Showing posts sorted by date for query abomination causing desolation. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query abomination causing desolation. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Those who pierced him

QUESTION RECEIVED:
"I am busy reading Revelation again. What did it mean that even those who pierced him will see him?
Rev.1:7

My Reply:
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matt.25:40)
“Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me” (Luke 10:16)
"Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually." (1Cor.12:27)

From the foregoing scriptures, we see that Jesus is unified as one with his body members 
(1Cor.6:17; John 17:21,23; 15:7).
Jesus is the head (Col.1:18) and just as with human anatomy, there are parts to his spiritual body that are individual anointed ones (1Cor.12:12,15-17,21). 

1Cor.12:26 reads; " If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."
When a faithful anointed body member suffers, the head, Jesus, is unified with his body and suffers with it. It is a case of complete unity and empathy.
Rev.1:7a reads;
"7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him."
The body members of Jesus Christ are one with Christ (1Cor.12:12,27; 6:17; John 17:21,23).
The two witnesses found at Rev.11:3,4 are also one with Christ.
At Revelation chapter 11 we read of them;
"7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies... 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them."
Rev.1: "7 every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him"
Those who see and kill the body members of Jesus and see or witness that death, fulfill Rev.1:7.

We understand that a part of human anatomy, is the rib-cage. Jesus was pierced between the ribs up into his heart. This has spiritual meaning as well. We may want to keep in mind that Adam's rib was the matrix from which Eve was formed (Gen.2:22,23; Eph.5:25,27; Rev.21:2).
At Daniel 7:5 we read;
“And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and *it had three ribs in its mouth* between its teeth. It was told, ‘Get up and eat your fill of flesh!’

These three ribs that are devoured by this symbolic bear are also mentioned at Dan.7:24:
"The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; *he will subdue three kings."*
We are told that the king to arise after the ten, is "different". How so? 
Dan.11:21 tells us the difference.
Unlike the other kings, this final ruler "has not been given the honor of royalty".
Unlike those anointed by God to be God's royal priests and kings (1Pet.2:9; Rom.15:15,16; Rev.1:6), 
the arrogant horn speaking boastfully, is not anointed. Yet it has been given <(Dan.8:24) the authority and power to devour, subdue, humiliate, uproot, cause to fall, and pluck out, ...three horns/kings that are genuinely royal/anointed. 
This is the same collective "man of lawlessness" that takes his judgment seat over God's royal priesthood (2Thess.2:4), symbolically trampling them beneath his feet 
(Rev.13:7; Dan.7:19,20,21,23,24,25; 8:9,10,11,12,13,17; Rev.13:8; Dan.11:16,31,32,33,34,35,36,37;  2Thess.2:4).
Dan.8:24,25;  2Thess.2:8; John 20:22; Zech.4:6

He is not from among God's anointed. He does not belong to spiritual Israel. He is a spiritual Gentile (Luke 21:20; Rev.11:2) (LINK) From his position of authority over the anointed, he desolates the holy place/God's temple (Matt.24:15; Mark 13:14).
How and where did this Gentile identity get this power and authority over God's anointed priesthood?
Prophecy tells us that a false prophet who IS an anointed leader/spiritual Jew, gave that Gentile collective a lying image of being representatives of an organization that is portrayed as being directed by God's spirit. (Rev.13:11,12,13,14,15) (see: LINK).

So we are learning about a "king"/horn, that subdues/humiliates 3 kings. This occurs when the eighth king/"man of lawlessness" reigns over, dominates and judges God's Temple priesthood (Rom.8:33;  1Cor.6:2,3).
(2Thess.2:3,4;  1Pet.2:5;  1Cor.3:16; Dan.8:11; Luke 21:24; Rev.13:10; Col.2:8).

As regards Daniel's 4th beast at Dan.7:3,7,8, 
   it is the same as the sea beast of Rev.13:1 and this man of lawlessness.

Dan.7:8,20 reads
"8 While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man...
 (1Sam.16:7; Isa.2:11; 5:15; Prov.6:16,17; 30:12,13; Rev.13:5,6,7) 
...and a mouth that spoke boastfully. 20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully."

These three anointed kings do not remain powerless (Rev.16:12)...

"The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to *prepare the way for the kings from the East/rising sun/morning star."*
  After Babylon's water (deceptive teaching from Satan -Rev.12:15; 16:13,14;  1Tim.4:1) is dried up for those 3 kings, they cross that river successfully. 
They become the 3 messengers of God, found at Rev.14:6,7,8,9,10,11,12,15,17,18. (LINK)
~  ~  ~  
So, to get to your question directly after that introduction; 
Those who pierce Jesus, are "killing" his body/bride members, represented by the two witnesses...
Rev.11: 
"7 Now when they (two witnesses) have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 *Their bodies will lie in the public square* of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified."

Notice in verse 8, that their death is a public spectacle.
This brings us back to your scripture, "even those who pierced him will see him".
The revelation of the identity of the faithful slaves of Jesus (Rom.8:19; Mal.3:18; Rev.22:19c) (and also the revelation of the wicked slaves) are due to be revealed (Rev.20:12). (See: LINK)
Jesus and his Father will accomplish this at the right time 
(Isa.11:12; 18:3; Matt.24:16; Eze.36:8; John 10:3,4; Isa.62:10; 35:8; 30:21; Mal.3:1,2,3; Isa.2:2,3; 60:1,2,3)
(Rev.3:9; Isa.49:23; 54:17; 62:4; 51:11,12,16; Deut.32:36; Ps.37:6; Eze.36:15; 34:29; Zeph.3:19; Jer.33:9)


If you would like more about this topic, the following posts comes to mind:
and maybe this one too:
 

Friday, May 8, 2026

Babylon the Great

What or who, is Babylon the Great?
Rev.17:5
"5 On her (the prostitute's) forehead was written a name, a mystery: Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and of the Abominations of the Earth."

