Podcasts about assyrians

When the Assyrians carried off the 10 northern Israelite tribes, they imported pagans into Samaria. What is the nature of the religion these people then practiced, and why did Judeans despise them? Take a deep dive with us into the history of the Samaritans.

Some people think their own well-being is a personal right. Jonah being confronted with his heartlessness towards the Assyrians, while he is still clinging to his "right" to feel comfort. In this message, Pastor Lutzer illustrates how God will break us of our narcissistic heart for a heart of compassion like His. Will we let ourselves be broken by God? This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://offerrtw.com or call us at 1-800-215-5001.  Moody Church Media [https://www.moodymedia.org/], home of "Running To Win," exists to bring glory to God through the transformation of lives.  Erwin W. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago, where he served as Senior Pastor for 36 years. He is a prolific author of over seventy books. A clear expositor of the Bible, he is the featured speaker on "Running To Win" and "Songs In The Night," with programs broadcasting on over a thousand outlets in the U.S. and across more than fifty countries in seven languages. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.    SUPPORT:  Tax Deductible Support: https://www.moodymedia.org/donate/  Become an Endurance Partner: https://endurancepartners.org/    SUBSCRIBE:   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoodyChurchMedia  Daily Devotional and Weekly Digest: https://www.moodymedia.org/newsletters/subscription/ 

Be Strong in the Lord Ephesians 6:10-24 by William Klock We've made it all the way to the end of St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians.  For just over five chapters, Paul's been explaining how the church is God's means of taking what Jesus has done in his death and resurrection and turning it into God's new creation.  He's shown us how, in Jesus and the Spirit, he's given us back the vocation that Adam rejected.  We've been restored to our position as stewards of God's presence and God's wisdom and God's glory for the sake of the world.  Even more than that, as Adam was placed in God's garden-temple, through the gift of God's indwelling Spirit, you and I—the church—have now become God's temple.  And as Jesus has been raised from death to go be the new Adam, so in him and in the power of the Spirit, you and I are now called to put off the old, corrupt, lie-based way of being human and to put on the new humanity exemplified by Jesus.  And if we will be faithful to be fruitful and to multiply—whether by having our own children and raising them in the wisdom of the Lord or through our proclamation and living out of the gospel that brings others to the Messiah—Brother and Sisters, the temple will grow and grow and grow, carrying God's presence to the ends of the earth, spreading his wisdom—the way of new creation and the way of truly being human—to the ends of the earth, until God's glory covers the earth as the waters cover the sea. And having established that this is what the church is and that this is what our mission is, he shifted in Chapters 3-5 to the how of living out this new creation, to the how of putting off the old and putting on the new.  Don't listen to the lies of the world, the flesh, and the devil.  Speak the truth and live the truth of God's new creation.  Put aside anger and wrath, and start living out love and grace and patience and mercy with all humility—just like Jesus.  And don't believe the world's lies about sex and money and power.  Be holy as God is holy and trust in his goodness and faithfulness.  In other words, as I said last week, stop trying to write your own story.  You're bad at it.  We all are.  God did not design us with the capacity to write our stories for ourselves (or to be gods, as Genesis put it).  Instead, trust in the God who gave his own son as a sacrifice for our sins, to set us to rights at such a great cost, and live the story he has written for us.  And the world will take note.  Live God's story, and you will challenge the lies of the world.  Live the story in which Jesus is Lord, proclaim that story and seeing that glimpse of new creation, of redemption and renewal, of mercy and grace people around us will believe.  But, too, live the story in which Jesus is Lord and you will challenge the Caesars of this world.  Live the story in which God is good and faithful and generous, and you will challenge the greedy, grasping lies of the world.  And the world, the flesh, and the devil will push back.  Or as Paul puts in Chapter 6, the principalities and powers.  They've lost, but they don't want to admit it.  They don't like to be challenged.  And this is where Paul picks up in Ephesians 6:10 with his final bit of wisdom for the Ephesians and for us.  [This is page 1163 in the pew Bibles.] “What else is there to say?  Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.  Put on the whole armour of God, then you will be able to stand firm against the devil's schemes.  The warfare we're engaged in, you see, is not against flesh and blood. It's against principalities, against the powers that rule the world in this dark age, against the wicked spiritual elements in the heavenly places.” Brothers and Sisters, know who your enemy is.  When things, when people, when systems push back against the gospel.  When we try to bring new creation to the world, when we try to live out the new way of being human we have in Jesus and the Spirit, we will experience opposition.  And it's critical we stand firm and fight back  But Paul stresses here: Know your enemy.  Because fighting the wrong enemy isn't going to win us anything. Paul knew this well.  Consider that he'd been a Pharisee.  The Pharisees were the party that traced its roots back to the Maccabean revolt two hundred years earlier, when the Jews rose up and threw off their pagan Greek overlords.  Paul—like most of his fellow Jews—grew up knowing that the enemies of God's people were the pagans: the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Greek, the Romans. In a couple of decades it would happen again in the Judean volt of a.d. 70 and then again in the bar Kochba revolt in a.d. 132.  Neither of those revolts ended well for the Jews. And when the Jews revolted, they went into battle with passages like Isaiah 11 in mind: The shoot from the stump of Jesse would come, full of wisdom and justice.  “He shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins” (Isaiah 11:4-5)  But they added their spin to the scriptures.  The community at Qumran—the people responsible for the Dead Sea Scrolls—the saw it this way: “With your sceptre may you lay waste the earth. With the breath of your lips may you kill the wicked…May justice be the belt of your loins, and loyalty the belt of your hips.  May he make your horns of iron and your hoofs of bronze.  May you gore like a bull…and may you trample the nations like mud…For God has raised you to a sceptre for the rulers before you…all nations shall serve you, and he will make you strong by his holy name, so that you will be like a lion.”[1] You can hear Isaiah in that, but then here the warrior girds himself up for battle, to trample the nations like mud.  He gores the nations like an ox and ravages them like a lion.  The picture begins with Isaiah, but it gets lost along the way.  In Isaiah 11 the Messiah's warfare ends not with a goring ox or a lion tearing flesh, but with the wolf and the lamb, the leopard and the goat, the calf and the lion laying down together at peace and one like a little child leading them into a renewed creation where the lion eats straw like an ox. I fear we fall into the same trap.  Jesus said to his disciples: “Don't be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more they can do. I will show you who to fear: fear the one who starts by killing and then has the right to throw people into Gehenna. Yes, let me tell you, that's the one to fear! (Luke 12:4-5) Brothers and Sisters, God had always urged his people to stand firm and to put up a fight, but our enemy, as Paul says here isn't flesh and blood.  It's not the people, however wicked they may be.  It's the lies the devil whispers—or sometimes shouts—into our world.  It's been that way from the beginning when Adam and Eve believed the first of his lies.  It's the lie that we can write our own stories better than God can.  It's the lie that security or power is to be found in money or in politics or in sex or in education or in all the other things to which we look that are not God—all the things that use and abuse and manipulate and exploit others for our benefit.  It's the lie that we can fight the gospel battle with bullets or with politics or with violence.  Paul's people talked about principalities and powers—sort of angelic beings whom God had created and appointed to oversee the nations, but who had fallen under the power of the devil's lies.  That's how they thought. I don't know if that's how it really is, but there are powers—political, economic, sexual, intellectual—that perpetuate the devil's lies and keep us in the dark, keep us stomping on each other, keep us at each other's throats, keep us seeing everyone else as the enemy so that we never stop to think that the real problem is the devil and his lies. So Paul reminds us.  The enemy is not flesh and blood.  Yes, other people enforce those systems.  Caesar believed the lie that he was the world's lord.  And his soldiers believed that lie too, when they arrested Christians and threw them to the lions.  But they were not the enemy; the lie was.  It still is.  They needed deliverance from it just like we do.  The enemy isn't Mark Carney or Donald Trump.  The enemy isn't greedy bankers or crooked businessmen or the people who run giant pornography websites.  It's not the abortionist or the therapist pushing gender ideology.  They're flesh and blood.  They bought the lie.  They need a gospel resuce just like we do.  And so Paul warns us, yes, there's a battle, put on the armour of God, and stand firm, but know your enemy.  Take your battle to the devil and the principalities and powers that perpetuate the lies.  Don't shoot their prisoners when what their prisoners need is to know the truth, the wisdom of God.  Brothers and Sisters, to fight them, to take the battle to flesh and blood, is just to fall prey to another lie of the real enemy.  Paul says that weird thing in verse 12, that these wicked spiritual elements are in the heavenly places, but I think his point there is that—as he said back in Chapter 2, we are seated in the heavenly places with the Messiah.  In his death and resurrection, Jesus won the decisive victory and now he's enlisted us, not to just sit in the church and be holy until he returns, but to be the new humanity who takes his new creation to the ends of the earth and, along the way, confronts the lies and the systems and powers that perpetuate them and declares that they have been defeated.  As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “he must go on reigning until he has put all his enemies under his feet.”  Brother and Sisters, the church is his means to bring that day.  (See, this has turned out to be an Ascension sermon after all!) So, Paul goes on in verse 13, “For this reason, you must take up God's complete armour.  Then, when wickedness grabs its moment, you'll be able to withstand, to do what needs to be done, and still be on your feet when it's over.  So stand firm!”  Now, what is the armour of God?  Notice the echoes of Isaiah 11 here.  “Put the belt of truth around your waist; put on justice as your breastplate; for shoes on your feet, ready for battle, take the good news of peace.  With it all, take the shield of faith; if you've got that you'll be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.” Notice that everything about this picture is defensive except the sword.  Again, the Messiah has already won the decisive victory.  He's won the ground.  Creation once again belongs to him.  Our job is to hold it against the enemy.  And, notice, as Paul has said before and as he says here in verse 10: We stand in God's power and might, not in our own.  We know what this power can do, because it's the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and now, as Paul has said over and over, we are “in the risen Messiah” and that makes us strong in the strength of his might.  There's an interesting parallel to this in Romans 4.  There Paul writes that Abraham was “strong in faith”, believing God's promise even though everything around him said not to trust this strange God.  He was strong because he trusted the God who had the power to accomplish what he had promised. Brothers and Sisters, we stand in that same faith, but unlike Abraham we have every reason to believe.  No one knew this God in Abraham's day.  You and I live with the witness of all the generations who have known and experienced this God ever since.  You and I live with the witness of the resurrection of Jesus, the greatest show of God's might in history and the event by which he has inaugurated his new creation.  If Abraham had reason to be strong in faith, we have reason to be even stronger.  So stand firm in the Messiah's battle and put on his armour to guard against the enemy who wants nothing more than to take back the ground he's lost to Jesus. As the Messiah puts on his armour for the battle in Isaiah, so should we.  It shouldn't be surprising that the first thing Paul says to put on is the truth.  All along he's been warning us not to believe the lies that have brought sin and death to the world.  All along he's warned us to be committed to the truth and not to be deceived by the lies around us.  In Isaiah 11:5 the Messiah puts on the belt of justice and faithfulness.  In the Greek “faithfulness” is translated as “truth”. The truth of God's creation and his new creation are the foundation of the gospel.  Isaiah saw the Messiah setting creation to rights, and to do that demands the truth to put an end to the lies.  The gospel proclaims Jesus' victory and the new creation that has come with him out of the tomb, the truth of the goodness of God's original creation and the truth of the goodness that he's now restoring it to.  Our calling now is to stand firm on that foundation and to wrap that truth around us like a belt.  The gospel is not about our feelings or our imaginations or what we think people will like or not like.  The gospel is about truth: God's good creation and Jesus' setting it to rights. But our main piece of defensive equipment is the breastplate—the breastplate of justice—or righteousness in some translations.  The Greek word means both.  Paul takes this image from Isaiah 59:17.  It's not just righteousness as we often think of it as moral goodness.  It's truly justice.  It's God's desire to see this broken world full of pain and tears truly set to rights.  In Isaiah 59 it's the divine warrior who goes out to bring God's justice to the world, but Paul understood that the divine warrior is Jesus the Messiah.  And he didn't go out to bash heads in order to bring justice.  He went in humility to the cross.  He gave his life to free us from sin and to wash away the stain of death, so that he could fill us with his Spirit and make us his temple.  And, in that, Paul's saying we're now called to follow in Jesus' steps to bring God's justice, his righteousness to the world as we live out Jesus' new—renewed—way of being human.  This is why Jesus talked in the Sermon on the Mount, about his people hungering and thirsting for justice.  It's our breastplate.  It's the thing staves off our own temptations to idolatry and greed that would otherwise cause us to bring more pain and tears into the world. And then the shoes of peace.  Another echo of Isaiah that Paul and the Jews knew so well: “How beautiful are the feet of the messenger who announces peace…who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”  Except whereas for people like the old Paul, this had become a hope of violent military victory over the pagans, in Jesus peace has come through his resurrection.  The enemy did his violent worst, and Jesus has trounced him with life.  And now he commissions us to be his ambassadors, running to the world to announce that in the risen Messiah, the king has returned to establish the peace that Israel had so long hoped for and the peace that even us gentiles hope for, knowing that the world is not as it should be.  Put on your gospel shoes! And then the shield of faith.  Paul seems to have come up with this all on his own.  He pictured flaming arrows that would set an ordinary shield on fire, but there were things you could do to prevent that—like stretching water-soaked leather over your shield.  Faith is like that, says Paul.  The Messiah's faith and then our faith that answers in return.  Faith will protect you from the enemy.  Don't let go of it. And then, back to Isaiah 59:17, the helmet of salvation—the helmet of “rescue”.  The divine warrior has won the battle and rescued the captives.  Brothers and Sisters, we've been rescued by Jesus, put that helmet on not only to stand your ground, but as with all these things, when we take up the Messiah's armour, we take up the Messiah's task.  He's rescued creation from the devil and now we're part of the battalion called to keep the devil from taking creation back.  That helmet of salvation reminds us—maybe that's why Paul puts it on our heads—that the Messianic mission is ultimately a rescue mission—to rescue creation and to rescue humanity from the enemies lies. And then there's the one defensive bit of God's armour: the sword of the Spirit, which Paul says is God's word.  The word is the gospel, the good news of Jesus, crucified and risen.  The word that fulfils Isaiah 11:4 where the Messiah smites the earth with the rod of his mouth and slays the wicked with the breath of his lips.  His breath.  In both Hebrew and Greek the word for breath is also the word for spirit.  Brothers and Sisters, Paul knew that when he proclaimed the gospel, God's Spirit went to work: confronting idolatry with the true and living God and sinners with a message of hope.  The battle isn't won with violence.  It's won with the good news of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  But Paul knew, too, that if we're going to stand firm in the Messiah, and if we're going to put on his armour, we'd better be praying, too.  He continues at verse 18: “Pray on every occasion in the Spirit, with every type of prayer and intercession.  You'll need to keep awake and alert for this, with all perseverance and intercession for all God's holy ones—and also for me.  Please pray that God will give me his words to speak when I open my mouth, so that I can make known, loud and clear, the mystery of the gospel.  That, after all, is why I'm a chained-up ambassador.  Pray that I may announce it boldly; that's what I'm duty-bound to do.” The military imagery is still here.  Like a sentry on guard: stay awake and alert.  Pray and persevere.  Don't give up.  The lies will swirl around you like a hurricane, but stand firmly in the truth of God's new creation and pray.  Connect with him in that mysterious and inexplicable gift he's given us to speak with and to be in communion with him.  It's one of the main reasons he's given us his own Spirit.  And here, I think Paul is again thinking of Isaiah 59 and the divine warrior, driven by the Spirit.  “As for me, this is my covenant with them, says the Lord: my Spirit that is upon you and my words that I have put in your mouth shall not depart out of your mouth…from now on and forever” (Isaiah 59:21).  So pray.  Pray, pray, pray and pray that the Spirit will give you—will give us all—the boldness to speak God's word: his truth, his wisdom, his gospel into a world so desperately in need of them.  It doesn't matter if you're chained up for the gospel like Paul.  That's the gospel paradox.  God reveals his strength when we are at our weakest—just as he did at the cross. And then the last few verses of the letter.  Paul wraps things up saying, “It's important that you should know how things are with me, and what I'm up to; so our dear brother Tychicus will tell you about it.  He is a loyal servant in the Lord.  I've sent him to you with this in mind, so that you may know how things are with us, and so that he may encourage your hearts.  Peace be to the whole family, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus the Messiah.  Grace be with all who love our Lord, Messiah Jesus, with a love that never dies.” Tychicus is making the rounds to let them know what's up with Paul.  Again, Paul's said it several times: he's in prison.  We don't know what else beyond that Tychicus would have told them about Paul, but it's telling that whatever the news is, Paul expects them to be encouraged.  And it doesn't seem that it's news of a soon release.  I expect Paul would have mentioned something like that.  Instead, Paul seems to expect them to be encouraged by his chains.  Again, the opposition he's facing is a sign that the gospel and the Spirit are doing what they're supposed to do, that the gospel is marching on, that (so to speak) Aslan is on the move, and the principalities and powers feel threatened.  And that's good news.  So, knowing his brothers and sisters are standing firm and fighting the gospel fight, he wishes them peace and love with faith and grace—the heart of the gospel, the foundations on which God's new creation is being built. And then that last word.  I'll close with that.  To everyone who loves the Messiah: grace.  Grace with a love that never dies.  The Greek word literally means “immortality”.  Brothers and Sisters, this gracious love will never pass away.  When the battle is finally over, when we have fought the good fight, when we have stood firm and kept the faith, when the church has finally done what she was created to do and expanded God's temple until his presence, his wisdom, his glory have filled the whole earth and Jesus has made a final end of death itself, when we have done what our Lord has called us to do and find—maybe to our own surprise—that we're still standing on our own feet in those shoes of peace, when there are no more lies and Jesus is Lord, then our love for him—which may feel so imperfect and inadequate today—but our love for him that kept us strong through the storm and the battle, will turn out to have been only the beginning of the great gift of love that we will enjoy for ever in God's presence and in his creation set to rights, in that new heaven and earth in which there are no more pain or sorrows or tears or death, only grace and love. Paul began his letter by directing our gaze back before the foundation of the world and now he points forward to day when not only are all God's promises fulfilled, but when he himself sums up all things in heaven and earth himself, the fullness of all in all.  And here in the in-between, in the middle of the story we stand: rescued by love, given a new gospel life in love, equipped with God's word and God's Spirit in love, and filled with God's wisdom that, following Jesus, we will be the new humanity—the firstfruits of his new creation.  Not only for our sake, but for the sake of the whole word over which Jesus the Messiah is already ruling as Lord. Let's pray: O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.  Amen. [1] The Dead Sea Scrolls Study Edition, ed. F.G. Martinez and E.J.C Tigchelaar (Leiden: Brill, 1997), 109.

