Podcasts about old jerusalem

Law and the Real Sabbath (1) (audio) David Eells – 5/4/25 First, let me say that we do have a Sabbath to keep in the New Covenant. If you, who have eyes to see, will be patient and hear me out, I will show you that it is the best news you have ever heard. The Sunday Sabbath folks want to bring us under the law of man, and the Saturday Sabbath folks want to bring us under the Law of the Old Covenant, which God refused to make with the Gentiles (Psa.147:19,20; Deu.7:6,11). If you hold either one of these positions, do not be afraid to examine this subject for the truth will hold up to scriptural scrutiny. The early church kept neither Sunday nor Saturday as the New Testament Sabbath until a great falling away in the third century. The Old Covenant Saturday Sabbath was a type and shadow of what is promised in the New Covenant, but as we will see, Sunday is not the fulfillment of it. (Col.2:16) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day: (17) which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's. As anyone knows, a shadow is not real; it is only darkness. It is created because what is real is in the light. When Christians try to keep the Old Covenant Sabbath, they are in darkness and have not yet come into the light of the real Sabbath. The Jews never knew what the real Sabbath was, only the shadow or type of the New Testament Sabbath. God never made the Law covenant with the Gentiles. For a Christian to come under part of the Law, like the old Sabbath, is to come under a curse for not keeping the whole Law. (Gal.3:10) For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them. Christ delivered us from the curse of failing to keep any part of God's Law. (13) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (14) that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. We are now justified by faith, not by keeping any part of the Law. Paul then warned the Christians not to go back under the Law in observing feast days and Sabbath days. (Gal.4:9) but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again? (10) Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years. (11) I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain. Paul warned by the Spirit that these believers could not be Christ-like under the Law. (19) My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you. Paul then warned that the Christians who go back under the Law are sons of the bondwoman Hagar and not the freewoman Sarah. (21) Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? (22) For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman. (23) Howbeit the [son] by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the [son] by the freewoman [is born] through promise. Here we come to a stern warning for those seeking to be justified by keeping the Old Covenant Sabbath or any other part of the shadow of the Law. (30) Howbeit what saith the scripture? Cast out the handmaid and her son: for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman. For a Christian to go under any part of the Law is for him to go into bondage and be cut off from the benefits of Christ. (5:1) For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage. (2) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision (Or any other part of the Law), Christ will profit you nothing. (3) Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision (Or any other part of the Law), that he is a debtor to do the whole law. (4) Ye are severed from Christ, ye would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace. We are “severed from Christ” when we do not follow or abide in Him, but the Law. Only under grace through faith are we united with Christ through justification and delivered from the curse. Neither Jesus nor the Apostles told us to keep the Old Covenant Sabbath. Jesus always appeared to the disciples and taught on the Lord's day after His resurrection because it was His resurrection day, the first day of the week (Luk.24:1,13; Luk.27-32; Joh.20:1,17,19, 26; Rev.1:10-13). The disciples gathered on the first day of the week (Act.20:7; 1Co.16:1,2). However, they did not make the Lord's Day into a command or law, but a custom; and they never claimed it was the Sabbath. Apostate men did that. Jesus and the disciples went to the Jews on their Sabbath to evangelize them and bring them into the New Covenant Sabbath rest through the promises. Jesus was constantly accused of breaking their shadow Sabbath (Mat.12:2; Joh.5:16-19; 9:16) because He was not under the Law. We will also be accused of this if we follow in His steps instead of being “severed from Christ” by keeping a Law that was never given to us. The Apostles and elders in Acts 15 were gathered together to see whether to bring the Gentiles under the Law. They came to a conclusion that those under the Sabbath Law need to understand. (Act.15:19) Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God; (20) but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. These few things he commanded so that the Jews would not consider them anathema. This was important for the Jews' sake so that they could be evangelized. (21) For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him (Law), being read in the synagogues every Sabbath. (28) For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things.... Notice that the Sabbath was not commanded of the Gentiles. Neither were a lot of other things that the legalists bring the ignorant Christians under. The Law passed away and was fulfilled in Christ, except for those whose hearts are blinded by the veil. (2Co.3:12) Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech, (13) and [are] not as Moses, [who] put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel should not look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away: (14) but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed [to them] that it is done away in Christ. (15) But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart. (16) But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Don't go into bondage with the veil of Old Covenant Laws, which are just shadows or parables of what was to come. Now we, with an unveiled face see the New Covenant in Christ. (17) Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, [there] is liberty. (18) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. The Law was cancelled because it could not complete or make perfect, because it was only a shadow of the good things to come in the New Covenant. (Heb.7:18) For there is a disannulling (Greek: Annulled or cancelled) of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness (19) (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope (The New covenant through grace), through which we draw nigh unto God. The purpose of those under the Law was to give us a shadow or parable of the great things to come. (Heb.8:5) who serve [that which is] a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses is warned [of God] when he is about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee in the mount. (6) But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises. (7) For if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then would no place have been sought for a second. (8) For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, That I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; (9) Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers ... (13) In that he saith, A new [covenant] he hath made the first old. But that which is becoming old and waxeth aged is nigh unto vanishing away. (10:1) For the law having a shadow of the good [things] to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect them that draw nigh. The Law was always planned to be a temporary shadow. (Gal.3:19) What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made... So there was an end of the Olde Covenant law. The Sabbath was eternal as the legalists will tell you (Exo.31:16). So how could it be eternal and still pass away? What they do not understand is that it changed from letter to spirit in the New Covenant (2Co.3:2-11). The letter of the type, shadow, or parable as taught in the Old Covenant is now fulfilled in the spirit of the New Covenant. Jesus said in (Mat.5:17) Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfill. (18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished. So now we must fulfill the parable. Fulfilling or accomplishing the Law is not the same as being under the Old Covenant Law as Jesus went on to demonstrate. (21) Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time (Notice that the Law was spoken unto them, not us.), Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: (22) but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment. Notice that Jesus changed the Law from regulations of our actions to regulations of our heart, as the prophets said would come (Jer.31:33) But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Those who do not permit anger in their heart will fulfill the Law and not kill. (27) Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery: (28) but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Jesus interpreted the Law again. If we do what He says and avoid lust, we will fulfill the Law by not committing adultery. Jesus continued to demonstrate how changing the Law from outer actions to inner nature will fulfill it (Mat.5:33, 43). If God changed all these Laws in order to fulfill them, then He did the same with the Sabbath. The Sabbath was meant to be a change in our nature rather than a regulation of our actions, one day a week. If a person rests from his own works every day by believing in Christ's finished work, he will certainly fulfill the Law of resting for one day. The Law will be fulfilled in us, but not by keeping the letter, “For the letter kills but the spirit gives life”. It will be fulfilled through us as we walk in and by the Spirit. (Gal.5:16) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (18) But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law. When you see what's written in the shadow of the Law, you must look in the New Covenant to find out what the fulfillment is. Circumcision was necessary under penalty of death, but Paul, by the Spirit, changed it from a carnal shadow to the spiritual fulfillment of baptism. (Col.2:11) ... in the circumcision of Christ; (12) having been buried with him in baptism. Under the Old Covenant, we were 90% owners and 10% stewards but according to Jesus, we are now 100% stewards, or we are not really disciples. (Luk.14:33) So therefore whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. To Peter, it was revealed that the Old Covenant carnal restriction on eating unclean beasts was spiritually a restriction of partaking of unclean people, which Solomon called beasts (Ecc.3:18), and the gospel solves that problem. (Act.10:11) and he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth: 12 wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the heaven. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean. 15 And a voice [came] unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common. Then Peter was sent with the gospel to the Gentiles and got the revelation that they were the unclean beasts that God had cleansed. (28) and he said unto them, Ye yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and [yet] unto me hath God showed that I should not call any man common or unclean. As you can see, it was the habit of Jesus and the disciples to translate the shadow to the spiritual reality. It is a violation of the Spirit to bring old Covenant ceremonial laws into the New Covenant without translating them. Since this is so, we must find out what the Sabbath translates to. Let me explain the New Testament Sabbath rest. The Sabbath shadow was to cease from man's works one day a week. But we are commanded to do this every day.  We can cease from works of religious self-justification, works of the flesh, and various forms of salvation by man's works, through faith in the work that Christ has already accomplished. Jesus said, “All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive (Greek: received) them, and ye shall have them (Mar.11:24). Why believe that we have received everything? Notice in the following verses that all things have been received by us and that the only thing left is for us to believe it. Also note the past-tense of our sacrificial provision in the following verses: (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; (1Pe.2:24) Who his own self bare our sins in his body ...by whose stripes ye were healed; (Col.1:13) Who delivered us out of the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; (2Co.5:18) ...who reconciled us to himself; (Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ, and its no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me; (Gal.3:13) Christ redeemed us from the curse; (1Pe.1:3) ...the Father ...begat us again ...by the resurrection of Jesus Christ; (Heb.10:10) We ...have been sanctified ...; (14) He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified; (Eph.1:3) ...who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing, and God (2Pe.1:3) hath granted unto us all things .... Jesus told us in His day which, of course, is also in the past that “Now shall the prince of this world be cast out” (Joh.12:31); “But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Joh.16:33); “It is finished” (Joh.19:30). This is why we are to believe we have received. The devil and the curse were conquered. We were saved, healed, delivered, and provided for. We can rest from our own works to accomplish this when we truly believe. Let me give you an example. (1Pe.2:24) who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. The one who believes that Jesus already “bare our sins” considers himself delivered and can rest. He no longer has to worry about how to be delivered because he reckons himself to be “dead unto sin but alive unto God” (Rom.6:11). He reckons within himself, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me” (Gal.2:20). He can rest. Notice that the one who believes that “by whose stripes ye were healed” never has to resort to his own works to get healed. All he has to do is rest and receive it by faith. If a man continues to try to get healed when the Word says he was healed, he shows he does not believe the Word. He has not ceased from his own works to enter the rest by believing 1 Peter 2:24. All the sacrificial promises are past-tense to cause us to rest from our works every day. Redemption from the curse is truly finished! In fact, God's “works were finished from the foundation of the world” (Heb.4:3) when He spoke the plan into existence. The only thing left is for the true sons of God to enter into those works by faith, believing they have received. Since the works are finished, we should believe and rest from our own works to save, heal, and deliver ourselves. (3) For we who have believed do enter into that rest. Notice it is not the one who ceases from works on Saturday or Sunday but the one who believes who enters the New Covenant Sabbath rest every day. (9) There remaineth therefore a Sabbath rest (Greek: sabbatismos, “keeping of rest”) for the people of God. This constant “keeping of rest” every day, not one day a week, through the past-tense promises, is our spiritual Sabbath. (10) For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. This rest is to believe these past-tense promises and rest from our own works or man's works to save ourselves. Our faith in each of these promises brings us into more of the rest. We should be diligent not to leave out even one of these promises for our own good. (Heb.4:1) Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it. (2) For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard. This is true faith and always brings the answer. Through believing the promises, we enter into rest from our own works. For a child of God to say that they believe they have received and yet continue seeking to receive, usually through worldly methods, is to be double-minded. (Jas.1:6) But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord; (8) a doubleminded man, unstable in all his ways. Those who continue to work for what God has freely given believe in salvation by works. (Heb.4:10) For he that is entered into his rest, hath himself also rested from his works. (Jas.3:19) And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief. Since the promises of deliverance from the curse are past-tense, when we believe them, we must stop working. It is an evil heart of unbelief to not rest. God was angry with Israel because they would not believe His Word in their trial in the wilderness (Heb.3:8-10). (Heb.3:11) As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest (the Sabbath!). (12) Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God .... (14) We are become partakers of Christ (His health, holiness, and blessing) if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end. When we believe we have received, we are put in a position of weakness because we cannot do anything to bring the desired result to pass. This weakness is rest in our wilderness experiences because there is no help from Egypt or the world there. Only God's power saves in the wilderness. God says, “My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor.12:9). If we refuse to be weak, God refuses to be strong on our behalf. Our weapon against our enemies who try to talk us out of our covenant rights is the two-edged sword of these past-tense promises (Heb.4:11,12). Let me share with you a good example of the power of the true gospel through faith in our past provision. Several years ago, I ran across a lady who had two large, inoperable tumors. She listed for me several famous preachers she had been to, who had prayed for her to be healed. She said to me, “David, I just don't understand why I have not been healed”. I said, “You just told me why you have not been healed. You are looking in the wrong direction. Turn around and look behind you for 'by whose stripes ye were healed' (1Pe.2:24). You are looking forward to a healing that happened behind you. You have a little hope, but no faith. Faith 'calls the things that be not (in this case, healing) as though they were' (Rom.4:17). Faith looks back at what was accomplished at the cross, but hope looks forward to what will be accomplished. Jesus said, 'All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for believe that ye receive (Greek: “received”) them, and ye shall have them' (Mar.11:24). That is the gospel, sister, that you must believe”. With these few words, I saw the light come on in her eyes; and her face brighten up. I said, “Now we are going to pray one more time; but this time believe the Scriptures, and believe you have received whether you see an instant manifestation, or not”. She agreed, so I rebuked the infirmity and commanded her to be healed in Jesus' name. She instantly felt the tumors leave. We rejoiced and thanked God together. I said, “Sister, that is the first time you believed the true gospel concerning your healing. If you had done that when those other preachers prayed, you would have been healed.” Because she, through faith, entered into rest from her own works to save herself, she saw the works of Jesus. Many do not receive from God because they do not keep our Sabbath through faith. Many years ago, I had a dream about resting from my works in order to be caught up by the power of God to do His works. In scene one, my wife and I were resting in lawn chairs in front of our house. Our gaze was riveted on the power line that crossed our property because it was sagging between the power poles so much that it almost touched the ground. As we watched and rested, a tornado came over that power line and picked us up out of our chairs and carried us away. Interpretation: God helped me to understand this prophetic dream. As we cease from our works and enter into the rest (the lawn chairs), the power of man (power line) comes to an end, and the power of God (tornado or whirlwind) takes over. God only gives this power to those who cease from their own works, even religious works, to follow His Spirit because they believe the promises. In scene two, I found myself in front of a large church. I walked through the front door and standing in the foyer was an “old man” in a suit. I avoided this old man as if he were a rattlesnake and went into the sanctuary, so-called. I saw there a large double sink, full of water. In the water were babies; they were faced down and most were dead. I quickly went to the sink, picked up a baby, and held him in the air. He spoke to me saying, “Thank God, I knew he was going to send someone”. Interpretation: I was made to know that there are many carnal ministers (old man - Eph.4:22; Col.3:9,10) who are trying to wash up the people of God (babies in the sink) by using the word as the letter of the Law (which is the water in Eph.5:26) and they're killing them instead. (2Co.3:6) who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. The letter of the Law that is taught by the Pharisees of today only gets our eyes on our own earthly ability or inability, like being face down in the water, which kills. Many are they that sit under the condemnation of the Law, which is a powerless false gospel, only to give up in their failure to please God and go back into the world or die on a church pew. We cannot pick ourselves up by our bootstraps or be saved by our own self-will. This is an understanding that is from the earth, and is face down. Seeking this is to be “ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2Ti.3:7) that sets free. Jesus purposely spoke in parables so that only those who have eyes and ears for heavenly things would understand (Mat.13:10-14). These seek a knowledge that is born from above, I.e., face up. (Mat.16:17) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. As always, those whose understanding is “face up” will be fought by those whose understanding is “face down”. The good news of the promises is the power of God given freely to save the one who believes (Rom.1:16). These promises get our eyes on God's ability and provision or face up. These promises give faith (Rom.10:17) to get grace (Eph.2:8) in order to have the power to live the Christian life and cease from our works. The Jews complained that Jesus' disciples were breaking the Sabbath by harvesting grain to eat (Mat.12:1,2), which was true according to the Law (Exo.31:14-17). Jesus replied to them; (Mat.12:5) Or have ye not read in the law, that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless? Notice that He was proclaiming that His disciples were guiltless for profaning the old Sabbath. The priests, in order to fulfill the Sabbath, had to work in the temple. They did the work of God as we should also. Jesus was rebuked for healing on the Sabbath. Those outside the temple had to cease from their own works. (6) But I say unto you, that one greater than the temple is here. Jesus is our New Testament temple. We who abide in Him must work His works in order to fulfill the Sabbath. We must work the works of our Father, for we are the priests of God. (Rev.1:6) and he made us [to be] a kingdom, [to be] priests unto his God and Father .... Those who do not abide in Him have not ceased from their own works and are breaking the real Sabbath. Those who follow Christ as Lord are keeping the Sabbath, for He is Lord of the Sabbath. (Mat.12:8) For the Son of man is Lord of the sabbath. If we follow the Lord, then we have rested from our works to do His works. (Joh.14:12) ... he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. If we follow the Law, we are cut off from Christ and grace and cannot be keeping the real Sabbath (Gal.5:4). Those seeking to keep the Law of the Sabbath are instead breaking it because they are not resting from the works of the Law. Those under the Law, who condemn us for following Christ on Saturday or Sunday, condemn the guiltless. (Mat.12:7) But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; ye would not have condemned the guiltless. We are to work and do good on our Sabbath. All good is legal on our Sabbath, every day, but our old works are not. (12) ...Wherefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day. Good, of course, is God's works. (Joh.5:16) And for this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did these things on the sabbath. (17) But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I work. Notice that Jesus worked His Father's works even on their shadow Sabbath. Then Jesus specified what works are legal on our Sabbath. (19) ...The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner. We see here that works that come from self are illegal on our Sabbath, but works that our Father does through us are not. (30) I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. As sons seeking the will of God, we also may work the works of God on our spiritual Sabbath but not the works of self. Even the Old Covenant gives us clues to this principle. (Isa.58:13) If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, [and] the holy of Jehovah honorable; and shalt honor it, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking [thine own] words: (14) then shalt thou delight thyself in Jehovah; and I will make thee to ride upon the high places of the earth; and I will feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it. Jesus said that He always did the will of His Father. Therefore He always rested from His own works, and those who follow Him do also. God gives the same Spirit that Jesus had to those who wish to be empowered to follow Him and so keep the real Sabbath. (Isa.28:11) Nay, but by [men of] strange lips and with another tongue will he speak to this people; (12) to whom he said, This is the rest, give ye rest to him that is weary; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. Paul declared this verse to be a promise to those who are filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues in the New Covenant (1 Cor.14:21). Jews and Christians who refuse this Spirit to rest from the works of the Law, including the old Sabbath, are said to be those who “would not hear”. If we receive and follow the Spirit, we are not under the Sabbath or any of the Law. (Gal.5:18) But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Those who receive the Spirit are empowered to live in Christ, which is the rest from the works and curse of the old Law. (Rom.8:2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. We are under the Law of the Spirit. Except for prophets and kings, Israel did not have this Spirit to guide and empower them, and therefore needed rules and regulations on their external conduct. Those who live by the Spirit of life in Christ naturally fulfill the Law, which has been written in their hearts. Those who live in Christ by the Spirit cease from their own works every day. (Gal.5:16) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Jesus said that those who received the Spirit would be witnesses of Him to the world (Acts 1:8). Jesus and His apostles never commanded to cease from work on a day. (Mat.11:28) Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden (with the Law [Mat.23:4]), and I will give you rest. The problem is that we are in and out of the rest like we are in and out of Christ. Abiding in Christ is resting in our promised benefits. Some say God gave us the gift of eternal life so he can't take it back. In Gal.3:16 we are told “to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many, but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ”. You see, the promises were given to Christ, not to you. The only way the promises are yours is if you abide in Christ. Abiding in Christ is: bearing His fruit (Joh.15:1-6), walking as he walked (1Jn.2:3-6), believing the same teachings given by Jesus and the apostles without adding or subtracting (1Jn.2:24 / Jude 3 / Mat.28:20 / Rev.22,18,19), not walking in willful sin (1Jn.3:5,6), keeping his commandments (1Jn.3:24). 1Jn.5:11 says that “God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” and that is the only place we can claim this gift. God doesn't have to take it back, his people walk out of it. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body (1Co.6:18). If we walk in willful sin, we are not abiding in his body, for there is “no sin in him” (1Jn.3:5,6). Sins of ignorance or failure are covered by the blood (Rom.7:15-8:2) but willful sin is always judged. (Heb.10:26) For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, (27) but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. The Spirit of life in Christ empowers us to walk in Him by faith in His promises. (Heb.4:9) There remaineth therefore a Sabbath rest (Greek: sabbatismos, “keeping of rest”) for the people of God. This constant “keeping of rest” is every day, not one day a week. Paul, comparing the weak in faith with those who are mature, said, (Rom.14:5) One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day [alike]. In our Covenant, every day is the Sabbath rest. As he said in Gal.4:9,10, “how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again? Ye observe days”. Our Sabbath is freedom from bondage to the works of the Law. Since Jesus took away our sins, it is freedom from fleshly works too. (Psa.118:24) This is the day which Jehovah hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. Old Jerusalem ruled over God's physical Old Testament people just as New Jerusalem rules over God's spiritual New Testament people. Paul declared that we have come to this spiritual city. He showed us that it is not a physical city that can be touched. (Heb.12:18) For ye are not come unto [a mount] that might be touched ... (22) but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem ... (23) to the general assembly and church of the firstborn.... Jesus' called-out ones come to this mountain. This is the place of God's continual rest. (Psa.132:13) For Jehovah hath chosen Zion... (14) This is my resting-place for ever: Here will I dwell; for I have desired it. Unlike those under the Law, we are not to dwell outside the temple and go there occasionally, nor are we to dwell outside the rest six days and only dwell in it one. Those who dwell in this spiritual Jerusalem remain in God's resting place. There is only one day in the New Testament Jerusalem, the spiritual city of God. That day is the real Sabbath. (Rev.21:25) And the gates thereof shall in no wise be shut by day (for there shall be no night there). Notice that there is one day and no night in the city of God where the Lamb is the light (23). There is no darkness to break up the one day of God's work for those who abide in Christ. (1Jn.1:5) And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. Those who abide in God continue in the light of day doing His works. (6) If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: (7) but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Those who walk in the light of our day are always in the presence of the sun (Son). Night is to have the earth between you and the sun (Son). Our flesh came from the earth (Gen.2:7) and symbolizes the earth. When the works of our flesh come between us and the Son, we are living in the darkness of night. If we are in this idolatry with the world, whether this means our flesh or the things of the world (1Jn.2:15,16), we live in the night. Walking in the light of our one Sabbath day, the works of man are destroyed. I want to remind you that the Law is a shadow, and if you are under a shadow you are not in the light. The saints live in the lighted day of ceasing from their own works, especially the works of the Law, while the wicked live in the dark night of their own works. (1Th.5:5) For ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day (the Sabbath): we are not of the night, nor of darkness; (6) so then let us not sleep (Having their eyes closed to the light of the Son), as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober. (7) For they that sleep sleep in the night: and they that are drunken are drunken in the night. (8) But let us, since we are of the day (the Sabbath), be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. As long as Jesus has been in this world, either in His first body or His second corporate body, it has been day. (Joh.9:5) When I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (Mat.5:14) Ye are the light of the world. That only makes one day as long as the saints are here. (Joh.9:4) We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day (When we are ceasing from our works to do His, it is the Sabbath day.): the night cometh, when no man can work. Our works in Christ for this world are over when the Lord comes for us and then night comes for the judgment of the world. (1Th.5:2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3) When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them... After the tribulation, the light of the world will be gone! (Mat.24:29) But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven (This is the falling away and reprobation of 1/3 of the stars, representing the spiritual seed of Abraham [Rev.6:12-14; Gen.22:17]). The darkening of the light of this world here is physical as well as spiritual. Joseph shared a dream that clearly showed that the people of God spiritually are the sun, moon, and stars, “the light of this world”. (Gen.37:9) ...behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars made obeisance to me. (10) And he told it to his father, and to his brethren; and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? Starting as a star glory, Joseph went to his cross in Egypt and was promoted in glory above his brethren, the children of Israel. We grow from star glory to moon glory and then to sun glory as we continue to walk in the light that God gives us (2Co.3:18). Paul agreed that the saints manifest these three glories in 1Co.15:41,42. Now we can see that when the Lord comes and takes His sun, moon, and star glory saints, the world will be left in the darkness of night. (Mat.24:29) But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven. (30) ...and they shall see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (31) And he shall send forth his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect...Glory to God! Jesus taught that the whole Christian New Covenant era on earth is only one day. (Joh.11:9) Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. (10) But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because the light is not in him. Those who walk in this continual Sabbath day walk in the light. This spiritual day lasts until the judgment. (Mat.20:1) For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that was a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. Jesus started hiring laborers for His vineyard first thing in the morning, which was almost 2000 years ago. Then He gives examples of going out to hire all during the day, the third hour (verse 6), the sixth and ninth hour (verse 5), and the eleventh hour (verses 6-9). Of the eleventh hour people it was said, “These last have spent [but] one hour” (12). Then at the twelfth hour He called in all of His servants to give them their reward. (8) And when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and pay them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. Jesus calls in all of His servants to face Him and receive their reward at His coming. (Rev.22:12) Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is. Midnight is the twelfth hour when the Lord comes for the virgins (Mat.25:6) and also the time when the saints leave the Egypt of this world (Exo.29:12-31). At this time, even though it is midnight for the world, the saints are walking with lamps full of Holy Spirit light (Mat.25:4). From Jesus' first coming to His second coming is one day. This one day incorporates the whole Christian New Covenant era on earth. It should not surprise us that God could change something as important as the Sabbath from many carnal days to one spiritual day. He changed something much more important, our sacrifice, from many carnal sacrifices to one spiritual sacrifice, our Lord Jesus. The Lord again defines our rest as a corporate day that covers every day. (Heb.4:6) Seeing therefore it remaineth that some should enter thereinto, and they to whom the good tidings (the promises) were before preached failed to enter in (Even though they kept the Saturday Sabbath) because of disobedience (Greek: “apeitheia” also means unbelief), (7) he again defineth a certain day, To-day, saying in David so long a time afterward (even as hath been said before), To-day if ye shall hear his voice (the promises), Harden not your hearts. (Today is any day that you are presently in. Since this verse was written to all saints throughout the New Covenant, then “today” is every day that they live in. God was telling us that when you hear His promises, do not harden your heart as Israel did, but believe to enter the rest in the day that you live in.) (8) For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. Today is that day saints, not Saturday or Sunday. Five times in this text, God uses the term “To-day” to define the rest. (3:13) but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. “Day by day” it has been “called To-day” for almost 2000 years. (4:9) There remaineth therefore a Sabbath rest (Greek: sabbatismos, “keeping of rest”) for the people of God. God has been merciful to our ignorance of this true Sabbath, but judgment will now be seen the world over because we have come to a second spiritual type of the Sabbath. (2Pe.3:8) But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. Having read the writings of the early church fathers, I can tell you that they commonly believed in the one thousand-year prophetic day and that after six of these days from the beginning, the end time judgment would come. The Hindus, Muslims, and the Jews also believed this. Gibbon in The Rise And Fall of The Roman Empire said that the early Christians believed this. The Bible is laid out in seven prophetic one-thousand-year days. These days are numbered from the creation of Adam. There were four thousand years or four days between Adam and Jesus. Since the days of Jesus, the calendar has been tampered with extensively, but most researchers believe we are close to traversing two more days and coming to the beginning of the seventh, thousand-year period from Adam. Besides the regular spiritual Sabbath that we have already spoken of, this seventh, thousand-year day is a second spiritual Sabbath. When the body of Christ was crucified, it was a high Sabbath (Joh.19:31). That means it was a regular Sabbath and a second Passover Sabbath. This second spiritual Sabbath will also be a Passover Sabbath for those who have eaten the Lamb and are about to leave the Egypt of this world. This will also be a crucifixion to the fleshly works of the body of Christ. According to the shadow, when this end-time second spiritual Sabbath begins, God will judge those who go on in their own works. (Exo.31:12) And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, 13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily ye shall keep my sabbaths: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am Jehovah who sanctifieth you. Christians who try to keep the Sabbath in the “letter” don't understand this because they don't see that this is a “sign”. (15) Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Jehovah: whosoever doeth any work on the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. This is also the time when He finishes His creative work. (Gen.2:2) And on the seventh day God finished his work, which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work, which he had made. According to this type, God is about to finish His new creation work during this morning of the seventh day and rest. Every man's work will be proven by the fiery trial on the one day Sabbath. (1Co.3:12) But if any man buildeth on the foundation (of Christ) gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) each man's work shall be made manifest: for the day (one Sabbath) shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself shall prove each man's work of what sort it is. The wood, hay, and stubble of man's works will burn up on God's Sabbath day because, according to the shadow, there is judgment against man's work on the Sabbath. (Exo.31:14) Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that profaneth it shall surely be put to death; for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Since there is only one Sabbath day, we have to rest every day from our own works, as the rest of the New Testament also teaches. (Rev.2:23) ... I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works. (25) And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations. (Exo.31:15) Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Jehovah: whosoever doeth any work on the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. Let's look again at this verse about the refreshing in Isa 28:11 Nay, but by men of strange lips and with another tongue will he speak to this people; 12 to whom he said, This is the rest, give ye rest to him that is weary; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. This refreshing is coming again on the morning of the 3rd day (which is the Sabbath). There's going to be a change in the way God will deal with man when this millennium begins. There must be a ceasing from a Christian's own works and enter into the rest. Man's works have been going on in the church for six days (six thousand years). The church has been falling away from keeping the true Sabbath and we're coming to a time where if you don't cease from your own works, you will be cut off from the Body of Christ. There are many Sabbaths. There's the 7th day Sabbath, the 49th year Sabbath, there's the 50th year Sabbath, and there's the 7th millennium Sabbath. There's a Sabbath called the Jubilee. A Jubilee is a year. There are 120 Jubilees every 50 years. 120 Jubilees till Noah and another 120 till the next Noah. Noah means rest. So, 120 Jubilee years until the beginning of the Sabbath. 120 Jubilee Sabbaths bring us to the actual year 6000. We are entering into the prophetic Sabbath or the millennial Sabbath.   Reconciled to God Php 4:19  And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  (“Every need”, not greed. “Every” would include Spiritual, physical, emotional needs.)   What is faith? Heb 11:1  Now faith is assurance [substance?] of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. When you believe for something that is not yet seen, that is faith. How do we have God's faith to receive every need? Mar 11:22  And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have God's faith. (This is according to the numeric pattern proof.)  23  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it. 24  Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received (Numeric) them, and ye shall have them. (This is exactly what Quantum Physics, or Quantum Mechanics has proven, Jesus said it first. And here is an important condition to receiving. 25  And whensoever ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any one; that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.  Col 1:19  For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fulness dwell; 20  and through him to reconcile (The Greek: kattallasso means “exchange” of Jesus' life for ours) all things(not Numeric) unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, whether things upon the earth, or things those (Numeric) in the heavens. (Notice: He is not speaking of things but His people) 21  And you, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, 22  yet now hath he reconciled (exchanged) in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him: 23  if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.  First the sons and daughters of God are exchanged and then Christ in them can deliver the creation. Rom 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. 20  For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope 21  that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. 22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. The Lord told me that he bore the symbol of the cursed creation upon the cross. It was the crown of thorns. As we manifest our sonship we have authority over the cursed creation. We can pray for our grass, dogs, cows, bugs, trees, neighbors, etc.  Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:.. 2Co 5:14  For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15  and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again. 16  Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more. 17  Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things (not Numeric) are passed away; behold, they are become new. 18  But all things (not Numeric) are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; 19  to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (We reconcile others by showing them the exchange.) 20  We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God. 21  Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.    Believe You Received and Rest Suani Guzman - 01/09/2010 I want to share a quick dream that helped me a lot. We all know that we must abide in the Sabbath Rest and boldly speak the good confession, but we don't always do it. So the Lord has to remind us sometimes. I have been going through some hard trials with caring for my elderly parents. I don't want to impose my faith on them but at the same time I'm trying to stand for their spiritual and physical salvation. The Lord impressed upon me that I must abide in the rest or the enormity of the problem will overwhelm me. In the dream, my husband and I had a truck in which we went sightseeing. We parked it and left for a walk. When we came back, the truck was a wreck -- another car had hit it really badly, and it was ruined. My husband, Raul, and another man tried to fix it. I went to help. I stood there and said something like, “Jesus had fixed it”. When those words left my mouth, the truck was immediately transformed into being whole again. I was so on fire and praised God and started to witness boldly to everyone about what Jesus had just done. We then left and, as we went, the truck started to stall and I said, “Oh no, it's healed”, and immediately it got power again. That happened twice. Then we got on a freeway full of cars. We were on the outer lane and struggling up a very, very steep hill. We were driving with two tires on the road and two in a ditch. The car couldn't go up like that, so it flipped over about two times and landed away from the road. So we stopped to consider the hill. By sight, it looked almost impossible to climb. We tried to figure out another way, but could see no other way. I thought that it was going to take all my strength to do it, and still it would not be enough. End of dream. (What is impossible with men is possible with God. We must trust His promises not our works.) Mar.11:24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received (Greek) them, and ye shall have them. Heb.4:2 For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard. (3) For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. (9) There remaineth therefore a sabbath (Greek: Sabatismos -- a continual rest) rest for the people of God. (10) For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. (11) Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience. Building the “Resting” Church  Eve Brast - 08/11/2012 (David's notes in red) | (Deb Horton's notes in green)  I dreamed I was driving east (faceing toward the coming of the Son) toward Dallas on a large highway with very sparse traffic on it. (The highway of holiness going to Dallas, which means “meadow dwelling”.) (A place of feeding with the flock.) It was dark but I could see a little light on the horizon in the east. (Near to the coming of the Lord in the Man-child on the morning of the seventh thousand year-day.) I was going to an eight-story hospital building that was under construction (the true Church of the called-out ones is being built), where my husband (representing Jesus) had instructed me to meet him. The building was oval-shaped and not square. (The building was eternal without beginning or end because of its shape and eight floors. (An “8” lying down is the sign for infinity or eternity and “8” is the number of Jesus. Since it's lying down, it could mean resting in Jesus. A hospital is a place for healing the sick, spiritually and physically, which the Church is supposed to be.)  I pulled into the parking garage and parked my old, gray (indicating mixture of good and evil, white and black), five-speed (grace received to get to this point) manual (not automatic, works by self), 1980 Toyota Corolla that had been my first car when I learned to drive. (Our first car represents our first ways of rest in the Lord. To park is a sign of coming into maturity through rest.) I went inside the building with my son's blue backpack containing surgical instruments and food my husband had asked me to bring to him. (Man's burdens and works we bear until we reach the seventh floor of rest and give them over to Jesus. Mat.11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.) I went into the ground floor lobby with a recently laid, highly polished wood floor (the human nature is under our feet to serve the spiritual man).   I waited at the only elevator (there's only one Way to God) to go up to the seventh floor (entering into the rest) (The first six floors represent the first six days of the different levels of man's works we do until we rest on the seventh spiritual day). I had to wait a bit because it was the only elevator. I was the only one waiting to go up. (The Bride will be the first to fully enter into the seventh-day rest.)  When the door opened, A black sister from UBM was the elevator attendant, but she was white and looked like me. (The white represents holiness.) She greeted me and began telling me how old the elevator was. (2000 years) She was an expert on this elevator. It was her assigned job in the building, and she knew everything about it. She told me that currently, the elevator only reaches the seventh floor, but when the construction is complete, it will go all the way up to the top, which is the eighth floor. (The eighth floor is Jesus and Heaven and new beginnings. When the building representing the Church is finished, we will go to the top, the eighth, heavenly floor.)  When I got off the elevator on the seventh floor, my husband passed by me wearing metal leg braces supported by a blue, padded waistband that girded his waist and metal crutches that braced around his forearms. (Our husband Jesus was strengthened by the Father to finish His pilgrimage as a type of the body.) (This reminds me of the command in Deuteronomy to bind the phylacteries, which are Scripture verses, on the forehead and hand, because the phylacteries are bound on the hand and are laced on from the forearm.) (David had a similar revelation where he was wearing leg braces. They strengthened his walk and helped him to stand.) (God's power is made perfect in our weakness.) He looked at me as he passed by with a knowing look (seeing eye to eye) and a smile, as if we shared a common understanding of something. (A common understanding of faith in the same promises brings people to the seventh floor of rest.) (Amo.3:3) Shall two walk together, except they have agreed?  Suddenly, I realized that I left my backpack on the elevator, or I thought I had, but it wasn't over my shoulder anymore. (We can't take our own provision or burdens to the seventh floor of the rest but we can give it all to Jesus there.) I became concerned (we will lose the rest if we think on our burdens) and turned around to push the button to go back down (A warning not to fall away from the rest).   While waiting for the elevator doors to open, I overheard an accountant from the hospital discussing a debt of $20 that they said I owed with another employee. (A warning that If we leave the rest of faith, we begin to bear the debt of sin again. The first mention of 20 in the Bible is Gen.6:3 And Jehovah said, My spirit shall not strive with man for ever, for that he also is flesh: yet shall his days be a hundred and twenty years.) They said they had tried to call my cell phone to give me this report, but I wouldn't answer because I knew it was not really my debt and that I wasn't required to pay it. (The accuser will always try to convince you that you still owe the debt that Christ already paid for you.) (If one leaves the rest, they will be tempted even more so.)  When the elevator doors finally opened, a horde of people out of nowhere rushed into the elevator, as if desperate to get out of the building. (They were in their flesh and leaving the rest.) I calmly walked in but there was barely enough room. When the doors shut, we were warned that the ride down was much scarier than the ride up because the elevator went down really fast, and it did (Because this represents the falling away. We have seen people lose all the gain of years in moments.). But it slowed down midway for safety precautions (this could represent those who are neither hot nor cold -- the fence-sitters in the middle) (also, God makes a way for His people to change their mind and Return unto thy rest, O my soul Psa.116:7) and then it sped back up until it reached the ground floor.  As I got off the elevator, the morning sunshine streamed through the lobby windows (Jesus in the Man-child is manifesting). A surgeon from the hospital who was going up said, “Isn't it exciting that the building construction will be completed in a week?!” (After the seven years of the 70th week of the tribulation, the Church will be complete, and I believe this week will start very soon.) I turned around and said, “Yeah”. But the importance of what he had just announced didn't register with me. I was concerned about finding the backpack because my husband needed me to bring it to the hospital (to give that burden to him).  I hoped I would find the backpack in my car in the parking garage, since it had not been left in the elevator. I ran out to the car and found it (the burden was in the car, representing immaturity) and brought it back into the lobby and pushed the elevator button again.   When the doors opened, my sons Noah and Elijah came out of the elevator and passed me as I went in. They were eight-foot-tall, grown men! (Their “8” size indicates they have grown up in Jesus.) They gave me the same knowing look of common understanding and smile that my husband had given me. (The faith that brings relief from our burdens and works.) They said, “Don't worry, Mom. We have everything under control”. (Jesus in the Man-child ministry beginning to reign [having given their burdens to God].) Then I woke up.  Why would we bear the burdens of the curse if we believe what Jesus said? Mar.11:23 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it. 24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mat.18:18 Verily I say unto you, what things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven.  When we pray and believe, we rest from all the curse. Gal.3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Abraham was blessed in all things. Not entering the rest or keeping the spiritual Sabbath is because of unbelief. Heb.3:11 As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest. 12 Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God: 13 but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin: 14 for we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end:...  18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that were disobedient? 19 And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief.

A celebrated Palestinian filmmaker who was born and brought up in Gaza has told FRANCE 24 that he and his colleagues just want to share their stories through art. Rashid Masharawi has put together a film made up of 22 individual short projects filmed and put together in Gaza amid the Israeli bombings since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023. "From Ground Zero" tells the stories of the people of Gaza in their own words. His other current film "Passing Dreams" was notably filmed in Bethlehem, Old Jerusalem and Haifa. He spoke to us in Perspective.

For the past two weeks, we have been looking at what the Apostle John saw about the New Heaven and the New Earth in his vision as recorded in chapter 21. He continues to describe what he saw and heard about this New Heaven and New Earth in the first five verses of chapter 22. We will look at these today. I believe that the New Heaven and the New Earth began after Christ abolished the Old Jerusalem and that it continues and reaches its fulfillment in when we get to glory. In revealing this vision, John sees a vision of God's city in glory, and then Jesus tells John to tell us that what He saw is what really will be.

In today's we explore the myths, magic, and misinformation about the so-called Lion's Gate. This cosmic portal is said to occur on August 8th each year, but what is it really referring to? Join us to unravel this phenomenon and find enchantment without needing to invent a “Galactic New Year” out of thin air. Themes in this episode include:* Origins of the Lion's Gate Myth * Flooding of the Nile* Dog Star Sirius* Cosmic Technologies of Timekeeping* Manifestation Practices* Self-study in Relationship with Cycles* Longing for Authenticity* Fixed Fire Season of Leo* And more…Top searches for the Lion's Gate craze as of this recording …Shownotes: Register for Birth Chart Basics Free Class with Bronwyn Simonshttps://astrologygoddess.mykajabi.com/natalchartForecasts in your inbox from Bronwyn here:https://astrologygoddess.mykajabi.com/Image from Sirius and the Flooding of the Nile: this week on the Storyteller's Night Skyhttps://www.interlochenpublicradio.org/news/2019-08-26/sirius-and-the-flooding-of-the-nile-this-week-on-the-storytellers-night-skyMore on the Constellation: Sirius and Orion's Belt Constellation from EarthSky: https://earthsky.org/constellations/canis-major-the-greater-dog-sirius/Article by Celeste Mott The Lion's Gate Portal: Tracing the Origins of a New Age Myth “Prior to the late 90's, nobody appears to have heard of the Lion's Gate (besides as one of the seven gates into Old Jerusalem). A search of peer-reviewed articles returns no results with that search term, indicating a lack of academic or folkloric interest in the subject. Searching by date, there are only three results for "lion's gate portal" between 1980 and 1999. Between 1999 and 2010, we have four pages of Google results. Today, Google returns over 87,000 results for the term.” Source reference https://www.celestemott.com/blog/2021/8/7/the-lions-gate-portal-tracing-the-origins-of-a-new-age-mythArticle in Women's Health Mag UK with numerous false and unfounded claims: Lion's Gate Portal 2024: How to quantum leap your manifestation powers during this cosmic vortex“On the 8th of August, we celebrate a cosmic alignment between Sirius, the Sun, the Earth and the ‘galactic centre', which is the central point of the Milky Way. This date is known as Galactic New Year and is thought to be the day when Light Codes are strongest.”https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/health/a61710431/lions-gate-portal-2024/Learn more about Islamic roots and Astrology from Historian Ali A. Olomi Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/headonhistory/postsPodcast: Head On History CurrentlyNerdy.comhttps://www.instagram.com/aaolomiLeo constellation and astrological sign image from Britannica:https://www.britannica.com/science/constellationLeo (lion), watercolor and ink on paper, from a manuscript created in Ulm or Augsburg, Germany, c. 1464; in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles.and Leo the Lion, with the constellation Leo Minor, as it appears in Urania's Mirror, a set of cards by Sidney Hall depicting the constellations that was published in 1825. Image via U.S. Library of Congresshttps://earthsky.org/constellations/leo-heres-your-constellation/Thanks for listening! Have a question or comment? Head over to Substack to share on the post for this episode.Love this podcast? I bet you would love to subscribe and write a review - it's such a great way to support this work! Get full access to Between the Moon at themoonismycalendar.substack.com/subscribe

Sermon for the Tenth Sunday after TrinityLet not only the example of the destruction of the old Jerusalem, but the promise of the glory of the New Jerusalem to come, ever drive us to cherish our Lord's visitation here and now above all things. Lord, help us not to neglect you and Your Word, but ever attend to it, hear it, take it into our hearts. Amen.

Here, you can listen to an old man playing his accordion in the Armenian quarter of Jerusalem. The Armenian presence in Jerusalem dates back to the 4th century AD, coinciding with Armenia's adoption of Christianity as its national religion, leading to the settlement of Armenian monks in the city. Consequently, this community is recognized as the oldest continuously existing diaspora outside the Armenian homeland.  Recorded by Rafael Diogo. Part of the Migration Sounds project, the world's first collection of the sounds of human migration.  For more information and to explore the project, see https://www.citiesandmemory.com/migration

Several and amazing! Thank you for listening! Please leave a 5 star review, share and subscribe!