- To have a name on your forehead, has meaning. It is the name of your master who you obey and serve (Rev.7:3; 14:1; 22:4; Deut.11:18). Those marked by God, serve and obey the will, commands, and purpose of God for them.

Clearly discerned by the scriptures above, Babylon the Great is the mother of the prostitute who has that mother's name on her forehead. The harlot is the daughter of Babylon the Great 
(Psalm 137:8; Zech.2:7; Jer.51:6; Rev.18:4-5). 
The harlots serve and obey the interests and purpose of their mother, rather than the interests of God.

Now, what does it mean to be a mother?
Of course, just as the name on the forehead must be interpreted by scripture, so do the mothers who are served and obeyed.
Mothers are where we come from, the spiritual matrix that spawns us, the spiritual city that we are citizens of.
Gal.4:26 reads;
"26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother."
--- The "virgins" in Revelation have Jerusalem above...
   (spiritual city: Rev.21:2,10; Eph.2:19; Phil.3:20; Matt.5:14) 
...as their source/mother (Lam.2:13; Rev.3:12) written on them.

--- The "harlots" in Revelation have Babylon the Great (spiritual city: Rev.18:10) as their source/mother, written on them (Rev.17:5). 
These two cities are also depicted as spiritual, prominent mountains 
(Rev.8:8; 18:21; Zech.4:7) (Rev.14:1; Matt.5:14).

Spiritual virgins are those who have no lie in their mouth (Rev.14:4-5). Their mother is free (Gal.4:26; John 8:32), because the virgins spring from a source of truth. As Jesus said, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32). 
Divine truth means eternal spirit life (John 17:3; 6:63; 8:51), 
which comes through a living, immortal mother (Rev.22:17).

As Paul said at 2Cor.11:3-4, 
"2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy, because I have promised you in marriage to one husband—*to present a pure virgin to Christ.* 3 But I fear that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds may be seduced from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ."
-- There we see the danger, that "virgins" can lose their standard of truth and fidelity to it, by being seduced by the great deceiver. 
By leaving their Lord of truth, they can fall prey to demonic deception (Col.2:19; John 15:6)
(1Tim.4:1; Rev.16:13; Col.2:8; Luke 21:24; Rev.13:10,7; Dan.11:33). 
They then, are no longer found by Jesus to be spiritually pure and virginal regarding the spiritual faithfulness he requires to be in union with him (1Cor.6:17; John 15:4-5; Col.1:18; 2:19).

Truth is the source of life (John 14:6; 6:63;  2Tim.1:10). 
Deception creates death (Isa.59:10;  2Cor.4:3,4;  2Thess.2:9,10; John 8:44).

Is this loss of spiritual virginity what has happened to the "harlots" 
(1Cor.15:18; Col.1:18; 2:19,8;  2Cor.11:3,4; Rev.2:20; Jer.3:6; 2:20,21,22,23,24,25; 13:27; Hosea 4:12; 9:1; Rev.17:1,5; Eze.16:15,30,32,38)? 
What is the source (mother) of their being deceived and taken captive to deception?
How is this 
    connected to who the mother of the harlots is?


We read at Gal.4:26 that Jerusalem above is free (free of deception, sin, and death). 
But Gal.4:24 explains more clearly, what an allegorical "mother" actually is...
"24 These things are being taken figuratively, for the two women represent two covenants"
    (Covenants=divine promises that bring consequences. 
     Our choice of mother/covenant brings either reward/spiritual life, or punishment/spiritual death)."
"28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise." (Isaac was the child of Sarah Gal.4:26)

So, we have a heavenly woman/mother that is a covenant providing life, truth, and spiritual light.
Is there a mother covenant of death, deception, and darkness... whose name is Babylon the Great?

Isaiah 28 speaks to the harlots...
"15 Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death,
And with Sheol we are in agreement. (Link: What is Sheol/Hades?)
When the overflowing scourge sweeps through (Rev.12:15;  2Pet.3:17),
It will not come to us,
For we have made lies our refuge,
And under falsehood we have hidden ourselves.”
- 18 Your covenant with death will be annulled,
And your agreement with Sheol (abyss/Hades) will not stand;
When the overflowing scourge passes through,
Then you will be trampled down by it."
 Babylon the Great

The mother covenant over the spiritual harlots, is a covenant of death, deception, and treachery. 
That mother covenant's name is Babylon the Great. Babylon the Great is the covenant/mother that the harlots are branded by and serving. They deserted Jesus, the source of truth and life. But worse, they serve up falsehood (poisoned waters) to others (Rev.8:10-11; Rev.17:15; 14:8) instead of the living water offered by the virgins (Rev.22:17) in imitation of Jesus (John 4:10). 

The harlots teach their followers, false doctrine. They seduce their followers to join them in idolatry. They are blind guides who lead others into a pit (Sheol) (Prov.5:3,4,5).
(Link to some of these verses:


We also see at Rev.17:5 that Babylon the Great is the mother covenant of the abominations of the earth (Rev.17:5).
Babylon the Great's offspring includes the abomination of desolation (Matt.24:15; Mark 13:14).
Links for more information:

Babylon the Great. This mystery is solved for those who derive their interpretation from God's Word.

For more information: "Christendom?"

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

The Third [] Third Heaven

I am in the process of writing this post.
I have published it, only because that helps me to write it and use the pop up scriptures as I write and edit. 
When the post is ready, I will remove this section.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION

To start with, here are two links that I previously wrote about this topic:

I thought I would provide another look at these two related topics.
First lets look at the 1/3rd and the remaining 2/3rds, and what the Bible has to say about these slices of a population. If we consider scriptures where these are mentioned, we can collect the details to construct a clear understanding.

