Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Muslims Go To Court In Texas Against Investigative Reporter Joe Kaufman


Dear DHFC Supporter,

Radical Muslims are using our court system to try to silence those who expose their terrorist connections. They've done it in Europe and Canada - and now they're trying it here in America.

In the case of investigative reporter Joe Kaufman, they're not giving up - even though their case is completely bogus. After two years of defending Joe, we are now facing yet another challenge. I'm writing to you as a member of the Freedom Center to ask you to help pay for Joe's defense.

Seven Muslim groups claim that Joe is a threat. They convinced a court that Joe "intends to threaten to take unlawful action...cause bodily injury...or threaten Plaintiffs or their members with immediate bodily injury." On those grounds the court imposed a restraining order on him. And they sued Joe for defamation to stop him from writing about Muslims in the future and to close down his websites.

Joe reports and writes for my website FrontPage Magazine and for his own websites. He has never threatened a Muslim in his life. But he has exposed facts they want to hide. The reason Joe Kaufman is being targeted by these Muslim groups is that he monitors web sites run by Muslim charitable organizations, and he has identified money trails leading from some of these groups to terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

We have been defending Joe from this lawsuit since 2007 - thanks to the financial support we've received from our members. And we thought we'd won when in June the Texas Court of Appeals finally threw out the lawsuit, ruling that the case had no merit to continue. But our victory celebration didn't last long. The Islamic groups involved have petitioned the Texas Supreme Court to review the case! Why do they keep this absurd case going? For one reason: If they can defeat Joe Kaufman in court, radical Muslims will know they can stop anyone from investigating and writing about any Muslim groups and individuals.

This is a case of national importance. Radical Muslims are watching it carefully. They have seemingly unlimited funds to keep fighting as long as they have a hope. We need to keep fighting back. We cannot let these groups succeed. This is why I am urgently asking you to help the Freedom Center pay for the legal bills incurred in Joe's defense and to cover this latest development. Joe Kaufman has no money to spend on his defense. He has made a career of investigative journalism focusing on terrorism - something the mainstream media doesn't want to touch with a ten-foot pole, and therefore not a high-paying profession. He needs our help.

A victory by the Muslim groups would be the first step in silencing all of us. This is a free speech issue and nothing more: Joe has not lied about, threatened, or touched any of the Muslims who are suing him, or any other Muslims for that matter. He simply reported the truth, and for that these groups are doing their best to silence him - and to intimidate the rest of us. The lawsuit against Joe Kaufman is part of a strategy by these Muslim groups to bully us into silence. That's why we cannot let them win.

I am asking you to make a contribution of $25, $50, $100 or even more if you can, to help us raise the $25,000 we need right away to pay for Joe Kaufman's defense. Any amount you can send will help. Just click here to give. It's urgent!

Thanks in advance for your help.

Sincerely,

David Horowitz
President & Founder

P.S. Our lawyers believe we have a strong case, but the outcome of this case is by no means predictable. Too many judges have shown themselves to care more about not offending Muslims than about free speech. We must raise the money to fight this case to the end! Please help us fight back.

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Sunday, September 27, 2009

Meaning of the Prodigal Son Parable

Question:
Hello Pastor John,

Luke 15 tells us that the Father was overwhelmed when his lost son return and celebrated his return with a big feast without the other son's knowledge 'Luke 15:25-26'25'Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.' My question are:

1. Why didn't the father who was overjoyed informed the older son first about the return of his brother?

2. Why did the older brother has to find out from the servants?

Please help and thanks


My Answer:


Hi,
The answer is in the text:


Luke 15:31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. (KJV)

Or:

Luke 15:31 "He said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 15:32 But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.'" (WEB)

At the beginning of the chapter the Master also explains this:

Luke 15:3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. (KJV)

Or in the WEB (World English Bible):

Luke 15:3 He told them this parable. 15:4 "Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn't leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? 15:5 When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 15:6 When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'

The son who had remained with the father was dependable, not one the father had to worry about. People tend to focus on what they have lost rather than what remains. The father was overjoyed that the lost son had returned. At the time the faithful son was in the field 'where he should be' and the father probably didn't even think about him due to his joy at the news.

The father had doubtless been in prayer for years and had serious concerns over the lost son and his well being. For the time being he focused on him. This is understandable.

The son who had remained with the father was understandably taken aback by all the celebrations, but the father doubtless expected he, once he returned from the fields, would be as overjoyed as everyone else and join in the festivities to welcome his brother.

When the father realized that his elder son was having this problem he went out and "begged him" to come celebrate and share his joy. As a father of two sons myself I can SO see this happening. The wealth of the inheritance and everything it brings was with the elder son. He should have rejoiced. But again, human nature got in the way.


This parable can be understood this way:

God is the Father of us all. Through Noah He established a covenant with all people ("the Rainbow covenant").

The Jews are the elder and eternal sons (and daughters) of God.

The Gentiles abandoned God and went their own way.


Jesus was sent only to the House of Israel (the Jews): (Matt 15:24)

However after his resurrection he told his disciples to invite the Gentiles to return Home as well: (Matt 28:20). This calling Home of the wayward child(ren) is "the Church Age."

At the End of the Age (coming soon I believe) both sons will be united in the Father's House... the inheritance will remain with the Jews.

More could be said but this is essentially the meaning as I understand it.

