Steve Kellar

Breaking Strongholds III

Posted under Archives on March 17th, 2024 by Steve Kellar

BREAKING STRONGHOLDS – PART THREE

Satan’s Subtleties
Excerpts from a sermon by John Sparks

Who is responsible for our sin: man or Satan? Satan is behind all sin. But man is responsible to resist and fight and flee and have faith against him.

He attacks our physical strength-The Disciples in Gethsemene.
He attacks our health-Paul’s thorn in the flesh^a messenger of Satan to buffet him.
He attacks our mind-John the Baptist in prison.
He attacks our emotions-Elijah running from jezebel.
He attacks our disposition-Peter chopping off Malchus’ ear.
He attacks our morals-Solomon, Samson, David.
He attacks our soul…He wants us to worship him or to be self-sufficient-to think we can get along without God.

Where do these temptations come from?

From within-from ourselves: (James1:14) Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust. Thomas Watson said: “Everyone is Satan to himself.”
From without-from Satan: (Matthew 4:3) He is called The tempter…He lies in ambush to get us…He lays a fuse of temptation to blow up our fort of grace.
How does he do that? Seven characteristics of Satan.

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 Cunning...Sly, designing. 
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 Treacherous-the betrayer. 
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 Swift-angel of light. 
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 Intense-he stands against God's people to oppose them with an intensity that is straight out of hell.

 Determined. Powers and signs and lying wonders.

 Unvarying-relentless in his purpose-he never Gives up.

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 Subtle-artful, crafty, deceitful. 
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The subtleties of Satan: (2 Corinthians 2:11) Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. The Greek word tempt signifies deception (Revelation 12:9) So the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan, who deceives the whole world.

Here is how he attacks us through subtlety.

He knows our weaknesses: He observes the natural disposition and characteristics of each of us-he cannot read our minds, he cannot see what is in our hearts-but he can read our lives, our habits, our temperament. He tempts the ambitious with a crown or an executive position, power. He tempts the covetous with money, a wedge of gold, stuff -he tempts the sensual with lusts of the flesh. He tempts the connoisseur with the beauty of the world, in art, music, fine wines, foods, theatre, etc. Watch out-the devil will get you in your weakest point.
He knows just when to attack us:

New believers: He doesn’t need to attack those whom he already owns, Jesus said to the lost you are of your father the devil, but just as soon as you are converted to Christ, he attacks with temptations: When Israel got out of Egypt, Pharoah pursued them – as soon as Christ was born, Herod sought to destroy him. As soon as the tender buds of God’s grace begin to blossom, Satan tries to nip them with temptation.
When believers are idle: The devil’s workshop. Hunters don’t try to hit a running deer, but one who is standing still, unaware of the hunter’s presence. David was not at the battlefield where he was supposed to be when he saw Bathsheba.
When we are in need: When Christ fasted 40 days, Satan attacked – tempted him with the glories of the world. If God doesn’t provide for us as timely as we think he should, Satan offers his temptations. People work two jobs; neglect God and family, because they refuse to trust God.
When we are closest to God: Students in Seminary often suffer from Satanic attack.
After seasons of prayer.
After you have won someone to Christ.
Christ had been fasting and praying 40 days, why attack at this time? You would think this would be the worst time to attack. Satan is deceitful, crafty. Our getting close to God makes him angry. He knows we will begin to influence others away from him. He thinks he will find us more secure: Let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. Like a soldier who lets down his defenses after a victory. David defeated the Amalakites, who after they had taken the spoil, were secure, eating, dancing, David attacked and destroyed them (1 Samuel 30:17) Pirates never attack an empty ship. Burglars do not burglarize empty houses. Crooks don’t rob banks with no money. So Satan attacks when we are rich in the Word and filled with the Holy Spirit.
When we are weakest: He breaks over the hedge where it is lowest (Genesis 34:25) The sons of Jacob conquered the Shechemites when they were in pain and unable to fight.
When we are alone: Eve when Adam was away. His policy is to give his poison privately.
When death is approaching: As the crows pick at poor, helpless animals when they are sick and weak. So, Satan attacks when we are approaching death, sick and weak. The people of Israel were more fiercely attacked as they got closer to the Promised Land.
* He baits his hook with religion:

Seven forms of satanic religion:

Atheism – there is no God.
Humanism – man’s worship of self.
Rationalism – liberalism.
Intellectualism – Science so called.
Emotionalism – interpreting in light of experience.
Ritualism – much of religion today.
Denominationalism.

How does he hook the believer with religion? Interpreting the scriptures by our feelings. “I don’t feel saved.” “I could never win anyone to Christ,” lack of confidence. “I have experienced it.” Christian existentialism. “I don’t have to go to church to be a good Christian.

Satan tempts gradually: He tempts first to less sins-a small offense may occasion a great crime. David first looked at Bathsheba. Lot looked toward Sodom. “A little bit won’t hurt” is one of Satan’s biggest lies.

Satan tempts some more than others:

Those who are ignorant of God’s word^it is our weapon. Blind people can be led almost anywhere.
Those who are proud. Let him that thinks he stands, beware lest he fall. Blessed are the poor in spirit.
Melancholy persons: Depression leaves us wide open for Satan’s attacks. It leaves us unfit for duty. When the believer’s spirit is sad and melancholy, he is out of tune for spiritual things. It makes him sometimes side with Satan against God. The devil tells this person God doesn’t love him, He is not there to deliver him, there is no mercy for him, He will not hear when he calls on Him. This depressed, melancholy person is prone to believe Satan. Melancholy breeds discontent. God cannot use depressed people. Discontent, unthankful, impatient, and it often ends in self-murder-suicide! A melancholy person tempts the devil to tempt him.
Idle persons-the devil’s workshop…(Micah 2:1)…If the hands are not working, good the head will be plotting evil.

He tempt us with lawful things:

Recreation is lawful. “I need a vacation.” But, not from God.
Spending time with one’s family is lawful and a good idea: but Seek first the kingdom of God. If you put God and his church first, you will have a better family. Be very careful that you do not put your family before God.
Our jobs…Here is the attitude…(Ephesians 4:32)…Let him labour, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give to those in need.
He tries to make Christianity look like hypocrisy:

“You can’t trust Christians.” “I’ll never go to church again because^” If you have bad service in restaurant do you say “I’ll never eat again?” If you were cheated when buying a car, do you say, “I’ll never ride in a car again?”
“Christians never have any fun.” Christianity is joy that the world cannot possibly understand. We are not supposed to be miserable. Too many are! It is hard for the world to accept that Disneyland is not the happiest place on earth, the church is!
If a person is a zealous, joyful, witnessing believer he’s a fanatic (at the ballgame you can shout all you like and they call you a “fan”). Try saying amen, alleluia, praise the lord in most churches. You will be looked down upon as some kind of nut.
If he is patient and turns the other cheek he’s a coward and not macho.
If he is humble, he has no spirit or backbone, weak.
They bring up martyrs of the past, the dark ages.
All the church wants is your money.
He tries to lead us into error: That they should believe a lie.

Satan is called a lying spirit. He is the father of all liars. As an unclean spirit he attempts to defile the soul with lust. As the lying spirit he labours to corrupt the mind with error.
Three stages of apostasy-a falling away. Not all at once Erring from the truth (2 Timothy 2:18). Resisting the truth (2 Timothy 3:8) Turning away from the truth (2 Timothy 4:4).
Satan brings division into the church by introducing error. He loves discord, he hates peace, he doesn’t want us to love each other, splits, fusses, discord, disagreements, and general fighting in the body of Christ.
Satan persuades people to delay in repenting and turning to God: (Haggai.1:2).on building the house of the lord. The time has not come that the lord’s house should be built…Then the word of the lord came by the prophet Haggai, saying, it is time.
The longer you put off giving up your sin the harder it will be to give up

The time is now!

Breaking Strongholds II

Posted under Archives on March 16th, 2024 by Steve Kellar

BREAKING STRONGHOLDS – PART TWO

The World, the Flesh and the Devil
Excerpts from a sermon by Dr. John Sparks

The World sins against the soul. What is the world (Kosmos)?

Pride of life: Conformity to a social standard, keeping up with the Jones’.

The atmosphere of life; society’s morals and principles; the system, sin and ungodliness, rejection of Christ.
“Worldly affairs; the aggregate of things worldly; the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments, riches, advantages, pleasures, etc., which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God, and are obstacles to the cause of Christ.” (Oxford English Dictionary)
The world operates entirely by the senses.
The wisdom of it is foolish (1 Corinthians 1:20).
The devil is in it (1 John 4:4) (This is his world-Prince, God of it).
We walked in it before salvation (Ephesians 2:2).
We are commanded not to love it (1 John 2:15-17).
We are not to be conformed to it (Romans 12:1,2)
How does this differ from the flesh? Church lady – Didn’t want another lady to be in leadership-“she drinks, smokes, dances and uses too much make-up”…Pastor said “she is not worldly-you are! She may be carnal, fleshly, but you love show and position, you want to be the head of organizations, you brag about your son-doctor, daughter, rich, etc. Ladies do not like to come to your home because you show off your antiques, you love to make an ostentatious show of your linen, your china, your crystal…You are worldly.”
(1 Peter 3:3,4) Adorning – world: “Whose world, let it not be the world of the Beauty Shop, the Jeweler, or the Dressmaker…But let her world be the world of a meek and quiet spirit…”
A young man who was not interested in spiritual things came to a professor at Harvard. He was angry always looking for evil in the lives of other people. The Professor said: “Do not misunderstand I’m not accusing you of killing anyone, or of being immoral, or a drunkard. Your evil deed may be sitting among the stacks of books at Widener Library thrilled with joy over the solution to some problem you may have discovered while reading Shakespeare’s plays which has puzzled other scholars…If it keeps you away from God-the world of books is as evil as stealing or adultery. It is your world apart from God! He was a good man with a world between him and God!
It doesn’t matter what the nature of your world is. If it keeps you from God it is evil “And this is the condemnation that light has come into the world and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil”(John 3:19)……Work, pleasure, study, home, money, family
How do we combat the world? Sins against the soul? A definite turning away…Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. (1 John 2:15-17). But god forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me and I to the world (Galatians 6:14) And this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4) Renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2) Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17)
The watchword for sins of the world is FAITH!

The flesh: sins against the body. What is flesh?

Sarkikos, Sarx … Human nature, flesh, senses, earthly nature apart from the influence of God.
Not just the body, but the whole man.
Four common doctrines in the world today.

Determinism…Blaming fate, a denial of guilt. I couldn’t help myself its just the way I am. The devil made me do it!
Hedonism, Pleasure or happiness is the chief goal in life the ultimate pleasure…Drugs, sex, booze, even suicide.
Utilitarianism. The end justifies the means. If it makes me happy, it really doesn’t matter what I do.
The new morality…If it feels good do it. It’s the same as the old immorality.
* What can we do about it? Eight questions:

Is it forbidden of the Lord?
Does it interfere with my fellowship with God?
Would Jesus have done it?
Would I like to be found doing it when He returns?
Can I feel free doing it knowing the Holy Spirit lives in me?
What effect will this conduct have on others?
Is there the least bit of doubt in my mind?
Is there any glory for God in it? 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians.3:17; 3:23)
* The watchword against sin of the flesh is FLIGHT.

Flee youthful lusts (2 Timothy.2:22)
Flee Youthful lusts (I Corinthians 6:18)
As Joseph did when tempted by Potiphar’s wife – RUN!

The Devil: personal attacks against the spirit of man:

He “walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour”. He wants to keep the debased and fallen spirit of man from looking to God -he wants man to turn and adore him.
His tactics:

He works to keep our spiritual life poor, our witness nullified.
He works on our pride…He wants us to believe we are self-sufficient – that we can get along without God.
Listen to some of the reasoning that began in the garden: 7 tools:
Everyone else does it.
We always have done it.
No harm in it.
Depends on how you look at it.
You have to live.
A little bit won’t hurt.
You have to keep an open mind about it.
* The watchword against sins of the devil is FIGHT! (Ephesians 6:10 ) Be strong in the lord…Put on the whole armor of God^Fight against the wiles of the devil”…

Contrasts and Comparisons: World, Flesh, Devil…Faith, Flight, Fight.

Woman buys a $2000 Gown.

Flesh – to seduce a desired lover. Lust of the flesh.
World – to conform to a social set-Mrs Jones bought a $1500 gown. Lust of the eyes.
Devil – I earned this money myself. I didn’t need help from anyone. If I want to wear a $2000 gown that’s my business…She uses the gown as a weapon to put others in their place…The original sin was pride… Pride of life.
* Drunkenness:

Flesh-The sheer pleasure of drowning your sorrow.
World-To be accepted by a certain social set.
Devil-To show that you can do it. “I’m the master of my fate, I’m the captain of my soul.”
* Adultery/fornication:

Flesh-Carnal indulgence-it feels good.
World-If I don’t do it he, she/he won’t like me or I won’t be accepted.
Devil-To control the other person-to dominate for the purpose of self- pride.

Sins of the flesh – the ultimate pleasure-if it feels good do it.
Sins of the world – keeping up with a certain social set.
Sins of the devil – self-pride, putting others down.

Conclusion:

Be Strong in the Lord: Ephesians 6:10)
Strong … Endunamao …”To clothe oneself in power” Not self effort…Not that we are to make an effort to be strong for the Lord….It is in the passive voice-the subject is acted upon. “We are to be strengthened in the Lord by the Lord.”
It is a total dependence upon the Lord for His strength. (Ephesians 1:19) The exceeding greatness of His power to us. (Ephesians 3:16) Strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man. Resurrection power to live a resurrected life!
The Holy Spirit is the mighty strength of God…Ephesians 5:18 is the fuel that moves us through our Christian life.
This strengthening is something that God does for us when we trust Him and give ourselves to Him in complete surrender!

The power of His might-Not mine-His! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. An old preacher quoted this verse: I can do all things. Then he would ask questions:”Paul, are you really trying to tell us you can do ALL things? Is there really nothing you cannot do, without exception? Can you fight principalities and powers? Can you fight the rulers of darkness? Can you resist the powers of Satan even in high places of authority? Are you equal to the task of fighting the Devil?”

The old preacher went on for some time, putting up difficulties and asking the Apostle questions and suggesting that Paul was going beyond himself. Even Abraham, the friend of God was defeated by the Devil. Are you claiming you are superior to Abraham? But you say “I can do all things. Then the old preacher read the rest of the text” I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me. The old preacher then said: “Oh, I beg your pardon Paul, I didn’t know there were two of you.”

Breaking Strongholds I

Posted under Archives on March 16th, 2024 by Steve Kellar

BREAKING STRONGHOLDS – PART ONE

(2 Corinthians 3:1-5)

Introduction:

I. Definition: A stronghold is a fortress, that in which, we put our earthly trust. All believers are in a war … a war with their adversary: the Devil (1 Peter 5:8), and his evil spiritual forces which he dispatches and assigns to perpetrate his wickedness throughout the world. The scripture says that we, “wrestle… against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

We are well aware of the evil characteristics of Satan, that he “kills, steals, and destroys” (John 10:10). But beyond his routine harassments, temptations or hit-and-run attacks, the Devil’s forces seek territory to establish long-term strongholds in which they may dominate and hold us captive. Satanic forces search for people, cities, and nations in which they are not resisted and where they may flourish.
Strongholds can merely be a “strong” influence or grip, persistent oppression, obsessions, hindrances or harassment. Many Christians are the victims of Satan’s strongholds.

II. How to Break Strongholds ^ and keep them Broken!

AUTHORITY — Every believer has the right to use the authority of Jesus’ name to bind and take authority over Satan’s activities. To all believers, Jesus said, “In My name they will cast out demons…” (Mark 16:17). “No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house” (Mark 3:27). Issue a spoken command to the devil that he is bound and he must leave the stronghold! Exercising authority in the name of Jesus will expel the Devil’s influence. All Believers have Authority over the Devil. All Christians must be aware that God has equipped them to overcome Satan’s power. The Apostle Paul said that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (of a fleshly or earthly nature), but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4). “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name” (Luke 10:17).
INTERCESSION — Come together with other believers to pray and intercede against strongholds until you get results. There is intensified power in the gathering of more believers. Prayer with fasting intensifies faith, and faith will break strongholds. “Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast him out? However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:19,21).
DISPLACEMENT — Establish the presence of God. Where Satan has been commanded to leave, fill it up with God’s presence. Where the presence of the Lord is, the Devil isn’t! Satan doesn’t want to hang around where people are lifting up Jesus in worship, in singing and prayer. The presence of the Lord displaces the Devil. “For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).
SUBMIT and RESIST — The Bible says “resist Satan and he will flee.” The Devil runs from submitted, yielded Christians. He runs for his life from your life. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
OCCUPATION — Give no place or vacancy to the Devil. With Satan departed, fill the void with God. Let righteousness be the standard rule and behaviour. Provide no pocket of rebellion, corruption or immorality in which Satan can find refuge to rebuild his influence or strength. The scripture says “do not give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27).
FORTIFICATION — Clothe yourself with God’s armour. Take upon you daily, the full array of God’s spiritual equipment that you may maintain battle-ready status. With the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit (God’s Word) and the other links of armour (Ephesians 6:13-17), you will be ready to resist any satanic assault, and will be ready to engage the strongholds in others. “Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

III. Let’s just take a look at the strongholds that bind too many lives in the church, that defeat the grace of God!

Sexual sin: Being led around by your desires. This sin will take away God’s power from our lives, disqualify our ministry, take away our blessings, break our fellowship with God, and we can’t even know the will of God for our life when we are succumbing to sexual sin…”Flee fornication (1 Corinthians 6:18); “Flee youthful lusts” (2 Timothy 2:22); “Abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:12). There are more shipwrecks in the sea of sexual sin than any other ocean!
Lack of Separation from the world: There is an absolute difference between the believer and the world…”love not the world” (1 John 2:15)
Its wisdom is foolish.
The Devil is in control of it.
We are not to be conformed to it (Romans 12:2).
We walked in it before salvation, so we are not to walk in it after we are saved (Ephesians 2:2).
The steady stream of worldly information and experience that continually shaped our childhood perceptions is a great source of strongholds within us. Our parents perception of the world has been passed on to us. Our teachers perception of the world has been passed on to us. Our pastor’s perception of the world has been passed on to us. Jesus said we “will be like our teachers” (Luke 6:40). The amount of love (or lack of love) in our homes, our cultural environment, peer values and impressions, fears of rejection and failure, even our physical appearance and our IQ perceptions, all form our sense of identity and our view of life! “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things”. (1 Corinthians 13:11).
Trusting in self.
Self-image, self-love, self-esteem, self-worth, self-awareness…selfishness!
I want what I want when I want it! Have to have your own way.
Can never see another’s point of view.
I’m trying to find myself! The Word says, “lose yourself” and find Him!
Feelings of rejection, which is based in pride.
Feelings of: Worthlessness, wishing you had never been born, inferiority, depression, unhealthy introspection, self-condemnation, self-hatred, worries, doubts, fears, resentment, bitterness, rebellion, non-communicative, uncertain, distrustful, fears of failure, an inability to express love, intolerance, hostility, and a denial that any of these exist in the life, even though others see them clearly!
The Self-Life is a miserable existence…You never seem to get your act together … and Satan loves for you to be like this!
The Scriptures speak of “The will of the flesh” and it does have a will of its own energized by the devil!
The self-life must be brought under the control of the Spirit of God through the Word of God…”Let God be true and every man a liar” (Romans 3:4). The only one who has the right to shape our lives is Jesus Christ!
The only way to have God’s power on your life is through self-denial! This includes a denial of greed and materialism: Like getting rich, working several jobs, sacrificing church and family and relationship with God to get something, that’s not worth having after you get it! … How do I defeat this stronghold? “Set your affections upon things above not on things on the earth”
PRIDE:
Pride of Grace (My church, my denomination, disunity is a stronghold).
Pride of Place (My job, my position, my authority, etc).
Pride of Face, (Test pilots for Revlon)
Pride of Race. Reconciliation is an absolute stronghold that withholds the blessings of God.
God can not use you if you are hung up on any of these strongholds!
Who is ruling your life? The world, The Devil, Self or God?

IV. The Over Comers (Revelation 12:10,11)

By the Blood: “The blood of Jesus Christ, God?s Son, cleanses us from all sin.” “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives unto death.” Our one source of cleansing, one source of life, one body, we are relatives we are “all in the family” This shedding of blood declares our common need of Jesus!
Telling others what God has done breaks down strongholds and lets the enemy know what’s important to us!
Total dependence upon God: We can never defeat the enemy as long as we harbour self-pity and self-indulgence. Our willingness to stand upon Scripture and Godly principle, even to the death if necessary, rather than betray our convictions of truth! If we won’t live for Him it’s a pretty sure sign we wouldn’t be willing to die for Him.
Worship is part of our warfare… Corporate and personal
In your worship keep your eyes on Jesus, not the worship leaders…They are just God’s instruments to lead us to worship.
Too much unnecessary criticism of public services gives Satan a stronghold in the church! (Acts 4:24) “And they lifted their voice to God in one accord.”
Do not harbour anything in your heart against any other person…If you have bitterness and bad feelings in your heart get is settled immediately!
Seek to be consistent in prayer and intercession.
Never be presumptuous…Don’t underestimate the power of the enemy… He can oppress us and invade our lives in such a way that we will deny the grace of God…Look at the apostle Peter: “I never knew Him.” “Satan wants to have you so he may sift you as wheat.

V. Getting to the Root of the Problem

The devil’s primary strategy is to disguise his activities so that it appears that someone or something else is to blame. He wants us to get our attention on his surrogates, his instruments, his hindrances and “wrestle” with them, so that our battle will be directed against the “symptoms” instead of the “real source.”
We all know that a decongestant will help relieve a stuffy nose, but it will not cure a cold. Likewise, you can fight with the symptoms of the Devil, but you will not end the problems until you deal with the source and bind the “strong man.”
Remember when Peter resisted Jesus’ decision to return to Jerusalem, knowing that He would be crucified there? Jesus did not rebuke Peter, but turned to Peter and rebuked Satan. “Get behind me Satan” (Matthew 16:23). Peter wasn’t demon possessed, and probably didn’t intend to be an offense. However, the Devil inspired Peter’s statement, and Jesus went after the real source.
Paul said that our battle is not with “flesh and blood” but with spiritual adversaries (Ephesians 6:12). How important it is that we understand what the real root of the problem is — “who” our real enemy is. It is Satan, not flesh and blood, not our brethren, not our family, not our children, not husbands and wives, not employers, nor our government! The Devil is the enemy!
Binding the Strong Man. One time, after Jesus had cast out a devil and healed a deaf and mute boy, Jesus explained that in order to overturn the works and activity of the Devil, we must bind him first. “Or else how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house” (Matthew 12:29). In order to neutralize the Devil’s works, we must go and deal directly with the source and bind up the devil so that his hands are tied. Then we’ll be able to take back what he’s stolen and bring a halt to his actions
Many cities are strongholds of Satan. The symptoms of this are many. Often the local churches suffer senseless conflicts or unexplained problems. The congregations experience little growth, and the preaching of the Word is not easily proclaimed or well received by the community. These are the symptoms, but behind the scene Satan is the culprit. In such cases, those spiritual strongholds must be dealt with and bound for the ministry to be effective.

VI. All Believers have Authority over the Devil

All Christians must be aware that God has equipped them to overcome Satan’s power. The Apostle Paul said that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (of a fleshly or earthly nature), but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4).
You may recall the time when the seventy disciples returned to the Lord rejoicing about the results of their ministry. They remarked, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name” (Luke 10:17). But then, Jesus pointed out that the great marvel of this was that the devils were subject to them because their names were “written in heaven.” In other words, because they were saved — because of their relationship with Christ, they had authority over the Devil in the name of Jesus.
Jesus has given all His followers — all those who know Jesus personally as their Lord and Saviour — the authority to use His name to expel the forces of evil. To all believers, Jesus said, “In My name they will cast out demons…” (Mark 16:17).
Does God lead into temptation? (James 1:13)…”Let no one say when he is tempted I am tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.”
Where do temptations come from? The world, the flesh, the devil. We cannot ward off temptation and sin if we don’t know where to fight it. For example, Let’s say a bomb just exploded at Cape Canaveral … Troops are sent out through the surrounding area to try to find the terrorist, ships are dispatched to search the waters of the Atlantic – while at 65,000 feet, an enemy bomber is escaping! The point being, you can’t fight an enemy until you know from where the attack is coming!

3.Three different methods for detecting the attack. To misjudge the source of any attack, or to attempt a defense against one thrust with means adapted to meet another can only end in failure and defeat

4.Man is a tripartite being, body, soul, spirit…So the enemy attacks from three different angles…If we do not properly identify the area of attack we cannot possibly defeat the attacker.
* Against the soul: He brings the temptations of the world.
* Against the body: He brings the temptations of the flesh.
* Against the spirit: Satan comes himself, seeking to win the allegiance of the old spirit to worship himself.

The Names of God Study

Posted under Archives on March 15th, 2024 by Steve Kellar

The Names of God Study

Learning the names of God has increased my understanding of His character, built my faith, and expanded my capacity for praise and worship. (God loves to hear us use His names in our worship!) I hope you will find these names a benefit to your spiritual life as well.

On the right side of this page you will find a few of the Hebrew names for God, but this is a very small listing. For those of you looking for more of the Hebrew and Greek names used for God in the Old and New Testaments, along with explanations and references, try Lambert Dolphin’s “The Names of God”.

Also on the right side of this page, is a listing of the “I Am’s of God,” and the “Who” names/characteristics of God.

(KJV was used in compiling this list.)

To order The Names of God in booklet form, please see the bottom of this page.

A Branch (Jesus)

A chief cornerstone (Jesus)

A consuming fire

A covert from the tempest

A father to Israel

A God that hidest thyself

A Governor

A great high priest (Jesus)

A holy God

A jealous God

A just God and a Savior

A hiding place from the wind

A high priest of good things to come (Jesus)

A high priest over the house of God (Jesus)

A judge of the widows

A light to lighten the Gentiles (Jesus)

A living stone (Jesus)

A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief (Jesus)

A man of war

A merciful and faithful high priest (Jesus)

A merciful God

A mighty terrible one (In KJV, “terrible” means “awesome”)

A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle (Jesus)

A nail in a sure place

A place of broad rivers and streams

A plant of renown (Jesus)

A priest upon his throne (Jesus)

A Prince and a Savior

A rewarder of them that diligently seek him

A rock of offense [to the unbeliever] (Jesus)

A rod out of the stem of Jesse (Jesus)

A sanctuary

A Scepter (Jesus)

A shadow from the heat

A shelter for me

A son over his own house (Jesus) [the Church is His house]

A Star out of Jacob (Jesus)

A stone of stumbling [to the unbeliever] (Jesus)

A strength to the needy in his distress

A strength to the poor

A strong LORD

A strong tower from the enemy

A sun and shield

A sure foundation

A tried stone

A very present help in trouble

A witness to us (Holy Spirit)

Abba, Father

Advocate with the Father (Jesus)

Almighty God

Alpha and Omega

Ancient of days

Apostle and High Priest of our profession (Jesus)

Author and finisher of our faith (Jesus)

Author of eternal salvation (Jesus)

Author of peace

Beginning of the creation of God (Jesus)

Blessed and only Potentate

Bread of God (Jesus)

Bread of life (Jesus)

Bright and morning star

Buckler to all those that trust in him

Buckler to them that walk uprightly

Captain of their salvation (Jesus)

Christ Jesus

Christ in you, the hope of glory

Christ the King of Israel

Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God

Confidence of all the ends of the earth

Consolation of Israel (Jesus)

Counselor

Covenant of the people (Jesus)

Creator of the ends of the earth

Dayspring from on high (Jesus)

Desire of all nations (Jesus)

Everlasting Father

Everlasting God

Everlasting King

Faithful and True

Faithful Creator

Faithful witness

Father of glory

Father of lights

Father of mercies

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

Father of spirits

Father of the fatherless

First-begotten of the dead (Jesus)

Firstborn among many brethren (Jesus)

Firstborn of every creature (Jesus)

Former of all things

Fountain of Living Waters

Glory of their strength

Glory of thy people Israel

God Almighty

God alone

God and Father of all

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

God full of compassion

God most high

God my maker

God of Abraham

God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob

God of all comfort

God of all flesh

God of all grace

God of all the families of Israel

God of glory

God of gods

God of heaven

God of heaven and earth

God of hope

God of Israel

God of Jacob

God of Jeshurun (“Jeshurun” means “upright,” and refers to Israel)

God of knowledge

God of love and peace

God of my life

God of my mercy

God of my praise

God of my righteousness

God of my rock

God of our salvation

God of patience and consolation

God of peace

God of the armies of Israel

God of the living

God of the spirits of all flesh

God of the whole earth

God of thy fathers

God of truth and without iniquity

God only wise

God our Savior

God our shield

God ready to pardon

God that answereth by fire

God, that cannot lie

God, that comforteth those that are cast down

God that doest wonders

God that formed thee

God, that giveth to all men liberally

God that judgeth in the earth

God that made the world and all things therein

God that performeth all things for me

God that showeth mercy

God, the Father

God the Judge of all

God the LORD

God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ

God, which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvelous things without number

God which fed me all my life long unto this day

God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ

God, which hath not turned away my prayer

God which raiseth the dead

God, which trieth our hearts

God’s servant (Jesus)

God’s righteous servant (Jesus)

Governor among the nations

Gracious and merciful God

Great King above all gods

Great King over all the earth

Great shepherd of the sheep (Jesus)

Guide of my youth

Habitation of justice

He in whom I trust

He that abideth of old

He that built all things

He that by wisdom made the heavens

He that called you into the grace of Christ

He that calleth you

He that cometh from above (Jesus)

He that cometh from heaven (Jesus)

He that cometh in the name of the Lord (Jesus)

He that comforteth you

He that createth the wind

He that declareth unto man what is his thought

He that doth speak

He that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself

He that filleth all in all

He that formed thee from the womb

He that formeth the mountains

He that giveth breath unto the people

He that giveth strength and power unto his people

He that hath called us to glory and virtue

He that hath mercy on them

He that hath the key of David (Jesus)

He that hath the seven Spirits of God

He that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand

He that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think

He that is able to keep you from falling

He that is able to present you faultless before the presence of his glory

He that is from the beginning

He that is higher than the highest

He that is holy

He that is mighty

He that is of power to stablish you

He that is true

He that judgeth me

He that judgeth righteously

He that keepeth Israel

He that keepeth thee

He that keepeth thy soul

He that liveth and was dead (Jesus)

He that liveth for ever and ever

He that loved us

He that maketh the morning darkness

He that maketh the seven stars and Orion

He that made great lights

He that ministereth to you the Spirit

He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth

He that ought to be feared

He that pondereth the heart

He that raised up Jesus from the dead

He that revealeth secrets

He that rideth upon the heavens of heavens

He that sanctifieth

He that searcheth the hearts

He that seeth me

He that shall come (Jesus)

He that shall have dominion (Jesus)

He that sitteth in the heavens

He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth

He that sitteth upon the throne

He that smote Egypt in their firstborn

He that spared not his own Son (the Father)

He that speaketh from heaven

He that strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong

He that stretched out the earth above the waters

He that took me out of the womb

He that treadeth upon the high places of the earth

He that turneth the shadow of death into the morning

He that washed us from our sins (Jesus)

He that worketh miracles among you

He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost (Jesus)

He which divided the Red Sea into parts

He which giveth life unto the world

He which hath anointed us

He which hath the sharp sword with two edges

He which is, and which was, and which is to come

He which is perfect in knowledge

He which led his people through the wilderness

He which searcheth the reins and hearts

He which smote great kings

He which stablisheth us with you in Christ

He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead (Jesus)

He who alone doeth great wonders

He who hath builded the house (Jesus)