Zech. 13:8-9; Rev. 8:12; John 12:35; Amos 5:18-20; Rev. 9:2-3; Joel 2:2; Isa. 59:9; Rev. 2:10; 13:10; 12:3-4,12; (*) 2Pet. 3:17 (ASV) ; Prov. 21:7; Matt. 5:13
Rev. 13:10;  2Thess. 1:4; Luke 21:19; 
Rev. 2:10; 13:10; Col. 2:8
Rev. 2:10; 9:15,18,20-21; 3:19; 2:16; 17:14;  2Cor. 12:2-4; Luke 23:43; John 17:24; 14:3; 12:26; Luke 10:20


Notes on above scriptures:
(*) Rev. 12:4...spirit birth occurs upon anointing. God's spirit/breath enters our heart like a baby's first breath.
Rev. 13:10 "patience of saints > Thess and Luke 21 above.
Second citation of Rev. 2:10 "prison" . Rev. 13:10; Col. 2:8
Third citation of Rev. 2:10 "faithful to death" > Rev. 9:18

John 14:3  By Jesus faithful death for truth, he exemplified the way to joining him in faithfulness in Paradise ...third heaven.

1Kings 3:18
...Although this verse does not mention 1/3, it came up in my search, and felt that it has relevance. I'll explain. It reads;
"The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us."
This is the story of two mothers. In the past we've learned that mothers symbolize covenants (Gal. 4:24,26,28). There is a mother covenant of life (Mal. 2:5;  2Cor. 3:6; Rev. 22:17) 
and one of death (Isa. 28:15,18; Rev. 6:8). 
In the account at 1Kings 3:16-18,19-21,22-25,26-28, 
both mothers give birth. One mother unintentionally kills her child and during the night, she switches the babies, stealing the live one. The thief feeds the live child, and places the dead baby who cannot nurse, at the breast of the sleeping mother. The real mother of the living child can see that the dead one at her bosom, is not hers. 
She takes the case to the judicial court of king Solomon.
Solomon decrees that the child be cut in two, and each half be divided between the mothers. The genuine mother surrenders her live baby to the thief, to save it's life. Solomon has made evident who the genuine mother is, and the child is then given to it's real mother.
I wasn't drawn to this account because of "the third day", but because in the testimony of the genuine mother, she says "there was no one in the house but the two of us". Yet it's obvious, that the third one in the house was the live baby. There were three, and the baby was the third.
Mother covenant members, symbolically breast feed the spirit of their children (1Pet. 2:2; Isa. 66:10-11). The dead baby could not feed on the mother of love. The live baby fed during the night, upon the breast of a mother who did not love the child. That false mother would rather see the live baby die, than have it returned to it's mother. Her vengeful jealousy and resentment may have likely culminated in killing the baby who was not her own. 
The stolen child needed to be saved and returned to it's real mother.
I see how this account contains the same pattern which applies to the experience of the 1/3 of scripture. They too, are stolen by the mother Covenant of Death... a mother that kills her own offspring. Once stolen, they are fed spiritual milk that is not suited for them, due to the selfishness of the false mother. That mother later demands that the child be killed with the sword. The 1/3 would have been killed sooner by Satan's agents, but the mother covenant of life surrendered the 1/3 in order to preserve their life for a period of time during the great tribulation... until the heavenly judge decrees that the 1/3 be returned to the mother of their spiritual birth.
After discussing the three heavens, I will continue with the topic of the "Third".


THREE HEAVENS
Above you see three sections of heaven depicted. The first shows birds in flight, navigating the air. I will associate this level as those who are "Called".
In the second level up, it would appear that spirit beings are in battle. I associate this level of the spiritual heavens, as "Chosen", because once anointed by God's spirit, we must defend the truth and battle with Christ's enemies (2Cor.10:3-5; Eph.6:11-13; 5:11; Rev.12:7-9; Ps.110:1-2).
Finally, in the highest level depicted here, we see the Holy City, New Jerusalem, the Bride of Christ, a dwelling of God's spirit to be with mankind. I associate this level as "Faithful".

-  -  -  -  -  -  -

CALLED
Matt. 15:32; 14:15-16; Mark 6:7; 8:1,6-7; John 6:44; Rom. 1:1,7;  1Cor.1:2; John 17:17; Gal. 5:13; Eph. 4:1; Col. 3:15; Heb. 3:1;  2Tim.1:9;  1Pet.2:21; Matt. 20:16
Jesus said; “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them". To be drawn to Christ, is to be called. How are we called to Jesus Christ by the Father? What are we being drawn to, specifically?
We are told in John 1:14 that the Logos, the Word of God, is who Jesus was before his coming to earth as a man. As a man, he referred to himself as "the way, the truth, and the life". All three of those are manifested in scripture the Word of God, the Logos. We are being called, or drawn, to Christ.
The Way (Ps. 119:9-11,105; Prov. 4:11-12,18,20,22,25-27; 2Sam. 22:31; Isa. 2:3; Heb. 13:7)
The Truth (John 17:17; John 6:55 (ESV) ; Ps. 33:4; 119:160; Rev. 21:5)
The Life (John 6:63,68; 5:40; Phil. 2:16;  1John 1:1-3)
When we are drawn to Christ, we are being drawn to the divine truth found in the scriptures, the Word of God.
All of Christ's sheep are being drawn to him, the voice of truth from the shepherd of their souls. Yet some of these will be selected for a particular path in the course of God's purpose for them.
Being called to scripture requires that God enable that one to have a hunger for and a desire to search out divine truth (John 6:65). This is a necessary step for many who will follow the teachings and example of Christ. It is the first step for those who are purposed for third heaven.

So as we see the birds of heaven in first heaven, these can depict those being carried by the wind of God's spirit, to divine truth found in scripture (Isa. 56:8; Prov. 8:17; Jer. 29:13; Eze. 34:11; Isa. 40:11). One place where this ability of God's spirit is applied, is at Luke 17:37 (NKJV) in speaking of those called, drawn, and lead to the faithful slain, as eagles.
This calling is also for those of the heavenly calling, before their names are written in heaven as CHOSEN  (Luke 10:20). Whatever our place in God's purpose; all must be called to Christ... the way, truth, and the life.