Hope this helps,
~ Pastor John

As an aside for my blog friends:
I am currently writing a verse by verse study of the Book of Revelation that explains HOW these events are occurring and would love to have your thoughts. It is being posted on my Noahide Nazarene Blog.

If we are not contacts yet (on either blog) please invite me!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

What does it mean when the Lord's name is in all capital letters?

A Reader sent me this question via AllExperts and I taught it might be of interest to some here:

Question: What does it mean when the Lord's name is in all capital letters?

My reply:

Hi Cliff,

Whenever you read LORD or LORD GOD it means that God's Name is in the original text.

Due to the commandment against taking the LORD's Name in vain the Jews early on developed a system that is still used in most Bibles. Whenever the saw God's Holy Name instead of saying it they said "Adonai" or Lord. In non-Hebrew translations in order to distinguish a lord (like the Lord of the manner) and THE Lord they wrote LORD.

God's Holy Name is YHVH.

Because the Name is so holy the Jews forgot how to pronounce it -- which vowels to insert-- (that's not quite right but close... everything can be debated hehe).

The letters in Hebrew would be Yod He Vav He.

The most likely (and generally accepted) form is: Yahweh ("Yah-way"). Most people who call God (a title that just means "the Good One") by His name use this pronunciation.

Previously the Holy Name was translated into local languages so in English he was called Jehovah: or JHVH but "Jehovah" is definitely a translation and not a good one at that.

God principle name is Yahweh:

In the Hebrew source materials of the King James is used as followes:

LORD 6510
GOD 4
JEHOVAH 4
variant 1

Hope this helps,

May Yahweh and His dear Son Y'shua bless you,

~ Ben Ruach ha Kodesh
~ John of AllFaith

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

A Note on Bible Versions

A Note on Bible Versions:

All biblical texts in this study (i.e. the Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed) are from the Noahide Nazarene Bible (NNB) unless otherwise noted.

Also, as stated before, I am currently updating all of the posts from this study with the new Bible version, but the remainder of this study will NOT be posted here. For the rest please go to my new Blog: http://noahidenazarene.multiply.com and PLEASE invite me as a contact.

BOTH blog sites will remain active.

I love the Authorized King James Version of the Bible (KJV) and consider it to be the preeminent translation of the preeminent biblical source materials (the Textus Receptus or Received Texts).

However as so many readers say they find the language of the KJV prohibitive to their studies, I have searched high and low for a suitable, accurate and reliable modern English translation and I believe I have found one.

The World English Bible: Messianic Edition (WEB-ME) is a widely respected modern update of the American Standard Version (ASV) that holds closely to the Majority Text. The Majority Text is a collection of all existing Greek manuscripts. Because most of these manuscripts are of the same period as the Textus Receptus they are in the main quite similar and complimentary. This family of texts agrees with one another in most cases and much more often than either agrees with the source materials that have given rise to heretical modern versions like the New International Version (NIV) and so on.

Information on this public domain translation of the Bible (WEB) is available HERE.

The Noahide Nazarene Bible (NNB) revision is mainly being developed for my own studies and use. I will never attempt to market it, however I do plan to post it my website once I am finished with my revision of it. The NNB is almost identical to the WEB editions. The main differences have to do with the rendering certain significant terms into English. For instance:

    The WEB-ME correctly presents the name "Jesus" as Yeshua -- his actual name. The NNB has this name as Y'shua. Both are correct, but Y'shua is a bit closer in my opinion.

    The title Christ means "anointed" while the title Moshiach (Messiah) means 'anointed king' or 'anointed ruler' or 'anointed high priest' etc depending on the context.

    Neither christos nor mashiyach automatically refers to "the Messiah." Christ and Moshiach are not therefore exactly synonymous terms despite common usage. The WEB-ME edition renders Christ as Messiah based on the Nicean beliefs of its main translators. There is nothing wrong with this as such but it is not completely accurate either.

    For instance of King Cyrus we read at Isaiah 45:1 "Thus says Yahweh to his anointed [i.e. mashiyach in the Hebrew]..." Neither Cyrus nor most of the others who are referred to as mashiyach were the Moshiach. Therefore for accuracy, "anointed" is used in most cases rather than "Christ" just as "anointed" is used in the Hebrew scriptures rather than "Moshiach" in most cases.

    A few others changes are being made as appropriate. For instance in a few cases the KJV is clearer than the WEB version (for instance using the name "John" rather than Yochanan) and so on. All such changes are being done with the utmost concern for textual accuracy.

I feel very confident about this new translation (both the WEB and the NNB) and recommend comparing their texts with the Authorized King James Version. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

I hope my using this modern English version will enhance your studies. If you notice any discrepancies between the translations I would appreciate a head's up. As always, I sincerely invite all correspondence whatever your views.

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The Beast Is Near:

As many of you know, I am now writing a verse by verse commentary on the Book of the Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed (i.e. The Book of Revelation). Once this study is completed I intend to do the same thing with the Book of Daniel if this is still possible.

This information matters because the Beast is on the verge of appearing and we all need to be ready and to know what lies just ahead!

I have received surprisingly few comments here on this new study and a fair amount of negatively critical e-mail. The truth is that much of what people have been taught about the Church and its history is false. This study presents the truth as revealed by Y'shua the Anointed ("Jesus the Christ") and other biblical prophets. It is accurate and thoroughly supported by scripture and current events. I sincerely invite everyone's thoughts and comments whether you agree with these writings or not.