He who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light

He who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire

He who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks

He who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will

He whom God hath sent (Jesus)

He with whom we have to do

Head of the body, the church (Jesus)

Health of my countenance

Heir of all things (Jesus)

Helper of the fatherless

High priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek (Jesus)

His Anointed (Jesus)

His dear Son (Jesus)

His Son from heaven (Jesus)

His Spirit that dwelleth in you

His unspeakable gift (Jesus)

Holy Ghost

Holy One of Israel

Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit of promise

Hope of Israel (Jesus)

Hope of Israel, the Savior thereof in time of trouble

Horn of my salvation

House of defense

I AM

I AM THAT I AM

I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save

Image of the invisible God (Jesus)

Immanuel [God with us] (Jesus)

Jealous

JEHOVAH (YHWH)

Jesus

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ our Lord

Jesus Christ the righteous

Jesus of Nazareth

Jesus the mediator of the new covenant

Jesus, thou Son of God most high

Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come

Judge of all the earth

Judge of quick and dead (Jesus)

King forever and ever

King of all the earth

King of glory

King of heaven

King of Israel

King of kings

KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS

King of Nations

King of saints

King of the Jews (Jesus)

Lamb of God (Jesus)

Light of the Gentiles (Jesus)

Lion of the tribe of Judah (Jesus)

Lord also of the sabbath

Lord and Christ

Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

LORD God

Lord God Almighty

LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel

LORD God of hosts

LORD God of Israel

LORD God of my salvation

LORD God of our fathers

LORD God of recompense

LORD God of the Hebrews

Lord God of the holy prophets

LORD God of truth

Lord God omnipotent

Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel

Lord, holy and true

Lord Jesus

LORD most high

Lord of all (Jesus)

LORD of hosts

Lord of glory

Lord of kings

Lord of lords

Lord of peace

Lord of Sabaoth

Lord of the whole earth

LORD on high

LORD our God

LORD our Lord

Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be

Majesty on high

Master

Mediator of a better covenant (Jesus)

Mediator of the new testament (Jesus)

Mighty God of Jacob

Mighty One of Israel

Mine elect (Jesus)

Mine Holy One

Most Mighty

Most upright

My beloved

My beloved Son (Jesus)

My buckler

My defense

My defense and refuge in the day of my trouble

My deliverer

My exceeding joy

My Father

My father’s God

My [God’s] firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth (Jesus)

My fortress

My friend

My glory

My God

My goodness

My help

My hiding place

My hiding place and my shield

My high tower

My hope

My hope in the day of evil

My judge

My King

My lamp

My love

My portion for ever

My portion in the land of the living

My praise

My Redeemer

My refuge

My refuge and my portion

My refuge in the day of affliction

My rock

My salvation

My Savior

My [God’s] servant (Jesus)

My [God’s] servant David (Jesus)

My shepherd

My shield

My song

My stay

My strength and power

My strength and song

My strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort

My strong refuge

My strong rock

My trust from my youth

One LORD

One mediator between God and men (Jesus)

Only begotten of the Father (Jesus)

Only begotten Son of God (Jesus)

Our captain

Our dwelling place

Our Father

Our Father which is in heaven

Our guide

Our lawgiver

Our life

Our Lord Jesus Christ

Our peace

Our potter

Our Savior Jesus Christ

Portion of Jacob

Portion of mine inheritance and of my cup

Possessor of heaven and earth

Precious corner stone

Prince of life (Jesus)

Prince of Peace (Jesus)

Prince of princes

Prince of the kings of the earth

Promise of the Father (Holy Spirit)

Redeemer of Israel

Refuge for the oppressed

Refuge from the storm

Refuge in times of trouble

Righteous Branch (Jesus)

Righteous Father

Rivers of water in a dry place

Rock of Israel

Rock of my refuge

Rock of my salvation

Rock of my strength

Root of David (Jesus)

Root of Jesse (Jesus)

Ruler in Israel

Salvation of God (Jesus)

Salvation of Israel

Saving strength of his anointed

Savior of all men

Savior of the world (Jesus)

Seed of Abraham (Jesus)

Shepherd and Bishop of your souls

Shepherd of Israel

Shield of thy help

Son of David (Jesus)

Son of God (Jesus)

Son of man (Jesus)

Son of the Blessed (Jesus)

Son of the Father (Jesus)

Son of the Highest (Jesus)

Son of the living God (Jesus)

Spirit of Christ

Spirit of counsel and might

Spirit of glory and of God

Spirit of God

Spirit of grace

Spirit of holiness

Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD

Spirit of life

Spirit of the living God

Spirit of the LORD

Spirit of truth

Spirit of wisdom and understanding

Strength of Israel

Strength of my heart

Strength of my salvation

Sun of righteousness (Jesus)

Sword of thy excellency

That eternal life (Jesus)

That man whom he hath ordained (Jesus)

The Almighty

The Amen

The beginning and the ending

The beginning, the firstborn from the dead (Jesus)

The Branch of righteousness (Jesus)

The breaker (as in, the deliverer — see Micah 2:13)

The bridegroom (Jesus)

The brightness of his glory (Jesus)

The chief corner stone (Jesus)

The chief Shepherd (Jesus)

The Christ

The Christ of God

The Comforter (Holy Spirit)

The Deliverer (Jesus)

The earnest of our inheritance (Holy Spirit)

The eternal God

The eternal Spirit

The express image of his person (Jesus)

The faithful and true witness

The faithful God

The fear of Isaac

The first and the last

The first-begotten (Jesus)

The glorious LORD

The Godhead

The great and dreadful God

The great God

The great God that formed all things

The Great, the Mighty God

The great, the mighty, and the terrible God (“terrible” means “awesome” in KJV)

The Head (Jesus)

The head of the corner (Jesus)

The high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity

The high God their redeemer

The Highest

The Holy

The Holy One

The Holy One and the Just (Jesus)

The Holy One in the midst of thee

The Holy One of God (Jesus)

The hope of their fathers

The husbandman (the Father)

The invisible God

The Just One

The King eternal, immortal, invisible

The Lamb (Jesus)

The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Jesus)

The Lamb that was slain (Jesus)

The last Adam (Jesus)

The lifter up of mine head

The Light

The light of the world (Jesus)

The living bread which came down from heaven (Jesus)

The living Father

The Living God

The Lord from heaven (Jesus)

The LORD mighty in battle

The LORD my banner

The LORD my strength

The LORD our maker

THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

The LORD strong and mighty

The LORD that doth sanctify you

The LORD that healeth thee

The LORD that is faithful

The LORD that maketh all things

The LORD that smiteth

The LORD the God

The LORD, The God of Hosts

The LORD the Judge

THE LORD THY GOD

The LORD thy God from the land of Egypt

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee

The LORD thy Redeemer

The LORD which hallows you

The LORD which will help thee

The LORD your God which goeth before you

The Lord’s Christ (Jesus)

The Majesty in the heavens

The Messiah (Jesus)

The Messiah the Prince (Jesus)

The mighty God

The Most High

The most high God

The Most High over all the earth

The Most Holy (Jesus)

The only Lord God

The only true God

The only wise God

The only wise God our Savior

The pearl of great price

The Prophet (Jesus)

The propitiation for our sins (Jesus)

The resurrection, and the life (Jesus)

The righteous judge

The righteous LORD

The Rock

The Rock that begat thee

The rock that is higher than I

The root and the offspring of David (Jesus)

The seven Spirits of God (Holy Spirit)

The shadow of a great rock in a weary land

The Son (Jesus)

The Spirit

The Spirit of his Son (Holy Spirit)

The Spirit of your Father

The stone which the builders disallowed (Jesus)

The true bread from heaven (Jesus)

The true God

The true light (Jesus)

The true vine (Jesus)

The uncorruptible God

The way, the truth, and the life (Jesus)

The Word (Jesus)

The Word of God (Jesus)

The Word of life (Jesus)

Thine everlasting light

Thine husband

Thou preserver of men

Thou that dwellest between the cherubim

Thou that dwellest in the heavens

Thou that hearest prayer

Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel

Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock

Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death

Thou that savest by thy right hand

Thou whom my soul loveth

Thy Creator

Thy exceeding great reward

Thy father that hath bought thee

Thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people

Thy good Spirit

Thy holy child Jesus

Thy keeper

Thy life, and the length of thy days

Thy Lord the LORD

Thy Maker

Thy shade upon thy right hand

Tower of salvation

Wonderful

Your dread

Your fear

Your heavenly Father

Your Holy One

A Few Hebrew Names and Their Meanings
Adonai-Jehovah — The Lord our Sovereign
El-Elyon — The Lord Most High
El-Olam — The Everlasting God
El-Shaddai — The God Who is Sufficient for the Needs of His People
Jehovah-Elohim — The Eternal Creator
Jehovah-Jireh — The Lord our Provider
Jehovah-Nissi — The Lord our Banner
Jehovah-Ropheka — The Lord our Healer
Jehovah-Shalom — The Lord our Peace
Jehovah-Tsidkenu — The Lord our Righteousness
Jehovah-Mekaddishkem — The Lord our Sanctifier
Jehovah-Sabaoth — The Lord of Hosts
Jehovah-Shammah — The Lord is Present
Jehovah-Rohi — The Lord our Shepherd
Jehovah-Hoseenu — The Lord our Maker
Jehovah-Eloheenu — The Lord our God

The “I AM’s” of God
I AM
I AM THAT I AM
I am a father to Israel
I am a great King
I am alive for evermore (Jesus)
I am Alpha and Omega (Jesus)
I am for you
I am from above (Jesus)
I am God
I am God Almighty
I am gracious
I am he
I am he that comforteth you
I am he that doth speak
I am he that liveth, and was dead (Jesus)
I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts (Jesus)
I am holy
I am in the midst of Israel
I am married unto you
I am meek and lowly in heart (Jesus)
I am merciful
I am the Almighty God
I am the bread of life (Jesus)
I am the door (Jesus)
I am the door of the sheep (Jesus)
I am the first and the last
I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob
I am the God of thy fathers
I am the good shepherd (Jesus)
I am the light of the world (Jesus)
I am the living bread (Jesus)
I am the LORD
I am the LORD, and there is none else
I am the Lord GOD
I am the LORD in the midst of the earth
I am the LORD that doth sanctify you
I am the LORD that healeth thee
I am the LORD that maketh all things
I am the LORD that smiteth
I am the LORD, the God of all flesh
I am the LORD thy God
I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt
I am the LORD thy God that divideth the sea
I am the LORD thy God which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go
I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit
I am the LORD which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness
I am the LORD which hallow you
I am the LORD, your Holy One
I am the resurrection, and the life (Jesus)
I am the root and offspring of David (Jesus)
I am the Son of God (Jesus)
I am the vine (Jesus)
I am the way, the truth, and the life (Jesus)
I am their inheritance (speaking of the priests)
I am thy exceeding great reward
I am thy part and thine inheritance (said to the Levites)
I am thy salvation
I am thy Savior
I am thy shield
I am with thee
I am with thee to deliver thee
I am with thee to save thee
I am with you alway (Jesus)

The “Who” Names/Characteristics of God
Who also maketh intercession for us (Jesus)
Who answered me in the day of my distress
Who calleth those things which be not as though they were
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation
Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness
Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment
Who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies
Who daily loadeth us with benefits
Who dwelleth on high
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities
Who gave himself a ransom for all (Jesus)
Who gave himself for our sins (Jesus)
Who giveth food to all flesh
Who giveth rain upon the earth
Who giveth songs in the night
Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy
Who hath abolished death (Jesus)
Who hath also sealed us
Who hath ascended up into heaven (Jesus)
Who hath bound the waters in a garment
Who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus
Who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory
Who hath established all the ends of the earth
Who hath gathered the wind in his fists
Who hath given me counsel
Who hath given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts
Who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire
Who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity
Who hath redeemed us from our enemies
Who hath saved us and called us with a holy calling
Who hast done great things
Who hast set thy glory above the heavens
Who healeth all thy diseases
Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth
Who is above all
Who is blessed for ever
Who is over all (Jesus)
Who is rich in mercy
Who is worthy to be praised
Who keepest covenant and mercy
Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever
Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters
Who liveth for ever and ever
Who loved me, and gave himself for me (Jesus)
Who maketh the clouds his chariot
Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire
Who only doeth wondrous things
Who only hath immortality
Who quickeneth all things
Who quickeneth the dead
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction
Who remembered us in our low estate
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things
Who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil
Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain
Who taketh vengeance
Who walketh upon the wings of the wind
Who was delivered for our offenses (Jesus)
Who was faithful to him that appointed him (Jesus)
Who was raised again for our justification (Jesus)
Who was with me in the way which I went
Who will have all men to be saved

The Names of God

Posted under Archives on March 15th, 2024 by Steve Kellar

Old Testament (The Hebrew Scriptures, or Tanach):
EL: God (“mighty, strong, prominent”) used 250 times in the OT See Gen. 7:1, 28:3, 35:11; Nu. 23:22; Josh. 3:10; 2 Sam. 22:31, 32; Neh. 1:5, 9:32; Isa. 9:6; Ezek. 10:5. El is linguistically equivalent to the Moslem “Allah,” but the attributes of Allah in Islam are entirely different from those of the God of the Hebrews. ELAH is Aramaic, “god.” Elah appears in the Hebrew Bible in Jer. 10:11 (which is in Aramaic, and is plural, “gods”). In Daniel (the Aramaic sections) Elah is used both of pagan gods, and of the true God, also plural. Elah is equivalent to the Hebrew Eloah which some think is dual; Elohim is three or more. The gods of the nations are called “elohim.” The origin of Eloah is obscure. Elohim is the more common plural form of El. Eloah is used 41 times in Job between 3:4 and 40:2, but fewer than 15 times elsewhere in the OT. See the Catholic Encyclopedia entry on Elohim.

ELOHIM: God (a plural noun, more than two, used with singular verbs); Elohim occurs 2,570 times in the OT, 32 times in Gen. 1. God as Creator, Preserver, Transcendent, Mighty and Strong. Eccl., Dan. Jonah use Elohim almost exclusively. See Gen. 17:7, 6:18, 9:15, 50:24; I Kings 8:23; Jer. 31:33; Isa. 40:1.

EL SHADDAI: God Almighty or “God All Sufficient.” 48 times in the OT, 31 times in Job. First used in Gen. 17:1, 2. (Gen. 31:29, 49:24, 25; Prov. 3:27; Micah 2:1; Isa. 60:15, 16, 66:10-13; Ruth 1:20, 21) In Rev. 16:7, “Lord God the Almighty.” The Septuagint uses Greek “ikanos” meaning “all-sufficient” or “self-sufficient.” The idols of the heathen are called “sheddim.”

ADONAI: Lord in our English Bibles (Capitol letter ‘L ‘, lower case, ‘ord’) (Adonai is plural, the sing. is “adon”). “Master” or “Lord” 300 times in the OT always plural when referring to God, when sing. the reference is to a human lord. Used 215 times to refer to men. First use of Adonai, Gen. 15:2. (Ex. 4:10; Judges 6:15; 2 Sam. 7:18-20; Ps. 8, 114:7, 135:5, 141:8, 109:21-28). Heavy use in Isaiah (Adonai Jehovah). 200 times by Ezekiel. Ten times in Dan. 9.

JEHOVAH: LORD in our English Bibles (all capitals). Yahweh is the covenant name of God. Occurs 6823 times in the OT First use Gen. 2:4 (Jehovah Elohim). From the verb “to be”, havah, similar to chavah (to live), “The Self-Existent One,” “I AM WHO I AM” or ‘I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE” as revealed to Moses at the burning bush, Ex.3. The name of God, too sacred to be uttered, abbreviated ( . . . . ) or written “YHWH” without vowel points. The tetragrammaton. Josh., Judges, Sam., and Kings use Jehovah almost exclusively. The love of God is conditioned upon His moral and spiritual attributes. (Dan. 9:14; Ps. 11:7; Lev. 19:2; Hab. 1:12). Note Deut. 6:4, 5 known to Jews as the Sh’ma uses both Jehovah and Elohim to indicate one God with a plurality of persons.

