Archive for earth

ZECHARIAH: GOD REMEMBERS -Mark Wilson

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Mark Wilson with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 11, 2026 by paulthepoke

Mark provides outstanding Biblical content on X @ https://x.com/Mark_Wilson_25/

A figure dressed in biblical attire stands on a rocky ledge, overlooking a city with ancient architecture under a dramatic sky filled with rays of sunlight and clouds.

Zechariah is one of the most breathtaking books in all of Scripture.

Its name means “YHWH remembers,” and that truth runs through the entire book.

God remembers His covenant.
The LORD remembers Jerusalem.
The Holy One of Israel remembers His people.
The King remembers every promise He has spoken.

Zechariah begins with a returned remnant, a damaged city, and a Temple being rebuilt. But the prophecy quickly moves far beyond Zechariah’s own generation.

The horizon expands to Israel’s future, Messiah’s coming, Jerusalem’s central role, Israel’s repentance, the judgment of the nations, and the establishment of the Kingdom.

Zechariah is a prophetic mountain range.

GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN JERUSALEM

The LORD declares: “I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion.” Zechariah 1:14

And again: “I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.” Zechariah 8:3

Then comes one of the most beautiful pictures of restoration: “Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem… and the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing.” Zechariah 8:4–5

Jeremiah gives the same assurance: “If this fixed order departs from before Me… then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before Me forever.” Jeremiah 31:35–36

And in that same chapter: “I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.” Jeremiah 31:31

Ezekiel adds: “I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land.” Ezekiel 36:24

Then comes spiritual renewal: “I will sprinkle clean water on you… and I will give you a new heart.” Ezekiel 36:25–26

Zechariah is not standing alone. He is part of a much larger prophetic chorus.

THE KING CAME HUMBLE

Zechariah foretold the arrival of Israel’s King: “Behold, your king is coming to you, righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9

Yeshua fulfilled that prophecy literally. But the next verse looks beyond His humble arrival: “His rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.” Zechariah 9:10

The same Messiah who came in humility will rule in glory. First the suffering. Then the crown.

THE SHEPHERD WOULD BE STRUCK

Zechariah also foretold Messiah’s rejection: “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” Zechariah 13:7

Yeshua Himself applied this passage to what was about to happen to Him. But Zechariah never leaves the story at rejection. The Shepherd who was struck will return as King.

ISRAEL WILL LOOK UPON THE ONE THEY PIERCED

Zechariah 12 is one of the most remarkable passages in the Tanakh. The LORD says: “I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy.” Zechariah 12:10

Then comes the stunning line: “They will look on Me, on Him whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him.”

Recognition. Repentance. Grace. Restoration.

And the next chapter follows with cleansing: “On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.” Zechariah 13:1

Yeshua later spoke of a future day when Jerusalem would welcome Him: “You will not see Me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’” Matthew 23:39

Paul says the same storyline continues in Romans 11: “A partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” Romans 11:25

Then: “And in this way all Israel will be saved.” Romans 11:26

And why can we trust that promise? “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Romans 11:29

Israel’s story is not finished.

JERUSALEM WILL STAND AT THE CENTER OF WORLD EVENTS

Zechariah says: “I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples.” Zechariah 12:3

The nations gather against the city.

But Jerusalem is not only the center of conflict. It is also the center of the coming Kingdom.

Isaiah saw the same future: “It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established.” Isaiah 2:2

And: “For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” Isaiah 2:3

Jerusalem is not erased from the prophetic story. It becomes central to it.

THE GOD OF ISRAEL WILL INTERVENE

Zechariah describes a future moment when the nations gather against Jerusalem. Then: “The LORD will go out and fight against those nations as when He fights on a day of battle.” Zechariah 14:3

And then comes one of the most dramatic prophecies in Scripture: “On that day His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east.” Zechariah 14:4

The mountain splits. The geography is specific. Jerusalem. The Mount of Olives. A real city. A real mountain. A real intervention.

Revelation 19 describes Messiah’s triumphant return as heaven opens and the King comes in righteousness and judgment.

Then Revelation 20 follows with His thousand-year reign.

The sequence is powerful: The King returns. His enemies are judged. Israel is restored. The nations come under His rule. The Kingdom is established.

THE KING WILL REIGN OVER ALL THE EARTH

Zechariah reaches its climax here: “The LORD will be King over all the earth.” Zechariah 14:9

That is where history is heading. Not toward the failure of God’s promises. Not toward the abandonment of Israel. Not toward the disappearance of Jerusalem from the prophetic plan.

But toward the reign of the King.

Living waters will flow from Jerusalem. The nations will come to worship. The city will be holy.

And: “Everyone who survives of all the nations… shall go up year after year to worship the King.” Zechariah 14:16

That is the breathtaking message of Zechariah.

The God of Israel remembers. The Shepherd was struck. The King is coming. Jerusalem will see Him. Israel will be restored. The nations will worship.

And one day: “The LORD will be King over all the earth.” Zechariah 14:9

Every promise will stand.

~

Mark provides outstanding Biblical content on X @ https://x.com/Mark_Wilson_25/

Debunking Replacement Theology: Location, Location, Location

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Prophecy, Replacement Theology, Revelation with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on September 30, 2026 by paulthepoke

Welcome to the last edition of the part 12 of the series, Debunking Replacement Theology.

One last time… the nation of Israel and the church or the bride of Jesus Christ, are two separate entities. God has not changed His mind. The church has not replaced Israel. God has a unique plan for both.

And by the way critic, if God can break His covenant and replace His people Israel with the church as you have suggested, then He can change His mind about your personal salvation too… But fear not!

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

And another thought for the critic… if the church replaces Israel, then the church will go through God’s wrath and judgment on earth.

Christ has already paid the price and taken His Bride’s place. Do you, self proclaimed believer in Christ, want to bring judgment upon yourself? Did Jesus die in vain on the cross?

The church replacing Israel makes no logical sense for many reasons as demonstrated during this series.

~

Location, Location, Location

Revelation chapter 6 introduces judgment on Earth with the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. It is not until chapter 7 that Israel is mentioned. Israel is located on Earth where and while judgment is taking place. The twelve tribes of Israel are reintroduced in sets of 12,000 for a total of 144,000.

At the same time, it would appear the church and elders remain in Heaven.

Saints, who likely converted to Jesus after the resurrection and rapture, on Earth are present and dying. Note the saints who die on Earth join the God the Father, God the Son, the elders and angels in Heaven.

Revelation 7:9-11 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God…

Judgment continues on Earth with the introduction of the two witnesses in Revelation 11 in Jerusalem. Satan is thrown out of Heaven and down to Earth by the angel Michael in chapter 12. The antichrist and the false prophet enter the scene on Earth in Revelation 13.

In Revelation 14, Jesus the Lamb has moved from Heaven to Earth. His location is Mount Zion, a specific location in Jerusalem. 144,000 Israelis have joined Him for choir practice.

Meanwhile back in Heaven, the elders or the church are singing before the throne of God the Father. Israel is on Earth. The church is in Heaven.

The two entities, Israel and the church, are different in name and physical location in the context of the chapters in Revelation 7-14.

The text could not be any clearer. Replacement Theology or Supersessionism is a myth.

Judgment continues on Earth through Revelation 18 then the setting changes to Heaven in chapter 19. The Lamb and His bride the church are married in Heaven. Then Christ and His army descend to Earth. The beast and his troops decide to engage the King of Kings on Earth. The result of the antichrist and the false prophet is the lake of fire on Earth. Satan has a 1,000 year time out chained up in the abyss.

Israel has remained a country on Earth during this period of time. Israel is on Earth and ready to usher in the kingdom.

The church is destined for resurrection and rapture before Israel has a seven year period of judgment. The church returns to earth to rule and reign with the King of Kings over the world through nation Israel for 1,000 years and into eternity.

~

This series is an excerpt from the book, Rapture the Bride Redeemed. 

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

Solar Eclipse Completed, April 8, 2024

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Creation, Matt Weinreich, Signs: Sun, Moon, Stars..., Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , on April 8, 2024 by paulthepoke

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

So I was going to write a post about this topic of our perception of the moon and the sun from our view point on planet Earth. My wife and I were talking about the design of our solar system and the relationship of the size, distance and space from Earth to our sun and the moon. And I found this…

“Scientists tell us that the sun is 390 times larger than the moon, but it is also 390 times father away. Every eighteen months or so they align perfectly so that the moon’s shadow passes over the earth, and those in the path of that shadow see a solar eclipse. This is often described as one of the great coincidences of our solar system.

Astronomers also tell us that there are 295 moons in our solar system. And yet ours is the only moon with the exact size and distance to perfectly match the sun and produce the amazing spectacle we see somewhere on our planet every 18 months or so. If our moon was any smaller the sky would not turn dark, and if it was any larger, we would never see that brilliant corona. For many, it is a source of wonder, that the one place where these amazing eclipses occur, is the one place where there are observers to see them.

In one of his humorous harangues about “Life Below the Beltway,” Washington Post contributor, Gene Weingarten, once admitted, “I am a devout atheist but can’t explain why the moon is exactly the right size, and gets positioned so precisely between the earth and the sun, that total solar eclipses are perfect. It bothers me.” (The Washington Post, Sunday, March 8, 2009). And so it is that this extraordinary event has been witnessed by our planet throughout history…

As a Christian educator, I am reminded that God reveals His truth to us in two ways: through the general revelation of His natural world and through the special revelation of His written word. Psalm 19 encapsulates this for us beautifully. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1). There are no words, and yet the message of God’s existence and power is heard everywhere.”

The Total Eclipse of the Sun — and the Exceptional Nature of our Planet  Stephen E. Danish, Head of School Emeritus, Immanuel Christian School

~

PaulthePoke had a correspondent in the Ozarks of Missouri who provided video of the event. Video is compliments of the TrashyPrepper.

Note, Venus located in the video at about 4 o’clock or SE of the eclipse. Jupiter is noted briefly at about 10 o’clock or NW (3:15 of the video) of the eclipse.

I would also like to give a special shout out and thanks to #TheJoJo.

https://twitter.com/rami_astro

If you have had the opportunity to witness an awesome event like this, and you still don’t believe in a Creator God…

Romans 1:18-20 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

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

Jubilee, Part 7, Jesus the Kinsman Redeemer

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Gospel, Jubilee, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 6, 2021 by paulthepoke

Leviticus 25:23-25 The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me. Thus for every piece of your property, you are to provide for the redemption of the land. If a fellow countryman of yours becomes so poor he has to sell part of his property, then his nearest kinsman is to come and buy back what his relative has sold.

In the previous post it was discussed how Satan is currently in charge of the world. God has given him authority since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. The world is leased to Satan. God holds the title.

http://paulthepoke.com/2015/11/29/jubilee-part-6-satan-in-control-for-now/

Deuteronomy 10:14 The heavens, indeed the highest heavens, belong to the Lord your God, as does the earth and everything in it.

~

God has the papers of ownership when it comes to the Earth.

Revelation 5:1 I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.

photo: Shutterstock

Leviticus 25:24 Thus for every piece of your property, you are to provide for the redemption of the land…

God the Father has His price for the land of Earth. Because of sin, the land is cursed and there is a cost. God wants His payment in the currency of sacrificed, innocent blood.

~

Leviticus 25:25 If a fellow countryman of yours becomes so poor he has to sell part of his property, then his nearest kinsman is to come and buy back what his relative has sold.

Adam lost the deed to the Earth because of sin. Adam was unable to pay the price with his guilty blood. No other person has been able to redeem the land since. All humanity is guilty and slaves to sin. We are unable to pay for the land. Humanity does not have access to the land deed until the scene in Heaven (Revelation 5). Jesus is fulfilling His role as a Kinsman-Redeemer. Jesus is related to Adam (Luke 3:23-38). Jesus is a kinsman to the man, Adam, who lost the land.

~

Revelation 5:7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 

Jesus takes the book from God the Father. Jesus wants possession of the papers.

Revelation 5:9-10 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”

The scene in Heaven (Revelation 5) is consistent with the customs of a Kinsman-Redeemer (Ruth 4). Both are conducted before the court and elders as witnesses before God. With His death, Jesus purchased humanity, His bride, from the bondage of sin. He has access to the scroll. Christ is sinless and innocent.

See Jeremiah 32:6-15 for land purchasing and redemption document customs. The conditions for the redemption of the Earth are Tribulation; seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls…

Reference Material: God’s Final Jubilee, Dan Goodwin

~

Jesus, a man, and His bride, the church, will fulfill God’s command in the Garden of Eden. 

Genesis 1:28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Jubilee, Part 5, Humanity Falls

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Jubilee, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 14, 2021 by paulthepoke

Leviticus 25:23 The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me.

God transfers authority and possession according to His own choice. He owns everything. The point of the post is to see how God transfers authority in leadership over the earth.

Please do not make assumptions in doctrine regarding marriage based on these verses. Marriage is a discussion for another day…Hint, both parties submit to Christ (Ephesians 5).

Jeremiah 27:5 By My great strength and outstretched arm, I made the earth, and the people, and animals on the face of the earth. I give it to anyone I please.

http://paulthepoke.com/2015/11/15/jubilee-part-4-return-to-your-land/

In the beginning, God gave authority over the earth and everything in it to humanity. Notice authority was granted to both the man and woman equally. Authority was not given specifically to the man. See the two verses below in Genesis 1.

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Genesis 1:28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

There are two verbs of interest in the verses above. They are “rule” and “subdue”.

The Hebrew word for “rule” is radah. It is used as a simple action verb and radah means: to have dominion, rule, or subjugate. The verb does not necessarily imply harshness or utilizing an iron fist. There are examples where God instructs the use of temperament and respect. 

Leviticus 25:43 ‘You shall not rule over him with severity, but are to revere your God.

~

The Hebrew word for “subdue” is kabash. It is used as a simple action verb and kabash means: to bring into bondage, enslave, make subservient; to subdue, force, violate; or dominate, tread down. In other words, use force if necessary. Kabash is used in the context of conquering the land in the book of Joshua and the military victories of King David. -Definitions per Strong’s Concordance

The leadership structure radically changed with the original sin in the Garden of Eden. Originally, God transferred authority of the earth to the man and woman equally, humanity. A consequence of the fall in Eden is God redefined the dynamic of the relationship between the man and the woman. The woman lost her position as co-ruler with the man.

Genesis 3:16b To the woman He said… “Yet your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”

~

Notice God’s comments to Noah after the flood in Genesis 9:7 “As for you, be fruitful and multiply; populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it.”

There is no mention of “rule” and “subdue” anywhere in Genesis 9. Humanity’s authority over the earth is lost for now.

~

With the fall, humanity lost authority over the earth. As of now, look who is in charge. 

1 John 5:19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 

Currently, God has transferred authority over the earth to Satan.

In the beginning, humanity’s co-rulers (Adam and Eve) failed to rule and subdue the earth. Leadership structure and order were radically changed.

In the end, humanity’s co-rulers (Jesus and His bride the church) will succeed, fulfill, and restore God’s promise in the Millennial Kingdom.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

2 Timothy 2:12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He will also deny us…

Please… Mega Quake

Posted in Earthquakes/Volcanoes, Prophecy, Revelation with tags , , , , , , , , , on August 5, 2018 by paulthepoke

Revelation 16:17-20 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found.

 

 

The context of this verse is before the Second Coming of Christ. It occurs near the end of the seven-year Tribulation. The Millennial Kingdom is about to commence. The seventh bowl concludes the judgments upon the earth and humanity.

…and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The last earthquake mentioned in the Bible will be the largest and strongest in the history of humanity. This earthquake will also be the most destructive. The Greek expression of the quake is restated three times. The earthquake is greatness and magnitude upon greatness and magnitude upon greatness and magnitude. The scale and power are larger than the Discovery Channel can imagine. It is the Mega Quake!

tsunami

The great city was split into three parts. The great city is mystery Babylon. Some think the city is a reborn Babylon in modern day Iraq. Others think it is Rome, Italy. Some believe it is Istanbul, Turkey. Mecca, Saudi Arabia is a city on seven hills. Pick your seven hilled city. Conjecture in regards to city is pointless.

…and the cities of the nations fell… All the cities (plural) of the nations (plural) are doomed. The Greek word for “fell” is πιπτο/pipto. Per Strong’s Concordance, it means: to descend from a higher place to a lower; to be thrust down; come to an end, disappear, cease; to lose authority, no longer have force. Metaphorically: to fall under judgment, came under condemnation. “It is done!”

And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. The idea of no more mountains and changed geography is noted in multiple places in the Bible. Revelation is not the only source of this concept.

volcano wall paper

Psalm 97:5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.

Psalm 46:6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.

Isaiah 24:1 Behold, the LORD lays the earth waste, devastates it, distorts its surface and scatters its inhabitants.

Isaiah 24:19 The earth is utterly broken, the earth is split apart, the earth is violently shaken.

Micah 1:4 And the mountains will melt under him, and the valleys will split open, like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place.

 

The level of destruction is unimaginable. We cannot comprehend. It says what it says.

 

 

 

Jubilee, Part 7, Jesus the Kinsman Redeemer

Posted in Gospel, Jubilee, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 6, 2015 by paulthepoke

Leviticus 25:23-25 The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me. Thus for every piece of your property, you are to provide for the redemption of the land. If a fellow countryman of yours becomes so poor he has to sell part of his property, then his nearest kinsman is to come and buy back what his relative has sold.

In the previous post it was discussed how Satan is currently in charge of the world. God has given him authority since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. The world is leased to Satan. God holds the title.

http://paulthepoke.com/2015/11/29/jubilee-part-6-satan-in-control-for-now/

Deuteronomy 10:14 The heavens, indeed the highest heavens, belong to the Lord your God, as does the earth and everything in it.

God has the papers of ownership when it comes to the Earth. This is confirmed in Revelation 5:1 I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.

clayscroll

scroll: lds.org

Leviticus 25:24 Thus for every piece of your property, you are to provide for the redemption of the land…God the Father has His price for the land of Earth. Because of sin, the land is cursed and there is a cost. God wants His payment in the currency of sacrificed, innocent blood.

Leviticus 25:25 If a fellow countryman of yours becomes so poor he has to sell part of his property, then his nearest kinsman is to come and buy back what his relative has sold. Adam lost the deed to the Earth because of sin. Adam was unable to pay the price with his guilty blood. No other person has been able to redeem the land since. All humanity is guilty and slaves to sin. We are unable to pay for the land. Humanity does not have access to the land deed until the scene in Heaven (Revelation 5). Jesus is fulfilling His role as a Kinsman-Redeemer. Jesus is related to Adam (Luke 3:23-38). Jesus is a kinsman to the man, Adam, who lost the land. Revelation 5:7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Jesus takes the book from God the Father. Jesus wants possession of the papers.

Revelation 5:9-10 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”

The scene in Heaven (Revelation 5) is consistent with the customs of a Kinsman-Redeemer (Ruth 4). Both are conducted before the court and elders as witnesses before God. With His death Jesus purchased humanity, His bride, from the bondage of sin. He has access to the scroll. Christ is sinless and innocent.

See Jeremiah 32:6-15 for land purchasing and redemption document customs. The conditions for the redemption of the Earth are Tribulation; seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls…

Reference Material: God’s Final Jubilee, Dan Goodwin

Jesus, a man, and His bride, the church, will fulfill God’s command in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 1:28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Jubilee, Part 5, Humanity Falls

Posted in Creation, Jubilee, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 22, 2015 by paulthepoke

Leviticus 25:23 The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me.

God transfers authority and possession according to His own choice. He owns everything. The point of the post is to see how God transfers authority in leadership over the earth. Please do not make assumptions in doctrine regarding marriage based on these verses. Marriage is a discussion for another day…Hint, both parties submit to Christ (Ephesians 5).

Jeremiah 27:5 By My great strength and outstretched arm, I made the earth, and the people, and animals on the face of the earth. I give it to anyone I please.

http://paulthepoke.com/2015/11/15/jubilee-part-4-return-to-your-land/

garden

In the beginning, God gave authority over the earth and everything in it to humanity. Notice authority was granted to both the man and woman equally. Authority was not given specifically to the man. See the two verses below in Genesis 1.

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Genesis 1:28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

There are two verbs of interest in the verses above. They are “rule” and “subdue”.

The Hebrew word for “rule” is radah. It is used as a simple action verb and radah means: to have dominion, rule, or subjugate. The verb does not necessarily imply harshness or utilizing an iron fist. There are examples where God instructs the use of temperament and respect. Leviticus 25:43 ‘You shall not rule over him with severity, but are to revere your God.

The Hebrew word for “subdue” is kabash. It is used as a simple action verb and kabash means: to bring into bondage, enslave, make subservient; to subdue, force, violate; or dominate, tread down. In other words, use force if necessary. Kabash is used in the context of conquering the land in the book of Joshua and the military victories of King David. –Definitions per Strong’s Concordance

The leadership structure radically changed with the original sin in the Garden of Eden. Originally God transferred authority of the earth to the man and woman equally, humanity. A consequence of the fall in Eden is God redefined the dynamic of the relationship between the man and the woman. The woman lost her position as co-ruler with the man.

Genesis 3:16b To the woman He said… “Yet your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”

Notice God’s comments to Noah after the flood in Genesis 9:7 “As for you, be fruitful and multiply; populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it.”

There is no mention of “rule” and “subdue” anywhere in Genesis 9. Humanity’s authority over the earth is lost for now.

With the fall, humanity lost authority over the earth. As of now, look who is in charge… 1 John 5:19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. Currently, God has transferred authority over the earth to Satan.

In the beginning, humanity’s co-rulers (Adam and Eve) failed to rule and subdue the earth. Leadership structure and order were radically changed.

In the end, humanity’s co-rulers (Jesus and His bride the church) will succeed, fulfill, and restore God’s promise in the Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:5-6, 2 Timothy 2:12).

Isaiah 11:6-8 The Earth is Cursed, Still

Posted in Isaiah, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 23, 2014 by paulthepoke

Isaiah 11:6-8 And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little boy will lead them. Also the cow and the bear will graze, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den.

The earth in its current status (February 2014) is still cursed. The curse finds its origin in the sin of Adam.

Genesis 3:17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.

God wasted no time with the curse on the ground. The environment changed quickly. Finding food was clearly becoming an issue relative to the perfectly created Earth. From Adam to Noah in nine generations, the cursed ground was taking its toll. Man was having to work harder in order to eat. Genesis 5:29 Now he called his name Noah, saying, “This one will give us rest from our work and from the toil of our hands arising from the ground which the LORD has cursed.”

It is true, Noah (meaning rest or comfort) did provide humanity relief. If it were not for him building an ark, we would not be here. Conditions on Earth continued to become more difficult for growing food after the flood. Lot chose the lush and fertile Jordan valley near Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 13. This area is described as similar to the Garden of the Lord in Genesis 13:10 prior to its destruction. Today we know this area around the Dead Sea to be a barren, desert wasteland.

Romans 8:20-22 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. Today, the creation continues to groan. We are still dealing with the effect of Adam’s choice. Prophecy tells us the growing conditions will get worse before it gets better. For now, we hold to the words of the Apostle Peter. 2 Peter 3:13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

God Himself comments in Isaiah 65:17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. This concept is noted in the Old and New Testaments. Revelation 21:5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”

This earthly curse will be reversed.

Isaiah 11:6 The Curse is Reversed, Part 1

Posted in Creation, Isaiah, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , on February 2, 2014 by paulthepoke

Isaiah 11:6-8 And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little boy will lead them. Also the cow and the bear will graze, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den.

Is this a picture of the animal kingdom in today’s world, February 2014? Look at the pairs of animals: wolf and lamb; leopard and goat, lion and cow. Currently wolves, leopards, and lions are carnivores and predators. Lambs, goats, and cows are herbivores. They are also a meal and prey. I have seen the documentaries on the National Geographic cable channel, I know how these stories end.

Children of all ages, a nursing baby (ages 0-2), a weaned child (ages 2-4), and a small boy (ages 5 plus) are noted in the original Hebrew language. Young children of all ages are represented in these verses. In verse 6, the Hebrew term is na’ar. It means a boy, lad, or youth. In verse 8, the “nursing child” is the Hebrew term yanaq. It is as translated, a nursing infant. The “weaned child” in the Hebrew is gamal. (definitions per Strong’s Concordance). The text states these young children are safely playing around poisonous snake dens. The cobra and the viper are poisonous snakes. I have a nonpoisonous snake that lives under my front porch. I would love to kill it. Apparently, my current attitude would not exist in a future time.

Look at the living conditions. These animals are living together. Prey are living fearlessly with predators. Today, would a goat take a nap with a leopard? A 2-4 year old child is running around with these animals. Would parents allow their children to do this? The lion is described as an herbivore and eating grass, not exactly the image we have of a lion in February of 2014.

This is not the only place where these conditions are promised. Isaiah 65:25 verifies the same harmonious conditions. “The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox…”

Imagine the impact on animal life with the curse removed. Reproduction in animal life will result in an explosion of population. Radical behavior changes are coming to the animal kingdom.