THE PATTERN OF FALLING AWAY AND RESTORATION OF ISRAEL

This was first published in February of 2014. It surely is representative of our current state of the Nation.

The nation falls into apostasy. They turn from the one true God YHVH and worship idols. They begin to sacrifice their children into the fire to these gods. They build pillars and worship the sun and the moon. They also turn to fertility gods whose rituals are sexual. They eat at pagan tables and drink blood. Drinking blood is supposed to transfer the power of that animal to the drinker. The overall morality of the nation descends into depravity and everyone does what is right in their own mind.

The government begins to fall apart ethically. Bribing public officials becomes standard practice in order to curry favor. Judges and magistrates are bought and sold. Even the priests are bribed off in place of sin offerings. Financial instability replaces fair trade. Inflation rages, weights and measures are false.

Sexual infidelity becomes the norm. Adultery is common practice. Prostitution is common in the city. The pagan temples allow sex as a religious ritual. The population has less and less regard for the laws of God.

Political alliances are formed with unethical nations. These alliances are made for protection against invasion or to conquer other nations. Foreign policy has no focus. The political leaders are only interested in furthering personal gain in these relationships.

The Lord sends prophets to warn the nation. These prophets plead with the nation to return to their God. They plead for the people to repent of their sinful ways and honor the Lord. The prophets take symbolic actions for the people to see and warn of coming invasion and destruction of cities. These warnings by various prophets occur over decades. The populace pays no attention. Their hearing becomes dull and their eyes are blind. The prophets continue to plead as the political and financial situation becomes worse.

The prophets are accused of being seditious. They are looked upon as traitors and despised, but they continue to warn the nation. During this process there are occasionally periods of revival where the nation turns from their ways to worship the Lord, but they are short periods followed by continued apostasy. The warnings of the prophets become louder, but to no avail.

The nation comes under invasion by foreigners. Sometimes several invasions are experienced before the nation is defeated and Jerusalem burned to the ground. The nation is totally devastated and burned. Refugees flee to surrounding areas and many are taken captive to a strange land. Those left behind are most likely killed, the rest flee or are taken into exile.

Once in the foreign land the survivors begin to realize what they have lost and begin to turn back to their God. The prophets explain to them what has happened and give the survivors hope for return to the homeland. The survivors long for the homeland and begin to turn back to their old ways and respect for their God. They are told by the prophets to become good citizens of the land, build homes, and prosper. They are told that at the appointed time they will be restored to their homeland.

At the appointed time, after mourning for their former apostasy, the people are allowed to return to their homeland and rebuild the waste places. They have finally learned that they have a great and just God, and never turn back to idolatry again. They once again live in their homeland and revere the Lord.

HOW THIS PATTERN IS RELAVENT TO INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIANS
We can easily visualize our personal walk with the Lord in the pattern above. We often start out as excited new born Christians with many great expectations. As time goes on we become complacent as the cares of the job, family, and financial issues begin to weigh upon us. At his point some become stronger Christians as they trust the Lord in these situations, others find things too difficult and lapse into the former lifestyle.

Those that experience a lapse are often reminded of their former walk with the Lord by friends, family, and people they come into contact with in their daily lives. Sometimes we repent and return to the Lord, other times we turn away and refuse to listen. Each one of us has their own personal experience.

Some of us have to fall pretty far before we realize how good we had it when we walked with the Lord. At this point if we return and ask forgiveness, the Lord is quick to forgive and reestablish our faith. It takes some time and effort on our part, but the return is sweet. The Lord is quick to forgive if we approach in the right spirit and truly repent.

Some believers go through this process more than once while others have a strong faith right from the start. We all, however, experience this pattern in our personal lives in a major or minor way. Some don’t necessarily fall away or backslide, but there are areas in their lives the Lord wishes to deal with. It is up to us to allow Him to deal with those areas if we are to move forward in the faith. This can be an unpleasant period, but if we genuinely seek His way it transforms us into His image over a period of time. These are the times of testing we all go through. It is our job to recognize it for what it is and respond to the Lord and yield to the Holy Spirit’s wisdom.

THE PATTERN ON A NATIONAL BASIS IN MODERN TIMES
The pattern for nations today are similar. Once a godly nation, the populace grows more and more distant from the ways of God. Morality and ethics begin to collapse as people are more interested in self than in the ways of God. The ethical collapse leads to a breakdown in the financial service industry. Gain becomes more important than solid ethical investment. The industry becomes more like a casino than a place to protect the client’s interest.