JEHOVAH-JIREH: “The Lord will Provide.” Gen. 22:14. From “jireh” (“to see” or “to provide,” or to “foresee” as a prophet.) God always provides, adequate when the times come.

JEHOVAH-ROPHE: “The Lord Who Heals” Ex. 15:22-26. From “rophe” (“to heal”); implies spiritual, emotional as well as physical healing. (Jer. 30:17, 3:22; Isa. 61:1) God heals body, soul and spirit; all levels of man’s being.

JEHOVAH-NISSI: “The Lord Our Banner.” Ex. 17:15. God on the battlefield, from word which means “to glisten,” “to lift up,” See Psalm 4:6.

JEHOVAH-M’KADDESH: “The Lord Who Sanctifies” Lev. 20:8. “To make whole, set apart for holiness.”

JEHOVAH-SHALOM: “The Lord Our Peace” Judges 6:24. “Shalom” translated “peace” 170 times means “whole,” “finished,” “fulfilled,” “perfected.” Related to “well,” welfare.” Deut. 27:6; Dan. 5:26; I Kings 9:25 8:61; Gen. 15:16; Ex. 21:34, 22:5, 6; Lev. 7:11-21. Shalom means that kind of peace that results from being a whole person in right relationship to God and to one’s fellow man.

SHEPHERD: Psa. 23, 79:13, 95:7, 80:1, 100:3; Gen. 49:24; Isa. 40:11.

JUDGE: Psa. 7:8, 96:13.

JEHOVAH ELOHIM: “LORD God” Gen. 2:4; Judges 5:3; Isa. 17:6; Zeph. 2:9; Psa. 59:5, etc.

JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU “The Lord Our Righteousness” Jer. 23:5, 6, 33:16. From “tsidek” (straight, stiff, balanced – as on scales – full weight, justice, right, righteous, declared innocent.) God our Righteousness.

JEHOVAH-ROHI: “The Lord Our Shepherd” Psa. 23, from “ro’eh” (to pasture).

JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH: “The Lord is There” (Ezek. 48:35).

JEHOVAH-SABAOTH: “The Lord of Hosts” The commander of the angelic host and the armies of God. Isa. 1:24; Psa. 46:7, 11; 2 Kings 3:9-12; Jer. 11:20 (NT: Rom. 9:29; James 5:4, Rev. 19: 11-16).

EL ELYON: ‘Most High” (from “to go up”) Deut. 26:19, 32:8; Psa. 18:13; Gen. 14:18; Nu. 24:16; Psa. 78:35, 7:17, 18:13, 97:9, 56:2, 78:56, 18:13; Dan. 7:25, 27; Isa. 14:14.

ABHIR: ‘Mighty One’, (“to be strong”) Gen. 49:24; Deut. 10:17; Psa. 132:2, 5; Isa. 1:24, 49:26, 60:1.

BRANCH: (tsemach), The Branch: Zech. 3:8, 6:12; Isa. 4:2; Jer. 23:5, 33:15.

KADOSH: “Holy One” Psa. 71:22; Isa. 40:25, 43:3, 48:17. Isaiah uses the expression “the Holy One of Israel” 29 times.

SHAPHAT: “Judge” Gen. 18:25

EL ROI: “God of Seeing” Hagar in Gen. 16:13. The God Who opens our eyes.

KANNA: “Jealous” (zealous). Ex. 20:5, 34:14; Deut. 5:9; Isa. 9:7; Zech. 1:14, 8:2.

PALET: “Deliverer” Psa. 18:2.

YESHA: (Y’shua) “Savior” Isa. 43:3. Jesus is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew “Joshua.” The latter is a contraction of Je-Hoshua. (“Christ”, the anointed one is equivalent to the Hebrew Maschiah, or Messiah).

GAOL: “Redeemer” (to buy back by paying a price). Job 19:25; For example, the antitype corresponding to Boaz the Kinsman-Redeemer in the Book of Ruth.

MAGEN: “Shield” Psa. 3:3, 18:30.

STONE: Gen. 49:24

EYALUTH: “Strength” Psa. 22:19.

TSADDIQ: “Righteous One” Psa. 7:9.

EL-OLAM: “Everlasting God” (God of everlasting time) Gen. 21:33; Psa. 90:1-3, 93:2; Isa. 26:4.

EL-BERITH: “God of the Covenant” Used of Baal in Judges 9:46. Probably used originally to refer to the God of israel.

EL-GIBHOR: Mighty God (Isa. 9:6)

ZUR: “God our Rock” Deut. 32:18; Isa. 30:29.

Malachi calls Messiah “The Sun of Righteousness” (Malachi 4:2).

Isaiah calls Messiah “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God (El Gibhor), Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6).

‘Attiq Yomin (Aramaic): “Ancient of Days,” Dan. 7:9, 13, 22.

MELEKH: “King” Psa. 5:2, 29:10, 44:4, 47:6-8, 48:2, 68:24, 74:12, 95:3, 97:1, 99:4, 146:10; Isa. 5:1, 5, 41:21, 43:15, 44:6; 52:7, 52:10.

“The Angel of the Lord: ” Gen. 16:7ff, 21:17, 22:11, 15ff, 18:1-19:1, 24:7, 40, 31:11-13, 32:24-30; Ex. 3:6, 13:21, Ezek. 1:10-13. Seen in the theophanies, or pre-incarnate appearances of the Son of God in the OT (See I Cor. 10:3 NT).

FATHER: 2 Sam. 7:14-15; Psa. 68:5; Isa. 63:16, 64:8; Mal. 1:6.

THE FIRST AND LAST: Isa. 44:6, 48:12.

New Testament Scriptures, (Greek):
KURIOS: (kurios) “Lord” Found some 600 times in the NT.

DESPOTES: (despotes) “Lord” 5 times: Lu. 2:29; Acts 4:24; 2 Pet. 2:1; Jude 4; Rev. 6:10.

THEOS: (yeos) “God” (equivalent to the Hebrew Elohim), 1,000 times in the NT. In the NT all the persons of the trinity are called “God” at one time or another.

I AM: Jesus upset his generation especially when He said, “Before Abraham was, I AM,” John 8:58. Note also his claim to be Jehovah in such phrases as “I AM the Light of the world,” “the bread of life,” living water,” “the Resurrection and the Life,” “the Way, Truth and the Life” in John’s Gospel. From the Hebrew OT verb “to be” signifying a Living, Intelligent, Personal Being.

THEOTES: “Godhead” Col. 2:9; Rom. 1:20.

HUPSISTOS: “Highest” Mt. 21:9.

SOTER: (soter) “Savior” Luke 1:4 7.

WORD: (logos) John 1:1ff

ALMIGHTY: (pantokrator) 2 Cor. 6:18, Revelation, 9t, e.g. 19:6.

JESUS: Derived from the Hebrew “Joshua” (Y’shua) or “Je-Hoshua” meaning JEHOVAH IS SALVATION.

CHRIST: is equivalent to the Hebrew ‘Messiah’ (Meshiach), “The Anointed One.”

Other NT Titles for Jesus: Shepherd of the Sheep; Master; King of kings; Lord of lords; Bishop and Guardian of our Souls; Daystar, Deliverer, Advocate, Last (or Second) Adam, Ancient of Days, Branch, Chief Cornerstone, Immanuel, First Born, Head of the Body, Physician, Rock, Root of Jesse, Stone, Potentate; Chief Apostle; Great High Priest; Pioneer and Perfecter of our Faith (or Author and Finisher); Lamb of God; Lamb Slain before the Foundation of the World; Lord God Almighty.

LOGOS: “The Word of God” John l; Rev. 19:13.

SOPHIA: “The Wisdom of God,” referring to Christ, refers back to Proverb (I Cor. 1,2)

Father, Son, Holy Spirit: Christian orthodoxy has always understood God to be One God in Three Persons (Elohim). In The NT each person of the godhead is called “God” and “Lord” at least once.

Names for the Holy Spirit: Counselor; Comforter; Baptizer; Advocate; Strengthener; Sanctifier; Spirit of Christ (not the same as the spirit of Christ); Seven-Fold Spirit (Rev.); Spirit of Truth; Spirit of Grace; Spirit of Mercy; Spirit of God; Spirit of Holiness; Spirit of Life. Symbolized in OT and NT by (l) breath or wind; (2) fire; (3) water; (4) oil; (5) light; (6) a dove.

The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ: Most Study Bibles have notes which give references to the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Here is what the Scofield Study Bible Notes say:

(1) In the intimations and explicit predictions of the O.T. (a) The theophanies intimate the appearance of God in human form, and His ministry thus to man (Gen. 16:7-13; 18:2-23. especially v. 17; 32. 28 with Hos. 12:3-5; Ex. 3:2-14). (b) The Messiah is expressly declared to be the Son of God (Psa. 2:2-9), and God (Psa. 45:6, 7 with Heb. 1:8,9; Psa. 110. with Mt. 22:44; Acts 2:34 and Heb. 1:13; Psa. 110.4 with Heb. 5:6; 6. 20:7. 17-21; and Zech. 6:13). (c) His virgin birth was foretold as the means through which God could be “Immanuel,” God with us (Isa. 7:13, 14 with Mt. 1:22, 23). (d) The Messiah is expressly invested with the divine names (Isa. 9:6, 7). (e) In a prophecy of His death He is called Jehovah’s “fellow” (Zech. 13:7 with Mt. 26:31). (f) His eternal being is declared (Mic. 5:2 with Mt. 2:6; John 7:42).

(2) Christ Himself affirmed His deity. (a) He applied to Himself the Jeho-vistic I AM. (The pronoun “he” is not in the Greek; cf. John 8:24; John 8:56-58. The Jews correctly understood this to be our Lord’s claim to full deity [v. 59]. See, also, John 10:33; 18:4-6, where, also “he” is not in the original.) (b) He claimed to be the Adonai of the O.T. (Mt. 22:42-45. See Gen. 15:2, note). (c) He asserted His identity with the Father (Mt. 28:19; Mk. 14:62; John 10:30; that the Jews so understood Him is shown by vs. 31, 32; John 14:8, 9; 17. 5). (d) He exercised the chief prerogative of God (Mk. 2:5-7; Lk. 7:48-50). (e) He asserted omnipresence (Mt. 18:20; John 3:13); omniscience (John 11:11-14, when Jesus was fifty miles away; Mk. 11:6-8); omnipotence (Mt. 28:18; Lk. 7:14; John 5:21-23; 6. is); mastery over nature, and creative power (Lk. 9:16. 17; John 2:9, 10:28). (f) He received and approved human worship (Mt. 14:33; 28: 9, John 20: 28, 29).

(3) The N.T. writers ascribe divine titles to Christ (John 1:1; 20. 28; Acts 20:28; Rom. 1:4; 9:5; 2 Thess. 1:12; 1 Tim. 3:16; Tit. 2:23; Heb. 1:8; 1 John 5:20).

(4) The N.T. writers ascribe divine perfections and attributes to Christ (e.g. Mt. 11:28; 18:20, 28:20; John 1:2, 2:23-25; 3:13; 5:17; 21:17; Heb. 1:3, 11, 12 with Heb. 13:8; Rev. 1:8,17,18; 2:23; 11. 17; 22:13).

(5) The N.T. writers ascribe divine works to Christ (John 1:3. 16:17, Col. 1:16, 17; Heb. 1:3).

(6) The N.T. writers teach that supreme worship should be paid to Christ (Acts 7:59, 60; 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 13:14, Phil. 2:9, 10; Heb. 1:6; Rev. 1:5, 6; 5. 12, 13).

(7) The holiness and resurrection of Christ prove His deity (John 8:46; Rom. 1:4).

Philippians 2 is the great Chapter on the kenosis or self-emptying of the Lord Jesus Christ when He became a man. His equality with the Father as the Son of God is stated here.

Note also John 5:18 “This was why the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but also called God his Father, making himself equal with God.”

A well-known NT passage of mine is Romans 9:5 “…to them (the Jewish race) belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Messiah (who is) God who is over all, blessed for ever. Amen.”

ALPHA AND OMEGA: The First and the Last, The Beginning and The End (Rev. 1).

Chronological Biblical History

Posted under Archives on March 14th, 2024 by Steve Kellar

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE

3761 B.C.
” According to Jewish tradition, the date Adam & Eve were created in the Garden of Eden.
The Jewish New Year is based on this date.
(October, 1997 for instance, will be the year 5758 in the Jewish calendar).

Between 3740 B.C. & 2500 B.C.
” Cain, Able and Seth are born to Adam and Eve.
” Cain kills Able, and is exiled to forever wander the eastern ‘land of Nod’.
” The Patriarchs before the flood, including Enoch and Methuselah, all live to great ages.
” The flood destroys Eden and all the ancient ones.
” Noah and the ark.
” Noah’s 3 sons, Japheth, Ham and Shem repopulate the earth after the flood.
” Destruction of the tower of Babel causes the dispersion of Babylon’s population — sending it to the ends of the earth.
” The descendants of Japheth, populating Greece, Parthia, Russia and northern Europe.
” The descendants of Ham populating Africa and Egypt.
” And the descendants of Shem forming the Semetic people of the Middle East, including the Arabs and the House of Israel.

About 1850 B.C.
” Abraham and his family arrive in Canaan.

Between 1849 B.C. and 1750 B.C.
” Hagar, Abraham’s slave mistress gives birth to Ishmael.
” Hagar and Ishmael banished from Abraham’s camp and return to Euphrates river area.
” Ishmael’s blood descendants form the Arabs, but all muslim’s, including the Persians, trace ancestry to Abraham through Ishmael as well.
” In her 90’s, Sarah gives birth to Issac.
” Issac’s wife gives birth to Esau and Jacob.
” Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of lentils.
” Jacob wrestles with an angel so God changes his name to ‘Israel’ (A rebel allowed to survive).
” Jacob (Israel) has 12 sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph and Benjamine.

From about 1720 B.C. to 1250 B.C.
” Joseph, Jacob’s youngest son, sold into slavery (to Egypt) by his brothers.
” Joseph has two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
” Joseph saves his father and his 10 brothers from famine — making a home for them in Egypt.
” Joseph elevated to Patriarch, removing him from the other tribes of Israel.
” Jacob elevates Ephraim and Manasseh to same status as his sons, creating the 12 tribes of Israel (13 tribes, actually, but Levi was elevated to status of priesthood, leaving 12 to divide up the land).
” Hebrew captivity in Egypt (Lasts about 500 years).

1250 B.C.
” Moses leads the exodus.

Beginning about 1210 B.C.
” The 12 tribes of Israel reach the Promised Land.
” Joshua invades Palestine.
” The time of the Judges (This period lasts 200 years).
” The temple at Shiloh (The first Hebrew temple in the Promised Land).

1040 B.C.
” The birth of Samuel the prophet.

1000 B.C.
” David becomes king of Judah.
” David defeats Saul & reigns as king over all Israel.

950 B.C.
” Solomon, David’s son made king of Israel.
” The Temple of Solomon built in Jerusalem.

931 B.C.
” Solomon dies.
” The fight for his throne begins, creating the Great Schism.
As a result, the 12 Tribes of Israel split into 2 houses.
” The House of Israel (the 10 northern tribes).
” The House of Judah (the 2 southern tribes-Benjamine & Judah).

721 B.C.
” The House of Israel (the 10 northern tribes) are taken into captivity by Assyrian invaders.
” They disappear into the lands across the North, vanishing from world view.

598 B.C.
” The tribes of Judah and Benjamin taken to Babylon.
” The prophets Jeremiah & Ezekiel.
” Jeremiah takes the Ark of the Covenant to the Dead Sea & buries it in a cave.

587 B.C.
” On the 10th of Loos, Solomon’s temple burned down by Nebuchaddnezzar of Babylon.
(Note that Herod’s temple will be burned down on the very same day, 657 years in the future).
” More deportations to Babylon

530 B.C.
” Daniel the Prophet in the court of the king of Babylon.

539 B.C.
” The handwriting on the wall.
” Cyrus the Persian conquers Babylon.

538 B.C.
” The Edict of Cyrus freeing the Jews from Babylonian captivity.

537 B.C.
” The second Jerusalem temple started.
” The walls rebuilt.

400 B.C.
” Ezra and Nehemiah.

331 B.C.
” Alexander the Great conquers Syria and Arbela; ends the Persian empire.

323 B.C.
” Alexander the great dies in Babylon.

319 B.C.
” Judea ruled by Egypt (the Lagides).

270 B.C.
” The Greek Bible (Septuagint) translated at Alexandria Egypt by 70 Hebrew scholars.
This translation was authorized by the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem in order to give Jewish exiles a scripture in the language of their exile.

250 B.C.
” Active Hellenization of Palestine.

197 B.C.
” Antiochus the Great conquers Jerusalem.
” Judea ruled by Syria (The Seleucids).

175 B.C.
” Antiochus IV Epiphanes (a precursor of the beast) comes to power.

172 B.C.
” Onias, High Priest of Jerusalem Temple assassinated.

167 B.C.
” The Great Persecution of the Jews begins.
” Massacres at Jerusalem.
” The Syrians build the Citadel to guard the temple.
” Decree issued abolishing Jewish practices and establishing cult of Zeus in Temple.
” In December, the first pagan sacrifices abominate Jewish altar.

166 B.C.
” The priest Mattathias takes refuge in Modin with his five sons (The Maccabees).
” Mattathias gives the signal for the attack. The Hassidaeans join him.
” Judas Maccabaeus leads the revolt after Mattathias dies.

164 B.C.
” In December, the temple is purified, giving birth to the Jewish feast of Lights (Hannukah)
” The Jewish persecution ends.
” Death of Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

145 B.C.
” The Pharisees, Sadducees and Essenes appear.

63 B.C.
” Pompey of Rome conquers Jerusalem.

37 B.C.
” Herod, an Idumean Arab, appointed king of Judea by the Roman Senate.

31 B.C.
” Augustus becomes emperor of Rome.

20 B.C.
” Herod begins construction of great Jewish Temple on Mt. Moriah in Jerusalem.

6-4? B.C.
” Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

4 B.C.
” Herod the Great dies.

6 A.D.
” Caesarea, a town on Mediterranean coast, made capital of Judea by the Romans.

14 A.D.
” Augustus dies; Tiberius becomes emperor of Rome.

27? A.D.
” John the Baptist starts his ministry.
” Jesus begins his ministry.

30? A.D.
” Jesus crucified.
(The crucifixion of Jesus occurred in either 30 A.D. or 33 A.D.).

36 A.D.
” Martyrdom of Steven in Jerusalem.

37 A.D.
” Tiberius dies; Caligula becomes emperor of Rome

39 A.D.
” Paul in Damascus.

41 A.D.
” Caligula assassinated; Claudius becomes emperor of Rome

43 A.D.
” Paul and Barnabus in Antioch.
” Agrippa beheads James; imprisons Peter.

48 A.D.
” Christian Council of Jerusalem.
” Pagan converts exempt from Jewish Law practices, setting them free from the Torah.

50 A.D.
” First Gospel written down?
” Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians.

54 A. D.
” Nero becomes emperor of Rome.

57 A.D.
” Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.
” Paul’s Letter to the Galatians.
” Paul’s second Letter to the Corinthians.
” Paul’s letter to the Philipians?

58 A.D.
” Paul’s letter to the Romans.
” James made head of the Jerusalem church.

60 A.D.
” Paul’s voyage as a prisoner to Rome.

61 A.D.
” Paul imprisoned in Rome until 63 A.D.
” Paul’s Letters to Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon, possibly Philipians.

62 A.D.
” James (head of Jerusalem church) stoned to death.
” Succeeded by Simeon, said by some to be the son of the Virgin Mary’s brother.

63 A.D

” Paul set free. Some traditions say he made a trip to Spain.

64 A.D.
” First letter of Peter.
” The Gospel of Mark?

65 A.D.
” Paul’s first letter to Timothy and Possibly to Titus.
” The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles?
Scholars say that this Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles were produced as Paul’s defense against a renewed attack on Christianity by Nero.

66 A.D.
” Jews defeat a Roman battalion and set up a rebel government in Jerusalem.
” Major exodus of people of importance from Judea.
” A great fire, said to have been lit by Nero destroys most of Rome;
” Nero blames large Christian community in Rome for the fire: launches purge of Roman Christians.

67 A.D.
” Peter crucified in Rome. (64 or 67 A.D.)
” Vespasian with 60,000 man Roman 10th Legion attacks Galilee.
” Paul re-imprisoned in Rome.
” Paul’s letter to the Hebrews.
” Second letter to Timothy.
” Paul beheaded in Rome.

68 A.D.
” Nero commits suicide.

69 A.D.
” Vespasian returns to Rome to become emperor in Nero’s place.
” Before leaving his post on the Mt. of Olives, Vespasian Turns the battle of Jerusalem over to his son Titus.

70 A.D.
” Titus lays siege to Jerusalem and destroys it.
” On August 29 (the 10th of Loos – and the 567th anniversary of the destruction of Solomon’s temple), the temple of Herod is burned and razed to the ground by Roman forces.
” Many Jews taken into slavery.

73 A.D.
” The siege of Masada.
” The Jewish war ends.
” Jewish Rabbi’s establish Academy of Jamnia, soon begin work on standardizing Hebrew Bible.
” Also begin work on Talmud, codifying Jewish oral law into writing.
” Greek scriptures officially renounced.

95 A.D.
” John exiled to Patmos.
” Final draft of Book of Revelation.

100 A.D.
” John dies at Ephesus.

107 A.D.
” Simeon martyred in Jerusalem.

132 A.D.
” Second Jewish revolt led by Jewish zealot, Simeon Ben Koseba,
” Ben Koseba is proclaimed the Jewish ‘Messiah’ by Rabbi Akiba who renames him ‘Bar Kokeba’ (Son of the Star).

135 A.D.
” Second revolt put down by Roman army.
” Ben Koseba killed.
” Jews forbidden to enter the city of Jerusalem on pain of death.
” The Temple mount in Jerusalem made into a sanctuary for Zeus and Hadrian. (emperor worship).
” Temple of Zeus erected near cave at Bethlehem — the birthplace of Jesus.

311 A.D.
” Galerius, emperor of the eastern part of the Roman Empire decrees religious freedom for Christianity.

313 A.D.
” Constantine issues Edict of Milan granting toleration to Christianity in western Roman empire.
” Constantine becomes Christian, is the first Christian emperor.
” Constantine’s mother erects Christian churches (including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre) on sacred sites in Jerusalem.

325 A.D.
” Council of Nicea decrees the doctrine of the Trinity to counter the heresy of Arius which argues that Jesus, though divine, is not God’s equal.

391 A.D.
” Theodosus orders all Roman pagan temples closed.
” He issues a proclamation declaring Christianity the official religion of the Roman empire.
” The eastern emperor, Galerius, issues an identical proclamation from Constantinople.
” World paganism is outlawed.
” Theodosus’ decree terminates the Olympic Games and the temples associated with them at Mt. Olympus.
From this moment on, the only god permitted to be worshipped anywhere in the entire Roman empire is the God of the Christians.

410 A.D.
” German invaders conquer Rome. They adopt Christianity.

476 A.D.
” Western Roman empire ceases to exist.
” Barbarian rule of Rome by German kings begins.
” Converting to Christianity, these kings extend the domain of the Church into northern Europe,
dissolving the Teutonic and Celtic religions that formerly ruled there.

615 A.D.
” Persian Sassanid Empire conquers much of the Eastern Roman Empire.
” Their armies reach the Bosphorus (separating Turkey from Europe), before being driven back and defeated.

632 A.D.
” Mohammed dies. muslim religion born.

650 A.D.
” muslim Arabs sweep to victory in a great march west to destroy the ‘infidels’ of Christianity.
” Arabs conquer Mesopotamia, Persia, Palestine, Egypt and the islands of the Mediterranean.
” Arabs push west, conquer North Africa.
” Arabs unable to conquer Asia Minor (Turkey).

711 A.D.
” Arabs conquer Spain, push into France.
” Arabs defeated by Christian’s in France at battle of Tours (732).

800 A.D.
” Germany’s king Charles the Great (Charlemagne) founds the Holy Roman Empire.

859 A.D.
” Muslim Arabs conquer Sicily and invade Italy, advancing toward Rome before being pushed back.

1054 A.D.
” Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholics split into two separate churches.
” East and West divided in Christ.

1071 A.D.
” Seljuk Turks invade and conquer Asia Minor, renaming it Turkey.
” They convert Asia Minor to Mohammedism, reducing territory of Greek Christian church by half.
” This Islamic ‘Ottoman empire’ invades Europe but is driven back into Turkey after reaching as far north as Vienna, Austria.

1096 A.D.
” First Crusades begin.
” Christian wars against Islamic control of Jerusalem.

1099 A.D.
” Crusaders capture Jerusalem, give Christians control of the holy city.

1187 A.D.
” Saladin recaptures Jerusalem, returning city to Islamic rule.

1291 A.D.
” Christian Crusaders lose battle of Acre; leave entire Middle East to Muslim rule.

1492 A.D.
” Columbus discovers American continent.

1517 A.D.
” Luther, a Catholic priest in Germany, breaks from Roman Catholic church; posts ‘thesis’ on church door.
” Luther decrees salvation by faith alone. Says theological rules cannot save.
” He nullifies church sacraments.
Luther puts Bible above both church and Pope as highest authority on earth.
” Decrees right of individual interpretation of scripture.
” He rejects the Greek Old Testament and declares its books invalid.

1529 A.D.
” Lutheran Protest drawn up. Protestant churches born.

1545 A.D.
” Catholic Council of Trent (1545-1563) tries to reform Roman church and quell the protest, but to no avail.
” This Vatican Council decrees faith necessary, but retains church sacraments as essential components of the Christian religion.

1563 A.D.
” Fierce religious wars between all the burgeoning new faiths spreads throughout Europe (1563-1648).
” Colonization of America speeded by those seeking freedom from European religious turmoil.
” Democracy (an ancient Greek form of rule by the people) rediscovered.

1775 A.D.
” Constitutional Congress in America led by Thomas Jefferson restates a secular ‘rule of Democracy’ that is closely allied with Christian human rights ethics.

1776 A.D.
” United States of America founded.

1830 A.D.
” Mormon church founded by Joseph Smith in Fayette N.Y.

1896 A.D.
” Olympic Games reappear in the world.
They had been absent since the Roman emperor Theodosus (in the name of Christianity) cancelled them and closed their associated pagan temples in 396 A.D.(1500 years earlier)

1901 A.D.
” Pentecostal Movement begins; profoundly changes the face of Protestant Christianity by producing figures like Aimee Semple MacPherson, Billy Sunday and Billy Graham. Loosely knit, a splinter outgrowth later gains world-wide 24-hour a day audience with TBN television network. Impact on modern Christianity enormous.

1903 A.D.
” Airplane invented. Orville and Wilbur Wright.

1908 A.D.
” Comet strikes Russia. Thousands of miles of forest levelled.

1914 A.D.
” Germany leads the planet into world war (the first world war in history).

1917 A.D.
” British (Allenby) captures Jerusalem — Islamic rule in Palestine ends as Turkish Ottoman empire is destroyed.
” Balfour Treaty allows Jews to return to Holy Land ending 1800 year lockout.
” May 13, first of 3 Fatima visions occurs.
o In the first, Lucia forsees that WW I will end and be followed by WW II
o In the second, she is commanded to order everyone to pray for the conversion of Russia
o In the third, kept secret by the Vatican for over 80 years, she forsees the assassination of the Pope.
” Oct. 25, Communists sieze power in Russia, set up secular, anti-christ state.
” USA declares war on Germany

1929 A.D.
” Mussolini secularizes Italy, evicting church from state government.
o Coins phrase, “Separation of church and state”.
o Forms Vatican City as symbol of the separaton.
o This action sets stage for the cancellation of Constantine’s Edict of Milan
o Cancels Theodosus’ decree in the site where it originated – the Roman capitol.
” A great depression sweeps the world.

1930 A.D.
” Secular, totalitarian regimes rise to power throughout Europe and Asia (Spain, Russia, Germany, Italy, Eastern Europe, China, Japan, etc) as Christian authority is stripped from most world governments.

1933 A.D.
” Adolph Hitler comes to power in Germany.
o “Seventh head” of the beast.

1939 A.D.
” Adolph Hitler leads Germany and the world into a second world war.
” The ‘Jewish Holocaust’ begins.
o Targeting House of Israel, Hitler executes over 9 million Jews

1941 A.D.
” Japan makes World War II global by attacking the west at Pearl Harbor and assaulting southeast Asia ¬Dec.7th.
This is the first major eastern attack on western civilization in almost a thousand years.
U.S. declares war on Germany and Japan.

1945 A.D.
” Atom Bomb invented and dropped on two Japanese cities by the United States.
” World War II and the Jewish Holocaust come to an end.

1947 A.D.
” UN General Assembly votes to partition Palestine into two states: one Jewish; the other Palestinian.
” ‘Cold War’ begins ¬ Pits communism against democracy.
” World civilization alerted to ‘doomsday clock’ ¬ with hands near midnight.
Clock.created by atomic energy scientists, not religious zealots.

1948 A.D.
” May 14 – Jewish nation of Israel founded by U.N. mandate.

1949 A.D.
” Jordan occupies the West Bank; Egypt occupies Gaza. Neither grant Palestine autonomy to the lands.

1950 A.D.
” Communists launch war in Korea.

1953 A.D.
” Hydrogen bomb invented. Several exploded in S.Pacific.
” Thousands are stockpiled in underground silo’s as massive arms race with Soviet Union gains speed.
” The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists advances the hands on its ‘doomsday clock’ up to a point only 2 minutes before midnite.

1960 A.D.
” World population reaches 3 billion people.

1963 A.D.
” June 18 – God and prayer outlawed from U.S. school system by Supreme Court.
” Nov. 23 – U.S. President John F. Kennedy assassinated.

“…for the nation and kingdom that refuses to serve you shall perish,.
such nations shall be utterly ruined.” (Is.60:12)

1964 A.D.
” Gulf of Tonkin incident leads U.S. into Vietnam War..
” March 27 – Good Friday. At 5:36 PM, in the ninth hour of daylight, the nations largest ever (9.2) earthquake, followed by fearsome tidal waves strike Alaska. It mirror-images the ninth-hour Jerusalem earthquake that took place on the very first Good Friday just after Jesus died on the cross at Golgotha (Mat. 27:45-54). The Alaska event occurred just 9 months after the United States outlawed God and prayer from all of Americas schools, and 4 months after John Kennedy had been assassinated. The nine months seem to underscore the message that the country had conceived and given birth to grave catastrophe, presaging all that is destined to follow (Jer.44:29-30). Jesus had died on the cross to put God and prayer INTO the school systems (Is.2:2-3; Zech 9:9-10; Is. 60:12)..
” Palestine Liberation Organization formed (with avowed purpose to destroy Israel).

1966 A.D.
” Drug crises sweeps America.
Millions of youth begin using marijuana, heroin, LSD, etc.
” Vietnam War rages on.

1967 A.D.
” Israel’s 6-day war
Israel occupies the Sinai Peninsula; the Gaza Strip; the West Bank and the Golan Heights of Syria ¬June 5
” Vietnam War rages on.

1968 A.D.
” Vietnam War rages on.

1969 A.D.
” July 20 – U.S. astronauts land on the moon.
” Vietnam War rages on.

1972 A.D.
” Vietnam War rages on.
” Watergate break-in climaxes President Nixon paranoia over Vietnam war protests.

1973 A.D.
” U.S. Supreme Court legalizes unrestricted abortions (Roe vs. Wade).
” Vietnam War ends; over 50,000 Americans dead, 153,000 wounded. ¬Jan. 27
” Yom Kippur war. Egypt and Syria launch unsuccessful invasion of Israel ¬ October 6
” Israel occupies (annexes) Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, Jordan’s West Bank, and Syria’s Golan Heights.

