Coming out of Babylon

“After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.”  Rev 18:1-5

Fall feasts of the Lord

I have most of my posts about the fall feast days to the Lord - Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles, which season we are in right now - posted under feasts of the Lord at christine's bible study, http://christinesbiblestudy.blogspot.com/. It is my goal to get all my studies on the Lord's holy days (holidays) and their relevance to the believer in Jesus Christ, Yeshua Messiah, eventually transferred to christine's bible study. That blog is searchable and the archives by topic are a lot easier to use. :)

Today is the national muslim day of prayer

Last week I posted a call to the Church to prayer from Lou Engle of The Call. In it, he called for the church to fast and pray against the convergence of forces set to turn our nation in a new direction. Part of that convergence, is that today is the national muslim day of prayer for 50,000 muslims to gather in Washington DC, to pray that allah would turn the White House into a muslim house. Would you join me in fasting and prayer today, in interceeding before the throne of grace for our country and our President? Thank you.

Spankings lower IQs?

A new report out yesterday states that children who are spanked have lower IQs than children who are disciplined in other ways. Yeah, they have had the big guns out for some years on making spanking evil. Child abuse is evil. Spanking is not evil. But here is the kicker:

"One might ask, however, whether children who are spanked tend to come from backgrounds in which education opportunities are less or inherited intelligence lower."

They just said that if you are a Bible- believing parent who spanks because the Word says, that he who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly (Pro 13:24; the Word equates spanking with discipline), then you must be one of those stupid easily- duped hicks from the Bible belt, because no intelligent person would spank their child.

A spanking administered in anger or to vent frustration is not discipline. A spanking properly administered in love brings godly remorse and repentance to a child's heart and restores his heart back to his parents' hearts. God Himself "spanks" us when we need it (Heb 12:5-11), and I would much rather have the spanking as a child at my parents' hands, to learn obedience, than a spanking as an adult at God's hands. God's spankings hurt worse.

"All are equal in his sight"

Brits tighten screws on homeschooling

Brits tighten screws on homeschooling

If this new report's recommendations are followed, it would call for the government to take over homeschooling in Britain. Specifically, parents would have to register with the equivalent of our federal government, and be available for visits by federal agencies at any time to separate the children from the parents, to be questioned about their homeschooling. Secondly, all homeschool curriculum would be mandated by the state, and parental choice in curriculum would come to an end. At least, if the parents wanted to teach from a different curriculum than the one sanctioned by the state, they would have to do so in addition to the state- sanctioned curriculum, placing an additional and unnecessary time and financial burden on homeschooling families.

These changes were recommended based on sections in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Treaty.

You wonder how many of these changes have been sought for since the rise of a true biblical belief in God's creation of the world as opposed to evolution, have made such dramatic strides. You also wonder if they will invade Muslim homes with equal fervor to sequester the children and grill them on what they are being taught by their parents. Somehow, I very much doubt it.

We ought to be concerned that the same thing can happen here, especially with a Democratically- controlled Washington DC, as part of the Democratic platform is opposition to homeschooling. Visit parentalrights.org to find out how to help.

Urgent call to prayer

This is from Lou Engle of The Call. Join me in fasting and prayer today:

Urgent Call to Prayer: Signs of the Times

Convergence

It is critical that the church in America understands the times and what needs to be done now. The natural things speak of the invisible. Natural happenings on the earth are revealing something that is going on in the spiritual realm. There is a great spiritual conflict with a rising tide of Islamic boldness being manifested. Several happenings are converging this week. First of all, our President has recently proclaimed, honored, encouraged the Muslim holy days of prayer and fasting called Ramadan. He was very silent on the National Day of Prayer but very vocal on the support of Ramadan. Interestingly at the same time a major Christian leader of the Emergent Church called for forty days of fasting and prayer in the same Ramadan period with the goal that the church will better understand our Muslim friends. We are all for understanding but we must have spiritual discernment as to the spiritual dark powers that are being invoked into our nation.

Cause for Concern

At the same time, on the 25th of September, Muslims are calling for a Muslim Day of Prayer in Washington DC ( http://www.islamoncapitolhill.com/ ). They are calling for 50,000 Muslims to gather and pray on the DC Mall. This is the exact word of one of the Sheikhs who is leading this historic gathering, “Muslims should march on the White House. We are going to the White House so that Islam will be victorious, Allah willing, and the White House will become into a Muslim house.” These are not empty words. They speak of a dark spiritual intent and a coming day of great trouble to America.

A Divine Moment

Now one of these events is enough to awaken us to this significant throbbing moment, but when they all converge it becomes a massive spiritual alarm that must be responded to by the praying Church. However, I believe in this moment of divine providence God has raised up on the stage of history a little “Esther” that if we pray and fast for her she could be a major voice to expose the dark under-belly of Islam and radiate a bright hope for a day of salvation for Muslims in America. 

Headlines

On Monday, Rifqa Bary, a young 17-year-old woman, will be in the headlines of US news. Four years ago, while living in a very devout and radical Muslim home, Rifqa met Jesus in a powerful way as her savior. She hid her conversion, began praying secretly, and began hiding her bible from her parents. Then, on Facebook, her love for Jesus was exposed to the radical Muslim community in Ohio. Rifqa’s father demanded that she renounce Jesus or he would kill her as is commanded by the Koran. As a radiant believer in Jesus she refused to renounce her Lord and fled to Orlando where she was taken in and cared for by a Christian Church and family. Now, the father is appealing to the courts to bring her back under his custody. Major television networks have already covered her story. How must the Church of America respond in this moment for our sister who is a part of the Body of Christ? 

A Major Sign

This convergence, I believe, is urgently summoning us in the midst of the rising tide of Islamic influence in America to recognize that our God is above every god and that if we return to Him with all of our hearts and call upon Him with fasting and prayer then God could use what the enemy meant for evil to bring about a great day of salvation for Muslims in America, of which Rifqa is but a major sign.

Here is The Call

First of all, we cannot be passive as a Church to let these kinds of developments go on without being challenged in the spirit. Our fight is not against Muslims, it is against principalities, powers, and forces of darkness. We are calling the Church of America at the end of Ramadan, from September 21st through 25th, to five days of concerted prayer. On Monday, we must pray that God would grant supernatural wisdom to the courts so that the testimony of Jesus would be proclaimed and that the best situation for Rifqa and her family would take place. We must pray for Rifqa to be bold in proclaiming Jesus that even thousands of Muslims would hear and be awakened to the love of Christ. She has already said that this is not about her but about many Muslims coming to Jesus. We must pray for her lawyers who are being bullied, threatened, and challenged on every side. On Friday, September 25th, the Muslim Day of Prayer, we are calling the Church of America to fast and pray that Muslims would be moved by the Holy Spirit, convicted by the testimony of Christ, and even be visited by Jesus in dreams. We must pray that God would restrain the spiritual powers behind Islam and grant us the great awakening that we desperately need for America.

Let us hear the call to prayer and not miss this moment,

Lou Engle
The Call

Prayer for Israel

May the eyes of Israel's heart be enlightened - national and individual, Judah and Ephraim - so that she will know what is the HOPE of her calling! May she know what are the riches of the glory of her inheritance among the set apart ones! May she know what is the surpassing greatness of Elohiym's power TOWARD us who believe! These are in accordance with the working of the STRENGTH of His MIGHT which He brought about in Messiah when He raised Him from the dead!  Eph 1:18-19

Yes, I speak resurrection and LIFE to Israel! May the dry bones live in the name of Messiah Yeshua! Open their graves and bring them up; bring them back to the land of Israel! May Israel know YHVH her Elohiym! May Israel receive the Spirit of YHVH and live, and be SETTLED in her own land! Eze 37:1-14

YHVH seated Messiah at His right hand in the heavenly places, FAR ABOVE all rule and authority and power and dominion! FAR ABOVE the US government and the Arab coalition and the UN and the tyrant of Iran! Messiah Yeshua is seated FAR ABOVE every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come! Eph 1:20-21

Therefore in the name and authority of Messiah Yeshua - Mat 28:18 - may the weapons, strategies, and desires of the wicked who have arrayed themselves not against Israel only, but against YHVH Creator of heaven and earth, be cursed, wither from the roots, fall to the ground effectiveless, and be trampled underfoot! For no weapon that is formed against Israel will prosper, and every tongue that accuses Israel in judgment will be condemned! This is the heritage of the servants of YHVH, for their vindication is from Him! Isa 54:17

Praise YHVH! For blessed is Israel - national and individual, Judah and Ephraim - who fears YHVH, who delights greatly in His commandments! For Israel's descendants are mighty on earth; the generation of the upright is BLESSED! May wealth and riches be found in her house, and may the righteousness of Messiah Yeshua which is imputed to Israel endure forever! May the light of YESHUA arise in the darkness for Israel; may YHVH be gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous toward her!  May Israel deal graciously and lend; may Israel guide her affairs with discretion!

Surely Israel will never be shaken; for YHVH keeps Israel in everlasting remembrance. Israel will not be afraid of evil tidings; may her heart be steadfast, trusting in YHVH! May YHVH establish her heart, may Israel fear not, until she sees her desire upon her enemies! For Israel has dispersed abroad, Israel has given to the poor, and Israel's righteousness endures forever! May Israel's horn be exalted with honor!

The wicked who have arrayed themselves against Israel, and not against Israel only, but against YHVH Creator of heaven and earth, will see it and be grieved! May the wicked gnash his teeth and melt away; and ALL his desire perish! Amen! Ps 112

For YHVH has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all! Ps 103:19

Therefore bless YHVH, you His angels, who excel in strength! DO HIS WORD CONCERNING ISRAEL AND HER ENEMIES, Heed the voice of His word that we have voiced today in prayer!  Bless YHVH, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure! Ps 103:20-21

Minister today to ISRAEL who is destined to inherit salvation, nationally and individually, of both Judah and Ephraim! Heb 1:14

We speak in agreement with the Word of YHVH this day! May redemption, restoration, salvation, and VICTORY come forth this day for Israel, in the name of Yeshua Messiah, AMEN!

Christine's Bible study

The seven heads of the beast

There is so much interest in the church lately about the apocalyptic books and the return of Jesus Christ, possibly being right around the corner. I was recently sent a question about the beast with the seven heads, spoken of in Rev 13, whether it represents Rome on seven hills, as some say it is, or Jerusalem on seven hills, as others say it is:

"Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority." Rev 13:1-2

My opinion is that it is neither.

Daniel saw four beasts in his vision (Dan 7:1-7), and they had seven heads between them. The four beasts were:

1) a winged lion with one head, representing Babylon.
2) a bear with one head, representing Media - Persia.
3) a leopard with four heads, representing Greece.
4) a terrible beast with one head, representing Rome.

Daniel was seeing a vision of the kingdoms of this world, which are always opposed to the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah. Babylon is the head of gold, i.e. Babel (rebellion, man's will and way exalted over YHVH's will and way) is the first kingdom of this world, and the pattern all the kingdoms of this world follow. Daniel was looking forward into history.

We are still living under the beast of Rome. One of the books I read with my kids when we were still homeschooling, was Ancient Rome: How it Affects You Today by Richard Maybury. It was not written by a believer nor had he Bible prophecy in mind. He just took all the threads of the society, culture, worldview, and political system of Rome, and showed how they have endured through the centuries, and are so well entrenched in modern society, in American society, in what we consider 1st world societies all across the globe, that we have no idea that we are even living by the dictates of Ancient Rome. Very enlightening little book. There is a reason, I believe, YHVH commanded fathers to teach history to their children.

So fast forward to John. He saw a vision of a single beast with seven heads. The beast has the attributes of a lion, a bear, and a leopard, as well as of the terrible beast. John is seeing the same thing that Daniel did, only since John was looking back, more or less, on history, while Daniel was looking forward, John saw the beast as a single entity while Daniel saw it as four entities. By that I understand that the four beasts of Daniel are the kingdoms of this world, and the one beast of Revelation is also the kingdoms of this world -- they are one and the same.

I see Revelation as a picture of unfolding history from the Messiah's first coming to His second (therefore most of it including the mark, 144,000, etc. has already been fulfilled). Just as Daniel's vision vwas a picture of unfolding history from his time to Messiah's first coming. The two visions are of a piece.

This is all my opinion and I could be wrong. But let's allow that the Lord still has things to reveal to us, that perhaps not all of prophetic Scripture has been opened yet. So let us not get "set" in our interpretation or understanding, we might miss something important if we do. :)

What does all this mean for our daily lives today? "Come out, come out from among her, My people, lest you partake of her sins, and take part in her plagues." Heed the call!

The Torah journey for Christians

I am getting caught up from being gone for a month, and hopefully regular blogging will soon resume. In the mean time, I have been s l o w l y collecting links to blogs by believers in Jesus Christ, Messiah Yeshua, who also are learning about Torah /trying to apply Torah obedience in their daily lives, as I am. Here are a few:

Bereans Online
First Fruits of Zion
Grafted In an On the Journey
Jews and Joes
Messianic Jewish Musings
Messianics for Torah
Restoration of Torah
Wildbranch Ministry

I will add more as I find more ... I hope these few may begin to be a blessing to you. If you are a Christian or believer in Messiah Yeshua, and are on a journey of Torah discovery and application, please let me know about your blog or website so that I may add it.

Happy 4th!

On the topic of fireworks, let's not forget why we are celebrating today. Reread the Declaration of Independence (it's short). Thomas Jefferson and the Continental Congress lay out the reasons why a people not only have the right, but the duty before God, to dissolve one form of government in order to create another, when that government usurps authority not given it by God, and instead of serving the security and liberty of its people, change into the people's tyrannical despot.

Yes, God has imposed boundaries upon governments, and they cannot do whatever they wish. Romans 13 makes it clear that the government bears the sword in order to punish those who do evil, and to secure and reward those who do good. And what is the definition of good and evil? Since the authority to wield the sword comes from God, who as Creator of the universe is the absolute authority over all, it is His definition of good and evil that must be applied, and not man's, which is much different.

His definition is found in Torah, the dictionary for the entire Scriptures. God is immutable; His nature is unchanging. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His Word is immutable. It is fixed in the heavens, and even when heaven and earth pass away, His Word will not pass away. Neither have His definitions of good and evil, right and wrong, which are explained in Torah, changed.

So we are much less free today than we were 200 years ago, but where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. We are free to live just as God has called us to live, in love and obedience to Him from the Spirit. We may be opposed by evil men, but greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world! Our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, has overcome the world. Even if our lives are forfeit, our life which is hid in Christ in God, is not forfeit. For the abundant life that is the free gift of God by grace through faith in His Son, can never be taken from us. On the day our temporal shells die, we simply cross the threshold from this world where man, sin, and pain rule to the next where God, our loving Daddy, reigns in mercy and righteousness on His throne.

Evil tidings and the upright

Today is my last day in Colorado; we are going home to Florida tomorrow. I have not read the news the whole time I have been gone on vacation, but I have heard of things. That evil men are still trying to thwart God and work evil in the world, is what it boils down to.

This past week in the Torah I read of Balak's hiring of Balaam to come and curse Israel, and how that all worked out for the king of Moab. It was the same thing we are facing today: evil men trying to thwart God and work evil in the world. The bottom line of that history, is that God has blessed Israel; what God has blessed cannot be cursed, or destroyed, or done away with; and when men attempt to withstand God and His people, to thwart His blessing and His people's well being, He will withstand them until He has either their cooperation or their death.

The Psalm that accompanies that Torah portion is Psalm 112:

Psa 112:1 Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments. Psa 112:2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. Psa 112:3 Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. Psa 112:4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. Psa 112:5 A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion. Psa 112:6 Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. Psa 112:7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Psa 112:8 His heart is established; He will not be afraid, Until he sees his desire upon his enemies. Psa 112:9 He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted with honor. Psa 112:10 The wicked will see it and be grieved; He will gnash his teeth and melt away; The desire of the wicked shall perish.

Just as the nation whose God is the Lord is blessed, the man whose God is the Lord is blessed. Evil tidings may come, the wicked may try to do wickedly, but the blessing of the Lord on the head and the house of the upright cannot be removed or withstood. Notice God's definition of the upright: the man who fears the Lord, and who delights greatly in His commandments. We have had uprightness imputed to us by the blood of Yeshua; but let us also not despise the gift of righteousness, and let us fear the Lord and walk in His commandments (His covenant), now that we have been made clean and free from sin.