CHOSEN
1Pet. 2:9 (chosen race Gal. 3:26/called you ^ John 1:9); Matt. 12:18; John 13:18; Acts 9:15; 10:40-42; 
(Rev. 19:17 (RSV) ; Rev. 19:18; 17:16 (Eze. 39:1,4,17-21,22-25,26-29)
Those who are purposed to serve as one of God's anointed priests and who are faithful with the first calling (Matt. 7:7-8), will be chosen. Being faithful in being called to scripture, involves a devoted searching and love of divine truth, and a commitment to obey it. Those successfully advancing in gaining Bible knowledge will be granted enough insight to equip them to challenge and expose false doctrine. Those chosen will gradually be equipped to teach divine truth and to defend it. This leads into a battle with demonic deception. It also leads into persecution and tribulation because Satan and the demons fight back in this spiritual enmity. Not all those chosen are willing to continue on the difficult path of Christ's example. Not all chosen continue on, to be designated by Christ as faithful.
-  -  -  -  -  -  -
The battleground between divine truth and demonic deception is here, in "mid-heaven".
Rev. 8:13 (ASV); Isa. 1:4; 3:9,11; 5:18-19,20-21; 17:12; 30:1; 31:1; Jer. 13:27; 22:13; 23:1; Lam. 5:16; Eze. 13:3,18; 34:2; Hosea 7:13; 9:12; Rev. 2:20-23; Amos 5:18; Matt. 18:7; 23:13,25,27; Luke 6:25-26; 11:47; Jude 1:10-11;  1John 3:11-12; Rev. 2:14)
Rev. 14:6-7; 19:17-18
The angel that flies in mid-heaven who stands in the sun...
          (Phil. 4:1;  1Thess. 3:8; Mal. 4:2; Rev. 22:16)
...is in mid-heaven because that messenger is a chosen one, not yet finished completing a designation of faithful. All must endure to the end (Matt. 10:22; Rev. 2:25; 12:17,11).

Those who are chosen are expected to give God's warnings and pour out the wrath of his judgments.
The Chosen who battle against demonic deception, battle with Christ against the Devil and his angels (Rev. 12:7; 19:11-12,13-14,19). They are not the only ones called to the battlefield of mid-heaven (Rev. 19:17-18). Others are compelled to join in eating the flesh of those who enjoyed power and authority that was used against God's will. By eating the flesh, they are feasting on the sins of others (Hosea 4:8) (Rom. 8:5,4,6,13; Gal. 5:17-18,19-20,21; 6:8). 
There are many today that have extricated themselves from the Beast organization and its apostate leadership. Those who have suffered under the tyranny of that alliance can be found online, exposing the hypocrisies, falsehoods, abuses of power and shameless luxuries. This is depicted in the spirit realm as their feasting on the flesh of those who held such positions over them. Spirit is guiding those spiritual birds into the battle field, to join in the exposure and demise of God's enemies. Yet these birds do not always do so out of respect for God or Christ. Most do so for personal vindication, and they are welcomed to do so (Eze. 16:35-40; 29:5; Isa. 56:9; Jer. 12:9; Deut. 28:26; Rev. 17:16-17).
Although mid-heaven is where the Chosen will be found subduing the last of Christ's enemies 
(2Cor. 10:3-5; Eph. 6:12; 5:11;  1Cor. 15:26; Rev. 6:7-8;  1Cor. 15:54-56).



FAITHFUL
Mark 8:35; Rev. 2:10; 6:11; Rom. 14:8; Deut. 10:14; Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 1:10;  1Cor. 15:25; Ps. 110:2; 
Rom. 14:8;  1Pet. 2:9-10; Rom. 9:25; Jude 1:21; Rom. 8:1-2,3-4; John 4:24; Rom. 8:5-6,7-8,9-11; John 6:63; Rom. 8:14-16,17-19; John 14:1-2,3-4,23-24,25-26,15; 15:20; Mark 13:13; John 16:33; Rev. 2:26; 3:21; 21:7;  1John 5:4; Mark 13:13; Rev. 14:12;  1Pet. 2:21; Ps. 18:25; 
-  -  -  -  -  -  -
Contrasting unfaithful and faithful
Stewards/Managers: Why the need to be faithful?
1Cor. 4:2 
John 5:24; Luke 10:16; Matt. 10:40; John 8:12; Matt. 5:14-15; Luke 11:34; Isa. 5:20; Amos 5:18; Matt. 24:29; Rev. 9:1-2; 8:12-13; Luke 22:53 -- Rev. 8:10-11; 17:1,15,5; 18:2-3; Jer. 25:27; Deut. 32:32-33;  Isa. 28:7-8,15; Luke 12:45-46,47-48,40; Matt. 24:4-5,24-25
Links for more information:
Luke 16:10,11-12
-  -  -  -  -  -  -

Neh. 9:6; Rev. 5:13-14; Ps. 100:3; Eph. 2:10; Isa. 64:8
Phil. 2:15; Job 22:12; Ps. 148:4; Heb. 13:15;  1Pet. 2:9; Col. 1:13; Eph. 5:8;  1Thess. 5:5; Eph. 5:11; 6:12;  2Cor. 10:4-5
Matt. 24:45; 25:21-23; John 21:17;  1Cor. 4:2; Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:7;  1Tim. 1:12; 
 2Tim. 2:12; Rev. 2:10,13; 1:5; John 12:24; Rev. 3:14; 17:14; 19:11,14,8; 6:9-11; 12:10-11; 7:13-14 (Link: "Antipas")

    Unfaithful: Ps. 69:26-28; Rev. 13:8; Job 17:4 (NIV)
    Faithful: Rev. 3:5; Luke 12:35-38,42-44