1975 A.D.
” Communists drive America out of Vietnam.

1977 A.D.
” Menachim Begin elected Prime Minister of Israel.
” Begin staunchly favors Ariel Sharon’s plan for building Israeli settlements in Arab lands.
” Israel’s settlement construction in Egypt’s Sinai and Jordan’s West Bank begins slowly.

1978 A.D.
” March, Israel invades south Lebanon, but withdraws in favor of 6000-man UN force.

1979 A.D.
” Israel under Menachem Begin and Egypt under Anwar Sadat sign peace accord brokered by US President Jimmy Carter at Camp David. The treaty ended 30 years of war. Egypt affirms Israel right to exist. ¬March 26
” Iran under Ayatollah Khomeini invades U.S. embassy in Tehran, holds 93 captive ¬Nov. 4

1980 A.D.
” Mt. St. Helens erupts, explodes. ¬May 18
” Israel annexes East Jerusalem, claiming the entire city, and affirming the whole of Jerusalem as its capitol. ¬July

1981 A.D.
” Reagan inaugurated president; Iran releases American embassy hostages ¬Jan. 20.
” AIDS plague begins.
” Pope shot in St. Peter’s Square by professional Turkish gunman. ¬ May 13
o Shooting forewarns of open warfare on Perpetual Sacrifice and its guardian (2 Thes.2:6-7),
§ Opens sealed Book of Daniel.
” Virgin Mary widely reported to have appeared in Medjugorje Yugoslavia.
o Warns a group of children of a “great event” about to happen there.
o Says this will be her last appearance on earth before the end of the world and the return of her Son.
” Israel destroys Iraqi atomic reactor. ¬June 7

1982 A.D.
” Israel returns Sinai Peninsula to Egypt.
” Israel forces Isaeli settlers to abandon Sinai settlements as a part of Egypt/Israel peace treaty.
” June 6, Israel invades Lebanon, marching its forces to Beirut, destroying the city
” September 14, under the authority of Israeli general Ariel Sharon, Lebanese Christians murder hundreds of unarmed Palestinian refugees (See Habakkuk 2:16-17 prophecy)
” Israel & Ariel Sharon draw world condemnation for massacre.
” Fueled by Lebanon invasion, fundamentalist Islamic Shia fanaticism continues to explode across Middle East.

1984 A.D.
” U.S. Congress rejects bill to allow prayer in public schools.

1986 A.D.
” World drug crises continues to mount.
o ‘Crack’ cocaine use, urban crime become rampant.
” Russian Nuclear Reactor explodes in Chernobyl.
” U.S. Space Shuttle Challenger explodes.

1989 A.D.
” Violence erupts over Israeli military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

1990 A.D.
” Hubble Space Telescope launched ¬ searching for cosmic signs in the heavens.

1991 A.D.
” First Gulf War breaks out near the Euphrates, contemporizing the visions of Daniel.
” Flown in from across the western world, allied troops number 700,000 (425,000 American).
” Scud missiles hit Israel.
” Saddam Hussein of Iraq defeated, but allowed by President Bush to remain in power.
” This war marks the first war of the ram in Daniel’s prophetic sequence (Dn.8:3-8).
” Slovenia secedes from Yugoslavia after bitter fighting.

1992 A.D.
” Democracy sweeps to victory over communism. Soviet Union dissolved.
” Berlin wall comes down as E. Europe ends Cold War.
” Leningrad renamed St.Petersburg
” June 23, The Labor Party of Yitzhak Rabin elected to power in Israel.
” Bosnia-Herzogovina vote to secede from Yugoslavia blocked.
o Ferocious Serbian war begins; Sarajevo destroyed in seige.

1993 A.D.
” September 13, historic peace agreement between Israel and PLO. The PLO recognized Israel’s right to exist and Israel recognized the PLO as the Palestinian’s representative; the two sides then signed an agreement for limited Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and in Gaza.

1994 A.D.
” U.S. Supreme Court outlaws the Ten Commandments from courthouse display.
” In the most startling ‘sign from the heavens’ during this century, cometary fragments the size of mountains bombard Jupiter in an ominous cosmic display.
” The 2000th Anniversary of the birth of Jesus. (Possibly 1996 A.D.)
” A Christian spiritual renewal spreads across U.S.A.; changes congressional power balance.
” President Clinton brokers peace declaration between Israel and Jordan ¬July 25
Israel and Jordan sign a declaration in Washington D.C. ending their 46-year state of war.
A formal peace treaty signed ¬ Oct. 26.
” Israeli and Arab extremists repeatedly challenge the peace accord.

1995 A.D.
” NATO warplanes bomb Bosnia Serbs in attempt to quiet Balkan unrest.
” U.S. Supreme Court bans school prayer.
o In other decisions, court remains hostile to religious expressions in civic affairs.
” In near apocalyptic wording, a U.N. Science Council Report warns of catastrophic effects across the world during the next hundred years as global warming rapidly accelerates.
” Scientists say most of the world’s coastal cities will be inundated by advancing tides caused by polar ice cap melting during this period.
” Holes in the ozone layer continue to widen as sun-induced skin cancer reaches near-epidemic proportions worldwide.
” Yitzhak Rabin assassinated. On November 4, while conducting a peace rally in Tel Aviv,
o Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by an Orthodox Israeli bent on protecting Israel’s settlements in Arab land.
o Peaceful solution to the Arab-Israeli hostilities destroyed by the killing.

1996 A.D.
” According to Bible scholars, a second possible date for the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ.
” The President of Russia leads Easter mass in resurrected Moscow church. ¬ 4/14/96
o This confirms second Fatima prophecy, the conversion of Russia.
” Rabin’s successor, Shimon Perez loses support following a renewal of Islamic militant suicide attacks on Israel. In retaliation, Israel attacks militant bases in southern Lebanon.
” U.S. Supreme court rules in favor of sweeping gay rights. 5/20/96
” Pushing security issues, Benjamin Netanyahu elected prime minister of Israel. 5/29/96.
” Hubble Space Telescope discovers over 50 billion new galaxies.
” US President Clinton hosts new peace talks between Arafat & Netanyahu after Israel sparks intense Muslim demonstrations by opening a tunnel underneath their sacred holy place, the ‘Dome of the Rock’ in Jerusalem. 10/1/96.
” U.S. Supreme court re-affirms decision to ban school prayer. 11/4/96

1997 A.D.
” April – Comet Hale-Bop appears in dazzling celestial display.
” Anti-God warfare against Christians grows (especially in public schools).
” U.S. Supreme Court Outlaws Religious Freedom Act, killing Federal measure Congress had designed to expand and protect the freedom of religion in America. 6/25/97
” U.S. Supreme Court outlaws Internet Decency Act. 6/26/97.

1998 A.D.
” President Clinton argues against School Prayer Amendment. 5/30/98.
” Right to Prayer Amendment defeated in U.S. House of Representatives. 6/5/98.
” Los Angeles court rules against man who purchased rental space on school billboard, saying he may not post the Ten Commandments there.
” Scores of churches burned down across the United States.
” Netanyahu and Arafat sign peace accord brokered by US President Clinton. 10/23/98
o Israel to recognize the PLO and give Palestine several areas of land for an independent state in the West Bank in return for promise of end of violence. This treaty not ratified until Sept. 1999.
” Explicit sex talk and savage violence rampant on family TV shows and in movies.
” The U.S. House of Representatives votes to impeach the President of the United States for immoral behavior in office. 12/20/98
” Belarus and Russia agree to unite their countries into a single state. 12/25/98
” Pacific Ocean’s greatest ‘El Nino’ current wreaks havoc on earth, producing mammoth fires, famine and drought in many places; huge floods in others.
” U.S. spacecraft lands on Mars.

1999 A.D.
” World population tops 6 billion people.
” Coming “millenium” is dreaded.
” ‘End of the world’ prophecies flourish in magazines, books and on the internet.
” Hate crimes grow — mass shootings occur in schools, church and synagouge.
” Great earthquakes in Turkey and Taiwan leave thousands dead.
” Wars and rumors of war continue unabated; include Kosovo, Indonesia, Somalia, Cechnya and Iraq.
” Sept. – West Bank treaty between Palestine and Israel ratified.
” Sept. 10 – The year 5760 in the Jewish calendar begins.
(240 years remain until the year 6000 — i.e., until the ‘seventh day’ of Hebrew religious history, begins).
” 3/4 million Muslim Kosovo Albanian refugees flee for lives in Yugoslavian bloodbath.
o Balkans in flames. 72-day NATO war insues
o 60,000 NATO troops; 20,000 Americans sent to area.

2000 A.D.
” The 2000th year in the Christian calendar.
” Netanyahu loses election by a landslide to Ehud Barak. Hard liners take power in Israel. 5/17/00.
” Vatican reveals to the world the third prophecy of Fatima (assassination of the Pope). 5/13/00
” September – Resurgence of Intifada. Bloody era in Israeli-Palestinian fighting begins.
” Ariel Sharon sees Israeli settlements in occupied Arab territory as a strategic imperative insuring Israeli security. Construction pace of Israeli settlements in the Arab lands of the West Bank increases dramatically.

2001 A.D.
” The Third Millenium Officially begins – The third “day” of Christ in prophecy dawns on earth ¬Jan. 1.
” Arab-Israel peace process disintegrates.
” Refusing to change its mind, the U.S. Supreme court again rules (6-3) that display of the Ten Commandments on public buildings or land is illegal; forcing removal throughout the country. 5/29/01
” Sept. 11 – Trade Center Disaster ¬9/11/01
o The twin towers of the World Trade Center are destroyed in New York by terrorists hijacking passenger planes. Other planes head for Washington D.C. One crashes in a field and the other strikes the Pentagon.
” President Bush compares 9/11 to ‘Pearl Harbor’ ¬ the first battle in a western war against eastern terrorism.
” Bible Prophecy
o The fall of the World Towers in the city of the United Nation headquarters 9 months after the beginning of the “third day” of Christ, fulfills major Bible prophecies (see: “The Towers of Babylon”).
” USA “Declares war” on Muslim terrorists; invades Afghanistan. 9/12/02.
” Daniel’s “Chapter 8:5-8″ prophecy continues to unfold.
” Major Business recession begins.

2002 A.D.
” President Bush counters secular rhetoric with strong vocal Christian support.
” Israel invades Palestinian towns; declares war on terrorism. 3/29/02.
” Palestinian terrorists in Bethlehem turn Church of Nativity (Christ’s birthplace) into armed fort.
o shrine is riddled with bullets and artillary shells during protracted seige by Israeli troops.
o Fires are set in the sanctuary. 3/30/02
” U.S. Supreme court rules virtual images of child pornography legal. 4/16
” California judges rule U.S. ‘Pledge of Allegiance’ unconstitutional because it mentions God. 6/2/02.
o President Bush and U.S. Senate dissagree, vote 99 to 0 to keep pledge intact
” Congress OK’s American office of Domestic Defense.
” Business community rocked with major scandals and corporate fraud.
” Bush enraged ¬ wants war with Iraq & Saddam Hussein.
” U.N. votes to send inspectors back to Iraq to search for illegal weapons of mass distruction.
” U.N. tries to cool off U.S. intent to invade Iraq.
” Roman Catholic sex charges shroud 1-billion member church in dark clouds of scandal.
” America’s plans to invade Iraq continue
” President Bush authorizes massive U.S. troop buildup in Middle East.
” North Korea announces intent to reopen atomic reactors. (December)
” Four U.S. naval carrier groups (the ships of Kittim) ordered to assemble in Middle East.
” Palestinian state in West Bank nears collapse as bombings and fighting between Palestinians and Israeli army units continue unabated since September 2000.

2003 A.D.
” North Korea pushes toward nuclear brinkmanship; threatens to declare war on USA. ¬1/10/03.
” US Troops ordered to Middle East said to be rising to 150,000. ¬1/12/03.
” Israeli hardliner, Ariel Sharon, reelected Israeli Prime Minister. ¬1/28/03.
” U.S. Space shuttle Columbia Disintegrates on re-entry, 7 astronauts perish. ¬2/1/03.
” Major NATO & UN rift threatens to fracture the western world alliance. ¬2/13/03.
” (See Daniel’s prophecy ¬Dan. 8:8 & Dan. 11:3-4)
” U.S. ‘Pledge of Allegiance’ banned for its use of the name “God”. ¬2/28/03.
” Ruling by the Full U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholds previous court edict against God’s name.
” U.N. refuses to back U.S. war against Iraq. ¬3/17/03..
” U.S. invades Iraq
o SECOND GULF WAR begins ¬3/19/03
o Iraq invaded at 4 A.M. Baghdad time..
” Baghdad statue falls, toppling the second horn of the ram. ¬4/9/03
” Baghdad, symbol of ancient Babylon sacked by rampaging rioters. Fires burn across Iraq. ¬4/14/03
o Babylon’s Museum of Antiquities plundered and left in ruins. National library in ashes. Roving guerrilla bands roam the city at night. Gun battles continue to rage.
” Easter services conducted in the courtyard of Saddam Hussein’s palace. ¬4/20/03
o This completes Jeremiah’s prophecy that the king of Sheshak (Jer.25:14-30) will be the last to drink the cup of the Lord as it completes its transit around the world. The Day of Atonement nears its end.
” President Bush declares end to combat, but refuses to call war in Iraq over.
Occupation begins. Combat continues. ¬5/1/03
” Supreme Court strikes down the country’s last remaining sodomy laws. ¬6/26/03
o Ruling legalizes and places gay people in the mainstream of U.S. society for the first time.
” U.S. Combat death toll reaches 149 in Gulf War II, surpassing Gulf War I totals ¬7/18/03
” Sign of war appears in the sky ¬ 8/27/03:
o The planet Mars, named for the pagan god of war makes it’s closest approach to earth in 60,000 years, creating a bright night-time spectacle in the heavens.
In biblical times, this would have been seen as a certain sign of war (see Luke 21:25).
” Israel constructs security fence to lock out Palestinians and protect settlements in West Bank. (Sept/October)
” More crosses are taken down across the United States. Italy orders crucifix removed from school.
” Episcopal church consecrates first openly gay bishop, a divorcee. ¬11/2/03
” Angry sun. The largest solar explosion ever witnessed by man occurs. ¬11/4/03.
o Solar blast is one in a series of explosions that have rocked the sun during 2003.
o Solar blast occurs at what is normally the quietest time in the 11-year solar cycle.
” Massachusetts Supreme Court paves way for gay marriage with landmark Sodomy law decision. ¬11/18/03
” U.S. combat deaths in Iraq total 472, far surpassing Gulf War I totals. ¬12/31/03
” Israel’s wall through Palestine speeds toward completion. ¬12/31/03

2004 A.D.
” San Francisco Mayor ok’s gay marriage in California in defiance of state law.
o Thousands married. ¬Feb. 12
” Supreme Court bans use of public funds for ministerial education. ¬Feb. 27
” U.S. lands 2 mobile laboratories on Mars.
” Major Good Friday Crucifixion movie “The Passion” released amid swirling controversy.
o Anti-christ protests rampant across the nation.
” Second Gulf War continues at Euphrates, enters 2nd year – 571 American’s killed. ¬March 19
” Arab founder of Hamas, Sheik Ahmed Yassin, assassinated by Israel in Gaza. ¬March 21
” Gulf War – Insurgency begins. Bloody Iraq Counterattack & Kidnappings. ¬April 2004
” Sharon/USA sign Gaza pact ¬ Israel’s “illegal” West Bank settlements ok’d by U.S.A. ¬April 14
” U.S. Army accused of committing enormous atrocities in Saddam Hussein’s torture prison. ¬May 2
” Gay marriages become legal in Massachusetts ¬May 17
” Supreme Court refuses to rule on whether the word ‘God’ should be removed from the ‘Pledge of Allegiance’.
o Citing technicality, Court punts issue by voiding the lawsuit. ¬June 14
” New Iraqi government established. War continues ¬June 28
” ACLU orders obscure cross honoring California missions removed from LA County Seal ¬June
” Supreme Court strikes down law that would have prohibited child-pornography. ¬June 29
” World Court at Hague rules Israel’s Wall illegal. ¬July 9
” Muslim extremists attack Russia ¬ down 2 airliners, bomb Moscow, blow up hundreds of schoolchildren.
” Second Gulf War continues, 1000 Americans dead ¬Sept. 6
” U.S. Congress rejects amendment to “support God”. ¬Sept. 28
” A return to God and morality is the surprise major issue in America’s 2004 national election. ¬Nov. 2
o George W. Bush re-elected to second term
” Yassar Arafat, Palestine’s leader, dies in French hospital ¬Nov.11
” Tsunamis roll across Indian Ocean killing more than 300,000 in 11 nations from Indonesia to Africa
o Millions left injured or homeless; many starving and without water.
o “Black Sunday” ¬ Day after Christmas Tidal Wave called worst in recorded history ¬Dec. 26
” Second Gulf War continues. 1,324 Americans dead.¬Dec.31

2005 A.D.
” Mahmoud Abbas chosen as president of the Palestinian Authority ¬Jan.9
” U.S. cancels search for W.M.D. in Iraq ¬Jan.12
” The “Bush Doctrine” declared ¬ Democracy to rule the earth (by force if necessary) ¬Jan.20
” Iraq election succeeds dramatically. Voter turnout exceeds 60% nationally. ¬Jan.30
” Palestine’s Abbas & Israel’s Sharon meet in Egypt & pledge end to conflict between them ¬Feb.8
o Landmark summit may end Intifada & renew 1993 Oslo hopes.
” Sister Lucia of Fatima dies (foresaw Papal assassination/attempt) ¬Feb.13
” Israel Cabinet approves eviction of 8500 Jewish settlers from 21 sites mostly in Gaza Strip ¬Feb.21
” Syria begins moving its troops out of Lebanon under pressure ¬ Mar. 8
” President Bush euphoric as democracy dominoes continue to fall in place.
” California Judge OK’s Gay Marriage. ¬Mar.15.
” Third year of 2nd Euphrates War begins. Over 1500 American soldiers dead. – Mar.19.

