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Noah’s Faith in Action

Posted in #PaulthePoke with tags , , , , , , on May 7, 2023 by paulthepoke

Doctrinal Emphasis: Faith, Believing and Doing God’s Word

Scripture: Hebrews Chapters 11-13

Key Theme: The focus of these three chapters is how one responds to God’s word once they believe it.

What is faith? Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).

Scripture clearly defines the concept of faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6a). Faith is how we obtain our salvation. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the Law (Romans 3:28). We can not work or earn our way to Heaven.

A historical review of persons with faith and their actions is discussed in Hebrews chapter 11. Faith begins with creation. God spoke creation into existence (Hebrews 11:3, Genesis 1). There are many examples of men and women with faith (Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and Rahab to name a few). Short term results are noted because of the faith of these men and women. All these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised (Hebrews 11:13, 39). The promise is an eternal, heavenly city.

Specifically, take Noah and his faith. We should be thankful for Noah’s belief in God’s warning and Noah’s subsequent actions. If Noah had not acted on what God told him, we would not be here. The result of Noah’s action has allowed us the opportunity of life. Could Noah have believed and not built an ark? Yes. Can people believe that Jesus died for sins of the world and not respond? Yes. In Noah’s case as well as others, faith, if it has no works, is dead (James 2:17).

Jesus is our object of faith (Hebrews 12:2).

He died for us, sinners (Romans 5:8).

The text of Hebrews Chapters 11-13 does offer description, location, and characteristics of Christ. He is the author and perfecter of faith. He endured the cross. He is at the right hand of the throne of God the Father (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus endured the hostility of sinners for us (Hebrews 12:3). Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. He does not change (Hebrews 13:8).

The text offers practical advice and application to our response to faith in Jesus. Reasons for conduct are given immediately after a command. We are called to endure discipline (Hebrews 12:7). It is for our own good. Discipline allows us to share God’s holiness (Hebrews 12:10) and it ultimately yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11).

Strengthen weak hands and feeble knees. We are to make the paths of our feet straight. This leads to healing (Hebrews 12:12-13).

Pursue peace with all men, otherwise no one will see the Lord. Avoid bitterness, it can cause trouble and leads to defilement, or contamination. Do not be an immoral or a godless person like Esau. He initially sold his birthright for a single meal. Later he wanted his inheritance. He was rejected. It was too late and Isaac was not going to be changing his mind. Even crying did not help (Hebrews 12:14-17, see also Genesis 27:36-39).

Let the love of the brothers continue. Show hospitality to others because some have entertained angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:1-2).

Remember fellow believers who are in prison because they are part of the body, the church (Hebrews 13:3).

Honor marriage by God’s Law. God will judge people who are unfaithful in their marriage (Hebrews 13:4).

We are to be free from the love of money and we are to be content with what we have. The Lord will never desert you, nor will He ever forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

Remember those who spoke and led you to the word of God. Consider what they did and imitate their faith (Hebrews 13:7).

Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings. It is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace (Hebrews 13:9).

We are to continually offer up sacrifices of praise and give thanks to His name. Do good and share with others, this is pleasing to God (Hebrews 13:15-16).

Obey and submit to leaders because they keep watch over your souls (Hebrews 13:17).

~

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

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In God’s Time… Phil Kulis

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Phil Kulis, Prophecy with tags , , , , on March 8, 2022 by paulthepoke
https://www.facebook.com/phil.kulis

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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…

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Teshuvah 5781/2021

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Teshuvah/Repent with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 10, 2021 by paulthepoke
Israeli Moon Society

The new moon has been sighted and confirmed by a couple of different groups in the land of Israel. Trained spotters from the Israeli Moon Society and the website http://whenisthenewmoon.com/ are in agreement. The new moon was spotted on the evening of August 9, 2021 on our western Gregorian calendar.

But there is disagreement with the month. The Israeli Moon Society says it is the beginning of the month of Elul.

The Temple Institute relies on the Israeli Moon Society. Secular Hebrew calendars and our western Gregorian calendars proclaim the month to be Elul.

http://whenisthenewmoon.com/ says it is the beginning of the month of Av.

Imagine that, humanity disagrees on how to tell time as God has directed. Personally, I don’t know who is right. I will defer to God …But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. -Matthew 24:36

Elul is the last month of the civic calendar in Judaism. Elul is the sixth month of the religious calendar. Jewish tradition points to the name of the month to be an acronym of “Ani l’dodi v’dodi li” a quote from Song of Songs 6:3 I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine… 

In Aramaic, the vernacular of the Jewish people at the time that the month names were adopted), the word Elul means “search”. Per Strong’s Concordance, Elul means “nothingness” in the Hebrew. The month is mentioned one time in the Bible. 

Nehemiah 6:15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 

http://www.jewfaq.org, http://www.myjewishlearning.com .

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The month of Elul initiates a 40 day period called Teshuvah. The point of the season is to prepare for the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah and the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur.

It is a time to return toward God. People are called to turn away from their sin, repent, and change course. It is a time of inward reflection and sincere self-assessment. The goal is a change in lifestyle away from sin to obedience in God’s word. The 40 day period starts on Elul 1 and ends on Tishri 10, Yom Kippur.

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There are many examples of the significance of the number 40 in the Bible. Notice, the examples ultimately demonstrate a turning away from sin and a return to God’s word. The result is a changed mind, a lifestyle consistent with obedience to God.

On three occasions, Moses went up to Mount Sinai for 40 days and met with the LORD. Israel had worshipped a golden calf and committed idolatry against God (Exodus 32). Moses pleaded with God for mercy against His chosen people. He turned to God and instructed the people of Israel to turn from their sin. The golden calf was destroyed (Exodus 32:20). After the destruction of the golden calf, Jewish tradition has Moses ascending Mount Sinai on Elul 1 to Tishri 10 (Yom Kippur) to receive a second set of tablets. Moses came down from Mount Sinai when the people had repented (http://www.chabad.org, http://www.hebrew4christians.com).

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With a lack of faith in God, Israel was left to wander in the desert for 40 years. God told them He would help them take the Promised Land. Only two men believed, Caleb and Joshua (Numbers 32:12). The others did not turn and trust God. 

Numbers 32:13 So the LORD’S anger burned against Israel, and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the entire generation of those who had done evil in the sight of the LORD was destroyed. 

It was considered “evil” to not believe God. When this came to pass and the last one died. God brought His people back to the land for the taking. 40 years later, the Jewish people returned to God and His word. Course of nation Israel had changed. The Law, God’s word, was reintroduced to the people before they entered the Promised Land (Deuteronomy).

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Noah and his family were in the ark for 40 days and 40 nights during the rain and flood. The world was being judged for sin. The corruption of mankind is described in Genesis 6. Noah and his family had 40 days and nights to contemplate their watery environment as a consequence. They turned and responded to God. Their lives were spared in the ark. They had nowhere to go and plenty of personal time for self-reflection.

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Jesus was tempted by Satan for 40 days in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11). Every time Jesus was tempted by Satan, He turned to God the Father and quoted Deuteronomy. Jesus’ responses to temptation were to turn to the word of God (Matthew 4:4), to not put the Lord your God to the test (Matthew 4:7), and to worship and serve the Lord you God only (Matthew 4:10). Jesus resisted the tempter and was obedient to His Father.

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Sanhedrin Looks to Replace United Nations and Re-Enacts Noahide Sacrifice

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Prophecy, Sanhedrin, Trend Update with tags , , , , , on September 28, 2019 by paulthepoke

Genesis 8:20 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

The following article (italics) is from Breaking Israel News.

The Sanhedrin is advocating for the establishment of an Organization of 70 nations based on Mount Zion and as part of this effort, facilitated an animal sacrifice to renew the covenant that Noah made in the name of all mankind with God when he exited the Ark. That sacrifice took place on Thursday on the Mount of Olives. I reported on the event and would like to give a personal account here but first I feel I must begin with several disclaimers…

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/137884/the-70-nations-sacrifice-on-the-mount-of-olives-a-personal-account/

Before everyone in the Christian community gets all excited and freaks out about animal sacrifices… A few thoughts on the article.

Yes, this was an animal sacrifice. This was not a sin offering. The point was to renew Noah’s covenant on behalf of the gentile world. This sacrifice was not taking the place of Jesus.

Yes, Jesus is our sacrifice for our sins. And yes, animal sacrifices for sin are no longer necessary.

Hebrews 7:27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since He did this once for all when He offered up Himself.

Hebrews 10:10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God…

Hebrews 9:13-14 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Photo: Breaking Israel News

Yes, the animal sacrificial system will be re-instituted in Jerusalem. It is inevitable. This is a sign of the time leading up to the return of Christ. It is prophecy from Jesus Himself as He quoted the prophet Daniel.

Yes, the verses below from Daniel indicate there will be a Temple standing at this time. The Temple is going to happen. And yes, as believers in Christ our bodies are the temple indwelled with the Holy Spirit.

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 12:11 And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.

Please consider how to approach any one who does not believe in Jesus or Yeshua as Jews know His name. Please read the article and understand a Jewish mindset who does not believe in Yeshua.

I would encourage followers of Christ to approach those who do not know Yeshua in kindness, grace, and mercy. Go easy. Eventually, they are going take this very personally. This is how God or Hashem is going to reach His chosen people.

Zechariah 12:10 I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/137884/the-70-nations-sacrifice-on-the-mount-of-olives-a-personal-account/

He is coming back. Getting closer every day…

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Please… Noah Found God’s Grace

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , on June 16, 2018 by paulthepoke

Genesis 6:8 But Noah found favor/grace in the eyes of the LORD.

This is the first mention of the word “grace” in the Bible. This is the Hebrew word chen. Sounds like “Cain”. Simply put, it is grace or favor. The word is found 69 times in the Old Testament.

Kentucky 2016 002

God told Noah rain and a flood were coming. Noah was graced with the knowledge of rain and the idea of a flood. The earth had not seen rain prior to Noah.

Genesis 2:5-6 When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground…

God gave Noah instructions on how to build a boat.

Genesis 6:14-16 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks.

A flood is coming…

Genesis 6:17 For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die.

God’s grace preserved humanity and life through the rain and the flood. Noah and his family lived to tell about it.

Genesis 8:16-17 “Go out from the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you. Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh—birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth—that they may swarm on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.”

 

If God was not gracious to Noah, we would not be here. Today, in the 21st century, we are benefiting from God’s grace in countless ways.

God has been, is, and always will be gracious. The idea that God was not gracious in the Old Testament is absolute nonsense. If God was interested in crushing us like a bug the very moment we sinned, none of us would be here. The population of planet Earth would be zero. The fact we are drawing breath of air is an act of grace.

 

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Trend Update: Trial DNA Splicing Begins…, April 2018

Posted in Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , on April 17, 2018 by paulthepoke

Matthew 24:37-39 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. -Jesus

An editorial note on the verses above. The focus is on the word “unaware”.

…they were unaware until the flood came… The emphasis in the Greek is they were clueless. They had no knowledge, no reality, no awareness of what was about to hit them. And this will be the case again before the seven years of tribulation. And this seven-year period will be more intense than the global flood that is being referenced in the verses above.

Matthew 24:21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. -Jesus

April 2018: European law makers have authorized medical scientists to proceed with trial DNA-splicing therapy. Crispr is the biotech company that gets the first crack at altering human genetic code.

China is reported to have already started trials.

The idea is to remove mutated and faulty DNA and replace it. The altered DNA will be replaced by fetal stem cells. The fetal stem cells will be taken and grown outside of the body in a laboratory. Fetal stem cells are used because they have an increased amount of protein in comparison to adult stem cells.

Scientists have also located a gene which reduces the growth of protein in adult stem cells. Their goal is to remove the gene and allow for more protein growth in adult stem cells. This concept will allow for high levels of hemoglobin.

There are multiple levels of genetic manipulation taking place.

Professor Robin Lovell-Badge, Group Leader at London’s Francis Crick Institute, “We will look back and think that this is the real beginning of gene therapy.”

Darren Griffin, Professor of Genetics at the University of Kent, “Everything I have seen suggests it’s very safe and effective. I think the (trial) results will be positive. And then we will be able to say, this is where it all began.”

The scientific treatment is making its way to the United States. The University of Pennsylvania is looking for cancer patients to initiate trials.

The genetic therapy is believed to be a long-term solution for treated patients.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5618061/Humans-genetically-modified-time-Europe.html

 

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And its end will come with a flood…Featuring Phil Kulis

Posted in Phil Kulis, Prophecy with tags , , , , , on August 4, 2017 by paulthepoke

PhilKulis Pic“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” –Jesus according to Matthew 24:37-39

Many prophecy teachers use these words of Jesus to allegorize what is spoken of and say that in the end times we will see a “flood” of evil and wickedness as it was in the time before The Flood of Noah (even though Jesus doesn’t mention evil practices), or perhaps the strange goings-on regarding the DNA corrupting hybridization of humanity with fallen angels may occur again. But it’s the obvious topic of this passage that provides us with some overlooked but vital intelligence about what is going to happen.

Look at it again. Jesus Himself tells us the coming of the Son of Man will occur with a flood. So where else do we have a warning of a flood in the end times? Is there a second witness of scripture to the veracity of this prophecy?

The Prophecy of the 70 Weeks found in Daniel 9:20-27 describes the time leading up to the Messiah, the interval between the Messiah and the final Week, and the final Week itself. Verse 26 describes the things that happen in the interval and it mentions a flood. It says, “the end of it (the interval) shall be with a flood”.

The prophecy in Daniel declares that the end of “it”, the INTERVAL between the 69th and 70th week, ENDS WITH A FLOOD! That is the second witness!

 

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Teshuvah, 2016

Posted in Fall Feasts, Teshuvah/Repent with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 28, 2016 by paulthepoke

The 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 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. It is a time of inward reflection and sincere self-assessment. The goal is a change in lifestyle away from sin to obedience in God’s word. The 40 day period of Teshuvah ends on Tishri 10, Yom Kippur.

Elul 1 marks the beginning of Teshuvah. In a Gregorian calendar of the year 2016, this would be September 3 or 4 depending on when the new moon is 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 after the morning service except Shabbat or the Sabbath (Saturday for us in western culture) and the last day of month of Elul.

Elul is the last month of the civic calendar in Judaism. Elul is the sixth month of the religious calendar. Jewish tradition points to the name of the month to be an acronym of “Ani l’dodi v’dodi li” a quote from Song of Songs 6:3 I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine… In Aramaic, the vernacular of the Jewish people at the time that the month names were adopted), the word Elul means “search”. Per Strong’s Concordance, Elul means “nothingness” in the Hebrew. The month is mentioned one time in the Bible. Nehemiah 6:15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. Cultural customs per http://www.jewfaq.org, http://www.myjewishlearning.com .

Noah was the first person to experience the concept of Teshuvah with 40 days and 40 nights of rain. Noah and his family had plenty of time in the ark to focus on God. They were the only survivors of the global flood.

The reason for the flood was made known in Genesis 6:5 The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Genesis 6:11 Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence. Humanity had ruined, rotted, and spoiled planet earth.

Genesis 6:12 God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth.

Genesis 6:13 Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them;

and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth.”

The Hebrew word for “violence” is chamac. It is a broad term that can also mean: wrong, cruelty, or injustice.

An evil mindset results in corruption and chamac.

In Noah’s day…eating, drinking, marriages, giving in marriage, more eating, more drinking, buying, selling, planting, building…This is Noah’s witness of humanity.

There was other shenanigans taking place with fallen angels…that is a discussion for another day.

The call of Teshuvah is to turn to God and repent. Repent is not a warm and fuzzy spiritual word that causes your stomach to flutter or hair to stand on your neck.

The Greek word for “repent” is μετανοεο or metanoeo: to change one’s mind for better; heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins; change your attitude.

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

 

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