However, as I am trying to do a chapter a day, on average, which sometimes means three or four blog posts a day (as I am posting them in easier to read smaller sections), this is overriding the other topics I wish to discuss here, such as the flu shots, the WHO Veri-chip and so on.

For this reason, I have started a new Multiply blog site that will focus exclusively on my Noahide Nazarene Writings and the biblical prophecies:


If you are interesting in these topics, if you have been reading my The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed, then I invite you to join my new blog. Both of my blogs will remain active but the remainder of this study will posted there (as well as on my Thus Say the Prophets site.

I hope to see you there.
http://noahidenazarene.multiply.com

~ John of AllFaith
~ Ben Ruach ha Kodesh

Monday, September 21, 2009

The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed: Chapter Seven

Welcome to Thus Say the Prophets!

The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed:
A Study into the Noahide Nazarene Way

By Ben Ruach ha Kodesh (John of AllFaith) � 9.21.09
Chapter Seven


Go to the index page for: The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed

In chapter six John escorted us quickly through the opening of the first six of the seven scrolls but much was left unsaid. Now he will parenthetically give us more information about the fifth sealed scroll. While the Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed is presented in a basically chronological manner there are a few places that are parenthetical. This is the first.

Parenthetic: More on the Fifth Sealed Scroll: The Martyrs!

As stated in chapter six, the first six sealed scrolls are opened simultaneously or in the same flow of related events. It is during this period that the following occurs.

7:1 After this, I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree.

Remember that the prophecy was not written with chapters and verses. The divisions are intended to aid our studies not establish time lines. Therefore what is now happening falls on the heels of the final verses of chapter six:

6:12 I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became as blood.
6:13 The stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a great wind.
6:14 The sky was removed like a scroll when it is rolled up. Every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
6:15 The kings of the earth, the princes, the commanding officers, the rich, the strong, and every slave and free person, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains.
6:16 They told the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb,
6:17 For the great day of his wrath has come; and who is able to stand?"

And then utter stillness and silence across the globe (7:1)! Just imagine this!

Following the cacophonous rocking of the foundations of their very existence with earthquakes, tsunamis, meteors, with unheard of phenomena taking place in the heavens like the appearance that the sky is being rolled and unrolled like a scroll, with people going mad, unable to cope with the things that are taking place around them... and then suddenly and without warning dead silence and stillness everywhere! And without the winds the temperatures will soar, the humidity will rise suffocatingly, and the pollution and pollen counts will go off the charts! Global warming indeed! Silent pandemonium!

And the Golden One, the Rex Mundi, using all of his charisma and lying persuasion will convince the global citizens that everything is under control! "Do not believe the angels! Do not believe the thundering Voice of HaShem! Trust me!" he urges! And his followers will!

John 5:43 I [Y'shua] have come in my Father's name, and you don't receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.
5:44 How can you believe, you who receive glory from one another but don't seek the glory that comes from the only God?
7:2 I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea, 7:3 saying, "Don't harm the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their foreheads!"

In the midst of this growing chaos, from the East, an angelic being of extraordinary splendor and authority will arise! This could be literal or figurative but I expect it to occur as written.

Recall that Lucifer was the Son of the Morning:

Isaiah 14:12 How you are fallen from heaven, day-star, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, who laid the nations low!

Now his replacement arises in, I expect, full public view! A direct slap in the face of Rex Mundi and his Master Lucifer!

As noted in chapter six: As the fifth seal is removed the people will have decided which side they are on. The people of the planet will divide into two distinct camps: Those will who stand with the Beast and those who will stand with Moshiach. THIS is the separating of the Sheep and the Goats (Matt 25:32), the Wheat from the Chaff (Matt 13). THESE will be the bridesmaids who either did or did not keep their lamps filled with oil and their wicks suitably trimmed (Matt 25:1). NOW the Darkness has descended and everyone must choose a side! The next few verses reveal those who will stand!

7:4 I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel:

    7:5 of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand,
    of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand,
    of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand,

    7:6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand,
    of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand,
    of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand,

    7:7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand,
    of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand,
    of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand,

    7:8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand,
    of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand,
    of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

One common area of debate among students of prophecy is the identity of these hundred and forty four thousand. The text identifies them with absolute clarity but still countless teachers and entire denominations manufacture what are frankly bizarre doctrines around them.

A couple of examples of such unbiblical teachings will suffice: the Jehovah's Witnesses teach that this is a select group of righteous Jews and Gentiles gathered from across time and anointed as heavenly rulers who will oversee the new earth society once the theocratic kingdom is established. The Seventh Day Adventists are even further off the mark with their belief that the number might or might not be literal, but that "the Israel" mentioned in the prophecies is "spiritual" Israel not the Israel of the Torah! Based on this unbiblical notion they teach that the hundred and forty four thousand will all be Christians (mostly Adventists) even thought the text specifically states otherwise!

But remember, when studying the prophets if their words make sense literally take them literally. This will help avoid many pitfalls!

Truth is always consistent. If ones doctrines are contradictory something is amiss with ones doctrines. This is a case in point. Because of the Nicolaitane heresy (discussed in chapters two and three) and the rejection of the Jewish people as the Elect of HaShem, such clear verses must be "spiritualized."

MANY Christians wrongly believe that HaShem has abandoned His people (although He said He never would). This being true, they reason, He would not now be calling 144,000 Jews to do His bidding! And yet not only do these verses directly identify this group as Jews, the next verses make it clear that there are also Gentiles in a separate but related calling, making it certain that these are/will be literally Jewish people, 12,000 from each tribe as the text says. Of course most Jews today do not know which tribe of Israel they are from, but HaShem does, so it will work out just fine! Likewise, we know from the prophets that the Temple will be rebuilt during this period and much lost information will be recovered.

Let's continue and read about their Gentile co-workers:

7:9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.
7:10 They cried with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation be to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

These hundred and forty four thousand Jews along with the great multitude of Gentiles are they whom we saw in chapter six standing before the Throne of HaShem in the "Sea of Glass." They are from all parts of the world, from all cultures and languages and ethnic groups. What they all have in common is that they have united with Moshiach in the service of HaShem and care nothing about their own lives and fortunes. These are the faithful martyrs, some of whom will survive but most of whom will not. They declare the praises of HaShem and are utterly committed to Shiloh, His Chief Commander.

As the Israelites stood before HaShem at Mount Sinai both receiving His Torah and pledging their fidelity to Him and to one another, so too these throngs will stand and receive their holy commission from HaShem. As we saw in verse four above, HaShem will seal them as His own even as He did the Hebrews/Jews at Sinai. According to Jewish tradition every Jew who has or will ever live was present at Sinai when the Torah was given. The same will be true with these people. Although many of them are still located on the Earth, yet to be martyred, within the "Sea of Glass" they will all be present before HaShem.

The word "seal" here is sphragizo and means to set aside as special, to protect and also indicates proof of ownership. These people, both Jews and Gentiles, will enter into a special relationship with HaShem and they will obey His Word in service to Moshiach.

7:11 All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God, 7:12 saying, "Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen."

To HaShem alone be the Glory and the Praise and the Thanksgiving!

7:13 One of the elders answered, saying to me, "These who are arrayed in white robes, who are they, and from where did they come?"
7:14 I told him, "My lord, you know."
He said to me, "These are those who came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, and made them white in the Lamb's blood.

7:15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tabernacle over them.

7:16 They will never be hungry, neither thirsty any more; neither will the sun beat on them, nor any heat; 7:17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shepherds them, and leads them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Note the wording here. The elder asks John who these people are who are dressed in white robes, and where they come from. It is implied that not all of those present are wearing the white robes and yet their presence in this holy place declares their willingness to be martyrs.

It is also informative that John is told that they washed their own robes, making them white in the Lamb's blood. In other words, like Master Y'shua they can say:

John 10:17 Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 10:18 No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself...."

Next

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Sunday, September 20, 2009

The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed: Chapter Six: Part 3

Welcome to Thus Say the Prophets!

The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed:
A Study into the Noahide Nazarene Way

By Ben Ruach ha Kodesh (John of AllFaith) � 9.19.09
Chapter Six: Part 3

Go to the index page for: The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed


The Opening of the Fifth Sealed Scroll: The Martyrs!

6:9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed for the Word of God, and for the testimony of the Lamb which they had. 6:10 They cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"
6:11 A long white robe was given to each of them. They were told that they should rest yet for a while, until their fellow servants and their brothers, who would also be killed even as they were, should complete their course.

As Rex Mundi takes global center stage those who know the prophecies will not need to be told that this is the Son of Perdition! His actions will make that crystal clear to all who still place their faith in HaShem and his servant, our Master Y'shua the Anointed! And these people will form into two distinct camps: Those will who stand against the Beast and those who will not. THIS is the separating of the Sheep and the Goats (Matt 25:32). These will be the bridesmaids who either did or did not keep their lamps filled with oil and the wicks suitably trimmed (Matt 25:1) because NOW the Darkness has arrived and comparatively few will stand against it!

Reason and common sense will cry out that this man is good and that opposing him is certain death! Just see! He rides a "white horse" in every sense of the symbolic expression! He is feeding and clothing the poor! He is establishing global peace and security! And have you not noticed that since he arose even the weather has been better! Only a fool... or a TERRORIST... would oppose him!

But many will stand against him in righteous defiance! As we will see shortly, a great multitude of Gentiles and 144,000 Jews will refuse to bend their knees before this Beast in Sheep's clothing...

And they will be like lambs to the slaughter!

Remember Lucifer's challenge in the Book of Job that I talked about before! Lucifer charged that humans would only serve HaShem for a payoff! Now martyrs by the millions will prove him to be a liar!

This must be understood! The time for easy-believe-ism is past! There will not be a Rapture but a Rupture is surely coming! Ready your hearts and minds for that Day because IT is coming! We are called to Stand not to escape.

While some of these people will survive the War, the vast majority of us will not. We must accept this as willing martyrs! We must never bow to the New World Order and its coming Rex Mundi! As the Master told us:

Mark 8:35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.

How are we to Stand?

Of THIS period Prophet Joel wrote:

Joel 2:27 You will know that I am in the midst of Israel, And that I am Yahweh, your God, and there is no one else; And my people will never again be put to shame.
28 "It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; And your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions.
29 And also on the servants and on the handmaids in those days, I will pour out my Spirit.
30 I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood, fire, and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun will be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the great and terrible day of Yahweh comes.
32 It will happen that whoever will call on the name of Yahweh shall be saved; For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, As Yahweh has said, And among the remnant, those whom Yahweh calls.

That this prophecy is for this soon-coming time is confirmed by the words: "And my people will never again be put to shame." There was a great putting to shame of the Jews in 70 CE when the Holy Temple fell and the Jews were exiled from their Home, but as we are now approaching the coming of Shiloh and the establishment of the Kingdom the Jews will never again be put to shame and Holy Jerusalem will never again be trodden underfoot by the nations!

So what does this mean in terms of this question: How shall we Stand? Those who witness the emergence of Rex Mundi and who choose to stand firm for the faith 'once and for all times delivered unto the saints,' HaShem promises guidance! As John the Revelator said elsewhere:

I John 2:27 As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don't need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him.

By this point the Nicean Church will have become the Universal Church (of Rex Mundi)! We will not be able to trust our former teachers and priests. Now GOD Himself will instruct us! Ruach ha Kodesh, the Spirit of the Living God will speak to us and say, Go here! Do this! Do not do that! We will have dreams and visions and know things we logically should not be privy to! And those with faith in HaShem will obey without question.

Again,

Mark 8:35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.

TRUST and OBEY the Voice of HaShem and He will lead you! Perhaps to the lion's den or perhaps to palaces of gold!

Trust and Obey

Perhaps in His service we will live and survive the Great Tribulation and perhaps we will die, but as the Holy Apostle says:

Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if to live in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; then I don't make known what I will choose.
23 But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very far better.
24 Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.

How many faithful people will be martyred during this period we are not told however it will doubtless be in the millions. Shiloh will assure this great multitude of martyrs that their lives will be avenged, but that they must be patient for a while longer. As we will discuss, once Rex Mundi signs a specific peace treaty with Israel the coming of Moshiach will be just under seven years thence and so that will be the maximum for their patience.

The Opening of the Sixth Sealed Scroll: Anarchy and the Wrath of HaShem Revealed!

6:12 I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became as blood.
6:13 The stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a great wind.
6:14 The sky was removed like a scroll when it is rolled up. Every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
6:15 The kings of the earth, the princes, the commanding officers, the rich, the strong, and every slave and free person, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains.
6:16 They told the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb,
6:17 For the great day of his wrath has come; and who is able to stand?"

But they were premature!

As Y'shua the Anointed tells us of these events:

Matthew 24:8 ... All these are the beginning of sorrows.

All those who will stand with HaShem have now made their decisions.

All those who will oppose HaShem have made theirs!

And now HaShem makes His presence known to everyone and Moshiach enters into the War!

We can not be certain from the text precisely how far into the first three and half years of the tribulation we are at this point, but certainly we are still within the first half of the final Seven Years of the Age. Some prophecy students place this sixth seal at the end of the Tribulation pointing out that most extreme events are reserved for the second half. While I respect their views I believe it belongs to the first period as I present here.

Thus far Rex Mundi has been allowed a free hand to organize his rule, but now he and those who accept him are reminded that he too must bow before the absolute majesty of HaShem and His Moshiach!

It has been theorized by some that the events described here could be the result of the massive solar storm NASA has been predicting for quite a while. According to their scientists this event could cause a "perfect storm" somewhere around 2012 that could devastate the planet -- they could be a few years off either way. This could be, we don't know from the prophecies. However all things work together for HaShem's Will and He will utilize whatever He chooses!

Despite this terrible and terrifying show of HaShem's power those who have chosen against Him still will not repent nor seek His Mercy!

The battle lines are now drawn!

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The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed: Chapter Six: Part 1

Welcome to Thus Say the Prophets!

The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed:
A Study into the Noahide Nazarene Way

By Ben Ruach ha Kodesh (John of AllFaith) � 9.19.09
Chapter Six: Part 1

Go to the index page for: The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed

Note: For ease of reading from this point on I will be using a close revision of the World English Bible for this study. When the study is completed the first five chapters will be updated with this version (on my website, the version on my blogs will not be updated). I still believe the Authorized King James Version of the Textus Receptus is the preeminent version however many have told me they are having difficulty understanding it. I advise reading this study with the King James. This translation however is excellent. I hope this makes this study easier to understand.

The Opening of the Seven Sealed Scrolls

There is very little in this Revelation that we have not seen before in the earlier prophets, especially Daniel. This Book however ties all the other prophecies together and establishes how the final fulfillment will happen and how the Kingdom will be established. It is therefore essential reading for those seeking to understand the prophecies. The following reference to one of Daniel's prophecies will help us place the Seven Seals and the Four Horsemen in their proper biblical context:

As I explained in my study on the Image of the Beast in the Book of Daniel:

Daniel 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head on his bed: then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters.
2 Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the sky broke forth on the great sea.

The "four winds" striving "upon the great sea" refers to the same influences -- only in their ultimate form -- referenced as the Four Horsemen (of the Apocalypse) at Zechariah 6:2-5 and Revelation 6:1-8. These are:

  • White Horse: False prophets, deception, religious hypocrisy
  • Red Horse: War and social unrest
  • Black Horse: Famine
  • Pale (or Grizzled) Horse: Death

The "Great Sea" refers to the sea of humanity. This is confirmed at places like Isaiah 60:5, Matthew 13:47, Revelation 4:6 (as the sea of glass) and so on.

These four powerful influences are like uncontrollable winds that blow wherever they wish, they are like mighty war horses that charge ever onward and none can stop. These destructive influences have been the bane of mankind since the beginning of the age.

In his End Time prophecies found in Matthew 24 Prophet Y'shua speaks of the increase in these conditions as the world approaches the end of the age. Today they are seemingly out of control!

As stated before in this study, this Revelation is a continuation and clarification of Daniel's prophecy.

The Opening of the First Sealed Scroll: The White Horse

6:1 I saw that the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as with a voice of thunder, "Come and see!" 6:2 And behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow. A crown was given to him, and he came forth conquering, and to conquer.

In chapter five we saw the appearance of the Moshiach. It is he who is opening these seven sealed scrolls. Therefore it is obvious that this figure seated on the white horse is not the Moshiach! He is an imposture!

This man is the coming Rex Mundi ("Global Ruler") or Antichrist, the Son of Perdition.

As we will see as we continue the Rex Mundi will first appear as "an angel of light" so to speak. He will seem like a great humanitarian, a wonder man and peace bringer! The entire world will praise him as he rides onto to the world stage as a daring knight astride a white horse! This is why and how he will deceive the masses:

II Thessalonians 2:8 Then will the lawless one be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nothing by the brightness of his coming;
9 even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn't receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 Because of this, God sends them a working of error [a strong delusion: KJV], that they should believe a lie;

The masses will believe the lie that this New World Order Elite is a righteous savior however as Paul warns:

I Thessalonians 5:3 For when they are saying, "Peace and safety," then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape.

Here then we see the rise of the Rex Mundi (Antichrist) upon a white horse. Note that he will not arise until after God vomits out of the Laodecian Church (Rev. 3:14-19). Until that happens the Rex Mundi still has not come.

Be aware however that it may not be entirely obvious to everyone when this "vomiting out" (Rev. 3:14-19) is complete. It is obvious however that this process has already begun! We now have a large percentage of Nicean Christian churches that have become so "liberal" and eclectic that Y'shua and HaShem might as well be mythical figures to them! AND we have countless "conservative" churches that have become little more than judgmental, hate filled dens of hypocrisy, focusing more on excluding people and celebrating their own supposed righteousness than anything else! BOTH types of churches are now common place and surely BOTH are being "vomited out" even now. The final ichabod state (the point at which God will finally abandon the Nicolaitane, Nicean Church) however will occur when the Church embraces the Rex Mundi and his False Prophet as we will see later in this study. At that point all true Believers need to heed this warning:

Rev 18:4 I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come forth, my people, out of her, that you have no participation her sins, and that you don`t receive of her plagues,
5 for her sins have reached to the sky, and God has remembered her iniquities.

Is your congregation still in the Body of the Anointed? It is vital to determine this and to act accordingly! There will be more on this topic in later chapters!

For now understand that the appearance of the Antichrist or Rex Mundi on the world stage will signify the opening of the First Sealed Scroll. Note too that the first six of the seven scrolls are opened at about the same time. Therefore as we see these things happening know that all six are occurring.

Next:

The Opening of the Second Sealed Scroll

Saturday, September 19, 2009

The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed: Chapter Five

Welcome to Thus Say the Prophets!

The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed:
A Study into the Noahide Nazarene Way

By Ben Ruach ha Kodesh (John of AllFaith) � 9.19.09
Chapter Five

Go to the index page for: The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed

The Seven Seals

At the beginning of the previous chapter we saw John enter into the Spirit and ascend to the Throne Room of HaShem. In chapter five he is still there beholding the royal preparations for the End of the Age (Matt 24:3).

Revelation 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

As I explained at the beginning of this study:

    We further note that this book [i.e. the Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed], while given to us by Y'shua was received by him from HaShem, the God of Israel. This places the stature of this work among the other prophetic books such as Daniel. Indeed the Book of Daniel ends with this promise of further prophetic revelation:
    From the World English Bible: Daniel 12:8 I heard, but I didn`t understand: then said I, my lord, what shall be the issue of these things?
    9 He said, Go your way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end....
    13 But go you your way until the end be; for you shall rest, and shall stand in your lot, at the end of the days.

This is the same book (biblion) now held in the hand of HaShem and in the next few verses we will hear the lamentation that still there is no one worthy to remove the seals and reopen the scroll... or is there? We should not assume this means the literal scroll of the Book of Revelation (and/or Daniel) but rather that these words reflect HaShem's intention to reveal the knowledge withheld from Daniel to John, although it would not be understood completely until the End of Days as these things begin to unfold: "for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end...." Therefore the prophecies revealed from this point on will not happen until that time.

2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah

We can assume the Elder who spoke these words was Judah although he is not identified here. Here is the reference:

From the World English Bible: Genesis 49:8 "Judah, your brothers will praise you: Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; Your father`s sons will bow down before you.
9 Judah is a lion`s whelp. From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down, he couched as a lion, As a lioness. Who will rouse him up?
10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler`s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes. To him will the obedience of the peoples be.

Who is worthy to remove the seals and bring in the promised Kingdom revealed in the prophecies? Only Moshiach (Messiah)! Only Shiloh! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David and our coming King!

The timing of this verse is very significant! John is narrating the preparations underway in HaShem's Throne Room for what lies ahead. Here we see Moshiach anointed and accepting his assignment. In the next chapter his opponent, Rex Mundi will make his appearance! Never doubt that God is prepared!

6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

When discussing the Seven Lamps I said the reference is that HaShem is all knowing and that by His Glory and Omniscience nothing escapes His awareness. I also said much more could be said. Here's a bit more.

Shiloh, the Moshiach, is now standing in the Throne Room before the King of all existence in complete submission. HaShem has selected him to Champion the cause of the Earth in the upcoming struggle and he has accepted. Whereas the Twenty Four Elders (Judaism and the Way/Christianity) failed, Moshiach will succeed! Moshiach is described as a man fully empowered by HaShem. Even as the Seven Lamps reflect God's Glory and Power and Knowledge, so too that absolute authority is now bequeathed to Shiloh for the upcoming struggle with Rex Mundi!

7 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

As Moshiach steps forward and accepts his destiny as God's Standard Bearer the Four Beasts (signifying all life on earth: Rev. 4:6) and the Twenty Four Elders (the Jews and Noahides: Rev 4:4) bow low and place their full faith in him. Moshiach is the world's last best hope.

8 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
9 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

There are those who expect to go to Heaven and live there forever. For now I'll only note that this verse says we will live and reign on the Earth under the rule of Moshiach.

10 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
11 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
12 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
13 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Note that ALL the glory and worship goes to HaShem alone even as his Champion is praised.

As noted previously:

Romans 8:19 For the creation waits with eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed (WEB).

Its not just we humans but all of creation that yearns for liberation. As we reach this point in our study we begin to see that liberation is now at hand!

But there remains difficult days ahead!

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The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed: Chapter Four

Welcome to Thus Say the Prophets!

The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed:
A Study into the Noahide Nazarene Way

By Ben Ruach ha Kodesh (John of AllFaith) � 9.19.09
Chapter Four

Go to the index page for: The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed

John ascends to the Throne Room as Heaven prepares for war!

Revelation 4:1 After these things I looked and saw a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, like a trumpet speaking with me, was one saying, "Come up here, and I will show you the things which must happen after this."

When studying the biblical prophecies an important rule of thumb is that if the text makes sense literally, take it that way. Much false and incorrect doctrine (and even dogma) has been produced by the process known as "spiritualizing." This process takes the plain word of the texts and applies generally abstract, otherwise unsupportable and questionable interpretations to them. For instance, when in the next verse we see John ascending to Heaven "in the spirit" it is taught by many that he is experiencing the "Rapture of the Church." Note however that nothing here says or even implies that is happening. I discuss the non-biblical teaching of the Rapture elsewhere in some detail.

Conversely, there is much to be learned from the Holy Scriptures and this often requires careful study and at times even a bit of reading between the lines as the Spirit of HaShem leads. In the case of the Book of the Revelation therefore one with spiritual discernment may understand these things in a more metaphysical context than others. For example, one may perceive that the various experiences described in this holy teaching refers to the building up of the Sons of Light metaphorically. Which is to say that the teachings are preparing the human consciousness to receive the Light of Truth so that the Temple of God ("... which temple you are" -- I Cor. 3:17) can be established. And this "Before the silver cord is severed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher is broken at the spring, Or the wheel broken at the cistern, And the dust returns to the earth as it was, And the spirit returns to God who gave it" (Ecclesiastes 12:6,7) and so on. It may be grasped by those who are spiritually mature that through the various experiences recorded here specific methods of spiritual practice conducive to spiritual enlightenment are presented. I am in no way debating nor denying this! I also believe this to be the case! There are indeed layers upon layers of understanding to be gleamed from the Word of Truth...

HOWEVER... Understand this as well: The HEART of the matter, the essential teaching here, is the surface doctrine and the prophetic presentation of God's Plan of Restoration. Those who rush to embrace the more esoteric elements of such works without first understanding the primary teachings err in their endeavors and cheat themselves and others of the true significance of the teachings. Often such people egotistically deride those who do not understand these "deeper teachings." And yet they fail to realize their own spiritual poverty (Rev. 3:17) for without a solid foundation no house will long stand (Matt 7:25)! The esoteric teachings exist to empower us to stand firm as these things unfold! In THIS study therefore we are looking at the primary interpretations, the foundational teachings. Once this study is completed, should HaShem so lead, perhaps I will present a more metaphysical presentation if there is interest.

This was a rather long introduction but one I think is important to understand.

The Heavenly Court Room

Throughout the Scriptures Heaven is described in courtly terms. Often the descriptions are of thrones and royal finery. Should we take such descriptions literally? Yes! God is the Ultimate Being, the Supreme "Person" and His very existence utterly transcends human reason and conception. So whether God actually, literally, sits on a throne or not, this image works and for our purposes should be accepted literally.

A similar description and situation is given in Scripture that directly pertains to our study but is often ignored by students of the prophecies. It is found in the oldest book of the Bible:

From the World English Bible: Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God, and turned away from evil...
6 Now it happened on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Yahweh, that Satan also came among them.
7 Yahweh said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, "From going back and forth in the earth, and from walking up and down in it."
8 Yahweh said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is none like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil."
9 Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing?
10 Haven`t you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
11 But put forth your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will renounce you to your face."
12 Yahweh said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power. Only on himself don't put forth your hand." So Satan went forth from the presence of Yahweh.

This contest between Job and Lucifer is the story of the human race and it is now time for the final ruling to be announced.

We continue with our reading:

2 Immediately I was in the Spirit. Behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting on the throne
3 that looked like a jasper stone and a sardius. There was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald to look at.

"Immediately I was in the Spirit."

Remember that the Bible was not written with chapters and verses. So John is telling us in a continuous flow of words that he witnessed the future-history (from his perspective) of the Seven Church periods (of chapters 2 and 3) and then he was immediately "in the spirit" transported to the divine throne room.

The Rainbow that surrounds the Throne is that of our father Noah and the planetary covenant made between he and HaShem. The Noahide Covenant and its Seven Holy Laws exist eternally between HaShem and the entire population of the planet. By including the rainbow here we are reminded of HaShem's promises of global restoration and we understand that this will be the result of the experiences John is relating.

As stated above, this is not a reference to the "Rapture" and his experience is completely different from that proposed by that teaching. For one thing, his body remained on Patmos. This was a vision not a literal relocation of his body as is clear from the text. Notice also that the voice he heard was "like a trumpet" it was not the "last trumpet" as defined by Paul in his oft cited verse. Again, I discuss the Rapture teachings elsewhere. The doctrine simply is not taught in the Bible.

The Voice says, "Come up here, and I will show you the things which must happen after this." This confirms that these events are thus far happening in a linear order. At this point the Seven Church periods have progressed and the Laodicean Church has just been 'vomited from God's Mouth' and John is taken to Heaven in a vision to witness the celestial preparations for what is to come.

4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold on their heads.

These Twenty Four Thrones upon which sit the Twenty Four Elders are indicative of those to whom HaShem has granted authority. They represent the Twelve Patriarchs of Israel and Twelve Apostles of Y'shua the Anointed. By the authority of these Twenty Four Elders HaShem has governed His people, both Jews and Noahides. Whether these are literal thrones upon which the literal elders will be seated may be debated (I take them literally) however this is clearly meaning of what was seen.


The Twelve Patriarchs

Reuben
Simeon
Levi
Judah
Issachar
Zebulun
Dan
Naphtali
Gad
Asher
Joseph
Benjamin
The Twelve Apostles

Simon Peter
Andrew
James
John
Philip
Bartholomew
Matthew
Thomas
James ben Alphaeus
Simon the Zealot
Judas ben James
Judas Iscariot/Matthias
5 Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, and thunders. There were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

In the aftermath of the ouster of the Laodecian Nicean Church God's wrath is kindled and He summons the Twenty Four Elders before Him. This divine wrath is noted by the lightnings, sounds (or voices), and thunders. He holds the Elders accountable for their errors and for those in their charge.

The seven lamps:

From the World English Bible: Numbers 8:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2 Speak to Aaron, and tell him, When you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lamp stand.
3 Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps of it [so as to give light] in front of the lampstand, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
4 This was the work of the lampstand, beaten work of gold; to the base of it, [and] to the flowers of it, it was beaten work: according to the pattern which Yahweh had showed Moses, so he made the lampstand.
5 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
6 Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them.

Through John's vision we are witnessing the scene as it unfolds in the court room of HaShem. The seven lamps are accouterments that testify that this is the same HaShem who led His people out of Egypt and will soon establish them again and for all times. Note that the texts adds that these lamps "are the seven Spirits of God." The reference is that HaShem is all knowing and that by His Glory and Omniscience nothing escapes his Knowing. Much more could be said about these seven lamps but for our present purposes this will suffice.

6 Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, like a crystal. In the midst of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.

This "sea of glass" signifies all of existence (compare Rev. 15:2 where the martyrs from around the world stand on this sea of glass in celebration of their victory over the Beast. We will also witness this scene again soon as the people of this sea of glass cry out for vengeance and are told to wait yet a little longer (Rev. 6:11).

7 The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.
8 and the four living creatures, having each one of them six wings, are full of eyes around about and within. They have no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.
9 When the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives forever and ever,
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and will throw their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 "Worthy are you, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created."

Traditionally these four living creatures have been associated with the four Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John however despite the power of that image I do not believe it is correct. For one thing John does not ponder how it is that he is simultaneously present as a winged creature and as himself!

While the idea of poetically appealing, the prophet identifies these creatures himself:

    The lion: the wild animals of the Earth
    The calf: the domesticated animals of the Earth
    The man: humanity
    The flying eagle: the animals that soar the skies

Humanity is not along in suffering from the rebellion. Consider this:

From the World English Bible: Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.
19 For the creation waits with eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.
20 For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope
21 that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now.

The four living creatures therefore demonstrate the toll sin has taken on the entire creation and the yearning of all existence for the coming liberation:

Isa. 11:6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 And the nursing infant shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.
9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an explicit sign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

And again:

Isa 65:25: The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, says the LORD

All of creation yearns for this Day!

So, here is the scene: In his visionary state John beholds HaShem seated on His Holy Throne. The Twelve Patriarchs and the Twelve Apostles are seated before Him. In His righteous wrath HaShem beholds (within the Sea of Glass) the betrayal of the Earth. This betrayal has just been finalized with the expulsion of the Laodicean Church.

And the Twenty Four Elders and the Earth itself (depicted as the four living creatures) acknowledge God's righteousness. The wrath they know is soon to be poured out upon the Earth is completely deserved!

And so the Twenty Four Elders toss their crowns, their claims to authority, to the ground before the One symbolically confessing their utter failures. Both Jews and Noahides have conclusively demonstrated their inability to rule the Earth justly and to the well being of the Earth's inhabitants. This is the scene beheld by John the Apostle. Lucifer's accusation is herein resolved!

And the final seven years of the Times of the Gentiles has now begun!

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