Long before Pazuzu terrorized audiences in *The Exorcist*, this ancient Mesopotamian demon struck fear into the hearts of the Assyrians and Babylonians—both as a harbinger of destruction and an unlikely protector against even greater evils.EPISODE BLOG PAGE (includes sources and full transcript): https://weirddarkness.com/pazuzuFEATURED STORIES IN THIS EPISODE: The Exorcist is widely regarded as one of the most influential horror movies of all time. Even now, half a century after its release, it continues to terrify audiences, in large part due to its horrifying practical effects and iconic antagonist: Pazuzu. (Pazuzu, The Demon ‘The Exorcist' Made Famous) *** Latoya Ammons and her family claim to have experienced demonic possession that began when they moved into what became known as the “house of 200 demons” in 2011. (The Haunting on Carolina Street) *** In the eerie depths of 1920s Los Angeles, a sinister tale unfolded, shrouded in secrets and steeped in darkness. It all began with May Otis Blackburn and her daughter, Ruth, who claimed to receive divine revelations from the angels Gabriel and Michael. Thus emerged the enigmatic Blackburn Cult, a group entangled in a web of prophecies, tributes, and whispered mysteries. (The Blackburn Cult) *** 19th-century freak shows brought both the extraordinary and the macabre to captivated audiences far and wide. Among the peculiar spectacles of these exhibitions stood a man whose skeletal frame defied all norms of human anatomy… as his skeleton and skin appeared to be the only parts of his anatomy intact. (Seurat, The Living Skeleton) *** In the heat of summer in 2008, a mysterious creature washed ashore on a beach in Montauk, Long Island, sending shockwaves through the community. What began as a simple sighting by local resident soon exploded into a media frenzy, with wild theories and speculation running rampant. (Hot Montauk Summer) *** While epic Hollywood films often depict gladiators as men, the truth is far more captivating. We'll step into the arena with the women who dared to defy convention and enter the gladiatorial games. (Gladiators Of The Fairer Sex)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = The Foreboding00:01:04.902 = Show Open00:03:56.963 = Pazuzu, The Demon ‘The Exorcist' Made Famous00:12:38.281 = The Blackburn Cult00:18:05.924 = Haunting on Carolina Street00:23:19.429 = Seurat, The Living Skeleton00:29:34.090 = Gladiators of the Fairer Sex00:44:04.311 = Hot Montauk Summer00:52:59.948 = Show Close & Bloopers*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad breakLISTEN ON PODCAST APPS: Look for this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn Radio, and other podcast apps. Get a list of free listening apps here: https://weirddarkness.com/wdapps*No AI Voices Are Used In The Narration Of This Podcast*SOURCES and RESOURCES:“Pazuzu, The Demon ‘The Exorcist” Made Famous” by Austin Harvey for All That's Interesting:https://tinyurl.com/3myts9h4“The Blackburn Cult” by Troy Taylor from the book “Taking Up Serpents: American Cults, Messiahs and Madmen”: https://amzn.to/4ak7SUG“The Haunting on Carolina Street” sources: https://tinyurl.com/2cvyfu46, https://tinyurl.com/bdzz467u,https://tinyurl.com/39u7b79f, https://tinyurl.com/35uvhbp6“Seurat, The Living Skeleton” by Kaushik Patowary for Amusing Planet: https://tinyurl.com/mr4xwp9k“Gladiators Of The Fairer Sex” by Paul Chrystal for Ancient Origins: https://tinyurl.com/ptzpv46v“Hot Montauk Summer” by TheGhostInMyMachine.com: https://tinyurl.com/2b74wzpx(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.Originally aired: March 26, 2024

Send us Fan MailIn the last episode, Assyria sacked Thebes, the jewel of Amun and the ancient world. They looted the temples and laid waste to the treasury. The Assyrians nominally held Egypt, but Tanutamun was secure in Napata. His death in 656 B.C. ended the Nubian domination of Egypt. This episode focuses on the 26th Dynasty, the Saite Period of Egypt. Checkout the video version at:https://www.youtube.com/@DWAncientEgyptSupport the showThis Podcast series is available on all major platforms.See more resources, maps, and information at:https://www.dwworldhistory.comOutlines, Maps, and Episode Guides for this series are available for download at:https://www.patreon.com/DWWorldHistory

His Beatitude Mar Paulos III Nona is now leading the Chaldean Church, and it feels like we're stepping into a genuinely hopeful new chapter. In this episode we talk about the direction he's already setting for our Church, what it really means to have a patriarch, and how our ancient structure is meant to carry us forward. We walk through the patriarch's role as father of the Church, how the synod actually governs, and how we live in full communion with Rome while staying true to our own tradition. We also get real about life in the diaspora — where the vast majority of Chaldeans and Assyrians now live — and what it's going to take to keep our liturgy, the ancient Anaphora of Addai and Mari, our language, music, and entire patrimony alive far from our historical homeland. One of the most exciting parts of the conversation is the real hope for deeper unity and eventual reintegration with the Assyrian Church of the East — returning together to our shared roots in the historic Church of the East. We also talk about the Sons of the Covenant Monastery and how communities like this are living out our consecrated life and identity right here in the diaspora. This is an honest, hopeful conversation about where our Church is headed. The installation of Patriarch Mar Apolos III Nona is May 29th — please keep him and the entire Chaldean Church in your prayers. Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Daniel Shaba, Abbot Ankido Sipo, Fr. Fadi Auro ––– 00:00 Meet the New Patriarch 03:04 What Makes a Patriarch 05:13 Patriarchs vs Major Archbishops 06:04 Synods East and West 07:50 Patriarchal See and Origins 18:45 Preserving Tradition in Exile 22:04 Ecumenism and Reintegration Vision 26:59 Language Loss and Identity 32:42 Reviving Chaldean Monasticism 43:03 Diaspora Distinctions 46:52 'Hot Takes' Game –––

The Assyrian Language College and for the last 10 years has opened its doors to young Assyrians as well as older adults to learn the Assyrian Language. Anwar Atto is co-founder and principal of this college, spoke to SBS Assyrian about the positive outcome and the role the college plays in educating and preserving the Assyrian language, heritage and culture.

In this podcast, Marc Barnes and Star Plato continue their discussion of the book of Judith. Specifically, they discuss Judith's "strategy" of using her beauty to trick the Assyrians. What is the meaning and power of female beauty?

Blood Coming to America (1) (audio) David Eells, 4/26/26 (Note: Parts of this may be a little scary for children. They could at least need encouragement in faith.)    American Flag Bleeds Marie Kelton – End of March 2026 (David's notes in red) While I was at work, I went to the back room in my work area to get something. I saw that someone had stuck an American flag in a box located on top of a shelf so that the flag was just hanging over the floor. I then had an open vision where I saw drops of blood falling from the American flag.   Blood up to the Horse's Bridle Marie Kelton - 4/16/26 As I was driving to work, I had an open vision. My windshield wipers were going, and blood splashed on my windshield, covering it. I saw the following written in the blood: “Blood of the saints.” Then my windshield wipers wiped it off. But blood splashed on my windshield again, and what was written this time was, “Blood of the innocent.” My windshield wipers wiped off again. Then I heard a voice say, “America will burn.” (This is a quote from Dumitru Duduman's revelation. https://www.ubm1.org/?page=dumitru_duduman-5 ) “He said, The Russian spies have discovered where the most powerful nuclear missiles are in America. "It will start with the world calling for 'peace, peace'. Then there will be an internal revolution in America, started by the Communists. Some of the people will start fighting against the government. The government will be busy with internal problems. Then from the oceans, Russia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Central America, Mexico, and two other countries (which I cannot remember) will attack! The Russians will bombard the nuclear missile silos in America. America will burn". Then, in the open vision on both sides of me on the highway, I saw that the whole land was covered in blood like a lake. In the vision, I had stopped my car and stepped out of it to look at the scene in shock. In the vision, my hair was its normal color again. The blood reminded me of the verse about it being about as high as the horse's bridle. Rev.14:20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and there came out blood from the winepress, even unto the bridles of the horses, as far as a thousand and six hundred furlongs.   Marie Kelton - 4/19/26 At my work, we have a big American flag in front of the store. After finishing my work for the night, I walked out to my car. I saw the flag blowing in the wind. As I was walking to my car, I looked back at the flag, and I had an open vision. I saw the flag had blood dripping from it, just like it was in the vision of it hanging from the shelf.   Marie Kelton - 4/21/2026 While I was having lunch at work, I had an open vision of the Statue of Liberty. She had a sad look on her face, and she was crying tears of blood. The flame on her torch was a real flame, while the rest of her was a statue. (America will burn)   4-23-2026 During the morning meeting, David asked me to seek the Lord with these questions about the visions: what is the cause of the blood, who did it, and when. After the meeting, I asked the Lord “why” concerning the visions above, and a verse came to mind about broken cisterns that hold no water. Jer.2:13 For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (They cannot contain the “water of the Word.”) Then I heard the Lord say, He would lessen the judgment if His people would seek Him. Antichrist vision, and World War III vision - April 24, 2026 During worship, I had an open vision of ancient Rome it was an open auditorium with roman pillars around the auditorium The sky was blue with clouds. I saw the back of a Ceaser he had a golden laurel crown on his head. He had a red cape on which is called a paludamentum. The Ceaser was on platform there was a large crowd in front of him. (Representing the anti-christ leadership of a revived Roman Empire.)  I could see the demon in the Ceaser, and I can see the demons in the crowd I heard the crowd say, "Who is like the beast,". The large crowd then came together and turned into a giant ceaser. The sky turned into a night sky with a lot stars in it. I then saw a giant Jesus Christ come and I saw the foot of Jesus step on the giant Ceaser and squish him.    Antichrist vision, and world war III vision I had another open vision, the Lord was sitting next to me and He had a newspaper, it was open to where I could see it. The newspaper page said in bold print World War III is happening soon, then in little letters it said underneath Peace Peace, sudden destruction. The Lord shook the newspaper in his hands as He was holding it open a couple of times. I saw this multiple times. The Lord then folded the news paper and laid it on the floor in a square. The front of the news paper said the Daily News.  (There are several newspapers in the world called The Daily News, one is in New York, another in India, another in Australia,  another South Africa and one Britain etc. ) 1Th 5:3 When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape.   War and Blood on U.S. Hands Michael Boldea, October 2003 Psalm 32:6-7 For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You in a time when You may be found, surely in a flood of great waters they shall not come near him. You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. It was October 11th 2003, and I dreamt I was kneeling by my bedside praying, when I felt a presence behind me. I turned, and a man was standing there, dressed in white, his hands clasped in front of him. It was the same man I had seen in a dream some time earlier. “Why didn't you say something, if you were standing there”, I asked. “I would never interrupt your communion with the Father”, he answered, “it is a precious thing. Take my hand, I must show you something. I took his hand, and suddenly we were standing in front of the US Marine War Memorial. It is a statue depicting a group of soldiers raising the American flag on Iwo Jima in World War II. I looked to the man standing on my right, but he pointed toward the statue, and said, “look at the flag”. As I was watching the flag flap in the wind, a red spot appeared in its center, it began to grow, and spread turning the flag red as it went. (Just as Marie's revelation) It was like someone had spilled this red liquid in the flag's center, and absorbing it the stain continued to grow. I watched as the entire flag became saturated until it finally started to drip. To my surprise, I realized the liquid dripping from the flag was blood. “What is this supposed to mean?” I asked the man. “The leaders of this nation have war on their hearts, and on their lips, and soon they will have blood on their hands. The banner of war is upon this land”, the man answered solemnly. Before I could ask anything more, I found myself sitting up in bed in a cold sweat. I shared this dream with a friend that Sunday night, as I happened to be speaking in his church in Topeka. I also shared it with Geno and the rest of the staff here at the Hand of Help office, but in my heart, I had decided not to make it public until after the holidays. The reasons for choosing not to share this until after the New Year are something I choose not to elaborate on at the present time. Then three weeks after this initial dream, I had another. I dreamt the same man was standing by my bedside, but he was no longer dressed in white. Over his robe, he had a breastplate, and as he stood, I could see the handle of a sword protruding from behind his right shoulder. It was the fiercest image I had ever seen in my life, but I was not afraid. Kindness still showed in his eyes, and I knew he meant me no harm. As I looked up at him, the one thing that struck me was that his breastplate was not shiny. For some reason, I had expected it to shine, rather it was dented and scarred, and looked as though it had seen much battle. He looked down at me with what I could only describe as disappointment in his eyes. Before I could speak, he said, “For a vessel to fulfill its task, substance must be poured into it, then that same substance must be poured out. If it is never poured out, it will overflow, being of use to no one. Do you understand?” I nodded halfheartedly, although I knew what he was trying to tell me. “When a vessel is chosen, it is an honor”, he continued, “be faithful in completing your task and share what is given you without delay. Come, I will show you once more. Once again, we stood before the monument, and the same scene played out. “When will this happen?” I asked before he could turn away. “When the Father wills it”, he answered. “His will be done”. “Can't you ask Him?” I asked, realizing only after the words had left my mouth how infantile the question had been. “You speak of things your mind cannot comprehend,” he said. “You speak of time concerning the One to whom centuries are no more than a blink of an eye. Be diligent in what you have been shown, and more will be revealed. All things proceed as He ordains, that is all you are given to know for now”. The dream ended, and I found myself in my bed. I have had some time to contemplate this dream, and if I were one given to speculation, there are many theories I could come up with, but I am not. What I do know is whether, in retaliation for a certain action, or as a preemptive measure, this nation will set out on a course that will eventually be the cause of innocents losing their lives. This nation will be perceived as having blood on its hands, and it will stir the emotions of the world against it. I pray with all my heart this does not occur, that all who are denoting peace and safety for generations to come are right, and I am wrong. Regardless of what some may think, I do not want to see the judgment of God fall on this land, but the path we have chosen as a nation is leading us to it. More than ever, I urge you to pray for this nation. and its leaders, because it is our duty as children of God to do so. May He who ordains all things be with you and guide you, knowing that in Him there is perfect safety, and perfect peace. My heartfelt gratitude and thanks go out to all those who pray for and support this work, being more than certain that your reward will be great indeed. Jonah 3:8-9 “But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away His fierce anger so that we may not perish.”   Earthquake, Slaughter, Economic Destruction  Charlie and Linda Smith - July 2013 (David's notes in red) If the following scenes make you fearful, remember, Pro.11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath; But righteousness delivereth from death. Charlie's Dreams What started out to be a beautiful day to travel and visit a nearby city turned out to be a horror story that we both became witnesses to. First Night's Dream As the dream began to unfold, Linda and I were traveling by truck to a city to the north, not far from us. (All of us here know this city, which has a high population of “Christians” but far fewer disciples.) We traveled on a four-lane highway to our destination. Our intention was to buy something we needed, have a meal, and return home. As we came to the city limits and topped a hill, I saw the store to my right and pulled into the parking lot. We must have been early because there were only two or three cars in the parking lot. Our thought was to run in, get what we came for, have a meal and leave. But while at the store, the place trembled and shook. We thought, “QUAKE! We have to leave”. I told Linda, “Hurry, and I'll get the truck”. But I couldn't find where I had parked it. When I finally got to the truck, the dream was ending, and we became separated from one another. It was a fearful feeling. I did not like the dream or the way it was being played out. I woke up full of fear. Second Night The second night, the dream started again. It picked up as I entered town at the store/shopping center. This time, I didn't park in the store parking lot, but decided to park the truck across the highway, behind a hill of dirt in view of the store. Still separated from Linda, I found myself walking and looking around. No one was around. Everything had now changed. Everything was a dirty, dark gray color. (The color of death.) The sky, the land, the town also. It looked like ash from a wood stove. I was looking at what was left of a city. Everything was destroyed. The city was gone, except for a building or two in the distance here and there. The streets were empty -- no cars, no people, nothing, only piles of gray rubble where buildings once stood. Later in the evening, as darkness closed in, I saw people - a family of three or four running through the streets, running and hiding. I believe they were trying to get away from the city or someone in the city because they looked around before they moved again. As I watched, I saw three men of dark complexion and demon-possessed. The demon-possessed men ran upon a woman, her husband, her son, and a small girl, with swords (which were curved) and daggers and took off their heads. (This curved sword is the Muslim scimitar, which is most effective for cutting off heads with one blow. How could such an attack come on a city in darkness in the U.S.? This certainly wouldn't happen with swords in the U.S., where guns are everywhere, right? Notice it is after the earthquakes here that martial law will be used to take guns away and restrain people in their homes or FEMA camps. Many could be killed quietly before this is found out, and it certainly wouldn't make the news in the US today. Most or all of this would be blamed on deaths from earthquakes and fire. Jihadists always target as many Christians and Jews as possible. God Himself has warned the rebellious: Amo.9:10 All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, who say, The evil shall not overtake nor meet us. ...7:17 therefore thus saith Jehovah: Thy wife shall be a harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line (by earthquakes, or war, or civil war?); and thou thyself shalt die in a land that is unclean, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of his land. It is Islam's goal to behead Christians, unless they deny Christ. They are doing this now in places where they can get away with it. Rev.20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God.... Many will have to die in this way, or they will not enter the Kingdom. Others, through maturity, will be alive and remain until the coming of the Lord. A few days later, the Lord reminded me of something in the dream: the woman and her child who had escaped. He had to remind me of the timing of the birth, then the escape, because I couldn't remember it. (The Woman, a parable in Revelation 12 of the Church who bears the fruit of Jesus, will escape. Also, the Woman who brings forth the corporate Man-child at this time will escape into the wilderness.) The woman gave birth to her child at the same time Linda and I were at the store/shopping center when we felt the shaking (quake). Later, the woman took the child and escaped (the sword). I thought of the Woman and Man-child escaping the Dragon, as in Revelation 12:4, or escaping Herod the Beast, as in Matthew 2:13. (As we have seen, the Man-child is manifested after the earthquakes begin destroying America.) After all night watching this dream, I asked the Lord, “Lord, is this dream from You, or am I having nightmares?” I said, “I don't want to see anymore. Lord, if the dream is from You, give me a confirmation. Give the same dream to Linda tonight”. And God did. Third Night Again, the dream picked up where it had stopped the night before. More death and destruction everywhere. Then the dream changed. In the distance, I saw a three or four-story building. I quickly arrived there and found myself entering a door into the building. Inside was dark, except for some light that came in through a window. I crossed a large room of the building and came to a staircase going to the top floor. When I arrived at the top floor, before me was a steel double door. As I went in, I found myself in a large, dark conference room with a large round table with a hanging light illuminating the table, where seven men in dark suits were gathered. Six men were sitting around the table, each having a stack of papers before him. One man, the leader or head man, stood before the six men and was speaking. They were going over plans to destroy the economy. Each of the six men was in control of a different part of the economy. They were in disagreement about what was about to happen. The head man who stood over them speaking was enraged because the other six men were complaining, saying, “It won't work”, shaking their stacks of papers before the head man who stood. They were railing back and forth when the head man began to curse and say, “This economy is finished”. He said, “Tomorrow at this time it will be over” (or finished). (Shortly after the earthquakes, the financial ‘powers that be' will bring down the economy in order to control the people and bring in their New World Order.) He cursed again, struck the table with his fist, and said, “Don't worry. Everything will be all right; you will see”. The six men, yet greatly troubled, went along with the plan. The dream ended. The Lord gave Linda and me the same dreams. It's from God. Linda's Dreams First Night I had just gone to bed, closed my eyes, and somehow I just appeared in this dream. Charles and I were in our truck, and he was driving. He drove to a city and found a parking place where we both got out and walked to a building. Charles went inside, so I followed him. I didn't know where I was or why I was there. While we were inside looking around at some things, the building began to shake. It shook for what seemed like 30 or 35 seconds. In my dream, we were trapped in this building. There were other people in this building, about 12 of us in all. A man about 35 years old came up to me and said, “Please come with me; I think I know of a way out”. He grabbed a long rope, and we went up some stairs to the second floor. The man took the rope and tied knots in it almost all the way down the length of it, and then tied it to a steel I-beam and then dropped it out of a hole where a window had been. We went back and told the others, and each one climbed down the rope, and we all were able to get out. Once outside, we could see that most of the buildings of this city were like great heaps of rubble, but a few smaller buildings were badly damaged but were still standing. Then, suddenly, there was a four or five-second aftershock, and everyone scattered. Charles said to me, “Just wait here. I'll go get the truck, and we'll get out of this place”. So I stood there waiting for about three or four minutes. I decided to walk down the same way Charles had gone. When I got to the parking lot, there weren't any cars or anyone there, so I quickly turned and ran back to where I had been waiting. Then I walked 20 feet to the front of the building, looking up and down the street, but saw no one. I walked back and waited. I just stood there, not really knowing what to do, just standing there all alone. It was starting to get dark, and Charles had not returned. Suddenly, I saw a young woman with a little boy about three years old coming down the sidewalk on the other side of the street. She was quickly passing by me. I called out to her, but she turned left at the corner and, crossing the street, she kept on walking. I ran down to the corner to see where she was going. As she got to the end of that block, three men stepped out in front of her. She screamed, and two of the men began to beat her. The other man grabbed her little boy and, with his raised sword, hit the boy on top of his head, cutting him in half all the way down, and I saw his intestines falling out of his little body. I was close enough to see the man's eyes, and they were black as coal. Laughing, he picked up the two halves of the body and carried them away. The other two men, drawing their swords, began to slash the woman numerous times. Both men, each grabbed one of her ankles and dragged her body away. I ran back to the building where I had been waiting for Charles to return. Fear had overtaken me, but seeing the rope still hanging down from where we had escaped from this building earlier, I climbed up, went back in the building, and pulled the rope up so no one else could get in. I was so fearful that my whole body was shaking because what I had just witnessed was so horrifying. I cried out, “Jesus, help me. Fill me with Your peace, Lord”. In the dream, I lay down on the floor to go to sleep, and I woke up from the dream. I did not write down the dream at that time because I just wanted to forget it. Second Night The second dream continued where the first left off: In the dream, I lay down and went right off to sleep. When I woke up, it was late afternoon, and I was lying on the floor in the building. I got up and looked out the hole where a window had been. I wanted so badly to find a way out of this city. I got the rope and climbed down to the sidewalk. I decided to walk 15 blocks down the east side of the city. I walked block after block, counting each one and looking for a road that would take me out of there. At the 15th block, I saw no way out going this way, so I turned around and went back to my starting point. I decided to walk 15 blocks west and check it out. I got to the 15th block, and the sun was setting, and I knew I didn't have much time because I didn't want to be out after dark again. Then I heard voices. I looked in the direction from where I thought the voices were coming. I saw a park-like setting. I looked and saw some people in the park -- a man and a woman with two kids. I walked down a little way and hid behind a large tree. In the far distance, I saw a big fire. Then I saw some of those demonized people surrounding the man, woman, and the two kids. They began screaming and begging, “Don't hurt us, please”. The kids were crying. The demonized men had curved swords, and some of the men began to strip them. The ones with the swords were cutting all their heads off, then arms and legs. Others of them carried the body parts to the fire and threw them on the fire (to destroy the evidence). I slipped away, going back to the building where I had been staying. I ran the first eight blocks as fast as I could. I was getting very tired, so I tried to walk at a fast pace for the next seven blocks. I heard voices behind me saying, “There is another one. Get her. Don't let her get away. Hurry, hurry, she's getting away. Get her”. The voices were louder and getting closer. I ran into a dark alley and hid. Then I heard a scream and slowly looked out of the alley and saw that they had caught a pregnant woman. One of the men took his sword and plunged it into her chest, and cut her all the way down her body, and her baby fell out. I saw the baby's and the woman's bloody bodies mutilated. The men dragged the bodies back toward where the fire was. I woke up from the dream. Again, I did not write down these dreams; I did not want to. I just wanted the dreams to stop. I just wanted to forget all of it.   Mena Lee - 04/05/2013 (David's notes in red) About two nights ago, the Lord gave me a dream where He was speaking directly to me. He said, “Al Qaeda is here in the country”. I responded with, “What?!” The Lord continued, “Al Qaeda is in the country, and Obama knows that they are here”. (This administration has been using Jihadists overseas to fight for his causes. It will be so here, too. Islamic Jihadists have been entering the country through Mexico, disguised as Mexicans who do not speak Spanish. These cells are placed strategically all over the U.S. now. This has been reported for years. This is not about blaming that President, who is a vessel of God's wrath to judge apostate Christianity. God is the one who has pronounced these judgments. So what is the moral of this story? Fight against the government? No. Deal with God, Who works all things after the counsel of His own will. Pro.16:7 When a man's ways please Jehovah, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Be Holy and be safe.) “They are remaining low-key and not wanting to draw attention to themselves. I will show you where they are hiding”. And with that, the Lord began to show me places throughout the country where they were stationed. I saw small businesses, beauty supply stores, local grocery stores, and small shops. The Lord said, “Tell the people that a war event is coming to the coastline of this country”. And with that, I woke up. Four nights later, He returned to me again with the same thing. The Lord told me to study the book of Zephaniah as a reference on what is to come. He also informed me that the fourth month would be significant. (Please read Zephaniah. How can this be seen as a judgment coming now? Zephaniah is a prophecy of many things that happen almost simultaneously. It is a prophecy of coming judgment on apostate Judah, representing apostate “Spirit-filled” Christianity. Then a warning about the coming Day of the Lord to those who refuse to repent. Also, a demand for repentance so they will be hidden in this time of judgment. Then there is the judgment of their persecutors. Then there is a destruction of Nineveh (the capital of the Assyrian Empire), which I was shown was the U.S. head of the world Beast. [Not to be confused with that ultimate judgment at the end of the tribulation.] Then the corruption of apostate Jerusalem, as a type of the false leadership of God's people. Then the matured remnant of the Bride, who has been purified of all of the above and blessed. Read it and be exhorted to be in the secret place of the Most High, a Psalm 91 Passover of Judgment.) This morning, I asked for a word concerning the date of a factious attack on 4/11, which came to pass, and I looked down on Micah 4:11. This was the Sennacherib scenario in which the Assyrians attacked Jerusalem [in confirmation of the text above]. In this case, the Bride, Jerusalem, is victorious over the enemy army that had conquered the rest of God's people. I believe God is speaking of a spirit army that is using apostates to come against the remnant. This is a spiritual earthquake of sorts. Mic.4:9 Now why dost thou cry out aloud? Is there no king in thee, is thy counsellor perished, that pangs have taken hold of thee as of a woman in travail? 10 Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail; for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and shalt dwell in the field, and shalt come even unto Babylon: there shalt thou be rescued; there will Jehovah redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies. 4:11 And now many nations are assembled against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye see [our desire] upon Zion. 12 But they know not the thoughts of Jehovah, neither understand they his counsel; for he hath gathered them as the sheaves to the threshing-floor. 13 Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion; for I will make thy horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass; and thou shalt beat in pieces many peoples: and I will devote their gain unto Jehovah, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. I also received a confirmation: Zec.12:8 In that day shall Jehovah defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of Jehovah before them. 9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. I also received: Isa.28:22 Now therefore be ye not scoffers, lest your bonds be made strong; for a decree of destruction have I heard from the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, upon the whole earth. (Earthquakes and WWIII.F 23 Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech. 24 Doth he that ploweth to sow plow continually? doth he [continually] open and harrow his ground? Meaning God is almost through breaking up the fallow ground of His remnant; He is ready to plant.   Linda L. Gray - 08/29/2014 I just finished listening to UBM's Wednesday's (8/27/14) audio file while at my mom's house for my caregiving responsibilities. The topic of the evening was the violence of the ISIS/Islamic movement and the possibility of another incident happening on a large scale within our country. In the early morning hours of Friday, August 22nd, I had the following dream: In the dream, I was alone in my home. It was daytime, and the sun was shining. My front door was open so fresh air could come into the house. I walked over to one of my windows facing the front of the house (it faces the east). Standing in the distance, I could see a line of men dressed in black clothing (similar to ISIS photos). In front of the black-dressed men was a large pit. Inside the pit were bundles of packaged newspapers (like you see prior to delivery to a news stand). While looking at this strange sight, the newspapers suddenly exploded up into the air. Discerning that these individuals and the situation were dangerous and threatening, I went over to my front door to close and secure it. Upon reaching the door, a demonic-type figure was standing outside. I quickly shut the door and locked it. Whatever or whoever the entity was, they were not permitted to come inside my home. The door was wide open. After securing the door, I picked up my pet parrot and proceeded to go to the “secret place” (Psalm 91). Isa.26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee; hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. End of dream. Additional notes: As a note in history, western Pennsylvania was involved in the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. In designated homes, secret rooms were built to house individuals running away from slave owners. Another reference would be what the family of Corrie ten Boom did in preparing their home to hide Jewish people from the Nazis in (The Hiding Place). Could all the coming bloodletting have anything to do with America reaping what it has sown with millions of slaughtered babies and constant wars? Here is a portion of Dana Coverstone's Dream on 5/19/23   Let Me Show You Something (David's notes in red) ….Then he (the Lord) said to me, “There's more to see.” Suddenly, I'm on the southern border. I saw an enormous line of volcanoes that seemed to have sprung up overnight. They covered from the western point of California all the way to Texas. Literally, these were volcanoes on the border. (Hell's demons coming out of hell upon the earth to use the wicked enemies. Rev.9:2-3 And he opened the pit of the abyss; and there went up a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 3 And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.) They were very tall; they shadowed the ground. And I cannot emphasize this enough. These volcanoes on the border were (shooting) hundreds of miles up into the air. The ground was shaking, seemingly creaking, and the volcanoes trembled, and they started erupting magma and lava. And then suddenly the entire border shook, and I saw the volcanoes appear to grow, and the ground below them looked like it was torn. It was like, how a tree that gets knocked over in the wind or damaged by a tornado, there was an area of the earth that opens up at the base of the tree trunk. So the volcanoes tip backwards, they're still spewing lava and all these other things. (Hell on earth) But there was a hole where the volcanoes came up along the entire southern border. (This is a demonic empowered invasion over the southern U.S. border.) At that moment all sorts of people dressed like normal migrants came running out, and they were sprinting. (This would be in addition to those who have already come across the border and those anarchists and radical Muslims already inside the US. And the left-wing military faction. It has been reported that millions of migrants are below the border waiting, and many are military-age men, and also, there are many Chinese Communists there to support their DS. MS-13 has been an arm of the DS military too.) They were running as hard and as fast as they possibly could to get into the country. As they ran, they were taking off backpacks, and they were pulling out weapons, and they were putting them together. They were unfolding them, and they were pulling them out. They were putting clips in, but they're doing it as they were running. The people on the American side were watching the eruptions, watching the magma and the lava and the smoke and the ash cloud, and they didn't even notice the people who were running towards them. They pointed to the sky and acting as if they were watching fireworks, they were just, like, “Oh wow! Look at that.” And they are pointing over there, and over here and saying things like, “Look at that!” They were looking up, and they did not see any of the people who were rushing towards them. (Because of enemy distractions.) And now they were running up and they were shooting. They were teaming up on people, they were storming properties, but they took nothing. When they went into the buildings and the houses, they took nothing; they just shot and killed the people. They sprinted on and they were moving with skilled intent and military precision. They would come together to a house, they would go in, and you would see gunfire; they would run out, not taking a thing. They were brutal. They showed no mercy. And some carried samurai swords, and they were beheading many people along the way. I saw death and destruction. I saw danger. I saw chaos on the border and it was rushing towards us. It was rushing north. This was on purpose, a “dismantling,” and this was also on purpose, a “distraction”.  Back in Times Square, the broadcaster was informing citizens that spectacular eruptions on the southern border were getting people out of their homes to watch. (The DS MSM involved again to cover up) They were saying, “Hey, folks, you need to go out of your homes and watch these incredible magma fields and watch these incredible volcanic eruptions that are going on. Go outside and watch.” He said, “If you live within 100 miles of the border, you need to go outside immediately and see if you can see them from where you are.” (On foot, they could not go very far without stealing vehicles from their victims. Maybe 100 miles before they were dispersed enough it would be hard to make war on them.) And I said to the man (the Lord) that the newsman is trying to get people outside so they will be killed, and the man nodded. And then he said, “There's more.” Suddenly, we're standing outside the Capitol of Washington, DC. Then I could hear all kinds of noise going on inside the Capitol building. And someone yelling with a bullhorn. But these people are talking about taking the country back (Democrats will join the Communist Chinese and the Islamics like they are now. Obviously they plan to take the country back from the Alliance and Trump) and making people listen. (This fits with their M.O. They can't win by vote.) There were screams that seemed very demonic and just wild coming out of humans. It was like growls and screams and cries. Demonic, almost like banshees. And there was a fence outside the Capitol building. They surrounded it. But suddenly, the police and military came, and they tied ropes, making loops and threw them up on the tops of the fence, like a noose. They were pulling the fences down with all their might. They bent the fences over. (We have been told that military tribunals are being held there at this time. Hence the fence.) And then just as suddenly, the doors of the Capitol pushed open and the congressmen, congresswomen, senators, faces of people I recognized, people who are in power, leadership, elected officials at the federal level. (Satanists, the head of the dragon, devouring the people.) They all came rushing out into the streets, and they were jumping and leaping and stepping over those fences. (This could just symbolize that the leftist DC leadership, some under investigation, will escape and will join and be behind this invasion against the people. As far as I know, they have not met in the Capitol anymore.) And they were armed with guns and clubs. And they began attacking and beating any citizen who was close. (Symbolizing their abuse of the people.) They left this extremely bloody trail. And they pursued people until the people became so exhausted that they dropped from exhaustion, and then they beat them to death. I watched elected officials beat these people to death. (Now I do not think this is what's going to (physically) happen. I think the whole point of it is these people are the ones that make the laws.) This is horrific because they were beating people to death in the streets, and it was getting darker. (Through more demon possession and death.) It was horrific to the point I said to the man, “Why are our elected officials doing this to the people?” Well, this time he didn't move, he didn't nod, he didn't move his head at all, but he said, “There's more to see.” And it suddenly became very, very quiet. (Folks, we now have laws that are changing and shifting, we have people who believe that men can be pregnant, that men can be women, that women can be men, and everything else. And we absolutely know better. We're starting to see culture believe every single lie that's being pushed out there, and then we have new laws being passed to protect those lies. Think about that.) The Congress began to beat these people to death. They were attacking ordinary citizens. I saw families taking pictures outside the capital who were just pummeled and beaten, and the elected officials who were running were covered in blood from the people that they had beaten to death. (Meaning they are guilty of the blood of the people.) And they just kept on going, looking for somebody else to attack and beat on. The man didn't move his head when I said, “Why are elected officials doing this to the people?” He didn't move his head at all. He just simply said, “There's more to see.” (Well, obviously, we know the government is corrupt, and they are compromised, everything it is and was and it's going to be. It's not to be trusted, it's not going to be a help to us at all.) (And the Alliance has gathered all their crimes to prosecute and, in many cases, execute them as is going on now. So, they are desperately trying to save their lawless lives.)   AMERICA The Bison with Two Heads REPENT NOW!!! Daniel Masika - 7/9/25 (David's notes in red) Vision: I saw a pregnant wolf coming out of the desert, and it was ready to deliver, for her time was due. The wolf was hungry for blood and fresh flesh. It looked somewhat like a bear, but no, it was the wolf. The wolf had tears in its eyes, as if on a mission of revenge.  The wolf had two colors: gray and yellow-brown, and stars upon its head. It was a desert wolf, but it crossed mountains and seas covered in snow and arrived in the land of the bison and the bald eagle. (power) I saw one huge bison with two heads: the head of an eagle and the head of a bison. The wolf captured the two-headed bison by the neck, and the bison surrendered without a battle. The wolf drank its blood. The wolf acted like a vampire, carrying a virus, and now the blood of the bison was mixed with the wolf's.  Then the wolf delivered 24 babies; half bison, half wolf. She did not die but was wounded in the neck, while her teeth remained fastened in the throat of the bison. Whenever the wolf turned, the bison turned, for the wolf controlled it. The bison's freedom was taken away, and it was in great pain. It cried out for help, but none came to its rescue. I looked to the east, and when I turned, I saw moving fire like a whirlwind. The fire looked as if it were being carried on wheels of gold. A voice came out of the fire, saying: “The bison with two heads is the nation of the United States of America. The wolf is her enemy (This is Islam), the one she did not destroy when she had the strength.  Now she will cry, for she will be forced to bow and follow the rules and laws of the wolf.  The seed of the bison's freedom will be taken away.  The bison will suffer and long for her freedom, but her tears will become her meat and water, for her walls of protection will be broken. (The Democrats invaded this country for this purpose.) The bison is dancing with her enemy. The bison lies in bed with the ravenous wolf. Unless the bison uproots now the seed and agenda of the wolf, there will be no time. Unless the bison builds her defense now, there will be no time. Unless the bison tears down and destroys the works of the wolf now in her land, she will suffer adversaries and judgment. For the pain of the wolf will be greater than that of the scorpion. Repent and turn, bison. Daniel, go stand on the tower and declare this vision.” As I was coming out of the vision, I heard a loud voice saying:  “We want Sharia Law!”    Sharia Law in America Mena Lee Jones, 11/21/2013 Last week I had a dream. In this dream, I walked into a convenience store with my mother. The store was small, as any convenience store would be. I walked up and down each aisle, browsing the items on the shelves. I noticed that at the end of one aisle, there was a stand with homemade honey. They were in small jars and had handwritten labels on them. I walked over to the stand and saw that at the top, it had a sign made out of cardboard. On this sign, it said, “Support Islam.” At this point, a Middle Eastern man with his wife and two sons walked into the store. I could tell they were Muslim by the clothes the wife was wearing. The peculiar thing was that the two boys (who looked to be around the ages of four and eight), had on kippahs (or yarmulke. For those who do not know, these are the little caps that the Jewish men wear). The father spoke and said to his sons, “Allah requires us to be pure and live holy. We must make sure we are following his rules and living holy.” But all the while he was saying this, the man kept looking over at my breast. I was paying attention to this, and when I would look over at him to make eye contact, he would quickly turn his face to the side as if he was avoiding something despicable. Next, I looked over towards the cashier who was running the store. He looked to be Middle Eastern as well. On the front of the cash register, there was another cardboard sign; it said “Sharia Law.” At this point, I was on the opposite side of the aisle as the man with his family. I blurted out, “Allah is Satan! Mohammed is in hell! Jesus Christ is the only answer!” Everyone was quiet. Finally, the man at the cash register broke the silence. “No one disrespects the holy prophet!” he exclaimed. But I repeated what I said the first time. I looked around the small store and noticed that my mother had left. When I looked towards the door, I saw a mob of men bust through the door. They all had leather whips in their hands. They were coming for me!  The funny thing was, I quickly walked down the aisle and went straight for the door. I walked right through the crowd without them laying a single finger on me. It was as though I was invisible. I thought about the times when Jesus would slip through the angry crowds after he spoke. I found myself outside on the street. I looked ahead and saw my mother walking. I paced myself to catch up with her, but I only got close enough to speak. “Mom, why did you leave?” I asked. “They were going to beat you,” she responded. “But you are safe now.” The strange thing was that she never turned around to look at me; she just kept walking. I noticed the white, almost iridescent dress she was wearing. It glowed softly, like a guide for me. I started looking around the area where I was. That's when I noticed these dog-like creatures roaming the streets. They were black with cat eyes, and seemed to be disappearing and then reappearing in different places. They were evil spirits! I looked up at a billboard. I saw the face of the president on it. Next to his face was a caption that said, “Support Sharia Law.” I stopped. I looked up to the sky and said, “Lord, what are you showing me? Where am I?” At that moment, I saw the top of a familiar building. It was the Empire State Building! I then knew I was in New York. My dream ended.  Saints, roughly two years ago, I had a couple of similar dreams to this one. They involved me being in the midst of Muslims and calling out the name of Jesus as the One true God. In one dream, I even prayed for several Muslim women, and through their healing, they accepted Christ as their Savior. The Lord has let me know that Islam will increase in this nation at a rapid rate. This is in preparation for the beast to come forth. We know that “Chrislam” (the marriage of Christianity and Islam) is on the rise today. We have a pope who is admired by the Muslim people and is pushing the idea of “peace” between the two religions. We have a commander in chief (Barack Obama in 2013) that is a Muslim at heart. (By his own confession to Islamic leaders.) This deceptive spirit is being lorded over our nation. And between that and the continuous increase of immorality and wickedness in this nation, we will see the persecution of Christians just before the Rapture. I want you all to be prepared and stand strong. We must know that as it began, it will end.  We are reverting back to the times of the first-century church. It was a time when the true believers were meeting in homes and secret places, a time when being a Christian was hostile. But remember that our brothers, the Apostles, continued to spread the gospel, no matter what the cost. So we, too, must be bold and confident in Christ. Know your authority (The Word), put on your armor, for we wrestle not against flesh and blood. Let us be encouraged, and therefore encourage one another. The finish line is in sight. Our Bridegroom is coming!   The Assassination of President Trump, Muslim Jihad  Jenni Haan, 8/26/2017 (David's notes in red)  I just woke up from a very disturbing dream. In my dream, my family and I were camping in northern Wisconsin. My husband had taken the kids into town to go to church. I stayed behind at the campground to get everything packed up because it was Sunday, and it was time to go home. I was in my tent packing up suitcases and sleeping bags, and I was just about finished when all of a sudden, I heard the announcer on the radio interrupt the song to come on air and say that the President had been shot by a Muslim radical while he was attending a church service. His voice sounded so sobering, as if he couldn't believe what he was announcing himself. He went on to say that they were able to get close to the President because the Muslims were pretending to be Christians in order to get into churches. The President thought they were people of peace. (Maybe back in 2017 but he knows better now.) Then the announcer's voice went from distressed to hopeless. He was getting more reports of Muslims opening fire, saying that their holy war had started, and it was every man for himself. The triggering event was the assassination of President Trump. Once that happened, every radical Muslim around the world opened fire wherever they were. (The DS, communists, democrats, Islamists, all want to kill Trump and they are not shy about working together to do this. Could this be why there are different assassination dreams about who done it? Also, some of these scenarios may have been prayed down and another not so.) I was scrambling in my tent looking for my 9 mil, and I realized I had just thrown it in my car. All of a sudden, through the door in my tent, I could see that there was a family of Muslims that was starting to open fire with assault rifles, shooting towards my direction. I knew I needed to get to my car, and that is when I woke myself up because my heart was pounding so fast. When I woke up, my adrenaline was pumping because it seemed so real. Northern Wisconsin gets pretty cold quickly, but we were still camping in the fall. The leaves had not quite started changing colors, but the air was very crisp that Sunday morning.   War Brings Death, Destruction, Ruins McKana - 03/07/26 (David's notes in red) Psalm 103:19 (KJV) The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Psalm 145:13 (KJV) Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.  We know the Kingdom of Heaven governs heaven and earth and everything in it forever. God is the ultimate authority. There is nothing impossible for God. Nothing happens without the Lord allowing it, and everything He allows has a purpose. Judgment has started to fall to test the faith of all and bring redemption. The Kingdom of Heaven is coming, but first the earth must be cleansed of evil and corruption. All global governments pursue power, money, and territory. Which government in the world serves the Lord? The word of the Lord is trustworthy. The Lord speaks and it is done.  In a previous message, the Lord said, “This Iran deal will lead to world war.” (Spoken in 3-7-26)  And in reality, the war we have long warned about has begun with its consequences. On the morning of March 3 at 6:00 AM, the Lord said, “Iran war will ruin America.”  The Lord has order and sequence in what He does. He has been teaching and preparing His children for what is coming. Everything happening now was foretold centuries ago and revealed again in our time.  Before the start of the war in Iran, I asked the Lord a question about the sequence of events. I asked whether the great shaking would happen before or after Elam. Soon after, the Lord answered: “After.”  The great shaking will happen after the war in Elam. Elam is modern-day Iran.  The war in Iran will soon be followed by a global earthquake, and after the great quake, events will rapidly move toward world war. What This War Will Bring: Mass death and destruction Economic calamities affecting oil prices, trade, groceries, and commodities Depletion of military resources and strain on everyday life Global powers stretched thin and weakened Internal political conflicts and division A divided nation — “A house divided cannot stand.” Internal and external conflicts leading toward collapse Breakdown of diplomacy and mass evacuations Encouragement for other global powers to advance their ambitions  Global Tensions  China over Taiwan China over Japan China over the South China Sea China over Australia China over the West North Korea against South Korea Russia against Ukraine, Europe, and Eurasia Russia against the West Global terrorism Religious friction between Christianity and Islam Step by step, this war will lead to the collapse of governmental systems, anarchy, and world war.  Yes, the bear, the dragon, the serpent, and the scorpion — even fallen angels, called “aliens” — are moving as the end approaches.  Final Warning  Make your last preparations and wait for the Lord. Endure to the end. Repent, Repent, Repent! The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.  Jeremiah 49:34-38 (KJV) 34 The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam…    George Washington Saw America Invaded (David's notes in red) I felt the Lord impressed me that George Washington's vision of an invasion from the East was happening with Islamists coming into the US both with permission and illegally. The full vision Washington saw two future wars fought on US soil that were fulfilled: the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. This, of course, gives credibility to the rest of the vision. In the last part of the vision, concerning these end times below, the third invasion appears to have come, and its resulting war comes soon after. Here is George Washington's Vision of the Third and Most Fearful Peril: “Again, I heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn'. At this, the dark, shadowy angel placed a trumpet to his mouth and blew three distinct blasts; and taking water from the ocean, he sprinkled it upon Europe, Asia, and Africa”. (God is bringing a Jihadist Invasion from these continents to make war, especially against the Christians and Jews.) “Then my eyes beheld a fearful scene. From each of these continents arose thick black clouds that were soon joined into one, and throughout this mass there gleamed a dark red light by which I saw hordes of armed men. These men, moving with the cloud, marched by land and sailed by sea to America, which country was enveloped in the volume of cloud, and I dimly saw these vast armies devastate the whole country and burn the villages, towns and cities which I had seen springing up”. (A prophet friend in Florida shared a vision he had with me many years ago. He said, 'The Lord took me to the streets of America, and I saw the cities on fire. We have eight million Muslims in America, and when the war breaks out in the Holy Land, and when America gets involved, they will burn America to the ground. I saw Muslim women coming into America and in their inner body parts, vials of anthrax and bio chemicals. I saw 180 million Americans die in a 72-hour period. He also spoke of many people being butchered, as we also have seen in dreams.) I believe the third war Washington saw has started with the Islamic Jihadist invasion into the US from Europe, Asia, and Africa for the purpose of making war on the people and making this a Muslim nation. This video by Avi Lipkin from March 26, 2015, speaks of Muslim radio stations repeating the Saudi demand to make America a Muslim nation. The plan is to bring tens of millions of Muslims into the United States. In this video, it is also mentioned that the plot to destroy Israel and Iran involves using them against each other. The elite are cornered as investigations leak out their crimes, and the Lord has told us they are going to come out fighting with an attack on America soon. The globalist elite have tried to keep the border open to bring in their troops who are joining with the Islamics (and communists) here who are practicing for a jihad. ISIS has flooded into the country with Hamas. Antifa is getting weapons, too. A large rebellion is about to begin. They are also going to spray chemicals and biologicals from the sky, as they have to a lesser extent already been doing. They own the pharmaceutical companies, and they don't make money on healthy people. The chemtrail fleet was built by these monsters. They all claim the population is unsustainable and want to bring it down to a fraction of what it is. Unscreened Muslims are flooding into the US with government permission. Many do not understand the sovereignty of God, Who works ALL things after the counsel of His own will and works ALL things together for the good of those who love Him and even for the good of those who will love Him when they get the fear of the Lord. Many do not understand when I say God ordained chastening the rebellious Church to bring many to repentance through the fear of the Lord. Without this, many would not bear fruit and be saved. He will bring more to repentance than all the lukewarm preachers could ever do. ISIS is in the US by their own admission and planning attacks. ISIS, Al Qaeda, and other Islamic Jihadists are here to make war. Under Obama, a woman witnessed that large buses with whited-out windows were coming over the border with Homeland Security and its logo on the side of them. She decided to speak to one of the drivers at a stop, who told her he was transporting Muslims to cities in the US. ISIS claims it can smuggle nuclear weapons through Nigeria and Mexico into the United States. Nazi Germany's Night of the Long Knives took place in the timeframe of Jade Helm. The Night of the Long Knives (German: Nacht der langen Messer (help·info), sometimes called Operation Hummingbird or, in Germany, the Röhm Putsch, was a purge that took place in Nazi Germany from June 30 to July 2, 1934, when the Nazi regime carried out a series of political murders. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_of_the_Long_Knives_(1934) Consider my prophet friend's statement from years ago: “We have eight million Muslims in America and when the war breaks out in the Holy Land, and when America gets involved, eight million Muslims will burn America to the ground”. Not so shocking that Egypt has accused Turkey of providing Turkish Passports to members of ISIS, the Islamic State, to facilitate the travel of fighters across the region. Seems the Turkish leadership and the DS leadership may be in agreement to rid the world of Christians and Jews. You who are truly righteous, trust in our God. Remember the three Hebrews. Is this the coming World War 3 we have been expecting to bring in the New World Order tribulation? Back to Washington's vision: “As my ears listened to the thundering of the cannon, clashing of the swords, and the shouts and cries of millions in mortal combat, I again heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn.' Where the voice had ceased, the dark, shadowy angel placed his trumpet once more to his mouth and blew a long and fearful blast.” (It is apparent that at this time enough repentance is given to America that God says, “Enough”.) Heaven Intervenes “Instantly, a light as of a thousand suns shone down from above me and pierced and broke into fragments the dark cloud which enveloped America. At the same moment, the angel upon whose head was still showing the word 'Union' and who bore our national flag in one hand and a sword in the other, descended from the heavens attended by legions of white spirits. These immediately joined the inhabitants of America who I perceived were well-nigh overcome but who, immediately taking courage again, closed up their broken ranks and renewed the battle”. (We were told here that 'the inhabitants of America' were warring with the invaders. I prayed about this and felt the Lord tell me, ‘When the Christians fear God and start being a witness of true Christianity, the inhabitants of America will begin to listen and be given victory by the Lord.' I remember when I was a young Christian, and the non-Christians would ask forgiveness when they said bad words or did bad things around you. There was a respect for the Christians and their God. But now that Christianity has sunk so low, this respect is not there. Is it any wonder that God would send chastening before it's too late? These 'inhabitants of America', even though they war with flesh and blood, can have that conscience again through a good witness from us.) “Again, amid the fearful noise of the conflict, I heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn.' As the voice ceased, the shadowy angel, for the last time, dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it upon America. Instantly, the dark cloud rolled back, together with the armies it had brought, leaving the inhabitants of the land victorious”. (Notice the armies, plural, were fighting with the Americans.) “Then once more I beheld the villages, towns, and cities springing up where I had seen them before, while the bright angel, planting the azure standard he had brought in the midst of them, cried with a loud voice, 'While the stars remain and the heaven send down dew upon the earth, so long shall the UNION last.' And taking from his brow the crown on which blazoned the word 'Union', he placed it upon the standard while the people, kneeling down, said, 'Amen.'“ Interpretation “The scene instantly began to fade and dissolve, and I at last saw nothing but the rising, curling vapor I at first beheld. This also disappeared, and I found myself once more gazing upon the mysterious visitor who, in the same voice I had heard before, said, 'Son of the Republic, what you have seen is thus interpreted: Three great perils will come upon the republic. The most fearful for her is the third, but the whole world united shall not prevail against her. (Notice the world Beast, will wage war against her and after chastening her lose.) Let every child of the republic learn to live for his God, his land, and UNION'. Rom.12:18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. With these words, the vision vanished, and I started from my seat and felt that I had seen a vision wherein had been shown me the birth, the progress, and destiny of the United States. “Such, my friends”, the venerable narrator concluded, “were the words I heard from Washington's own lips, and America will do well to profit by them.” (American Christians repent and turn to the Word that doesn't change quickly to receive mercy and grace from God.)

2 Kings April 22, 2026 PM.2 Kings continues seamlessly where 1 Kings left off, with Ahaziah and the departure of Elijah. Elisha is the main prophet in the first half of 2 Kings. Chapter 17 records that the northern kingdom was taken captive by the Assyrians (about 722 B.C.), and the southern kingdom comes to a similar demise at the end of chapter 25 (586 B.C.). God did this to the nation because it continued to practice idolatry instead of following the 10 commandments. The message of 2 Kings is united with that of 1 Kings: to show the Israelites of later generations what happened to their earlier glorious nation, that it happened because of rebellion and idolatry against God, and thus how a similar fate can be avoided in the future.

April 24, 2026Today's Reading: Introit for Easter 4 - Psalm 66:3, 5, 8-9; antiphon: Psalm 66:1-2Daily Lectionary: Exodus 39:32-40:16; Luke 8:22-39“Come and see what God has done.” (Psalm 66:5) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. King Hezekiah is the best king Judah had since David (2 Kings 18:1-3). Like David, he fights the Philistines. He expands Judah's land and he restores true worship (spelled: F-A-I-T-H) by getting rid of the “high places” forbidden in Deuteronomy 12:10-14. He smashes the Asherah pillars and crushes the bronze serpent of Moses, to which Judah burned incense (2 Kings 18:4).  However, the mighty Assyrians under Sennacherib are on the move. Judah faces the same fate as the Northern Kingdom. In the “fourteenth year” of King Hezekiah (Isaiah 36:1 – a clue that suggests the events of Isaiah 36-39 are similar to Passover – see Leviticus 23:5), the Assyrians taunt the Jerusalemites by contending that they should not expect Hezekiah or the LORD to save them.  Why? Because no gods have been able to stand against Assyria! Sounds like Pharaoh, “Who is the LORD?” (Exodus 5:2). Hezekiah takes the derisive letter into the temple and spreads it before the LORD. He asks God to hear the Assyrian blasphemies Assyrians and defend Himself. “So now, O LORD our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O LORD, are God alone,” (2 Kings 19:19; also Isaiah 36:18-20; 37:1-10). The LORD humbles the gods of Assyria (Isaiah 37:21-29) just as He did with the gods of Egypt (Exodus 12:12). The “angel of death” passes through the Assyrian camp by night and slaughters 185,000 of them (Isaiah 37:36; cf. Exodus 12:23).  Isaiah 38 tells the story of Hezekiah's illness and recovery. Hezekiah offers a psalm of thanksgiving (38:19-20). The “angel of death” slaughtered the Assyrians but passed over Hezekiah. In a sense, Judah has experienced a new Passover or a Passover 2.0 with the angel of death delivering her – this time from the Assyrians. No wonder Psalm 66, first written because of what we have just reviewed, exhorts the people of the Old Testament or any Christian to “come and see what God has done.” And to give “him glorious praise.” King Hezekiah sure did!  We pray this psalm in response to the greater exodus (Luke 9:31) that the LORD Jesus did for us and for our salvation when He suffered (including all the mockery), died, and rose on the third day. He crushed the enemy Satan's head. He achieved and accomplished our salvation through the shedding of His blood from His crucified body. On the night when He was betrayed, during the context of a Passover meal, Jesus instituted His Supper, by which He gives us His crucified, risen, and ascended Body and Blood to eat and drink, with the promise that all our sins are forgiven (Matthew 26:26-28). Jesus is God FOR YOU! In the Lord's Supper, “come and see what God has done for you” and gives you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. LORD Jesus Christ. Thank you for saving me on the cross. I trust You. Amen. 

In this study of Hezekiah and Manasseh, the lesson centers on faithfulness, pride, legacy, and the consequences of neglecting the next generation, drawing heavily from 2 Kings 19, where the angel of the Lord defeats 185,000 Assyrians; 2 Kings 20, where Hezekiah falls mortally ill, prays, and is granted fifteen more years; Psalm 56:8, which reminds us that God collects every tear; Joshua 10:12–14, where God demonstrates His sovereignty over time by holding the sun in place; 2 Chronicles 33, which records the wicked reign of Manasseh after Hezekiah; and 1 Timothy 1:15, declaring that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—showing that although Hezekiah began as a reformer who trusted God, his pride in displaying his treasures and his failure to prepare the next generation led to devastating spiritual decline, culminating in Manasseh's idolatry, child sacrifice, and occult practices, ultimately fulfilling the prophetic warning that what is not spiritually guarded and intentionally passed down will be corrupted, and echoing Christ's sobering question about whether faith will be found when He returns. You can connect with Moriel in more locations than just YouTube! Check out all our official links on the About page: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorielTVministries/about.

This audio excerpt is taken from a video interview with Mr Sam Darmo of Assyrians for Justice, who spearheaded the Simele Martyrs Memorial project in Simele, Duhok. In the interview, Mr Darmo discusses in detail the proposal, planning process, and the Kurdistan Regional Government's approval and support for the memorial's sponsorship and construction. The full video interview will be published on the SBS Assyrian Facebook page very soon.

Part 3 of the series in Isaiah. In the context of fear among the people of Judah of Syria and Israel, God gives signs through two children of judgement through the Assyrians and hope from His presence as a rock. The Immanuel prophecy has an immediate horizon and a long term fulfilment in Jesus.

Join Rod, Janice, Corie, and Ryan in this insightful episode of Bible Discovery as they delve into the historical and spiritual significance of King Hezekiah's reign in 2 Kings 18. Explore the fall of northern Israel to the Assyrians, Hezekiah's faithfulness, and the importance of morality in leadership. Discover archaeological insights about Shebna and uncover the lessons of history that resonate with our lives today.

NSW Youth Week celebrates the energy, voice and creativity of young people across our communities. It starts from the 16th of April and ends on the 26th of April. This year's theme is: Dream. Dare. Do. Oliver Slewa discusses why this event was established and how youth, particularly Assyrians, can get involved by attending local events, sharing their stories, volunteering, and proudly promoting their language, culture, and identity throughout the week.

Buckley Warde, Esq. met me at one of our firm meetings. I made a reference to the Assyrians and he caught and understood the reference. Thus, he found himself booked on my podcast.Bet you didn't know there were lawyers that did actual fire investigations. Like at the sites. Neither did I. But that's a large part of Warden's practice. From the Florida Sale to the chef who moved too much, we have some tales that usually require CBS or Benoit Blanc to be provided. But that was before I came along.

John 4:1-18 - The Source of Living Waters Please turn in your Bibles to John chapter 4, verses 1-18. You can find that on page 1056 of the pew Bibles. This is the well-known interaction between Jesus and the woman at the well. Their conversation is a little long, so we'll take this in two sermons. Today is part 1. Next week is Easter, and I'm planning a different sermon text. But in two weeks we'll get to part 2. As I read, think about the differences between Nicodemus and the woman at the well. Jesus had met Nicodemus earlier in chapter 3. Remember, he was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish council and a teacher of Israel.  And now in chapter 4, Jesus meets a very different person in a very different setting. Reading John 4:1-18 Prayer In my high school and college days, I enjoyed  multi-day wilderness trips. You know, you hike a few miles, then camp, then hike another few miles, and camp again, and you do that for several days. For some reason, it doesn't really sound fun anymore! I'll never forget the very first trip I went on. It started out pretty rough. It was very hot. We were mostly hiking in the shade, but we had 30-40 pound backpacks and so we were sweating. What made it worse is that we got lost on the first day. We didn't really know what we were doing, and then we got turned around. And then, we ran out of water. We had brought extra water because of the heat, but we drank it all by mid-day - we didn't know what rationing meant. Furthermore, the streams and lakes had an unusually high level of parasites that summer, and so we couldn't drink from them. And because we got lost, we didn't make it to our destination. Our planned destination had fresh water, but we were still some miles away when it got dark. So, we had to camp in the middle of a dense forest without water. I've never been more thirsty in my life. We all know what it feels like to thirst. Jesus had been thirsty from his travels. He was fully human just as much as he was fully divine. He shared in our common experiences like hunger and thirst and weariness. But as we read, this story is about much more than just satisfying our physical thirst. No, Jesus uses the common experience of thirsting and drinking to convey a deeper truth - spiritual thirst and spiritual refreshment. This Samaritan woman didn't even know she was spiritually thirsty, but she would soon come to realize how thirsty she was... and where to find the source of life-giving water. As we look at this text, we'll consider it in three basic points: The setting, the scene, and the summons. 1. The Setting - what is the cultural and religious background 2. The Scene - what happened in this conversation 3. The Summons - how are we summoned to respond. By the way, my first outline had a bunch of "s" in my subpoints… like spring, satisfy, Sychar, sixth, sinner, source, surprising, soul, and savior. But it was a little too much, so I decided to spare you from that! 1. The Setting Ok, #1, the setting. Before we work through this captivating narrative, it's important to understand some of the religious and cultural dynamics at play. First, the Samaritans were deeply despised by the Jews. They were outcasts and they were considered unclean. There were a couple of reasons for this. ·      #1 - Samaria was where the northern tribes of Israel had been. Back when the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, some of the Assyrians settled in the land. And over time the Assyrians and the Israelites from the northern tribes intermarried. That was a problem because their religions got mixed together. The Samaritans claimed the same forefathers as the Jews in Judah, but their religious practice and beliefs had been corrupted. We'll consider this more in part 2 of this dialogue. I simply bring it up because the Samaritans were considered not worthy to associate with. In fact, in order to get from Jerusalem to Galilee, the fastest route was to go through Samaria. But, some Jews would go to great lengths to literally travel around Samaria to get to Galilee. It was that bad. ·      #2 - This hatred of the Samaritans did not go away after Jesus walked the earth. In fact, it got worse. The Jewish historian Josephus records that around 51 AD, some Jewish pilgrims passing through Samaria were murdered. In response, several Samaritan villages were attacked by Jews. This killing went back and forth until the Romans had to step in. John wrote this Gospel account after those conflicts. What I'm saying is that throughout the first century Jews deeply mistrusted or even despised the Samaritans.   One of the commentators that I like is Gary Burge. He describes the book of John like scenes in a play. It's helpful to think of it that way. A couple of weeks ago, the curtains opened and it was dark. Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night. Nicodemus, who was an upstanding member of the Jewish elite was searching for answers. And he learned that he needed to be born again. He needed the cleansing ministry that Jesus was offering. But then the curtain closes while he's still searching. Now the curtain opens again, but this time it's the middle of the day. The 6th hour is about noon and the sun is shining. And there is Jesus again, but instead of Nicodemus, instead of this esteemed member of the Sanhedrin and a teacher of Israel, Jesus is speaking with an unclean Samaritan woman. Can you hear the gasps in the audience? And it gets worse as the narrative unfolds. Not only was she a Samaritan, but we find out that she has had 5 husbands and was now living with a guy to whom she was not even married. What a contrast to Nicodemus. ·      He was a squeaky-clean Pharisee on the outside… who had yet to see his need for the transforming power of Christ for his darkened sinful heart. ·      And then this woman, a spiritual and relational mess on the outside, yet, who would come to see her need and drink from the life-giving water of Christ. By the way, I am not saying that Nicodemus never came to believe in Jesus. A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that by the end of the book, it appears that his heart had changed. And in regard to the Samaritan woman, we learn later in this chapter that she not only came to believe, but through her testimony, many other Samaritans believed. It was all very revealing. You know, we're just a few chapters into John's Gospel, and several paradigms were being broken. John's Jewish audience had false perceptions about the Messiah. They also didn't understand the true reasons for their religious practices. So, their paradigms needed to be shattered. ·      The tables in the temple needed to be overturned. They needed to understand that Jesus fulfilled the temple promises. ·      They also needed to understand that Jesus did not come to re-establish Israel's geo-political dominance. Rather, as chapter 3 says, he came that the world may be saved through him.   ·      Furthermore, they needed to know that being a Jewish leader did not mean you would enter the kingdom of God. Keeping the rules or knowing the law does not get you into the kingdom. No, you need to be born again of the cleansing ministry of Christ and in his Spirit. They needed to learn all this. And here in chapter 4 - They are learning that the cleansing ministry of Jesus is also for Samaritans. And not only that, but Jesus came to save sinners, like this woman. Really, they were all sinners, like us.… but many in the Jewish community didn't understand that. What I'm saying is that if you were a Jew in the first century and you were hearing this for the first time, your religious foundations were being shaken. They needed to be shaken. So that's the setting… the cultural and religious backdrop. 2. The Scene Which brings us to #2 - the scene. Let's consider what happened. In the first century, travelling by foot from Jerusalem directly to Galilee would have taken 3-4 day. Jesus and his disciples travelled up the main road through Samaria… passing one village after another. And they came to Sychar. We learn that it was historically significant. It's where Jacob and his family had lived before moving to Egypt. Jacob was their forefather whom God would rename as Israel. He had 12 sons, whose families would become the twelve tribes of Israel. So, Jacob's well had been there for centuries. The well was near the field that Jacob had given his favorite son Joseph. This is Joseph who was given the multi-colored coat by his father and who was soon thereafter sold by his brothers as a slave. It was noon. The sun was beating down. Jesus and his disciples had more ground to travel but they needed rest and food and water. Jesus stayed at the well while his disciples went to find food. And as he sat there, a Samaritan woman approached. A common household chore for women at the time was filling the water jars. So it was not unusual for a woman to come to the well. However, what was unusual was the time of day. Usually filling water pots happened in the early morning or late afternoon when it was cooler. But given this woman's situation, either she was not welcome at other times, or she felt ashamed. And so, she came at mid-day. And to her surprise, a Jewish man was there. Now, the customary thing to do would have been to quickly fill her water jars and head home. But this man asked her a question. He asked her for a drink. By the way, Jacob's well was deep. You can actually visit the well today. It's about 135 ft to the bottom. That's pretty deep! Jesus didn't have anything to lower down and draw up water and he was thirsty. So, it was a reasonable request. But given the cultural dynamics, even such a request was unheard of. And it took her off-guard. Verse 9: "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" Now, think about this: What would we expect Jesus to say in response? Or what would John's readers expect? They were already in shock by the situation. But Jesus was thirsty, after all. The natural response would have been for Jesus to say something like, "We've travelled a long way so far. It's hot out. Those with me are in town buying food. But we've run out of water, and I'm thirsty. I have no way of drawing water from the well. Even though I am a Jew, will you help?" That's the expectation, but Jesus instead changed the conversation. That's what he does, isn't it? He disrupts the norms. He dismantles presuppositions. He pivots conversations. He asks penetrating questions and then he drives to the heart of the matter. He said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” Of course, this made no sense to her at first. Jesus didn't have a way to get to the water. Furthermore, he referenced living water. Living water was the term used for fresh moving water like streams or springs. This was a well. Water fills the bottom of a well by seeping in through the earth from the water table and then it sits there. How can you get this water? This well is deep? You have nothing to draw it out. Where will you get the living water you offer? Then something happened inside of her. She sensed that she was in the presence of someone important. After all, Jesus had said so! His first comment was to ask if she knew the gift of God? And then immediately Jesus said to her, if you knew who it was who was asking… She didn't know. But she didn't ask Jesus who he was. No, instead, she asked, "Are you greater than our father Jacob?" This well had been Jacob's well. He and his family and his animals drank from it. Was there something special about the water in it? Is that what you're referring to? Jesus responded, "anyone who drinks from this water," referring to Jacob's well, "will be thirsty again." And then in verses 13 and 14 Jesus said something life transforming. I want you look down and read it again. Verse 13: "but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The living water that Jesus was offering to give… was not physical water. No, it was something wholly different. And this water would yield in her, eternal life. Jesus was offering to her the gift of living water — faith in him, repentance from sin, and new life — all of which God alone can give. And this gift that Jesus was offering to her would come at a great cost. It would come through the giving of his life. This fountain of eternal life, this living water, would be purchased by his blood. She didn't yet understand this, and Jesus had yet to offer up his life… but he was drawing her to himself. "Sir, give me this water." Now at that time, she still thought that whatever water he was referring to would satisfy her physical thirst. She didn't yet understand her spiritual need. And this is where Jesus, yet again, redirects the conversation. "Go, call your husband, and come here." Jesus already knew her situation. He already knew that she had been married five times and was now living with a man who was not her husband. But Jesus wanted to reveal her need for this living water. She had been searching for something to satisfy her soul, something to give her life and meaning, but she had been searching in the wrong places. Let me say this. We are not given the details about her relationships. But we do know a little. We know that a wife at that time was not allowed to divorce her husband. So, she had been left by 5 men. Is it possible that she broke the wedding vows? Yes. Is it possible that these 5 husbands just decided to abandon her? Yes. Sometimes people assign all the blame to her, but likely it was a combination of broken vows and messy relationships. But whatever happened in her marriages, she was now living with another man… but had not consecrated their relationship by marriage. She was living in sin and had a history of messy relationships. It was a pattern of failure and sin. It appears that she had been pursuing relationships and intimacy within those relationships in hopes that they would give her long term satisfaction. But nothing was satisfying her longings. It was just getting worse. Jesus was saying to her: the spiritual water I give will satisfy you for eternity. It will be a never-ending fountain welling up to eternal life. I want this water of which you speak. Well, Jesus continued to talk to her. We'll cover that in a couple of weeks. And we'll even hear later that she testified to others that Jesus was the Savior of the world. What a tremendous thing. She drank of that "life-giving stream," as we sang earlier. #3 The Summons That's the scene. Which brings us now to #3 - The summons. What are we summoned to do? What does this mean for us? Two things come to mind. Two applications. #1 - When John's Jewish audience heard this, they had to come to grips with something. Their Samaritan neighbors needed the life-giving water of Christ just as much as they did. Beloved, your Muslim and Hindu neighbors need the life-giving waters of Christ. If your heart is turned against them… if you see them as the enemy rather than seeing them as people also made in the image of God and who also need the Gospel, then your heart-attitude needs changing. Remember, salvation is a gift. Did you notice that in verse 10? The living water of Christ is a gift from God. The gift that we have been given is a gift that Jesus offers to all. May we remember that and love our neighbors. And the greatest way that we can love our neighbors is to share the love of Christ with them. #2 - Every single person in the world is searching for satisfaction. Every one of us. We all have a spiritual and relational thirst within us that needs to be satisfied. We've been created as relational beings. We yearn for relationships, and we long to be fulfilled. But apart from Christ, we are searching in the wrong places. The problem occurs when we look for fulfillment in the things of this world or through relationships in this world. Sometimes we pursue the things of this world as if they can save us. Sometimes it's the idols of our culture like comfort or the love of money or our careers or our things or even our homes that replace God in our lives. Those are good things… but when we look to them to ultimately satisfy, then we have turned them into idols. Other times, we pursue saviors who are not saviors at all… that can include political heroes or cultural heroes. That can include your spouse, or your children, or perhaps even your pastor. I don't think that I'm anyone's idol… but celebrity pastor can sometimes become an idol. Other times in our search for satisfaction, we are drawn into sinful relationships… like adulterous relationships, or fornication like the Samaritan woman. Or we can search for satisfaction in our sinful desires for others or other things. But whether it is heart sin or actual sin, it is all stolen waters as proverbs 9 puts it.  It cannot save you and will not satisfy you. But Jesus offers living water. He offers you the life-giving water of salvation in him. And as he said, it will spring up to eternal life. The thirst of your soul will be satisfied in him forever. If you don't have this life-giving water, it is yours to receive as a gift from Christ. Come and drink. In case you didn't notice, I survived my first wilderness trip. But I'll say, it was a long first night. You know how it feels when you're thirsty. It's like having cotton balls in your mouth. That's what it felt like the whole night. We woke up and were still thirsty…and still had a few miles to hike. But we finally made it to fresh water! It was one of those hand pump wells, you know with the long handles. We pumped the handle for a bit and then the water started flowing. It was cold and fresh and satisfying. We drank and drank until we could drink no more. It was so refreshing. The life-giving water of Christ is the only source that will satisfy the thirst of your soul. May you drink and find your satisfaction in him for eternity.

The National Security Hour with LTC Sargis Sangari – Like the British, the Crusaders, the Romans, the Hellenic, the Egyptians, the Persians, the Assyrians, the Parthians, the Mongols, the Armies of Mohammad, and countless more, the Americans are fighting the Persians for control of the Pivot Area. But what Mackinder did not factor in was the effect that a deeply interconnected global trade dependence upon...

The National Security Hour with LTC Sargis Sangari – Like the British, the Crusaders, the Romans, the Hellenic, the Egyptians, the Persians, the Assyrians, the Parthians, the Mongols, the Armies of Mohammad, and countless more, the Americans are fighting the Persians for control of the Pivot Area. But what Mackinder did not factor in was the effect that a deeply interconnected global trade dependence upon...

In this program: Highlights of the launch of a new book by Zaher Dauda; interview with Assyrian Students Association-Australia and their trip to meet Assyrian youth in Germany, and an interview about Assyrians of Melbourne celebrating the Assyrian New Year, with Shmoel Eramya

The Assyrians are in Judah trying to take it: The Assyrian general goes to Judah to wage psychological warfare The Assyrians claim God is not powerful enough to defeat them The Assyrians claim that God told them to destroy the land of Judah The Assyrians are massively defeated overnight and return home in shame Artifacts found that prove the historical accuracy of 2 Chronicles 32 Don’t just check out one… Take a look at them all! YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnh-aqfg8rw Ko-Fi - https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries Website - https://www.p40ministries.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p40ministries Contact - jenn@p40ministries.com Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/c-6493869 Books - https://www.amazon.com/Jenn-Kokal/e/B095JCRNHY/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk Merch - https://www.p40ministries.com/shop YouVersion - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/38267-out-of-the-mire-trusting-god-in-the-middle Check out LifeAudio for other faith-based podcasts on parenting, studying Scripture, and more: www.lifeaudio.com Become a member to gain access to The Bible Explained on Fridays: https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries Support babies and get quality coffee with Seven Weeks Coffee https://sevenweekscoffee.com/?ref=P40 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

For tonight's bedtime story, let's explore the stories of various gods from Antiquity that once were very relevant to the societies that worshipped them, before mostly disappearing from memories: • Sol Invictus, the sun god of the Romans that was propelled from obscure cult to imperial religion in the Third Century AD, and whose festival on December 25th became Christmas. • Mithra, an Iranian deity borrowed from Zoroastrianism by several foreign peoples, especially the Romans, who reinvented this cult completely into a mystery religion for initiates. • Inanna/Ishtar, the Mesopotamian goddess of love, procreation, political power and war who was worshipped for thousands of years by various Mesopotamian civilizations (Sumerians, Akkadians, Assyrians, Babylonians) and whose influence reached the Mediterranean. • Pazuzu, the demon god of southwestern winds of the Babylonians, and a popular domestic spirit whose ferocity protected homes, pregnant women, and young mothers from even worse evils. This podcast is entirely scripted and recorded by real people, it includes no AI, and mid-roll ad breaks are turned off so that you can relax without interruption.   #sleep #bedtimestory #asmr #sleepstory Welcome to Lights Out Library Join me for a sleepy adventure tonight. Sit back, relax, and fall asleep to documentary-style bedtime stories read in a calming ASMR voice. Learn something new while you enjoy a restful night of sleep. Listen ad free and get access to bonus content on our Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/LightsOutLibrary621⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Enjoy my audiobook on Ancient Egyptian History, Myths & Mysteries: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6mCqX5FoO6uCilrWCS8mB9?si=e1ecb983d2534d69⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen on Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LightsOutLibraryov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   ¿Quieres escuchar en Español? Echa un vistazo a La Biblioteca de los Sueños! En Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1t522alsv5RxFsAf9AmYfg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ En Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/la-biblioteca-de-los-sue%C3%B1os-documentarios-para-dormir/id1715193755⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ En Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LaBibliotecadelosSuenosov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2. This interview shifts to the aftermath of the Bronze Age collapse, focusing on the resilience of the Assyrians. Cline attributes their survival to strong leadership and redundant systems, such as their enduring military and government structures. While their previous trading partners struggled, the Assyrians adapted by using military force to acquire necessary resources and conducting near-constant warfare. The discussion also covers the complex, shifting relationship between the Assyrians and the Babylonians, who cycled between being allies and enemies. Ultimately, the Neo-Assyrians emerged as the dominant Near Eastern power for several centuries before being superseded by the Neo-Babylonians. (2)

3.8.2026 – Rev. Ben Roberts for Foundry UMC, Washington DC The author has wasted no time being extra scandalous here. It's not just that Jesus is meeting with the Samaritan woman but also that he's doing it at a well. Other biblical narratives of men meeting with women at the well usually ends with some sort of marriage; Isaac and Rebecca.  Jacob and Rachel.  Moses and Zipporah.  These are all encounters at wells. So the overtones for the original audience of this story hint at courtship.  If you've encountered this story before maybe you've heard it sad that this woman social standing should be questioned because of the marriage history that's presented. But Dr. Laura Holmes at Wesley Theological seminary invites us to remember that permission to divorce would have been handed down by male family member it would not have been possible for a poor woman. She couldn't have chosen to get divorced. So the multiple husbands noted in this story likely are “related to tragedies either death or being divorced or both.” So it would be inappropriate to make those sorts of conclusion about here moral or social standing. She also notes for us that we should pay attention to the way that the community responds to this woman's testimony, that many people receive it and believe because of her. If she were ostracized, it is unlikely they would have even listened to what she had to say.  This story also follows closely to that of Nicodemus' the story we heard last week. The contrast being that the Nicodemus story takes place in the middle of the night, but Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well in the middle of the day. Their stories present a series of opposites: “They embody gender, class and status, and ethnic and religious differences. The setup for each encounter also differs: Nicodemus initiates the conversation with Jesus, while Jesus initiates the conversation with the Samaritan woman, and the former is at night (3:2) while the latter is at noon (4:6).”  In both stories, Jesus's answers are interpreted literally causing confusion; when talking of being born again or drinking living water. As Pastor Ginger said last week, very unhelpful answers provided by Jesus. But we see different responses within the confusion. Nicodemus's story somewhat ends after a couple of follow-up questions; he the learned teacher doesn't continue the conversation. While the Samaritan woman asks for the living water and goes and tells others about what she has encountered. So we get some of the feeling that they learned teacher Nicodemus who is inside the community doesn't quite get it what this random Samaritan outsider woman stays engaged and curious.  After the woman asks for the living water, Jesus does something that reveals and points to himself as Messiah. He knows things that haven't be said yet. He tells her about her husbands and current situation, nothing she had shared with him. This, him knowing something that hasn't been reveled,  is enough to begin this revelation and journey for her.  Let's note they have this discussion on worship. Localities are brought up as she says “this mountain” and then says, “but you (y'all) say the place where people MUST worship is Jerusalem.”  We'll talk some more about this, but suffice it to say for the moment the Jewish tradition is telling them that worship must be in Jerusalem, while the Samaritan tradition says it should be on Mt. Gerizim (or this mountain).  She points to this dogmatic divide between their communities and Jesus' response is to say neither Jerusalem nor this mountain. A time is coming when true worship will be in spirit and in truth. Worship that is born not from obligation to ritual but love of heart and active in the world as Jesus was active (mercy, service, justice, compassion). She goes from there and tells others in her community and it's said that many listened to her, came to see Jesus for themselves, and also believed. The woman becomes one of our traditions' first theologians discussing proper worship, first preachers telling her community what Jesus had done, and is every bit a disciple/apostle as those other…guys. And that is lovely.  There are few major stories where the Samaritans were mentioned in the New Testament. We have this story of the Samaritan woman at the well. We have the story of a thankful Samaritan leper. And we have probably the best-known story of the Good Samaritan parable. In each of these cases a person who is Samaritan is held up as an example of someone who did the “right” thing where the more faithful person or the Jewish person in this story does the wrong thing or is just slower at…the thing. For example, in the Good Samaritan parable this is the Samaritan who stops to help the injured person after some priests and Levites had passed by on the other side. Or in the case of the leper the Samaritan is the one who gives thanks and tells the story where the other nine just leave. I'll note that in the other two cases a person is in some ways reduced to being an object lesson, that is they are just held up to teach us something about the ways we're supposed to act. There's not a bunch of character development. We don't learn about the actual people or their communities through these stories. They're just being used to show us something. By comparison, today's story is rather robust for the Samaritan character; despite not being given a name. Last fall (2025) as part of our foundations of sacred resistance series, we did a Bible study that included talking about the Good Samaritan. Someone brought up that it would be helpful for us to expand on who the Samaritans were. Usually we (and the Bible) just note there is animosity between the Jewish community and the Samaritan community. There was one Kingdom and a united monarchy until the time after King Solomon. So we have one Kingdom under David and then under his son Solomon, but after Solomon, the kingdoms and the tribes split. Ten tribes remain in the north, which becomes the Kingdom of Israel, and two remain in the South, which becomes the Kingdom of Judah. The reason for that split is often characterized as a continuation of tax policy and harsh leadership. This would have been around or between 975 and 930 BCE. Whatever the day-to-day on the ground specifics, we end up with two groups where there had previously been one. Differences begin to emerge for a variety of reasons. But we'll start with something that's common, and that is that both groups followed the Torah or the fist 5 books of what we would call the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament (Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy). For portions of this Northern Kingdom that eventually become the Samaritan community, the scriptures stop there without additions of prophetic texts, Psalms or others that Christian circles are familiar with from the Hebrew Bible or Old testament.  And within that holy text of those first five books, there are differences between the Torah used by the Samaritans and the Torah used by the Jews. There are 6,000 differences: half of which are grammatical or small changes for flow, and the other half are larger ones like entire conversations (missing/not included) between characters like Moses and Aaron with Pharaoh and a difference in the 10 commandments. Where we might be familiar with the 10th commandment being “thou shalt not covet,” the Samaritan version has the 10th commandment as an instruction to build and alter at Mount Gerizim (believed to be the place Abraham was going to sacrifice Isacc for this tradition rather than Mount Moriah/The Temple Mount in Jerusalem). So differing scriptures (yet the same), differing instructions, differing locations claiming to be central to the faith if not the center of the world. These realties come together over time. The distinct group of the Samaritans does not really emerge however until after the Assyrian conquest in 722 BCE.  The Assyrians come through and take over the Northern Kingdom (Israel). When the northern Kingdom fell some of the members of the 10 tribes are deported throughout Assyrian territory.  Some remained. But the Assyrians also send colonists and other deported people from other places into the region of the northern Kingdom. And the population that remained from the 10 tribes begins to intermix culturally, religiously, and socially.  Differences are magnified  because of the experience of the Southern Kingdom with the Babylonian exile. Where the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdome sends the people away. The Babylonian conquest takes the people of the southern kingdom in to exile in Babylon (this where books of the prophets come from) but there's an end exile (where there wasn't for the northern kingdom) 200 years later, Persians allow the southern kingdom Judean's to return. This has a big impact on the development of Judaism. And upon their return, while it's said in the book of Ezra, the Samaritans were willing to welcome back these cousins and work with them to rebuild. Those returning did not want to mix because of the ways the Samaritans had mixed with other cultures over the centuries. At some point during the Assyrian conquest and the people being deported. Some lions showed up, killed some people, it was a big mess. It was a whole thing. The Assyrians said, you know, those people we sent into that land don't know how to worship the God of that land. So we need to send a priest back to teach them (2 Kings), because we can't have lions running around killing people. So our tradition, from the start says, those people who remain, those Samaritans who have been mixing, they don't know what they're doing when it comes to worship when it comes to being faithful. They're doing it wrong and need to be fixed. That becomes the one-sided story we inherit. This experience of exile, return and non-return becomes a big divergence for the two groups. The returning Judeans don't want to mix with those people who are doing it wrong. They reject the Samaritan's help. And as the returning Judeans begin to do things like rebuild Jerusalem and the temple after rejecting the Samaritans' help. The Samaritans in turn find ways to oppose its construction by lobbying the Persians.  Laws and prohibitions around mixing and inter-marrying are put in place. The marriage prohibitions persist to this day. Animosity and separation continue to grow over hundreds of years by the time the Jesus story begins. In 128 BCE the Hasmonean's (Judea/Southern Kingdom) destroyed the Samaritan Temple at Mt. Gerizim. Little more than a century later (6-9 AD) around the time of Jesus' birth, the Samaritans dump human bones throughout the temple in Jerusalem, rendering it unclean and unavailable for the Passover celebration. There is long-range tit for tat going on. And at roughly the same time as Jesus' life and ministry and the budding of the early Christian church, the Samaritans were essentially in collaboration with the occupying Romans; collecting taxes and helping keep order compared to the rebellious Jewish community. Samaritan community still exists. By all accounts there are 8-900 people left in the community. The population is mainly split between Tel-Aviv, Israel and Nablus near Mount Gerizim in Palestine/West Bank. There was a NYT article from 2021 called “The World's Last Samaritans – Straddling the Israeli-Palestinian Divide.” So with all of that, recent desecrations and destructions of temples, differing yet the same scripture, vastly differing experiences, prohibitions on marriages and sharing food, and hundreds of years of growing divide; Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman at a well. No shortage of old divides on display for us in the world right now. No shortage of one-sided stories about how awful the other side is, right now. No shortage of stories about how awful we are. No shortage of conflict and suffering because of it. I think I very much like the idea today of Jesus stepping into and interrupting old, entrenched conflict. I like the idea that people, like the woman, are still curious and willing not be held by old tropes and dogmas; social, political, or religious. I like Jesus stepping in and saying not your mountain or ours; it's not what matters and they're not worth staying divided over.  If we keep drinking from these old wells; of nationalism, Christian nationalism, Christian Zionism, racism. Drinking from wells of sexism misogyny, racism, or homophobia. Drinking from the wells of ethnic conflict the wells of polarization. Drinking from these old wells of division and violence will just keep us coming back to these old wells of division and violence. Four years from now, 100 years from now, 200, 700, 3000 years from now. Instead, we're invited to the living water that can satisfy and move us into relationship. And for those who would step into that relationship, having experienced the living water, within them a spring would form and other could experience it too. Through that expansion may  we (with God's help) somehow move closer to the days of Spirit and Truth; changed hearts and just action in the world.

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com  2 Kings 22 2 Chronicles 32 ISAIAH 22   Hezekiah is not panicking but he is trying his best to keep his people safe from the Assyrians. They are brutal people. They kill the army, then maim the remaining citizens as if to mark their territory… you can see why Hezekiah is wanting to do anything he can to spare his people from this terror.    During this time God leads Hezekiah to prepare.  Covers up the springs and brooks Rebuilds the walls Raised the towers Made new weapons and shields  He set up captains over the people He encouraged them - For there are more with us than with him: “We have more power than they have. (These words he quotes from the prophet Elisha, 2 Kings 6:16.) He rerouted the water   But even after all this prep…  2 Kings 18:13-16, that Hezekiah unwisely and unsuccessfully tried to satisfy Sennacherib with gold and treasures from the temple.   He takes silver from the temple and strips gold from the doors of the temple: tendency to seek security through compromise - compromise Gods Glory - MGLG  * even at the cost of diminishing the visible honor due to God's house. Then he goes to God with Isaiah and cry's out.   God never reprimanded him for his work, or his effort. Scripture describes these actions as part of Hezekiah's strategic and faithful preparation for the Assyrian invasion…   A pure heart, not Gods plan.   The Supernatural Intervention In response to Hezekiah's prayer and the prophecy of Isaiah, the Bible records that the Angel of the Lord sweeps through the Assyrian camp. Sennacherib retreats to Nineveh, and Jerusalem is spared without a single arrow being fired.

ISAIAH'S PROPHECY of a coming Messiah included foreseeing where Jesus would declare war on the fallen realm.  Chapter 9 of the book of Isaiah picks up where the prophet left off, condemning the people of Israel, for consulting the dead on behalf of the living. His prophecy that a light would shine on those dwelling in a land of deep darkness was cited by Matthew as fulfilled when Jesus moved from Nazareth to Capernaum. We connect this to Psalm 23 in the valley of the shadow of death, which in our view is the Jordan River Valley between Mount Hermon and the Sea of Galilee. Isaiah 9 also includes the prophecy of a coming Savior who is called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). We discussed the interesting rendering of this verse in the Lexham English Septuagint, in which “Wonderful Counselor” is translated “Messenger of the Great Council.” The second half of this chapter is devoted to God's judgment on the northern Kingdom of Israel, which was fulfilled when the Assyrians overran and conquered Samaria in 722 BC. Here is a link to a PDF copy of the R. H. Charles translation of The Ascension of Isaiah (link opens PDF document). Sharon's niece, Sarah Sachleben, has been diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, and the medical bills are piling up. If you are led to help, please go to GilbertHouse.org/hopeforsarah. Our new book The Gates of Hell is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Derek's new book Destination: Earth, co-authored with Donna Howell and Allie Anderson, is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! If you are looking for a text of the Book of 1 Enoch to follow our monthly study, you can try these sources: Parallel translations by R. H. Charles (1917) and Richard Laurence (1821)Modern English translation by George W. E. Nickelsburg and James VanderKam (link to book at Amazon)Book of 1 Enoch - Standard English Version by Dr. Jay Winter (link opens free PDF)Book of 1 Enoch - R. H. Charles translation (link opens free PDF) The SkyWatchTV store has a special offer on Dr. Michael Heiser's two-volume set A Companion to the Book of Enoch. Get both books, the R. H. Charles translation of 1 Enoch, and a DVD interview with Mike and Steven Bancarz for a donation of $35 plus shipping and handling. Link: https://bit.ly/heiser-enoch Follow us!• X: @gilberthouse_tv | @sharonkgilbert | @derekgilbert• Telegram: t.me/gilberthouse | t.me/sharonsroom | t.me/viewfromthebunker• YouTube: @GilbertHouse | @UnravelingRevelation | @thebiblesgreatestmysteries• Facebook.com/GilbertHouseFellowship Thank you for making our Build Barn Better project a reality! We truly appreciate your support. If you are so led, you can help out at GilbertHouse.org/donate. Get our free app! It connects you to these studies plus our weekly video programs Unraveling Revelation and A View from the Bunker, and the podcast that started this journey in 2005, P.I.D. Radio. Best of all, it bypasses the gatekeepers of Big Tech! The app is available for iOS, Android, Roku, and Apple TV. Links to the app stores are at www.gilberthouse.org/app/. Video on demand of our best teachings! Stream presentations and teachings based on our research at our new video on demand site! Gilbert House T-shirts and mugs! New to our store is a line of GHTV and Redwing Saga merch! Check it out at GilbertHouse.org/store! Think better, feel better! Our partners at Simply Clean Foods offer freeze-dried, 100% GMO-free food and delicious, vacuum-packed fair trade coffee from Honduras. Find out more at GilbertHouse.org/store. Our favorite Bible study tools! Check the links in the left-hand column at www.GilbertHouse.org.

ISAIAH'S PROPHECY of a coming, Messiah included for seeing where Jesus would declare war on the fallen realm. Chapter 9 of the book of Isaiah picks up where the prophet left off, condemning the people of Israel, for consulting the dead on behalf of the living. His prophecy that a light would shine on those dwelling in a land of deep darkness was cited by Matthew as fulfilled when Jesus moved from Nazareth to Capernaum. We connect this to Psalm 23 in the valley of the shadow of death, which in our view is the Jordan River Valley between Mount Hermon and the Sea of Galilee. Isaiah 9 also includes the prophecy of a coming Savior who is called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). We discussed the interesting rendering of this verse in the Lexham English Septuagint, in which “Wonderful Counselor” is translated “Messenger of the Great Council.” The second half of this chapter is devoted to God's judgment on the northern Kingdom of Israel, which was fulfilled when the Assyrians overran and conquered Samaria in 722 BC.Here is a link to a PDF copy of the R. H. Charles translation of The Ascension of Isaiah (link opens PDF document).

Introduction: Jonah’s Disobedience The message is not just for the regular attendees but for anyone who will hear it. Example: Brother Mickey Roddy mentioned family members in two different states listening to the service online. The message serves as a reminder and a warning, urging listeners to get right with God. The sermon’s title is “Down to Joppa.” Understanding the geography is crucial to understanding Jonah’s situation. Jonah lived in Gethsemane, near Jerusalem and the temple. Jonah decided to leave the presence of the Lord, which is a terrifying prospect. Pastor Tommy emphasizes the importance of God’s presence and the fear of being without it. Pastor Tommy acknowledges personal struggles to stay right with God. Jonah’s Decision to Flee Deciding to walk away from the presence of the Lord is the worst decision one can make. The presence of the Lord is constant and provides guidance. Jonah lived close to Jerusalem, near the Mediterranean Sea. Nineveh was about 500-550 miles northeast of Jerusalem, a three-day journey (60 miles) within the city. Jonah chose to flee to Joppa (about 50 miles away) to get a boat instead of going to Nineveh. The devil can convince people to flee from God’s presence. The Consequences of Leaving God’s Presence Leaving the presence of the Lord opens one’s life to negative experiences. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God. There will be times when one must decide to stand for God, even if it’s difficult. One can never truly get away from God. When standing with God, His presence guides forward. Fleeing from God involves leaving behind the church, God’s people, and family. The devil can interrupt one’s whole life after turning away from God. Many people have gone down to Joppa and found it empty and sinful. Even on a boat, one cannot escape God’s presence. Jonah’s Motivation and the Inevitability of God’s Presence Jonah didn’t like Nineveh or the Assyrians and thought they would be spared if he preached to them. Turning against God’s will requires prayer and introspection. God wants people to stay in His presence. Joppa was a short journey away, but Jonah’s decision led him to go further down. Jonah paid for a boat to Tarshish, 2,500 miles away in Spain, thinking he could escape God’s commission. Turning one’s back on God leads to a downward path with no remedy or mercy. It’s important to stay in the presence of the Lord. The Downward Spiral and the Storm Pastor Tommy knows people who have left the presence of the Lord and sought other solutions. Flesh is inclined to run from God. Leaving God leads to paying the price to ride the devil’s boat. Jonah went down into the boat, trying to hide, but God knows everyone’s direction. The Lord sent a great wind and tempest, exposing those who leave His presence to life’s storms without comfort. The presence of the Lord is worth more than anything. Even in storms, Jesus can calm them. Spiritual Sleep and Divine Intervention Many people are spiritually asleep, trying to forget God and their past fellowship. Storms will wake them up. Jonah fell asleep, but the men on the boat cast lots to find the cause of the storm, and the lot fell on Jonah. King David’s story is referenced as an example of straying from God’s presence and facing consequences. David stayed home instead of going to battle. He committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband killed. The prophet Nathan confronted David with a story, revealing his sin. One cannot escape the presence of the Lord, who will open their eyes. Jonah’s Confession and the Whale Jonah confessed that he was the reason for the storm. Honesty about sins is crucial. Jonah suggested being thrown overboard to stop the storm, hoping to escape God. God can take away the hope of death. Turning back to where one left God is necessary for improvement. God prepared a great fish (whale) to swallow Jonah. There is always a lower point than one imagines. In the house of God, there is firm footing. The Depths of Despair and the Cry for Help Jonah went to the bottom of the mountains, feeling trapped in the belly of hell. Jesus believed the story of Jonah. Jonah cried out from the belly of hell due to his affliction. It all started when he walked away from the presence of the Lord. People walk away from God for far less. One doesn’t know how far down it is when they leave God’s presence. Jonah thought he would be in the fish’s belly forever. Tears of affliction and sorrow will come when one goes away from God. Turning Back to God Jonah realized God wasn’t giving up on him and would keep him alive in the whale’s belly as long as he was rebellious. He decided to look toward God’s holy temple. God began to move in Jonah’s life when Jonah began to seek God again. One can be in church and still run from the presence of the Lord. There is a father for the child of God. Lost people come to church and then go back to their old ways because they never got changed. How can someone who has experienced the presence of God decide to run from that? The flesh is more powerful than one thinks. Jonah was in a bad spot when he began to look up. Then he was brought up. His prayer went up. He got prayed up. One needs to do business with God to get back on the right track. Turn around, look up, pray up, get ready, and start calling on God. He’ll start lifting you out of where you’re at. Jonah got prayed up in the belly of the whale. Repentance and Restoration Jonah was willing to sacrifice, finally willing to do what God said. The worst thing one can do is turn their back on God. One’s life will crash and end in a nasty mess. God never let Jonah out until he got right. One won’t get out from under the hand of God until they get right if they are His. Jonah got spit up. Jonah was spit out near Jerusalem, back where he started. Jonah still had the same journey to Nineveh that he had when he left. He was just many days behind. Final Exhortations and Conclusion Do not turn your back on the presence of the Lord. It will cost you more, and you will regret it. One doesn’t have to go that way. Jonah hit the ground running and had to go 500 miles. Jonah preached, and the people repented. God had mercy on him and spared that great city. The message is for those who are going down to Joppa. They need to recognize that they have to get out of there and get back to God. They cannot continue on this downward path away from the presence. The book of Jonah is a sad story, but it doesn’t have to be your story. All may have a Jonah-like experience. One may end up in a spot that they can’t get out of. They will have to reckon with God in the end. Get right with God tonight. Let God teach what’s He. Get right with Him and quit going down that wrong and downward path. Flee to Him. Obey God. He’ll make all the difference in your life.

In The Epic of the City, Part 3, Pastor Robey Barnes walks through the story of King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 18, highlighting both his righteousness and his regret. Though God used Hezekiah to bring reform, defeat the Assyrians, and even miraculously heal him, a subtle but costly mistake followed—he exposed his treasures to Babylon and chose personal peace over generational faithfulness. Through this story, Pastor Robey challenges us to examine our own priorities and redefine what the Church truly is—not a platform for comfort or good advice, but a living body, a spiritual family called to grow together and pass down the fear of the Lord. This message calls every believer to surrender fully to Jesus, invest in the next generation, and take their place in God's mission to reach the city.

2 Chronicles chapter 32 recounts one of Judah's most intense crises under King Hezekiah. When Sennacherib of Assyria invades and threatens Jerusalem, Hezekiah prepares wisely but ultimately places his confidence in the Lord. He strengthens the city and encourages the people, declaring that God is greater than any enemy. When the Assyrians mock and challenge the God of Israel, Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah pray—and the Lord miraculously defeats the invading army. Yet the chapter ends with a warning: after great blessing and healing, pride rises in Hezekiah's heart. This chapter teaches that faith invites divine deliverance, but humility must guard us even after victory. Hashtags: #2Chronicles32 #Hezekiah #FaithInCrisis #GodDelivers #PowerOfPrayer #StayHumble #TrustTheLord #VictoryBelongsToGodBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.“Thank you for listening to SendMe Radio — where we share the Gospel, inspire faith, and keep you connected with powerful stories and updates from around the world. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe so you never miss a message.And remember — you can listen to SendMe Radio streaming 24/7 at www.sendmeradio.net or simply say: ‘Hey Alexa, play SendMe Radio.'

In this episode, we engage with Dr. Themistocles Kritikakos, a Greek Australian historian and author, to discuss his groundbreaking research on intergenerational memory and genocide recognition among Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians in Australia. Dr. Kritikakos shares insights from his recently published book (Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian Genocide Recognition in Twenty-First-Century Australia: Memory, Identity, and Cooperation (Palgrave Macmillan), highlighting the significance of shared histories and inherited trauma for these communities.

2 Chronicles 33:1–6. Manasseh systematically dismantles his father's godly legacy by rebuilding pagan altars, practicing sorcery, and sacrificing his own children. The apple fell “very far” from the proverbial tree. Some of Manasseh's sins were among the most heinous the nation had ever seen. 2 Chronicles 33:7–9. By placing a carved image directly inside the Temple, Manasseh leads the nation into a spiritual decline so severe that Judah becomes more wicked than the pagan nations God had previously destroyed. 2 Chronicles 33:10–13. After Manasseh ignores God's warnings, he is captured by the Assyrians as punishment and taken to Babylon in shackles. In his lowest moment, something amazing happens. Manasseh humbles himself and prays to Yahweh, asking Him to forgive him—the most unforgivable sinner. 2 Chronicles 33:14–17. Yahweh shows mercy upon Manasseh and even restores him to the throne in Judah. A complete reversal of the judgment upon him. Manasseh proves the genuineness of his changed heart upon returning to Judah by fortifying Jerusalem and aggressively purging the city of the idols he once set up and worshiped. 2 Chronicles 33:18–20. Manasseh is one of Judah's greatest villains who turned into one of the greatest testimonies of God's forgiveness and mercy.The post Forgotten Kings: Manasseh first appeared on Living Hope.

In this episode, Michelle Shamoel (PhD: Anthropology and Social Science) speaks about identity, language, and names, and what they mean for Assyrian families today. She explains how Assyrians have protected their identity for thousands of years through culture, language, and strong community ties. Dr Shamoel encourages parents and young people to value their heritage, reminding listeners that speaking the language and keeping traditional names are powerful ways to honour the past while strengthening future generations.

"Now... But"Pastor James Leads us from Micah 5:1-5aTodays Sermon begins Micah 5. Here,  Micah's prophecy continues for Israel under king Hezekiah's rule. The Assyrians are about to lay siege to Southern Israel (Judah) but because of said prophecy from god, Israel is told not to fret, but to repent and pray. For after the siege and years of exile, Jerusalem will be built again in accordance to the word of god, and Jesus will be born in Bethlehem. YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/Z5c6nMIM9YwThank you for joining us today! Please connect with us by filling out a communication card here: www.lakewoodlcop.com/connectPlease access the bulletin to view all the announcements please check out the bulletin here: www.lakewoodlcop.com/resources

Visions and Opinions is a new segment presented by Dr Michelle Shamoell (PhD), focusing on key issues affecting the Assyrian community. Each episode examines a specific topic, exploring its underlying causes and discussing potential strategies for support and healing. In this segment, we address the issue of trauma, which affects many Assyrians, and consider its origins as well as approaches toward recovery.

God commands His people not to fear the Assyrians (v. 24). The reasons lie in God Himself: He is faithful, sovereign, and mighty to save. Believers in every age should take these truths to heart, especially in dark and difficult times when we are tempted to fear.

Hey friend — quick Black History Month nugget: Taharqa was a Kushite pharaoh from Kemet (ancient Egypt) who even appears in the Bible as coming to Jerusalem's rescue against the Assyrians. Pretty wild and powerful to think about. It's a great little reminder that African history is central to ancient history, and why remembering these stories still matters. If you're curious, go peek at the passages in Kings and Isaiah — I promise it's worth the read.

Join us this week as we continue our thru the Bible, verse by verse study. In tonight's study, we see God's word to Hezekiah (do not be afraid - God will deliver you) as Hezekiah deals with the Assyrians. We see how Hezekiah prays to the Lord and God answered his prayer, and gives him a "song in the night". This is true for us today - prayer works and God answers! In our Thru the Bible study, we are journeying through the Bible, at a pace of around a chapter a week! We invite you to join us in this discovery of God's Word! Calvary Roswell Roswell, NM Pastor Jim Suttle

Join us this week as we continue our thru the Bible, verse by verse study. In tonight's study, we see God's word to Hezekiah (do not be afraid - God will deliver you) as Hezekiah deals with the Assyrians. We see how Hezekiah prays to the Lord and God answered his prayer, and gives him a "song in the night". This is true for us today - prayer works and God answers! In our Thru the Bible study, we are journeying through the Bible, at a pace of around a chapter a week! We invite you to join us in this discovery of God's Word! Calvary Roswell Roswell, NM Pastor Jim Suttle

In this episode I discuss Paul's statements in Romans 13:1-7 that governing authorities “are established by God” (Rm. 13:1) and that “rulers are servants of God” (13:6). I explain the need to understand the function of Romans 13 before drawing any conclusions regarding its meaning, and how it must correspond with the rhetorical context of Romans and Paul's thought generally. I then explore the promises of a coming Messiah made in the Old Testament, particularly 2 Samuel 7, and argue that Paul believes those promises have been fulfilled in Christ. I then examine two passages in the Old Testament in which the prophets refer to pagan emperors as “servants of God”. In Isaiah 10, the Assyrians are God's servants for the purpose of punishing Israel but will be destroyed, and in Jeremiah 25 Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, also execute God's justice before being himself judged by God. The final two oracles of woe in Jeremiah 50-51 envision the destruction of Babylon, and both Isaiah and Jeremiah proclaim the future day when David's house will be restored and a Davidic king will sit on the throne forever. Paul knows this tradition and is not legitimizing human government as an eternally valid institution. In fact, Paul is suggesting, ala 2 Corinthians 2:6-8, that time is running out for the authorities believers must pragmatically obey.  Media Referenced:Everyone is Wrong about Romans 13 episode: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-130-everyone-is-wrong-about-romans-13-including-me/ Ascension, Kingdom, and Eschatology: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-235-ascension-kingdom-and-eschatology/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

Full Text of Readings [DAY TITLE] The Saint of the day is Holy Innocents The Story of the Holy Innocents Herod “the Great,” king of Judea, was unpopular with his people because of his connections with the Romans and his religious indifference. Hence he was insecure and fearful of any threat to his throne. He was a master politician and a tyrant capable of extreme brutality. He killed his wife, his brother, and his sister's two husbands, to name only a few. Matthew 2:1-18 tells this story: Herod was “greatly troubled” when astrologers from the east came asking the whereabouts of “the newborn king of the Jews,” whose star they had seen. They were told that the Jewish Scriptures named Bethlehem as the place where the Messiah would be born. Herod cunningly told them to report back to him so that he could also “do him homage.” They found Jesus, offered him their gifts, and warned by an angel, avoided Herod on their way home. Jesus escaped to Egypt. Herod became furious and “ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under.” The horror of the massacre and the devastation of the mothers and fathers led Matthew to quote Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children…” (Matthew 2:18). Rachel was the wife of Jacob (Israel). She is pictured as weeping at the place where the Israelites were herded together by the conquering Assyrians for their march into captivity. Reflection The Holy Innocents are few in comparison to the genocide and abortion of our day. But even if there had been only one, we recognize the greatest treasure God put on the earth—a human person, destined for eternity, and graced by Jesus' death and resurrection.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Read OnlineWhen the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Luke 2:22–24Forty days after a firstborn male was born, the law of Moses required that the mother participate in a purification ritual and that the parents were to “redeem” the child by offering a ritual sacrifice. As faithful Jews, Mary and Joseph took these obligations seriously. When they entered the Temple, they were met by a holy man named Simeon, who was among the faithful Jews “awaiting the consolation of Israel.”From its founding, the Kingdom of Israel had endured many troubled times. The last time the Kingdom of Israel had been united was under the reign of King David and his son Solomon in the tenth century B.C. After Solomon's death, the kingdom split into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The Northern Kingdom was captured by the Assyrians in 722 B.C., and the Southern Kingdom was conquered by the Babylonians in 586 B.C., leading to the destruction of the First Temple and the exile of many Jews to Babylon for about seventy years. In the centuries that followed, Greek culture was imposed upon the region after the conquest of Alexander the Great, and the Romans finally captured Judah in 63 BC, maintaining control beyond the birth of Christ.This history of oppression and division created various responses among the Jewish people. Many prophets had foretold the coming of the Messiah, the one who would bring consolation to Israel. Some Jews expected the Messiah to be a political leader who would reunite and restore the Kingdom. Others were indifferent to the prophecies. But a faithful remnant, like Simeon, awaited the Messiah who would bring about a profound spiritual renewal.Simeon was not a Pharisee, Sadducee, or scribe, but an ordinary devout Jew filled with the Holy Spirit. It was the Holy Spirit Who revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Messiah. On the day Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple, Simeon, inspired by the Holy Spirit, came to the Temple and recognized the Christ Child. He took Jesus in his arms and rejoiced, saying, “Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled…”We should all strive to be like Simeon. Like the people of Israel and Judah, we are living in a world where God's Kingdom is often divided or overshadowed by immorality, wars, divisions, and a lack of faith. We might be tempted to address these challenges in various ways, but the best way is to become part of the faithful remnant who, like Simeon, trust in God's promises and eagerly anticipate His transforming action in our lives and in the world. Reflect today on the state of the world. In some places, the Kingdom of God is vibrant and alive; in others, it seems distant or absent. No matter where you find yourself, turn your gaze to the all-powerful Messiah, Who is capable of renewing His Kingdom on Earth as we await its fullness at the end of time. Devote yourself to His mission, and allow the Holy Spirit to inspire you to be an active participant in bringing about the reign of God. My Lord and Messiah, as I see the challenges and divisions in the world around me, help me to trust in Your promises. May I, like Simeon, be filled with faith and hope as I await Your Kingdom. Inspire me to be an instrument of Your grace, helping to build Your Kingdom here on Earth. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Janmad, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

ISAIAH WAS a wordsmith. And the Hebrew word he used translated “idols,” ʾĕlîlim, identifies the spiritual nature and origin of the idols he condemned. Dr. Christopher B. Hays, citing work of A. T. Clay published in 1907, identified the origin of ʾĕlîlim as the name of the Mesopotamian deity Ellil, which was the Akkadian form of the Babylonian/Sumerian god Enlil. As Derek documented in The Second Coming of Saturn, Ellil/Enlil was the equivalent of the Canaanite father-god El, and thus “the abomination of the Ammonites,” Milcom (i.e., Molech). He was also known as Assur, chief god of the Assyrians, Dagon of the Philistines, Kronos of the Greeks, Saturn of the Romans, and probably Osiris of the Egyptians, among others. We believe this entity is also Shemihazah, leader of the sons of God in Genesis 6, whose rebellion created the monstrous Nephilim, the spirits of which became demons upon their deaths in the Flood of Noah. Isaiah, then, was condemning not carved blocks of wood or stone, but the demonic spirits they represented—the “gods” of the pagans whom the kingdoms of Israel and Judah continued to worship. We'll see as we get deeper into the Book of Isaiah that the prophet understood the nature of the entities the Israelites were interacting with. The cult of the dead was alive and well in the time of Isaiah. Sharon's niece, Sarah Sachleben, has been diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, and the medical bills are piling up. If you are led to help, please go to GilbertHouse.org/hopeforsarah. Our new book The Gates of Hell is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Derek's new book Destination: Earth, co-authored with Donna Howell and Allie Anderson, is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! If you are looking for a text of the Book of 1 Enoch to follow our monthly study, you can try these sources: Parallel translations by R. H. Charles (1917) and Richard Laurence (1821)Modern English translation by George W. E. Nickelsburg and James VanderKam (link to book at Amazon)Book of 1 Enoch - Standard English Version by Dr. Jay Winter (link opens free PDF)Book of 1 Enoch - R. H. Charles translation (link opens free PDF) The SkyWatchTV store has a special offer on Dr. Michael Heiser's two-volume set A Companion to the Book of Enoch. Get both books, the R. H. Charles translation of 1 Enoch, and a DVD interview with Mike and Steven Bancarz for a donation of $35 plus shipping and handling. Link: https://bit.ly/heiser-enoch Follow us! • X: @gilberthouse_tv | @sharonkgilbert | @derekgilbert• Telegram: t.me/gilberthouse | t.me/sharonsroom | t.me/viewfromthebunker• YouTube: @GilbertHouse | @UnravelingRevelation | @thebiblesgreatestmysteries• Facebook.com/GilbertHouseFellowship Thank you for making our Build Barn Better project a reality! We truly appreciate your support. If you are so led, you can help out at GilbertHouse.org/donate. Get our free app! It connects you to these studies plus our weekly video programs Unraveling Revelation and A View from the Bunker, and the podcast that started this journey in 2005, P.I.D. Radio. Best of all, it bypasses the gatekeepers of Big Tech! The app is available for iOS, Android, Roku, and Apple TV. Links to the app stores are at www.gilberthouse.org/app/. Video on demand of our best teachings! Stream presentations and teachings based on our research at our new video on demand site! Gilbert House T-shirts and mugs! New to our store is a line of GHTV and Redwing Saga merch! Check it out at GilbertHouse.org/store! Think better, feel better! Our partners at Simply Clean Foods offer freeze-dried, 100% GMO-free food and delicious, vacuum-packed fair trade coffee from Honduras. Find out more at GilbertHouse.org/store. Our favorite Bible study tools! Check the links in the left-hand column at www.GilbertHouse.org.

When life feels bigger than your strength, God’s provision becomes your power. Ezra 5:5 reminds us that when God gives an assignment—whether rebuilding a life, leading a family, launching a ministry, or facing opposition—His hand stays on His people until the work is complete. The returning exiles discovered that divine calling comes with divine supply, even when challenges rise and fear tries to stall our obedience. Highlights God equips us fully for every assignment He places in our hands—strength, resources, and support. The exiles returned to devastation, yet God’s favor and miraculous provision met them on arrival. Opposition, intimidation, and discouragement threatened to halt their progress, but God’s presence stayed constant. His faithfulness guaranteed the completion of the rebuilding—He finishes what He begins. Following Jesus includes hardship, but we “take heart” because He has already overcome the world. Romans 8 reminds believers that nothing can separate us from Christ or stop His purposes. Through Him, we live not as survivors but as “more than conquerors,” empowered to persevere. Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas! Full Transcript Below: Divinely Empowered for Our Greatest ChallengesJennifer Slattery (host of Faith Over Fear) Bible Reading:But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, and they did not make them cease till the matter should come to Darius, and then answer should be returned by letter concerning it. (Ezra 5:5, ESV) Today’s verse and the historical context surrounding it assure us that when God assigns us a task, be that to raise children, complete a work project, lead a team, launch a ministry, or pursue a dream, He gives us everything we need to do all that He asks. And while we will likely always experience opposition, whenever we seek to live for Jesus, the events recorded in Ezra and Nehemiah also assure us that He is greater than any opposition we’ll face. In short, He finishes what He begins. The question is, how will we respond when difficulties come? Will we cower in fear, falter in fatigue, or trust in His provision, protection, and care? Presumably, this was a question with which Ezra, the religious leader introduced in the Bible book bearing his name, and the returning exiles wrestled as they labored, for decades, to rebuild what the Assyrians destroyed seventy years prior. Here’s the backstory. Despite centuries of prophetic warnings in which the Lord pleaded with His people to return to Him, they remained set in their rebellion and violent and oppressive ways. Therefore, God gave them the autonomy they wanted, removed His protective hand, and allowed their enemies to conquer them and cart them off to a pagan nation to live as exiles. Yet, faithful to His promise, 70 years later, the Lord mercifully and miraculously returned them to their beloved homeland. Their arrival was bittersweet, filled with celebration for their liberation and return and sorrow for the destruction they saw once back in their beloved capital city. They found Jerusalem’s wall broken down, the gates burned, and the temple destroyed. But they also arrived with an abundance of the Lord’s miraculous provision, given to them by Cyrus, a pagan king. Perhaps buoyed by this obvious display of God’s favor and hope in the restoration He’d previously promised through the prophet Isaiah, they immediately set to work, built an altar, and re-established worship. Not long after, however, their progress stalled due to opposition and their desire to build homes in which to live. The intimidation they experienced from the locals steadily increased and could’ve halted the restoration project indefinitely, leaving Jerusalem like the many other ancient cities that once thrived but are no more. That’s not what happened, however, because the eye of God, meaning His favor and hand, remained on His people until they completed everything He’d assigned and promised. Because again, when God assigns something, He gives us everything we need, be that resources, strength, and people to help, to do all that He’s asked. Intersecting Life & Faith: This story reveals two co-existing realities we all encounter in this life. As you probably know from experience, living for Jesus isn’t, and never will be, easy. Jesus told us to expect trouble: local, national, and global conflict, relational ruptures and betrayal, sickness and poverty, and pain. But He also told us to “take heart”; to sink our faith roots deep into Him, the One who overcame the world and conquered death and the grave that we, His beloved and empowered children, might also overcome. In Romans 8:31-37, Paul, a first-century evangelist who wrote much of the New Testament, phrased it this way: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things? … Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or anguish or persecution or famine …” (ESV). And here’s one of my favorite parts—the last line: “in all these things” –and a thousand more besides— “we are more than conquerors” –as in, we’ve secured, in Christ, overwhelming victory— “through him that loved us” (ESV). Lord, remind us of this truth, your promises, and unchanging character the next time we feel timid, overwhelmed, and defeated that we may pursue Your will with perseverance and Spirit-ignited determination. Further Reading:Proverbs 19:21Proverbs 3:5-6Job 42:2 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Assyrian Resilience Through Leadership and War: Colleague Eric Cline focuses on the survivors of the Bronze Age collapse, identifying the Assyrians as a key example of resilience who maintained their monarchy, military, and writing systems through strong leadership, adapting to the loss of trading partners by engaging in constant warfare to secure resources, detailing the complex fluctuating relationship between the Neo-Assyrians and Neo-Babylonians who alternated between alliance and enmity until the Assyrians were eventually upended by the Babylonians centuries later. 1953

Factors of Survival: Antifragility, River Systems, and IPCC Resilience Models AUTHOR NAME: Eric Cline BOOK TITLE: After 1177 BC, The Survival of Civilizations; 1177 BC, the year civilization collapsed Phoenicians demonstrated antifragility by flourishing in chaos, using trade wealth to buy off the threatening Neo-Assyrians. The Cypriots, though on an island, were later overwhelmed by the Assyrians. The survival of Egyptians, Assyrians, and Babylonians is partially attributed to their location on major river systems (Nile, Tigris/Euphrates), which the failed Hittites lacked. Resilience is analyzed using IPCC definitions: Phoenicians and Cypriots transformed, while Egyptians merely coped.

Assyrian Resilience: Leadership and Perpetual Warfare after 1177 BC AUTHOR NAME: Eric Cline BOOK TITLE: After 1177 BC, The Survival of Civilizations Professor Cline analyzes why societies like the Assyrians survived the 1177 BC collapse, identifying their successful leadership and redundant systems (government, military, writing). Since trade partners vanished, Assyrian leaders resorted to war almost yearly to acquire necessary resources. Their complex relationship with the Babylonians involved periods of alliance and fighting until the Babylonians eventually defeated them centuries later.

Fr. Mike talks about the destruction of Israel and explains how Jesus becoming man fulfills this prophecy we hear in Isaiah. He also points out the importance of God's anger with the Assyrians destroying Israel, even though he will bring the greatest blessings out of the worst circumstances. Today's readings are Isaiah 9-10, Tobit 10-12, and Proverbs 10:9-12. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.