THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

   The prophet Isaiah foretold of the birth of The Messiah in chapter 7: 14  Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sigh; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.  And in chapter 9, Isaiah writes:  6) For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given:  and the government shall be upon His shoulder:  and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  7) Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.  (KJV) It is believed that this portion of the Book of Isaiah was written about 700 BC.

   Then, when the time was at hand, the conception and birth of Jesus was told to Mary (I take you to Luke 1:  27) To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.  28) And the angel came in unto her, and said, "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee:  blessed art thou among women."  29) And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.  30) And the angel said unto her, "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name Jesus. 32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David:  33) And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end."  34) Then said Mary unto the angel, "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?"  35) And the angel answered and said unto her, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee:  therefore also that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.  36)  And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age:  and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37) FOR WITH GOD NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE."
  I just had to add verses 36 and 37.  I love knowing that nothing is impossible with God.  38) And Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And the angel departed from her.

   As time neared for the birth of her child, Caesar Augustus (the government) made life difficult.  We pick up the story in Luke 2:  And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.  2) (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  3)  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

    4) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)  5) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  6) And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  7) And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

   8) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  9) And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  10) And the angel said unto them, "Fear not:  for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  12) And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."  13)And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14) "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

   15) And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."  16) And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  17) And when they had seen It, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  18) And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  19) But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.  20) And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.  (KJV)


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HAPPY HOLIDAYS/MERRY CHRISTMAS

HAPPY HOLIDAYS/MERRY CHRISTMAS

   Well, I have figured out what offends me about nobody knowing what "holiday" this is.  You are encouraged to spend your money buying a "holiday" gift, put up a "holiday" tree, attend "holiday" parties, etc., etc., etc.  Am I the only one who is offended by all of this garbage?  Words matter.  This is not a "holiday" season.  It is Christmas season.  It is also not Xmas season.  Do you see the difference?

  

   I am offended by the masses taking Christ out of the season.  I have had people who I respect call it a holiday season and then try to defend and reason why they did it.  I had sooner hear you drop the "f" word than to wish me a happy holiday.  It just makes me think you are too stupid to figure out which holiday we are celebrating.

   

   If you can tell that this is a touchy subject for me, you are right.  So, if you find me on the book of the face or see me on the streets, do not wish me a happy holiday.  I am keeping Christ in my Christmas.  As for me and my house, we will worship The Lord.  How about you?

You are encouraged to leave a comment with your thoughts on this site.

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HOW OFTEN SHALL I FORGIVE?

HOW OFTEN SHALL I FORGIVE?

   I have a recurring sin in my life that I have been struggling with.  It is not one of the "Big 10".  It is a habit that does not bring glory to my God.  I ask forgiveness of it daily.  As I was in my prayer time today, I received this word:

   Just after Jesus taught the apostles how to pray, He said, 14) "For if  you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  15) But if you do not forgive others, then YOUR FATHER WILL NOT FORGIVE YOUR TRANSGRESSIONS." Luke 6: 14, 15 (NASB)  That wouldn't be so bad, BUT if God doesn't forgive MY sins, I will not spend eternity with Him.  Matthew 18: 23 - 35:

    23) "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24) As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25) Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26) At this the servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27) The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.  28) But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.  He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.  29) His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.'  30) But he refused.  Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.  31) When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.  32)  Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.  33) Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?'  34) In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.  35) THIS IS HOW MY HEAVENLY FATHER WILL TREAT EACH OF YOU UNLESS YOU FORGIVE YOUR BROTHER OR SISTER FROM YOUR HEART."  (NIV)

   So, the Apostle Peter asked, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him?  Up to seven times?" 22) Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven"  Matthew 18: 21, 22 (NASB)

   I note that this refers to my brother but when Jesus walked among us, He took everything to the next level, so I see "brother", which may be "brother in Christ", but I don't stop with my "brother".  I go further to say, "my neighbor".  And let me tell you why:  1 Corinthians 13: 13:  "But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.  (NASB)  I would hate to get to Heaven and Saint Peter meet me at the gate and tell me that I should have forgiven everyone everything when I only forgave my "brother".  I want my God to say, "well done, my good and faithful servant."  Oh, what joy that would bring!

   1 John 1: 9 states that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NIV) So, if I repeat the same sin over and over, day after day; if I recognize my sin and confess it but keep repeating it He is faithful to forgive me repeatedly.   BUT I have to forgive your sin against me REPEATEDLY.

  Wow! How powerful is that.  I genuinely want His forgiveness for this one thing that I recognize as sin.  What about my sin that I haven't identified?  It is still sin, only I haven't asked forgiveness for it.  

   You have not asked forgiveness for your sin against me, either.  You deliberately sinned against me by commission.  You knew it was wrong, but you did it anyway.  However, if I don't forgive you seven times seventy for what you do to me, God will withhold His forgiveness from me.  Why would I give up my future for your behavior?  You sinned against me then, but you can't take away my future.  

   I forgive you.  I forgive you 100 times 100.  I forgive you to infinity and beyond.  My focus is not on you; my eyes are on Jesus!  Praise God He has forgiven me - "as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."  Psalm 103: 12 (NIV)  And I pray for you, that you, too, may know the love of Jesus and have a strong relationship with The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  This is what I would like for everybody.


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THE ANTICHRIST---PART ONE

THE ANTICHRIST---PART ONE

      In 1 John 2, the Apostle John tells us of an antichrist:  18) Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come.  This is how we know it is the last hour.  19) They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us.  For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

   20) But you have an anointing from The Holy One, and all of you know the truth.  21) I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth.  22) Who is the liar?  It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ.  Such a person is the antichrist--denying the Father and the Son.  23) No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.  (NIV)

   There are many antichrists.  We have been studying the Book of Daniel, a book of prophesy, which includes THE antichrist of the end times.  Many considered that Antiochus Epiphanes fulfilled the identity of the antichrist.  Those who recognized the interval of many years between Daniel 11:35 and Daniel 11: 36, believed the emperor Nero to fit the identity, since he was the first Roman persecutor of the Christians.  Then there was Simon Magus, the impostor of Acts, chapter 8.  How about the prophet of Arabia, Mohammed?  Most would say it is the Catholic papacy.  

   The fact is that none of them fully meet the requirements for the case.  Therefore, THE antichrist is still to arise and will only come upon the scene in the Time of the End.   So, let us turn our attention to various leaders who are to occupy prominent positions in the coming day:

   First of all, as we have studied, the Roman Empire is to be revived in a ten-kingdom condition; ten European powers are to be united in one federation.  The European Union currently has 28 members.  In order to bring this about, there will be a union of socialistic and imperialistic policies.  These ten kingdoms will have a chief arbiter.  Now, skip to Revelations 13: 1 - 8.  This same ruler is described as "the Beast".  He is the "little horn of the West" in the seventh chapter of Daniel. Remember, West, East, North and South is termed in relation to Israel.
   This "beast" will have his seat in Rome.  He will be an infidel.  After the destruction of Babylon (Iraq), apostate Christendom will pay homage to this guy.  He will be brilliant.  He will dazzle nations with almost superhuman abilities and unparalleled success.

   From the East, we have another power that will dispute the preeminence of the Beast.  This will be the little horn of Asia.  This is the last Gentile ruler of the land now dominated by Turkey.  (This is not the little horn of the seventh chapter.)  This guy is, rather, identified as "the Assyrian" of Isaiah 10: 24, 25:  Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts, "O My people who dwell in Zion, do not fear the Assyrian who strikes you with the rod and lifts up his staff against you, the way Egypt did.  25) For in a very little while My indignation against you will be spent and My anger will be directed to their destruction."  (ESV)  He will be the special enemy of the Jews in the Time of the End.
   His destruction is described in Isaiah 14: 24, 25:  "Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand, 25) to break Assyria in My land, and I will trample him on My mountains.  Then his yoke will be removed from them and his burden removed from their shoulder....." (ESV)  The Lord's memory is long.

   The "Assyrian" will bring great wrath against the Jews, but not in his own power.  He is evidently backed by a more powerful nation:  Rosh (or Russia).  Yes, this ruler will join with the Turkish sultan (or Syrian ruler) in opposing the pretensions of the Beast.  This is found in Ezekiel, chapters 38 and 39.

   

   Then, there is the fourth leader:  the King of the South.  He is the ruler of an independent Egypt.  His opposition to the Turks is hereditary.  So, while opposed to Antichrist, he seems to act in conjunction with the Beast in opposing "The Assyrian".

   All four of these armies will be marching down upon Israel at about the same time.  This is Armageddon.  Blood shall flow to the horses' bridles for one thousand six hundred furlongs.  Revelations 14:  18 - 20.  Then another angel, the one who has power over fire, came out from the altar; and he called with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Put in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, because her grapes are ripe."  19) So the angel swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God.  20) And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses' bridles, for a distance of two hundred miles.  (NASB)

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THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEIR GOD WILL FIRMLY RESIST HIM DANIEL 11: 25 - 35

THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEIR GOD WILL FIRMLY RESIST HIM
DANIEL 11: 25 - 35

   Daniel 11: 25) "With a large army he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South.  The king of the South will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he will not be able to stand because of the plots devised against him.  26) Those who eat from the king's provisions will try to destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall in battle.  27) The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time.  28) The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant.  He will take action against it and then return to his own country.

   29)"At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before.  30) Ships of the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart.  Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant.  He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.

   31) "His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice.  Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.  32) With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.

   33) "Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered.  34) When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them.  35) Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.  (NIV)

H.A. IRONSIDE COMMENTARY

   Verses 25 - 35 describe the rule of the fearful monster who has well been called the "Antichrist of the Old Testament" because of his unfailing enmity to the people and worship of Jehovah.  He is the same one we studied in the eighth chapter--the infamous and blasphemous "Little Horn" that sprang out of one of the four horns upon the Grecian goat.  He was called Antiochus Epiphanes, or the splendid or magnificent.  He was stirred with such hatred against the Jews and their religion, that there was no atrocity too great for this wretched king to perpetrate.  He is well described as a vile person, who came in peaceably, and obtained the kingdom by flattery.    As I write this description, I see in my mind another who fits this bill.  This is pretty scary stuff.  But this he is not in Israel.

   It looks like North (Antiochus Epiphanes) went to battle against South (Pholometer) with a great and mighty army but he was unable to stand because of devices forecasted against him, namely, through the treachery of his own sons and household servant who betrayed him to Antiochus.  Antiochus proposes a truce but both North and South were just lying to each other.
   But Antiochus (North) was enraged by the exultation of the Jews who rejoiced at the rumors that he had been slain in Egypt.  So, he marched his armies against Jerusalem.  It was brutal.  He spared not the aged, children, women, nor the sick.  The Jews reached out to Rome for help, since Rome had helped the Grecians.  This is when the Maccabees had begun to fight Antiochus.
   Marching against the Maccabees, Antiochus was met by  Popilius Loenus and the other Roman envoys at the head of an army.  Popilius demanded that Antiochus at once cease his interference with the Jews, and bind himself to accept the decree of the Roman senate, keep the peace, and acknowledge Rome's authority.  He asked for time to consider the terms, but the Romans encircled him and demanded a decision before he stepped out of the ring.  Well, what would you do?  Antiochus accepted the conditions, with no intention of keeping them.

   The Romans didn't stay forever.  When they left, Antiochus turned his wrath on the Jews once more.  Some Jews aided him to punish the steadfast Jews.  Antiochus set up a statue of Jupiter Olympus in the temple at Jerusalem; sacrificed a sow upon the altar, and put a stop to the oblations to Jehovah, declaring that he alone should be an object of worship.  This was the placing of "the abomination that maketh desolate", predicted in verse 31 in connection with the pollution of the sanctuary and the abolition of the daily sacrifices.  The faithful of Judah were horrified beyond measure at this unspeakable sacrilege and joined the Maccabees against him but were slaughtered by the thousands.

   Verses 32 - 35 describe the conditions prevailing among the Jews in that awful time of suffering, never to be paralleled until the great tribulation of the last days.  In fact, they picture the whole history of the people of Judah from the time when they were joined to the Roman empire right on to the time of the end, or the 70th week of which we have already spoken.
   There is an interval of many centuries between verses 35 and 36.  Keeping in mind this explanation to Daniel was an overview of things to come, not minute details.  The history of the Kings of the North and South is now closed, and another dreadful character, of whom Antiochus Epiphanes was merely a forerunner is at once introduced; the willful king, the great personal Antichrist of the last days.

This concludes our study of Chapter 11. 

MY THOUGHTS

   Take a moment to think about all we have read in Chapter 11 of Daniel.  God has all of the future written down.  He knows what will be and who will be the actors.  He knows each one of us, how we will react or respond to any given situation.  He knows how far He will allow us to be tested.  He knows.......HE KNOWS!  And we are important to Him!  Do you know Him?  Click here for information about how to become His child:   https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html

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NORTH AND SOUTH BATTLE DANIEL 11: 14 - 24

NORTH AND SOUTH BATTLE   DANIEL 11: 14 - 24

Daniel 11: 14) "In those times many will rise against the king of the South.  Those who are violent among your own people will rebel in fulfillment of the vision, but without success.  15) Then the king of the North will come and build up siege ramps and will capture a fortified city.  The forces of the South will be powerless to resist; even their best troops will not have the strength to stand.  16) The invader will do as he pleases; no one will be able to stand against him.  He will establish himself in the Beautiful Land and will have the power to destroy it.  17) He will determine to come with the might of his entire kingdom and will make an alliance with the king of the South.  And he will give him a daughter in marriage in order to overthrow the kingdom, but his plans will not succeed or help him.  18) Then he will turn his attention to the coastlands and will take many of them, but a commander will put an end to his insolence and will turn his insolence back on him.  19) After this, he will turn back toward the fortresses of his own country but will stumble and fall, to be seen no more.

   20) "His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor.  In a few years, however, he will be destroyed, yet not in anger or in battle.
21) "He will be succeeded by a contemptible person who has not been given the honor of royalty.  He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue.  22) Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed.  23) After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power.  24) When the richest provinces feel secure, he will invade them and will achieve what neither his fathers nor his forefathers did.  He will distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers.  He will plot the overthrow of fortresses--but only for a time.
  

H.A. IRONSIDE COMMENTARY

   When the King of the South died, his son, a mere child of six or seven years, was elevated to the throne.

   Antiochus (North) formed an alliance with Phillip the Third of Macedon, and sought to rally the Jews to his standard.  The faithful among them refused to serve in his army, but the apostates, called in verse fourteen, "the robbers of thy people," readily entered into covenant with him and proved a great help on a number of occasions.

   North went on a rampage against Egypt, besieging and killing the Egyptian garrison left in Jerusalem.  He defeated Scopias the Egyptian general at Paneas.  Scopias fled to Sidon but was destroyed there.  The Egyptian armies that came to reinforce Paneas were also routed.  Antiochus (North) found victory everywhere.  

   When North returned from the Egyptian wars to "the glorious land", he bestowed his favor upon the Jewish people for the help that gave him victory.

