Category: Tribulation seven-years / Daniel’s 70th week / Jacob’s trouble

An Anchor of the Soul #4

Friday, October 16, 2020

“Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we 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; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec” (Hebrews 6:17-20 KJV).

What can we say about this “anchor of the soul?”

One common eschatological (end-times) theme in Scripture is deception, spiritual lies being peddled in order to fool the masses. For example, see these excerpts from the opening of the Olivet Discourse in Matthew chapter 24: “[4] And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. [5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many…. [11] And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many…. [23] Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. [24] For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. [25] Behold, I have told you before.”

The Apostle John picks up the thought when the Holy Spirit causes him to write many years later: “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous” (1 John 3:7). “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist” (2 John 7). “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:9). If Israel living after our dispensation is mindful of and trusting these words—including today’s Scripture—she will be anchored and safe from Satan’s false doctrine….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Can you explain, ‘Ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves?’”

An Anchor of the Soul #3

Thursday, October 15, 2020

“Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we 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; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec” (Hebrews 6:17-20 KJV).

What can we say about this “anchor of the soul?”

Returning to Ephesians 4:11-16, we learn the Lord Jesus Christ bestowed spiritual gifts upon men—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—to benefit the Church the Body of Christ. These foundational gifts resulted in the completed Bible we now study (Ephesians 2:20; cf. 1 Corinthians 14:37). With the canon of Scripture closed—Paul’s epistles revealing the mystery program, God’s secret will—we have all the information God intends us to have.

The completed Bible has this purpose: “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:….” (Ephesians 4:12,13). God desires strong and mature saints, people who have a clear understanding of what He is doing today, so they may join Him in that work! “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

Moreover, God’s intention in furnishing us with His finished Word is found in Ephesians 4:14: “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;….” Father God wants us to be spiritually stable, so Satan’s evil world system does not mislead us. He wishes the same for Israel, as today’s Scripture proves….

An Anchor of the Soul #2

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

“Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we 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; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec” (Hebrews 6:17-20 KJV).

What can we say about this “anchor of the soul?”

If we go over to Matthew chapter 14, we read the account of the Lord calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee while His disciples are aboard a boat: “[22] And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. [23] And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. [24] But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.” We draw our attention to the boat “tossed with waves,” the wind being “contrary” or opposed to them. Again, imagine a vessel on the sea, swaying as the strong gales violently push it.

We turn to James chapter 1, to see a similar issue: “[5] If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. [6] But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. [7] For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. [8] A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” Someone who vacillates or changes in his doctrine is, metaphorically, a sea wave that is under the effects of blowing winds. Once more, here is the context of Hebrews….

An Anchor of the Soul #1

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

“Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we 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; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec” (Hebrews 6:17-20 KJV).

What can we say about this “anchor of the soul?”

An anchor is “a heavy object used to moor a ship to the sea bottom, typically having a metal shank with a pair of curved, barbed flukes.” The anchor prevents the ship from drifting because of currents and/or winds. We can better understand the function of the “anchor” in Hebrews by appealing to the Book of Ephesians.

Chapter 4 of Ephesians: “[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: [13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: [14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; [15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: [16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

Notice the “wind” of Ephesians 4:14, that which “carries about… tosses to and fro.” The imagery is a ship out at sea, rocking back and forth as the waves violently crash against it. That is the context of Hebrews….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What is ‘visitation’ in Scripture?”

To Look Beyond the Makeup #13

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

“And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window” (2 Kings 9:30 KJV).

Removing her “paint,” what do we see?

Prior to our Dispensation of Grace, Satan’s evil world system contaminated ancient Israel with pagan idolatry (especially through King Ahab and Queen Jezebel). After our Dispensation, this will be repeated via “King” Antichrist and “Queen” Whore of Babylon. Remember, once Satan learns something works to his advantage, he will use it repeatedly. For thousands of years now, false religion has deceived mankind. If it was beneficial to the Devil’s plan then, and it will be helpful to him later, then he is indeed (!) operating it right now… and practically no one detects it!

Scripture explains how the harlot seduces a young man “void of understanding” (Proverbs 7:7). He is among the “simple [uneducated, unskilled] ones.” Carefully read the whole chapter. Exercising great subtilty, she lures him with the promise of physical delight (cf. 1 Timothy 4:1-3). Naïve and uninformed, he absolutely cannot resist. He merrily jumps in bed with her… and then she kills him! That man represents unsuspecting Israel—or even gullible “Christians” today—falling for Satan’s lie program of evil religion. The LORD God gave them His Word, but they ignore that Divine wisdom. Focusing on mere outward appearance (a “painted” face), they lack any sense to realize they have joined themselves to a “woman of the street!”

Finally, consider “eye-opening” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15: “[13] For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. [14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. [15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” False religion is attractive yet sneaky, Satan’s precise method in Genesis 3:1-6. It shoves aside God’s grace, and stresses our (self-) “righteousness.” With our eyes on the creature, they are off the Creator (Romans 1:25). Ignoring God’s Grace Message through the Apostle Paul, the Bible Books of Romans through Philemon, we have failed to look beyond the makeup… yea… fakeup!

To Look Beyond the Makeup #11

Monday, August 31, 2020

“And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window” (2 Kings 9:30 KJV).

Removing her “paint,” what do we see?

While the Book of Proverbs is often considered “God’s wisdom,” we can qualify that. Proverbs is God’s wisdom that Israel must adopt to avoid the pagan idolatry and deception of the Antichrist and his religious system (the Whore of Babylon).

Proverbs chapter 5: “[1] My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: [2] That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. [3] For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: [4] But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. [5] Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. [6] Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. [7] Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. [8] Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:….”

Now, chapter 7: “[1] My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. [2] Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. [3] Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. [4] Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: [5] That they may keep [guard] thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.” Read verses 6-23, how this prostitute seduces a thoughtless man to have intimate relations with her (like Jezebel attempted to lure Jehu in today’s Scripture!).

“[24] Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. [25] Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. [26] For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. [27] Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.” Israel should heed these warnings, as should we….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Why was the Temple’s veil rent when Christ died?”

To Look Beyond the Makeup #10

Sunday, August 30, 2020

“And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window” (2 Kings 9:30 KJV).

Removing her “paint,” what do we see?

The Prophet Hosea, conducting his ministry a century after Jezebel’s decease, describes the religious (spiritual) deterioration of Israel (the northern tribes). Such paganism was the result of idolatrous Jewish rulers, including Jezebel and Ahab. Both physical and spiritual perversion are rampant among the Jews—just as bad, or worse, as their neighboring Gentiles! “The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD” (Hosea 1:2).

Read these other quotes from Hosea. “My people ask counsel at their stocks [sticks], and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God. They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery. I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom, nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for themselves are separated with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the people that doth not understand shall fall” (4:12-14). “They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD” (5:4).

The Book of Proverbs says in chapter 2: “[10] When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; [11] Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:… [16] To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; [17] Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. [18] For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. [19] None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.” Israel must beware of this religious system that leads to the Antichrist….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “How long were Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden?”

To Look Beyond the Makeup #9

Saturday, August 29, 2020

“And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window” (2 Kings 9:30 KJV).

Removing her “paint,” what do we see?

The Book of the Revelation, chapter 17, describes the world’s conditions after our Dispensation of Grace: “[1] And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: [2] With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

“[3] So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. [4] And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: [5] And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. [6] And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.”

Now, verses 15 and 16: “[15] And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. [16] And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.” Finally, Revelation 19:2: “For true and righteous are his [the Lord our God’s] judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.”

Do you remember King Ahab and Queen Jezebel? A king of Israel united with a “religious” woman to pollute the Jews with pagan idolatry. Here typified are the Antichrist and his religious system, the Whore of Babylon….

To Look Beyond the Makeup #8

Friday, August 28, 2020

“And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window” (2 Kings 9:30 KJV).

Removing her “paint,” what do we see?

Applying even small amounts of makeup will greatly enhance any person’s appearance. However, if one is not careful, he or she runs the risk of “painting” a scene of distorted reality (excuse the pun). Thus, the term “fakeup” has arisen. Dear friends, here is a most significant fact, one we dare not forget (especially in the religious realm). Makeup can mask the evilest of hearts. Despite that attractive physical face, there may very well be an ugly innermost being. Actually, in God’s sight, the unbelieving human heart is equally disturbing as the monster in a horror movie!

Consider the pitiful life story of Queen Jezebel. She had grown up in a pagan, Gentile (non-Jewish) household—surrounded by idols. Ahab, a King of Israel, had married her, and all 10 northern tribes greatly suffered spiritually. Eventually, because of another intermarriage, that Baal worship crept into the southern tribes of Judah. Jezebel slaughtered God’s prophets, including threatening to take the life of Elijah. She was not the least bit reluctant to lie about a man (Naboth) and put him to death, just so her husband Ahab could take possession of his vineyard. God promised both she and Ahab would die!

As of today’s Scripture, Ahab is long dead, and Jezebel is approximately 50 years of age. She has “painted” herself and neatly arranged her hair. Her outward form is absolutely breathtaking. Yet, we know her appalling history. Through the eyes of faith, we look beyond that makeup—yea, fakeup. Pretty and “innocent-looking,” Jezebel is nothing but a whore (spiritually and physically)! Her heart is desperately wicked: she is a bitter enemy of the God of the Bible, the God of Israel. Most beautiful outside, she is most hideous inside! She is a type of major events in Israel’s future. If the nation has any hope of surviving spiritually, the Jews need to pay attention to God’s warnings about this “beautiful” woman, this “strange” woman, this “painted” woman….

To Look Beyond the Makeup #7

Thursday, August 27, 2020

“And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window” (2 Kings 9:30 KJV).

Removing her “paint,” what do we see?

Historical Queen Jezebel exercised immense spiritual power over the Jews. No other one woman perverted them so thoroughly with paganism. The LORD mentioned her and her “ministry” in His Book for an important reason. It is an admonition that reaches into the future even beyond our day. Another woman, sharing her name, will again contaminate Israel with false religion during the end-times. Turn to Revelation chapter 2: “[18] And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; [19] I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

“[20] Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. [21] And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. [22] Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. [23] And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. [24] But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan [!], as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.”

Both in the Bible and secular history, sexual perversion and false religion go hand-in-hand. Whether the first Jezebel (800 years before Christ), or the other Jezebel (after our Dispensation of Grace), the Devil uses pagan idolatry to literally and spiritually “seduce” Israel. As the old adage goes, “Looks can be deceiving….”