Habakkuk 1:5 Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. -LORD God
Jealousy, envy, & selfishness are of the same family that poison your relationships & steal your joy. Don’t allow these to consume you. Don’t allow those that show these to control your life. Always be happy for others & keep your circle full of those that are genuinely happy for you. This life isn’t a competition, want good for everyone.
James 3:16 For where jealousy & selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder & every vile practice.
Proverbs 11:23 The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
August 30, 2020, Jerusalem: It would be a pleasure to host all of you in Jerusalem on any day, but it’s a special pleasure to do so today, because tomorrow you will be on the first-ever Israeli commercial flight to the UAE, together with a high-level Israeli delegation.
The day will come, and it won’t be far away, when we will ask: How could it have been any other way? Because today’s breakthroughs will become tomorrow’s norms. It will pave the way for other countries to normalize their ties with Israel. -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
WATCH: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Remarks at the Joint Statements with US National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien and Senior Advisor to the President Jared Kushner.https://t.co/6UOtc5HQ0h
And we are trending towards Gabriel’s message to Daniel…
Daniel 9:27 And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.
Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.
Gabriel has provided Daniel an outline from his place in time at 539 BC through the end of the gentile reign, into the Millennial Kingdom and beyond. The promises stated by Gabriel have yet to be completely fulfilled over 2,500 years later.
Let’s take a look at the overview of what Gabriel says will come to pass.
Seventy weeks… The first part of the time equation is straight forward. Shibim is the Hebrew word for the number 70. The second word is a bit more complicated as we see it from a western perspective. The Hebrew word of “weeks” is shabua. Per Strong’s Concordance, shabua is defined as a period of seven (days, years), heptad, week. For the purpose of this outline, 70 sets of seven years is 490 years. 70 X 7 = 490. There will be more on this concept of 70 7’s later.
your people… In this instance and the next, Gabriel references Daniel’s people and holy city. Gabriel is not a person, he is an angel. Daniel’s people are Israeli’s.
your holy city… Daniel’s holy city is Jerusalem. Gabriel’s home is in Heaven.
finish the transgression… This is the Hebrew phrase kela’ pesha`. The grammar of the verse indicates there will be intensive action that will finish rebellion. In other words, the party is definitively over. The rebellion will be undoubtedly crushed. Game over.
put an end to sin… Sin will cease. God as an external force will flex His will and stop sin.
atone for iniquity…Atone or kaphar in the Hebrew, kaphar means appease, to cover over, pacify, make propitiation (Strong’s Concordance). Atone for what? Sin or avon. This is the punishment or consequence of the guilt of sin.
“atone for iniquity” is a prophecy of the cross work of Jesus Christ. 1 John 2:1-2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
bring in everlasting righteousness…everlasting or olam in the Hebrew. Olam is the word for eternal, long duration, antiquity, futurity, forever… What is forever? Righteousness or tsedeq. The term can also be translated as justice. The grammar states eternal, perfect justice will be caused to occur. Humanity has failed to be fair or blind in its administration of justice. The days of corruption will be brought to an end permanently by God.
seal both vision and prophet… The need for messengers, communication, dreams, visions and prophecy will be no more. God’s word will have been fulfilled and completed.
anoint a most holy place… This phrase could be translated one of many ways per commentators. The words “place” and “one” are implied after “holy“. The verse could literally read “anoint most holy” or “anoint holy”.
NET Bible offers up three possibilities.
“the most holy place”
“a most holy one”
“the most holy one”
In the final analysis, a verse towards the end of Revelation may provide some clarity.
Revelation 21:22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming: The Federal Reserve is changing course. Chairman Jerome Powell indicated the Federal Reserve is willing to allow for inflation to elevate above 2% for some time before raising interest rates. Translation, get used to low interest rates for awhile and the cost of basic goods is going up in price. Here comes inflation.
For those of you who are interested, click on the link below for the official speech and comment from the Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome Powell.
Michael Douville is watching and he provides analysis of the situation. Michael has a warning. Beware! Stocks are decoupling from the Economy! Time to buy small rentals for CASH FLOW!!
The Divergence of the Stock Market from the Real Economy does not happen often. When it does, Investors need to take heed. It may be prudent to take profits and transfer Wealth to much more conservative and cash flowing rentals in one of the three great states: Florida, Texas, and ARIZONA.
One of the initial hallmarks of the end times scenario is hyperinflation. Is the Federal Reserve change in financial policy setting the stage for the scenario below?
Revelation 6:5-6 When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!”
Jesus has opened the scroll and initiated judgment with a series of seals, trumpets, and bowls. With the opening of the third seal, John speaks of a time when it will cost a day’s wage for food. About 2,000 years ago, a denarius was a day’s wage for labor.
And the rich are not impacted, do not harm the oil and wine!
As of 7:00 p.m. CDT, Hurricane Laura pushing Category 5 status.
BREAKING: #Laura's winds are now up to 150 mph, just 7 mph shy of Category 5 status. We're LIVE with the latest forecast and timing details you need to know. pic.twitter.com/9p5K253WpM
Numbers 10:10 On the day of your gladness also, and at your appointed feasts and at the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings. They shall be a reminder of you before your God: I am the LORD your God.”
For the first time since the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD, the Sanhedrin wants to blow the shofar on the Temple Mount to bring in the secular Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.
This holiday has many names. It is called the Feast of Trumpets by Christians. It is recognized as the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. In Judaism, it is called Yom Teruah which means the “Day of Blowing”.
The holiday is set to commence on the Gregorian date at sunset Friday, September 18, 2020 pending the confirmation of the new moon by two witnesses. On a Hebrew calendar, this would initiate the month of Tishri and start the year 5781.
Photo: Yonatan Sindel
For complete details surrounding the Sanhedrin request, see the linked article below.
Here are some quotes from the article from leading rabbis with the Sanhedrin.
“Jews are only permitted to enter the Temple Mount five days a week: Sunday to Thursday. This year, the first day of Rosh Hashanna is on Saturday, the Sabbath. According to Jewish law, it is forbidden to blow the shofar on the Sabbath except for on the Temple Mount. So we submitted a request to permit a group of Jews to do so; to blow the shofar on the Temple Mount on the first day of Rosh Hashana,” Aviad Vosoli, Land of Israel Organization.
Vosoli went on to further comment…
“This is not a legal issue. The law mandates that we are permitted to do this. Our request is that the police be instructed to permit this religious ritual to take place.”
The following quotes are from Rabbi Hillel Weiss, Sanhedrin Spokesman and Chairman of Organization of 70 Nations.
“Our demand now is to apply the one true sovereignty onto Zion. (To) call out to the King of kings with the eternal voice of the shofar, to spread His Kingdom to every creature. We are calling on the current Israeli government to take their role in manifesting the universal desire for redemption, which is the real mandate of the State of Israel. It is our role to enable all of the nations to pray before HaShem (God, literally ‘the name’) with one voice, as we did at Mount Sinai, like we did after creation like we are destined to do again in the end-of-days when the dead will be resurrected, the day of universal and true freedom.”
“Blowing of the shofar on the Temple Mount of Rosh Hashanna is not a simple ritual as it is done in synagogues around the world. This is not just for the Jews who are there to hear it. This is a shofar call to all the nations of the world. Now, more than ever before, we are crying out to Hashem to bless us with life, peace, and an end to plagues. Every leader in the world who cares and who sees himself as a representative of one of the 70 nations should call on Netanyahu to permit this to take place.”
Rabbi Weiss closed with the following comment…
“Blowing the shofar that is specific to the Temple is a cry out to God to prevent the division of His land and the loss of His house. This shofar will topple anyone who is set on dividing God’s land and opposing the establishment of a House of Prayer for All Nations in Jerusalem, just as the sound of the shofar toppled the walls that stood between the Jews and entering the Promised Land.”
In any relationship, you get out of it what you put into it. You can’t keep making withdrawals without making deposits at the bank. So why would you expect a relationship to work any different? Make sure you are building your relationship up with deposits.
Luke 6:38. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.
Exodus 20:2 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
“Into the Light” is a project that Hasna Sal has been working on for the past 2 years and now we can all see this project come to life very soon! Inspired by the story of survivor Christine McDonald, this is the first memorial in the nation for victims and survivors of modern day human slavery; those caught in vicious circles of poverty, addiction and human trafficking, and also to those who minister to them.
This memorial is to confront the perpetrators of this heinous crime.
Comprised of 4 glass panels, each telling a story of isolation, damnation, redemption and salvation; this installation “Into the Light”, will be installed at Lykins Park, KCMO this fall.
Glass Concepts 360 has also donated their sculptures for this cause to Habitat for Humanity, and has helped raise funds for this project.
We want to thank the following agencies and municipal departments whose approval and support have made this project possible: Habitat for Humanity, Lykins Neighborhood Association, Art Commission of Kansas City, Kansas City Parks and Recreation, St. Michael the Archangel Church in Leawood, KS.
Special Shoutout to Director of Sacred Art at SMC Kevin Vogt; Outreach Director of HFH, Jude Huntz; Executive Director of LNA Gregg Lombardi; Art Commissioner of Kansas City, MO, James Martin; Kansas City Parks and Rec Commissioner, Scott Wagner and all the others who have made this project possible.
Where nobody knows and nobody goes, except the forgotten. Take a journey with glass artist & architect Hasna Sal as she explores Lykins Park, situated in the shadows of bustling, thriving Kansas City, MO. In a park that has suffered cases of gun violence, crack addiction and prostitution, Hasna presents a 4 panel glass installation for the public. Listen to Hasna’s story on Lykins Park Project.
We are very grateful to the group of donors who have generously contributed to the budget of this project. Without them, this project would never have succeeded.
We are so grateful to see artists of different genre coming forward to collaborate and donate their time on this project.
Hasna & the entire team at Glass Concepts 360 are doing this project pro bono, for the greater good of our community, with the hope that this will raise the awareness towards this issue and help fight this crime.
We hope to see you all at the groundbreaking ceremony, showing your support for this very special cause and event.
The Hebrew month of Elul initiates a 40 day period called Teshuvah. This is the Hebrew word for repent.
The point of the season is to prepare for the Jewish New Year/Rosh Hashanah/Yom Teruah and the Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur. It is a time to turn toward God. People are called to turn away from their sin, repent, and change course. Teshuvah is a time of inward reflection and sincere self-assessment. The goal is a change in lifestyle away from sin and turn to obedience in God’s word. The 40 day period starts on Elul 1 and ends on Tishri 10, Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement.
On a Gregorian calendar in the year 2020, Teshuvah will possibly initiate at sunset on Friday, August 21 if the sighting of the new moon is confirmed by two witnesses. In the purest sense, determining Elul 1 and the start of a month is not a mathematical function. The issue is a legal matter of truthful verification as far as God is concerned.
Deuteronomy 19:15 A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed.
It is Jewish custom to blow a shofar (ram’s horn) one time every day during the season of Teshuvah. The trumpet is blown every day except Shabbat or the Sabbath (Saturday for us in western culture) and the last day of the month of Elul. The trumpet is blown after the morning service. The shofar is blown frequently…
The blowing of the shofar started with Moses and the Israelites at Mount Sinai. The blowing of the shofar is associated with God descending to Mount Sinai and the gathering of nation Israel. This is where Moses is called to ascend the mountain to meet God (Exodus 19:13-19). This is when and where Israel received the law.
The blowing of a shofar signaled many things in Biblical times. The shofar blast was a call to war and the prospect of danger.
Joel 2:1 Blow a trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; surely it is near…
The shofar was a way to call soldiers. The trumpet preceded the Ark of the Covenant.
2 Samuel 6:15 So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sound of the trumpet.
The trumpet blast signified the beginning of the month (Numbers 10:10). Psalm 81:3-4 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day. For it is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob. Some form of a trumpet blast(s) is used at Rosh Hashanah/Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement.
A trumpet blast also signals the beginning of Jubilee (Leviticus 25).
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One of the customs of Elul is to visit a cemetery. This is quite interesting in light of the Jewish belief that the resurrection of the dead will occur during the period of Teshuvah. Specifically, the resurrection of the dead is to occur on the new moon holiday of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah/Yom Teruah. Christians refer to Rosh Hashanah as the Feast of Trumpets.
Orthodox Jews do not believe in Jesus Christ let alone the New Testament. Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians would confirm their tradition.
1 Corinthians 15:52b at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
August 2020 marks the 10th year of the website and related social media outlets. The results are clearly the work of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit.
First of all, thank you to all who read, comment and share with others. The website started with an email list of about 60 friends and family.
The idea of a website was hatched by a young man attending church with me. His name is Chris Frost. He encouraged me to write. Chris is now a Pastor in Tehachapi, California at Mountain Bible Church. https://www.mountainbiblechurch.org/
A shout out goes to Matt Weinreich. Back in the day (March 2016), Matt was a limo driver. The concept of the social media platforms was Matt’s idea. He developed the plan in a party bus over a Dr. Pepper while on a break during a job. The links below are the rest of the story.
I would like to thank Trey Smith at the God in a Nutshell project for taking a chance on me as a writer and editor of his website. The exposure provided by his social media outlets for 4 years is tremendously appreciated.
Thanks to Greg Lewis and Jonathan Rovetto for their support, insights and marketing analysis.
Lastly, a massive thank you to all the contributing authors. These folks come from a diverse background and provide quality, thoughtful content. Thanks to Christine McDonald, Joshua of Ghana, Matt Weinreich, Michael Douville, Michael Stone, Mickey Sutliff (responsible for logo design), Paul Beverly, Phil Kulis, and Rodna Epley.
Along the way, three books have been published. See the links at the bottom of the post.
If someone would have told me 10 years ago the materials and content provided would have reached tens of millions in over 190 countries I would have laughed. RIGHT!!!
This is the first post. This is how it all began…
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BE a Berean!!!
Acts 17:10-11But the brothers at once sent both Paul and Silas to Berea during the night; who having arrived went into the synagogue of the Jews. And these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they received the Word with all readiness, daily examining the Scriptures if these things are so.
This is the point of the blog. Don’t take my word for it, look it up, and verify. The culture loves to say, “Well that is just your interpretation.” Personally, that is code for “I really don’t know what it says.” This is a cop-out. The culture loves to say, “My God would or would not do…”
Is that the God of your mind or is that the God of the Bible? If one’s ethics and morals are not consistent with Scripture, then that mindset becomes idolatry and it is not the God of the Bible. What do you think about Scripture? Make a decision based out of knowledge and not somebody’s opinion or personal ignorance.
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1 Chronicles 12:32a And of the sons of Issachar, having understanding of the times, to know what Israel should do.
The sons of Issachar are one the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel. Issachar is a son of Jacob (Genesis 30:18). His name in Hebrew means “he will bring a reward.” The sons of Issachar are the descendants. These sons read the Word. They knew what the times had to offer because they read and believed in God’s promises through His Word.
Matthew 16:1-3And having come the Pharisees and Sadducees tempting, asked Him to show them a sign out of the heaven. But answering, He said to them, Evening coming on, you say, Clear sky, for the sky is red. And at morning, today a storm, for the sky is red, being overcast. Hypocrites! You indeed know how to discern the face of the heaven, but you cannot the signs of the times.
Jesus held the religious leaders of His day accountable to know His arrival was here. The Bible foretold in prophecy the arrival of the Messiah and His character and deeds. One prophetic example is…
Isaiah 7:14So, The Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold! The virgin will conceive and will bring forth a son; and she shall call His name Immanuel (meaning “with us is God”).
Yes, Jesus is God.
The same is true for us today. God has not changed. Hebrews 13:8Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and forever.
We are accountable to what is stated in the Bible. What does the Bible say about the times we are living? Does it have anything to say?
Welcome and please feel free to comment and share with others. God praises those who verify His Word. Look it up, does the Bible really say… ???
2 Timothy 3:16-17 AllScripture is God-breathed and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be perfected, being fully furnished for every good work.