   The last clause of verse 16 should read, "which by his hand shall be perfected".  This refers undoubtedly to the fact that under Antiochus, Palestine became a more peaceful and fruitful country than it had been for half a century.

   North wasn't finished.  He wanted to undermine any remaining influence South might have, so North (Antiochus) gave South (Epiphanes) his daughter (Cleopatra) to wed.  Antiochus had coached Cleopatra to undermine Epiphanes but she proved to be a faithful wife to him against her father.  This guy must have really known how to please a woman.  Besides, who wouldn't want to be a queen rather than the daughter of a king?  Which has the most power and prestige?  Best laid plans of mice and men.....)

  Oh, well!  North decided to go off and conquer Greece.  He began with the Isles of the Aegan Sea and then crossed over to Greece.  Oh, but....a most unplanned event took place.  The Iron Kingdom, which was to be the fourth and last upon earth before the establishment of the Kingdom of The Son of Man was beginning to make its presence felt.  The Grecians had entered into an alliance, offensive and defensive, with the Romans; so they notified their powerful allies of the danger to which they were exposed.  The senate commissioned Lucius Scipio Asiaticus to go to their aid with an army of tried warriors.  North was utterly defeated.  Scipio is undoubtedly the prince, or captain, referred to in verse 18.

   Antiochus, humbled and in deep distress, turned toward "the fort of his own land" but according to the Scripture of Truth, he was to stumble and fall and not be found.  In his need and desperation, he and a band of his soldiers attempted to plunder the temple of Jupiter at Elymais but they were all slain by the infuriated populace who were incensed at what they considered an act of sacrilege of the gravest nature.  

   So, Seleucus Philopator became the King of the North.  He sent Heliodorus to plunder the temple of Jehova at Jerusalem because Antiochus (his father) had left the kingdom in wretched condition.  Upon his return with the booty, he treacherously assassinated his master after he had reigned only 12 years.

  We will leave all this drama for now and pick up from verse 25 upon our return.  Are you enjoying any of this? 

MY THOUGHTS

   I realize this is the future for Daniel, but for me it is history.  History has never been appealing to me, especially that long ago in a foreign land.  I study it because it proves God.  He revealed the future to Daniel and it came to pass.  What a great God I serve.  And He knows me by name!

What about you?  Have you been accepted into the family of God Almighty?  The work has already been done for you around 2000 years ago.  All you have to do is accept it and believe.  For more information, please click here:   https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html

You are encouraged to leave a comment with your thoughts, which encourages us.

You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com  and http://omaslife.blogspot.com.

ORIGINAL RAINBOW

ORIGINAL RAINBOW

   Have you had just about enough of the "rainbow" colors on your social media and on the television lately?  Please allow me to reset your spirit.  The rainbow was given to us in the Book of Genesis through Noah, after God had destroyed much of mankind.  It is a symbol of God's promise to us that He will not flood the earth again:  (Genesis 9: 8 - 17)

   

   "8) Then God told Noah and his sons, 9) "I hereby confirm my covenant with you and your descendants, 10) and with all the animals that were on the boat with you--the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals--every living creature on earth.  11) Yes, I am confirming my covenant with you.  Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth."

   12) Then God said, "I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come.  13) I have placed my rainbow in the clouds.  It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth.  14) When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, 15) and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures.  Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life.  16) When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth."  17) Then God said to Noah, "Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth."

   So, be happy when you see rainbow colors.  This is another way to proclaim The Good News.  The Deceiver will try to steal your joy.  He imitates and mocks our God.  Go on the offense and reclaim the sign of this covenant with the God of Noah.  Maybe the one you witness to may not know where the "rainbow colors" originated.

   Our https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html  page is a resource to study to lead someone to Jesus once they understand where the rainbow originated.

You are encouraged to leave a comment with your thoughts.

You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaslife.blogspot.com  and http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com.

TAKE THIS AS OUR MANIFESTO

TAKE THIS AS OUR MANIFESTO

   Pastor gave an amazing message tonight at church.  The theme was Bible prophesy.  We are living in the worst of times but we are living in the best of times.  He suggested that we Christians take 2 Corinthians 4: 16, 17 as our manifesto.  Here is the New Living Translation:

  16) "That is why we never give up.  Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.   17) For our present troubles are small and won't last very long.  Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!"

   So, let us not be discouraged by events that are occurring today.  John 4: 35 reminds us "You know the saying, 'Four months between planting and harvest.' But I say, wake up and look around.  The fields are already ripe for harvest."  Let us make lemonade out of the lemons.  We, the Body of Christ, must witness to everybody.  The Kingdom of God is at hand!

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KING OF THE SOUTH, KING OF THE NORTH DANIEL 11: 5 - 13

KING OF THE SOUTH, KING OF THE NORTH
DANIEL 11: 5 - 13

map courtesy of www.timemaps.com

   Daniel 11: 2) "Now then, I tell you the truth:  Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others.  When he has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.  3) Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases.  4) After he has arisen, his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven.  It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the power he exercised, because his empire will be uprooted and given to others.

   Daniel 11: 5  "The king of the South will become strong, but one of his commanders will become even stronger than he and will rule his own kingdom with great power.  6) After some years, they will become allies.  The daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to make an alliance, but she will not retain her power, and he and his power will not last.  In those days she will be betrayed, together with her royal escort and her father and the one who supported her.

7) One from her family line will arise to take her place.  He will attack the forces of the king of the North and enter his fortress; he will fight against them and be victorious.  8) He will also seize their gods, their metal images and their valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them off to Egypt.  For some years he will leave the king of the North alone.  9) Then the king of the North will invade the realm of the king of the South but will retreat to his own country.  10) His sons will prepare for war and assemble a great army, which will sweep on like an irresistible flood and carry the battle as far as his fortress.

11) "Then the king of the South will march out in a rage and fight against the king of the North, who will raise a large army, but it will be defeated.  12)  When the army is carried off, the king of the South will be filled with pride and will slaughter many thousands, yet he will not remain triumphant.  13) For the king of the North will muster another army, larger than the first; and after several years, he will advance with a huge army fully equipped.

H.A. IRONSIDE'S COMMENTARY

   There is quite an interval between verses four and five, which is passed over in silence in order to connect the invasion of Alexander with the effort of Xerxes to conquer Greece.  Alexander's kingdom was parceled out after the Battle of Ipsus.  From verse 5 - 35, we have the wars of the Seleucidae (kingdom of the North - that we will refer to as "North") and the Ptolemies (kingdom of the South - that we will refer to as "South"):

  First of all,  South (Ptolemy Lagus) was stronger than North (Seleucas Nicator)  from the beginning, but after the original South died, the roles were reversed. (Ptolemy Soter succeeded him.)  So now, North > South.  North annexed Babylon, Media, and the surrounding nations.  He threw off his allegiance to Egypt and ruled independently.

 In verse 6, we read that they shall join themselves together.  So, a peace treaty was arranged and the daughter of the South, Berenice was given to the grandson of the North, Antiochus.  North divorced his wife at the time (Laodice) and married Berenice.  I have to tell you, man, do not mess with a wife.  "Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned."  We will hear from Laodice again!

   Laodice managed to stir up her friends against the king; and as a result, Berenice and all her attendants were put to death. North (Antiochus) reinstated his divorced queen, who shortly thereafter poisoned him and had her son Seleucas Callinicus (also labeled North) was crowned in his stead.

   Then here comes the dead second wife's brother, Ptolemy Euergetes (South). He stormed across the land of Palestine spreading desolation everywhere, actuated by the desire to avenge the murder of his sister and to wipe out the dishonor inflicted on Egypt.  He was successful, utterly defeating Callinicus (North) and reaping immense spoil.  But he received word of a sedition back in Egypt, so he hastened back there, carrying with him an immense number of captives, their "gods", their princes, and their precious vessels of silver and gold.  Every Southern boy will tell you, "don't mess with my family!"  North died shortly afterwards of a fall from a horse. South did not return to Syria (kingdom of the North).

   Verse 10 finds the sons of North (Callinicus), Seleucus Ceraunus and Antiochus the Great.  These guys assembled a great force to inflict retribution upon the Egyptians.  Ceraunus died in less than two year, leaving Antiochus to wage war.  And he did.  Antiochus led an army of 75,000 against the reigning house of the North, but the King of the South (Ptolemy Philopator) won due to recruiting Egyptians for the first time in his army.  He reconquered all that had been wrested from him, returning to Egypt crowned in military glory.
   South gave himself up to out-and-out wickedness and licentiousness, and upon a revolt soon after occurring in Syria, concluded an ignoble peace with Antiochus (North), because he was too depraved and indolent to follow up on his victories. Upon his death, Egypt sank lower than it had been in years.
  

   We will leave history here for now and pick it up in our next post.


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KINGS OF PERSIA DANIEL 11: 1 - 4

KINGS OF PERSIA   DANIEL 11: 1 - 4

   Chapter 11 covers history from the time of King Cyrus to almost 200 years of wars that desolated the land of Palestine after the death of Alexander the Great.  It declares the absolute unerring precision of God's Holy Word, as it is a prophecy given to Daniel; today we see how precise the prophesy was, bolstering our confidence in His Word.  The angel's reference to the "Scripture of Truth" is clearly a record kept, not on earth, but in heaven; the omniscient God having outlined, long before it comes to pass on earth, the events to occur in the kingdoms of men.
    I will cover this chapter a little different from previous chapters, inserting commentary from H.A. Ironside in italics as we go along.

   11: 1  And in the first year of Darius the Mede, I took my stand to support and protect him.)  After the overthrow of Babylon, this angel had stood to strengthen Darius the Mede from his first year.

   2)  "Now then, I tell you the truth:  Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others.  When he has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.

   Cyrus's son, Cambyses was the first.  Pseudo-Smerdis was the second.  Not Cambyses's son, but an imposter, thus "Pseudo" Smerdis.  The third was Darius Hystaspes.  The fourth, who was far richer than all of them, was Xerxes the Great.  He was not the last king of Persia, and it was not stated in Scripture that he would be.
   Xerxes the Great had a massive army, over two and a half million, according to historians.  He invaded Greece with it, but the very size of his army defeated his own purpose and was driven back into Asia.

   3) Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases.  This refers to Alexander the Great.  4) After he has arisen, his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven.  It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the power he exercised, because his empire will be uprooted and given to others.  (NIV)

   Alexander the Great had two sons:  Hercules and Alexander.  One was killed before Alexander the Great died; the other after his death.  So, neither inherited the kingdom.  We saw in Chapters seven and eight, that his kingdom was parceled out to four of his generals.  
   We now follow two of those generals and their successors:  Ptolemy Lagus, ruler of Egypt; and Selucas, Satrap of Syria.  Their wars cover about two centuries.  Ptoloemy was King of the South; Selucas, King of the North.  
   The reason the other two kingdoms do not appear in scripture is that the angel is showing Daniel what was in store for "his people", the Jew.

MY THOUGHTS

   The record keeping in heaven is something to contemplate {Daniel 10: 21) but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth.}.  It was written in the "Scripture of Truth" when I would be born.  It was written that my maternal grandfather would get sick and die as we were traveling to see him.  It was written that he would never see me.  All the days of my life are written in that book.  He knows how many beats my heart has, He has numbered the hairs on my head.  He knows the time and day of my death.  Oh, that I knew Him as intimately as He knows me!

   Dear friend, please make your life matter.  Seek God's Face.  Study His Word.  He loves you so much He sacrificed His Son so you could be in His presence forever.  If you have not accepted His salvation, please visit our "Pathway to Salvation" page (click here:   https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html.)  and leave us a comment when you accept His gift.

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DANIEL AND THE ANGELS DANIEL 10: 10 - 11: 1

DANIEL AND THE ANGELS   DANIEL 10: 10 - 11: 1

   When we left Daniel, he had fallen into a deep sleep after seeing the angel:

   10) A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.  (11) He said, "Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you."  And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

   12)  Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel.  Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.  13)  But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days.  Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.  14)  Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come."

   15) While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless.

   16) Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak.  I said to the one standing before me, "I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my  lord, and I feel very weak.  17) How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord?  My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe."

   18) Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength.  19) "Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed," he said.  "Peace!  Be strong now; be strong."

   When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength."

   20) So he said, "Do you know why I have come to you?  Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come; 21) but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince.

   Daniel 11: 1) And in the first year of Darius the Mede, I took my stand to support and protect him.  New International Version (NIV)

H.A. IRONSIDE COMMENTARY

   We have been introduced to a messenger angel, a ministering angel, and Michael the Archangel. We have seen angels before, who protected children of God during the siege of Dothan.  When Elisha prayed for God to open the eyes of the prophet's servant, he saw the mountains full of fiery chariots with the angelic host camping around Elisha.

   The timeline when this conversation takes place is when the Medes were still in power.  After the Medes, Greece ruled, so we have been given a glimpse into the spiritual world that corresponds with events taking place in the physical realm.  Understand that the battles are real!

   

   Here is our take away from this:  We, too, need our eyes opened.  Then we would see the angelic host camping around us for our protection and watching over us for good.  Then, maybe, we would fight on with new courage, clad in the whole armour of God, knowing that against Christ's Church, founded upon Himself, the gates of hell shall not prevail!

MY THOUGHTS

   When we walk by faith, we trust in The Lord.  We see, in this chapter, how God is with us.  He was with the prophets even before Jesus.  How much more is He with us now, since we have The Holy Spirit!  So, "peace!  Be strong!"

   Dear friend, we see the effects of evil daily.  Wicked spirits are determined that your soul will be damned.  They will use every effort known to fiends to hinder your salvation and seal your doom.  Today, we need to learn the lesson that in ourselves, we have no strength or power; we are poor, weak, easily-deceived souls led by Satan and imposed upon by his wicked hosts.

   Only One can deliver us; One can strengthen us.  He died upon the cross to set us free.  Death has no hold on us.  Please click here http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html. for more information on taking the first step to obtain your freedom.

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DANIEL'S VISION OF A MAN - DANIEL 10: 1 - 7

DANIEL'S VISION OF A MAN - DANIEL 10: 1 - 7

   10 (1)  In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar).  Its message was true and it concerned a great war.  The understanding of the message came to him in a vision. (2) At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks.  (3) I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

   (4) On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, (5) I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.  (6) His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.

   (7) I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves.  (8) So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless.  (9) Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.  (NIV)

H. A. IRONSIDE COMMENTARY

   This is the final vision for Daniel. It has been two years since King Cyrus has released the Jews to return to Jerusalem.  The few who had gone up to Jerusalem had failed from the beginning in carrying out the mind of God in its fullness.  They went up with a measure of enthusiasm, but slothfulness and indifference to God's glory soon began to eat away at them like a cancer.  Alliances were formed with the strangers surrounding Jerusalem.

   The masses who remained in Babylon felt at ease and were indifferent.  They were quite content with the measure of liberty they enjoyed.  They had no "fire" for God and His purpose.  They had lost their "passion"  for their "first love", God.  They had become lukewarm.

   That was not so with Daniel.  He mourned the "lukewarm" state of his people, so we find him fasting and abstaining here for three weeks.  He is old, so his fast is a "partial" fast.  He fasted from pleasant bread, flesh (meat), and wine.  He abstained from anointing himself with lotions.

   Verses 4 - 7 reveals that only Daniel saw the vision.  Have you ever sensed things you cannot see; experienced a "creepy" feeling or a "terrible" feeling?  Those with Daniel sensed the presence of the angel Daniel saw.  They were frightened, so they ran and hid themselves.

   Know that when you embark upon a mission to get God's attention, the results are powerful.

   We also learn something of the way the spirit world functions here in the Book of Daniel, as he was told that the word went out but was delayed in reaching him.  We will see in verse 12, that "since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them."  The angel who was sent to Daniel was delayed because he was battling a fierce spirit, "the prince of the kingdom of Persia".  The angel had to have the help from Michael, one of the chief angels.   So, when you pray, know that your answer may also be delayed, so don't stop praying and believing!

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SEVENTY SEVENS DANIEL 9: 20 - 27

SEVENTY SEVENS    DANIEL 9: 20 - 27

   Daniel 9: (20)  While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to The Lord my God for His holy hill--(21) while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.  (22) He instructed me and said to me, "Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.  (23) As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.  Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision:

(24)  "Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.

   (25)  "Know and understand this:  From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens,' It will be rebuilt with the streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.  (26) After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing.  The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary.  The end will come like a flood:  War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.  (27) He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.'  In the middle of the seven he will put an end to sacrifice and offering.  And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.

COMMENTARY

   Verse 25:  the seven sevens is 490 years.  It took that long to build the second Temple on the Temple Mound in Jerusalem.  After the  sixty-two sevens (62 years), Jesus was crucified.  7 + 62 = 69.
   The people of the ruler (of this world) who will come.  "The end will come like a flood", like a tsunami without warning.  We have already received the warning, none other is required
   At some point, which is not identified in the commentaries I have read, God will restart the clock that was ticking off the "seventy sevens", which only have sixty nine accounted for.  According to verse 27, the antichrist confirms a covenant with the masses in Israel for 7 years but breaks the covenant in three and a half years.  This is the last of this prophecy.

MY THOUGHTS

   Maybe when the Church is raptured, God restarts the clock.  We are looking toward the last of the four blood moons this year.  God has told us repeatedly that the end will come.  Are you ready?

   Consider verses 20 through 23.  When Daniel opens his mouth to begin praying, the word went out to go to him to bring him wisdom and understanding.  That is powerful right there!

   If you have not accepted Jesus as your own personal Savior, please visit our "Pathway to Salvation" page by clicking here:   https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html.  Leave us a message if you accept Jesus and we will try to help you on your "path".

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DANIEL'S PRAYER DANIEL 9: 1 - 19

DANIEL'S PRAYER    DANIEL 9: 1 - 19

   Chapter nine of the Book of Daniel has been called "the backbone of prophesy".  This chapter details the prophetic 70 weeks, which we must understand properly.  If the 70 weeks are misunderstood, we will try to twist other prophesy to fit that narrative.  Therefore, it is imperative that we get this right.

   Chapter 9 (1)  In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom--(2) in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the Word of The Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.  (3) So I turned to The Lord God and pleaded with Him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

   (4)  I prayed to The Lord My God and confessed:
"Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, (5) we have sinned and done wrong.  We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from Your commands and laws.  (6) We have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your Name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.

   (7) "Lord, You are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame--the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to You.  (8) We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against You.  (9) The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him; (10) we have not obeyed The Lord our God or kept the laws He gave us through His servants, the prophets.  (11) All Israel has transgressed Your law and turned away, refusing to obey You.

   "Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against You.  (12)  You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster.  Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem.  (13) Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of The Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to Your Truth.  (14) The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for The Lord our God is righteous in everything He does; yet we have not obeyed Him.

   (15)"Now, Lord our God, Who brought Your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and Who made for Yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong.  (16) Lord, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, turn away Your anger and Your wrath from Jerusalem, Your city, Your holy hill.  Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and Your people an object of scorn to all those around us.

   (17) "Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant.  For Your sake, Lord, look with favor on Your desolate sanctuary.  (18) Give ear, our God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your Name.  We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy.  (19) Lord, listen!  Lord, forgive!  Lord, hear and act!  For Your sake, my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people bear Your Name."  (NIV)

H.A. IRONSIDE COMMENTARY

   Daniel was a student of prophesy.  It is noted here that even though Daniel did not have the complete Bible as we know it today, he did have the Book of Jeremiah.  Twice Jeremiah wrote that God would accomplish seventy years in the desolation of Jerusalem.  So, Daniel added it up and realized the 70 years were about to end.

   It is amazing that rather than being excited and happy, Daniel accepted responsibility in his relationship with God.  He prostrated himself before The Lord and cried out.  When he realized that the time was upon them, he begins by exercising His people that they may be restored in soul if they have wandered from Him; and thus blessing would result upon their being brought into the place of self-judgement and humiliation before Him.

