Summary of Bible references on the Rapture

[ZNP]

Example of the Corporate punishment of the Angels, part 2

Jude 6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.

Three views of this passage, part 2

3. Genesis 6:1-4 -- Noah's flood was because the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair and took them wives of all which they chose. This term in Hebrew for "sons of God" is always used of angels. When the Septuagint translated these other uses they translated it as angels. The offspring of this union were giants, the Nephilim. They gave birth to something unnatural. The word Nephilim means "the fallen ones". Hence angels leaving their appropriate domain and give birth to something bizarre.

This union clearly has a physical component. However, the apostasy is about "doctrines of demons". We receive the word into us and the word of God grows within us. Well Satan has a counterfeit word. God sows wheat into his field and Satan sows tares. We live by every word of God and Satan wants to replace that word with old wives tales and fables and myths. You think this is not dangerous, but look where it leads. Look at what is going on today with lawlessness, those who are calling good evil and evil good. Why do you think the kids lose their trust in the parents? If you are not reliable, if when they trusted you fully they later discover you lied to them and as a result their friends laugh at them then you can see how this could be a wedge between parents and kids. The same person who told me about Santa is now going to tell me about Jesus? I don't think so.

Anakim are also the giants, Goliath and his four brothers are of this group. The term that Noah was "perfect in his generations" indicates his DNA had not been tarnished with Nephilim. This gives you a picture of Noah's day which is bizarre. People lived for hundreds of years.

Anyway there is an interesting correlation between this verse in Jude and Greek mythology of the Titans who were bound and sent to Tartarus. The chaldean term Titan is equivalent to the Hebrew term Satan. The goal here is for Satan to contaminate man's seed. In the next verse Jude says "in a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion". The implication is that this is the nature of the sin of the angels in verse 6.

So, what is the point? The Bible warns very much against meddling with the spirit world. You do not know what you are doing. Like drugs, they will hook you and destroy you. Flee all occultic things, party games, horoscopes, etc. Even subtle, innocent things can be devastating. If you deceive a kid about Santa that could damage them in receiving the Lord. For example the Exorcist was based on several case studies, at least one of which was a result of people playing with a Weegie board. These things are dangerous because they are driven by demonic, evil spiritual forces. Paul calls them "seducing spirits'. Any doctrine that is not Biblically sound has a very malevolent source. Pseudo Christian doctrines that are only 1 degree off will cause you to really get off course over time. The protection from this is the whole council of God. You make a gigantic mistake if you underestimate him.

Jude's point is to emphasize the serious nature of apostasy.

 

[ZNP]

 

[ZNP]

Corporate Punishment -- Sodom and Gomorrah

Jude 7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

This word is not written to Hollywood, or Madison Avenue, or Las Vegas Casinos. It is written to the believers in Christ! This word is to the church! This is not a warning given to the unsaved world, it is a warning given to the redeemed of the Lord! We have already learned that these men will "turn the grace of God into lasciviousness". Many of us have seen and become alarmed by this. We are not talking about some member of the congregation caught up in sin secretly, no we are talking about the pastors and leaders openly flaunting a reprobate lifestyle. Apostasy is thought of as doctrinal error and heresy, but Jude makes it clear it will be manifested by fleshly lusts and lasciviousness. We saw it with the example of Israel in the wilderness, we saw it with the Angels who fell and we see it with Sodom and Gomorrah. One symptom of apostasy is sexual immorality and perversion. Many think that the history of a Christmas tree being used in idol worship doesn't matter because to them it is simply a decoration. They think they are strong and wiser than the demons and evil spirits. They look at all of these pagan practices as trivial, no the real problem is the sexual immorality and perversion. It is linked, just like a flu that kills you begins with a very tiny virus. They corrupt themselves with brute beasts.

Once again let us not think this is some ancient history. The pedophile priests in the Catholic church demonstrated that this is definitely true of people claiming to be Christians today. There have been many contemporary Christian leaders caught up in perversion and defiling themselves with the flesh walking after their own lusts.

Apostasy begins with unbelief in the word of God but it ends with physical degradation. If you want to deal with the physical degradation you have to dig down to the root cause. Jude is using Sodom and Gomorrah as a reference point for apostasy. In other words if we look at these three examples that are given to us we can compare them with modern examples of apostasy. Some churches will be like the Israelites in the wilderness balking at the Lord's word to enter the good land, some will be snared up in occultic and evil spirits and some will be like Sodom and Gomorrah.

What is the feast of unleavened bread? You remove all the leaven out of your house. That means we would clean up all the perversion and lasciviousness, we would remove all the occultic practices, we would sweep up all the unbelief and then that would lead us to seeing we had picked up many pagan practices that were not of God. Get rid of those also. If you are serious about removing the leaven these pagan practices must go.

So to get a better handle let's consider Lot. He was with Abraham but at some point decided to separate himself from Abraham. He lifted up his eyes and chose the plain of Jordan. He thought he had a better place, a better idea, and so he peeled off from Abraham. The apostate churches have a history that traces back to a spiritual walk and you can see a time when there was a fork in the road and they began to peel off. Even if you are just slightly off over time you will end up very far away from God. Meanwhile Abraham chose the heights of Hebron (communion).

Lot is called "a righteous man" and God goes to some lengths to save Lot. He then chooses to dwell in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent towards Sodom. There is a war, Lot is taken captive and then rescued by Abraham and yet three chapters later Lot is there as a city alderman sitting in the city gate. This is a picture, many churches have become very influential in the major cities. They have an open door with the mayor, they are politically active. They have descended into the plain and set their tent towards the city. Now if you tell them this they will get quite offended because it is a fundamental reason they peeled off from Abraham. They believe that Christians should not be up on Mount Hebron (the mountain of communion) but rather get down in the plain and involved in the city. It is a fundamental tenet of something called "dominion theology" which is a very modern example of apostasy. We are ambassadors of the kingdom, we are not here making our home here and trying to bring in the kingdom through political reform.

That said we learn that Abraham is well trained in the art of war, has 318 soldiers as part of his household, take charge and leads them against these kings and defeats them. These apostasy groups complain about Christians that you have to do something and can't just worship God. Yet they are untrained and easy prey whereas Abraham is well trained with the full armor of God. God says that Abraham will become a great and mighty nation in whom all the nations of the earth will be blessed because he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord. This is where apostasy comes in, you don't command your children, you don't command your household, you don't keep the way of the Lord.

But let's return to Sodom and these churches who are involved in the politics trying to reform the city. The Lord said "if I find 50 righteous in the city then I will spare the place for their sakes". All these social justice warriors who think they are so righteous, they are deceiving themselves. The only way sinful man can be right with God is with constant fellowship and communion. Ultimately God says "I will not destroy it for ten's sake". What a pathetic testimony these churches have, they didn't even have ten righteous! In the end only 3 were saved and only one was said to be "righteous".

This is a great lesson for us. We think we are right in the way we have chosen. OK, what is the fruit of that ministry. I'm not interested in how many people in the service, how big the mega church is, just want to know how many righteous are there that would actually make a difference in the city?

To sit in the gate indicated Lot was part of the country board of supervisors or a city official. Then when they say they will abide in the street all night it was like saying you were going to take a walk through Central Park at 10pm. Lot knew the city was far too dangerous for that. We then learn the city is filled with perverts surrounding the house. Then the mob basically says to Lot you are an outsider, get out of the way or we'll rape you too.

It is important part of the story -- the messengers from the Lord had a mission, to find the righteous, tell them God was going to destroy the city and to get out, and when Lot shares this message with the sons in Law "he seemed as one that mocked". They thought it was a big joke. The angels had to drag Lot and his daughters and wife out of the city.

Lot was "vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked". This is a very clear symptom of the apostasy. If you are vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked know that you are living in the apostasy. Read the posts of many on this forum and you can see they are vexed.

 

[ZNP]

Deuteronomy 12:29 When Jehovah thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest in to dispossess them, and thou dispossessest them, and dwellest in their land; 30 take heed to thyself that thou be not ensnared to follow them, after that they are destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How do these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. 31 Thou shalt not do so unto Jehovah thy God: for every abomination to Jehovah, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters do they burn in the fire to their gods.

 

[ZNP]

Is Apostasy related to sexual perversion?

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

We have seen several examples of people attempting to suppress the truth on this thread. Gaslighting is one way, this is where you keep repeating a lie until others believe it. Look at what I have shared and look at what I am accused of sharing. They are two different things. This is gaslighting. Personal attacks is a second, accusing someone of being a false prophet, a liar, etc., etc. Then there was a blatant attempt to hijack the thread by posting about tornadoes as though that had anything to do with this. There are many threads with discussions I am not interested to participate in, I just ignore them. But these ones are unable to ignore this. Why?

19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Everyone on earth can know God's eternal power and divine nature by looking at the creation. There are many examples of people coming to the Lord based on the testimony of creation. For example mathematicians have looked at the odds of complex proteins forming due to random mutation, compared that with how many seconds there are in 13 billion years (estimated age of the universe) and have come to the conclusion that we have a very real problem with the theory of evolution.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

This is what the apostasy is, they didn't glorify God as God, nor did they give thanks to Him. But their thinking became futile. Many translations translate that as vain imaginations. The main defense made for the Christmas tree is that it is simply a decoration without any meaning or significance, it is "vanity". Does anyone truly believe that the Christmas tree has no meaning or significance in the celebration of this holiday? Maybe they do. These people claim they are wiser and more mature than the believers who refuse to get involved in these extra biblical practices. They are those who are stronger in the faith, they eat mean, whereas those who don't have Christmas trees are weaker in the faith. They are referring to a verse where Paul says if the believer sees you eating at an idol temple. In Taiwan most restaurants have a little altar where they put an offering to their pagan God. I never worried about that, however, I didn't put one of those altars in my own house. By saying this they are admitting that the Christmas tree is a pagan altar that they have set up in their own house! How foolish! Then what do they decorate this tree with? Gold, tinsel, lights, and little ornaments of things that look like mortal human beings, birds, animals and reptiles. But of course, "they are the ones who are stronger in the faith".

24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

This leads to sexual immorality. This is why the Bible equates fornication with idolatry. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie. Everyone who is older than six knows that all those Santa Claus stories are a lie. Everyone who is honest knows that putting gifts under the Christmas Tree is the same as putting gifts on an altar to an idol, you are worshipping and serving created things rather than the Creator who is forever praised. Amen.

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

But it gets worse, the church becomes Sodom and Gomorrah. They think they are rich and wise and in need of nothing and don't realize they are naked and blind.

28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

And it gets worse. Yes, this is the apostasy, it begins with suppressing the truth and ends up down here. Not only do they do these things but they approve of those who practice them. They call good evil and evil good. The world is turned upside down and in response God will turn the world upside down and scrape them off like wiping a plate into the garbage.

 

[ZNP]

Jude 8 In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings.

This refers back to vers 4 where Jude says that these ones had secretly crept into the church and this is why he was compelled to share about the apostasy even though what he had intended to do was talk about the salvation once for all delivered.

Pollute their own bodies

You cannot believe in prophecy and evolution. They are antithetical. in the same way the creation and the second coming imply God intervening in human history. Those that defile the flesh will spout off things like secular humanism, evolution, and God has nothing to do with man. Gal 5:19-20 gives you a list of what defiling the flesh means.

Reject authority

Ultimate authority is that every knee shall bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. God sets up authorities. Some are arguing that this is why we should get the vaccine, but the mandate is a very clear violation of God's authority. The Nuremberg codes prohibit mandating an experimental vaccine. Courts have repeatedly determined that Biden has violated his constitutional authority. Reject authority is not talking about Biden, it is talking about the office of President and the authority vested in those people by the constitution. If you violate the constitution you have rejected the authority of the constitution and by extension your own authority. The apostates speak in judgement of authority. For example, Satan is "the accuser of the brethren". If you accuse the brethren are you doing the work of Satan? The ultimate dignity that they rail against is Jesus Christ, this was illustrated in the two stories I posted about SNL mocking the Lord's birth and a gang rape of Roger Stone's wife.

This book of Jude is written to believers for our learning.

 

[ZNP]

Jude 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

What a very strange verse. It is directly related to verse 8 which talks about the apostates speaking evil of dignities. Titus tells us we should speak evil of no man (Titus 3:2).

This matter is so special that it requires its own verse to emphasize it. Once again I would repeat that the SNL skits mocking the birth of Jesus and talking about raping Roger Stone's wife are examples of railing against dignities. Already the point that Jude gives us many references that are not in the Bible like this one of Michael and the devil disputing over Moses body. Well the SNL skits are also not in the Bible. Anyone who speaks on the Bible will often refer to events the readers are familiar with and yet are not in the Bible. However, this is not simply a Bible teacher illustrating a point, this is Jude who was given the burden from the Lord to share this word with us, a word that has become part of the covenant. Also, even though it refers to Moses body this is not part of the Old Covenant, it is part of our New Covenant. This is a point of common ground with Jude and his readers at the time he wrote this just as I have done with the SNL skits that were referenced previously in this thread.

This is stunning, Michael dared not bring a railing accusation against the devil. This is amazing, what many in the church want to do is pretend Satan is not there, this is not an idol, we are not involved in apostasy, etc. Big mistake. On the other hand many will rail against dignities and speak evil of men. Yes, it is true that these celebrations have pagan roots and yes it is true that we have been told very specifically to flee idolatry and that there is no communion between the table of idols and the table of the Lord. All that is true. But what is also true is that Jesus is Lord. He is the one that will rebuke them. In the meantime we need to learn to follow the Lord, hold to His word, and obey His commands.

Michael is no wimp, he is the warrior angel, and he was on a mission from God, yet even so he respects the chain of command. To me it is just like Lot thinking his mission is to reform Sodom and not stay on the mountain of communion. Abraham was no wimp and when Lot is taken captive Abraham leads his own band of warriors to go defeat four kings and rescue Lot.

So why is it that everyone knows what Jude is talking about? The Bible tells us that Enoch was a prophet prior to the flood and that Noah was a preacher. We have many prophets and preachers, their messages are not part of the New Testament, that doesn't mean they aren't the word of God and instructive for us. The New Testament is our covenant, just because something is not in the New Testament does not mean it isn't the word of God. The test is that no word of God will contradict either the Old or New Testament. For example Paul tells us that Jesus said "it is more blessed to give than to receive" yet it is not recorded in the gospels. Another example is Janus and Jambres, the two magicians that turned their rods into snakes. Their names are not in the Torah but they are in Timothy. In the old testament we see this drought at the time of Elijah and Ahab. However, you don't learn that it was a response to Elijah's prayers until the book of James. Acts 7 is another example of Stephen giving us all kinds of insights into the Old Testament that you would not otherwise get.

Michael is the Archangel, meaning chief angel. The name means "he who is like unto God". The first mention is Daniel 10 -- a chapter that pulls the curtain back from the powers and spiritual warfare behind the curtain. There are these spiritual powers behind every country and every government. This angel got help from Michael in his warfare with the prince of Persia. Michael is introduced as having a mission to fight for God's people collectively and specifically for Israel.

In Revelation 12 we see that Michael fights against Satan and is in charge of kicking him out of heaven. I believe this battle is going on right now behind the scenes, this is why there are "rumors of war". This will become visible for all to see at this time when Satan and his angels are cast to the earth. Think about it, if Christmas trees are really nothing and not part of idol worship why the big vehement response? There is a war going on right now about removing the leaven of apostasy from the church.

So then why are these two fighting over the body of Moses? There are 500 references to Moses and only 1 verse refers to the body of Moses. The Torah tells us that God buried Moses. Here Jude tells us there was a contest over this body, Michael won, and He is in charge of this sepulchre. One theory is that the sepulchre would have become an object of worship. So you can see why Satan would love to have the body to make it an object of worship. 2Kings 18:4 -- talks about how the Bronze serpent had become an idol. Now compare Hezekiah destroying the Bronze serpent which had a very strong Biblical history and basis. Can you imagine the outcry when he did that? If people are screaming and yelling over Christmas trees you can be sure they would be upset at destroying the Bronze serpent, an item of legitimate historical value. The children of Israel did burn incense to the Bronze serpent, that is like singing "O Christmas Tree",

There is another theory that Moses will have a future roll for Moses in the Tribulation as one of the two witnesses. If Moses is one of the two witnesses this is because he never finished his ministry. He was supposed to speak unto the rock. Moses was upset when God wasn't, that was a false witness. Second, he says "must we fetch you water out of this rock"? Is he taking credit for this? Again, a major mistake. Moses makes a full confession of this in Deuteronomy.

Jude's point is that Michael is on a mission from God to contend for the faith and even there he does not bring a railing accusation against Satan. This is the most extreme example he could give us for being under the headship of Jesus. Very strong warning against speaking evil and the focus is on keeping us balanced. We are to contend, not run and hide, but we are not to engage in evil speaking.

 

[ZNP]

 

[ZNP]

He is seeing the same thing I am

 

[ZNP]

Jude 10 Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.

The word for slander is blasphemo, the word we call blaspheme, and it means to vilify, speak reproachfully or calumniate. The one thing all of these examples of apostasy have in common whether it is Israel crying out about the giants in the land, or angels leaving their position to seek after strange flesh or Sodom and Gomorrah, in every case they blaspheme things they don't understand. Very quick to slander others and to act like irrational animals do. There are two different words for know or in this translation "understand". They do not have a deep intimate understanding, but the things they perceive by their senses just like animals, they only have a superficial understanding.

The apostate limits himself to mere natural knowledge, he rails at the truth and finally perishes eternally in his own corruption.

The first ten verses of Jude set the stage for verse 11 on which the entire letter pivots. Verse 9 gave us a glimpse of what is going on in the spiritual realm, verses 12 and 13 show us apostasy from the natural realm, verses 5-7 gave us the history of apostasy which will be followed by apostasy in prophecy. Jude has given us three corporate examples and now he will give us three individual examples: Cain, Balaam and Korah.

 

[ZNP]

Are these really the same question?

Luke 21: 7 And they asked him, saying, Teacher, when therefore shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when these things are about to come to pass?

Mark 13:4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when these things are all about to be accomplished?
Matthew 24:3 And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

In Luke the various translations say "about to happen", "about to occur", "about to come to pass", "about to take place". In Mark it is "be fulfilled", "be accomplished", "come to an end". About to happen compared to "be fulfilled". About to occur compared to "be accomplished". "About to take place" compared to "come to an end". Luke tells us the signs right before the start of the tribulation and Mark gives us the signs right before the end of the first half. In Matthew it is very different, it is "end of the world", "consummation of the age", "end of the age", "completion of the age", and "conclusion of the age".

Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows; 26 men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draweth nigh.

Mark 13:24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25 and the stars shall be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens shall be shaken. 26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then shall he send forth the angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

Mark begins with "after that tribulation" whereas Luke talks of "the expectation of the things which are coming on the world". In Luke we have a general "signs in the sun, moon and stars", in Mark we have a very specific "sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not giver her light" and then it adds "the stars shall be falling from heaven" and we don't see that in Luke. In Revelation Satan and His angels are kicked out of heaven at the rapture prior to the tribulation. This seems very clear that we are talking about two different raptures, one before the tribulation and the other in the middle (before the end of the age talked about in Matthew). It is also interesting that Luke does not mention the sending forth of the Angels to gather His elect. Instead Luke says "your redemption draweth nigh". To have to gather the elect from "the uttermost part of the earth" sounds a lot like finding the lost sheep or the prodigal son, whereas "your redemption draweth nigh" sounds like those who have their hope set on the Lord.

Matthew 24:29 But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

This is really interesting, Matthew appears to pick up from where Mark left off. It is as though the Israelites see the stars fall from heaven, they see the Son of Man in heaven, the angels apparently are not sent to gather them, rather they mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds.

Therefore when I read this I have to conclude there are three different events, though if you prefer it is one big event composed of these three events. What is the big event? The powers of the heavens shall be shaken.

 

[ZNP]

The Way of Cain -- the highway to hell

Jude 11 Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.

Apostasy is not confined to any one class of people. Cain was a farmer, Balaam was a prophet, and Korah was a prince. Each one portrays a particular aspect of falling away from the truth. The process is simple: they enter on the wrong path, they run riotously down that path and they perish at its end. Here is the brutal truth, there is no hope for apostates found in Jude. Their doom is sure. To them is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

Another translation that will emphasize this process they go through. In the way of Cain they went away, and in the wandering for reward they rushed headlong, and in the rebellion of Korah they perished.

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 16:25. Our natural judgement is not a reliable guide. We have already learned that the apostates rely on their natural judgement. The Lord's work of redemption is much greater than the work of the first creation. We need spiritual discernment and enlightenment.

So let's take a look and figure out what was Cain's error. What was the wrong path? He did not deny the existence of God he gave an offering to God. Also, Cain did not refuse to worship God and he was not in rebellion. He made an offering with the fruit of his labor. In Hebrews 11 we learn that by faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice. Faith comes by hearing. Abel had heard something -- he had heard that they had sinned and were then clothed by God. Prior to sinning they were clothed with light, after sinning they attempted to clothe themselves with fig leaves. God then made coats of skins and clothed them. From Genesis to Revelation it becomes clear that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. When you sacrifice a lamb in order to get the skin it drives home the point that sin is very serious. You can't ignore it, dismiss it, or shrug it off.

Again, let's consider what all the hubbub is on this thread about the Christmas Tree. I have come with a big knife to sacrifice that tree! People are shocked, you can't do that! It is just a little sin, tiny really, insignificant, can't even really be called a sin. That is the way of Cain. Go down that road and you are on the apostasy highway, more commonly called "the highway to hell". The on ramp to the apostasy, known as the way of Cain, is to shrug off sin as something we can ignore or sweep under the rug. The only way that we can approach God is on the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the lamb of God. Cain did not do that, he felt he could bring the works of his own hands to worship God. "You are a talented singer, use that talent for the Lord". Terrible advice, instead I would say "You are a redeemed sinner standing on the shed blood of Christ, you can have boldness to approach God, ask for grace, and you can serve Him in boldness standing on that blood". Then trust that the position you have in Christ as a result of faith is adequate. Now I can serve the Lord joyfully. Suppose you are led to be a teacher and yet you only teach ten people in your entire life, rejoice, for all you know those ten will become great evangelists, shepherds, teachers, prophets and other gifts to the body. The way of Cain tells us that we can't add anything to the completed work of Jesus Christ, faith versus works. Cain followed his own way according to his own idea, Abel listened to God and made his offering by faith that came from hearing.

The Error of Balaam -- what a lying hypocrite

Ran riotously, rampage, poured forth. Balaam was a prophet, he wasn't posing as a prophet, he was a real prophet that are recorded in the word of God. He prophesied of the star of Bethlehem that was the major sign of Jesus first coming. Think about that, Daniel knew Balaam was a false prophet and yet he still received this prophecy from Balaam to teach the magi what to look for when Jesus was born. What makes Balaam a "false" prophet is he is a prophet for hire. He is a kind of expert on the ways of God so the enemies of God hire him as a consultant on how to curse Israel. He was warned not to do this. I had an experience of a Balaam. I was preaching the gospel at Rice University, our gospel was turning the campus upside down so a professor who taught religious studies (basically a sociology professor) asked to visit the church. He then wrote an article in a major Texas magazine. He had clearly been hired to curse the church and yet God turned that curse to a blessing just as we see in Numbers. So the king hires Balaam saying "whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed". This is how the fake news operates. They want to be the "king maker", they want to manipulate public opinion. It was this agenda that Balaam had that made him false. He is credible as a prophet because he speaks the word of God. Balaam does not want to destroy his credibility because that is why he is hired as a prophet, but at the same time he wants the gold from this king. So God tells Balaam no, he in turn tells the representatives no, and they return to the king. It looks like Balaam is being obedient but if you continue with the story you learn he is just negotiating for a higher price. So Balak sends a second negotiating team and Balaam says "if you shall give me a house filled with silver and gold I could not go with you"? Why not just say, no, the Lord said no? So he again asks the Lord to go and it becomes clear he is not going to obey the Lord. Many Christians, maybe every single Christian negotiates with the Lord like this.

Maybe you realize a Christmas tree is idolatrous, but what about a wreath? Maybe you realize you will not have anything to do with Santa, but can't we have a tree, they are so pretty. So then the Lord draws a new red line, you cannot say anything other than what I tell you. Now think about this, they have hired Balaam specifically to curse Israel, that was very clear in the contract. God tells him they are blessed, you can't curse them. But he persists and so God says you can't say anything other than what I tell you. He takes that as "great, I can go"? This is why he is a false prophet. You have promised them to curse Israel and you have promised God you won't curse Israel. What a lying hypocrite all for the love of money.

Now many think, hey he blessed Israel, he didn't curse them so what is the big deal. Because although he didn't curse them he did counsel Balak on how to damage Israel by teaching them to commit fornication and worship idols.

This is the big lying hypocrisy of Christmas. They argue that it is a blessing to the church, not a curse. Perhaps, but it opens the door to teach the believers to commit fornication and worship idols. The teachings are focused on kids, young impressionable kids. The TV is filled with their "Balaam prophecy and teachings". The star of Bethlehem is not the only story they like to tell, talking donkeys or reindeer is another, filling your house with gold or silver is still another. Think about it, all these prophets who write these TV shows and movies they are all "prophets for hire" and the goal is to curse the church. The world lies in the evil one, time to wake up to that fact. Every year all of these Balaams are required to put out a "Christmas album". Wake up, the goal is not to bless the church. "Santa Baby" is teaching the Israelites to commit fornication and "O Christmas Tree" is teaching them to "eat things sacrificed to idols". These albums, these TV shows, all this stuff your kids are consuming are things that are sacrificed to idols. Balaam was in the church whose name meant "married to the world". Balaam got his reward, lived riotously and then perished miserably with the enemies of God in Joshua 13. Again think of these ones raking in millions for their albums, songs and TV shows.

The error of Balaam was to exchange the eternal inheritance for the pleasures of sin for a season and for the treasures of Egypt. The message the world is sending during the "Christmas season". What's wrong with having a Christmas tree? Wrong question, what is right about it? Does it strengthen your prayer life? Does it improve your fellowship with the Lord? Are you filled with life and peace?

 

[ZNP]

Rebellion of Korah -- Going down alive unto Sheol

Jude 11 Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.

The rebellion of Korah is sometimes translated as "gainsaying" of Korah. The literal translation is "against the word". When we do things contrary to the word of God that is rebellion. He was the cousin to Moses. He led a rebellion against Moses with Dathan and Abiram. They are rebelling against a type of Christ. They made the fundamental mistake of thinking "all are holy". They led a rebellion with 250 princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown. Isn't that how the world operates? Let's get a famous Hollywood actor like Tom Hanks. Let's get the President of the US to have a big Christmas tree, and also Rockefeller center, etc. The basic argument they were making is that Moses is too restrictive, like the Lord who said "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh to the father but by me". This is contrary to the globalists goal of the brotherhood of man. The one world religion can accept all religions except for the Evangelical Christians because they are too restrictive. Korah was saying we don't need Moses, just like this one world religion of the globalists is saying we don't need Jesus Christ. Is the cross really necessary? Did Jesus really have to be crucified? "If it be possible let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will but as thou will". The Lord prayed it three times, if there had been any way to get into heaven that bypasses the cross He was crucified in vain.

Is this not what Christmas is all about? A holiday the whole world can celebrate, a holiday to make the apostates rich. All of these Christmas songs, all of these TV shows and Movies do they emphasize the need to hear the Lord's voice and obey Him standing on His shed blood? No, it is all about good works, the way of Cain. The finished product is a rebellion against God by all the famous elites saying we don't need Moses, we don't need Jesus because we are all one big brotherhood, we are all holy. This is the temptation from Satan, you don't need to go to the cross. We are told that God will send a strong delusion to those who do not love the truth that they should believe the lie.

Those in rebellion go straight to sheol alive. Those who are worshipping Jesus as the one way are raptured straight to heaven alive. In both cases the Lord does a new thing never before seen. In both cases this is done to confirm God's ordination, first of Moses and then of Jesus.

 

[ZNP]

Deliver my soul from lying lips

Psalm 120
1 In my distress I cried unto Jehovah,
And he answered me.
2 Deliver my soul, O Jehovah, from lying lips,
And from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given unto thee, and what shall be done more unto thee,
Thou deceitful tongue?
4 Sharp arrows of the mighty,
With coals of juniper.
5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
That I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 My soul hath long had her dwelling
With him that hateth peace.
7 I am for peace:
But when I speak, they are for war.

There is a book that says each Psalm depicts 1 year beginning with 1901 and that 2020 is depicted in Psalm 120. Was 2020 the year of lying lips and the deceitful tongue? Would you describe cancel culture as the coals of juniper? Would you say that the lies of the Media giants and tech giants are the "arrows of the mighty"? Would you agree that Trump was for peace (first time in four years we didn't enter into a war and not only so he signed a historic peace treaty with Israel) while Biden is for war (already wars have kicked into gear in the Middle east, Easter Europe and Taiwan). Anyway I thought I'd review some of the lies.

Lies told in the US concerning Trump

1. The Steele dossier was the sole evidence used to justify spying on the Trump campaign and the FBI knew the Steele dossier was a DNC operation, Steele’s source told the FBI the info was unserious and they did not inform the court of any of this and instead kept spying.
2. Even after the evidence was conclusive that the collusion case was a hoax every institution gaslit the American public for another year. It appeared to everyone who fully understood this case that every institution in the US government had united against an interloper.
3. Then the behavior of the corporate press radicalized them. You could not support the notion that the press was driven by ratings because if that was the case they would have jumped on the Epstein story or better yet the Hunter Biden laptop story.
4. As a result all the Trump supporters know for absolute certain that the FBI and the press would lie to them about it.
5. They saw the press make Kavanaugh out to be a gang rapist based on absolutely nothing.
6. They saw CNN lead a lynch mob against a high school kid.
7. They saw the press cheer on summer riots.
8. They used to think the press had a liberal bias but would admit the truth and correct errors, not anymore. They saw them invent stories to destroy lives and spark mass violence.
9. Time magazine reported that during the 2020 riots there were weekly conference calls between leaders of the riots, the local officials and the media on how to frame this to best help the Democrats win the election.
10. Democrat governors took advantage of Covid to change voting procedures and lower signature matching standards. As this followed the collusion hoax and impeachment scam more and more people were able to see through this fraud.
11. But then they ramped up to a new level with the Hunter Biden laptop scandal. It was a full on censorship campaign against a major newspaper to protect a political candidate. All of the tech companies now admit it.
12. Compare this with the PP tape. A story of a germaphobe being pissed on by Russian hookers and blackmailed by Putin based on a document paid for by the Democrats and disavowed by its source. Contrast that with the NY Post being banned for reporting true information.
13. The conclusion was simple, every institution is captured by people who will use any means to exclude them from the political process.
14. And yet they showed up in record numbers. He got 13 million more votes than in 2016.
15. They knew the fix was in when at midnight four swing states (and only those four swing states) went dark.
16. People tried to make sense of what happened in the midst of the confusion and at that time the Media banned all discussion of it. Everyone knew that if the outcome was reversed discussion about the election outcome would have been front page news and all they talked about.
17. According to Time magazine mass riots were planned across the country if Trump had won.
18. And so we know as facts that the entrenched bureaucracy & security state subverted Trump from Day 1. The press is part of the operation. Election rules were changed. Big Tech censors opposition. Political violence is legitimized and encouraged. Trump is banned from social media.
19. Their government is controlled by a regime that believes they are beneath representation and will observe no limits to keep them from getting it. (based on a twitter thread from Martyrmade)

Lies told in the US concerning Covid


This article itemizes about 20+ lies published during the Covid crisis.


https://www.realclearpolitics.com/a...edias_top_lies_and_spins_about_covid-19.html#!


Why Fauci should be fired


https://www.westernjournal.com/dr-fauci-fired-damning-reason-says-sen-marco-rubio/


https://thefederalist.com/2021/02/2...stands-science-as-a-tool-to-lie-to-americans/

 

[ZNP]

Jude 12 These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

Unseen danger

Spots in your love feasts -- the word is hidden rocks, the rocks a mariner doesn't see that will sink his ship. They have come to eat and to plunder. They have an agenda, a mission. Reefs below the ocean threatening safe navigation. If a rock is above the ocean it is not as big a threat. These are the ones who have snuck in secretly. Atheists and agnostics are up front and honest about who they are, these are those who sneak in secretly. Without the slightest qualm -- feeding themselves without fear

Everyone can see that atheists have a particular danger, the fleshly have a certain danger, drugs (sorcery) has a certain danger. But Christmas? Come on man!

Compare this with the rock of our salvation and with the believers who are living stones.

False promise

Clouds without water, carried about by the winds -- clouds are for rain but these are deceit, they don't have any water. This suggests dry places and according to Matthew 12:43 that is where evil spirits wander. They are carried aside by winds, the same word for pneuma, spirit. This implies they are bond slaves to Satan. We are not talking about unbelievers, they are serving Satan. We are not talking about atheists, Satan worshippers consider atheists to be fools. Dana Coverstone had several dreams of wolves that had snuck into the church sitting among the congregation, this is what we are talking about. Also this is different from believers, the Bible says the spirit is subject to the prophet, but in this case the wind is not subject to the clouds, they are slaves to that wind.

Christmas is a good example of a "false promise". It seems they are promising love, joy, peace, when in reality you become a slave to the season. The spirit is not subject to you, rather you are subject to the spirit.

Compare this with the Lord who will come with the clouds, filled with blessing. The believers are sources of living water out from whom will flow the water of life.

Barren profession

Trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots -- the term is autumn trees, the implication is that we will really see them at the end of the season. Jude is the 'vestibule' to the book of Revelation. We see these apostates more now than we ever did during the entire church age. To me this is like field mice. During the summer they may be outside but when it gets cold they will all try to enter the house. in the same way as the Day of the Lord approaches they are all flooding the church buildings. Dana Coverstone has a dream about this with this Satanic figure whipping up all these wolves into a frenzy and sending them into the church buildings. Twice dead refers to dead to profession and possession. They have not born fruit from their profession of faith and they are rooted up, they have no possession, so they are dead in that sense too (no eternal salvation). Revelation 20:14 speaks of the second death. We are told repeatedly in the Bible that we should not be fearing the first death, it is the second death we should be concerned about. The first death is simply separation of soul and body, but the second death would be on the soul. Everyone must deal with these two, our "second death" was taken care of at the cross. These ones do not receive the work of redemption done by Christ on the cross. Compare these trees to trees planted by the living water.

Everyone hopes that this is an opportunity for the gospel. How has that worked out for you? I would say the damage of the church compromising with the world is far greater than any gain that you might think you got.

Compare this with the tree of life. The believers are trees of righteousness (Isaiah 61:3)

Wasted effort

Raging waves of the sea foaming out their shame. This indicates they are unsaved, they do not know God. Isaiah 57:20-21. We need to know who we are in Christ. God has imposed limits on the sea, He said nothing shall hurt you, all are to account to His glory, and the Lord rules and stills the sea. In the gospels Jesus rebuked the sea. In Revelation 21:1 there was no more sea.

How much effort goes into this Christmas celebration every year that is a waste? For some believers maybe none, but for many people it is a lot. Why do you think some people get totally burnt out from this holiday.

Compare this with the Lord who leads us besides still waters and the believers who have "peace like a river".

Aimless course

Wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. The phrase implies a meteorite. Flashes brilliantly for a brief time and then makes an ash of itself. Destined for the blackness of the outer darkness forever. It seems amazing that in nature we actually have something that appears to illustrate this, a black hole, a place where the gravity is so great that even light cannot leave. You can't see a black hole but you can detect them due to gravity. It is also believed that within them time does not exist. These guys are destined for black holes.

What kind of Holy day is marked by an increase in suicides and death?

Compare them with the bright and morning star and the believers who will "shine as stars forever" Daniel 12:3

This is the point of this thread. We see this entire contrast in the celebration of Christmas. We see this amazing contrast between the Lord Jesus and the apostasy. This is God's sovereignty, God's mercy that we might be saved and come to the full knowledge of His Son, Jesus Christ.

One last point, there are 8 writers in the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, James, Peter and Jude. Of these 8 writers Jude wrote the fewest verses and John and Paul and Luke wrote the most. However, each of these 8 writers used exactly 42 words that were unique to their writings and are not found anywhere else! Jude concentrates those 42 unique words into such a tiny space it is amazing.

 

[ZNP]

Luke 23:1-23 -- The impeachment trial

Impeachment is to bring formal charges against someone while they are in office. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, had an office given Him from His baptism and the religious and political leaders objected to Him ruling over them and brought charges against Him.

1 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

What was it about Jesus that caused this vehement reaction in the mob? You don’t see people this worked up about a serial killer. Reminds me of this whole impeachment. They have gone from saying “orange man bad” to he’s dangerous to he’s guilty of accessory to murder. We were told that he was mounting an insurrection, and that is why they needed 25,000 troops in Washington DC.

3 And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.

Is that it? Seriously, they have no evidence, no witnesses, nothing but this?

4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.

This is a very strange interaction. You are on trial for your life, the judge asks “are you the king of the Jews”? Yes, you said it, that is why they are so upset. This is jealousy, Pilate realizes it, I see no fault in this man. Surely the US government is not really this worried about one man. The reaction you are seeing is not about him, it is about you. They are worried about 75 million who voted for him. They are worried about the fact that no one believes a word they say. They are worried about a popular uprising. They are worried about their corruption being exposed.

5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

How about that! It is now a capital offense to “stir up the people and to teach throughout the land”. Is this jealousy? Surely when you listen to speeches from Pelosi, Schumer, AOC, Waters and the rest they are trying to stir up the people.

6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. 7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.

Funny, we see the same thing. No judge wanted to touch this thing concerning election fraud. They all looked for some technicality for why it wasn’t their responsibility to judge.

8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. 9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.

It is very strange. You can tell Pilate wants nothing to do with judging Jesus and Herod is so happy to see this man who he has heard about. But look who is angry, jealous, even vehemently accusing Jesus. It is the priests and scribes. The accusations that I have heard are truly vehement, referring to the peaceful protests as “mobs”, and referring to words like “peacefully protest” as inciting violence. They liken supporters to the Klan, Hitler, and a cult leader. It is now illegal to be popular.

11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

Well, we are seeing the same thing today with the “men of war” in the capitol mocking the supporters, accusing them of sedition. All those who are standing for righteousness, standing to “Stop the Steal” are being painted with the same brush. We are all cloaked with the same robe. This term “gorgeous” refers to a shining white robe. In Mark it is purple and in Matthew it is red. This was a basis to claim that the Bible was in error for years, but now we see that these three gospels refer to three different groups of people. If you are a believer in the Lord you definitely want to be arrayed with this gorgeous robe. Go outside the camp and embrace His disgrace.

12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

Herod is used to having court jesters and magicians. He thought Jesus would perform for him. What we see here is just despicable. Herod is a judge, he is supposed to judge concerning very serious charges against Jesus but because Jesus won’t perform for him and entertain him he gets angry and sends him back. He is acting like a spoiled child. A sham for a court. We use the term “monkey trial” and this is what we are seeing today. People saying things that are so idiotic it reminds us of “planet of the apes”.

13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: 15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. 16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him.

This would be like the mayor of a city putting a letter of reprimand in the file of the police responsible for George Floyd’s death.

17 (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.) 18 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: 19 (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)

Instead the mob demands that you release this man who just walked up to a cop car and ambushed the cops shooting two cops in LA. Right now we have two groups on trial, ANTIFA who is responsible for riots and looting all over the country and MAGA who are accused of being responsible for one riot at the capitol. They didn't shoot anyone, didn't kill anyone, didn't have any weapons. But they are treated as far more serious than cold blooded killers.

20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. 21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

The crowd has been whipped into a frenzy by someone, some evil spirit.

22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

Really, what evil has Jesus done? He has healed people, raised people from the dead, and freed people from demon possession. What He has done is to overthrow Satan’s kingdom. If you couldn’t see people caught in the grip of Satan’s kingdom before you can’t miss it now, it is as clear as a bell. Again I’ll use the current events to illustrate this. What evil has Trump done? He has said offensive things, but when you look at his actions, what has he done? What he has done which is unforgivable is to expose the corruption of the swamp. He has stirred up the people against the political establishment. The real focus of this attack will be against the church, those who are carried about by this evil spirit will focus their attack on the church.

23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.

So much for law and order. They shouted louder so they are going to kill Jesus? I like this expression "they were instant with loud voices". We have seen this time and again these last few months, a rush to judgement, instant calls for judgement. There is no presumption of innocence, no "innocent until proven guilty". They were "instant with loud voices" to condemn the attack on Jussie Smollett, what an embarrassment to them. They were instant with loud voices to condemn Kyle Rittenhouse, what an embarrassment to them.

 

[ZNP]

Enoch's prophecy concerning the Lord's 2nd Coming

Jude 14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”

Who are the them? The apostates. What we are looking at is probably the oldest recorded words of a prophet are these words of Enoch. There is a prophecy in Genesis 3 but that is spoken by God. This prophecy comes from the book of Enoch which is an apocryphal book. This book is not part of scripture though this prophecy is thanks to Jude. Some people don't understand what it means to not be part of scripture. That does not mean it is not a real prophecy from God, what it means is that it is not part of our covenant with God. The Bible is our legal document, our covenant with God. Our God honors covenants so you can be sure He would never say one word that violates this covenant. However, that does not mean He will not say any word that is not in the covenant, God speaks to us all the time and the Bible makes it clear that He is free to do so. Also the Bible is very, very clear on the fact that Enoch was a prophet, he had a genuine experience of God, and His prophecy is an authentic word of God. That said there are counterfeits to the book of Enoch.

Peter said Noah was a preacher of righteousness, we did not learn that in the OT, Paul names the two magicians in Egypt, that also is not in the OT. There are words of the Lord Jesus Christ quoted in Acts that are not recorded in the gospels. James tells us that Elijah prayed for the drought, we did not learn this in the OT. There are a bunch of other things in Acts 7 from Stephen.

Genesis 4:26 "then began men to call on the name of the Lord". This is a poor translation, what it literally says is "then they began to call something else by the name of the Lord". It is a reference to idolatry, to profaning the name of the Lord. The Targum of Onkelos says they "desisted from praying in the name". The Targum of Jonathan says "Surnamed their idols in the name". Ancient Jewish scholars including Jerome agree with this. Maimonides in the Commentary on the Mishna ascribes the origin of idolatry to the days of Enos. What this tells us is that by the end of Genesis 4 we have rebellion against God, the beginning of apostasy. There are four words for man: Adam (dust of ground), Ish (sex, male), Geber (a mighty man) and Enosh (mortal man or if we are talking about character it means a loser). Genesis 4 tells us we have a man that is a loser and that is when they begin to get involved in idolatry. It is this context which gives rise to a prophet (Enoch) and a preacher of righteousness (Noah) and ultimately judgement. His son Methuselah was a prophecy. He prophesied of the coming judgement. Noah and Lot go through the judgement and depict the church going through the tribulation. Enoch depicts the raptured saints prior to the tribulation. Also note that Enoch was not Jewish so he depicts the believers in Christ who are raptured. The Bible says Enoch walked with God twice and between the two there are are 300 years. This is a lifetime of walking with God. How can two walk together unless they are in agreement? Amos 3:3. This leads to a witness. Even today we are looking at Enoch's words. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him (Col 2:6).

Methuselah means "when he dies it shall be sent" and the "it" refers to the judgement on the Earth. Methuselah died seven days before the flood. Enoch means teaching, initiation, commencement. Becomes a model of grace and longsuffering, which is why Methuselah is the longest lifetime. It is finite. He walked with God after he begat Methuselah.

Enoch's prophecy concerning the Lord's second coming

This is not about the first coming but the second coming. This coming is sure because it is written as history, it is past, it is sure, you can't change it. This is not conditional. We also know who will accompany Him. He will come with "His Holy myriads". Not clear whether or not this means angels but we do know this expression includes the angels. I suspect it means (Col 3:4 and 1Thess 3:13) both angels and saints together. Both the first prophecy from Enoch and the last prophecy in Revelation both say that He will come to bring judgment. He will judge all, everyone, men, angels and demons.

Deeds

All the ungodly will be convicted of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in their ungodliness.

Here the issue is the motive of your heart. Consider Christmas, if you thought all the various things you were doing was a way to celebrate the Lord's birth the Lord will consider that. On the other hand if you were Balak or Balaam and thought that what you were doing would cause God's people to be cursed because they are eating things offered to idols and committing fornication then God will consider that as well.

Words

of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

Rebellious, arrogant mouth. This is the distinguishing characteristic of the Antichrist, Mr. Big Mouth. Think about this, you may have repeated the Santa Claus story because you were taught it by people you trust. God will consider that. On the other hand you may have crafted this lie as a deception and to set yourself up to be worshipped as a counterfeit to God. If that is the case God will consider that as well.

For example let's consider the defiant words of ungodly sinners spoken against Noah's ark. They mock, ridicule and present this story as an absurd myth that only little children would believe like the Santa Claus story. But read Genesis 6:14 Noah sealed the ark inside and out with pitch. Generally anyone making a boat would seal the outside so it is water tight, you would not seal the inside. There is no valid reason to seal it on the inside as far as the flood is concerned, it is a waste of time, of pitch, and also would stink up the inside of the ark. However, if your goal was to preserve this ark for the last generation as a testimony against them and of all the defiant words spoken against God then it does make sense. Also, why have it come to rest on the top of Mt. Ararat where it is frozen year round? Again to preserve it. When Noah came off the ark they had to do down the mountain, they couldn't live on top of the mountain. If this had come to rest in the valley they would have cannibalized the boat using the lumber for a house or using the boat for a barn, etc. The ark has been preserved as a testimony against this ungodly generation. We have found it and now consider all that this implies! Everything about that story was true including the coming judgement and the fact that the Lord's second return will be "as the days of Noah".

Now consider something else, during the tribulation everyone will be required to worship the image of the beast or else get their head chopped off. This is a test. How do you prepare for this test? How would you "train" as a Christian to stand against this forced worship of an idol set up by the world? Hallelujah, God has given us the celebration of Christmas with all its idols kind of like having a gym where we can lift weights to prepare for the tribulation! It is a lot easier to reject the worship of the Christmas tree and Santa Claus but the concept is the same. Take the mark of the beast or else you won't get any presents, you can't buy or sell.

In conclusion from day 1 with Enoch he is prophesying of the Lord's second coming and His judgement on the apostasy and all the ungodly. He is raptured first, and then the judgement comes. In the same way we see these two things in the celebration of Christmas with the celebration of the birth of this manchild followed by the reign of the fat man in the red suit. AntiChrist's reign comes like a thief in the night, sneaking into your house like the lawless one filled with lying wonders.

"And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day" Amos 8:10

Religious feast that has songs -- is this Christmas? A religious feast where everyone has on new clothes -- are we talking about Christmas? Mourning of an only son, sounds like the day after celebrating the birth of Jesus!

 

[ZNP]

The Light of a candle shall no more shine within thee

 

[ZNP]

 

[ZNP]