Thursday, January 22, 2009

Feast of Trumpets and Joseph

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall you have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. You shall do no servile work therein: but you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. (Leviticus 23:23-25)

This is the only feast on the first of a month; the new moon. The first of Tishri was a memorial of blowing trumpets. The passage does not specify what is being memorialized. Traditionally, Jews suspect it commemorates the day Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah, but God provided a two-horned ram instead. A ram's horn is a shofar or trumpet. Others surmise it commemorates the giving of the ten commandments, since a trumpet is involved (Exodus 19:13,16,19), but that has its own celebration: feast of weeks. There was another important day in the history of the Hebrews which scripture associates with blowing trumpets, and that is the day of Joseph's inauguration.

1And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: . . .14Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in to Pharaoh. 15And Pharaoh said to Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of you, that you can understand a dream to interpret it. 16And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. . . . 39And Pharaoh said to Joseph, For as much as God has showed you all this, there is none so discreet and wise as you are: 40You shall be over my house, and according to your word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than you. 41And Pharaoh said to Joseph, See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt. 42And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in clothing of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; 43And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. 44And Pharaoh said to Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without you shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. 45And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. 46And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:1a, 15-16, 39-46)

One translation of Zaphnathpaaneah is 'living bread man' since he was to store the grain to provide bread that would sustain life in Egypt. In one day God took him from the prison to the palace, gave him a wife, and gave him an empire to rule. Though the scripture here does not mention trumpets being blown as Joseph was paraded through the streets; it is clear in Psalms.

3Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. 4For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob. 5This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not. 6I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots. (Psalm 81:3-6)

JESUS' FIRST COMING
Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Bethlehem means 'house of bread,' and the "Bread of Life" was born there on Rosh Hashanah; the Jewish New Year in which kings are crowned (1 Kings 1:34 and 2 Kings 9:13). Like Joseph, Jesus was ridiculed by his brothers. Like Joseph, Jesus' kin left him for dead in the ground. Like Joseph, Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver. Like Joseph, Jesus went into Egypt. Like Joseph, Jesus was falsely accused. For more similarities see http://hugginsnet.com/wiley2/?p=137 .

JESUS' SECOND COMING
Like Joseph, on one day Jesus will arise to rule over the whole world (after "two full years" = 2,000 years) second only to Father-God, and be married to "Asenath" which means "she belongs to her father" (that's us, the Bride). It is a fitting day for the King of kings to reclaim His kingdom on earth at the "last trumpet" when we are gathered unto Him. Those who believe in King Jesus should be watching and ready for His return.

For more information go to www.KneelingMedia.com/AwakeBride/ .

Friday, January 16, 2009

Joseph and Mary and Egypt

The names of Jesus' parents are clues to Jesus' first and second comings.

JESUS' FIRST COMING
Joseph was the Hebrew who was sold into slavery in Egypt, only to rise to reign Egypt and provide a place for the Hebrews to live in abundance during the famine, and save the world from starvation by storing grain. Two hundred fifteen years after his death, a pharaoh arose "who knew not Joseph;" and Moses was born, and Miriam watched over him. [Mara, Maria, Mary, Marjam, and Miriam are all based upon the same root word.] Miriam is not mentioned by name until she sings of God's victory over Egypt's army after crossing the Red Sea.

Both Joseph and Moses are redeemers of the Hebrew people. Joseph became governor of Egypt at age 30, the same age Jesus was baptized as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." God gave Moses instructions to have the Hebrews prepare a lamb and eat the feast of Passover prior to their exodus from Egypt. Note that the Hebrews remained in Egypt during the plagues, but that God made distinction between them and the Egyptians, and those who placed the lamb's blood on their doors so that the angel of death would "pass over" them. The three nights of their travels across the Sinai Peninsula correspond to the three nights Jesus was entombed. Jesus' resurrection morning corresponds to the Hebrews' safe crossing and the destruction of their enemies, when Miriam takes a timbrel and dances and sings of God's victory.

Hosea 11:1 "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt." Just as the Hebrews physically dwelt in Egypt and were brought out safely, so too Jesus dwelt in Egypt for safety and was later called out. Matthew 2:14-15 " 14When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son." As the Bride of Christ we have been called out of darkness into His light (1 Peter 2:9).

JESUS' SECOND COMING
Joseph, son of Jacob, and Mary, daughter of Heli (means 'ascending'), were descendants of King David who was born in Bethlehem. Bethlehem means 'house of bread,' and the "Bread of Life" was born there on Rosh Hashanah; the Jewish New Year in which kings are crowned.

Joseph, ancient Jacob's son, was a faithful son who was sold into slavery. He was a faithful slave who was falsely accused and thrown into prison. In both periods of tribulation (the greater tribulation in prison was for more than two years), Joseph was highly favored and caused to prosper. It was his ability to interpret dreams which led to his release. When Joseph was brought out of prison and made second in command over Egypt, trumpets were blown. The trumpets blown during Rosh HaShanah are a memorial of Joseph reigning over Egypt (Lev. 23:24-25; Genesis 41:46-47,50a; Psalm 81:3-5a; Revelation 11:8,15). Joel chapter 2 combines this celebration with God's Spirit poured out on all flesh so as to dream and prophesy just prior to the Lord's coming.
Though the Bride of Christ may be falsely accused and enslaved and imprisoned during the great tribulation, we can still expect God's gracious hand of favor to be upon us, making a distinction between believers and unbelievers as plagues are released. Several of the plagues mentioned in Revelation were of the ten used upon Egypt.

At His first coming, Jesus fulfilled the three spring feasts and sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, leaving the three fall feasts to be fulfilled with His second coming. The first of the fall feasts is Rosh Hashanah. It is a fitting day for the King of kings to reclaim His kingdom on earth at the "last trumpet" when we are gathered unto Him. Those who believe in King Jesus should be watching and ready for His return.

For more information on the Great Tribulation, go to www.KneelingMedia.com/AwakeBride/.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Proverbs 31 Woman compared to Bride

Get out your Bible and read Proverbs 31:10-31, and see how it relates to Jesus and His Bride.

v10 Jesus found a woman worthy of the bride-price of His precious ruby-red life-blood.
v11 Jesus confides in her as a friend (John 15:15), even with his battle plans.
v12 The Bride is committed to a life-time of good works. (Titus 2:14-15)
v13 The Bride works willingly, motivated by love and compassion. (1 Peter 5:2-4; Hosea 2:9)
v14 The Bride goes the distance for good food. (Psalm 104:26-28)
v15 The Bride awakens before dawn to prepare food and to give instruction.

(Luke 12:42-45)
v16 The Bride expands her food production ability: bread and wine for communion. (Mat. 13:44)
v17 The Bride is solid and steadfast and determined. (Genesis 49:24-26)
v18 The Bride is industrious at night. (Matthew 5:15-16)
v19 The Bride makes coverings. (Psalm 90:17; 1 Peter 4:8)
v20 The Bride gives to the needy. (1 Timothy 5:10)
v21 The Bride does not fear, for Her Family is covered in the scarlet-blood of Christ. (Prov. 3:24-25)
v22 The Bride makes coverings for her Home and herself as Queen. (Ps. 45:9-15)
v23 Jesus, the Bridegroom, shall judge the earth. (Psalms 67:4)
v24 The Bride did business; She worked with her hands and sold her wares.

(1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
v25 The Bride is clothed in Christ's glory, prepared and rejoicing in the last day. (Isaiah 28:5)
v26 The Bride speaks the Truth in love. (Pslams 107:43)
v27 The Bride manages her Household well, and not in idle gossip. (Galatians 6:10; 1 Timothy 5:15)
v28 Converts bless the Bride. The Lord Jesus raves about Her. (1 Tim. 3:15-16; Song of Solomon 4)
v29 The Bride is a Woman of virtue and excellence. (1 Corinthians 9:25)
v30 The Bride reverences her Groom, and He will share His glory with Her. (Zephaniah 3:17-20)
v31 The Bride's works are rewarded. (1 Timothy 2:9-10; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Purim Surprise

In 1973 Syria and Egypt launched a surprise attack against Israel on Yom Kippur, their highest holy day, so there is precedence for the Muslims to attack Israel during Jewish holidays. The eight days of Hanukkah began at sundown on December 21, 2008. On December 24th, the Negev of southern Israel was hit by more than 60 mortar shells and rockets from Gaza. Though some landed close to schools, no one was injured and it was called to a Hanukkah miracle. The "green light" was given to Israel for a series of operations against the Hamas in the Gaza Strip. On December 27, Israel's "Operation Cast Lead" began. The next major holiday is Purim, which precedes the Feasts of Unleavened Bread, Passover, and First Fruits.

I am going to interlace Esther's history of how Purim became a holiday with Jesus' fulfillment of Passover and First Fruits.
On the first month of Nisan on the 13th day Haman and his buddies cast lots (purim) to find the best day to annihilate the Jews; it fell to Adar 13. Haman requested king Ahasuerus (Xerxes) to have all the Jews in his kingdom killed and their properties confiscated. Letters were written in all the languages and sent out so that on the 13th of the twelfth month of Adar all the Jews would be exterminated. (Esther 3:12-14) [Jesus was anointed for His burial.]
Mordecai relays the plot to Esther who requests three days of fasting before she approaches the king unbidden to appeal for her people and possibly be slain right then. (Esther 4:14-17)

Nisan 14 was the first day of the fast. [Jesus was tried, beaten, crucified, and placed in a tomb on the Feast of Passover.]
Nisan 15 was the second day of the fast.
Nisan 16 was the third day of the fast, and Esther approached the king uninvited, but was accepted by the king who was ready to grant her any request, but she arranged a banquet with Haman. (Es. 5:1-4)
This allowed time for Haman's pride to escalate to his own ruin.
On Nisan 17, Esther held a second banquet with Haman and the king in which Haman's evil plans for Mordecai and the Jews are both turned around for their good and Haman's destruction. (Esther 7-9)
[Jesus rose from the dead on the Feast of First Fruits.]

The original letters could not be revoked, so King Xerxes sent a second dispatch which encouraged the Jews throughout his Persian empire to defend themselves against their enemies on Adar 13. Which they did, and the next day they held great festivities and memorialized it as Purim.

The Persian empire (Iran), and its proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah, have vocalized their desire to annihilate the Jews, and have lobbed rockets at Israel. This year Adar 13 will be March 9th. So if the Israelis do not take out Iran's nuclear arsenal before then, Iran (Persia) might attack Israel on Purim, March 9, 2009, for a bit of historical payback.

Psalm 122:6 "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love you."
Like Esther, We need to petition the King of kings to stop the planned extermination of His people. Bride of Christ, Israel needs your prayers for its peace and protection.

For more information on Jewish holidays and future fulfillment, go to
www.KneelingMedia.org/AwakeBride/

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Iran's Trap for Israel

Revelation 6:3-4 "3And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 4And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given to him a great sword."
Sword is machaira in Greek; meaning a large sword (like a machete) for cutting flesh and killing. It is the feminine form of mache, a battle.
Revelation 8:7-8 "7And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. 8And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given to them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth."
Sword is rhomphaia in Greek; meaning a sabre or cutlass, which is comparable to the scimitar. The Persian word for scimitar is shamshir, meaning 'lion's claw'.
Beasts is therion in Greek; meaning wild or venomous beasts. It is based upon thera, which means hunting with a snare or trap, and figuratively to prepare the destruction of men.
Iran has set its trap for the destruction of Israel with Hezbollah in the north (2006 war) and Hamas in the south (Dec. 2008 current war) while Iran prepares the components given to it from Russia and other countries to produce a "great sword". In December, 2008 Russia sold Iran S-300 long-range missiles as an "air defense" system. [http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=5789]
As Iran keeps tormenting Israel into battles, Islam is fomenting its hatred for the Jews worldwide, and most media is playing into their hands. They will eventually turn the whole world against Israel and demand its destruction.
Revelation 16:13-16 "13And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 16And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon."
Although they are bent upon another Holocaust. Jesus will come to deliver His people and to slaughter the unbelievers.
Revelation 17:14 "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful."
Notice just prior to the battle of Armageddon, Jesus tells His Bride to watch for His coming; and when Jesus engages the enemy, His chosen and faithful Bride is with Him to do battle. Wake up, Bride, and keep your garments pure and righteous.

For more info on the rapture of the Bride of Christ, see the lesson on Resurrections and Rapture at www.KneelingMedia.org/AwakeBride/

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Four Horsemen

Revelation 6:1-8 "
1And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. 2And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given to him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. 3And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 4And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given to him a great sword. 5And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and see a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6And I heard a voice in the middle of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see you hurt not the oil and the wine. 7And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. 8And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given to them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth."

The four horsemen have already begun, and roughly correspond to the "birth pangs" of Matthew 24:4-12. They precede the 3 1/2 year Great Tribulation. Though Islamic terrorists had bombed many embassies worldwide, it was the attack on September 11, 2001 (Rosh HaShanah was a week later) which awakened the world to the "peaceful" white horse of Islam attempting to conquer the world without "arrows" (nukes). To view Islam's toll of conquest, visit http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/ which keeps track of each attack worldwide. This leads us to the red horse of terrorism which has "taken peace from the earth." Not content to just kill infidels, the Muslims also kill other Muslims ("they should kill one another"). On September 11, 2006 a 12-year-old boy was among six people murdered by a suicide bomber at a funeral for a previous victim of a suicide bombing in Afghanistan; thirty-six were wounded.

Joel 3:2,9,12 "I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. Proclaim you this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about."
"On September 11, 2008 US Consul General Jacob Walles admitted during an interview with a Palestinian newspaper that there were secret negotiations taking place to divide Jerusalem. The US State Department and Israeli officials were quick to deny such negotiation. Consul General Walles is second in command under the US ambassador to Israel and knows what is going on. I feel he let "the cat out of the bag." Walles statement was in perfect agreement with Secretary Rice's actions.
This admission by the Consul General was on Thursday, September 11. At the very time of this admission, Hurricane Ike was rushing toward Texas. This was a massive hurricane 600 miles wide! It struck late Friday and the eye went directly up Galveston Bay. Entire towns were destroyed and Houston was crippled. The rippling effect is not known at this time. The damaged is estimated now at $20 billion and counting. This was bad enough but then Lehman Brothers, one of the largest Wall Street banks, collapsed right on the heels of the hurricane. Then the domino effect hit the stock market." [John McTernan from http://johnmcternansinsights.blogspot.com/ ]

Again it was during the "days of awe" between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (Sept. 29 and Oct. 9, 2008) that the black horse of economic ruin traveled the globe. (Was it just Democrats causing runs on banks to create economic uncertainty to shift the focus off of the war in Iraq so that their candidate would be elected? Or were rich terrorists making large computer transactions ½ hour before closing for twelve days? Who are the private owners of the Federal Reserve Bank?) There may yet come a blight on wheat and barley until it gets to the point where "daily bread" will cost a day's wages (Rev. 6:6). Israel has a native plants conservatory which will help them replant.

Then comes the pale horse of Death. Currently Islam has a majority in one fourth of the world. [http://abuusamah.wordpress.com/2008/01/18/world-muslim-population/] Russia still has a large Muslim population even after all the "-istan" secessions. Current Muslim world population is estimated between 21% [http://www.geocities.com/richleebruce/b/islam.html] and 27% [http://www.islamicpopulation.com/]. And in those parts of the world in which Islam has power, it is killing through war and famine. All this chaos before the 3 1/2 year clock of the Great Tribulation even begins.

Jesus, the Lamb of God was born on Rosh HaShanah, September 11, 3 B.c. and He will return after the Great Tribulation as the Lion of the tribe of Judah to rescue the righteous and to destroy the wicked. His Bride needs to wake up and live righteously and lovingly, and proclaim the good news of grace in Jesus while there is still time.
For information on Christ's birth, see Biblical Astronomy at
www.KneelingMedia.org/AwakeBride/