In politics there is a decline in ethical practice. Personal gain takes president over what is good for the country at large. Big business begins to call the shots through lobbyists and large donations to individuals or party. Gridlock overcomes partisanship as nothing constructive gets done. Budgets soar out of control as an entitlement mentality grips the public. Politicians pander to the public and promise to give the populace benefits that are not affordable.

The public becomes obsessed with celebrity, sports, and entertainment. Real issues are avoided and the public slowly begins to lose their hard won freedom due to their apathy. Poor behavior is rewarded and those who work hard and follow the rules find themselves despised. What was formerly shocking behavior is now common place. Family values come under attack and alternate lifestyles are glorified. The entertainment industry becomes baser and baser each passing decade. The dumbing down of the nation begins in the schools and carries over into all areas of society.

Secular and religious prophets warn of disaster but few pay any attention. The churches, which once set a standard of morality, now condone what was formerly thought to be ungodly behavior. Endless wars, unchecked spending, and “in your face” behavior in both politics and civil relations become worse and worse. Slowly the nation descends into depravity and all order is lost as financial and political institutions crumble. The process takes decades to reach a climax, but when the climax comes it is destructively quick as society sinks into anarchy.

This is the Biblical pattern revealed in the books of the prophets. We have all walked this path.

　

　

 

UNDERSTANDING HEAVENLY AND EARTHLY WARFARE FROM A BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING

This post will help us understand the spiritual war that we are to overcome in the armor of God. War is hell. We can expect much war and violence in the coming years as we enter the seventh millennium.

A question I have always asked myself is: “Why is there so much war and bloodshed among human kind?” Many others ask, “If God is love, how can He allow this?”

We must understand first and foremost it is God allowing us to do it to ourselves. At some point He will intervene at the end of this age when He saves us from ourselves. Until then blood is going to be shed among man because man has rebelled against God and His Commandments.

The life of a human is in the blood (Leviticus 17.11). It is a great sin to murder and kill. Life is precious in God’s sight.

The word says that Satan the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10.10). When did this begin? Our investigation will allow the Bible to interpret itself. Isaiah 45 is where we start:

For thus has the LORD said that creates the heavens; God himself that forms the earth, he who made it and established it. He did not create it in vain; he created it to be inhabited; I am the LORD; and there is no one else. Isaiah 45.18

The earth was created to be inhabited.

 I form the light and create darkness; I make peace and create evil: I am the LORD that does all this. Isaiah 45.7

God created darkness, He makes peace and creates evil! This is interesting. How does God create evil?

He gave his creations, both man and angels, free will to make decisions. God did not create robots. Free will to decide means man and angels can choose—choose to obey or disobey. Disobedience is rebellion. Rebellion can lead to evilness. Satan rebelled from God because he became full of himself and wanted to take the throne from God.

 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, who didst claim the GentilesNations as an inheritance! Thou who said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven; upon high next to the stars of God I will exalt my throne: and I will sit upon the mount of the testimony and in the sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be cast down to Sheol/the grave, to the sides of the pit. Isaiah 14.12-15

Satan wanted to exalt his throne, the one God gave him, above the mount of testimony (the mount of God). Satan ascended above the clouds to God’s throne to be like the most high.

Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering: the sardius, topaz, diamond, turquoise, onyx, and beryl, the sapphire, ruby, and emerald, and gold; the works of thy tambourines and of thy pipes were prepared in thee in the day that thou was created.

Thou, great cherubim, was covered, and I placed thee; thou was in the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked among stones of fire. Thou was perfect in all thy ways from the day that thou was created, until iniquity was found in thee. Satan was created perfect until iniquity was found in him.

Because of the multitude of thy trafficking thou was filled with violence, and thou hast sinned; and I cast thee out of the mountain of God, and I cast thee unto evil from among the stones of fire, O cherubim that was covered. Thine heart lifted thee up because of thy beauty; thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness; I will cast thee to the earth; I will expose thee before the kings, that they may behold thee.

Thou hast defiled thy sanctuary by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy trafficking; therefore I brought forth fire from the midst of thee, which has consumed thee, and I brought thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all those that behold thee. All those that knew thee from among the peoples shall marvel over thee; thou hast been greatly disturbed, and thou shalt not exist again forever. Ezekiel 28.13-19

Satan was a covering cherub—perhaps the most powerful angel in heaven—covering the ark with his wings. He was God’s perfect creation—yet he rebelled.

