prison, my ego was not well formed. This fact was marked by a lack of maturity and an underdeveloped sense of responsibility; I could procreate, but spiritually, I was a child, an apostate.
I lived life according to my own philosophical values, although I believed YAHSHUA, I was my own idol, as a womanizer, substance abuser, and worst of all, an unreliable parent.
On January 10, 2014, I officially went into DOC custody, and everything I ever feared in my mind became a reality and a nightmare from which I could not awaken. It was a surreal experience.
Within a year’s time, I received the wages of my sins. Everything in which I found my identity and everyone I found security with, were taken away from me. My life was desolated.
During my incarceration, over the course of time I began to re-establish my relationship with YAHVEH, through prayer, faith, and by being a Berean.
In addition to this, HE started to answer my prayers, even if those answers didn’t come in the form I thought they would. However, YAHVEH pruned my heart through these things.
I have come to accept, YAHSHUA as YAHVEH, as well as my eternal SAVIOR. I have learned to be content and steadfast by trusting on HIM solely for all of my needs through endurance and not by relying on the things of the world that used to believe define me.
So, what has YAHSHUA done for me since I’ve been incarcerated? HE refined my heart by giving me HIS character.

by Victor Davis

(NOTICE: AS REQUESTED BY THE AUTHOR, THIS ARTICLE WAS NOT EDITED.)

Approximately one month ago, I had the privilege of attending the evening service and listen to the instructions of Don Coleman, pastor of Highland Baptist assembly, give a sermon over 2 Timothy chapter l . Regarding our responsibility as believers to “stir up, speak up, and stand up.” in accordance with our gifts. He taught us the Greek word for gift. Which is translated charisma in the Strong’s concordance #5486. It means a spiritual endowment.

Sha’ul was admonishing Timothy his spiritual son, to exhibit his gift with character as the leader of the Ephesians assembly, during the reign of the roman emperor Nero, approximately 54 to 68 A.D. Considering the inflictions that Sha’ul, and Timothy would have undergone as the fathers of this congregations in this period of time. I pondered as Don Coleman elaborated on the future Oppression, we as believers may have to encounter for the sake of the gospel.

I began to envision, and ponder in my heart, beginning with Yahshua himself being crucified, Stephen being stoned approximately 35 A.D. (Acts7:l-60). Ya’acob (Jacob) the son of Zebedee was beheaded by Herod Agrippa the 2nd. Kepha (Peter) was crucified A.D. 67, Sha’ul beging beheaded in A.D. 68, Ya’acob brother of Yahshua was slain near the temple in Jerusalem, and Yohanan (John) was exiled to the islands of Patmos in A.D. 100, as well as all of the old testament Nebi’im (prophets) that were martyred before them. Then my thoughts began to drift to all the people, around the world today being persecuted, because of their faith, in the messiah. Considering this, I reflected on it, and briefly cringed at the thought of having to endure such pain; but the Holy Spirit within me shouted with every fiber of my being. “I will not deny my Messiah”! I will be steadfast in heart with the character needed to overcome pressure, to represent his kingdom in adversity. While walking back from the unit from service, these thoughts consumed my mind. “I will not deny the gospel”! In connection with this I asked someone what he thought about Don Coleman’s exhortation. I stated sincerely to him that I was sold out for the edification of the Good News. To support this, I began paraphrasing John 6:48-69, but I couldn’t remember it word for word, and I didn’t have time to look it up before lock down to share it. When I entered into my cell and turned on my television to channel 26, the Church station; at that exact moment at 9:02 pm Rabbi Schneider was speaking on the exact passage and verses, I couldn’t locate while outside. Was it coincidental? Perhaps?! However, as he conveyed the scriptures, I listened intently. I’m not sure if it was due to the recent incidents in Paris, but I had never heard him preach the word with such ardor. I was attentive to his every remark as he spoke to the desires of my heart. After the program ended, I reread chapter 6 of Yohanan’s gospel.

Neither Yahshua nor any of his twelve Talmudim (disciples) was Levites or descendants of the Aaronic priesthood, but they all were familiar with that liturgy. In the Holy Place towards the left stood a golden menorah weighing 107 lbs, with seven branches on it. On the right across from it was a 3 ft long, 2 1/2 ft high, and 1 /2 1 wide table of showbread with twelve loaves upon it; accompanied with a vessel of wine. The twelve loaves represented the twelve tribes of Israel, and the wine, the blood, and life of the persons being offered to Yahweh, which in this case was the twelve tribes of Israel (Leviticus 17:1 1). When the Cohen (Priest) would perform this ceremony, by eating the loaves every Sabbath, and pouring out the wine (Leviticus 10:9) they were symbolically feeding on and receiving in themselves the life of Yahweh. Cohen were responsible for the holiness of the community, since the peoples offerings were only acceptable to Yahweh through them, but only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year to make atonement first for himself, and then for the nation (Exodus 25-37).

According to the gospel of Mattithyahu 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22: 17-20. When Yahshua took matstsah (unleavened bread) blessed, and broke it, then gave it to his Talmudim, he said “take eat, this is my body, then he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, drink from it, all of you, For this is my blood of the Brit Hadasha (new covenant) which is shed for the remission of sins”. To improve my interpretation of what he was saying to his taught ones that night, I borrowed a concordance, and performed a Greek word study on 7 themes of Yahshua ritual. l). #740 Bread (Artos) (4), “metaphorically of Christ as the bread of life.” 2). #4165 Feed (Pioman) means “overseer” 3). #4983 Body, (soma) (l la) means “reference to the church.” 4). #2806 Break (klao)  “of the lords act in giving evidence of his resurrection. 5). #4221 Cup (Poterion) (2bl), “of the sufferings of Christ.” 6). #4095 Drink (Pino) “of drinking of the blood of Christ, in the sense of receiving eternal life, through his death.” 7). #2222 Life (Zoe) (lal), “which he gave to the incarnate son to have in himself.”

After the completion of this research, I compared, and contrasted the rites of Yahshua to that of the sacrificial system ordained by Yahweh in the Old Testament through the priesthood. How they had to offer themselves to make atonement on the behalf of the community to appease the wrath of Yahveh. Once I was able to translate it; this is the understanding I gained concerning this custom. “I am life (Artos) and by this doctrine (Klao), pastor, oversee (Pioman), those who believe in me (Soma). By doing this, you will subject yourself to the sufferings I have now, and will inflict (Poterion) The father has given me life in myself, since the life is in the blood, by accepting it, in you by faith (Pino), you will inherit eternal grace, through me is the promise (Zoe). (Mk 10:38-39); (Jn 5:26).

This is what Yohanan meant in 6:48-69 of his gospel when Yahshua said they would have to eat of his flesh, and drink of his blood. This is why many of his Talmudim went back, and walked with him no more. When Yahshua explained to them that they would have to apply his apostolic doctrine to their lives, and suffer for his names sake “therefore they said who can understand this”? In other words who could enter into a blood covenant with this? They wanted the rewards of being associated with his kingdom, but were unwilling to suffer persecution for it. This is the reason Yahshua states in verse 65. No man can come to him unless it is granted to him by his father, because their hearts have to be purified through faith.

After I received this revelation, I had to reexamine my own heart to see if I was ready to partake in the memorial meal, with the messiah, and the conclusion of this matter is; “brothers, I do not count myself to have laid hold of it yet, but only this; forgetting what is behind, and reaching out for what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of Yahveh in Yahshua Messiah. (Philippians 3:14-15) Not only that, I also have come to believe, and know that he is the Messiah, the son of the living Yah! He has the words of eternal life. (Bible verses in this article are from “The Scriptures Version.”)

By Michael Harley

Matthew 21:33-43New King James Version (NKJV)

The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers

33 “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 34 Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. 35 And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. 37 Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ 39 So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.

40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?”

41 They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.”

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? [a] 43 “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.

The nation of Israel was brought into existence by God to be a special treasure to Him above all people – above all the nations of the earth – to be to God a Kingdom of Priests and a holy nation, to rule over all the nations of the earth so that God could bless all the nations through Israel. The governmental structure in which rule is accomplished has two realms over the earth: heavenly and earthly. Israel was called into existence to rule from both realms.

Though Israel never reached the heights to which they were called they had ruled the earthly sphere in the land of Israel. When their Messiah Jesus Christ came to them, He came and presented the heavenly realm to them. Had the nation of Israel repented and turned back to God by receiving their Messiah and His message, He would have then set up the Kingdom and they would have begun to rule over the nations and fulfilled their calling. But they rejected the Christ and His message and Killed Him.

And this is where this Scripture in Matthew chapter 21 brings us. Christians, as a nation, have been brought into existence to receive that which the nation of Israel rejected: the Kingdom of heaven.

The certain landowner is God. The vineyard, the hedge, the winepress, and tower is the land of Israel, the Ten Commandments, the laws concerning the nation of Israel conduct as priests of God, the tabernacle, and various other things that pertain to Israel. The vinedressers are the Jews – the people of Israel. The far country is God’s dwelling place in the farthest places in the north- past all the heavens – the northernmost part of the universe. His servants are the old Testament prophets. The fruits other prophets came to receive is obedience to God’s word so that God to bless all the nations of the world through Israel. And the son is Jesus Christ Himself.

God had been patient with Israel’s disobedience over the centuries since Moses brought them out of Egypt, but God’s patience had run out by the time they were in the process of rejecting and Killing His Son.

When Jesus put this parable forth to the chief priests and the elders of the people of Israel and ended with the question: “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?” The leaders of Israel said with their own mouths: “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.

And this is exactly what you find taking place at the end of Paul’s ministry in Acts Chapter 28 ‘God taking the Kingdom of heaven from the nation of Israel and giving it to Christians: “Therefore let it be known to you (Jews) that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!”

There are a few other things that should be noted: thought the nation of Israel as a whole has lost the heavenly portion of their inheritance, they have not and never will lose the earthly portion – the land of Israel. In the near future, after the Great Tribulation, the Jews that are alive and those resurrected from the dead will rule the nations from the land of Israel. And though the nation as a whole has lost the heavenly portion of their inheritance, there has always been individual Jews throughout time who have been obedient to God and will inherit the Kingdom of heaven. And the most important thing that all Christians should be aware of is: That Christians can lose their inheritance through disobedience. “Now all these things happened to them (to the Jews – the nation of Israel) as examples (Greek, tupos, exact types) and they were written for our (Christians) admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore, let him (the Christian) who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:11,12)

Torah Lesson 041417, תלרה  Lesson by RABBI MOSHE BEN AVAHAM

One of the goals of these lessons is to teach how to apply the laws of the Torah to today’s times. A second goal is to teach theology and to those goals this is offered. Mathew 5:47[i] talks of greeting and this greeting then and today is to wish a person peace. The Hebrew word for Peace is Shalom! Example is shown at Luke 24:36[ii] and John 20:21[iii]. In Judaism the Aramaic word “Aleychem” is used that means “unto you”. So Shalom Aleychem[iv] means “Peace unto you”.  The proper reply is Aleychem shalom and that means “unto you Peace”

Now it’s equally important to know this includes when entering someone’s home. Matthew 10:12[v], says when you go into a household, greet it. It’s explained at Luke 10:5[vi]. But when coming to the home of one you do not know a more perfect greeting is the one king David told his men to say to Na’bal@  1 Samuel 25:6 (NKJV) 6 And thus you shall say to him who lives in prosperity: ‘Peace be to you, peace to your house, and peace to all that you have! The cite Matthew 5:47 (see ref “I”) opens the greeting to everyone you may meet. This of course not followed by most xten’s (John 8:31[vii])

Equally it’s important to understand Matthew 15: 11 & 18[viii] Paul a/k/a Saul comments @ Ephesians 4:29[ix] and warns at 1 Thessalonians 5:22[x] in his first letter to the church at Thessalonica. It was gven the title “Pro Thessalonikeis A”[xi].

But ungodly people allowed themselves to use profanity and allow themselves to make no attempt at stoping the filthy language. See Colossians 3:8[xii] and do not try to follow Ephesians 4:29 (see footnote #ix) But you should (Matthew 12:36[xiii])

Samuel in Hebrew is   שְׁמוּאֵל reading from right to left.

“Amen” means “it is true” before you say something is true you should be sure it is that you be not guilty of bearing false witness.  Exodus 20:16[xiv] Magilla of Yitro 20:13” You shall not bear false witness…”

It is man’s duty to Tikkun Olam[xv] (Repair the World) Sometimes you must start by repairing yourself!

When Hebrew people sit down to a meal there is always salt on the table because at Leviticus 2:13 it’s commanded[xvi] Romans 2:13[xvii] Romans 3:29[xviii]

What Megilla is    ויקרא states[xix]: “You shall salt your every meal-offering with sault; you may not discontinue the salt of your G-d’s covenant from upon your meal-offering on your every offering shall you offer salt.

The Word “Ester[xx]” means “hidden”. The word “Tanakh[xxi]” is an Acronym for Torah, but what does the word Torah, mean[xxii]?

As an aid to keeping an open mind the following story is told:

EXPECTATIONS

A man whispered, “God, speak to me” A meadowlark Sang, but the man did not hear So the man yelled “God, speak to me” Thunder rolled in the sky, but the man didn’t listen. He looked around and said “God, let me see you” A star was shining brightly, but the man didn’t notice. The man shouted, “God show me a miracle. “And a life was born, but the man did not know. So, the man cried out in despair, “Touch me God and let me know you are here.” Whereupon God reached down and touched the man, But the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on alone.

Don’t miss out on a blessing

Because it is not packaged the

Way that you expected.

The point of the story told at Mark 12:42-44[xxiii] is missed about charity. It’s not about the amount given, it’s about the intent of the heart in giving it! (Luke 21: 1-4[xxiv]) In latin “ex animo[xxv]”, means from the heart – Sincerely…

Read the story of Jephthah @ Judges 11:30 – 40[xxvi] what did Jephthah do wrong? Judges 12: 1-7[xxvii] He had too much pride and it kept him from seeking advise of the sages who would have told him how he could have lawfully not killed his daughter yet kept his vow (Numbers 30:2[xxviii]; Leviticus 22:25[xxix]; Leviticus 23: 2 – 7[xxx]) But his pride kept him from seeking advice.

It is important you do not commit error by following Jephthah and you remember Proverbs 11:14[xxxi]; 15:22[xxxii]; 24:6[xxxiii]. The Hebrew title of Provers is “Mishle Shelomoh” the Greek Title is “Paroimiai Salomontos”. The Latin title is: liber Proverbiorum. [Book of Proverbs] The rabbinical writings called Proverbs “Sepher Hokhmah” (book of wisdom). “Mishel Shelomah” (proverbs of Solomon) is to be read daily.

Mark Twain once said: “Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest.[xxxiv]”

There is a Russian Proverb that says: “There is no shame in not knowing, the shame lies in not finding out.[xxxv]” A Japanesse Proverb that says: “fall down seven times, get up eight[xxxvi].”

END

[i] Matthew 5:47 And if you greet your brethren[a] only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?

[ii] Luke 24:36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.”

[iii] John 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

[iv] Shalom aleychem malachey hasharet malachey elyon mimeleh malehey hamelahim hakadosh baruh hu

Bo’achen leshalom malachot hashalom malachot elyon mimalkat malechot hamelachot hakedoshah beruchah hi

Barechuni leshalom malachey hashalom malachey elyon mimelech malechey hamelachim hakadosh baruh hu Tzetchen leshalom malachot hashalom malachot elyon mimalkat malechot hamelachot hakedoshah beruchah hi

One of the best-known examples of angelology in the Jewish tradition, Shalom Aleychem remains a popular Shabbat evening table song. According to legend, an angel accompanies each Jew to and from the synagogue on Shabbat evening, for protection and companionship. These English words can be sung to the traditional melody. Welcome among us, messengers of shalom, angels of the Highest One, from deep within us, Majesty of Majesties, the blessed Holy One. Come, then, in shalom, blessing us with shalom, leaving us with holy shalom, from deep within us, Majesty of Majesties, the blessed Holy One. (Translated by Burt Jacobson)

[v] Matthew 10:12 And when you go into a household, greet it.

[vi] Luke 10:5 But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’

[vii] John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.

[viii] Matthew 15:11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.

[ix] Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

[x] 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.

[xi] Could not find reference to this; please help if you can

[xii] Colossians 3:8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

[xiii] Matthew 12:36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

[xiv] Exodus 20:16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

[xv] https://jewsforjesus.org/publications/issues/issues-v20-n03/tikkun-olam-repairing-the-world/

[xvi] Leviticus 2:13 And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.

[xvii] Romans 2:13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;

[xviii] Romans 3:29 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also,

[xix] http://torah.org/torah-portion/ravfrand-5761-vayikra/

[xx] http://www.aish.com/h/pur/t/dt/48953946.html

[xxi] Tanakh is an acronym of the first Hebrew letter of each of the Masoretic Text’s three traditional subdivisions: Torah (“Teaching”, also known as the Five Books of Moses), Nevi’im (“Prophets”) and Ketuvim (“Writings”)—hence TaNaKh.

Tanakh – Wikipedia

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

[xxii] The word “Torah” in Hebrew is derived from the root ירה, which in the hif’il conjugation means “to guide/teach” (cf. Lev 10:11). The meaning of the word is therefore “teaching”, “doctrine”, or “instruction”; the commonly accepted “law” gives a wrong impression.

Torah – Wikipedia

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

[xxiii] Mark 12:42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”

[xxiv] Luke 21:1-4 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God,[a] but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

[xxv] Definition of ex animo:  from the heart :  sincerely https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ex%20animo

[xxvi] Judges 11:30-40New King James Version (NKJV)

30 And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, and said, “If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, 31 then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

32 So Jephthah advanced toward the people of Ammon to fight against them, and the Lord delivered them into his hands. 33 And he defeated them from Aroer as far as Minnith—twenty cities—and to Abel Keramim,[a] with a very great slaughter. Thus the people of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.

Jephthah’s Daughter

34 When Jephthah came to his house at Mizpah, there was his daughter, coming out to meet him with timbrels and dancing; and she was his only child. Besides her he had neither son nor daughter. 35 And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he tore his clothes, and said, “Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low! You are among those who trouble me! For I have given my word to the Lord, and I cannot go back on it.”

36 So she said to him, “My father, if you have given your word to the Lord, do to me according to what has gone out of your mouth, because the Lord has avenged you of your enemies, the people of Ammon.” 37 Then she said to her father, “Let this thing be done for me: let me alone for two months, that I may go and wander on the mountains and bewail my virginity, my friends and I.”

38 So he said, “Go.” And he sent her away for two months; and she went with her friends, and bewailed her virginity on the mountains. 39 And it was so at the end of two months that she returned to her father, and he carried out his vow with her which he had vowed. She knew no man.

And it became a custom in Israel 40 that the daughters of Israel went four days each year to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite.

[xxvii] Judges 12:1-7New King James Version (NKJV)

Jephthah’s Conflict with Ephraim

12 Then the men of Ephraim gathered together, crossed over toward Zaphon, and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the people of Ammon, and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you with fire!”

2 And Jephthah said to them, “My people and I were in a great struggle with the people of Ammon; and when I called you, you did not deliver me out of their hands. 3 So when I saw that you would not deliver me, I took my life in my hands and crossed over against the people of Ammon; and the Lord delivered them into my hand. Why then have you come up to me this day to fight against me?” 4 Now Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead and fought against Ephraim. And the men of Gilead defeated Ephraim, because they said, “You Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites and among the Manassites.” 5 The Gileadites seized the fords of the Jordan before the Ephraimites arrived. And when any Ephraimite who escaped said, “Let me cross over,” the men of Gilead would say to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he said, “No,” 6 then they would say to him, “Then say, ‘Shibboleth’!” And he would say, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it right. Then they would take him and kill him at the fords of the Jordan. There fell at that time forty-two thousand Ephraimites.

7 And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in among the cities of Gilead.

[xxviii] Numbers 30:2 If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

[xxix] Leviticus 22:25 Nor from a foreigner’s hand shall you offer any of these as the bread of your God, because their corruption is in them, and defects are in them. They shall not be accepted on your behalf.’”

[xxx] Leviticus 23:2-7      2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.

The Sabbath

3 ‘Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.

The Passover and Unleavened Bread

4 ‘These are the feasts of the Lord, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times. 5 On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the Lord’s Passover. 6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; seven days you must eat unleavened bread. 7 On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no customary work on it.

[xxxi] Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall;

But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

[xxxii] Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel, plans go awry,

But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

[xxxiii] Proverbs 24:6 For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,

And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.

[xxxiv] http://lifehacker.com/always-do-right-this-will-gratify-some-people-and-ast-1300779343

[xxxv] http://thinkexist.com/quotation/there_is_no_shame_in_not_knowing-the_shame_lies/11940.html

[xxxvi] http://www.presentationzen.com/presentationzen/2011/03/fall-down-seven-times-get-up-eight-the-power-of-japanese-resilience.html

By Michael Harley

There are three realms in which power and authority over the earth emanate: God’s throne in the “uttermost parts of the north,” The heavens, and the earth itself. In the near future, two of these realms, the heavens above the earth and the earth itself, will have a change of government.

God rules in an overall Kingdom over the universe. God delegates power over parts of His Overall Kingdom to angels.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” (Job1: 6,7[i])

God in time past delegated power and authority over the earth to Satan and his angels. Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the Kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. (Luke 4:5,6)[ii]

In time past Satan became disqualified to rule the earth, by seeking to exalt his throne above God’s throne.

How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High: yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit (Isa 14:12-15[iii]).

The earth is the only place in God’s universal Kingdom which Scripture states that disobedience has entered. God then set about to replace Satan and his angels by creating a new creature: Man. Man made in God’s own image and likeness, was created to have dominion over the earth. Stan knowing the reason man was created set about to disqualify man from having dominion over the earth, and succeeded, causing man to fall. But man’s fall has not caused God to change His mind aoubt the reaon He called man into existence.

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:29[iv])

Man made in the image and likeness of God, called into existence to replace Satan and his angels, though in a fallen condition, will be brought back into a condition in which he will replace Satan and his angels. In the age to come, man will rule over the earth, instead of angels.

For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. (Hebrew 2:5[v])

The Bible is a book of redemption. It’s about bringing man back into a condition in which he will be able to rule the earth. It begins with God creating man to rule over the earth, then ALL Scripture moves toward the time when man realizes the reason he was created in the beginning: “let them have dominion.”

There are two realms in which governmental control over the earth will change from angels to men, and the Gentile nations to the nation of Israel: the heavenly places over the earth and the earth itself. This change will take place a the end of this age.

“Therefore, as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His Kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matthew 13: 40-43[vi])

Then in the Book of Revelation, among others, we see the heavenly realm’s governmental powers changing.

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. (Rev 12: 7-10[vii])

“Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” (Rev 12:12[viii])

During the coming Great Tribulation war will break out in heaven. Angels will fight angels over the heavenly realm above the earth. The current rulers, Satan and his angels will be over powered and cast down to the earth. The heavenly realm will have been taken. Then Satan among other things will gather the whole world together to Armageddon and this is where the earthly realm will be taken.

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the Kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Rev 16: 13 -14[ix])

And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. (Rev 16:16[x])

Jesus Christ Himself will come forth, the beast and the false prophet will be captured and cast alive into the lake of fire, the armies of mankind will be killed with the sword which proceeds from Christ’s mouth, the Devil will be bound and shut in the bottom less pit during the 1,000 year reign of Jesus Christ, and Christ and His co-heirs will rule with a rod of Iron over the earth and bring all disobedience to an end.

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that on one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in Heaven clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on White horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: K ING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of Kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great. “And I saw the beast, the Kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh. Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while. And I saw thrones and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness ot Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. (Revelation 19:11-20:6 [xi])

First, the heavenly realm will be taken, then the earthly realm. Christ will then set up His Kingdom and rule the earth from a heavenly realm along with His co-heirs who overcame and sat down with Him on His throne, Israel will be the head of all the Gentile nations and rule from an earthly realm. This rule will last 1,000 years and will deal with one place in God’s overall universal Kingdom. Satan will be bound in the bottomless pit during this time. At the end of the 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ, Satan will be released and gather those of mankind who are tired of being ruled by Christ together once more, God will rain down fire on them and devour them. The devil will then be cast into the lake of fire and all disobedience will be a thing of the past. Jesus Christ will then deliver the kingdom up to God. God will move His throne from “the farthest sides of the north” to the new earth, and the throne of Christ’s glory will change to a universal throne: “the throne of God and of the Lamb.” (Rev. 22:3-6[xii])

[i] Job 1:6-7New King James Version (NKJV)

Satan Attacks Job’s Character

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan[a] also came among them. 7 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

[ii] Luke 4:5 – 6 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him[a] all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.

[iii] Isaiah 14:12-15New King James Version (NKJV)

The Fall of Lucifer

12 “How you are fallen from heaven,

O Lucifer,[a] son of the morning!

How you are cut down to the ground,

You who weakened the nations!

13 For you have said in your heart:

‘I will ascend into heaven,

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;

I will also sit on the mount of the congregation

On the farthest sides of the north;

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,

I will be like the Most High.’

15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,

To the lowest depths of the Pit.

[iv] Romans 11:29 New King James Version (NKJV) For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

[v] Hebrews 2:5New King James Version (NKJV)

The Son Made Lower than Angels

5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.

[vi] Matthew 13:40-43New King James Version (NKJV)

40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

[vii] Revelation 12:7-10New King James Version (NKJV)

Satan Thrown Out of Heaven

7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them[a] in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

[viii] Revelation 12:12New King James Version (NKJV)

12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

[ix] Revelation 16:13-14New King James Version (NKJV)

13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and[a] of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

[x] Revelation 16:16New King James Version (NKJV)

16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.

[xi] Revelation 19:11-20:6 New King James Version (NKJV)

Christ on a White Horse

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had[a] a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean,[b] followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp[c] sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND

LORD OF LORDS.

The Beast and His Armies Defeated

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God,[d] 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free[e] and slave, both small and great.”

19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh. Satan Bound 1,000 Years

20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 Years

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

[xii] Revelation 22:3-6New King James Version (NKJV)

3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

The Time Is Near

6 Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy[a] prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.
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Governmental Change In Two Realms Over The Earth | Prison Apologetics

http://prisonapologetics.org/michael-harley-sermons/governmental-change-in-two-realms-over-the-earth/
Governmental Change In Two Realms Over The Earth By Michael Harley There are three realms in which power and authority over the earth emanate: God’s
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By Michael Harley

When Jesus was in the world, 2,000 years ago, He spoke, taught, and preached one thing – the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, or the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Two phrases with the same meaning. He spoke over and over about the coming Kingdom, when the Son of Man would sit on His own throne and reign over the world. [i]

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 4:17)

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, (Matthew 4:23)

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom. (Matthew 9:35a)

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14)

And He was preaching in their Synagogues throughout all Galilee (Mark 1:39a)

Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And, He preached the word to them. (Mark 2:2)

Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them. (Mark 2:13)

And, again He began to teach by the sea (Mark 4:1)

And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. (Mark 6:2a)

And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. (Mark 6:34)

And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by al. (Luke 4:15)

Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching. (Luke 5:17a)

Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. (Luke 6:6a)

Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God. (Luke 8:1a)

But when the multitude knew it, they followed Him, and He received them and spoke to them about the Kingdom of God. (Luke 9:11a)

Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. Luke 13:10)

And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. (Luke 13:22)

According to two verses, Jesus states that the very purpose He had come forth from heaven was to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of heaven/ the gospel of the Kingdom of God.

When they found Him, they said to Him, “
Everyone is looking for you.
But He said to them,
let us go into the next towns, that I may preach three also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” And He was preaching in their Synagogues throughout all Galilee. (Mark 1:37 – 39a)

Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him and tried to Keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them,
I must preach the Kingdom of God to the other cities also because for this purpose I have been sent.” (Luke 4:42, 43)

Luke in his second book to Theophilus, The Acts of the Apostles, states that Jesus was speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God and that this was “all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up.”

The former account I made, o Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given Commandment s to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. (Acts 1:1-3)

Then referring back to the Gospel According to Luke, Zacchaeus and others thought the Kingdom of God would appear immediately, but Jesus taught them that this was not the case. Jesus would have to return to heaven and receive the Kingdom and then return.

Now as they heard these things He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the Kingdom of God would appear immediately. Therefore He said, “ a certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a Kingdom and to return. (Luke 19:11,12)

Then in Acts, Jesus after speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God ascended into heaven to receive the Kingdom.

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And, while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven. (Acts 1: 9-11)

Then in the book of Daniel, Daniel sees the same event in the verse above, but from a heavenly perspective, from the dwelling place of God.

“I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. 14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed (Daniel 7:13-14)

When Jesus disciples looked steadfastly toward heaven as Jesus went up, two men suddenly appeared in white apparel, and stated: Jesus will return just as He went up. And this is what will occur when the Son of Man comes in His glory, He went up into a cloud,  He will return with the clouds of heaven; two men in white apparel were present when He went up, two men in white apparel will be present when He returns. In both accounts of Luke and Matthew, when Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother and led them up on a high mountain they actually witnessed something that has not occurred to this day, the Son of Man coming in His glory. God transcends time and is able to take man and move him forward and back in time and this is what occurred in these verses. This explains Christ’s statement, “there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Kingdom of God. And when they went up on a high mountain, who was there? Two men in white apparel, Moses and Elijah!

“When He comes in His own glory, and in His Fathers, and of the holy angels, but I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Kingdom of God”…But Peter and those with Him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him (Luke 9:26b,27,32)

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. (Matthew 17: 1 – 3)

Then Peter years later when writing his second epistle still had this event foremost in his mind and among other things stated, “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were EYEWITNESSES OF HIS MAJESTY”. Peter and the others were moved forward in time and were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ return.

Jesus Christ spoke of one thing during His earthly ministry, from the time He began until the day in which He was taken up – The Kingdom of God. The whole of the New Testament is about the Kingdom of God. The whole of the Bible is about the Kingdom of God, If one is instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven, he will have the key to understanding ALL Scripture. The one not instructed concerning the Kingdom of Heaven will not understand Scripture.

And He said, “To you it has been given to Know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ … Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.” (Luke 8:10,18)

Christian’s are to have their complete focus on the Kingdom of God. They are to have their minds set on Christ returning, teaching other Christians these things, and positioning themselves and others in positions of power and authority in the coming Kingdom. They are to have their complete focus on the same thing, the word of God has it’s complete focus, on the Kingdom of God. Christians are to take their focus off the present Kingdom, under Satan, and to focus on the coming Kingdom when the Son of Man Comes in His glory, with His Holy Angels, and sits on the throne of His glory.

[i] Verses used in this lesson are as follows:

Matthew 4: 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.;9: ³⁵ Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people

Mark 1: ⁴ John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins., ³⁹ And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.

Mark 2: 2 Immediately[a] many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them.’ 13 Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them.; 4:1  And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea.,; 6:2 2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!, 34  And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.

Luke 4:15 And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all; Luke 5: 17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.; 8:1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him,; 9: ¹¹ But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”

Jesus Transfigured on the Mount

28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. 30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.

By Michael Harley

“But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ;12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan. (1 Tim 5:11a, 12,15)[i]

Many Christians have a false belief that Satan has no power over them, but according to Scripture this is not the case. The Scripture above clearly states that Christians can and do grow wanton against Christ, cast off their first faith, and turn aside after Satan.

In Matthew chapter 10[ii], Christ calls His twelve disciples and gives them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and commands them not to go to anyone except the lost sheep of the house of Israel and once again commands them to cast out demons. The house of Israel was a nation of saved people.

Moses’ Final Blessing on Israel

” Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. 2 And he said: Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, (Deuteronomy 33:1,2a,29a)[iii]

O God of Israel, the Savior! 17 But Israel shall be saved by the Lord With an everlasting salvation; You shall not be ashamed or disgraced Forever and ever. (Isaiah 45:15b;17)[iv]

The nation of Israel during Christ’s ministry was just as saved as any Christian during the last 2,000 years is saved. And, during Christ’s ministry to the Jews you find that almost every time Jesus or His disciples cast out demons they were casting them out of saved people.

Even Judas Iscariot was empowered by Christ to “heal the sick cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Judas was just as saved as any other Israelite during his time, or for that matter, just as saved as any Christian today. Then after this empowerment by Christ, Judas is shown to have Satan enter him. And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him.[v] (John 13:26b;27a)

In Matthew chapter 16[vi], Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him, and Jesus said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Christians today, just as saved Jews in Christs time can be taken captive by the devil to do his will.

What man may think about having power and authority over the devil is one thing, and is of no importance whatsoever, but what is important is what God and His Word has to say about the matter. Everything that Christians do, whether in a gathering of worship or in the world at large should be carefully considered, for Christians doing things and having bitter envy, and self-seeking in their hearts is earthly, sensual, demonic.

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there”. (James 3:13-16)

[i] 11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ;12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan. (1 Tim 5:11a, 12,15)

[ii] Sending Out the Twelve

5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead,[c] cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. Mathew 10:5-10

[iii] Deuteronomy 33New King James Version (NKJV)

Moses’ Final Blessing on Israel

33 Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. 2 And he said: “The Lord came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, And He came with ten thousands of saints; From His right hand Came a fiery law for them. 3  Yes, He loves the people; All His saints are in Your hand; They sit down at Your feet; Everyone receives Your words. 4  Moses commanded a law for us, A heritage of the congregation of Jacob. 5  And He was King in Jeshurun, When the leaders of the people were gathered, All the tribes of Israel together. 6  “Let Reuben live, and not die, Nor let his men be few.” 7 And this he said of Judah: “Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah, And bring him to his people; Let his hands be sufficient for him,

And may You be a help against his enemies.” 8 And of Levi he said: “Let Your Thummim and Your Urim be with Your holy one, Whom You tested at Massah, And with whom You contended at the waters of Meribah, 9  Who says of his father and mother, ‘I have not seen them’; Nor did he acknowledge his brothers, Or know his own children;

For they have observed Your word And kept Your covenant. 10  They shall teach Jacob Your judgments, And Israel Your law. They shall put incense before You, And a whole burnt sacrifice on Your altar. 11  Bless his substance, Lord, And accept the work of his hands; Strike the loins of those who rise against him,

And of those who hate him, that they rise not again.” 12 Of Benjamin he said: “The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, Who shelters him all the day long; And he shall dwell between His shoulders.” 13 And of Joseph he said: “Blessed of the Lord is his land, With the precious things of heaven, with the dew,

And the deep lying beneath, 14  With the precious fruits of the sun, With the precious produce of the months, 15

With the best things of the ancient mountains, With the precious things of the everlasting hills, 16  With the precious things of the earth and its fullness, And the favor of Him who dwelt in the bush. Let the blessing come ‘on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.’17  His glory is like a firstborn bull, And his horns like the horns of the wild ox; Together with them He shall push the peoples To the ends of the earth; They are the ten thousands of Ephraim, And they are the thousands of Manasseh.” 18 And of Zebulun he said: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, And Issachar in your tents! 19  They shall call the peoples to the mountain; There they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness; For they shall partake of the abundance of the seas And of treasures hidden in the sand.” 20 And of Gad he said: “Blessed is he who enlarges Gad; He dwells as a lion, And tears the arm and the crown of his head. 21  He provided the first part for himself, Because a lawgiver’s portion was reserved there. He came with the heads of the people; He administered the justice of the Lord, And His judgments with Israel.” 22 And of Dan he said: “Dan is a lion’s whelp; He shall leap from Bashan.” 23 And of Naphtali he said: “O Naphtali, satisfied with favor, And full of the blessing of the Lord, Possess the west and the south.” 24 And of Asher he said: “Asher is most blessed of sons; Let him be favored by his brothers, And let him dip his foot in oil. 25  Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; As your days, so shall your strength be. 26  “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, And in His excellency on the clouds. 27  The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, ‘Destroy!’ 28  Then Israel shall dwell in safety, The fountain of Jacob alone, In a land of grain and new wine; His heavens shall also drop dew. 29  Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, The shield of your help And the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, And you shall tread down their high places.”

[iv] Isaiah 45: 15  Truly You are God, who hide Yourself, O God of Israel, the Savior! But Israel shall be saved by the Lord With an everlasting salvation; You shall not be ashamed or disgraced Forever and ever

[v] John 13:26-27 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

[vi] Matthew 16:22-23 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”

23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”