2019 A.D.
” The 70th anniversary of the rebuilding of Israel

2030 A.D.
” The 2000th anniversary of the Crucifixion of Jesus. (Possibly 2033 A.D.)
” The 2000th anniversary of the first Pentecost. (Possibly 2033 A.D.)

2070 A.D.
” The 2000th anniversary of the destruction of Herod’s Temple.
” The 2000th anniversary of the Jewish dispersion to Rome (the Diaspora).

2240 A.D.
” In October, the dawn of the 7th Millenium in the Jewish calendar arrives — the Jewish year 6001.
o (i.e, Creation’s 7th day begins).
o According to scripture, the seventh day is a day of rest. As such its arrival officially ends the 6000-year “toiling of the nations”. The importance of this date was made irrelevant by the prediction of Jesus that the days of the end will become so wicked that God will have to cut them short.

Principles of Prayer

Posted under Archives on February 25th, 2024 by Steve Kellar

The Principle of Faith: “And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:22) “And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up” (James 5:15a)
The Principle of Priority: “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud.” (Psalm 55:17)
The Principle of Adoration: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever.” (Revelation 5:12,13) “Enter into His courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4)
The Principle of Confession: “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
The Principle of Supplication: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men.” (1 Timothy 2:1) Supplication – specific requests.
The Principle of Thanksgiving: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6) “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise, be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” (Psalm 100:4)

Utilitarian Christianity

Posted under Archives on February 10th, 2024 by Steve Kellar

Utilitarian Christianity

by H. Richard Niebuhr

H. Richard Niebuhr, for many years Sterling Professor of Christian Ethics at Yale University Divinity School, was one of mid-century’s most respected teachers and writers. This article appeared in the Journal Christianity and Crisis, July 8, 1946. Used by permission. This article was prepared for Religion Online by Ted & Winnie Brock.

In religion and science there is a constant conflict between the devotees of pure endeavor after truth and the seekers after immediate, tangible results. For the latter, truth is a pragmatic device by means of which men are enabled to gain satisfactions as biological and temporal rather than as rational and eternal beings. For the former, truth- abstractly in the case of science, concretely in the case of religion as “The Truth”- is an intrinsic good. Devotion to it does have consequences for the biological and temporal being, but to seek it for the sake of these consequences is self-defeating. Pure science and pure faith believe that the secondary satisfactions come only by way of indirection. The secret of atomic structure is not found by those who want to win victory in war or cure diseases; the secret of the kingdom of God is not revealed to those who are anxious for their lives, for food and drink, for freedom from want and fear.

In the present crisis of mankind, however, all emphasis seems to be placed on utilitarianism in both science and religion. How science is responding to the complex situation in which it finds itself is not our immediate concern here. In religion, to which we want to direct our attention, the growth of the utilitarian spirit is an alarming phenomenon. Utilitarianism seems to mark not only the attitude of the political powers that use religion for the sake of social control and transform it to suit their purposes, but also the attitude of many who oppose them. The utilitarianism of the Japanese war party in its employment of Shintoism is one thing; the pragmatism of the American military government in dealing with that Shintoism is another thing; but they are both utilitarian and pragmatic. The instrumentalism in matters of religion which characterizes communism and national socialism differs from the instrumentalism of the resistance movements and democracy; but in both instances we are dealing with a utilitarian use of religion in the service of non-religious ends. The utilitarianism of an individualistic period, which promised men that through faith they might gain the economic virtues and wealth, differs from the pragmatism of our social climate of opinion, in which religion is used as a means for gaining social order and prosperity; but they are both utilitarian and equally remote from the love of God for his own sake and of the individual or social neighbor in his relation to God. The use of religion for the sake of healing mental illness differs from its use in the effort to heal physical diseases; but in either case religion, the worship of God, is a means to an end.

Recently the social form of this utilitarianism has been given high sanction in an official statement made by the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. Addressing the Christians in America on the subject of The Churches and World Order, the Council not only recommended many helpful steps which might be taken in the direction of the much desired goal of peace and order, but put its recommendations within a theological setting that is almost completely utilitarian. Doubtless there are overtones and undertones of another spirit but the major idea is a thorough social pragmatism. “Our first task,” the report declares, “is to demonstrate that our Christian faith can enable all men to enjoy a fullness of life which not only equals but surpasses that which any other faith can accomplish.” “Fullness of life” may mean many things; but what is meant here appears from the fact that it is something which other faiths also offer in an inferior or equal manner and that it is elsewhere declared that “our dedication . . . is to the progressive realization of the dignity and worth of man in every area of life- political, economic, social and religious.” It is the sort of fullness of life that will amount to “a demonstration of the practical application of our faith” and which will therefore bring into being a world “responsive to that faith.” The general idea is very clear: Men in our time desire some things very much- escape from suffering war and other disaster, freedom and a sense of their dignity, abundance and peace. These values they may have if they will turn to the Christian faith, if they will repent and lay hold of the sources of spiritual power that Christianity offers. The church will also benefit, for the demonstration that Christianity can provide these goods will cause men to turn to it.

Similar ideas are being voiced in numerous church statements and in the writings of Christian theologians. Christianity offers an alternative to communism, it is said, as a way of organizing the economic life. Christianity, another maintains, gives us the key to the problem of justice in our time, enabling us to know what is due to every man and how to give it to him. Christianity, it is argued, shows us how we may have not only a durable but also a just peace. Christianity has the answer to all the human problems that arise in man’s quest after health, peace, prosperity, justice, joy.

Why there should be such a development of theological utilitarianism at any time and especially in our time we can readily understand. There is a reason in the faith itself. Its paradox of the losing and finding of life, of the addition of all other things if the kingdom of God is sought, has always tempted men to lose life for the sake of finding and to seek the divine rule for the sake of food and clothing. This temptation becomes especially acute when long cherished values are imperiled. Men beset by anxieties are likely to seek mental peace through worship since they discovered in earlier experience that it was a by-product of a devotion that had no ulterior purpose but was directed to the eternal glory. In the decline of a culture, the revival of the religion which gave life to that culture is sought for the sake of staving off death, though the civilization had been a by-product of religious concern. When individual liberties are threatened men tend to cultivate the sense of duty to the transcendent for the sake of which they originally fought for those liberties. One can also easily understand why religious utilitarianism in our time should be dominantly social, since our greatest concern is for the preservation and ordering of a social life that is threatened with anarchy and since our greatest sufferings arise out of our social disorder. There is another reason for the rise of this social, religious utilitarianism- the apologetic one. Christian faith is so much faith and so little sight that its adherents are always seeking for some demonstration which will prove to themselves and others that it is true, though the demonstration is bound to be somewhat beside the point- like most miracles- proving not truth but utility, and exhibiting a power which may be that of God, but may also be that of faith itself, or of spiritual forces somewhat less than divine.

Though one can understand the reasons for the rise of this Christian pragmatism, it remains a dubious thing, giving birth to all sorts of skeptical questions. Will the church be able to live up to such promises? Is there any warrant in its history or in the nature of its faith for the assurance that it can, if men will follow its teaching, guarantee them peace, the end of suffering, escape from disaster, the realization of human dignity and worth in politics and economics as well as in religion?

There is little basis in history for the promise that this religion sincerely followed will bring fullness of life to its adherents in the sense that theological utilitarianism intends. The Jewish people, more faithful than any similar group in the keeping of the moral laws they share with the Christians, more assiduous in the practice of repentance, more diligent in forgiveness, have indeed survived to this day and so demonstrated in a fashion the social relevance of their faith; but it would be difficult to describe the sort of existence the Jewish race has enjoyed as “fullness of life.” The Christian church cannot maintain on the basis of its own record that it has made a notable contribution to the peace of the world. It has rarely if ever been at peace within itself, and the wars of the nations it has most deeply influenced have equaled and surpassed in frequency and in destruction those waged by societies dominated by other faiths. It is easy to say that Christians have fought so much not because they were Christians but because they were not good Christians, but this is a dubious argument since there is no indication that men can now be more sincere in their practice of Christianity than in the past, and since Christianity makes men deeply concerned about values for the sake of which they sacrifice peace. Historically there is no ground for the assertion that faithful adherence to Christian faith reduces suffering. It leads to the alleviation of the sufferings of others, but through the operation of sympathy and compassion, of asceticism and the sense of sin to the increase of suffering among Christians.

If there is not much ground in history for the assurances of theological utilitarianism, there seems to be less ground in the structure of the faith itself. If Second Isaiah, the book of Job, and the New Testament were dropped from the constitution of the church it might be possible to maintain that the biblical doctrine is one of prosperity as the consequence of virtue, but how shall one rhyme the ideas about the suffering service of Israel and the story of the cross with the assurance that faith leads to fullness of life? It can’t be done except by means of reference to another sort of experience than is contemplated in statements about “fullness of life”; it can’t be done without reference to a resurrection. On the other hand the effort to translate Christian faith into a socially useful force entails the suppression and transformation of some vital elements in it, just as the effort to make it serviceable to individualistic success in the era of early capitalism entailed the deformation of the Reformation into the sort of thing that Tawney has described for us.

All this does not mean that Christian faith has no social applications or a relevance to the crisis of our days. It does mean that these applications and this relevance must stem from its own imperatives and not from the wishes and desires we entertain apart from the faith. It does mean that the effort to recommend Christianity as a panacea for all the ills from which man suffers and thinks himself to suffer is erroneous and disastrous; it does not mean that Christians are not bound to seek for ways and means of alleviating these ills. It does not mean that repentance does not bear social fruits; it does mean that repentance practiced for the sake of such fruits is a bad kind of magic.

To take the last point first: Christian faith calls for a complete change of mind, not because repentance is socially effective, or individually effective for that matter, but because the mind is out of harmony with reality. Repentance is called for not because we shall suffer or because civilization will perish if we do not repent, but because others are now perishing for us and because we are attacking the very son of God, or God himself, in our endeavor to escape suffering and to maintain our civilization at any cost. Repentance is called for not because we have chosen false means to the achievement of our ends but because our ends themselves are idolatrous. A repentance which leaves ends uncriticized and which is motivated by the desire to escape judgment in history or beyond history is a far cry away from that change of mind which the gospels present. But such radical repentance, though it is not designed to be socially relevant, may have social consequences. It may lead to that sort of disinterestedness which is able to deal with the questions of politics and economics objectively and helpfully just because it does not take them too seriously, just because it has gained a certain distance from them. It may lead to that situation in which men are able to think the new thoughts which the crisis of the times requires and which they cannot think so long as they remain bound by the passion of this- worldliness.

A Christianity that is not socially utilitarian still has social relevance because its imperatives direct it to work in society. It is imperative for such a Christian faith to remember and to realize the dignity of every man as an eternal being, in his political and economic relations as well as everywhere else, though that realization may involve the sacrifice of dignity on the part of Christians and the Christian community. Imperative Christianity does not ask whether the love of neighbor will bring forth a society in which all men will love their neighbors; it acts in hope, to be sure, but love and justice are its immediate commands and not its far-off goals. It does not condemn the abuse of atomic power because we have thereby imperiled our future but because we violated our own principles. It does not believe that social virtue will be rewarded by length of life but that “no evil can befall a good man”- or a good nation- “in life or in death.”

Such a non-utilitarian faith does not undertake to show that in the Christian gospel we can find the solution to all the problems of human existence any more than that we can find in the Scriptures answers to all the questions we raise about the world of nature. It does direct its followers to seek by means of all the intelligence they can muster to find out what to do to alleviate distress, to heal physical and mental disease, to order the vocations and to distribute justly the goods men produce. In consequence the social measures of such faith have nothing peculiarly Christian about them. The Christian setting in which they are conceived and practiced does not become tangibly or visually evident. There is nothing here to which one can point and say, “This is the demonstration of what Christianity can do for man.” For every such measure will be only a demonstration of what disinterestedness can do, and Christians will participate with men of many other faiths in carrying them out.

In a world where the power struggle has taken precedence over every other concern, where every group is interested not only in doing good but in seeing to it that it gets credit for doing good, and where good is being done for the sake of power, the church, as church, must surely feel called upon to go about its work with quietness and confidence, abjuring utilitarianism and the defensiveness that goes with it.

Revival

Posted under Archives on February 10th, 2024 by Steve Kellar

May the Lamb that was slain recieve the reward of His suffering!

Beatitude

Posted under Archives on February 9th, 2024 by Steve Kellar

Blessed Are You…
Blessed is the fruit of your womb…
Blessed is she who believed…

A declaration in which God’s favor or blessing is experienced is known as a beatitude.

The Nicene Creed

Posted under Archives on February 8th, 2024 by Steve Kellar

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Apostles Creed

Posted under Archives on February 8th, 2024 by Steve Kellar

The Apostles’ Creed
The basic creed of Reformed churches, as most familiarly known, is called the Apostles’ Creed. It has received this title because of its great antiquity; it dates from very early times in the Church, a half century or so from the last writings of the New Testament.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy *catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.

*The word “catholic” refers not to the Roman Catholic Church, but to the universal church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Introduction to Sinner’s Prayer

Posted under Archives on February 7th, 2024 by Steve Kellar

HELP BEING A SOUL-WINNER
For any believer who may not have ever received any guidance on presenting the gospel to an unbeliever, the following outline is presented.
1. SHOW THE SINNER IT IS POSSIBLE TO KNOW THAT HE HAS ETERNAL LIFE. Read 1 Jn. 5:13.
Tell him that there are basically four things that he must accept in order to get that assurance. Then show him the following four facts:
2. SHOW HIM THAT HE IS A SINNER. Read Rom. 3:23.
3. SHOW HIM THAT HE DESERVES DEATH, INCLUDING BOTH PHYSICAL DEATH AND ETERNAL TORMENT IN THE LAKE OF FIRE, WHICH IS THE SECOND DEATH. Read Rom. 6:23 and Rev. 20:14,15.
4. SHOW HIM WHAT GOD HAS DONE TO PROVIDE SALVATION FOR HIM. Read 1 Cor. 15:3,4. This is the most important part. Explain clearly what the expression, “Christ died for our sins,” means. You might use Isa. 53:6, illustrating the substitutionary death of Christ “according to the scriptures” (the Old Testament being the scriptures referred to by Paul).
5. SHOW HIM HOW HE MUST RESPOND TO THE OFFER OF SALVATION. Read Rom. 6:23b. The gift must be received. Read Acts 16:29-31. Explain that believing on Christ is not just acknowledging that the events really happened, but rather that it is TRUSTING His substitutionary death, burial, and resurrection for his salvation.
6. BOW FOR PRAYER. Ask God to speak to his heart. With heads bowed, ask the sinner to trust Christ from his heart. As he does so, ask him to take your hand as an indication. Remind him that he is taking your hand for your sake alone, and that it has nothing to do with his salvation. If he takes your hand, thank God for his conversion.
7. CHECK HIM FOR ASSURANCE. Read Jn. 3:36. Ask him if he is now believing on the Son. If he says, “Yes,” point to the text and ask him what THE BIBLE says he has. Once he reads out loud, “eternal life,” point out to him that YOU did not tell him that; GOD’S WORD told him.
8. URGE HIM TO CONFESS CHRIST BEFORE OTHERS (not in order to be saved, but because he is saved). Read Rom. 10:11. Explain “the invitation” at the end of the sermon. Offer to pick him up for the next service.

If you understand that you are a sinner and in need of salvation through Jesus Christ, here is a sinner’s prayer you can pray to God:
“God, I know that I am a sinner and have lived apart for you. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and choose to avoid sin. I believe that His pain, death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. I believe that His blood being shed has washed ALL my sins away! God, you have waited patiently for me, and I acknowledge today my need for you. I now know, that I know, that I know that you Love Me. From this day forward I am forgiven, I invite the Holy Spirit to help me understand your Word of God, and confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! I now choose to do Your will in my life. I prayerfully live in the power of Jesus’ name. Amen!”

Welcome to God’s family. Now, as a way to grow closer to Him, the Bible tells us to follow up on our commitment.
” Get baptized as commanded by Christ.
” Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.
” Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a long period of time. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.
” Seek fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Develop a group of believing friends to answer your questions and support you.
” Find a local church where you can worship God.

Leviticus 6

Posted under Archives on January 26th, 2024 by Steve Kellar

Lev 6:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying,
Lev 6:2 If any person sins and is slyly treacherous against Jehovah, and deals falsely with his neighbor concerning a deposit, or concerning security, or by robbery, or has extorted his neighbor,
Lev 6:3 or has found a lost thing and has lied about it, and has sworn to a falsehood in regard to any one of all these which a man does, sinning in them,
Lev 6:4 then it shall be, when he sins and is guilty, he shall return what he got by robbery, that which he robbed, or the extorted thing which he extorted, or the deposit which had been deposited with him, or the lost thing which he had found;
Lev 6:5 or all that about which he swore falsely; he shall even repay it in its principal, and the fifth part he shall add to it; to whomever it belongs. He shall give it on the day of his guilt offering.
Lev 6:6 And he shall bring his guilt offering to Jehovah: a ram, without blemish out of the flock, at your evaluation for a guilt offering, to the priest.
Lev 6:7 And the priest shall make atonement for him before Jehovah, and as regards to one thing of all that he has done, it shall be forgiven him, by being guilty in it.
Lev 6:8 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying,
Lev 6:9 Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering; it is the burnt offering because it is burned on the altar all the night until the morning, and the fire of the altar is kept burning on it.
Lev 6:10 The priest shall put on his long robe of fine linen, and he shall put his linen underpants on his flesh. And he shall lift up the ashes which the fire consumed with the burnt offering on the altar, and shall put them beside the altar.
Lev 6:11 And he shall strip off his garments, and shall put on other garments, and shall bring the ashes out to the outside of the camp, to a clean place.
Lev 6:12 And the fuel on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out. And the priest shall burn wood on it morning by morning. And he shall lay the burnt offering in order on it. And he shall burn it as incense with the fat of the peace offering.
Lev 6:13 Fire shall be continually burning on the altar; it shall never go out.
Lev 6:14 And this is the law of the food offering: the sons of Aaron shall bring it near before Jehovah, to the front of the altar.
Lev 6:15 And he shall lift from it his handful of the flour of the food offering, and of its oil, and all the frankincense on the food offering. And he shall burn it as incense on the altar, a soothing fragrance from its memorial to Jehovah.
Lev 6:16 And Aaron and his sons shall eat the rest. It shall be eaten with unleavened things in the holy place, in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation they shall eat it.
Lev 6:17 It shall not be baked with leaven. I have given it as their portion out of My fire offerings. It is most holy, like the sin offering, and like the guilt offering.
Lev 6:18 Every male among the sons of Aaron shall eat it, a never ending statute throughout your generations from the fire offerings of Jehovah. All that touches them shall be holy.
Lev 6:19 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying,
Lev 6:20 This is the offering of Aaron and his sons which they shall bring near to Jehovah on the day he is anointed: a tenth of an ephah of flour, a continual food offering; half of it in the morning, and half of it in the evening.
Lev 6:21 It shall be made on a griddle with oil. You shall bring it in mixed. You shall bring baked pieces of the food offering, a soothing fragrance to Jehovah.
Lev 6:22 And the priest who is anointed in his place, from among his sons, shall make it. It is a never ending statute of Jehovah. It shall be completely burned;
Lev 6:23 and every food offering of a priest is a whole burnt offering. It shall not be eaten.
Lev 6:24 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying,
Lev 6:25 Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, This is the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is killed, the sin offering shall be killed before Jehovah. It is most holy.
Lev 6:26 The priest who offers it for sin shall eat it. It shall be eaten in the holy place in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Lev 6:27 All that touches its flesh shall be holy. And when any of its blood is sprinkled on the garment, that on which it is sprinkled shall be washed in the holy place.
Lev 6:28 And an earthen vessel in which it is boiled shall be broken. And if it is boiled in a bronze vessel, then it shall be scoured and rinsed with water.
Lev 6:29 Every male among the priests shall eat of it. It is most holy.
Lev 6:30 And any sin offering of whose blood is brought into the tabernacle of the congregation to make atonement in the sanctuary shall not be eaten. It shall be burned with fire.

Exodus 15

Posted under Archives on January 25th, 2024 by Steve Kellar

Exo 15:1 Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to Jehovah, and spoke, saying, I will sing to Jehovah, for He is highly exalted. He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea.
Exo 15:2 My strength and song is Jehovah, and it happened, He was to me salvation; this is my God and I will glorify Him; the God of my father, and I will exalt Him.
Exo 15:3 Jehovah is a Man of war; Jehovah is His name.
Exo 15:4 He has cast Pharaoh’s chariots and his army in the sea; and the choice ones of his officers are drowned in the Sea of Reeds,
Exo 15:5 the depths cover them; they have dropped into the depths like a stone.
Exo 15:6 Your right hand, O Jehovah, is glorious in power; O Jehovah, Your right hand dashes the enemy to pieces.
Exo 15:7 And in Your majesty’s greatness You pull down those rising up against You; You send forth Your wrath; it consumes them like stubble.
Exo 15:8 And by the spirit of Your anger waters were heaped up; the running waters stood like a wall; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea.
Exo 15:9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my soul shall be filled with them; I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.
Exo 15:10 You blew with Your wind, the sea covered them; they sank like lead in mighty waters.
Exo 15:11 Who is like You among the gods, O Jehovah? Who is like You, glorified in holiness, fearful in praises, O Worker of wonders?
Exo 15:12 You stretched Your right hand; the earth swallowed them.
Exo 15:13 In Your mercy You led the people whom You redeemed; You guided in Your strength to Your holy dwelling.
Exo 15:14 Peoples heard; they tremble; trembling seized the dwellers of Philistia.
Exo 15:15 Then the chiefs of Edom were terrified; the leaders of Moab were seized by trembling; all the dwellers of Canaan were melted.
Exo 15:16 Terrors and dread fell on them; by the greatness of Your arm; they are silent as a stone, until Your people pass through, O Jehovah, until pass through the people whom You have bought.
Exo 15:17 You shall bring them in and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, the place You have made for Your dwelling place, O Jehovah; the sanctuary which Your hands have prepared, O Lord.
Exo 15:18 Jehovah reigns forever and ever!
Exo 15:19 For the horses of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and his horsemen into the sea, and Jehovah brought back the waters of the sea on them; and the sons of Israel walked on dry land in the midst of the sea.
Exo 15:20 And the sister of Aaron, Miriam the prophetess, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
Exo 15:21 And Miriam answered to them, Sing to Jehovah, for triumphing He has triumphed gloriously; He has thrown the horse and its rider into the sea.
Exo 15:22 And Moses made Israel to pull out from the Sea of Reeds. And they went out into the wilderness of Shur. And they went into the wilderness three days, and did not find water.
Exo 15:23 And they came to Marah. And they were not able to drink water from Marah, for it was bitter. Therefore, one called its name Marah.
Exo 15:24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
Exo 15:25 And he cried to Jehovah, and Jehovah showed him a tree. And he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. He made a statute and an ordinance for them there, and He tested them there.
Exo 15:26 And He said, If you carefully listen to the voice of Jehovah your God, and do what is right in His eyes, and you give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will not put on you all the diseases which I have put on Egypt; for I am Jehovah your Healer.
Exo 15:27 And they came to Elim. And there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. And they camped by the waters.

Exodus 14

Posted under Archives on January 25th, 2024 by Steve Kellar

Exo 14:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying,
Exo 14:2 Speak to the sons of Israel, and let them return and camp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal-zephon. You shall camp opposite it, by the sea.
Exo 14:3 And Pharaoh will say as to the sons of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness has shut them in,
Exo 14:4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue you. And I will be honored through Pharaoh, and through all his armies. And the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah. And they did so.
Exo 14:5 And it was told to the king of Egypt that the people had fled; and the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned as to the people. And they said, What is this we have done? For we have sent away Israel from serving us.
Exo 14:6 And he prepared his chariots. And he took his people with him.
Exo 14:7 And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and officers over all of them.
Exo 14:8 And Jehovah hardened Pharaoh king of Egypt’s heart. And he pursued the sons of Israel. And the sons of Israel were going out with a high hand.
Exo 14:9 And the Egyptians pursued them. And they overtook them camping by the sea, all the horses and the chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, by Pihahiroth, before Baal-zephon.
Exo 14:10 And Pharaoh came near, and the sons of Israel raised their eyes, and, behold! The Egyptians were pulling up after them! And they were greatly afraid. And the sons of Israel cried to Jehovah.
Exo 14:11 And they said to Moses, Were there no graves in Egypt, that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What is this you have done to us, to bring us out from Egypt?
Exo 14:12 Is this not the word which we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, Go away from us, and let us serve the Egyptians. For it is good for us to serve the Egyptians, than to die in the wilderness.
Exo 14:13 And Moses said to the people, Do not be afraid. Take your stand and see the salvation of Jehovah, which He will prepare for you today. For as you see the Egyptians today, you shall not continue to see them again forever.
Exo 14:14 Jehovah will fight for you, and you be silent.
Exo 14:15 And Jehovah said to Moses, Why do you cry to Me? Speak to the sons of Israel, and let them pull up stakes.
Exo 14:16 And you, raise your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it so that the sons of Israel may go in the midst of the sea on dry ground.
Exo 14:17 And behold! I am making strong the heart of the Egyptians. And they will go after them. And I will be honored through Pharaoh and through his armies, through his chariots, and through his horsemen.
Exo 14:18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah, in My being honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots, and through his horsemen.
Exo 14:19 And the Angel of God withdrew, the One going before the camp of Israel. And He went behind them. And the pillar of cloud withdrew from before them, and it stood behind them.
Exo 14:20 And it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel. And it was cloudy and dark. And it lit up the night; and this one did not come near to that one all night.
Exo 14:21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and Jehovah caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all night. And He made the sea dry land, and the waters divided.
Exo 14:22 And the sons of Israel came into the middle of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them from their right and from their left.
Exo 14:23 And the Egyptians pursued, and all the horses of Pharaoh came after them, his chariots and his horsemen, into the middle of the sea.
Exo 14:24 And it happened in the morning watch: Jehovah looked on the camp of the Egyptians in the pillar of fire and cloud. And He confused the camp of the Egyptians.
Exo 14:25 And He took off the wheels of their chariots, and made them drive with difficulty. And the Egyptians said, I will flee from the face of Israel, for Jehovah is fighting for them against the Egyptians.
Exo 14:26 And Jehovah said to Moses, Stretch out your hand over the sea, and let the waters return on the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen.
Exo 14:27 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its usual flow, at the turning of the morning, and the Egyptians were fleeing to meet it. And Jehovah shook off the Egyptians into the middle of the sea.
Exo 14:28 And the waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen, together with all the army of Pharaoh, those going after them, into the sea. And not even one was left among them.
Exo 14:29 And the sons of Israel walked on dry ground in the middle of the sea, the waters being a wall for them, from their right and from their left.
Exo 14:30 And Jehovah saved Israel in that day from the hand of Egypt. And Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the lip of the sea.
Exo 14:31 And Israel saw the great hand with which Jehovah worked against Egypt. And the people feared Jehovah, and they believed in Jehovah and in His servant Moses.

Exodus 13

Posted under Archives on January 24th, 2024 by Steve Kellar

Exo 13:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying,
Exo 13:2 Set apart to Me every first-born, the one opening the womb among the sons of Israel, among men and among livestock; they shall be Mine.
Exo 13:3 And Moses said to the people, Remember this day in which you went out from Egypt, from the house of slaves. For by the might of His hand Jehovah brought you out from here. And no leaven shall be eaten.
Exo 13:4 Today, in the month of Abib, you are going out.
Exo 13:5 And it shall be when Jehovah brings you into the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, which He swore to your fathers to give to you, a land flowing with milk and honey, you shall do this service in this month.
Exo 13:6 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day keep a feast to Jehovah.
Exo 13:7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten the seven days. And leavened bread for you shall not be seen; yea, no leaven shall be seen among you in all your boundaries.
Exo 13:8 And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, It is because of what Jehovah did for me when I came out from Egypt.
Exo 13:9 And it shall be for a sign to you on your hand, and a memorial between your eyes, so that a Law of Jehovah may be in your mouth. For with a strong hand Jehovah brought you out from Egypt.
Exo 13:10 And you shall keep this ordinance at its appointed time, from days to days.
Exo 13:11 And it shall be when Jehovah brings you into the land of the Canaanite, as He swore to you and to your fathers, and gives it to you,
Exo 13:12 you shall set apart to Jehovah every one opening the womb, and every firstling, the offspring of animals which are yours; the males are Jehovah’s.
Exo 13:13 And every firstling of an ass you shall redeem with a flock animal. And if you do not redeem, you shall break its neck. And every first-born of men among your sons you shall redeem.
Exo 13:14 And it shall be when your son asks you in the future, saying, What is this? You shall say to him, Jehovah brought us out from Egypt by the might of His hand, from the house of slaves.
Exo 13:15 And it happened when Pharaoh hardened himself against sending us away, Jehovah killed every first-born one in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of men even to the first-born of animals. On account of this I sacrifice to Jehovah every one of the males opening the womb, and I redeem every first-born of my sons.
Exo 13:16 And it shall be for a sign on your hand, and frontlets between your eyes. For Jehovah brought us out from Egypt by the might of His hand.
Exo 13:17 And it happened, in Pharaoh’s sending away the people, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, though it was near. For God said, Lest the people repent when they see war, and return to Egypt.
Exo 13:18 But God made the people turn toward the way of the wilderness, to the Sea of Reeds. And the sons of Israel went up armed from the land of Egypt.
Exo 13:19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him. For he had made the sons of Israel certainly swear, saying, visiting God will visit you, and you shall cause my bones to go from here with you.
Exo 13:20 And they pulled up stakes from Succoth, and they camped at Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.
Exo 13:21 And Jehovah was going before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them in the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give light to them, to go by day and by night.
Exo 13:22 The pillar of cloud did not cease by day, and the pillar of fire by night, before the people.

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