This began a war in the heavens above the earth.

The Bible indicates that the earth was created to be a beautiful peaceful place prior to the 6 days of creation.

Where was thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou know? Or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? Or who laid the corner stone thereof; when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?

When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddling band for it, And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed? Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; Job 38.4-12

For thus says the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else. Isaiah 45.18

God laid the foundations. The morning stars sang together at the creation and shouted for joy! Here shall you come but no further (Lucifer). The earth was formed to be inhabited.

In Genesis 1.1 it says God created the heaven and the earth. In verse 2 it says the earth was void and without form. If the angels sang for joy at the creation of an earth that was to be inhabited what happened between verses one and two?

Is it possible Lucifer (who later becomes Satan) was given dominance over the earth during its formation and young days? Did Satan rebel at this time and ascend into heaven to take the throne? As you can see we can make a Biblical case for this. Why else was the earth without form and void. Was it due to the rebellion of Satan and one third of the angels?

I always have wondered about the Book of Jude and what Jude is talking about.

 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Jude 6-7

Was the first estate of Satan and his angels the job to oversee the formation of earth in its early days of creation? They decided to rebel and the earth becomes formless and void. It was inhabited by the angels during this time but they rebelled. They ascended up to heaven it says in Isaiah 14.13 to usurp the throne.

This was the beginning of war in heaven. Satan and a third of God’s creation decided to take things into their own hands and become the rulers. They thought they could over throw the Creator. The earth was formless and void. There was war in the heavens. There was violence in the heavens due to Satan’s traffic/merchandise. Ezekiel 28.16

Look at the moon and some of the planets. They are scarred with craters. Even the earth has some gigantic craters from the ancient past. Was this due to WAR IN HEAVEN? Is Jude describing a heavenly war with large objects striking the earth and planets?

In any event war and violence began when Lucifer rebelled. The word violence in Hebrew means destruction, malice, ruthlessness, fierceness—violence!

In this sense God created evil as stated in Isaiah 45.7. God gave His creation freedom to choose. We choose good or evil. This is the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Trees represent people in the Bible. The olive tree is Israel. The tree of good and evil represents the choices we make.

Will we yield to the Creator and choose wisely and good or choose disobedience and our own wicked desires? It is a choice between life and death—the knowledge of good and evil. This knowledge either brings us eternal peace in God or death.

Satan chose the way of death. He then enticed Adam and Eve into the same choice. He comes to steal (our inheritance), kill (murder), and destroy (tear down). This was the beginning of violence and war. It began when Lucifer became full of himself.

He is the prince of this world. Mankind is under the influence of his evil spirit. Humankind chooses to follow Satan’s path of self, greed, the lust for power, false witness, and lies. The law of God is ignored.

God’s Royal Laws are intended for bringing us blessings and good. Man chooses violence. Abortion is an excellent example of man’s violence.

Violence, war, and bloodshed is the way the world chooses--to be under the power of darkness rather than coming over to God’s Way of Light. To obedience to God’s Royal Law.

Don’t blame God for the wrongs in this world. He must allow it. He must give us freedom to choose. We love to blame God for the violence in the world. How could He allow this if He is a God of Love? This is exactly why He allows it. He loves us enough to allow us to choose. Life or death? Our Father allows us to choose because of His great love for us.

This is why He sent His beloved son to redeem us from this violent bloody world. It was upholding the law…life for a life…blood for blood…the life is in the blood. Yeshua saves us! He restores us to eternal life through the shedding of His precious blood. The Eternal’s sacrifice of Love towards His creation.

Amidst all the beauty of this fallen world there is violence due to trafficking—the world of competition and striving for personal glory, power, and riches. This is Satan’s domain. This is his specialty. It is how he steals, kills, and destroys us. The choice belongs to each and every one who has ever lived. Ezekiel 28.18 – Traffic = Heb. 7404 = trading of merchandize = human merchandize or traffing.

Yeshua told us to “not to love the world and the things of the world.” Be content with what you have and are given by Yahweh. We belong to a Holy Kingdom—God’s Kingdom. We are supposed to give—not take.

There will be blood and war until the King comes and puts down the rebellion once and for all. Then he will sit down at the right hand of Yahweh and give His Father the Kingdom.

Yet a little while and He will come and save us! We will occupy in His name until that day! He will establish the kingdom in a final violent heavenly war and reward his faithful servants in that day.

A final Judgment is described in Revelation 20. When He comes those who have chosen His way will be resurrected from the grave and given eternal life. This is the first resurrection. Those who rise at this time the second death (resurrection) will have no power over them. After the Millennial Kingdom of a thousand years the White Throne Judgment will find Satan and his angels thrown into the pit of fire along with his angels and servants.

God allows His creation to live violently but that is not what He desires for us. It is our choice. His desire is for us to love His word and commandments so that we can walk in His love. We should reflect His love in a violent world. Choose well. He will soon appear and end this violence once and for all Eternity.

UPDATE ON BOMBING OF IRAN NUCLEAR FACILITY 

This article is from the link below. Mr. Armstrong is an economist and historian who has developed an incredible computer program he named Socrates which is incredibly accurate at predicting world economic and war events. What really got my attention is that the predictions of the program unintentionally seem to align with end time Biblical prophecy.

The world is currently in upheaval and Mr. Armstrong’s computer predicts turmoil that concludes with a new world order in 2032. That’s seven years from now. I find it quite interesting that the Biblical tribulation is also a seven year event. You will find his secular commentary often aligned with Biblical events.

Check out his daily commentary: https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/

QUESTION: I understand you rely on the computer. The forecasts are not your opinion, and that is what makes you stand out among all the talking heads. What is your personal opinion? Do you think that if Trump had given diplomacy a chance, it would have worked, or was this inevitable? FS

ANSWER: Looking at the computer, I could not see any other outcome. I do believe that Trump acted thinking that this would end the war and the terrorism of Iran. His mistake is judging Iran by what a rational state would typically do. Iran is a theocracy, and its government is driven by entrenched ideas that I do not see changing.

The differing stances towards Israel between many Shia-majority actors (notably Iran and its allies) and some Sunni-led states stem from a complex mix of religious, geopolitical, strategic, and ideological factors, rather than a fundamental theological difference between Shia and Sunni Islam regarding Palestine itself.

The 1979 Iranian Revolution established an Islamic Republic with a strong anti-Western and anti-imperialist ideology. Opposition to Israel (“The Little Satan”) became a core pillar of its revolutionary identity and foreign policy, framing it as a colonial implant, an extension of Western (particularly US) imperialism in the Middle East, and an oppressor of Palestinians.

The Iranian Revolution exported ideology and identity. Championing the Palestinian cause became central to Iran’s self-proclaimed leadership of the Muslim world (“Resistance Axis“) against Western influence and its regional rivals. Iran sees Israel as its primary regional adversary and a major strategic threat, closely aligned with its arch-rival, the United States, and Sunni powers like Saudi Arabia (historically).

Supporting anti-Israel groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, and various Shia militias in Iraq and Syria became the key geopolitical tool for Iran. It projects power and influence far beyond its borders. This established a network of proxies to deter Israeli or US attacks on Iran. This is what I mean about religious issues, for it challenges the regional order dominated by the US and its Sunni allies. This “Axis of Resistance” is fundamentally built on opposition to Israel and the US.

We must comprehend that for Iran and its Shia allies, unwavering support for the Palestinian struggle against Israel is a source of domestic legitimacy and a way to claim leadership of the broader Muslim world, transcending sectarian divides. Portraying Sunni states that normalize relations as traitors to the cause reinforces this narrative. It remains to be seen if the Shia will instigate civil unrest within the Sunni states like Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.

There are significant differences in Sunni approaches (pragmatism and shifting alliances) compared to those of the Shia (confrontation).

Some Sunni-led states (UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan) normalized relations with Israel based on pragmatic national interests, not theological shifts. They have a shared perception of Iran as the primary threat (especially for Gulf states). They are far more practical in terms of access to technology, trade, investment, and tourism. They also gained US favor, breaking diplomatic isolation. They have believed that engagement might yield better results than a boycott or prioritizing other concerns over it. Israel’s attacks on unarmed Palestinians in Gaza threaten that practical view.

It’s crucial to remember that Sunni Islam and Sunni-majority states are not monolithic. Many Sunni populations remain deeply opposed to normalization. Countries like Qatar maintain relations with Hamas but not Israel. Turkey has diplomatic relations but remains highly critical. Jordan and Egypt have peace treaties, but experience significant public opposition and cold relations.

Then there is the risk of state versus non-state actors. Established Sunni states often prioritize state sovereignty, stability, and economic interests. Non-state Sunni actors like Hamas or the Muslim Brotherhood frequently maintain hardline stances closer to Iran’s position (Hamas is part of the Resistance Axis).

Both Shia and Sunni Muslims revere Jerusalem (Al-Quds) as the third-holiest site in Islam. The Palestinian cause resonates deeply on religious grounds across the Muslim world. The difference lies in strategic emphasis. For Iran and its allies, opposing Israel is the central rallying cry and geopolitical strategy. For some Sunni states, while the religious significance remains, it competes with other pressing security and economic priorities in their foreign policy calculus. Iran weaponizes this perceived prioritization to criticize Sunni leaders.

Consequently, Shia opposition (Iran-led Axis) is primarily driven by revolutionary ideology, geopolitical strategy (countering the US/Israel/Saudi axis), regional ambitions, and the use of the Palestinian cause as a tool for legitimacy and proxy warfare. It’s a core part of their identity and foreign policy. This is why I personally am not optimistic, and I fear that Israel may stupidly think assassinating the Supreme Leader will end Iran, and it will return to the days of the pre-1979 Revolution. They put at risk the entire pragmatic national interests of the Sunni States that can see internal strife in response to such an action on top of the hard treatment of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. This can result in shifting regional dynamics that I am deeply concerned about. There is no religious Sunni theological shift on the importance of Jerusalem or Palestinian rights, and it faces significant public opposition within those countries.

The divergence is less about a fundamental Shia vs. Sunni theological difference on Palestine/Israel, and more about differing geopolitical strategies, national interests, and ideological priorities between the Iranian-led “Resistance Axis” and certain Sunni-led Arab states seeking new alliances and security arrangements in a changing Middle East. Iran uses maximalist opposition to Israel as its defining strategy, while some Sunni states have decided engagement serves their interests better, given the perceived greater threat from Iran.

I am not sure that there are people who understand this in the leadership of Israel or the United States. The huge mistake here is assuming that this strike will cause the Shia to throw down their arms and adopt the Sunni pragmatic position. I do not see that sort of religious upheaval.

 

TWO TREES - TWO PATHS - ONE WAY – THE MYSTERY OF THE TREES

This was first posted in October 2022. Think about the challenges we are now facing in 2025, only three years since the posting. The world is ascending to become their own gods. Robots are now at the point of disobeying the humans that created them. Artificial intelligence is worshipped. The world does not consider SIN to be of any concern. Everyone does what is right in their own eyes.

Sometimes I view the Bible as a very sophisticated children’s book. I used to like watching Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon show as a kid. It was a very sophisticated children’s show that adults could enjoy watching because of the subject matter, history, and political truths imbedded in this cartoon. In many ways the Bible can be viewed in this way. We are Elohim’s children and He has written us a children’s book to teach us how to live in peace, joy, and prosperity.

This is how He has presented the story of Adam and Eve unto us. The first three chapters of Genesis are Elohim’s first instructions to His children. It is set in a beautiful garden with trees. But this garden and two trees illustrate the foundation of the world in which we (humankind) live in today.

Elohim’s instruction to Adam: And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2.16-17

They could eat of every tree but a single one. That one tree would cause them to die. We might want to call it the tree of death.

Very simply this tree of the knowledge of good and evil represents mankind taking to himself the ability to determine what is good or evil, what is right or wrong. In effect, becoming as gods.

Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”—

Elohim told them the tree of knowledge of good and evil was the way of death. It was the way of death because they would now determine what was good or evil rather than looking to Elohim for the rules of the game. They took of the tree and turned from Elohim’s rules/law and soon their lives were filled with violence and death. They had made THEIR CHOICE.

This act established the foundation of the world as we know it today. A simple child’s decision to reject parental instruction. From this time forward the world as we know it has evolved to the point of human self-annihilation with nuclear weapons and with no solutions.

Elohim says, “Do not sacrifice your children to the fire of false gods.” We choose to abort a fetus of which Elohim says, “I knew you since you were formed in the womb.” Ministers of God in churches today preach it is OK to abort—they think they have a better way. https://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=3783

Satan deceived Eve into eating of this tree of death. This was the first test of Elohim’s instructions. Satan contradicted Elohim’s instructions and Eve trusted the lie instead of Elohim’s instruction. She gave it to Adam and he followed in her sin. They choose their own knowledge instead of God’s.

Eve was deceived by the serpent. The Book of Revelation says that the world will be deceived because they have no love for the truth. Adam, willing took without question what Eve offered. He should have corrected her!

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—Romans 5.12

That choice quickly led to the first murder. The first child born to Adam and Eve, Cain, ended up murdering his younger brother Abel, and then lying to Elohim about it. Genesis 4:1-9

Our world is full of broken families, rebellious children, wickedness in high places, and untold evil. Everyone is eating of their own tree. If they don’t have a tree they’ll cut yours down!

God personally instructed Adam and Eve but they turned away and listened to Satan the liar, thief, and killer. They became the personification of the knowledge of good and evil—they chose the wrong way! The knowledge they desired became destruction to them.

The tree of life represents the way of the fruitful Holy Spirit of God. Eating from this tree allows us to solve and correct ourselves in the way of life. The Spirit is life. We walk in Elohim’s commandments/law and we have abundant life. The world walks in the way of the tree of death. It is a choice—the way of Elohim or the way of Satan.

Yeshua said, “My yoke is easy, my burden is light.” Why is it so difficult for us to obey our Creator?

Satan is a master “broadcaster” of fake news. He invented fake news. Just as TV and radio broadcast through the air so Satan works. Satan broadcasts in attitudes, impulses, moods, and thoughts. Instead of searching the scriptures and learning the laws of God we choose to listen to the fake news of the adversary.

Are you going to follow the word/broadcast of Elohim or that of ha Satan?

Yes, the Bible is a very sophisticated children’s story with very simple instructions.  His way will bring us eternal peace, happiness, joy, and spiritual understanding. We can’t experience blessings if we walk in the way of the knowledge of good and evil and despise our Father’s instructions.

Now that we understand the price of knowledge let us bow to the all knowing ONE!

 

The meaning of the word “Hebrew” and Crossing Over

As we have studied our being grafted into Israel and what that means I found this great article at the source listed at the bottom of this post. I often say we are not called to be Jewish, but rather, Yeshu-ish, this article confirms. Abraham is never referred to as a Jew is scripture—but as a Hebrew (Gen 14.13).

When we come to salvation in Yeshua we “crossover” into new life. Doesn’t matter if you are a Jew, Greek, or Barbarian—we must crossover into Yeshua!

God’s chosen people identified themselves as Hebrews both in the Old Testament (Jon 1:9) and in the New (Philip 3:5). Abram was the first person to be called a Hebrew, even though he was from Ur of the Chaldaeans (Gen 11:31). So what does “Hebrew” really mean? The word Hebrew in its simplest sense means “one from beyond”.

H5680 – עברי – ‛ibrı̂y – Hebrew Brown-Driver-Briggs Dictionary Definition: Hebrew = “one from beyond”

This makes sense, as the first time we see the word “Hebrew” used is when Abram is called a “Abram the Hebrew”. This may have referred to the fact that Abram came from the other side of the Euphrates River and settled in the plains of Mamre. A closely connected word to “Ivri”/”Hebrew” in the Hebrew language is “Eber” which means beyond/across. So one who comes across or comes from beyond is a Hebrew.

Another word connected with “Ivri” (Hebrew) is “Avar” which means “pass over”. All of these words are connected as the root (Ayin-Bet-Resh עבר) in Hebrew stays the same. It should be noted that the story of Abraham is connected to the word “Abar” Pass-over, as we see it is one of the first things mentioned about him.

Gen 12:4-6 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came. And Abram passed through (H5674 – עבר – ‛âbar) the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.

So it is now abundantly clear why Abram was called a Hebrew. This characteristic of “passing over” becomes part of the Hebrew experience, and is seen as part and parcel of the journey of God’s people as seen below.

Joshua 24:2-3 And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods. And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.
Jos 24:6 And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came unto the sea; and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and horsemen unto the Red sea.
Jos 24:8 And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you.
Jos 24:14-15 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

In the above passage Joshua makes a distinction between Abram before he passes over, to the life he is called to live after he crossed over. Abram served other gods beyond the river, but when he passed over, he was committed to God. This repeats again with Israel as they cross the Red Sea towards freedom and Israel as they cross the Jordan towards the Promised Land. Passing over was a distinct feature of God’s people. Passing over the waters as much as it is a physical act, it also signifies a symbolic act of leaving the past behind and starting afresh. This is enacted in the Baptism/Mikveh that each of us go through as young believers as well.

When God speaks to Moses about the passover sacrifice, He Himself says that He will Pass Over the land using the same word (H5674 – עבר – ‛âbar) which is connected to “Ivri” Hebrew, as seen below.

Exo 12:12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
Exo 12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

We see the same word (H5674 – עבר – ‛âbar) which is connected to “Ivri” Hebrew, used again in the Song of Moses, after the Hebrews cross the Red Sea. Exo 15:16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

Essentially, the Hebrew is a person who has passed from death to life; from a life of sin to a life of righteousness through God’s Commands; from obeying false gods to obeying the one true Creator of the universe.

Yeshua speaks of this fact, saying that whoever hears Him and puts his/her trust in YHVH, would pass from death to life:

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

What is the evidence that one has passed from death unto life and become a true Hebrew? John explains it in the following way:

1 John 3:14-24 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abides in death. Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwells the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment: that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keeps his commandments dwells in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

John explains that the evidence that we have moved from death to life, shines through the love of God which is in our lives. A love that is ready to give even our own life for others. A love that is not in word but in deed, but according to the commandment that Yeshua raised to the next level – “Love one another (Lev 19:18), as I have loved you”(John 15:12). Through God’s love, we show whether we are truly a Hebrew or not. Whether we have truly crossed over from Death to Life. Let us strive to be like the great Hebrews of old such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua and many more ; not forgetting Yeshua – A Hebrew of Hebrews, who gave His life so that we may cross over. Like the patriarchs, we may all have our shortcomings. But we should never forget the most important characteristic of a Hebrew – a willingness to cross over from our lives in slavery and death to a life in Covenant and Loving Obedience to God and Love towards everyone who has crossed over and is in the process of crossing over to God’s camp.

Source: https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2019/03/22/the-meaning-of-the-word-hebrew-and-crossing-over/

WE ARE PERIOUSLY CLOSE TO TOTAL WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST

This is a post from October 2024 which is timely based on Israel’s attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

I am not a Prophet but I do search the scriptures diligently allowing the Bible to interpret itself. I also try to keep informed about events taking place in the Middle East and World. The following is what I believe is going to begin to play out. This will be a process of a minimum of 7 years—maybe more.

I’d call this a short discussion of how things might occur. It is a sketch of the tribulation period. I am always trying to grasp the details but it is difficult to really predict a time line of events. These are things we should all be thinking about while praying for understanding.

 

The burden of the word of the Lord against Israel. Thus says the Lord, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him:  “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem.  And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. Zechariah 12.1-4

At this moment Israel/Judah is fighting a war on three fronts: Hamas, Hezbollah, and in the background is Iran. Israel/Judah has decided to go all in an attempt to destroy their enemies. Yes, completely destroy their enemies. This is an Old Testament concept. I am merely pointing out this fact.

They are counting on America to come to their aid when Iran and other nations decide to strike. America is an Israelite Nation if you follow Two House.

America’s involvement would be the beginning of world war. The majority of the world will not support Israel while hoping for their defeat. The American neocons (warmongers), who are influencing the current regime, are pushing hard for war. They actually think America would win and bomb the Arab world into submission. This is not likely. Our military has been reworked by those who have been weakening America. It is not as strong or efficient as it once was.

Russia and China are backing Iran. Once this war starts don’t be surprised when China decides to attack Taiwan. Russia would in turn escalate the war in Ukraine and that could start a war with NATO in Europe. The world will be engulfed in flames, destruction, and death.

The Middle East is a complex situation which goes back 4,000 years—back to Jacob and Esau. It is now entering the final phase and time of sorrows prior to the return of Messiah Yeshuah. Before He returns there will be incredible suffering and war.

 In that day I will make the governors of Judah like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; they shall devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place—Jerusalem.

 “The Lord will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem shall not become greater than that of Judah.  In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the Lord before them.  It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. Zachariah 12.6 -9

These verses seem to predict an Israel victory but I believe it is more complicated and deeper than that. Israel is currently in a state of apostasy. They are politically looking to America to support them. They are not looking to the Lord their God. They are trusting in the flesh.

Most Israeli’s are not even religious. They are very secular.

In the Bible the prophets constantly warned Israel to look to Him for victory. They often relied on Egypt to support them. King Zedekiah looked to Egypt for support against Babylon (2 Kings 23.29-25.30). This did not work out well for him.

The Lord wanted them to rely on Him, not on political unions with other nations.

I see the same situation for Israel/Judah today. It appears to me that Israel will do terrific damage to their enemies but they will have their backs against the wall as their army is overwhelmed by the Arab armies surrounding them. Why else would they be crying out to Elohim?

This will lead to them crying out to Elohim:

I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. In that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning at Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.  And the land shall mourn, every family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of Shimei by itself, and their wives by themselves; all the families that remain, every family by itself, and their wives by themselves. Zechariah 12.10-14

There will be a great mourning in Israel at this time as they come to the knowledge that Yeshuah is and was the Messiah. “They will look upon me whom they have pierced and mourn for him…” strongly suggests they will be about to perish and look up for their salvation.

This might be called an awakening or revival. It might be a process of months or years.

The question is how does this all play out in real time?  We know that Yahweh is going to save all Israel at that time but it may take years of tribulation after the coming war. That could be the time the Anti-Christ rises up and Israel/Judah and the world experience the great tribulation.

End time prophecy is not a pretty box with a ribbon tied around it. Many think they have all the answers on how this will play out. I know that Yah works on His time schedule and allows events to play out slowly. He waited over a hundred years to judge Israel through the captivity of Babylon. He gave them countless warnings through the prophets but it was many years before they ultimately fell to Babylon.

Zachariah 13 is just such a chapter. This chapter describes the most terrible time for Israel: “In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.

 “It shall be in that day,” says the Lord of hosts, “that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land. It shall come to pass that if anyone still prophesies, then his father and mother who begot him will say to him, ‘You shall not live, because you have spoken lies in the name of the Lord.’ And his father and mother who begot him shall thrust him through when he prophesies. Zechariah 13.1-3

The inhabitants of Jerusalem seem to be in deep repentance for their sins. They are being cleansed from their uncleanness and sins. They are suffering. The false prophets are being judged, false teaching and idols are being removed from their soul. They appear to be captives in their own land! Israel has become their “Ghetto.”

“Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, Against the Man who is My Companion,”Says the Lord of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered; Then I will turn My hand against the little ones. And it shall come to pass in all the land, ”Says the Lord, “That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, But one-third shall be left in it:  I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God. ” Zachariah 13.7-9

This refining process is not a pleasant experience but Yahweh is preparing His people for the Millennial Kingdom thousand years. This is a sorrowful time.

Many think the “church” will be raptured out before all this occurs. Why would that be? The “church” is currently in apostasy and will need to be purged just as the nation of Israel/Judah will be purged.

All of these end time tribulations come upon us because we are doing it to ourselves. Yeshuah is coming for an assembly of those whom have been purged and tried like gold. That’s not the Christian “church” that is hiding today. This is an individual process within the Body of Christ. It is not organized religion—it’s ALL those who follow Him.

I’m not being judgmental. I’m going to be refined and purged along with everyone. It will be difficult but also very wonderful as He works to perfect us. He will be coming for a spotless assembly (Body).

Again, how all this exactly works out in real time most likely will surprise all of us. Don’t rely on the neat package of end time events that you’ve been fed all these years. It is going to be His way.

We can understand it will be difficult for us all but also very intimate. It’s you and Him.

Zechariah 14.1-5 explains the rest as we see another conflict in Jerusalem after what we saw in chapter 12

Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, And your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; The city shall be taken,The houses rifled, And the women ravished.
Half of the city shall go into captivity, But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

Then the Lord will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east.
And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley;
Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.

 Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal.Yes, you shall flee
As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah.

This looks like the second coming! Israel/Judah has fought a great war in which they did great damage to their enemies but lost. They have been “taken captive” in the land, suffered, and repented. They have realized their uncleanness and sin as they have been refined in captivity in their own land. Then when it appears all has been lost the Messiah comes!

The rest of Zechariah 14 is describing the 1,000 year Millennial Reign.

In closing, if you believe in the Two House Judah (the Jews of the State of Israel) and Israel (Ephraim and Manasseh) these events will engulf the world and the people of God—Judah/Israel/Jews and Ephraim/Manasseh the progeny of the Lost Tribes of Israel scattered throughout the world for thousands of years.

Yahweh will be gathering all his people from the four corners of the earth during the tribulation period at His return.

Zachariah and the other prophets are our guide. Nobody, but nobody, including myself totally understands completely how the end of the age will play out. The Scriptures are our guide.

The Scriptures reveal there are Martyrs, some protected in hiding, traitors, and warriors speaking the Gospel on the front lines. It will be spiritual conflict of the highest degree. Yahweh is in control. May God bless and guide each of us during this time.

A great interview on the current Middle East War:

https://marketsanity.com/colonel-douglas-macgregor-what-concerns-me-right-now/

An article from June 13, 2025: https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/international-news/middle_east/the-middle-east-war-2025/

Another: https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/international-news/israel/israel-attack-iran-to-stop-trump/