Your attention is drawn to Tim Shey’s highly intriguing post about Pontius Pilate, Roman governor of Judea, and his personal observations of Jesus’ public ministry and teaching and comparison with His opponents – the Jewish authorities – and further informative links at Pilate’s Report on the Arrest, Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus.
PPS: See Tim’s update with link to A Critique.
PS. From Jim Caviezel’s Facebook (well-worth seeing recent postings):
Yesterday, 2024 (re controversy in USA, kindly bear with typo):
[First published 2018]
Not long after Father God brought Jesus the Messiah back from the dead by His Spirit, the One who’s the radiance of His glory went once again in search of His ex-fisherman friends. Of the two sets of brothers who’d been partners in the fishing trade on the Sea of Galilee before deserting their nets to follow a peripatetic teacher, their boss had an exceptionally severe crisis of self-confidence.
GONE FISHING!
So this ‘son of Jonah’, named Simon, decided to return to the simple life of sitting in a boat with buddies and dragging a net in the hope of getting a catch – but it proved to be an exercise in futility!
A few years earlier on that inland sea, the four fishing partners encountered and had been ‘called’ by The One to follow Him. Jesus amazed the crowds there with His teaching and had asked Simon if He could address them from his moored boat. Jesus knew the men had worked hard all night without having caught anything because, when He’d finished speaking, He told Simon to sail into deep water and lower his nets despite the fruitless night – Simon was overwhelmed by the result! They’d got such a large number of fish that another boat was called for – then both began to sink with their massive weight!!
So Simon changed his tune. Upon hearing Jesus’ instruction he’d objected because of the poor night, yet respectfully referred to Him as “Master” – but in amazement at the fresh catch breaking nets and sinking boats, Simon addressed Him with the superior term of “Lord”; thus suggesting he was beginning to understand the status of this astonishing teacher. In the account by one of those partners, John, they’d previously met Jesus immediately after His baptism in the river Jordan and Andrew had brought his brother Simon to see Jesus, who then spoke of his identity and implicit destiny, “You are Simon son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas,” (which is translated ‘A Stone’, Petros/Peter: John 1:42).
After that huge catch of unspecified quantity, Jesus called Simon into his destiny: “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men!” That is, a fisher of men. When they’d landed their boats the four forsook all and followed Him (Luke 5:10-11).
This event would be replayed later but at a higher level when, once again, Simon will be caught by surprise! But before that, the four fishermen disciples were to become part of the twelve chosen as ‘Apostles’, who were given power and authority (Matt 10:2). And Simon was to have a personal revelation of Jesus’ real identity. He blurted out “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” to which Jesus responded, “Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Also, he was further blessed to see Jesus’ transfiguration and hear Father speak about His beloved Son and instruct Peter, James and John to heed Him (Matt 16 and Matt 17).
Yet this same Peter later earned a severe rebuke from Jesus because, in his devotion, he was shocked upon hearing Jesus speak of His destined execution and in dismay he spoke against God’s plans! AND then, when that dreadful event transpired, poor Peter was distraught during Jesus’ trial to hear himself thrice deny his association with Him! Even so, he was again blessed when Jesus visited, instructed and commissioned the Twelve (minus Judas the betrayer) after His miraculous resurrection from the dead.
However, Peter must have considered his thrice-denial would cost him dearly in losing his standing with his Lord. Hence, a critical crisis of self-confidence for Peter.
So, why not go back to fishing – and far away from Jerusalem? His ex-fisherman friend John records Simon Peter as having told him and five others – seven in total – he was going fishing – and they replied, “We’re going with you!” (John 21:2-3). In fact, Peter was heading into his own resurrection: that of his own self-worth, identity and calling!
ACTION REPLAY
John continues: ‘They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children have you any food?” They answer Him, “No” and He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” So they cast, and were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish…
‘Then as soon as they came to land they saw a fire of coals there and fish laid on it, and bread (Note:) Jesus said to them “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three, and although there were so many, the net was not broken.’
Believing readers will be very familiar with the wonderful reinstatement of Peter. When John recognised who the man on the beach was he told Peter and, being determined to be back with Him, Peter donned his outer garment and dived fully clothed into the water and swam about 100 meters to shore.
This dear man, so like all of us as imperfect disciples, is asked thrice if he loves the Lord much more than his fellow disciples – that is, with ‘agape’ love: the unconditional, unconquerable, benevolent goodwill, as given by the Father and Jesus. Peter, rescinds and over-rights his previous thrice-denial to profess a less emphatic love (‘phileo’) that he knows he can give. In repeating His question at that lower level Jesus accepts but tests his profession further, thus giving him a threefold commission to be His under-shepherd.
[Note: ‘agape’, a word to which Christianity gave a new meaning, for outside the NT it rarely occurs in existing Greek manuscripts of the period. It means a love by choice and refers to will, rather than ‘phileo’, a brotherly love by chance and emotion – New Spirit-Filled Study Bible.]
Read more deeply, if you’ve not already done so, about the significance of the specific size of this ‘resurrection’ catch in Joanne Rolston’s 153, Signs and Symbols. In part 2 we will go deeper into them as we look into the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven…
[Photos: ‘The Life of Christ’, Wintershall Players, copyright Richard J Barker]
[First published Good Friday 2017]
According to Steve Maltz, author of God’s Signature, the only time the sacred, personal Name of God was spoken by the ancient Israelites was during worship in the Temple in Jerusalem, and especially on the Day of Atonement when the High Priest pronounced it ten times.
The Talmud has many warnings about using the most holy Name – it is also regarded as having special powers of healing. Apparently knowledge of its pronunciation was lost after the fall of the Temple in AD70 prophesied by Jesus Christ.
The knock-on effect of that event, together with the Roman Church’s withdrawal in the third Century of financial support for churches in the Holy Land founded by Jesus’ own ‘kith and kin’ (‘desponyni’), was the great loss of a full understanding of the Church’s Hebraic roots. Hence the confusion and doctrinal disagreements over Jesus’ claim, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me” (John 14:10).
Digging deeper we encounter an astonishing revelation of that double-identity!
From translations of Hebrew, the post-Shakespeare English-speaking world referred to God’s Name as ‘Jehovah’ or ‘LORD’ (letter ‘J’ was then starting to replace ‘i’). However, Jews preferred well-known descriptive titles such as ‘Elohim’ – God, in all the fullness of His attributes; ‘El Shaddai’ – Almighty; ‘El Sabaoth’ – Lord of heavenly hosts; or Adonai’ – Lord, and more often than not the reverent term ‘Ha Shem’ (The Name) sufficed.
Scribes, or sopher, needed to take special care in praying before writing the holy name, which must be done without interruption. Were a mistake made, it must not be corrected but the whole page discarded and the page restarted. Numbering had to be carefully handled too because Hebrew characters represented both letters and numbers. So the logical way of writing 15 is to add a yod (ie 10) to a hey (ie 5) and likewise for 16 (a yod to a vav). But this never happened because, as part of the sacred name, they could accidentally be read as this name. The Holy Name is shown below, but read from right to left:
“Yod-Hey-Vav-Hay” first appears in Genesis 2:4 statement ‘The Book of Beginnings’ is the account of, “When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens”.
This Name was first revealed when Moses encountered God in the burning bush after he’d asked Him whom should he tell the Israelites had sent him to get them out of their slavery in Egypt.
“This takes the meaning of “I will be”…(which) shares a similar three-consonant root with YHVY in Hey-Vav-Hey and Hey-Yod-Hey…and as they’re related are both ways of describing God”.
Hence, my liking to describe God as “Always” and “Now”, the latter being used by Charlie Shamp too.
HOLY FATHER-SON UNION REVEALED & THE CRUCIFIXION FORETOLD
As in those preceding links, literary Hebrew developed out of pictographic forms that represent gestures and their meanings. We logically surmise both original visual and later written forms were known to and, therefore, used by the Lord in communicating with Abraham and his descendants through Issac and Jacob, and used by Moses and his scribes in compiling the first five books of the Bible.
Comparing the literary and pictorial forms of the name Moses heard and recorded as being from the Lord, we have this graphic (credit Heart To Heart):
Hebrew is read right to left, ie ‘hand-look-nail-look’, but if we read as normal left to right we find not only the Name of God describing who He is, the fullness of His character and abilities, but also its exceptional prophetic nature in it foretelling the pivotal point of His action plan for humanity: the crucifixion of His Son Jesus Christ!
BEHOLD – A NAIL – BEHOLD – A HAND
AND THIS ‘WORD’ SHOWS TWO PERSONS!
Could this indicate that Christ was hidden in the Father when Moses encountered them at the burning bush but manifested as ‘The Angel of the Lord’ or pre-incarnate Christ ? It’s worth reading Exodus 3 carefully again and note Who is speaking to Moses…
Moreover, the pictographs graphically portray God as ‘hands up’ in connection with a nail. Putting all this together into one picture we get a typical image of Jesus on the Cross at Calvary, where long nails or spikes driven through Jesus’ wrists damage the median nerves thus making His hands bend into the ‘claw position’ – just like letter Yod!!
Mark Davidson posted this news on 3rd December:
Mark writes:
‘The interviewer asked, “So can you promise another October 7?” The interviewer was referring to the Hamas attack on Israeli villages on that date in which 1,200 Israeli civilians were slaughtered.
Osama Hamdan, the Hamas official, responded, “I can promise that a war of liberation is coming, not just another October 7.” The interviewer then asked when this war might occur. Hamdan then said, “I do not think it is far off.”
Later, he opines:
‘Now, in light of the coming Second Signpost, and the possible Psalm 83 war to occur in parallel, we must consider that this “war of liberation” IS the Psalm 83 war.’
Read in full at https://foursignposts.com/2023/12/03/hamas-official-tells-of-coming-psalm-83-war/
ON TARGET: this latest of my friend Neil Mackereth drew enemy flak whilst he was writing. In its Introduction he refers to his paper of 2021 published God-incidentally as Wow-Wotta-Wednesday: Know Our Enemy’s Strategy along with my 3,000th post – Satan Has Limited Power, by Veronika West together with a related vision.
THEREFORE, I urge my readers to weigh and pray carefully:
THE ADVERSARY
Introduction
A couple of years ago I wrote an article entitled “Know Your Enemy” in which I considered some of Satan’s tactics in striving to fulfil his grand strategy of thwarting God’s plan for the redemption of mankind. At that time my focus was on Satan’s endeavours to destroy Israel and to introduce a new world order.
Since then, things have taken a turn for the worse. A great darkness has come upon the Earth and Satan is intensifying his efforts to destroy Israel and the Jewish people.
In this article I ask: Who is Satan and why is he opposed to mankind in general, and Israel in particular?
Answering these questions requires some speculation. The comments that follow do not have full scriptural authority and should be treated with caution!
Satan
In Hebrew the word “satan” means adversary. Satan has come to be used as the name for a fallen angel who rebelled against God and sought to take God’s throne for himself. The Bible gives little information about Satan’s origins and downfall. In Isaiah and Ezekiel there are references to the fall of the “morning star”, translated as Lucifer, which some interpret as referring to Satan, while others suggest it relates to the King of Babylon.
There has been much conjecture and many hypotheses over the centuries: some suggest Satan was a very powerful (perhaps the most powerful) angel and his pride and jealousy led him to rebel against God’s decision to create man (I have not found a scriptural foundation for this theory).
Another suggestion for Satan’s existence is that God, in creating man, wanted us to have freedom of choice, i.e. not be automatons. In order to have freedom of choice (i.e. the option to choose to love, follow and obey God) an alternative has to exist! God gives us all the information we need in order to make an informed choice about the gospel of God and the reality of Jesus as our Messiah. The gospel of God will continue to be preached for as long as God ordains, and during that time, Satan is permitted to roam the Earth (has a legal right?). Again, though some aspects of this theory can be inferred (e.g., from Job), there is no clear scriptural confirmation.
Perhaps Satan’s most significant advantage is that many people do not believe he exists! His and his henchmen’s depiction, particularly at Halloween, as some sort of demonic cartoon characters, has encouraged the view that the devil and his demons are figures of fun; a mythical oddity of no significance to 21st Century man.
However, we can see from Scripture that Jesus took Satan very seriously and even though Satan’s destiny is clear, in the meantime he and his demons will make every effort to undermine God’s plan.
Satan’s Ploys
Satan knows what the Bible says and that the book of Revelation shows that Jesus will return to Jerusalem to take His rightful place on the throne of David, as King of the Jews. He will rule His people and the world from Jerusalem.
Throughout history, Satan has been attempting to prevent the fulfilment of God’s plans. Satan appears to believe that, if he is successful, his eventual banishment to “the lake of burning sulphur” (Revelation 20:10) will not happen. His ploys include:
1. Tempting Adam and Eve (and hence mankind) to sin and fall from God’s grace
2. Seeking to have the baby Jesus killed
3. Tempting Jesus to sin and so become unworthy as Saviour
4. Seeking to destroy Jesus
5. Dispersing the Jews to fragment and destabilise their national identity and/or;
6. Destroying all Jews so that Jesus has no Jewish Kingdom over which to rule and reign;
7. Preventing the re-establishment of a Jewish nation state (Israel) and/or
8. Destroying Israel or Jerusalem, or dividing Jerusalem to ensure areas, particularly the Temple Mount, remain under the control of Muslims
Satan tried the first and seemed to be successful; however, God instigated plan B (or was it always plan A – God is omniscient!). The second ploy was thwarted and the third robustly rebutted by Jesus. Satan appeared to have achieved his goal with the crucifixion, but apparent victory turned to spectacular defeat when Jesus rose from the dead. The fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth ploys have been ongoing throughout history, with varying degrees of success.
However, I want to emphasise the miracle of the preservation of Jewish identity and traditions, over thousands of years, and the huge significance of the re-establishment of Israel as a nation state in 1948; and the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967.
Nevertheless, the Temple Mount remains in the hands of gentiles. Zechariah 1:14-16 may be a “model” for the present situation on the Temple Mount: “Proclaim this word: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, and I am very angry with the nations that feel secure. I was only a little angry, but they went too far with the punishment.’ “Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” (See Addenda below for detail)
What is the Point?
The point is that “the devil roams around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”. Hamas is the embodiment of that image of Satan, roaming around to devour people. It is imperative that Christians follow events carefully, seek to understand what is happening from a spiritual perspective and encourage their governments to support Israel.
Addenda: Comments on The Temple Mount
The Temple Mount warrants closer examination. The Jews, or more accurately those practicing Judaism, consider the Temple Mount to be the place where God chose to manifest His divine presence (Isaiah 8:18, Psalm 9:11). There has been much confusion about whether the Temple Mount is on Mount Zion.
From 2 Samuel 5:6-9 it is clear that Mount Zion was a fortress that King David captured from the Jebusites. He renamed it City of David and developed and expanded the site. The scope of the City of David can be seen from modern day archaeological excavations. King David’s son and successor, King Solomon, built the first Temple on Mount Moriah (2 Chronicles 3:1-2) in 957 BC. Mount Moriah is probably synonymous with what we now call the Temple Mount, though its exact location has not been confirmed.
It seems that with the building of the Temple the term “Zion” was expanded to include the Mount and subsequently the whole of Jerusalem and the people of Israel (hence Zionism and Zionists). This collective term can be seen in Isaiah 40:9, Jeremiah 31:12 and Zechariah 9:13. The first Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC.
Zion became a term used for the people of God (Isaiah 60:14) and this theme continues through the New Testament (Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 14:1). Peter refers to Jesus as the ‘Cornerstone of Zion’ (1 Peter 2:4-6).
The second Temple was built, under the direction of Zerubbabel, in 516 BC and destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. Jewish tradition maintains that there will be a third Temple on the Temple Mount and that its design has been prophesied in Ezekiel 40 to 47.
Sunni Muslims consider the Mount to be the “Noble Sanctuary”, the third most holy site in Islam. It is revered as the location to which Mohammad was transported for his ascent to Heaven. The Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque were built on the Mount after the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem in 637 AD. The Dome of the Rock, completed in 692 AD, is in the middle of the Temple Mount, on the site where many (but not all!) Biblical scholars believe the Third Temple should be built.
The question remains, why is the Temple Mount still under Muslim control?
In 1967, the Jordanians, with the help of Syria and Egypt, attacked Israel. Prior to the 1967 “Six-Day War” Jordan controlled East Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount, and the West Bank. Israel’s armed forces defeated the attack and occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
In the aftermath of the war Israel agreed the return of the control of the Temple Mount to the Islamic Waqf (guardians of Muslim holy sites). This gesture has not led to peace and reconciliation! The Temple Mount is an enclave within Israeli controlled Jerusalem. The Muslims have been granted authority to manage the Temple Mount in accordance with their traditions, while Israel continues to have technical control of the site and monitor access. To add to the confusion, the Palestinian Authority claims sovereignty over the Temple Mount.
In Summary:
Zion was the fortress that King David captured from the Jebusites. He renamed it City of David. It is thought that the location of Zion expanded to include the Temple Mount, and subsequently Jerusalem and the people of Israel. Following the destruction of Jerusalem the name Mount Zion was transferred to its present location across the valley to the south of the walled city. While the physical location of Zion may have changed over the years, the spiritual relevance has remained constant.
The Temple Mount is almost certainly the most contested religious site in the world. There can be little doubt that Jerusalem is different and, considering its size and location, it is truly amazing how significant it is in world affairs! It is the focal point of End-times prophecy and, as mentioned above, it is imperative that we keep a close watch on all information relating to events in Israel and Jerusalem. Finally, the literalist view is that the building of the Third Temple is a major prerequisite for progress (the next step?) along the prophetic time-line of the Bible story.
Publishing my friends Neil Mackereth’s and Chris Moyler’s comments on Israel stimulated them to further thought, in what’s been an intensely busy period.
Chris says, “I wrote it all so fast, completely from the hip, in two quick sessions. I have it, completely unedited as a document (but) am currently putting in the foundations for our new extension. Pure crazy, but the LORD is most definitely in it. Chris”
He raises A QUESTION….
“Are Christians interested in the scriptural basis for the support of modern day Israel?
I don’t think so. Maybe just a few……. I presently find myself up against a wall of disinterest.
My aim in writing about Israel is NOT that we should pontificate about her, but that we should have a sound scriptural underpinning to our prayers. i.e. that our prayers should not be weak and general, but bold and purposeful-prayers of great clarity.
Your thoughts please???? Chris xx”
Neil Mackereth, myself and many, many others are not alone in being challenged, BUT we return a deeper challenge to an oxy-moronic and ignorant approach in responding to downright demoniacal barbarity.
Here’s how Amir Tsarfati puts it this morning (closing emphasis mine):
“Lately I am being scolded by Christians for not loving the people of Gaza enough. They say I am not being a good example of a follower of Christ.
Just a reminder, Christ Himself will deny entry into His kingdom and send to destruction the goats who will not help His brethren, the Jews, during the tribulation.
In Joel chapter 3, God will judge ALL nations that will come against Israel during that time.
Anyone who wants to kill me and my people just because we are Jews cannot receive my sympathy. He can only get my hope and prayer that he will either repent and get saved – or get killed before he kills me!
And if you have already killed, raped, or burned alive my people, my prayer is that either you will repent and then be punished by the authorities for your crimes or you’ll just be executed if repentance isn’t your thing. No matter what – actions such as those cannot go unpunished!
I can’t remember any time in the Bible when Jews were massacred by other people groups, and God just overlooked it without punishing the perpetrators!”
Read Amir’s frequent updates (warning of videos) at https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel
Also at:
Twitter.com/beholdisrael
Wikipedia.org/wiki/Amir_Tsarfati
Youtube.com/user/beholdisrael
Close-up:
The previous post with Neil’s covering email refers:
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ISRAEL – SOME COMMENTS ON ROMANS
After 2000 years of study, it may seem unlikely that there will be any truly new insights in our examination of Biblical prophecy. It is possible, however, that some truths will only be revealed at the appropriate time “But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end” (Dan 12:4).
There was much that the disciples did not understand until Jesus was crucified, rose again and ascended into Heaven. In similar vein, much of Isaiah is clear to us now, after the cross, but must have been mysterious for the 800 years before Jesus was born
The OT is full of promises and prophecies that show that God has a special relationship with Israel and that they would be “the power in the land”. However, certainly in worldly terms, Gentiles appeared to take over the position of favour on the earth. Prophecy indicates that, in due course, God’s relationship with His chosen people will be restored. “Blindness in part is happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved, as it is written” (Rom 11:25, 26 (KJV)).
“The fullness of the Gentiles” should not be confused with “the times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24): one refers to spiritual blessing, the other to earthly power. It may be that Jerusalem will not be free of Gentile involvement in its affairs until Jesus returns to take David’s throne. The very expression “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” shows something will change, and implies a difference between Gentile believers and Israel. Is there a counter in Heaven – the numbers mounting while Satan watches, without knowing the target figure?
In Romans 11, Paul (the “Apostle to the Gentiles”) reasons that branches of the Abrahamic “tree” have been broken off and Gentile branches (believers) grafted in. The tree, whose roots Gentile Christians share, is essentially Abrahamic. Note that Paul never considered himself as having ceased to be a Jew, nor as having moved into a new religion, nor did he ever disparage his Jewish pedigree. Jesus as Messiah was for Paul the full expression of Judaism. Later (Rom 11:13-14) Paul added that, despite his calling as the apostle to the Gentiles, the ultimate motivation of his ministry was the salvation of his fellow Jews (Rom 10:1)
The Biblical predictions (prophecies) of a restored Israel are amazing, and the re-establishment of the Jewish nation in Israel, fulfilled in 1948, is even more so. The survival of national identity in dispersion, which the Jews maintained for nearly nineteen hundred years, prior to the rebirth of Israel, was a phenomenon in itself
Continuing in Romans 11 we see that this hardening will stay “until the full number of the Gentiles has come in;” and Paul adds, “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will turn godlessness away from Jacob, and this is My covenant with them.” (Rom 11:25-27). Does this mean that Israel will be brought within the blessings of the Gospel of Grace (the New Covenant), or that the Jews will be blessed on a different principle (the Abrahamic Covenant), or a bit of both? I really don’t know. Certainly, there is a remnant saved by grace: “at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace” (Rom 11:5, see also Rev 12:17)
As mentioned above, the OT clearly shows that the Jews enjoyed a special relationship (blessing). Jesus confirmed the patriarchal promise: “Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy.” (Rom 15:8, 9). We can understand that the Cross broke down the barrier and levelled all distinctions. As to righteousness “there is no difference, for all have sinned;” (Rom 3:22, 23), as to mercy “there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him.” (Rom 10:12). However, the promises to Israel are very specific. If there is “no difference”, can God give blessing on a principle, which seems to imply that there is a difference? In other words, the expectation of certain promises to Israel would appear to be inconsistent with the concept of “no difference”!
Romans 11 indicates that Gentile believers and Israel now enjoy the same privileges. Nevertheless, it is part of the same revelation that although grace comes to the Gentile just where he is, it does not confirm him as a Gentile, but gives him a new nationality as a citizen of the Kingdom of God; for in the Church “there is neither Jew nor Gentile.” (Gal 3:28. Contrast with John 4:22, “Salvation is from the Jews”). The promises to Israel, on the other hand, imply that blessing will reach the Jew as a Jew, i.e., recognizing his national position and endorsing his special relationship under the patriarchal covenant. Jesus will return to Jerusalem and take His throne as King of the Jews
The New Testament opens with the record of the genealogy, birth and ministry of Jesus as “the Son of David, the son of Abraham;” (Matt 1:1). Jesus was “a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth” (Romans 15:8). The angel told Mary that the son she was to bear would be King on “the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever” (Luke 1:32,33). The question the Magi asked: “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matt 2.2) appeared to be a confirmation of Jewish expectation
In both Daniel and Matthew, Jerusalem is the focus for End-Time events and that confirms the necessity and huge significance of the re-establishment of Israel and the re-unification of Jerusalem. The history of the Jews is a record of miraculous events: their escape from Egypt, their ordeals and God’s provision on the journey to the Promised Land were miraculous. Their successes and failures, conquests and captivities, their whole history is interwoven with miracles. The seventy years from Jesus’ birth to the dispersion of the Jews were full of remarkable events and prophetic fulfillment. From that time until 1948, however, there seems to have been a lull, as far as Biblical prophecy is concerned. We can now see the miracle of Jewish survival in dispersion. This is a new era: the very existence of modern Israel is the miraculous and essential ingredient for the next stage of prophetic fulfillment
In summary: “God has not cast away His people Israel” (Rom 11:1,2 KJV). In the Acts of the Apostles, Jerusalem was the centre for God’s people on earth, Gentiles were then admitted, “grafted in”. Initially, the Church was essentially Jewish. The Apostles taught in the temple (Acts 2:46; 3:1, 5:42). Their testimony was in line with the old prophecies (Acts. 3:19-26.), and even when the Christians were scattered by persecution, the Apostles remained in Jerusalem.
Those Christians who left Jerusalem evangelised only among the Jews (Acts. 8:1, 4, and 11:19). Peter had to be persuaded to go among the Gentiles (Acts. 10), and that was not popular within the Church (Acts. 11:2-18). Over the centuries the number of Gentile believers grew and the Jewish membership fell away. In Israel today there is a remnant “who obey God’s commandments, and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (Rev 12:17); Jews, and yet Christians; Jews who believe in Jesus, the One whom secular and non-messianic Jews will continue to reject, until He appears.
Neil Mackereth, 15th November 2023
I’m struck in catching up with my dear friend’s email along with an op-ed in my daily newspaper, as follows:
‘Hi Richard,
I am being challenged by some “liberal” Christians who appear to be suggesting that parts of the Bible are morally unacceptable. I thought you might be interested in my response.
I can fully understand why many Christians are finding it difficult to know how to react, as we watch the horrors on the news each day. The behaviour of secular Israel is obviously very challenging, and that is not new!
“I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered through the countries; I judged them according to their conduct and their actions. And wherever they went among the nations they profaned my holy name, for it was said of them, ‘These are the Lord’s people, and yet they had to leave his land.’ I had concern for my holy name, which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they had gone. “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes. ‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land”. Ezekiel 36:19-24
This scripture is very significant, particularly for those who wonder why God would re-establish and watch over the mainly secular state of Israel. It is because He said He would. It is for His name’s sake (for the honour of His name). The Abrahamic Covenant is an everlasting covenant, which God will fulfil, not for the sake of His unruly people Israel but to show the world He is God, His name is holy, and He always honours all He has promised.
Notwithstanding what we see happening, if we believe Scripture, and truly want to align with God’s word, we must “Bless and do not curse Israel” (Numbers 23: 19-20; 24: 9). “Comfort My people” (Isaiah 40:1-2); Christ will judge nations on the basis of their treatment of Israel (Joel 3: 1-2).
We also know that all Israel will be saved; that is, the remnant whom God has chosen (Romans 9.27) – I attach some further comments on Romans. [RB next post]
Some further notes:
Re-gathering to the land of Israel does not mean there will be peace (Jeremiah 30:3-7); Israel is unique (1 Chronicles 17:21); A special treasure to God, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6); Entrusted with the oracles of God (Romans 3:1-2).
That is probably enough! The fact is, it is an oxymoron to suggest that Bible-believing followers of Jesus can pick and choose which bits of Scripture they will accept and which they will reject.
Blessings to you and to Nina, may the Lord strengthen and encourage you both at this critical time.
Neil, 15th November
Sir Mick Davis is a former chief executive of the Conservative Party and former Chairman of the Jewish Leadership Council. He writes in The Telegraph yesterday:
‘…Losing friendships is distressing, but nothing compared to watching raw footage of the October 7 massacres at a London screening I facilitated. The crimes, many filmed by Hamas terrorists, show humanity at its lowest. Purveyors of sickening terror joyfully invoke God’s name while bringing death and defilement to His creatures.
Any opinion that ignores or downplays Hamas’s evil is disconnected from reality and has nothing to offer the search for peace. Yet some deny or cast doubt on these barbaric acts. They justify or “explain” them. Others, like my friend, condemn the atrocity of October 7 when pushed before then condemning Israel’s response. They emphasise “context”, with the apparent implication that Israel had it coming. As if killing parents in front of children, using a severed head as a football, rape, and parading and defiling corpses is an inevitable, reflex reaction to Israeli actions! [Emphasis RB]
Context is indeed important. Here is some: Israel hasn’t occupied Gaza since 2005. Hamas brutally controls Gaza and has attacked Israeli civilians time and again. Israeli measures to contain this terror are painful for Gazan people and open to strong debate. But the terror precedes the response, not the other way round… (continue reading)
He closes, ‘But I am struck by an unpleasant realisation: my friend can choose not to talk to me when our world views and moral compass diverge. But Israel does not have that luxury.’
Further to my positing Is this the 2nd pivotal point for humanity versus satan? ….
The above report by Jake Wallis Simons, author of several books and editor of the Jewish Chronicle makes highly recommended reading and a synopsis can be read here, with link to the full article in the Telegraph but for which its headline now reads How Israel is interfering with Hamas’ route to victory. If you meet with a paywall it may be read on Yahoo News.
FOR ON-GOING, IN-DEPTH COMMENTARY GO TO AMIR’S TELEGRAM CHANNEL (Israel 2 hours ahead of UK) https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel
Therein he describes himself as, “Husband, Father, Christ Follower, Bestselling Author, Bible Teacher, Conference Speaker, Founder and President of Behold Israel.”
Hot on the heels of Part 2 my retired soldier friend and author of Signs: The Significance of Bible Prophecy submitted this afternoon (images added):
THE EXISTENTIAL THREAT TO ISRAEL PART 3 – A WAR OF SURVIVAL
Introduction
This is a very critical time in the history of modern Israel. I believe that decisions
made in the next few days will determine whether the Gog and Magog war (Ezekiel
38) is precipitated or if, alternatively, there will be a victory of sorts in Gaza followed
by a period of peace. The latter may seem the more attractive outcome; however,
there is no doubt that the Gog and Magog war is coming.
As I said at the end of Part 2, the situation is changing as I write. What is more, it is
difficult to get accurate real-time information. I am deeply distressed by the
polarisation that is developing; and by the BBC reporting, which seems intent on
encouraging that polarisation. [RB. It’s exceptionally badly biased pro-hamas support was noted 9 years ago in my Call for Clarity on Israel and Gaza!)
The media must bear some responsibility for the imbalance in reporting that, I believe, is encouraging mass intolerance and demonstrations, in support of a movement many of the partakers know very little about. Watching recent news reports, I am reminded of scenes from “Kristallnacht” in Germany in 1938, when marauding mobs roamed the streets attacking Jewish homes, businesses and synagogues.
RB: In his frequent on-the-ground updates Amir Tsarfati gives this informative link to a virtual Mapping the October 7th Massacres
The Dilemma Facing Israel
In any military appreciation of a situation, it is always wise to seek to assess, and try
to better understand, the situation from the enemy’s point of view. That requires a
working knowledge of their motives, intentions, strengths and weaknesses, and
tactics; and, in particular, what they must be stopped from doing, whatever the cost.
The leaders of Israel face an almost impossible dilemma.
Summary
For Israel, “victory” in Gaza (and only Gaza) could lead to a false peace and, as a
consequence, to the demobilisation of reservists. The battle fatigued reservists would return home (and back to work) and start to relax. If Hezbollah were then to launch a full-scale attack, i.e., shortly after IDF demobilisation, the challenges for Israel would be immense.
God is revealing the true nature of the society in which we live, and it is alarmingly bad. The liberals, who took control of the madhouse decades ago, do not understand what they have unleashed. Their view that most, if not all, people are motivated by logic, reason and self-interest is flawed: there are some who will never enter negotiations with honest intent.
Iran and its proxies are driven by a deep pathological hatred of Israel and are committed to a radical Muslim theology that demands the annihilation of all Jews.
Similarly, the “Palestinian Cause” has always been a cover for the expulsion of Jews
from Israel, and has never been about sharing the land.
Why are the blood-chilling genocidal statements made by anti-Israel leaders and clerics, that show their true motives, never broadcast by the mainstream media?
Conclusion
Israel is fighting a war for its existence against a genocidal enemy. Whichever way things go, it seems inevitable that Israel will be vilified and, by association, all Jews world-wide will suffer.
Undoubtedly, one of Satan’s objectives, in his attempts to undermine God’s redemptive plan, is to stop the fulfillment of Biblical End-times prophecy. To that end, he is seeking to annihilate all Jews so that Jesus has no Jewish Kingdom to which to return and rule. The Bible shows that he will fail.
We may appear to be in an unstoppable downward spiral to disaster, but God’s plans
will not be thwarted. It has never been more important to understand the signs of the
times, watch for the fulfillment of prophecy, and to be ready. JESUS WILL RETURN.
Halleluiah!
RB’s ADDENDUM:
ON THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE OF GOOD vs EVIL
Read in full at https://www.printfriendly.com/p/g/cGq6Ne
PS. View more prophecy-related news at Richard’s Watch Telegram channel.
PPS (22:10)
Cont’d: ‘…to the international media – this is how the terrorist organization Hamas takes fuel from the hospitals in the Gaza Strip, at the expense of the humanitarian needs of the residents of Gaza.
The exposed conversation between the commander of the West Jabaliya battalion of Hamas and Gazati, with the participation of the director of the Indonesian hospital, is further proof of Hamas’ cynical use of humanitarian resources in the Gaza Strip. In addition, the conversation confirms that the terrorist organization Hamas controls the existing energy resources in the Gaza Strip and chooses to channel them for its operational needs at the expense of the needs of the civilian population.’
Continuing from Part 1 and, in view of its direct relevance, again I head up my friend’s exposition with this from Behold Israel channel:
THE EXISTENTIAL THREAT TO ISRAEL – Part 2
Gaza
I was surprised to discover that Gaza is mentioned at least 20 times in the Bible. The
only positive reference I could find was the story, in Acts 8, where Phillip evangelises
and baptises a man who is on his way to Gaza.
For the most part, Gaza is referred to as a place where the leaders and people (e.g.,
the Canaanites and the Philistines) hated God and the Israelites. The Israelites, in
Judges 1, were ordered by God to conquer Gaza, which they did.
The prophets Amos (1:6-7), Zephania (2:4) and Zechariah (9:5) wrote about the
wickedness of Gaza and the judgement that God would bring upon its inhabitants.
I will return shortly to the question of whether the current calamity in Gaza has end-
times significance.
The Palestinian Cause
The Palestinians have shaped a widely accepted narrative, about their history and
situation, which is based on lies. They have been so successful in convincing the
media to promulgate their version of history, that any attempt to challenge the
accuracy of their fabricated story is now seen as race hatred and/or Islamophobia.
Comments that the region has been “Palestine” for 2000 years, and that Gaza has
been confined and its people oppressed by colonialist Israel, are simply not true.
These entrenched views are well-nigh impossible to correct.
Rather than reiterate what others have said, I recommend the comprehensive and
well-researched articles posted on “Richard’s Watch”: Conversations and corrections
over history of Palestine and Israel – 1 of 2 and 2 of 2
Also, a “Prophecy Today” article, which lays bare some very uncomfortable facts about the true intentions of Radical and Apocalyptic Islam: Cutting Through the Fog of War
In a nutshell, the land (about 10 times the size of current Israel) was given by God to
the Israelites over 4000 years ago. Roman Emperor Hadrian crushed an Israeli
revolt in 135 AD and renamed Israel (Judea) Syria Palistina, in his attempts to
subdue Jewish nationalism.
The truth is that, after they began returning to Israel and the state consequently being established in 1948, it was to a very small area of their homeland.
In researching these topics: I have noted that many sources of information, including
the UN, have sanitised (adjusted or omitted) parts of the History of the region.
The tragedy of the false “Palestinian” narrative is that many compassionate people,
with a heart for the disadvantaged and social justice, do not understand the full
history of the movements they support: the people of Gaza need to be freed from
Hamas (see Part 1). Hamas have no interest or concern for the well-being of the
people they use as their human shields in Gaza, and who they exploit for propaganda
purposes.
Prophetic Significance
Returning to the question of Gaza’s prophetic significance. There are a number of
biblical prophecies that need to be borne in mind, by anyone who is intentional about
marrying past prophecies with contemporary events. Time will tell whether we are
witnessing Matthew 24 “birth pains”, or further along the End-Times time-line. Some
relevant prophecies:
Where Are We?
I am not sure, but what I can say is that we are not yet in the Ezekiel 38
Gog and Magog war. Some reasons: Russia (Magog)and Iran (Persia) are
not directly involved; Israel is not alone (weapons, equipment and
diplomatic support coming from other nations); Christians have not been
raptured (?)(!). However, the situation could alter very rapidly.
I had thought I would be able to “conclude” at this point. Not so, even as
I write I begin to hear and to realise that things are far more fragile than
I had originally believed. Israel is fighting for its very existence, and I will
explain why in Part 3.
Click to read TGP’s advert-free version > https://www.printfriendly.com/p/g/J2zPyy
https://thefederalist.com/2023/10/27/however-much-you-hate-the-media-these-7-moments-in-israel-coverage-prove-its-not-enough/
A very brave Arab speaks out:
For more go to Behold Israel Telegram channel
Click to read TGP’s advert-free text > https://www.printfriendly.com/p/g/8PkRKN
PS (16:40): Daily Telegraph:
Preface:
The purpose of my recounting these online conversations is to ensure visitors to this blog can appreciate that there’s a far deeper background to Israel’s ‘Day of Infamy’ on 6th October than is claimed by militant masses devoid of compassion, who instead complain vociferously about Palestinians being trampled down.
NB: many traditional Jews are opposed to Zionism and the creation of a national state of Israel.
In A Call for Clarity on Israel and Gaza (July 2014) I cite renowned British journalist Melanie Phillips:
“This thing ultimately defies rational explanation. As Islamist savagery spreads, the moral depravity of the Western animus against Israel and the Jews can only be described as a metaphysical psychosis.”
Why did the West turn against Israel? In answering, Melanie refers to the conventional explanation that, with the post-1967 ‘occupation’, modern David turned into Goliath.
In The West’s Metaphysical Psychosis Melanie provides a solid explanation by referring to Joshua Murvachik’s new book, Making David into Goliath: How the World Turned Against Israel. Eg. China’s oppression of Tibet didn’t produce the same reaction. In her review Melanie puts Murvachik’s illuminating analysis of the inexplicable into a nutshell – the Arab and Muslim world set out to bend the Western mind, and succeeded.’
COMMENTARIES CONT’D
Soon after that infamous day, John Barber posted his observations at JRB Publications Israel at War. What is Happening in Israel Today followed by yesterday’s Israel and Calvinism – two hot potatoes!, which generated ‘conversations’ on Facebook.
Also yesterday, as in the previous part 1, John shares John Hymus’ item and to which one of his regular contributors objects as to its history but rightly says the satisfactory answer must be a two-states solution.
NOW, that’s just what Netanyahu was working towards with Saudi Arabia BUT which goal is not what terrorist controllers of Gaza desire – hence hamas’ war-crime to stop development of the two-state solution. Moreover, during negotiations of 1993 Oslo Peace Accords the Palestinian Authority often delayed progress!!!
‘P’, another regular with whom I’ve ‘discussed’ American politics, claims Israeli brutality against ordinary Palestinians and political frustration resulted in the nazi-style pogrom.
Obviously, both my protagonists are unfamiliar with hamas’ true, published objectives and the first, being an atheist, rebuked me as God that people believe in is the same whatever their faith. So I told him Islam’s god is very different Io the real God with whom Christians are in a personal relationship.
‘P’ reacts: “This more than “Hot potatoes” this is murder of women and children. This coming from Jewish Voice for Peace…” (copy JVP article, the statistics of which are to be verified, saying Israel guilty of genocide and attacking West Bank Palestinians).
Being open-minded I wanted to check out this source, as I’d heard about Jewish Voice for Peace in connection with a mob inside the US Capitol led by an offensive Islamist.
I found JVP’s reaction to the massacre – but whilst regret over loss of lives, there’s NO condemnation of the barbarity. Upon spotting a key factual error of 20th Century history I reply to ‘P’ as follows:
“Upon checking JVP’s site and coverage of the barbaric massacre and kidnapping of hundreds of Jews during their sabbath, plus people from over 40 nations – not just an attack on Jews alone but also upon the global community! – I note they fail to mention it was a deliberate albeit undeclared act of war. However they excuse it with two wrongs DO make it right – thereby hypocritically copying Israel!
JVP article states, “The Israeli government may have just declared war, but its war on Palestinians started over 75 years ago. Israeli apartheid and occupation — and United States complicity in that oppression — are the source of all this violence. Reality is shaped by when you start the clock.”
War started by Israel “over 75 years ago” > WRONG! A LIE!
100 years ago during the rise of Arab nationalism Yasser Arafat’s uncle Haj Amin al-Husseini, who rose to become Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and close friend of Hitler, incited bloody anti-Jewish riots in 1920, ’29 & ’36 – AND to our great shame with connivance of British officials overseeing our Mandate of Palestine!!! https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/haj-amin-al-husseini
And after World War II, ARAB nations continued to wage war against the long-established and immigrant Jewish communities!
So, we need factual historical honesty, do we not?
As JVP claims reality is shaped when ‘the clock’ starts, it begs these questions:
PS Remember the Islamic principle of taqiyaa – lying and dissimulation is approved by their god!”
‘P’ responds: “This is a Jewish site not Islamic.”
RB: “Yes I know, but it will indubitably be influenced by Muslims, as inferred from inaccuracy on basic historic facts.”
With respect to that influence, even infiltration perhaps, here’s what I already knew – NB Anti-Defamation League’s warning about Jewish Voice for Peace!!!:
Source: Official account of Congressswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (Telegram)
Oh by the way, the same threat of decades ago but no longer to be ignored:
After these quieter years of reduced coverage of the Middle-East, it’s strange to remind ourselves of the Iranian regime’s ominous role, not only in directing its proxy terrorists against Israel but also its inhuman Shiite theology about the necessity of killing people in order to hasten the return of its false ‘messiah’ (click to read my many posts on this issue).
So I’m pleased to welcome and publish Neil Mackereth’s latest analysis (emphases mine):
THE EXISTENTIAL THREAT AGAINST ISRAEL – PART 1
Introduction
There seems to be a view that Jews should not seek to prevent their own destruction.
However great the evil atrocities perpetrated against them, it is not long after the event before Israel is being called upon to be proportionate and show restraint – the hypocrisy is staggering.
Furthermore, the recognition, in some cases mealy mouthed, that Israel has a right to defend itself is undermined by the immediate acceptance of Hamas claims of Israeli “atrocities”, without due diligence, appropriate caution, and certainly without equally loud coverage, if and when the claim turns out to have been a lie.
Mass rallies in support of the “Palestinian cause”, in reality, venerate terrorists and infer that genocidal Hamas’ behaviour is resistance, while Israeli resistance is genocide!
The media seem to miss the point that Hamas, the “government” of Gaza, shows no interest in the welfare of the Palestinians living in Gaza, pays no attention to the laws relating to the conduct of war, and seeks the annihilation of all Jews. For Israel to survive, Hamas needs to be expunged, and that may require a surgical strike on Iran, the “puppet-masters”; as well as a ground war in Gaza.
Background
I am convinced that the world faces an unprecedented, much misunderstood and, even now, barely acknowledged threat from both “Radical Islam” and “Apocalyptic Islam”.
I want to be clear; many Muslims are peace-loving, law-abiding and blameless.
However, it is an uncomfortable fact that jihadists and fundamentalists are still real Muslims. Furthermore, it is sad that, as our media shows, there are mass rallies and protests by Muslim extremists, but we do not hear much from the moderate peace-loving Muslims.
Recent events relating to Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, have highlighted the dangers of complacency when looking at the rise of Iran and its terrorist proxies. Iran is, to a large extent, a hermit kingdom. Our western mindset and ignorance have blinded us to the truth of its intentions and methods. It hungers for genocide; its religious views make it constitutionally incapable of certain types of change, even if that change might ensure its survival; and it considers itself a herald of —and a likely headline player in — the imminent end of the world.
Iran follows a fundamentalist Islamic creed that it believes will lead to a final confrontation that precipitates the return of the Mahdi (the 12th Imam) the Islamic “messiah”. In this respect, Iran has a medieval religious fervour, commitment and mission that the West has difficulty understanding.
This ideology permeates the whole legal and political direction of Iran. There is no genuine recognition of, or negotiation with, any nation or person who has not given allegiance to Islam. In other words, recognition of other nations, international treaties, laws and so on, is only tolerated as a necessary expedient, or stepping stone, to its ultimate goal. In truth, it is duty-bound not to negotiate with infidels. Therein lies the challenge!
Most commentators agree that the Shi’a leaders of Iran are seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, by whatever means, and they make no secret of their ambition to destroy Israel. They seek to hasten the final world confrontation, precipitating the Mahdi’s return. They have also expressed their aim to rid the world of the United States, a country they refer to as “The Great Satan.” We have seen that the possibility of collateral damage to “friends” plays no part in the strategy and tactics of Iran and its proxies.
Israel is convinced that it faces a nation whose rulers are driven by an apocalyptic, genocidal, End-times eschatology which involves the annihilation of Israel.
The question for diplomats and negotiators operating on behalf of democratic western nations, is whether they can rely on there being any honest intent or integrity in any pledges made by those who actually see it as in their best interests to mislead and prevaricate?
The Return of the Mahdi
The Mahdi, or 12th Imam, is the anticipated saviour of Islam destined to lead Muslims to world domination. Some Muslim leaders see it as their duty to precipitate the return of the Mahdi by instigating world turmoil. The Muslim teaching, that Jesus was a prophet who will return, can cause confusion because of its apparent similarity with Christianity. However, the “Jesus” of Islam is not accepted as Son of God and is foreseen as returning as an assistant of the Mahdi, enforcing conversion to Islam.
The belief in the imminent return of the Mahdi is more prevalent amongst Middle-Eastern Muslims than might be expected.
According to a poll taken by the Pew Research Centre in 2012, a surprisingly large number of Muslims in Middle Eastern countries believe they will live to see the return of the Mahdi. The figures for this belief by Muslims of the Mahdi’s imminent return are: Egyptians 40%; Jordanians 41%; Palestinians 46%; Iraqis 72%.
Figures for those Muslims who believe Jesus will return as a deputy to the Mahdi are: Egyptians 39%; Jordanians 29%; Palestinians 46% and Iraqis 64%.
Christians need to be aware of this parallel and counterfeit version of the return of Christ and understand the political implications of this teaching about a false messiah and a false prophet. The leaders of radical and apocalyptic Islam are seeking to mobilise those who share their End-times views and to convert or destroy those who don’t.
Is what is happening in Israel and Gaza an End-times “sign”? The brutality of Hamas certainly fulfils Jesus’ general predictions of violence in the End-times. Radical and apocalyptic Islam might also be seen as contributors to the urgent need for a peace treaty which will, in fact, be the catalyst for the start of the time of tribulation.
I will look at the Biblical significance of Gaza in Part 2.
PS 
1st PIVOTAL POINT
The cruel crucifixion of Jesus the Jewish (not Palestinian) Messiah and tortuous death, yet followed by His awesome resurrection back to full physical life – and weeks later His visible ascension into the heavens – are recognised as The Turning Point in the history of humanity.
Why? Because Jesus took upon Himself everybody’s sins, washing us clean by the shedding of His sinless blood in a personal sacrifice in order that we may be forgiven by heavenly Father, and thus be granted access into His throne-room.
Such is the privileged position freely granted to those who are born-again by the Holy Spirit and recognise Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
2nd PIVOTAL POINT?
This morning’s news (11 Oct):
[First published 2018]
Not long after Father God brought Jesus the Messiah back from the dead by His Spirit, the One who’s the radiance of His glory went once again in search of His ex-fisherman friends. Of the two sets of brothers who’d been partners in the fishing trade on the Sea of Galilee before deserting their nets to follow a peripatetic teacher, their boss had an exceptionally severe crisis of self-confidence.
GONE FISHING!
So this ‘son of Jonah’, named Simon, decided to return to the simple life of sitting in a boat with buddies and dragging a net in the hope of getting a catch – but it proved to be an exercise in futility!
A few years earlier on that inland sea, the four fishing partners encountered and had been ‘called’ by The One to follow Him. Jesus amazed the crowds there with His teaching and had asked Simon if He could address them from his moored boat. Jesus knew the men had worked hard all night without having caught anything because, when He’d finished speaking, He told Simon to sail into deep water and lower his nets despite the fruitless night – Simon was overwhelmed by the result! They’d got such a large number of fish that another boat was called for – then both began to sink with their massive weight!!
So Simon changed his tune. Upon hearing Jesus’ instruction he’d objected because of the poor night, yet respectfully referred to Him as “Master” – but in amazement at the fresh catch breaking nets and sinking boats, Simon addressed Him with the superior term of “Lord”; thus suggesting he was beginning to understand the status of this astonishing teacher. In the account by one of those partners, John, they’d previously met Jesus immediately after His baptism in the river Jordan and Andrew had brought his brother Simon to see Jesus, who then spoke of his identity and implicit destiny, “You are Simon son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas,” (which is translated ‘A Stone’, Petros/Peter: John 1:42).
After that huge catch of unspecified quantity, Jesus called Simon into his destiny: “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men!” That is, a fisher of men. When they’d landed their boats the four forsook all and followed Him (Luke 5:10-11).
This event would be replayed later but at a higher level when, once again, Simon will be caught by surprise! But before that, the four fishermen disciples were to become part of the twelve chosen as ‘Apostles’, who were given power and authority (Matt 10:2). And Simon was to have a personal revelation of Jesus’ real identity. He blurted out “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” to which Jesus responded, “Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Also, he was further blessed to see Jesus’ transfiguration and hear Father speak about His beloved Son and instruct Peter, James and John to heed Him (Matt 16 and Matt 17).
Yet this same Peter later earned a severe rebuke from Jesus because, in his devotion, he was shocked upon hearing Jesus speak of His destined execution and in dismay he spoke against God’s plans! AND then, when that dreadful event transpired, poor Peter was distraught during Jesus’ trial to hear himself thrice deny his association with Him! Even so, he was again blessed when Jesus visited, instructed and commissioned the Twelve (minus Judas the betrayer) after His miraculous resurrection from the dead.
However, Peter must have considered his thrice-denial would cost him dearly in losing his standing with his Lord. Hence, a critical crisis of self-confidence for Peter.
So, why not go back to fishing – and far away from Jerusalem? His ex-fisherman friend John records Simon Peter as having told him and five others – seven in total – he was going fishing – and they replied, “We’re going with you!” (John 21:2-3). In fact, Peter was heading into his own resurrection: that of his own self-worth, identity and calling!
ACTION REPLAY
John continues: ‘They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children have you any food?” They answer Him, “No” and He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” So they cast, and were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish…
‘Then as soon as they came to land they saw a fire of coals there and fish laid on it, and bread (Note:) Jesus said to them “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three, and although there were so many, the net was not broken.’
Believing readers will be very familiar with the wonderful reinstatement of Peter. When John recognised who the man on the beach was he told Peter and, being determined to be back with Him, Peter donned his outer garment and dived fully clothed into the water and swam about 100 meters to shore.
This dear man, so like all of us as imperfect disciples, is asked thrice if he loves the Lord much more than his fellow disciples – that is, with ‘agape’ love: the unconditional, unconquerable, benevolent goodwill, as given by the Father and Jesus. Peter, rescinds and over-rights his previous thrice-denial to profess a less emphatic love (‘phileo’) that he knows he can give. In repeating His question at that lower level Jesus accepts but tests his profession further, thus giving him a threefold commission to be His under-shepherd.
[Note: ‘agape’, a word to which Christianity gave a new meaning, for outside the NT it rarely occurs in existing Greek manuscripts of the period. It means a love by choice and refers to will, rather than ‘phileo’, a brotherly love by chance and emotion – New Spirit-Filled Study Bible.]
Read more deeply, if you’ve not already done so, about the significance of the specific size of this ‘resurrection’ catch in Joanne Rolston’s 153, Signs and Symbols. In part 2 we will go deeper into them as we look into the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven…
[Photos: ‘The Life of Christ’, Wintershall Players, copyright Richard J Barker]
First published on this blog in April 2017:
According to Steve Maltz, author of God’s Signature, the only time the sacred, personal Name of God was spoken by the ancient Israelites was during worship in the Temple in Jerusalem, and especially on the Day of Atonement when the High Priest pronounced it ten times.
The Talmud has many warnings about using the most holy Name – it is also regarded as having special powers of healing. Apparently knowledge of its pronunciation was lost after the fall of the Temple in AD70 prophesied by Jesus Christ.
The knock-on effect of that event, together with the Roman Church’s withdrawal in the third Century of financial support for churches in the Holy Land founded by Jesus’ own ‘kith and kin’ (‘desponyni’), was the great loss of a full understanding of the Church’s Hebraic roots. Hence the confusion and doctrinal disagreements over Jesus’ claim, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me” (John 14:10).
Digging deeper we encounter an astonishing revelation of that double-identity!
From translations of Hebrew, the post-Shakespeare English-speaking world referred to God’s Name as ‘Jehovah’ or ‘LORD’ (letter ‘J’ was then starting to replace ‘i’). However, Jews preferred well-known descriptive titles such as ‘Elohim’ – God, in all the fullness of His attributes; ‘El Shaddai’ – Almighty; ‘El Sabaoth’ – Lord of heavenly hosts; or Adonai’ – Lord, and more often than not the reverent term ‘Ha Shem’ (The Name) sufficed.
Scribes, or sopher, needed to take special care in praying before writing the holy name, which must be done without interruption. Were a mistake made, it must not be corrected but the whole page discarded and the page restarted. Numbering had to be carefully handled too because Hebrew characters represented both letters and numbers. So the logical way of writing 15 is to add a yod (ie 10) to a hey (ie 5) and likewise for 16 (a yod to a vav). But this never happened because, as part of the sacred name, they could accidentally be read as this name. The Holy Name is shown below, but read from right to left:
“Yod-Hey-Vav-Hay” first appears in Genesis 2:4 statement ‘The Book of Beginnings’ is the account of, “When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens”.This Name was first revealed when Moses encountered God in the burning bush after he’d asked Him whom should he tell the Israelites had sent him to get them out of their slavery in Egypt.
“This takes the meaning of “I will be”…(which) shares a similar three-consonant root with YHVY in Hey-Vav-Hey and Hey-Yod-Hey…and as they’re related are both ways of describing God”. Hence my liking of describing God as “Always” and “Now”, the latter being used by Charlie Shamp too.
HOLY FATHER-SON UNION REVEALED & THE CRUCIFIXION FORETOLD
As in those preceding links, literary Hebrew developed out of pictographic forms that represent gestures and their meanings. We logically surmise both original visual and later written forms were known to and, therefore, used by the Lord in communicating with Abraham and his descendants through Issac and Jacob, and used by Moses and his scribes in compiling the first five books of the Bible.
Comparing the literary and pictorial forms of the name Moses heard and recorded as being from the Lord, we have this graphic (credit Heart To Heart):
Hebrew is read right to left, ie ‘hand-look-nail-look’, but if we read as normal left to right we find not only the Name of God describing who He is, the fullness of His character and abilities, but also its exceptional prophetic nature in it foretelling the pivotal point of His action plan for humanity: the crucifixion of His Son Jesus Christ!
BEHOLD – A NAIL – BEHOLD – A HAND
AND THIS ‘WORD’ SHOWS TWO PERSONS!
Could this indicate that Christ was hidden in the Father when Moses encountered them at the burning bush but manifested as ‘The Angel of the Lord’ or pre-incarnate Christ ? It’s worth reading Exodus 3 carefully again and note Who is speaking to Moses…
Moreover, the pictographs graphically portray God as ‘hands up’ in connection with a nail. Putting all this together into one picture we get a typical image of Jesus on the Cross at Calvary, where long nails or spikes driven through Jesus’ wrists damage the median nerves thus making His hands bend into the ‘claw position’ – just like letter Yod!!
Here’s the second of Tim Shey’s comments upon What Does Jesus Look Like? – and note our chat on the previous post:
Richard: This is a really beautiful and uplifting story about a small child seeing Jesus. Colton seeing Jesus reminds me of:
[I respond re. Colton “Yes Tim, and it wasn’t Colton alone but also the child-prodigy Akian who painted Jesus’ portrait.” – What is also interesting is that Kenneth Hagin describes Jesus EXACTLY as Akiane Kramarik paints him. I read a few books by Kenneth Hagin years ago. Hagin was sitting on this bed reading the Bible when Jesus walked into the room. Hagin describes Jesus as around 5’11” or 6′, very muscular, dark hair and olive skin color.]
_____
THE ARCHKO VOLUME – Historical Evidence for Jesus Christ
The full title: THE ARCHKO VOLUME OR, THE ARCHEOLOGICAL WRITINGS OF THE SANHEDREN AND TALMUDS OF THE JEWS [These are the official documents made in these courts in the days of Jesus Christ]. Translated by Drs. McIntosh and Twyman. [Previous post Pilate’s Report refers]
Here are some chapter headings: Continue reading
Richard's Watch 