Introduction

The Bible study is dedicated in the name of Jesus, Christ, God, Son, and Savior
The Bible study is dedicated in the name of Jesus, Christ, God, Son, and Savior. May the Lord Jesus Christ be honored by our devotions, our study and in our fellowship. May all the people be blessed and grow in the grace and knowledge of the love and presence of God our creator and our savior. - Amen!

blog Bible Study - Complete
blog Bible Study - Old Testament
blog Bible Study - New Testament

The current plan for the 'blog Bible Study' is to complete the study in 10 segments:
01. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua
02. Matthew, James, Romans, Galatians, Hebrews
03. Judges, Ruth, 1st Samuel, 2nd Samuel, 1st Kings, 2nd Kings
04. Jonah, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum {Early period Prophets - Assyrian activity, attack on Jerusalem thwarted}
05. Jeremiah, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Obadiah, Daniel, Ezekiel {Middle period Prophets - destruction of Jerusalem, Solomon's Temple destroyed and the Babylonian captivity}
06. Luke, Acts, 1st Corinthians, 2nd Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1st Thessalonians, 2nd Thessalonians
07. Mark, 1st Timothy, 2nd Timothy, Titus, Philemon, 1st Peter, 2nd Peter
08. Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations
09. 1st Chronicles, 2nd Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah, Joel, Malachi {Later period Prophets - The return from Babylon, awaiting the coming Messiah}
10. John, 1st John, 2nd John, 3rd John, Jude, Revelation

Note: Next the blog Bible study will return to the Old Testament starting in the pivotal Book of Job
The Bible's book of Job is considered the oldest manuscript of the Bible and it is going to be a pivotal book for the blog Bible study. The book of Job is going to be foundational in marking the transition from the time period before Abraham into Abraham and his Jewish descendants and also in understanding the further transition into the Church era and ultimately into the End Times period of the book of Revelation. God bless everyone ~ David Anson Brown

Note: I think the Basic Christian blog Bible Study is back on track and the postings should soon resume at the normal pace - Have a Blessed and Joyous 2010 New Year in the peace and love of our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Also Note: All further controversies have been postponed at least until the Book of Revelation! I don't expect to many more controversies and I'm going to try to smooth out the study for a while so then if any controversies do happen to arise in the Book of Revelation we will at least be rested and ready to get through them, though no controversies are planned and I expect to be able to cover the Book of Revelation with minimal controversy. - God bless everyone! David Anson Brown

Note: There is going to be a slight shift in the emphasis of the blog Bible Study regarding the Church Epistles (part of study segment #6) 1st Corinthians, 2nd Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1st Thessalonians and 2nd Thessalonians - During the study of the Church Epistles the blog Bible Study is going to study and emphasize the rampant Deception currently taking place within the modern Evangelical Christian Church
Of the many problems and perils that face the current Christian Church the main problems and breakdowns within Christianity itself are not from the outside forces such as the events of the day as portrayed on the nightly news or by secular authorities or even by cults and groups that openly oppose Christianity the main peril and problem in modern Christianity is a breakdown in the leadership, the pastors, the teachers and the organizations of the current Christian Church. While studying the Bible's Church epistles the blog Bible Study is going to explore and examine some of the aspects of modern Christian leadership and current Church practices that are both unbiblical and unstable and that are now wreaking havoc and destruction on the Church, the body of Christ, from within the Church. Pastors, men and ministries that even a few short years ago seemed to be faithful and honest have now in a short time become so compromised and compromise is a byproduct of corruption so we have to assume corrupt, that they are now openly and outwardly opposing the work of God, the ministry of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. The blog Bible Study is going to actually look at two aspects of deception. 1. How we ourselves as true worshipers of God can over time and usually through hardships, bitterness, neglect or misconceptions can become deceived. 2. How outright wolves in sheep's clothing are deceiving and taking advantage of the Christian Church. Note: As important as it is to be able to discern and avoid the workings of the wolves and the false shepherds I think it is much more important that we ourselves the individual Christian worshipers of God be able to present ourselves to God as holy and undefiled (Romans 12:1-3) because ultimately our relationship and accountability with God is going to be the final result of our actions and our intentions and not the actions and intentions of others or of organizations.

The blog Bible Study has completed the Book of Romans and next is the Book of Galatians - The study pace has been fast though in the future the pace will probably vary a little bit more and there might even be some pauses in the study it depends mostly on the quality of material being presented - I have some other things scheduled but I think we can keep studying around any other events
The blog Bible Study has been continuing at a fairly quick rate but it isn't the intention of the study to go at a fast pace and to set some sort of speed record though we might have set some record at the pace we have been going. The intentions are to only go as fast as we can get good material posted and we are getting good Bible study material posted at this rate however the rate should fluctuate from time to time. My intentions and concerns when committing to and starting the blog Bible Study were 1. That it wouldn't become a 2-3 year project as I don't even remotely have a schedule for that to happen. 2. Another major concern is that the study might not get finished and the slower the pace the more likely it won't finish in this window of opportunity that we have for the study. 3. Another concern was that the Bible study might go at such a slow pace that people didn't have enough material to study. There are few thing worse than going to a website to do a Bible Study and they have incomplete studies though that is fine and understandable for a study in progress however it is the intention of this website to have enough material so that people can do more than just get started in their studies but that everyone visiting the site, at all levels of Christian maturity will be able to find enough material to make good progress in their Christian Studies. Thanks again to everyone for your prayers and understanding. Keep up the excellent work in staying with the Bible study! God bless everyone, David Anson Brown

The Gospel of Matthew has now been completed - next is the book of James - probably starting tomorrow!
The blog Bible Study has been going exceptionally well we are making good progress and really getting blessed! I have been learning a lot this time through the Bible. Thanks for everyone's participation and especially for your prayers regarding the study and for one another. If people could take even more time to pray for the study and pray for me that would be appreciated. The Bible study has only gone as well as it has because many people are praying for it and the prayers of the Saints are what is making a difference between an academic study and a living Spiritual Bible study. I also have to say that it is really amazing how much of a difference that the light of the Bible has in removing darkness there have been some real dramatic spiritual moments during this study and it seems that the study is bringing some light into some new areas that were previous dark. Keep up the good participation! God bless everyone, David Anson Brown.

The newest plan for the Bible Study is that after finishing Deuteronomy to do the next book Joshua that will complete this first O.T. segment [it will make more sense when we read Matthew having gotten to the point where Israel is in the land] then doing a segment in the New Testament with the Gospel of Matthew and four epistles (James, Romans, Galatians, Hebrews) then back to the O.T. for another segment or two - Then around the Christmas Holidays to make sure we do the Minor Prophets just before Christmas and the Gospel of Luke during the week of Christmas
A job well done to everyone! The Bible study is going well, we have covered a lot of material some of it at a fast pace but people are doing a great job of keeping up and I apologize if the speed has added any difficulty to anyone's studies. I already plan on going back and looking at more material after we finish the study. There is a lot of exciting material that we still have yet to cover and the Book of Revelation will conclude the study if God enables us to do the entire study. God bless everyone! David Anson Brown

Basic Christian is presenting the 'blog Bible Study' - This is your invitation to join in the Through the Bible Study and discover your ancient family history as well as revealing your own personal, eternal and future destiny with God!
Starting in Genesis the Bible is the recorded history and the story of all mankind it is your story, your history and concluding in the book of Revelation your destiny and the destiny of all mankind. The Bible reveals the history and holds the destiny of all mankind! This is your invitation to join in the Through the Bible Study and discover your ancient family history as well as revealing your own personal, eternal and future destiny with God! [article link]

BlueLetterBible.org: Audio & Video Commentaries - Chuck Missler (Online Audio)
Mr. Missler is the chairman of Koinonia House (K-House), a non-profit organization which is dedicated to the development and distribution of materials for encouraging and facilitating serious study of the Bible as the inerrant Word of God. K-House was founded by Chuck and Nancy Missler, and moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho in 1992. K-House now reaches tens of thousands through its monthly newsletter, radio shows, cassette tapes, and conferences. More than eight million study tapes have been distributed in the U.S. and in over 35 countries around the world. [article link]

Basic Christian Theology: Answers to Bible Questions (132 Topics)
A Complete handy Reference - Study Guide/Tutorial. It covers 132 Christian Subjects and Topics from Adoption - Yahweh in an easy to read and understand format. An extensive resource, unparalleled in convenience and ease of use yet advanced in topic research. [article link]

KJV 1611 Holy Bible - Red Letter Edition {A Free PDF KJV Bible} (PDF)
The King James Version (KJV) 1611 with the Words of Jesus Formatted in Red is a complete Bible containing both the Old and the New Testaments. [article link]

How Can I Download (Youtube) Videos? - Download online videos with SaveVid.com [Enter Video URL:] (Utility)
Savevid.com is a tool which gives you the ability to download videos from streaming video sites. You can download videos from Youtube, Google Videos, Metacafe, Spike and more in FLV, AVI, MOV, MPG or WMV formats. [article link]

KJV (Hebrew-Greek) Key Word Study Bible - A Bible Recommendation for Studying Through the Bible along with the C-3000 Mp3s - The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible is a complete English Bible text for cross-reference study to the original languages from which the Bible was translated (KJV Bible - $29.99)
The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible combines essential tools for Hebrew and Greek with translations that accurately and clear. An easy-to-use style plus the benefits of the Strong's Dictionary numbering system makes this study Bible one for every student of God's Word, no matter what age. The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible is a complete English Bible text for cross-reference study to the original languages from which the Bible was translated. Key Features: Book Introductions - Footnotes on Key Passages - Red Letter Edition - System of Study - Key Words in the English Text Identified by James Strong's Numbering System - Codes in the New Testament Text Identify Grammatical Structure of Key Greek Words - Notations Explain the Significance of the Grammatical Codes - Hebrew and Greek Word Studies - Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries - Center-column Reference System - Concordance. [article link]

NLT Jesus Bible, Softcover - A Bible Recommendation for Studying Through the Bible along with the C-3000 Mp3s {Note: The C-3000 Through the Bible Mp3s are taught from the KJV Bible, since the teachings are KJV some people might want to follow with a different translation. It's always important to have a KJV in the Bible Study if the teacher is not using a KJV make sure you have one. The NLT (New Living Translation) is a good alternate translation I would defiantly avoid the NIV and NKJV versions. -- NLT is available at most bookstores and WalMart.} (NLT Bible - $14.99)
The Jesus Bible shows that the real Jesus -- as described throughout all of Scripture -- is alive today and relevant to everyday life. Through The Jesus Bible, you will meet the Savior and experience his ability to break through all boundaries, all preconceived ideas, and all stereotypes. Special Features: 500 unexpected notes show how we can find Jesus in unexpected situations - 100 Real Expressions devotionals that are tied to Bible characters, and are based on stories from real teens - 600 X-Focus call-outs highlight key Scripture verses and passages that address God's plan of salvation through Christ - 24 Explicit Answers show key sayings of Jesus spread throughout the Bible - 200 Xtraordinary, But True articles in the OT highlight unusual stories of people and prophets and show their relevance to today - New Living Translation - 9 point text - Two-column layout - Softcover. [article link]

The Word Bible Study Software - One of the very best Bible study software programs available, commercial or otherwise - Although the price tag for The Word is free, do not be fooled into thinking that its price tag reflects its feature list (software)
Find out what you can do with The Word: In the Beginning was the Word Bible software (The Word) was created in order to be a valuable, everyday tool for every Christian that wishes to read and study the Bible, the Word of God. We believe that In the Beginning was the Word Bible Software is one of the very best Bible study software programs available, commercial or otherwise. The Word is comparable to and in many cases, if not most, better than its commercial counterparts. Although the price tag for The Word is free, do not be fooled into thinking that its price tag reflects its feature list. ... The Word is designed to be a tool for everyday use, always running in the background and ready to respond whenever you need to look-up a verse, read the Bible, or study a passage or theme of the Bible in depth. It's quick to load, easy to customize and intuitive to use. We feel that its value and quality cannot be fully presented through a feature list, so we urge you to try it out. Each little detail has been carefully contemplated, designed and implemented with many options and customizations. This is exactly what makes people stick with The Word, once they give it a try. That's the best way to make up your mind too! [article link]

InstaVerse the Bible at your Fingertips - just point your mouse at a verse reference, and the [Bible] text pops up in your preferred translation! - Note: The KJV Bible is free other Bible Versions require a purchase.
Do you visit Christian web sites or receive daily devotional emails? Ever want to look up a scripture fast? InstaVerse™ by WORDsearch will let you instantly see the actual Bible text for scripture references like John 3:16 - just point your mouse at it, and the text pops up in your preferred translation! The best part is that InstaVerse with the KJV Bible is FREE! [article link]

How to Study the Bible - Start with Prayer!
Probably one of the most common reasons why Christians don't study the Bible is based on this complaint, "I just don't understand it!" Before you start each study session, begin by praying and asking God to open your spiritual understanding. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (NIV) So, as you pray, realize that the words you are studying are inspired by God. Psalm 119:130 tells us, "The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." (NIV). [article link]

Bible Study & Prayer - There are few things more important to Christian life than prayer - Prayer is our method of communication with Jesus our Lord and Creator (16 Short Text Studies)
There are few things more important to Christian life than prayer. Prayer is our method of communication with our Lord and Creator. And yet far too few understand prayer or have taken any time to study it. As I prepared this study, I was impressed more and more about how prayer is centered on relationships. Just like in any other relationship, if we don't communicate, the relationship is strained. When we don't communicate with God, our relationship with Him is strained. This study is based on Andrew Murray's classic, "With Christ in the School of Prayer." Several quotes are taken from there and are noted throughout the text. The studies do not cover every chapter in the book but instead give a highlight of the overall theme Murray writes about. The chapter on the Prayer of Corporate Repentance is my own addition and is not based upon the book. [article link]

How to Mark Your Bible - for EFFECTIVE Bible Study! By far the most useful method is [notes and use of] a color scheme {Using different color pens to put categorized () around Bible verses for easier and quicker future references.}
Underscoring: It is often wise to underscore or underline key words or phrases that you want to stand out in order to find them quickly. I use two colored fine-line pens for my underscoring, black for generally important verses and red for very important verses. Do not overdo this by underlining every time a new thought strikes you or the time will come when you will have more underlined than non-underlined and this can lead to a confusing hodgepodge. ... COLOR TOPIC(S) TO REMEMBER COLOR - TOPIC: Light Blue - Prayer - Think of prayers going up into a BLUE sky. Dark Blue - Healing/Sickness - Think of BLUE cross or a dark BLUE wound. Orange - Resurrection - Sons of God RISING (remember: SUNRISE). Red - Sabbath and Holy Days - Stop, Rest, Relax, (Think of a STOP light). Pink - Marriage/Divorce - Think of PINK, fluffy clouds of marriage. Light Green - Millennium/God's Kingdom - When earth will be GREEN & beautiful. Dark Green - Man's Mortality - Man's days are like GRASS - Psalm 103:15. Black/Gray - Satan/Demons (spiritual warfare) - EVIL, Darkness, Blackness. Purple - Promises to Israel and Heirs - Purple color of ROYALTY. Yellow/Gold - Law and Commandments - GOLDEN rule; Law worth more than GOLD. Brown - Repentance/Baptism - Picture AUTUMN LEAVES falling, dying of old self. {Feel free to use any colors in any way, in any combination and also not to use any color codes at all.} [article link]

walmart.com: Pigma Micron Pen Set - [Possible Pens for writing notes, marking and underling in Bibles] - See also the Pilot G2 Gel-ink Pens [only in black ink but with blue refills available] for writing notes in a notebook or on a notepad [the G2 pens are excellent for regular writing and notes but they use way too much ink to write in a Bible] {Another option in note taking is to write notes on a computer word program or some type of notes program or even make voice recordings. I'm going to write notes in a 'composition' paper notepad and then at a later time I might type them into a computer -- though I'll also put most of my notes - comments [hopefully the better ones] on the RSS new/info feed as well.} (Color Pen Set - $15.88)
SAKURA-Pigma Micron Pens #05.45mm. Heritage Collection (1 each): Sepia, Royal Blue, Burgundy, Hunter Green, Blue/Black, Fresh Green. A fine point drawing and writing pen offering a waterproof quick drying pigment ink. Micron pens will not clog or dry out. Ink will not feather or bleed through even the thinnest papers and is smear proof once dry. The pigment in the ink remains colorful and will not spread when applied. It is fade proof against sunlight or UV light; and is permanent and washable on cotton fabrics. Archival Quality. Acid Free. Imported. [article link]

Basic Christian: eBook Version (.CHM)
Possibly the best Basic Christian resource! Download it and give it a try! Includes the Red Letter Edition Holy Bible KJV 1611 Version. To download Right-Click then Select Save Target _As... [article link]

Basic Christian: Full Content (PDF)
Basic Christian Full Content PDF Version. The BasicChristian.org most complete resource. [article link]

Basic Christian: Video Downloads (Videos)
Each Mp3 or Video offers important information, encouragement or teaches an important Biblical concept. [article link]

Basic Christian: Mp3 Downloads (Mp3s)
Each Mp3 or Video offers important information, encouragement or teaches an important Biblical concept. [article link]

Basic Christian: Extended Version - News-Info Feed (RSS)
The a current Extended Basic Christian info-news feed. [article link]

Free Downloads: (PDF - MP3) from BasicChristian.org
It is our Commitment to provide a Varity of FREE and useful Downloads. It is also our Commitment to provide them in a convenient way without pop-up advertisements, redirects and other annoying interferences between you and the information you are seeking. We also encourage everyone to have a safety offline backup version of the Basic Christian material. [article link]

Old Testament

THE FIRST BOOK OF MOSES, CALLED

GENESIS

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God - How long has God existed? There is a dimension in which time does not exist, timelessness/eternity - God has existed from eternity - Before God created the physical universe He thought about you and provided for your redemption - Jesus was crucified for us before the foundation of the world [Revelation 13:8] - In John 1:1 we also read "In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word [Jesus] was with God, and the Word [Jesus] was God"
Note: In the beginning God ... God is upfront and open about His existence, about who He is, about His availability to us and about why He has created us [for His pleasure - Revelation 4:11]. The Bible is about God, the Bible is about mankind and the Bible is about God's special, ordained and unique relationship He has with all of mankind. It is therefore the opportunity and the ability of each individual human to acknowledge God and to enter into that special childlike relationship that mankind is intended to have with God a relationship that God has thoughtfully and diligently provided for each of us in a relationship that is recorded for us in the scripture verses on the pages of His Holy Bible.

Dr. John Morris Institute for Creation Research - Evidence for Creation
Institute for Creation Research (ICR) equips believers with evidence of the Bible's accuracy and authority through scientific research, educational programs, and media presentations, all conducted within a thoroughly biblical framework. [article link]

Highly Recommended!!! -- DrDino.com: Creation Seminar Boxed Set, 8 DVDs - This new boxed set is the 2007 edition of the seminar! ($89.95)
Dr. Hovind's Creation Seminar Series is his most popular set of videos, capturing the attention of all, young and old alike. God has used his fast-paced, fully illustrated seminar to bring thousands of people closer to Him. This 17-hour series comes on eight DVDs and is frequently updated to provide the most current information available. This new boxed set is the 2007 edition of the seminar! The set includes the Seminar Notebook and the Seminar Workbook on CD-ROM. A total savings of $43.10! [article link]

amazon.com: Earth in Upheaval by Immanuel Velikovsky (Book)
Comments: Velikovsky compiled this huge list of catastrophic data in answer to one of the foolish criticisms of 1950's "Worlds In Collision" -- that it relied on 'tales and stories'. Catastrophists often rely on bits and pieces from this book, perhaps indirectly, but nowhere else can they all be found, except perhaps for William Corliss' catalogs and sourcebooks. The only thing that has happened since "Earth In Upheaval" was published in 1955 is that even more evidence has emerged along with even more outlandish rationalizations and apologia for uniform "explanations". While this 19th century delusional system perishes, its grip on power has slipped away. Catastrophism triumphs everywhere, even in the consideration of celestial disasters in historical times. In 1960 the Chicxulub crater was discovered by PEMEX. In 1970 someone first suggested that the dinosaurs went extinct due to an impact. In 1972 impact was shown to be the dominant force on the lunar surface. In 1980 the Alvarez team suggested it again, supporting their view with the iridium found at the K-T boundary layer. Others found similar iridium in other boundary layers. By 1990 the Chicxulub crater finally came to the attention of the impact theorists. Impact wasn't the fully accepted consensus until the 1994 impacts of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9's fragments into Jupiter. The text has the same ease and command of Velikovsky's other books, and I found it to be a pleasure to read 20 plus years ago. I highly recommend it, particularly for those considering other books. There is still a great deal of ill-temper, hostility, and ignorance regarding Velikovsky's works, and these often take the form of a single dismissive sentence or paragraph. Living writers seem to go out of their way to dump on him, and this is particularly true among fringe authors. See also Velikovsky's other works (new and used), David Rohl's "Pharaohs and Kings", Peter James' "Centuries of Darkness", Ryan and Pitman's "Noah's Flood", Mary Settegast's "Plato Prehistorian", and Robert Schoch's "Voices of the Rocks". ... I have read this book as well as others by this author and found it fascinating, well researched. It does challenge established science. Strict guidelines have to be followed when emitting a theory; Mr. Velikovsky seems to have done just that even though his detractors find him sensationalistic to say the least. However, science has to be challenged. That is how new discoveries are made, quite often, at the expense of the scientist's career, especially if he goes agaist the grain of accepted theories or so called "known facts". Unfortunately, Sciences' motives are not always as pure as one would want to believe. Scientists are human, therefore faillible and like everybody else, they like to protect their turf. [article link]

Dr. A.E. Wilder-Smith - As a true pioneer of the alternatives to evolutionary theory, Dr. A.E. Wilder-Smith fearlessly confronted the seemingly all-powerful theory of evolution in universities and churches all over the world (Mp3s)
A..E. Wilder-Smith studied natural sciences at Oxford, England. He received his first doctorate in Physical Organic Chemistry at Reading University, England, 1941. During World War II, he joined the Research department of ICI in England. After the war, he became Countess of Lisburne Memorial Fellow at the University of London. Subsequently, Dr. Wilder-Smith was appointed Director of Research for a Swiss pharmaceutical company. Later he was elected to teach Chemotherapy and Pharmacology at the Medical School of the University of Geneva for which position he received his "habitation" (the senior examination required for professorial appointments to European continental universities). At Geneva, he earned his second doctorate, followed by a third doctorate from the ETH (a senior university in Switzerland) in Zurich. -- In 1957-1958 Wilder-Smith was Visiting Assistant Professor at the Medical Centre of the University of Illinois, 1959-1961 Visting Full Professor of Pharmacology of the University of Bergen Medical School in Norway. After a further two years at the University of Geneva, he was appointed Full Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Illinois Medical Centre. Here he received in three succeeding years - three ``Golden Apple Awards" for the best course of lectures, together with four senior lecturer awards for the best series of year lectures. Dr. Wilder-Smith's last Golden Apple award was inscribed, "He made us not only better scientists, but also better men." [article link]

'Evolution Cruncher' PDF e-Book This is the original edition of this book (PDF)
Evolutionary theory has ruined the lives of millions. This book will help eliminate its grip over the minds of those who read it. WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THIS BOOK - GIVE IT to every young person you know. Share a copy with everyone you meet. It is needed everywhere. Let's win the world back from the deadly effects of evolution. Give boxfuls to church schools, academies, and churches to distribute. [article link]

Photo of Fossil Footprints: shows how the dinosaur impression affecfted the human footprint when it (dinosaur) stepped into it (human footprint) - the stone's impressions indicate that the human stepped first, the dinosaur second (Photo)
A closer view of the 'Alvis Delk Cretaceous Footprint' gives a closer view of the two prints, and shows how the dinosaur impression affecfted the human footprint when it stepped into it. Courtesy of David Lines / Creation Evidence Museum. / Mineral Wells Index. Order photo reprints. [article link]

Rock-solid proof? A discovery by a former Mineral Wells resident might hold proof man and dinosaur walked the Earth together - Baugh said he believes both sets of prints (human and dinosaur) were made "within minutes, or no more than hours of each other" about 4,500 years ago, around the time of Noah's Flood - He said the clay-like material that the human and dinosaur stepped in soon hardened, becoming thick, dense limestone common in North Texas - the stone's impressions indicate that the human stepped first, the dinosaur second (Photos)
A slab of North Texas limestone is on track to rock the world, with its two imbedded footprints poised to make a huge impression in scientific and religious circles. The estimated 140-pound stone was recovered in July 2000 from the bank of a creek that feeds the Paluxy River near Glen Rose, Texas, located about 53 miles south of Fort Worth. The find was made just outside Dinosaur Valley State Park, a popular destination for tourists known for its well-preserved dinosaur tracks and other fossils. The limestone contains two distinct prints - one of a human footprint and one belonging to a dinosaur. The significance of the cement-hard fossil is that it shows the dinosaur print partially over and intersecting the human print. In other words, the stone's impressions indicate that the human stepped first, the dinosaur second. If proven genuine, the artifact would provide evidence that man and dinosaur roamed the Earth at the same time, according to those associated with the find and with its safekeeping. It could potentially toss out the window many commonly held scientific theories on evolution and the history of the world. ... Baugh said the scans prove that the impressions are real and could not have been carved or etched into the stone. ... He also noted how the dinosaur's impression pushed up material from the human print and altered its shape in the area of the intrusion. [article link]

Fossil: Meister Sandal Track with Trilobite (beetle-bug) embedded [click 'Museum Displays' on the menu] - The oldest fossil (human) footprint yet found was discovered in June 1968 by William J. Meister on an expedition to Antelope Spring, 43 miles west of Delta, Utah - Amazingly the human was wearing a sandal! The sandal that seems to have crushed a living trilobite was 10 1/4 inches long and 3 1/2 inches wide; the heel is indented slightly more than the sole, as a human shoe print would be - A trilobite crushed within a human sandal print Found on June 1, 1968 (Photo)
Meister Sandal Track: The oldest fossil footprint yet found was discovered in June 1968 by William J. Meister on an expedition to Antelope Spring, 43 miles west of Delta, Utah. He was accompanied by his wife and two daughters, and by Mr. and Mrs. Francis Shape and their two daughters. The party had already discovered several fossils of trilobites when Meister split open a two-inch-thick slab of rock with his hammer and discovered the print. The rock fell open "like a book." revealing on one side the footprint of a human with trilobites right in the footprint itself. The other half of the rock slab showed an almost perfect mold of the footprint and fossils. Amazingly the human was wearing a sandal! The sandal that seems to have crushed a living trilobite was 10 1/4 inches long and 3 1/2 inches wide; the heel is indented slightly more than the sole, as a human shoe print would be. The Meister Sandal Track is another strong piece of evidence that the evolutionary theories promated in class rooms across the nation and world do not promote "Truth", but instead promote theory that is bankrupt at its core. [article link]

Wikipedia.com: NASA Surveyor Program 1966 - 1968: The Surveyor Program was a NASA program that, from 1966 through 1968, sent seven robotic spacecraft to the surface of the Moon - Several Surveyor spacecraft had robotic shovels designed to test lunar soil mechanics - Before this project, it was unknown how deep the dust on the Moon was - If the dust was too deep, then no astronaut could land - The Surveyor program proved that landings were possible [possible due to the small depth of moon dust coating the moon surface but numerous other challenges like distance and radiation remain] - There were seven (NASA) Surveyor missions; five were successful, Surveyors 2 and 4 failed - Surveyor 6 (November 10, 1967) was the first spacecraft to lift off from the Moon's surface [to return moon dust and moon rocks back to the earth] - Each consisted of a single unmanned spacecraft designed and built by Hughes Aircraft Company
The Surveyor Program was a NASA program that, from 1966 through 1968, sent seven robotic spacecraft to the surface of the Moon. Its primary goal was to demonstrate the feasibility of soft landings on the Moon. The program was implemented by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to prepare for the Apollo Program. The spacecraft are still on the Moon; none of the missions included returning them to Earth. Some parts of Surveyor 3 were returned to Earth by Apollo 12. The camera is on display at the National Air and Space Museum. ... The program performed several other services beyond its primary goal of demonstrating soft landings. The ability of spacecraft to make midcourse corrections was demonstrated, and the landers carried instruments to help evaluate the suitability of their landing sites for manned Apollo landings. Several Surveyor spacecraft had robotic shovels designed to test lunar soil mechanics. Before this project, it was unknown how deep the dust on the Moon was. If the dust was too deep, then no astronaut could land. The Surveyor program proved that landings were possible. Some of the Surveyors also had alpha scattering instruments and magnets, which helped determine the chemical composition of the soil. ... There were seven Surveyor missions; five were successful. Surveyors 2 and 4 failed. Each consisted of a single unmanned spacecraft designed and built by Hughes Aircraft Company. ... Surveyor 6 (November 10, 1967) was the first spacecraft to lift off from the Moon's surface [to return moon dust and moon rocks back to the earth], and Apollo 12 landed within walking distance of the Surveyor 3 landing site. ... During the time of the Surveyor missions, the United States was actively involved in a Space Race with the Soviet Union. Thus the (USA) Surveyor 1 landing in June 1966, only four months after the Soviet Luna 9 probe landed in February, was an indication the programs were at similar stages. [article link]

Russian Luna programme 1959 - 1976: Another major achievement of the (Soviet) Luna programme, with Luna 16, Luna 20 and Luna 24 spacecrafts, was the ability to collect samples of lunar soil and return them to Earth [the NASA probes can return both dust and rocks], by 1970 The (Soviet) program returned 0.326 kg [0.798 lbs - 12.76 oz] of lunar samples - The Luna missions were the first space-exploration sample return missions to rely solely on advanced robotics - Luna 15, also designed to return soil samples from the lunar surface, holds the significance of undergoing its mission at the same time as the historic (1969) Apollo 11 mission - Map: Locations of missions on the Moon (Click to enlarge)
The Luna programme (from the Russian word "Luna" meaning "Moon"), occasionally called Lunik or Lunnik, was a series of robotic spacecraft missions sent to the Moon by the Soviet Union between 1959 and 1976. Fifteen were successful, each designed as either an orbiter or lander, and accomplished many firsts in space exploration. They also performed many experiments, studying the Moon's chemical composition, gravity, temperature, and radiation. Twenty-four spacecraft were formally given the Luna designation, although more were launched. Those which failed to reach orbit were not publicly acknowledged at the time and not assigned a Luna number and ones which failed in low Earth orbit were usually given Cosmos designations. The estimated cost of Luna Program was about $4.5 billion. ... Achievements: Luna 1 missed its intended impact with the Moon and became the first spacecraft to fall into orbit around the Sun. In 1959, the Luna 2 mission successfully impacted upon the lunar surface, becoming the first man-made object to reach the Moon. Luna 3 rounded the Moon later that year, and returned the first photographs of its far side, which can never be seen from Earth. Luna 9 became the first probe to achieve a soft landing on another planetary body (February 1966). It returned five black and white stereoscopic circular panoramas, which were the first close-up shots of the Lunar surface. Later that year Luna 10 became the first artificial satellite of the Moon. Luna 17 and Luna 21 carried roving vehicles which roamed around on the Moon's terrain (see Lunokhod programme). Another major achievement of the Luna programme, with Luna 16, Luna 20 and Luna 24 spacecrafts, was the ability to collect samples of lunar soil and return them to Earth, by 1970. The program returned 0.326 kg of lunar samples. The Luna missions were the first space-exploration sample return missions to rely solely on advanced robotics. -- Other notable missions: Luna 15, also designed to return soil samples from the lunar surface, holds the significance of undergoing its mission at the same time as the historic Apollo 11 mission. Arguably a last-ditch attempt to steal thunder from the potential American success, it would have returned lunar samples to Earth before the Apollo astronauts could do so. However, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were already on the lunar surface when Luna 15 began its descent, and the spacecraft crashed into a mountain minutes later. [article link]

What Neil & Buzz (1969) Left on the Moon - Cutting-edge Science Experiment Left by Apollo 11 astronauts Still Running Today - a 2-foot wide panel studded with 100 mirrors pointing at Earth: the "lunar laser ranging retroreflector array" - [also] in the Sea of Serenity There's a set of mirrors there onboard the parked Soviet Lunokhud 2 (1959) [unmanned] moon rover [probe] - "Using these mirrors" explains Alley, "we can 'ping' the moon with laser pulses [from earth] and measure the Earth-moon distance very precisely - The moon is spiraling away from Earth at a rate of 3.8 cm per year - Why? Earth's ocean tides are responsible
University of Maryland physics professor Carroll Alley was the project's principal investigator during the Apollo years, and he follows its progress today. "Using these mirrors," explains Alley, "we can 'ping' the moon with laser pulses and measure the Earth-moon distance very precisely. This is a wonderful way to learn about the moon's orbit and to test theories of gravity." Here's how it works: A laser pulse shoots out of a telescope on Earth, crosses the Earth-moon divide, and hits the array. Because the mirrors are "corner-cube reflectors," they send the pulse straight back where it came from. "It's like hitting a ball into the corner of a squash court," explains Alley. Back on Earth, telescopes intercept the returning pulse--"usually just a single photon," he marvels. ... Targeting the mirrors and catching their faint reflections is a challenge, but astronomers have been doing it for 35 years. A key observing site is the McDonald Observatory in Texas where a 0.7 meter telescope regularly pings reflectors in the Sea of Tranquility (Apollo 11), at Fra Mauro (Apollo 14) and Hadley Rille (Apollo 15), and, sometimes, in the Sea of Serenity. There's a set of mirrors there onboard the parked Soviet Lunokhud 2 moon rover--maybe the coolest-looking robot ever built. [article link]

August 24, 2006: Lunar probe aims to crash into the Moon - The European Space Agency is gearing up for its first ever lunar landing - On 3 September, its lunar orbiter SMART-1 will crash onto the Moon
The European Space Agency is gearing up for its first ever lunar landing. On 3 September, its lunar orbiter SMART-1 will crash onto the Moon - hopefully in spectacular style - as its mission comes to a close. Mission controllers have used the last remaining fuel on the spacecraft to make it crash onto the nearside of the Moon. The crash should happen at approximately 0530 GMT as the spacecraft lands on a volcanic plain called the "Lake of Excellence" on the southwest of the Moon's disc. But the impact might occur one orbit (about 5 hours) earlier if the low-flying spacecraft happens to hit a mountainside. SMART-1 will hit the lunar surface at about 7000 kilometres per hour, just over three times the maximum speed of the supersonic Concorde. "It's likely that it's going to ricochet off the surface," said chief mission scientist Bernard Foing at a press conference in London, UK, on Thursday. [article link]

November 12, 2008: TV-sized probe to strike Moon's surface - India's Chandrayaan spacecraft is set to eject a television-sized probe that will crash onto the lunar surface on Friday - When the probe hits the surface, it is expected to kick up a huge amount of dust that will be analysed by instruments on the Chandrayaan orbiter
India's Chandrayaan spacecraft is set to eject a television-sized probe that will crash onto the lunar surface on Friday. The probe will make observations as it descends, testing systems needed to land future robotic spacecraft on the Moon. Chandrayaan, which launched on [Wednesday] 22 October, has been travelling on an elongated path around the Moon since it went into orbit there on Saturday [a four day journey]. ... An altimeter will measure the probe's height as it nosedives, helping to test technologies needed to make 'soft' landings on the Moon. India's next lunar mission, scheduled for 2010, involves not only an orbiter but also a Russian-built lander that will study samples of lunar soil. "I think the main purpose [of the Moon Impact Probe] is preparations for future soft landings," says Christian Erd, mission project manager at the European Space Agency in Noordwijk, The Netherlands. "It is a demonstration of the separation mechanism and getting to the surface." The probe will also carry a mass spectrometer that will measure traces of gas and dust floating above the Moon. Signals from all three onboard instruments will be relayed back to the spacecraft and from there to ground stations on Earth. [article link]

June 11, 2009: Japan's first lunar probe ends mission - Japan's first lunar probe made a controlled crash landing on the moon Thursday, successfully completing a 19-month mission to study the Earth's nearest neighbor, Japan's space agency said - During the Kaguya project, Japan launched two other orbiters to relay data - One landed on the moon in February, while the other has been measuring gravity around the moon and is still in orbit
(AP) -- Japan's first lunar probe made a controlled crash landing on the moon Thursday, successfully completing a 19-month mission to study the Earth's nearest neighbor, Japan's space agency said. The remotely controlled satellite, named after the folklore princess Kaguya, had been orbiting the moon to map its surface and study its mineral distribution and gravity levels. It was dropped onto the surface of the moon at 3:25 am. (1825 GMT), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, said in a statement. ... "With data from Kaguya, we hope to shed light on the evolution of the moon," Sobue said. During the Kaguya project, Japan launched two other orbiters to relay data. One landed on the moon in February, while the other has been measuring gravity around the moon and is still in orbit. Japan launched a moon probe in 1990, but that was a flyby mission. Japan launched its first satellite in 1970 and has achieved several major scientific coups in space, including the launch of a probe that made a rendezvous with an asteroid. The Japanese-produced H-2A rocket is one of the world's most advanced and consistent. ... A mission to Mars had to be abandoned in 2003 after a probe moved off course. [article link]

Genesis 2-3 - Being made in the likeness and image of God no doubt referring to the spiritual aspects of God's nature - Love, God's chief emotional characteristic is love as God is Love, we are created with the capacity to love - God's chief governmental attribute is that of self determination so given to us is the capacity of choice - God is a Spirit so He made man a spiritual being because we are made like God -- God made us spiritual beings - I am a spirit, I live in a body, I possess a conciseness a self-awareness - the physical body [a temporary tent] is not the real me I'm going to move from it one day into a real house [heaven] - what will the new [spiritual, heavenly] body look like? I don't know but I know it will be perfect [complete]
God created Adam's physical body from the dirt of the ground. The same 17 elements found in [common] dirt are the same 17 elements found in our physical body. Note: Adam (man) was uniquely created spiritually (spirit/soul) in the image of God [Genesis 1:26] and physically from the dust of the ground. The fish/water animals and birds were first created through the water [Genesis 1:20 - creation day 5] while the land animals and Adam were created through the ground [Genesis 1:24 - creation day 6]. Later the female animals (helpmates) were all created separately through the ground [Genesis 2:19] their creation was an event Adam witnessed and participated in with his naming all of the animals. Eve (the woman) was not created separately from the ground as the animals were but from the side of Adam. Eve is not a separate creation like the animals male and female are separate from each other. Eve is a part of the exact same unique [Genesis 1:27] creation of Adam. Originally Adam was formed through the dust of the ground but now humans are formed through the water; the water of the womb. -- Also Note: since the original creation sin has entered into creation and creation now represents both the creation abilities of God and also the fallen sinful nature of mankind and the results of sin show in all of creation. With the fall and along with the thorns and thissles [Genesis 3:18] some animals became poisonous, decay and fermentation (alcohol) entered creation and some plants became toxic; plants like marijuana that before the fall would have been suitable for humans but since the fall have an alternate and adverse effect on the human body, mind (soul) and spirit.

Darwin Taught Male Superiority "males are more evolutionarily advanced than females" {Genesis 1:26-28 And God said, Let us (Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, after Our likeness: ... So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; *male and *female created He them - And God blessed them, -- Holy Bible. Mankind, male and female are created in the "image" of God so we can communicate and interact with God. If we did not have some of the emotions, understanding and feelings of God we would have nothing in common with God. Note: Our human emotions and thoughts are now tainted by sin while God remains pure and Holy.}
According to Darwinian theory, women were less evolved than men, and because of their smaller brains, they were "eternally primitive," childlike, less spiritual, more materialistic, and "a real danger to contemporary civilization." The supposed intelligence gap that many leading Darwinists believed existed between human males and females was so large that some leading Darwinists classified them as two distinct species-males as Homo frontalis and females as Homo parietalis. The differences were so great that Darwin was amazed "such different beings belong to the same species." Reasons for male superiority included the conclusion that war and hunting pruned the weaker men, allowing only the most fit to return home and reproduce. Women, in contrast, were not subject to these selection pressures but were protected by men, allowing the weak to survive. ... Darwin's writings and those of his disciples reveal that the belief of women inferiority was central to early evolutionary theory. In The Descent of Man Darwin argued that adult females of most species resembled the young of both sexes and that "males are more evolutionarily advanced than females." [article link]

Highly Recommended!!! -- Many Infallible Proofs by DR. Henry Morris - Packed with facts and proofs about Christianity, Christ, God, creation, science and more - Includes 666 [mark of the beast numerology] discussion (Book $9.99)
Henry Morris - the grandfather of Scientific Creationism - shows what impact God's Word can have on the world. At once shining light on little known truths of the faith, strengthening believers through the Scripture, and providing information for skeptics or unbelievers, Many Infallible Proofs can also be a valuable tool in evangelism by showing where we can engage the individual we may be witnessing to. Henry Morris was on the forefront of the Christian anti-evolution movement until his death in 2006, producing many books and contributing greatly to the Young Earth model for creationism. This book, updated from his 1974 classic, is indicative of his committment to the glory of God through biblical truths. [article link]

Dr. Henry Morris books in print - The Genesis Record ($22.99) - The Genesis Flood ($13.99) - Many Infallible Proofs ($9.99) - (Books)
The Genesis Record is a scientific devotional commentary on the book of beginnings written by a creationist scientist. This book is written in the narrative rather than a verse-by-verse analysis form. In this work Morris guides the reader through the earth's early history showing his expertise in hydrology and geology so Scripture can be better understood. -- When The Genesis Flood first appeared reviewers predicted that it would be quoted, referred to, and widely discussed in the years ahead. Carefully written and well-documented, the book has since become a classic apologetic for Biblical creationism and the universality of the Flood described in the Book of Genesis. -- Packed with facts and proofs about Christianity, Christ, God, creation, science and more, Henry Morris - the grandfather of Scientific Creationism - shows what impact God's Word can have on the world. At once shining light on little known truths of the faith, strengthening believers through the Scripture, and providing information for skeptics or unbelievers, Many Infallible Proofs can also be a valuable tool in evangelism by showing where we can engage the individual we may be witnessing to. ... Henry Morris was on the forefront of the Christian anti-evolution movement until his death in 2006, producing many books and contributing greatly to the Young Earth model for creationism. This book, updated from his 1974 classic, is indicative of his committment to the glory of God through biblical truths. [article link]

Highly Recommended!!! -- Dr. Dino Creationist Kent Hovind Reveals The Truth About The Garden of Eden and Creation! {Discusses the earth's original water canopy covering.} (Google Video)
Kent Hovind - 1 hr 56 min 19 sec - Mar 2, 2006 - www.drdino.com [article link]

What is the Canopy Theory? It is interesting to note that if a frozen [water][or not frozen but a pure liquid water] canopy were able to exist in the atmosphere despite cosmic bombardment, its ability to stay in orbit [rain clouds of water orbit the earth today], and its transparency (sunlight has to get through it) [sunlight goes through water], its collapse into liquid rain [the water canopy could have been water then became in part flood water, rain, chunks of ice, comets, etc. after the canopy broke apart initiating the flood of Noah's day] would have an extreme cooling effect and might be an explanation for the commencement of the Ice Age - Despite the fact that we know that it [ice age] happened, the complex factors involved in getting an Ice Age started makes it seem impossible and baffles modern science to this day
Answer: The canopy theory seeks to explain the reference in Genesis 1:6 to "the waters above the firmament," assuming that "firmament," or "expanse," as the Hebrew word is alternatively translated, refers to our atmosphere. According to the canopy theory, there was a canopy of water above the atmosphere until the cataclysm of Noah's day, at which point it disappeared either by collapsing upon the earth or by dissipation into space. It is presumed to have consisted of water vapor because a canopy of ice could not have survived the constant bombardment of celestial objects like meteoroids which perpetually barrage the earth's atmosphere. ... Advocates of the canopy theory once speculated that the collapse of such a vapor canopy might have provided the water for the heavy rains which inundated the earth during Noah's flood. ... It is interesting to note that if a frozen canopy were able to exist in the atmosphere despite cosmic bombardment, its ability to stay in orbit, and its transparency (sunlight has to get through it), its collapse into liquid rain would have an extreme cooling effect and might be an explanation for the commencement of the Ice Age. Despite the fact that we know that it happened, the complex factors involved in getting an Ice Age started makes it seem impossible and baffles modern science to this day. Advocates of the canopy theory also cite it as a possible cause for a variety of pre-flood anomalies, including human longevity and the apparent lack of rain or rainbows. They claim that such a canopy would filter out much of the cosmic radiation that is harmful to humans and cause the lack of rain or rainbows. However, opponents dispute such a canopy's ability to produce these results. [article link]

The Origin of Comets - Comets [outerspace remnants of the origional creation water canopy], which are primarily ice [frozen water], have rocks in their cores
Comets may be the most dynamic, spectacular, variable, and mysterious bodies in the solar system. They contain even organic matter which many early scientists concluded was "decomposed organic bodies." Today, a popular belief is that comets brought life to Earth. Instead, comets may have traces of life from Earth. [article link]

The Origin of Asteroids [outerspace remnants of the origional creation water canopy] and Meteoroids - Asteroids are rock piles, often with ice [frozen water] acting as a weak "glue" inside - Large rocks that began the capture process are nearer the centers of asteroids
The "fountains of the great deep" launched rocks as well as muddy water. As rocks moved farther from Earth, Earth's gravity became less significant to them, and the gravity of nearby rocks became increasingly significant. Consequently, many rocks, assisted by their mutual gravity and surrounding clouds of water vapor, merged to become asteroids. [article link]

wikipedia.org: Drop liquid - Impact of a drop of water {View a photo of a drop of water impacting a pool of water or any surface then view a photo of an impact crater on the moon both the drop of water impact and moon craters have identical features - showing that the moon craters were indeed created from numerous impacts of comet [ice, rocks] debris.} (Photos)
A drop or droplet is a small volume of liquid, bounded completely or almost completely by free surfaces. A drop may form when liquid accumulates at the lower end of a tube or other surface boundary, producing a hanging drop called a pendant drop. Drops may also be formed by the condensation of a vapor or by atomization of a larger mass of liquid. ... Impact of a drop of water (Photo). Backjet from drop impact (Photo). A drop of water hitting a metal surface (Photo). ... A triple backjet after impact (Photo). [article link]

wikipedia.org: Impact crater on the Moon - the term is used for the approximately circular depression in the surface of a planet, moon or other solid body in the Solar System, formed by the hyper-velocity impact of a smaller body with the surface - Impact craters typically have raised rims, and they range from small, simple, bowl-shaped depressions to large, complex, multi-ringed impact basins - Meteor Crater is perhaps the best-known example of a small impact crater on the Earth - A laboratory simulation (Video Demo) of an impact event and crater formation - The prominent impact crater Tycho on the Moon (Photo)
In the broadest sense, the term impact crater can be applied to any depression, natural or manmade, resulting from the high velocity impact of a projectile with larger body. In most common usage, the term is used for the approximately circular depression in the surface of a planet, moon or other solid body in the Solar System, formed by the hyper-velocity impact of a smaller body with the surface. This is in contrast to the pit crater which results from an internal collapse. Impact craters typically have raised rims, and they range from small, simple, bowl-shaped depressions to large, complex, multi-ringed impact basins. Meteor Crater is perhaps the best-known example of a small impact crater on the Earth. Impact craters provide the dominant landforms on many solid Solar System objects including the Moon, Mercury, Callisto, Ganymede and most small moons and asteroids. On other planets and moons that experience more-active surface geological processes, such as Earth, Venus, Mars, Europa, Io and Titan, visible impact craters are less common because they become eroded, buried or transformed by tectonics over time. Where such processes have destroyed most of the original crater topography, the terms impact structure or astrobleme are more commonly used. In early literature, before the significance of impact cratering was widely recognised, the terms cryptoexplosion or cryptovolcanic structure were often used to describe what are now recognised as impact-related features on Earth. -- In the early Solar System, rates of impact cratering were much higher than today. The large multi-ringed impact basins, with diameters of hundreds of kilometers or more, retained for example on Mercury and the Moon, record a period of intense early bombardment in the inner Solar System that ended about 3.8 billion years ago. Since that time, the rate of crater production on Earth has been considerably lower, but it is appreciable nonetheless; Earth experiences from one to three impacts large enough to produce a 20 km diameter crater about once every million years on average. This indicates that there should be far more relatively young craters on the planet than have been discovered so far. [article link]

wikipedia.org: Moon Rilles [riverbeds] - Rille (German for 'groove') is typically used to describe any of the long, narrow depressions in the lunar surface that resemble channels - Typically a rille can be up to several kilometers wide and hundreds of kilometers in length - However, the term has also been used loosely to describe similar structures on a number of planets in the Solar System, including Mars, Venus, and on a number of moons - All bear remarkable structural resemblance to each other {Another theory about rilles and canyons is not that they were lava flows from extinct volcanoes but that the majority of rilles and canyons are dry riverbeds from temporary rivers that as comets composed of ice impacted our moon, other planets (Mars) and other moons that the ice shattered and melted on impact creating a temporary river but only until the water quickly evaporated back into space as the moon and other planets do not have enough gravity or their own atmosphere to trap and retain the liquid water on their surface like the earth does.} (Photos)
Rille (German for 'groove') is typically used to describe any of the long, narrow depressions in the lunar surface that resemble channels. Typically a rille can be up to several kilometers wide and hundreds of kilometers in length. However, the term has also been used loosely to describe similar structures on a number of planets in the Solar System, including Mars, Venus, and on a number of moons. All bear remarkable structural resemblance to each other. Three types of rille are found on the lunar surface: Sinuous rilles meander in a curved path like a mature river, and are commonly thought to be the remains of collapsed lava tubes or extinct lava flows. They usually begin at an extinct volcano, then meander and sometimes split as they are followed across the surface. Vallis Schröteri in Oceanus Procellarum is the largest sinuous rille. Arcuate rilles have a smooth curve and are found on the edges of the dark lunar maria. They are believed to form when the lava flows that created a mare cool, contract, and sink. This are found all over the moon, examples can be seen near the south-western border of Mare Tranquillitatis and on the south-eastern border of Mare Humorum. Straight rilles follow long, linear paths and are believed to be grabens, sections of the crust that have sunk between two parallel faults. These can be readily identified when they pass through craters or mountain ranges. Vallis Alpes is by far the largest graben rille, indeed it is regarded as too large to be called a rille and is itself bisected by a straight rille; Rupes Recta in Mare Nubium is a clearer example. Rilles which show more than one structure are termed hybrid rilles. Rima Hyginus in Sinus Medii is an example, initially formed through a fault and subsequently subject to volcanic activity. [article link]

Hawaii.edu: Ice on the Bone Dry Moon - the lunar surface is bombarded with water-rich objects such as comets {It seems the comets [ice chunks] would have to originate from the earth's atmosphere in order to so significantly saturate the earth side of the moon with impact craters. There are nearly as many impact craters on the near side of the moon as there are on the far side [dark side - outerspace side] of the moon.}
An abundant supply of water on the Moon would make establishment of a self-sustaining lunar colony much more feasible and less expensive than presently thought. Study of lunar samples revealed that the interior of the Moon is essentially devoid of water, so no underground supplies could be used by lunar inhabitants. However, the lunar surface is bombarded with water-rich objects such as comets, and scientists have suspected that some of the water in these objects could migrate to permanently dark areas at the lunar poles, perhaps accumulating to useable quantities. The discovery of ice on the Moon has enormous implications for a permanent human return to the Moon. Water ice is made up of hydrogen and oxygen, two elements vital to human life and space operations. Lunar ice could be mined and disassociated into hydrogen and oxygen by electric power provided by solar panels deployed in nearby illuminated areas or a nuclear generator. This hydrogen and oxygen is a prime rocket fuel, giving us the ability to refuel rockets at a lunar "filling station" and making transport to and from the Moon more economical by at least a factor of ten. Additionally, the water from lunar polar ice and oxygen generated from the ice could support a permanent facility or outpost on the Moon. The discovery of this material, rare on the Moon but so vital to human life and operations in space, will make our expansion into the Solar System easier and reaffirms the immense value of our own Moon as the stepping stone into the universe. [article link]

Study: Dinosaur loss wasn't mammals' gain - "I was flabbergasted," said study co-author Ross MacPhee, curator of vertebrate zoology at the American Museum of Natural History in New York {More proof that evolutionist are simply groping their way through theories and making them up as they go along.}
NEW YORK (AP) -- The big dinosaur extinction of 65 million years ago didn't produce a flurry of new species in the ancestry of modern mammals after all, says a huge study that challenges a long-standing theory. Scientists who constructed a massive evolutionary family tree for mammals found no sign of such a burst of new species at that time among the ancestors of present-day animals. ... Some experts praised the large scale of the new evolutionary tree, which used a controversial "supertree" method to combine data covering the vast majority of mammal species. It challenges paleontologists to find new fossils that can shed light on mammal history, said Greg Wilson, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. William J. Murphy of Texas A&M University, who is working on a similar project, said no previous analysis had included so many mammal species. But, "I don't think this is the final word," he said. The study's approach for assigning dates was relatively crude, he said, and some dates it produced for particular lineages disagree with those obtained by more updated methods. So as for its interpretation of what happened when the dinosaurs died off, "I'm not sure that conclusion is well-founded," Murphy said. [article link]

Genesis 4 - Remove from your mind the notion that Satan is a vile, repulsive creature - Satan came to Eve masquerading himself as an angel of light - in order that sin may look not like the destruction it is but attractive and appealing - Satan came questioning the Word of God - trying through his questions to cast doubt on the Word of God and on the nature of God - The questions of Satan are designed to suggest that there is an unfairness with God that God is withholding something from us - today most people have a wrong concept of God because Satan is working to give people a wrong concept - the right concept of God is that God loves us and that He cares very much for each one of us {It was Satan that deceived Eve and then worse of all Satan wanted Eve to take the blame for disobeying God. This is a very important Biblical concept that Satan the instigator is also Satan the accuser. Satan instigates the problem, the thought, the motive but then Satan departs when any blame or accountability is to be issued out. Do not under any circumstance be tempted like Eve was tempted to accept the full blame and responsibility all by yourself apart from telling the situation to God. Tell everything to God! Get God involved in your life! Involve God in all the issues of your life especially those things that don't work out and that do go wrong, get God involved and then let God decide how it should be handled. God knew full well that Satan had tricked Eve and that Satan wanted Eve to take the full responsibility for the disaster that is why God didn't ask Eve what had happened. God knew Eve would accept responsibility for something that she did not instigate therefore God asked Adam what had happened knowing Adam would put the disaster at the feet of Eve and that then Eve would finally be willing to put the responsibility for the disastrous, disobedient act at the feet of Satan where it belongs.}
The [very] moment you open yourself up to dialogue with Satan you are subjecting yourself to trouble. ... The harmful notions of Satan are that you can violate the laws of God and not harm yourself and that you can obtain fulfillment in yourself apart from Jesus Christ apart from His (redemptive) cross and His (eternal life) resurrection. - Jesus is often not giving condemnation but He is giving an accurate representation of the consequences there will be in rejecting God's word and in our sinning. ... The Woman will have a redeemer seed (Jesus Christ) [virgin birth] and Satan will have a seed as well in the antichrist 'the seed of the serpent.' ... Sin is desiring to rule over us but we must rule over sin and the only way to conquer sin is through the provision of the Holy Spirit - only the power of Jesus Christ is sufficient to defeat sin - with Jesus Christ in our life we can have victory over sin. Note: The first born children Cain and Abel might have been twins but it's unlikely, it's speculated that they were twins because the Bible [Genesis 4:2 'And she (Eve) again bare his brother Abel'] doesn't mention Eve conceiving again before she gives birth to Abel. Early mankind was to multiply to fill the earth so the multiplying would include many multiple births. Isaac and Jacob were twins [Genesis 25:23], though it is unlikely that Cain and Abel were twins because it's not directly mentioned in the Bible and if it is an important Biblical concept it will be plainly mentioned usually sever times throughout the Bible. Even if Cain and Abel were twins it is not a representation that good and evil are twins or even brothers for that matter and it certainly would not be a representation that Jesus and Satan are brothers. The Bible clearly and unequivocally states that Jesus Christ is unique that He alone is God and the only begotten [manifested] Son of God.

wikipedia.com: Mona Lisa a 16th century portrait painted [1503-1506] in oil on a poplar panel by Leonardo da Vinci during the Italian Renaissance - Few other works of art have been subject to as much scrutiny, study, mythologizing, and parody {The Mona Lisa painting is thought by some to be a depiction of Eve, the first mother of every person. It is also thought to be a Satanic depiction with Eve seated on her unseen throne, as Queen of the earth [in the ancient Eve joined Satan as his wife/Queen] 'Serpent Seed' heresy, using the Garden of Eden as her backdrop Eve (Mona Lisa) is smiling at her own personal delight in her part in ruining Paradise [a place where none of her descendants will ever place a foot, in the painting the path stops at the Garden not allowing anyone in, also in the painting background on the right side is one of the four rives of the Garden of Eden but in the Garden itself there are no longer any paths for mankind to walk on] and helping to bring in sin, rebellion and death to all of her descendants. Of course Mona Lisa is a modern painting depicting nothing of the real Eve however the depiction of the stubborn Satanic delight in evil is a work of the art of sin that has not yet left us.} (Painting)
Also note: in the painting (Mona Lisa) Eve is not wearing a wedding band 'Detail of Lisa's hands, her right hand resting on her left - Leonardo chose this gesture rather than a wedding ring to depict Lisa as a virtuous woman and faithful wife [faithful to who?]' in the "Serpent Seed" hoax Eve has divorced Adam and has united with Satan. The Eve of the painting is also painted without eyebrows and eyelashes 'Mona Lisa has no visible facial hair-including eyebrows and eyelashes' because perspiration was not a part of the Garden of Eden and neither were tears. Perspiration entered into creation after the fall as a part of the labor, sweat and toil that Adam and all of their offspring were to endure [including the real Eve so the painting is a complete fabrication]. -- wikipedia.com: Mona Lisa (also known as La Gioconda) is a 16th century portrait painted in oil on a poplar panel by Leonardo da Vinci during the Italian Renaissance. The work is owned by the Government of France and is on the wall in the Louvre in Paris, France with the title Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondo. It is perhaps the most famous painting in the world. The painting is a half-length portrait and depicts a woman whose expression is often described as enigmatic. The ambiguity of the sitter's expression, the monumentality of the half-figure composition, and the subtle modeling of forms and atmospheric illusionism were novel qualities that have contributed to the painting's continuing fascination. It is probably the most famous painting that has ever been stolen from the Louvre and recovered. Few other works of art have been subject to as much scrutiny, study, mythologizing, and parody. ... Leonardo used a pyramid design to place the woman simply and calmly in the space of the painting. Her folded hands form the front corner of the pyramid. Her breast, neck and face glow in the same light that models her hands. The light gives the variety of living surfaces an underlying geometry of spheres and circles. Leonardo referred to a seemingly simple formula for seated female figure: the images of seated Madonna, which were widespread at the time. He effectively modified this formula in order to create the visual impression of distance between the sitter and the observer. The armrest of the chair functions as a dividing element between Mona Lisa and the viewer. ... The woman sits markedly upright with her arms folded, which is also a sign of her reserved posture. Only her gaze is fixed on the observer and seems to welcome them to this silent communication. Since the brightly lit face is practically framed with various much darker elements (hair, veil, shadows), the observer's attraction to Mona Lisa's face is brought to even greater extent. Thus, the composition of the figure evokes an ambiguous effect: we are attracted to this mysterious woman but have to stay at a distance as if she were a divine creature. There is no indication of an intimate dialogue between the woman and the observer as is the case in the Portrait of Baldassare Castiglione (Louvre) painted by Raphael about ten years after Mona Lisa, and undoubtedly influenced by Leonardo's portrait. -- The painting was among the first portraits to depict the sitter before an imaginary landscape. The enigmatic woman is portrayed seated in what appears to be an open loggia with dark pillar bases on either side. Behind her a vast landscape recedes to icy mountains. Winding paths and a distant bridge give only the slightest indications of human presence. The sensuous curves of the woman's hair and clothing, created through sfumato, are echoed in the undulating imaginary valleys and rivers behind her. The blurred outlines, graceful figure, dramatic contrasts of light and dark, and overall feeling of calm are characteristic of Leonardo's style. Due to the expressive synthesis that Leonardo achieved between sitter and landscape it is arguable whether Mona Lisa should be considered as a traditional portrait, for it represents an ideal rather than a real woman. The sense of overall harmony achieved in the painting-especially apparent in the sitter's faint smile-reflects Leonardo's idea of a link connecting humanity and nature. -- Mona Lisa has no visible facial hair-including eyebrows and eyelashes. Some researchers claim that it was common at this time for genteel women to pluck them out, since they were considered to be unsightly. For modern viewers the missing eyebrows add to the slightly semi-abstract quality of the face. [article link]

Genesis 5 - The Generations of Adam - The Bible traces the genealogies of Adam --> Noah, Noah --> Abraham, Abraham --> King David [and lastly] King David --> Jesus Christ - The New Testament book of Matthew [Matthew 1:1-25] traces the Jewish genealogy from Abraham to Jesus Christ - God created Adam in His likeness and now Adam in sinful nature is going to have sons (children) in his sinful nature - at 130 years old Adam had the son Seth [the lineage of Noah - Jesus] - Adam lived for 930 years and was still alive for 100 years when Lamech (Noah's father) was born - Adam almost lived until Noah was born - because of the long lives the people were not separated and the whole story of creation could have been [spoken] by Adam to Noah's father then to Noah and his three sons including Shem who was still alive when Abraham was born - the events of creation were not that removed from the early generations up until Abraham - The 'Sons of God' a reference to angels [Job 1:6] - in this particular case fallen angels so we are dealing with an abnormal angelic & human female [sexual activity] - The days preceding and up until the Flood of Noah were a time of great immorality including abundant Satanic activity
Enoch a prophet [the eight from Adam - Jude 1:14] is interesting because he did not die he was 'translated' by God and brought directly into heaven to God. Enoch was a prophet and prophesied of the [2nd] coming of Jesus Christ - [Genesis 3:15 is the first Messianic prophecy in the Bible being about the 1st coming of Jesus]. Enoch again prophesied in the naming of his son Methuselah [Metushélach "Man of the dart/spear", or alternatively "when he dies/died, it (Noah's flood) shall be sent/has been sent") is the oldest person whose age is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, given as 969 years - The name Methuselah has become a general synonym for any living creature of great age -- wiki.com] the year Methuselah passed away the flood of Noah occurred. -- Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe (Noah) were, so shall also the [2nd] coming of [Jesus Christ] the Son of man be. -- In the days preceding the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ the days are going to resemble the hectic days of the time of Noah before the flood. A time of great satanic activity and satanic worship. Note: The Biblical concept of 'Sons of God' is that Son is given in designation only to those who have been in the actual presence of God [in heaven] therefore no human while on earth is actually a 'Son of God' but a 'Child of God' until entering into the actual presence of God in heaven. Currently the only designation for 'Son of God' could be for angels or for Jesus Christ who is both 'Son of God' and 'Son of man' an angel would not be called a 'Son of man.'

The Christian Basics 132 Topics - Easy to Use & Easy to Understand - 'Sons of God' (PDF)
Studying Theology: Is just like piecing together a puzzle. Individual Theology pieces fit together and the picture begins to emerge. The picture Theology displays is the image of Jesus! -- Sons of God see also Child of God, Adoption, Inheritance -- First Use: Genesis 6:2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. Job 38:7 When [at the designing and building of the earth] the morning stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for joy? The sons of God are individual spirit life creations of God the Father. As sons they are also inheritors of the Father's kingdom. Sons currently exist in the kingdom of God. Angels are referred to as Sons of God because they currently exist in the kingdom of God and each of them is a unique individual creation of God. Adam being a unique creation of God and originally living in God's kingdom is also called a Son of God. Currently each human is a son of man. When a human enters into the covenant relationship with God by acknowledging God, then the human becomes also a child of God and a son of God. A human fully becomes a son of God when we physically die and enter into the perceivable presence of God, where we are adopted as sons; we receive a new unique spiritual body and an inheritance in the kingdom of God. [article link]

Holy Ghost Revival Sermons Online: "Conviction and the Altar" The Days of Noah (Mp3)
You are hearing a 12 minute preview of the sermon "Conviction and the Altar" The full 1 hour sermon link is listed below! [article link]

As it was in the Days of Noah - The time leading up to the Great Flood was a lot like our time in that it was characterized by a deliberate and increasing disregard for the ways of God
As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man (Matt 24:37). The time leading up to the Great Flood was a lot like our time in that it was characterized by a deliberate and increasing disregard for the ways of God. Finally "the Lord saw how great man's wickedness on earth had become and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time" (Gen. 6:5). ... the sequence of events suddenly became so obvious to me. Enoch was taken alive from earth and the Holy Spirit was withdrawn. Then in Gen. 6:5 man's behavior is described as having become unbearably wicked and in Gen. 7 the judgement came, in that order. Enoch's name means teaching and according to Jude 14-15 he gave the first prophecy of the 2nd coming. ... If Enoch is indeed a model of the church and if the Lord's prophecy of Matt 24:37 includes the sequence of events, as seems likely, then one day soon we will be taken alive (raptured) from earth, the Holy Spirit withdrawn. Man's behavior will become unbearably wicked and the judgement will come, all in that order. As it was in the days of Noah. Selah. [article link]

The "Days of Noah" Are Here - The Bible tells us that we are to live "holy and righteous" in this age - We are to be actively sharing the gospel in order for others to be redeemed - precisely because "the days are evil"
That describes today quite accurately. Those who have normalized homosexual behavior have done so to the point of thinking anyone who opposes it are "crazy," "homophobic," "intolerant," and "bigots." -- For Bible believing, Christ following born-again Christians, such derogatory views and labels are only perpetuating deception about this dangerous behavior. Furthermore, homosexual activism both secular as well as in the church distracts people from what is truly most important in this life - that is - confessing and repenting of sin and knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Bible tells us that we are to live "holy and righteous" in this age. We are to be actively sharing the gospel in order for other to be redeemed - precisely because "the days are evil." ... This world is filled with lust, murder, theft, adultery, fornication, lying, idol worship and the list could go on and on. Yet, most sane people do not advocate for churches to accept such concepts as "sanctified." However, this is exactly what is being done in liberal "Christian" churches throughout America! Claiming that a particular sin should be allowed to be "sanctified" within Christ's church body meaning, all believers is an abomination to God! It is a form of idol worship. It is, in fact, as the Scriptures inform us, "exchanging the truth for a lie!" [article link]

As The Days of Noah Were - Luke 17:26: "And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man"
The Reason for the Flood: It was the infusion of these strange (demonic) beings into the human predicament that brought on the Flood of Noah. The Flood was preceded by four generations of prophets/preachers warning of the coming judgment: Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, and Noah. It seems that this was part of Satan's stratagem to corrupt the line of Adam to prevent the fulfillment of the Messianic redemption. Noah was apparently unique in that his genealogy was still uncorrupted. The strange events which led to the flood are also alluded to in ancient mythologies. The legends of the Greek "titans"---partly terrestrial, partly celestial---embrace these same memories. (The Greek titan is linguistically linked to the Chaldean sheitan, and the Hebrew satan.) [article link]

Jesus said, "As in the Days of Noah" Violence Filled the Earth
Jesus spoke far ahead of his time relating to us what life would be like just prior to his coming. He says in Matt. 24:37-38: "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." [article link]

AS IT WAS IN NOAH'S DAY
The Lord Jesus Christ informs us that before He returns certain conditions will exist in society in general. These conditions are a sign to believers that His Second Coming is near. There has always been corruption in society, but the idea here is of such decadence and depravity reaching the point of no return. The Lord makes use of two Old Testament characters to illustrate the characteristics and conditions that will exist at all levels of humanity prior to His Second Coming. As it was in the days of Noah and as it was in the days of Lot. [article link]

NWO Hoax Alert*** World Net Daily Book - Bible [False] fact No. 19: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob not Jews {[Genesis 14:12-13 And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the *Hebrew; (it is later Abraham with the -ah- breath of life from God added to Abram and his wife Sarai after receiving the breath of life from God becomes Sarah - Genesis 17:15).] The word Hebrew means "Wanderer" Judah in Hebrew means "Praise - Praise to God" the person and tribe of Judah was named after an already existing Hebrew-Jewish word. Abraham is the Father of the Jewish (Judaism - "people of praise" [Wikipedia]) nation it was Abraham then his son Isaac and then Jacob (Israel) that each received the promises of God (Covenant of circumcision Genesis 17:8-14) that are passed down to the Nation Tribes of Israel. Noah lived before Abraham and Noah is the Father of All Nations (all modern post flood Nations) while Abraham a descendant of Noah is the Father of the Hebrew-Jewish Nation and Abraham in receiving the -ah- "born again" Spirit-breath of life from God, Abraham is the Father of Faith (Romans 4:16) "...of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us (Christians) all." Judah is not the start of the Jewish nation [Abraham is] and has NEVER been presented as being the start as Judah is a brother (a 12th) of the 12 Tribes of Israel (Jacob), you can't be born into something that already exists and then be considered the start of it. Note: Most or all False bible teachings come out of twisting and misrepresenting Bible words and passages. God has a plan for mankind and the Jews-Hebrews the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 6:3-4, Acts 3:13) are the chosen center piece of God's plan (Genesis 12:1-3) for mankind.}
One of the most common misconceptions some people have about the Bible is that the Old Testament centers only on Jews and Judaism, while the New Testament focuses on Christians and Christianity. Many assume some of the most well-known heroes - including Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (whose named was changed to Israel) - were Jews. Though these worshippers of God were the ancestors of the Jews, when the Holy Scriptures are read without any preconceived notions, it is impossible for themselves to have been Jews. How can this be? The answer is simple. Those people were all born before a man named Judah, whose name is the origin of the word "Jew." This is just one of the stunning facts brought to light in "Shocked by the Bible: The Most Astonishing Facts You've Never Been Told," the stunning new best-seller by Joe Kovacs, the executive news editor of WND. [article link]

NWO Hoax Alert*** Texas (school) Update: Islam-promoting principal out [reassigned] - In the 40-minute (school) session, representatives of the Houston office of the controversial Council on American- Islamic Relations, an organization critics link to terrorist groups, presented a 40-minute lesson in the religious beliefs and requirements of Islam - The CAIR representatives instructed [school] students that Adam, Noah and Jesus are [Islamic] prophets; announced "there is one god, his name is Allah"; taught the five pillars of Islam {Note: Adam and Noah are prophets who prophesied of the coming Jewish Messiah the Redeemer-Savior Jesus Christ, Jesus being God is also a prophet and Jesus is Jewish a physical descendant of the Jewish lineage from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.}
The controversy erupted at Friendswood Junior High when students were diverted from a scheduled physical education class and taken to an assembly set up by Principal Robin Lowe. In the 40-minute session, representatives of the Houston office of the controversial Council on American- Islamic Relations, an organization critics link to terrorist groups, presented a 40-minute lesson in the religious beliefs and requirements of Islam. ... The CAIR representatives instructed students that Adam, Noah and Jesus are prophets; announced "there is one god, his name is Allah"; taught the five pillars of Islam; told students how to pray five times a day; and gave instruction on Islamic religious requirements for dress. The assembly had not been authorized by the district, officials confirmed. ... Hanks told parents in a memo she had authorized the presentation for staff members only, not students. "My concern for our community and for our students is not as much with the content of the presentation as explained to me," she wrote, according to a Houston Chronicle report, "but with the fact that a group had an audience with our students without consent from parents or this administration. "I am not surprised by the community's reaction," she continued. "Most of you receiving this letter have had years of experience with this district and know the kinds of activities your child has been exposed to in school. This was an isolated incident and a mistake." Texas Education Agency officials confirmed that state law allows parents to remove their children from activities or classes that violate their religious or moral beliefs. There was no information available on Lowe's new position. The district's brief statement said Lowe "has accepted another administrative position effective immediately." [article link]

amazon.com: The true story of Clarita Villanueva - A seventeen-year old girl bitten by devils in Bilibid Prison, Manila, Philippines by Lester Frank Sumrall
Out of Print--Limited Availability. [article link]

The strange story of Clarita Villanueva - a 17-year-old Filipina girl, had known a life of tragedy - She did not remember her father - She did not know if he had died or had deserted her mother - Her mother was a spiritist and a fortune teller by vocation - The girl was brought up watching her mother holding seances, communicating with the dead, and using clairvoyance to predict to sinful people what they could expect in the future - From: Lester Sumrall, Alien Entities - A look behind the door to the spirit realm, printed in the USA by Whitaker House (PA), 1995, pages 131-138
Clarita Villanueva, a 17-year-old Filipina girl, had known a life of tragedy. She did not remember her father. She did not know if he had died or had deserted her mother. Her mother was a spiritist and a fortune teller by vocation. The girl was brought up watching her mother holding seances, communicating with the dead, and using clairvoyance to predict to sinful people what they could expect in the future. Her mother took money from people for her services, and then laughed at them behind their backs. To her it was all just a game, a means of making a living by duping unsuspecting and gullible people. When Clarita was still very young, about twelve years old, her mother died. Since she did not have any immediate family to take her in and care for her, she became a vagabond. She fell into the hands of harlots and at the tender age of 12 was selling her body as a prostitute. The harlots taught her how to handle men, how to get money for her services. Clarita worked her way up from her island home to the capital city of Manila. The big city was a hiding place, a center of money and vice for her business. The local harlots became her teachers and she learned the night life in the big capital city. In Manila there were more men to seduce. By the time she was 17 years old, Clarita was frequenting the bars and taverns of Manila, living the 'gay life' by soliciting men for harlotry. But one morning at 2 a.m. on the streets of down-town Manila, Clarita made the mistake of offering her services to a plainclothes police officer. The policeman called for a vehicle and Clarita was taken to the ancient Bilibid Prison, used as the city jail. Bilibid has been a prison for over 300 years. It was built by the Spanish and used by the Americans, the Filipinos, and the Japanese as a prison and a place of torment. Two days after Clarita was incarcerated, there struck the strangest phenomenon to ever hit Bilibid Prison in its 300-year history. This young harlot was bitten severely on her body by unseen and unknown alien entities. There were two of them - a huge monster-like spirit and a smaller one. They sunk their fangs and teeth deep into her flesh making deep indentations. They would bite her neck, back, legs and arms simultaneously. Blood flowed, mostly underneath her skin, from the bites. The 17-year-old girl screamed in horror and fainted. ... Because I was a foreigner in the Philippines, I went to the mayor's office and asked permission to see Clarita. He granted me his permission but warned me that several people had been injured by the girl and that two had been cursed and were dead. I went with the understanding that I would not sue the government if I was hurt, and that I would not complain if mistreated. When I arrived at the prison, the head doctor of six physicians, Dr. Lara, was skeptical of this foreign minister, but he finally permitted me to see the girl. Clarita was brought into a special room where I was waiting with a large group of news reporters, foreign members of the press, university professors, and medical doctors, who had been invited by Dr. Lara. -- As Clarita was being led into the room, she looked at them and said nothing, but when she saw me she screamed violently: 'I hate you!' Instantly I inserted: 'I know you hate me. I have come to cast you out'. That was the beginning of the confrontation. There was a raging battle with the girl blaspheming God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Her eyes were burning coals of fire and full of hate. I commanded the evil spirit to loose her. After a three-day confrontation with the devil in her, the miracle of God came upon her. She relaxed, smiled, and said: 'He's gone'. 'Where did he go?' I asked. 'He went out that way', she replied. 'He's gone'. The local newspapers, magazines and radio told the story. One headline read: ''He dies; the devil is dead!' Another one said: 'Devil loses round one'. Dr. Lara became so excited he took me over to the office of the mayor. When he walked into the office, he said: 'My God, mayor. The devil is dead'. I said: 'Mr. Mayor, Dr. Lara may be a good doctor, but he's a poor theologian. The devil is not dead. The girl I came and talked to you about yesterday is healed'. [article link]

NEW METHOD OF ESTIMATING THE AGE OF NIAGARA FALLS: In 1841 Sir Charles Lyell and the late Prof. James Hall visited the falls together - (they 'guessed') the time required for its erosion at this rate would be thirty-five thousand years - Mr. Bakewell, another eminent English geologist, at about the same time estimated the rate of the recession as threefold greater than Lyell and Hall had done, which would re-duce the time to about eleven thousand years - In 1856 Mr. Woodward, of the United States Geological Survey, made a new survey, and found that the actual amount of recession in the center - in 1886, when it was proved, to the satisfaction of every one, that, if the supply of water had been constant throughout its history the whole work of eroding the gorge from Lewiston to the Falls would have been accomplished, at the present rate of recession, in about seven thousand years - But the question was immediately raised, Has the supply of water in Niagara River been constant? {Always in a flood the most water and the greatest amount of erosion occurs at the beginning of the flood in the first hours and days then things stabilize a bit with a continued erosion rate based on the amount of water and the type of rock and material the water is eroding.}
In 1841 Sir Charles Lyell and the late Prof. James Hall visited the falls together; but, having no means of determining the rate of recession, except from the indefinite reports of residents and guides, they could place no great confidence in the " guess," made by Sir Charles Lyell, that it could not be more than one foot a year. As the length of the gorge from Lewiston up is about seven miles, the time required for its erosion at this rate would be thirty-five thousand years. The great authority and popularity of Lyell led the general public to put more confidence in this estimate than the distinguished authors themselves did. Mr. Bakewell, another eminent English geologist, at about the same time estimated the rate of the recession as threefold greater than Lyell and Hall had done, which would re-duce the time to about eleven thousand years. ... In 18S6 Mr. Woodward, of the United States Geological Survey, made a new survey, and found that the actual amount of recession in the center - Looking north I'rom below the Wliirlpool, showiuir the electric road at the bottom of the east side of the gorge, and the steam road descending the face about lialfway to the top. of the Horseshoe Fall had proceeded at an average rate of about five feet per annum. The subject was thoroughly discussed by Drs. Pohlman and Gilbert, at the Buffalo meeting of the American Asso-ciation in 1886, when it was proved, to the satisfaction of every one, that, if the supply of water had been constant throughout its history the whole work of eroding the gorge from Lewiston to the Falls would have been accomplished, at the present rate of recession, in about seven thousand years. But the question was immediately raised, Has the supply of water in Niagara River been constant? It was my privilege, in the autumn of 1892 to bring forth the first positive evidence that the water pouring over Niagara had for a time been diverted, having been turned through Lake Nipissing down the valley of the Mattawa into the Ottawa River, following nearly the line of Champ] ain's old trail and of the present Canadian Pacific Railroad. The correctness of this inference has been abundantly confirmed by subsequent investigations... [article link]

Genesis 6-9 - Noah a Righteous man - and also a man not tainted with fallen angelic [DNA] interaction - would build an Ark for God (approximately the size of the R.M.S. Titanic luxury liner) - Genesis 6:22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he -- Genesis 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me in this generation -- God invited Noah to enter into the Ark [and safety] where God was already waiting for him to enter into God's presence and to receive from God's Salvation and Divine providential provision
Genesis 8:4 And the ark rested [touched the safety of the new earth] in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat. Jesus [the Ark and safe passage of our eternal soul and salvation touching and resting safely into heaven] would later Resurrect from the grave on the 17th day of the 7th [civil] month [Nisan] {Nisan is the 1st month in the Jewish religious calendar year and also the 7th [civil] month in the original (Noah) calendar year cycle.}. Passover is on the 14th [Leviticus 23:5] of the 7th month and Jesus was in the grave 3 days and three nights. -- The flood wiped out the [original Garden of Eden earth] but it did not wipe out sin or the sin nature of humans. Noah a descendant of Adam has a sinful nature. God addressed this and God provided a Redemptive Plan for all of mankind included in God's redemptive plan is that God will not destroy the earth again with a flood. God made a covenant with Noah the 'Noahic Covenant' and also with all of the descendants of Noah which includes all of mankind because all of mankind has descended from Noah and his three sons. Up until the present day God has kept the [Noahic] covenant [the orderly functioning of the earth and sky] with all mankind as the earth has not flooded again and seedtime and harvest have continued. -- Genesis 8:20-22 And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar [according to the Jewish customs - later codified into Jewish law through Moses]. And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in His heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

Discovery of the real Noah's Ark - Ron Wyatt - Part 1 (YouTube)
Archaeologist Ron Wyatt and his team discover Noah's Ark! Extremely interesting to watch. [article link]

Discovery of the real Noah's Ark - Ron Wyatt - Part 2 (YouTube)
The continuation and conclusion of Ron Wyatt's discovery of Noah's Ark! Conclusive evidence that shows the Great Flood is not a myth! [article link]

AnswersInGenesis.org: Was There Really a Noah's Ark & Flood? - The account of Noah and the Ark is one of the most widely known events in the history of mankind. Unfortunately, like other Bible accounts, it is often taken as a mere fairy tale - The Bible, though, is the true history book of the universe, and in that light, the most-asked questions about the Ark and Flood of Noah can be answered with authority and confidence
History has shown that technology can be lost. In Egypt, China, and the Americas the earlier dynasties built more impressive buildings or had finer art or better science. Many so-called modern inventions turn out to be re-inventions, like concrete, which was used by the Romans. Even accounting for the possible loss of technology due to the Flood, early post-Flood civilizations display all the engineering know-how necessary for a project like Noah's Ark. People sawing and drilling wood in Noah's day, only a few centuries before the Egyptians were sawing and drilling granite, is very reasonable! The idea that more primitive civilizations are further back in time is an evolutionary concept. In reality, when God created Adam, he was perfect. Today, the individual human intellect has suffered from 6,000 years of sin and decay. The sudden rise in technology in the last few centuries has nothing to do with increasing intelligence; it is a combination of publishing and sharing ideas, and the spread of key inventions that became tools for investigation and manufacturing. One of the most recent tools is the computer, which compensates a great deal for our natural decline in mental performance and discipline, since it permits us to gather and store information as perhaps never before. [article link]

The Epic of Gilgamesh Flood and the Bible (YouTube)
Podcast Summary: Nowhere to Run (NTR) is a Revere Radio Network based conspiracy theory related talk show, hosted by Chris White of www.conspiracyclothes.com - New shows air every Wendsday night at 5pm central on revereradio.net [article link]

Working Replica of Noah's Ark Opens In SCHAGEN, Netherlands (Photos)
The massive central door in the side of Noah's Ark was thrown open Saturday for the first crowd of curious Pilgrims and townsfolk to behold the wonder. Of course, it's only a replica of the biblical Ark , built by Dutch Creationist Johan Huibers as a testament to his faith in the literal truth of the Bible. The ark is 150 cubits long, 30 cubits high and 20 cubits wide. That's two-thirds the length of a football field and as high as a three-story house. Life-size models of giraffes, elephants, lions, crocodiles, zebras, bison and other animals greet visitors as they arrive in the main hold. A contractor by trade, Huibers built the ark of cedar and pine -Biblical Scholars debate exactly what the wood used by Noah would have been. Huibers did the work mostly with his own hands, using modern tools and with occasional help from his son Roy. Construction began in May 2005. [article link]

ArkDiscovery.com: Noah's Ark Overview - Top Points to Consider - #7 matching [94 A.D.] Flavius Josephus' statement "Its [Noah's Ark's] remains are shown there by the inhabitants to this day" (Photos)
Friends, please prayerfully consider the evidence you will see on Noah's Ark. It may not be important or necessary for you to learn of this discovery, but there are millions of people who need confirmation of biblical artifacts in order to strengthen their faith in God and the Bible. Satan is strongly attacking this and other discoveries in order to deceive men of God's truth. All the false stories about finding Noah's ark were created by Satan to "muddy the water," and cause disbelief in the genuine. [article link]

ArkDiscovery.com: Biblical Archeology - Ron Wyatt's "Discovered Series" (5 DVD Set $22)
The entire DVD series of the late Ron Wyatt's discoveries. This amazing series will show such discoveries as: The Red Sea Crossing site, Mt. Sinai, Noah's Ark, Sodom and Gomorrah, the Ark of the Covenant and dozens of other faith building discoveries! 4 hour, 20 minute DVD covering the all the discoveries, plus Ron Wyatt presentations. Select a larger quantity of 10 or 50 and receive a price reduction, perfect for you to resell or give away while spreading the word about the discoveries. [article link]

WyattMuseum.biz: Biblical Archeology - Ron Wyatt's "Discovered Series" (5 DVD Set $100)
The entire DVD series of the late Ron Wyatt's discoveries. This amazing series will show such discoveries as: The Red Sea Crossing site, Mt. Sinai, Noah's Ark, Sodom and Gomorrah, the Ark of the Covenant and dozens of other faith building discoveries! [article link]

Creationism.org: INVESTIGATING GENESIS SERIES by Stephen Caesar - "Glaciers and the Flood" The Greenland ice cores have shown that it is a mistake to regard our own, relatively benign experience of the climate as the norm - The ice shows that the past was a period of intense instability (32 articles)
The last Ice Age, known as the Wisconsin, supposedly occurred about 20,000 years ago (according to flawed old-earth assumptions). By drilling down into the glaciers that currently cover 80% of Greenland, North GRIP has provided geologists with a witness to the rapid transition out of the Wisconsin. The New Yorker reported: "What the record [in the ice] shows is that it was a period of intense instability. The temperature did not rise slowly, or even steadily; instead, the climate flipped several times from temperate conditions back into those of an ice age, and then back again. Around fifteen thousand years ago, Greenland ABRUPTLY warmed by sixteen degrees IN FIFTY YEARS OR LESS. In one particularly traumatic episode some twelve thousand years ago, the mean temperature in Greenland shot up by fifteen degrees IN A SINGLE DECADE" (Kolbert 2002: 34 [emphases added]). The article noted that "scientists working on the Camp Century core [one of North GRIP's locations] weren't sure themselves what to make of what they had found" (Kolbert 2002: 34). Sigfus Johnsen, one of the scientists on the research team, commented, "It was too incredible, something we didn't expect at all" (Kolbert 2002: 34). The magazine also noted that another GRIP location, called Dye 3, "confirmed all the most significant Camp Century results, demonstrating that findings which had seemed anomalous were at least reproducible" (Kolbert 2002: 35). -- Most important is the apparent cause of these catastrophic temperature fluctuations - a massive infusion of fresh water into the oceans. This coincides with the Genesis Flood, which included a gargantuan amount of rain, as well as fresh water from below the earth's surface (Gen. 7:11). The New Yorker reported: "No known external force, or even any that has been hypothesized, seems capable of yanking the temperature back and forth as violently, and as often, as these cores have shown to be the case. Somehow, the climate system - through some vast and terrible feedback loop - must, it is now assumed, be capable of generating its own instabilities. The most popular hypothesis is that THE OCEANS ARE RESPONSIBLE. Currents like the Gulf Stream transfer heat in huge quantities from the tropics toward the poles, and if this circulation pattern could somehow be shut off - by, say A SUDDEN INFLUX OF FRESHWATER - it would have A SWIFT AND DRAMATIC IMPACT" (Kolbert 2002: 35 [emphases added]). -- Phrases such as "a sudden influx of freshwater" and "a swift and dramatic impact" certainly invoke images of the Biblical Flood. Moreover, as the article pointed out, the evidence for neo-catastrophism is so overwhelming that it has been embraced by nearly all geologists. [article link]

Ancient Brass BELL Found Encased IN COAL supposed to be about 300 million years old! - the bell is an antediluvian [before the deluge, pre-flood] artifact made before the Genesis Flood (Noah's Ark) - For more detailed pictures of the bell and the [idol] demon-like figure on top, click here (Photos)
In 1944, as a ten year old boy, Newton Anderson dropped a lump of coal in his basement and found that it contained this bell inside. The bituminous coal that was mined near his house in Upshur County West Virginia is supposed to be about 300 million years old! What is a brass bell with an iron clapper doing in coal ascribed to the Carboniferous Period? According to Norm Sharbaugh's book Ammunition (which includes several "coal anecdotes") the bell is an antediluvian artifact (made before the Genesis Flood). The Institute for Creation Research had the bell submitted to the lab at the University of Oklahoma. There a nuclear activation analysis revealed that the bell contains an unusual mix of metals, different from any known modern alloy production (including copper, zinc, tin, arsenic, iodine, and selenium). -- Genesis 4:22 states that Tubal-Cain was "an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron..." Perhaps when his civilization came to an end in the flood, this bell was buried with a mass of vegetation that became coal and ended up thousands of years later in Newt Anderson's coal bin. ... Later on, Newton Anderson spent a great deal of time researching the demon atop the bell. He discovered similarities to the Babylonian Southwest Wind Demon and the Hindu deity Garuda. Garuda is sometimes depicted on top of bells, as is the Egyptian Isis. [article link]

OOPARTS (out of place artifacts) & ANCIENT HIGH TECHNOLOGY -- Evidence of Noah's Flood? - Do unexplained technologies of the ancients provide possible proofs of Pre-flood civilizations? - If you believe that the flood of Noah actually happened, what was the state of the technology of (antediluvian) pre-flooders? Could they have left physical evidence of their existence? - We expect you to use your own knowledge filter (Christian discernment) on this site
Point of View: We have a Biblical viewpoint on the world. Ooparts are evidence, we think, that the Flood actually happened. News items or magazine articles that report them may not have the same perspective that Christians do. When we read for instance, a scientific article that puzzles over our lack of genetic variability, we think of the Flood of Noah. We would include that article here, without editing, because we expect Christians to use their filters on such an article. That does not mean that we agree with the evolutionary timeframe given in said article. -- We think it's more interesting when general newspaper articles or science articles observe data that they might see one way, but that Christians might see another way given our own knowledge about God, creation and the flood. It's more interesting to quote Stephen Jay Gould saying that "the lack of transitional fossils is the trade secret of paleontology", than it might be to hear another Christian say it. So, no we don't believe the universe is millions or billions of years old. We don't know how old it is-we just know who created it and how long it took Him. We do not believe in pre-Adamic races, though we do believe that there were "civiilizations" prior to the Flood. We don't believe in space aliens or cooties. We expect you to use your own knowledge filter on this site. [article link]

Genesis 10 - The original League of Nations - Table of Nations from Genesis Chapters 10-11 - God's Covenant relationship with Noah is extended to include all of mankind and all flesh upon the earth - Once departing from the Ark Noah and his family are commanded by God to again fill/populate the earth - The genealogy of the Table of Nations was probably compiled by Noah's son Shem - these early descendants of Noah became the founders of the civilizations of the earth - The sons of Japheth [European Nations]: Gomer the Germans, Magog led to Scythian and Russian origins ... The sons of Ham [African and Asian Nations]: ... The sons of Shem [Hebrew (Jewish) and Arabic Nations]:
Note: [Genesis 9:1] Noah is again told to replenish the earth and to have dominion over it and over the animals. Mankind has been given dominion (government) over the earth but man does not have ownership of the earth. At no time was ownership ever given to mankind only dominion was given to Adam & Eve and later to Noah and his descendants but the ownership of the earth has not yet been provided to mankind. Since mankind did not at any time own the earth therefore the ownership of the earth has never been forfeited or lost by mankind and transferred to Satan or anyone else. Satan does not own the earth though Satan does continue to be a trespasser upon the earth. God is the original, continual and true owner of the earth -- Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. - Psalms 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. - Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. -- The meek shall inherit the earth because the ownership of the earth is going to remain in the possession of God. -- Psalm 2:7 I (God) will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto Me (Jesus), Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of Me, and I shall give thee the heathen [gentile nations] for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession [ownership].

The Rainbow - God's Covenant With The World
The rainbow is a beautiful token of the Lord that continues to testify of the covenant that He made with the world and all flesh (Genesis 9:11-13). It is a perfect reminder of our Lord's protection and the keeping of His promises. In 2 Peter 3:3-6, Peter speaks of scoffers of the word who, in the last days, will deny the creation and the flood. This has most assuredly begun. In just the past one hundred and fifty years, creation has been mocked by many and replaced by theories of inorganic evolution and spontaneous generation. The flood has been denied as a universal event and is affirmed to be nothing more than a legendary story of oral tradition that has made its way into the holy Scriptures. The testimony of both creation and the flood has been forgotten by many in the world. ... Even though man might forget the promise God gave through the rainbow, the Lord has not forgotten. He is not slack concerning His promises, and He will follow through with them. Our Lord is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). [article link]

The Table of Nations: Genesis Chapters 10-11 - Formal nations and their boundaries were established after the Flood in the Covenant with Noah. Before the Flood the earth was governed, evidently, by patriarchal family units
Formal nations and their boundaries were established after the Flood in the Covenant with Noah. Before the Flood the earth was governed, evidently, by patriarchal family units. The above insights show up in Paul's sermon Mars Hill in Athens: So Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To an unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all men life and breath and everything. And he made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after him and find him. Yet he is not far from each one of us, for 'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your poets have said, 'For we are indeed his offspring.' Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the Deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, a representation by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all men everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all men by raising him from the dead." (Acts 17:22-31). [article link]

Genesis 11 - Nimrod the mighty Hunter of Sin and the Tower of Babel 'Genesis 11:3 they had brick for stone, and slime [apparently the word slime in Hebrew denotes a tar (petroleum) product and led John D. Rockefeller to take his Standard Oil Co. over to Iraq to drill for oil] had they for morter [to build the tower of babel]' - The confounding of the languages of people and the diversifying and spreading out of all people groups among the earth - The book of Job likely comes into history at this point just prior to Abraham being called by God - Abraham was probably not the oldest son of Terah but one of the younger sons, possibly the youngest son - Noah's son Shem was still alive at this time and lived until Abraham was about 58 years old [possibly even living until after Abraham passed]
Note: It's doubtful that Abraham met Shem personally because Abraham is designated as the Father of the Faith 'Romans 4:11 that he (Abraham) might be the father of all them that believe' in other words Abraham is the first in the lineage to believe in the faith like we are all to believe today. we don't even have the faith of the Apostles, they saw the resurrected Jesus we still basically have the faith of Abraham the faith of hearing/reading the words of God and then obeying them. Before Abraham the world had Noah to tell of the flood and before that Adam to tell of creation. With the witness of Adam and creation and also the later witness of Noah with the Ark and the flood and then much later in the Upper Room after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ with the witness of the Apostles then faith is witnessed and is based in part on the witness and interpretation of the person who witnesses the event or events. -- 'John:20-24-29 But Thomas, one of the twelve (Apostles), called Didymus [twin], was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith He to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and My God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.' Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.' -- Faith is to be based completely on the Words and promises of God and not in human works or accomplishments, not in the seeing of the eyes or even by the experiencing with emotions or intellect but only by hearing in our heart the Words of God and believing in our heart in the Words as God has promised them to us.

John D. Rockefeller - John D. Rockefeller, a Trustee for what is now known as Exxon Corporation (formerly Standard Oil of New Jersey), first became interested in oil in 1863 - It began operation in the Middle East in 1928
Everyone has for many years been lead to believe that the Rockefellers were the people that owned and founded the Standard Oil Company and that the Rockefellers were the owners of banks and vast fortunes even from the mid-eighteen hundreds. The Rockefellers really were part of an elite group of men that became the front men for one family that really owned the wealth of this country. Because of the vastness of this empire the family had to have key people to head up the large corporation. They were put in controlling position of these companies and were made to look like they were the owners when in reality they were only the 'TRUSTEES', of these companies. John D. Rockefeller, a Trustee for what is now known as Exxon Corporation (formerly Standard Oil of New Jersey), first became interested in oil in 1863 when he was sent to Pennsylvania by a group of Cleveland. Ohio businessmen to investigate oil operations. At that time he was not impressed with, the producing end of the business, but he did see a future for the refining and marketing side. And on this premise he and his associates developed their holdings until Standard Oil Company was incorporated in 1877. -- These people were convinced that small local firms could be bought out because then they could not survive in the highly competitive oil business. Small businesses were bought out and they all became part of the huge Standard Oil Trust in 1882. Decisions were made bv an executive committee with Rockefeller as head. Standard Oil Company was incorporated in New Jersey on August 15, 1882, by the Standard Oil Trust. This oil company really owns all oil companies everywhere and all their subsidiaries. This oil company is owned by a little railroad line in North Carolina and that little railroad line was merged into the 1906 Southern Railway Merger that J. P. Morgan was so famous for. All of this was owned by one man by the name of Louis Cass Payseur. -- The true ownership has been hidden from the public eye because the family did not want to be known and also to avoid anti-trust laws. So it was set up with trustees to operate the company. The first Standard Oil marketing operation outside the United States was the formation of Anglo-American Oil Company. Ltd. in 1888. Next came the purchase of Deutsch-Amerikanische Petoleum-Gesellschaft in 1890, resident agents were established in the Far East by 1893. By 1895 the company had built up an ocean going fleet of ships (which were the extension of the railroad around the world) to supply this growing foreign trade. Its first tanker was built in 1886. The increasing need for crude oil forced the company to engage in larger production of crude oil. The company had production operations in Pennsylvania. Ohio and Indiana by 1889. In the late 1890's and early 1900's new oil was discovered to the West, so the company engaged in the search for oil in Illinois. Kansas. Oklahoma. Louisiana. Texas, and California. These discoveries required that the manpower be increased and new subsidiaries be formed and a new TRUSTEE had to be appointed to head these companies in oil rich western America. Names like Sinclair, Getty, Kerr-McGee, Phillips. Champlin just to name a few. Are you beginning to get the big picture. All this can be backed up with legal courthouse documents. ... It just makes good sense to own the companies that produce the goods that supply another facet of your business empire. All part of transportation and communication. Some of the other names that you can connect to Standard Oil are Esso. -- The Carter oil Company formed in 1893 to produce oil in West Virginia. International Petroleum Company was established in 1917 to operate newly acquired properties in Peru. Then came Humble Oil refining Company of Texas. Just to make note of some other names it does business as is Amoco, Sunoco, Vaccum Oil etc. and the list goes on and on. A policy set in the 1920's showed that Standard intended to continue interest in foreign production. It began operation in the Middle East in 1928 and investigated oil prospects in Mexico and Colombia. The country of Colombia was an important oil source for the company by 1926. -- The unbalance in transportation facilities was corrected by creating a new United States flag fleet operating directly by the parent company. ... Standard Oil Company of New Jersey's name was changed in 1948 to Esso Standard Oil Company and under the new name continued to operate all refineries and marketing facilities. Foreign marketing facilities were strengthened in 1948 by the acquisition of Soc. du Naphte S. A. (Switzerland) which marketed in various Middle East countries. Foreign production was added by acquisition of a large interest in Arabian American Oil Company in 1948. November 1, 1972, the company changed its name to Exxon corporation. The name was also adopted by the company's United States subsidiaries. Divisions and affiliated companies of Exxon Corporation operate in the United States and about 100 other countries. Their principal business is energy, involving exploration for and production of crude oil and natural gas, manufacturing of petroleum products and transportation and sale crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products, exploration for and mining sale of coal. [article link]

Genesis 12-14 - Abraham comes back from Egypt and Returns to Bethel (House of God) in the Promise land (Israel) - Abraham and his Nephew Lot come to an amenable parting of the ways - Lot seeing with his eyes chooses to dwell near Sodom while Abraham choosing to dwell with God moves to Hebron [near modern Jerusalem] - Abraham was to arise and walk through the land 'Genesis 13:17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee' - to take possession and appropriate the promises of God into his life - Later Abraham meets Melchizedek King of Righteousness and Peace the Priest of the Most High God - Abraham gives a tithe a tenth of all he owns to Melchizedek - Melchizedek blesses Abraham - 'Genesis 14:22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand [in praise and worship] unto the LORD, The Most High God, The Possessor Of Heaven And Earth'
Melchizedek the name means King of Righteousness and Peace, He is the Priest of the Most High God. This is the first mention of a Priest in the Bible. The idea of a priest comes from the conciseness of the Holiness of God and of the sinfulness of man, in order for a man to touch God to go into the presence of the Holy God man will need a mediator a go between, a priest. The ministry of the priest was twofold the priest was to go before God for the people and then the priest [or a prophet] would return and tell the people a message from God if there was one. - Melchizedek's birth is not recorded and his death is not yet recorded because Melchizedek is eternal, without genealogy and without death He lives on forever 'Hebrews 7:3 [Melchizedek] Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest Continually.' ... 'Psalms 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou (Jesus Christ) art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.' Jesus is our [Christian, heavenly] High Priest after the order of Melchizedek not after the earthly Levitical/Aaronic priesthood. The episode of Melchizedek was enacted into the Bible's history of the Old testament to reveal to mankind even before the establishing of the Levitical/Aaronic priesthood that mankind would know that there is indeed a better priesthood a holy, eternal, established priesthood of Melchizedek. As Jesus reigns He is Melchizedek "The LORD, The Most High God, The Possessor Of Heaven And Earth."

wikipedia.org: Abraham - Abraham was the tenth generation from Noah and the 20th from Adam - Judaism, Christianity and Islam are sometimes referred to as the "Abrahamic religions" because of the progenitor role Abraham plays in their holy books - In the Jewish tradition, he is called Avraham Avinu or "Abraham, our Father" - [In the Christian tradition,] God promised Abraham that through his offspring (Jesus), all the nations of the world will come to be blessed (Genesis 12:3), interpreted in Christian tradition as a reference particularly to Christ - For Muslims, he is a prophet of Islam and the ancestor of Muhammad through his other son Ishmael
Abraham features in the Book of Genesis as the founding patriarch of the Israelites, Ishmaelites, Midianites and Edomite peoples. He is widely regarded as the patriarch of Jews, Christians, and Muslims and a prime believer in monotheism. According to Genesis 17:5, his name was changed by God from Abram (probably meaning "the father is exalted") to Abraham, a name which Genesis explains as meaning "father of many". -- Abraham was the tenth generation from Noah and the 20th from Adam. His father was Terah, and his brothers were Nahor and Haran. According to Genesis, Abraham was sent by God from his home in Ur Kasdim and Harran to Canaan, the land promised to his descendants by Yahweh. There Abraham entered into a covenant: in exchange for recognition of YHWH as his God, Abraham will be blessed with innumerable progeny and the land would belong to his descendants. -- Judaism, Christianity and Islam are sometimes referred to as the "Abrahamic religions" because of the progenitor role Abraham plays in their holy books. In the Jewish tradition, he is called Avraham Avinu or "Abraham, our Father". God promised Abraham that through his offspring, all the nations of the world will come to be blessed (Genesis 12:3), interpreted in Christian tradition as a reference particularly to Christ. Jews, Christians, and Muslims consider him father of the people of Israel through his son Isaac (cf. Exodus 6:3, Exodus 32:13) by his wife Sarah. For Muslims, he is a prophet of Islam and the ancestor of Muhammad through his other son Ishmael - born to him by his servant, Hagar. (Jews and Christians refer to Hagar as Sarah's servant). Abraham is also a progenitor of the Semitic tribes of the Negev who trace their descent from their common ancestor Sheba (Genesis 10:28). [article link]

Basic Christian Article: Who is Melchizedek? - An Eight Part Article Introduction
Coming Soon the Basic Christian Article: Who is Melchizedek? Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18-20) is a higher multidimensional being. Melchizedek exists outside of our own human time and space dimensions (restrictions). Humans exist in and are limited to the first three physical dimensions (length, height, width) and also the fourth dimension (restriction) of time. The spiritual realm of demons, angels and in part the coming Antichrist exists in the less restricted 5th and 6th dimensions. In fact the coming Antichrist is going to bring down or "contact" the 5th and 6th dimensions and infuse 4th dimensional human beings with 5th dimensional demons [Nephilim spirits] and 6th dimensional fallen [Satanic] angelic spirit beings consequently orchestrating 5th and 6th dimensional miracles and signs and wonders in order to deceive mankind. So who is Melchizedek? Melchizedek is the manifestation of the infinite dimensional (infinite dimensions - no restrictions - unrestricted) God in Person. Melchizedek is God the Holy Spirit in Person. Melchizedek is the Order of the Holy Spirit Priesthood. -- Note: In the Basic Christian article "Who is Melchizedek?" the 8 dimensions (restrictions) are listed in conjunction with the original creation week (Genesis 1:1-2:4) and are categorized as follows: 1. Length [Day one creation - light separated [Judgment] (length) from darkness] 2. Height [Day two creation - divided the waters above from the waters below] 3. Width [Day three creation - dry land and plants] 4. Time [Day four creation - sun, moon, stars for times and seasons] 5. Demonic - demons [Day five creation - fish from the waters below, birds from the waters above] 6. Angelic - Holy Angels and also Satan with all of his fallen angels [Day six creation - land animals and humans (pre-fall) - humans the highest part of creation created separate and above the animals and equal to the angels but with sin mankind fell from the 6th dimension to the 4th dimension, in fact with the sin of mankind all of creation also fell from its original creation status] 7. Human Salvation redeemed by the blood, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ [Day seven creation - Rest] 8. Unrestricted [outside of creation] - The only Unrestricted, Eternal, Wise, ∞ Infinite, Almighty God consisting of God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. -- Genesis 2:4 These are the generations [dimensions] of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens ... [article link]

Genesis 15-16 - God's Covenant Relationship with Abraham - The land of Israel belongs to the Jews, there would be many future descendants, the Messiah (Christ) would appear through the line of Abraham [though King David] - The first mention of the appearance of the "Angel of the Lord" an appearance to humans of Jesus Christ in human form - A covenant is a final agreement as final as a Will or a Testimony - Abraham was not yet accounted as righteous either by circumcision [24 years later] or by the law [430 years later] as both were not yet given - Abraham was accounted righteous by belief in the Word of God the acceptability of the covenant and the acceptability of the blood sacrifice sealing the covenant - Note: a Biblical covenant is revealed to be irreversible [given life] by sealing the covenant in blood (Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood - the life of the covenant is in the blood) the life of the blood transfers into the life of the covenant [the final (life) covenant between God and man is sealed on the cross in the blood and death of Jesus Christ - In Jesus Christ we have recieved the ultimate eternal sacrifice and life covenant - His is both a New and an Eternal Living covenant in that Jesus has Resurrected from the dead and is eternally Alive!
Note: Along with the covenant with Abraham God revealed that Abraham and his descendants would be not be settled into their own land (Israel) for at least another 400 years. 'Genesis 15:13-14 And He (God) said unto Abram (Abraham), Know of a surety that thy seed (descendants) shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation [Egypt], whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.' - It's probable that the account of the 400 years of affliction was from the night of the covenant between God and Abraham "and they shall afflict them four hundred years" until the night of the Passover in Egypt 430 years to the day later [only 30 years during that time were not years of affliction]. It's likely that the affliction included their time in Canaan as well as the other places where they sojourned before eventually going into Egypt where Joseph was serving Pharo. The Hebrews (Jews) didn't need to go to Egypt to be afflicted, Egypt and the policies of Egypt afflicted the whole world and also their wanderings and travels in and around Canaan (ancient Israel) itself were generally a time of affliction, famine, peril and distress for them long before going down to Egypt. The events of Isaac with Abimelech [Genesis 26], Jacob with his brother Esau [Genesis 28], Jacob with his father in law Laban [Genesis 29-31], Shechem raping Dinah and the revenge of her two brothers Simeon and Levi [Genesis 34] are just a few examples of the many perils the Hebrew family faced. -- 'Exodus 12:40-41 Now the sojourning [since the night of the covenant with Abraham] of the children of Israel, who [later] dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day [the exact same day 430 years later as the covenant with Abraham] it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out [the night of the Passover] from the land of Egypt.' -- 'Genesis 35:28 28 And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore (180) years. And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.' 'Genesis 15:16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites [Canaan] is not yet full.' - Abraham was 75 years old when he made the covenant with God [430 years to the day before the Passover Exodus night] then Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born [Genesis 21:5] and Isaac lives for 180 years and died about the time Joseph was sold into slavery into Egypt where later Jacob and the rest of the family follow Joseph into Egypt. Approximately twentyfive years from the night of the covenant with God until the birth of Isaac and then 180 years in the life of Isaac makes about 205 years before Jacob's family went into Egypt as a family to later emerge from Egypt as a Nation, the Nation comprised of the 12 family tribes Judah and Israel. That would be about 225 years in Egypt for the total of 430 years. Certainly there were only four generations in Egypt from Levi to Moses [Levi -> Kohath -> Amram {father} -> Moses] or [Jacob -> Levi -> Jochebed {mother} -> Moses] it was about 225 years and four generations in Egypt before the Passover night.

GotQuestions.org: What is the Abrahamic Covenant? - There are three main features to the Abrahamic Covenant - 1. The promise of land - 2. The promise of descendants - 3. The promise of blessing and redemption (the Messiah - Jesus Christ)
There are three main features to the Abrahamic Covenant: 1. The promise of land (Genesis 12:1). God called Abraham from Ur of the Chaldees to a land that He would give him (Genesis 12:1). This promise is reiterated in Genesis 13:14-18 where it is confirmed by a shoe covenant; its dimensions are given in Genesis 15:18-21 (precluding any notion of this being fulfilled in heaven). The land aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant is also expanded in Deuteronomy 30:1-10, which is the Palestinian Covenant. 2. The promise of descendants (Genesis 12:2). God promised Abraham that He would make a great nation out of him. Abraham, who was 75 years old and childless (Genesis 12:4), was promised many descendants. This promise is amplified in Genesis 17:6 where God promised that nations and kings would descend from the aged patriarch. This promise (which is expanded in the Davidic Covenant of 2 Samuel 7:12-16) would eventuate in the Davidic throne with Messiah's kingdom rule over the Hebrew people. 3. The promise of blessing and redemption (Genesis 12:3). God promised to bless Abraham and the families of the earth through him. This promise is amplified in the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34; cf. Hebrews 8:6-13) and has to do with "Israel's spiritual blessing and redemption." Jeremiah 31:34 anticipates the forgiveness of sin. The unconditional and eternal nature of the covenant is seen in that the covenant is reaffirmed to Isaac (Genesis 21:12; 26:3-4). The "I will" promises suggest the unconditional aspect of the covenant. The covenant is further confirmed to Jacob (Genesis 28:14-15). It is noteworthy that God reaffirmed these promises amid the sins of the patriarchs, which fact further emphasizes the unconditional nature of the Abrahamic Covenant. [article link]

amazon.com: The Witness of the Stars by E. W. Bullinger (Paperback)
Product Description: Building upon ancient astronomical sources and modern scientific data, Bullinger shows how the constellations witness to the accuracy of biblical prophetic truths. A classic Kregel bestseller. -- About the Author: E. W. Bullinger (1837-1913) was a direct descendant of Johann H. Bullinger, the Swiss reformer. Bullinger was a lifelong scholar and writer studying at King's College, London. In 1862 he was ordained in the Church of England. He is also the author of the notes and appendixes of The Companion Bible and the author of numerous works including Commentary on Revelation, Great Cloud of Witnesses, How to Enjoy the Bible, and Number in Scripture. [article link]

Mazzaroth (Zodiac in Hebrew is mazzaroth) - Chuck Missler -- Signs in the Heavens #2 - Chuck Missler (FREE Mp3's)
Mazzaroth - Chuck Missler #00452.mp3 -- Signs in the Heavens #2 - Chuck Missler #00066.mp3 [article link]

K-House: Signs in the Heavens - Is there a message hidden behind the 'Signs of the Zodiac'? - Are there secrets hidden in the original names of the constellations? (Purchase Audio)
What we know as the "Signs of the Zodiac" is known in Hebrew as "the Mazzeroth." This briefing pack explores the possibility that the Mazzeroth, the pre-Babylonian original, anticipated God's total plan for mankind. [article link]

Genesis 17-18 - Abraham is told to walk before God and to be blameless (complete) [completed not in works but in a Spiritual relationship and fellowship with God] - Abram's name is changed to Abraham with the -ah- breath of life [God inside] added to Abram and Sarai receiving the breath of life from God becomes Sarah - Abraham receives the covenant of circumcision (the cutting away of the life of flesh and the new life of walking with the spirit of God) - the birth of Isaac is promised and Isaac is to be born as Abraham's heir [his only son] to receive the inheritance of the covenants and promises of God to Abraham - The destruction of the cities Sodom and Gomorrah is foretold
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah - the outcry is great. There is an outcry to God in horrible unrighteousness. 'Genesis 4:9 9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? And He said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.' Note: in the destruction of the cities Sodom and Gomorrah the main sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was idleness of hands and a misdirected life. They had misdirected their purpose and being of life into other various non-godly pursuits. 'Isaiah 1:9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we [Israel - those governed by God] should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.' -- "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before Me." -- 'Ezekiel 16:48-50 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou [Israel - those governed by God] hast done, thou and thy daughters. Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before Me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.'

The Physical remains of Sodom and Gomorrah - Ron Wyatt Part 1 (YouTube)
Ron Wyatt shows you actual physical remains of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah! [article link]

The Physical remains of Sodom and Gomorrah - Ron Wyatt Part 2 (YouTube)
The conclusion of Ron Wyatt's discovery of the remains of Sodom and Gomorrah. [article link]

Genesis 19-20 - The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah - Righteous Lot is spared the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah - Abraham once again sojourns towards Egypt but this time does not cross the border into Egypt - In the Philistine city of Gerar [near Egypt] Sara becomes a part of the Philistine King Abimelech's harem though God prevents Abimelech from touching Sarah - The pagan King Abimelech rebukes the children of God Abraham and Sarah for their conduct in pretending to be brother and sister when in fact they were husband and wife
How tragic it is when the servants of God fail to the point of being rebuked by the pagan world. We are each like Abraham and Sarah in that God will often put us in circumstances to point out the areas of weakness in our life but only for the purpose that He might make us stronger. Abraham's faith did develop and grow as in the next event in Abraham's life he offered up to God his greatest moment of faith. The faith of Abraham in trusting God to continue the life of Isaac continuing the generations of promised seed even after God calls for Isaac to be a sacrifice as a burnt offering. Note: In Biblical times in becoming a harem member for a King there was at least a yearlong process for the girls that involved a grooming, training, instruction and Etiquette that each harem members underwent before they went to be with the King. There were already plenty of harem members for the King so there wasn't a rush for members but a major factor in the long delay before being with the King was the ability to assess the health and stability of the women the King's servants didn't want to stricken the King with an illness or an unpleasant experience if they could help it. So in the context of the times Sarah would have been in Abimelech's harem but God orchestrated events to have her removed before her instruction and orientation time was completed.

Genesis 21-22 - Abraham the Prophet enacts the sacrifice of his beloved only son Isaac - In what would become Abraham's greatest moment of faith - The faith that God is life and that He can raise his son from the dead if indeed he had been sacrificed as a burnt offering accordingly as God had instructed -- 'Hebrews 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac [at Mt. Mariah]: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure [a type of Jesus Christ].' - 'Genesis 22:8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself (Jesus Christ) a lamb for a burnt offering' and 2,000 years later Jesus Christ the Son of God on that very place provided Himself as a lamb for our eternal sacrifice offering
For three days Abraham counted Isaac as dead [three days in the grave] as he journeyed to Mt. Mariah to place Isaac upon an alter that would be made from wood the wood that Isaac himself would carry up the hill (Golgotha) as a part of the sacrifice to God then the third day [resuddection] God spared Isaac's life as God declared that He would offer Himself the sacrifice on Mt. Mariah and 2,000 years later the sacrifice of the beloved Son of God the only begotten Son Jesus Christ was offered on a wooden cross that like Isaac Jesus Himself carried to the place of sacrifice. Note: Abraham the Prophet was sent by God to Mt. Mariah (Calvary) to enact the sacrifice of his "only son" [the future sacrifice of Jesus Christ also on Mt. Mariah]. -- 'James 2:21-23 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? [Yes.] Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect [complete]? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God [Abraham believed God to continue (resurrect) the life of Isaac, the life of promise as Abraham laid Isaac upon the alter of sacrifice], and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God' -- Abraham in his lifetime had many children but only one child Isaac was elevated to a son in status. Isaac received the inheritance of the covenants of God from his father Abraham. In the Biblical concept of Sonship the children do not receive the inheritance only the sons do. A child once adopted and received by the father as a son then receives the blessings and inheritance of a son. A child is first born into the family ('born again' by the Holy Spirit in the case of a Christian) then the child enters into the presence of the father and in the presence of the father the [earthly father can choose to adopt the child or not] [God the Father in Heaven adopts all of His children 'Ephesians 1:5 Having "predestinated" us unto the adoption of children (lit. sons huiothesia 5206) by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will'] the father then Adopts his child giving him adult authority and adult privileges and makes him a partaker in his kingdom to receive an inheritance of the kingdom of the father.

Holy Bible: Genesis 22:1-18 ... Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off ... I and the lad [Isaac] will go yonder and worship [acknowledge that God gives life to the dead], and come again to you, And Abraham took the wood [cross] of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son ... and they went both of them together [they waked together in agreement] ... And he [Isaac] said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering
Genesis 22:1-18 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And He said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains [Mt. Mariah - Calvary] which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you, And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. [article link]

Genesis 23-24 - The death and passing of Sarah - [Genesis 23:6] Abraham "a mighty prince" of God pays the full price for a burial plot for Sarah - The oldest [most reliable] servant is sent off to the ancestral land to find a bride for the beloved only son Isaac - Many Biblical 'types' are in use during these events of the Bible - Abraham is a type of God the Father, Isaac is a type of the beloved only son Jesus Christ, Sarah is a type of the Nation of Israel [removed from the scene after the sacrifice offering] and Rebecca as the bride of the son is a type of the Christian Church {Note: now the Nation of Israel (Sarah) is back on the scene and the Hebrews are once again in Israel signifying a wrapping up and a near conclusion to the Christian Church (Rebecca) age with a corresponding End Time reemergence of the Israel (Sarah) age.}
Abraham burried his wife Sarah in the cave at Machpelah. -- 'Genesis 23:16 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.' Note: Abraham was offered the land and the cave as a burial plot for Sarah for free however Abraham knowing that death is not free and knowing that death has a price Abraham asked the price of the burial plot. The price was steep and Abraham knowing that death cannot be negotiated with did not negotiate but paid the full asking price for the burial location. Jesus Christ also knowing full well that death has a price, a steep price, and that death will not be negotiated with Jesus Christ paid the price of sin and death and He like Abraham paid it in full forever releasing us from our sin burden and of the resulting debt to death. 'Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.' ... The 'oldest servant' a type of the Holy Spirit is sent to woo a bride for the son. The servant tells the bride of the majesty of the son, of the status of the son and of their future together in close intimate fellowship. Like Rebecca as we respond to the call of the servant to unite with the Son Jesus Christ the servant adorns us with gifts, with raiment and with adorning. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are a foretaste of the glory of God's eternal Kingdom. 'Genesis 24:58 And they called Rebekah (Rebecca), and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.' Rebecca responded "I will go [and be the bride]" like Rebecca we are invited to go, to become the bride of the beloved son Jesus Christ. 'Psalms 45:11 So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty: for He is thy Lord; and worship thou Him.'

Genesis 25-26 - After the passing of Sarah then Abraham [Genesis 17:4] the father of many nations took Keturah as a wife and among their descendants are the nations of Medan, Midian, Sheba, and Dedan - Abraham lived to be 175 years old and at his passing Abraham was buried with Sarah at the cave of Machpelah - Both Isaac and Ishmael attended the funeral of their father Abraham - Rebecca becomes pageant with twins 'Genesis 25:23 And the LORD said unto her (Rebecca), Two nations (Jacob/Israel and Esau/Edomites) [Herod the Great was an Edomite - Herod was the (Rome/Cesar inserted) King over Israel at the time of Jesus] are in thy womb' - Esau sells his firstborn 'birthright' to Jacob - Isaac is blessed by God and received a hundredfold blessing [the only mention of a hundredfold blessing in the Bible because Isaac is a type of Jesus Christ who is blessed a hundredfold beyond measure]
Isaac was commanded to remain in the promise land (Israel) his entire life not to depart from it and actually not to settle in one place but to wander and sojourn throughout the land. -- 'Genesis 26:2-3 2 And the LORD appeared unto him (Isaac), and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: Sojourn in this land (Israel), and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father' -- but like his father Isaac also ventured to the Philistine city of Gerar near the border of Egypt and like his father the journey to the border, to the edge of the promise land was also a near disastrous for Isaac. Both Abraham and Isaac ventured to Gerar a place where they really didn't belong because of a famine [or a perceived famine] in the promise land [many others remained in Canaan throughout the 'famine' times] and just like his father Abraham when Isaac came into Gerar he instructed his wife Rebecca to tell the people that she was his sister because like his father he feared for his life in the city. This is a real good illustration that we each have to face our own trials just because or parents or others faced certain trials it doesn't mean that we will not face them and surprisingly enough we can often fail in the same challenges that our fathers failed and in the same trials that we see others failing in even though we know the outcome of the testing before we are even tempted. ... Also Note: Abraham and Isaac the children of God were opening up wells in the desert and Abraham marked his wells with a Tamarisk tree [a tree with bright flowers] so others could find the wells and drink from them. Yet the enemies of God spent their time closing and concealing the wells to deny people the opportunity to drink from them. -- Isaiah 12:2-3 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Genesis 27-28 - Jacob with the help of his mother Rebecca he puts on a disguise and steals Esau's firstborn 'blessing' - Esau a man after the flesh wanted just the blessings of God though he didn't want to repent before the blessings - his tears were not over repentance but over the loss of the blessing - During her pregnancy with the twins God had given her the sovereign declaration that the older (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob) - however Isaac now in his soul not serving God in his spirit wants' to bless Esau not Jacob as God had informed Rebecca years earlier to do - Rebecca and Jacob took matters upon themselves to try to bring about the promises of God - the results were disastrous and Rebecca in a sense lost her son Jacob as he had to flee the anger of his brother and she never again saw her Jacob - Isaac who thought he was on his deathbed lived for another 43 years and did see Jacob again [Genesis 35:27] at the end of his life after Jacob had returned from his 20 year flight from his brother Esau's vengeance
The purposes and declarations of God are going to stand regardless of what mankind does, we cannot stop or advance beyond their time the purposes of God. God will accomplish His plans if not through His people then through others including non-believers. Rebecca and Jacob were following the terrible philosophy of the day that the end result [the desired blessing] would justify (make right) the wrong deeds [the deceit and lies] along the way. The Apostle Paul calls this a damnable heresy "whose damnation is just" -- 'Romans 3:8 And not rather, as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say, Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.' -- After the deception Jacob flees for his life and while passing through Bethel Jacob like his grandfather Abraham encounters God at Bethel and God reiterates to Jacob the promises given to Abraham and later God will reiterate those same promises to King David. Note: Jacob's ladder, Jacob with his head at rest upon the rock (Jesus Christ) sees heaven open and angels ascending and descending upon a ladder that is able to connect both Heaven (the dwelling of God) and the earth (the dwelling of man). In the Gospel of John it is recorded that Jesus himself did confirm that He is Jacob's ladder the only access for mankind to the Father in Heaven. - 'John 1:51 And He (Jesus) saith unto him (Nathanael - one of the twelve disciples), Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.' Jacob had become aware of the presence of God in his life 'Genesis 28:16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not' then Jacob took the rock exalting it by making and alter with it he anointed the rock with some of his oil of acceptance. -- 'Genesis 28:18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.'

Genesis 29-30 - Jacob completed his 500 mile journey escaping to his Uncle Laban's - Jacob meets Laban's daughter Rachael - Jacob agrees to work for Laban for seven years for Rachel's hand in marriage - Laban tricks Jacob into seven more years of labor by substituting her older sister Leah in the marriage ceremony - Note: Jacob had tricked his father by substituting himself for the blessing of his brother Esau and now he is deceived in receiving Leah in marriage instead of Rachel
Note: Jacob had to renegotiate his working wages with Laban 10 times and the last agreement was that Jacob would get the speckled and striped animals from the flocks and herds while Laban would keep any purebred animals in his flocks. Jacob took some tree branches and stripped the bark from them and placed the bare branches at the bottom of the water troughs. It's though that Jacob having the tougher mongrel sheep and goats thought that if the branches under water looked like snakes then the purebred animals wouldn't want to drink from the water and wouldn't enter heat but his mongrels would drink and would reproduce more abundantly. 'Genesis 30:42 so the feebler [livestock] were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.' -- Laban himself had been practicing 'enchantments' Genesus 30:27 And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience (enchantments) that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.' Jacob probably thought that he had to fight witchcraft with his own version of manipulations however that turned out not to be the case as Jacob was just practicing a needless wives' tale and in the end after Jacob's latest round of work and manipulations Jacob admitted that it was indeed God that had prospered his flocks and not his schemes or manipulations. -- 'Genesis 31:5 ... the God of my father hath been with me.'

Genesis 31-32 - God reminds Jacob of the vow Jacob made back in Bethel to follow God 'Genesis 28:21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God' - Jacob takes his two wives (Rachael and Leah) his children and all of his possessions to depart Laban's company and go back to his birthplace in the land of Canaan - In route back to Canaan Laban catches up with Jacob from behind - While Esau rides out with 400 men to meet and possibly destroy Jacob from the front - In the midst of all of Jacob's dilemmas the 'Angel of the Lord' steps in and Jacob strives and wrestles not just with men but now also with the Lord 'the Angel of the Lord' and through wrestling with the Lord Jacob comes to the end of his abilities he submits to God and being transformed he is no longer Jacob he now becomes Israel
Note: 'Genesis 31:29 It is in the power of my (Laban's) hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. 'Genesis 32:7-8 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands; And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.' -- Jacob found himself between two hard places and a rock, he couldn't go back because of Laban and he couldn't go forward because of Esau and he wouldn't really look up because of his own stubborn limitations. Much of Jacob's dilemma was due to his own making in his own ability to outwit and swindle those around him. Jacob's strengths of seeing an opportunity and taking it had turned into his weakness in dealing with both man and God. Now alone and stranded between two opposing forces Jacob discovers again that there is yet another dimension 'the Angel of the Lord' a more crucial dimension to his situation. 'Genesis 32:24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man [the Angel of the Lord] with him until the breaking of the day.' 'Genesis 32:30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.' Jacob in his sense of insecurity wrestles the entire night with 'the Angel of the Lord' unwilling to let go until he is blessed by God but not knowing that letting go was exactly what he need to do to become blessed. 'The Angel of the Lord' finally put Jacob's leg out of joint and now physically ailing Jacob prevailed and submits to God Who acknowledging that Jacob was no longer striving with God blessed Jacob and made him Israel the Nation of the Redeemer. -- Hosea 12:4-5 Yea, he (Jacob) had power over [to encounter] the Angel [the Angel of the Lord], and prevailed [in finally coming around to allowing God's plan for his life]: he wept, and made supplication [asking for a blessing] unto Him [He blessed him and changed his name from Jacob to Israel]: he found Him in Bethel, and there He spake with us; Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.

Genesis 33-34 - Faced with the dangers of Esau's approach Jacob separates his family exposing Leah and her children to the dangers up front while retaining Rachael and Joseph back in relative safety with himself - The separating of the children highlighted and extended current divisions among the family and within the children of the family and created new animosities among the family of Israel that have stubbornly continually persisted even unto the present day and age - Jacob meets Esau for the first time since fleeing his vengeance - Esau invites Jacob to stay, Jacob immediately departs Esau's presence and continues on his own way
Note: There is a Biblical progression of the believer. 'Romans 8:30 Moreover whom He (God) did predestinate [as Isaac was predestined - children of God are predestined to become sons of God], them He also called [as Abraham was called]: and whom He called, them He also justified [as Jacob was justified]: and whom He justified, them He also Glorified [as Joseph was glorified].' First an individual has to answer the call of God to come out of the world to separate from this world and to walk in a relationship with God as Abraham was called to walk with God. Those who have answered the call having left the world and are 'born again' in the promise land [heaven] as Isaac was born in the land [promised to Abraham] and remain in the promise land as Isaac remained in the land they become children of God and once a child then predestined to become a son of God. The predestined children of God are justified (conformed into the image of God in Jesus Christ) and elected to an office a duty for God's Kingdom as Jacob was justified from Jacob to Israel and elected [duty to perform] to be the father of the 12 tribes (family groups) that would comprise the entire nation of Israel the nation that would safely bring the redeemer to mankind. In completing the task and honoring God the justified and elected Christian is also glorified (accomplished) as Joseph (a Biblical type of Jesus) was glorified [covered in clothing (righteousness) and given the (adoption) signet ring of Sonship and authority] having saved the family from famine and reuniting the family back together under one roof all while being raised up from the pit of prison (death and hell) to be a ruler in all of the world, all of Egypt. - Also Note: With the rape of Dinah their sister [Genesis 34:1-31] and in vengeance two of her brothers Simeon and Levi destroyed an entire city, [without the foreknowledge of Jacob who completely disapproved of their actions and later Jacob diminished their blessings because of their actions]. It might seem like a tall tale that only two men could destroy an entire city and it might seem like an ancient fluke that it could happen however the warfare that Simon and Levi practiced is now the concept of the most modern, most devastating warfare of our day. First nonlethal force is applied (the entire city being circumcised) in modern times loud piercing audio sounds and or accompanying noxious 'ray gun' type transmissions will easily incapacitate an entire neighborhood and then once incapacitated a few operatives like Levi and Simon can quickly and easily decide to dispatch, capture or leave alone each incapacitated individual. Coming later in Egypt we will learn how the entire nation, a very prosperous, diverse and secure nation, quickly became ruined and the possession of a single ruler (Pharaoh) yet another concept that is very important in our time and day.

Genesis 35-37 - God brings Jacob and his family back to Bethel and instructs Jacob to make an alter to Him there - God also instructs them to put away their strange gods and to change their clothing so Jacob buries their accumulated idols under an oak tree and they changed their clothes - [Jacob's mother] Rebecca's nurse Deborah dies - Rachel gives birth to her second son Ben-oni and passes away in childbirth - Jacob renames Ben-oni to Benjamin
Note: In these early chapters of the Bible the Bible is still dealing in types. Jacob is now somewhat a type of God the Father, his wife Rachael is now a type of the Nation of Israel and Joseph the son is a type of Jesus Christ [Joseph is the most exact type of Jesus Christ found in the Bible even surpassing King David in similarity to Jesus Christ]. As Rachel dies in childbirth she names the child Ben-oni 'son of her sorrow' the father Jacob then renames Ben-oni to Benjamin 'son of my right hand.' Joseph is a type of Jesus Christ and Benjamin his only full brother is a type of the Christian Church. Benjamin [the Christian Church] was born of the Jewish Rachel and to the Jewish Rachel Benjamin is Ben-omi 'the son of her sorrow' it has been in sorrow that the Christian Church has been brought into the world and exists at the passing [scattering, Diaspora] of Rachel [the Nation of Israel] but to God the Father (Jacob) when He sees Ben-omi [the Christian Church] He sees the full family, he sees Joseph [Jesus] in Ben-omi and to Him he is a son of this right hand. - Also Note: Joseph's status as chosen heir is rejected by his ten older brothers and they cast him into a dry well [Sheol, Hades, Hell]. Simon seems to be the main instigator in the planned death of Joseph while Ruben persuades the others not to immediately kill him but to first cast him into the well. With Joseph down the well the brothers are discussing his ultimate fate when a caravan of Ishmaelites (descendants of Ishmael) passed by and Judah then saves Joseph's life by selling him to the Ishmaelites (Ishmeelites - alternate spelling) for twenty pieces of silver. Apparently a caravan of Midianites came on the scene and they actually took Joseph out of the well and sold him to the Ishmaelites. The Ishmaelites were seemingly unwilling to rescue Joseph out of the well because they are related as Ishmael is a son of Abraham and they would have been obligated to return Joseph safely back to his father Jacob but the Midianites also related through Lot saw no problem with rescuing Joseph out of the well to then sell him to the Ishmaelites. The Ishmaelites having ultimately bought Joseph from the Midianites took Joseph to Egypt where they sold him as a slave. The betrayal and selling of Joseph into slavery was a real family affair with the Israelites selling him to the Midianites who sold him to the Ishmaelites who then took him to Egypt and sold him to the Egyptian Potiphar.

Joseph and Jesus (9 Parts) by Dr. Calvin Ray Evans • Part one 46 min. "The Bloody Coat" Highly Recommended (Mp3's)
Evangelistic Outreach Ministries with Dr. Calvin Evans and Dr. Calvin Ray Evans proclaim the Gospel through radio, television, world missions, Christian literature, crusades, church and revival meetings. We covet your prayers because our God brings the lost to Himself as a result of your prayers. And bringing the lost to the Lord Jesus Christ is what we are all about. [article link]

Genesis 38-39 - Judah marries the Canaanite woman Shuah and they have three children Er, Onan and Shelah - Both Er and Onan receive the judgment of God and are slain - Judah's wife Shuah passes away - Judah mistakenly sleeps with his daughter inlaw and she delivers twin sons Zarah and Pharez - Judah is the eventual line of King David and later Jesus Christ through the son Pharez - Joseph enslaved in Egypt is fasely accused of rape and is sent to prison - Joseph does not fight the false alligations but as a child of God he trusts in God that He will deliver him from his peril
Note: God's displeasure - God is not limited to sitting idly by while mankind sins in unrestrained rebellion. 'Genesis 38:7-10 And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. … And the thing which he (Onan) did displeased the LORD: wherefore He slew him also.' - God's knowledge expands all generations and encompasses all possible events. God had decided not to allow the nation of Israel to expand in the direction of Er and Onan. - Also Note: It isn't only humans that are under judgment and the scrutiny of God. The unholy angels of Genesis 6 are also under judgment and are chained in captivity until the very last day of the book of Revelation. Currently mankind does have to contend with spiritual forces but not the more aggressive spirits of Genesis 6. The spirits we contend with today are for the most part the lesser spirits while the foremost evil spirits are imprisoned 'Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation (left their angel body, when they had sex with humans), He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day [Revelation time period].' until the key is given to release the spirits in the final days of the Revelation time period. -- ' Revelation 9:1-11 And the fifth angel sounded [5th trumpet judgment], and I saw a star [angel] fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. ... And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon ["place of destruction" or the realm of the dead, and is associated with Sheol - wiki.com], but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.'

Genesis 40-41 - The King's butler (cup bearer) and the Kings baker were suspected in a plot to kill the King of Egypt and were imprisoned with Joseph until the details of the plot could be sorted out - The butler and the baker each had a dream - Joseph was able to correctly interpret each of their dreams -- 'Genesis 40:8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it - And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you' -- Later Joseph is brought from the prison to interpret a dream for Pharaoh after correctly interpreting the dream Joseph is installed by the Pharaoh to be the second ruler over all of Egypt in order to carry out the interpretation of the dream - An Egyptian wife is chosen for Joseph and she [Asenath] bares him two sons Manasseh and Ephraim both of which will receive inheritances in Israel as Jacob awards Joseph a double portion of land in Israel with his double portion of blessings
Note: Melchizedec the Priest of the Most High God introduced bread and wine (communion) into the Bible. In keeping with Biblical consistency we now again have the bread [cross] and the wine [resurrection] in the illustration of the king's baker [bread] - and the king's butler/cup bearer [wine]. The baker as was according to his dream from God was broken, he was executed. The butler as was according to his dream, also given to him by God, was restored the third day being freed from prison he is sent into the presence of the Kingdom's King handing a cup of wine (vine) to the King. - The communion bread and the communion wine of Jesus Christ: The bread represents the body of Jesus 'broken for us' and the wine represents the life blood of Jesus in the New Eternal covenant between God and mankind. 'Matthew 26:26-28 And as they (disciples) were eating [Passover], Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My Body. And He took the cup (grape of the vine), and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it [be connected to Jesus Christ the true Vine]; For this is My Blood [eternal Life, the eternal living covenant] of the New Testament (Covenant), which is shed for many for the remission of sins.' - Also Note: Once Benjamin [Christian Church] comes into the Kingdom presence of Joseph and meets Him face to face Joseph [Jesus] calls Benjamin 'My Son'. 'Genesis 43:29 And he [Joseph] lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin [Christian Church], his mother's (Rachael's) son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto Me? And He said, God be gracious unto thee, My Son.

Genesis 42 - Joseph was about seventeen years old when his older brothers threw him down the well and when he arrived into slavery in Egypt - After 13 years of slavery and prison Joseph becomes the second ruler of Egypt - Joseph begins his ministry to Egypt at about 30 years old the same age when Jesus began His ministry in Israel - Then after seven good years and during the seven years of famine the Joseph's ten older brothers come to Egypt on their first visit to obtain grain and unknowingly, and unable to tell, deal with their brother Joseph for their grain - Joseph takes Simeon as a prisoner/hostage to assure that the brothers will return and makes the stipulation that Simon will not be released unless the brothers return to Egypt and this time bringing with them Benjamin [Joseph's younger brother]
Note: 'Genesis 42:17-20 And he [Joseph] put them all [twelve tribes (actually 10 of the tribes but symbolically representing 'all' 12 tribes) of Israel] together into ward [prison] three days. And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God: If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound [blindness in part] in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn (grain) [the KJV Bible was translated from Hebrew OT and Greek NT into the English language in about the year 1611 in England and back then corn was a generic term for grain 'acorn', 'British corn (grain) laws' then in America with the discovery of the native maize plant, maize was renamed corn] for the famine of your houses: But bring your youngest brother [Benjamin - Christian Church] unto Me [Jesus]; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.' 'Romans 11:25 ... that blindness in part [a portion of Jews become Christians] is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the [Christian Church] Gentiles be come in.'

!!!Highly Recommended - Revealing God's Treasure - Red Sea Crossing - Joseph in Egypt - Grain storage in Egypt - Moses in Egypt (YouTube)
See chariot parts and people parts in the sea where the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea on dry ground. [article link]

Genesis 43-45 - Joseph's ten older brothers return to Egypt for their second visit this time bringing Benjamin with them as they were instructed by Joseph to do - Joseph invites the brothers into lunch - Benjamin [a type of the Christian Church] receives five times [five signifies grace] the helpings his brothers receive - after testing the brothers to determine their loyalty to the God of Israel and their acceptance of Benjamin [Joseph's younger brother] - Joseph reveals himself to his brothers as the brother they had rejected so many years before - Joseph a child of God reveals that the providence of God has sent him to Egypt and not the cunning of man -- 'Genesis 45:5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life' - God as always is the God of Life and that 'more abundantly' - 'John 10:10 I am (Jesus) come that they (mankind) might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly'
Joseph seats his brothers at the table in the order of their age, no small task since the eleven brothers were born to one father with four different mothers. He is trying to give the impression that he knows divination or a type of magic in order to know intimate details about their lives. Joseph wants to know if the brothers are going to seek divination from him a perceived Egyptian or if they are going to remain loyal to the God of Israel. The brothers do not ask for information about their lives or their futures and remain loyal to the God of Israel. Then Joseph tests the brothers concerning their intentions towards his younger brother Benjamin. Joseph is concerned that if Benjamin were to receive a larger inheritance from their father Jacob and the older brothers object again then it might be Benjamin who finds himself at the bottom of a well. Joseph in testing the brothers about Benjamin is also testing them in their love for their father Jacob because Jacob had stated that if he lost Benjamin after losing Joseph ' then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave'. The brothers completely pass the test offering to substitute themselves for Benjamin in order that Benjamin might go free and return to their father back in Canaan. After the testings Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and emphasizes that it has been God's plan to send Joseph ahead to Egypt to save their lives from the coming famine and the lives of others. -- 'Genesis 45:3-8 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.' -- Also Note: 'Genesis 43:34 And he [Joseph] took and sent messes [table settings] unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess [dinner] was five [Benjamin as the Christian Church receives the five signifying grace/individuality] times so much as any of theirs [the Children of Jacob receive the single portion of the law/conformity]. And they drank, and were merry with him.' 'Genesis 45:22 To all of them [children of Jacob - law/conformity] he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five [Christian Church - grace/individuality] changes of raiment.'

Genesis 46-48 - Jacob (130 years old) at the instruction of God, Jacob having inquired at Bethel - moves the entire family 'seventy souls in all' to temporarily sojourn in Egypt - In Egypt the children of God become enslaved and are unable to return to their homeland in Canaan - In Egypt Jacob blesses Joseph and Jacob adopts Joseph's first two male children to become his sons so that they can receive an equal inheritance in the promise land with their uncles as all the sons of Jacob each received the adoption of sons and receive an inheritance in the promise land
Note: Jacob meets pharaoh the King of Egypt and Jacob blesses him. Jacob declares his life to have been long and hard, 'Genesis 47:7-9 And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou? And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been' in all that Jacob had accomplished in God Jacob was still never able to enter into the rest and glorification that his son Joseph was able to enter into with God. - Also Note: Once in Egypt the children of God were set apart from the Egyptians and were looked down upon by the Egyptians from the start. At this time the children of God are under Covenants with God but they are not yet directly under the law of God as they would become later with Moses (the law giver). The persecutions, separations, hardships, wanderings and sufferings of the children of God are acting as a law unto themselves keeping the children of God separate from the world and the evil ways of the world and gathered together unto God. Without the difficulties the children of God would have become as the children of Sodom had become as the children of God demonstrated immediately after departing the hardships of Egypt and entering the freedom of the desert where they immediately begin to act as the Egyptians had acted and didn't act the way God intended for them to act so therefore immediately in the desert God had to Give Moses the Ten Commandments and the rest of the law so the children of God in their newfound freedom and leisure would know how to properly serve and worship God. - Also note: The famine that shocked the economy of the great nation of Egypt and turned Egypt from a stable middleclass nation to a peasant ownerless nation was a series of events that Egypt remains under even to this day as Egypt remains for the most part a peasant nation. When there are disruptions in the economy and in the food supply in particular and whether the disruption occurs naturally, is man induced or is even is fictitious in stature the result is the middle class is going to have to surrender their possessions and the governing officials will have the option of acquiring the belongings.

Genesis 49-50 - Jacob giving his last words in faith while worshiping and leaning on his staff shares God's blessings with each of his sons - Joseph inquires permission to bury Jacob back in Canaan - Joseph was unable to ask Pharaoh directly for the permission but had to request it from the 'house of Pharaoh' indicating that already another Pharaoh had become the King of Egypt - The Bible begins in the Garden of Eden with man walking in fellowshipping with God and now here in the ending of the book of Genesis mankind is separated from God, enslaved and 'put in a coffin in Egypt' - Next in the book of Exodus (the way out, lit. out of path) we will find the way out of the hard slavery and bondage of this world and back into the fellowship and a relationship with God
Note: Jacob just before his death blesses his sons in faith -- Hebrews 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, [standing up - resurrected] leaning upon the top of his staff.' -- Also Note: The blessing of Judah [the line of Jesus Christ]. 'Genesis 49:8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down [worship] before thee. Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey [death, crucifixion], my son, thou art gone up [resurrection, heavenly presence]: he stooped down [(Messiah) Jesus came as a man], he couched [submitted to God] as a lion, and as an old [eternal] lion; who shall rouse him up? The sceptre [the King's authority] shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver (government) from between his feet, until Shiloh (Messiah) come; and unto him (Messiah) shall the gathering of the people be. Binding his foal [Christian Church] unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine [New Covenant]; he washed his garments in wine [Holy Spirit], and his clothes in the blood [New Covenant blood] of grapes: His eyes shall be red with wine [seeing in the spirit], and his teeth white with milk [the milk of the Word of God].- Also Note: Joseph reiterates that God has allowed all of the events and has worked all of the events to become good and sustainable for all of God's children. -- Genesis 50:20-21 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.' - Lastly the book of Genesis (beginnings) ends with 'Genesis 50:25 And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence. So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.'

THE SECOND BOOK OF MOSES, CALLED

EXODUS

Exodus 1-2 - Exodus is a continuation of the accounts of Genesis - In the New Testament [Mark 12:26] Jesus quotes from Exodus and calls it the book of Moses - about {200} years later after the death of Jacob and Joseph the Israelites now number about 600,000 military age men twenty years old and older with about 2.2 million Israelites total including women and children - the newest Pharaoh feared that the Israelites would take their skills and their labor and depart back to Canaan - Pharaoh suppressed the Israelites to keep them in the Egypt - though trying to keep the children of God down the prospered all the more - Under the edict of Pharaoh Moses as a child was to be put to death - His mother placed him in a basket and Pharaoh's daughter found Moses and took him as her own - God tells Moses that He has seen their afflictions - Exodus 3:7-8 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of My people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I Am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey
Note: The Egyptian midwives had some knowledge of the God of the Israelites and feared God. The midwives didn't tell a complete lie 'Exodus 1:19 And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere (before) the midwives come in unto them' in that God is life and the midwives were interceding on behalf of God for life, though they didn't tell the complete truth. We can only tell the amount of truth based on the amount of faith and knowledge we have in God 'John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.' Jesus said He is the truth - The Egyptian midwives had a little knowledge of God and were able to tell a little of the truth but they also had some of their preconceived excuses mixed in with the truth they had. God did bless them for acting on the amount of truth that they had. - Also Note: Stephen in the book of Acts [Acts 7:25] quotes that Moses was aware that he was the chosen deliverer. Moses knowing he was the deliver attempted to deliver a child of God from the whip of an Egyptian however Moses was unable to redeem even one Israelite and in fact the entire Jewish nation at first rejected Moses as their leader. Later when Moses was under the guidance of God, then God did successfully deliver the children of Israel from Egypt the strongest nation on the earth at that time.

Exodus 3-6 - The sign [Exodus 3:12] that God would use to confirm to the people that He had brought them out of Egypt was that He would bring them to Mt. Horeb (Mt. Sinai) to serve God - Moses returns to Egypt from his forty year flight for killing the Egyptian taskmaster - God tells Moses to tell Pharaoh to 'let My people go' - Pharaoh responds [Exodus 5:2] 'Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice' - Today many people are still like Pharaoh and say 'Who is the Lord, Jesus Christ that I should obey His voice'?
Note: [Exodus 4:21] God hardens {confirms} Pharos heart so that Pharaoh will not let the people go. Pharaoh was back and forth about his treatment of the Hebrews. God had a plan to illustrate and to demonstrate to the people His deliverance power and authority. Pharaoh's uncertainty would have muddled the clear picture God was presenting so God confirmed Pharos heart to keep the Hebrews in slavery. Even after the tragic death of all the firstborn males of Egypt on the night of the Passover Pharaoh decided to go get the escaping Hebrews and bring them back to slavery in Egypt so there never was any intention with Pharaoh of ever letting the Hebrews go free that is why God had to intervene there was no other way to freedom for the children of God. - Also Note: Exodus 4:11 And the LORD said unto him (Moses), Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?' - God declares that He has created the physical handicaps of mankind. God takes ultimate responsibility for the condition of mankind. Also note though that God has created a remedy for ALL of the afflictions of mankind. The remedy is a new life in a new eternal body - in the new and everlasting covenant of Jesus Christ.

The Delta-Sinai Tour - Goshen: The cities Pithom and Pi-Rameses, two fortified cities the Hebrews built before the Exodus, (Ex. 1:11) however, have been found (Photos)
The German scholar Dr. O.F.A, Meinardus wrote about traditions informing us that the Holy Family {Joseph, Mary, Jesus} likely traveled through the Eastern Delta, the approximate location from where the Exodus took place. The name 'Land of Goshen' is only mentioned in the Bible, and not Egyptian documents. The cities Pithom and Pi-Rameses, two fortified cities the Hebrews built before the Exodus, (Ex. 1:11) however, have been found. The Austrian Institute excavated the ruins of Pithom and found the remains of some temple buildings and grain stores. Pi-Rameses in particular is important because the Egyptians moved their capital from Memphis to Pi-Rameses in the 14th century B.C. because of the threats coming from the east. Pi-Rameses was the capital of Egypt in the time of Moses. In the same region the ruins have been found of Tanis, the capital of Pharaoh Sheshonk I [Shishak in the Bible] (935-914 B.C.) who plundered the temple of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 12:9). Some researchers speculate he may have taken the Ark of the Covenant to this city. [article link]

Exodus 7-9 - Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh on behalf of God - God sends 10 separate plagues upon Egypt - The 10 plagues are directed against the false gods [Nile River, earth, sun, creatures, etc.] of Egypt in order that the Egyptians would abandon their false gods and follow the one true living God - All of the plagues took place within a few moths time - June to April 14 [Passover] being considered the longest duration timeline for the completion of the 10 plague events
'Exodus 8:8-15 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD. ... And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields. ... But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.' - Pharaoh made a vow to God it's not n ecessary to make a vow to God to get God to move on our behalf. Actually God doesn't want vows, deals and manipulations from us. When we make a vow and we break it then it's worse than not making a vow in the first place. - The magicians were able to duplicate some of the plagues of God visited upon Egypt but they certainly were not able to duplicate the love, comfort and security of God that God visited upon His children in Goshen during the time of the plagues.

Exodus 10-11 - Pharaoh and his servants hearts have been hardened (held in place) in order that God could show Pharaoh His mastery over His creation - Giving the Egyptians an opportunity to stop worshiping His creation and to start worshiping Him the creator - Also giving the children of God an opportunity to grow in their faith and in the future to have some memories and remembrance of the mighty works of God -- 'Exodus 10:1-2 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these My signs before him: And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I Am the LORD'
The Pharaoh of Moses' day was a type of Satan and in being a type of Satan [hinderer] Pharaoh was always hindering the children of God in their relationship with God. The main way Pharaoh was hindering their walk with God was in his continually encouraging the Hebrews to compromise in their worship and service to God. Pharaoh offers five compromises to Moses and the Hebrews 1. To remain in Egypt don't separate from the world in consecration to God. 2. Go worship God but don't go very far don't get carried away and don't abandon yourself to God and to His Kingdom. 3. Worship God if you must but not with your cattle, not with your resources or your abilities and certainly not with your money. 4. Worship God yourself but don't include your own family and don't and influence your own children in your worship give them have a secular life. 5. Don't worship as a group and don't encourage others to go with you to worship with you. Moses rejected the compromises of Pharaoh! 'Exodus 10:9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD.'

Exodus 12 - The Lord's Passover - Exodus 12:27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD'S Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when He smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses and the people bowed the head and worshipped' - In Egypt during the plagues [Exodus 10:23] the Lord began to make a distinction between the Egyptians the children of the world and His children the children of God - The original Passover in Egypt was a restricted Passover only those members of the household could partake in the Passover - With the Passover [New Covenant] of Jesus Christ the new Passover is not a restrictive feast - The Apostle Paul wrote that the bread and the blood of the New Testament are unrestricted in that anyone can participate - we are to examine ourselves, others are not to examine us to determine if we are of the household of God but we are to make that descision for ourselves -- '1 Corinthians 11:23 For I (Apostle Paul) have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night [Passover in Jerusalem] in which He was betrayed took bread: ... For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He come ... But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup'
Note: none of the plagues of Egypt could buy the release of the children of God from the grip of Egypt and Pharaoh until the plague of the death of the firstborn sons only that plague was able to gain freedom from bondage for the children of God. Jesus Christ the firstborn Son of God is the only plan for the freedom of mankind no other plan, plague or purchase exists to gain an eternal freedom for mankind. - Also Note: Jesus Christ is the ultimate Passover and on the night of the Passover in Jerusalem Jesus declared His body to be the acceptable Passover Lamb sacrifice and His blood to be the acceptable blood covering that death for us will Passover. Jesus is our Passover Lamb and He is also the first born death sacrifice for the entire world. Jesus did die, He died for our sins and for all for the sins of the world both Israel and Egypt, therefore the opportunity that death has passed over all is for all the world in that all of those who will accept His death and his blood covering will escape death and having escaped death, with death and sin having left us, then in His resurrection (three days later) His eternal resurrection life has entered into us. - Also Note: 'Exodus 12:35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment.' Israel 'borrowed' the wealth of Egypt. It's true that the wealth was intended to be payment for back wages for the unpaid servitude of Israel but years later the army of Egypt came to Jerusalem and took back their gold and wealth and much more in Solomon's wealth so ultimately with the gold back in the hands of Egypt the wealth of Egypt was actually just "borrowed" by Israel. - '2 Chronicles 12:9 So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.'

Exodus 13-15 - The Israelites depart Egypt as a new Nation - The Egyptian firstborn males without the blood covering perished in the plague - The Israeli firstborn males lived because of the covering of the blood of the lamb however now all of the firstborn males of Israel were purchased with the blood by God and now belong to God 'Exodus 13:15 ...but all the firstborn [of Israel] of My children I redeem' for the service of God - God has redeemed the firstborn males of Israel and they belong to Him - Later [Numbers 3:12] God is going to transfer His ownership of all the firstborn males of Israel to all the males in the family/tribe of Levi [including each brother] so that all the males in the Levitical family will now be a Priesthood and will belong to God and serve God and not just the firstborn male of each family - The firstborn male of each non-Levi family is not a priest to God but if there are more firstborn males in Israel than all the males in the Tribe of Levi then the extra firstborn males in Israel have to redeem their soul from the service of God by paying 5 shekels to the Levitical High Priest [Aaron at that time] - The Red Sea Crossing {Note: In the Christian Church each person is a Priest between themselves and God [in the order of Melchizedek] because each person has been purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ and not just the firstborn males as in Egypt.}
The Red Sea crossing - "the Salvation of the LORD" 'Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the Salvation [saved from death, healing] of the LORD, which He will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more forever [Egypt on its own would not go after Israel again - however later Israel invited Egypt to come to them and Israel entangled themselves with Egypt always with disastrous results for Israel].' - The Passover night was the Redemption "I will redeem you with a stretched out arm" - Exodus 6:6-7 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I Am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm [cross of Jesus], and with great judgments [10 plagues for all the people to witness]: And I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I Am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. - The death of the Lamb was the redemption of Israel and brought Israel from bondage back into a relationship with God the same relationship Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his sons had with God before they lost their freedom to serve God [by selling their brother Joseph into slavery in Egypt where they eventually went themselves and their children ended up slaves]. We can't serve two masters we can't serve Egypt and God so as soon as God redeemed the people from serving Egypt the people became free to serve God. However the children of God were free but they were not safe. Egypt came after the children of God to return them to slavery so God provided Salvation and took away the dangers of the attacking Egyptian army from them. Redemption comes first, from the cross of Jesus Christ then Salvation comes second, the removal of death and any danger to our soul [just like the removal of Pharos' attacking army] and this the safety [safe haven] for our soul comes from the Salvation, in the eternal Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

THE REAL EXODUS - A SMALL PORTION THE SUPPRESSED EVIDENCE (YouTube)
Nice clear pictures of the evidence. A small portion of The Exodus Revealed DVD. [article link]

Exodus Revealed part 1 of 3 (YouTube)
An edited version of The Exodus Revealed DVD. [article link]

Chariot Parts in the Red Sea: Eric Lembke (YouTube)
Lembke describes the chariot wheel he found in the Red Sea. [article link]

Exodus 16-18 - Now one month out of Egypt and into their barren Desert journey they find it a 'bitter' experience and even long to return back to Egypt - the Manna from heaven begins to appear each day - Manna in Hebrew is correctly translate "gift from God" or "gift of God" - They find their only source of life giving water in the desert flows from the Rock -- '1 Corinthians 10:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud [Exodus 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud ...], and all passed through the sea [Red Sea]; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat [Manna]; And did all drink the same Spiritual drink: for they drank of that Spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.' - Their old enemy Amalek [the flesh] attacks them from behind their weakest spot [their past] in their formation as they are diligently seeking to journey to the Promise Land
With their new bleak surroundings and because of their hardships in the desert the people began to think that God had delivered them from Egypt to bring them out into the desert where the hardships of the desert were at times worse than the hardships of Egypt so that God could turn against them. The generation of adults actually began to think that God had brought them out not to deliver them but to slay them in the desert. The view that God was against them and not for them despite all that God had already miraculously done for them and through them permeated because that generation of Israelites lost focus in who God actually is and what God was actually doing for them. They lost the focus of what God was doing in their midst and then they lost the vision of where they were ultimately going, to the Promise Land, to God's eternal homeland. - Moses strikes the Rock the first time 'Exodus 17:5-6 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river [Nile River], take in thine hand, and go. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the Rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the Rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.' Forty years later [Numbers 20:7-12] Moses would again strike the Rock at Meribah a second time. Jesus the Rock was struck one time for our transgressions Jesus the Rock is not to be struck a second time. Moses was only to speak to the rock, to pray, to ask, to request and the Rock Jesus Christ would have responded with the living water for the children of God. As a result of striking the Rock (Jesus Christ) a second time, Moses the deliverer out of the land of Egypt and the giver of the law was not allowed to enter in to promise land. -- 'Deuteronomy 32:51 Because ye (Moses) trespassed against Me (God) among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh [stricking the Rock a second time], in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified [made Holy in words and deeds] Me not in the midst of the children of Israel. Yet thou shalt see the land [Holy Land] before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel.'

Must See!!! - Mount Sinai: Mount Sinai could be in Saudi Arabia [vs. Egypt's Sinai Peninsula - modern interpretation] - In Galatians 4:25 the Bible states that Mount Sinai is in Arabia, "For this Agar is Mount Sinai in ARABIA" The Bible says Mount Sinai is in Midian - The Rock at Horeb [renamed Meribah by Moses] - A massive split boulder, sixty foot high, forty foot wide, and twenty foot deep, sitting on top of a rocky hill - Upon closer investigation we can see clear evidence of water erosion, quite a surprise considering this was located in a dry desert! (Photos - Click Photo to Enlarge)
After finding chariot parts in the Gulf of Aquaba, Ron Wyatt wondered if Mount Sinai could be in Saudi Arabia. In Galatians 4:25 the Bible states that Mount Sinai is in Arabia, "For this Agar is Mount Sinai in ARABIA." The Bible says Mount Sinai is in Midian, and this area has always been known as Midian. Still to this day it is called, "Madyan". After being denied a visa Ron entered the country without one on foot. He made his way to 'Jebel el Lawz' (Mountain of the Law), known by the locals as "Jebel Musa" (Moses' mountain) which his research showed could have fitted the Biblical description of Mount Sinai. ... Another remarkable find was discovered in the area. A massive split boulder, sixty foot high, forty foot wide, and twenty foot deep, sitting on top of a rocky hill. Upon closer investigation we can see clear evidence of water erosion, quite a surprise considering this was located in a dry desert! Is there an account in the Bible that talks of such a rock? "Behold I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink." Ex. 17:6. Moses had led the people across the desert to Mount Sinai. They were now complaining because they had no water. It was for this reason that God commanded Moses to strike this rock, that God could manifest His power to perform miracles, and cause water to flow from this rock. [article link]

!!!Highly Recommended - The Exodus Revealed: Search for the Red Sea Crossing (DVD)
This DVD follows the footsteps of the children of Israel in an unforgettable journey of discovery. A journey that reveals physical evidence for the Exodus including: the remains of 3800 year old Hebrew settlements in Egypt's Nile Delta, Egyptian records of the Israelite's bondage under Pharaoh; the precise route they may have followed to freedom; their crossing site on shore of the Red Sea; and the location of Mt. Sinai. This DVD brings to light the first significant archaeological "find" of the 21st century. Approx. 3 hours. DVD Extra Features: Who Was the Pharaoh of the Exodus? Where Are the Ten Commandments? From Egypt to Mt. Sinai - Cecil B. DeMille's Exodus. Timeline from Joseph to the Birth of Jesus Christ - Director's Cut [article link]

Revealing God's Treasure - Red Sea Crossing (YouTube)
See chariot parts in the sea where the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea on dry ground. [article link]

The Exodus and the Red Sea Crossing - Part 1 of 3 (YouTube)
Ron Wyatt shows you the very spot where Moses and the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea at the Gulf of Aqaba fleeing Pharaoh's army. He leads you to the very blackened peak of Mt. Sinai in Saudi Arabia! [article link]

The Exodus Route: - Those who oppose placing Mt. Sinai in modern "Saudi Arabia" incorrectly place the territory of the Amalekites in [Egypt] the modern Sinai Peninsula
The Amalekites did not live in the Modern Sinai Peninsula: Those who oppose placing Mt. Sinai in modern Saudi Arabia incorrectly place the territory of the Amalekites in the modern Sinai Peninsula. They argue that is seems unlikely that they would attack Israel in Midian, but very likely to attack if the traditional location of Mt. Sinai is at Jebel Musa. The problem is Saudi Arabia is in fact where the Amalekites lived. It makes perfect sense why the Amalekites would attack once you learn the correct place they lived! They begin by imagining Mt. Sinai is in the same territory as the Amalekites: the modern Sinai Peninsula. In a "comedy of errors" they wrongly assume the Amalekites lived beside the land of Goshen, because they wrongly place the Shur on the east side of the Bitter lakes, instead of in Saudi Arabia. They correctly insist the Amalekites lived near Kadesh Barnea, but then wrongly place Kadesh Barnea within the promised land at Ein el-qudeirat, instead of near Petra, near Mt. Seir in the land of Edom where we know they did live. But their comedy turns to horrors when they learn that the Amalekites were located "from ancient times" between Midian and Babylon, they revise their argument and say that they also dwelt in the Negev of Judah. When they clearly inhabited a territory from Babylon to Midian, some did spill over into the Negev, but the majority of their domain was north central Arabia. We know that the "city of the Amalekites" was transjordan at the time of David. But now that we have learned that the ancient domain of the Amalekites extended to Shur (Midian), we can easily see why they attacked Israel while Moses was at Rephidim, one stop before Mt. Sinai. (Ex 17:8). At the time of David, the Amalekites joined the Midianites to attack Israel. It all makes perfect sense if Mt. Sinai was near Midian and less sense if Mt. Sinai was at Jebel Musa, the traditional location in the modern Sinai Peninsula. [article link]

Exodus 19-20 - After three months the children of God arrive at Mt. Sinai - Brought to God at Mt. Sinai transported there upon the twin wings of trials and difficulties - God gives the Ten Commandments to the people - even though the law is external, written in stone or on parchment paper, the law is always about our internal relationship with God - God's ultimate desire is to have a people unto Himself "a Kingdom of Priests - a Holy Nation" -- 'Exodus :5-6 Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine: And ye shall be unto Me a Kingdom of Priests, and an Holy Nation'
'John 1:16-17 And of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law [restriction from God] was given by Moses, but grace and truth [access to God] came by Jesus Christ.' - God gave His instructions to Moses for the Nation of Israel to obey and to live by. 'Exodus 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.' Among the laws and customs instituted at Mt. Sinai was the creation of the Levitical Priesthood. God would form the Levitical Priesthood from the descendants of Levi. Aaron [three years the older] brother of Moses and also a descendant of Levi would become the first of many High Priests for the Levitical/Aaronic Priesthood a physical Priesthood that is only for the Nation of Israel. Under the law "for the law was given by Moses" the people were not allowed to go directly to God. 'Exodus 19:12 And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount [Mt. Sinai], or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:' The ministry of the law is to reveal our sinful, fallen nature and with a sinful, fallen nature we cannot enter into the presence of God. Later 'grace and truth came by Jesus Christ' where the law kept people away from God the ministry of Jesus Christ is to bring people into the direct presence and into a relationship with God.

Revealing God's Treasure - Mt. Sinai (YouTube)
The real Mt. Sinai is over in Saudi Arabia, just as Paul said. See the blackened, burned peak, the split rock which Moses struck, and the altar which the golden calf was placed. [article link]

Mountain Of Fire - The Search For Mount Sinai pt 1 of 5 - Bob Cornuke (YouTube)
Bob Cornuke from BASE Institute has been called a modern day Indiana Jones. This video is a clip from Bob's video about the The Search For Mount Sinai. [article link]

Mountain Of Fire - The Search For Mount Sinai pt 2 of 5 - The boundary markers around Mt. Sinai (Video) - Exodus 19:12 And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount [Mt. Sinai], or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:' (YouTube)
Bob Cornuke from BASE Institute has been called a modern day Indiana Jones. This video is a clip from Bob's video about the The Search For Mount Sinai. [article link]

Mountain Of Fire - The Search For Mount Sinai pt 3 of 5 - Bob Cornuke (YouTube)
Bob Cornuke from BASE Institute has been called a modern day Indiana Jones. This video is a clip from Bob's video about the The Search For Mount Sinai. [article link]

Mountain Of Fire - The Search For Mount Sinai pt 4 of 5 - Bob Cornuke (YouTube)
Bob Cornuke from BASE Institute has been called a modern day Indiana Jones. This video is a clip from Bob's video about the The Search For Mount Sinai. [article link]

Mountain Of Fire - The Search For Mount Sinai pt 5 of 5 - Bob Cornuke (YouTube)
Bob Cornuke from BASE Institute has been called a modern day Indiana Jones. This video is a clip from Bob's video about the The Search For Mount Sinai. [article link]

Exodus 21-23 - The Ten Commandments having been given - now God will give to Israel the Laws ultimately totaling 613 instructions - The laws are grouped into categories and pertain to ordinances primarily in dealing with God, with one another, with their livestock and with food, cloathing and living [the clean and unclean ordinances] - The laws are primarily instruction they are surprisingly easy to understand and follow and are not at all grievous (oppressive)
In giving the laws God wants fairness, parity, an equality and a righteousness among all men and eventually among all people in Jesus Christ. 'Exodus 21:23-25 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.' The eye for eye, tooth for tooth law is an example of restraint a restraining law that was addressing the excessive vengeance that has existed in mankind since the days of Cain and Lamech. 'Genesis 4:23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt. If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.' Accordingly if a person intentionally or accidentally knocked a tooth out of another person the worst punishment that could befall that person would be to lose a tooth and not to become a slave for life or some other unreasonable punishment for himself or a member of his family. Later Jesus Christ would instruct His followers to not even require the tooth in judgment but to turn the other cheek and let it go, knowing that God is the rewarder of those who seek peace. - Judges are to be set to interpret the laws of God. Being a judge (el) is a function of God (el-ohim) and those who judge are doing it in a capacity of a god, a judge over the affairs that affect the lives of others. The judges have the office to judge their fellow man even to the point of taking away their life and it is in this capacity of judging (deciding) in the affairs of others and between others that places judging and lawgiving into the realm and functions of God. In being a god (el) and representing the God of the universe, the God of all creation, it is imperative that the judge deals honestly and that the judge deals openly in all of their judgments.

Exodus 24-27 - Aaron two of his sons (Nadab, Abihu) and the 70 leaders of Israel are invited to come closer to God and worship on Mt. Sinai [Exodus 24:1] 'and worship ye afar off' - Only Moses [representing a proxy of Jesus Christ] can come into the actual presence of God 'Exodus 24:2 And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they [priests, leaders] shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him'
'Exodus 25:8-9 And let them [gifted workers] make Me a sanctuary [innermost (3rd) room in the Tabernacle]; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.' - The Holy of Holies, or inner sanctuary in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem was to be the physical dwelling place for God while He remained among the Israelites. The presence of God was dwelling at Mt. Sinai where Moses met God in the burning bush the first time and where God brought the Israelites from Egypt to Mt. Sinai to meet God at however the Israelites were not staying at Mt. Sinai as God was moving them forward from Egypt into their own land the Promise Land (Canaan) so in order for God to go with the People and to be in their presence a sanctuary needed to be built and sin offerings had to be included with the sanctuary so their sins could be covered and God could then be among them. - The Holy of Holies was a place for God to dwell and man did not have access into the direct, perceivable presence of God. On one day a year "day of atonement" the Levitical High Priest would enter into the Holy of Holies to bring blood from an oxen to cover (atone) for the sins for the people, the entire Nation, for one year then the next year on the same day the current High Priest would again bring in the blood as an atonement for the sins again of the entire Nation of Israel and God would remain in their midst. But even when the High Priest went into the sanctuary with the blood offering the High Priest was not allowed to see God himself lest the High Priest die. 'Leviticus 16:12 And he [High Priest] shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail: And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he [High Priest] die not:' The High Priest had to fill the sanctuary with smoke from incense burning on the coals of the alter then the High Priest could enter the sanctuary but he was not allowed to meet with God. With the law there is always a boundary between God and man keeping sinful man away from God and the smoke of the incense was a boundary keeping even the Levitical High Priest away from God away from the actual perceivable presence God the same way that Mt. Sinai had the boundary markers [piles of stones] alerting people and keeping all the people away from Mt. Sinai while God's presence was there. So actually the High Priest never technically entered the Sanctuary, the inner 3rd room Holy of Holies, the High Priest only temporarily extended the 2nd room the incense room by by increasing the incense smoke far enough into the 3rd room until he could reach the mercy seat with the blood offering then immediately the High Priest exited back out of the Sanctuary and away from the presence of God.

Exodus 28-30 - God is seeking to make a way back for man to return to fellowship with God - God has chosen a Nation for this task the Jewish Nation of Abraham's descendants -- 'Exodus 29:43-46 And there (tabernacle) I (God) will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified [set apart to God, made holy] by My glory - And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office - And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God - And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God'
Moses is instructed to build a Tabernacle [a temporary, portable, Temple] for God and the people for their use while they are in transit to the Holy land and until the permanent stone Temple can be built in the place of God's choosing and once in the Promise Land then Jerusalem becomes the city of God's choice for His Temple. The Tabernacle/Temple materials are constructed in a form and manner to represent God and the things of God's Kingdom. The Tabernacle is a mini model representation of the workings in heaven. Gold shining like the sun, the most precious and glorious metal to all of mankind is a representation of the Glory of God (heaven). Where gold is in the temple it represents the presence of God. Silver represents blood (redemption) where there is silver in the temple it represents the presence and need for redemption blood sacrifice. Bass-Bronze represents sin (judgment) where sin is present it necessitates the need for judgment so sin can be separated and removed from God's Kingdom. Acacia Wood represents mankind and the works and abilities of mankind with the individual grainy, knotty, twisted, nature of each individual piece of wood representing each individual person of mankind. Olive Oil represents the Holy Spirit the presence, anointing and light of God the Holy Spirit. Incense the sweet aroma and the smoke from its alter ascending up into heaven represents the prayers of the people ascending in a sweet aroma up into the presence of God at His very throne in heaven. - At the tabernacle because the presence of God dwelt there the people were only allowed to approach to the outer alter where they could give to a priest their sacrifices and offerings. The priests could come closer to the presence of God by being at the fringes of the tabernacle but only by first offering a sin sacrifice for themselves. The one Levitical High Priest on one day a year could come closer yet to God, entering the inner room of the tabernacle but even still the Levitical High Priest had to provide enough smoke from the incense alter that he was unable to see the presence of God because even if the High Priest entered into the direct presence of God and saw God even the High Priest would die because his sins were only atoned by the blood of oxen and sheep and the blood of animals [Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.] could not take away sin but could only momentarily cover sin. It takes the sinless blood of Jesus Christ to clear the way for man's eternal entrance into the direct, perceivable presence of God.

The Way of Agape (Love) and Be Ye Transformed [life change] by Nancy Missler - Appropriating the Tabernacle/Temple purpose and presence of God into our life (Mp3's)
Here are the messages from our 1998 catalog, available exclusively for download. [article link]

The Tabernacle Place - The Bible has two chapters on creation and 50 chapters on the tabernacle - Why don't we teach it more?
The Tabernacle Place exists to educate on and promote the use of the Old Testament tabernacle as a main biblical reference to Jesus Christ. The tabernacle not only is a crucial visual aid to give us a clear understanding of Christ's redemptive work, it also provides us with many precious insights as to our privilege as believers. We seek to help believers learn about this visual aid and provide tools for them to teach it to others. The Tabernacle Place is pleased to offer the 1:90 Tabernacle Model Kit. We expect to carry more items, so please check back often. We hope you will enjoy the articles on the study of the tabernacle of Moses we have posted and feel free to contact us if you have any comments, questions or suggestions. [article link]

Tabernacle - Animated {An excellent animation! The audio is probably supposed to be the Priest's Shofar [rams horn].} (YouTube)
Amination of the Tabernacle of Moses and Aaron, Where G-d lived. [article link]

The Meeting Place Between God & Man - 1 of 8 (YouTube)
See how the Tabernacle in the Wilderness was a picture of the Christian walk. [article link]

The Wilderness Tabernacle by Dr. Randall Smith - Part 4 of 4 (YouTube)
A full scale replica of the Wilderness Tabernacle, which was originally built by Moses and the children of Israel, was constructed in the Judean Desert near the Dead Sea under the directorship of Dr. Randall D. Smith. The aim was to teach tourists, students of the Bible, local Israeli's and Arabs the meaning of the Tabernacle. Using the Hebrew Bible, along with the teachings and ideas of the Sages, the pattern given was followed as closely as possible. The sizes conform to the Biblical account, as do the surfaces in appearance. As in the Bible real copper, silver and gold were used for the various ornaments. In Part 1 Dr. Randall Smith takes you on a remarkable tour through this special site. Part 2, 3 & 4 consists of in depth teaching by Dr. Smith concerning the Tabernacle and its meaning even for the believer today. [article link]

Exodus 31-33 - Aaron makes an Egyptian calf idol for the people to worship - While Moses was up on Mt. Sinai with God the people talked Aaron into making an idol of gold for them - Moses returns from his forty days on the Mountain of God and sees the great sin taking place - God puts it in Moses heart to interceded to God on behalf of the people of Israel -- Exodus 32:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let Me alone, that My wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee (Moses) a great nation - And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against Thy people, which Thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? -- {Note: "and I will make of thee (Moses) a great nation" God was testing Moses as God tests every Pastor and every Leader over His flock to see if they are shepherding God's flock or their own "nation" and Moses being a man of God and a true leader of the people passed the test as he wanted God's people to succeed and to be ultimately reconciled to God.}
Idols: 'Exodus 32:8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf [idol], and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.' - when a man first makes an idol it is because the man has lost the inward intimate presence of God in their life. At first they are trying to rekindle the past presence of God. However the idol can become a replacement for God and ultimately the idol can become their own god made according to their own desires and their own preferences completely replacing God's desires and God's preferences with their desires. - The golden calf idol was the start of their unbelief that ultimately kept that generation from entering into the Promise Land and receiving of their inheritance in the land. - 'Hebrews 3:15-19 While it is said, To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation [desert wilderness wandering]. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was He grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned [worshiped the golden calf], whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware He that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.' - After the sin with the golden calf the people stripped themselves of their golden earrings and as a nation never picked up the custom again (only a slave would have an earring). Moses' separated his tent outside the camp and it became the tent (tabernacle) of meeting between Moses and the people until the Tabernacle could be completed.

Exodus 34-40 - Moses requests to see God's glory - God places Moses in the clift of the Rock and Moses gets a glimpse of the afterglow of the Glory of God - 'Exodus 33:18-23 And he (Moses) said, I beseech thee, shew Me thy Glory. And He said, I will make all My goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the Name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And He said, Thou canst not see My face: for there shall no man see Me, and live. And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by Me, and thou shalt stand upon a Rock: And it shall come to pass, while My glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the Rock, and will cover thee with My hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see My back parts [afterglow]: but My face shall not be seen.' - God is still doing this with us today as often we can look back in our life and see the afterglow where God's presence has been in our life but we cannot look ahead the same way and see God face to face.
Moses requests to see God's glory. Mankind now for the first time is again beginning to learn of the attributes and abilities of God and mankind is beginning again to see the Glory of God. - After Spending time with God upon Mt. Sinai Moses' face begin to shine. 'Exodus 34:28-35 And he (Moses) was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water [the presence of God completely sustained him]. And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony [10 Commandments] in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. … And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face. But when Moses went in (the Tabernacle) before the LORD to speak with Him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in (the Tabernacle) to speak with Him.' - The vail of Moses was to cover the face of Moses so that the people wouldn't see that the glory of Moses (the law) was a fading glory that one day there would be another Glory a permanent Glory the Glory of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul points out [2 Corinthians 3:13-15] that the same vail that covered the face of Moses still covers the hearts of many Hebrews today and keeps them from seeing the Glory of Jesus Christ. The Jews are extraordinary Bible scholars, historians, linguists, inventors, creators and everything else that they set their heart to do however the one thing that they can't do is see the Glory of Jesus Christ because they are still seeing the glory of Moses.

THE THIRD BOOK OF MOSES, CALLED

LEVITICUS

Leviticus 1-5 - The Laws for the offerings of the Levitical Priesthood - {There are multiple parts to the Old Testament Levitical Atonement 'Kaphar' (3722) Covering Sin Offering: 1. The sacrifice has to have a cost to the sinner, a precious useful animal was to be sacrificed. 2. The laying on of hands onto the animal's head then the confession and transfer of sins from the sinner to the innocent sacrifice. 3. The sacrifice dies with your sins, death of the sins. 4. The blood [life] of the animal is poured out providing a New Life opportunity (for a season, often one year) from the blood of the sacrifice for the sinner.}
1. The Burnt Offering Sacrifice: Giving totally to God, the entire sacrifice is consumed in fire and given to God. [Note: humans can and should concentrate themselves to God for a time, a season or even just an event. Where the animal offering was burnt and given to God it is the human service, fellowship that is consecrate to God. - The pagan practice is to burn a human in the fire but if a Christian person died in a fire that would end their consecration not start it and there is no such alter of God that would ever accept a human offering, a human is never ever to enter a physical fire as a sacrifice in Judaism/Christianity. The pagan practice of human sacrifice is strictly forbidden and prohibited in worshiping the true God of Israel.] 2. The Grain Offering: A sweat smelling (savor) freewill offer given to God. Bread flower covered with oil and sprinkled with Frankincense aroma is burnt in the fire with the smell of baking bread ascending up into heaven. No human induced ingredients are allowed no leaven [sin] and no honey [mans accomplishments] are allowed in the offering. 3. The Peace (Fellowship) Offering: An animal to be roasted as a celebration meal. The animal had to be without spot [inherited birth defect] or blemish [acquired defect]. The animal was to be roasted the fat [worry] was to be removed and burned separately and given to God the people couldn't eat the fat [worry]. The blood [life] was also to be poured out as at no time could they eat any blood [life of the animal]. 4. Sin Offering for Unintentional Sin (weaknesses): A young bull for the sins of individual people. A mature bull for the sins of a Priest. A mature bull and the leader has to lay hands on it for the sins of the nation. 5. Trespass Offering for Intentional Sin: A sin offering plus a grain (flour) offering withholding the oil and the Frankincense aroma. -- Having sacrificed to God and their sins now covered for a year the O.T. Saints could then live in the presence of God to commune and interact with God however the O.T. animal sacrifices did not provide the individual direct access to God. The individual people did not live in the perceivable presence of God, did not have direct access to God and did not experience God the way individual N.T. saints often do.

Leviticus 6-10 - The offerings to God are to restore man's fellowship with God - The problem of sin [a separator, barrier between us and God] is not on God's side the problem is on our side therefore a sacrifice had to be made to cover the sin (or remove the sin N.T.) and open the way to God - Aaron and his sons are anointed for their ministry - the people view the anointing and consecration of Aaron and his sons - During the first offerings 'strange fire' is offered to God and two of Aaron's sons die in the process
Strange Fire: 'Leviticus 9:23-10:3 And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people. And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces. Leviticus And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire [not from the alter] therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh Me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.' ... 'Leviticus 10:8-9 And the LORD spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine [influences] nor strong drink [delusion], thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations' ... 'Acts 5:1-11 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept [the problem was in the deception not in the keeping] back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost [the only acceptable wine (Holy Spirit), influence that we can be under in our approach God], and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power [they didn't have to give it all]? why hast thou conceived this thing [disception] in thine heart? thou hast not lied [Strange Fire] unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much [deception]. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt [Strange Fire] the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the Church, and upon as many as heard these things.' - Ananias and Sapphira encountered the same judgment that befell Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron so many years before and that could befall any servant of God at any time even today. Both pairs of 'Priests' were children of God and are in heaven today however each of their ministries to God was ended suddenly by their own rash actions. It was two different Priesthoods; Nadab and Abihu were a part of the Levitical/Aaronic Priesthood while Ananias and Sapphira were a part of the Melchizedek/Jesus Priesthood. Two Priesthoods; one pair offering strange physical fire the other pair offering strange spiritual fire both to the same God and all received the same results. Note: Ananias and Sapphira both died as believing Christians they did not die in unbelief they died offering an unacceptable [strange fire] sacrifice offering to God.

Leviticus 11-15 - The clean and unclean laws of God - Clean and unclean animals - child bearing - daily activities - health codes, diagnoseses and leprosy
'Leviticus 11:45-47 For I Am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy (clean), for I am holy (clean). ... To make a difference between the unclean (unholy) and the clean (holy), and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten' - The clean and unclean Levitical laws for the entire Nation of Israel to know and observe relate to the cleanliness (holiness) and uncleanliness (unholiness) among mankind. God has brought Israel out of the world (Egypt) and into the Promise Land (Israel). The Promise Land is a Biblical type of heaven and in heaven there will only be clean (holy) items unholy (unclean) items will not be permitted into the Kingdom of God. It is just that simple, clean items are allowed within the Kingdom of God while unclean, mixed and corrupt items remain outside of the Kingdom of God. Israel as a Nation is set apart to God and is to illustrate through thier laws, lives, customs and conduct to the entire world the differences between a holy (clean) Nation and an unholy (unclean) world.

None of These Diseases: The Bible's Health Secrets for the 21st Century (Book)
Completely revised and updated for a new generation, None of These Diseases shows how to obtain extraordinary medical benefits simply by heeding the Word of God. In an engaging style peppered with anecdotes from both of their medical practices, Drs. McMillen and Stern take us back to the Bible and show us how to apply our Creator's guidelines to our modern lifestyles. [article link]

wikipedia.org: Rabbit - (Levitically unclean) Leviticus 11:6 And the hare (rabbit), because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you - Rabbits reingest their own droppings [Rabbits don't have two stomachs like a cow does so a rabbit eats the grass then re-eats its own droppings so the grass (cud) is eaten a second time just like a cow]
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world. There are seven different genera in the family classified as rabbits, including the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Cottontail rabbit (genus Sylvilagus; 13 species), and the Amami rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi, endangered species on Amami Oshima, Japan). There are many other species of rabbit, and these, along with pikas and hares, make up the order Lagomorpha. ... Cecal pellets: Rabbits are hindgut digesters. This means that most of their digestion takes place in their large intestine and cecum. In rabbits, the cecum is about 10 times bigger than the stomach, and it, along with the large intestine, makes up roughly 40% of the rabbit's digestive tract. Cecotropes, sometimes called "night feces", come from the cecum and are high in minerals, vitamins and proteins that are necessary to the rabbit's health. Rabbits eat these to meet their nutritional requirements. This process allows rabbits to extract the necessary nutrients from their food. Rabbits have two sets of inscisor teeth, one behind the other. Therefore they are often mistaken to be rodents. ... Diet and eating habits: Rabbits are herbivores who feed by grazing on grass, forbs, and leafy weeds. In consequence, their diet contains large amounts of cellulose, which is hard to digest. Rabbits solve this problem by passing two distinct types of feces: hard droppings and soft black viscous pellets, the latter of which are immediately eaten. Rabbits reingest their own droppings (rather than chewing the cud as do cows and many other herbivores) to digest their food further and extract sufficient nutrients. [article link]

Leviticus 16-20 - The giving of the Law continues - The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) the most Holy Day in the Jewish Calendar - Atonement comes only through the shedding of the blood - Offerings to God are to be freewill from our own desire to give to God - You shall love your neighbor as yourself - [In 2009 Yom Kippur (the 5769th) Jewish Day of Atonement begins at sundown on Sunday September 27 and ends at nightfall on Monday September 28 - about.com]
Now that Israel has a Tabernacle [meeting place with God] the practice of the head of each family acting as the priest of the family and sacrificing an animal out in a field on his own has been brought to an end. The individual animal sacrifices are no longer accepted by God. With the Levitical Priesthood established then God required that all of the offerings of all types were to be brought to the Tabernacle where the Priests would administer them accordingly. 'Leviticus 17:1-7 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron, and unto his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them; This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, saying, What man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp, And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the LORD before the Tabernacle of the LORD; blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people: To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest, and offer them for peace offerings unto the LORD. And the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the LORD at the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation, and burn the fat for a sweet savour unto the LORD. And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations.' -- The Day of Atonement: 'Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.' - Atonement comes only through the shedding of blood because blood is life and it takes life to atone for death, sin is death. The death is in the sin - the body of sin dies - the life is in the blood - the blood is poured out [exposing and confirming that the body is dead, the body without blood is dead] but the blood has life, the life [strength] of the Covenant is in the Life of the Blood. The life [strength] of the Atonement is in the Life of Blood and blood is then sprinkled upon the alter to make atonement for the alter then blood is sprinkled seven times upon the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat to make atonement for the Nation. The life of blood covers the death of the sin, with sin and death covered life [a relationship with God] continues on. - Jesus quoted from Leviticus - 'Leviticus 19:17-19 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD. Ye shall keep My statutes...' Jesus has summarized ALL of the Laws and ALL of the Prophets 'Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him (Pharisee), Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang *all the *law and the *prophets.'

DebbieSchlussel.com: Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) 9/28/2009 - Yom Kippur is one of the holiest Jewish holidays - The Yom Kippur Fast - The idea is that you are removing yourself from worldly concerns and focusing on spiritual ones, most importantly repentance for your sins {The day of Atonement is a national day of mourning for Israel [Leviticus 23:27-32]. This is the one day a year that the Jewish High Priest would enter the Temple Holy of Holies first with the blood of a bull then with the blood of a goat to be sprinkled on the Mercy Seat located on top of the Ark of the Covenant initiating atonement [blood of the bull] for the Preist and his Levitical family and [blood of the goat] for rest of the Nation of Israel.}
Yom Kippur is one of the holiest Jewish holidays, at the end of which we believe our fate for the next year is "sealed" by G-d*. We believe that on Rosh HaShanah, that fate is written by Him, and on Yom Kippur, he issues his final Judgment. This is Judgment Day. On Yom Kippur, we fast and pray for about 25 hours to ask G-d for a good year. Before the fast, we eat a big, sumptuous meal, which expands the stomach and makes the fast more difficult. During the holiday, there are strict prohibitions: no food, drink, shower, TV/radio, phone, etc. the whole day, which is mostly spent at synagogue. The idea is that you are removing yourself from worldly concerns and focusing on spiritual ones, most importantly repentance for your sins. We also don't wear leather shoes, as back in the day, those were a luxury of the wealthy, and the holiday is not about ostentatious displays, but about humble requests before G-d. It starts just before sundown [9/27/2009], tonight, and ends after dark tomorrow (Monday) night [9/28/2009], with one sound of the shofar (ram's horn-see explanation of shofar here). I will put up a some other stuff, today, though I'm rushing to do other stuff before the big meal. And, G-d-willing, I will be back on Monday Night or Tuesday Morning with even more new stuff. To my Jewish friends and readers, have an easy fast and a great year. Gmar Chatimah Tovah [May you be finally sealed for good.] To everyone, see you very, very soon. And thank you for your continued patronage of this site. I very much appreciate my readers, their continued support of this site, and, of course, their tips and comments always. Thanks to the many readers who sent me i- and e-cards wishing me an easy fast and a good year. Right back at ya! *Religious Jews use dashes in the word "G-d" and do not write it out completely out of respect for Him and the wish not to write the name in vain. [article link]

Leviticus 21-25 - The giving of the Law continues - The eight Festivals (feasts) Holy Days are appointed by God to be observed in all their generations as a memorial forever -- 'Leviticus 23:1-44 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the [eight] feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My feasts. ... These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim [fulfill in their given order] in their seasons. ... it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. ... I am the LORD your God. And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD.'
The Feast of Firstfruits - observed only in the Promise Land: 'Leviticus 23:9-14 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the [Promise] Land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the [High] Priest: And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the Sabbath [on Sunday] the priest shall wave it. And ye shall offer that day [Sunday] when ye wave the sheaf ... it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.' - While wandering in the desert there was no Feast of Firstfruits (even the children remained uncircumcised) and when Joshua and the people finally did cross the Jordan River and once in the Promise Land they kept the Passover on the 14th but on the next day (probably not a Sunday) they ate 'old corn' from off the land and once in the land and eating grain from the land the Manna stopped as the next day there was no Manna. Although in the Land and celebrating the Passover they still couldn't celebrate the Feast of the Firstfruits because they didn't yet have a harvest of the land to offer the Firstfruits of to God. - But Jesus Christ on the day of His resurrection, the actual [Sunday] day of the Feast of Firstfruits being observed in Jerusalem, Jesus Himself ascended into Heaven the real Promise Land and entering into Heaven and stepping into the real Promise Land Jesus became the firstfruit [first of the resurrection] of the harvest of God. The rest of the harvest His disciples are to follow after Him in our own order likewise stepping into Heaven as a part of the same precious harvest of God. {Note: All of the eight appointed Feasts of God like the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant of God have their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ and in heaven. The Hebrews, although they observed the feats they did not fulfill the feasts [anymore than the rest of the law and the 10 Commandments have been kept and fulfilled] either physically or Spiritually.}

Leviticus 26-27 - The giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai concludes - The children of God are admonished of the blessings of God in the obedience of God - 'Leviticus 26:12 And I (God) will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be My people'
It has now been about two years and two months since the children of Israel have been delivered from their bondage in Egypt. The children of God are now wrapping up their two year stay at the base of Mt. Sinai the Mountain of God. Soon they will bundle up their possessions and the implements of God and continue on their journey to their own land the Promise Land. - 'Leviticus 27:34 These are the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in Mount Sinai.'

THE FOURTH BOOK OF MOSES, CALLED

NUMBERS

Numbers 1-5 - Their stay at Mt. Sinai is coming to a conclusion after being there two years - The Mt. Sinai census - counting all the men twenty years old and older but excluding the Tribe of Levi the family of the Levitical Priesthood - Note: There are several long lists of names, occupations and eligibilities in the Bible. God keeps books, He keeps many books, His books are accurate and His books are complete they contain many names and many events. - 'Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His Name.' - 'Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.'
Desert wandering population: The first census taken at Mt. Sinai listed 603,500 men twenty and older [for a total population of about 2.1 million to 3.5 million people] then the second and final census 38 years later just prior to crossing the Jordan River and entering into the Promise Land was a slightly less 601,730 men twenty and older [excluding the tribe of Levi from each census] a total decrease of about 1% during the 38 years. As it often seems in our desert experiences that we spend much time in the desert wandering about with little or no growth and even some loss to show for it however when the Nation of Israel stepped across the Jordan River and stepped upon the land of Israel they did it as a completely new Nation only two people (Joshua and Caleb) [and the tribe of Levi] from the previous generation were permitted by God to enter into the Promise Land. It's that way in our life also as our desert experiences strip away our old self, our old stubborn rebellious ways die and we are then more able to step into the future a new person with a new purpose and a renewed vigor in life, free-er to serve and free-er to fellowship with God.

Did You See That? - The LORD told Moses and Aaron how the Israelites should arrange their camp: Each tribe must set up camp under its own banner and under the flags of its ancestral families - These camps will be arranged around the sacred tent, but not close to it [Numbers 2:1-2] - the Israelite tribes arranged themselves, according to the orders of God, into the shape of A CROSS! A CROSS! - the cross was foreshadowed even in Numbers Chapter 2! (Diagram)
okay i confess when i read the beginning of the book of numbers and the passage that follows i am semi reading blah blah blah blah… its numbers and tribes and families and east and west and positions and things i cannot imagine in my brain. i cannot picture where they are and what they are doing. The LORD told Moses and Aaron how the Israelites should arrange their camp: Each tribe must set up camp under its own banner and under the flags of its ancestral families. These camps will be arranged around the sacred tent, but not close to it. [numbers 2:1-2] - so imagine my delight and my *happy dance* when i saw this (this below) for the first time…. the israelite tribes arranged themselves, according to the orders of God, into the shape of A CROSS! A CROSS! The cross was foreshadowed even in numbers 2! - i must say i get excited by that. you might think that it is random, but remember who organised the israelite tribes into this formation… God. it was all a picture of the truth of salvation through the messiah, through Jesus Christ. Israel did everything the LORD had told Moses. They arranged their camp according to clans and families, with each tribe under its own banner. And that was the order by which they marched into battle. Numbers 2:34. [article link]

Numbers 6-10 - The Nazarite vow is consecration (separation) to God - the strength is in the commitment to God - anyone who concentrates their life to God has strength- The Priestly benediction to the people (congregation) is given - 'Numbers 6:22-27 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron [High Priest] and unto his sons [Priests], saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put My Name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.'
The Nazarite Vow: There were three main rules to the Nazarite vow. 1. No grape or grape products were to be consumed at any time including wine, vinegar wine, grape juice, grapes or raisins. - The Nazarite is to be visibly and noticeably set apart from the people. The influences of God (Holy Spirit) upon the Nazarite were not to be confused by people as an influence from wine, sugar or alcohol from the grape products. 2. No haircut during the vow duration. -- This was an indicator that the person was undergoing a Nazarite vow. 3. No contact or association with a dead body even going to the funeral of a family member was prohibited. Being in the presence of a dead body automatically ended the vow. - The Nazarite vow is consecration to God. God is about life therefore to accurately associate a representation of fellowship with God the Nazarite was not to associate with death.

Numbers 11-14 - The Children of God are now on the move in their destination to the Promised Land - With the journey now underway - To those that complained; God sent fire [purification] - to those who lived after the flesh; God sent quail [bit sized seemingly harmless pieces of flesh] - Moses' sister Miriam is dealt with for a moment of racism - God sends 12 spies (witnesses) to cross the Jordan and view the Promise Land and return with a witness to all the people - 'Numbers 10:11 And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud [Glory of God] was taken up from off the Tabernacle of the testimony. And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai'
A mixed multitude: The Children of God had left Egypt as a mixed multitude consisting of believers, non-believers and every combination as some believers became non-believers and some non-believers became a believer. God meets people where they are whether in belief or in non-belief and God accompanies and works with each person as we continue on this journey through life. It is up to each individual person (believer or unbeliever) to acknowledge the presence of God in their life. - A difficult leadership: Moses finds his leadership position so difficult that he asks God to kill him. It's not uncommon for those serving God to find it so difficult that death seems to be a valid option. Meanwhile the children serving themselves and the world seek to live a longer life. It's because God is challenging His people to grow and to mature and the growth and maturity can be very difficult to obtain while those serving their own self interest have less difficulty associated with in their pursuits. Moses Renames Osea: Osea the son of Nun is called Joshua [lit. Jesus; Joshua is Hebrew - Jesus is Greek] by Moses. It becomes very interesting that later on Moses [the law giver] is unable himself to even enter into the Promise Land however Joshua [Jesus] enters into the Promise Land and brings everyone else with Him.

CNN September 24, 2009: Largest-ever Anglo-Saxon gold hoard unearthed in England - A man using a metal detector in a rural English field has uncovered the largest Anglo-Saxon gold hoard ever found -- an "unprecedented" treasure that sheds new light on history, archaeologists said Thursday - Herbert found 500 items before he called in experts, who then found a further 800 articles in the soil - Officials aren't saying exactly where the gold was found, other than to say it was in Staffordshire, in north-central England - A strip of gold bearing a Biblical inscription [Numbers 10:35] in Latin is one of the most significant and controversial finds, Staffordshire Council said - One expert believes the lettering dates from the 7th or early 8th centuries {Note: After the Bible Study the plan is to blog two more studies a Church History study and a famous Christians in History study.}
Most of the pieces appear to date from the 7th century, though experts can't agree on when the hoard first entered the ground, Staffordshire Council said. The pieces are almost all war gear, Leahy said. There are very few dress fittings and no feminine dress fittings; there are only two gold buckles, and they were probably used for harness armor, he said. Sword hilt fittings and pieces of helmets, all elaborately decorated, are among the more remarkable finds. "The quantity of gold is amazing but, more importantly, the craftsmanship is consummate," Leahy said. "This was the very best that the Anglo-Saxon metalworkers could do, and they were very good. Tiny garnets were cut to shape and set in a mass of cells to give a rich, glowing effect; it is stunning." The items belonged to the elite -- aristocracy or royalty, he said, though it's not clear who the original or final owners were, why they buried it, or when. "It looks like a collection of trophies, but it is impossible to say if the hoard was the spoils from a single battle or a long and highly successful military career," he said. More work will help determine how the hoard came to be buried in the field, Leahy said. Many of the objects are inlaid with garnets, which Leahy called "stunning" and "as good as it gets." The filigree on the items is "incredible," he said. Some are decorated in an Anglo-Saxon style consisting of strange animals intertwined with each other. That decoration appears on what is believed to be the cheek-piece of a helmet, decorated with a frieze of running, interlaced animals. A strip of gold bearing a Biblical inscription in Latin is one of the most significant and controversial finds, Staffordshire Council said. One expert believes the lettering dates from the 7th or early 8th centuries, but another is sure it dates from the 8th or 9th centuries. The inscription, misspelled in places, is probably from the Book of Numbers and reads: "Surge domine et dissipentur inimici tui et fugiant qui oderunt te a facie tua," or "Rise up, o Lord, and may thy enemies be dispersed." Regardless of the exact date, the hoard is certainly from a period of great turmoil, when kingdoms with tribal loyalties battled each other in a state of perpetual warfare, experts say. The land was also split along religious lines. Christianity was the principal religion, having gained ground at the expense of local pagan forms of worship, experts said. At least two crosses are among the items in the hoard. The largest is intact, though it has been folded, possibly to make it fit into a small space prior to burial, Staffordshire Council said. The folding may mean it was buried by pagans who had little respect for the Christian symbol, but it may have also been done by Christians who had taken it from someone else's shrine, experts said. The hoard will likely help rewrite history, experts said. [article link]

Numbers 15-20 - The Children of God have made it to the border of the Promise Land however they are unable to enter in - Their unbelief has kept them from the faith needed to cross over the border to take possession of the land - They will now wander in the desert for 38 years [forty years total with the two previous years] until the generation of unbelief is gone and the New Israel [the new man] can enter into the Promise Land - Having been rejected from entering into the Promise Land then God immediately gives them hope and assures them with more instructions about their future entrance into the Promise Land knowing that when the day has come they will absolutely enter into His Promise Land -- 'Numbers 15:1-2 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be [finally] come into the land of your habitations, which I give unto you'
Biblical Doctrines and Examples: Throughout much of the Bible a biblical concept is going to be explained and then the concept is going to be demonstrated in the lives of the people and the consequences of their actions will be an example to us. For Example: 'Numbers 15:16 {Explanation} One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you. ... and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance ... But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously [purposely], whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him. {Demonstration} And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the Sabbath day. {Consequences} And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death [an illustration of eternal death]: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses. {Results} And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, {Example For Us} and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring [unfaithfulness]: That ye may remember, and do all My commandments, and be holy [set apart] unto your God. I Am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I Am the LORD your God. ' - In modern times a certain (LDS) cult baptizes dead people and claims that this is a biblical doctrine to follow and obey God. The Bible does have one 'Comment' [1 Corinthians 15:29] about those being baptized then being persecuted and dying because of their baptism however the Bible does not 'Explain' the concept of baptizing dead people nor does the Bible 'Demonstrate' that teaching and no Biblical 'Examples' are given in regards to those who follow the concept and those who do not follow the concept. So in the Christian Church there is no doctrine for baptizing dead people because the Bible does not explain, teach and illustrate an example for such a doctrine to exist therefore there is no such doctrine in the true Christian Church but only in the LDS cult.

Numbers 21-25 - The wilderness wandering is nearing completion much of the generation that came out of Egypt has passed away - Miriam passed away at Kadesh and Aaron also died there shortly after Moses struck the Rock at Kadesh-Meribah unlawfully the second time - Many judgments take place, it's a time and a season of judging as Moses hears the voice of God and knows the voice of God he is able to accurately carry out and oversee the judgments of God - Judgments encompass; Individuals [the man intentionally breaking the Sabbath law (Numbers 15:32-41)] - Families [Achan (Joshua 7:10-26)] - Cities [(Numbers 24:19) {Matthew 11:21}] - Generations [(Numbers 32:13) {Matthew 12:41}] - Nations [(Genesis 15:14-21) (Numbers 33:53-56)] - Angels [(Isaiah 14:12-14) (Ezekiel 28:14-19) {Matthew 25:41} {Luke 10:18} {1 Corinthians 6:3}] and ultimately the entire Globe [the earth was judged the first time with the flood of Noah (Genesis 6:17-22), the earth will be judged the second and final time during the events of the book of Revelation (Revelation 16:1-7)] -- 'Revelation 8:13 And I (Apostle John) beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!'
Balaam the last Gentile Prophet - the Bethlehem Star Prophecy: With the Levitical/Aaronic Priesthood having just been implemented there were still individual Priests and Prophets from among the Gentiles and Balaam seems to have been of that remnant. Balak the King of Moab sent messengers to Balaam [a Midianite] to come to him that he would pay him to put a curse upon the Israelites the Children of God who were passing through his territory. - God would not allow Balaam to curse Israel because God had already blessed Israel. To the dismay of King Balak Balaam didn't curse Israel but blessed Israel the three times he was supposed to curse Israel. Then Balaam Prophesied about the glory and the success of Israel yet to come including the Bethlehem Star Prophecy. - The Bethlehem Star Prophecy [Numbers 24:17] is a Gentile Prophecy given by Balaam a Gentile and followed by the Wise Men of the East who were also Gentiles to find the birth of the Messiah Jesus. The Creation of God has been given to direct all of mankind into the knowledge and existence of God especially the Gentiles while God directs and instructs the Jews through their Prophets who wrote the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:15). The Gentile Wise Men were led by Balaam's Prophecy and by God's creation (the star) to Jerusalem (Matthew 2:1-2) then once in Jerusalem they inquired asking King Herod a Gentile 'where is the King of the Jews?' Then Jewish Bible scholars referencing the Prophet Micah 5:2 informed King Herod of the pending birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem in the territory of the tribe of Judah (in Israel at that time there were two cities named Bethlehem [lit. house of bread]) and King Herod then directed the Wise Men on to Bethlehem in Judah and as the Wise Men departed from King Herod the Bethlehem star appeared again and led them the rest of the way to Bethlehem finally appearing over the house of Joseph, Mary and Jesus. - Balaam's Aftermath: Balaam being unable to curse the Children of God was also unable to get paid from King Balak so Balaam came up with his own plan to curse the Children of God and Balaam then secretly met with King Balak and his Princes to have his secret plan against Israel implemented. The plan 'stumblingblock' that Balaam instituted against Israel the Children of God was that Israel would have to curse themselves and to do this King Balak would send attractive women of his kingdom to seduce the Children of God into the Pagan ways of the Moabites and it worked as many in Israel were seduced and compromised with the Moabites creating a plague of death among the Israelites. In the New Testament (2 Peter 2:15) the Apostle Peter admonishes Christians not to fall into the same trap. Jude 1:11 continues the admonishment to Christians and Jesus Christ in (Revelation 2:14) admonishes some in His Church for following the ways of Balaam. -- 'Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac (King Balak) to cast a stumblingblock [worldly influences, cultural compromise] before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.' - Balaam during his prophesying about Israel requested from God [Numbers 23:10] that he himself might be righteous like Jacob [Israel] and die the death of the righteous. However Balaam created and followed his own unrighteous 'doctrine' and in his unrighteous deeds against Israel and against the Children of God then Balaam did die the death of the wicked. - 'Numbers 31:8 ... Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.'

Numbers 26-31 - Aaron's son Eleazar (lit. Comforter - Holy Spirit) takes Aaron's place and is now the Levitical High Priest - The 2nd and final census is taken - Moses is told that he is also ineligible to enter the Promise Land not because of unbelief but because Moses failed to keep the entire law - Moses lays hands on Joshua (lit. Jesus) who takes over as the new leader for the nation of Israel
The five daughters of Zelophehad: 'Numbers 36:2 And they said, The LORD commanded my lord [Moses] to give the land for an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel: and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters.' - At the taking of the 2nd census the inheritances of the land were decided by the number of males in each family. Zelophehad who had passed away was the father of five daughters with no sons and his family without sons would not inherit land in the Promise Land so the five daughters requested of Moses to inherit land as the other men would. Moses took the request to the Lord and the Lord said yes, the daughters of Israel who are without their father and without brothers are to receive the same inheritance as the sons of Israel. - Later Mary the mother of Jesus would come under this same agreement as Mary did not have any brothers [a sister of Mary is mentioned John 19:25 but no living father or any brothers are mentioned] so the inheritance of Mary's father, a descendant of King David through Nathan [Luke 3:31], her father's eligibility to sit on the throne of King David passed to Mary who then passed the eligibility of her father on to her son Jesus ['Genesis 3:15 ... her seed' (virgin birth) - the seed of the woman]. Joseph was also from the tribe [Judah] of King David however Joseph [Matthew 1:16] was from the line of King David's son King Solomon and the Solomon line was eventually cut off [Jeremiah 36:30] from the throne of David. Had Joseph been the physical father of Jesus then Jesus would be ineligible to sit on the throne of King David but Jesus having only Mary as a physical parent Jesus is eligible to restore and sit on the throne of King David.

Numbers 32-36 - Preparations are being made to end their desert wandering experience to finally cross the Jordan River and enter into the Promise Land [Note: After leaving Egypt wandering and unable to go across Moab the Israelites actually had to go up, over and around the Promise Land (of Israel) to the back side and are camped on the East side [back side] of the Promise Land and will enter [from east to west] just north of the Dead Sea where Joshua their leader will set up camp at Gilgal] - Two [Reuben, Gad] and a half [Manasseh (East)] of the 12 Tribes will decline to inherit land in the Promise Land and will establish their communities outside the Promise Land - The land in the Promise Land is partitioned and assigned to the people who will enter - 48 Levitical cities scattered throughout the land are allotted to the Priesthood - Six of the 48 Priestly possession cities are termed as a 'City of Refuge' where a person in danger of losing their life could flee to and be kept safe by the authority of the High Priest
The City of Refuge - The City on a Hill, Jerusalem: Jerusalem [Heaven] is the ultimate "City of Refuge" our eternal sanctuary and refuge. -- "The Lord has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge" Isaiah 14:32 [source - kkcj.org]. On the cross Jesus made only seven verbal statements. His first statement on the cross was Luke 23:34 'Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.' The first statement of Jesus while on the cross was to substantiate our unintentional crime against God and therefore open the way for us, by His confirmation, into Heaven the eternal 'City of Refuge.' Had Jesus asked the Father to hold humanity accountable for His innocent death [crucifixion] then the human world, all of mankind, would be guilty before God for the death of Jesus and there would be no City of Refuge for a guilty mankind to enter into. The Apostle Paul makes a comment about our need to enter into the provided City of Refuge - Hebrews 6:18-20 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we [sinners who crucified Jesus] might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil [Holy of Holies]; Whither [into the Holy of Holies in Heaven] the forerunner [Jesus] is for us entered, even Jesus, made an High Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec [Melchizedek].

THE FIFTH BOOK OF MOSES, CALLED

DEUTERONOMY

wikipedia.org: Book of Deuteronomy - Deuteronomy (Greek: Deuteronomion, "second law") or (Hebrew: Devarim, literally "things" or "words") is the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible and of the Old Testament, and the fifth of five books [written by Moses] of the Jewish Torah or Pentateuch
A large part of the book [of Deuteronomy] is three sermons delivered by Moses reviewing the previous forty years of wandering in the wilderness and the future entering into the Promised Land. Its central element is a detailed law-code by which the Israelites are to live within the Promised Land. -- Theologically the book constitutes the renewing of the covenant between Yahweh and the "Children of Israel." One of its most significant verses is Deuteronomy 6:4, which constitutes the Shema, a definitive statement of Jewish identity: "Hear, O Israel: YHWH (is) our God, YHWH alone." Conservative Bible scholars are united in their conviction that Moses wrote this book. -- Much of modern critical scholarship, while agreeing that Deuteronomy contains a core of material from ancient Mosaic traditions or writing, dates the book several centuries after Moses time, to the late 7th century BC. This latter view sees Deuteronomy as a product of the religious reforms carried out under king Josiah, with later additions from the period after the fall of Judah to the Babylonian empire in 586 BC. [article link]

Deuteronomy 1-4 - Preparation to enter the Promise Land continues - The main preparation in entering the Promise Land is to go back to remember and recount the past events and past interactions with God that have taken them to this point in their life - The main intent of the book of Deuteronomy is to gain a perspective from the past, the present and the for the future and to use that perspective as they crossover and receive more and more from the promises and blessings of God in their lives - The book of Deuteronomy [the book of perspective] is the most quoted Old Testament book in New Testament and it is the O.T. book that Jesus Christ quoted from the most
Giants in the Land: Even after wandering in the desert for 38 years the giants that intimidated the Children of God and kept them out of the Promise Land the first time are still there in the land. The giants didn't give up and go away if anything in the years the giants became even more numerous. However God shows His children that He has already cleared a way for others to enter their land. Lot's descendants, Esau' descendants and the generations of others are all living in their land that God has already provided for them and God is more than willing to clear a way for His own Children. The Children of God are to 'fear not' but to observe that God is going before them to make a way for them and then to follow after God in the path that He has already created and made for us. -- 'Deuteronomy 2:19-25 And when thou [children of God] comest nigh over against the children of Ammon [Lot's descendants], distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession. That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims; A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; *but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they [Lot's descendants] succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead: *As he [also] did to the children of Esau [brother of Jacob], which dwelt in Seir, when he destroyed the Horims [giants] from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead even unto this day: ... Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the [giant] Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle. *This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.'

Deuteronomy 5-6 - In giving the people a perspective of God's abilities Moses exhorted the people to Hear, Learn, Observe and Act in regards to the commands, statutes and promises of God -- 'Deuteronomy 6:3-6 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:'
Remember that thou wast a servant: We are admonished to keep a perspective of our past life of sin and bondage. Remember that at one time we were a servant to sin. The bondage and cruelty of sin is something that we have been delivered from and it was only in the love of God and by the capabilities of God that He delivered us, we did not deliver ourselves. If we forget that sin actually deceived us and took advantage of us we might be tempted to go back to some of our old ways however those old ways were not God's ways and they are no longer our ways either. - 'Deuteronomy 5:15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath (rest) day [rest in the accomplished works of God not in the abilities of yourself or of other people].'

Deuteronomy 7-8 - Do not be unequally yoked [linked up] with non-believers it will subtly destroy you -- 'Deuteronomy 7:4-5 For they will turn away thy son from following Me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly. But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire'
Prosperity in the land is no reason to forget God: Once in the land and comfortable it's no reason to forsake the ways of God. True life is not about what we can get our hands on but it is about what we can get our heart around in learning, living and growing in the ways of God. - 'Deuteronomy 8:3 And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.'

Deuteronomy 9-11 - We are to look to God and not our circumstances or predicaments -- 'Deuteronomy 9:3 Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is He which goeth over before thee ...'
Righteousness: It wasn't Israel's righteousness that made God choose Israel and it isn't any righteousness that makes God choose us. The fact is that God has chosen everyone to be in fellowship and to be in service to Him and the fact is that everyone; Hebrews, Christian and Gentiles have all failed God to the exact same extent. The ultimate fact though is that God has seen our failures and shortcomings and God has chosen to show His greatness to be much greater than our weaknesses. It is the greatness of God that overcomes our failures and it is through the greatness of God and not our own individual standing or national standing that we can enter into and have a relationship with God. - 'Deuteronomy 10:12-14 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and His statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.'

Deuteronomy 12-13 - We are to keep God in our thoughts and in our mind at all times - Fellowship continually with God - Rejoice always in the Lord your God -- 'Deuteronomy 12:12-18 And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates ... and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto'
Laws and Judgments of God: The laws and judgments of God might seem severe however God is dealing with mankind in an accurate assessment of the consequences of our own decisions and actions both good and bad. God is also working with a civilization, the Hebrews/Jews, that God needs to stay intact for thousands of years throughout many diverse circumstances and through much persecution and still through it all to accurately represent God to the Gentile world and also to successfully complete their own unique tasks of delivering both the Holy Scriptures [Bible] and also in delivering the Messiah [Jesus Christ] into the world. It's true that God did not choose the Jews because of their individual or corporate righteousness but it is true that God did choose Abraham and his descendants the Jews to represent Him and to accomplish some very important tasks for Him and most certainly the Jews have gloriously accomplished the tasks that God has chosen for them to perform [Note: continuing the Levitical Priesthood is not one of the tasks Israel has at hand to perform - the Levitical Priesthood was supposed to come to an end on the day of the crucifixion of Jesus when the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51)]. Further into their future there are yet more tasks for the Jews to perform and complete especially in the End Time 144,000 witnesses [all Jewish] of Revelation and at the Second Coming of Jesus it is the Jews who are present to greet Jesus and to welcome Him at His second coming [the Christian Church is in Heaven and at one point in the Second Coming the Church does return with Jesus but before that it seems that Jesus returns alone to the Jews first]. - 'Deuteronomy 12:1 These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth.'

Deuteronomy 14-16 - The Lord's fierceness and the Lord's mercy towards man - Contrasted with man's fierceness and man's mercy [lack of mercy] towards his fellow man - 'Deuteronomy 13:17 And there shall cleave [cling (Old English)] nought [not] of the cursed thing [i.e. tarot cards, spells, sex magic, bondage, mysticism, manipulation - type of things from the conquered cities] to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of His anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as He hath sworn unto thy fathers ...'
Spiritual Discernment: In now knowing the likeness, image, attributes and personality of God [as presented in the Laws of God] it is now possible and necessary to apply spiritual discernment from the written Laws of God to the events and actions of the day and to discern the nature of the spirit presiding over the events. Discerning whether the spirit is the Holy Spirit of God, holy Angels of God or of the unwanted unholy Satanic realm and its accompanying Occultic human realm. 'Deuteronomy 13:1-5 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a *sign or a *wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice, and ye shall serve Him, and cleave [cling] unto Him. And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death [God's eternal separation not man's judgment]; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.'

Deuteronomy 17-18 - Moses is the stand-in prophet - The real Prophet (Jesus) is yet to come - 'Deuteronomy 18:15-19 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee [land of Israel], of thy brethren, like unto Me [Divine]; unto Him [Jesus] ye shall hearken; ... I will raise them up a Prophet from among their [Jewish] brethren [Judah], like unto thee [human], and will put My words in His mouth; and He [Jesus] shall speak unto them all that I shall command Him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto My words which He shall speak in My Name, I will require it [eternal death separation] of him [sinner].' {Note: 'Exodus 4:16 and thou [Moses] shalt be to him [Aaron] instead [in proxy] of God.' - Moses was standing [in proxy] as God before the people of Israel. Also Note: Aaron and his sons had to offer sin sacrifices for themselves before they touched the holy implements and began their priestly duties but Moses (as God's proxy) did not sacrifice for his own sins before he touched the materials and began to implement the Levitical Priesthood. Moses touched the blood [Exodus 29:20] and the oil and anointed Aaron and his sons with the blood from the ram and with the oil but Moses had not atoned for his own sins first because Moses was a proxy for God to set up and establish the Levitical Priesthood. If anyone has ever wondered why the Levitical Priesthood didn't last well for starters it didn't start out truly holy it started out with Moses anointing Aaron not God anointing Aaron [God wrote the 10 Commandments with His finger - He could have anointed Aaron with His finger if He wanted to]. The Melchizedek Priesthood is Truly Holy throughout starting with God the Father, the Holy Spirit and with Jesus Christ as only the Melchizedek Priesthood is intended to last eternally. -- Final Note: The Children of God [Jews] are redeemed by God by the Promises of God, the Covenants of God and by the actions of God not by the Levitical Priesthood the Tabernacle or even the Temple.}
Spiritual Discernment (Part 2): Two or more witnesses - one person cannot substantiate an accusation against another person. If there is a charge or an allegation by one person against another person or persons then at least two impartial people need to hear the accusation and to then diligently search out the allegations to determine their validity. Two or three people having witnessed the events or having examined the events are needed to confirm an accusation. This is an important aspect of Spiritual Warfare because Satan continually seeks to discredit the Children of God and of course we already have a fallen sinful nature so we naturally play right into the schemes, tricks and tactics that Satan tries to use against us. It is very necessary to try to avoid the traps of Satan and to deal with each individual in a reasoned, calm, respectful, diligent, professional and godly manner. When a problem is found to exist and there is always a problem ready to exist then the solution is to try to reconcile the individuals involved and to try to bring everyone into a closer relationship with God and with one another. When Satan's accusations ultimately are being used by Christians to bring people closer to God and closer to one another then Satan has become disarmed however if we give room to innuendos and accusations against one another than it can quickly become a powerful weapon to be used against the Church. 'Deuteronomy 19:15-18 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;'

Deuteronomy 19-22 - The Ability to Wage Warfare -- 'Deuteronomy 20:1-4 When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people, And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; For the LORD your God is He that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you'
Spiritual Warfare: The warfare of the Bible is spiritual [Exodus 17:11] and the primary tactic is siege warfare. - 'Deuteronomy 20:10-12 When thou comest nigh [draw near] unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it. And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it:' -- The warfare of Satan is siege warfare. Satanic Siege Warfare: 1. The first part of siege warfare is to surround the targeted objective, city or person. 2. Once surrounded the subject is then cut off from all future supplies, reinforcements and outside moral. 3. The resulting deterioration inside creates a desperate atmosphere where the subjects begin to compete with each other and to attack each other and even themselves all while the attacking forces stay safely outside the destruction zone and simply observe the destruction while making any necessary adjustments, adding additional harassments [flaming projectiles] as needed to hasten the surrender. 4. When the destruction has run its course and the object has surrendered then the invading forces can simple enter in unscathed and unopposed to confiscate and seize full control of what is available. - The Apostle Paul writes about the predicament and focus of siege warfare for the Church. 'Hebrews 10:22-25 Let us draw near [to God] with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful that promised; And let us [draw near] consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking [being a participant of siege warfare] the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.'

Deuteronomy 23-25 - How to Return from War -- 'Deuteronomy 23:9-11 When the host [army] goeth forth against thine enemies, then keep thee [yourself] from every wicked thing'
Spiritual Warfare (Part 2): Warfare, aggression, killing and the accompanying destruction is an unclean act. - 'Numbers 31:19-50 And do ye [soldiers] abide without the camp seven days: whosoever hath killed any person, and whosoever hath touched any slain, purify both yourselves and your captives on the third day, and on the seventh day. ... And levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle ... Thy servants [soldiers] have taken the sum [roll call] of the men of war which are under our charge, and there lacketh not one man of us. We have therefore brought an oblation [thanks offering] for the LORD' -- At a later time in history Jewish city officials and soldiers from Jerusalem asked the prophet John the Baptist how they should conduct themselves in their secular professions. Hidden in their questions was whether or not a Jewish person collecting taxes for Rome or a Jewish Temple soldier controlling the people for Rome and at times killing for Rome could still be in favor with God. John the Baptist told them yes, if they continued to conducted their life in a godly manner. - 'Luke 3:12 Then came also publicans [Jewish public contractors - city officials working for Rome [a foreign power], source wikie.com -- Note: private contractors usually have no or minimal city authority although now the lines are blurring] to be baptized [by John the Baptist], and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the [Jewish Temple] soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no [civilian] man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.' [Note: In modern times if you have served in the military consider getting baptized, re-baptized, baptized a second time or baptized again. Get baptized and make a renewed or a continued commitment and vow to God. Baptism will do a lot for you (spiritually), it will do a lot to remove you from any unholy realm that has gained a hold on you or has a hold on you and it will do a lot to return you and bring you into cleanliness and holiness before God.]

Deuteronomy 26-28 - Moses has been bringing to a conclusion his leadership over the Nation of Israel - Moses is addressing the Nation of Israel with a series of four speeches covering their past, present and future circumstances with God - Blessings and curses are laid out and the Law has few blessings and many curses while later the Christian Church with Grace will have many blessings and few curses -- 'Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live'
The Assyrian Outsider: 'Deuteronomy 26:5 ... A Syrian [Assyrian] ready to perish was my father [Abraham], ...' Assyrian in the Bible is more of a term than a nationality like the term [Deuteronomy 32:15] Jeshurun [a poetic name for Israel and the name of an 'End of Days' righteous prophet (Daniel 12:13) - source wiki.com] later in the Bible the name David (Beloved) becomes as much a term for Jesus [Ezekiel 34:23] as a name. Assyrian represents an outsider and one of the titles of the antichrist is Assyrian. Moses uses the term Assyrian [outsider] in addressing their father Abraham in saying to remember that Abraham was an Assyrian [outsider]. Abraham was actually a Babylonian born in Ur however Babylon was the in culture and Babylonians were not the outsiders [Assyrians were] but God called Abraham out of society's main culture and created an Assyrian [outsider] out of Abraham. Later the antichrist is referred to as an Assyrian [Isaiah 10:5] seemingly because the antichrist is going to be very [outsider] alien [possibly claiming partial UFO, Alien (divine) heritage] in skills and abilities and outside [Assyrian] of our known existing societal and cultural norms and traditions.

Deuteronomy 29-31 - Moses again confirms God's Covenants with the Children of Israel - Joshua is appointed the new leader of Israel -- 'Deuteronomy 31:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the Tabernacle of the Congregation, that I may give him a charge [authority]'
'Deuteronomy 29:3-4 The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles: Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.' - The Children of Israel have already observed, heard and experienced many miraculous Spiritual events in their life although seeing and hearing the physical events the Spiritual application to those same events eluded them. -- Speaking Words of Strength: In preparing the people to enter into the Promise Land Moses spoke words to Joshua and to the people, words that the people needed to hear to be strengthened in their coming journey through the unknown; through the Jordan River and into the Promise Land. 'Deuteronomy 31:3-6 ... and Joshua (Jesus), He shall go over [to the Promise Land] before thee, as the LORD hath said. ... Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.' - Years later the real Jesus would also be spoken to, in the Garden of Gethsemane by a Holy Angel from Heaven, with words to strengthen and encourage Him for His coming journey through the unknown; through the crucifixion cross and into the real Promise Land of Heaven. We don't know the words that the Holy Angel spoke to Jesus that night ... or do we? [Deuteronomy 31:3-6] - Luke 22:43 And there appeared an Angel unto Him (Jesus) from heaven, strengthening Him. - Did Moses prophetically speak the words to Joshua and to the people of Israel as they prepared to crossover that God the Father had the Angel speak to Jesus during His agony in the dark of the night in the Garden of Eternal Decision the Garden of Gethsemane as He prepared to crossover?

Deuteronomy 32-34 - Moses prepares himself for his death - The Song of Moses -- 'Deuteronomy 32:1-4 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: Because I will publish the Name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He'
Death Outside the Promise Land: Moses the Lawgiver was only allowed to go to the border of the Promise Land, he was only allowed to glimpse the Promise Land from a distance but he was not allowed to enter into the Promise Land. Moses the Lawgiver had broken the law when Moses had unlawfully struck the Rock a second time. In actuality striking the Rock a second time was not the only law that Moses broke it was just one of the more obvious laws that Moses broke. Moses like all the rest of us he was unable to keep the law because the law can't be kept it can only be observed just as Moses observed the Promise Land from a distance, observing but not entering. - The Law does not take us into the presence of God but only to a boundary that actually keeps us apart from God. The original law in the Garden of Eden was a boundary a boundary between mankind and the experience and knowledge of evil. Mankind crossed God's Law boundary and went into the knowledge of evil [God continued to give mankind the knowledge of good]. With mankind now knowledgeable of evil the Law is not just a boundary from evil but out of necessity the Law has now also become a boundary between mankind and the Holiness of God. - The Law is the Image and Holiness of God and therefore the Law now reveals God to a separated mankind and once seeing God in His Holy Law mankind can easily recognize the need for mankind to be separated from presence and Glory of the Holy God. Separated from God that is only until a remedy can be provided to fix man's sinful predicament and remove the boundary of sin and of the Law. The remedy for our predicament and separation from God has been provided but not in our life only in a new life in the Resurrection Life provided by God's Son Jesus Christ. The Son of God, Jesus Christ will safely take us into Heaven, His Promise Land, just as certainly as Joshua the son of Nun led the Children of Israel into their Promise Land a place that the law at best could only glimpse from a distance and could not enter into but a place where the Son could not be kept out of as the Son will enter in and place his foot upon the Promise Land. -- 'Deuteronomy 31:23 And He gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the Children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.' - 'Deuteronomy 32:52 Yet thou [Moses, Lawgiver] shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the Children of Israel.'

THE BOOK OF

JOSHUA

Joshua 1-2 - Joshua the first book in the Bible to be named after a person - Joshua was the servant (minister) to Moses - Joshua is God's chosen to lead the people into the Promise Land - Joshua is the Hebrew name of Jesus - Joshua is a 'type' an earthly representation of the true Jesus Christ
Note: As Joshua is an earthly Biblical type of Jesus Christ the Promise Land is an earthly Biblical type of Heaven. Actually the Promise Land is the Biblical Type of Heaven as nothing else in the Bible really represents Heaven the way the Promise Land does. The fact that battles are fought in the Promise Land represents to the Christian Church that although we are now in part [in standing] in the Promise Land we also have battles in this world, battles of many diverse types and in many diverse places. All of the earthly Bible types; the people, the land, the nations and the objects are all incomplete types they are just glimpses of the real Heaven, of God and of the real spiritual realm. The Promise Land of Israel is a real place and therefore has real earthy predicaments just like each person that is a type of Jesus (Isaac, Joseph, Joshua, King David, etc.) or those people that are a type of Satan (King Saul, Judas, [Solomon is in part a type of the Antichrist]) are also incomplete types they are real people in real predicaments. Also Note: Heaven currently is a place of some spiritual warfare and angelic warfare [Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:20]. -- In more symbology Rehab in Jericho is to place a scarlet (red) cord out of her window symbolizing that she needs to be saved by Joshua. The scarlet cord represented to the Jews the blood of the Passover Lamb on the door that the Jews were so familiar with from back in Egypt. Rehab's scarlet cord and all the 'scarlet cords' throughout the Bible ultimately represent the blood of Jesus Christ that flowed from the cross for our redemption.

BlueletterBible.org: Chuck Missler Commentaries the Book of Joshua - Bible types in the Book of Joshua - The Seven Trumpet blasts of Jericho and the Seven Trumpet blasts of Revelation - The battle of Jericho and the Book of Joshua compared to the Book of Revelation (Online Audio)
Mr. Missler is the chairman of Koinonia House (K-House), a non-profit organization which is dedicated to the development and distribution of materials for encouraging and facilitating serious study of the Bible as the inerrant Word of God. K-House was founded by Chuck and Nancy Missler, and moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho in 1992. K-House now reaches tens of thousands through its monthly newsletter, radio shows, cassette tapes, and conferences. More than eight million study tapes have been distributed in the U.S. and in over 35 countries around the world. [article link]

!!!Highly Recommended by Pastor Chuck Smith - Study of the Types by Ada R. Habershon (Online Book - Limited preview)
Author: Ada R. Habershon 1861-1918. First publication 1957, Second publication - Kregel Publications, 1974. Book overview: Habershon unfolds the types and symbols in Scripture that represent Christ and His work. [article link]

christianbook.com: Study of the Types by Ada R. Habershon - Outline Studies of the Tabernacle by Ada R. Habershon (Books)
This classic work unfolds the types and symbols in the Old Testament that represent Christ, the Cross, the Resurrection, the Holy Spirit, and many others. This wealth of material on typology will strengthen your faith and warm your heart with love and thankfulness to God. ... These are inspiring insights into the construction, erection and service of the tabernacle. This book contains all the scriptural references to the tabernacle and its furniture. This resourceful study can be used with profit by pastors, teachers, and all inquiring Bible students to discover and apply the significant spiritual truths the tabernacle contains. [article link]

amazon.com: Study of the Types by Ada R. Habershon (Book)
Product Description: Habershon unfolds the types and symbols in Scripture that represent Christ and His work. About the Author: Ada R. Habershon (1861-1918) was born in London, England. Few women have made a contribution to the cause of biblical scholarship equal to that of Ada Habershon. After formal Bible training, she turned her efforts to the exploration of the Scriptures. She was a devoted friend of D. L. Moody, Charles H. Spurgeon, R. A. Torrey, and Ira Sankey. In addition to writing hundreds of hymns, she is the author of eight Bible studies, including Study of the Miracles, Study of the Parables, and Hidden Pictures in the Old Testament. [article link]

Joshua 3-5 - The Children of Israel prepare for and cross the Jordan river stepping for the first time since the days of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob back onto the Promise Land - Two 12 Stone Monuments are set up on one river bottom since the river was dry for them and the second on the shore to commemorate their safe miraculous crossing - 'Joshua 1:2-3 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.'
Rolling Away Our Reproach: The reproach (disparagement) of their time in slavery and bondage in Egypt has been 'rolled away' (Gilgal). 'Joshua 3:2-17 And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host (congregation); And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and [follow] go after it. ... Behold, the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan [River]. Now therefore take you twelve men [Apostles] out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man. And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the Ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap [just like the Red Sea crossing]. ... and the people passed over right against [the city of] Jericho. And the priests that bare the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground [Psalms 32:6], until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.' - 'Joshua 5:9 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.' - Just as the reproach of Egypt has been 'Gilgal' rolled away the stone that marked our sin and death in this land of Egypt has also been Gilgal rolled away. The very stone that rolled away and revealed the release of Jesus from the tomb of death and reproach has also represented our release from our own reproach of sin and death. 'Matthew 28:2-6 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door [of the tomb], and sat upon it. ... And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye [you]: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen [Alive], as He said.'

Joshua 6-8 - The battles of Jericho and Ai - The beginning of the victories in the Land -God gave the cities into their hands -- 'Joshua 6:16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city'
The Battle of Jericho: 'Hebrews 11:30-31 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies [two witnesses] with peace.' - Joshua had sent in the two spies (witnesses) because apparently God wanted Rahab and her household saved alive from the coming destruction. Rahab lived on a doomed wall of a doomed city so she was completely at risk. Rahab and her fellow countrymen had heard of the Mighty Wonders that God had already done for the Children of God and Rahab must have wanted to be a numbered among the Children of God. Rehab undertook great personal danger even lying to the King's men in hiding the two witness of Israel. Note: Rahab didn't need to lie for God to save them but God saved them all even with the little faith that Rahab had and her little faith was enough faith for the Apostle Paul to list her in the Hebrews Chapter 11 'Hall of Faith'. - After being saved Rahab (Rachab) married into the tribe of Judah in Israel and Rahab is the mother of Boaz (Booz). Rahab's son Boaz would later marry Ruth a Moabite [foreign] woman and have a son named Obed. Obed would have a son named Jesse and Jesse was the father of King David. Including the original Judah (Judas) and the gentile Tamar (Thamar) there was actually a lot of gentile blood in the Davidic line, the eventual human line of Jesus Christ. - 'Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas [Judah] and his brethren; And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar [Tamar]; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab [Rahab]; and Booz [Boaz] begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the King; and David the King begat [King] Solomon of her [Bathsheba] that had been the wife of Urias [Uriah]'

Ancient Jericho - Tell es-Sultan, ancient Jericho - Jericho Unearthed: DVD Promo - A total of six bushels of grain were discovered in a single excavation season amid the charred debris of City IV, giving an important clue to the city's demise - Its end could not have come as a result of a siege, because that would have exhausted the city's food supply - Instead, the attack must have occurred suddenly, soon after the spring [barley, flax] harvest - two crucial details that match the account in the Book of Joshua - Was this destruction at the hands of the Israelites? The correlation between the archaeological evidence and the Biblical narrative is substantial: (Photos)
All three excavations at Jericho found evidence - at different points around the tell - of a mudbrick parapet wall atop the stone revetment wall. In Kenyon's drawing, as well as in these two sections below right, by Sellin and Watzinger (left) and Garstang (right), gray indicates the revetment wall and violet highlights the parapet wall on top of it. ... One major problem remains: the date, 1400 B.C.E. Most scholars will reject the possibility that the Israelites destroyed Jericho in about 1400 B.C.E. because of their belief that Israel did not emerge in Canaan until about 150 to 200 years later, at the end of the Late Bronze II period. A minority of scholars agrees with the Biblical chronology, which places the Israelite entry into Canaan in about 1400 B.C.E. The dispute between these two views is already well-known to BAR readers. **But recently, new evidence has come to light suggesting that Israel was resident in Canaan throughout the Late Bronze II period. As new data emerge and as old data are reevaluated, it will undoubtedly require a reappraisal of current theories regarding the date and the nature of the emergence of Israel in Canaan. [article link]

Ancient Jericho (Photo)
Ancient Jericho is one of the most excavated sites in Israel. Starting in the early 1900's, archaeologists exposed a huge retaining wall that has supported the foundation of the great city since the Middle Bronze Age. This stone foundation held a large, structural wall of mud bricks that defined ancient Jericho. Throughout the last century, no less than four separate excavation teams have found remains of a collapsed mud brick wall at the base of the stone retaining wall. Scholars now agree that the wall fell down, but they differ on the date. Bryant Wood and other highly-regarded archaeologists date the destruction of the wall to the time of Joshua in about 1400 BC. In the 1930's and 1950's, teams discovered numerous store jars still full of grain from the last Canaanite city that existed at ancient Jericho. The conclusion of many scholars is that the city was conquered at the time of the harvest, but was burned, instead of looted. This evidence matches the biblical account of Joshua [chapter] 6. [article link]

Ancient Jericho - Old walls, witness to many centuries of Jericho history - Jericho, the city of the moon, is the lowest city on earth at 260 metres below sea level (Photo)
This picture shows Stone walls in ancient Jericho. It was taken on a travel to Jericho, Palestinian Territories, Asia. ... While the ruins are not spectacular to see for the casual visitor, Tel es-Sultan certainly impresses for its incredible age. At some 10,000 years, it is probably the oldest settlement in the world. Jericho, the city of the moon, is the lowest city on earth at 260 metres below sea level. At the same time, it is the oldest city in the world. A 20 minute walk takes you from present-day downtown Jericho to Tel es-Sultan, the site of the oldest settlement. It can be found next to the cable car station for going up to the Mount of Temptation. Once inside, you can see that excavations have been done on site. Unfortunately, the few signs that once clarified what you are seeing have since long been washed away by rain, so walking around the site requires working your imagination. [article link]

Joshua 9-10 The Gibeonite people knowing that they cannot defeat the Children of Israel through force turn to deception and make a deceitful covenant with Israel - Joshua agreeing to a covenant of protection with the Gibeonites makes an unwise covenant as he fails to seek the discernment of God first in his decision - Joshua's long day occurs -- 'Joshua 10:12-13 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher?' [Jasher "Book of the Upright" (wiki.com) Joshua 10:13, 2 Samuel 1:18 -- An ancient Jewish history cronicle that no longer exists]
Signs in the Heavens: Correlations between the ancient events in the days of Joshua with the future events of the 'Day of the Lord' Jesus Christ I the Book of Revelation. 'Joshua 10:12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies.' * 'Revelation 6:12-13 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.' -- 'Joshua 10:16 But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.' * Revelation 6:15-17 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens [underground manmade caves] and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?' -- 'Joshua 10:11 And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Beth-horon, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.' * 'Revelation 16:21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.' [Being stoned is the Biblical punishment for blaspheming God - the hail stones from heaven are the last and final plague in the Book of Revelation].

JOSHUA'S LONG DAY - For the Egyptian account, we find that the French classical scholar, Fernand Crombette, translated some Egyptian hieroglyphics which tell of Joshua's long day - Evidently [a] flood [in Egypt] had been caused by an unusually high tide - The cause, according to the Egyptian hieroglyphics, was: The sun, thrown into confusion, had remained low on the horizon, and by not rising had spread terror amongst the great doctors - Two days had been rolled into one
Joshua's Long Day in Africa: Anyhow, flawed though some of Totten's works might be, in his book, he relates two independent and geographically distinct accounts of Joshua's long day. One of Totten's sources is a report by the Greek historian Herodotus who wrote that when he visited Egypt, the priests there showed him an ancient manuscript which told the story of a day which lasted about twice as long as a nor mal day. Now the Egyptians had water clocks at that time so that they could accurately measure the duration of the day, not being dependent on the motion of the sun, moon, and stars, as would other peoples around the world. Totten's second account is from the Chinese which we shall present later. For the Egyptian account, we find that the French classical scholar, Fernand Crombette, translated some Egyptian hieroglyphics which tell of Joshua's long day. The text starts out with an edict from the king to exempt from taxation those who had been victims of a flood some two weeks earlier. Evidently the flood had been caused by an unusually high tide. The cause, according to the Egyptian hieroglyphics, was: The sun, thrown into confusion, had remained low on the horizon, and by not rising had spread terror amongst the great doctors. Two days had been rolled into one. The morning was lengthened to one-and-a-half times the normal period of effective daylight. A certain time after this divine phenomenon, the master had an image built to keep further misfortune from the country. ... The Chinese Account of Joshua's Long Day: The second secular source about Joshua's long day, which was mentioned by Totten, is based on what seems to be a recently lost ancient Chinese manuscript. In 1810 Gill presents the account: In the Chinese history it is reported, that in the time of their seventh emperor, Yao, the sun did not set for ten days, and that men were afraid the world would be burnt, and there were great fires at that time; and though the time of the sun's standing still were enlarged beyond the bounds of truth, yet it seems to refer to this fact, and was manifestly about the same time; for this miracle was wrought in the year of the world 2554, which fell in the 75th, or, as some say, the 67th year of that emperor's reign, who reigned 90 years. [article link]

Joshua 11-19 - Though many battles have been won the Children of Israel will not occupy their entire Inheritance in the Promise Land - The intended borders and boundaries for the 12 tribes are established by casting lots - The city of Jebus [later Jerusalem] actually at different times falls into the inheritance of both the tribe of Judah and later the tribe of Benjamin [Judah shared some of their huge land inheritance with Benjamin and the two tribes tried to cooperate, work together and assist each other in the Promise Land] - Neither the tribe of Judah nor the tribe of Benjamin is immediatly able to enter Jebus - Later King David will conquer Jebus and name it Jerusalem - Jerusalem will be the capital city for the Tribe of Judah and also for the entire Nation of Israel - 'Joshua 18:21-28 Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, ... and Jebusi, which is Jerusalem, Gibeath, and Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.'
Caleb the Faithful Witness Receives his Inheritance in the Promise Land: Of the more than six hundred thousand adult males that left Egypt on the night of the Passover only two Joshua and Caleb [and part of the tribe of Levi] lived through the forty year desert wandering to inherit a portion in the Promise Land. Caleb [tribe of Judah] and Joshua [tribe of Ephraim] were two of the original 12 spies sent in by Moses to view the Promise Land and the only two witnesses to bring back a positive report to Moses and the people. - ' Joshua 14:5-15 As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land. Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadesh-barnea. Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God. And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God. And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five [85] years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims [giants] were there, and that the cities were great and [stonewall] fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said. And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance. Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel. And the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.'

Ancient City of Hazor - Tell Hazor is one of the largest, most important biblical sites in the Canaanite and Israelite periods - The bible gave it the title: "the head of all those kingdoms". Indeed, the travel to the excavated site is an exciting experience, bringing you back 3-4 thousands years to the times this might city was the gateway between Egypt and Mesopotamia [Babylon] (Photos)
Joshua 11:10: "And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms." ... Location: Tell Hazor is located on the east of the northern part of Israel, the upper Galilee. Its prime location on the main ancient road through Syria to Babylon, made it an important city. This road bypassed the impossible way through the desert, and was an important link between the two strong empires of the ancient world: Egypt on the south, and Mesopotamia (Babylon, Assyria, Persia) on the north. You can reach the site, a national park, by driving north from Rosh-Pina (road 90). The museum that hosts most of the archaeological findings is located in another location: in the nearby Kibbutz, Ayyelet Ha-shachar, 0.5KM north to the park's entrance. Additional findings are displayed in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. [article link]

Joshua 20-22 - Phinehas a Grandson of Aaron is now the Levitical High Priest - The Congregation of Israel the group of people that have been together every day since Egypt and the long wilderness wandering has now come to a close - Joshua releases the Nation of Israel to live in their own homes in their own inherited portion of the land - The Congregation of the Nation of Israel in the Promise Land now begins - The two tribes Reuben and Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh return to outside the Promise Land to their own chosen land -- 'Joshua 21:43-45 And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which He sware to give unto their fathers [Abraham, Isaac, Jacob]; and they possessed it [most of the land but not all the land they were given], and dwelt therein. And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass'
Living Outside the Promise Land: Two and a half tribes of the Children of God determined that living outside of the Promise Land would be just as rewarding and just a secure and certainly just a scenic as actually living in the land after all they were bordering the Land so how different could it be than actually moving into the Land. For starters being outside the Promise Land they were separated from the Alter of God so they took it upon themselves to build their own nonfunctioning alter as a replica of the real Alter of God in the hopes that they, their children and the Nation of Israel would not forget that they were indeed entitled to the same inheritance as the rest of the Nation of Israel. The replica alter was just another ill-conceived notion just as ill-conceived as the original idea to remain outside of the Land was and worse it only caused further confusion and strife among them and the other tribes of Israel. Eventually living outside of the land and being separated from within the Nation did take its toll. The outside tribes were the first to compromise, the first to neglect their worship and their walk with God and the first to be conquered and taken captive by other nations. In actuality the outside tribes were never heard from again in Israel in any significant meaningful way. - 'Joshua 22:9-27 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses. And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to ... In time to come your children [in the Promise Land] might speak unto our children [outside the Promise Land], saying, What have ye to do with the LORD God of Israel? For the LORD hath made Jordan [River] a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the LORD: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD. Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice: But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.'

Joshua 23-24 - The Children of Israel have settled in the Promise Land for a while now - The Tabernacle remains assembled in Shiloh - Joshua now advanced in age [110 years old] assembles the Nation at Shechem and gives his final farewell address to the Nation of Israel as Moses had previously done [Joshua actually quotes much of Moses from the book of Deuteronomy] - Joshua gives his final admonishment to the people of Israel encouraging them to continue to enter in and to possess the land and also admonishing them to fear and to serve the Lord God -- 'Joshua 24:15-17 but as for me (Joshua) and my house, we will serve the LORD. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods; For the LORD our God, He it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed: ...'
Cities They Did Not Build: 'Joshua 24:13 And I (God) have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.' The Children of God inherited cities that they did not have to build and ate fruit from vines and trees that they did not have to plant. The Promise Land of Israel is a type of Heaven and as a type the land was prepared in advance for the Children of God even before they entered into the land. Later Jesus would make the same promise to His disciples. - 'John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me (Jesus). In My Father's house [Heaven] are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. *I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go [to Heaven] and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I Am, there ye may be also.'

THE BOOK OF

JUDGES

Introduction: With the Bible's Book of Judges the history books of the Bible will continue and surprisingly we will continue to learn more about mankind and about ourselves then we will about God - It isn't until the Prophets that we really start to learn intimately about who God is and what He desires
We are making progress through the Bible however at this point in the Bible we still have not yet had the opportunity to find much about out who God is as a person through getting to know God's heart and God's soul. It will not be until we get past the history books and into the messages of the Prophets that we will really begin to enter into the heart and soul of God and begin to become more personally and intimately acquainted with who God is as a person and what His nature is. All of the books of the Bible cover Theology and Doctrine however the history books of the Bible cover much more about human relationships, human behavior and human government than then they do in providing insight into God. - Note: It is amazing and even startling how little 'relationship' and situational type of information is provided in the Bible's New Testament and that is because much of the relationships, situations and examples for the Christian Church have already been experienced and documented in the Bible's Old Testament. Much of what we are going to look at in these next O.T. books are going to be timeless situations and relationships that being timeless actually mirror the situations, events and relationships of our own life and therefore have a tremendous message of value and importance for us even today.

The book of Judges: The Old Testament book of Judges tells the story of what could be called the 'Dark Ages' of the chosen people - When the book opens, the 12 tribes of Israel are on the edge of national success - Under Moses and his successor Joshua, they have been liberated from slavery and have begun to occupy and settle in their Promised Land - But something goes terribly wrong - By the time the book closes, central leadership has broken down and the tribes are at each other's throats - The people are oppressed on every side by enemies and in danger of national extinction - This book contains some of the most gruesome stories in the Bible - episodes of idolatry, theft, rape, murder and civil war - What went wrong? Let's take a closer look
Although anarchy existed in Israel during much of the period of the judges, the story shows that God was still working out his purpose with them. The entire story is a monument to God's patience, love and mercy. Time after time, the people became trapped in a downward spiral toward moral degeneracy, and the refrain, 'The Israelites once again did evil in the sight of the Lord', recurs like a monotonous litany throughout the book. Yet, every time the Israelites repented, God forgave them and sent a deliverer (or 'judge' - hence the name of the book). The central section of the book (chapters 3:7-16:31) tells us of six judges God raised up to deliver his people from their enemies. These stories - with their pattern of Israel's sin, sorrow, repentance and restoration - illustrate what is often called the 'cycle of sin'. At first glance, the stories all seem to follow the same theme. But there are subtle and important differences. These small divergences are important, like when a musician plays variations on a theme. First we hear what could be called the 'base' theme. Then it is played again, with a few variations. As the variations are developed, the base theme recedes further and further into the background, and may even be no longer recognizable to the untrained ear. But the trained listener can appreciate what is happening. The chronicler of Judges uses much the same technique, and we need to read carefully to appreciate the lesson. These are not just stories - they are a variation of a theme. ... Jesus Christ breaks the cycle of sin: Old Testament scholar Arthur Cundall identifies the central message of the book of Judges: "The period of the judges' is a faithful witness to the fact of man's frailty and to his need not of a merely temporal deliverer, but of an eternal Saviour who can effect a perfect redemption." Cundall's comment could also apply to the history of the modern world. We live in a society that is supposedly so much more sophisticated and enlightened than that of ancient Israel. And yet much of our behavior has been just as barbaric and faithless as that of the Israelites. Our society, just like theirs, continues to be "a faithful witness to the fact of man's frailty and of his need for an eternal Saviour." The good news of the gospel is that there is an eternal Savior who has already broken the cycle of sin by offering a perfect redemption for the whole world. He is the God-man, Jesus Christ. And the basic message of the Old Testament book of Judges - that sin leads to slavery while repentance leads to redemption - provides a fitting background for the New Testament teaching: because Jesus died for our sins, God grants us repentance and delivers us from spiritual slavery. [article link]

Background - The book of Judges - "Our English word 'judge' fails to bring out the breadth of meaning encompassed in the Hebrew term shophet (from the verb shaphat, to 'judge,' 'justify,' or 'deliver') - The book may be divided into three parts: introduction, which deals with Israel's failure to conquer Canaan completely, first from a military and then from a religious perspective - the main body of the book, consisting largely of the adventures of the individual judges a conclusion, which sets the stage for the transition to monarchy by painting a picture of moral decline and political dissolution in a time when 'there was no king in Israel and every man did as he pleased' - The stories of the judges are thus framed by an introduction that looks back to the book of Joshua and a conclusion that looks forward to the books of Samuel and Kings
J. Cheryl Exum writes: "The book may be divided into three parts: a double introduction, which deals with Israel's failure to conquer Canaan completely, first from a military and then from a religious perspective (1:1-3:6); the main body of the book, consisting largely of the adventures of the individual judges (3:7-16:31); and a double conclusion (chaps. 17-21), which sets the stage for the transition to monarchy by painting a picture of moral decline and political dissolution in a time when 'there was no king in Israel and every man did as he pleased' (21:25). The stories of the judges are thus framed by an introduction that looks back to the book of Joshua and a conclusion that looks forward to the books of Samuel and Kings." (Harper's Bible Commentary, p. 245). ... Jay G. Williams writes: "Clearly one of the main points of the author is that almost from the beginning Israel fell into sin and therefore was subjected to historical punishment by Yahweh at the hands of her enemies. Only when Yahweh raised up a new hero to lead the people was Israel revived once more. As the story proceeds, however, the cycle becomes more and more disastrous for Israel. The last of the judges, Samson, is simply a great buffoon who kills a few Philistines but who does not lead Israel in battle at all. The story moves, then, from a glorification of the heroes to a call for a new and better way of organizing Israel politically and militarily. That is to say, Judges points forward to the books of Samuel and the rise of the kingship. The book ends with two rather gruesome stories (17:1-18:31 and 19:1-21:25) wihch illustrate graphically the corrupt condition of religion and justice under the judges." (Understanding the Old Testament, p. 159). [article link]

Judges 1-2 - A historical interim book covering the death of Joshua until the period of the Kings of Israel - about 300 to 400 years of Jewish history are covered - Thirteen Judges are chronicled during thirteen alternating periods of Spiritual revival in Israel followed by periods of backsliding that led to oppression and defeat at the hands of their enemies
'Judges 1:14-15 And it came to pass, when she [Achsah his daughter] came to him (Caleb), that she moved him [her husband] to ask of her father [for] a field: and she lighted from off her ass (donkey) [the Jews were not to own horses only a donkey (Exodus 20:17)]; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou? And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether [lower] springs.' - With the new book in the Bible and a new era in Israel Calab [one of the two successful spies (Numbers 13:30), Joshua was the other one] now becomes the ever present type of Jesus Christ in the Bible. His devout daughter Achsah sought out her father's presence and asked him for a blessing for herself and for her family. Caleb had already generously given her a large portion of land and now she requested from him some additional land that contained some valuable springs of water and as a type of Jesus Caleb then gave to her two separate life sustaining springs of water to go with her land a total gift of more than double what she had asked for and had hoped to receive from him. As a faithful type of Jesus Christ the generosity of calab was to match the genorousity of Jesus Christ. - 'Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ' - '2 Peter 1:3 According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness [springs of water], through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:' - 'James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth [ridicule] not; and it shall be given him.' - 'James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness [no deciet], neither shadow of turning.'

Judges 3-5 - The sagas and adventures of Israel continue as lessons and examples for us in our times - Deborah a Prophetess was the 4th Judge of Israel - As a prophetess Deborah called on Barak to go conquer King Sisera - Barak would not go to the battle without Deborah and together they oversaw the defeat of the Canaanite King Sisera -- 'Judges 4:4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.'
'Judges 4:11-12 Now Heber [and his wife Jael] the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.' - 'Judges 4:14-24 And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet. But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left. Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle. And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him. Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and enquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No. Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples. So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel. And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.' - Battling our old bossy self: King Sisera is a picture of our old sin nature before we become a Christian. Prior to Christianity our sin nature reigns supreme in our body whatever our sin nature desires we endeavor to do what pleases it. If our sin nature wanted food we fed it, a movie we saw it, drink we drank it and music we listened to it all in league of satisfying our selves. After Heber had broken away [became a Christian] from the area controlled by King Sisera Heber still attempted to befriend Sisera and informed Sisera of the army already on the move to attack his forces. Sisera defeated [by the cross of Jesus] came into the very tent [personal presance] of Heber and his wife Jael seeking shelter. Sisera though defeated was as bossy and as arrogant as ever and Heber and Jael wisely did not try to challenge Sisera directly instead Jael put the old tyrant to sleep with some milk [the pure milk of the Bible] then taking a nail [from the cross of Jesus] she put the nail through the head [authority] of King Sisera pinning him to the ground in death where he belonged then Heber and Jael having victory of their old ruler were now free to live their new life of freedom [in Jesus Christ].

Judges 6-8 - Gideon becomes the 5th Judge of Israel - The Midianites put the Nation of Israel into deep poverty by plundering their possessions - Gideon placed a fleece before the Lord for confirmation of God's call on his life - Gideon defeats the Minianites with God's small army of 300 men - 'Judges 6:36-40 36 And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.' {Note: A fleece is considered a wrong thing to do for at least two reasons 1. it puts God to the test 2. we walk step by step with God not project by project. Also Note: Gideon's fleece is conceded prophecy in that the dew 'presence of God' was upon the wool 'Israel' then the next day the Church Age the dew 'presence of God' was manifested around Israel but not on Israel.}
'Judges 6:25-32 And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove [of trees] that is by it: And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down. Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, *because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night. And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built. And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing. Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it. *And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: *if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar. Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.' - Gideon at night had cut down an alter used to sacrifice to Baal and sacrificed an offering to God on a new alter. The next day the people came out and wanted to put Gideon to death for destroying Baal's alter. Gideon's father Joash told the crowd that if Baal was a god then Baal could deal with Gideon without the assistance of people. How true it is also in our day that we do not need to do the justice of God for God. God is perfectly capable of decieidng how and when he wants to deal with each individaul on this planet. Likewise if Allah or any other deity is god then men do not need to perforem justice on behalf of Allah. It is something that actually disqualifies Allah from being a true God in that Alllah does not preform on his own behalf but instead enlists men to administer human justice according to human emotions. Truely nothing is more erratic than Islamic justice it just depends on an individual's status and standing at any given moment within a community as to what any penalty might or might not be. Islamic justice has little or nothing to do with divine guidance but is more a misplaced vengance of individual men.

Judges 9-10 - After Gideon's major victory over the Midianites Gidion asked his fellow soildgers for a money offering from their spoils - Gideon took the money he made from the battle and made his own 'ephod' a Preistly orniment of gold and gemstones that is only to be warn by the High Preist - After instituting his own form of Government and even making his own form of religion he takes many wives and has 71 sons - Abimelech his 71st son from an unpopular concubine decided he wanted to rule after his father Gideon (Jerubbaal) and in order to accomplish his rule he killed 69 of his brothers only the littlest one named Jotham was able to hide from Abimelech -- 'Judges 9:53-57 And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull. Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died. And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place. Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren [Jotham origionaly fled to the city of Beer but he seems to have been eventually killed as well]: And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham [given at mount Gerizim] the son of Jerubbaal (Gideon).'
Judges 9:6-21 And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem. And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you. The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. But the *Olive Tree [Holy Spirit] said unto them, Should I leave My fatness [goodness], wherewith by Me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? And the trees said to the *Fig Tree [man's religious works], Come thou, and reign over us. But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said the trees unto the *Vine [Jesus Christ], Come thou, and reign over us. And the Vine said unto them, Should I leave My Wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said all the trees unto the *bramble [curse bearing thorn bush], Come thou, and reign over us. And the bramble [Abimelech] said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the Cedars of Lebanon. Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands; (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian: And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;) If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you: But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech. And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother. - Here we have an interesting Parable given by Jotham and it includes the Olive Tree [Holy Spirit] "wherewith by Me they honour God and man" and the Vine [Jesus Christ] "which cheereth God and man" and the Fig Tree [mans religious works] "Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit" a bramble [thorn and thistle bush] and Cedar Trees of Lebanon all in the same Parable. Notice how only the Olive Tree and the Vine please both God and man, very interesting even in the confusion that reigned in the days of Judges, the days before the Kings and before the vast teachings of the Prophets yet some still had a good understanding of the nature of God and of the Parables of God.

Judges 11-12 - Jephthah the ninth Judge of Israel - Jephthah offers a vow to God and sanctifies [burnt offering] his daughter to God in a living sacrifice much the same way that Hannah sanctified her son Samuel [1 Samuel 1:11] to the Lord in a similar vow to God - {when they offered themselves or a child to God in a burnt offering it was only their hair that was burned in a ceremony it wasn't a human sacrifice of any kind though it's often portrayed as such but remember it's strictly forbidden for Jews and Christians to take an innocent life and human sacrifice is a complete, forbidden, unacceptable, abomination to the living God} - *The vow of Jephthah being listed in the New Testament [Hebrews 11:32] as an example of our faith confirms that it was a sanctification by faith not a human sacrifice by fire - It has been about 300 years since Israel left Egypt and began to dwell again in the lands outside of Egypt and in and around Canaan -- 'Judges 1:26 While Israel dwelt in Heshbon and her towns, and in Aroer and her towns, and in all the cities that be along by the coasts of Arnon, three hundred years? why therefore did ye [Moab] not recover them within that time?' {Moab never actually had the land that Israel was on but they wanted to claim it anyhow.}
Jephthah's Vow: Judges 11:30-40 And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering. So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against them; and the LORD delivered them into his hands. And he smote them from Aroer, even till thou come to Minnith, even twenty cities, and unto the plain of the vineyards, with a very great slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel. And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back. And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the LORD, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the LORD hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of Ammon. And she said unto her father, Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows. And he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she went with her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains. And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew no man. And it was a custom in Israel, That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year. - The promise of sanctification that Jephthah made and kept even though it was a very difficult promise for him and his daughter to keep is commented on in Hebrews 11 the 'Hall of Faith' had Jephthah committed a human sacrifice the Bible would have immediately and repeatedly condemned it as it would be unacceptable to God. *The vow of Jephthah being listed in the New Testament as an example of our faith confirms that it was a sanctification by faith not a human sacrifice by fire. "that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew no man." That "and she knew no man" is in reference to how she lived out the rest of her life and also "the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah" to comfort her because she was without a child all acts and responses to a living person not a deceased person. {Note: Apparently Josephus seems to have thought it might have been a human sacrifice however Josephus reported on the common view and the common view is often wrong. The Apostle Paul was certainly aware that it was a vow of consecration.} - 'Hebrews 11:32-35 And what shall I more say [about Faith]? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae [sanctified his daughter to God]; of David also, and Samuel [sanctified his life to God through a vow his mother Hannah made, similar to the vow of Jephthae], and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again [Faith in God is about people receiving Life not taking life!]: ...'

Judges 13-16 - The Great Sampson, Judges 13:7 "a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death" - Sampson repeatedly placed his desires above that of his parents, his family, his neighbors, his Nation and ultimately above the desires of God - 'Judges 14:3 Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my [Jewish] people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.'
'Judges 16:28 And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life. Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.' - Note: Sampson was a Nazarite set apart to God every day of his life this included his ups and downs and it included his captivity and blindness at the hands of the Philistines. Also Note: Sampson is a child of God in the Bible that also committed suicide and ended his own life. Suicide is not the preferred desire of God however the message of the Bible, given in this case through Sampson, is that our sins, our predicaments and even our own suicidal death is something that will be overcome by the goodness and life of God. After death [Romans 14:11-13] every knee will bow before the King of the Universe Jesus Christ and how we die is just not as important as how we bow. - There are many forms of suicide including unsafe sex, drugs, alcohol, reckless behavior and actually anything that is separate and apart from the life of Jesus Christ is a form of human suicide.

Judges 17-18 - Now we are at the point where a man named Micah stole one thousand one hundred silver shekels from his mother - Micah hearing his mother curse the missing shekels returned them to her - she explained that the money was to be used to make a molten god - Micah received 200 of the cursed shekels and had a molten image made along with and ephod and other religious relics - After consecrating one of his own sons to be his priest Micah hired a Levite Priest from Bethlehem - The Tribe of Dan unable to conquer their allotted inheritance relocated to the northernmost part of Israel - Members of the Tribe of Dan while relocating took by force and confiscated all of Micah's false gods, religious items and even his Levitical Priest and brought them north with them where they installed his Preist and worshiped his false images -- 'Judges 17:6 In those days there was no King in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.'
'Judges 18:13-26 And they [Tribe of Dan] passed thence unto mount Ephraim, and came unto the house of Micah. Then answered the five men that went to spy out the [North] country of Laish [later renamed Dan], and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do. And they turned thitherward, and came to the house of the young man the Levite, even unto the house of Micah, and saluted him. And the six hundred men appointed with their weapons of war, which were of the children of Dan, stood by the entering of the gate. And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, and came in thither, and took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest stood in the entering of the gate with the six hundred men that were appointed with weapons of war. And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto them, What do ye? And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel? And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people. So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the carriage before them. And when they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men that were in the houses near to Micah's house were gathered together, and overtook the children of Dan. And they cried unto the children of Dan. And they turned their faces, and said unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou comest with such a company? And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and ye are gone away: and what have I more? and what is this that ye say unto me, What aileth thee? And the children of Dan said unto him, Let not thy voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows run upon thee, and thou lose thy life, with the lives of thy household. And the children of Dan went their way: and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back unto his house.' - As Micah found out having your own False Religion is a though business there is a lot of competition and not a lot of rules or protections. Anyhow it's always best to have a God that can't be stolen or taken away. Jesus Christ saw to it that His Kingdom would be positioned above mankind and in Spirit located in the safety of human hearts, souls and minds where it will be safe from being squandered and safe from removal by anyone who passes bye or any other form of malcontent.

Ten Shekels and a Shirt by Paris Reidhead - 'Judges 17:10 And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals' (Mp3)
Description: Paris Reidhead preaches what could be called one of the most influential sermons of the 20th century. The real point of this sermon is an indictment of individuals and organizations practising humanism behind a mask of Christianity! "This sermon should be preached on a regular basis in every church in America!" [article link]

Judges 19-21 - Concluding the Book of Judges [with an earlier event] brings us to one of the most gruesome events recorded in the Bible - The horrid event and the out of control aftermath is actually a depiction of Church gossip, infighting and divisions -- 'Judges 19:30 And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds.'
Judges 20:20-48 20 And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah. And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men. And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day. And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him. And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day. And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword. Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days [not all the events are in cronilogical order], saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand. ... And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them. Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them which came out of the cities they destroyed in the midst of them. Thus they inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising. And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of valour. And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them. So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valour. But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months. And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that they came to. - The aftermath of a needless event that very nearly wiped out one Tribe [Benjamin] from Israel and cost the Nation of Israel dearly for generations to come when instead of helping each other they chose instead to fight each other. In this event as in all gossip events it's important to note that there were no innocent parties. The Levitical Priest was just as much out of bounds and at fault as anyone else if not more though he broadcast his story to all of Israel of course leaving out his own indiscretions and lack of judgment. The one sided version of events led to an instant retribution from all of Israel directed at the one seemingly guilty Tribe of Benjamin. Israel itself suffered great loss and was badly wounded in the battles that followed and discovered the hard way the strange truth that people will fight against their own kind perhaps even more ruthlessly than they will fight against an outside enemy.

THE BOOK OF

RUTH

Ruth 1 - The Book of Ruth - Redemption through the Kinsman [close relative] Redeemer -- 'Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:'
'Ruth 1:19-22 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi (Pleasant), call me Mara (Mary, bitter): for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.' - Ruth returned back to Bethlehem from her stay in Moab. At her return she was destitute her husband had sold the family land to go to Moab where he died and her two sons also died. In Israel the land does not belong to the people but to God so they can redeem is back from another person if the redemption requirements are met. Redemption is the practice of returning a lost possession or opportunity to the original owner. There is a strict legal system in place for the redemption process. 1. Only a near relative can redeem back property [land] for the original owner. 2. If a stranger returned the land it would be a gift not a redemption as the stranger would have to pay the current market price including being taken advantage of with a higher unreasonable price while the redeemer would pay only the correct original redemption price. 3. The Redeemer has to be a close relative, financially able and personally willing to perform the redemption. The redemption was not required to be preformed it was up to the individual involved to make the decision himself.

Ruth 2-3 - Naomi and Ruth encounter Boaz a close relative near Kinsman Redeemer -- 'Ruth 2:4 And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem , and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.' [Later King Solomon would name one of the two Temple pillars 'Boaz' after his forefather Boaz, 1 Kings 7:21]
'Ruth 3:15-18 Also he (Boaz) said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six [six represent incomplete , seven represents - completeness, rest] measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city. And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law. Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest [the seventh measure], until he have finished the thing [redemption] this day.' - The Biblical redemption process requires that the redeemer be a close relative otherwise it is not a return [redemption] but is just an outright transaction. Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of All Mankind and this is possible because 1. We are originally created in the Spiritual image of God (Jesus) so we are actually closely related to Jesus spiritually. In fact we are each more closely related to God spiritually than to anyone else even physically. 2. Jesus kept intact His close relationship [Kinsman Redeemer] status with all mankind in that Jesus was born of a Virgin without an earthly father. If Jesus had a earthly father besides Mary then Jesus would only be a Kinsman Redeemer to his close relatives. However Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary and His Father is in Heaven who is our original Father when He created Adam and Eve in 'our' image [Genesis 1:26] therefore Jesus the Son of God is the eligible Kinsman redeemer for all of the direct descendants of Adam and Eve.

Ruth 4 - It turns out the Law of Moses although in the image of God and to some giving the appearance of the ability of redemption it cannot give life [raise up seed] and therefore cannot redeem -- 'Ruth 4:14-17 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a Kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he [Kinsman Redeemer] shall be unto thee *a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.'
'Ruth 4:1-13 Then went Boaz up to the gate [of Bethlehem], and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman [a closer relative, kinsman redeemer to Naomi] of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down. And he took ten [ten number of difficulty a, a difficult task is taking place] men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down. And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's: And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. *If thou wilt redeem it [back to the family], redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee {this unnamed first in line redeemer is a type of the laws of Moses}; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it. Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, *to raise up the name of the dead {the law can own land but the law cannot give life or raise up life} upon his inheritance. And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself {the laws of Moses cannot give life}, lest I mar mine own inheritance {cease to be the law and become something else}: redeem thou my right to thyself {in grace and love}; for I {the law} cannot redeem it. Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel. Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he {the law} drew off his shoe {When John the Baptist [Mark 1:7] said he was unworthy to unloose the sandel of Jesus this is what he was talking about, John was unable to redeem only Jesus is the Redeemer}. And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi. *Moreover Ruth the Moabitess [Gentile Bride], the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day. And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine House like Rachel and like Leah [wives of Jacob], which two [and thier two maides] did build the House of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem: And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman. So Boaz [son of Rehab form the battle Jericho] took Ruth [a Gentile], and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son [Obed, he is the Grandfather of King David].' - The Law although in the image of God is unable to give life therefore doing what the Law was unable to do God sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to redeem mankind and the world [system] back to Himself. - 'Galatians 4:4-5 4 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.'

!!!Highly Recommended - Ruth: Chuck Missler Commentaries (Online Audio)
Mr. Missler is the chairman of Koinonia House (K-House), a non-profit organization which is dedicated to the development and distribution of materials for encouraging and facilitating serious study of the Bible as the inerrant Word of God. K-House was founded by Chuck and Nancy Missler, and moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho in 1992. K-House now reaches tens of thousands through its monthly newsletter, radio shows, cassette tapes, and conferences. More than eight million study tapes have been distributed in the U.S. and in over 35 countries around the world. [article link]

KHouse.org: Ruth - The Romance of Redemption by Chuck Missler - (MP3 Download $9.95)
What does this famous love story from the Old Testament have to do with the Feast of Pentecost? What critical element in Messianic genealogy is found in the Book of Ruth? The law shut out this Gentile Moabitess but grace took her in. Discover God's love for Israel, the Church and yourself through this beautiful love story of redemption. This key book of Bible prophecy highlights the role of the Goel, the kinsman-redeemer. Find out why the Book of Ruth is an essential study to understand the Book of Revelation! This briefing pack comes with: - two mp3 audio files - one notes file in pdf format - total file size equals 55 MB. [article link]

THE FIRST BOOK OF

1 SAMUEL

OTHERWISE CALLED
THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KINGS

Introduction: The Books of Samuel and Kings enter a new phase in Israel - The anointed Shepherds (Kings) of Israel now oversee the flock of the Nation of Israel - The first three anointed Kings of Israel [Trilogy of Israeli Kings] are actually going to be Biblical types - King Saul (asked for - by the people) is in part a type of Satan - King David (beloved of God) is in part a type of Jesus Christ - King Solomon (peaceable and deceiving) is in part a type of the coming Antichrist
Jesus compares Himself to the Shepherds of Israel: 'John 10:7-18 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers [i.e. King Saul - a type of Satan]: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd [i.e. King David - a type of Jesus]: the good shepherd giveth His Life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling [i.e King Solomon - a type of the Antichrist], and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.' - Note: King David is going to be a King of Israel much like Sampson was a Judge of Israel. King David is also going to fail in many ways and actually David is going to break all or almost all of the 10 Commandments of God. Ultimately in determining the godliness of a person it is based on their trust in the living God and in their relationship with God. King David trusted God completely with his life and as a result he had a devotional and a prayer life dedicated to God that was second to none. [King David wrote most of the Book of Psalms] - Also Note: The Kings of Israel are actual people and as actual people only certain events and aspects of their life have been recorded as examples for us in the Bible in order to help give us a prophetic [Kingdom of God], spiritual and future understanding while we are still in our restricted physical realm. Though King Solomon is in part a Biblical type of the Kingdom of Antichrist, King Solomon was not and is not the Antichrist himself and in fact for much of the start of King Solomon's career he is in some ways a type of Jesus and this is what is intriguing as King Solomon in type morphs from being a type of Jesus Christ into a type of the Antichrist. King Solomon as a real person though is very probably in Heaven however as a real person his entrance into Heaven is based solely on his relationship with God and not on his accomplishments, his titles or even his birthright as King.

bible.org: Introduction to 1 Samuel - One might conclude from reading the Book of Judges that the problem was the absence of a king in Israel: "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" [Judges 21:25] - In 1 Samuel, Israel will get her king - Saul, Israel's first king, will be the kind of king the people want, and prove to be the king Israel deserves - David, Israel's second king, will replace Saul - He is God's kind of king, a man after God's heart - While the people and events of 1 Samuel are from long ago and from far away, the struggles these men and women faced are the same as ours today, as we seek to live in a fallen world in a way that is pleasing to God
We are not ready for the Book of 1 Samuel until after we have read the Book of Judges. These days of the judges were dark days for the nation Israel. God had delivered the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt. Due to their unbelief, the first generation of Israelites failed to enter the promised land. The second generation entered Canaan, and under the leadership of Joshua, did reasonably well. But after the death of Joshua, things began to fall apart. Israel went through repetitive cycles of blessing and discipline, the result of their obedience or rebellion. When Israel disobeyed, God gave the nation over to an oppressive enemy. When the Israelites repented and cried out to God, He sent a "judge" to deliver them. When that judge died, the people of Israel returned to their sin. The cycle seemed to be endless. - One might conclude from reading the Book of Judges that the problem was the absence of a king in Israel: "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). In 1 Samuel, Israel will get her king. Saul, Israel's first king, will be the kind of king the people want, and prove to be the king Israel deserves. David, Israel's second king, will replace Saul. He is God's kind of king, a man after God's heart. 1 Samuel tells the story of fascinating people like Hannah and Samuel, like Saul and David. There is never a dull moment in this masterfully well written history. The book closes with the death of Saul, and thus the end of David's flight from the hand of Saul, who seeks to kill him as an enemy. - While the people and events of 1 Samuel are from long ago and from far away, the struggles these men and women faced are the same as ours today, as we seek to live in a fallen world in a way that is pleasing to God. There are many ways in which we can identify with these ancient Israelites, and many lessons we can learn from their successes and failures. As we embark on our study, let us do so with a sense of expectation, praying that God may change us and work in our lives as He did in the lives of these men and women of old. May God use this book to make us men and women after His heart. ~ by Bob Deffinbaugh [article link]

Introduction to First Samuel: First Samuel brings us out of the anarchy and moral decline of the period of the Judges and into the period of Israel's kings - The pivotal character in this transition is the prophet and judge Samuel, who anoints Israel's first two kings, Saul and David. The history of First Samuel unfolds largely through the lives of these three men: a mighty prophet [Samuel], the promising but tragic life of Israel's first king Saul, and his faithful successor [King] David
What follows is initial success marred by repeated fear and disobedience on [King] Saul's part until he finally is removed in judgment and the young godly leader David is established as king. Saul failed God in several ways: 1. His presumption at God's altar (1 Samuel 13:11-13). 2. His cruelty to his son Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:44). 3. His disobedience in the matter of Amalek (1 Samuel 15:23). 4. His jealousy and hatred of David (1 Samuel 18:29). 5. His sinful appeal to the witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28:7). ... Embedded in Saul's tragic story is the story of a brave young soldier in Saul's army. From humble beginnings as a shepherd, David rises to prominence as a warrior and a leader. Despite Saul's jealous attempts to kill him, David survives and thrives, and after years of testing, becomes Israel's king and establishes a new monarchy. Of the tribe of Judah, he will establish a throne upon which eventually one of his descendants, Jesus, will reign as Messiah forever. Though he had his faults, David was "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14) who sought God in prayer and wrote many Psalms we still read today. They endure as examples of a transparently God-absorbed man seeking the Lord amidst the pressures and trials of life. In them and in David's life we can see the reward of a life spent in passionate pursuit of God. ~ by Dr. Jeff Wubbenhorst [article link]

1 Samuel 1-2 - The Book of the Prophet Samuel - The establishment of God's Prophets and Kings in the Nation of Israel - '1 Samuel 1:3 And this man [Elkanah and his wife Hannah] went up out of his city [Ramah] yearly to worship and to sacrifice [at the Tabernacle] unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh [the Temple in Jerusalem had not yet been built]. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the [Levitical] Priests of the LORD, were there.'
1 Samuel 1:26-2:11 And she [Hannah] said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord [Eli the High Preist], I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. For this child [Samuel] I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of Him: Therefore also I have lent him [Samuel] to the LORD; as long as he liveth [consecration, burnt offering vow] he shall be lent to the LORD [the same consecration vow Jephthah made with God Judges 11:31]. And he [Eli] worshipped the LORD there. And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none Holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: He bringeth down to the grave, *and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: He bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars [stabilization] of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world [stable] upon them. He will keep the feet of His saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall He thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and He shall give strength unto His King (Jesus), and exalt the horn of His anointed. And Elkanah [and Hannah] went to Ramah to his house. And the child [Samuel] did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest. - Hanna vowed and consecrated her son Samuel to the service of God for his entire life. Samuel is from the tribe of Ephraim not a Levite and is ineligible to serve God as a priest however he does serve God as a Prophet. The three offices of God; Priest, Prophet and King are not allowed to be combined into one human man because they are only combined into one office in Jesus Christ. In coming verses we will see the distinctions of the three Godly offices and also the disastrous results when King Saul who was already counted among the Prophets takes upon himself the office of Priest and performs a sacrifice.

1 Samuel 3-5 - Hannah receives an answer to her prayer and gives birth to her first son Samuel whom she had promised to dedicate to the service of God - As a small child Samuel is dedicated at the Tabernacle and remains to help minister in the Tabernacle at Shiloh - While a child and ministering in the Tabernacle as he took a nap one day God talked to the little Samuel - God made Samuel a Prophet for the Nation of Israel -- '1 Samuel 3:4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he [Samuel] answered, Here am I.' ... And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.'
'1 Samuel 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before [in the presence of] Eli [the High Priest].' - A main lesson in the books of Samuel and Kings is the distribution of the three offices of God. The offices of Priest, Prophet and King were to be divided among there Tribes [Priests - Tribe of Levi; Kings - Tribe of Judah] and among the people. The offices of Prophet, Priest and King are only allowed to combine in the one person Jesus Christ. - A Priest could be a prophet though it was unlikely and when God did communicate with the High Priest it was often not as a Prophet but through the Thummim and Urim stones or the stones on His breastplate but usually not speaking directly like to a prophet. Some of the of the Kings were both Prophets and Kings but were not to take on the third office of Priest or particularly High Priest. When King David offered sacrifices to God it was on behalf of the Nation of Israel not on behalf of himself as Saul did. King David was also careful to wear a linen ephod not a gold ephod like the High Priest would wear and certainly King David had the Priests do the actual sacrifices. When King David built an Alter on the site of the future Temple and offered a sacrifice to God [2 Samuel 24:25] it is probable that David had the Priests offer the actual sacrifices [as he had the Priests move the Ark in 2nd Samuel 6:1-18] though King David is a type of Jesus and as the type of a King, Prophet and Priest for Jesus he might have been led by God to offer a sacrifice as well because it was on the correct location of the new Temple Mount and not some random location chosen by David but a place designated by God. - Samuel was ministering to God under Eli in that Samuel was probably not a Levite Priest but he was a firstborn male that was not redeemed but was consecrated to God by his mother Hannah so he was eligible to minister in some capacity with the Levitical Priesthood. [Samuel wore only a linen ephod like King David would later wear.] - Note: Samuel was probably from the Tribe of Ephraim and not of the Priestly Tribe of Levi. If Samuel was of the Tribe of Levi then his mother Hannah would not have had to dedicate him to the service of the Lord because he would already have been dedicated to the service of God through a Levitical heritage. Samuel's father's family is listed as worshipers not Priests. Samuel's father Elkanah has two wives if he was a Levitical Priest he probably could only have one wife and possibly a concubine [Judges 19:1]. - There is an Elkanah and a Samuel listed in 1 Chronicles in the Levitical family line of Kohath the son of Levi however it does not appear to be the same family as listed in 1 Samuel. '1 Samuel 1:1-3 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah [Samuel's father], the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, *an Ephrathite [Tribe of Ephraim]: And he had *two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. And this man went up out of his city yearly to *worship and to sacrifice [as a citizen] unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh.' - '1 Chronicles 6:22-28 The sons of Kohath [Levitical Priestly line, Kohath was a son of Levi]; Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son, Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son. And the sons of Elkanah; Amasai, and Ahimoth. As for Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah; Zophai [Zuph?] his son, and Nahath [Tohu?] his son, Eliab [Elihu?] his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son. And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni [Joel?], and Abiah.' - Though some of the names are similar and some of the names are the same its possibly not the same family. It seems more likely that these are two different families and that Samuel the Prophet was of the Tribe of Ephraim and he did some ministry to the Lord as a firstborn unredeemed male and that Samuel and two of his sons functioned as Judges in Israel though Samuel officiated in two offices of God it's important to note that he did not serve in the third office or capacity as a King in Israel. It doesn't make a big difference whether or not Samuel was from the Tribe of Levi or not because he was not a King but just keep in mind that Israel had strict procedures and policies that they followed to the letter of the law and Samuel does not match the Levitical Priesthood to the letter but his main office was that of a true Prophet and he does fit that office and serve God to the letter of the law.

1 Samuel 6-8 - The Philistines are defeating the Children of Israel in battle - The Ark of the Covenant is improperly brought up to the battle in an attempt to encourage the Israelites - The battle is lost and the Philistines capture the Ark of the Covenant - Samuel has grown older and the Children of Israel do not want his sons to continue to be a Judge over them - The Nation of Israel asks for a King to be more like the other nations -- '1 Samuel 8:1-4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a King to judge us like all the nations.'
1 Samuel 8:6-22 6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the [wordly] manner of the king that shall reign over them. And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that 'asked' [the name Saul means asked for] of him a king. And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; *and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; *That we also may be like all the nations; and *that our king may judge us, and *go out before us, and *fight our battles. And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD. And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city. - The Nation of Israel asks Samuel and God for their own King to reign over them and God will grant their request. Note: With the coming human King now leading and reigning over Israel it will end an era that began in Egypt when God led them out of Egypt and into the Promise Land of Israel. With God no longer their visible leader it will end the era of the 'Seer' and Samuel will be their first modern 'Prophet' for the Nation of Israel. When Israel had God as their King they had Seers because God was in their midst and could be seen now with a man as their King they return to the era of the Prophets.

1 Samuel 9-11 - Saul a young man from the Tribe of Benjamin is selected to be the first anointed King over Israel -- '1 Samuel 9:21 And Saul answered and said, Am not I a *Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? *wherefore [why] then speakest thou so to me?' {Saul new that Israel had requested a King from Samuel but Saul also knew that he was from the wrong Tribe in Israel. The Kings for Israel were supposed to come only from the Tribe of Judah [Genesis 49:10] just as the Levitical Priests of Israel are to come only from the Tribe of Levi and the family of Aaron [Exodus 28:1] and Saul is from the Tribe of Benjamin.}
'1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon [Saul] his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because *the LORD hath anointed thee *to be Captain [King] over his *inheritance?' [The inheritance of God is both the Nation of Israel and the Gentiles, Jesus being the firstborn gets the double inheritance (Jews and Gentiles) for His firstborn double portion inheritance.]- Saul has been anointed into one of the offices of God as King and soon Saul will gain his second office of God as a Prophet. Later Saul will disobey God and he will take upon himself a third office of God when Saul himself builds his own alter and offers a burnt offering sacrifice to God, making himself a Priest to God and possibly in this case by building a sacrifice alter accidently making himself a High Priest to God. Saul unknowingly or knowingly in taking on all three offices of God in being a King, Prophet and Priest Saul has declared himself to be the coming Messiah (Christ). The results are that Saul is immediacy rebuked by Samuel and Saul is stripped of his two offices of King and Prophet. - '1 Samuel 10:10-16 And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him [Saul]; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, *he [Saul] prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets? And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? *Therefore it became a proverb [a well known saying], Is Saul also among the prophets? And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place. And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses [donkeys]: and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel. And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you. And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. *But of the matter of the Kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.'

1 Samuel 12-14 - Saul is anointed as King though not everyone accepted him as their King until Saul was able to provide a great victory [expanding his Kingdom] at the hands of God for the Nation -- '1 Samuel 11:14-15 Then said Samuel to the people [after the victory], Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom [of Saul] there. And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.' {Saul though anointed and appointed King over Israel does not become a King in the eyes of the people until he delivers a great victory over their enemies. The King needing a great victory is similar to the High Priest needing to enter successfully into the Holy of Holies inner room with the Atonement blood and return alive to show that he is indeed chosen and acceptable to God and likewise the Prophet can prophecy however until his prophecies come to pass and are shown to be true the people will not accept him as a prophet appointed from God.}
'1 Samuel 13:9-14 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering. And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him. And Samuel said, What hast thou done? ... I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: *the LORD hath sought him a man after his own [spiritual] heart, and the LORD hath commanded him [David] to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.' - Saul's Kingdom is a purely physical kingdom and not the spiritual Kingdom that God had in mind with Judah. - Saul had a personal issue in that he knew that in being from the Tribe of Benjamin and not from the Tribe of Judah that he was from the wrong Tribe in Israel to be the permanent King of Israel. Saul suspected that his kingdom reign was only temporary until God could raise up a King from the Tribe of Judah. Saul was partially correct when Judah unknowingly slept with his daughter-in-law it was an act of a curse [Deuteronomy 23:2] that kept his family from being King over Israel for 10 generations. Jesse the father of King David was the tenth generation and his sons were among the first of the Tribe of Judah to be eligible to serve as King of Israel without the curse. David was of the eleventh generation from Judah and he was also the eight son of Jesse, David was a new type of leader not the physical leaders as his seven brothers were and as Saul was but King David was a Spiritual King of Israel, the King that God had intended to shepherd His inheritance Israel. Saul suspected that his kingdom was only temporary and it was Saul's desire to gain, seize, build and hold his physical Kingdom over Israel at any cost and his irrational intentions cost him his kingdom. The main point about Saul is that he had a suspension that his kingdom would end however Saul never one time asked God what God's intentions were in having a Benjamite King over Israel. Saul just went with his opportunity from God and then tried to take from God the kingdom that Saul wanted. After wrongly sacrificing and losing his kingdom Samuel told Saul that God would have given him and his family a kingdom over Israel forever has Saul obeyed God. Saul could have been a physical King over Israel and in two generations after Solomon the Nation of Israel split into two Nations and had two Kings anyhow but Saul sought to establish his kingdom his way among God's people and therefore Saul came to a ruinous end and Saul is one of the main Biblical examples of the personality, attributes and actions of Satan.

1 Samuel 15-16 - Saul is removed in principal from being in authority over God's people - Saul begins to make rash decisions as he picks and chooses the institutes of God that he wants to follow and interprets the few instructions of God according to his own desires at that moment - In effect Saul has exalted himself to the point where his commands are now equal to and even superior to God's words and God's intentions - '1 Samuel 14:37 And [after Saul already made his descision] Saul [then] asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But He (God) answered him (Saul) not that day.' {Saul blamed everyone including his son Jonathan for God not responding to him but Saul never even presumed for one second that he was actually at fault and the reason that God was silent towards him was because of his own sins.}
Samuel anoints David as the new [spiritual] King of Israel: '1 Samuel 16:1-14 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite [Tribe of Judah]: for I have provided me a King among his sons. And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee. And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. And it came to pass, when they were come, that he [physically] looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his [physical] countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: *for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, *but the LORD looketh on the heart. Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. Again, Jesse made 'seven' of his sons to pass before Samuel. *And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest [eight son, spiritual son], and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his [seven] brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.' - Now at the appointed time after the ten generation curse from Judah and Tamar has passed David of the Tribe of Judah and of the eleventh generation is anointed to be King over all of Israel and to establish the throne of Judah that will eventually seat the Messiah Jesus Christ. Note: King David will later find out that the Messiah is to come as a descendant of his and therefore Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea [the same hometown of King David] to the house and Tribe of Judah.

Reigning in Life Series - King David Part 1 of 2 [page 7] (Mp3s)
Brief Sermon Overview: Using Romans 5:17 as the foundation verse. "For if by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness, reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.' Pastor Kevin Gould applies this verse to the lives of the Godly Kings of Israel and examines them, in order to find out what we can learn and so fulfill the wonderful promise of Romans 5:17 for ourselves. The series starts with King David and in this first message, the passage in 1 Chronicles 28 is used, to show how David looks back on his life and testifies to God's faithfulness in choosing him. [article link]

Is it the Palace of King David? - Of all the personalities in the Bible, have you ever wondered whose name other than Jesus is mentioned most often? - King David - His name is found both in the very first verse of the New Testament (Matt 1:1), and at the end of the Bible, in the very last chapter of the Book of Revelation 22:16 (Photos)
King David brought God's tabernacle from the wilderness to its final home in Jerusalem. He expanded the city, which showed very little growth in the thousand years prior to his arrival, and made it the spiritual and economic capital of the world of his time. The book of 2 Samuel 5:9 states that, after he conquered Jerusalem, King David made it his capital. "David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the supporting terraces inward." (NIV) At the same time, the Phoenician King Hiram of Tyre offered to build him a palace fit for an emperor. 2 Samuel 5:11, 1 Chronicles 14:1. ... It was in this same palace that, "David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful... [and her name was] Bathsheba..." 2 Samuel 11:2, (NIV) "For decades," says Leon, "and despite much effort by scholars and archaeologists, the location of King David 's palace has remained a mystery." ... Later, as the Bible records, King Solomon built his own palace, known as the "upper king's house" (Nehemiah 3:25) which was located farther to the north and closer to the site of the Temple. However, King David's palace, now referred to as the "lower king's house," continued to serve the kings of Israel and Judea for many generations to follow. "There is no question that King David's palace was a magnificent and impressive structure," says Leon. "But much more of his home remains buried under generations of rubble." "Only by continuing to excavate will we be able to truly understand the extent and grandeur of King David's royal house," says Dr. Mazar. "After all," added the archaeologist, "finding his royal residence opens a new window of understanding into the life of a man who has affected the world more than any other king in the history of mankind." [article link]

Aish.com: The world of archeology is rocked by evidence of King David's palace unearthed in Jerusalem - Dr. Eilat Mazar, world authority on Jerusalem's past, has taken King David out of the pages of the Bible and put him back into living history - Some biblical scholars gave up looking for the palace because, according to Mazar, they were looking in the wrong place - But Mazar always suspected that the palace was outside the original city, and cites the Bible to prove it - The Bible says that David heard about it and "descended to the fortress," (2-Samuel 5:17), implying that he went down from his palace, which was higher up on the mountain than the citadel/city
Mazar's latest excavation in the City of David, in the southern shadow of the Temple Mount, has shaken up the archaeological world. For lying undisturbed for over 3,000 years is a massive building which Mazar believes is King David's palace. For Mazar, 48, one of the world's leading authorities on the archaeology of ancient Jerusalem and head archaeologist of the Shalem Center Institute of Archaeology, the discovery was the culmination of years of effort and solid speculation. From the time she was a teenager, she had her nose in archaeology literature, and worked closely with her grandfather, renowned archaeologist Benjamin Mazar, who conducted the southern wall excavations next to the Western Wall. She holds a doctorate in archaeology from Hebrew University, is author of The Complete Guide to the Temple Mount Excavations, and in the 1970s and '80s worked on the digs supervised by Yigal Shilo in the City of David. The significant discoveries made then, including a huge wall called the "stepped-stone structure" -- which Shilo believed was a retaining wall for David's royal palace or part of the Jebusite fortress he conquered -- ignited Mazar to continue to look for the prize: David's palace itself. Some biblical scholars gave up looking for the palace because, according to Mazar, they were looking in the wrong place. Scholars searched for remains of the palace within the walls of the ancient Jebusite city that David conquered and called Ir David (City of David). This city, while heavily fortified with both natural and man-made boundaries, was also very small, just nine acres in size. When no evidence of such a majestic palace as the Bible describes was found there, the next step was to claim that David's monarchy never really existed. But Mazar always suspected that the palace was outside the original city, and cites the Bible to prove it. When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed, they went on the attack to apprehend him. This occurred after he conquered the Fortress of Zion, which was the actual nucleus of the city, and built his palace. The Bible says that David heard about it and "descended to the fortress," (2-Samuel 5:17), implying that he went down from his palace, which was higher up on the mountain than the citadel/city. Mazar told Aish.com: "I always asked myself: Down from where? It must have been from his palace on top of the hill, outside the original Jebusite city." Mazar says she was confident in her assessment of where the palace would be. What she discovered was a section of massive wall running about 100 feet from west to east along the length of the excavation (underneath what until this summer was the Ir David Visitors Center), and ending with a right-angle corner that turns south and implies a very large building. [article link]

King David of Israel a docudrama series [in production] - The first episodes focus on David's life as a young boy taking care of his father's sheep - We witness the powers God bestows upon him via Samuel - We see David's victories like his slaying of a lion and at age sixteen and his downing of Goliath in combat - The series ends with the words of Jesus: "I am the Root of David, the Bright Morning Star. ... Behold, I am coming soon" (Revelation 22:16-21)
The story begins with God commanding the prophet Samuel to seek out David, the son of Jesse. Once found, David is anointed by God through Samuel to be the future King of Israel. From here the episodes follow David's genealogy and his difficult journey to the Kingship of Israel, which ultimately leads to his most famous descendants, Mary, Joseph and Jesus Christ. David's faults are revealed: his infidelity with Bathsheba, his responsibility in the death of her husband, for which he repents later and humbles himself before God. His son, Amnon, goes unpunished for raping his stepsister. David's other son, Absalom, receives a mild punishment of a two year banishment for the avenge-murder of his half brother Amnon. ... God's word comes to David through Nathan the prophet, for the punishment for his sin. David repents his sin. He and Bathsheba lose their firstborn son. When she gives birth to her second son, Solomon, God sends Nathan to David again, saying that Solomon would be the next heir to the throne of Israel. ... Adonijah is the fourth son of David and heir-apparent to the throne. But, Bathsheba preferred Soloman, the younger brother as the heir. As David lay dying Adonijah proclaims himself king. But the prophet Nathan and Bathsheba induced David to give orders that Solomon should at once be proclaimed and admitted to the throne. Adonijah fled and later received pardon for his conduct from Solomon. Shortly afterwards Adonijah made a second attempt to gain the throne, but was seized and put to death. [King Solomon inherits his father's throne] ... The last Episode focuses on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The series ends with the words of Jesus: "I am the Root of David, the Bright Morning Star. Behold, I am coming soon". [article link]

1 Samuel 17-18 - A young David answers Goliath's challenge and defeats the Philistine Giant who was covered head to toe with brass [sin] in a winner take all battle - The Philistines rather than live up to their side of Goliath's winner take all wager they fled - David and Saul's son Jonathan become friends - David marries Saul's daughter Michal - Saul becomes even more jealous of David and tries repeatedly to kill him -- '1 Samuel 18:5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, *and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.'
'1 Samuel 18:1-4 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.' - Jonathan the oldest son of King Saul is one of the great men of God in the Bible. King Saul wanted his son Jonathan to fight against David in an attempt to continue the family royal dynasty a dynasty that was already declared ended by God. Jonathan didn't quite understand his future role in the plans of God however Jonathan respected God enough to defer his life and his royal status as prince to the desires and wishes of God even over his own father's desires and ambitions to the point that Jonathan befriended David and helped him along in his young career and life.

1 Samuel 19-21 - The crisis around King Saul with his desire to kill to maintain his fragile kingdom status has gotten to the point where David has to flee -- '1 Samuel 20:41-42 And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they [brotherly] kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded. And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.'
David flees from King Saul going all the way to enemy territory in Gath: Once in Gath David feels it necessary to pretend to be insane in order to preserve his life - '1 Samuel 21:10 And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. And he changed his behavior before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me? Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?' - Departing the congregation and going among nonbelievers for protection as David did is a picture of backsliding and our backsliding is a picture of insanity among the people of the world as they wonder why an heir to the throne, a future King in Israel would leave his people and act so ridiculously among the unsaved.

1 Samuel 22-24 - David continues to flee from the wrath of Saul - David locates Saul asleep in a cave yet David spared his life because Saul at one time had been anointed by God -- '1 Samuel 24:15-17 The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me [David] and thee [Saul], and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand. And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. *And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.'
King Saul as a full type of Satan commands the murder of the Priests of God: '1 Samuel 22:13-21 And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house? Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more. *And the king [Saul] said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house. And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, *Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. *But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD. And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod. And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword. And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David. And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests.' - King Saul in complete, open and irrational defiance of God and of everything that is good, descent and honest commanded the murder of 85 innocent, peaceful men of God and the death of all the women and children that accompanied them. The men of God put up no resistance to Saul and his evil servant Doeg and Saul no doubt considered it a valiant and justified action and possible assured himself that he was blessed by God to have such a victory over a band of innocent, helpless Priests of God.

1 Samuel 25-26 - The great Samuel the Prophet dies - After Samuel's death David begins more and more to take events into his own hands and more often in a violent way - A Jewish woman named Abigail met and ministered to David assuring him and reminded him that God's plans towards David were for good and not for evil and that David as a servant and man of God was better than the conduct he was displaying -- '1 Samuel 25:32 And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.'
Abigail a Jewish woman says the "sinner's prayer" and David as a type of Jesus Christ takes her to be his wife: '1 Samuel 25:12-44 So David's young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings. And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff. But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them. But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields: They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him. Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses. And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal. And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them. Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good. So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall. And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, *and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, *I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid. Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial [demons], even Nabal [foolish]: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send. *Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal. And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord. ***I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days. Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling. And it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel; That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid. And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand. For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall. *So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person. And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light. But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died. And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. *And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife. And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying, David sent us unto thee to take thee to him to wife. *And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord. And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels [five wise virgins of Matthew 25:1-13] of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife. David [as a type of Christ] also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives. But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to [another man] Phalti the son of Laish, which was of Gallim.' - The name Nabal means 'foolish' and as Abigail is married to Nabal he is considered to be a type of the old self, the world or even a type of Satan that she is married to and desperately seeking to escape from and to salvage what is left of her precious valuable life. In God's servant David (beloved) a type of Jesus Christ Abigail seeks his forgiveness and begins her new life as she is accepted by him and becomes another bride of the true King.

Lessons from the Story of Abigail - Parts 1 and 2 (Mp3s)
Brief Sermon Overview: This is part 1 of 2 concerning the story of David, Nabal, & Abigail. Six practical lessons are observed. Nine more in Part 2. [article link]

1 Samuel 27-29 - In the darkest hours before the dawn of David's eventual kingdom reign - David went back to enemy territory and so completely joined the enemy that he very nearly disqualified himself from being King over Israel - Had God not intervened and kept David from going to war against Israel then David would have invalidated his presence on the throne of Israel -- '1 Samuel 29:6-15 Then Achish [king of Gath] called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me [an enemy of Israel] in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords [Philistine kings] favour thee not. Wherefore now return, and go in peace [back to Gath], that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines. And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, *that I may not go fight against the [Israelis] enemies of my lord [Achish] the king? And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: *notwithstanding {saved from his ultimate stupidity by God} the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle [against Israel]. Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master's servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart. So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel [to fight Israel].'
Saul seeks a Witch in Endor to communicate with the departed Prophet Samuel: '1 Samuel 28:4-20 And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa. And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. *And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not [Saul had killed 85 Preists], neither by dreams nor by Urim, nor by prophets. Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, *and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him [Samuel the prophet] up [from the grave], whom I shall name unto thee. And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land {not because Saul was good but because evil destroys everything even other evil}: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die? And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing. Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. And when the woman saw Samuel [God temporarily returned the actual Samuel from Paradise], she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul. And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods {spirit beings?} ascending out of the earth. And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up {in appearance so she could recognize him as Samuel}; and he is covered with a mantle [of a Prophet - Samuel is about to Prophesy from the grave]. *And Saul perceived [without seeing Samuel] that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself. *And Samuel said [spoke audibly] to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do. *Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David: Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day. [Samuel gives his Prophecy] Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow [the next day] shalt thou and thy sons be with me [in the afterlife, whether Saul is saved or unsaved is unknown]: the LORD also shall deliver the host [army] of Israel into the hand of the Philistines. Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.' - God showing that He has complete authority in communicating with mankind and that He has complete ability over life and death He brings Samuel himself up from the grave to confront the requests of Saul. God would not talk to Saul and to show that it was not an oversight God sent Samuel from the afterlife to confront Saul and to show that there would be no mistake that it was the real Samuel God then had Samuel prophesy of the next day's events. The Witch of Endor knew immediately that she had seen the real spirit realm and Saul knowing well the voice of Samuel also knew he was in contact with the real afterlife realm something that seldom happens because God has fixed a separation between the two realms and they not to be crossed [Luke 16:26] in an individual status but God allows it in a Biblical proportion [knowledge for everyone] status i.e. Saul and later in the events of Revelation with the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11:3-12 who have also returned from the afterlife as Samuel did briefly to confront Saul.

The Witch of Endor, a Familiar Spirit, and the State of the Dead - When discussing the state of the dead, that the dead are really dead and not in heaven, hell, or purgatory, the case of the Witch of Endor may be presented as proof that people don't really die, that they continue in some conscious state even after death. So let's examine what happened regarding King Saul and the Witch of Endor
Note that Saul did not actually see anything himself, he had to ask the witch who is was that she saw. So based on what the witch said, Saul presumed it was Samuel who he was communicating with, that Samuel had been summoned from the grave to speak with him, since the witch said she could see Samuel coming up from out of the earth not down from heaven [Note: There was no access to heaven for humans before the cross of Jesus Christ so Samuel could only come up from Paridise not down from heaven]. King Saul was putting his trust completely in a spirit medium, a witch, a necromancer, against the expressed will of God. So the following conversation was not between Saul and Samuel, but between Saul and a witch with a familiar demonic spirit: ... Conclusion: King Saul was looking for help from the witch of Endor, to contact someone in the grave, a dead Samuel, so that he could know from God how he could gain a victory over the Philistines. But God was not talking to Saul any more. By knowing what the Bible teaches about the state of the dead, and the circumstances regarding Saul's relationship with God at the time, we can be quite certain that it was not actually Samuel raised from the dead speaking to him, but a fallen angel, a demonic spirit. That Saul even attempted this séance with a spirit medium witch was an abomination, a further rebellion against God, and Saul paid for his rebellion with his life. {Note: By all Biblical accounts it was the real Samuel who returned briefly in spirit form from the afterlife in Paradise to rebuke Saul and to give a last accurate Prophecy concerning the unlikely events of the next day the last day of Saul's life and the beginning of the prophesied and planned Kingdom of King David. - Also Note: The Bible is about the spiritual realm to the point that all of our accurate understanding and insight into the afterlife and into the spiritual realm is delivered to us only through the pages of the Holy Bible.} [article link]

1 Samuel 30-31 - David and his men return from their treason with the Philistines to find that in their absence their families have been conquered and taken off into captivity by the Amlalekites - David repents and at this point goes all in with his life for God on God's side and for Israel the people of God -- '1 Samuel 30:4-8 Then David and the people [men of his army] that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. ... David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. ... And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And He (God) answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.'
Saul's prophesied death occurs: '1 Samuel 31:1-6 Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchi-shua, Saul's sons. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers. Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him. So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together.' - '*2 Samuel 1:5-10 And David said unto the young [Amalekite] man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance {he was probably looting the battlefield} upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. And when he looked behind him, he [Saul] saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. And he said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me. So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord [David].' - '1 Samuel 31:8-13 And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa. And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people. And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan. And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul; All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there. And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.' - Even after multiple battle wounds and falling on his own sword and appearing to be dead to those around him but Saul being full of demons did not immediately die. It was not until after Saul was attacked again by an Amalekite [2 Samuel 1:8] and possibly even only ultimately after being beheaded by the Philistines that it was confirmed that Saul was dead. At this point in Saul's life having disobeyed God on numerous occasions and then ordering the murder of the innocent Priests of God and God having completely removed His protection from Saul, Saul was clearly demon possessed and being demon possessed the demons do not readily want to give up the body they inhabit and as in Saul's case he was demonically driven in life and probably demonically driven for a short time after his death at least for a few hours and into the next day after his life.

NationalGeographic.com: Blackbeard Pirate Terror at Sea - Merchant crews often surrendered without a fight the moment they saw Blackbeard's flag - BLACKBEARD WAS BRITISH, probably born before 1690 his real name was thought to be Edward Teach - As Teach's power and reputation as the most frightening of pirates grew, so did his beard and hair - Now calling himself Blackbeard, he braided his beard and tied the braids with black ribbons - He stuffed burning rope under his hat to make himself look more ferocious and menacing he scared everyone
In the fall of 1718 Blackbeard returned from sea to his favorite hideaway off Ocracoke Island [North Carolina]. He hosted a huge, wild pirate get-together with dancing, drinking, and bonfires. Other famous pirates sailed in for the days-long event. News of the pirate bash reached Alexander Spotswood, the governor of Virginia. He decided that the time had come to stop Blackbeard once and for all. He spent the next several weeks planning Blackbeard's capture. SPOTSWOOD SENT TWO SLOOPS, small swift ships, commanded by Lieutenant Robert Maynard of the Royal Navy to Ocracoke. Seeing the navy's sails, Blackbeard and his pirates knew they were trapped. Only sandbars lay between them and the navy. By morning, the tide would rise, the sloops would glide over the submerged sandbars, and the attack on the pirate ship would begin. All through the night Maynard's men prepared for the next day's fighting. Muffled laughter and swearing from the pirate ship echoed across the water. Blackbeard didn't seem worried about the upcoming battle. His pirates, however, were nervous. They stockpiled ammunition on deck and soaked blankets in water in preparation for putting out fires. They spread sand on the decks to soak up blood once the fighting started. Thinking it likely they would all die, one pirate asked Blackbeard whether Blackbeard's wife knew where he had buried his treasure. Blackbeard bellowed that nobody but he "...and the devil knew where it was, and the longest liver shall take it." ... Pistol in one hand, cutlass in the other, Blackbeard came face-to-face with Maynard. They both fired pistols. Blackbeard missed. Maynard hit his mark. Shot, Blackbeard still managed to swing his cutlass and snap off Maynard's sword blade. Maynard drew back. Blackbeard raised his arm for a finishing blow. Just in time, a navy seaman came up from behind Blackbeard and slashed his throat. AS A WARNING TO OTHER PIRATES, Blackbeard's head was cut off and suspended from the bow of Maynard's sloop. Maynard searched for Blackbeard's treasure but found only supplies and letters. When Blackbeard died, the secret of his treasure died, too-if indeed he ever had one. [article link]

Edward Teach, better known as "Blackbeard," is perhaps the best known non-fictional pirate even though he was not the most successful - He is remembered mainly because of his image that he himself helped to create - [First lieutenant] Maynard later commented that Blackbeard fell with at least five gun shot wounds and at least 20 sword wounds
Today Edward Teach, better known as "Blackbeard," is perhaps the best known non-fictional pirate even though he was not the most successful. He is remembered mainly because of his image that he himself helped to create. Teach's life story is basically only known within the few years before his death when he was a pirate. His previous origins are unknown but it is believed that he was born in Bristol around 1680. His true identity is not entirely known either, but "Edward Teach" is recognized as being his standard name. Other forms of his last name were commonly cited in letters of the day - "Thatch," "Tach," "Tash," and even "Drummond" to list a few. It is believed that he was a well educated man since he could read/write and papers were found on him after his death. It is reasonable to believe that he wished to keep his true identity secret to protect his relatives at home, so "Edward Teach" may have been just an alias. ... Soon citizens and neighbouring Virginia Governor Alexander Spotswood feared the large gathering of pirates and rumors began to spread that a planned pirate haven would be set up. Spotswood began to organize a military force to rid Blackbeard. HMS Pearl and HMS Lyme were selected for the task but their captains informed the governor that their large ships would not be able to navigate the waters. Spotswood then offered up his own money to lease two sloops for the specific job, Ranger and Jane, which would be crewed by the warship men. First lieutenant Robert Maynard of H