Then, let nothing shake us, for nothing can shake us out of the good hand of our Father, our King, and our God.

Nothing New Press ebooks availabe now!

We have finished (we think) debugging the automated ordering system for Nothing New Press eBooks, and they are now available to order for instantaneous download. All the info is posted at the NNP site.

Nothing New Press ebooks

On the Nothing New Press website, the eBooks have all been uploaded; we are finalizing the last of the technical issues to get them available for purchase and immediate download; so we hope to have that up and running by the weekend, or early next week if we run into something. The printed books are still available for purchase, although there will be a shipping delay. We can ship books needed urgently from the 15th on, if you can give me plenty of notice so that I can arrange for it long distance. Then from the 24th on, we will be able to ship more regularly if needed, and I will be back in the office on July 1st. I will still be checking my e-mail all June when I am on vacation, so be sure to write if there are questions or problems - I will answer!

Vacation reading

We are heading out to see our family in Colorado. Posting may be scant until we get back home. But on the other hand, since I will have more free time, maybe it will pick up, LOL. At any rate, I am going to be working on the holidays series, and Has the New Testament abolished the Torah series, to get everything linked together which still needs it. As well as the Revelation series. So be looking for that!

Headline of the day

Obama: Iran Has Right to Nuclear Power

How much of this is rhetoric planned to make Iran feel that the US is his buddy now? I wonder if Obama thinks that if the US throws Israel under the bus, Iran will play nice and not send its nukes here.

Because Obama is throwing Israel under the Muslim world bus. The US is pressuring Israel to accept a two state solution with Jerusalem as the Palestinian captial. If Israel remains stubborn, the Israeli air force might find repair parts for its fighters hard to come by, or they might find that we will be silent on their behalf in the U.N.

Isn't it ironic that Obama feels that the US has no right to impose its values on the world ... but of course, he means the MADMEN and WARMONGERS of the world. On peaceful nations such as Israel, he obviously feels he must impose his values ...or else no IDF repair parts for you!

The problem for the U.S., is that there is someone far greater to fear than Iran. Israel is the apple of YHVH's eye, not Iran (and certainly not us). Hey, if Obama wants to be on the Lord's bad side, that is his personal choice. I just wish he wouldn't drag the whole nation with him.

"Ho, Zion! Escape, you who are living with the daughter of Babylon." For thus says the LORD of hosts, "After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye. "For behold, I will wave My hand over them so that they will be plunder for their slaves. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me. "Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst," declares the LORD. "Many nations will join themselves to the LORD in that day and will become My people. Then I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. "The LORD will possess Judah as His portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem. "Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD; for He is aroused from His holy habitation." Zech 2:7-13

The headlines have not changed God

Well, the world is a mess. North Korea is rattling its nukes, Obama is pressuring Israel, and Israel is (politely) saying "no." There are wars and rumors of wars.

The thing is, the world has always been a mess. The temptation is to look at the headlines and think things are so much worse today, but the kingdoms of this world have always been opposed to the kingdom of the Lord and of His Christ. At times that opposition has been overt, and at times it has been covert, but it has always been. It is just more apparent that it is so, these days, than we are used to seeing.

But the same God who was our Father yesterday is our Father today, and will be tomorrow. He is on His throne, as He has always been. He is bringing His plans and His purposes to pass, and no madman or devil can alter that fact, no matter how hard they try. No madman or devil can snatch us out of the Father's hand, either. We are safe, no matter our circumstances.

The best thing we can do in times like these, is to press in to Him. To lay aside every weight and sin that so easily besets us, to purify ourselves, and follow hard after Him. To learn His Word, His ways, His truth, and apply it in our lives. To spend time worshiping and praising the greatness of our God, every day, not just once or twice a week in church. For He is good, and His mercy endures forever!

For only He is able to deliver our foot from the snare of the fowler, and to keep our steps from slipping. So let us trust in the Lord with all our hearts, and lean not on our own understanding. In ALL our ways, let us acknowledge (take knowledge) of Him, and He shall direct our paths. Even in these times also.