Sanctified From Wickedness (2) (audio) Valuable Sanctified Vessels David Eells – 4/3/24   I want to share with you about the blessings that follow sanctification. We are entering into a new time right now! A time in which we're going to receive blessings like the Bride has never seen before.   Isaiah 59 speaks about the terrible shape that Israel was in then and the terrible shape that the Church is in now because Israel is a type for the Church. At the end of chapter 59, God shows you what He's going to do about it and in chapter 60 He begins to raise up His Bride and bring her out of the nations. The Bride is built through sanctification, through separation from the nations, and the wicked among us.   (Isa.59:14) And justice is turned away backward, and righteousness standeth afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and uprightness cannot enter. (15) Yea, truth is lacking; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey. (People who stand up for truth like the Bride does receive ridicule and worse from those who claim to be the Church.) And the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. (16) And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his own arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it upheld him. (17) And he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on garments of vengeance for clothing.... This is the Lord coming with the armor of Ephesians.   This is the Lord coming and taking on a body. Jesus said, (Heb.10:5) ... a body didst thou prepare for me. He was speaking about a body of the son of David in which He, as the Son of God, came. And we know that, as we repent, the Lord is coming in all of us as His body. (2Co.3:18) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. He's coming to be glorified in His people as the Word, Jesus manifested in us. He's bringing a reformer to start a revival. The reformer is His firstfruits body that He has brought to maturity and will anoint with the latter rain, just as He anointed Jesus with the former rain. Jesus was the first firstfruits body in the New Testament.   So history is about to repeat and, this happens on the morning of the third day the latter rain comes. (Hos.6:2) After two days will he revive us: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live before him. (3) And let us know, let us follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is sure as the morning; and he will come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth. We're now at the morning of the third day from the last Adam and this latter rain is about to fall. It's going to first anoint the Man-child. That's God's way of saying, (Mat.17:5) ... This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. Then it's going to be poured out after 3-1/2 years upon the Church. The latter rain anointing will cause people to pay attention to the Man-child reformers.   There's going to be a training period, during which He's going to restore Scriptural order among His people. We know it's a corporate body that's coming, but it says in Isaiah that the Lord Himself is coming. He's the One putting on the garments of vengeance for clothing. He did this in Jesus' time and now He's going to do it again in our time because (Ecc.1:9) That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. All prophecies usually have more than one fulfillment and the last fulfillment is the greatest fulfillment.   This prophecy is going to be fulfilled in our day: (Isa.59:17) And he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation (Does the Lord need the knowledge of salvation; No, His body does.) upon his head; and he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a mantle. (18) According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, wrath to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies (We are seeing this beginning.); to the islands he will repay recompense. (19) So shall they fear the name of Jehovah from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come as a rushing stream, which the breath (The same word for “spirit.”) of the Lord driveth.   The Lord is coming very quickly. (Hab.2:3) For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hasteth toward the end, and shall not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay. (Rev.3:11) I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown. (As the Lord says some will lose their crown.)(Rev.22:7) And behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book. (20) He who testifieth these things saith, Yea: I come quickly. Amen: come, Lord Jesus. He's coming like He came in that first body, this time “as the rain, as the latter rain.” That former rain anointing from Heaven is the mantle that was upon Jesus and He's bringing the latter rain anointing now.   The former rain anointing fell upon Jesus to empower Him to do that special work of bringing revival to a people He separated out of apostate Judaism. An anointing is coming once again, only this time it's the latter rain upon His firstfruits. The firstfruits is a relatively small corporate body for a much larger corporate body of people who will be separated out of apostate Christianity. God's going to repeat history on a larger scale, which is the way history always repeats.   (Isa.59:19) So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come as a rushing stream, which the breath of the Lord driveth. (20) And a Redeemer will come to Zion.... The One Who lives in the body is Jesus bringing the power and the authority, and it is Jesus doing the works! A Redeemer will come to Zion, the Bride! (Rev.21:9) …and he spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb. (10) And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.  John was shown Jerusalem (Zion), coming down out of Heaven, born from above. There is still a Zion in the earth; there is still a King who is the son of David and there's still a New Testament Kingdom of God, except they are in the spirit and not in the flesh. (Isa.59:20) And a Redeemer will come to Zion (the Bride), and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob (the Church), saith the Lord. Those who turn from transgression are those people who are sanctified, separated from sin, from the world, and separated from their flesh. He's coming to these people and to build Zion, the Bride! Remember John the Baptist said, (Joh.3:29) He that hath the bride is the bridegroom, speaking of Jesus and those disciples who were following Him.   Back to (Isa.59:21) And as for me, this is my covenant with them (“Them” here represents Zion, the Bride!), saith the Lord: my Spirit that is upon thee…  When the Lord spoke this through Isaiah, He was referring to Jesus, but now this is referring to Jesus in the Man-child of our day. And as you read Revelation 12, you can see it's a repetition of history, but it's actually in the future when the Man-child raises up the Woman Church. (Rev.4:1) After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, a voice as of a trumpet speaking with me, one saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee the things which must come to pass hereafter. It was a long time after Jesus that John spoke of this as still being in the future, still being something to come. Revelation 12 is for our time.   Back to (Isa.59:21) And as for me, this is my covenant with them (the Man-child of our day), saith the Lord: my Spirit (the latter rain) that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and forever. So Jesus was the Sower and He sowed the seed in the Bride of His day, those first-fruits disciples, and that seed didn't depart from out of their mouth. When they spoke, it was just like Jesus speaking.   They had received authority to speak in His name and He sent them out to do His works. (Joh.14:12) Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. This same authority has not passed away. It will be in the mouth of the Man-child and the seed of the Man-child and will be passed on.   Isaiah 60 begins to speak of the great blessings, which come from this sanctification of the Word that the reformers are going to bring. (Isa.60:1) Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. (Zion) (Isa.60:2) For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon thee (The peoples are in gross darkness right now and it's getting darker all the time and God says His light is going to arise on His Bride, His Zion.), and his glory shall be seen upon thee. (Isa.60:3) And nations shall come to thy light (He's talking about the peoples of the nations who are chosen of God, those who are drawn of Him and who are given a gift of repentance and faith. They will come into the light of the Bride of Zion.), and kings to the brightness of thy rising. (Isa.60:4) Lift up thine eyes   (He's still speaking to Zion.) round about, and see: they all gather themselves together, they come to thee; thy sons shall come from far.... Yes because, according to type, God's people are taken captive to the nations every time that they fall into apostasy. The Beast conquers them and scatters them among the nations. God's people are members of the nations in which they live and to which they pledge allegiance to, rather than His one holy nation of spiritual Israel.   (1Pe.2:9) But ye are an elect (“chosen”) race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. We've been called out of the darkness of the nations to become a part of a different Kingdom, a “peculiar” (KJV) Kingdom. Our Kingdom is the Kingdom of God and Jesus said in (Joh.18:36) ... My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.   Back to (Isa.60:4) Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: they all gather themselves together, they come to thee; thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be carried in the arms. (5) Then thou shalt see and be radiant, and thy heart shall thrill and be enlarged.... The Bride will be excited and ecstatic because God is going to do a wonderful thing in our day. People will be coming out of gross darkness and into the light of the Bride because of the gift of God.   Again, (Isa.60:5) Then thou shalt see and be radiant, and thy heart shall thrill and be enlarged; because the abundance (“crowds” or “multitudes”) of the sea shall be turned unto thee.... In Scripture, the “sea” represents the peoples, nations, tribes and tongues. (Rev.17:15) And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. We are coming out of the world, out of Babylon, and we're returning to Zion in these days. We've all been taken captive to Babylon. The word “babel” means “a confused noise, typically by a number of voices.” So we're coming out of a confusion in the world and in religion, and we're coming back to the Lord.   Again (Isa.60:5) Then thou shalt see and be radiant, and thy heart shall thrill and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned unto thee, the wealth of the nations shall come unto thee. What “wealth” is this He's talking about? Are we all going to be rich? In a way, yes, but these parables are not meant to be taken in the letter. It is the spirit. So this “wealth” we see here, is something we're really going to need, especially the Bride to get the Gospel out quickly to the peoples.   (6) The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and frankincense.... Do you remember this from something that's already happened? The same people, as a matter of fact, came to bring gifts to the young Jesus. (Mat.2:11) And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.   Again (6) The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praises of the Lord. (7) All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee.... I believe Father is talking about the “flocks” of His people who are going to be gathered together unto the Bride. Esther was raised up by her uncle Mordecai, meaning little man, representing the Man-child, to be the beautiful Bride who was chosen from among all the fair virgins of the kingdom.   Then she was also used by the Lord to bring preservation and salvation to the rest of the people of God, who were being threatened by Haman, representing the heads of the Beast. God's people today will be rescued from bondage to the Beast. Again (7) All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth (“Nebaioth” meaning the leadership of “husbandry”) shall minister unto thee; they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar; and I will glorify the house of my glory.   (8) Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? Doves make you think of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. (9) Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, for the name of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. Why are the “sons” coming from afar to be under Zion? It's because the Bride which John said were the first disciples of Jesus will be elders over a people who come from every nation into one Kingdom, a holy nation, a chosen generation. The true Church is the one nation of New Testament spiritual Israel.   These riches of “silver” and “gold” that the sons bring with them could be spiritual and literal. (Rev.3:15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou were cold or hot. (16) So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth. (17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches.... These people are very happy about having physical riches and they didn't consider themselves to have any need in this world, but they didn't have the riches of the Kingdom. In Acts when people came to the Lord their love of the world waned as the love of the people grew. They even sold their excess and laid it at the feet of the apostles to distribute for the needs equally. (Rev.3:17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So they were really poor, according to the Kingdom. There is a materialistic “prosperity” doctrine that the Church has pretty much accepted and many people are quite satisfied with the things of the world but according to Jesus in the parable of the sower this causes many to fall away. But in Acts God took away the lust for worldly riches, and restored riches that are valuable in the Kingdom of God like the fruits of the Spirit..   I'm going to explain to you how these sons coming out of the nations to Zion bring their “gold and silver” with them. (Rev.3:18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold.... Now this is the true gold. How do you “buy” true gold? Jesus tells us, (Mat.10:38) And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me. (39) He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. To gain the Kingdom we have to give up our love for the high life in this world. The Kingdom of God manifested in you is “gold” and “silver” and “precious stones.” (Rev.3:18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich....   You can tell from the language used in Isaiah, he is speaking in parables and that the “riches” of “gold” and “silver” refer to spiritual riches of the soul that come from sanctification (2 Peter 1:4-11). But when a person turns toward these spiritual riches there is a sacrificial life that wants all needs to be met. (Rev.3:18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eye salve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see… (21) He that overcometh (They need to overcome the lukewarmness, the lack of the spiritual “gold” in the life of a believer.), I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.  Jeremiah explained what “the throne of the Lord” represents. (Jer.3:17) At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it.... The throne is Jerusalem! It's Zion! And Zion is the Bride! The Bride is the throne of the Lord, just as when in King David's time, his throne was in Jerusalem, but now Jerusalem itself will be called the throne. (Jer.3:17) At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord (In other words, the Bride will be manifesting the name of the Lord; manifesting His nature, character and authority.), to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the stubbornness of their evil heart.   This is what it is to be in the Bride. This is what it is to come out of the world and be sanctified, separated from the nations. (Jer.3:18) In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north (This represents them coming out of captivity or bondage.) to the land that I gave for an inheritance unto your fathers. Today, we're returning to the land that was given for an inheritance to our spiritual forefathers. (1Co.4:15) For though ye have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel.   The Apostle Paul called himself a “father” and we do have the apostolic fathers, but much of the Church left that Promised Land 2000 years ago. Now we are returning to that inheritance because God's going to restore everything that's been taken from His people. And he goes on to say, (Jer.3:19) But I said, How I will put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of the nations! and I said, Ye shall call me My Father, and shall not turn away from following me. Jesus did call the Father His “Father” and He taught the disciples to also call Him “Father.” In the New Testament, that is the name we are supposed to be calling Him because it's a different relationship altogether.   And so now we know the “gold” and “silver” coming out of the nations are these glorified people. They are the overcomers who have left the nations to go to the throne of the Lord, to gather around the Bride as they did in Acts. They are glorified in spirit and in soul, but not yet in body. They are manifesting the glory of the Lord! You know, Paul speaks of it in Timothy. Let's read it because it will help with our understanding that there has to be a sanctification. The gold, silver and precious stones represent the nature of your life after you've been sanctified, after you've been cleansed of the wood, hay and stubble.   (2Ti.2:19) Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let everyone that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness. Remember the name of the Lord is the throne of the Lord, which is Jerusalem. Going to Jerusalem represents this glorification of the sons and the daughters, who are coming with their gold and their silver, their born-again, resurrected nature.   (2Ti.2:20) Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor. The gold and silver are vessels of honor, and the wood and the earth are vessels of dishonor. We've all been vessels of dishonor, but as we are sanctified, we become vessels unto honor. We become what is valuable in the Kingdom of God.   (2Ti.2:21) If a man therefore purge himself from these (Meaning purge himself from the wood and the earth, or the wood, hay and stubble of 1 Corinthians 3.), he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet (an archaic word for “able” or “fit”) for the master's use, prepared unto every good work. (2Ti.2:22) But flee youthful lusts (the wood, hay and stubble.), and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. The sons and daughters coming out of captivity from the nations are sacrificing the gold and silver of their carnal life to have the gold and silver of their sanctification; which is valuable in the Kingdom of God. The lukewarm Laodicean Church were rich in the world, but they weren't rich in the Kingdom because they were full of wood, hay and stubble.   Many years ago, the Lord pointed out something to me that I'd like to share with you. I asked the Lord about my ministry, flipped my Bible open and just stuck my finger down at random. Not only did He show me something about my ministry, but He showed me something about what He's going to do in the earth. The verse I received was (Ezr.6:5) And also let the gold and silver vessels (We are the gold and silver vessels.) of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem (He took the people of God as captives to Babylon when they fell into apostasy. They were in bondage, much like the Church today is captive to Babylonish religion and politics.), and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, everyone to its place; and thou shalt put them in the house of God.   God gave this text to me many times. This is what's going to happen, a restoration of God's people to their Promised Land, their Kingdom that they lost when they were led away captive because of apostasy. Another time, I flipped my Bible open and received (Ezr.5:15) And he said unto him, Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in its place. The firstfruits Man-child ministry that is to come will restore the vessels of God to their position. The Bride, New Jerusalem, is going to be restored. Old Jerusalem is lost and it's not going to be restored, but Heavenly Jerusalem, the one the Bible calls the “holy city,” will be restored. It is born from above to those seeking sanctification.  Paul said in (Gal.4:25) Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bondage with her children. (26) But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother. It's not the physical God is raising up; He's raising up the spiritual, New Testament people of God, those who are Israelites according to the circumcision of their heart. They have been in Babylon for the last 2000 years, but now God is restoring them. Those vessels have been taken from Zion and in these days they will be returned to Zion!  We can see the same story in (Eze.37:21) And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the nations (The Church has been taken captive to the nations, just as Israel was taken captive to the nations when they fell into apostasy. The people of God are now more patriotic toward the carnal nation in which they live than being members of the spiritual nation of the Kingdom of God.), whither they are gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land (This is a promise of revival in our time.):   (22) and I will make them one nation in the land.... Peter said that they were one holy nation. In other words, all of the people of God, no matter what nation they live in, are a part of one holy nation. Now they need to separate and come out from among the worldly nations and be a part of that one holy nation. God is going to fulfill the parable that was lived out by the Jews. (1Co.10:11) Now these things happened unto them (the Jews) by way of example (The Greek word there means “type” or “figure.”); and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come. This type and figure is going to be fulfilled in our day as the New Testament children of Israel, those who are born from above, circumcised in heart, are coming out of the nations.   Back to (Eze.37:22) And I will make them one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all; and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all. Remember that Jesus said in (Joh.10:16) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd. (1Jn.2:27) And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that anyone teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you; concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him.   We have an anointing from the Holy One and we don't need men to teach us. We need the Lord to teach us. If the men are filled with the Lord, filled with the Word and submitted to Him, then they can be vessels through whom the Lord can flow. The Lord came in a vessel of the son of David 2000 years ago to deliver His people from apostate Judaism and this time He will deliver His born again people from apostate Christianity. His people will come out of the nations to their true, Heavenly Kingdom where God rules. If Babylonish religion is ruling over you, that's the same as Babylon ruling over you.   Back to (Eze.37:23) neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will save them out of all their dwelling-places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. Notice that where they dwelt outside of their Promised Land represented sin. Dwelling in the nations represents sin, but dwelling in the Kingdom represents holiness. Sanctification is to come out from among the nations and become a part of the Kingdom. (2Co.6:17-18) Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you, (18) And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.   Back to (Eze.37:24) And my servant David shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in mine ordinances (This is a promise from God that He's going to restore everything and the people who walk under Zion are going to walk a holy walk.), and observe my statutes, and do them. (25) And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant (Our New Testament Jacob is Jesus! Jacob raised up the 12 patriarchs and Jesus raised up the 12 patriarchs; history just repeats.), wherein your fathers dwelt (We're going to live where our spiritual, apostolic fathers dwelt.); and they shall dwell therein, they, and their children, and their children's children, forever: and David my servant shall be their prince forever.  This represents Jesus in the end time corporate Man-child. (26) Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them (God's going to confirm the Covenant from which we have departed. He's going to fulfill the great promises of the Covenant to His people.); it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. Praise God! What an awesome promise!   (Deu.4:27) And the Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and ye shall be left few in number among the nations, whither the Lord shall lead you away. (Again, this represents being taken captive to the world, to Babylon. All the nations were gathered to Babel until God divided them by the tongue and so the major type of Babylon is the whole world, but lesser types of Babylon can be America, or religion, and so on.) (28) And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. (29) But from thence ye shall seek the Lord thy God, and thou shalt find him, when thou searchest after him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.   (30) When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, in the latter days (Obviously, that's where we are right now.) thou shalt return to the Lord thy God, and hearken unto his voice: (31) for the Lord thy God is a merciful God; he will not fail thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them. God's people wonder why they don't have the benefits of the Covenant and it's because they're not walking by faith in it. All those benefits are ours now. The anointing is coming to restore not only the faith but wisdom and the truth to God's people, so that they can go back under the Covenant. Then God can keep His part of the Covenant, which is the great blessings that come to those who are sanctified of unbelief.   (32) For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee.... We need to find out what it was like to walk as sons of God, to walk in the steps of Jesus, to do His works. What did the Kingdom look like? We have to look back. We have to study the Word, if we want to hear the Word. (Isa.30:20) And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be hidden anymore, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers; (21) and thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it; when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. We are hearing a Word, our covenant from 2000 years behind us and it's saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it.”   Back to (Deu.4:32) For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee since the day that God created man upon the earth, and from the one end of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been [any such thing] as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it? This is a great thing God's about to do in the latter days! (33) Did ever a people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire.... We're going to hear because we're going into the fiery furnace, heated seven times hotter. “Times” symbolizes “years” (Daniel 3:19; 7:25; Revelation 12:14) and “seven times” represents the Tribulation. We're going into the fire, but like the three Hebrews in Daniel 3, God's going to preserve us. He's doing this to burn off our bonds and we will walk with the King in the fire. It's a picture of sanctification; fire purifies, it makes holy.   Again (33) Did ever a people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live? (34) Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of [another] nation, by trials, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, (God's going to use all those things to take us out of the physical nation that we're idolizing in our patriotism and He's going to bring us into the nation of the Kingdom of God, our Promised Land, where God can fulfill these awesome promises.), and by a mighty hand, and by an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?   He highly motivated the Israelites to come out of Egypt by bringing judgments upon Egypt. He ultimately separated the Israelites from the judgments of Egypt, but Egypt was being destroyed and the Israelites had no choice but to leave there and go into the wilderness where God commanded them to go. The “wilderness,” is the Tribulation, where people will learn to walk by faith in God, and learn to live on the promises. It's where the gold, the silver and the precious stones will be manifested, rather than the wood, hay and stubble of our idols back in “Egypt.”  (Isa.60:10) And foreigners shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favor have I had mercy on thee. Yes! We're coming to a time of judgment and a time of favor simultaneously. The judgment will cause God's people to flee the world and to seek refuge in the Kingdom. Our refuge is only abiding in Jesus Christ which is the Kingdom of God. (11) Thy gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the wealth of the nations (The “wealth” is natural but also spiritual as these very valuable people who carry the nature and life of Jesus Christ.), and their kings led captive. (12) For that nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish.  (This will happen in the Tribulation period to the nations of the world who won't serve Zion. They won't serve Zion's King, so judgment will fall upon them and they will perish.); yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. The reason the judgments are going to fall upon the world is because of what they're doing to God's people. The world is going to put God's people on their crosses, spiritually-speaking, but this is for the purpose of sanctifying them. The crucifixion of the old man, and sanctification of being delivered from the wood and earth in order to have the gold and silver.   (13) The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir-tree, the pine, and the box-tree together, (These are evergreen trees that represent eternal life.) to beautify the place of my sanctuary (The presence of God in His people makes the place of His sanctuary beautiful.); and I will make the place of my feet glorious. (14) And the sons of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.   The Beast kingdoms in times past recognized the power of the people of God. A good example is Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. He recognized the value of the people of God, their understanding and the power of their God. He knew how their God had wrought deliverance for them through judgments on Egypt after Egypt had brought God's people into bondage. The whole world is going to get a demonstration of the power of God to save His people. They are going to respect the people of God. So-called “Christianity” has not been very respectable since the falling away, but the world is going to respect true Christianity in the days to come. The world is going to respect the people in whom Jesus lives, walks and does His works.  The Man-child restoration is in two stages. First the David Man-child body will fight the wars with the factions around them as David did. This will win the peace for the Soloman Man-child stage to build the spiritual temple of God's people, which the David's prepared for. The restoration of the “greater works” begins. The days of Jesus are back and more. He will be great until the end.  Luk 2:34 and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against.

A few weeks ago the pastoral team, along with our wives, had our annual fall retreat. This is something that we've been able to do every year since we were first planted, and it's usually a time of team soul care. We pray for one another, and invest in our unity and health — which is all good and important — but this most recent retreat was more like a recalibration of purpose. We wanted to come back to the questions:Why do we exist? What are we mainly all about? So we discussed that and prayed about that, and it's all pretty simple. This shouldn't be a surprise to you. It's not new — The purpose of this church is to delight in and display the glory of God in Jesus Christ. That's why we exist. Our mission and vision as a church … and everything we do as pastors in service and accountability to you; everything about our staff; everything about our band and all those who serve in children's ministry and Sunday Welcome; and space set-up and A/V support; everything about our Community Groups and Life Groups — everything about our work and ministry to these cities in the places where you live, work, and recreate — everything ultimately terminates on this purpose: we delight in and display the glory of God. We enjoy and exalt God in all his glory.This means that as a church we worship him and we want others to worship him because we want his glory to magnified above all things … because he's God. He is more important than anything else there is. And we love him for that. We love God for being God. That's the thing we can't get over.And I need to take some lessons from my son, Nate, on this. He always brings things back to God. The other day he and his brothers and me were talking, and I think the question was about their favorite holiday — but I've heard Nate say this before whether he's talking about his favorite food, his favorite sport, his favorite movie — he might tell you about his favorite whatever, but then he'll say, “But God is better, right Dad?” He says it all the time. And I say: Yeah, that's right. God is better … and bigger and more important than anything else you can imagine. And we exist for him — we as individuals, we exist for him, and this church exists for him. That's what our passage is about today. We're looking at Hebrews 12:12–29, and this is a long passage; there's a ton of Old Testament allusions and quotations; there's a mixture of practical exhortation and doctrinal explanation — I spent a long time on this text this past week, but I'm gonna try to summarize the overall meaning of this passage in one sentence. This is one sentence, divided up into three points:Keep running again,Because we have what is better, Therefore, worship God. Keep running again because we have what is better, therefore, worship God.Let's pray: Father in heaven, please help us now as we set our attention on your Holy Scriptures. Give us open and receptive hearts to receive what you have for us, in Jesus's name, amen!1) Keep running again (verses 12-17, 25–27)Now the reason I'm saying “again” is because we've already heard this. We've been hearing this for the past two Sundays:Verses 1–2 — run with endurance the race set before usVerse 3 — don't get weary or fainthearted (which implies: keep running)Verse 12 this morning — “Therefore” [because we now understand why the running is hard, because of God's fatherly discipline in verses 5–11], “therefore, lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.”There's two things going on here in verses 12–13: The first thing to see is that the writer continues the running metaphor he started in verse 1. Now I don't pretend to know much about proper form when it comes to running, but I did verify this with some real runners, so allow me to demonstrate.When you're running, you want your hands up here, by your chest, moving. If you see somebody running, and their hands are drooping down here, what would you think is going on? They're tired — if you're running and your hands are down here, that's like the universal sign that you're struggling.Now add to that “weak knees” — drooping hands and weak knees — and you've got a runner who is about to drop. So the writer of Hebrews is still working in the running metaphor.Now notice in verse 12 that verb “lift” or “strengthen.” In the original, it's actually only one verb that applies to both the drooping hands and weak knees. The word means, basically, to restore, or to re-strengthen — which is something you gotta do if you're gonna keep running. Also, verse 13, “make straight paths for your feet.” If you're gonna keep running, you have to stick to the path, run straight — so that whatever is lame, won't be. It's easy to see here that the writer is saying what he's been saying: again, keep running. Old Testament Allusions (verses 12–13)But there's something else the writer is doing. Verses 12–13 allude to at least two Old Testament verses. First, listen to Isaiah 35, verse 3 — and the context of Isaiah 35 is full of joy and hope. Isaiah has been talking about God's future salvation. He says, Isaiah 35:3, “Strengthen the weak hands,and make firm the feeble knees.4 Say to those who have an anxious heart,‘Be strong; fear not!…'” Now listen to Proverbs 4:26, “Ponder [or make straight] the path of your feet;then all your ways will be sure.” So that's Isaiah 35:3 and Proverbs 4:26 — and it sure seems like the writer of Hebrews is echoing these verses in 12 and 13 — the early Christians who first heard this book would have absolutely made the Old Testament connection — and what's brilliant about this by the writer (I just want to point out!) is that he is simultaneously quoting Old Testament verses and keeping it within the running metaphor. He's saying: Again, keep running (like I've been saying) and here's support from the Hebrew Scriptures. This is amazing.Peace and Holiness (verse 14)Then he gives us another command in verse 14: “Strive [or pursue] for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Pursue peace and holiness. This is part of the running. And one important thing to know about peace and holiness is that peace and holiness are the fruit of the gospel for all things horizontal and vertical. Peace, horizontal. Holiness, vertical.In the death of Jesus, he demolished the walls of hostility that stood between us and others, which means, at a personal level, the world has become our neighbor. Our default orientation to everyone is peaceableness. And, holiness means that we are maturing as God's sons and daughters. We should be increasingly living in congruence to who God has made us to be, is making us to be. There is a “holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” That's what verse 14 says. It means the only way we're going to see Jesus face-to-face one day is if we are made like him. We must be holy like him. That's something to remember as you imagine the day you're going to see Jesus. I try to think about that moment a lot, especially in worship. I look up there at that window and remember that Jesus is a real person, and I've said this before … he probably doesn't look exactly like that, but he looks something like that! Because he has a face. He's got hands. He has eyes. And one day I'm going to see him. And I wonder what I'm gonna do. I can get kinda nervous thinking about it. But what helps me is that fact that in that moment when I see Jesus I'm going to be completely holy — that's how I know I won't say anything dumb. I'll see him and I'll be like him.And the holiness that I will have in that moment, and the peace that I have horizontally with others, are both realities that I have received in the gospel. I don't earn any of these things. They are gifts given to me through my union with Jesus. That's true for all Christians. And therefore, we pursue peace and holiness — we pursue them not to earn them, but to fulfill them. That's basically the Christian life. That's what the running is — we are increasingly becoming who we are in Christ — and there are some warnings here. … in verse 15 and verse 25. A Word on Warnings (vv. 15ff, 25ff)These warnings are part of the running, so I'm going to combine them together — we're not going to spend a ton of time on this — I wrote to you about this in the email on Friday, called it two mistakes to avoid in discipleship — but notice that verse 15 and verse 25 both begin with the word “see”.Verse 15, “See to it that no one fails to obtain [or falls short of] the grace of God…” Verse 25, “See that you do not refuse him who is speaking …” And in both cases the writer refers to a negative example from the Old Testament. There's Esau as the negative example in the first warning, and then Israel at Mount Sinai as the negative example in the second warning. Don't be like them. Don't be short-sighted like Esau who failed to think about the future; and don't be fearful like Israel who failed to obey God speaking in the present. When it comes to running with endurance, we need to have the long view and we need to know that every step matters. These warnings are part of the running; running is still the major theme of the chapter; it's our first point: “Keep running again.” Now here's the second point, the second part of our summary sermon sentence. Keep running again…2) Because we have what is better (verses 18–24)This is verses 18–24, and this section is just incredible. I'm going to read the whole section again, but let me tell you what's going on. The writer is going to do another contrast here, basically between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. And he's done this contrast before, but what makes it different in Chapter 12 is that this is a contrast of our experience.It's riveting. The writer starts by describing the experience of Israel at Mount Sinai (in Exodus 19), and he describes this like a play-by-play commentator. TV and video have basically ruined us, but imagine for the first hearers what it would have been like to hear this play-by-play! It's all sensory language. Listen to this, and see if you can track with the senses evoked. Verse 18: 18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” It's all touchable, smellable, hearable, seeable. Old Covenant Israel came to that at Mount Sinai and it terrified them. But we have not come to that. Instead, we've come to something different — something better. Now we've talked before about the “Jesus is better” theme in the Book of Hebrews overall, and well, here is that theme again, and it's an absolute fireworks show. Verses 22–24 remind me of the grand finale of a fireworks show when a bunch of fireworks get shot out together … That's what this is. There were seven descriptions of Mount Sinai in verses 18–21, and now in verses 22–24 there are seven descriptions of the glory of Mount Zion. This is what we have come to. So listen to this, and Christian, know that this is yours. You have not come to Mount Sinai …22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel!This is stunning. We have come to this. It's like the writer is saying: Do you know where you are? Yeah, you can't see all of this right now, but you have it. You can have the assurance of things hoped for. You can have the conviction of things not seen. They are yours.And I'd love to go into detail about each one of these descriptions, but that would take all day, so I'm just going to comment briefly on each one …Mount Zion, the city of the living God, heavenly JerusalemThis is home. In Chapter 11 it's called the homeland, the better country, the city that God has prepared for us. It's the unshakable kingdom there in verse 28. It's the city that is to come in Chapter 13:14. The New Jerusalem is our future in that one day we will stand in that city come down from heaven (Revelation 21:2), but we are its citizens now. It's our home now, although we're not there yet. And we should say about New Jerusalem what Psalm 137 says about Old Jerusalem: “5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem,let my right hand forget its skill!6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth,if I do not remember you,if I do not set New Jerusalemabove my highest joy!” We should think more about Heaven, y'all. And we should live as a witness to it. Jesus is coming back and he's bringing a city.2. innumerable angels in festal gathering,Another way to say this sentence is “party with the angels.” In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells us about the joy of the angels over one sinner who repents (see Luke 15:10). So imagine here thousands and thousands of angels — too many to count — and they are all gathered together to celebrate. We are part of that celebration. 3. the assembly [or church] of the firstborn who are enrolled in heavenThe word there for “assembly” is the word for “church”, and this is a way to talk about the universal church. It's the whole communion of saints — every Christian who has ever lived across all time and place. It includes those who have died in faith, like the cloud of witnesses in verse 1, and it includes all true believers across all denominations today. It's whoever has their name written in heaven. We are part of that membership. 4. We have come to God, the judge of allThis means what it says. God. We have come to God. Jesus died to bring us to God. We have him, and he is “the judge of all,” which speaks to his supreme authority. There's nobody above him. There's nobody to get to after him. And so you might wonder, like me: Why put God at #4 here in the list? If God is most ultimate, shouldn't he come last?Well, remember these Christians know that it's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (that's from Chapter 10:31). They've just been reminded about Mount Sinai and how frightening is was when Israel encountered God. So how can the writer ensure us that our coming to God the judge will be different?He starts by telling us about those who have already faced the judgment of God. …5. to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,This refers to all those who have died in faith — those who have finished their race and faced the judgment of God. Hebrews 9:27, “it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Saints who have died have experienced that, and they were not incinerated. Why?Because of …6. Jesus, the mediator of a new covenantWe've come to Jesus. This new covenant that is better than the old is mediated by a Savior who is better than all — he is a better priest, a better prophet, a better king — and we have come to him. There's a great story here from the life of John Bunyan. After he became a Christian against all human odds, after he was mentored by his pastor John Gilford, after he started preaching, after he wrote his first book — Bunyan was being used by God — but then he got really sick. A grave illness.And through this sickness, he said that Satan continually assaulted his soul with doubts and fears. Eventually he recovered from the physical sickness but then came under “a great cloud of darkness.” He struggled with debilitating depression and what he called spiritual apathy. He wrote, “I could not feel my soul to move or stir after grace and life by Christ.”And this continued on until one night, he was sitting by the fireplace with his wife, Mary, in their small 17th-century English home, and suddenly a verse flashed into his mind. He thought “I must go to Jesus.” And he said to Mary: “Wife, is there ever such a Scripture as ‘I must go to Jesus'?”And Mary, of course, didn't grab her phone and google it, but she thought about it and she searched through their Bible, and finally she said, “I can't tell. Can't find it.” And then, Boom!, Bunyan said I got it! Hebrews 12:24, “But ye are come unto … Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant.”He said that joy flooded his soul and he wanted so badly to tell people about it. He wrote, “Christ was a precious Christ to my soul that night … I could scarce lie in my bed for joy and peace and triumph through Christ.”How bout that?!Church, we have come to this Jesus. And he's just better. His new covenant is better. We keep running, again — we keep running — because what we have in Christ is better …3) Therefore, worship God (verses 28–29)Skip to verse 28. What do we do, then, with all this? In light of all that we've come to. In light of this unshakeable kingdom that is ours in Christ, verse 28: 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire. Because what we have in Christ is better, we run with endurance the race set before us, and we keep running, and ultimately it's all about worship. We exist to worship God. That's the purpose. To enjoy and exalt God in all his glory. And that worship, the writer says, is to be acceptable (or pleasing) worship, “with reverence and awe … for our God is a consuming fire.” And isn't it interesting that the writer ends this whole section with those words? That image? God, a consuming fire. That's a quote from Deuteronomy 4:24, “For Yahweh your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” Why does the writer end the chapter with this? In the passage just before this (we saw last week) the writer tells us that God is our father who loves us, who treats us as his children. Why end here with “consuming fire”?Well, we don't know precisely why, but we know it's connected to the Mount Sinai reference in verse 18, and I think it's because the writer wants to remind us that our God, the God we worship, our Father, is the same God we read about at Mount Sinai. … the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, the God who revealed his terrifying glory to a fearful Moses and faithless Israel. That God is our God … same God, but better covenant. Same God, but better promises. Same God, but better hope in Jesus … We have a better everything in Jesus — so we should give God thanks. And God is the same God he has always been so we know that he is not to be trifled with. And we worship him in light of that … we remember that God is full of stunning grace, and the grace is stunning because it's the grace of a consuming fire.And when we understand this, we're overcome with gratitude. Reverence and awe is just what happens. It's what can't not happen.It's not teddy bear grace. It's consuming fire grace …That's only possible because the sprinkled blood of Jesus speaks a better word than Abel.This is what brings us to the Table. The TableWe see in verse 24 that we have come to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and that last description in verse 24 emphasizes the how.We have come to Jesus who by his blood — by his high priestly sacrifice of himself — has made the way for us. Through his death, Jesus has given us blessings world without end. His blood is our boast. His empty tomb is our hope. Jesus is our everything. And give him thanks for that at this Table. We worship God because of him at this Table.

Israel is a place I've always read and learned about, and to have all of the stories and pictures come to life is an incredible experience. From the maze-like streets of Old Jerusalem and the beautiful Dome of the Rock, to the feisty town of Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity, this episode will guide you through a hurried first few days in this amazing region of the world.

Why is Jerusalem such a big deal? Right now, it holds the holiest, yet most contested piece of Real Estate — the Temple Mount. Today in this psalm we celebrate not just Old Jerusalem, but the New Jerusalem that awaits all of Jesus' born again believers. Let's dig in… Keep reading in my blog where there are links to dig deeper with news articles, Bible studies, books, podcasts, and videos… https://seekthegospeltruth.com/2023/04/30/palsam-48-celebrating-old-new-jerusalem-great-city-of-god/ We don't have a choice about what troubles come our way. However, we can choose to have a relationship with Jesus… If you want a true relationship with Jesus, pray this prayer humbly and wholeheartedly… “Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. Please forgive me. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and my life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. I surrender my whole life to you and I will follow you for the rest of my life. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me. In Jesus' name, Amen.” Or visit: https://seekthegospeltruth.com/how-to-invite-jesus-into-your-heart/ Great Christian Book Picks that make Great Gifts! Check out the Bookstore: https://seekthegospeltruth.com/recommended-christian-books/  Best Study Bibles — another Great Gift Idea! https://seekthegospeltruth.com/best-study-bibles-for-beginners/ (A Christianbook Affiliate) Free ebook to help reach your Catholic friends & relatives: https://seekthegospeltruth.com/catholic-mission-field-in-our-backyards/ Follow me… Twitter: https://twitter.com/giselleaguiar Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/truthofthegoodnews/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icreatephx/ Telegram: https://t.me/seekingthegospeltruth Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/giselleaguiar/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giselleaguiar.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCndkPVgXT_r80ASK2cipxzw  Soli Deo Gloria — To God Alone Be the Glory! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/seek-the-truth/message

The Old Jerusalem is not merely passing away, it is being brought to utter ruin by the One who the inhabitants of that city rejected, the One who came with salvation in His hands, Hosanna, the Lord and heaven and earth. Though He came to His own, His own did not receive Him, and for their rejection they inherited judgment. The reason for their rejection is made clear and greatly amplified in the vision that John has in Revelation 17. The reason the Jews rejected Christ, and Christ subsequently judged them, was that they had broken covenant with Christ and bound themselves to Rome -3-4-, they persecuted the true Church -6-, and had chosen the finer of pagan gods, of Satan, to the gifts the Bridegroom had prepared for His bride. For her betrayal, the woman who rode the beast, astride that wretched monster, would find herself riding it all the way to perdition -17-11-.

If Saturday/Sabbath is the Seal of God and he gave it to His Christian church those who are heirs of salvation; then what is Sunday, to Christians, an error? Then we have millions who believed in error; of which I was one of them at one time. Remember Eve believed in an error/lie and disobeyed God; now by doing so, her and Adam brought death upon the whole human race. Israel did believe Moses preaching and they wouldn't enter into God's rest his Promised Land. Well is Sunday the seal of Satan/Antichrist the mark of the beast? Stay tuned! Well we know it's a lie given by Constantine the Great the Roman Emperor, who profess Christianity, whom was also laden with some pagan philosophies and one being the sun God "Sol Invictus" of Rome, so to relieve these persecuted Christians he could please both Romans and Christians, he would end the Christian's persecution but charge them with worship on Sundays to appease the well accepted sun god of Rome. Though it had Satan written all over it, it was a way to relieve the suffering of God's people. And it's been pass down through the ages via the church. Satan knows once he cause someone to form a bad habit, it's hard to break! So don't rock the boat... you've got what you wanted. Those who have been Bewitched by Satan to believe the Sunday lie over the Sabbath truth, will one day need to make some changes. That's where my brother Paul was going when he was speaking in (Hebrews 4:1-11) He wanted to make sure people do not miss out on there entrance into the kingdom of God and later the Kingdom of Heaven, the true promised land; new Jerusalem of God's people: Heaven. Just as the promised land of Israel of old to enter into Canaan, a land which later would encompass Old Jerusalem, which was a shadow of things to come, but the true promised Land is the New Jerusalem where God dwells and he want us to show up there, now as in old Jerusalem the same with New Jerusalem the ticket to get there was faith to believe in God's promise and we know Jesus Christ is God's promise and our ticket to Heaven and the new Jerusalem. Church ironically the ticket is the same our faith in Jesus Christ coupled with God's grace = "we're saved in heaven." Amen! Contact: heavensprayerlink.com, we love to pray with you, God bless you --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/heavensprayerlink/support

Adam creates a hypnosis session created live based on the randomly generated location of Old Jerusalem in Israel. The random nouns were: rotate, demonstrate and good. The emotions were bewilderment and contempt and the hypnotic language pattern was will you x or y or... This session encourages you to think about your biggest obstacle, the one that makes you feel contempt, and to create confusion to break the pattern before considering many different ways of solving the problem or overcoming the challenge. Giving you a sense of empowerment rather than feeling stuck. FREE HYPNOSIS DOWNLOAD: To thank you for being a listener to the show Adam is giving you a 100% FREE hypnosis download worth £10/$12 using the coupon code FREE here: https://www.adamcox.co.uk/downloads.html  Adam Cox is one of the world's most innovative hypnotists and is known for being the hypnotherapist of choice for Celebrities, CEO's and even Royalty. To book a free 30-minute consultation call to consider working with Adam go to: https://go.oncehub.com/AdamCox You can contact Adam at adam@adamcox.co.uk Further information on Adam is here: https://linktr.ee/AdamCoxOfficial  Tags: Adam Cox, the hypnotist, NLP, asmr, hypnosis, hypnotherapy, hypnotist, stress, sleep, worry, meditation, guided meditation, hypnotism, anxiety, metaphor, beliefs, obstacle, block, 

August 28, 2022, Trinity X - St. Luke 19:41... | Sdc. Stephen Brannen

It is spelled identically with how it is spelled today. God bless you and thank for listening! Please pray for us!

This Spiritual Waimai is a part of a series entitled, “The Way of the Cross: The Rroad to Resurrection” where we retrace the steps of Jesus Christ from Gethsemane to Golgotha.For centuries, Christian pilgrims from around the world have traveled to Jerusalem to walk the “Via Dolorosa” or the Way of the Cross. It is the reenactment of the journey Jesus took from Gethsemane through the streets of Old Jerusalem to the place where it is believed that Jesus was crucified. For the faithful who are not able to make the physical trip to Jerusalem, some churches around the world have recreated the Way of the Cross in their sanctuaries with a guided meditation of scripture and traditionally accompanied by art depicting the scenes from the Bible. Now will complete journey through Stations of the Way of the Cross with stations 10 – 14. Here our Lord is crucified, He breaths His last breath and He is buried. Let us listen with our hearts to the powerful words of scripture and may the inspired paintings of French artist James Tissot lead us to worship our Savior. 

This Spiritual Waimai is a part of a series entitled, “The Way of the Cross: The Road to Resurrection” where we retrace the steps of Jesus Christ from Gethsemane to Golgotha. For centuries, Christian pilgrims from around the world have traveled to Jerusalem to walk the “Via Dolorosa” or the Way of the Cross. It reenacts the journey Jesus took from Gethsemane through the streets of Old Jerusalem to the place where it is believed that Jesus was crucified. For the faithful who are not able to make the physical trip to Jerusalem, some churches around the world have recreated the Way of the Cross in their sanctuaries with a guided meditation of scripture and traditionally accompanied by art depicting the scenes from the Bible. Let us join Christians from around the world as we walk together through the first 4 stations of the Way of the Cross. French painter James Tissot's art will help us to visualize the passion of Jesus Christ as He walked the road to calvary to bear the sins of the world. 

This Spiritual Waimai is a part of a series entitled, “The Way of the Cross: The road to Resurrection” where we retrace the steps of Jesus Christ from Gethsemane to Golgotha. For centuries, Christian pilgrims from around the world have traveled to Jerusalem to walk the “Via Dolorosa” or the Way of the Cross. It is the journey Jesus took from Gethsemane through the streets of Old Jerusalem to the place where it is believed that Jesus was crucified. For the faithful who are not able to make the physical trip to Jerusalem, some churches around the world have recreated the Way of the Cross in their sanctuaries with a guided meditation of scripture and traditionally accompanied by art depicting the scenes from the Bible. We continue our journey through Stations 5-9 of the Way of the Cross following Jesus from His conviction by Pilate to the ruthless soldiers then through the streets of Jerusalem. As we together read the scriptures and view the vivid artwork of French painter James Tissot, may our hearts draw closer to our Savior. 

I've been discussing the Order of Melchizedek, which is a very important topic in the Bible that has to do with the Lord Jesus Christ. There's a lot of truth about Melchizedek before Christ's time, before his bodily appearance on Earth, his birth, and so on. But now I want to talk about something that has become heresy in the church, and that heresy is people wishing to exalt the old city of Jerusalem. Melchizedek does not require Jerusalem's Old City. A third temple is unnecessary for Melchizedek. Nonetheless, many Christians today, particularly those associated with the charismatic movement, believe this. They've practically romanticized Jerusalem's old city. On television, you can see people preaching and going to the Wailing Wall and all that stuff, all in the name of attempting to make some kind of spiritual application of that old city. But, as you can see, the Melchizedek Order does not need that. Only the Levitical order required the old city of Jerusalem. And just Levi's command was required or required. A third temple, with additional animal sacrifices, was built today. And I'm going to try to be very explicit about the comparison between Levi and Melchizedek in our session today because we find it in the Old Testament in Second Chronicles, Chapter six, where Solomon is mentioned.

Ataques de riso incontroláveis, aviões que passam, gargalhadas meio disfarçadas ou partes do corpo insuspeitas que decidem tocar instrumentos. A história da música está cheia de deliciosos imprevistos de estúdio e de pessoas que decidem assumir e abraçar estas pequenas imperfeições e lançar as canções mesmo assim! Decisões de génio, arriscamo-nos a dizer! Inspiradas pela conversa que tivemos com o Francisco aka Old Jerusalem, inauguramos assim o tema das Canções (im)perfeitas, canções que não seriam as mesmas se não tivessem estes pormenores inusitados que fazem as delícias dos melómanos mais atentos.

Have you been following the situation in Ethiopia?Of course you haven't.No one has the time or mental fortitude to endure the unending amount of conflict that happens between human beings on planet earth.The only reason I keep up with Ethiopia is that's where my wife grew up.Briefly: Colonialists left Africa in a terrible state, in which various tribes were smashed together into single nations, while others sought to grab new territory in the wake of colonial retrenchment.Ethiopia is one of those latter places (but also was kinda-sorta colonized by Italy, which is why it still has such great pasta. It's complicated.)Home to five official languages and eighty different ethnic groups, Ethiopia is a powder keg for conflict with a growing population and depleting resources. One people group has already managed to splinter off: Eritrea's independence from Ethiopia came at the high price of 250,000 people dead.Now, essentially two tribes in Ethiopia — Tigray in the north, Oromo in the south — are trying to destroy each other. The Tigrayans are an ancient Spartan-style warrior tribe, and they're so desperate for self-rule that they've started killing Ethiopian citizens. Things have gotten so bad that the Prime Minister of Ethiopia has ordered all military to protect the capital from falling, and is sending in Turkish combat drones. In twenty years, we might look back on the conflict and call it the next Rwanda.It makes you wonder:Maybe Ethiopia would be better off as two, ten, or even eighty smaller nations.It's the same all over the world:Spain's arcane monarchy oppresses several distinct cultures including Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Basque Country, Castile, Catalonia, Galicia, León, Navarre, Valencia, and Aran Valley.Anglophone Canada just celebrated its 150th anniversary a few years ago, but it rules over a French-speaking nation that's 400 years old.A certain 1.45 billion-person Eastern nation that cannot be named rules over at least four other countries with brutal authoritarian force.Want peace in the Middle East? Try a nine-state solution.The United Kingdom is a laughable misnomer. The Welsh hate the English. The Scottish hate the English. The Cornish hate the English. Half the Northern Irish just call themselves Irish. The United Kingdom contains at least five countries, and all are essentially colonies of the City of London Corporation. [Update: English people, stop saying this isn't true. I live in Wales and it's front-and-center every single day.]There are more than five thousand Indigenous nations across the globe, totaling nearly half a billion people.The gig is upYoung people are waking up to an obvious fact that many older folks (especially those who murdered people who carried a different team flag) simply cannot fathom:Nations are legal fictions.Just bits of paper and a bunch of people who agree to play by the paper's rules.Yes, there are some benefits to nationalism.There are also heavy costs.People are rightly starting to question the value of nation-states as they are currently arranged.What is the purpose of a nation?To preserve a unique culture?To express a political ideology?To propagate a religion?To organize an economy?At the end of the day, I believe every nation is just an experiment in what it means to live well.And currently, almost every nation on earth is on a downward trajectory, if not failing miserably.The end of big countriesLarge nations are unwieldy.The bureaucracy it takes to run a 300+ million person nation proves economically inefficient in the extreme.Democracy crumbles because it's hard to get real representation at scale.And there are so many disparate opinions that disagreements become intractable.When working together inevitably fails, one party dominates through coercion, violence, or worse.In a nuclear age where going to war will destroy everyone and everything, there's no longer a need to have a vast population to defend your borders.We just don't need big countries anymore.An introduction to Tinyism“Tinyism is a political philosophy that believes current empires and nations should be fractured, shattered, and dissolved into thousands of independent micro-states and city-states. This action would vastly improve democracy and enhance economies — recent statistics indicate small nations are usually the happiest, wealthiest, and most peaceful.” — Hank PellissierHere's my prediction:Within one hundred years, there will be at least one hundred new nations on planet earth.But there could be plenty more.After all, there are 650 major ethnic groups, about 9,800 cultural-ethno-linguistic groups, and up to 24,000 unimax groups.(Plus there are 108,000 publicly-listed corporations, all of which will be chomping for a private domain in the years ahead… though not one should get it.)Why shouldn't ethnic groups have the right to self-sovereignty, especially for the hundreds who've had their sovereignty stolen? Isn't it inherently racist for one ethnicity to impose its will on another ethnic group?After a major disruptive event — a colossal economic depression, a cyberwar or solar flare that knocks out the grid for a year or more, or a supervolcano that causes years of winter — we could see the emergence of tens of thousands of new sovereignties.And that would be a very good thing.In praise of tinyWhen you have a smaller population, you can have a smaller bureaucracy.When you have a smaller population, you can have more representation and democracy.When you have a smaller population, you can avoid getting pushed around by groups that don't share your values.When you have a smaller population, you can better preserve unique cultures, races, religions, economic systems, histories, societal structures, and experiments in what it means to live well.When you have a smaller population, you can have fewer rules, fewer laws, and more freedom.And if you don't like your tiny country, you now have far more other options to choose from.“But what about national defense?!”It's a legitimate fear, but it's worth noting that small nations are some of the safest nations on earth.And luckily, returns to violence are drastically decreasing in the digital economy. There's just less stuff to steal and fewer resources to exploit.Quite paradoxically, being more “vulnerable” makes you learn to get along. New sovereignties will do well to form an alliance with hundreds of other city-states. Like NATO, attacking one would be like attacking all. Plus, new sovereignties will move swiftly to ink trade deals with hundreds of other nations to further increase the cost of war and the value of peace.Pretty soon, everyone will get along because there's no other choice.The return of the city-stateThe world is urbanizing and power is accruing to cities. Already in America, we're seeing mayors defy state and national mandates in order to protect and defend their citizens (or just rebel for political reasons, depending on your point of view.)There's no reason to think that many cities won't eventually just become laws unto themselves.I'm excited for this to happen. After all, some of the most beautiful places on earth started out as tiny little cities, and their historic urban cores are still beautiful all these centuries later:Paris was 25 acres.Athens was 35 acres.Lille was 60 acres.Vatican City is 109 acres.Oxford was 115 acres.Old Jerusalem is 225 acres.The City of London is 330 acres.Monaco is 499 acres.Rome was 608 acres.The walls of Avila, one of the most gorgeous sights on earth, surround just 77 acres.What will become of America?Nearly half of all Americans want to secede from the union in one direction or another.And that's perfectly within their rights as human beings.Others protest loudly that the union must be preserved at all costs. But they never seem to answer the all-important question:What are we actually trying to preserve?Our lack of shared values? The sham of democracy? McDonald's and apple pie and baseball?Think long and hard about this question — no matter what conclusion you reach, you'll find that it simply doesn't resonate with the majority of Americans.And what's preferable: A few dozen independent countries, or another civil war?(31% of Americans think a civil war is likely within the next five years, with Democrats thinking it's more likely.)So why not take the bloated carcass that is the American corporatocracy and carve it up into a handful of actual democracies?With any luck, we could see some pretty amazing things come out of the USA:Washington and Oregon will become Cascadia and rebuild the rainforest.Utah will rename itself Deseret and grab a chunk of Nevada.New England will be the world's purveyor of blueberries, maple syrup, and winter skiing adventures.32% of Californians already support Calexit, which will make it the fifth-biggest economy in the world (ahead of the UK, France, Italy, India, and hundreds more.)The Plains Nation will continue to feed the world as a giant agrarian commune, likely swarmed with bitcoin-loving libertarian “sovereign individuals.”Texas (or rather, the Hispanic-majority República de Tejas) will have the eleventh largest military on earth, the tenth-largest economy, its own power grid, and enough solar and wind power to be a net clean energy exporter.Las Vegas will obviously become the American Amsterdam.Minorities will pour out of Dixie, plunging the Deep South into social chaos and economic depression — and perhaps the Confederacy will finally learn the lessons they were supposed to learn from the Civil War. (Or maybe it becomes New Afrika and all the whites head for Florida.)New York City CorpTM (12th-largest economy) will become the first city-state with skyscrapers to be fully underwater due to rising sea levels.(I'm not saying this is exactly what the American continent could look like in fifty years. It's far more likely that corporate-controlled “sovereign cities” will emerge first, in places like Nevada and Texas.)What's compelling about Tinyism is that the more experiments we run, the more we'll discover what works and doesn't work. Clearly, Sweden is better than North Korea. But is the Texan way better than the California way? With Tinyism, we'll know pretty quickly. In that sense, Tinyism is almost free-market, with the political “market” being democracy itself.Tinyism is inevitableHave you noticed that society is fracturing?Do you think that extreme left wokies are ever going to find common ground with ultra-right Q-Anoners?It's just not going to happen.There will come a day when the USA falls apart. Will it be a massive economic depression? The Yellowstone Caldera finally erupting?Donald Trump becoming President whether he's elected or not?Even without a mega-event, there's an unstoppable tide that all but guarantees a breakdown of these united states: Individualism.Individualism, by its very nature, is an anti-culture.As Russ Linton put it:“Decentralization and blockchain tech will ensure this happens. Fiat currencies will be worthless and with that, the power of a nation-state largely evaporates. DAO communities, both digitally and geographically-bound, are what the future holds.”We in the rich West have enjoyed a lifetime of unlimited selection, and this atomization mentality will eventually seep its way into politics. As the speed of change escalates, it could happen far sooner than we think.And that's okay.I believe in the unconditional right of cultural and communal (but not corporate) sovereignty, and support all independence efforts toward Tinyism, so long as the leaving party takes their fair portion of the national debt and repays all federal infrastructure investment.The key will be to have some kind of pre-agreed-upon sorting/transition process, like a peaceful version of the Hindustan breakup into India and Pakistan, followed by hopefully-less-dysfunctional EU (but without a shared currency) so the states all get along as the founding fathers intended.Will this happen?It depends.Tinyism in America may likely only work once Tinyism sets in everywhere — especially in Ch!na. We need a huge drop in returns to violence before unique cultures can become sovereign nations. Only then will smaller countries be allowed to flourish. And do you know what? It's going to seem impossible until the very moment it seems obvious. Change is a long time coming and then it happens overnight.On one hand, some corporate predator elites have a vested interest in keeping America together so they can wield its collective might overseas.On the other hand, there are hundreds of corporations with larger market caps than many countries, and corporatists are itching to free themselves from any sort of democratic governance. That's why I think Tinyism is inevitable.Corporate countries aside, Tinyism could create a great leap forward in human innovation, creativity, and culture-making, as real democracies create real diversity, reversing our long and boring descent into multinational sameness.I'm cheering for a twenty-nation America and a 10,000-nation earth.It's either that, or we become a corporate-controlled one-nation earth where everyone conforms or gets crushed.And no one wants that. Get full access to Surviving Tomorrow at www.surviving-tomorrow.com/subscribe

Que viagem foi esta nossa conversa com o Francisco Silva! Uma viagem à boleia de 4 canções pelas influências que um dia viriam a confluir nesse projeto incrível que conhecemos como Old Jerusalem. Do fascínio por Prince e as suas mil controvérsias - de onde nasce uma grande paixão pelas guitarras – à tentativa de “copiar” o estilo de Gordon Gano a escrever canções, passando por esse momento de quase epifania ao ouvir pela primeira vez Will Oldham... neste episódio recebemos não só o Francisco músico, mas também o melómano. E só verdadeiros melómanos conseguem contagiar-nos desta maneira com o seu entusiasmo pelos pequenos grandes pormenores que fazem de certas canções experiências verdadeiramente transformadoras e únicas – e quem esteve connosco na Chasing Rabbits no dia 21 não nos deixa mentir! Não percam a estreia deste nosso novo formato e não se esqueçam de ouvir “Certain Rivers”, o novíssimo disco de Old Jerusalem que está a comemorar este ano 2 décadas de carreira.

In Chapter 21 of Paradise Restored, David Chilton comments on Revelation 17-19, which contrasts two cities: New Jerusalem and Old Jerusalem. A harlot woman is riding the Sea Beast, which is Rome, and she is accused of all sorts of blasphemies and abominations. She is also drunk with the blood of the saints (cf. Matthew 23:34-36). What does all this imagery mean? Listen to today's episode to learn more...

Warning: Explicit Conversations About Politics, Culture, & Sexuality This lusty locomotive roars out of the station with Capt'n Max raging against gun violence, followed by my kinky but fairly simple solution: Shoot the gun between your legs! Seriously, we Americans should stop denigrating sex (including solo sex) and fetishizing guns. Otherwise, we'll all shoot ourselves in the foot—and the head—in an ammosexual orgy of gun, bomb, knife and knee violence at home, as well as in America's (and our mercenary client state Israel's) wars and occupations abroad. This is one reason we're celebrating Masturbation Month 2021 as if our lives depend on it—because they do. If we don't go The Bonobo Way, we'll all die in a hail of bullets—and I don't mean the cute little vibrators. Masturbation denigration begins at home, influenced by the original “influencer,” that old-time religion, We take a call from Adriana who grew up in no-premarital-sex Evangelical “purity” culture, but is finding freedom through masturbation and other sex-positive exploration. Mariah chimes in with her similar experience growing up Catholic. Then we take a call from U.S. Army Captain Chris who loves mutual masturbation (so do Capt'n Max and I!) and graciously tolerates my severe criticisms of his employer, the Military-Industrial Complex. I take a moment to lament how the Woke Mob (with whom I often agree) has thoughtlessly ruined one of my favorite words to describe how mammals take care of each other, “grooming.” When asked by scandal-starved listeners, I offer my views of Gates-Gate AND Gaetz-Gate, as well as Matt Gaetz Wingwoman/Wingnut Margarine Taylor Greene's latest anti-Semitic inanities. Speaking of anti-Semitism, it's on the rise, sadly but unsurprisingly. Blame it on Israel, and I do. Masturbation Not Occupation! So, I've “come out of the closet.” #JewsforPalestine! It began when I was 16 and impulsively ditched my Camp Ramah tour group activities to jump on a motorcycle with a handsome Palestinian boy who took me on a tour of Old Jerusalem and kissed me in the Garden of Gethsemane. When I asked where he was from, he replied, “Here,” and thus commenced my Palestinian education… Listen to this story and much more on this edition of F.D.R… Need more? Go Bananas for bonobos and give The Bonobo Way for Masturbation Month, Gay Pride Month, Kink Month or any month at all! And don't miss this week's post-show throwback: "Porno Charlie Sheen Masturbation Month Orgy," which just goes to show how a little self-pleasure can turn into an orgy - featuring Evan Stone (as Charlie),, Eric John (with whom I share a special *moment*), Vicki Chase, the late great Hollie Stevens, aka Hollie Wood, Jamey Janes and “Charlie Sheen's Porno Adventure” director Jim Powers. When we broadcast this show live in May, 2011, Sheen was at the top of his crazy Tigerblood game, flanked by high class sex workers, acting like the Hunter S. Thompson of sitcom TV. Except Charlie Sheen is no Hunter S. Thompson. When he revealed he was HIV-positive in 2015, he threw his loyal sex worker pals under the bus. F*ck da Rich! But don't bite the hand that f*cks you, Charlie Rich. But that's now, and "Porno Charlie Sheen Masturbation Month Orgy" is from then, way back when. There's more—so much more! Watch what we can't show you on Youtube and read My Journal: https://www.counterpunch.org/2021/05/21/shemah-yisrael/ All the *royals* are opening up about their "mental health" these days, from Prince Harry to Lady Gaga. Maybe you should too! But you might want to do it privately. Remember, sexual health is an important part of mental AND physical health. If you need to talk about something you can't talk about anywhere else, call our Therapists Without Borders anytime: 213.291.9497.

"Certain Rivers" é o novo álbum de Old Jerusalem. O músico Francisco Silva promete continuar a compor: "só paro quando deixar de gostar do que faço". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Old Jerusalem and New Jerusalem compared to Hagar and Sarah

Afonso Rodrigues, vocalista da banda Sean Riley & the Slowriders, que esta sexta-feira lançam o álbum “Life”, é o convidado desta semana do podcast Posto Emissor. A ausência do baixista Bruno Simões, desaparecido em 2016, e a forma como continuar a fazer música ajuda a manter a sua “energia” por perto são assuntos abordados, a par dos desafios da paternidade e da paixão do cantor por motas. O conflito israelo-palestiniano e o novo disco de Old Jerusalem passam também por aqui

These are the top stories the Cheat Sheet team is watching: Violence has erupted in Old Jerusalem between Palestinians and Israelis; Nigeria could be the next COVID-country hotspot; The Trump administration tried to define “sex” as someone’s gender they’re assigned at birth—but that healthcare policy is getting kicked to the curb; No, Houston residents are not imagining things—a loose tiger was spotted cruising around a neighborhood. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

READ: Psalm 48.1-3 NLT 'How great is the Lord, how deserving of praise, in the city of our God, which sits on his holy mountain! It is high and magnificent; the whole earth rejoices to see it! Mount Zion, the holy mountain, is the city of the great King! God himself is in Jerusalem’s towers, revealing himself as its defender.' I will never forget my first sight of Old Jerusalem. The golden limestone walls of Old Jerusalem were set against a deep blue sky. It was absolutely beautiful and immediately triggered the memory of psalms like this one which praise the magnificence and beauty of the city. Jerusalem has a central place in the Bible. It was here that Abraham offered to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. Centuries later David established Jerusalem as his capital city and his son Solomon then built the glorious Temple. Although Jesus lived in Galilee in the north, he frequently visited Jerusalem and it was here that he was crucified and rose from death. It was in this city that the Spirit was poured out upon Jesus’ followers on the day of Pentecost, and the church was born. And then, right at the end of the Bible, John has a vision of the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven and he pictures a place where there is no longer any more death, mourning, crying or pain. Jerusalem is a wonderful place but, in the days of the Spirit, we don’t look at it in the same way as King David. The city continues to act as a reminder of the way in which God has reached out to his people over thousands of years, and it is a wonderful privilege to be able to visit it. But now we have been set free to worship God anywhere. When two or three people meet in the name of Jesus he is there standing with them, whether it’s in Jerusalem, Jaipur or Jarrow – or anywhere else! QUESTIONS: What is the most precious place of worship for you? PRAYER: Loving Father, thank you that we are free to worship you anywhere. Help me as I worship you today. Amen

Chapter 8 of The Struggle for the Birthright by God's Kingdom Ministries

ADVENT WEEK THREEDecember 18, 2020Dance with Joy2 Samuel 6:12-19David, dressed in a linen priestly vest, danced with all his strength before the Lord. This is how David and the entire house of Israel brought up the Lord’s chest with shouts and trumpet blasts. 2 Samuel 6:14-15 (Common English Bible)On a brisk, sunny morning last January, our assembly of jet-lagged seminary students passed underneath the Dung Gate of Jerusalem, emerging in awestruck joy within the walls of Old Jerusalem. The sacred geography pressed me with its weight of time and managed to give me a strange kiss of responsibility and challenge whispering: What will you do with this place?Thousands of years before our moment of awe, David, fresh from victory against the Jebusites, makes his ingenious political move to denominate ‘Ir David, Jerusalem, as a neutral seat of his government.Unlike our entrance, his entrance is made with tremendous fanfare, dancing, music, and holy sacrifices. David is dressed in priestly garb, representing his role as king-priest, leading the seat of Yahweh, the mobile God, into this place selected for what will be its unifying role for the people of God. Yahweh seems to have had to consider being ready for domestication, having killed an attendant in a twitchy moment a few months beforehand. But the partnership now becomes settled, and the people are celebrating this new relationship’s beginning as expressively as possible. God is here among the people, kindling joy within them and their new experiment in kingship.Jerusalem is still resplendent with sacred celebration. Christian bells, Muslim calls to prayer, and Jewish chants intermingle in constant calls for respite and unity with God. Dance and be joyful as the holy story continues.Sandy ShapovalDean of the Library and Research Services See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rabbi Jonathan Singer delivers a sermon at Emanu-El's One Shabbat service - December 11, 2020

During a recent archaeological dig in Israel, researchers unearthed column heads believed to be part of a mansion that overlooked the temple mount in Old Jerusalem. Learn about their significance in this episode with host John Matarazzo.

FATE OF THE GENTILES, Chapter 17 of Who Crucified Christ by Ogden Kraut  Page 149 Therefore, wo be unto the Gentiles if it so be that they harden their hearts against the Lamb of God. (I Nephi 14:6) Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, committed a sin when he suggested selling his brother, Joseph, as a slave. However, the other ten sons wanted him dead. Because of this, the Lord showed more mercy toward Judah than he did to the other ten sons. As the favor was shown to Judah’s posterity, so the disfavor was shown to the descendants of the other “lost” tribes of Israel. We know where the house of Judah is, but where is the rest of the house of Israel? The Jews were taken captive for a while, but they soon gathered back to Jerusalem. The other tribes were taken captive and gradually dispersed among the nations, and they will yet have to gather. The historian, Josephus, said they were still scattered in the “north countries,” and the Apostle James stated they were still in a scattered condition. (See James 1:1.) The house of Judah will gather to the Old Jerusalem, and the house of Joseph will gather to the New Jerusalem. The other tribes will join in wherever they are welcome, but will receive their blessings from the hands of Ephraim.

This week, I bring you the legend of Trek Kelly.  After running a successful marketing business and art gallery on Abbot Kinney, Trek decided to disappear.  Who does this? What does that mean? What was this crazy man thinking?   Trek's journey covers the following:   Live Your Bucket List Now: How Keeping Death Close Energizes Your Life The History of Abbot Kinney, Venice Beach, CA, and Why Trek Kelly Disappeared Why A Stranger Picked 12 Countries for Trek to Travel to     Animal instincts Return When You Live Alone in the Desert for A Year     What Is Scarier Than Death, No Toilet Paper Enjoy LB   Week's hashtags #Doctor #Host #Moments #Podcast #Show #Legend #Adventure #Life #Death #Thunder #TrekKelly     Show Notes ● [00:55] We have a great guest for you today, Trek “Thunder” Kelly, an adventure expert. As an artist, he learned early in his enjoyment in art is to live it. He lives his life in a way that is a story that’s interesting to him. So, he has something to look back, and he has chapters that laid out ahead of him as well. He recently wrote the ending of his life. He knows exactly where he is going to, and that gives him a lot of peace. ● [3:00] Trek knows where he is going to be and probably decides when he will die. Trek said that when it’s time, he is going to sit on a cliff while watching the sunset, smoke a doobie and put a blanket over him and just let it go. His parents traveled internationally as a kid. They didn’t take him, but certainly, he got curious about the world in the early ’20s and started travelling. He got out of college, moved to Venice beach, started working at a movie studio, and became an artist. At 39 he decided that he is going to disappear and told his friends and family that he’d be gone for 2 to 5 years. He sold nearly everything he owns and travelled the world. ● [5:00] He had a stranger choose twelve countries and spent a month in each country. Trek spent alone in the desert and then saw people twice a month when he gets supplies. But he wanted even more isolated, so he figured out his caloric needs and bought enough canned foods to sustain him for the rest of the year. He didn’t have a tent, a flashlight, or a fire. He lives out there for the rest of the year. For him, it was a gift to be able to do that, and in the third year, he bought an old van and drove around America. ● [7:36] One thing that Trek would recommend to people was to travel with inspiration or have meaning to you for a whole year. Because when you travel for a year or more, you interface with the world in a much more efficient and direct manner especially if you are alone. ● [9:33] Dr. Larry was wondering how these experiences changed him. Trek said that he becomes even more confident. The more world he sees, the more knowledge he gains. The more he understands the knowledge that he doesn’t have, and being older, he understands that life is coming at you pretty quickly. Americans keep death far away, but it’s important to keep death very close because death allows you to prioritize. It is not something to fear, it is something that energizes you to make the right decisions because we didn’t know when it would come. You should outline yourself like a bucket list and start knocking those off. ● [11:40] Trek believes in reincarnation because reincarnation doesn’t necessarily mean that there is life after our body dies. We can reincarnate in our lives many times. He lives three different lifetimes in those years. If you realize that change is constant, not only can we reincarnate in our own lives, but we can have power over what that reincarnation is. It can give us strength in decision making. ● [13:30] Trek graduated from UCLA. He wanted to do something fun. He applied to Columbia Pictures and got a job in the Marketing department. Working there for a year, he saw where the money was going and decided to create his own company. He left and started a promotional advertising company and immediately got orders from major studios. He makes a lot of money at that age without a lot of effort. Trek said that life has the confidence to do what you want to do and have to follow through. One day he bought a canvas and started painting and enjoyed it. He’s making enough money to have a gallery in Abbott Kinney, so he runs his advertising company out of the gallery. ● [15:40] At Abbott Kinney, he was one of several vendors that started the first Fridays around 2005. Back then, it was more focused on the stores, and they had all parties, and people could buy discounted things. For him, it was a perfect collision of creativity and the beach that California has to offer. ● [18:00] Trek said that change is going to happen. You can be flattened by it, or you can be part of it, so if there’s something you want to change, then you become part of that shift. For 16 years, he has had his company and art gallery. Dr. Larry asked him when did Trek get to the point that it was time to change it. Trek grew up on survival stories that his father told him as a kid, from Hugh Glass to Admiral Byrd. He also grew up reading Tarzan books that brought him the idea to be adventurous so he felt like he is done LA to the extent that he can. ● [20:36] The best thing to do when you decide is to announce it. Because you will be forced to be responsible for it when people start to believe it and you don’t want to let them down. Trek travels without contact with almost anybody for years. They didn’t know where he was. Dr. Larry thinks that the average person would want to get away but still want contacts of people close to them, so this is a very foreign idea for him, the disappearance part. ● [22:15] Trek said that there is stupidity in it, but there’s also a power in knowing that you are at the end of the line. If you are on the edge, you will be alert, aware, and alive. When you make it pass death a lot, it makes you feel strong and powerful. It makes you potentially risk your choices. Trek thinks that meaningful and driven travel is important. We, as humans, are meaning, driven creatures. We need to feel value, a direction, or a goal to feel more stable. ● [25:00] Trek decided to ask a stranger for the 12 countries he will travel to. So, he went to Jerusalem on the summer solstice. While in Old Jerusalem, no one looks at him until a beggar taps him on the back. He thought to himself that this was the stranger he would ask about the 12 countries. He has been to some of the chosen countries, but for him, when you make this choice, you can’t cheat. When you make this decision, you have to go through with it; otherwise, it taints everything else that you do. ● [27:11] Trek arranged the countries when he got back to the hotel room. The order of the countries was Bhutan, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Cambodia, Namibia, Mauritania, Germany, Finland, Brazil, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Haiti. After ordering the countries, he needs a reason why he is doing this, so he remembered the two keys on the ground while he was with the beggar. He decided to use keys as a totem. He will give a key to someone in each country that is meaningful for him or an amazing person in some way. ● [29:01] The two countries that the stranger didn’t choose that he wanted to go to were India and China. Trek flew to China and did the same thing in Jerusalem; he saw a kid that speaks in English. The kid leads him to an antique store, the kid chooses six keys of the Han dynasty. He went to India and asked an older man to choose six keys for him. The old man went to a store near Mother Theresa's tomb that has piles of keys. The old man spent three hours trying to find the six keys. Now he has 12 keys and a quest, so he bid goodbye to everyone on the internet, then he flew to Bhutan. ● [32:30] One of the other things Trek wanted to do was to find some people who don’t have long to live. He wants to make them a list of all the things that they want to do, and he was going to spend the next year living their dreams, and they will be connected on social media to send them videos and pictures. ● [34:46] Dr. Larry believes why Trek needs a year to spend on the desert. He said that when he was one of the mountains in Bhutan, he found an isolated house across them, and at the bottom, there was a town. His guide told him that a hermit lives up there for 15 years, and that challenge him to stay long in the desert. ● [37:25] Imagining the adventure of Trek. A lot of people would feel anxiety. It works for him because he loves meeting new people and being alone. He looks at the potential obstacles that he was going to deal with, whether it’s emotional, mental, or physical, and then anticipated it. That’s why he took a vow on silence in the desert. ● [39:00] Trek didn’t feel fear. That is probably another fault of his that would get him in trouble one day. But he has discretion more than fear. He thinks about what his options are when he is in dangerous situations. Travelling the world, he learned a lot of travel hacks and survival hacks. You can read about them, but the things that he thought that he learned were very different from the things that he experienced. ● [42:32] Once he knew that letting faith determine things worked, he went to the area of the desert. He started asking people of Navajo reservations if anybody had a Hogan. Trek was in Monument Valley of Southern Utah and Northern Arizona, a very desolate area in terms of population. He found a family that has a Hogan, he can live there, but they want him to take care of their sheep. ● [44:15] Trek took care of the flock of sheep and lived there. But he wanted more absolute isolation. That is why he figures out his caloric needs. When someone told him that there was a place out there that he could go, he found the place and one day he packed his stuff and went to the desert. Trek said that when you peel civilization away, you will realize how much your behavior is instinct. ● [46:47] Trek’s opinion about religion is that as animals, we need to be able to recognize something dangerous in a ray of information to live longer. He can’t speak for anybody else, but at least for him, we can see a face in the ray of information. Whether it is an ant face, a spider face or a bear face, but we can spot it in a second. When we see a face in a tree, we put humanness in that tree because we have this recognition factor. That is where animism comes from which is considered the first world religion. It is ascribing human qualities to something that is not human. That is where we start extrapolating personality into inanimate objects, then we sign those meanings, and that meaning becomes the various religions that we have today. ● [49:15] Being alone, he learned to appreciate the animals. Trek has huge respect for ants. He spends hours, days, and weeks following them. He followed a beetle for eight miles and was amazed by its sense of direction. The first three or four weeks when he was in the desert, he felt a little bit vulnerable and a little scared. Eventually, he realizes that he can do it. ● [51:08] Trek set up routines that help him to stay sane. He got a workout routine made out of lava rocks. He does pull-ups on a windmill two and a half miles away. He has rituals each Sunday. Dr. Larry thinks of the basic hygiene Trek does, and then he said that he realizes that when you run out of toilet paper, it was the end of civilization. He spent five months on the Navajo reservations as a shepherd and did six months alone. ● [53:07] Trek comes back because his year is over. That is the nice thing about choosing a year. It’s just long enough to own it, but it is shorter enough to see the end coming. You know that you can make it just like death. It allows you to appreciate what you have. That is why it is good to have endings on things so you can really be there to enjoy what you are experiencing. ● [55:06] When it ended, Trek felt great because he did everything he could do out there. He wanted to experience, so he had depravations at the end of each segment. He blindfolded himself for a week, and he had an earplug from Germany that was efficient. He doesn’t have a hearing for a week. He also wore a barbwire collar for a hundred days. Trek learned something from the depravations. ● [57:00] When Trek took off the barbwire collar to change he felt this anxiety because something was missing and he realized that the thing that gives him pain. He preferred the reality of having that pain than not having that pain just like a bad relationship even though its awful you prefer the familiarity of them being with you than to have it gone.

..............Strange.Fruits.............................................. By Anatoly Brooks http://www.filefactory.com/file/6pkcw5ad7n1r/strange2.mp3 01. José Afonso – Senhor Arcanjo 02. Hammock – We try to make sense of it all 03. Tindersticks – For the beauty 04. Leonard Cohen – Thanks for the dance 05. Luca Argel – Queixa das almas jovens censuradas 06. Cindy Kat – Miúdo 07. Phoebe Bridgers – Georgia Lee 08. Stafraenn Hakon – Hann bognar 09. Angie McMahon – Take it with me 10. Roger Webb – Moonbird 11. Eluvium – Paper autumnalia 12. Tim – Tejo que levas as águas 13. Calexico – The guns of Brixton 14. Message to Bears – Mountains 15. Howe Gelb – Bottom line man 16. Low – Dancing and fire 17. Ola Podrida – Pour me another 18. Collections Of Colonies Of Bees – For ghost 19. Siouxie And The Banshees – Strange fruit 20. Old Jerusalem – Magna 21. Willard Grant Conspiracy – Margaret on the porch Total time – 1.23:26 A photo by Anatoly Brooks Sultry voice of Radio Etiopia – Ana Ribeiro www.radioetiopia.com Phase 108.1: http://www.phase108.net/Show.aspx?podcastId=13 https://radiolisboa.pt/

A conversation with author and journalist Sarah Tuttle-Singer, an editor at the Times of Israel and the author of Jerusalem Drawn and Quartered: One Woman’s Year in the Heart of the Christian, Muslim, Armenian, and Jewish Quarters of Old Jerusalem.  

This sermon digs into archeology and history and shows the literal fulfillment of this prophecy. Not only was the temple leveled, but all of Jerusalem was leveled to the ground. What we see now on Haram esh-Sharif is either the Roman Fort Antonia or was built by Hadrian using Herodian stones.

This sermon digs into archeology and history and shows the literal fulfillment of this prophecy. Not only was the temple leveled, but all of Jerusalem was leveled to the ground. What we see now on Haram esh-Sharif is either the Roman Fort Antonia or was built by Hadrian using Herodian stones.

This sermon digs into archeology and history and shows the literal fulfillment of this prophecy. Not only was the temple leveled, but all of Jerusalem was leveled to the ground. What we see now on Haram esh-Sharif is either the Roman Fort Antonia or was built by Hadrian using Herodian stones.

This sermon digs into archeology and history and shows the literal fulfillment of this prophecy. Not only was the temple leveled, but all of Jerusalem was leveled to the ground. What we see now on Haram esh-Sharif is either the Roman Fort Antonia or was built by Hadrian using Herodian stones.

Revelation 18:21-24

On today's show, Marty reveals the incontrovertible facts about Jerusalem, specifically, the Temple Mount, site of Israel's two holy Temples. And if the Bible itself is not enough, Jewish and Islamic religious rituals and custom provide even more evidence, not to mention the near-universal scientific opinion expressed by academics of all faiths. Plus, a special report about Jewish biblical King Hezekiah's bulla, clay seal, recently discovered in Old Jerusalem. It was likely handled by the king himself!! All this and more on today's "Marty Roberts Show", recorded live from Israel...

Restaurants reviewed: Massimo's (Fremont), Old Jerusalem (SF), Baker Street Bistro (SF)

Pastor Alan R. Knapp discusses the topic of Objections to the Babylon as Old Jerusalem Hypothesis in his series entitled Rev The Book. This is lesson number 16 and it focuses on the following verses: John 20:30-31, Rev 1:1 among others.

The Old Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem

Doorways of Opportunity

Chicago attorney Deema Khalidi reports on the campaign and petitions to save destruction by Israel of Old Jerusalem's Arab cemetery currently underway; "A Damascus street": Syrian student Bara'a Khadra produced this radio feature in the course of a journalism workshop by BNAziz in Damascus (starting at 24:04). Syria-based Muslim scholar Abdellah Adhami talks about Arab Islamic semantics (part 2 of 3 interviews with BN Aziz).  Music by HipHop Palestinian-London based artist Shadia Mansour.