For deeper information other topics that were touched upon, here are 3 links:

-  -  -  -  -  -  -

Those who are destined for third heaven, are described and designated in prophecy as belonging to the group which is referred to as the THIRD.
Next we will look at some of those prophecies, and especially in how that designation relates to the time of the End.
We will examine the Bible's meaning of the "third" as found in the following of Revelation's verses:
Rev. 8:7-8,9-10,11-12; 9:15,18; 12:4

Zech. 13:8-9
Rev. 8:7
Eze. 36:16-19,20-21; 38:14-15,16-17; Rev. 9:15-18,19-21; 20:7-9; Eze. 38:18-19; Rev. 20:9; 11:5
Eze. 38:16; Joel 2:2; Jer. 4:6-8,10-13,16-17; Luke 21:20; Rev. 20:9; Ps. 83:3-4,5; Jer. 4:20,23-25,28,26-27; Isa. 65:8; 

-  -  -  -  -  -  -

"ALL THE GREEN GRASS WAS BURNED UP"

Rev. 8:7  Grass = Mankind (made in God's image -Gen. 1:26)
1Pet. 1:24; Ps. 103:15-16 ("all the green grass was burned up")> Isa. 30:27; 42:25; ["the rest did not repent" (Rev. 9:20)/"they took no note" (Matt. 24:39)]
Eze. 21:31 (NIV) ; Ps. 21:9; Amos 7:4-5,8; Zech. 4:10 (NKJV); Eze. 38:19; Jer. 11:17; 
(all grass burned up/all mankind condemned) Jer. 4:25 (NKJV) ; Eze. 22:30; Dan. 11:16; 8:12; 12:7; Rev. 13:7; Dan. 11:33-34; Luke 21:24 ("all the green grass was burned up").
---
Jer. 4:26-27; Isa. 65:8; Jer. 51:5-7,24-25; Rev. 8:8; (Jer. 2:34-35; 19:4; 51:35) Jer. 51:27,36,45,49; Isa. 51:17,21-23,3,7,11-12,13-14,15-16
Matt. 24:15-16; Ps. 121:1-2; Eze. 36:1-2,3-4,5-6,7-8
-  -  -  -  -  -  -
(Obadiah 1:15; Rev.18:6; (Deut.21:17; Heb.12:23; James 1:18; Rom.8:23) Isa. 30:27; Matt. 10:20; Rev. 11:5; Rev. 20:9; Rev. 11:6 a; Isa. 45:8; 
 1 Kings 8:35-36,37-38,39;  Rom. 2:6,5; Rev. 22:12;  1 Kings 8:35; Deut. 18:19; Acts 3:23-24)
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Rev. 11:3,8-10; Eze. 37:4-6; Lam. 4:7-8,9; Rev. 11:11-12; Eze. 37:11-12,13-14,23-25,26-28; Eze. 38:18,21-23
Eze. 36:1-3,4-5,6,7-9,10-12,24-26,27-29,30-32,33-34,35-36; Mark 13:14; Matt. 24:15-16
-  -  -  -  -  -  -
How must we respond to the Great Tribulation?
Rev. 8:7
Jer. 4:20,23,26,27; Isa. 65:8 (Must accept discipline and be found producing fine fruit (John 15:16,8).
Jer. 7:1,2,3,4,8,19,20,34; Joel 1:19,20,13,14,15; (Correct ways and actions/do not trust deception/turn to God in prayer for the priesthood/fast from previous provisions/gather anointed seeking restoration
Isa. 37:27; 
     East Wind (Jonah 4:8; Gen.41:6; Isa.40:7,8; Jer.4:11,12; Eze.17:10) (East:sunrising/Wind:spirit)
Rev. 16:8; Matt.13:6; Rev.8:7 /// Mal.4:1-2; Isa.48:10; Prov.17:3; Zech.13:9; Job 23:10
Isa. 51:7,12,13,14,15,17,21,22,23 [Do not fear humans, but testify a warning to them 
(Matt.10:28; Jer.1:17; Eze.2:6,7; 3:9; Eph.6:10,11; Phil.1:28; Isa.51:12)]
--- 

Rev. 8:7 Grass = spiritual food for all life (sourced and dependent upon sons of God/trees of life)
Gen. 1:29-30; John 6:10,35; Rev. 22:16;  
* 2Sam. 23:4; Isa.51:12; Micah 5:7; Psalm 110:2-3; Rev.17:14;  1John2:14; Rev.12:7-9
-  -  -  -  -  -  -
"A THIRD OF THE TREES WERE BURNED UP"
Jer. 11:16; Eze. 20:47; Joel 1:19; Matt. 7:19; Ps. 83:14-16
Isa. 30:30


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Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Honoring God with our Valuable Things

Question received
Hi Pearl. Just a quick question if I may. Proverbs 3:9. I am busy reading tonight for the first time in a long time. I am establishing my relationship with God. I would like to know how this particular scripture is applied practically in this day and age?

My reply:
Good question!
We may recall during our previous association with the Watchtower organization, that one of their exhortations was, "Make friends by means of unrighteous riches.". They cited Luke 16:9 and Prov.3:9.  
When I was a member, they often claimed that the friends we should strive to make by means of our material assets, are God and Jesus. Their simplified way to make spiritual friends that reside in heaven (according to Watchtower doctrine), is to hand over your earnings, to them!

How fortunate for the organization, because like Judas, they happen to hold the money bag for God and Jesus (John 12:4-6). Although they claim to be using those funds to provide places of worship for those poor in spirit ("those conscious of their spiritual need/poverty" -Matt.5:3); ...the treasurers/bankers dwell in shameless luxury (Rev.18:7,17) while the genuine house of God, lies in ruins.  
(Deuteronomy 10:14; Haggai 2:8-9; Mark 14:58; John 2:21;  1Cor.12:27; Isa.66:1; Acts 17:24; Heb.8:1-2;  1Pet.2:4-5;  1Cor.3:16; Acts 7:49; Heb.12:22-24; Eph.2:20-21,22,10; John 4:21-22,23-24) (Dan.8:11-12,13; Luke 21:24; Rev.11:2; Haggai 1:3 - Haggai 1:4 NKJV ;  1Cor.3:16;  2Thess.2:3-4; Mark 13:14; Matt.24:15-16; Heb.10:29; Matt.25:45).

If it were true that God desires literal riches, then of course we should seek divine approval by heeding such indebtedness. But before we are sheared like sheep which so many religions are guilty of causing (2Cor.2:17); let's be sure that Luke 16:9 actually means that  
the friendships which we need to buy with cash, are really those of God and Jesus (Deut.10:17; Acts 8:20).

Jesus did not link up literal money with God, but rather, he emphasized the distinction between the two (Mark 12:17; Matt.6:24,19-20; 19:21).

 
Micah 6:8; Hosea 6:6; James 1:27; Isa.1:17,23; Ecc.12:13 NIV

       Here is an excerpt from the blog which explains Luke 16
                         *** https://pearl-wastefulsteward.blogspot.com/  
The section below is taken from the blog linked above***, and covers some of Luke 16:8-9 

sons of light: those who have no interest in position or a tyrannical type of stewardship over God's household. Their only concern is in pleasing the Master and promoting his interests of truth. They wish to work under a loving spirit of cooperation and mutual respect (1Thess.5:5). How these are treated, will determine how others are judged (John 20:23; Matt.25:40,46).

friends for yourselves: favor with other anointed, who may later prove to judge the steward who had exalted himself over them 
(Matt.23:12; John 20:23;  1Cor.6:2,3)(Matt.5:22,23,24,25,26,22; Prov.19:29 b; Matt.24:49; 5:22).

Un-righteous riches: power and authority over the anointed household of God
(1Cor.4:8; Mark 10:42-43,44; Luke 12:45). 

when such fail: the end of this religious system, which will make way for the Kingdom administration of Eph.1:10 and Rev.21:2. 
(1John 2:17;  2Pet.3:11; Isa.2:11,12,17; Luke 16:19,20,21,22,23,24,25).

they* may receive you: that *the faithful anointed may welcome the Steward into the "tent of God" (Rev.22:14;  2Pet.1:11;  1Tim.6:17; Rev.21:3) 
to which the faithful ones belong (1Cor.3:16; Eph.2:20,21,22;  1Pet.2:5,9); 
--rather than complaining to the Master for justice
(Luke 18:7; 16:2,3; Matt.24:22; Luke 21:28; Rev.6:10). 
  [note: the "friends" that the steward stands to gain by cancelling debt (by means of "unrighteous riches"), is the debt of the other slaves who will then become the stewards friends (Luke 16:4,5,6,7,8). 
The friends to be gained are not the Masters 
    (Not the masters Jesus and YHVH, for these two 
     are not indebted to anyone Acts 17:25). 
Those whose debt is cancelled by the steward, are those whose debt the steward manages and cancels--that of the other slaves -whose debt is to the master.] 
The "unrighteous riches" that are used to cancel what the debtors owe the master, would only detract from the wealth of the Master, Christ. Yet it would aid the steward, to make friends of the debtors.
  [So this is not talking about making friends with YHVH and Jesus, by means of donating money to the WT (as has been taught by the WT).]

everlasting dwelling places: the Kingdom inheritance that lasts forever. (Matt.25:34)
    
As done by so many religious organizations throughout time, the spiritual hunger of humanity or it's fear of divine condemnation, are often exploited for material gain. 
Genuine slaves of Christ abstain from that temptation (2Cor.2:17;  2Pet.2:1,3; John 7:18; Matt.20:25,26,27). Material empires are not needed for the will and purpose of God to be fulfilled (1Cor.4:9,10,11,12,13; Titus 2:12; Matt.19:16,21,22,23,24; 6:25,31,32; 8:20; John 6:63)(Col.1:23). 
In fact, material empires are in opposition to spiritual wealth 
(1John 2:15,16; James 2:1,2,3,4,5; Luke 4:5,6,7,8;  1Tim.6:5,6,7,8,9,10,11;  2Tim.2:4; Rev.3:17,18).


With that long introduction out of the way, your question arises.
What is meant at Proverbs 3:9 and how can we follow it's direction?

Prov.3:9 reads;
"Honor the Lord with your possessions
and with the first produce of your entire harvest"

Well, let's look first at our "possessions".
First we remember that Jesus said that the spirit is the source of life and the flesh amounts to nothing (John 6:63). He points us to the importance of spiritual meanings, rather than the physical (Matt.13:10,11,34,35; John 6:26,27).
So let us consider, spiritual possessions.
At Rev.3:18 Jesus advises us to "buy gold" from him. We learn that this "gold" we need to make sacrifices to pay for, 
is a refined heart (Prov.17:3; Job 23:10)(Jer.23:29; Zech.13:9), made such by taking in and applying Christ's treasure of truth. 
He sources the treasure he offers, from God (John 12:49; Ps.119:162NKJV ; John 17:8).

Once we refine our heart by taking into it, the teaching of Jesus, our heart contains that treasure (Luke 8:11,15; John 17:3;  1Cor.2:12)(Ps.90:12; 119:11).

So, what would our spiritual possessions or "gold" be?
Divine truth, in our heart.
Jesus said;
"45 A good man out of the good treasure (gold) of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45).
So, does the heart contain the treasure of truth, or a storehouse of lies?
Will a person's teachings be sourced in a treasure store of divine truth, or demonic deception?
Which teachings can honor God?

The two verses before verse 45, (Luke 6:43,44)... Jesus just got done referring to this treasure in the heart, as the fruit of a tree.
From our heart, we produce words... just as a tree produces fruit.

So whatever is in our heart (truth from Christ OR false doctrine), that's the fruit that our mouth produces... the teachings we speak.
We either have truth in our heart, and speak it (fine tree/fine fruit that lasts), 
or, we have doctrinal error in our heart, and that's what we are teaching (rotten tree/rotten fruit that does not last and must be replaced).
Whatever is in our heart, that is the teaching that we treasure and believe in.

Moving on...
Prov.3: "9 Honor the Lord with your possessions
and with the first produce (fruit) of your entire harvest;"
-
What we learned about our "possessions"
ties in perfectly with the second part of Prov.3:9...
"Honor the Lord with.... the first produce of your entire harvest".

"The first produce" is a symbol of the best of what is going to be produced, and that rightly belongs to God (Neh.10:35; Deut.18:4; 26:10; Prov.3:9; etc.). 
That symbol even applies to the Chosen from among mankind (James 1:18; Rev.14:4).

An additional thought about spiritual fruit, is Heb.13:15 which reads;
"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of *praise (honor) to God, that is, the *fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."

So,
putting this all together, lets look at Prov.3:9 again.
"Honor the Lord with your possessions (treasure in your refined heart)
and with the first produce (or firstfruits/the best and most perfect) (*SPEECH/Teachings) of your entire harvest"

Can you see that we are being requested to honor the Lord of truth and light with the treasure we have in our heart? (Ps.15:2; 51:6; Isa.63:8).
We can only so honor Him, if what we have in our heart and mouth, is His truth. The treasure of our heart can only have value, if it contains the truths of God. (Ps.119:162 NKJV)

We can only possess fine treasure, IF we have acquired, learned, and taken in the Truth ourselves.
What do we do with that treasure of truth? 
How do we "honor God" with the symbolic first produce/fruits. of our heart's true faith/treasure? (Prov.3:9)

Of all the spiritual treasures that our heart has been given by the gospel of Christ (Matt.25:14,15,23), we make the best of it, and faithfully speak it to others, thereby producing fine fruit from the treasures of a fine heart.
"Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure, things new and old.” (Matt.13:52)

Luke 6: "43 “A good tree doesn’t produce bad fruit; on the other hand, a bad tree doesn’t produce good fruit. 45 A good person produces good out of the good stored up in his heart. An evil person produces evil out of the evil stored up in his heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart."

Prov.3: "9 Honor the Lord with your possessions [the treasure ("good things")] in your heart)
and with the first fruits (earnest effort to offer quality teaching) of your entire harvest (storehouse of divine wisdom)"
Psalm 86:11
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Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Light and Darkness

Question received: 
John 9:4 has been on my mind lately.
Do you think Jesus was referring to more than himself as the "Light" going away and the darkness being more than the absence of His presence?
Spiritual darkness?


My Reply:
We read at John 8:12 that Jesus referred to himself as the light of the world.
At Matt.5:14 Jesus said of his followers, "You are the light of the world."
At John 20:21 Jesus said; "As the Father sent me, so I am sending you". 
Verse 22 continues, "Then he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the holy spirit'." (John 20:22)

At John 3:34 Jesus said about himself
  "For he whom God has sent, speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure."
There we see the connection between having God's spirit, and accurately teaching God's words.
At Matt.10:20, Jesus again said of his disciples; 
"It will not be you speaking, but the spirit of your Father speaking through you."

  So we see a commonality between the role of Christ and the role of his faithful body members.
Christ and the anointed are sent to bring spiritual light into the world (Mal.2:7; Rev.5:10). 
Both Jesus and his Body members are enabled and prompted by the spirit of God, to teach God's words of divine truth.

Now note what is said about the Day of the Lord...
"Why do you long for the day of the LORD? That day will be darkness, not light" (Amos 5:18 NIV)
  Please read: 
John 9:4; Jer.13:16; Zeph.1:15; Matt.24:29; Joel 2:2,31; Rev.9:2; 2:26,28; Isa.60:1,2,3; Mal.4:2,3,4

Jesus foretold above at Matt.24:29 that "the power of the heavens would be shaken". 
That is a parallel to Dan.12:7 where we are told that "the power of the holy ones will be brought to nothing". 
If you don't know about the heavens, consisting of Christ (sun), ...moon (sealed anointed) ...and stars (individual anointed), as being the symbolic heavens; Please consider this post:
  As regards the heavens being shaken", please derive what that is describing, from these verses:
(Ps.16:8; 21:7; 60:2; 109:23; Isa.54:10; Amos 9:9; Job 34:20)
Why would God, "shake the heavens"?
He tells us at Haggai 2...
  "6 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all nations, *and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty." *(Zech.4:10; Mal.3:1-2,3-4).

  God is shaking loose, all that which is spiritually desirable from the midst of the heavens, earth, sea, and parched realms (Ps.82:5; 105:28). That advances God's purpose, to harvest those who are inclined toward divine truth and life before the End of the age 
(Matt.13:30,38,39,40; Mark 4:26-27,28-29; Rev.14:14,15,16; Matt.13:47-48,49-50,30;  2Pet.3:7,10). Fire is symbolic Jer.23:29; Jer.5:14 NIV ; Rev.11:5) (LINK: Fire-from-Heaven).
Since the time of Jesus, those inclined toward everlasting life have been being gathered in (John 4:35-36). But the time arrives to reap the final, late crop (Amos 7:1-2,8; Isa.65:8; Eze.14:22).

  When the heavens are shaken and the sun, moon, and stars cannot give their light (Isa.13:9-10; Eze.32:8; Matt.24:29). This is caused by the army of locusts who darken the heavens (Joel 2:2-3,10,12,25,31-32; Rev.9:2-3). They are sourced in the enemy of divine light and life... the father of deception and death (John 8:44; Rev.13:4; 9:11; Isa.33:1). 
The anointed priesthood is assigned to wage spiritual war against the Devil's dark forces... once their daystar arrives to deliver them from the dark.
(2Pet.1:19; Mal.4:2; Acts 3:20; Hosea 6:3; Isa.60:1; Hosea 2:23; Rev.22:16; John 14:21)
(Eph.6:12; 2:1-2;  2Cor.4:3-4,5-6; Eph.4:18; 5:8,9,10,11-12,13-14;  2Cor.10:3,4,5; Rev.17:14)
(Ps.18:28; 107:14; 112:4; Isa.9:2;  1Pet.2:9; Col.1:13,21;  1Thess.5:4,5,6; John 1:5).

If you have not yet read about the cause of the Great Tribulation; if you read the following post link, you will understand how this locust-scorpion army causes the Great Tribulation.
The battle of Armageddon, is that battle between truth and deception, after Christ's anointed are set free from being trampled by the Gentiles, and they repent of their ignorant captivity to demonic deception (Isa.30:26; 5:30; 59:9; Matt.24:24-25; 5:13; Luke 21:20; Ps.143:3; Rev.13:7,10; Col.2:8; Luke 21:24; Dan.11:33; Eph.4:18-19; Col.1:21) (1Tim.4:1; Rev.16:13-14) (Col.1:13-14;  1Pet.2:9)



All heavenly light is cloaked during the Great Tribulation, it is the "night when no one can work" (John 9:4). 
That could not have been in the first century, because at that time Jesus said "“My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” (John 5:17).
It's very important to learn and understand from scripture, about the cause and effect of the Great Tribulation upon those who God considers his people (1Pet.2:9,10). If you haven't read that yet, please do (especially the scriptures)> (https://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-greatest-tribulation-why.html)
My point, is that the Great Tribulation is a time of darkness to the point of being totally blind. That tribulation causes the body members to be cut off from Christ (Dan.8:11,13; 9:26; 11:22; John 15:5). They have no light, without him.
Without him, they can do nothing (John 15:4-5; 9:4).
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If you'd like more information about spiritual light and spiritual darkness, here are more posts.



Monday, January 2, 2023

Who and What are the " Gifts to Men "?

Who are the "gifts to men"? (Eph.4:8,10-11)
Are they JW elders?

Of these "gift" bearers, we read that they were "taken captive".
Eph.4: "8 As the scripture says, 
"When he went up to the very heights, he took many captives with him; he gave gifts *to/in men."
         *[the original Greek literally translates, "gifts to the men". 
            WT taught me "gifts in men", as if the men are the gifts. Not so, as we shall see.]

What are these gifts, who receive them, and who are the source of these gifts to yet others?
(Please consider 1Cor. 12:1,4,7,10-11,18,28,27; Eph.5:23,30-31,25-27;  2Pet. 3:14; Rev.19:7-8; 21:9-11)
Those who are "one body" with Jesus Christ, are his bride members 
(Eph.5:30-32;  1Cor. 6:17; Gal.4:6;  2Cor. 1:22).

What does it mean to be "taken captive"?
We learn the answer to that question, by two verses... 2Cor. 10:5 and Col.2:8...
2Cor.10: "5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ"
Col.2: "8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ."

Clearly, the captivity in question, is one which governs our mind, providing us with limits and boundaries, directing the fabric of our faith and perception. Tenets which outline our morality, will dictate, restrict, and rule over our decisions and actions, by our obedience to a given belief.

Returning to Eph.4:8, we read; 
"When he went up to the very heights, he took many captives with him, he gave gifts to/in men".
Where are these ones being held in captivity?
Eph.4:8 told us that they are captive "up to the very heights", the same place that Jesus went "up to". 
"When" Jesus ascended, "he took" these ones "with him".

We learn from the scene of the ascension account, that in a physical aspect; Jesus ascended alone (Acts 1:9). What of a spiritual aspect, regarding ascending "up to the very heights"?
Eph.2:6 reads;
"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus".

To be seated in the heavens, is a spiritual position. According to Jesus, that "seated" position is reserved for those who conquer the devil.
"To the one who conquers, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I conquered and sat down with My Father on His throne." (Rev.3:21).

These tried and tested conquerors, need not wait until after death to receive this stature of being enthroned...
"Young men, I write to you because you are strong, the word of God remains in you, and you have conquered the evil one." (1John 2:14b)
"We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Rom.8:37)
Again...
"To the one who conquers, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I conquered and sat down with My Father on His throne." (Rev.3:21) (Isa.66:1; Eph.3:10)
And again Eph.2:6...
"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus".

The throne upon which Jesus sits with his Father, is not physical, but is a power and authority that is exerted in a spiritual way
(Matt.28:18; Eph.1:22; Col.1:18; Luke 22:69; Ps.110:1;  1Cor. 15:25).

As we read at Rev.3:21 above, Jesus grants that same power and authority to those who join him in conquering the world and it's ruler
(John 1:14; 17:22; Luke 12:42 )
(John 16:33; 14:30;  1John 5:4-5; 4:4)...
"17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name. 18 He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’" (Luke10).
John 20: "22 And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’"


Who is taken up into heaven, to be seated as a king with Christ on his spiritual throne?

Rev.11:12; Heb.12:1; Eph.2:6;  1Thess. 4:17


JWs, please ask yourself...
Are the "gifts in men" who are taken with Christ into the heavens to reign with him, really your local elders?
Please... wake up and "catch sight" of the trespassing impostors who were prophesied to come and trample the genuine 
(Mark 13:13-14;  2Thess. 2:4;  1Cor. 3:17; Matt.24:15-16; Rev.11:2; Luke 21:24; Rev.13:10; Dan.8:13; 9:27; 11:31; 7:21; Rev.13:7,10; John 16:2; Rev.11:7,12; Dan.7:25-27)!



Additional Pages for Study (coming soon)