lampstand, light ., morning star, Moses and Elijah, The two witnesses

The Messiah’s Secret – Morning Star “Christ in you” Part 7

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The Transfiguration
“And after six days Jesus took with him James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves; and he was transfigured before them and his garments became glistening, intensely white, as no fuller on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses; and they were talking to Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were exceedingly afraid. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly looking around they no longer saw any one with them but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of man should have risen from the dead.” Mark 9: 2-9

This account of ‘The Transfiguration’ Mark’s source coming from James, John or Peter. The Transfiguration was kept a secret until after Jesus’ resurrection. These three disciples saw a glimpse of the kingdom of God that day on the mountain, seeing Jesus speaking to Moses and Elijah.

Peter being an eye witness referred to the transfiguration in his second letter. In it he gives us further observations that are both natural and theological in content.
Peter wrote of the majesty of Jesus. He must have noticed the manner in which Jesus spoke to Elijah and Moses; his gracious demeanour.
I’ve noticed our Queen as she makes her way through a crowd of well wishers, she is so gracious and carries authority of her regal office were ever she goes.

Peter also noticed that Jesus received honour and glory from his Father God by being recognised as his Son, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
In reference to God, Peter used the words ‘Majestic Glory.’ The sovereignty of God, the kingly greatness of the Lord of all creation.

Peter went on to say making a theological point, “Jesus is the prophetic word made sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place.” The testimony of King David “The word a lamp to my feet, a light to my path.” 2 Peter 1: 16-19. Psalm 119: 105.

Peter was referring to the lampstand that lit the room called the Holy Place this room was next to ‘The Most Holy Place’ or also known as ‘The Holy of Holies’. It was a room with no natural light, the priests worked in there making the shrewbread, tended the altar of incense and filled the lampstand with olive oil, its’ seven lamps were kept lit, never to go out.

 
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I purchased this miniature brass lampstand from the Jewish Museum in Manchester, England.

The lamp gave artificial light, but its symbolism refers to Jesus Christ ‘The light of the world.’

The lampstand had no joints or sections; it was made out of a single block of pure gold. It was beaten, hammered into shape. It had six branches going out of its sides, three branches on one side and three on the other.
These branches had flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms on them. On the shaft were four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. One bud was under the first pair of branches going out from the lampstand. A second bud under the second pair and a third bud under the third pair. The buds and the branches were all of one piece with the lampstand, in total there were seven lamps that made up the lampstand. Exodus 37: 17-23

The whole Lampstand – Jesus, the light of the world.
The gold from the earth, beaten into shape from one block. Jesus coming from heaven contained in his body the church. In Christ before the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1: 4.

The composition of the Lampstand.
The Base – Jesus the source of our eternal life.
The shaft – bearing the branches as it serves the branches with the oil. Jesus is all in all, strengthening and caring for his family of believers.
The branches – the church enlightened by the Word, individually members of one another
The oil – filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Below some scriptures about the light of Christ.

”To give the light of the knowledge of God in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4: 6.

“Having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1: 18.

The seven churches in Revelation are described as being seven lampstands. Revelation 1: 20.
The church embraces the whole light of Christ. This light is able to penetrate the darkest of sinful lives, as a result enabling a person to have the opportunity to enter into the light, the knowledge of Jesus and his forgiveness and love and to know the power of his resurrection that transforms lives from the darkness of a living death, a tomb or a tunnel, or a pit of sludge or being stranded like a beached whale. Jesus saves us, rescues us, loves us and calls us his own.

We are the branches of the Lampstand
The Light of Christ in You
“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory shall be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” Isaiah: 60: 1-3

The Morning Star
“I Jesus have sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star. Rev 22: 16.
We see the stars shining brightly in the heavens, the stars are an emblem of a lofty position. Rev 2: 28
Jesus’ brightness like that of a morning star. This star shines brightly as the sun rises at dawn. Peter wrote, “Until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your heart.” 2 Peter 1: 19

The presence of God is within every believer in Jesus Christ.
The dawning in a person’s heart of the knowledge of the truth about Jesus is just amazing the presence of the Lord inwardly becomes real, not just to ourselves but to others as the light of Jesus is visibly seen in us.
I’ve seen the light of Christ shining in Christians on a number of occasions: In my twenties I saw the light of Christ in a young man who today would be described as having learning difficulties. It was lunch time and my sister and I were passing through a room where this young man was sat reading. We asked him what he was reading. He looked up and said that he was reading his Bible and began to quote from what he was reading; as soon as he spoke I saw his face was glowing in the light of Christ.
On another occasion a lady came to my market stall as we conversed she told me that she was a Christian as soon as she started to tell me this her face shone with the light of Christ.
I’ve also seen the light on a line of scripture in my Bible, some time ago.
On another occasion I was at a church function the room well lit and full of people. I happened to look across the room and saw around the head of the late Rev Ron Freeman, a halo around his head and in the light the word ‘love.’ I realised that others have seen the halo of light around the heads of Christians; many of the pictures of people painted on stained glass windows have the halo around the heads of them.

 
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The light of the perfect day approaching.
When I thought about these two men talking with Jesus. Moses died in old age and Elijah was translated into heaven taken up by the whirlwind by the banks of the Jordon River. When Jesus calls out his body of believers Paul tells that those who have died in faith will be raised up to meet Jesus in the air and those who are alive will be taken up from the earth so together we shall meet the Lord in the air. I see Moses representing those who have died in faith and Elijah representing those taken up from the earth to meet the Lord.

Jesus having this expectation in himself of his coming, this expectation is in us, because Christ is in us.
This hope of Jesus’ coming is born in us through Jesus’ own desire to come from heaven and call out his church.

After Jesus has called out his church.
Elijah and Moses.
James, John and Peter seeing Moses and Elijah together with Jesus, is it possible that they will be the two witnesses identified by John in Revelation. The signs that were done by Elijah and Moses in their life time are performed by the two witnesses in Revelation 11?

Two Jewish men in the power and Spirit of Elijah and Moses.
Arnold Fruchtenbaum “Footsteps of the Messiah” suggests that these two witnesses will probably be two Jewish men whom God raises up at the beginning of the tribulation. He also writes; “The scripture clearly teach that Elijah is to return before the tribulation. But there is no scriptural warrant to make Elijah one of the two witnesses.” Page 159
These men empowered by the Lord to perform signs similar to that of Moses and Elijah.

The Two Witnesses witness during the first part of the tribulation
In the last book of the New Testament ‘Revelation’ the Apostle John wrote about the two witnesses; two olive trees and two lampstands.
The produce of the olive trees provided oil for the lampstands.
The two witnesses empowered by the Holy Spirit will give testimony to Jesus and prophecy for 1,260 days.
They have the power for: fire to pour from their mouths and consume their foes, to with hold rain from the earth during the time of their prophesying and they have the power over the waters to turn them into blood and to smite the earth with plagues.

Elijah brought fire from heaven and consumed his foes and his prayer held back the rain.

“Elijah the Tishbite in Gilead said to King Ahab, “As the Lord the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years except by my word.” 1 Kings 17: 1.
“After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go show yourself to Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.” 1 Kings 18: 1.

Moses
Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and asked him to let the Hebrew people leave Egypt, but Pharaoh refused to let them leave. Moses holding the rod struck the Nile and its water’s turned into blood. Exodus 7: 20

Elijah was called ’the troubler of Israel’ as he spoke out against the idolatry of Israel.
In Revelation chapter eleven after the prophesied death of the two witnesses by the antichrist. Their bodies will be left on the street as a gesture of defiance by those spoken out against because of their sinful lives by the two witnesses; they will rejoice and celebrate by giving each other presents.
Their rejoicing will be short lived as God resurrects the two witnesses and they ascend into heaven.

Christians from the Tribulation gathered before the throne of Jesus
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands . . . . . Then one of the elders addressed me saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and whence have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb.” Revelation 7: 9-17
The two witnesses bring forth a multitude of believers through their faithful witness. The palm branches held by the tribulation saints are in connection with “The Feast of tabernacles or Booths”

Assurance from the words of scripture.
The Lord has given us the light of his word that his church for today, that we will not enter into the Tribulation. “Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” 1 Thessalonians 1: 10.

Let us rejoice in the hope that we have and pray for those who do not yet have this peace and assurance. Lord, may our witness today bring people to faith in Jesus. Amen

along the path, distress of nations, good soil, meeting in the air., ponies greeting, rocky ground, secrets of the kigdom of heaven., Sower, the rapture, thorns

The Messiah’s Secret – The Sower “Christ in you. “ Part 6

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Evening Service Lectionary Reading 1 Corinthians 14: 12-20. Matthew 13: 10-17

The disciples asked Jesus why he addressed the crowd speaking in parables. Matthew 13: 10-17.
The parables spoke of earthly things which have heavenly meanings.
Jesus explained the parables to his disciples at the beginning of his ministry. Here in this reading Jesus pointed out that they had been given the secrets of the kingdom of Heaven, but the others listening didn’t understand as their hearts were dulled by the message coming from their leaders and teachers of the law.
This prophesy from Isaiah was fulfilled. “You shall indeed hear but never understand . . . For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing.”

The parable of ‘The Sower’ illustrated the circumstances of receptivity that the people had to the word of God in Jesus’ day. 2,000 years later and we still respond in the same way.
Below is the explanation that Jesus gave them to the parable of the sower 18-23.

“When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches it away what is sown in the heart; this is what is sown along the path. As for what was sown on the rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away As for what is sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what is sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundred fold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” Matthew 13: 18-23

The Apostles before Pentecost prepared the ground for the seeds of the kingdom to be sown.
“The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1: 15
The gospel message that Jesus proclaimed on the Mount was the perfect law of God, the Beatitudes are a good example of what he taught: “Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. . . . ” Matthew 5: 1-12
The gospel of preparation: to teach the kingdom of God and to heal. Luke 9:2
The disciples did not proclaim that Jesus was the Messiah. Luke 9: 20, 21.

A word I was given on 30th May 1996 was that, “The disciples were setting up the kingdom in at the beginning of Acts.” It was as I understood to be in preparation for Jesus’ return with the angels of God. Mark 8:38. 9: 1
The disciples and followers looked forward to Jesus’ return as he indicated that his coming would be in their life time.
“Truly I say to you, there is some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God has come with power.” Mark 9:1

At Pentecost the Apostles began to sow the seeds of the kingdom.
Seeds sown along the path.
At and after Pentecost the Apostles proclaimed that Jesus was the Christ. The Jews heard from Peter and John about Jesus fulfilling the prophesies that proved to them that he was the Christ. Particularly the words of Peter speaking to the crowd in Solomon’s Portico, “I know that they acted in ignorance as did their rulers.” But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.” Acts 3: 17, 18.
The people did not understand that the Christ or Messiah had to suffer and die like a criminal on a cross. They did not understand because the people had been taught from the law that the Messiah when he came would live for ever. John 12: 34.

Isaiah prophesied the suffering and death of the Messiah Chapter 53: 10, 11.
10. “Yet it pleased him to bruise him; he has put him to grief; when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand;
Fulfilled. It was in the plan of God that Jesus would suffer and be killed and that on the third day God would raise him from the dead.
“Jesus said, “For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was reckoned with transgressors’; for what is written about me has its fulfilment.” Luke 22: 37.

11. He shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities.”
Fulfilled. ”For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3: 16.

Seeds sown on rocky ground
Peter loved his Saviour and knew that Jesus had forgiven him, he sowed the seeds of repentance and forgiveness, also of Jesus’ return.
Peter continued appealing to the crowd in Solomon’s Portico, “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of the Holy prophets from of old.” Acts 3: 19-21
It was a national call of repentance to the nation of Israel in order to establish through the promised descendant of King David the eternal throne and kingdom of God.

Seeds sown among thorns
Whilst Peter and John were speaking the priests and the Sadducees came with the captain of the temple guards and arrested them and put them in prison. They were accused of teaching the people and proclaiming that Jesus had been resurrected from the dead.
The good news fell upon these hearts hardened by man’s religious zeal who perhaps also feared the Jewish council. Also the priests were deaf to the prophesies concerning the death of the Messiah and seeing Jesus die on a cross which was a Roman punishment, in their eyes he had been defiled by lawless Roman men. The news of his resurrection had blinded the eyes of the Sadducees because they did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. Acts 4: 1, 2.

Seeds sown on good soil
Peter and John spoke out boldly at their trial, the man who had been healed at Gate Beautiful appeared in their defence. They were asked by what power and name did you do this? Empowered by the Holy Spirit Peter said, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what name this man has been healed, be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man was standing before them well. The stone that they the builders had rejected has become the head of the corner. And there was salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4: 8-12.
The seeds that had been sown in Solomon’s Portico had produced fruit, 5,000 men believed.
As the numbers grew the believers formed a community in Jerusalem.

The parable of the sower gives an exact picture of the times we are living in today
The Christian sows the seeds of the good news of the kingdom of heaven in the paths of the world; the Devil prevents people with hardened hearts from understanding and keeping what they have heard. Also the gospel message falls on rocky ground were Christians are unsure of what they believe and as a result when their faith is tested they compromise their faith. The word sown among thorns is where the word choked by people’s preoccupation with the materialistic world and seeing only its technological discoveries as the future. However those who come to faith having received the good news with understanding, commitment and courage, as a result their contribution to the growing of the church is evident and look forward to Jesus’ coming for his church.

“Christ in you” 

Written below is a modern day parable
Our two Shetland ponies Puzzle and Shamrock

 
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Every day the first job is to go and feed the pony in the stable and the Shetlands. When they hear the door of our house open straight away they neigh and it’s a lovely greeting, if you like horses and ponies.

The explanation at the end of the blog

Jesus explained the parables to his disciples at the beginning of his ministry. Jesus pointed out that they had been given the secrets of the kingdom of Heaven.

One of the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven is Jesus’ coming for his body of believers the church.

The Lord gave me a word: Jesus having this expectation in himself of his coming, this expectation is in us, because Christ is in us.
This hope of Jesus’ coming is born in us through Jesus’ own desire to come from heaven and call out his church.

A parable that shines out like a beacon today.

Watch out for Jesus’ return
“But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed watch, for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the door-keeper to be on watch. Watch therefore-for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning – lest he comes suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to all: Watch.”
Mark 13: 32-37.

The man going on a journey – Jesus ascended into heaven
The servants – the disciples
The work – sowing the seeds of the good news of the kingdom.
The Apostles put in place the structures of the church: Bishops, Deacons, Elders, Apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kind of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12: 28. Ephesians 4: 11. 1 Timothy 3: 1,8. 5: 17.
These gifts are given to edify the whole church, to minister in the love of Christ and work with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

In our second reading Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthian church that messages were given in tongues at a meeting, but there was no interpretation of what was being said. Paul emphasised the need of interpretation of the tongues.
This gift of speaking in tongues is a language that is not the person’s own native language but a language from some where in the world, given as a gift by the Holy Spirit to that person.
At Pentecost when the disciples filled with the Holy Spirit left the upper room they went out onto the streets of Jerusalem and spoke to many people from other countries about Jesus. These people as they heard them speak to them in their own language, they were amazed. Acts 2:8
Paul preferred people to speak out prophesies so that people in the meeting could understand what was being said. 1 Corinthians 14: 12-20

The early Churches expectation of Jesus’ return.
I can just imagine John the disciple having a great anticipation of Jesus’ return. Especially when Peter’s conversation with Jesus was recorded by John, “Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who lay close to his breast at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” (Peter repeated the words that John had said at the Passover Meal.)
When Peter saw John, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remains until I come what is that to you? Follow me!” The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” John 21: 20-23
John witnessed in his gospel of the longing that Jesus bore in his heart of his return soon after Pentecost.
John hoped that Jesus would return this is so evident in Revelation Chapter 1: 1-8
John was quite old when he received the vision and wrote it down. At the very beginning of the first Chapter he records Jesus’ words: “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants what, must soon take place.” “For the time is near.” “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, every one who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

John did not see Jesus return before he died. But Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

This applies to all Christians to watch for Jesus’ return.
Our daughter works abroad and she regularly comes home to spend a few days. By faith we look forward to seeing her. This expectant hope is in our hearts as we hear that she is on her way. We meet her at the airport and bring her home.
This last year 2011 she said that she was coming home in October. However, two weeks before she was due to arrive home, she emailed us to say that she would delay her visit till Christmas. Sure enough she came home at Christmas.

This state of watchfulness is the hope we have that is born in us, “Christ in you,” the hope of glory. We are watching for his coming in the clouds, for our meeting with Jesus in the air. Christians name this event as the ‘Rapture.’
“For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until his coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord he will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4: 15-18

The precise date of his coming is not known as Jesus states this in the parable, “Jesus said “Watch therefore as you do not know when the master of the house will come.”

Faith and Hope working together
Through Christ in us, we can identify with the Apostles their faith and this amazing hope of Jesus’ coming for his body of believers.
Below, Paul writing to the church at Rome, Thessalonica and Titus, Peter his letter to the Jews of the dispersion.
“And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for the adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” Romans 8: 23-25.

“Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12: 12

“For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming?” 1Thessalonians 2: 19.

“Awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2: 13.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”
1 Peter 1: 3, 4.

“Our Lord, Come” Greek word Maranatha Revelation 21: 20

Why has Jesus not yet called out his church?
This parable can not be taken in isolation from the rest of what Jesus taught us about his coming. We are called to watch out also for the signs of his coming.
“From the fig tree learn its lesson; as soon as the branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things, you know that he is near at the very gates.” Matthew 24: 32-35.

Chronology of events
First and second world wars. Matthew 24: 6,7.
Establishment of State of Israel in 1948. Ezekiel 20: 33-38
Six day war bringing Jerusalem under Jewish control. Luke 21: 34.
One world government. Daniel 7: 23
Ten Kingdom world rule. Daniel 7: 24
The Third temple. Daniel 9: 24-27. 2 Thessalonians 2: 3, 4.

The first three of the six have been fulfilled. The one world government followed by the ten rulers of the world I would associate with the “distress of nations in perplexity” Luke 21: 25
We are witnessing some degree of “the distress of nations in perplexity” with the situation Europe is facing with the debt crisis.

Jesus having this expectation in himself of his coming, this expectation is in us, because Christ is in us.
This hope of Jesus’ coming is born in us through Jesus’ own desire to come from heaven and call out his church.

Our two Shetland ponies Puzzle and Shamrock (modern parable)
Every day the first job is to go and feed the pony in the stable and the Shetlands. When they hear the door of our house open straight away they neigh and it’s a lovely greeting.
Explanation
I’m sure all of creation will hear and be glad to witness the call of the archangel as Jesus call’s out his body of believers. Romans 8; 20, 21

7 Seals, Hello Kitty, Horsemen of the Apocalypse, meeting in the air., pale horse and rider, Wally

The Messiah’s Secret – Opening the Scroll

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Hello Kitty asks us to look at the picture and find the things that belong to her: pencils, umbrella, bow, boots, boat and envelope.

Wally asks us to try and spot him in the picture.

Epiphany means ‘showing Jesus to us’
Let us look at the things that belong to Jesus

The shepherds gave him a lamb; the wise men gave him gifts of Gold Frankincense and Myrrh. Jesus was born a king.

The Book of Revelation 
Revelation 5: 1- 10
God our Father is seated on his throne holding in his right hand a scroll or book it is sealed with seven seals. In the R S Version of the Bible the angel is described as being strong and asked to all who were present, the twenty four elders and the four living creatures, “Who is going to open the scroll?”
The strong angel, this purposeful angel I felt was inquisitive and wanted to know what is written on the scroll. Peter wrote that the angels had longed to look into these things.
The angels longed to look into this salvation spoken of by the prophets and this angel having strength of character wanted to know what was written on this scroll. 1 Peter 1:12.

One of the elders aware of John’s concerns about the opening of the scroll, revealed to him the name of the one who could open it. “The lion of Judah, the Root of David has conquered, so that he can open the scroll with its seven seals.” 5: 5
The elder was referring to Jesus, the Lamb of God who stood among them as one that had been slain who God had resurrected from the dead, the descendant of David.

The prophesies in the Bible prove the existence of God and reveal the Messiah, Jesus.
Jacob referred to the tribe of Judah as the lion – Genesis 49: 9, 10.
Jesus was descended from the tribe of Judah – Hebrews 7: 14
The Root of Jesse – Isaiah 11: 1
Testimony to the churches, “I am the root and offspring of David.” Revelation 22: 16.

The lamb had 7 horns, 7 eyes and 7 spirits of God: the horns symbolically depicting strength and power, the eyes – the symbol of insight and illumination. the spirits of God – the discerning fire of Holy Spirit.

The Lamb took the scroll from God.
Before the scroll with its seals can be opened there are prophesies that Jesus referred to that lead up to the opening of them.
“Jesus said, “For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the Christ,’ and they will lead you astray. And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth-pangs.” Matthew 24:5-7
Jesus called them ‘birth pains’ because of the growing distress that was to be brought upon on the world until, the Messiah returns with the angels and all the company of heaven. When a woman who is having a baby starts to go into labour, the contractions grow in intensity and the pain becomes more severe until the baby is born.

False Messiah’s
Extract from a ‘Study of False Messiah’s’ from the Congregation Shema Yisrael Dublin Web site.
Theudas
Theudas is mentioned in Acts 5:36. In his historical work, Antiquities, Josephus the first century Jewish historian, wrote about Theudas who, around 45 AD, influenced “the majority of the masses to take up their possessions and to follow him to the Jordan River.” He claimed that the Jordan would part for them at his command. Obviously it didn’t, and he and many of his followers paid for their foolishness with their lives.”

Judah the Galilean
Judah the Galilean is mentioned in Acts 5:37. Josephus, made reference to Judah the Galilean, stating: “Judah the Galilean told Jews about ten years before the birth of Jesus that it was shameful for them to be ‘consenting to pay tribute to the Romans and tolerating mortal masters after having God for their Lord'”. It is interesting to note that Judah apparently had a false prophet by the name of Saddok. Very likely Saddok presented himself to the people as being Elijah, who, according to Scripture, was to precede and announce the coming of the Messiah. The pattern of false messiahs having false prophets was to become all too familiar.”

Jacob Frank
In more recent times in the 1726-91 “Polish Jew Jacob Frank gained a reputation as a “prophet” having, it was thought, special powers and inspiration.”
Since the first century names of Jewish men have been recorded who have proclaimed themselves to be the Messiah. (see Congregation Shema Yisrael Web site)

We‘ve seen an escalation in warfare during the last hundred years with two world wars and an increase in earthquakes and volcanic activity. The change in weather patterns has increased the desert regions causing famine and great loss of life.

Only last year 2011 we saw the Arab Spring the civil war and disorder in some of the Middle East countries, nearly every month there was a major catastrophe; earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan, a volcanic eruption in Chilli, floods in Australia and the Bahamas and severe famine in Somalia as a result civil war.

The Prophets prophesied birth-pains and they are currently being fulfilled.
In Arnold Fruchtenbaum Book “The Footsteps of the Messiah.” Seventh Printing 1999 when he wrote it, he pointed to prophesies about future events: a civil war in Egypt, and the Middle East unrest.
“An oracle concerning Egypt. Behold, the Lord is riding on a swift cloud and comes to Egypt; and the idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence, and the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them. And I will stir up Egyptians against Egyptians, and they will fight, every man against his brother and every man against his neighbour, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.” Isaiah 19: 1, 2.

Israel’s neighbouring Nations’ engaged in internal conflict.
“Israel in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them. In those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for great disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. They were broken in pieces, nation against nation and city against city, for God troubled them with every sort of distress.” 2 Chronicles 15: 4-6

The Lord wants us to be like Nathanael to observe the prophesies that relate to his coming. John 1: 43-51
In our reading Jesus said to Nathanael “Before Philip called you I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Teacher, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
Nathanael had observed that Jesus was referring to a passage of scripture in the Bible that speaks about people sitting with their neighbour under the fig tree.
“In that day, says the Lord of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbour under his vine and under his fig tree.” Zechariah 3: 8-10

Part of the ‘birth pain’ period is the increase in knowledge.
“Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Daniel 12: 4.
It is true to say that most people are aware of the speed of the increase of knowledge
The advance of science which is amazing and is of great benefit to us all, but there is a down side, our planet is suffering because of the energy required to maintain the expansion.

Another ‘birth-pain’ is Apostasy
Apostasy meaning defection, departure, revolt or rebellion. A Christian who turns away from the faith. Hebrews 6: 4-6
Sadly we shall see this grow as peoples faith will be tested when they see other Christians being persecuted for their faith.

The mainstream churches believe that we are living in the ‘Times and Seasons’ when Jesus could call out his body of believers the church, for the meeting with the Lord in the air. It could happen today, tomorrow at any moment, the time of his call is nearer than we may think. 1 Thessalonians 4: 14-18

“From the fig tree learn its lesson; as soon as the branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things, you know that he is near at the very gates.” Matthew 24: 32-35.
When we hear of these things, were the birth-pains are intensifying, pray, look for Jesus’ return and pray for people to come to faith in Christ as we want them to escape the opening of the seals. Our prayers are being held in the golden bowls full of incense by the elders and the four living creatures and we have the assurance that Jesus calls out the church before the start of the tribulation. ‘Two were working in the field one was taken the other left’.
“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we wake or sleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 9 – 11.

Before the seals are opened.
All these birth-pains lead up to the severe pain of the desolating sacrilege, “When you see the desolating sacrilege spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place.” Matthew 24: 15. 2 Thessalonians 2: 3, 4.
Jesus was referring to the antichrist, the counterfeit Messiah, standing in the temple at Jerusalem being worshipped as god.”
After the antichrist is revealed we see the start of the seven year tribulation with Jesus opening the seals, each seal is a judgment.

Over the last month I’ve read several books were the majority of the authors hold the same views on the meaning of the seals.
The first seal – the rider on the white horse carrying a bow without an arrow.
The rider is wearing a crown and he will go out to conquer and to conquer.
This person is generally thought to be the antichrist, the counterfeit Messiah, who on his first appearance is a man of peace, who will conquer the world with his answers to the worlds’ problems. The world is deceived by him. 2 Thessalonians 2: 9-12

The second seal – the red horse, its rider being permitted to take away the peace. The antichrist turns against Israel and makes war against her.

The third seal – the black horse and its rider depicts the consequences of war; there will be famine on a world-wide scale, because of the scarcity of wheat and barley. But medicines will be available as the oil and the wine are not hurt.

The fourth seal – the pale horse and its rider.
The pale horse signifies death on a massive scale, one quarter of the world’s population through war, famine and the wild animals savaging, searching for food.

Some Christians would say that already Jesus has opened some of the seals on the scroll, and they have overlapped the birth-pain period by coming before the desolating sacrilege.
We have an example of this:
In last years uprising in Egypt it was reported that the pale horse and its rider were seen riding through the rioting crowd. There is even a video of it on Youtube, the ghostly image of horse and its rider, eerily making its way through the violent scene.

This is in my view a literal interpretation that is leading many people astray. I understand through study that the horsemen of the apocalypse are imagery. Horses represent speed of which things will happen. The rider, the messenger is revealing the nature of the judgement. The seven seals are judgements which take place after Jesus has returned for his church and the unveiling of the antichrist.

The fifth seal – Christians that will be killed in wars of persecution for their faith in Jesus. These are the people who become Christians after Jesus has called out the church and tragically go through the tribulation.

The sixth seal – Earthquakes and cosmic events, meteor showers, the sun and moon blocked by the dust. People hide in caves to escape the falling debris.

Between the sixth and seventh seal the 144,000 Jews witness for Christ bringing world-wide revival. Revelation 7: 2, 3.

The present day Jehovah Witnesses are another example of overlapping into the birth-pain period.
The Jehovah Witnesses claim to be the 144,000 Jewish descendants of the tribes of Israel and that they will be the only ones in the heavenly kingdom and the majority of those who receive eternal life will be earthly subjects of the kingdom. They also claim that Jesus has already returned with his angels, invisibly in 1914.
60 years later they predicted a date on which they claimed the Day of Wrath would happen and were wrong. Our neighbour in 1975 gave up his job and went out preaching with other Jehovah witnesses that the end was nigh, that the battle of Armageddon would be all over by the autumn of 1975, and it came to nothing.
They ignore the scripture were Jesus said, ”But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Mark 13: 32.

From the book, “The Greatest MAN Who Ever Lived.” Published by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of New York, INC. The Jehovah witnesses believe that Jesus is just a man with extraordinary powers and teachings. However sincere, they do not proclaim Jesus’ divinity that he is the living God revealed in the flesh or the Trinity.

From the book, “Released from the Watch Tower,” by Valerie Tomsett “No where does the Watchtower Society mention that one must receive Christ as a personal saviour.”
Philippians 2:9-11. Romans 10: 9, 10.

The seventh seal – This seal opens a period of silence in heaven, where we read seven angels are given trumpets and were another angel is carrying a bowl filled with incense and prayers of the saints.
It is so important that we pray the prayer that the Lord Jesus taught his disciples, “The Lord’s Prayer” that has been handed down to all who follow Jesus, remembering especially the word’s,“Your kingdom come, your will be done . . . .”

The time is nearer than we think, so as we realise the reality that Jesus could call out the church at any moment our hopes are raised by the Holy Spirit, because all what Jesus and the prophets prophesied will come true.

Don’t be distracted with the world and put off accepting Jesus as your Saviour today.
The pictures below: On a number of occasions whilst I’ve been watching a game of football on TV and I’ve left the room to make a cup of tea and I’ve missed the goal that has just been scored.
I’ve lost sight of the play and missed it, so we can be distracted from continually being focused on our Lord and his business and risk missing out on the call to our meeting with Jesus in the air.

Bethlehem, Epiphany, flight into Egypt, Nazareth

The Messiah’s Secret – Flight into Egypt

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As one year ends we tend to briefly look back to the highs and lows of the year.
I wondered what Joseph and Mary paused to think about after the months of turbulence in their lives. Only ten months previously Joseph and Mary were making plans for their future marriage. When shortly afterwards the news of Mary’s pregnancy came to light, it severely tested their relationship. But God undertook through the dream were God revealed to Joseph Mary’s baby was the Son of God, the Saviour. As a result of this their faith in God must have grown.

The Roman Censorship made it necessary to make that journey to Bethlehem at the most difficult time coming to the end of Mary’s pregnancy. Yet God was at the centre of their situation doing something wonderful, fulfilling ancient prophesies. The living words of God shedding light on God’s purposes and plans 700 years approx before its fulfilment.
“For unto us a child is born a Son is given, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of his peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom to establish it, and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore, the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9: 6, 7.
Mary and Joseph were making history in the fulfilment of Biblical prophesies.
Mary was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1: 18. Galatians 3: 19. Galatians 4: 4.

How Joseph and Mary’s faith must have grown.

Jesus was circumcised on the 8th day and later presented as their first-born in the temple at the time of Mary’s purification, afterwards they returned to Nazareth.
“And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. Luke 2: 21-39

Did the wise men follow the star from Bethlehem to Nazareth?
Matthew in his gospel records that the wise men visited Herod’s temple in Jerusalem. After consulting with Herod, they went to Bethlehem hoping to find the child. We read they followed the star until it held its position over the house where they found Jesus and presented him with their gifts. They were warned in a dream not to return to Herod and tell him the whereabouts of the child so they left for their own country taking a different route. Matthew 2: 7-12
Also Joseph had a dream and was told by the angel who appeared to him to leave immediately with Mary and Jesus and go to Egypt.
To start the journey to Egypt going from Bethlehem to Nazareth and then on to Egypt would seem to me not to have the urgency that was needed to escape Herod’s anger and slaughter of boys under the age of two years old.
As a result of being kept safe, how Joseph and Mary’s faith must have grown.

Looking back over 2011
As I look back on our year, we have seen the world wide devastation with the floods in Australia, America and the earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan causing great loss of life and civil disorder in some of the Middle East countries. Severe famine in Africa through civil war. The people of Samalia have suffered and many thousands have died through civil war and famine. In Europe the debt crisis has undermined the euro currency. In England in the month of August we experienced lawlessness; riots and looting by mainly young people. Nearly every week we hear reports of people being murdered. When I was a girl fifty years ago, it was rarely heard of people being murdered.

These are the escalating troubled times, ‘birth pangs’ that Jesus referred to in Matthew 24: 7
“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth-pangs.”

The Bible contains prophesies that are currently being fulfilled.
Arnold Fruchtenbaum Book “The Footsteps of the Messiah.” Seventh Printing 1999 At the time of writing he pointed to prophesies about future events, a civil war in Egypt, and the Middle East unrest.
“An oracle concerning Egypt. Behold, the Lord is riding on a swift cloud and comes to Egypt; and the idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence, and the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them. And I will stir up Egyptians against Egyptians, and they will fight, every man against his brother and every man against his neighbour, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.” Isaiah 19: 1,2.
“Israel in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them. In those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for great disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. They were broken in pieces, nation against nation and city against city, for God troubled them with every sort of distress.”
2 Chronicles 15: 4-6
When we hear of these things, pray, looking, watching for Jesus’ return and pray for people to come to faith in Christ.

The return of Holy Family to their home land
Joseph and Mary must have wondered if they would ever be able to return to their homeland. But again prophesies were fulfilled when Joseph again was spoken to by God in a dream and the angel told them to return to Israel. Fulfilling the prophecy, “He would be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2: 14,19 – 23.
How Joseph and Mary’s faith must have grown.

God cursed the serpent and prophesied that through the seed of a woman the Messiah would bruise the head of the serpent and the serpent would bruise the heel of the Messiah. Genesis 3: 15.
Over 30 prophesies were fulfilled on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion spanning from Genesis through to the latter day prophets. Proving the existence of God and revealing the Son of God Jesus.

The prophesies concerning Jesus’ return will in due course be fulfilled.
“And I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself that where I am you may be also. John 14: 3
“Two men dressed in white robes said, “”Men of Galilee why do you stand looking up to heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1: 11.

When Jesus returns the brightness of his appearance, the ‘Epiphany,’ of his return.

Everyone in Christ, his faithful followers will be taken out of the world and this is before the tribulation period begins.
There is a great necessity of making these prophesies known especially the prophesies that refer to the return of Jesus for his church. With tears of sorrow for those who reject Jesus as their Saviour. But for those who do believe, how our faith will grow as we see the fulfilment of these prophesies.

angels, Archangel Gabriel, Census, infant Jesus., shepherds

The Messiah’s Secret – Archangel Gabriel’s message to Mary

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“Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but now is disclosed and through prophetical writings is made known to all nations to the command of the eternal God, to bring about obedience of faith.”Romans 16: 25-27
The mystery that was kept secret was the birth of the Messiah and that the Gentiles were to become fellow heirs of this mystery.

To disclose means – to bring something to light.
“It was near Christmas and two boys went to stay with their Grandma. As they both knelt beside their beds to say their prayers. The younger boy began to say his prayer at the top of his voice, “I pray for a biycle and a nintendo game.” His brother whispered to him, “Why are you shouting, God isn’t deaf?” His brother answered, “I know, but Grandma is.”

The prophesies in Isaiah were brought to the light by Archangel Gabriel.
“And the Lord said, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”.Isaiah 7: 14
“For unto us a child is born a Son is given, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of his peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom to establish it, and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore, the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9: 6, 7.

Archangel Gabriel delivered important messages from God to a small number of people recorded in scripture.
The prophet Daniel when he saw Gabriel he noted that he had the appearance of a man.
Gabriel came to Daniel in response to his prayer were he requested understanding of the vision that God had given to him concerning the end times. Daniel 8: 15. 9: 21-end

Also Gabriel appeared in the temple at Jerusalem at the hour of incense. Where he spoke to Zechariah the priest on duty confirming to him that Zechariah’s prayer had been answered. Elizabeth his wife would conceive and give birth to a son who would be the herald announcing the coming of the Messiah. Luke 1: 10, 11.
“He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God and he will go before the Messiah in the power and spirit of Elijah . . .to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” Luke 1: 16, 17.

Following Gabriel’s visit to Zechariah six months later Gabriel visited Mary at her home in Nazareth. Gabriel’s greeting was a surprise to her, “Hail. O favoured one, the Lord is with you,” she questioned in her heart what the implications were.
Gabriel maybe sensed that she was afraid. Her fear must have been very real when he mentioned that she was going to have a baby boy who she must name him, Jesus.
Gabriel’s word to Mary in verse 32 confirming the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; his kingdom will never end.”
I don’t think the titles and greatness of the child registered in her mind because of wondering who the father was going to be as Mary was betrothed to Joseph. Luke 1: 26-38
Under Jewish law a woman found by her husband not to be a virgin after their marriage meant that he could expose her and she could be stoned to death by the men of the city. Deuteronomy 22: 13-21
Mary’s response brought out her fear. “How shall it be, I have no husband?”
Gabriel’s answer to her was that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her. Mary would know about the Holy Spirit from the Hebrew Scriptures: The Holy Spirit hovered over the waters of the earth and creation followed. Genesis 1: 2.
I think that this disclosure about the Holy Spirit to Mary gave her understanding that God was going to be the Father and the child was to be the Son of God.

Once the message became clear, fully disclosed, Mary responded in faith.
“Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord: Let it be to me according to your word.”
Gabriel assured her that nothing was impossible with God and then he left.

The disclosure of the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy to Mary that God had chosen her, led her to obedience of faith.
In Mary’s obedience of faith we see wisdom, trust and discernment, it wasn’t blind obedience.
Mary in her wisdom questioned Gabriel, “How shall it be, I have no husband?” She had genuine fears that could have put her life in danger. Mary, I feel trusted that the Lord would undertake with Joseph.
Mary discerned that God would be the Father through the operation of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps Gabriel’s news about Elizabeth pregnancy, convinced Mary that God was able to do the impossible. Both Zechariah and Elizabeth being too old to have children.

Disclosure is an aspect of faith.
Disclosure is to bring to the light something which is proposed and can not be worked out, it is accepted by faith. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. By faith we understand that the world was created by the Word of God, so that what is seen was made out of things which do not appear.” Hebrews 11: 1,2.

When a mystery like God being the Father of Jesus is disclosed to us, we made a response, to either believe or have doubts.

If you are not sure, maybe you can be persuaded to consider the evidence:

Existence of Angels
Christians David and Jessica’s encounter with an angel. They were out walking on the moors when the mist came down as a result they got lost. As they pondered which way to go, a man appeared out of the mist, they asked him for his help and he gave them directions. As they set off they turned to thank the man, but he had vanished, they looked around but there was no sign of him. They believed he was an angel although he had the appearance of a man.

The Conception.
God intervened in world affairs when Mary conceived without another human being involved. To me it is like a person being healed by prayer. God answers the prayer without the flesh being touched. Healing the sickness or disease without any drugs or surgery, for with God nothing is impossible.

Only God could do these things.
Jesus when he grew up showed miraculous powers were at work in him that only the creator of life could perform like: raising the dead, changing water to wine, walking on water, stilling the storm, healing leprosy, opening the eyes of the blind, healing all manner of sickness and disease.
Man’s creativity
I am amazed by the technology of today; microwave ovens came about through microwaves being accidentally discovered in 1945. American engineer Percy Spencer was working on an active radar set when he noticed that a chocolate bar he had in his pocket started to melt. The radar had melted the chocolate bar with microwaves. This technology has revolutionised cooking meals.
Faith in Jesus
Computers and digital technology is truly amazing, but let’s look again at the miracles Jesus performed with only two or three words like: “Be clean,” “Peace! Be still!” “Go in peace,” “Stretch out your hand.” ”Your faith has made you well.” The man with the withered hand was restored like his other hand, men who were blind could see again. The deaf could hear and the dumb could speak.

Surely this is evidence enough to prove that Mary gave Jesus his humanity and his divinity came from God his Father.

This chorus is my prayer for anyone who doubts the ‘Virgin Birth.’
“Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch him, and say that we love him. Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen: O open our ears, Lord, we want to see Jesus.” Robert Cull 1976 Maranatha! Music. Word Music (UK)

The Census required Joseph and Mary to set out from Nazareth and go to Bethlehem. They must have been concerned about the strenuous journey knowing that at around nine months the baby could be born at any time. After arriving at Bethlehem they searched for accommodation hastened by the probability that Mary’s labour pains had started. The Inn was full the only place out of public gaze was the stable, where Mary gave birth to Jesus.
I wonder how Joseph and Mary were feeling at the time, thankful that they had made it to Bethlehem and how difficult it must have been in not finding a room at the Inn. However the relief and joy they must have felt when Mary gave birth in the quietness of a stable. The first cry from baby Jesus must have thrilled them both.

The shepherds responded to the disclosure by the angels of an infant, who was the Christ, that had been born in Bethlehem that night so the shepherds went to Bethlehem and found baby Jesus lying in a manger.

December 11 2011
It was disclosed to me by my sister that her son Garth 34 years who lives in Melbourne Australia on Sunday 11 December accepted Jesus as his Saviour, a child born into the kingdom. Great news.

Archangel’s call
The next occasion when an Archangel is mentioned is in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians.
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with the voice of the Archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” Thessalonians 4: 16
The Archangel coming with Christ calling out the believers to meet the Lord in the air. Those who have died in faith and those who are alive on the day of Jesus’ coming. The church made up of both Jew and Gentiles. Abraham’s descendants are the families of the earth who have accepted Jesus as their Saviour.
“God gave to your fathers saying to Abraham “And in your posterity (descendants) shall all the families of the earth be blessed. God having risen up his servant (Jesus) sent him to you first, to bless you in turning every one of you from your wickedness.” Acts 3: 22-26.

Happy Christmas
(Doxology – A hymn expressing praise and honour to the Trinity.Romans 16: 25-27)

Abraham's promise, caiaphas, families of the earth., Helen Shapiro, Manchester Messianic Fellowship, rock., sabbath, stone of offence

The Messiah’s Secret – Jesus a stone of offence

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Evening Service following the Lectionary Romans 15: 4-13 Matthew 11: 2-11 Below York Minster The Church Christ’s body here on earth, living stones.

Advent is the time when we remember the birth of Jesus and were we prepare ourselves for Jesus’ coming again.
John the Baptist was preparing the way of the Messiah through his baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
John the Baptist had been wrongfully arrested by Herod Antipas and put in jail for speaking out against Herod’s marriage to his brother Philips wife Herodias. John had said to Herod, “It was not lawful to have her.” Matthew 14: 3, 4. Under Jewish law Herod was forbidden to marry his brother’s wife. Leviticus 18: 16.
John had few friends amongst the Pharisees, they had not responded to his baptism. Luke 7: 30. 
John the Baptist was preparing the way of the Messiah through his baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  “He said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits fit for repentance . . . every tree that does not bear fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Luke 3: 7-9                                                          
In Matthew 11: 2. John the Baptist had heard from his prison cell the deeds of the Christ. John I’m sure would be amazed to hear of the blind receiving their sight and the lame walking, lepers healed, peoples hearing restored, the dead being raised up and the poor being ministered to by Jesus.
John sent word his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
Why did John find it necessary to send his disciples to ask that question? And why did Jesus end his answer with the words in verse 6 “And blessed is he who takes no offence at me.”
John was in jail for upholding the law, was he offended by Jesus breaking the law by healing people on the Sabbath Day? Did he expect the Christ to uphold the law by applying it in his ministry?

Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy ‘A stone of offence and a rock of stumbling.”
“And he shall become a sanctuary, and a stone of offence and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble thereon; they shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.” Isaiah 8: 14, 15.
Jesus the living stone bearing witness to the overburdening laws added on by the Pharisees causing offence to their leaders. The Jews earned their righteousness by keeping the law so in their zeal they added laws to the laws given to Moses by God.
“The Gospel in the Feasts of Israel” by Victor Buksbazen. “By the second century AD there were 1521 laws just for the Sabbath Day.”

The Pharisees were expecting the Christ to uphold the law so they asked Jesus, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
“Jesus entered a synagogue and behold there was a man with a withered hand and they (Pharisees) asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” So they might accuse him. He said to them, “What man of you, if he has one sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, whole like the other. But the Pharisees went out and took council against him, how they might destroy him.” Matthew 12: 9-14
Jesus taught that it was right to do good on the Sabbath.

The Pharisees stumbled in their eagerness to please God. We too can stumble and fall when we believe that the Lord is calling us to do something for him and it becomes the most important thing to us. The Lord will sometimes take the activity from us, causing us to shed tears of pain resulting in brokenness. It is then we may realise that the work had become more important to us than the Lord.
I write from personal experience, when the word ‘The Messiah’s Secret’ was revealed to me I was on a Readers Course. I realised that the ministry that the Lord had called me to was connected with this word to make it known. The course was a challenge I had no qualifications in higher education. I stepped out in faith believing that it was what the Lord had called me to do for him.
On the final term I realised that I wasn’t going to be licensed as a Reader for my church, I was devastated. I fasted and prayed but then I realised that the course had become the most important thing to me. The Lord showed me that I had to let go and keep my eyes focused on him.
Two years later I was licensed as a Reader at my present church were the word about ‘The Messiah’s Secret’ has been received. I humbly give thanks to the Lord for their kindness towards me.

In 1996 the Lord has shown me that 2,000 years ago that it was at and after Pentecost Jesus could only be received by the nation of the Jews as their Messiah, and not before Jesus’ crucifixion and death. It was a national calling to the Jewish people, first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles.                      
The Jewish leaders at the time rejected Jesus as their Messiah and King as they do today.

The Messiah’s Secret – Preface by John Young
“As one of the elders of a Messianic Fellowship whose congregation fulfils the desires of God to see Jews and Gentiles as one, this book will be extremely helpful to Jew and Gentile in understanding the plan, and purposes of God and for His people. The Church has long needed to understand it has a special relationship with and a responsibility towards Israel. Truth has been lost throughout the ages but like a treasure is always rediscovered. In these end times then let this book be dedicated to the One who inspired its writer and author as He did in times past. To those searching for the ‘truth’ this will be a very helpful book in bringing clear understanding and direction in where our focus should be. I trust in the grace of God to open the eyes and to open the hearts of those searching for the ‘truth’ for it is only the Lord Jesus who declared He is the way, the truth and the life to all irrespective of colour and creed. Let this little work be to the glory of God and to the increase of His government in this world.”   John Young December 2000.”

The Messiah’s Secret
God’s plan of salvation through the cross was hidden from Caiaphas and the council. But for centuries the church has believed and taught that the time for the Jews to receive Jesus as the Christ, their Messiah was before the crucifixion of Jesus.

God’s word of prophecy to Caiaphas
High priest Caiaphas and the Pharisees brought the council together were Caiaphas shared a prophecy that God had given to him, “That it was expedient that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they took council how they might destroy him.” John 11: 47-53
God had spoken directly to high priest Caiaphas the main leader of the ruling council of the Jews and Caiaphas believed that the prophecy was pointing to Jesus; he was the one man who should die for the people. But he did not believe that the Messiah would come and die. The people had been taught from the law that when the Messiah comes he will remain for ever. John 12: 34
Whilst Jesus was dying on the cross the chief priests and scribes mocked him saying, “He saved others but he can not save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Mark 15: 31, 32.

When Caiaphas and the Pharisees heard that Jesus had been raised from the dead fulfilling the prophesies of King David, surely they should have realised that God had given them a word of prophecy concerning the Messiah, and that God had hidden it from their understanding in order to bring the nation to acknowledge Jesus as their Christ after his death, resurrection and ascension. Also when they heard the prophecy of Joel being fulfilled in the last days I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh and whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2: 17, 21.
Sadly Sadducee Caiaphas did not believe in the resurrection from the dead. The Pharisees their hearts were hardened. Read Acts 2: 22-27

“For the Jews demand signs and the Greeks wisdom. But we preach Jesus Christ crucified a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the Gentiles.” 1 Corinthians 1: 22, 23.
The Apostles were setting up the kingdom of God at the beginning of Acts, being about their master’s business in anticipation of Jesus’ return. (Parable of the nobleman)
The church began at Pentecost with Jewish men and women taking out the message about Jesus’ resurrection of his return with the angels of God.
Jesus had given his followers hope of his return within their life time.
Jesus said “When he comes in the glory of the Father with the holy angels. Truly, truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” Mark 8: 38. 9:1.
Peter at Solomon’s Portico knew that their leaders had acted in ignorance not realising that Caiaphas’ prophecy meant the Messiah had to suffer, die and be resurrected to fulfil God’s plan of salvation for all the families of the earth.
“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus who was preached to you before. Whom heaven must receive until the time for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old.”
Peter was giving the people the opportunity accept Jesus as their Messiah to bring in the times of refreshing meaning the establishing of the throne and eternal kingdom of God with Jesus the king on its throne. Acts 3: 17-21.
Peter said that Abraham’s promise had now been fulfilled by all the families of the earth being blessed by Jesus Christ. Genesis 12: 3. 18: 14. (Prophecy relating to the church)
”And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came afterwards also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God gave to your fathers saying to Abraham “And in your posterity shall all the families of the earth be blessed. God having raised up his servant sent him to you first, to bless you in turning every one of you from your wickedness, Acts 3: 22-26.

Two thousand years later the church has proclaimed Jesus the Jewish Messiah, and the Saviour of the world, first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. Jesus is still a stumbling block to the nation of the Jews.

In Paul’s letter to the Romans 15: 4-13 he wrote about Jesus fulfilling the promises given to Abraham, Moses and King David in sending the Saviour in whom all the families of the earth would be blessed. Jesus, his body of believers the church, in which Jew and Gentile become one that together we may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus the corner stone, a corner stone tie two walls together and the Cap stone protects and covers the top of the wall.
Jesus‘ cross tying together Jew and Gentile becoming one, Jesus being the head of the assembly of believers.

I realise that this word ‘The Messiah’s Secret’ is a tiny part of the preparation for Jesus’ return in bringing forgiveness and healing between Jew and Gentile.

Shoah Seminar – May 5th 2000 held at the Menorah Synagogue, Manchester.
Ten years ago I was invited to attend the Shoah Seminar at Menorah Synagogue in Manchester England. This day was in preparation for the first Holocaust Memorial Day in our area that took place on 27th January 2001. (I took notes) The government wants to ensure that the terrible crimes against humanity committed during the Holocaust are never forgotten and its relevance for each new generation is understood.
The Rabbi of Menorah Synagogue when he spoke on the Holocaust, (Holocaust meaning ‘burnt sacrifice.’) he referred to the Jews that had been taken by the Nazis to the concentration camps as fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 53 ‘the suffering servant’. The people of the Holocaust were the burnt offerings for the atonement for their nation’s sin against God. Also he said, ‘God had established the new covenant when the state of Israel came into being after the war, and the land of Israel, was their Messiah.’

Whilst I respect Rabbi’s interpretation of his own Jewish scriptures, as a Christian through the churches study of the Hebrew Scriptures, I see the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy of the ‘suffering servant’ in Jesus. (blog Isaiah’s prophesies fulfilled)

King David prophesied that the Messiah’s body would not be burnt by fire.
Jesus’ body was not burnt. “David foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus, God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.” Jesus risen body, his flesh and bones bore the marks of the sword and the nails. Acts 2: 31, 32. Psalm 16: 10. 49:9. Luke 24:39-42

Paul’s words to the church at Rome still applies today.
“So I ask, have they (Israel) stumbled so as to fall? By no means! But through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.” Romans 11: 11
Through the Apostles these Jewish men and women all the families of the earth have the opportunity to accept Jesus as the Saviour of the world.Sadly down the centuries a lot of Christians have accused the Jewish people of crucifying their Messiah.

Singer Helen Shapiro
In November 2009 I went to listen to Singer Helen Shapiro she told us her life story. Helen is of Jewish decent born in London in 1946. At the age of six she went to a state school. She told us of how she remembered a child coming up to her in the playground and saying, ‘You killed Jesus.’ She was devastated and never forgot those hurtful words. In the late 1980’s she discovered Jesus as her Saviour and the promised Messiah to the Jewish people.

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The Messiah’s Secret – Sheep and Goats

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Supreme Court Justice Horace Gray once informed a man who had appeared before him in a lower court and had escaped conviction on a technicality, “I know that you are guilty and you know it, and I wish you to remember that one day you will stand before a better and wiser judge, and that there you will be dealt with according to justice and not according to law.”
Taken from “A Bundle of Laughs” J. John and Mark Stibbe, Monarch Books.
Matthew 25: 31-46
Jesus used the title Son of man in reference to him being the Judge.
“For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself, and has given him authority to execute judgement, because he is the Son of man.” John 5: 26, 27.

The Messiah’s Secret PART TWO – What is this? A New Teaching.
“The leaders, the shepherds of Jesus’ day were looking for the Christ to bring in the Day of Judgement, the Day of Wrath and establish the eternal throne and kingdom of God.
But, these same leaders were not aware that the Christ had to die on a cross before he could bring in the Day of Judgement.
“I came to cast a fire upon the earth; I would that it was already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptised with, and how I am constrained until it is accomplished.” Luke 12: 49, 50.
Jesus couldn’t bring in the fire of judgement upon the earth until he had fulfilled the baptism of his death and resurrection and ascension and he was constrained because he saw how sinful the leaders of Israel were. Under the law the Jewish people earned their righteousness so to increase their righteousness to please God they added extra laws to the ones given to Moses by God.”

In verse 32 Matthew records that Jesus spoke of every nation coming to his throne of judgement. True justice means that every nation including the Gentiles coming before his throne of judgement having heard the same message about Jesus Christ being the Saviour of the world.
“Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles. that you were at the time separated from Christ alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who were once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who has made us both one . . . . . that he might create in himself one new man in place of two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross. Ephesians 2: 11-16
The wall in the temple that separated Jews and Gentiles broken down by the reconciling power of the cross.

In verse 34 Jesus introduced another of his titles ‘The King.’
The King relates to a King having a Kingdom like: King of Greece, King of Jordan etc Jesus the King of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus the Son of man is the Judge and he is also the King of the Kingdom of God.

The King gives us understanding of what separates the sheep from the goats
The sheep are the believers in Christ, whose faith has born fruit having given shelter, food and drink, clothes, visiting the sick and visiting those in prison. The goats are the unbelievers, those who deny that Jesus is the Christ and as a result they will not do these things in the name of Jesus.1 John 2: 22

Paul and Silas give us an example of what separates the sheep from the goats.
In Acts 16 we read that Paul and Silas have reached Philippi in Macedonia. They stayed in the city for a few days, then on the Sabbath Day they went to the riverside where they hoped to find people praying. When they got there they found a group of women sitting there, one of them was called Lydia she was a worshipper of God. Paul told her about Jesus, maybe he told her about Jesus fulfilling the covenants and promises given to the prophets especially those that spoke of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, also of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit by the prophet Joel. Lydia believed and invited Paul and Silas to her house to stay.

A fortnight ago at one of our churches house groups we were looking at the passage from Ezekiel 34: 1-24 and what came from our discussions was that as Christians we prepare ourselves for the day by reading from the Bible or daily notes and prayer and we make plans for the day or evening. But if the phone rings or gets a text or email to go to someone’s aid, we may wrestle with it, but more often than not, we drop what we’ve planned and respond to their need.
Lydia had probably made plans for that day, but her priorities changed as a result of her new found faith in Jesus she took Paul and Silas into her home giving them shelter, food and drink.

During Paul and Silas stay at Philippi they were followed by a slave girl who worked as a fortune teller. She annoyed Paul because she announced that they were servants of the Most High God, who proclaimed the way to be saved. Paul discerned that she was giving the impression that she was one of them, a follower of Jesus; she was masquerading as a sheep. Paul delivered her from the spirit of fortune telling.
The Roman men who owned the slave girl were furious with Paul and had them both seized and taken before the Magistrate. They accused Paul and Silas of advocating customs that were unlawful for Romans to accept or practice. Paul’s words had rendered the girl powerless which made her unable to predict the future, this meant loss of revenue for her Roman owners they were no longer able to fleece the sheep. These Romans I think we would be portrayed as unbelievers and according to this reading they would be described as ‘goats.’
The Magistrate or Judge was pressured by the indignation of the crowd and sentenced Paul and Silas to be flogged and put in secure prison cells.

God intervened by using natural forces, a slight earthquake that must have damaged the structure of the building to open the cell doors and loosen the stocks and chains so that all the prisoners were set free.
The jailer woke up hearing no doubt excited voices and noticing that the cell doors were open he thought that the prisoners had escaped. The jailer knew that he would face a terrible death as punishment from the Romans so he reached for his sword and was about to kill himself when Paul shouted to him, “Don’t harm yourself, we are all here.”
The jailer called for a light, when he saw Paul and Silas these two high security prisoners before him, he fell on his knees and said, “What must I do to be saved.” Perhaps he recalled the prayers and the singing of the hymns before the earthquake struck or maybe to him it was a miracle that the prisoners did not escape.
Paul responded, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”

To receive knowledge about Jesus is life giving food and drink to our inner being.

Through faith in Jesus the jailer was set free from the prison of guilt were his conscious had convicted him of sin. The stocks and chains, the evidence that bound him he received forgiveness from God and entered into the King’s eternal kingdom. As a result he was clothed in righteousness, white fine linen depicting the righteous deeds of the Saints. Revelation 18: 8
The jailer could see in Paul and Silas something that he wanted and needed. The Roman way of life did not fulfil that need. Every human being needs to be filled with the love and knowledge of God. It can only be received through faith in what Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the cross.
Paul and Silas were taken to the jailer’s home where their wounds were dressed, Paul witnessed to all the household about Jesus and they went outside and they were all baptised. Afterwards they returned to the house and rejoiced over a meal.

Rita Nightingale
Rita Nightingale told us her story when she visited one of the churches in Rossendale. Rita had been on a visit to Thailand unknown to her drugs had been planted in her suitcase, as she went through customs at the Airport the drugs were found and she was accused of drug smuggling and was put in jail. Two Christian ladies visited her in prison where they gave her scriptures about Jesus, as she reflected on the words Rita came to know Jesus as her Saviour. Later her innocence was proved and above all expectations Rita was given a free pardon by the King of Thailand.

Acts 16 continued
Early next morning the Magistrate sent his officers with an order to release Paul and Silas. The jailer must have been relieved and rejoiced as he told them. However, through Paul’s Godly wisdom and courage he made it known to those present that the Magistrate had acted against Roman citizens when he had them flogged and thrown into prison. Paul insisted that the Magistrate should come and release them publicly.

The Magistrates Injustice he was a shepherd who cared nothing for the sheep
The Magistrate was alarmed he heard that he had acted against Roman citizens so he came probably out of fear of the Romans he escorted Paul and Silas from the prison. Justice needed to be seen to be done as this would have had its effect on the Gospel being taken out at Philippi. Afterwards Paul and Silas met at Lydia’s’ house were Paul encouraged them before they left them and went on their way.

Judgement
Jesus will judge the church for rewards. This judgement takes place before the Son of man comes with the angels to sit on his throne judging the nations.
On Jesus’ return he will take up the eternal throne of King David which was prophesied “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever.” 2 Samuel 7: 36

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The Messiah’s Secret – ‘Gideon’ Christ in You Part 5

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Evening Service Following the Lectionary Judges 7: 2-22. John 15: 9-17

Gideon the descendant of Abraham through Jacob, his son Joseph, his son Manasseh. Joshua 17: 1,2
The Midianites were descendants of Abraham by his concubine Kerturah, Abraham was a descendant of Shem the son of Noah.
The Amalekites were mentioned in the war of the Kings Genesis 14: 7 their land being Hazazontamar. The location given in 2 Chronicles 20: 2 as being Engedi which is on the West side of the Dead Sea. In Genesis 36: 12 Amalek was the descendants of Esau who took his wives from the Canaanites. Esau the son of Isaac the son of Abraham. Esau’s twin brother Jacob received the blessing from Isaac so the promise of the inheriting the land of Canaan came down his line.

The land of Canaan was cursed by Canaan’s grandfather Noah for seeing him naked, “Canaan would be a slave to his brothers.” Genesis 9:25 (see blog Lord of the Dance)

Since that time there has been controversy over the land of Canaan.
After the Israelites 2nd revolt against the Romans in AD 135 the Romans renamed the land from the ‘Provincia of Judaea’ to the ‘Provincia of Syria Palaestinia.’ This name was in association with the Philistines the descendants of Casluhim the ancestor of Egypt the son of Noah. Unger’s Bible Dictionary page 821

When Jesus died on the cross he bore all the curses put on the land through the fall of Adam and for all generations since inheriting Adam’s sin. Jesus has redeemed the land, the crown of thorns signifies this.

Gideon
In Judges Chapter 6 we read that the Midianites had prevailed over the Israelites and as a result they made their lives unbearable by destroying the produce of the land and stealing their animals. The Israelites made shelters and lived in caves in the mountains.

Gideon was afraid of being seen by the Midianites and the Amalekites so he hid and threshed his wheat in a wine press to keep it from them. Gideon was very insecure, he felt weak and oppressed by his circumstances that I feel had its effect on his faith in God.
A wine press below ground

Whilst Gideon was threshing his wheat, God sent an angel to speak to him telling him how gallant he was and to go and deliver the Israelites from the Midianites and Amalekites. Gideon was very wary of the angel’s message he had assumed that God had abandoned Israel because of their idolatry and that was why the Midianites were persecuting them. Judges 6: 10 Some Israelites had built altars to worship Baal including Gideon’s father.

After further discussion with the angel Gideon wanted a sign from God. He prepared the offerings of a kid and some barley bread and placed them on a rock. The angel touched them with his staff and fire came from the rock and consumed the offering. Gideon now believed that the angel was from God.

Trumpet call on Gideon’s life.
Gideon’s first reaction to God’s call on his life was to resist open confrontation with his father and the Midianites saying that he was too weak and fearful also he had a fear of dying at the hands of the Midianites. After this encounter with the angel, God gave him assurance. The angel said to him, “Peace be to you. You will not die.”
The Lord gave Gideon a word to dismantle his father’s altar to the worship of Baal and saw up the Asherah pole. He then was to take the wood and build an altar and with his father’s bulls make offerings to God. He was afraid to do it by day so with the help of ten men they accomplished their task during the night. Next day when the people saw what had been done they accused Gideon. The Midianites and Amalekites joined forces and made camp in the valley of Jezreel.

The Holy Spirit took possession of Gideon. (verse 34)
Below Wood Carving by Dorothy Newton

Gideon sounded the trumpet, summoning his fellow Israelites to join him in battle, this action by took great courage. The rallying call of the trumpet brought several of the tribes together in support of Gideon.
God’s trumpet call on Gideon’s life broke down the walls of the wine press of the oppression of the Midianites.

In God’s eyes Gideon’s strength was in his weakness.
Gideon was still insecure, he put out a fleece to be assured of victory over the Midianites and Amalekites. If the fleece had dew on it in the morning and the ground around it was dry then they would have the victory and it was so. He then asked God to reverse the process and it was so. God gave him that assurance that he needed.

God broke through Gideon’s weakness of insecurity by reducing the numbers of men who would help him get the victory.

God suggested to Gideon that he should give the people who were afraid to go into battle to return to their homes. 22,000 went home, only 10,000 remained.
God again suggested that the men who lapped out of cupped hands should go into battle against the Midianites and Amalekites. The number of men was 300, these men were then equipped with trumpets and torches in jars.

Gideon was like the light and the fire encased in the jars that were carried by his men. He had the Lord upholding working alongside of him, yet he felt insecure.
The shattering of these jars was like Gideon being released from fear and of his insecurity.

The Lord was with him.
Gideon had a word from the Lord to go down to the Midian camp and listen. If he was afraid he should take with him Purah. They came to the camp were they overheard a conversation between two Midianites. One sharing with the other his dream, and no doubt to Gideon’s amazement the other interpreted the dream.
“Behold I dreamed a dream, and lo, a cake of barley bread tumbles down into the camp of Midian, and came to the tent, and lay flat. And the comrade answered, “This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; into his hand God has given Midian and all the host.” Judges 7: 13, 14.
Hearing this, Gideon knew that the victory over the Midianites and the Amalekites was his. He divided his men into three groups of a hundred men and then he told them to surround the Midian camp. At his signal they were to blow their trumpets and break the jars and shout, “For the Lord and for Gideon.” As they carried this out the Midianite armies fled. We read how Joshua brought down the walls of Jericho with a blast on the trumpets and the shouts of the people.

Let your light shine before men so that they might see your good works.
Part of loving one another is in having respect for each other. The people who became Judges over Israel were respected for their wisdom, courage and love for God.

God’s trumpet call on our lives.
The Holy Spirit shows us Jesus and that all that is written about him is true, he died on a cross and God the Father raised him from the dead and through faith in him we receive forgiveness of sin and the causes of sin. When we come to faith in Christ the transformation is amazing: we know God as our Father and that we have overcome the fear of death and have entered into eternal life.

Within a short time we may find that all that we have received is some how encased within us, like the light and fire of the torch encased in the jar.
The fears that Gideon had we can relate to: fear of combating the unbelief of others in making Christ known.
Maybe we are fearful of not being able to express our faith.
Fear of being excluded from the company of our friends because we are Christians.
Fear of the unknown or change
The fear of commitment of losing control of our lives,
Fear of giving up what we enjoy.
These and other fears are the strength of our soul or ‘the me’ within. These strengths or fears dominate over the Spirit of the Lord, encasing and controlling our walk in Christ.

To break the strength of our soul like Gideon the Lord will take our weaknesses and call us to work in our weakness. We will say to the Lord,’ I can’t do it;’ I don’t want to do it.’ We will try and hide from the Lord our God.
I can testify to this when we moved to Haslingden my hobby was wood carving. I enjoyed working with wood. When the thoughts came to start a pottery business for my church I was very sceptical because I did not think that Churches had businesses and I was not interested in working with clay. But the thoughts persisted and I went to night school to learn to the skill, but I had no flare for it. Continue in ‘my Story.’

For you it might be to work alongside people with drug problems or to witness your faith to a friend or write poetry etc. The Lord will take us out of our comfort zone and that is a hard thing to do.
“I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4: 13. Romans 16: 25
“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly then all we ask or think.” Ephesians 3: 20, 21.
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8: 10

The Lord using our weaknesses means that we turn to the Lord to be dependant upon him, Jesus will strengthen us and as a result the joy of the Lord fills our hearts as we are working out the Lord’s will and our salvation.

Update October 2012. Over the summer the Lord has sent several people from an ex-offenders centre to our morning services. We are all rejoicing as they are coming to know Jesus as their Saviour, redeemer and friend.

God is Love (Dorothy Newton January 1995 A Child-like love)
Love participates in unity bending the will to love another.
Love doesn’t hide itself or shy away.
Love takes hold of the prickly thorn and caresses it.
Love picks up the bruised heart and cherishes it and makes it, it’s own.
Love gives off radiance like the heat of a summers’ day.
Love its fragrance enriches unity, time stands still
Love has a strength all of its own.
Love gives in to love.
Love is a safe place without any walls, no barriers of fear and wars.
Love prepares to serve all human weaknesses.
Love bears the pain of love, rejection grieves the lover.
Love ceases not to love,
Love is God our Saviour.

Debt, Render to Caesar, Simon the Pharisee, Tax, trespass., woman of the city

The Messiah’s Secret – Render to God the things that belong to God.

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One of our favourite programs at home is ‘Time Team’ were archaeologists search for items that relate to ancient times revealing the way people lived and every day things like: coins, pottery and jewellery.
Traces of Roman occupation are found in many places in England. Below we have a sand pit with some artefacts in it.

 
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““Render (give) therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” Matthew 22: 15-22.
We give acknowledgment to what the Romans have handed down to us: some of the road routes; locally Wattling Street that runs through Tottington, Radcliffe to Manchester. In the city of York and Chester some of their buildings and walls are still standing and we have the Roman baths in Bath with the traces of the Roman buildings that once stood there.

All the materials that the Romans used came from sources found in the things that God has created. We acknowledge that the stone they crafted for buildings and metals smelted out of the rocks that they made into tools. The wood they used in the construction of buildings and boats that came from the trees that God brought into being. The Romans used the knowledge and skills that God had given them.

Jesus was making the distinction between Caesar and God.

The Pharisees and Herodians decided to send some of their followers to ask Jesus about Rome taxation. They hoped his answer would undermine his popularity with the people.
“They said, ‘Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God truthfully, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men. Tell us, then, what do you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Jesus discerned that their question had been contrived; his response silenced them. “Show me the money for the tax. And they brought him a coin a denari. Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” And they said, “Caesar’s.” Jesus then said, “Render (give) therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” Matthew 22: 15-22.

What lay behind the Pharisees and Herodians Question?
The Roman General Pompey conquered Israel in 63 BC, under their occupation the residents of Israel had to pay taxes to Rome; Income and Poll tax.
Income Tax paid on wages, food, property, roads and bridges.
Poll Tax paid by every adult starting at the age of 12 for a girl and a boy from 14 years.

When taxes were first imposed the people rebelled against it, mainly because the coin had an inscription on it that they despised, ‘ Tiberius Caesar Augustus, son of the divine Augustus’ Augustus elevated himself as God.

On the Hebrew coins they had emblems of ears of corn, palms, vine leaf, lilies and temple ornaments and furnishings. Some had Kings Heads on them.
The Israelites paid a temple tax of half a shekel or two Drachmas. Numbers 31: 36. Matthew 17: 27

The disciples of the Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to catch him out with their question. If Jesus had said, do not pay your taxes to Rome, the Pharisees would have told the Romans and a result they would have arrested him. If Jesus had found favour towards paying taxes to Rome, the people would have accused him of upholding Augustus’ position as God over them.
Jesus’ answer, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” Jesus’ answer I thought reflected God’s justice.

God’s justice
Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him at his home. They were sat probably on cushions, reclining, at the table, when a woman entered the room carrying an alabaster box. Whilst they continued eating their meal, she stood behind Jesus at his feet, weeping, her tears wet his feet. She proceeded to wipe them with her hair and kissed them, also administering the ointment from her box to his feet. Simon watching was alarmed by Jesus allowing her to do this.
Jesus proceeded to tell him a parable about a creditor who had two debtors; one owed him 500 denari and the other 50. When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Jesus then asked Simon which one would the creditor love more. Simon answered the one who owed him the most. Jesus said that he had judged rightly.

We would perhaps have used the words released from their debt and the one who owed the most showed his gratitude. But Jesus used the words, ‘forgiveness’ and ‘love.’
He went on to relate the parable with the woman and her sins against God, in showing her love for God by her tears and actions of repentance, she had secured the forgiveness of her sins, and was now no longer in debt to God.

Jesus equated the woman’s sin with debt.
It is the wider picture of morality or principals that have a legal aspect under God’s justice and the Hebrew Jewish law.
In the Lord’s Prayer- “Jesus said, Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Matthew 6: 11, 12.
When I was a girl I remember people were not encouraged to get into debt, in fact it was frowned upon. Some people now again would ask to owe the local shopkeeper until they received their wages. That was known as ‘putting it on the slate.’ Generally people honoured their debts, as people do today.
I now realise through doing this study that it was a Christian principle not to get into debt.

“For if you forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6; 14.
‘The Messiah’s Secret’ Trespass page 72
“Invading or disregarding the property rights of another person, restitution was made through a trespass or a guilt offering at the temple.”
Yesterday I received a letter from Oxfam, as I looked through the information a heading caught my attention, ‘Stop land grabs.’ Poor farmers in Uganda, South Sudan, Cambodia and Indonesia are being evicted from their land and go hungry because of secretive land deals by foreign investors.
Oxfam is seeking justice for the poor farmers through bringing it to the attention of the world.

It may not be our fault that we get into debt: there are all sorts of reasons for instance: loss of jobs. Today we are caught up in our nation’s debt, this in my view stems from our nation gradually turning away from keeping the commandments and principals of God.
The Old Testament testifies to when Israel turned away from keeping God’s commandments and laws they got into a mess, Nebucahadnezzar destroyed the Jerusalem temple and exiled the Israelites into Babylon. God brought back the exiles through Cyrus who gave them financial aid to return to Israel. (Cyrus Cylinder kept in the British Museum.)

In Jesus’ day under Jewish law a person if they could not pay their debt became a hired servant, not a slave.
“And if your brother becomes poor beside you, and sells himself to you, you shall not make him serve as a slave: he shall be with you as a hired servant and as a sojourner. He shall serve you until the year of the jubilee; then he shall go out from you, he and his children with him, and go back to his own family and return to the possession of his fathers.” Leviticus 25: 39, 40.

When the year of the Jubilee came round, if the hired servant had not paid back his debt, he was released from it.
A week – seven days, the seventh being the Sabbath. Each year the crops were rotated and every 7th year left fallow, this equated with the Sabbath Day. God provided extra yield on the 6th year’s harvests. The Jubilee was celebrated every 50 years 7 x 7 49years, 7 Sabbaths the following year was also a Sabbath, another day of rest, seen as a new beginning, fresh start, and debts wrote off.

Paul wrote in his letter to the Hebrews Chapter 4 that God rested on the 7th day having finished his work of creation. God intended with the coming of Jesus the Messiah they should have entered into the permanent rest of the Sabbath Day, the Messiah establishing the New Covenant. “I shall remember their sins no more,”
It was the year of the Jubilee for the woman with the alabaster box.

God’s Justice – The cross is where Jesus paid off our debt of sin.
The cross, Jesus took upon himself, sin and the causes of sin, to make us right with God. It is through faith in this, that we turn to Jesus just like the woman in repentance and love, as a result we are completely set free from sin, God has wiped our credit card clean, our debt has been paid in full.

We belong to God, “For those who believe in his name, who receive him, he gave power to become children of God.” John 1: 12

50 days after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit came into the world bringing new life into every heart that repented and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons/daughters of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery, to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of sonship. When we cry Abba Father it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are the children of God and if children then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs, joint heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8: 14-17
When we fall on difficult times we can call upon the Lord our God’s help simply because we belong to him.

A fortnight ago I was visiting the home of John and Anne, during my visit Anne told me this true story of a Christian friend of hers who at the time attended All Saints Church, Preston.
This particular day this lady was about to embark on a journey by train to Scotland in connection with ‘Faith Mission’. However, she had not enough money to take her to her destination, Edinburgh, she only had enough to take her to Carlisle. As the train was about to enter the station at Carlisle, she literally opened her Bible and money fell out of its pages, just enough to take her to her destination in Scotland.

How special it makes us feel when our Lord Jesus makes his presence known to us. It is by faith we can please God and enter into his grace.

Charlotte Bronte, divorce, Haworth., Jane Eyre, Marriage

The Messiah’s Secret – Christ in You Part 4

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The Evening Service Following the Lectionary
A preacher, describing the human condition, put this question to his congregation; “Is there anyone here who claims to be perfect? If so, stand up.” To his surprise, a man at the back of the church got immediately to his feet. “Do you mean to tell me you are perfect?” asked the Vicar. “Oh no,” said the man, “I’m far from perfect. I’m standing in for my wife’s first husband.”

The Pharisees came to test Jesus as to what were his thoughts regarding divorce. His answer he gave the original concept of marriage like that of Adam and Eve before the fall, (see blog The Evening of the Day of the Resurrection) as a result of sin coming into the world, the Law was introduced by Moses allowed a separation to take place, they called divorce. However, Jesus said what God had intended that the two, male and female should become one in marriage.

Divorce was apparently common in Jesus’ day; a certificate of divorce was easily obtainable.
“When a man takes a wife and marries her, if then she finds no favour in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a bill of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house. . . . Deuteronomy 24: 1-4
We have the example of the Woman of Samaria in conversation with Jesus at Jacob’s well.

During the conversation it was revealed to her by Jesus that she had been married 5 times and the man that she was living with was not her husband. Her response to this she perceived that Jesus was a prophet and when he offered to give her a drink of living water, the water of eternal life, she recognised its implications that Jesus was the Messiah. Having accepted what he said, Jesus acknowledged to her that he was the Messiah.
John writing this gospel tells us that the titles Messiah and the Christ are one of the same both mean ‘the anointed one.’
On the MU Quiet Day it was said by the person leading the day that the Samaritan Woman was one of the first apostles as she had met Jesus in person and afterwards she brought several people to faith in Christ.

The Christian betrothed to Christ.
Paul wrote of a Christians’ relationship with Jesus as being betrothed to Christ.
“I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to Christ to present you as a pure bride to her one husband.”
2 Corinthians 11: 2
Jesus’ relationship between each one of us, we are one with Christ, betrothed to Christ.
In Judaism the betrothal was the first step in a marriage secured by a legal document.

a) The betrothal, the father of the groom made the arrangements for the marriage and paid the bride –price. Sometimes it occurred when both children were infants, and at other times it was shortly before the marriage itself. Often the bride and groom did not even meet until their wedding day.

God provided the bride-price for each Christian when Jesus laid down his life at Calvary. We become his bride when in faith we accept Jesus as our Saviour.

A week ago I went to see the recently released film Jayne Eyre. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and starring Mia Wasikowska as Jane and Michael Fassbender as Mr Rochester.
This is another excellent adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s novel. I’ve seen ‘Jane Eyre’ as a serial on TV and at the Cinema many times.
Charlotte Bronte

Charlotte Bronte was the daughter of a Vicar who lived at the Parsonage in Haworth until she was married to Rev Nicholls. Below are pictures of the Parsonage and of the Church that I took last week when my husband and I visited Haworth.

St. Michael and All Angels Haworth

Charlotte Bronte was a truly Christian lady. The thinking and Spirit behind her book I find that she was challenging the church on equality and Victorian morality. The love of Jesus is like a thread running through its’ pages.
The central character is Jane Eyre; Charlotte begins the story with Jane as a girl of ten living with her guardian Aunt Reed, who was a Christian, and her cousins. We soon discover that Jane was shown no love from her relations.
Every child knows when it is loved and when there is no love shown, it has an effect on a child and as a result the child can not show love.

Jane was sent away to Lowood School, the school master Mr Brocklehurst was a hard, cold hearted Christian. The stern and cruel face of Christianity under the rule of law.
Jane in her teens became a teacher at the school. At the age of 18 she advertised for a governess position in the Herald newspaper. In response to the advert, she became the governess to Adele at Thornfield Hall, the home of Mr Rochester.

Soon after arriving at Thornfield she was summoned to her Aunt Reed’s death bed. While she was in attendance with her aunt, her aunt confessed her dislike of Jane and told her that when she received a letter enquiring after Jane by her father’s brother in Jamaica. He wanted to adopt Jane and bequeath to her his fortune. Mrs Reed declared that she had wrote back saying that Jane was dead. Most people hearing this would have been very angry; upset, but Jane’s response “Love me then or hate me, as you will, you have my full and free forgiveness: ask now for God’s, and be at peace.’ ” Chapter 21
Charlotte writing these words I believe she knew what it was to recieve Jesus’ forgiveness, so we must forgive those who do wrong against us regardless of their indifference towards us.

In the book Jane’s relationship with Mr Rochester developed, he declared his love for her and she expresses her love for him as an equal.”I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, not even of mortal flesh; – it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God’s feet, equal, – as we are.” Jane Eyre Chapter 23.

True love overcomes all kinds of division, in this particular case Jane does not see her poverty and her low standing in society as making her inferior to Mr Rochester.

In the early 1800’s in England there were class distinctions. Mr Rochester was upper class whereas Jane Eyre was lower class.
The disposition given to Jane Eyre of her equality with Mr Rochester I felt came from the author’s freedom given to her through her faith and knowledge of Christ. As a Christian she was equal in Christ, we are joint heirs in Christ.
Romans 8: 17 King James Authorised Version.

In Victorian England it was frowned upon for women to write books, Charlotte Bronte used a suedinum Currer Bell.

When the day of Jane’s marriage to Mr Rochester arrived, his marriage to Bertha Mason came to light. John the apostle wrote that people stumble in the dark, meaning often one lie leads to another until eventually the truth reveals all.

During the service when the Vicar asked if any one knew of any impediment why these two people may not marry, Mr Briggs interviened and revealed that Mr Rochester already had a wife. Jane who knew nothing about it and was jilted at the altar.

During the discussions that followed Mr Rochester pleaded his ignorance as to Bertha’s inherited insanity; he felt that he was cheated by his family into marrying her to gain her family fortune. Mr Rochester had kept his wife’s existence a secret she was kept in seclusion and was looked after by Grace Pool.
In Victorian England people with mental illness were shunned by society and were treated badly, locked away in institutions.
Charlotte Bronte brought out into the open the needs of those suffering mental illness and the families who were ashamed of them.

Mr Rochester pleaded with Jane to become his mistress, but Charlotte would not allow her main character to compromise her Christian faith by going against what Jesus taught it was wrong to come between a husband and wife and break up a marriage.

Today in cinemas across the nation the film Jane Eyre is bringing to people’s attention the morality that Jesus taught. Our present day divorce laws have become like those in Jesus’ day ‘a certificate of divorce was easily obtainable.’ Marriage works when both work at loving one another and treating each other as you would like to be treated yourself.

Jane who was broken heart left Thornfield, leaving behind her a devastated Mr Rochester.
Jane wondered aimlessly from place to place, she grew weak with hunger and was too proud to beg. However, she was saved from certain death when she was found at the door of a house by true Christians St John Rivers and his two sisters Mary and Diana, who took her into their home.

Charlotte portraits Jesus’ suffering and death in Jane’s suffering, she died to self desire turning away from sin as she abided in Christ.

Some time afterwards St John Rivers proposed to Jane, he offered her a marriage of convenience.
Charlotte makes the difference between a loveless relationship under law and love that warms the heart, the spiritual love, the eternal love of God.

Jane heard in the spirit her name being called by Mr Rochester. “I recalled the voice I had heard; again I questioned whence it came, as vainly as before: it seemed in me-not in the external world. I asked was it a mere nervous impression – a delusion? I could not conceive or believe: it was more like an inspiration. The wondrous shock of feeling had come like an earthquake which shook the foundations of Paul and Silas’s prison; it had opened the doors of the soul’s cell and loosed its bands.” Jane Eyre Chapter 36.

Charlotte Bronte resurrects the relationship between Jane and Mr Rochester through Jane hearing in her spirit the call of her name from her beloved Rochester.

Jesus has raises us to new life in him.
The author’s freedom and faithfulness to her Lord and Saviour she knows the first love of Christ. The holy, pure, righteous love of Christ. It is like the innocent first love of a young person.
Love that is ageless and full of joy for ever young. This treasure we have within our being as we abide in Jesus and him in us, as we are betrothed to Christ.

Jane returned to Thornfield to find a ruin. Mr Rochester’s wife had started the fire that took her life and caused Mr Rochester’s to partly lose his sight.
Here we are reminded of Paul and Elymas’ temporary blindness that was put upon them by the Lord to show them their spiritual blindness. Mr Rochester had pretended to be a fortune teller. Jane Eyre Chapter 18. (see blog Christ in You part 2 & 3)

Charlotte Bronte portraits our unity with Christ as being strengthened by what we suffer as we abide in him. Therefore we find that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Jane and Mr Rochester were re-united and later were married.

When Jesus comes to fetch his bride
b) Fetching of the bride, this could have occurred weeks years or decades after the first step. The bridegroom would go to the home of the bride in order to bring her to his home.
c) The wedding ceremony, to which a few would be invited.
d) The marriage feast, would follow, and could last for as many as seven days. Many more people would be invited to the feast.

(Jesus in conversation with the Sadducees pointed out to them that in the resurrection there is no marriage between believers. Luke 20: 34, 35.)

We are looking for Jesus’ return, until that occurs each believer is betrothed to Christ.
Our relationship with Jesus is personal; through faith Christ enters every human heart and makes a perfect union, one that we can relate to in marriage. The first love that we experience in courtship we can identify with the perfect, holy and righteous love of God.

Charlotte Bronte has combined her faith with her walk in life in her book Jane Eyre. Also she has woven into it the issues of her day that challenged the church on equality and politicians on child welfare, mental illness and morality.
One hundred and sixty four years later some of these issues have been sorted out like equality in the church, child welfare and poverty, and there is now no stigma attached to mental illness. But sadly marriage is no longer for the majority in our nation based on Jesus’ teaching.

Today 3rd October Douglas and I we celebrate our 41st wedding anniversary.

By Dorothy Newton