THE SONG OF MOSES

In the book of Revelation it is revealed that just prior to the seven last plagues, believers are standing before the throne of God singing The Song of Moses and the Lamb. And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. Revelation 15:1-4 Moses knew as he spoke with the children of Israel that after his death they would become corrupt. He even goes on to insert a prophecy of their outcome in the latter days. He says that evil will befall them because of the evil that they are doing. INTRODUCTION TO THE SONG OF MOSES For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands. And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended. Deuteronomy 31:29-30 These words were important then and as the book of Revelation announces, they will be important in the end. That is why we need to pray and read these words, perhaps over and over again. Decipher and dissect and make sure we understand. Our future depends on our understanding of these words. This is Our Father speaking. It is important to him. If you don’t understand something, pray, and if you are sincere, he will make clear to you what you do not understand. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5 THE SONG OF MOSES 1 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: 3 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. 4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. 5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. 6 Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee? 7 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee. 8 When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. 9 For the LORD'S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. 10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. 11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: 12 So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. 13 He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; 14 Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape. 15 But Jeshurun (extremely happy or blessed) waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. 16 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger. 17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not. 18 Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. 19 And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters. 20 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. 21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. 22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. 23 I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them. 24 They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust. (Satan is the serpent along with his fallen angels) 25 The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs. 26 I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:(Where and who are these people who have forgotten who they are?) 27 Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the LORD hath not done all this. 28 For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them. 29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! 30 How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up? 31 For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. 32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter: 33 Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps. 34 Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures? 35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. 36 For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left. 37 And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted, 38 Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection. 39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. 40 For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever. 41 If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. 42 I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy. 43 Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people. 44 And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun. 45 And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel:

Promises to Overcomers of the 7 Churches

Watering the Garden PROMISES TO OVERCOMERS OF THE 7 CHURCHES In the book of Revelation seven churches are presented describing their good points and their bad along with several promises to the overcomers of each of these churches. We need to absorb them and read them often letting them become alive in our minds. Scriptures concerning promises to the 7 churches Ephesus - To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Smyrna - He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. Pergamos - To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. Thyatira - And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. Sardis - He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before the angels. Philadelphia - Him that overcometh will I make a Pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. Laodicean - To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Revelation 2 and 3) WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED? There are incredible rewards promised to the overcomers in the 7 churches. Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this study of His word, Amen. Susan

Three Earth Ages

THREE EARTH AGES This world is millions of years old. Christians have caused a lot of confusion and lost many souls, especially our youth, in our attempt to convince them that this world is only six thousand years old. It does not fit. There is no dispute between God's Word and genuine science. Our young go off to college and often begin to believe that all that they have been taught concerning God and the Bible is not true because they see evidence to the contrary concerning the age of this earth. Evidence does confirm that flesh man has been here for approximately six thousand years, but that this earth has been around for millions of years. From the scriptures we discover that there are three periods of time, or ages, described. We are now in the second age. Finding ourselves in this age is a result of what took place in the first earth age and where we end up in the third earth age is determined by what we do in this period of time. There is evidence that animals were present in the flesh during the first earth age because of the fossils that are found. There are places in this country such as the Ashfall, Nebraska Park where fossils that are not normal to the US have been found. You can check this out at http://ashfall.unl.edu/. In Siberia and Alaska Wooly Mammoth have been discovered with buttercups still in their stomach showing that something happened quickly to cause their demise. Another site that you may want to check is http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19077439 concerning Palm Trees at one time grew in Antarctica. God spoke to Job concerning the first earth age. It must have been a pleasant time for man. “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? 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?” (Job 38:4-7)(Note the word “stars”)The stars are his children.

Something went terribly wrong which angered Our Father and the beautiful first earth age came to an end. Scriptures indicate that Satan was the culprit who rebelled and caused all of this to come about. Note again the word “stars” described in Isaiah which reads, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, 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 brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?” (Isaiah 14:12-16) Our Father makes it clear to us again in the book of Isaiah where it reads, "For thus saith 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) He did not create the earth in vain or emptiness. In documentaries on the History Chanel or on the Discovery Channel, scientists confirm that something catastrophic happen approximately twelve to fifteen thousand years ago. The book of Jeremiah speaks of this catastrophic event when everything was destroyed. This is not Noah’s flood because in this scripture there was no man or bird left. “I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger. (Jeremiah 4:23-26) Note that there were cities that had existed. Peter also spoke of this upheaval when he wrote, “For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: (2nd Peter 3:5-6) That world age ended. One small word in the first verse of the Bible clears up a lot of the confusion concerning this. The scripture reads, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:1-2) What word is it? It is the word “was”. Many of the King James Bible’s have that word marked out to the side indicating that the word could also mean “became”. Check out some older King James Bibles and you will see this to be true. Let’s take a look at that word in the Hebrew Strong Concordance. It is the word hayah, pronounced ha-ya. Here are the meanings described: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass b) to come about, come to pass 2) to come into being, become a) to arise, appear, come b) to become 1) to become 2) to become like 3) to be instituted, be established 3) to be a) to exist, be in existence b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) d) to accompany, be with b) (Niphal) 1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 2) to be done, be finished, be gone Now let’s take a look at the scripture with the word changed to “became” and see the difference it makes. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth became without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Scripture does not say when the beginning was, only God knows when and how, but he did not create the earth void and without form. It became void and without form after Satan’s rebellion. Now let's take a look at the word void. From the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance: vain and without form: Hebrew word # 8414 tohuw (to'-hoo); from an unused root meaning to lie waste; a desolation (of surface), i.e. desert; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain: formlessness, confusion, unreality. Again, He did not create the world void. It became void. The Bible teaches us that a thousand years is as a day to the Lord, “For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. (Psalms 90:4) And, also in the book of Peter we find, “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2nd Peter 3:8) The book of Genesis teaches that the creation of this earth age took seven days. If this were to be considered one day as if a thousand years then creation or the first seven days would have actually been seven thousand years including the day that God rested. This helps make things fall into place a lot clearer. It is believed that man has been here approximately six thousand years and we tack on the seven thousand years of creation that would make this earth age approximately thirteen or fourteen thousand years old, which coincides with what scientists say as to when the great catastrophe which took place. In no way is this indicating reincarnation, only that we existed in the past and continue to exist now and in the future. In the first earth age as a spirit soul, in the second earth age as a flesh soul and in the third earth age as a spirit soul once more. Also, since God said, “Let us make man in our image,” we continue to look the same. That is why the angels that appear off and on in the Bible look just like us only in their spiritual form. Consider also the many scriptures in the Old Testament, which, when speaking of death state that those who have died “returned to their fathers” or were “gathered to his people” or “join the fathers”. The exciting part of our existence is the world age to come. There are many, many promises in the Bible concerning this. John writes in the book of Revelation. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” (Revelation 21:1-7) In the book of Hebrews it is described how this earth was shook previously and will be shaken again, but this time heaven will be shaken also. "Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain." (Hebrews 12:26-27) In conclusion, “He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) I have found another study on this that you may find interesting. It is at http://www.biblestudysite.com/1stage.htm. Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this study of His word, Amen. Susan

2 Witnesses of the End Times

TWO WITNESSES OF THE END TIMES In the book of Revelation when the sixth trumpet is sounded there are two of three woes described. During the time of the 2nd woe it speaks of two witnesses that shall appear on the earth for 1,260 days. These two are also called the two olive trees or two candlesticks spoken of in book of Zachariah in the Old Testament. Words spoken out of their mouths will overcome or devour their enemies who try to harm them. It also says that they have power to shut heaven, that it does not rain during the days of their prophecy and that they have power, as Moses did, over water to turn it to blood. They also have power to smite the earth with plagues, as often as they choose. As soon as the two witnesses have completed their testimony it declares that Satan, as the anti-christ, will have them killed in Jerusalem and that no one will bury them. Apparently these two are not going to be very well liked because it states that people will be celebrating when they are killed. They will lie for three and a half days and then rise from the dead. When they rise from the dead a (paralyzing fear*) will fall on the people of the earth. (*From the Greek word) This is probably going to be televised. We have to ask ourselves; will we be paralyzed in fear or rejoicing with the two witnesses because it is time for Jesus Christ to return. Scripture: And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. (Revelation 11:3-13) Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. (Zechariah 4:11-14) WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED? Two witnesses, who will be annoying to most, will appear on earth just before the return of Jesus Christ. We need to watch for them and be prepared to listen to them realizing that we will either rejoice or fear when they are murdered and rise after 3 days. Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this study of His word, Amen. Susan

WHAT ABOUT THE ANIMALS

We pet owners’ desire answers concerning the fate of our dear pets, which we love. As we search the scriptures we find there is no concrete, beyond the shadow of doubt evidence as to what happens to them. But, as we search deeper, we find the clues are there. We read from I Corinthians 15:39 that all flesh is not the same. We were told there are four different types of flesh: man, animal, fish and birds. Throughout the scriptures it is made clear that God is pleased with, and places great value on, the animals he has created. He says, “For every beast of the forest is mine and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.” (Psalms 50:10-11) There are countless animals and birds on this earth, and we discover that records are also being kept of them. Jesus spoke of the insignificant sparrow as having value. “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” (Matthew 10:29) and also “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” (Luke 12:6) God loves and is proud of his creation. We are able to read and more fully understand that admiration in Job 39, where he speaks to Job out of a whirlwind and elaborates on several different animals including goats, donkeys, peacocks, ostriches, horses and hawks and also the dinosaur, if you look closely. We also read in the book of Numbers how the Lord made Balaam’s donkey to speak with him. It is amazing. A person has to wonder, if all animals could speak what they would have to say. Would many speak of unfair treatment? It is amusing and fascinating that poor Balaam could not see the angel, but the donkey could. Another donkey which not much thought is usually given to was used to fulfill prophecy. Several hundred years before the birth of Jesus Christ the Prophet Zechariah spoke these words, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. (Zechariah 9:9) That insignificant colt of an ass, or donkey, played a very significant roll in the life of Jesus Christ. Two miraculous things to consider is the fact that it is not normal for a person to ride a colt which has not been ridden previously and also the instructions of what exact words to use to acquire the donkey from those with whom it belonged. You could say it all appears arranged which it was. And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. (Matthew 21:1-10) An interesting observation from the Bible is the fact that the animals were created before man was created. In the book of Genesis it reads, “And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:24-25) It was good. The vast number of animals that were created is mind boggling. The descriptions are unending. A person has to believe that God had a lot of fun creating the animals. The book of Genesis continues on to explain that, just as with man, the animals were given food to sustain them. “And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.” (Genesis 1:30) We also discover that, just as he did with us humans, God formed the animals from the ground. “And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field.” Genesis 2:19-20) We read from the scriptures that the animals were also destroyed along with man during the flood of Noah. “And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” (Genesis 6:7) “And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:” (Genesis 7:21) What is interesting to consider is that the promise, which God made after the flood, was not only to man, but to the animals as well. “And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you and with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.” (Genesis 9:9-11) As a gift, the animals were delivered into the hands of man. Man was given dominion over all God’s creation. We read, “And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.” (Genesis 9:2) This is also declared in the Psalms. “Thou madest him (man) to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou has put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.” (Psalms 8:6-8) With this gift, we were also given the responsibility to respect the authority given to us over the animals and never to be cruel. “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” (Proverbs 12:10) Another surprising discovery is that animals, as well as man, are to give an account for the shedding of man’s blood. The scripture reads: “And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” (Genesis 9:5-6) Adding to the uniqueness of animals, we read in the book of Jeremiah how the animals appear more able to follow their instincts than man is able to use common sense. “Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.” (Jeremiah 8:7) In the Psalms we are informed that God takes care of the animals as well as man. “Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.” (Psalms 36:6) It is hard to imagine, as we read at the beginning of this writing, that not one bird falls without it being recorded. The birds and animals are also in the books. So what can we conclude happens to the animals? God promises, in the world to come, that the animals will exist and that they will be at peace with man and with each other. It is not easy for us to envision the cows, bears, wolves, leopards and lambs hanging out together, but the scriptures say it is so. In the book of Isaiah it reads: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.” (Isaiah 11:6-7) There will be no more carnivores. And, again it is written in Isaiah: “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.” (Isaiah 65:25) The book of Hosea may help shed some light on the fate of the animals. Hosea stipulates that God is going to make a covenant of peace with the animals. For all of us with pets, here is where I believe our confirmation, as far as what happens to our pets, can be found. Hosea writes: “And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things on the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.” (Hosea 2:18) If we consider this, it is logical to conclude that this pertains to the animals alive on the earth, then and now. Why make the promise to them if it doesn't pertain to them? Paul concludes that all creation has the desire for that day when they will be redeemed. He writes: “Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” (Romans 8:21-23) For all of us who have loved and lost animals we read again, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” (Luke 12:6) He remembers them. Why remember them if they were just to be tossed and forgotten? Why keep records if there were no future for them?

THE SEALING

Watering the Garden
THE SEALING

Just prior to the return of Jesus Christ and the day of the Lord, the book of Revelation describes a sealing that is to take place in the foreheads or in the minds of 144,000 of his servants from the tribes of Israel. These would have to be followers of Jesus Christ or they wouldn’t be his servants.

And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea. Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them, which were sealed; and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Revelation 7:1-4

Seven seals are described. It would be profitable to familiarize yourself with them by reading the scriptures. After the sealing has taken place the 7 trumpets begin to sound and the action begins. Continuing on we read of the 7 vials and 7 thunders. The 7 seals are an advance warning of what is about to happen, but are not necessarily in chronological order.

After the sealing takes place the instructions are given that the only ones that can be harmed are those who do not have the seal of God in their forehead.
Revelation 9:4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have NOT the seal of God in their foreheads.

We find a similar situation occurred in the book of Ezekiel only Ezekiel describes a mark instead of a seal. The important thing to note is the reason for the mark. It was to identify the people who cared and shed tears about what was going on in the world.

And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brazen alter. And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side; And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women; but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin with my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men, which were before the house. And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city. And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord GOD! Wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem? Then said he unto me, the iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not. And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head. And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me. Ezekiel 9:2-11

We have to ask ourselves, do we care? Do we know? Have we been sealed with
the truth concerning the trumpets, vials and thunders?


Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

TREES

Watering the Garden
TREES
There are many references to trees in the Bible. In searching the scriptures more in depth, it was surprising to discover that there are a lot more then can be put in this writing, but we will cover many.

Throughout the Bible Our Father often uses nature as a symbol or example. We find that the tree and/or trees are used as a description of God, of man, Satan and Jesus. It begins with the story that we are all familiar with in the first book in the Bible, Genesis, and ends in the last book in the Bible, Revelation. The tree of Life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil are described in Genesis, but interestingly we find that only the tree of Life is mentioned in the book of Revelation. “And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” (Genesis 2:9)
The warning is given to Adam and Eve by God not to partake of the tree of good and evil or they would die. “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:17)
This is where the first deception began. They were deceived by the serpent, or Satan, who told Adam and Eve that God was lying to them and they would not die, but that they would become wise and they believed the lie. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” (Genesis 3:6)

It is verified in other scriptures that the serpent in the Garden was Satan. One of the places this is revealed is in the book of Ezekiel. “To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.” (Ezekiel 31:18) Another is in Revelation. “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Revelation 12:9)

In the world to come the promise is given to those who overcome by keeping His commandments that they will eat of the tree of life which has leaves that are said to heal the nations. “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7) and also, “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:2) “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14)

It is revealed that at the return of Jesus Christ the trees will sing. “Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.” (1st Chronicles 16:33) We find also in the Psalms, “Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.” (Psalms 96:12-13)

We find a heartwarming example of Jesus and his relationship to the church in the book of the Song of Solomon. “As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.” (Song of Solomon 2:3-4)

In God’s promise concerning the destruction of Lucifer the fir trees and cedars are described as rejoicing. “Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us. Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!” (Isaiah 14:3-12)

In this beautiful scripture found in Isaiah the trees are described as clapping their hands as the word of God is revealed. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” (Isaiah 55:6-13)

Speaking of the glory of Jesus Christ in the book of Isaiah we read that the meek, those who mourn, and the brokenhearted, as well as the captive who are bound and whose spirits are heavy will one day be called the trees of righteousness. “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1-3)

An impressive description of trees is found in the book of Ezekiel. All the trees are said to one day KNOW that the Lord God will do what he purposes by bringing down the high tree, exalting the low tree, drying up the green tree, and making the dry tree to flourish “Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent: In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell. And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it.” (Ezekiel 17:22-24)

In a prophecy concerning the latter days Joel describes the damage caused by the enemies of God who will strip his tree bare and burn his trees. “The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel. Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers? Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation. That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten. Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth. For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion. He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white.” (Joel 1:1-7) and it is continued, “O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.” (Joel 1:19)

We discover further words of prophecy are revealed concerning Two Olive trees that are described to represent two witnesses or two anointed ones who are to appear in the end times. “Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” (Zechariah 4:11-14) In addition we find in the book of Revelation. “These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.” (Revelation 11:4)

In the books of Matthew and Luke Jesus presents a dire warning using trees as an example. “And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (Matthew 3:10) (This is also found in Luke 3:9)

We find a blind man, who is in the process of being healed by Jesus, making a curious statement comparing man to trees. We have to ask, why did he see this? “And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.” (Mark 8:22-26)

After Jesus had made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem and completed a visit to the temple he and his twelve disciples went to Bethany. The next day, just prior to his overthrowing the tables in the temple, we hear him speak a strange message to a fig tree teaching us a lesson concerning prayer, faith and forgiveness, but also as is found in the following scripture, a deeper message concerning the fig tree. “And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. And when even was come, he went out of the city. And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:12-26)

Again the fig tree is used by Jesus to provide us with prophecy concerning a sign of the end times. It is believed by most scholars that this is representative of Israel returning to its homeland and becoming a nation once more. “And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:29:36)

More intriguing information concerning the fig tree can be found in the 24th chapter of Jeremiah. Again, Bible scholars believe this is speaking of what happened in 1948 when Israel returned to her homeland. A question we need to ask ourselves is, “Who are the bad figs”? “The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon. One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil. Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good.” (Jeremiah 1:1-5) For additional information read the entire chapter.

We discover a message concerning evil angels and those who are evil in the last days in the book of Jude. These evil ones are described as trees whose fruit has withered. “These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;” (Jude 1:12)

In the book of Revelation an angel with the seal of The Living God gives this message to the four angels sent to hurt the earth. “Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” (Revelation 7:3) Could these trees be mankind? Continuing it reads in chapter seven. “The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.” (Revelation 8:7)

Speaking of backslidden Israel in the book of Hosea God says they will be as an olive tree and that he is like a green fir tree. “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.” (Hosea 14:4-9)

I encourage you to observe a tree. Take a closer look at all the trees. The trees are full of Y’s. Every tree is made up of Y’s and V’s. Fix your eyes upon them and consider Our Father. We see him in every tree. We have a lot in common with the tree. What a blessing! Our Father’s name in the King James Bible is JAH which in the Hebrew is YAH. “Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, (YAH) and rejoice before him.” (Psalms 68:4)

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalms 1:1-3) If we delight in His Word this comparison and promise is given to us.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan