Archive for Bible

This MONTH in Prophecy: Rainbows & Pride

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Culture, Fake News???, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 15, 2023 by paulthepoke

Luke 17:2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.

Instagram’s algorithms promote pedophilia according to a Wall Street Journal exclusive. And nobody really cared. No fall out. People continue to buy the parent company’s stock, META. No Congressional investigation or concern until a week later with Senator Ted Cruz from Texas. No real heat on Mark Zuckerberg. Society is getting closer to normalizing this behavior. How much is enough???

https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2023/6/sen-cruz-demands-answers-from-meta-regarding-promotion-of-pedophile-network-on-instagram

Revelation 22:18-19 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

Deuteronomy 4:2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.

Yuval Noah Harari, an Israeli advisor to Klaus Schwab’s World Economic Forum, rejects the Bible as truth. He sees the Bible as a book of “myths” and “just stories.” Harari is an openly gay professor and best-selling author. He sees the resurrection of Jesus Christ as “fake news”.

“In a few years, there might be religions that are actually correct. Just think about a religion whose holy book is written by an AI. That could be a reality in a few years.”

https://www.christianpost.com/news/israeli-futurist-predicts-ai-will-soon-write-a-new-bible.html

~

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Humanity is dedicating a month to the celebration of Pride. And the point of this section is not to shake a finger at anybody. We all sin and we are all guilty. One sin is not more sinful than another. You break one of God’s laws, you break them all.

James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.

But, is it really a good idea to celebrate and promote a destructive mental attitude as God sees it? After all, pride is the same attitude that lead to Satan’s fall.

Isaiah 14:12-14 How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.”

Let’s take an in-depth look at the rainbow. First we are going to look at this from God’s perspective. Genesis 9 is dedicated to the rainbow. It is a covenant between God and His creation that survived the flood on the ark. It is a promise to never destroy the earth with a flood again, a promise between God and the earth. The rainbow is a symbol of mercy and grace. God gave humanity another chance.

Genesis 9:16 …And whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of every kind that is on the earth.” -God

Kudos to author TW Tramm for the following observation. God’s rainbow has 7 colors. Man’s rainbow has 6 colors. The numerology is not lost. Seven is the number of completeness and perfection. Six is the number of man. The ultimate expression of the numeral is in the antichrist and his number 666.

As we know, June is Pride month. So what is the symbolism behind the six colored flag? What does it represent? But there is more than one flag. There are at least 20 plus different Pride flags according to Volvo Group. The link below breaks it down and defines what each color on each flag means.

https://www.volvogroup.com/en/news-and-media/news/2021/jun/lgbtq-pride-flags-and-what-they-stand-for.html

~

This will come as a surprise to many. These alternative lifestyles are nothing new. Cross dressing and transgenderism were taking place at least in the time of Moses approximately 3,600 years ago. Arguably, this was likely happening in Noah’s time as well.

Today’s social experts tell us these new, complex, gender issues should have us leave the traditions of religion in the past. Times have changed. The Bible is outdated they say. What we are witnessing is not the evolution and progression of society.

Deuteronomy 22:5 A woman shall not wear man’s clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman’s clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God.

The Hebrew word for “abomination” is tow`ebah. God sees crossdressing as tow`ebah or detestable or disgusting. God was not impressed back in the day and He is not impressed in the 21st Century.

As I have stated in the past on this blog, these are God’s words. It is acknowledged, His words are offensive to segments of society. Eventually, His words are offensive to all of us if we are honest with ourselves. Please take your complaints and comments directly to Him. He will listen. He is a big boy. He can handle it.

Turn on the news. Get on the internet. Check out a social media outlet of your choosing. Today’s culture is on display as noted by the prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah 3:9 For the look on their faces bears witness against them; they proclaim their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves.

~

God will keep His promise in regards to the Rainbow Covenant. He will not destroy the Earth with a flood. God is not sitting around waiting to crush people like a little bug with His thumb. His desire is that people will change their minds and return to Him via the Son who died for all of us.

But eventually a time is coming. And He will use fire the next time. This will offend many. Judgment is coming…

2 Peter 3:9-10 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be discovered.

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

The Number 7 – Truth or Coincidence??? Kristina Weinreich

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Kristina Weinreich with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 17, 2023 by paulthepoke

During my scripture studies, I have been reading about the number seven (7). I find the truth and reliability of the Scriptures reinforced in a number. When you see the number and the situations that stretch across the time of the Old and New Testaments, you cannot dismiss the divine as coincidence but see it as proof of its truth.

In the Old Testament:
There were seven days of creation. The seventh day being the day of completion and rest.

In Hebrew scriptures, there are seven words in Genesis 1:1 and 14 words in Genesis 1:2.

Also in Hebrew Scriptures, there are seven paragraphs from Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 2:3, which is the verse about the seventh day.

According to Jewish tradition, the creation of Adam occurred on September 26, which is the first day of Tishri, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar.

It is also believed that Jesus, the 2nd Adam, was born around this time, during the fall feasts. (Bethlehem & Herodium Hill)

There are seven sabbatical feasts:

  1. The Passover (Leviticus 23:5)
  2. The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6-8)
  3. The Feast of First Fruit (Leviticus 23:9-14)
  4. The Feast of Weeks (Leviticus 23:15-21)
  5. The Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23: 23-25)
  6. The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:26-32)
  7. The Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:33-34)

There are seven colors in the rainbow that God created as a covenant after the flood.

Abraham swore an oath of ownership over a well at Beersheba. The well is called “The Well of Seven”. Seven lambs were given as payment. (Genesis 21:25-34).

At Jericho, Joshua was instructed to march seven days around the walls. On the seventh day, seven priests joined the march while blowing seven trumpets (Joshua 6:1-27).

In 2 Kings 5:1-19, Naaman was instructed to wash seven times in the Jordan River for healing.

Isaiah 11:1-2 speaks of the coming of Christ and the seven spirits (traits of perfection) that will upon him:

  1. The spirit of the Lord
  2. The spirit of wisdom
  3. The spirit of understanding
  4. The spirit of counsel
  5. The spirit of might
  6. The spirit of knowledge
  7. The spirit of the fear of the Lord

King David referred to God’s word “like gold refined seven times” (Psalm 12:6).

In the New Testament:
There are seven petitions in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6: 9-13).

  1. Thy kingdom come
  2. Thy will be done on earth as in heaven
  3. Give us this day our daily bread
  4. Forgive us our debts
  5. As we (let us) forgive our debtors
  6. Lead us not into temptation
  7. Deliver us from evil

In Matthew 18:21-22, we are told to forgive not seven times but seventy times seven or seventy-seven (depending translation).

Christ used seven metaphors to describe himself as the path to salvation:

  1. The Bread of Life (John 6:35)
  2. The Light of the World (John 8:12)
  3. The Door to Salvation (John 10:9)
  4. The Good Shepherd (John 10:11)
  5. The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25-26)
  6. The Way, The Truth, The Life (John 14:6)
  7. The Vine (John 15:5)

Jesus healed seven individuals on the seventh day of the week. He made them complete on the day of completion.

  1. A man with a deformed hand (Mark 12:9-13)
  2. A man possessed by an unclean spirit (Mark 12:23-26)
  3. Peter’s mother-in-law with fever (Mark 12:29-31)
  4. A woman with an eighteen year infirmity (Luke 13:10-13)
  5. A man with dropsy (Luke 14:1-4)
  6. An invalid man by the pool of Bethesda (John 5:5-9)
  7. A man blind from birth (John 9:1-7)

Christ made seven statements from the cross:

  1. “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:4)
  2. “Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
  3. “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 2:45)
  4. “Woman, behold thy son” and in the same statement “Behold thy mother” (John 19:26-27).
  5. “I thirst.” (John 19:28)
  6. “It is finished.” (John 19:30)
  7. “My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me.” (Matthew 27:46)

In Revelation, there are:

Seven letters to seven churches
Seven seals to be broken
Seven trumpets blown by seven angels
Seven bowls of wrath to be poured out by seven angels

While this is not a comprehensive list of the number seven in the Bible, I believe this supports my belief in the truth of the scriptures. It is truth not coincidence.

Citations
Bethlehem & Herodium Hill. The Birth of Yeshua (Jesus) and the Fall Feasts, https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/birth-of-yeshua-jesus-fall-feasts/.

American Views on the Bible

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Culture, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , on July 7, 2022 by paulthepoke

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness…

Gallup has recently completed a poll and has released its data. The poll focuses on how Americans view the Bible. The poll has been taking place since 1976. This is part of the values and beliefs survey.

Gallup divides into three groups. The Bible is the “actual word of God”; the “inspired word of God;” and “ancient book of fables”.

The “inspired” group does not take all the content of the Bible literally.

The last group sees the Bible as a collection of “fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man.”

Full disclosure: it is the view and position of this blog that the Bible is the actual, literal word of God that is inspired by God. The human authors of the Bible were inspired by God the Holy Spirit. The Bible is to be viewed in a grammatical, historical, and cultural context of the time it was written. The blog would identify with the “actual word of God” group.

Americans’ Views of the Bible, by Religious Affiliation

% Actual word of God% Inspired word of God% Ancient book of fables
All U.S. adults204929
Christian adults255816
Adults identifying with all other religions and no religious identity62665

May 2-22, 2022

2 Peter 1:20-21 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

According to the polling data, the number of people who take the Bible literally is declining across time.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

https://news.gallup.com/poll/394262/fewer-bible-literal-word-god.aspx

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

Vladimir Putin Quotes Jesus

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , on March 24, 2022 by paulthepoke

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Independent Newspaper Nigeria

March 19, 2022, Moscow: President Vladimir Putin was hosting a pro war pep rally. He delivered a speech justifying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As stated by Putin, the reason for the “Special Military Operation” is as follows.

“…to get people out of their misery, out of this genocide, that is the main reason, the motive and purpose of the military operation that we began in Donbas and Ukraine,” Russian President Putin.

Putin would later go on to quote Jesus in John 15:13.

‘There is no greater love than if someone gives his soul for his friends,’ Vladimir Putin.

The issue is the translation of one word. Putin used the Russian word душу (dushu). This word is translated as “soul” in English.

John, under the direction of the Holy Spirit utilized the Greek word ψυχή/psuché. Per Strong’s Concordance, the word means breath or the soul.

Yet, our English translators of the English Standard Version, King James Version, and New American Standard Bible use the word “life” in John 15:13. To take it a step further, I could not find one English translation that did not use the word “life”.

I am not questioning Putin’s beliefs. That is between him and his Maker. He claims to be a Russian Orthodox Christian. Historically, Putin states he is not comfortable talking publicly about his beliefs.

https://theweek.com/russia/1011510/putin-quotes-jesus-to-justify-invasion-of-ukraine

Let me be clear. I am not supporting Putin as a Bible scholar or theologian or wordsmith. Putin is quoting the verse within the context of his justification for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, an act of love as he sees it.

Look at the context of the verse from the standpoint of Jesus, “Love on another.

John 15:12-17 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

Another practical application of the verses… Russians and Ukrainians, love one another. I currently don’t see much fruit being cultivated with the current geopolitical conflict.

My point is this. Be discerning. Study God’s word and understand it for yourself. Don’t take my word or Putin’s word. Read the Bible and interact with the words. Let the Spirit of God interact and communicate with you personally. Set aside preconceived notions and biases and listen to what is actually being said.

In God’s Time… Phil Kulis

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Phil Kulis, Prophecy with tags , , , , on March 8, 2022 by paulthepoke

We read the Bible stories in a matter of minutes but they actually played out over a much longer period of time. Sure some of the events happened rather quickly but the actual unfolding of the stories took much more time.

For example Noah worked on the ark for several decades and was on the ark for about a year. We can read about it in a few minutes.

The listing of genealogies in various places seems like it takes forever to read trying to pronounce the weird names but it’s a blink of time compared to the length of the actual lives depicted. So in our impatience we usually just skip or otherwise ignore them not even considering the amount of time it represents for God to accomplish His will.

Like it was in the days of Noah, we are working in the presence of evils around us which God has pronounced judgment upon. But what are we to be working on during this time? We are to be building awareness of the coming destruction because of that judgment, while the rest of the world seems to just go about its business as usual.

Our desire for immediate gratification (a fruit of the spirit of the devil) wants the events in The Revelation to happen at the speed in which we read them. And by the way some people rearrange the sequence of the book they even want it to happen all at once.

But the actions of God happen over a much longer period of time than we’re comfortable with. His patience and endurance is much greater than ours.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ covers a period of time greater than three thousand years. Keep that timeframe in mind when you study it and realize things are not going to happen quickly nor conveniently for you or anyone else.

“I see” said the blind man, as he picked up his hammer and saw.

Now, get back to work.

This Week in Prophecy: NASA, Aliens, Main Stream Media, and the Bible

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 6, 2022 by paulthepoke

This Week in Prophecy

https://valortube.com/groups/paul-lehr/

NASA has reached out to 24 theologians to assess how humanity would respond to the discovery of alien life. This story was released during the recent holiday season.

The Bible has answers. ALL things were created by and for Him (Jesus). And because of His work on the cross and His resurrection, ALL things in the universe are under His subjection.

Colossians 1:16 For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.

Colossians 1:20 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.

Yes, the Bible also has answers about hybrid offspring. Yes, I understand this will be perceived as crazy talk by many. One may not like the Biblical historical account, but answers are given.

Genesis 6:4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of mankind, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

There are many verses that point to the “giant” offspring of this sordid affair. There are the Nephilim, Rephaim, Zuzim, Emim, Amorites, Anakim, Goliath and his brothers. Physical descriptions are provided along with heights and other details.

Pope Francis is willing to baptize aliens in the name of Christ.

The mainstream media is publishing articles on the topic of UFOs. The Hill, The Guardian, The New York Times, and DailyMail do not fancy themselves as fringe and conspiracy sources of information. The History Channel has produced a series on US government declassified information related to the topic of UFOs.

Recently deceased US Senator Harry Reid from Nevada wanted resources to be allocated to the Pentagon and other agencies to investigate Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs).

Trey Smith at GodinaNutshell has made multiple videos on these topics. I get the sense his work from a decade ago is about to become more relevant.

Brace yourself, this topic is coming regardless of what we think about it.

Matthew 24:37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. -Jesus

All of this and more on This Week in Prophecy. Click on the YouTube link below for news, analysis, and commentary.

Where Is the World Headed??? Bernie Dahl

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 28, 2021 by paulthepoke

In this topsy turvy world we live in today, where is our world headed? The best source to find that answer is the Bible, God’s communication to future generations of man.

Throughout the Old Testament there are more than 100 prophecies that foretold of a savior coming to earth to redeem man. Yet, all these prophecies were ignored by God’s own people.

However, Magi from Babylon, who had the history of Daniel teaching them, came looking for the Messiah. They were sure had been born.

In our lifetime, at least mine, we have seen the Children of Israel returned to their land in 1948 after 1,900+ years of exile. During most of that time, the Promised Land where their ancestors had lived for several thousand years had become a barren wasteland. But today, it is very productive in unbelievable ways.

photo: Wikimedia, Damascus

Are there prophecies told to us in the Bible that are yet unfulfilled? Yes. Let me give you a few.

Currently, the city of Damascus is the oldest continuously populated city having been in existence for more than 3,000 years. Yet Isaiah 17:2 tells us it will be destroyed and never again inhabited. Could this happen in our lifetime? Very possibly Yes. What is in the news almost weekly in the Middle East? Iran is shipping weapons to the Damascus airport to be further transported to it’s proxy countries bordering Israel. What is Israel doing? The munitions barely arrive before Israel destroys them. Think. When, not if, Iran develops an atomic bomb and brings it to Damascus to use against Israel. What is going to happen? Bingo! See, the makings of the fulfillment of this prophecy are clearly possible in our lifetime.

~

Next, let me ask you what three Middle Eastern countries have troops in Syria on the border of Israel today? Russia, Iran and Turkey. You say yes. But, one is atheist; one is Sunni; and one is Shiite Muslim. So what do they have in common?

While once again what does our Bible, God’s word to mankind, tells us? In Ezekiel chapters 38 snd 39, we are told these three countries are going to come against Israel to take spoils and No nation will come to Israel’s aid.

Israel, besides it’s great agricultural products, has recently found abundant oil and natural gas reserves that are huge. Something that Russia dearly desire to have.

Until very recent times, you would say that of course America will come to Israel’s aid. However, it is very obvious that America’s current administration will never come to Israel’s aid.

So where does that put us? Once again, very clearly, this prophecy foretold by God to the prophets some 3,000 years ago has a very, very high potential of being fulfilled, not only in our lifetime, but virtually at any day now.

~

Will these things happen before the “Church” is taken home to be with God in the pre-Tribulation Rapture? We. Don’t know. The Rapture could happen first or these prophecies could be fulfilled first. BUT, one thing is almost certain. These events are not years and years away. Clearly, they are most likely going to happen within the lifetime of the majority of the people alive today.

The question you must ask yourself, “What is my standing with God?”

At the final judgment day, will God welcome you to Heaven?

Or will He say, “Depart from Me, I never knew you?”

Ancient Ziklag and Lachish Discoveries

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , on July 10, 2019 by paulthepoke

1 Samuel 30:1 Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire…

Joshua 15:20, 21, 31 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Judah according to their clans. The cities belonging to the tribe of the people of Judah in the extreme south, toward the boundary of Edom, were… (included) Ziklag.

Ziklag was a member of the tribe of Judah. He was a man who inherited a city when the ancient Israelis were given the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua. The word origin and meaning of Ziklag is relatively unknown.

Until recently, the actual location of ancient Ziklag has been a mystery and a point of controversy. But now, new evidence has emerged.

Under the leadership of Prof. Yosef Garfinkel, Head of the Institute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem; the IAA’s Saar Ganor; and Dr. Kyle Keimer and Dr. Gil Davis of Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, the location of Khirbet a-Ra‘i has been identified.

Khirbet a-Ra’i is between Lachish and Kiryat Gat. The site is approximately 25 miles southwest of Jerusalem.

This location is believed to be where David took refuge from King Saul.

Pottery discovered at the site is consistent with the era of King David.

Photo: Times of Israel

See the link below from the Times of Israel for more details.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/archaeologists-say-they-found-town-where-future-king-david-took-refuge-from-saul/

Times of Israel

2 Chronicles 11:5-12 Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and he built cities for defense in Judah. He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, fortified cities that are in Judah and in Benjamin. He made the fortresses strong, and put commanders in them, and stores of food, oil, and wine. And he put shields and spears in all the cities and made them very strong. So he held Judah and Benjamin.

An ancient fortified wall has been recently discovered in Lachish.

Prof. Yosef Garfinkel, Head of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Institute of Archaeology recently made the following statements.

“We looked in three places, and ultimately, in the northern section, we found a wall between Layer 6 and Layer 4. Later the excavators reached a floor that stretches to the wall, which could be dated using olive pits found beneath the floors. Samples of the pits were sent to the particle accelerator at Oxford, which ruled that the wall had been built around 920 B.C.E., which was exactly the rule of Rehoboam, son of Solomon and grandson of David.”

See the links below from Haaretz and The Times of Israel for more details.

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-did-the-kingdom-of-david-exist-new-wall-found-in-southern-israel-reignites-debate-1.7157816

https://www.timesofisrael.com/archaeologist-thick-wall-found-at-lachish-indicates-king-solomons-son-built-it/

1 Samuel 27:5-7 Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your eyes, let me be assigned a place in one of the outlying towns, so I can live there. For why should your servant live in the royal city with you?” That day Achish gave him Ziklag, and to this day it still belongs to the kings of Judah. And the time that David lived in Philistine territory amounted to a year and four months.

And once again, the Bible confirms archaeology…

Nathan-Melech, Servant to King Josiah

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Temple, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , on April 2, 2019 by paulthepoke

2 Kings 23:11 And he removed the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun, at the entrance to the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathan-melech the chamberlain, which was in the precincts. And he burned the chariots of the sun with fire.

Nathan-melech means: given of a king, a leader in Israel.

Nathan-melech was a “saris” in the original Hebrew. A saris can be translated as a eunich, valet or officer. (Strong’s Concordance)

Nathan-melech knew King Josiah of Israel. This is the only mention in the Biblical text of Nathan-melech.

City of David, Israel: Excavations continue south of the Temple Mount in the greater Jerusalem area. The specific location is the Givati Parking Lot (see red marker in map below).

Photo: Eliyahu Yanai, City of David

The discovery of a clay seal impression is the issue. The find is estimated to be 2,600 years old. The clay seal is written in paleo Hebrew. The seal says, “to Nathan-Melech, Servant of the King” (LeNathan-Melech Eved HaMelech).

“This burnt clay impression is the first archaeological evidence of the biblical name Nathan-Melech.” -Amanda Borschel-Dan, Times of Israel

Scholars and experts are looking at this find in its geographical context. The object was found in its place, a large, two-story First Temple structure. The remains of the administrative building are consistent with the burning of Jerusalem in 586 BC at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians. Experts were surprised the location of the building was further south of the modern day Temple Mount.

Dr. Yiftah Shalev, Israel Antiquities Authority made the following observation.

“What is importance is not just that they were found in Jerusalem, but (that they were found) inside their true archaeological context. (There is a) connect between the artifact and the actual physical era it was found in. It is not a coincidence that the seal and the seal impression are found here.”

The find is faith confirming for many people.

“This is an extremely exciting find for billions of people worldwide. The personal seal of Natan-Melech, a senior official in the government of Josiah, King of Judah, as described in the second book of Kings. The ongoing archaeological excavations at the City of David continue to prove that ancient Jerusalem is no longer just a matter of faith, but also a matter of fact.” -Doron Spielman, Vice President, City of David Foundation

Skeptics are looking at the archaeological find with an open mind.

“Although it is not possible to determine with complete certainty that the Nathan-Melech who is mentioned in the Bible was in fact the owner of the stamp, it is impossible to ignore some of the details that link them together,” Mendel-Geberovich, Scholar.

For more detail, see the article link below from the Times of Israel.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/two-tiny-first-temple-inscriptions-vastly-enlarge-picture-of-ancient-jerusalem/

Israel’s 70th Year—Why It’s Significant By T.W. Tramm

Posted in Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , on February 11, 2019 by paulthepoke

Author and Bible-researcher, T.W. Tramm, is the founder of Season of Return Ministries, an organization whose mission is to equip others with critical knowledge related to the unfolding of Bible prophecy in our time. Tramm’s books, articles, and commentary can be found on numerous eschatological-themed websites including www.theseasonofreturn.com. The author makes his home in Washington State.

NUMBERS have meaning in Scripture.

The number 70, as shown in the examples below, symbolizes fullness, restoration, and an endpoint:

• The post-flood world was repopulated by 70 descendants of Noah, resulting in 70 nations (Gen. 10).

• Terah, the father of Abraham, was 70 years old when Abraham was born (Gen. 11:26).

• The Nation of Israel began with 70 Hebrews who migrated to Egypt (Ex. 1:1-5).

• Moses appointed 70 elders to be the governing body of Israel (Num. 11:16).

• Following the liberation from bondage in Egypt, the children of Israel camped at an oasis of 70 palm trees (Ex. 15:27).

• The Jews were liberated from captivity in Babylon after 70 years (Jer. 29:10).

• God’s plan of redemption for Israel and Jerusalem is comprised of 70 weeks (Dan. 9:24-27).

• Jesus sent out 70 disciples to harvest the field of believers (Luke 10:1 KJV).

• A typical human lifespan is 70 years (Ps. 90:10).

• Israel’s greatest ruler, King David, died at the age of 70 (2 Sam. 5:4).

Seeing how the number 70 symbolizes restoration, it’s interesting that restoration-themed events in Israel’s history tend to occur at a 70-year interval:

• From the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BC to the completion of the Second Temple in 515-16 BC is 70 years.

• From the completion of the Second Temple in 515-16 BC to the completion of the wall around Jerusalem in 445 BC is 70 years.

• From the UN vote in favor of the establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1947 to the first recognition by a foreign power (US) that Jerusalem is its capital in 2017 is 70 years.

The most significant 70-year intervals correspond to the dates 1948 and 1967:

• From the first modern Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel (Petah Tikvah) in 1878 to the birth of the Nation in 1948 is 70 years.

• From the first major step in reestablishing the State of Israel (First Zionist Congress) in 1897 to the final step (restoration of Jerusalem) in 1967 is 70 years.

Notice that both watershed events related to Israel’s restoration to the Land—the rebirth of the Nation in 1948 and the restoration of its capital in 1967—are preceded by a seminal event 70 years earlier. The odds against this occurring by chance are astronomical, suggesting divine orchestration.

While the events of 1948 and 1967 were vital to God’s plan to redeem the Jews and the Holy City, they did not represent the endpoint. When we extend the pattern forward 70 years from 1948, we arrive at the biblical year spanning 2018-19.

1878-79 + 70 = 1948-49 + 70 = 2018-19

2018-19 is a logical endpoint for the 70-year pattern because Jesus says the generation who sees Israel reborn will see the end of the age (Matt 24:32-34). A generation is defined as 70 years in Scripture (Ps. 90:10).

Another reason 2018-19 is a logical endpoint for the 70-year pattern is that it represents the third date-milepost. The number three signifies completeness of testimony in Scripture:

“This will be my third visit to you. ‘Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses’” (2 Cor. 13:1).

CONVERGENCE

In addition to the 70 years from 1948, a timeline in Daniel’s weeks prophecy (9:24-27) points to 2018-19. In verse 25, the angel Gabriel reveals how many weeks (seven-year periods) will elapse from the time a decree is issued to rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince comes to rule:

“Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty two weeks” (Dan. 9:25).

The modern-day rebuilding of Jerusalem began in 1969. When we add Daniel’s seven weeks, or 49 years, to this date we arrive at 2018-19.
1969 + 49 = 2018-19

What are the odds that Israel’s prophetic 70th year would correspond to the 49th year since the rebuilding of Jerusalem began?

If the 70/49 convergence in 2018-19 isn’t uncanny enough, here’s another: The “seven weeks and sixty-two weeks” in Daniel’s prophecy add up to 483 years. When we add 483 years to the time that an earlier decree to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls was issued in 1535 AD by the Ottoman Emperor Suleiman, we, again, arrive at 2018-19.

1535 AD + 483 = 2018-19

Thus, we have three key eschatological timelines pointing to 2018-19. But there’s more. Israel’s 70th year also corresponds to the calculated 6,000th year from Creation, the time that the seventh thousand-year (millennial) day known as the “Day of the Lord” begins.

6,000 AD – 3982-83 BC (Creation of Adam) = 2018-19

PEACE AND SAFETY

Another factor pointing to 2018-19 is the drafting of a Middle East peace plan dubbed the “Deal of the Century.” This is crucial because the fundamental sign given by Paul to the Church to identify the season of the Rapture is people saying “peace and safety”:

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind …. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command … and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air …. Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates [of this event] we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape” (1 Thess. 4:13, 16, 17; 5:1-3).

While there have been a number of peace plans proposed since the restoration of Jerusalem in 1967, the Deal of the Century is the only one to coincide with a convergence of key eschatological timelines, begging the question: if the talk of peace and safety in 2018-19 isn’t that which Paul was alluding to, then what could he have been alluding to, and how will we recognize it when it occurs?

Assuming that Paul’s peace-and-safety sign is manifesting before our eyes, consider the ominous scenario: Daniel’s weeks prophecy assigns a period of 70 weeks (490 years) to redeem the Jews and Jerusalem. In 2018-19, exactly 70 years after the Jews’ return to the Land, and 49 years after Jerusalem was restored as its capital, a peace plan has been drafted that purportedly aims to divide the Holy City.

Do you see the problem?

God’s plan calls for the restoration of the Holy City, while the world’s plan is to divide it. Dividing Jerusalem is prohibited because it belongs to the One who will reign there during the millennium (Jer. 3:17). The Lord has been patient for decades as Israel has tried to secure peace by giving away land. A plan that aims to divide the Land around the 6,000th year from creation, however—the time that Messiah the Prince is set to take possession—explains why destruction will come “suddenly” upon those saying peace and safety (1 Thess. 5:3).

PARALLELS TO PONDER

Exile—

Ancient Israel was exiled physically from the Land for 70 years. Is it possible that modern Israel’s 70 years represent a time of spiritual exile in which the Jews are present in the Land yet separated from the heart of Messiah? The physical exile preceding the spiritual makes sense in light of Paul’s teaching that the physical man, Adam, precedes the spiritual, Jesus (1 Cor. 15:45-49).

Judgment—

When Israel’s 70 years of exile were complete, God judged Babylon (Jer. 29:12). Could the completion of modern-day Israel’s 70th year mark the beginning of judgment for “spiritual Babylon,” i.e. the world?

Holocaust—

2018-19 marks 80 years since the beginning of the seven-year Holocaust period (1938-45). Could 2018-19 also mark the beginning of the ultimate time of Jacob’s Trouble? History records that during the Holocaust an estimated two thirds of the Jewish population of Europe was systematically murdered. Similarly, Zechariah says that two thirds of Israel will perish during the Tribulation: “In all the land, declares the LORD, ‘two-thirds will be cut off and perish, but a third will be left in it. This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold’” (Zech. 13:8, 9).

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

In the Bible, the number 70 signifies fullness, restoration, and an endpoint.

It’s significant that the numbers 71 through 80 do not typify restoration or an endpoint in any comparable way in Scripture.

Israel’s 70th year, ending spring 2019, marks the convergence of four prophetic timespans and the drafting of the most anticipated Middle East peace plan in half a century. If this once-in-history convergence is God’s way of declaring the season of His return, the world may soon see the Rapture and the beginning of the Tribulation week. In this scenario, the Church’s redemption occurs “seven sevens” after Jerusalem’s rebuilding began, while Israel’s redemption occurs after “seventy sevens,” at the end of Daniel’s 70th week. The dividing line that separates the Church Age from the time of Jacob’s Trouble is Israel’s 70th year.

Spelled out another way:

7 x 10 (70) = end of the Church Age/start of Tribulation

7 x 7 (49) = Church’s redemption (rapture)

7 x 70 (490) = Israel’s redemption (resurrection)

Notice that in each case multiples of God’s perfect number “7” signify ultimate perfection and completion.

Having put forth a scenario, it goes without saying that we cannot set a time limit on Jesus’ return. No man knows the day, and Scripture is clear that our prophetic range of vision is limited on this side of the last trump (1 Cor. 13:13; Matt. 24:36-44).

On the other hand, believers should understand that nowhere in the Bible is speculation about the year or season of the Rapture discouraged. In fact, believers are encouraged to study the clues, to recognize the season, and be watching when the Lord returns (Heb. 10:25; Luke 12:37; 21:28; Ezek. 33:6). This is why the numbers and timelines are included in Scripture: This is why Daniel provides the countdowns of “weeks” to Messiah (9:25). This is why Jesus links the time of His return to the rebirth of Israel and a definite (generation) timespan (Matt. 24:32-34; Ps. 90:10). This is why Scripture is brimming with typologies like the 70 years in Babylon, which commentators agree is a picture of humanity’s time of separation or exile in the fallen world.

Around 2,560 years ago, when the 70 years of Babylonian captivity were nearly over, Daniel understood by Jeremiah’s prophecy that the time of liberation was at hand:

“You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home” (Jer. 29:10).

Today, as the end of Israel’s 70th year draws near, many are coming to understand by the prophecies that our time of liberation is at hand. Like Daniel, we’re not privy to the day or hour, but we know that it’s soon.

. . .

NOTES:

1). Additional evidence that 1948 and 1967 are central dates in God’s plan of redemption:

• Abraham, the father of the Nation of Israel, was born 1,948 years from Creation.

• The years 1948 and 1967 have been shown by scholars like Dr. Ken Johnson and Ellis H. Skolfield to have been mathematically predicted in Scripture.

• The years 1948 and 1967 were highlighted by total lunar eclipses on biblical feast days, evoking the prophecies about the moon being turned to blood before the great and terrible day of the Lord (Joel 2:31).

• The wars fought in 1948 and 1967 (the War of Independence and the Six Day War) were accompanied by a host of miraculous events that tipped the scales of victory in Israel’s favor.

• The 19th book and 48th chapter in the Bible (Psalm 48) describe the rebirth of Israel.

• The numbers 19 and 48 add up to 67, which is the year that Israel’s capital, Jerusalem, was restored.

• Gold is heated to exactly 1,948 degrees (1948) Fahrenheit during the refining process. Scripture compares Israel’s deliverance during Jacob’s trouble to the refining and purification process of precious metal (Zech. 13:9).

• During Israel’s 70th anniversary, a comet discovered in 1948 made its closest flyby since that time. On the day of optimal viewing, the comet passed within a few degrees of the star cluster Pleiades, which is said to be a heavenly representation of the Church.

• When we add 1,948 years to 70 AD (the year the Second Temple was destroyed), we arrive at the biblical year spanning 2018-19. When we reverse the numbers and add 70 years to 1948 we, again, arrive at 2018-19.

• 1948 + 70 years = 2018-19. 2018-19 marks 70 jubilees from the time of the Exodus (circa 1500 BC), when Israel was called out as a Nation. Thus, 2018-19 marks 70 jubilees since Israel’s original birth and 70 years since the nation was born a second time. Some put the Exodus at 1522 BC, which means the Jews entered the land of Canaan circa 1482 BC. If this calculation is correct, as of 2018-19 it has been exactly 3,500 years, or 70 jubilees, since the Jews first entered the Promised Land.

2). Biblical years begin and end on Nisan 1 in the spring (Ex. 12: 1, 2).

3). In 1969, the Jewish Quarter Development Company was established under the auspices of the Construction and Housing Ministry to rebuild the desolate Old City of Jerusalem: https://www.rova-yehudi.org.il/company-profile/
May 9, 1969 headline about the rebuilding of Jerusalem from the St. Petersburg Times:

“Jerusalem Restoration On High Priority List”

“JERUSALEM — One of the most dramatic restoration projects in the history of cities is forging ahead in the ancient walled city of Jerusalem. The reconstruction of the Jewish quarter of the Old city, lost to the Jews in the 1948 war after centuries of occupancy, is one of the high priority projects of the Israeli government.”

It’s interesting that from the day the above article was published in 1969 (May 9) to Israel’s Independence Day in 2019 (May 9) is exactly 50 years. (Israelis observe their Independence Day according to the Hebrew calendar date. Modern-day Israel was born on the Hebrew calendar day Iyyar 5, corresponding to May 9 in 2019.)

https://www.officeholidays.com/…/israel/independence_day.php

4). Based on the genealogies in Genesis, D. Petavius determined that Adam was created in 3,983 BC.

5). The Holocaust (1938-45) is a type of Jacob’s Trouble, or Tribulation: The first major actions against the Jews (Krystallnacht, decrees banning business and property ownership, and ordinances banning attendance at public schools) began in Germany in 1938. In 1939 Germany invaded Poland (considered to be the start of World War II) and began opening forced labor camps and ghettos to segregate and confine Jews. Major killing operations began in 1941 and peaked between 1942 and 1945 when World War II ended. Interestingly, from the end of the Holocaust on May 9, 1945 (V-Day) to the anniversary of Israel’s rebirth in 2019 (Iyyar 5) is exactly 888 months.

https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/con…/…/article/1938-key-dateshttps://www.ushmm.org/learn/timeline-of-events/1942-1945

6). The biblical year ends Nisan 1 (April 6-7) in 2019. Counting from Israel’s May 14, 1948 birthday, the 70th year ends May 14 (Gregorian) or May 9-10 (Hebrew) in 2019.

7). The numbers 7 and 10 symbolize perfection and completion in Scripture. The number 70, a combination of these two perfect numbers, represents an intensification of the themes, thus denoting ultimate perfection and completion.

8). 7 x 70 (490) denotes an ultimate end, and redemption, or forgiveness of sin:

• A total of 70 bulls are sacrificed during the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles (70 x 7), which will be fulfilled at the end of the seven-year tribulation, marking the end of the 70th week (7 X 70).

• In both Daniel and Matthew, “seventy sevens,” or 490, is the number linked to the ultimate forgiveness of sin (Dan. 9:24-27; Matt. 18:21, 22).

. . .

For a PDF of this article please click on the link below:

http://www.theseasonofreturn.com/ISRAELS_70TH_YEAR_-_WHY_ITS_SIGNIFICANT_rev_a.pdf

http://www.theseasonofreturn.com/index.html

%d bloggers like this: