Podcasts about shushan

Esther 9verses1-19 give details of the destruction brought by the Jews upon their enemies. At the Royal citadel in Shushan, on the 13th day of the month Adar, when the original decree requiring their destruction had come into effect 500 are slain. The fear of Mordecai fell upon all the subjects of Ahasuerus. Those killed were mainly nobles and included the 10 sons of Haman, who were ignominiously hung on Haman's gallows, where Haman's body already hung. But no spoil was taken by the Jews. Ahasuerus granted Esther that the slaying may continue in the remaining provinces. The following day a further 300 were slain in Shushan and 75,000 in the provinces. Still the Jews did not take any spoil from their enemies.After this was completed the Jews feasted and rejoiced on the 14th and 15th days. Gifts and food were given to celebrate the deliverance granted to them by their God. Verses 20-31 record the inaugural feast of Purim (signifying the casting of lots) on Adar 14-15 to be celebrated in all generations of the Jews. To this day this joyous festival is celebrated. Esther 10 concludes as chapter 9 began. Mordecai was great and second only to king Ahasuerus. Typically, we see God the Father reigning over all with Christ His Son as the second in command in the time beyond the Millenniumverses see1 Corinthians 15verses24-28.PROVIDENCE occurs in the life of every believer. Sometimes it will be evident. Often we may suspect God's hand was behind what has happened. Whether, or not, we see God at work in our life, rest assured He is. Recommended reading Robert Roberts, "Ways of Providence".

Esther 9verses1-19 give details of the destruction brought by the Jews upon their enemies. At the Royal citadel in Shushan, on the 13th day of the month Adar, when the original decree requiring their destruction had come into effect 500 are slain. The fear of Mordecai fell upon all the subjects of Ahasuerus. Those killed were mainly nobles and included the 10 sons of Haman, who were ignominiously hung on Haman's gallows, where Haman's body already hung. But no spoil was taken by the Jews. Ahasuerus granted Esther that the slaying may continue in the remaining provinces. The following day a further 300 were slain in Shushan and 75,000 in the provinces. Still the Jews did not take any spoil from their enemies. After this was completed the Jews feasted and rejoiced on the 14th and 15th days. Gifts and food were given to celebrate the deliverance granted to them by their God. Verses 20-31 record the inaugural feast of Purim (signifying the casting of lots) on Adar 14-15 to be celebrated in all generations of the Jews. To this day this joyous festival is celebrated. Esther 10 concludes as chapter 9 began. Mordecai was great and second only to king Ahasuerus. Typically, we see God the Father reigning over all with Christ His Son as the second in command in the time beyond the Millenniumverses see 1 Corinthians 15verses24-28. PROVIDENCE occurs in the life of every believer. Sometimes it will be evident. Often we may suspect God's hand was behind what has happened. Whether, or not, we see God at work in our life, rest assured He is. Recommended reading Robert Roberts, "Ways of Providence".

Esther commences with Ahasuerus' feast. That Persian king is also known as Darius 1. He holds a feast lasting for 180 days. The year is 515 BC. The king rules from his palace in Shushan (also known as Ecbatana). This is Darius' royal citadel from which he reigns over 127 provinces. Ahasuerus wishes to show his pomp to all the dignitaries of his realm, so he holds a feast lasting for 6 months. At the end of this the king holds another feast of 7 days duration and on this occasion the king gives gifts of food and wine, until each of his lords are satisfied. At the end of this feast, he calls for his beautiful wife Vashti to attend, in order that all those present might see her beauty. But Vashti refuses to attend creating a dilemma in the Persian court. The nobles insist that Vashti be disciplined by king Ahasuerus and that he divorce her. The princes argue that Vashti's refusal has created a precedent for every wife in the realm to refuse to submit to their husbands. So, king Ahasuerus issues a decree forbidding Vashti from being queen and from ever again coming into his presence.Amos 6 tells of those who are at ease in Zion i.e. they had failed to show the vigilance and diligence required of God's servants. These citizens have been proud and refused to accept that for this reason they must be judged. These lofty individuals indulged in every luxury without giving their Sovereign a second thought. Individuals who are wicked and selfish individuals have no compassion for those who are suffering. For those reasons many of them would die in the coming day when the Almighty was to repay their evils. And yet they would still refuse to acknowledge the LORD. In the poetic symbolism of verses 11-12 the prophet says that every effect has a logical cause. And the end of the chapter states that their actions and contempt for their God would be the cause of their Sovereign's allowing the Assyrian to bring the nation into captivity.

Esther commences with Ahasuerus' feast. That Persian king is also known as Darius 1. He holds a feast lasting for 180 days. The year is 515 BC. The king rules from his palace in Shushan (also known as Ecbatana). This is Darius' royal citadel from which he reigns over 127 provinces. Ahasuerus wishes to show his pomp to all the dignitaries of his realm, so he holds a feast lasting for 6 months. At the end of this the king holds another feast of 7 days duration and on this occasion the king gives gifts of food and wine, until each of his lords are satisfied. At the end of this feast, he calls for his beautiful wife Vashti to attend, in order that all those present might see her beauty. But Vashti refuses to attend creating a dilemma in the Persian court. The nobles insist that Vashti be disciplined by king Ahasuerus and that he divorce her. The princes argue that Vashti's refusal has created a precedent for every wife in the realm to refuse to submit to their husbands. So, king Ahasuerus issues a decree forbidding Vashti from being queen and from ever again coming into his presence. Amos 6 tells of those who are at ease in Zion i.e. they had failed to show the vigilance and diligence required of God's servants. These citizens have been proud and refused to accept that for this reason they must be judged. These lofty individuals indulged in every luxury without giving their Sovereign a second thought. Individuals who are wicked and selfish individuals have no compassion for those who are suffering. For those reasons many of them would die in the coming day when the Almighty was to repay their evils. And yet they would still refuse to acknowledge the LORD. In the poetic symbolism of verses 11-12 the prophet says that every effect has a logical cause. And the end of the chapter states that their actions and contempt for their God would be the cause of their Sovereign's allowing the Assyrian to bring the nation into captivity. The warnings against "perilous times" coming in ‘the last days', are recorded in 2 Timothy 3 for us. The word "perilous" means "difficult to endure", or "hard to bare". What will make those times difficult for believers? The answer is that the majority of believers will be so self-indulged that they have become indifferent to the need for godliness - in word they will profess to be the servants of the Almighty, but their actions deny that this is of great import to them. Those having this attitude will destabilise some who have a semblance of religion just like the two Egyptian magicians - Jannes and Jambres - who through smoke and mirror tricks seemed to be able to copy the signs that Moses did before Pharaoh. The folly of those charlatans was seen by all. Paul says that such people profess to be religious but are totally immoral and aim to seduce women who are naive. In verses 10-17 Paul tells of his example to all of how he has lived his life which shows him to be a true and faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle speaks of the stoning he endured at Lystra. That spectacle had been witnessed by and impressed upon young Timothy (I believe that Paul actually died and was raised on that occasion). Persecution and suffering for the faith will always be the lot of the faithful believers. So, Timothy must continue to be steadfast and adhere to the Word of God which has been breathed out i.e. expired by our God to inspire His servants to follow faithfully. The teachings and lives of disciples must be seen to be the lives of those who know that they belong, not to this world, but to their returning Lord, whose kingdom nears. Chapter 4 begins with the solemn responsibility to keep preaching regardless of the consequences; and knowing that people will prefer fables that will reassure them in what they are wanting to hear. At the Lord's coming the living believers, and those who have died knowing what God required of them, will be judged. The faithful will be rewarded in that longed for kingdom. Paul's fight has finally finished. The Apostle's race has been race run and he himself is ready to be poured out as a drink offering. Paul assures his son in the faith that he has kept the faith and that there will be, for him, a crown (stephanos - the laurel wreath given to the Victor) of (not for) righteousness. That crown will be (v1) at the day of Christ's coming and of his kingdom. That crown will not be Paul's alone but it will be given to all those who expectantly LOVE the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ. Verses 9-18 speak of personal instructions. The Apostle finds himself alone with Luke, the beloved doctor. At this dangerous time others had found reasons to be elsewhere. These verses provide snippets which help us to trace Paul's final movements before his arrest in Ephesus. The aged Apostle is cold and poorly clothed. He lacks the Scriptural scrolls which he loves and requests that they be brought to him. The roaring lion (the mad Roman Emperor Nero) stands ready to devour Paul. Nero actually did put on the skins of wild animals and with their claws tore many of his victims - often they were faithful disciples in Christ - to shreds.   Nonetheless Paul is confident that, although knowing he will now die, he is still nonetheless being delivered by God for the coming kingdom. The letter ends with final greetings. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow 

Nehemiah had initially been given leave in approximatelyBC 470 by the Persian king Darius for a period of time after which he returned to Ecbatana (the king's palace in Shushan). Then a further thirteen years elapse (BC 457) he is again granted leave to return. Sadly, in his absence, there had been a decline described by the prophet Malachi. Nehemiah 13 would have been the last section of the Old Testament to have been written shortly after Malachi's prophecy. When we compare Malachi and Nehemiah 13 we see the same problems being addressed. The first few verses of Nehemiah 13 tell us that Nehemiah reads to his people from the Book of Moses that Balaam was able to bring a curse on Israel only when they mingle themselves among the profane, immoral and uncovenanted Moabites. So, Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem and this is what he found - the high priest's daughter was married to Tobiah (one of the great enemies of Israel) and the high priest had set up for Tobiah a room in the temple and had stopped the collecting of the tithes for the priests and Levites which had previously been stored in Tobiah's room. Nehemiah casts Tobiah and his furniture out of the temple. Then Nehemiah cleanses the house of God. Because the tithes had not been paid the Levites had been forced to abandon the teaching of the Law to the people and work as day labourers in the fields.Nehemiah quickly rectifies this problem. The sanctity of the Sabbath had again been lost and the foreign merchants had resumed their trade. Nehemiah asks for the LORD to remember him for good.Nehemiah's heart was always directed to Yahweh's and His people's service. The next problem described is the intermarriage between Jews and godless and uncovenanted foreigners. The result is total confusion and children who knew not their God (compare Malachi 2verses11-16 read aloud, pause and ponder). Nehemiah forcefully remonstrates with those who had committed this breach of faith with their God and reminds them that the marrying of uncovenanted wives was one of the greatest factors in the turning of Israel to idolatry at the time of Solomon - despite Solomon's great wisdom. The offerings are restored and Nehemiah in his final prayer says, "Remember me, O my God, for good".

Nehemiah had initially been given leave in approximately BC 470 by the Persian king Darius for a period of time after which he returned to Ecbatana (the king's palace in Shushan). Then a further thirteen years elapse (BC 457) he is again granted leave to return. Sadly, in his absence, there had been a decline described by the prophet Malachi. Nehemiah 13 would have been the last section of the Old Testament to have been written shortly after Malachi's prophecy. When we compare Malachi and Nehemiah 13 we see the same problems being addressed. The first few verses of Nehemiah 13 tell us that Nehemiah reads to his people from the Book of Moses that Balaam   was able to bring a curse on Israel only when they mingle themselves among the profane, immoral and uncovenanted Moabites. So, Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem and this is what he found - the high priest's daughter was married to Tobiah (one of the great enemies of Israel) and the high priest had set up for Tobiah a room in the temple and had stopped the collecting of the tithes for the priests and Levites which had previously been stored in Tobiah's room. Nehemiah casts Tobiah and his furniture out of the temple. Then Nehemiah cleanses the house of God. Because the tithes had not been paid the Levites had been forced to abandon the teaching of the Law to the people and work as day labourers in the fields. Nehemiah quickly rectifies this problem. The sanctity of the Sabbath had again been lost and the foreign merchants had resumed their trade. Nehemiah asks for the LORD to remember him for good. Nehemiah's heart was always directed to Yahweh's and His people's service. The next problem described is the intermarriage between Jews and godless and uncovenanted foreigners. The result is total confusion and children who knew not their God (compare Malachi 2verses11-16 read aloud, pause and ponder). Nehemiah forcefully remonstrates with those who had committed this breach of faith with their God and reminds them that the marrying of uncovenanted wives was one of the greatest factors in the turning of Israel to idolatry at the time of Solomon - despite Solomon's great wisdom. The offerings are restored and Nehemiah in his final prayer says, "Remember me, O my God, for good". The message of Amos 5 is to seek Yahweh and live. In the opening verse there is a lament that the virgin daughter of Jerusalem is fallen and without her Sovereign's aid she cannot not rise again. There will come a famine so severe that a city of 1,000 people would be left only 100 - of a city of 100 would be left only 10. Verses 4 and 6 say that the nation must seek Yahweh if they are to live. Verse 5 speaks of 3 centres of significance in the nation's history - places of significant decisions and places of true worshipping in the past. The nation had turned God's values upside down. Speakers of truth were derisively mocked. The poor have been trampled and exploited. Nothing would be done without bribes. The prophet counsels the nation to behold the power of the One they were shunning - He had made the 7 virgins (the constellation Pleiades) and Orion (the giant). If, verse 14, they are to now to seek the LORD, they may yet be spared. The chapter concludes with powerful metaphors of God's justice - read verse 24 aloud, "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness as an ever-flowing river" verse 24 (ESV pause and ponder). Those who expressed a desire to see "the day of the LORD" would regret the inescapable judgments that would follow one after another. God abhorred their sacrifices. It was as though they were being offered to an idol that cried out for blood (verses 25-27 are cited by Stephen in his defence in Acts 7verses42-43). In chapter 2 of 2 Timothy, we are told of the Apostle Paul passing on the baton, of faithful stewardship in the Truth, to Timothy his own true son in the faith. Paul also passes on the responsibility of the charge that Timothy, in turn, must find faithful stewards for the safeguarding of our hope. The Apostle gives three examples of patient endurance in hardship - the soldier must do as commanded; the athlete must abide by the rules to receive the wreath (and avoid disqualification); the farmer must first eat of the crop without after labouring to produce it. And although, says the Apostle, I am a bound prisoner, the Word of God cannot be bound. Furthermore, Jesus Christ is the true and resurrected seed of David. Verses 11-13 give the fourth faithful saying (or "word" as the Greek for 'saying' indicates.) Read aloud, pause and ponder. The results of suffering with Christ remains true whether or not we stay faithful to the calling. This is because faithfulness is a certainty for God and His Son. A workman of God must show diligence and application to the harmonious teaching of the Word of God (v15). But Timothy must also shun the shallow and false teachers, whose words make shipwreck of faith. The specific teachings of Hymenaeus and Philetus were to say that there would be no future resurrection - perhaps they had been corrupted by the pagan Greek philosophy of the immortality of the soul. In verse 19 the Apostle twice cites the Old Testament - 1) "God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal, 'The Lord knows who are his'" (ESV); and 2) "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity" (ESV). The Almighty has vessels suitable for humble purposes and also for grander occasions. Timothy is counselled to flee youthful passions; and rather to earnestly pursue (Greek - as though hunting a hostile enemy that must be destroyed cp Psalm 34verses14; where the Hebrew word "pursue" is of identical meaning) righteousness, faith, love and peace together with all similar purehearted believers. Timothy must exercise the utmost patience to all in the hope that God might cause even those who are contentious to acknowledge (Greek 'epignosis' i.e. what we do about the knowledge that has been gained from God's Word - knowledge which impels correct action) the Truth. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow 

Will It Be Peace or Persecution? (1) (audio) David Eells – 11/23/25 The short answer is: It depends on what you need to be ready to face the Lord. Some of this report is bad news. I suggest you pray for God's people and against the threats. I want to share two parables of Babylon. New York City has been known to be a Babylon. Also, the United States has been known as a type of Babylon. The lesser is a warning to the greater. As we can see, Zohran Mamdani, who is clearly representing Muslims, who lies and most of what he promised cannot come to pass. He is apparently by his own words a communist. There is proof out there that the vote count has once again been manipulated. The political left is clearly believing that this is their ticket to get back into power, which is waking people up. Zohran's intern has explained that electing him is part of a Jihad and holy war. This is obviously a call to all the hidden forces of Islam and communists to come to his aid. New York City will draw like a magnet these forces to come to them and join their political, legal, and law enforcement to support him. Lawlessness will be legalized there; crime will be rampant. Exactly what we see in the invasion of Europe and Scandinavia are being established in NY. However factious leftists are by far the greatest threat to the whole country. Tribulation and persecution for Christians will also manifest. It is ordained of God because “Christianity” is not Christian. Revival is coming because of persecution. Obama has joined himself to Zohran as an advisor, for Zoran has no political experience. Obama has been prophesied as an Alexander the Great to overthrow the US. (Of which we will speak of later.) He has acknowledged this but thinks it to be a great thing. We are going through repeats of history, which must happen as the scripture has said in 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. Three succeeding empires of history are being repeated. We have been under the DS leftist Babylonian Empire. This was and is being conquered by Cyrus/Trump of the Medo-Persian Empire. We are preparing to go under the Grecian Empire of Alexander the Great. You are seeing the preparation for this one now. It will end with the mark of the beast in Revelation 13. These are not sudden changes but a fading in and a fading out. Preparations must be made. The sooner Christians will become disciples of Christ, Who is the Word, the sooner God will have mercy, and we will escape some of this. The camel's head is in the tent; the body follows. Get out of the big sin cities; judgment will fall there. Brain drain and economic collapse will come to NY. Low IQ will follow the leftist policies, as we can see already. Last I heard over 350 police have fled and Mamdani has said he will replace them with social workers. How does this work when they face people with guns? Most of the crime in the US is in these blue cities. Natural and unnatural catastrophes will come there.  New age foolishness is all through the Alliance, NESARA, GCR, movement. They call it the “Golden Age” and “thousand years of peace and prosperity.” But it will be cut short because the Book of Revelation now comes with its tribulation wilderness, as Israel found out when they came out of Egypt with their gold in their pockets. They ground it up and threw it in the river; it was so valuable. While it lasts, it will help get the gospel to the world, and the end will come.  Where does the Book of Revelation declare we are going? Rev.12:1 And a great sign was seen in heaven: a woman (The worldwide Church) arrayed with the sun(/Son), and the moon (reflecting the light of the sun/Son) under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars (knowledge from the 12 apostles); 2 and she was with child; and she crieth out, travailing in birth, and in pain to be delivered. 3 And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold, a great red (communist) dragon, having seven heads (The worldwide seed of the 7 biblical beasts who ruled God's people) and ten horns (The worldwide 10 continental divisions of the earth. The dragon was the god of Babylon, which is now worldwide.), and upon his heads seven diadems. 4 And his tail draweth the third part of the stars of heaven (The falling away of 1/3 of the seed of Abraham according to faith, which God said was as the stars.), and did cast them to the earth (lost their place in heaven): and the dragon standeth before the woman that is about to be delivered, that when she is delivered he may devour her child. 5 And she was delivered of a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and unto his throne. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that there they (the man-child body) may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days (As their type Jesus did). 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going forth to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels; 8 and they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him. 10 And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying, Now is come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accuseth them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe for the earth and for the sea: because the devil is gone down unto you, having great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time. 13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast down to the earth, he persecuted the woman that brought forth the man-child. (through fake Christianity and left wing communist Islam) 14 And there were given to the woman the two wings of the great eagle (man-child overcomers), that she might fly into the wilderness unto her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time (Man-child feeds her for 1st 31/2 years of wilderness trib as it was with the disciples of Jesus.), from the face of the serpent. 15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth after the woman water as a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream. 16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth. (Jesus gave us the Living waters of His Word and the devil gives us the killing waters of the beast.) 17 And the dragon waxed wroth with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, that keep the commandments of God, and hold the testimony of Jesus: (Then the dragon becomes a worldwide beast who hates the saints and creates the mark to get rid of them.) Rev.13:1 and he stood upon the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns ten diadems, and upon his heads names of blasphemy. (They become their own god as men always do.) … 4 and they worshipped the dragon, because he gave his authority unto the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? and who is able to war with him? (Because it is a one world order and army.)… 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. 8 And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain. Then they repeat Emperor Constantine's solution. Because the Empire was divided by antichrist religions, they created a different kind of beast; a one-world religion to force people to worship the political beast, a form of patriotism and pledge of allegiance. … 11 And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like unto a lamb (A false Jesus), and he spake as a dragon. 12 And he exerciseth all the authority of the first beast in his sight. And he maketh the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose death-stroke was healed. 13 And he doeth great signs, that he should even make fire to come down out of heaven (DEW weapons) upon the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by reason of the signs which it was given him to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who hath the stroke of the sword and lived. (Cyrus/Trump is killing the beast and they will resurrect it.) 15 And it was given unto him to give breath (Greek: spirit) to it, even to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak (The image of the beast is the people as in Daniels vision), and cause that as many as should not worship the image of the beast should be killed. (As it was with Daniel and the three Hebrews) 16 And he causeth all (All the lost people are identified as the beast by its mark), the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the bond, that there be given them a mark on their right hand (works), or upon their forehead (mind); 17 and that no man should be able to buy or to sell, save he that hath the mark, even the name of the beast (Name meaning, the nature, character, and authority of the beast or the flesh) or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred and sixty and six. (666) Paul said if we walk after the flesh we must die. Whereas the next verse speaks of the man-child company who will lead the people to have the name, meaning the nature, character, and authority of the Lord in their mind and works.) 14:1 And I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty and four thousand (Man-child body), having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. … 4 These are they that were not defiled with women (the sects or denominations of men); for they are virgins (receiving no seed of man but the Lord as the Parable of the Sower says). These are they that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were purchased from among men, to be the firstfruits unto God and unto the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no lie: they are without blemish. (Notice, they do not believe or speak the lies of religion. The truth will set us free.)   Obama Conquers US, Then Dies? David Eells - 2008 Obama Assassinated Rick Sergent - 07/15/2008, 08/24/2008 I say this with great reluctance. I was visiting my friend Mary in Indiana on 7/15/08. I was in her kitchen, at the table. I heard in my spirit, “Obama will be assassinated.” This really brought sorrow to my spirit… I struggled about going public with this. Then on 8/24/08 I was talking on the phone with a friend about that three-year-old missing girl in Florida when I saw a vision of a round tombstone and Obama's name was on it. That made me decide to share this.   Obama Inaugurated and Assassinated Eve Brast - 07/19/2008 As I watched Mr. Obama give a speech, I looked left down the street and had an open vision of his inauguration outside another government building with another crowd around him. It was still dark in this dream and in the open vision, also. (He is acting as another president in darkness and gathering his army.) I felt and thought “tragedy” when I looked at him. The next word that came to my mind was “assassination.” I thought to myself, “It is a shame he will be sacrificed and doesn't even know it.” Will Barack Obama conquer the great eagle of Babylon, as a type of the U.S., and then use it to conquer Persia (Cyrus/Trump), just as Alexander the Great conquered Persia before he died? Will he conquer Cyrus/Trump? Will this bring in the tribulation and persecution of the saints? Robert I. Holmes said the following: In 1999, as I prepared to travel to the US on ministry, the Lord gave me a very unusual prophetic word. He said that, “In the days of Babylon (the U.S.), when her walls stood wide and her leaders stood tall, her defenses were strong and her campaigns victorious, Alexander the Great (Obama) came and defeated her. In the same way, my Alexander will stand in the very midst of the United States of America”. I believe that God's “Alexander” is Barack Obama. He has now stood in the middle of America, and declared his victory speech in Grant Park in Chicago. (He and his “family” were all dressed in red and black, the colors of anarchy.) There, he prophetically declared, “Change has come to America”, and “The American Empire is coming to an end”. Obama is Sunni and Iran is Shiite. I believe they will be successful, at least initially. It was that way with Iraq, too. Amos's revelation seems to confirm this. I also do not rule out that Obama will use surrogates like Israel to do this and then claim some innocence. This is his favorite form of warfare. Amos Scaggs heard on 3/09/06: “We are going to invade Iran on three fronts with an overwhelming force and be victorious.” (At least Israel and the U.S. did a lot to take down the Islamic regime in 2025.) Also, on 3/07/06, he heard: “We broke their code -- The enemy.” According to type in Jeremiah 25, there are only two times the U.S. could conquer Iran. Jer.25:9 behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith Jehovah, and [I will send] unto Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon (U.S.), my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about (Middle East); and I will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and a hissing, and perpetual desolations. (This has been happening by using nation against nation and ethnic group against ethnic group.) 25:12 And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith Jehovah, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans; and I will make it desolate for ever. (Babylon Deep State has been mostly destroyed by Cyrus/Trump.) The Lord showed me that in this 70 years the U.S. will be trampling the Middle East. The list of nations that are conquered during this time are in Jeremiah 25:17-26, and the last verse is when Babylon, as a type of the Deep State U.S., falls. The last on the list before Babylon is Elam or Iran, along with the Medes and the kings of the north. This is the only time in the list Iran is conquered, unless it is conquered to some extent before this seven-year tribulation list of wars. This is what I believe will happen, since the last war seems to be mixed with the kings of the north, which is probably Russia and company, and since this is the time Babylon fell, too. Also, I do not believe Obama will live to the end of the tribulation because of all the assassination dreams. This is what I wrote years before the U.S. struck Iran. “So, I think that the U.S. will in some form strike Iran before the tribulation (This came to pass by taking out their nuclear capabilities and arming Israel to do the job.) and help cause the tribulation covenant, as we will see below.” In Daniel's vision, he was in Elam (Persia/Iran) and saw the Medo-Persian (Cyrus, identified as Trump) Ram pushing westward. Dan.8:2 And I saw in the vision; now it was so, that when I saw, I was in Shushan the palace, which is in the province of Elam (Persia/Cyrus/Trump); and I saw in the vision, and I was by the river Ulai. 3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns (Medo-Persians – Cyrus/Trump): and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. 4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward and southward; and no beasts could stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and magnified himself. (Yep, that's him) Then, Daniel saw a he-goat (Alexander/Obama) that flies over the face of the whole earth without touching the ground (Using the airforce) 5 And as I was considering, behold, a he-goat (originally Alexander the Great's Grecian Empire - Second fulfillment - Barak Obama's U.S. Empire) came from the west over the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 6 And he came to the ram that had the two horns, which I saw standing before the river, and ran upon him in the fury of his power. 7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with anger against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns; and there was no power in the ram to stand before him; but he cast him down to the ground, and trampled upon him; and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. 8 And the he-goat magnified himself exceedingly: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken. (Obama will possibly be assassinated according to many dreams, and that would be after he as Alexander brings down Cyrus/Trumps empire. Several attempts have failed so far.) Michael Hare asked the Lord on 4/19/15, “Where are we now?” and then received: Dan.7:6 After this I beheld, and, lo, another, like a leopard, which had upon its back four wings of a bird; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. We knew this was Alexander the Great's kingdom, which was divided up by 4 generals at his death, and it reminded us of this revelation. Obama is ordained of God to judge apostate Christianity in America and wake up her sleeping multitudes to truly seek the Lord. Prophetically, the next thing Daniel describes in type is the saints in tribulation in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes (8:9-14), a type of the Beast. It is possible that this attack on Medo-Persia/Cyrus/Trump would bring the tribulation. Dan.8:9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the glorious [land]. (The saints are God's glorious land now according to scripture.) 10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and some of the host and of the stars it cast down to the ground, and trampled upon them. (The beast will cause a great falling away through the mark of the beast.) 11 Yea, it magnified itself, even to the prince of the host (The High Priest, Jesus); and it took away from him the continual [burnt-offering] (the crucified life), and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. 12 And the host was given over [to it] together with the continual [burnt-offering] through transgression; and it cast down truth to the ground (fits), and it did [its pleasure] and prospered. This describes the great persecution against Christians who have a continual burnt offering through offering up their beastly flesh as a living sacrifice in the fiery trials. The mark will bring an end of this sacrifice for many apostate Christians and they will be cast down as the sanctuary of God and the seed of Abraham by faith, who are identified as the stars of heaven by God.   The Perfect Storm in the Middle East: ISIS, Iran, Saudi, Egypt Avi Lipkin - 03/04/2015 Some points made in this video - 4/07/15 Avi's wife Rachael works for Israel listening to Arab broadcasts, since she knows the language. Here are some things she heard: President Obama was in Egypt in 2009 and he swore to the Prime Minister he was a Muslim, that his father was a Muslim, that his stepfather was a Muslim, and that he was raised in a mosque. On January 19, 2010, he said, “I swear what I am going to do with Israel”. (Meaning to destroy Israel.) Rachael picks up other broadcasts in which she heard where the Saudis said Obama have three commands from the Saudis: Command #1: To destroy the Shiite regime in Iran. That will be done by Israel. (Happening) Command #2: Destroy Israel. I.e., let Iran and Israel duke it out. (Happened) Israel attacks Iran and they destroy each other; destroy two birds with one stone. (Iran deal to destroy Israel announced on ominous date) Command #3: Make America a Muslim country. The plan is to bring tens of millions of Muslims into the United States. (There appears to be plenty of proof of this statement on Muslim broadcasts: Unscreened Muslims are flooding the U.S. by over 100,000 a year. 190 U.S. cities chosen by the Administration for invasion by Muslims. ISIS is in the US and will attack. Will ISIS Attack on American Soil Soon? Avi's comments: When things get really bad, Obama will be on the Muslim side. He is working with Iran now to push Israel into a corner where they will have to defend themselves. ISIS was born primarily by Saudi, Turkey, and the American backing of these Sunnis. Avi says what will end up being a perfect storm when Shiites attack Saudi Arabia from Yemen (the south)(done) and ISIS attacks them from the north. But ISIS hates the royalty because their morality copies the West. Egypt will come in from the west to save the royals. And Avi wonders if it might become so bad for the Saudi royalty that they will ask Israel to attack from the north. Considering the things truly coming on the world what Kind of person should we be? Luk.21:34 But take heed to yourselves, lest haply your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you suddenly as a snare: 35 for so shall it come upon all them that dwell on the face of all the earth. 36 But watch ye at every season, making supplication, that ye may prevail to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. 2Pe 3:11 Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness, 12 looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for these things, give diligence that ye may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in his sight. 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote unto you; 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own steadfastness. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.   Fleeing Bradon @ Last Days – 11/10/25 (David's notes in red) Brandon pieced together two previous video clips from 7/21/25 and 7/17/25 about what he sees in New York prior to the November election and its outcome. Portions of transcript: “…I see a mass exodus of all the rich people leaving New York because of the decisions that will be made in the future. (November elections) I saw New York City on fire. There were fires throughout the city. I could see the Statue of Liberty, and I saw smoke rolling all around the atmosphere above it. Even at her neck level, there was fire and smoke from inside the city, and I could see the flames burning.” The Lord said, “The seed is the ballot. For when they vote a wrong person into power, they vote corruption into power, and the seeds they sow for corruption bring forth a reprobate mind in the city.” “For seed time and harvest never ceases. For it is whatsoever man sows, that will he also reap.” He said, “There's a time to live and there's a time to die. There's a time to sew and there's a time to reap. A time to plant and a time to harvest.” He was saying this because they had sown in this way. And the Lord showed me David Wilkerson's face, and He said, “Remember what he said. Go and look at what he said. I gave a word to him. I spoke a prophetic warning through David Wilkerson years ago. Go find it and study it. I want you to hear what he prophesied would happen as people vote in the wrong people.” This is the prophetic word from David Wilkerson: “I stood in this pulpit two weeks ago, and it took every bit of Holy Ghost courage He could give me to say what I had to say. But I have felt this for weeks. I believe that New York City is in for 30 days of chastisement, such as America has never seen in any American city. I see at least a thousand fires burning in every burrow. Every business that's on the brink right now, deciding whether to move out of the city, will move. There's a hemorrhage already, and the economic base is collapsing. We're a third-world city already. I don't care what Mayor Dinkens says. It's a third-world city. We have a murder every hour on the hour now. A major crime every 20 seconds. This is a murder city. And I believe that we're going to see such chaos and anarchy in New York City coming. I don't know when, but I don't think it's too far off. And I don't know what's going to set it off. There will be no planes, trains, or anything coming into this city for probably two weeks. And all those who have money and are able to will escape. And New York City, our crown city, because of its absolute rebellion against God, its absolute sinfulness and wickedness, is going to be chastised. And this is God! He could have sent hydrogen bombs from Russia before this, and society would have collapsed and wiped us off the map. But no, He gives us warnings. He slaps our wrist and says, “Look, I'm talking to you.” And that's what AIDS is. It's a message. All of these calamities are messages. And God's saying, ‘Wake up.'” Brandon says, “I feel like that word is exactly what I saw. I saw thousands of fires burning inside New York. I saw a mass exodus of people leaving New York, but it would become a ruinous heap. There was judgment set in; I'm telling y'all folks, it was bad. People were leaving New York City, and I saw them going south.” The Lord spoke to me, and He said, “Mystery Babylon is coming.” And that is probably very controversial to many because a lot of people believe differently about who Mystery Babylon is. But the Lord spoke to me specifically about New York. And He said, “It's coming.” I saw Gavin Newsom's time is coming up. I saw former President Biden getting ready to go home soon. I saw him being buried; he's old, right? Everybody's going to die, right? But the Lord said it's coming. We also pray over Trump and his kids because if they can't get to him, they try to get to what he loves the most, his kids and grandkids. These people want revenge for their leaders in Iran. There's an enemy within. We must pray for an uncovering and turning on the light, exposing the cockroaches who are in our nation. Next clip: “I see people making big decisions. Relocation, relocation, relocation. This is a lot of people moving from the East Coast to the central area, like the Chicago area, and all around Ohio. They're being stirred on the East Coast, moving down [south]. Big decisions will be made around New York… “ Darkness is trying to set in. Great Mystery Babylon! It will be like a dark blanket will blanket over them. If they choose this man, I see a dark blanket blanketing, and people will flee. I hear the word, “Flee, flee, flee...” They will leave by the tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands. People, I see them fleeing as he's voted in. People will know that this is the end. Well, Father, you know, if he'll be voted in or not. I'm seeing that it is going to happen. He said, “No, they still have a choice. They have a choice to vote.” The Lord held up a veil, and I don't see the outcome. But I see the outcome if they vote this way concerning this man. I see a dark, dark cloud, like a dark blanket over them. And I see financial structures falling. I see the financial institution, all the money falling. I see them fleeing the city. It's like a mass migration and people fleeing from certain areas.   Crime Will Skyrocket  InfoWARS – 11/10/25 (David's notes in red) Mamdani Says He'll Replace Fleeing NY Cops with Social Workers by Raw Egg Nationalist, November 10th, 2025 New York's socialist mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has said he's not bothered about facing a backlash from the city's police department, as he reiterated his plan to use social workers to carry out law-enforcement duties instead. (I would not be surprised if he got some of these people killed.) Mamdani was in Puerto Rico on Friday for a meeting of New York politicians when he spoke to reporters and said the increase in the numbers of police officers leaving the force is a clear sign his radical policies are needed. Mamdani seems confused as to why police have started leaving the force at a rate of 350 per month during his campaign. Promises to fix this with a plan for a Department of Community Safety… which he campaigned on. pic.twitter.com/cwnUDT6iun — Libby Emmons (@libbyemmons) November 8, 2025 Transcript: “I'm not worried about the backlash. What I'm worried about, frankly, is the continuation of a retention crisis that we've seen only deepen during the course of this campaign,” Mamdani said. “When we began, there were about 200 officers leaving a month, and by the end of the campaign, it was about 350. And a lot of that has to do with the fact that we've asked police officers for far too long to do much more than just police work. We've asked them to be responding to the mental health crisis and the homelessness crisis (OMG), and that's why we're going to create a Department of Community Safety that will be tasked with accomplishing those facts and allowing police officers to be police officers.” Mamdani has enjoyed a fraught relationship with New York's police force since announcing his run for mayor. Like many radical leftists, he has called for “abolishing the police,” and during the campaign he promised sweeping reform of law-enforcement, including bail reform. Senior police figures have been vocal in their criticism of him. “If you put a guy like him in there, our people are going to get hurt, and nobody's going to want the job. It's going to put recruitment back five more steps,” NYPD Detectives' Endowment Association president Scott Munro said in a statement to The New York Post in June. “I've had guys call me and say, ‘If he wins, I'm quitting,'” a police source also told the outlet “It's just weird that New York City would vote for him. I know he's not here for the police.” During his visit to Puerto Rico, Mamdani visited a local mosque and was greeted with loud chants of “Allahu Akhbar”—”God is great!” Footage of Mamdani's visit was posted to social media. He delivered a speech in which he focused on major aspects of his radical campaign, including “economic justice” and “exploitation,” and invoked radical figures, including Malcolm X. He also helped distribute meals at the mosque after Friday prayers. Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral race last Tuesday, defeating former state governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani was widely predicted to win the race. He has promised a radical socialist program, including criminal-justice reform, rent controls and increased taxes for white neighborhoods, and is also rumored to want to turn New York into a national “sanctuary” for gender-realignment surgery. Infowars reported yesterday that a GOP lawmaker has proposed a new “Mamdani Act” to limit federal funding for New York while Zohran Mamdani is mayor. The legislation, which will be introduced by Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), is called the Moving American Money Distant from Anti-National Interests Act, or the “MAMDANI Act” for short. The short bill, just two pages long, states “notwithstanding any other provision of law, during any period in which Zohran Mamdani is mayor of New York, New York… any unobligated Federal funds available” for the city “are hereby rescinded” and “no Federal funds may be obligated or expended for any purpose to New York, New York.”   The Coming Coup d'état Rick Sergent - 07/18/2012 (David's notes in red) Wednesday night, I had a vision. I saw President Obama. He was at a desk. For whatever reason, it did not look like the one in the Oval Office. It seemed to be a smaller room. He was sitting at this desk and stood up when this military man came in. He appeared to be a general. He had stars on his shoulders. He did not look like a U.S. military man. On each shoulder was a red patch. He also had a red patch or mark on the front of his military cap. (It could symbolize the U.S. military submitting to a socialist, Marxist, communist-type government.) The president started to talk, and the general just listened. When the president stood up, he took and raised his left hand and made a fist. He first appeared to slam his fist on the desk. The Lord seemed to zoom me in for a closer look. He had not slammed his fist on the desk, but rather a black Bible on the desk. (The Koran calls Christians and Jews “The people of the Book”. This suggests he will deal harshly with them.) At the time he did this, he said these words to the general: “The people must know that I am the one in control here! We must have boots on the ground to every major city in this country. In smaller cities and towns, the police must know to uphold this law!” The general just nodded his head in acknowledgement and saluted, then left. The vision ended. (This speaks of the coming of martial law when the Constitution and law of the land are overturned, and the US will be ruled by executive order. This could also speak of enforcing Islamic Sharia law.) Quran references At-Taubah 9:29-30 about killing the Jews and the Christians: YUSUFALI: Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya (Muslim tax) with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. PICKTHAL: Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture as they believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, and forbid not that which Allah hath forbidden by His messenger, and follow not the Religion of Truth, until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low. SHAKIR: Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Messenger have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection. More on Sharia Law in the Obama Care Bill and paying the tax or Jizya or tribute spoken of above. A diktat is a settlement imposed on a conquered people. >Beat Obama Committee deciphers stealth Sharia law in Obamacare God turned the U.S. over to this coup because it turned down His peace, love and grace to be saved. Christians are guilty because they have given few examples of true Christianity to the world. Now a cross awaits.   Communism in the White House Dream Winnie Osegueda – 4/22/24 (David's notes in red) I had this vivid dream yesterday when I took a nap, and I was thinking about it and praying about it. Then this morning, I heard Missy bring up the many Chinese people coming through our border and the communists in our government, and I thought there could be a correlation with this dream. I dreamt that I was in front of what looked like the White House, except in my dream, there was an outdoor balcony with a staircase. At the top of the staircase was an Asian couple (who I believe were Chinese) (or representing the Chinese Communists) who were just newly elected to be President and First Lady of the United States (Will this begin in NYC?). They were a young couple, and they seemed pretty surprised to be elected. They were told that the people voted for them. The young Chinese man was a little shorter than the woman, who was wearing a sleeveless white dress and had long, flowing black hair. At first, the couple looked normal, but when I looked up again, the Chinese man's face was now painted bright red; he almost looked like a cartoonish version of Satan (communists?) Suddenly, I was now an observer from the top of the stairs/balcony as if I could see through the eyes of the Chinese woman, and from the top of the stairs, I saw a flood of Chinese people now rushing up the steps of the White House. It seemed to be that this Chinese man and woman being elected opened the floodgates for all these other Chinese people to come in. (This is happening, and the cops and Christians are fleeing NYC.) I began to weep.   The Red Dragon of Revelation 12 Invading Then I looked across the field and saw Obama on another balcony, located across from, but slightly to the left of where I and the couple were standing. I heard Obama say that if the couple would not do it, he would, as he could see there was some hesitation on the woman's part. I believe he meant that he would take over and do the job if they could not, or would not, get the job done. Obama seemed desperate. I could see that he desperately still desired to rule and be President, and really didn't want to let go. He was crouching down trying to get attention by putting his hands through the bars of the balcony. And then I woke up. End of dream. I asked the Lord for a verse by faith at random and received: Jer.5:13 (12-18 for context) They have denied the Lord, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine: 13 and the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them 14 Wherefore thus saith the Lord, the God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. 15 Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the Lord: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say. 16 Their quiver is an open sepulchre, they are all mighty men. 17 And they shall eat up thy harvest, and thy bread, which thy sons and thy daughters should eat; they shall eat up thy flocks and thy herds; they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig-trees; they shall beat down thy fortified cities, wherein thou trustest, with the sword. 18 But even in those days, saith the Lord, I will not make a full end with you. Psa.56:4 (4-9 for context) In God (I will praise his word), In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid; What can flesh do unto me? 5 All the day long they wrest my words: All their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, They mark my steps, Even as they have waited for my soul. 7 Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, O God. 8 Thou numberest my wanderings: Put thou my tears into thy bottle; Are they not in thy book? 9 Then shall mine enemies turn back in the day that I call: This I know, that God is for me.   Obama Wants to be Worshiped as a God.  Debbie Horton 11/7/25 When Obama was running the first time, or maybe right after he was “elected,” I had a dream that made no sense to me, so I didn't send it in. The main part I recall is that on the subway steps in NYC (BTW some stations are several levels deep), on each landing, there were votive candles burning, but instead of a picture of the Virgin Mary or Jesus, there was a picture of Obama. People were worshiping him. BTW, the subway appeared to be almost empty and shabby and was very dimly lit.   The Trail of Tears Marie Kelton – 11/6/25 (David's notes in red) (We are now native Americans and the trail of tears is a warning to us that history repeats.) During lunch, I went to the Sequoia museum, and I saw on the sign that it said, “The Trail of Tears”. But I didn't think anything of it. As I was eating lunch, the sign came back to my mind, and I asked the Lord, “Oh, is this where the Trail of Tears happened?” All of a sudden, I heard what sounded like native American chanting and drumming. I had an open vision. Native Americans were walking on the gravel trail that was before me. I saw snow on the ground, and there were native Americans covered with brown blankets. There was a Confederate soldier behind the line of native Americans, and I guess one was walking too slowly because he pushed the native American to hurry up and walk faster. Behind the Confederate soldier was a native American man wearing a native American outfit with long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. He was beating a double-sided drum that was in front of him, attached to his chest with powwow drumsticks in both of his hands. Then I had another open vision while looking in the field of native Americans in a circle, and one was dancing by a fire wearing the native American war bonnet. A little way behind them was a bunch of teepees. And I saw Native Americans working outside with their children. And then I heard the Lord say, “They served the creature rather than the Creator.” (Like many Americans) Rom.1:24-25: “Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves: for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” I looked it up on the internet because I wanted to know why the Confederate soldier was in the vision. I learned that the Confederates didn't have anything to do with the Trail of Tears. The Confederacy was formed some years later, but that Trail of Tears influence had caused a division among the Native American tribes, and some of the native American tribes took part in the Civil War becoming allies with the Confederates, the treaties were made with them.   Left, Then Right, Fall Rick Sergent - November 2009 (David's notes in red) I saw a vision of President Obama's face in the foreground. In the background was the White House. There were red numbers floating and circling around his head. The numbers were 666. (The apostle Paul said the spirit of antichrist is already in the world.) I then saw what appeared to be three puffs of white smoke coming from the LEFT SIDE of the outside of the White House. The smoke came straight up, one after the other, three times. I then saw another vision of Nancy Pelosi. She was standing on a platform inside a building. There were many people in what appeared to be a large room. In the vision, I was standing in front of her, toward her left side. I did not see how many people were behind me. Then, all of a sudden, I saw Nancy Pelosi's head get rocked to the right side from an unseen force from the LEFT SIDE. Her head then bounced off her right shoulder and came up, then she crumpled down on the floor. The vision then ended. (She has become a liability to the Left for the Right have all the info on her J-6 deception.) That night, I had a dream. Nancy Pelosi was in the newspaper. I just knew it was an obituary. Even though I did not see the words, I felt in the dream that she was dead. (It appears she was a promoter of the J6 deception to take out Trump.) Then I woke up. Later on, my youngest son, Jeremy, came over the next day and said, “Dad, I had a dream and we were in it. We tried to tell people we were in the tribulation, but nobody would believe us, Dad”. (Even after the trib starts pre-tribbers will be denying it.) This vision and dream were pretty heavy on me, and finally I felt released to share this. I'm not going to try to interpret this. It may be literal or symbolic, as in political suicide(s) -- three puffs of smoke (three leftist leaders ???) I have my own idea, but I'd rather not say. Note from David: 11/15/10 update: Rick's vision appears to have been right on. Possibly, this means three key leaders committed political suicide by going against what the overwhelming majority of Americans wanted with their socialistic agenda. There certainly was a purge. Even the left realizes that they overstepped and asked Nancy Pelosi to step aside now. I'll leave it to you to decide who the most important three were. Update 2025: Could it be the leftist leaders pushing the government shutdown? I believe from past revelations that the left's fall is temporary, and what will follow could be something like this: The NWO crowd, who started all these wars for their own power grab, will sacrifice their right wing, who, with the Christians who supported them, will be blamed for getting us into these wars. It appears the 9/11 false flag from the right is being revealed more publicly so that the next false flag from the left will be blamed on the right and the Christian “terrorists” who supported it. The NWO has been spreading literature and hatred against the right for some time, using the word “terrorists” even in memos to civil authorities and police. Obama has made steps to clear the way for them to go after Bush and the right wing for war crimes. Christians will be persecuted for their support. The next strike on the U.S. will hasten this. Tribulation is coming soon after a terrible war. Most won't believe it is the tribulation.   Civil War Is Coming Mary Dooley - 01/07/2009 (David's notes in red) In the dream, I was standing at a crossroads that was close to the beach, in that I could clearly see the open sky over the ocean in front of me. (I had asked God to tell me if I had any fruit before I went to sleep, and had the dream and at the crossroads where I was standing, I was next to a fruit stand. If I had to quantify the amount, I'd say it was 60% my height. (I am going for the 100-fold.) To my right, I could see that there was a battle in the air, as I could see the smoke from the jets. To my left, two planes that were unlike any I have ever seen (and I have seen quite a few since 1988, living on or near military bases), they were speeding at low level toward the battle. (A battle for the “air waves” between left and right, first politically and then physically.) I knew in the dream that they were Turkish. They were totally black. (Turkey fell out with Israel over the Gaza war and is pushing the left more to the left, if that's possible, concerning their support for Israel. They have also threatened Israel if they move against the puppets of the Iranians. The first nation to fall to the new Babylon one world order was Israel [Jer.25:17,18,29], which is also a type for Christianity.) Next, from the left again, something was coming in the air. It was something big and black, with black smoke coming out from it in all directions. As it got closer, I could see something orange on its nose. Then I realized it was a black airship or blimp, (notice both sides are in darkness) and the orange thing on the nose was a jack-o-lantern. (This represents Halloween, Babylon DS's “Satan's birthday”, when the Celts say the living are closest to the dead and the forces of darkness are at work) The eyes, nose and mouth were orange because the inside of the airship was on fire. As the airship passed in front of me, I saw that it was slowing down and being totally consumed internally, as the orange flames were destroying it quickly. It stopped in front of me and fell into the ocean. (There is a battle going on for the “airwaves” before the physical battle. The left has used many inventions to shoot down the conservatives' command of the “airwaves”. On a more natural level, blimps cannot compete with jets, which are weapons. They are clumsy, slow, lack power and are relics of the past for warfare. This spiritually describes the badly outmatched right-wing when the U.S. is turned over to chastening by the communists and Islamists. The right have plenty of evidence of their evil but are slow to enforce it. The conservative Babylonish Christian movement that is rising up to “take the nation back” from the left wing who is trying to kill everybody with their weapons to have control. Vax, chemtrails, poison in food and water and animals we eat, engineered hurricanes, earthquakes, Satanism rising, etc. Other 9/11's are coming from the Left, and the blame will be put on the Right in part because so much proof is coming forward of the Bush administration's part in the first 9/11 that they will be blamed for this, too, by the left and the left-wing media. Like the Kirk assassination and threats against Tucker and other right wing influencers. The left is putting the blame on the right-wing Christian defenders of Israel, while they slaughter Gaza. This causes anger against Christians.) I felt like I should run to higher ground because the airship was so big, and I was so close that it might cause a big wave to hit me (This will bring great persecution to the Christians), so I ran upstairs into one of the nearby, rather short buildings behind me. (Christians will no doubt need to get to the High and Holy Ground of Scriptural foundation to escape this coming disaster from the division of America. The scriptures declare that militant Christians will lose this battle badly in the eyes of the world. Crucifixions are coming for those who need them. The Pharisees laughed at Jesus, thinking He lost on the cross. Listen to U.S. Covenant & Civil War) Now I knew I was on a Navy base, as I went up about one or two stories and an enlisted man in uniform was leaning back in his chair, with his hands behind his head, rather unconcerned. He was at the back end of what looked to be a small movie theatre, with the screen to my left. No one was in the room but the enlisted man who, from where he was sitting, would probably be the person running the projector. I told him what had happened, and he said, “Yes, my father was on that airship.” I was surprised at how unmoved he was. (A younger left-wing generation that has rebelled against the conservative morals and constitutional respect of the forefathers will show no mercy or pity on them in the coming civil war. An antichrist spirit is sweeping the world, much like anti-Semitism during the Nazi era. A great backlash against the Christians will come from this. The Left will have complete control over the media, typed by the movie projector, to bring a worldwide persecution of Christianity. Most Christians will not believe that this is of God to bring back true Christianity through persecution and revival. Read Sovereign God for rest and peace.) Next, I was outside at the crossroads again. (Crossroads here represents a fateful change for the future.) Now I could see that there was a convoy, almost like a parade, coming home from the direction of the air battle. I got the impression they were victorious, as they did not even appear tired or dirty, more like inspection-ready. They were sitting in tiers, like bleachers, on top of a vehicle bringing them back to the base. They were in camouflage uniforms, wearing dark glasses and holding flags. (These are hiding from the truth willfully; hiding from the Son, behind patriotism.) The flags were full-size and easy to see, as each person had a flag and held it stretched out in front of him. The flags were stiff, like posters, and they were held on each end. (The flags were stiff, cheap fakes of what the real flag that was blown by the wind stood for. Also, this is a “false flag” banner of victory over the right-wing and Christians.) Now I could see that the flags were distinctly Confederate, and the convoy was taking the curve in the road to their left. There were only two choices at this intersection: curve sharply to the left, or sharply to the right. I did not see anyone going to the right. (The conservative/religious right will lose badly. The rebels against our forefathers' morality will win. The country will turn sharply to the left, where the goats go in Jesus' parable. Like the Confederate rebels, their interest is to cast off any moral or constitutional restraint and keep black men, as a type of those who walk in darkness, or sinners, in bondage. Like the confederates, their money will also be worthless.) End of dream. On the 11th of January, I was at work. A Christian patient was about to leave when suddenly she remembered that her teenage daughter had a dream that night. She said an angel took her into the air, where there was a tremendous air battle going on, and it was so loud and disturbing that she covered her ears, and then the angel brought her back to her bed. She then woke her mom up to tell her and was crying because it was so disturbing, and she is only 16. I told her mom about my dream. (The argument between right and left will get very loud, polarizing the country and tearing it apart.) About three days after this, I called my very good friend, Ellen. I told her that I had had a dream that I wanted to tell her. She stopped me and said she just had one, and so she told me her dream first. She said that she was caught in the middle of a war that was about to start. She said she was trying to find cover behind a house, and that the battle was about to begin, and she was trying to help a little girl find cover, too. I asked her what kind of battle -- as in modern, or something from the past. She said, “It's a revolutionary...no, it's a civil war”. I believe this Civil War will escalate from the war of words over the “air” waves to physical weapons sometime soon. The negative rhetoric is causing people, especially leftists, to go crazy Many say guns will be needed if others fail to submit to their principles. Communists and Islamists are already this way. Polarization is everywhere. If you, as a Christian, think God has called you to fight and kill, you desperately need to read The Sword or the Cross? and listen to the Honor the king? series. Many Christians are victims of neglecting their Bibles and their consciences. Remember, if a man's ways please the Lord, He makes his enemies to be at peace with him. Obviously God is raising up a beast to bring Christians to their cross. God is not pleased with “Christianity” as a whole and is therefore bringing the beast to conquer her, as history repeats.   Civil War in the USA? The Visions 1/21/13 - Andrew Strom (David's notes in red; hyperlinks added) Before the recent US election and “gun” controversy, many would have laughed at the idea of a Civil War or similar conflict in America. I guess it is not quite so “laughable” now. I got a lot of nasty and bitter personal attacks aimed at me last week over my article, Do Christians Love Guns? People accused me of all kinds of twisted motivations for publishing such a thing. But the honest truth is that I am genuinely concerned. Concerned for a country that I love and a people that I love. I feel many Christians are being driven into a great anger that can only result in grief. Perhaps when you read the prophecies below, you will understand my concern. I truly would hate to see any of my friends caught up in such a conflict. Here are the visions: Kenny Atnip (Jan 2013)- “Some time ago, God showed me and some others that America would enter an internal war. You can call it a civil war, or revolutionary war, or anything you like, but it is coming. God showed me plainly that many Christians would be tempted to be part of a war against the government and that this war would be part of his judgment on the U.S.A. and we should not get involved. The current government's actions are because of God's judgment, so he who resists this government resists God's ordinance. Global war is coming as well, and America will be attacked, and after all of these things, I saw a time of peace again in the land. America will be humbled and once again look to God as its provider and defender. The message to Christians here in America is the same that Jeremiah told to Judah- Submit to God's judgment and it will go well for you, resist and it will cost some their lives and others their freedom.”... Hans Petter (June 2008)- “I started to see a movie in the spirit. In the First Act, Obama was elected as president, and he was the door opener for the next thing that happened. Dark skies came over the USA with thunderstorms. People were fighting against each other in the streets. Tires and cars were burning in the streets. People were really suffering, screaming for help and they had nothing to eat or a home. It was a hard time. The cities were burning. I saw a gap start to split the nation. It started in California (The “wild” fires for their “land grab” (Palisades fire), for their “Smart Cities” and the DS-funded, Antifa led riots, destroying Los Angeles and other blue cities.) moved forward across the nation and ended up by the East Coast, north of New York. (Civil War) Act 2. Then people started to pray for help and ask for help from Jesus. I saw two eagles (prophets) that came flying from the east and behind came Jesus. Healing came to USA and Jesus restored the cities and people's lives.” (Man-child ministry) Darren Smith (June 2009)- “Last night, while praying before I went to bed, the Lord gave me a vision that really rattled me. In the vision, I saw this land split into four parts, with each one under its own flag. Each region had terrible destruction, and many people were dead. As I looked over the destruction, I was crying, and the Lord asked me, “Why are you crying over the fall of Babylon? As a matter of fact, why have you been praying for the healing of Babylon?” In this vision, I didn't have an answer and the Lord opened a scroll and started reading off the indictments against our country, but before each one He clearly called the USA Babylon. The list was long and to the point, with such points as the killing of several generations of unborn children. Besides this charge, He added that these babies had been sacrificed to the god of self. The list also included greed, idolatry, pride, fornication, and many others, so many that I could not even read them all. As I looked at the list of charges, I was overwhelmed and broken by the fact that we live every day in a nation that is so far removed from God and in total opposition to the Kingdom of God, yet we are comfortable here. We have become just like Lot living in Sodom; the prosperity that the nation offers us has blinded us from the evil that rules this land. We complain about how bad it is, but still stay attached to it with every ounce of strength we have. The Lord told me to look at the nation as He sees it, not through my eyes but through His. I could not look too long before I had to agree and repent of loving Babylon. Once I repented, the Lord told me to prepare for the fall as time is running out. I must preach the Gospel of the Kingdom, not the Gospel of America. America is already judged; the time of shaking is now and will increase rapidly.”... 'Journey' (Jan 2013)- “I too believe that the United States is headed for a civil war or something to that nature. I have friends who are in the “Patriot” movement, so I hear of things happening that the media will never report. In a nutshell, here is my conclusion to what I hear. There have been hundreds of thousands of assault rifles sold in the past year. There have been laws and rules put into force against assault rifles. Why would this conflict be?... A move to rile up the people has been put into play. Arm the people and then make laws to make them revolt against the Government. The underlying purpose is actually to cause the individual states to secede from the union... Divide and conquer is the idea”. Kenny Atnip - “Civil War in U.S”. (Dec 2010)- “My 16-year-old daughter, Maryann, had a dream a few days ago. She dreamed of civil war against the current government. The scene was very chaotic, and those in rebellion to the government were going house to house, forcing any and all men to join with them. Many of us Christians were in hiding, not willing to join in a rebellion against the government. She awoke in the middle of the night with a strong taste of blood in her mouth. Her 13-year-old sister, Aimee, woke up as well and immediately asked her what was wrong. The 16-year-old said that she had the taste of blood in her mouth, to which the 13-year-old asked, “Were you dreaming of war?” Somehow, she knew that she was dreaming of war. Last November, my three-year-old son, Jeremiah, slept with Mom and Dad. He awoke at 5:30 AM yelling, “War is coming ... people are dying ... people are crying to God”. He has no idea what these things are. It woke me up from a dead sleep, and I sat up and looked at him. He was wide awake... We will have 5 years of terror and turmoil beginning very soon... I believe the government will begin rounding up people who are on a list. If we are on that list, don't resist or run; God sends some away to protect them. God will vindicate the righteous in his time”. Donald replies, “Kenny- that advice is the same as that given to the Israelites. Don't resist when King Nebuchadnezzar comes to take you away. If you go willingly, you will be established in a foreign land; if you resist you will die. (We may or may not actually die, but our lives could become so miserable that we will wish we would die). Good advice for all of us at this unsettling time”. 'Journey' replies- “Yes, Kenny, Good advice. It is better to serve God while in captivity than to die resisting His purpose. God is doing this to the Church because of their pride and arrogance. God is humbling His Church”.

Esther 8:10-14 (KJV) And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries: 11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, 12 Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. 13 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. 14 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.

Hope for Hard Days ReCreate Church | Michael Shockley | September 7, 2025 Esther Series, Part 9: Esther 9, 10 ---------- EPISODE SUMMARY In the final episode of the Esther series, Michael Shockley explores how God works through our worst days to bring about His greatest victories. Through the creative story of Hayden and Morty (paralleling Haman and Mordecai), discover how what appears to be a day of destruction becomes a day of deliverance for God's people. As Esther chapters 9-10 unfold, watch the ironic reversal where the enemies of the Jews are defeated, leading to the establishment of the holiday Purim. From the cafeteria catastrophe to the Persian Empire's transformation, learn how God's unseen hand can flip any story - even turning the worst day in history (the Crucifixion) into humanity's brightest hope. This message reminds us that God doesn't cause our worst days, but He absolutely redeems them. Core Message: God works through our worst days. ---------- KEY TOPICS COVERED The Hayden and Morty Story Introduction - Creative allegory of middle school cafeteria drama - Hayden's quest for revenge against his spelling bee nemesis Morty - The setup for disaster with gravy, creamed asparagus, and chocolate milk - Parallel to the Haman and Mordecai conflict in the Book of Esther - Cliffhanger moment showing how quickly situations can change The Historical Context of Esther 9-10 - Recap of the escalated grudge that led to genocidal decree - Haman's plot against the Jews and his subsequent downfall - The irreversible nature of Persian law requiring a counter-decree - Nine months between the plot's discovery and the day of execution - The choice given to potential attackers to change sides The Day of Reversal (Esther 9:1-5) - The 13th of Adar: from planned destruction to actual deliverance - "The opposite occurred" - complete reversal of expectations - Fear of Mordecai and the Jews falling upon their enemies - Government officials helping the Jews due to Mordecai's prominence - The Jews defeating their enemies throughout the 127 provinces The Spiritual Parallel to God's Law - The Law of Righteousness exposing all people as condemned - God's refusal to lower His standards of perfection - The Law of Grace through faith in Jesus as the "second decree" - Substitution: Jesus taking our punishment on the Cross - Imputation: Christ's righteousness credited to our account The Battle Results and Aftermath - 500 enemies killed in the capital city of Shushan - 75,000 total defeated throughout the Persian Empire - The death of Haman's ten sons (grown men who supported the decree) - The Jews refusing to take spoils - focused on defense, not wealth - Two days of battle followed by peace and celebration The Establishment of Purim - Mordecai's letters establishing an annual holiday - The 14th and 15th of Adar becoming days of celebration - Feasting, joy, gift-giving to family and the needy - The meaning of "Purim" - referring to the lots (Pur) Haman cast - God directing even the roll of dice to accomplish His purposes The Unseen Hand of God - God's fingerprints everywhere despite His name never being mentioned - From orphan and intended victim to champions of peace - The transformation of superstition into recognition of divine favor - How apparent coincidences reveal providence in hindsight The Conclusion of Hayden and Morty - The backpack tear held together by failing duct tape - The pencil on the floor causing Hayden's spectacular fall - The complete reversal: Hayden covered in food, Morty triumphant - "You got served" - divine justice with a sense of humor - From cafeteria catastrophe to unexpected hero status God's Redemption of Our Worst Days - How God doesn't cause our worst days but redeems them - The parallel between Esther's story and the Cross - Turning the day of Crucifixion into humanity's brightest hope - Personal application for loss, failure, betrayal, and current struggles - The invitation to trust Jesus with all we dread ---------- MEMORABLE QUOTES "God works through our worst days." "The Unseen Hand of God turned the day of destruction into the day of deliverance." "He is our Substitute when it comes to the punishment, and His Righteousness is Imputed to us. Which is to say, He suffered through the test, and we got the passing grade." "Even the naming of the holiday shows that God directed even the roll of the dice to choose the day." "God's Name is never spoken, but God's fingerprints are everywhere." "God never wastes our pain. He doesn't cause our worst days, but He redeems them." "If God could turn the horrible day of Crucifixion into the brightest hope in history, He can redeem your story, too." "You got served." (Lunch Lady Loretta) "Got milk?" (Morty) ---------- BIBLICAL FOUNDATION - Primary Text: Esther 9:1-5, Chapters 9-10 complete - Key Theme: Divine reversal and redemption through apparent defeat - Historical Context: The 13th of Adar and the establishment of Purim - Theological Concepts: Substitution and imputation through Christ - Gospel Connection: How God redeems our worst days through the Cross - Literary Note: God's providence shown without direct divine mentions ---------- PRACTICAL APPLICATION If You're Experiencing Your Worst Day Right Now: - Remember that God specializes in flipping stories and reversing outcomes - Trust that what feels like destruction may be setting up deliverance - Know that God's unseen hand is working even when you can't see it - Understand that apparent coincidences often reveal divine providence If You're Dealing with Past Failures and Regrets: - Recognize that God doesn't waste pain but redeems it for purpose - Remember that your worst moments don't define your final story - Trust that the same God who redeemed the Cross can redeem your past - Allow time and perspective to reveal how God was working all along If You Feel Condemned by Your Imperfections: - Understand that God's law reveals our need, not our hopelessness - Know that perfection is required, but Christ provides it for us - Trust in substitution: Jesus took your punishment on the Cross - Believe in imputation: Christ's righteousness is credited to your account If You're Waiting for Justice: - Remember that God's timing often involves longer processes than we expect - Trust that divine justice is more complete than human revenge - Know that God can turn your enemies' attacks into your strengthening - Understand that true victory often looks different than expected If You Haven't Trusted Jesus Yet: - Consider how the Cross transformed history's worst day into its best news - Understand that salvation comes through faith, not perfect performance - Know that God can flip your story no matter how bad it seems - Trust Jesus with all you dread and receive His redemption today ---------- THE ULTIMATE INVITATION Maybe you're living through what feels like your worst day. Loss, failure, betrayal, diagnosis, job loss, or consequences from past mistakes. Perhaps you feel like Morty, about to be destroyed by forces beyond your control. Or maybe you feel like Hayden, watching your carefully laid plans collapse in spectacular failure. The good news of Esther - and the even greater news of the Gospel - is that God works through our worst days. He doesn't cause them, but He redeems them. The same God who turned a day of destruction into deliverance for the Jews, who turned the horror of Crucifixion into the hope of salvation, can flip your story too. Trust Him with all you dread. Trust Jesus for salvation. Your worst day may be setting up God's greatest work in your life. ---------- CONNECT WITH RECREATE CHURCH - Website: recreatechurch.org - Support the Ministry: Give through the Tithe.ly app or offering boxes ---------- What worst day in your life needs God's redemptive touch? Are you trusting in your own ability to fix things, or surrendering to the God who specializes in impossible reversals? God works through our worst days - let Him work through yours.

It's the Word of God.   “In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar … I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam.” - Daniel 8:1-2 (KJV)

Shushan Darzian was a grade school teacher for 18 years before she decided make Catering her full time career. What started out as a passion for cooking & hosting, turned into a full force production crew hosting weddings & events up to 1000 guests. Shushan leverages her educational background, cultural roots, and creative vision to create memorable experiences for her guests. She is now hired to serve 1000 students, 5 days a week on top of her event catering business. In addition, she has also created her own server ware, Shushan Collection. This is a story about a mother who sacrificed so much to achieve the level of success she has...but I have a feeling, this is only the beginning.

The Law of Death vs The Word of Life ReCreate Church | Michael Shockley | August 31, 2025 Esther Series, Part 8: Esther 8 ---------- EPISODE SUMMARY What happens when victory feels incomplete and the threat still remains? Through Esther chapter 8, Michael Shockley explores how God's salvation works when evil laws can't simply be erased. Starting with a creative poetic recap of chapters 1-7, discover why Haman's death didn't solve everything - his genocidal decree was still legally binding in the Persian Empire. Watch as Mordecai rises from death row to Prime Minister, and learn how the king's solution - a counter-decree allowing Jews to defend themselves - points to a much greater story. From irrevocable Persian laws to God's perfect justice, explore how the Law of Death (God's righteous standards we can't meet) is overcome by the Word of Life (Jesus taking our place). Through humor, biblical insight, and practical application, understand the difference between justice, mercy, and grace, and why authentic faith matters more than religious identity. Core Message: The Law of Death is real, but The Word of Life is greater. ---------- KEY TOPICS COVERED Creative Story Recap - Poetic summary of Esther chapters 1-7 in rhyming verses - Queen Vashti's refusal and removal from the throne - Esther's rise through the beauty contest and divine positioning - Haman's genocidal plot and Mordecai's refusal to bow - The fasting, banquets, sleepless night, and ultimate justice - Setting up chapter 8 as the resolution to lingering problems The Incomplete Victory - Why Haman's death didn't solve everything immediately - The genocidal decree still legally binding throughout the empire - Esther's continued pleading with tears for her people's safety - The irreversible nature of Persian law - no decree could be repealed - How apparent victories can still leave underlying threats Mordecai's Incredible Reversal - From death row to Prime Minister in a single day - Receiving Haman's signet ring and estate as rewards - The waterboy-to-coach comparison for this promotion - Being dressed in royal robes and crowned by the king - The people of Shushan rejoicing over righteous leadership The Counter-Decree Strategy - King Ahasuerus explaining the legal limitations of Persian law - The solution: writing a new law to oppose the first one - Empowering Jews to band together and defend themselves - Allowing them to do to attackers what was planned against them - The king's revenge plot vs. God's heart for breaking cycles The Spreading Good News - Mordecai's first act: sending couriers to all 127 provinces - The message traveling from India to Ethiopia across the empire - Jewish families celebrating and coming together in unity - The birth of what would become the ongoing holiday of Purim - How good news transforms fear into celebration The Phenomenon of Conversion - Many people throughout the empire "becoming Jews" - Genuine spiritual conversion vs. political convenience - How demonstrated divine power attracts people to God's team - The advantage of being identified with those who have God's favor - Modern parallels of cultural Christianity without authentic faith The Danger of Identity-Only Faith - People claiming Christianity for social or political advantage - The difference between Christian identity and Christian reality - Family pressure vs. personal conviction in spiritual decisions - The importance of authentic, personal spiritual journeys - Warning against going through religious motions without heart change The Gospel Parallel - How Esther's story reflects the greater story of salvation - All people under condemnation from God's righteous law - The impossibility of meeting God's standard of perfect obedience - God's law revealing unrighteousness rather than righteousness - The need for a solution that upholds justice while providing mercy The Higher Law of Grace - God's inability to simply revoke or lower His standards - Jesus as the "counter-decree" who fulfills rather than cancels the law - The Cross as God's answer to the problem of justice and mercy - Christ taking the place of the unjust while upholding righteousness - Romans 8:1: "No condemnation for those in Christ Jesus" ---------- MEMORABLE QUOTES "The Law of Death is real, but The Word of Life is greater." "It's not coincidence, it's providence." "If somebody predicts His Death and Resurrection and pulls it off exactly how He Said, I want to be with that Guy!" "We are super excited to help you on your journey to Jesus and with Jesus, but it has got to be YOUR journey." "God's Law does not reveal us to be righteous, but unrighteous. All of us." "God issued a second Decree. This one is GRACE through Jesus." "Justice is getting what we deserve. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting what we do not deserve." "Justice writes the speeding ticket. Mercy tears it up. Grace fills your tank and sends you on your way." ---------- BIBLICAL FOUNDATION - Primary Text: Esther 8:1-6 - Key Supporting Verse: "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1) - Old Testament Law Context: "There is none righteous, no not one" (Psalm 14:3; Romans 3:10) - Theme: Divine solution to irrevocable condemnation through a higher law - Historical Context: Persian legal system and the irreversible nature of royal decrees - Gospel Connection: How the Cross fulfills rather than cancels God's justice ---------- PRACTICAL APPLICATION If You're Dealing with Lingering Consequences: - Remember that God's solutions often work differently than human fixes - Trust that apparent victories may still require ongoing faith and action - Know that God can turn death sentences into promotion opportunities - Understand that His deliverance often empowers us rather than removing all challenges If You're Questioning Your Faith's Authenticity: - Examine whether your Christianity is identity-based or heart-based - Make sure your spiritual journey is genuinely yours, not just family expectation - Seek God personally rather than going through religious motions - Remember that authentic faith matters more than religious performance If You Feel Condemned by God's Standards: - Recognize that God's law reveals our need rather than our righteousness - Understand that perfection, not comparison to others, is God's standard - Know that the law's purpose is to point us to our need for a Savior - Trust that Jesus fulfilled the requirements we could never meet If You're Struggling with Justice and Mercy: - Justice: getting what we deserve (condemnation for sin) - Mercy: not getting what we deserve (being spared from hell)   - Grace: getting what we don't deserve (adoption, eternal life, joy in Christ) - See how all three work together perfectly at the Cross If You Haven't Put Your Faith in Jesus: - Consider what you're waiting for when the solution is available - Remember that salvation comes by grace through faith, not performance - Know that you don't have to understand every detail to experience transformation - Trust that the same God who orchestrated Esther's deliverance offers yours ---------- THE ULTIMATE INVITATION Maybe you feel like you're under an irrevocable sentence - condemned by past mistakes, current struggles, or the weight of not measuring up to God's perfect standards. Maybe you've tried to be good enough but realize you fall short of perfection. Maybe you've been going through the motions of faith without the heart reality. This much is true: the Law of Death is real - we all fall short of God's righteousness and deserve condemnation. But the Word of Life is greater. Jesus didn't come to lower God's standards or pretend our sin doesn't matter. He came to fulfill those standards perfectly and take our condemnation upon Himself. At the Cross, justice fell on Jesus who took our place. Through faith in Him, we receive mercy (escape from condemnation) and grace (adoption into God's family). The counter-decree has been written in His blood. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ---------- CONNECT WITH RECREATE CHURCH - Website: recreatechurch.org - Support the Ministry: Give through the Tithe.ly app or offering boxes ---------- Is your faith identity-only or heart-reality? Have you trusted in Jesus' counter-decree of grace, or are you still trying to escape condemnation through your own efforts? The Law of Death is real, but The Word of Life is greater - and that Word is available to you today.

Friday, 29 August 2025   The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here. Matthew 12:42   “Queen, south, she will arise in the judgment with this generation and she will sentence it, for she came from the extremities of the land to hear Solomon's wisdom. And you behold! Solomon's greater is here” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus referred to the account of Jonah's preaching and how Nineveh repented at it. He then noted that a greater than Jonah was there with them. He now reiterates this general thought, beginning with, “Queen, south.”   The queen of the south is identified in 1 Kings 10:1 –   “Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions.”   This woman came to discover if the reports of Solomon's wisdom were true. She was, in essence, a woman in search of discovery greater than silver or gold. Rather, she was looking for wisdom and truth concerning the human condition in relation to their Creator. As such, it says, “concerning the name of the Lord.”   One can see her mind asking, “Is Israel's God the true God?” It reflects the search of those in humanity who truly want to know if the knowledge of the Most High can be ascertained or not. As it says several times in various ways in Scripture –   “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10   Sheba is probably in the area of Saudi Arabia today. This can be discerned from Isaiah 60:6, which refers to other known areas in that general location. This woman traveled from this location specifically to obtain wisdom. It can be deduced from Jesus' words that she found it because it says that “she will arise in the judgment with this generation and she will sentence it.”   It is the same thought as in the previous verse concerning the men of Nineveh. Whereas the men of Nineveh would rise in judgment against those of Israel whom Jesus came to reveal Himself to because they reconsidered at the proclamation of Jonah, this queen would do so, “for she came from the extremities of the land to hear Solomon's wisdom.”   A new word, peras, an extremity, is used. It is from an obsolete derivative of peiro, to pierce. Like the proverbial Starship Enterprise, one can think of a trek piercing the unknown, even until the end of the trek.   This woman came from an area lying at the extremity of Israel's knowledge of the inhabited world to simply hear Solomon's wisdom in relation to the Lord God of Israel. Understanding this, Jesus finishes with, “And you behold! Solomon's greater is here.”   What is it that Jesus has done, both with the previous verse and this one? He has made an implicit claim to deity. Jesus first spoke of the “proclamation of Jonah” and then that “Jonah's greater” was there. Here, He refers to “Solomon's wisdom” and then says that “Solomon's greater” was there.   Jonah's proclamation was the proclamation of the Lord. Jesus is actually not referring to Jonah the man, but his position as the Lord's prophet. As it is said in Jonah 1:1, “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah.” Of Solomon's wisdom, it says, “behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you” (1 Kings 3:12).   Jesus claims a proclamation greater than that of Jonah. But Jonah's proclamation was that of the Lord, albeit indirectly. Jesus claims a wisdom greater than Solomon's, but it was the Lord who gave Solomon that wisdom. The meaning is that Jesus claims to be the Source of wisdom itself. He is the Lord God.   The men of Nineveh discerned this. The queen of the south discerned this. However, the men of Israel, representative of that generation, were unable to do so. Thus, those who received and accepted the word and wisdom of the Lord from Nineveh and the south would be there at the judgment of Israel, condemning them for their total lack of discernment.   The very people of the Lord, and who possessed the oracles of God, were to be cast into outer darkness (Matthew 22:13) for failing to see who Jesus is.   Note: As promised in a previous commentary, after this commentary, the timeline of Jesus' Passion will be provided. Keep it handy, as it is something people around the world continue to misunderstand to this day.   Life application: In both the previous verse and this one, there is no article before the subject. It simply says, “Men, Nineveh” and “Queen, south.” Saying it this way provides emphasis to His statements. But why would Jesus refer to them this way? The answer lies in who His audience is.   Jesus is speaking to the scribes and Pharisees of Israel. They have the law. They are the religious elite of the “chosen people.” By making His declarations, He is essentially saying, “The Gentiles immediately and completely perceived what you are unable to discern.”   To this day, the people of Israel have the exact same information that the Gentile peoples of the world possess in order to discover if Jesus is God or not. They, however, have rejected that information and refuse to acknowledge their Lord.   They are determined to shun Him, rebuild a temple for worship that rejects Him, and attempt to find justification through their own merits by observing a law that only pointed to Him, awaiting His fulfillment of it.   The book of Hebrews clearly and unambiguously tells what the penalty for such a crime against Him is –   “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?” Hebrews 10:26-29   Pray for Israel. They need Jesus.   Lord God, You have patiently waited for Israel to turn to You for salvation. Many have begun to do so in recent years, but the nation is still fighting against Your truth. We pray that the good news will spread greatly before the rapture comes, and Israel must endure the trial that lies ahead. Amen.   TIMELINE OF JESUS' WEEK OF PASSION   Misconceptions -   1) Sign of Jonah / Three days and three nights. Matthew 12:40 –   a: The sign of Jonah is not the Lord's time in the belly of the great fish. It is the message He preached and which will be rejected. Jonah cried out, “Yet forty days and Nineveh will be destroyed.” As is consistent in the Bible, it was a warning, a day for a year. Israel would be destroyed in 40 years.   With a cursory look at Jesus' words in Matthew, the sign seems to be His death and resurrection. But Luke leaves out both the time frame and the entire account of the fish. When he does this, he clears up the context – that the sign of Jonah is his preaching, and what that preaching stated… that destruction was decreed in 40 days. The preaching to the Ninevites was the sign.   When Israel disobeyed in the wilderness, they were given a day for a year punishment for every day that the spies were gone. It was 40 days, and thus 40 years of punishment. In Ezekiel chapter 4, he was told to lie on his right side for 40 days, signifying a day for a year of punishment for Judah. He was told to do the same for his left side, but for 390 days. It was a day for a year for the house of Israel. Together, they form the prophetic basis for the return of Israel in 1948.   Forty years after Jesus' words, for a day, Israel was destroyed and carried away into exile. The Romans came in and did what Nineveh was spared of. God's judgment fell heavily upon them for failing to repent, receive their long-awaited Messiah, and conform to the will of God, which is found in the finished work of Jesus Christ.   b: “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12:40   This is an idiomatic expression. It does not mean literally three days and three nights. This is a misunderstanding of the phrase as it relates to Biblical time. It's important to note that this verse is from Matthew and is directed to the Jewish people, Jesus as King.   Hebrew idioms would have been understood and not needed any clarification or verbal amending. To the audience, Matthew was writing that any part of a day is considered to be inclusive of the whole day. It's no different from the terminology we use today. If I arrive in Florida on a plane at 11:30 pm on 11 April, during a later conversation, I would still say I was in Florida on that day.   The biblical pattern of “evening and morning” being a day goes back to the first chapter of the Bible and includes an entire day, regardless of what part of a day one is referring to. If you want to understand the term day and night as an idiomatic expression, simply type “day and night” into your Bible search engine and see how many times, throughout the Bible, the term is used in this way. It goes on and on. Jeremiah does a great job of using it in this way. Study!   The same verse, as recorded in Luke, says, “And while the crowds were thickly gathered together, He began to say,    “This is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so also the Son of Man will be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.”  Luke 11:29-32   As you can see, Jesus explicitly states that the sign is the preaching of Jonah. In this instance, Luke was not writing only to Jewish people, but predominantly to non-Jewish people – Jesus as the Son of Man. Therefore, the terminology is amended to avoid confusion. This occurs many times in the gospels, and therefore, the addressees (or the background of the writers themselves) need to be identified to understand proper terminology.   The same phrase is given in Esther 4:16 –   “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”   This is then explained in Esther 5:1 –   “Now it happened on the third day (b'yom ha'shelishi) that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, across from the king's house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house.”   As you can see, what she said in verse 4:16 is explained as an idiomatic expression in verse 5:1. This same phrase is exactly repeated in the NT 13 times – “On the third day,” not “After the third day.”   2) High Sabbath. John 19:31 –   “Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.”   The second issue to be resolved is that some scholars claim that John “appears” to place the crucifixion on a different date than the other writers. Because of this, an attempt was made to insert a second type of Passover meal, or a second Sabbath, into the Bible. This supposedly helps the Bible out of an apparent problem.   However, no such meal, or Sabbath, is identified in the Bible at any time. Nor is it necessary to make something erroneous like this up. The Bible identifies the timing of the entire Passion Week, dispelling the problem. The terminology for “Preparation Day” used in all four gospel accounts absolutely clears this up and will be noted as we go on.   The terminology "high Sabbath" is pointing to the fact that the Sabbath (there is only one Sabbath, Saturday) coincided with the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a "holy convocation" according to Exodus 12:16 and Leviticus 23:7. There are only six times in the Bible that something is called a Shabbath Shabaton, or “Sabbath of complete rest.” Four of them speak of the Seventh Day Sabbath, one concerns the Day of Atonement, and the last speaks of the seventh-year Sabbath rest for the land.   Thus, there is no second Sabbath. A holy convocation is not a Sabbath. On a Sabbath, meals could not be prepared. However, Exodus 12:16 says –   “On the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and on the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation for you. No manner of work shall be done on them; but that which everyone must eat—that only may be prepared by you.”    3) Four days. Exodus 12:3 –   “Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household.'”   This requirement has nothing to do with the Passover at Jesus' time. Nothing in Scripture can be used to justify what is commonly taught, saying that the Passover lamb was selected each year to test it for defects. The opposite is true. The lamb was selected because it had no defects. Thus, this has nothing to do with Palm Sunday and the subsequent days leading up to Passover. Rather, this animal was selected early to ensure that every household had a lamb before the plague of darkness that fell on Egypt. It is never mandated again. People bought their lambs in Jerusalem from keepers of the flock who had already inspected them. Further, they did it within a day of the Passover.   There are four things that occurred at the first Passover that are not required in the annual celebration found in Leviticus 23 –   The eating of the lamb in their houses was dispersed through Goshen. Taking the lamb on the tenth day. The striking of its blood on the doorposts and lintels of their houses. And, Eating it in haste.   The four-day requirement never occurred again. There is no biblical support for it. People have picked and chosen selected verses, without following through on the study, to come to an incorrect conclusion on this.   Chronology of the Events –   1) The easiest way to identify the day of Passover from the gospels is by reviewing the term “Preparation Day.” It is in all four gospels, and it exactingly identifies the day of the Passover –   Matthew 27:62 – “The next day, the one after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.” This was the day after the crucifixion. Matthew says it is the day “after Preparation Day.” After this is recorded the day after the Sabbath (Matt 28:1, the first day of the week).   Mark 15:42 – “It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached...” This is the day of the crucifixion. Mark says, “It was Preparation Day.” Mark 14 ends on the night of Christ's time in the Garden of Gethsemane. Mark 15:1 then identifies that it is “immediately, in the morning,” meaning Preparation Day.   Luke 23:54 – “It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.” This is the day of the crucifixion. Luke says, “It was Preparation Day.” Luke 23:56 then says that they rested on the Sabbath, and then He was raised on the day after the Sabbath, Sunday, the Lord's Day, the first day of the week (Luke 24:1).   John 19:14 – “Now it was Preparation Day of the Passover.” This is the day of the crucifixion. John says, “It was Preparation Day.” This definitively, and without any chance of coming to any other conclusion, identifies the day as Friday, followed by the Saturday Sabbath. As sad as it is that this is denied by many, it is what the Bible actually teaches.. The four gospels are harmonious in this, and it is… irrefutable. However, the rest of the Passion week identifies this as well.   And so, let's break all this down. Here's what you need to know:   Paul plainly states that the Feast of Firstfruits is a picture of the resurrection:   “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”  1 Corinthians 15:20   The feast of Firstfruits was a Sunday according to Leviticus 23:15 – “From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks.” Note: the Sabbath referred to here is a Saturday. We don't need to go any further there to know this is correct and that Christ rose on a Sunday.     Here is the math from the gospel accounts. It's all there in black and white and very easy to look up –   **“Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.”  John 12:1 This would have been a Sabbath day (Saturday).   **“The next day, the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem.”  John 12:12 This would have been 5 days before the Passover, meaning Sunday (Palm Sunday), as the Passover would have started Thursday night at sundown and run until Friday night at sundown (remember biblical days start at sundown).     The account couldn't be clearer that the next day after the Passover was a Sabbath. This is indicated several times. As I said, some people have attempted to use the terminology in John (it was a “high day” or a “special Sabbath”) to indicate that it could have been a day other than a Saturday. All special Sabbaths are specified in Leviticus and don't necessarily fall on Saturdays. However, the term “Sabbath” as used in the other gospel accounts indicates a Saturday. There is nothing to support, anywhere in Scripture, that there were two Sabbaths in a row on this particular week. Further, the special Sabbaths in Leviticus do not apply here. As I said, one is the Day of Atonement, which occurs in the seventh month. The other is a Sabbath for the land every seventh year. Neither applies.   In fact, such an analysis does an injustice to the reading of the text. Therefore, the special Sabbath occurred on a regular Sabbath day (Saturday). As I said earlier, it was a great (high) Sabbath because it coincided with the holy convocation, which is the first day of Unleavened Bread. From this, we can give the entire week's schedule (refer to the cited verses in your own Bible to familiarize yourself with what's being said) –   Sabbath 6 before // John 12:1 - ...six days before the Passover.  Bethany/Lazarus. Sunday 5 before // John 12:12 & Mark 11:10 - The next day...  Palm Sunday/Riding the donkey. Monday 4 before // Mark 11:12 Now on the next day... Jesus cursed the fig tree. Tuesday 3 before // Mark 11:20 Now in the morning... The withered fig is identified. Wednesday 2 before // The gospels are silent on what occurred on this day. Thursday 1 before - Passover starts at Sundown //Mark 14:1 After two days it was the Passover... (this is the first timing mentioned since Mark 11:20, which was Tuesday). - Note:  Pay special attention to the fact that in the following accounts, Mark is using Jewish time (sunset to sunset and John is using Roman time – from midnight) –   Mark 14:12 - "Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread when they killed the Passover Lamb."  Here, Mark, like Luke, unites the Passover with the Feast of Unleavened Bread.   John 13:1 - "Now before the Feast of the Passover..."    Both Mark and John are speaking of the same day – The meal, washing of feet, Gethsemane, etc.    ***Christ was crucified during this same 24-hour period, but it was obviously after the final night at Gethsemane and then the illegal trial.  Mark is speaking of this event from sundown, John is speaking of it in Roman time (this is obvious because they use different terminology for the same meal where Judas left to betray the Lord… can't miss this point and get it right).   6 days before – Saturday 5 days before – Sunday 4 days before – Monday 3 days before – Tuesday 2 days before – Wednesday 1 day before – Thursday The Day – Friday   The problem with people believing that John was speaking of a different day (as mentioned above) is that they miss the fact that the terminology for the day is different based on the author. To clear up any misunderstanding here, one needs only to compare the uses of the term “Preparation Day.” Once one does this, there are no discrepancies in the accounts. Go back and review what I said about that earlier. The timeline is set, it is irrefutable, and it is the only biblical option. Anything else inserts unbiblical information into the record.   Based on the biblical evidence,        1) There is no discrepancy between any of the accounts.     2) Jesus was crucified on a Friday.     3) Jesus rose on a Sunday.   Again, the Bible says 13 times that He was raised “on” the third day.  This is mentioned by Jesus Himself as well as the apostles. Therefore, it must have been Friday that Christ was crucified. --------------------------------------------------------------------   Finally, please don't believe (as some have claimed) that Christ rode the donkey into Jerusalem on a Saturday instead of a Sunday. This would have been the Sabbath. If He did, He would have violated the law –    “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you.”  Deuteronomy 5:12-14   There is no need to make the assertion that it was a Saturday unless you simply wanted to finagle the dating. There is also no biblical provision for an exemption to the commandment prohibiting working a donkey.

 This Teisho was given by the Reverend Karen Do'on Weik Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on April 10, 2024. In this talk Do'on Roshi finishes her discussion on the 43rd case from the Mumonkan (aka The Gateless Gate) known as Shushan's Short Bamboo Staff.   If you would like to learn more about the Buddhist Temple of Toledo or to make a donation in support of this podcast please visit buddhisttempleoftoledo.org.

 This Teisho was given by the Reverend Karen Do'on Weik Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on April 3, 2024. In this talk Do'on Roshi finishes her discussion on the 43rd case from the Mumonkan (aka The Gateless Gate) known as Shushan's Short Bamboo Staff.   If you would like to learn more about the Buddhist Temple of Toledo or to make a donation in support of this podcast please visit buddhisttempleoftoledo.org.

Welcome to Inside the Epicenter. In this heartfelt episode, cohost Lynn Rosenberg honors the legacy of Kay Arthur—a revered Bible teacher, mentor, and friend of the Joshua Fund—by sharing a powerful message Kay delivered on prayer, fasting, and God’s hidden presence in the Book of Esther. Drawing from Esther’s story, Kay reminds us that even when God seems silent, He is working behind the scenes. Through biblical insights and personal experience, she calls believers to humble themselves in fasting and prayer, especially for Israel and her neighbors during challenging times. Join us as we remember Kay Arthur’s impact and discover how we can trust God’s sovereignty and engage in meaningful prayer—no matter what we’re facing. (00:02) "Finding God Through Fasting"(10:40) Lincoln's 1863 National Prayer Proclamation(16:21) "Understanding Esther's Context and Lessons"(23:29) Vashti Deposed, Esther Introduced(27:52) Esther's Rise and Royal Intrigue(31:37) Teaching Revelation at Megiddo(35:37) Inductive Study Bible Insights(42:17) "God's Plan and Human Role"(48:12) Fasting and Seeking Divine Intervention(52:38) "Where Is God Today?"(01:02:03) Seeking Truth and Biblical Fasting(01:04:06) Fasting and Divine Intervention Learn more about The Joshua Fund: JoshuaFund.comMake a tax-deductible donation: Donate | The Joshua FundStock Media provided by DimmySad / Pond5 Verse of the Day: Esther 4:16. - Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day. And I and my maidens will also fast, and then I will go into the king. This is not according to the law. And if I perish, I perish. Prayer: Praying that more and more people will pray and fast and ask the Lord to protect Israel, but also ask the Lord what their role is in standing with the people of Israel and the people in the epicenter, to bring God's word there, to bring the power of God's word.Pray for more Christians around the world who will be willing to pray and fast Related Episodes:The Future of Israel in God's Plan #280Sharren Haskel and Michal Shir - National Prayer Breakfast #262Partnership Prayers, Ministry Dreams, and the Coors' Mission in Israel #251Uniting Faith and Politics: Inside the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast with Albert Veksler #188Israel’s Leaders & How We Should Pray For Them #78 https://www.inspirationtravel.com/tjahttps://www.joshuafund.com/learn/latest-news/join-us-on-our-alaska-cruiseDonate a generous monthly gift to The Joshua Fund to bless Israel and Her Neighbors now and for the long haul. Become an Epicenter Ally today! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if near-death experiences didn't begin in the modern age — but were happening thousands of years ago across the world? In this fascinating episode, Jim Harold is joined by Dr. Gregory Shushan, the leading expert on near-death experiences in ancient civilizations. Drawing on texts from ancient Egypt, India, China, Mesoamerica, and beyond, Dr. Shushan reveals striking similarities between modern NDEs and accounts recorded centuries — even millennia — ago. Together, they explore what these ancient experiences might tell us about the origins of afterlife beliefs, how different cultures interpreted “coming back from the dead,” and why these timeless stories challenge long-held assumptions about death and consciousness. Whether you're a seasoned explorer of the paranormal or new to the subject, this conversation offers profound insights into one of humanity's greatest mysteries. You can find Dr. Shushan's latest book, Near Death Experience In Ancient Civilizations, at Amazon: https://amzn.to/436Vd5u AMAZON: Jim is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and the Amazon Influencer Program. As an Amazon Influencer, Jim earns a commission from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support! — For more information on our podcast data policy CLICK HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We jump 13 years forward and meet Nehemia, a devout Jews in Shushan who works for the king. He hears about the derelict state of Jerusalem and the low situation of the Jews living there, he prays and resolves to do something to rectify the situation.

A cross-cultural comparison of ancient beliefs about death and the afterlife • Reveals the powerful influence of near-death experiences (NDEs) on the formation of religious beliefs, mystical literature, and ritual practices • Focuses on the afterlife beliefs of five ancient world regions: Old and Middle Kingdom Egypt, Sumer and Old Babylonian Mesopotamia, Vedic India, pre-Buddhist China, and Maya and Aztec Mesoamerica • Shows how the similarities among afterlife beliefs and their correspondences with NDEs reveal that they both stem from universal truths Taking readers on a thought-provoking journey into our ancestors' beliefs about death, dying, and the afterlife, Gregory Shushan, Ph.D., reveals the powerful influence of near-death experiences (NDEs) on religious beliefs and ritual practices throughout human history. Focusing on five ancient world regions in Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, China, and Mesoamerica, Shushan expertly explores each civilization's afterlife beliefs. He explains how each of these civilizations developed independently of one another, yet there is a series of similarities among afterlife beliefs too consistent and specific to be mere coincidence. This leads to the profound implication that afterlife beliefs are not entirely invented by cultures: they also stem from universal truths derived from NDEs. Drawing on anthropology, psychology, and philosophy, the author explores how each civilization interpreted NDEs and how afterlife beliefs develop over time. He also explores the metaphysical implications of his discoveries, including what an actual afterlife would look like. Revealing that NDEs have occurred throughout human history, Shushan shows how they continue to influence our understanding of what lies beyond death to this day.

Chapter 1 takes places several years before Esther comes to power, and way before the decree against the Jews.Why is the story of Vashti relevant?We offer three central lessons that we can take from ch.1

Ki Tisa- Purim | Kabbalat HaTorah: From Sinai to Shushan, by Rav Yair Kahn The journey of Kabbalat haTorah: from Sinai to Shushan

The Prophetic Significance of Purim in 2025: A Call to Courage and Awakening • Friday Service Website: www.PastorTodd.org To give: www.ToddCoconato.com/give As we approach Purim in 2025, we must recognize that this is not just an ancient Jewish holiday—it is a prophetic message for this very hour. The story of Esther, Mordecai, and Haman is more than history; it is a blueprint for the spiritual battle we face today. The enemy has set traps, decrees, and wicked schemes against God's people, but Purim reminds us that divine reversals, supernatural intervention, and bold faith will lead us to victory. God is calling His remnant to rise up like Esther and Mordecai, to recognize the times, and to stand against the Haman spirit that seeks to destroy faith, truth, and righteousness in our day. Purim is a call to courage, fasting, discernment, and action. Let's dive into the Word and uncover why this moment in 2025 is critical for believers to understand and walk in the spirit of Purim. 1. Recognizing the Times: The Battle of Light and Darkness Esther 3:8-9 (NKJV) “Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, ‘There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from all other people's, and they do not keep the king's laws. Therefore it is not fitting for the king to let them remain. If it pleases the king, let a decree be written that they be destroyed…'” 2. The Call to Boldness: You Were Born for Such a Time as This Esther 4:14 (NKJV) “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 3. Fasting and Prayer Release Breakthrough Esther 4:16 (NKJV) “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” 4. Divine Reversals: What the Enemy Meant for Evil, God Turns for Good Esther 9:1 (NKJV) “On the day that the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, the opposite occurred, in that the Jews themselves overpowered those who hated them.” 5. The Scepter of Favor: Authority in the Courts of Heaven Esther 5:2 (NKJV) “So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter.” 6. The Haman Spirit Will Hang on Its Own Gallows Esther 7:10 (NKJV) “So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's wrath subsided.” 7. The Call to Celebrate and Remember Esther 9:28 (NKJV) “That these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city, that these days of Purim should not fail to be observed among the Jews, and that the memory of them should not perish among their descendants.” 8. No Weapon Formed Against Us Will Prosper Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV) “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord.” 9. Be Strong and Courageous Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 10. The Lord Will Fight for You Exodus 14:14 (NKJV) “The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” This Is Our Purim Moment Purim in 2025 is a prophetic call to: • Wake up and recognize the times. • Fast, pray, and seek divine strategy. • Stand in courage and take action. • Believe in the power of divine reversals. • Walk in authority and favor.

This week's portion is called “Ki Tissa” (When you count). Think about: What Scripture spoke to you most today and why? Did you learn something about God, or something you need to do in your life?Daily Bread for Kids is a daily Bible reading podcast where we read through the Torah and the Gospels in one year! Helping young Bible-readers to study God's Word, while also discovering its Jewish context!THE KIDS' JOURNAL is available from ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://arielmedia.shop⁠⁠⁠⁠BUSY MOMS who want to follow the Daily Bread readings on podcast for adults, can go to ⁠⁠https://dailybreadmoms.com⁠⁠The Bible translation we are reading from is the Tree of Life Version (TLV) available from the Tree of Life Bible Society.INSTAGRAM: @dailybreadkids @arielmediabooks @dailybreadmomsTags: #DailyBreadMoms #DailyBreadJournal #BibleJournaling #Messianic #BiblePodcast #BiblicalFeasts #Journal #biblereadingplan #Messiah #JewishRoots #Yeshua #GodIsInControl #OneYearBible #MomLife #MotherCulture #FaithFilledMama #BiblicalWomanhood #Proverbs31woman

A recording made after Shabbos of the past week's Drasha.

Celebrating Purim  Part 7: Take God Out Of Hiding On Shushan Purim  -  English only.  Today, Sunday, March 16, 2025 is Shushan Purim. What is Shushan Purim? And how can we bring God of out of hiding?  Recorded March 14, 2025. 

Today's daf is sponsored by Amy Goldstein in loving memory of her grandmother, Ann Barnett on her yahrzeit. "Her strength kept us going and she maintained her dedication to seeking knowledge all the days of her life." How do all the cases in the previous braita accord with Rabbi Meir's opinion that a rebellious elder can only be in a case that can lead to a prohibition of karet? In what way does a rebellious elder need to disagree with the court in order to be convicted? Rav Kahana rules that only if he dares to disagree based on his own logic with a tradition of the rabbis of the court, he is convicted. Rabb Elazar disagrees and says that the purpose of convicting a rebellious elder is to prevent debates and therefore any disagreement of any sort will lead to a conviction.  Two sources (one of them from our Mishna) are brought to raise a difficulty with Rav Kahane's position and the second is left unresolved.  What is the hierarchy of the courts? How were judges chosen? The rebellious elder is convicted only if he either goes back and teaches against the ruling of the High Court and he himself acts according to his ruling or people follow his ruling. A difficulty is raised on the former possibility as if he follows his own ruling, he should already be liable for the death penalty for the action, not for being a rebellious elder. The Gemara offers a few possibilities to resolve this difficulty. The Mishna explains that there is a stringency with Rabbinic law for a rebellious elder - if he tells people to go against Torah law, he is not convicted, but if he differs from the court regarding the rabbinic definition of a Torah law and adds to it, like five compartments in the tefillin, he can be convicted. Rav Oshaya says that this would be the only possible case. Why not the four species? Why not tzitzit?

Today's daf is sponsored by Amy Goldstein in loving memory of her grandmother, Ann Barnett on her yahrzeit. "Her strength kept us going and she maintained her dedication to seeking knowledge all the days of her life." How do all the cases in the previous braita accord with Rabbi Meir's opinion that a rebellious elder can only be in a case that can lead to a prohibition of karet? In what way does a rebellious elder need to disagree with the court in order to be convicted? Rav Kahana rules that only if he dares to disagree based on his own logic with a tradition of the rabbis of the court, he is convicted. Rabb Elazar disagrees and says that the purpose of convicting a rebellious elder is to prevent debates and therefore any disagreement of any sort will lead to a conviction.  Two sources (one of them from our Mishna) are brought to raise a difficulty with Rav Kahane's position and the second is left unresolved.  What is the hierarchy of the courts? How were judges chosen? The rebellious elder is convicted only if he either goes back and teaches against the ruling of the High Court and he himself acts according to his ruling or people follow his ruling. A difficulty is raised on the former possibility as if he follows his own ruling, he should already be liable for the death penalty for the action, not for being a rebellious elder. The Gemara offers a few possibilities to resolve this difficulty. The Mishna explains that there is a stringency with Rabbinic law for a rebellious elder - if he tells people to go against Torah law, he is not convicted, but if he differs from the court regarding the rabbinic definition of a Torah law and adds to it, like five compartments in the tefillin, he can be convicted. Rav Oshaya says that this would be the only possible case. Why not the four species? Why not tzitzit?

Podcast Jajam Shlomo (Sally) Zaed La fuerza de estos 3 días, Taanit Esther, purim y shushan purim Conferencia

Tes-Vov Adar - Shushan Purim (24:35)

In the first half, author and researcher Liz Larson discussed the profound impact of eye movement on neurological health and personal transformation. She shared her "Cognitive Movement" modality, which is designed to help individuals reshape their nervous systems through controlled eye movements, accessing memories and emotional patterns for greater personal growth."It's like a backdoor hack," Larson described. She elaborated on how eye movements correlate with mental states, outlining that the eyes not only take in information but also dictate how the brain processes experiences. For instance, looking up can foster inspiration, while gazing down encourages mindfulness of the body.Larson described sneaky strategies for incorporating these techniques into daily life, allowing individuals to execute eye movements discreetly in social situations. "Many people will use that to calm feelings of anxiousness... that will signal the nervous system to down-regulate," she said. According to her, eye movements can energize the brain in preparation for stressful tasks, such as a job interview.Larson cautioned that as individuals age, reduced eye movement can lead to a narrower perspective and hinder cognitive function, making it essential to keep the eyes engaged. Furthermore, Larson explored the intersection of eye movement and paranormal experiences. She claimed that enhancing one's eye movement capabilities could unlock latent visual and psychic abilities, stating, "Many people report being able to see things that are in their vicinity that most of us can't see."She described a remarkable experience at one of her workshops, where the collective energy of participants reportedly led to the appearance of "a portal... this bright blue light looked like static electricity." Larson noted, "It was just this pure, radiating, lovely, conscious energy in the room."------------------In the second half, Gregory Shushan, PhD, discussed near-death experiences (NDEs) and cross-cultural beliefs about the afterlife. He has found notable similarities in how different societies perceive life after death. "The most fascinating aspect is... specifically the way [afterlife] beliefs correspond to near-death experiences," he claimed.Shushan has studied both the Egyptian Book of the Dead and the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and he's concluded these texts describe NDEs. "If you strip away the cultural descriptions, we're left with something that looks very much like a near-death experience," he elaborated. He explained that NDEs typically follow certain patterns. While Western narratives often depict experiences of traveling toward a bright light, other cultures tell stories of walking wild paths leading to the afterlife, a motif prevalent in Polynesian religions.The discussion also delved into shamanic practices, where one enters NDE-like states in order to gain insights or powers. Shushan noted that spiritual healers navigated these realms for transformative experiences. "They could control that and then come back to life, whereas a [real] near-death experience... it's pretty iffy if the person's going to come back or not," he explained.He also addressed contemporary scientific skepticism regarding the afterlife, asserting that ancient cultures often held a more profound understanding of life after death. "In contemporary Western culture, there is a real resistance to anything that has to do with death," he remarked. Shushan proposed that our modern, secular view is potentially limited, reflecting, "If there is an afterlife, it's nothing supernatural or paranormal. I think it's just natural."

In the first half, author and researcher Liz Larson discussed the profound impact of eye movement on neurological health and personal transformation. She shared her "Cognitive Movement" modality, which is designed to help individuals reshape their nervous systems through controlled eye movements, accessing memories and emotional patterns for greater personal growth."It's like a backdoor hack," Larson described. She elaborated on how eye movements correlate with mental states, outlining that the eyes not only take in information but also dictate how the brain processes experiences. For instance, looking up can foster inspiration, while gazing down encourages mindfulness of the body.Larson described sneaky strategies for incorporating these techniques into daily life, allowing individuals to execute eye movements discreetly in social situations. "Many people will use that to calm feelings of anxiousness... that will signal the nervous system to down-regulate," she said. According to her, eye movements can energize the brain in preparation for stressful tasks, such as a job interview.Larson cautioned that as individuals age, reduced eye movement can lead to a narrower perspective and hinder cognitive function, making it essential to keep the eyes engaged. Furthermore, Larson explored the intersection of eye movement and paranormal experiences. She claimed that enhancing one's eye movement capabilities could unlock latent visual and psychic abilities, stating, "Many people report being able to see things that are in their vicinity that most of us can't see."She described a remarkable experience at one of her workshops, where the collective energy of participants reportedly led to the appearance of "a portal... this bright blue light looked like static electricity." Larson noted, "It was just this pure, radiating, lovely, conscious energy in the room."------------------In the second half, Gregory Shushan, PhD, discussed near-death experiences (NDEs) and cross-cultural beliefs about the afterlife. He has found notable similarities in how different societies perceive life after death. "The most fascinating aspect is... specifically the way [afterlife] beliefs correspond to near-death experiences," he claimed.Shushan has studied both the Egyptian Book of the Dead and the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and he's concluded these texts describe NDEs. "If you strip away the cultural descriptions, we're left with something that looks very much like a near-death experience," he elaborated. He explained that NDEs typically follow certain patterns. While Western narratives often depict experiences of traveling toward a bright light, other cultures tell stories of walking wild paths leading to the afterlife, a motif prevalent in Polynesian religions.The discussion also delved into shamanic practices, where one enters NDE-like states in order to gain insights or powers. Shushan noted that spiritual healers navigated these realms for transformative experiences. "They could control that and then come back to life, whereas a [real] near-death experience... it's pretty iffy if the person's going to come back or not," he explained.He also addressed contemporary scientific skepticism regarding the afterlife, asserting that ancient cultures often held a more profound understanding of life after death. "In contemporary Western culture, there is a real resistance to anything that has to do with death," he remarked. Shushan proposed that our modern, secular view is potentially limited, reflecting, "If there is an afterlife, it's nothing supernatural or paranormal. I think it's just natural."

In the first half, author and researcher Liz Larson discussed the profound impact of eye movement on neurological health and personal transformation. She shared her "Cognitive Movement" modality, which is designed to help individuals reshape their nervous systems through controlled eye movements, accessing memories and emotional patterns for greater personal growth."It's like a backdoor hack," Larson described. She elaborated on how eye movements correlate with mental states, outlining that the eyes not only take in information but also dictate how the brain processes experiences. For instance, looking up can foster inspiration, while gazing down encourages mindfulness of the body.Larson described sneaky strategies for incorporating these techniques into daily life, allowing individuals to execute eye movements discreetly in social situations. "Many people will use that to calm feelings of anxiousness... that will signal the nervous system to down-regulate," she said. According to her, eye movements can energize the brain in preparation for stressful tasks, such as a job interview.Larson cautioned that as individuals age, reduced eye movement can lead to a narrower perspective and hinder cognitive function, making it essential to keep the eyes engaged. Furthermore, Larson explored the intersection of eye movement and paranormal experiences. She claimed that enhancing one's eye movement capabilities could unlock latent visual and psychic abilities, stating, "Many people report being able to see things that are in their vicinity that most of us can't see."She described a remarkable experience at one of her workshops, where the collective energy of participants reportedly led to the appearance of "a portal... this bright blue light looked like static electricity." Larson noted, "It was just this pure, radiating, lovely, conscious energy in the room."------------------In the second half, Gregory Shushan, PhD, discussed near-death experiences (NDEs) and cross-cultural beliefs about the afterlife. He has found notable similarities in how different societies perceive life after death. "The most fascinating aspect is... specifically the way [afterlife] beliefs correspond to near-death experiences," he claimed.Shushan has studied both the Egyptian Book of the Dead and the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and he's concluded these texts describe NDEs. "If you strip away the cultural descriptions, we're left with something that looks very much like a near-death experience," he elaborated. He explained that NDEs typically follow certain patterns. While Western narratives often depict experiences of traveling toward a bright light, other cultures tell stories of walking wild paths leading to the afterlife, a motif prevalent in Polynesian religions.The discussion also delved into shamanic practices, where one enters NDE-like states in order to gain insights or powers. Shushan noted that spiritual healers navigated these realms for transformative experiences. "They could control that and then come back to life, whereas a [real] near-death experience... it's pretty iffy if the person's going to come back or not," he explained.He also addressed contemporary scientific skepticism regarding the afterlife, asserting that ancient cultures often held a more profound understanding of life after death. "In contemporary Western culture, there is a real resistance to anything that has to do with death," he remarked. Shushan proposed that our modern, secular view is potentially limited, reflecting, "If there is an afterlife, it's nothing supernatural or paranormal. I think it's just natural."

In the first half, author and researcher Liz Larson discussed the profound impact of eye movement on neurological health and personal transformation. She shared her "Cognitive Movement" modality, which is designed to help individuals reshape their nervous systems through controlled eye movements, accessing memories and emotional patterns for greater personal growth."It's like a backdoor hack," Larson described. She elaborated on how eye movements correlate with mental states, outlining that the eyes not only take in information but also dictate how the brain processes experiences. For instance, looking up can foster inspiration, while gazing down encourages mindfulness of the body.Larson described sneaky strategies for incorporating these techniques into daily life, allowing individuals to execute eye movements discreetly in social situations. "Many people will use that to calm feelings of anxiousness... that will signal the nervous system to down-regulate," she said. According to her, eye movements can energize the brain in preparation for stressful tasks, such as a job interview.Larson cautioned that as individuals age, reduced eye movement can lead to a narrower perspective and hinder cognitive function, making it essential to keep the eyes engaged. Furthermore, Larson explored the intersection of eye movement and paranormal experiences. She claimed that enhancing one's eye movement capabilities could unlock latent visual and psychic abilities, stating, "Many people report being able to see things that are in their vicinity that most of us can't see."She described a remarkable experience at one of her workshops, where the collective energy of participants reportedly led to the appearance of "a portal... this bright blue light looked like static electricity." Larson noted, "It was just this pure, radiating, lovely, conscious energy in the room."------------------In the second half, Gregory Shushan, PhD, discussed near-death experiences (NDEs) and cross-cultural beliefs about the afterlife. He has found notable similarities in how different societies perceive life after death. "The most fascinating aspect is... specifically the way [afterlife] beliefs correspond to near-death experiences," he claimed.Shushan has studied both the Egyptian Book of the Dead and the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and he's concluded these texts describe NDEs. "If you strip away the cultural descriptions, we're left with something that looks very much like a near-death experience," he elaborated. He explained that NDEs typically follow certain patterns. While Western narratives often depict experiences of traveling toward a bright light, other cultures tell stories of walking wild paths leading to the afterlife, a motif prevalent in Polynesian religions.The discussion also delved into shamanic practices, where one enters NDE-like states in order to gain insights or powers. Shushan noted that spiritual healers navigated these realms for transformative experiences. "They could control that and then come back to life, whereas a [real] near-death experience... it's pretty iffy if the person's going to come back or not," he explained.He also addressed contemporary scientific skepticism regarding the afterlife, asserting that ancient cultures often held a more profound understanding of life after death. "In contemporary Western culture, there is a real resistance to anything that has to do with death," he remarked. Shushan proposed that our modern, secular view is potentially limited, reflecting, "If there is an afterlife, it's nothing supernatural or paranormal. I think it's just natural."

Must pregnant women observe the fast of Ta'anit Ester? The Halacha in such a case depends on the stage of pregnancy, and the woman's condition. After the first trimester, a pregnant woman is exempt from the fast so she may eat and drink to sustain and strengthen the fetus. However, a woman in this case must ensure to eat and drink only as necessary to sustain the fetus; she should not indulge beyond what is necessary, since the day is a fast day for everyone else. During the first trimester, a pregnant woman may eat if she experiences discomfort, such as if she suffers from morning sickness, general frailty and the like. Particularly after forty days have passed since conception, there is greater room for leniency in cases where a woman experiences discomfort. Within the first forty days, however, a woman should fast unless this causes her considerable discomfort. A woman who is nursing an infant is exempt from the fast so that she will be able to properly feed the baby. Hacham Ovadia Yosef extends this leniency and exempts women from the fast of Ta'anit Ester within two years after delivering a child. The Gemara comments that a woman is frail for two years after childbirth, and therefore, according to Hacham Ovadia, a woman is exempt from the fast of Ta'anit Ester within this period. This ruling is not, however, the generally accepted practice. Many authorities, including the Kaf Ha'haim (based on the Bah), the Elya Rabba, the Kisur Shulhan Aruch, Hacham Bension Abba Shaul, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Rabbi Mazuz, ruled that the status of a woman during this period vis-à-vis Ta'anit Ester depends solely on her physical condition. If she says that she feels well and capable of fasting, then, according to the accepted position, she is required to observe the fast. Although the Gemara says that women are generally frail for two years after childbirth, if a woman says she feels healthy and strong, then we have no basis on which to exempt her from the fast. Indeed, there are many women who have children every year or so, and soon after childbirth they are already exercising regularly, running errands, and so on. It would not be acceptable for a woman who is in good enough physical condition to exercise to claim that she does not have to fast simply because she is within two years of childbirth. She should observe the fast of Ta'anit Ester unless she is indeed frail. There is a fascinating responsum of Hacham Yosef Yedid Halevi (Aram Soba-Israel, 1867-1930), in which he claims that Torah scholars are exempt from fasting on all fasts except Yom Kippur and Tisha B'Ab. He asserts that since fasting undermines a scholar's ability to concentrate and focus on his studies, the importance of a scholar's learning overrides these fasts, and he should thus not fast. By the same token, he adds, teachers are also exempt from these fasts, so they can properly tend to their duties and perform their sacred work of teaching Torah to Jewish children. Hacham Ovadia Yosef addresses this surprising ruling in a lengthy responsum, and disputes this position. Indeed, the accepted Halacha is that Torah scholars and teachers are required to fast like everybody else. The Mishna Berura (commentary by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin, 1839-1933) cites two different reasons for the fast of Ta'anit Ester. According to one view, this fast commemorates the fast that the Jews observed on 13 Adar in Persia when they went to war against those who sought to destroy them. They observed this fast as a means of repentance in order to be worthy of God's assistance in battle. According to others, the fast that we observe commemorates the three-day fast that Ester decreed upon the Jews of Shushan during Nissan, after Haman issued his edict. Although we fast for only one day, this observance, according to some, commemorates the three-day fast that the Jews observed in Nissan. There is a custom recorded in some sources to fast for three days after Purim – on the Monday, Thursday and then the next Monday after Purim – in commemoration of the three-day fast in Shushan, but this custom is not widely accepted. Summary: Pregnant women who are past their first trimester are exempt from fasting on Ta'anit Ester. During the first trimester, a woman should fast on Ta'anit Ester unless she experiences morning sickness or general frailty, in which case she is exempt from the fast, especially after the first forty days of pregnancy, when there is greater room for leniency. Nursing women are also exempt from the fast. A woman who has stopped nursing should observe the fast even if she is still within two years of childbirth, assuming she feels generally well.

Darkness Radio presents: Near Death Experience In Ancient Civilizations with Researcher/Author, Gregory Shushan, PhD! Millions of people have had near-death experiences (NDE's)through hstory. What are they - a simple trick of the mind and body or something more?  What are we to make of them, and do they tell us anything about religion  or are they shaped by our individual beliefs. culture, or the time that we are living in??! Author/Researcher Gregory Shushan, PhD joins Darkness Radio today to discuss the ancient afterlife beliefs of five world regions: Egypt, Sumer and Mesopotamia, India, China, and Maya and Aztec Mesoamerica, revealing their similarities with NDEs and comparing them with each other. Dr. Shushan also shares tales of these individual cultures and talks about how science can learn from these ancient tales. Get your copy of Near-Death Experience In Ancient Civilizations: The Origins of the World's Afterlife Beliefs here:  https://www.innertraditions.com/near-death-experience-in-ancient-civilizations Come see Tim this weekend at Missouri Paracon: https://www.missouriparacon.com/ Find out where the crew will be in your area: https://www.darknessradioshow.com/p/events/ #paranormal  #supernatural  #metaphysical  #paranormalpodcasts  #darknessradio  #timdennis #gregoryshushan #neardeathexperienceinancientcivilizations #theoriginsoftheworldsafterlifebeliefs  #neardeatheexperience #shareddeathexperience #ancientcivilizations #ancientegypt #sumer #babylonianmesopotamia #vedicindia #prebuddihistchina #mayaandaztecmesoamerica #gods #monsters #ghosts  #spirits  #spectres #hauntings #hauntedhouses  #demons  #exorcisms #angels #guardianangels #spiritguides #Psychics #mediums  #dreams #paralleldimensions #cern #theology  

Darkness Radio presents: Near Death Experience In Ancient Civilizations with Researcher/Author, Gregory Shushan, PhD! Millions of people have had near-death experiences (NDE's)through hstory. What are they - a simple trick of the mind and body or something more?  What are we to make of them, and do they tell us anything about religion  or are they shaped by our individual beliefs. culture, or the time that we are living in??! Author/Researcher Gregory Shushan, PhD joins Darkness Radio today to discuss the ancient afterlife beliefs of five world regions: Egypt, Sumer and Mesopotamia, India, China, and Maya and Aztec Mesoamerica, revealing their similarities with NDEs and comparing them with each other. Dr. Shushan also shares tales of these individual cultures and talks about how science can learn from these ancient tales. Get your copy of Near-Death Experience In Ancient Civilizations: The Origins of the World's Afterlife Beliefs here:  https://www.innertraditions.com/near-death-experience-in-ancient-civilizations Come see Tim this weekend at Missouri Paracon: https://www.missouriparacon.com/ Find out where the crew will be in your area: https://www.darknessradioshow.com/p/events/ #paranormal  #supernatural  #metaphysical  #paranormalpodcasts  #darknessradio  #timdennis #gregoryshushan #neardeathexperienceinancientcivilizations #theoriginsoftheworldsafterlifebeliefs  #neardeatheexperience #shareddeathexperience #ancientcivilizations #ancientegypt #sumer #babylonianmesopotamia #vedicindia #prebuddihistchina #mayaandaztecmesoamerica #gods #monsters #ghosts  #spirits  #spectres #hauntings #hauntedhouses  #demons  #exorcisms #angels #guardianangels #spiritguides #Psychics #mediums  #dreams #paralleldimensions #cern #theology  

• Reveals the powerful influence of near-death experiences (NDEs) on the formation of religious beliefs, mystical literature, and ritual practices• Focuses on the afterlife beliefs of five ancient world regions: Old and Middle Kingdom Egypt, Sumer and Old Babylonian Mesopotamia, Vedic India, pre-Buddhist China, and Maya and Aztec Mesoamerica• Shows how the similarities among afterlife beliefs and their correspondences with NDEs reveal that they both stem from universal truthsTaking readers on a thought-provoking journey into our ancestors' beliefs about death, dying, and the afterlife, Gregory Shushan, Ph.D., reveals the powerful influence of near-death experiences (NDEs) on religious beliefs and ritual practices throughout human history. Focusing on five ancient world regions in Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, China, and Mesoamerica, Shushan expertly explores each civilization's afterlife beliefs. He explains how each of these civilizations developed independently of one another, yet there is a series of similarities among afterlife beliefs too consistent and specific to be mere coincidence. This leads to the profound implication that afterlife beliefs are not entirely invented by cultures: they also stem from universal truths derived from NDEs.Drawing on anthropology, psychology, and philosophy, the author explores how each civilization interpreted NDEs and how afterlife beliefs develop over time. He also explores the metaphysical implications of his discoveries, including what an actual afterlife would look like. Revealing that NDEs have occurred throughout human history, Shushan shows how they continue to influence our understanding of what lies beyond death to this day.BioGregory Shushan, Ph.D., is the leading authority on near-death experiences and afterlife beliefs across cultures and throughout history. He is an award-winning author affiliated with Birmingham Newman University, University of Winchester, Marian University, and the Parapsychology Foundation. A former researcher at the University of Oxford and University of Wales, he lives in San Francisco.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4MDW98Y/https://www.gregoryshushan.com/(Twitter): @GregoryShushanInstagram Profile: @gregoryshushanFacebook Page: facebook.com/gregoryshushanYouTube Channel: Gregory Shushan https://www.pastliveshypnosis.co.uk/https://www.patreon.com/ourparanormalafterlife

• Reveals the powerful influence of near-death experiences (NDEs) on the formation of religious beliefs, mystical literature, and ritual practices• Focuses on the afterlife beliefs of five ancient world regions: Old and Middle Kingdom Egypt, Sumer and Old Babylonian Mesopotamia, Vedic India, pre-Buddhist China, and Maya and Aztec Mesoamerica• Shows how the similarities among afterlife beliefs and their correspondences with NDEs reveal that they both stem from universal truthsTaking readers on a thought-provoking journey into our ancestors' beliefs about death, dying, and the afterlife, Gregory Shushan, Ph.D., reveals the powerful influence of near-death experiences (NDEs) on religious beliefs and ritual practices throughout human history. Focusing on five ancient world regions in Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, China, and Mesoamerica, Shushan expertly explores each civilization's afterlife beliefs. He explains how each of these civilizations developed independently of one another, yet there is a series of similarities among afterlife beliefs too consistent and specific to be mere coincidence. This leads to the profound implication that afterlife beliefs are not entirely invented by cultures: they also stem from universal truths derived from NDEs.Drawing on anthropology, psychology, and philosophy, the author explores how each civilization interpreted NDEs and how afterlife beliefs develop over time. He also explores the metaphysical implications of his discoveries, including what an actual afterlife would look like. Revealing that NDEs have occurred throughout human history, Shushan shows how they continue to influence our understanding of what lies beyond death to this day.BioGregory Shushan, Ph.D., is the leading authority on near-death experiences and afterlife beliefs across cultures and throughout history. He is an award-winning author affiliated with Birmingham Newman University, University of Winchester, Marian University, and the Parapsychology Foundation. A former researcher at the University of Oxford and University of Wales, he lives in San Francisco.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4MDW98Y/https://www.gregoryshushan.com/(Twitter): @GregoryShushanInstagram Profile: @gregoryshushanFacebook Page: facebook.com/gregoryshushanYouTube Channel: Gregory Shushan https://www.pastliveshypnosis.co.uk/https://www.patreon.com/ourparanormalafterlife

In this episode, I talk with Gregory Shushan, Ph.D., the world's leading authority on near-death experiences (NDEs) and afterlife beliefs across cultures and history.We dive into his incredible new book, Near-Death Experience in Ancient Civilizations: The Origins of the World's Afterlife Beliefs, exploring how NDEs have shaped religious and spiritual traditions from the dawn of civilization.Shushan takes us on a journey through five ancient world regions—Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, China, and Mesoamerica—revealing striking similarities in their afterlife beliefs despite having developed independently. Could these parallels point to universal truths about what happens after we die?Drawing from anthropology, psychology, and philosophy, he examines how ancient cultures interpreted near-death experiences and how these interpretations evolved into the foundations of their spiritual traditions.His book serves as a historical record of ancient NDE accounts from around the world, offering a rare glimpse into the firsthand experiences of those who crossed the threshold of death and returned. Through carefully analyzed texts, inscriptions, and oral traditions, Shushan reconstructs the earliest known reports of near-death experiences and their profound impact on ancient societies.We also discuss the implications of his research—what it suggests about consciousness, the afterlife, and the nature of reality itself. Shushan shares his thoughts on the connection between DMT and the death experience, exploring whether the psychedelic molecule acts as a gateway to the same realms encountered in NDEs. Additionally, we delve into how near-death experiences may have been the catalyst for the birth of religious and shamanic traditions worldwide, influencing rituals, beliefs, and practices that persist to this day. Drop In!www.gregoryshushan.comGregory Shushan Bio:Gregory Shushan, Ph.D., is the leading authority on near-death experiences and afterlife beliefs across cultures and throughout history. He is an award-winning authoraffiliated with Birmingham Newman University, University of Winchester, Marian University, and the Parapsychology Foundation. A former researcher at the University of Oxford and University of Wales, he lives in San Francisco. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this fascinating episode of "How I Made It Through," hosts Kristin Taylor and Bernadette Thompson welcome Gregory Shushan, Ph.D., a leading authority on near-death experiences (NDEs) and the afterlife across cultures and history. Dr. Shushan, a historian of religions and award-winning author, delves into the universal themes and unique cultural interpretations of NDEs throughout ancient civilizations and indigenous societies.Dr. Shushan shares his journey from studying Egyptian archaeology to becoming a pioneer in cross-cultural comparisons of NDEs. He discusses the nine core elements of NDEs he identified and how these elements manifest differently across various cultures. From ancient Egyptian texts resembling near-death experiences to Native American accounts challenging missionary teachings, Dr. Shushan provides a comprehensive look at how NDEs have been perceived and documented globally.The conversation explores the similarities and differences in how cultures interpret NDEs, the role of cultural symbols in understanding these experiences, and the impact of NDEs on religious beliefs and practices. Dr. Shushan also addresses the challenges he faced in academia and how his work intersects with scientific debates on the nature of consciousness and the afterlife.Join us for an enlightening discussion that challenges conventional paradigms and opens new avenues for understanding human consciousness and spiritual experiences across time and space.- **[00:00] Introduction to Gregory Shushan, Ph.D.**- Overview of Gregory Shushan's background and expertise in near-death experiences.- **[03:00] Early Fascination and Academic Journey**- Dr. Shushan shares his early interest in strange phenomena and the path that led him to study NDEs.- **[06:00] Cross-Cultural Comparisons**- Discussion on the similarities and differences in NDEs across ancient civilizations like Egypt and India.- **[09:00] Indigenous Societies and NDEs**- Insights into how indigenous cultures perceive NDEs and their impact on belief systems.- **[12:00] Challenges in Academia**- Dr. Shushan talks about the academic resistance he faced and how he navigated disciplinary taboos.- **[15:00] Cultural Symbols and NDEs**- Exploration of how cultural symbols overlay NDEs and provide a framework for understanding.- **[18:00] Hellish NDEs and Cultural Interpretations**- Examination of distressing NDEs and how different cultures interpret these experiences.- **[21:00] The Role of Science and Spirituality**- Discussion on how Dr. Shushan's work challenges scientific and spiritual interpretations of NDEs.Learn more about Gregory Shushan, PhD.:- Website: gregoryshushan.com- Book: “Near-Death Experience in Ancient Civilizations: The Origins of the World's Afterlife Beliefs” - Instagram: @gregoryshuhshan- Substack: gregoryshushan.substack.com

sources for exclusive distinction in dates of Purim of unwalled and wallet cities, debate if walled is defined from days of Yehoshua or Shushan with sources, inclusion in walled cities, establishment of "menatzpech" letter's at end of words, establishment of Targumim of Torah and Nevi'im

Gregory Shushan, Ph.D joins us to explore the powerful influence of near-death experiences (NDEs) on the formation of religious beliefs, mystical literature, and ritual practices. We'll delve into his new book to understand the afterlife beliefs of five ancient world regions: Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, China, and Mesoamerica. Shushan highlights the remarkable similarities among these beliefs and reveals that they stem from universal truths linked to NDEs. Join us on a thought-provoking journey into the metaphysical implications of these discoveries and the lasting impact of NDEs on our understanding of the afterlife.Get the book: https://amzn.to/4hhNZ4BMore on Gregory: https://www.gregoryshushan.com/Stream All Astro Gnosis Conferences for the price of one: https://thegodabovegod.com/replay-sophia/The Gnostic Tarot: https://www.makeplayingcards.com/sell/synkrasisHomepage: https://thegodabovegod.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aeonbyteAB Prime: https://thegodabovegod.com/members/subscription-levels/ Virtual Alexandria Academy: https://thegodabovegod.com/virtual-alexandria-academy/Voice Over services: https://thegodabovegod.com/voice-talent/ Support with donation: https://buy.stripe.com/00g16Q8RK8D93mw288Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/aeon-byte-gnostic-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

“To be a Jew is to know that because of who we are, because of our historical experience, we care for the other. This is really one of the great tensions of our moment. Of how to be eyes wide open to Israel's need for self-defense, and at the same time recognize the real suffering that's going on in Gaza and to know that we need to find a way to hold both of those together.” Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, spiritual leader of Park Avenue Synagogue in New York, explores the complexities of Jewish identity in a post-October 7th world in his new book, For Such a Time As This: On Being Jewish Today. In this conversation, he unpacks the tension between Israel's need for self-defense and the suffering experienced by Gazans and Israelis and the challenge of balancing empathy with vigilance. He also shares his personal journey to the rabbinate and what it means to live as a Jew in this pivotal moment. *The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views or position of AJC.  Sign up for AJC Global Forum: Register at AJC.org/GlobalForum2025 for the premier global Jewish advocacy conference of the year, in New York City, April 27-29 2025 Listen – AJC Podcasts: The Forgotten Exodus: with Hen Mazzig, Einat Admony, and more. People of the Pod:  The Oldest Holocaust Survivor Siblings: A Tale of Family, Survival, and Hope Israeli Hostages Freed: Inside the Emotional Reunions, High-Stakes Negotiations, and What's Next Bring Them Home: Understanding the Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal and Its Impact Pack One Bag: Stanley Tucci and David Modigliani Uncover His Jewish Family's Escape from Fascism and Antisemitism in 1930s Italy Follow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod You can reach us at: peopleofthepod@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. __ Transcript of Conversation with Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove:  Josh Kramer: AJC Global Forum is returning to New York City, April 27 to 29th 2025. I'm Josh Kramer. AJC New York Regional Director, and I hope to see you there. You won't want to miss this opportunity to join with more than 2000 other activists and engage in thought provoking discussions on the future of the Jewish people, Israel, America, and the world.  Our program will feature large plenary sessions with headline speakers, smaller breakout sessions designed to explore the key political, strategic and social concerns affecting the global Jewish community, and exclusive opportunities to engage with diplomats, decision makers, interfaith partners, community leaders and more.  Will you be in the room? Register today at AJC.org/GlobalForum2025 to take part in the premier global Jewish advocacy conference of the year. Now is the time to join AJC in shaping a new future. Head to AJC.org/GlobalForum2025. Manya Brachear Pashman:   I've done quite a bit of soul searching in the 15 months since October 7. How do I grapple with the tragedy in Israel and Gaza and the hatred Jews face on American soil without scaring my children away from Judaism?  Then came our Temple's Purim spiel last spring. That story of Queen Esther's bravery, in some ways, helped. It was about that same time that Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, the spiritual leader at Park Avenue Synagogue in New York, picked up his pen and began to write his latest book, named for a line in Queen Esther's tale – For Such a Time As This: On Being Jewish Today. Rabbi Cosgrove is with us now. Rabbi, welcome to People of the Pod. Elliot Cosgrove:   Thank you. It's great to be here.  Manya Brachear Pashman:   So I have to tell you, rehearsals began for this year's Purim spiel as I was reading this book, which made it all the more powerful. What inspired you to write this? Elliot Cosgrove:   Well, for me, I draw wisdom from text, and I was trying to think of what would be an analogous moment for what we were going through as American Jews from the ancient text.  And for me, as you say, this is now on the cusp of Purim 2025, it was the story of Esther that we read. And in many of our synagogues, we have Purim spiels, where we act out the story, which is basically the story of a Jewish community of ancient Shushan who believed themselves to have it good, that they were comfortable in the diaspora. And the wicked decree of Haman came down and Esther, whose name actually means to hide, she hid herself, her Jewish identity in the king's palace, and believed that she was comfortable there.  When the decree came down, Mordechai, her uncle, by way of an emissary, sent a message to her. “Don't think yourself to be safe from Haman's decree. Who knows, if it was not for such a time as this that you've arrived at your station.” And I saw this as really the calling card of our moment that we all felt ourselves in the wake of October 7, Esther-like called to action. The trauma of October 7, but also the call to action, to step up to the moment, the needs of our people. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Tell us about your writing process. Elliot Cosgrove:   I buried myself in my writing from before dawn until mid-morning, and then I would hit a wall. And I didn't take a sabbatical. I actually went into my day job as a congregational rabbi. It was a very intense writing process and then in the course of about three to four months sent the manuscript off to the publisher. Manya, the thing about the book is it was very disorienting to write as the events were playing out, both in Israel and in the States. And one of the worries that I had that I spoke to the publisher about was, well, what if this becomes dated? You know, it was not journalism, but I was writing as the news was happening, and the good news and the bad news is that the themes that I pick up on: the trauma of Israel, the blurred line between anti-Zionism and antisemitism, how we balance empathy and vigilance, the question of the hostages, of thinking about a day after for Israel and the Palestinians, these questions are not only still relevant, but they're actually more pressing than ever. So unfortunately, the themes that I hit on in the book, very much present right now. Manya Brachear Pashman:   How did that writing process help you personally process what you were witnessing and experiencing as a Jew in America? Elliot Cosgrove:   I'll say this, that as a rabbi, I often see my job–someone calls, they've just gotten bad news in the hospital, a loved one has passed away. Or a happy thing, that their child has just gotten engaged, or they themselves have just become new parents. And people turn to clergy to get the first line of constructing the narrative of what it is they are experiencing.  And for me, there is something deeply personal and deeply pastoral about this book, because I feel like it's seeking, hopefully, to give the language to American Jews as to how to construct this new reality of a post October 7 existence, the jumble of emotions, of trauma, but also the emergence of Jewish identity, the likes of which we've never seen before, the argument for continued defense of Israel's right to self determination, as well as an assurance that the traumas of October 7 never happen again. And in the same breath to think actively about what does the day after look like. I think we're all searching for language for these and other tensions of our moment, and I'm hoping that the book is sort of a vocabulary builder for our time. Manya Brachear Pashman:   One word that you used many times in the book, and it stuck with me, just because maybe it's one of my favorite words, and that is empathy. And you used it in different chapters, different contexts. And I'm curious if you could share with the audience the role of empathy and how it is a guiding force, how it has been a guiding force since October 7. Elliot Cosgrove:   Empathy, both its presence and its absence, has been a subplot of this moment, because I think empathy is ingrained into the Jewish DNA. You open up the Passover Haggadah, and on the one hand, we know that we are vigilant against every generation a pharaoh arises to destroy us. We are guards up. We are a people who knows the importance of ancient hatreds, of being vigilant against them, and also the ring of fire that Israel sits in by way of Iran and its proxies.  I mean, Israel's in a very tight spot, and American Jewry is in a very tight spot. And at the same time, empathy is who we are. You were once a stranger in a strange land. Therefore you should know the heart of a stranger. To be a Jew is to know that because of who we are, because of our historical experience, we care for the other. And I think that this is really one of the great tensions of our moment of how to, you know, be eyes wide open to Israel's need to self defense, and at the same time recognize the real suffering that's going on in Gaza and and to know that we need to find a way to hold both of those together. That Israel needs to fight this war as if there's no tomorrow, and Israel has to fight this war with an eye to tomorrow, with the same ferocity that it prosecutes this war, it has to pursue a day after plan. And I think that somewhere along the way, it's the voices on the extremes who are speaking with the loudest megaphones. And the goal of this moment is to realize that we need to find a way to embrace both.  I think it was Fitzgerald who said the test of a great mind is the ability to hold two opposing ideas and retain the ability to function. I think the test of the Jewish community right now is the ability to hold both vigilance and empathy at the same time and retain the ability to move forward with hope. Manya Brachear Pashman:   And how can empathy help here on American soil, where we're facing protesters, we're facing all kinds of opposition and questions and hatred because of what's happening overseas. How do we use empathy here on American soil? Elliot Cosgrove:   First of all, it's hard. It's hard. When you are under attack, the last thing anyone wants to do is feel someone else's pain. When someone is calling me a colonialist oppressor, when someone is calling for the destruction of the Jewish state, something which is part and parcel to my identity, core to my very being – my initial instinct is not to inquire into how they feel and have empathy. My initial instinct is to have shields of self-defense, prioritize the needs of my people over anyone else's. I think that's a human thing to do.  And as long as the hostages are hostages, as long as Israel stands in a vulnerable position, I think we need to be eyes wide open to that, and then we need to breathe, and we need to remember what it means to be a Jew.  And we need to remember that it takes two to tango, and that if we are going to create a future whereby Jews and Palestinians can live side by side in safety and self determination, then we need to realize that there are two peoples worthy of realizing that dream, and that requires empathy, Manya. Manya Brachear Pashman:   You were not always that religious or observant of your religious tradition. Can you tell our audience how you became a rabbi? Elliot Cosgrove:   How long do we have? This is a big question, but, look as with any way we construct our realities and tell our origin stories, there are a million ways to tell it. The truth of the matter is, I am the grandson of a congregational rabbi, an orthodox rabbi. So to say that I had somehow strayed from the path is a little bit of an overstatement. But I will say that I grew up in a traditional Jewish background. I'm very proud of the home I grew up in, but when I went off to college, it was very much something I did, Judaism was something I did at home. And I can't say that my first few years at my alma mater at University of Michigan were known by way of my religious affiliations and commitments. And then I got a phone call my junior year of college, that a figure from my youth, a grandfather figure I never really knew. My grandparents had passed away, and he was a guy who used to sit next to us in synagogue and slip me up peppermint candy as the rabbi was about to start the sermon or come over for Passover Seders or Shabbat dinner, Mr. Gendun, and he had passed away. And I got the phone call. I said, What would Mr. Gendun want me to do? And I thought, maybe I'll say Kaddish.  So I called one of my Jewishy friends. I had never been inside the Hillel building up until that moment. And I called up one of my Jewishy friends and I said, What's, where's the Hillel? And they said, you're an idiot, Elliot. It's this huge building right on campus at Michigan. And I went in and I said my Kaddish, and I was getting up like it was the end of an airplane ride just to run back out to whatever my evening plans were.  And a man stood between me and the door, boxing me out, and I was trying to shimmy one way and the other. And he said, I notice you've never been here before. And he said, Well, I'm wondering if you'd like to come to Shabbat dinner. And I lied, truth be told, because I figure he didn't want to know about dollar pitcher night. And I said, I already have Shabbat plans. And he said, Well, do you have Shabbat plans next week? And I was caught in my tracks, and I said, No, and before I could say another word, he said, Good, then you'll come over for Shabbat dinner.  And that man was Michael Brooks, who was the Hillel Director of the Michigan Hillel. I went over to Shabbat dinner. I got involved in the Israel group. I was an editor of the student journal. I sat on the Hillel governing board. One thing led to the other, and I became a rabbi. But important [as] that story is obviously in my own religious formation and choice of vocation, is how it informs my own life and my own rabbinate. It's that ability to look around the room when you're in a class, a Jewish event, a service, and who's the person who looks a little out of place like they might have been there for the very first time, and just do that small human act of reaching out to them, and whether you're going to invite them to Shabbat dinner or not, but just to acknowledge their humanity, that has been the north star of my rabbinate ever since. We're all just human beings looking for a place to hang our hats. Manya Brachear Pashman:   You talk about empathy. I think empathy caught my attention every time you mentioned it in the book, because I think it's so key to journalism. It's such an important component of it. And then I think hospitality is such an important component to Judaism and to congregational life, Elliot Cosgrove:   Absolutely. Hospitality is something that is key to our text at the beginning of the Passover Seder. But hospitality is also a spiritual demeanor that we welcome people into our souls, into our presence, into our life. Hachnasat Orchim in Hebrew, this idea that there's always space within our souls, within our hearts.  Manya Brachear Pashman:   Having had such an important turning point on a university campus, how did you interact with, council, university students during this time, as they were facing such pressures and such opposition, crushing opposition during this past year and a half? Elliot Cosgrove:   So there's a chapter about that in the book. It's really the part of the book that I think has struck a nerve, and appropriately so, because I'm the father of four college age or thereabouts children.  And that story I tell about Maya, and Maya is a young woman who, I joke, shares half a brain with my own college age daughter. She's grown up in my household, and she is what you or I might identify as a non Zionist Gen zer, and she approached me and perhaps reproached me for having a Israeli flag on the pulpit, for doing the prayer for the State of Israel in the midst of the service, and said, you know, and she grew up in the Jewish Day School. She grew up going to Jewish summer camp. She did gap year programs in Israel.  Not a small amount of money has been invested in the Mayas of the world, and she herself is asking whether or not her liberal, American Jewish self can be simpatico with the policies of this or that Israeli government, because they don't speak for her sensibility. And to this question of empathy, I think the first move one makes in any such situation is to try to understand where the other person is coming from.  And I think a 21, 22, 23 year old is coming of age in a moment of time where the only Prime Minister they know of is Bibi Netanyahu, who either is or is beholden to the most right-wing elements of Israeli society. The only policies they know of the Israeli government are an expansionist policy in the West Bank, which has precluded the possibility of a two state solution. The only paradigm they have is an Israel which is a Goliath to the Palestinian David, this is their reality.  You can't blame someone for the time into which they are born. I can pick apart and engage in a dialog on what's true and what's not true. But to tell someone that their reality is not, their reality is is not, you know, a move that one can make. And by the way, if they're during the time of the judicial reform, and to this day, there are 1000s of Israelis marching on the streets on a Saturday night protesting the Israeli government as an expression of their love of country.  To tell the Mayas of the world, a college age student today, that they are treif, they are beyond the bounds of Jewish discourse, for doing the exact same thing is just an argument that doesn't hold water anymore. And so the the the goal here, Manya, is to engage with their questions, to listen intently, to prompt that young mind to come up with their own answers for the defense and the well being of the Jewish people, given the harsh realities that Israel faces, and also to make room for their very real question. So I look long on the Maya generation. It's actually a controversial moment within the organized Jewish community –do we write them off, do we not write them off? I think they're our future, and I think we do terrible damage to ourselves if we write them off. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Because it is such a time as this. We have to pay attention to the context, right, and to where we are in history, without losing sight of history. Elliot Cosgrove:   Look, it's very easy to take pot shots from the left and from the right. You know where this brave space is. The brave space is standing in the middle and dignifying the claims and counterclaims of both sides, and knowing that real leadership is trying to keep our people together. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Your book does such a beautiful job of inspiring that sense, sparking those, those right emotions in my head. So thank you so much for writing it. And I encourage all of our listeners to pick up a copy of Rabbi Cosgrove's book–For Such a Time as This: On Being Jewish Today. It is full of challenges, and I think that the challenge is worth facing and taking on. Thank you. Elliot Cosgrove:   Thank you so much, Manya.

Tonight I am joined by Author of “Near-Death Experience in Ancient Civilizations” Gregory Shushan Ph.D. Gregory Shushan is a historian of religions, an award-winning author, and the leading authority on near-death experiences and the afterlife across cultures and throughout history. Dr. Shushan is a Visiting Research Fellow at University of Winchester's Centre for Death, Religion and Culture, and Research Fellow of the Parapsychology Foundation. Dr. Shushan holds degrees in Religious Studies (University of Wales Lampeter), Research Methods for the Humanities, Egyptian Archaeology (University College London), and Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology (Birkbeck College, University of London). He is currently working towards his second PhD with a project on near-death experiences in Classical antiquity. We will be discussing his research the metaphysics of death known throughout the ancient world.  **I recently moved a lot of older episodes to our patreon page which you can watch or listen to them for 2$ a month along with other exclusive content. The Link is

Episode 171: In this episode of the Sports Science Insights Podcast, Steve Barrett sits down with Dr. Tzlil Shushan — a postdoctoral research fellow in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Wollongong. Tzlil brings a wealth of experience as a sport scientist and strength & conditioning coach, having worked with elite team-sport organizations and published extensively in the field. Specializing in monitoring, programming, and evaluating performance strategies, Tzlil combines cutting-edge research with practical expertise to consult and mentor athletes and organizations worldwide. ✏️ Topics Discussed: ▪️ Cultures of Sport Science in Different Countries ▪️ Studying a PhD in Australia ▪️ Diving into Sub-Max Fitness Testing ▪️ Internal Responses to Sub-Max Testing ▪️ External Responses to Sub-Max Testing ▪️ Challenging Technologies for Measuring the Session - Where you can find Tzlil: •⁠  ⁠University of Wollongong •⁠  LinkedIn •⁠  Instagram   - Sponsors VALD: makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training. Hytro: The world's leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport. Teambuildr: A platform for any coach in any setting. Every day, thousands of coaches log into TeamBuildr to write training programs, build questionnaires and access athlete and client performance data. Teambuildr is a complete platform. Whether you're building your own programming, looking to create custom reports or give athletes a tool for accountability, they've built it out. -  Where to Find Us Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on: Instagram Twitter Our Website - Our Team Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth Alistair McKenzie Dylan Carmody Steve Barrett  Pete McKnight

The Mysterious Date of Chanuka, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why does Chanuka begin on the 25th of Kislev?  Every other day that is marked in our calendar for celebration has a clear source as to why that date was chosen. In the case of festivals marked in the Torah - that is the source. In the case of Purim, the text records that the Jews of the Persian Empire celebrated on the 14th (and, in Shushan, on the 15th) of Adar and declared that those days will be kept for generations. There is, however, no clear source as to why Hanukkah begins on the 25th. Suggestions, such as that that was the day the battle for Yerushalayim was won or that was the day that the Mikdash was finally under Jewish control don't fit with what we know about the history of the event. The Mikdash had to be cleansed, the defiled altar destroyed and the new one built. Furthermore, there is evidence in Megilat Ta'anit that the Hashmonaim had control of the Mikdash already in the month of Marcheshvan - over 4 weeks earlier. Why did they wait to renew the Avoda? This mystery and a number of others are addressed in this shiur.