  Dr. Ironside writes, "...if these things we have been going over, all that God has been bringing before us, shall result in casting us down in lowliness before Him, and causing us to cry, 'O Lord God, we have sinned, we have much reason to be before Thee in confession and brokenness, because of the failure of Thy people, the Church of which we form a part:'  I say if it has this effect upon us, yea in us, it will be indeed for God's glory and our blessing."

   He says that when we look around us and see the failure in the Church, the fleshliness and the worldliness that prevails on every hand, let us not assume the "holier than thou" posture, because we too are part of that Church that failed.

   We are to ask, "Who are we to judge another man's servant?  To his own master he stands or falls."  So, let us be exercised about individual holiness and faithfulness to God; concerned, too, about corporate righteousness and freedom from unholy associations.

MY THOUGHTS

   How powerful is Daniel's prayer!  While Daniel refers to the Jew and Israel, let us keep in mind that the gentile has been grafted to The Vine.

   America was founded on God's Word.  Don't you think we have enjoyed His blessings because of that?  Today, America is in trouble spiritually, because we have "forgotten our first love".  

   Let us prostrate ourselves before our God and seek His face.  We need to be repentant, receptive, and available for Him to use us for His purpose and glory.

   Do you know my Jesus?  For more information, please click here:   https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html.

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#jointhemovement

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

   Christians everywhere are preparing to bring attention to the persecution of our Brothers and Sisters in Christ in July.  We will be wearing our "prison garb" each Sunday, as we stand in solidarity with Christians worldwide who are being killed or imprisoned for their faith.  Wearing the prison orange is symbolic, much like tying a yellow ribbon was in the past.  It is a religious statement as well as a political statement, but it is mostly a humbling experience.

   It is our hope and prayer that our Lord will notice the sea of prison orange around our country and around the world.  It is our prayer that as we choose to wear a t-shirt in place of our fine clothing and jewelry to church, that we will humble ourselves in many areas of our lives.  Our Lord says that "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7: 14  (KJV)

  To the angel of the church of Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God says this:  'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.  So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.'    Revelations 3: 15, 16  (NIV)  Let us ignite a revival like the world has never seen!  Let us catch on fire for Christ, and "remember our first love"!  Today is that day!  #jointhemovement.  

   Our country is very sick.  Our politicians at every level are enslaving us; they are passing laws that slap our God in His face.  Christians are being persecuted.  How can we, God's soldiers, be so impotent?  We need Him to hear us from heaven!  Then, as we "blow our trumpets and march and shout"  He will cause walls to tumble.  (Joshua 6: 3 - 5)

   If you have been studying with us about fasting, you already know the type of "fast" that God wants:  Isaiah 58: 9 - 14 (NIV)

9)..."If you do away with the yoke of oppression,

   with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

10) and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry

   and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness,

   and your night will become like the noonday.

11)  The Lord will guide you always;

   He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

   and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

   like a spring whose waters never fail.

12)  Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins

   and will raise up the age-old foundations;

you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,

   Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

13) "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath

   and from doing as you please on My Holy Day,

if you call the Sabbath a delight

   and The Lord's Holy Day honorable,

and if you honor it by not going your own way

   and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

14)  then you will find your joy in The Lord,

and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land

and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."

FOR THE MOUTH OF THE LORD HAS SPOKEN.

   Brother, it doesn't get any better than this!  So, #jointhemovement.  Let God see us humbling ourselves.  Let us pray for our Brothers and Sisters who are being persecuted.  Let us ask God to guide us and forgive us.  God has promised these things to us.  Goodness and mercy are ours for the taking.  Praise God!

   It starts with a prison orange shirt.  You can order yours today at www.booster.com/prisonorangeforChrist.   Let us be united as we take a bold, unmistakable stand for Christ.  You only have a short time to order these shirts for them to be delivered in time for July. So, #jointhemovement.

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THE ASSYRIAN DANIEL 8: 23 - 27

THE ASSYRIAN    DANIEL 8: 23 - 27

23) "And in the latter time of their kingdom,

    When the transgressors have reached their fullness,

     A king shall arise,

     Having fierce features,

     Who understands sinister schemes.

24)  His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power;

     He shall destroy fearfully,

     And shall prosper and thrive;

     He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people.

25)  "Through his cunning

     He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule;

     And he shall exalt himself in his heart.

     He shall destroy many in their prosperity

     He shall even rise against the Prince of princes;

     But he shall be broken without human means.

26)  "And the vision of the evenings and mornings

     Which was told is true;

     Therefore seal up the vision,

     For it refers to many days in the future."

27)  And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward I arose and went about the king's business.  I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it.

H. A. IRONSIDE'S COMMENTARY

   Dr. Ironside writes that he believes in all likelihood that the "king of the North" will be the fierce leader of whatever power controls Turkey.  The Roman Little Horn will be an apostate Christian in league with the personal Antichrist who will take unbelieving Israel under his wing as long as it suits his purposes.  The Grecian Little Horn is likely an utter infidel, the successor to Mohammed.  The power that backs "The Assyrian" (the head of Turkey) is evidently Russia, the great dominion of the North, he writes.

   Stay with me if this seems as confusing to you as it does to me.  We will visit these powers again in Chapter 14.

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