Archive for February, 2017

Revelation: Pergamum’s White Stone

Posted in Prophecy, Revelation with tags , , , , , , on February 26, 2017 by paulthepoke

Revelation 2:17 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’

White stone… The Greek word for stone is psephos. Per Strong’s, it is a small worn smooth stone, a pebble; in the ancient courts of justice the accused were condemned by black pebbles and the acquitted by white.

This is possible a reference to the Urim and Thummim stones. These stones are black and white. The reference in Scripture is from Exodus 28:30. Judgment is associated with these stones.

Exodus 28:30 And in the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the LORD. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the LORD regularly.

Urim in the Hebrew means “lights”.

Thummim in the Hebrew means “perfection”.

Light and perfection were stones kept in a pouch on the high priest’s breastplate; used in determining God’s decision in certain questions and issues. –Strong’s Concordance

Constable’s Notes made the following observation. Urim begins with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet and Thummim begins with the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It could be translated in English as “curses and perfections”. Urim is no. Thummim is yes.

The New Testament equivalent in the Greek would be the concept of Alpha and Omega. The concept points to Jesus Christ.

As believers in Christ, we are acquitted of our sin by the bloodshed and work of Jesus on the cross. He is the payment for the crime for all eternity. Jesus has taken the judgment of His people and He is our high priest.

Jesus promises believers in Him a name change and it is personal…and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.

And for good measure, Jesus will have a different name, and it is personal.

Revelation 19:12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.

We will be given a small white stone. Jesus Himself is telling us this in the verse. As believers of Jesus Christ, we are acquitted.

 

Leave a comment »

Trend Update: Iraqi Forces & ISIS Battle for Western Mosul, February 2017

Posted in Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , on February 20, 2017 by paulthepoke

Nahum 3:1 Woe to the bloody city, completely full of lies and pillage; her prey never departs.

Nahum 3:3 Horsemen charging, swords flashing, spears gleaming, many slain, a mass of corpses, and countless dead bodies. They stumble over the dead bodies!

February 19, 2017: The battle to take the western half of Mosul has begun. After a one month pause in the offensive, Iraqi forces have crossed the Tigris River into western Mosul. Iraqi forces have announced to ISIS, “We are coming.”

“The army’s 9th armored brigade liberated the villages of al-Husseiniyah, Sheikh Yunis and al-Harakiyat in western Mosul, and raised Iraqi flag over their buildings, after inflicting heavy losses on the enemy.”

“Al-Hashd al-Shaabi’s Abbas Brigade and the 36th regiment of the army’s 9th armored brigade also liberated Tal Kaisoum village, and arrived in the outskirts of Atshana Mountains,” Lt. Gn. Abdel Amir Yarallah, Commander of operations.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/security-forces-liberate-4-villages-western-mosul/

Retaking the western half of the city is considered to be far more complicated. Bridges leading into the western side have been taken out by bombing. Streets are smaller and narrower. As a result, tanks will have difficulty. There is an estimated 3,000 ISIS fighters in western Mosul.

Western Mosul has a more dense population. Approximately 650,000 citizens are located in this area. Provisions are a consideration. Food, water, and electricity are already pinched and expected to tighten as the conflict progresses.

“Some residents of the right hand do not have bread and water. Even lack of fuel has forced them to burn their household furniture to warm themselves.”

“Ten days ago we were given three kilos of flour… One egg sells for 1,500 IQD ($1.25),” said an eyewitness.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/19/nato-says-civilians-at-extreme-risk-as-west-mosul-offensive-begins

http://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/20022017

http://isis.liveuamap.com/

Keep in mind, repairs continue on the Mosul Dam approximately 35 miles north of the city. The UN is making preparations for an international response team in the event the dam breaks. The UN estimates up to 20 million people could be impacted if the dam goes.

http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2017-02-15/un-warns-of-catastrophic-dam-failure-in-syria-battle

Roughly 2,700 years ago, the prophet Nahum had this to say about the future of ancient Nineveh or modern day Mosul, Iraq.

Nahum 1:8 But with an overflowing flood He will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

Nahum 2:6 The gates of the rivers are opened and the palace is dissolved.

Leave a comment »

Revelation: Pergamum and Manna

Posted in Prophecy, Revelation with tags , , , , , on February 19, 2017 by paulthepoke

Revelation 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna…

Do you have an ear or two??? Then listen up! Jesus and the Spirit are talking to you. Pergamum is the third church in the series to be told to pay attention and hear.

Victory is yours if you believe in Christ. The reward is hidden manna.

The Greek word for manna is μαννα/manna. The Hebrew word for manna is “man”. It literally means: “What is it?” Manna is a bread from grain from Heaven. 

Exodus 16:15 When the sons of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.

Manna is… Psalm 78:24 He rained down manna upon them to eat and gave them food from heaven. 

What did manna taste like? Exodus 16:31 The house of Israel named it manna, and it was like coriander seed, white, and its taste was like wafers with honey.

What did manna seed look like? Numbers 11:7 Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like that of bdellium. Coriander is also known as cilantro. The seed is like a little pellet and its color is yellow/brown.

Manna is the food of angels. Psalm 78:25 Man did eat the bread of angels; He sent them food in abundance.

Israel ate manna for 40 years as provided by God while drifting in the desert. Exodus 16:35 The sons of Israel ate the manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land; they ate the manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.

The manna is concealed or hidden as described in Revelation 2:17. Likewise, manna is concealed in an urn in the Ark of the Covenant.

Hebrews 9:4a having a golden altar of incense and the Ark of the Covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna…

John connects the dots from Moses to Jesus. As manna came from Heaven, Jesus is the bread from Heaven.

John 6:32-35 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.”

Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.”

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.”

Leave a comment »

Trend Update: Trump & Netanyahu Meet in DC, February 2017

Posted in Peace Plan, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on February 15, 2017 by paulthepoke

Genesis 12:3 And I will bless those who bless you…

February 15, 2017: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with President Donald Trump.

President Trump has set a different tone in comparison to previous United States presidents. A two state solution is not a necessary condition for peace.

“I like the one that both parties like. I can live with either one. I thought for a while that two states looked like the easier of the two. If Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I like the one they like the best.” –President Trump.

Trump also called for a change in attitude of the Palestinians.

“(Palestinians) have to get rid of some of that hate that they are taught at a very young age. They must also acknowledge Israel’s right to exist.” –President Trump.

Trump indicated he is committed to peace in the Middle East.

“Our administration is committed to working with Israel and our common allies in the region toward greater security and stability. That includes working on a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. We’ll be working on it very, very diligently. Very important to me also.” –President Trump.

https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-02-15/trump-says-mideast-peace-deal-doesn-t-have-to-include-two-states

A sticking point in peace talks has been the construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated he was willing to consider the issue.

“Trump is willing to upgrade our ties in every field. So if there’s a request from the president to examine this issue of construction in the settlement then I think our national interest to reach an understanding. It is worth making an effort… we agreed to continue to discuss this issue to try to reach understandings that fit our desire for reaching peace and security.” –Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Another key issue discussed was the potential move of the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

“As far as the embassy moving to Jerusalem, I’d love to see that happen. And we are looking at it very, very strongly. We’re looking at it with a great care, a great care, believe me. And we’ll see what happens.” –President Trump.

“Concerning the embassy, I said I support moving it to Jerusalem. He’s examining the issue thoroughly but he heard our unequivocal opinion on the matter. He wants time to look into the issue.” –Prime Minister Netanyahu.

A tweet by Prime Minister Netanyahu captured the day.

“A warm and excellent meeting with President Donald Trump – a successful day for the State of Israel!”

https://twitter.com/netanyahu/status/831974967260635157?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.772023

Genesis 27:29e …And blessed be those who bless you.

Leave a comment »

Revelation: Pergamum, Let’s Review

Posted in Prophecy, Revelation, Teshuvah/Repent with tags , , , , , on February 12, 2017 by paulthepoke

Revelation 2:15-16 So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.

The church at Pergamum had the same issue as the church at Ephesus, worship of Nicolaitan teaching. There is no reliable documentation to confirm the identity of the Nicolaitans. They are suspected to participate in pagan feasts and orgies.

The issue is the relentless assault of false teachers. Pergamum is Satan’s home and throne. People in the local church were following Satan, Balaam, Balak, and the Nicolaitans. They were not following Jesus Christ.

This is in clear violation of two of the first four Commandments in Exodus. God still wants to be worshipped.

Exodus 20:3 You shall have no other gods before Me.

Exodus 20:5 You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me.

Notice how God equates worshipping a false god as hatred towards Him. God says worshipping other gods has consequences to your grandchildren and great grandchildren. Does God really mean this? Are there really consequences for believing in other religions and their gods? Did God change?

Therefore repent…This is a call to change your mind. This is the third time in Revelation Jesus calls believers to repent. Incidentally, Jesus will remind the churches seven times in Revelation…Completely repent. Rethink what is being taught.

The Greek word for repent is μετανοεο/metanoeo. It means: to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins. –Strong’s Concordance.

The idea of repent in the Hebrew is teshuvah. Prepare and turn to God. People are called to turn away from their sin, repent, and change course. It is a time of inward reflection and sincere self-assessment. The goal is a change in lifestyle away from sin to obedience in God’s word. The Hebrew month of Elul initiates a 40 day period called Teshuvah.

https://paulthepoke.com/2016/08/28/teshuvah-2016/

This is a reminder to us today as well. Believers throughout the course of the Bible are warned about false teachers. Do not follow false teachers. Worship and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ who is God the man.

or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.

This is the second sword reference to the church at Pergamum. The first sword reference was in Revelation 2:12. I take it they did not repent and Jesus used His sword. The city and church of Pergamum are no longer with us in the 21st century. Today the ancient city is ruins.

FYI: In the last week (February 12, 2017) of the writing of this post, a series of earthquakes has struck approximately 60-75 miles northwest of modern day Pergamum or Bergama, Turkey. The area is back in the news.

Draw your own conclusions.

Leave a comment »

Trend Update: Retrial of Jesus??? February 2017

Posted in Trend Update with tags , , on February 8, 2017 by paulthepoke

A Jewish Orthodox scholar is proposing a public retrial for Jesus to “fix the initial rigged trial that took place 2,000 years ago.”

You gotta read this…

http://www.worldtribune.com/jewish-scholar-calls-for-public-retrial-to-exonerate-jesus-israels-native-son/

 

Leave a comment »

Red Heifer Update: Baja, Mexico, February 2017

Posted in Prophecy, Sanhedrin, Temple, Trend Update with tags , , , , on February 7, 2017 by paulthepoke

Numbers 19:1-2 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “This is the statute of the law which the Lord has commanded, saying, ‘Speak to the sons of Israel that they bring you an unblemished red heifer in which is no defect and on which a yoke has never been placed.

Later in January of 2017, Rabbi Benny Hershcovich was on a milk run. The rabbi lives in a remote place in Baja, Mexico. Upon arrival to the farm, he observed a key piece to the construction of the third Temple in Jerusalem, a red heifer.

“I’ve grown up with the stories, so I know how rare and valuable the red heifer is,” Rabbi Benny Hershcovich.

The farmer who owned the heifer was not familiar with Jewish law and the significance of the red heifer. The heifer was “just another cow” as far as he was concerned.

For complete details of the rabbi’s thoughts, pictures, and encounters, check out the Facebook link below. https://www.facebook.com/benny.hershcovich.1/posts/10158203521080554

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/82957/rare-red-heifer-eligible-third-temple-offering-discovered-mexico/#hiw8ceq3tK0I83aE.97

The ashes from the sacrifice of the red heifer are necessary for purification prior to the building of the Temple.

Let’s look at the qualifications of the red heifer per the Bible in Numbers 19:1-2.

Interpretation of verses provided by the Temple Institute. This is the criteria used for the identification of the red heifer.

…and take a heifer… Since the verse instructs us to take a heifer, we do not purchase a calf and wait for it to grow older while in our custody; “and take a heifer” means that the act of acquisition has to take place while the animal is a heifer. However, if a red calf is available, a price can be set with its owner, and the transaction can be concluded, but we do not take possession until it reaches the proper age as mandated by the Bible.

A heifer by definition is a female cow.

…an unblemished red heifer in which is no defect…This means that the presence of as few as two hairs of any other color will render it invalid. Even its hooves must be red. It must also be totally free from any physical blemish or defect, whether internal or external. A list of blemishes that would disqualify the animal for sacrifice are noted in Leviticus 22.

…on which a yoke has never been placed. The red heifer must have never been used to perform any physical labor. This would include riding, or even leaning on her. But if a yoke were placed upon her even once, even if she were not used to plow – this would be enough to render the heifer unfit for use.

Three to four years of age is an oral tradition that has been passed down through the generations.

 

You can bet someone from Jerusalem from either the Sanhedrin or the Temple Institute has made the trip to Mexico…

Leave a comment »

Revelation: Pergamum; Food, Sex, and the gods…

Posted in Prophecy, Revelation with tags , , , , , , on February 5, 2017 by paulthepoke

Revelation 2:14  But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. 

The Bible introduces us to Balaam and Balak in the book of Numbers chapters 22-25. The meanings of their names are not pleasant. Balak means “devastator”. And Balaam means “not of the people” or “devourer”.

The general overview of how these two got together is noted in Numbers 23:7 And Balaam took up his discourse and said, “From Aram Balak has brought me, the king of Moab from the eastern mountains: ‘Come, curse Jacob for me, and come, denounce Israel!’

Balaam was from Aram or modern day Syria. He was a prophet. Balak was the King of Moab or modern day Jordan. Moab was the area east of the Dead Sea south of modern day Ammon, Jordan. Balak needed a curse on nation Israel. And Balak called on Balaam to do the job.

Granted, Balaam never cursed Israel as Balak begged repeatedly. But it was Balaam and Balak who introduced practices that were in direct disobedience to God’s Ten Commandments and the Mosaic Law. They are summarized in Numbers 25:1-3.

Numbers 25:1 While Israel remained at Shittim, the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab.

The Israeli men began to לזנות/zanah in the Hebrew. Translated and defined as: commit fornication or adultery; to be a cult prostitute; figuratively, to be unfaithful to God. The women were from Moab under King Balak.

Numbers 25:2 For they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.

Food sacrifices to gods are noted throughout time. Give thanks for the food…to our god. Balaam and Balak were a part of this practice. The church at Corinth had issues with this practice as did the church at Pergamum. Today, animal sacrifices and gifting the meat are part of the Muslim holiday Eid.

Numbers 25:3 So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor, and the LORD was angry against Israel.

Balaam would go on to encourage another religion, Baal worship. He is the son of Peor. Numbers 22:5 So he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor…

Israel הנצמדים/tsamad with the worship of Baal. They fastened or yoked with a false god.

Israelis were led to a false god by sexual enticement and a full belly. Israel had become unequally yoked to a false god.

The church at Pergamum was having the same problems as ancient Israel. The church was falling into the same trap set by a prophet and a king from the book of Numbers. Balaam and Balak’s influence had been baked into Jewish culture for over 1,600 years. History was repeating itself. Jesus is making an observation relative to history. A point was being made to the local body at Pergamum.

God’s attitude toward this behavior has not changed…and the LORD was angry against Israel.

Leave a comment »

Trend Update: Sanhedrin Issues Temple Tax, February 2017

Posted in Prophecy, Sanhedrin, Temple, Trend Update with tags , , , , , on February 1, 2017 by paulthepoke

Exodus 30:13-16 This is what everyone who is numbered shall give: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel as a contribution to the Lord. Everyone who is numbered, from twenty years old and over, shall give the contribution to the Lord. The rich shall not pay more and the poor shall not pay less than the half shekel, when you give the contribution to the Lord to make atonement for yourselves. You shall take the atonement money from the sons of Israel and shall give it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may be a memorial for the sons of Israel before the Lord, to make atonement for yourselves.”

For the first time in roughly 2,000 years, the Sanhedrin has issued the call for a Temple tax. The tax is per the law. If you are 20 years old or older, you owe one half shekel to God. It does not matter how much money you have. There is no sliding tax scale with God. The purpose for the money is maintenance for the Temple.

The Sanhedrin has revived the law or mitzvah for the half shekel levy (roughly $4). The cause is to rebuild the Temple.

Back in Temple days, this was not a problem. Every Hebrew man was required to make three trips to Jerusalem every year for the God Appointed Holidays. The men could come to Jerusalem and pay the tax in person, no problem. In our world today, a half shekel coin has been minted for the tax occasion for those in Israel.

Now in the 21st century, not every Jew lives in Israel. It is the duty of every Jew to pay the tax, even if one does not live in Israel. But in September 2016, the Sanhedrin issued a medallion as a substitute for half shekel tax. The Sanhedrin issued the medallion because of the completion of a 50 year Jubilee cycle. This was completed on Rosh Hashanah.

The most recent Jubilee year was proclaimed illegally. The Jubilee year is to be proclaimed on the Day of Atonement, one of God’s fall appointments.  The Sanhedrin made the call in July 2016. The Gregorian month of July is not consistent with the seventh Hebrew month of Tishri.

Leviticus 25:10 Then you shall sound the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the Day of Atonement you shall sound the trumpet throughout all your land. 

As an outside observer, there seemed to be some latitude taken by the Sanhedrin with the law and dates regarding the matter of the jubilee proclamation.  

“The half shekel was a tax intended to be used for a specific purpose. As such, it was dynamic and not simply stored away. As the preparations for the Temple move forward, the need for that tax is reemerging. The medallion itself is not sanctified to the Temple, but any money raised by the medallion is sanctified and cannot be used for any other purpose.” Rabbi Hillel Weiss, spokesman for the Sanhedrin.

And by the way, the Sanhedrin is looking to reinstitute three yearly road trips to Jerusalem on God’s Appointed Holidays per the Mosaic Law…

Exodus 23:14 “Three times a year you shall celebrate a feast to Me…

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/82827/half-shekel-temple-tax-reinstated-sanhedrin/#ZZD397qW0BB6TWzl.99

1 Comment »

%d bloggers like this: