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Monday, July 1, 2013

"Sodom"/"Four Horsemen"

The prophecy of Revelation tells us that the place associated with the death of the final faithful prophets, is  "Sodom" and "Egypt" Rev.11:8.
We know that these "two witnesses" are true and faithful prophets (Rev.11:3,4).
We must then consider their deaths according to the words of Christ:
He told us, "--for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!" (Luke13:33 B).
  If Jesus first tells us that true prophets are judged and die in the City of Jerusalem (Luke13:34),
(where he also was judged and died -Rev.11:8 C)
and then tells us that these two true prophets die in "Sodom",
then in the time of the end (the Lord's Day -Rev.1:10; 2Thess.2:1,2) there is a clear association between God's City in Covenant with Him, and Sodom.
(There is no scriptural "anti-typical Jerusalem" as the "Watchtower" interprets this as "Christendom". There is no such identity in the Bible.)
"Christendom" are not in a covenant with God, nor is it comprised of God's Chosen Ones who make up "Jerusalem's" symbolic "Temple" (1Cor.3:16; 1Pet.2:5,9; Eph.2:20,21,22).
So why are God's end-time people compared to the City who killed the prophets (Matt.23:35; Rev.18:24; 17:18), and at the same time, to the City of Sodom?
For today's post, I would like to show how God's own Word explains why this prophetic comparison to SODOM, is made.
Please take special note of the references made in Revelation, and how these compare to God's explanations and interpretations, contained in the Bible's own historical accounts.

First, Sodom represents "exceeding wickedness" (Gen.13:13).
When offered, Abraham refused to take anything from the king of Sodom (in view of his promise to God), so that no credit could be ascribed to the filth of Sodom for Abraham's prosperity. Only God would receive all credit, and Abraham would depend on God alone. (Gen.14:18,19,20,21,22,23)
I have received a number of letters, prompting me to credit the Organization for things I have learned. The Chosen who repent of such idolatrous viewpoints, realize that God alone is the source of light and life, and he directly gives Holy Spirit to all those of his sons who ask it of Him (Luke11:13; John16:13,24; Matt.7:7; Rev.3:18).
We must remain in union with Christ (1John2:28; 1Cor.6:17; John17:23; Matt.28:20; John6:56,55,51; 2Cor.11:2,3) branded with his mark (Rev.14:1) and under his yoke of slavery (Col.3:24; Gal.1:10; Matt.11:29). We must not leave him... to be branded slaves in subjection to Non-anointed spiritual Gentiles and their false doctrines (1Cor.7:23; Rom.6:16; Rev.13:16,18)....
(pearl-666.blogspot.com)
(pearl-forehead.blogspot.com)
(who have raised themselves up over God's Chosen Temple Priests -2Thess.2:4; Rev.11:2; 2Chron.13:9).

The Chosen who are striving to prove faithful are well aware of what the Organization and it's anointed leadership have "given" them, and it is not what others assume (Rev.9:3,4,5,6,10; 13:7,17,15; 11:7; 2Cor.11:20; 2Thess.2:3,4; John16:2; Rev.17:6; Matt.24:48,49).
YHWH, His Word, and His Son deserve all the praise and credit for the truth that leads to life (John17:3,17; Heb.4:12; 2Tim.3:16,17).

At Gen.19:24,28 we learn that the end of Sodom came by means of "brimstone and fire" (and "smoke"). These were God's judgments against Sodom (see parallels at Rev.9:18; 14:11; 19:3; 17:16) Deut.29:23 describes Sodom's outcome, as having no grass grow there (Rev.8:7).
                   This I saw vividly, in one of the Spirit's visions about the outcome for
                   "Jehovah's Witnesses", which was shown to me.
(pearl-winepress.blogspot.com)

Take note that at Deut.32:19,16,20,22,24,25 God uses 4 particular forces to discipline his own wayward people. This is mirrored in the time of the end. (Rev.6:1-8; Amos4:6; Eze.7:15; Jer.14:7,10,18,19; 29:18; 32:24; 34:17; Eze.14:21) in the "four horsemen". As we will see, this discipline is for God's own people, not for the world (Heb.12:7; 2Sam.7:14; 1Cor.11:32; Heb.12:11,5).

Take note of the parallel in Ezekiel chapter 14, concerning the 4 horsemen...
 4 “Therefore speak to them, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Everyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the Lord will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols, 6 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations. 10 And they shall bear their iniquity; the punishment of the prophet shall be the same as the punishment of the one who inquired, 11 that the house of Israel may no longer stray from Me, nor be profaned anymore with all their transgressions, but that they may be My people and I may be their God,“ says the Lord God.’”

12 The word of the Lord came again to me, saying: 13 “Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. 14 Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,” says the Lord God.

15 “If I cause wild beasts to pass through the land, and they empty it, and make it so desolate that no man may pass through because of the beasts, 16 even though these three men were in it, as I live,” says the Lord God, “they would deliver neither sons nor daughters; only they would be delivered, and the land would be desolate.

17 “Or if I bring a sword on that land, and say, ‘Sword, go through the land,’ and I cut off man and beast from it, 18 even though these three men were in it, as I live,” says the Lord God, “they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, but only they themselves would be delivered.

19 “Or if I send a pestilence into that land and pour out My fury on it in blood, and cut off from it man and beast, 20 even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live,” says the Lord God, “they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.”

21 For thus says the Lord God: How much more it shall be when I send My four severe judgments on Jerusalem—the sword and famine and wild beasts and pestilence—to cut off man and beast from it? 22 Yet behold, there shall be left in it a remnant who will be brought out, both sons and daughters; surely they will come out to you, and you will see their ways and their doings. Then you will be comforted concerning the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, all that I have brought upon it. 23 And they will comfort you, when you see their ways and their doings; and you shall know that I have done nothing without cause that I have done in it,” says the Lord God."

                  --------------------------------

God Himself says of His own people,
"The faithful city has become a harlot" Isa.1:21; 63:18; Rev.17:1
Is "Christendom" the "faithful city"?
If not...Then it is not the "harlot".
Hosea makes clear that this "harlotry" is the act of an "adulterous wife" (Hosea9:1; 1:2).
Being as a wife to God requires a marriage covenant (Isa.54:5,6,7; 48:17; Jer.3:8,14; Hosea2:19; 4:15). Is "Christendom"/"nominal Christians" in covenant with God?
Revelation's Harlot is not "Christendom"/"nominal Christians" at all!...but are ruling, unfaithful anointed in covenant with God...
the "wicked steward" (Luke12:42,45; Rev.17:6) (Luke12:46; Hosea6:5; Jer.5:14; 23:29; Rev.18:8)
and all anointed who stay a part of her organizational Beast, are committing fornication with her (Rev.13:1; 17:2,12,16; 18:9; 1:5; 5:10; John18:36).

From within that Sodom-like City, God will cleanse a remnant and restore them, IF they are repentant. They are restored back, to being "the city of righteousness, the faithful City". (Isa.1:25,26,27; Zech.13:9; Mal.3:3; Zech.4:9,6,12,14; Rev.11:4,3; Rev.3:12; 21:2; Ps.48:8)

Is that faithful remnant from the city of Jerusalem, from "Christendom"?
According to Jesus, "Jerusalem" is "the City of the living God/Great King" (Matt.5:35; Ps.48:2).
It is not "Christendom".
These prophecies about "Jerusalem" are not about "Christendom".
These prophecies do not apply as the "Watchtower" has taught.
There is no "anti-typical Jerusalem" according to scripture.
If the Bible says "Jerusalem", it means "Jerusalem".
While their pride refuses to apply God's warnings and discipline to themselves;
the scriptural clarity of "Watchtower" error, is inescapable.

 The prophets of Jerusalem were compared to Sodom (Jer.23:14). Their land was to become a desolation (Jer.49:18; 50:39; Rev.18:2).
This speaks of God's people...Lam.4:6 Do not be deceived! (1Thess.5:3,6,7; Mark13:36,37,35)

God compares the teachings and practices of His own wayward people, with the vine of Sodom. (Deut.32:32,33; 29:18; Heb.12:15; Rev.8:11) This poisonous vine has replaced the true vine (John15:5). It's wine causes spiritual drunkeness and death (Jer.25:15,16; 13:13; 51:7; Rev.14:8; 18:3), rather than light, truth, and life (John14:6).

When God's own "children" rebelled against him, God compared them to Sodom (Isa.1:2,10). These are the ones who show no repentance or sense of shame (Isa.3:9). They trample his temple courtyard Isa.1:12 (Rev.11:2). They are bloodguilty -Isa.1:15 (Rev.17:6). Their sins are as scarlet -Isa.1:18; (Rev.17:3,4) Their refusal to repent, brings down the sword Isa.1:16,20; (Rev.2:16; 19:15)

 If those who claim to worship the true God, do not receive Christ's ambassadors, they are judged as worse than Sodom (Matt.10:6,14,15; 11:23,24; Luke10:12 -future tense).---This compares to the time of the end (Luke17:29,30,28,31,32).
Just as a remnant of Christians were saved out of the rebellious and condemned City of first century Jerusalem; a remnant seed will be saved today (Rom.9:29; Luke13:23,24; Matt.7:14,21,22,23; 25:11,12).
Sodom and Gomorrah are a warning to us (2Pet.2:5,6,7; Jude1:3,7,10,11 (Rev.2:14); Jude1:12,13,16,17,18), not a warning to a counterfeit Christianity.

Jesus told us that in the time of the end, Lot's wife would be a warning to us --Luke17:29,30 (Rev.9:17; 11:5; 14:10) In what way?
We must not "look back". Luke17:31,32
How do we apply this... not "looking back"?

In three ways...

First, keep your focus forward, on where you are going...not on what you are leaving behind (Luke 9:62; 17:33; Phil.3:13,14; Matt.9:17; Isa.43:18,19).

Second, don't hold on to a previous identity or doctrines, nor take them with you (Matt.24:18; Jude1:23; Rev.3:4,5,18) (Deut.32:32; Rev.14:8; 17:2; Matt.9:17).
Chosen Ones.....
Remember how you received genuine Holy Spirit (Heb.2:1,3,4; 1John2:27,28; Matt.25:4; Luke12:37; Rev.3:18). It was not by means of those who "sell" it (Matt.25:3,9,10; Rev.13:17; Titus 1:11,16; 2Pet.2:3; 2Cor.2:17). Like Abraham, depend on God alone. Do not be concerned about your needs. Leave the filth of Sodom, behind you (Gen.14:21,23; Luke17:31,32,29,30; Matt.6:25,31,32,34; Phil.4:6).

Third, as you leave behind the sins and errors of lazy neglect, spiritual fornication, idolatry and demon-inspired doctrines (Rev.3:19,2; 2:20,21,22; 17:1,2; 13:8,11,14,15; 1Tim.4:1; Rev.16:13,14)
do not linger...FLEE! (Gen.19:12,15,16; Luke17:29,30; Matt.24:15,16; Rev.18:4)

Remember, God Himself has drawn correlations between his wayward people of the past,
and the symbolic identities found in Revelation. He has made clear how he feels about His own people when they rebel, by referring to them as "Sodom".
God sent "two angels/messengers" into Sodom, to warn and rescue any who might be righteous within it (Gen.19:1). He sends "two witnesses/messengers" in the time of the end (Rev.11:3,4).
Lot, his daughters, his sons-in-law, and his wife
all had free choice.
The sons-in-law did not take the warning message seriously (Gen.19:14). They didn't depart, and they died (Rev.18:4).
Lot, his wife, and his daughters, departed.
But this was not enough to save Lot's wife. Why?
She looked back (Gen.19:26). Did she fear the wilderness? Did she worry about being without previous provisions? Did she long for those dear to her? Her possessions?

If we feel similarly, the words of the apostle Paul may sober us up...
"What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ." Phil.3:8

(Ps.73:25; 2Pet.1:3; Matt.6:8,20; Heb.13:14; 1Cor.2:9).

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