

### STUDIES IN REVELATION

Babylon the Great

### Jack Marshall

### STUDIES IN REVELATION

Babylon the Great

### Jack Marshall

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2018 Grain of Wheat Publishing

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author. This free ebook may be copied, distributed, reposted, reprinted and shared, provided it

appears in its entirety without alteration, and the reader is not charged to access it.

To my good friend and brother in Christ, Mark Vallad. Thank you for all the wonderful discussions concerning the Word of God over the past many years!

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter One: Babel

Chapter Two: Let Us Go Down

Chapter Three: The Head of Gold

Chapter Four: The Two Covenants

Chapter Five: Fourteen Generations

Chapter Six: Forty-Two

Chapter Seven: The Temple of God

Chapter Eight: The Judgment of God

Chapter Nine: Cognitive Dissonance

Chapter Ten: The Unclean Thing

Chapter Eleven: Into the Wilderness

Chapter Twelve: The "Day of Judgment"

Chapter Thirteen: The "Day of Trial"

Chapter Fourteen: The Parable of the Workers

Chapter Fifteen: The Bowls

Chapter Sixteen: Babylon's Judgment

Chapter Seventeen: The Day and Hour

Chapter Eighteen: The First Resurrection

Chapter Nineteen: Blessed and Holy

Bibliography

Introduction

The idea of "Mystery Babylon" has long been discussed and written about by many up to this present time and this, of course, is my own interpretation and understanding of the subject.

No doubt, Babylon holds a key spot in the book of the Revelation and understanding what she represents can only be beneficial for us (as is true of all prophecy in Revelation).

Over the years, I struggled with this topic, due in part to those things which I read in the past which only increased my confusion. It was not until I was willing to leave behind the various interpretations and let scripture interpret scripture that I finally arrived at an understanding that I believe makes complete sense in the light of reality.

There are mistakes in this presentation, not by intention, but out of ignorance. I am still and always will be learning. It has been difficult to put aside what I have inherited in order to see from a fresh perspective.

In His Grace,

Jack Marshall

Please note: All Hebrew and Greek definitions are taken from the Strong's Greek and Hebrew Dictionary unless otherwise noted. All Bible passages are taken from the New King James Bible unless otherwise noted.

Revelation 17:5  
And on her forehead a name was written:  
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,  
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS  
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

# Chapter One

# BABEL

The name "Babylon" is found 262 times in the Old Testament and just 12 times in the New Testament, six of those in the book of the Revelation. The New Testament definition reads, "Of Hebrew origin [<H894> (Babel)]; Babylon, the capital of Chaldea (literal or figurative [as a type of tyranny])." The Hebrew definition to which it refers states, "From <H1101> (balal); confusion; Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire." The root word from which Babel is derived reads, "A primitive root; to overflow (specifically with oil); by implication to mix." Consider the following from the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament.

Babylon is the Greek spelling of the name which in Hebrew is uniformly "Babel." The word occurs some 290 times and refers to an ancient city on the eastern bank of the Euphrates about twenty miles south of Bagdad, near the modern village of Hilla in Iraq. Akkadian seems to derive the name from babili(m) or from another earlier Sumerian source. But in both cases it means "Gate of God." Genesis 11:9 gives the name as Babel (perhaps from bālal "to confuse") but probably intended as a parody, a word play referring to what happened when the languages were confused.

As we see, "Babylon is the Greek spelling of the name which in Hebrew is uniformly 'Babel.'" So, Babel _is_ Babylon. Our word "Babel" is used only twice in the Old Testament while the word "Babylon" is used the rest of the time. Ah, but the first two times it is used, it establishes an understanding that remains true through both the Old and New Testaments.

The first mention of Babel is in Genesis 10:10 in regard to Nimrod, Noah's great grandson. In the King James Version we read, "And Cush (Noah's grandson) begat Nimrod: _he began to be a mighty one in the earth_. _He was a mighty hunter before the LORD_ : wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. And the beginning of his kingdom was _Babel_ " (Gen. 10:8-10).

Those familiar with scripture know that the name Nimrod carries a negative connotation, suggested by the phrases, "He began to be a mighty one in the earth" and, "He was a mighty hunter before the LORD." Compare our phrase "mighty one" with the following.

Genesis 6:4-5 (NKJV)  
4 There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore _children_ to them. Those _were_ the mighty men who _were_ of old, men of renown. 5 **Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man** _was_ **great in the** earth, **and** _that_ **every intent of the thoughts of his heart** _was_ **only evil continually**.

Our phrase "mighty one" in Genesis 10:8 is the transliteration gibbôr, the same Hebrew word translated as "mighty men" in our passages above. As the context shows, the "mighty men" connects to the "wickedness of man" which was "great in the earth" in the days of Noah. I believe the fact that Nimrod was called a "mighty one in the earth" suggests that he, like the "mighty men" above, was a wicked man.

Genesis 11:1-4 (NKJV)  
1 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. 3 Then they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and bake _them_ thoroughly." They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a **city** , and a **tower** whose **top** _is_ in the heavens; **let us make a name for ourselves, lest we** be **scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth**."

Who hasn't heard about the "tower of Babel"? But let me say that this phrase is a bit misleading, for our passages show that Babel includes not only a "tower" but also a "city," i.e. _two_ components. Let's look at the spiritual meaning of _two_ from Dr. Stephen E. Jones and his book, _The Biblical Meaning of Numbers from One to Forty_ (emphasis mine).

Two (beth)

Division, Double Witness

Beth is a house or household in Hebrew. God established the household with Adam and Eve, two people in a marriage. This provided direction, a double witness in the family to know the will of God. It takes two points to make a line and establish direction.

The number two signifies either division or a double witness. God established two covenants in the Bible, first as a double witness of truth, but also to establish direction. Going from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant shows a progression of revelation from the lesser to the greater.

This same principle is found with Hagar and Sarah, Ishmael and Isaac, with Jacob and Israel, with David and Saul, and (in the New Testament) in the contrast between Saul and Paul. In each case, there is division with a resulting conflict between the two characters, yet also God establishes the pattern of moving from one point to another.

In the "city" and "tower," we find a "double witness." The "city" defines the collective while the "tower" defines the leadership or government of the collective. The leadership points to Nimrod, for it was the "beginning of his kingdom" (Gen. 10:10).

So what makes a city? Is it the streets, houses, businesses, parks, or skyscrapers? Not at all! Rather, it's the people. What does "two" or "Beth" mean? It means "a house or household." So, a city consists of many households, and when brought together, you have a collective. It then becomes necessary to establish direction in one form or another (Matt. 12:25; Luke 11:17). As mentioned, this suggests the leadership or government of the collective which I believe is indicated by the "tower" and its "top."

As our passages show, the underlying motivation for this city and tower was, "Let us make a name for _ourselves_." This statement clearly suggests pride, for the Bible definition tells us that pride is merely thinking of _ourselves_ more highly than we should (Rom. 12:3). When we wish to make a name for ourselves, then it's apparent that we have only ourselves in mind.

Genesis 11:5-9 (NKJV)  
5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 And the Lord said, "Indeed **the people** _are_ **one** and **they all have one language** , and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there **confuse their language** , that they may not understand one another's speech." 8 **So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city**. 9 **Therefore its name is called** Babel, **because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth**.

The traditional story of Babel comes down to language, doesn't it? We read, "Indeed the people are one and _they all have one language_ , and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them." But let's consider this. They all had one language. Isn't this true of every nation and their corresponding language today? Of course. Isn't it also true that there are cities and towers which have been built by different cultures all over the world for as long as any of us can remember? This leads me to believe that the story of Babel illustrates something deeper than what first meets the eye.

So, to make my point, consider Babylon in the book of the Revelation. Is this a literal city? No, it is not; it is a _symbolism_ that points to what makes up the city. In other words, and as we have already suggested, it denotes the people. However, it not only speaks of people but of people united by a certain mindset, evidenced by the statements, "Indeed _the people are one_ " and "let us _make a name for ourselves_."

Think about the phrase, "The people are _one_ ," suggesting _unity_. Was this unity achieved by the fact that they all spoke the same language? Perhaps, but understand that language is so much more than just communicating in the same dialect. Think about it; the Lord does not concern Himself with what culture we are born into or its corresponding dialect. Instead, He considers something much deeper. And what is that? The "thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12). Proof? Consider the following.

Matthew 13:10-13 (NKJV)  
10 And the disciples came and said to Him, " **Why do You speak to them in parables?** " 11 He answered and said to them, "Because **it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven** , but **to** them **it has not been given**. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, **because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand**.

In Matthew, Chapter 13, a great crowd of people gathered around Jesus while He sat in a boat and "spoke many things to them in parables" (Matt. 13:2). After sharing the Parable of the Sower, His disciples came to Him and asked, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" What did Jesus say? "Because _it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven_ , but _to_ them _it has not been given_." Was language an issue here? Not at all! Ah, but there _was_ an issue and it was clearly one of the "heart," not dialect. Look at what Jesus said following our passages above.

Matthew 13:14-17 (NKJV)  
14 And **in** them (the crowd of people) the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; 15 **For the** hearts **of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest** they should understand with their hearts **and** turn, **so that I should heal them**.' 16 "But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

Babel? Confusion? Yes! Where? _Within_ , my friend, within! It should be apparent that the problem with understanding the words of Christ had _nothing_ to do with language but _everything_ to do with the inward condition of the hearts of His people! Despite the fact that there was no language barrier, there was another obstacle that was much more difficult to overcome! Due to their inward dullness, they were unable to " _see_ with their eyes and _hear_ with their ears," to " _understand with their hearts_ and turn."

Remember, our word Babylon means, "To overflow (specifically with oil); by implication to mix." Oil? As in that which represents His anointing or Spirit (Exod. 28:41; 30:26; 40:9; James 5:14; I John 2:27)? Yes! This I believe is the real message behind the story of Babel. It is not about proof of the various languages that exist today but about the Lord _mixing_ the "language" of His Spirit with the "language" of our own.

1 Corinthians 13:1 (NKJV)  
1 Though I speak with the **tongues** (languages) **of men** and **of** angels...

In a manner of speaking, there are but two languages; _human_ (men) and _divine_ (angels). So, language not only incorporates what we say but the _heart_ or _spirit_ out of which we say them. Even more importantly, language equates to _what we do_. Consider how Luke began his writing on the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 1:1 (KJV)  
1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began **both to do and teach**...

"Both to do and teach." First, "do," second, "teach." Isn't the greatest form of teaching doing? Of course! You may _explain_ to me how to do something, but if you _show_ me how and then let me try, it's much easier to grasp.

Matthew 23:1-3 (KJV)  
1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, _that_ observe and do; **but do not ye after their works:** for they say, and do not.

"They say, and do not," Jesus said in regard to the scribes (teachers of the law) and Pharisees. Sound familiar? It should, for this is the number one reason why many today call Christians hypocrites.

Genesis 11:4 (NKJV)  
4 And they said, "Come, **let us build** ourselves a city, and a tower whose top _is_ in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth."

" _Let us build_ ourselves a city, and a tower." This phrase suggests a concerted effort or labor, so to put it simply, it signifies what the Bible means by "works."

Matthew 5:16 (KJV)  
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your **good works** , and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

In agreement with our perspective, our word "works" is defined as, "To _work_ ; _toil_ (as an effort or occupation)." I immediately think of the story of Adam and Eve where we read, " _In the sweat of your face_ you shall eat bread till you return to the ground" (Gen. 3:19) and "therefore the LORD God sent him (Adam) out of the garden of Eden _to till the ground_ from which he was taken" (Gen. 3:23). Friend, the "ground" denotes the heart of man (Matt. 13:19) out of which proceeds _all that we do_ , so our phrase "till the ground" speaks of that which issues from the heart (Matt. 15:19). No wonder Proverbs states, "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life" (Prov. 4:23; ESV).

Our language is our expression, and our expression incorporates _all that we do_. After all, speaking is an action, is it not? Furthermore, is it not possible to speak without saying a thing? When we are angry, can others not tell by the "expression" on our face?

"Come, _let us build ourselves_ a city, and _a tower whose top is in the heavens_ ; _let us make a name for ourselves_ , lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth." Two things immediately come to mind. As previously mentioned, it is _pride_ , and unity _based_ on _pride_. This, I believe, is the "language" or _expression_ "of _all_ the earth" which God confused and which Babel or Babylon represents. When we see language as a matter of _the spirit and behavior behind our actions_ , then we can better understand what the story of Babel is teaching us.

I believe the "language" to which Babylon points is the language of what Paul calls the "natural man" who is "of the _earth_ , made of dust" (I Cor. 15:47), who " _does not receive the things of the Spirit of God_ , for they are foolishness to him; _nor can he know them_ , because they are spiritually discerned" (I Cor. 2:14). When contrasted with the statement, "He (Nimrod) began to be a mighty one _in the earth_ " with our "natural man" who is " _of the earth_ ," I'm prone to think that this is the understanding we should take from this story. Also, note how Paul equates _knowing_ with _receiving_ "the things of the Spirit of God." Doesn't the Lord's statements in the Parable of the Sower also confirm our perspective?

In the same way that language incorporates our _expression_ or _works_ , the same is true of our Maker. Ah, but where pride exists, the manifestation of the _Spirit_ and _Word_ of our Creator will be distorted, _confusing_ , and create contention under the guise of unity. Again, we find a perfect example in the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' day. Look at what follows our previous passages from Matthew, Chapter 23.

Matthew 23:4-7 (ESV)  
4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 **They do all their deeds to be seen by others**. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.

"Let us make a name for ourselves." "They do all their _deeds_ (works) to be seen by others." We have a match, my friend, and it is rooted in self-importance. For further emphasis, I would encourage you to read the rest of Matthew, Chapter 23.

Matthew 12:25 (NKJV)  
25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: " **Every kingdom divided against itself** is brought to desolation, and **every city or house divided against itself** will not stand.

What does _two_ also signify? Division, and every _kingdom_ , _city_ , or _house_ "divided against itself will not stand." Was there division in Babel before the Lord confused their language? I believe there was, for division is always lurking beneath the surface of pride and our present reality clearly testifies of this (Prov. 6:19; 13:10). Was there division after the Lord confused their language? Even more so, because we read, "And they ceased building the city." Is there a spiritual parallel in Revelation? There is, for we read in Revelation 18:21, "Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, _and shall not be found anymore_."

Matthew 12:33 (NKJV)  
33 "Either make the **tree** good and its fruit good, or else make the **tree** bad and its fruit bad; **for a tree is known by** _its_ **fruit**.

Perhaps the best example of what we are considering is found in our passage above. A tree consists of but _one_ trunk but _many_ branches, so we have both the individual perspective (trunk) as well as the collective (branches). Jesus used this viewpoint in John, Chapter 15, verse 5, where He told His disciples, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

Whether we realize it or not, all of us belong to multiple collectives. For this reason, we could say that our collectives actually define who we are and what we allow to influence us. A simple example is our job or career. In my place of business, I am joined to many others whose most basic purpose is to make money for the business as well as for ourselves. The business is the "trunk" and we are its "branches."

Like a tree, every collective has an origin, a source from which it began. This would be illustrated by the "seed" which began the tree. In Babel's case, it was Nimrod. This, too, is what Jesus was describing for us in the Parable of the Sower.

In Luke 8:11, Jesus tells us that the "seed" in His parable is "the Word of God." This being the case, there is other "seeds" as well which issue from our own hearts and minds which are, in many cases, not aligned with the principles of His kingdom. Our city and tower of Babel is one such illustration which confirms this very thing.

# Chapter Two

# LET US GO DOWN

In Chapter One, we learned that the story of Babel contains much more understanding than the traditional tale with which we are all familiar. It is not necessarily a story about the origin of all the languages on earth, but of the _difference_ between the human and divine language or _expression_ which has existed since the beginning of creation. I say the beginning because we read, "In the _beginning_ was the _Word_ , and the _Word_ was with God, and the _Word_ was God" (John 1:1). God's Word _is_ God, and God's Word is God's _language_ and _expression_ , alive by His Spirit; dynamic, forever present and working, continually unfolding before us (Heb. 4:12).

In the story of Babel, there is another important detail to consider.

Genesis 11:4 (NKJV)  
4 And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and **a tower whose top** _is_ **in the heavens** ; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth."

"A _tower_ whose top is in the heavens." Our word "tower" means, "To _twist_ , i.e. to _be_ (causitive _make_ ) _large_ (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)." Doesn't this confirm our perspective that pride is the motivating factor behind the building of the city and tower?

Our word "top" is also important. It is transliterated as rōʾsh and defined as, "To _shake_ ; the _head_ (as most easily _shaken_ ), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, etc.)." This same word is translated in the following passage as "head."

Genesis 3:15 (NKJV)  
15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your **head** , and you shall bruise His heel."

As we have already considered, the idea of a "tower" and "head" points to the _authority_ or _government_ of a city or _collective_ and signifies its _beginning_ since the head is the beginning of the body and responsible for its function (I Cor. 11:3; Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Col. 1:18). For this reason, we read, "And the _beginning_ of his (Nimrod) kingdom was Babel" (Gen. 10:10).

So, was the tower of Babel simply a desire to construct a really tall edifice, or, as it seems to suggest, was it more of an attempt to reach the "heavens" and gain the favor of the "gods"? (Exod. 20:3) I believe it was the latter, for history as well as our present day speaks very loudly in this direction, does it not? You see, my friend, the city and tower of Babel illustrates our concerted efforts to obtain the blessings of heaven, albeit not by God's will and way, but through our own will and efforts. Ah, but we should understand that we cannot "make a name for ourselves" while at the same time exalt His. The pride of our natural being has no place in the kingdom of God (I John 2:15-17).

In our story of Babel, the Lord " _came down_ to see the city and the tower" (Gen. 11:5). This statement suggests an _investigation_ into the affairs of men. Please consider.

John 9:39-41 (KJV)  
39 And Jesus said, **For** judgment **I am come into this world** , that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 40 And _some_ of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 41 Jesus said unto them, **If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth**.

Our word "judgment" is krima, defined as, "From <G2919> (krino); a _decision_ (the function or the effect, for or against ['crime'])." Vine's tells us that krima "denotes (a) 'the sentence pronounced, a verdict, a condemnation, the decision resulting from an investigation,' e.g. Mark 12:40; Luke 23:40; I Tim. 3:6; Jude 1:4; (b) 'the process of judgment leading to a decision,' I Peter 4:17 ('judgment')." Does this not clarify our perspective?

So what was the verdict? "Let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech" (Gen. 11:7).

John 3:13 (NKJV)  
13 No one has ascended to heaven but **He who came down from heaven** , _that is,_ the Son of Man who is in heaven.

John 6:38 (KJV)  
38 For **I came down from heaven** , not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

Matthew 10:34-39 (NKJV)  
34 " **Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword**. 35 For I have come to _'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law';_ 36 and _'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.'_ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

So let's talk reality here. Jesus stated, "I _came down_ from heaven." Why? "Not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me." And what did Jesus tell His disciples? "Do not think that _I came_ (down) to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a _sword_." He was, of course, speaking figuratively of the Word of God. Now, what does a sword do? It divides! It cuts in two and separates! Hebrews 4:12 clarifies this, so too the Lord's remarks which follow after in Matthew, Chapter 10.

The Lord "came down from heaven" to do the Father's will and in doing so, _created confusion and division among His people_. Never in the history of Israel and the Jews was there such misunderstanding as there was in the days of Christ! When Jesus began to demonstrate the kingdom of God, He brought something into their midst unlike anything they had ever seen. For this reason, they were continually questioning His authority (Matt. 13:53-58).

Brother and sister, take time to think about this. When Jesus entered His ministry, He challenged a structure of belief that had been in place for thousands of years, since the time when Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt and were presented with the law of God at Mount Sinai. The law of God incorporated the temple of God, which with its corresponding ordinances and rituals, became the most sacred place of worship for Israel and the Jews. To the Jews of Jesus' day, it was the most hallowed component of their lives and had been for a very long time. I am sure that others must have challenged them, but never successfully and never with the blessing of God which was obvious in the Lord's ministry. To the Jewish leaders, Jesus was a radical, rebel, a sect or cult. Despite the fact that He was truly blessed by God in word and deed, it didn't matter to them. In their minds, He was standing against what they had known for thousands of years; end of story.

But here's the kicker. The very scriptures they embraced spoke of His coming many times over. Contained in their own scriptures were the prophecies which said He would come and He came in accordance with those prophecies. Ah, but the religious leaders were so bound by their pride that they couldn't see what was right before them. While fishermen, tax collectors, and harlots gathered to Him, the religious leaders opposed and rejected Him every step of the way. The Lord God had come down in their midst through the Spirit of His Son, but they didn't recognize Him. They were blinded by their religious pride and their insatiable need for continued recognition and power.

Could the same thing happen again? I firmly believe so, not as a matter of opinion, but as a matter of _prophecy_. So allow me to speak plainly. The book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ is not prophecy in regard to the world _but to the church_. This is confirmed by the very first chapter and verse where we read, "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him _to show to his servants_ the things that must soon take place." Despite what some of the most popular teachers have led us to believe, the words of this book have nothing to do with the world and everything to do with His body, the church.

There is a story in John, Chapter 8, which is worth considering and which supports our perspective.

John 8:31-38 (NKJV)  
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 **And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free**." 33 They answered Him, " **We are Abraham's descendants** , and have never been in bondage to anyone. How _can_ you say, 'You will be made free'?" 34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, _but_ a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. 37 " **I know that you are Abraham's descendants,** but you seek to kill Me, **because My word has no place in you**. 38 I speak **what I have seen with My Father, and** you do **what you have seen with your father**."

Look at how Jesus responds to the Jews who told Him they were "Abraham's descendants." "I know that you are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill Me, _because My word has no place in you_. _I speak_ what I have seen with My Father, and _you do_ what you have seen with your father." Is He not equating speaking _with_ doing? And what did Jesus say? "My word has no place in you." Would this not signify Babylon or confusion? When Jesus said this, they challenged Him further.

John 8:39-43 (NKJV)  
39 They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, **you would do the works of Abraham**. 40 But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. 41 You do the deeds of your father." Then they said to Him, "We were not born of fornication; **we have one Father--God**." 42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 **Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word**.

Notice the switch? The Jews embraced Abraham as their "father," but when they realized that Jesus was not disputing their natural lineage they changed their approach. "We were not born of fornication; _we have one Father_ —God." Ah, but what did Jesus say? " _If God were your Father_ , you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me." What comes next? " _Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word_." Asked and answered, right? Was there a language barrier here? Not as far as culture, but certainly one of the heart.

"We were not born of fornication," said the Jews to Jesus. Fornication? Yes, and this word means, " _Harlotry_ ," taken from the word which means, "To _act_ the _harlot_." In light of Babylon in Revelation, Chapter 17, verses 1 and 5, we have a match. Coincidence? I don't think so.

As we continue to read in John, Chapter 8, Jesus tells the Jews, "You are of your _father_ the devil, and _the desires of your father you want to do_. He was a murderer from the beginning, _and does not stand in the_ truth, because _there is no truth in him_. When he speaks a _lie_ , he speaks from his own resources, _for he is a liar and the father of it_ " (John 8:44). Pretty strong words, wouldn't you say? Yet, Jesus held nothing back. Having come down from heaven to do His Father's will, He knew that He would be resisted and rejected. He also knew He wasn't wrestling with "flesh and blood" (Eph. 6:12), but with that wicked _spirit_ of _error_ (pride; I John 4:6) of the "natural man" which saturated the deeds of the scribes and Pharisees and perverted the very truth they claimed to embrace (Matt. 15:1-9).

"You are of your _father_ the devil." This statement sheds light on the _spirit_ behind the "harlotry" of the Pharisees, for the word "devil" means, "A _traducer_ ," which is defined as, "To speak maliciously and falsely of; slander; defame" (Dictionary.com).

"Father" speaks of the _male_ , the one from which "seed" is sown, and in this case, Jesus was disputing with them about the "seed" of the Word of God (Luke 8:11), the word of _truth_ (John 17:17). The Lord knew that the scribes and Pharisees sat "in Moses' seat," i.e. they were responsible for the ministry of the law of God (Matt. 23:2-3), yet He also knew that they ministered this Word from the _wrong spirit_.

"You are of your father the _devil_." Having defined that truth was in question, Jesus then defined the "spirit" behind what the Jews confessed. Note the phrase, "The desires of your father" and "there is no truth in him." Also note that He said, "When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it." So Jesus identified _the nature of their spirit_ (devil; accusation) and made it quite clear that even though the Jews embraced the Word, they were far from the spirit of it. We could easily say then that the truth of God is ineffectual without the Spirit of God in it. No wonder Paul wrote, "We know that we all have knowledge. _Knowledge puffs up_ , but love edifies" (I Cor. 8:1). Could we say then that the language of God incorporates the Spirit of truth and its corresponding behavior while the language of the "natural man" does not? I believe we could.

Matthew 16:21 (ESV)  
21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the **elders** and **chief priests** and **scribes** , and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

So again, let's take a moment to think about what happened between Christ and the religious segment of His time. Note that Jesus told "His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the _elders_ and _chief priests_ and _scribes_ , and be killed, and on the third day be raised." In other words, Jesus knew His destiny according to prophecy, and He knew the hearts of those who so vehemently opposed Him. And it wasn't the worldly or sinful, but the religious leaders who would deliver Him to Pilate and demand His death, proving beyond any doubt that they truly were of "their father the devil" who "was a _murderer_ from the beginning" (John 8:44).

So think long and hard about this. Can religious pride really be this intense? Can anyone really be this deceived in the midst of such great religious motion? Is it possible for this same mindset to be duplicated today? Sadly, the answer to all of these questions is a very resounding "yes," and just as it was true in the Lord's day, _it is a matter of prophecy_ _and fulfillment_ in our own.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (NKJV)  
1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; **for** _that Day will not come_ **unless the falling away comes first** , and **the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition** , 4 **who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God**.

Brother and sister, to what was Paul referring when he said that the day of Christ "will not come unless the _falling away_ comes first"? Who or what falls away? If we are willing to remain open-minded, our answer is found in the prophecies to the seven churches of Revelation. Consider what Jesus said in His prophecy to the first church of Ephesus.

Revelation 2:4-5 (NKJV)  
4 Nevertheless **I have** _this_ **against you** , that **you have left your first love**. 5 Remember therefore **from where you have fallen** ; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent.

"You have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen." Our word "fallen" is a compound word, ekpiptō, and means, "To _drop away_ ; specially _be driven out_ of one's course; figurative to _lose, become inefficient_." Immediately, my mind goes to the following.

Revelation 18:2 (NKJV)  
2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is **fallen** ( _piptō_ ), is **fallen** ( _piptō_ ), and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!

As we see, our word "fallen" is _piptō_ , meaning "To _fall_ " and agrees with Revelation 2:5. Now, let's take a brief look at the messages to the other churches.

Revelation 2:9-10 (NKJV)  
9 I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); **and** _I know_ **the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but** _are_ **a synagogue of Satan**. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw _some_ of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Revelation 2:13 (NKJV)  
13 **I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne** _is_ _._ And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas _was_ My faithful martyr, **who was killed among you, where Satan dwells**.

Revelation 2:24 (NKJV)  
24 Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, **who have not known the depths of Satan** , as they say, I will put on you no other burden.

"Who was killed among you, where Satan dwells." I cannot help but think of the contrast between the Jews and Christ and our passages in John, Chapter 8.

Where is "Satan's throne"? Where does Satan dwell? Squarely in the midst of the Lord's people, just like he did in the religious segment of Jesus' day! And again, to whom do the prophecies in Revelation relate to? Is it not His body, the church? It is, my friend, and we cannot talk our way around it.

So here we have it; two languages or _expressions_ if you will, human and divine, and when they are _mixed_ , we have _confusion_. We see but don't see, hear but don't hear. Due to the deceptiveness of our own hearts, we struggle with this confusion which is instigated by the living Word which stands against the natural inclinations of our being (Jer. 17:9-10; II Thess. 2:11).

In part, Babylon defines the language or expression of the natural man, and this expression is that of the _self and its works_. Ah, but the language or expression of Christ and the kingdom of God is the language of _self-sacrifice and its corresponding works of faith_. As we continue, we will discover more about "Babylon the great" (Rev. 17:5).

Matthew 5:8 (KJV)  
8 Blessed _are_ **the pure in heart** : for they shall see God.

# Chapter Three

# THE HEAD OF GOLD

Babel is Babylon, consisting of a city and tower, and the "top" of the tower speaks of the rōʾsh or _head_. In fact, this Hebrew word is translated as "head" 349 times in the Old Testament. The first time is in Genesis 2:10 while the second time is in Genesis 3:15 in regard to the serpent. Coincidence? I don't think so. Let's take a moment to consider Genesis 2:10.

Genesis 2:10-12 (NKJV)  
10 Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four **riverheads** (rōʾsh). 11 The name of the **first** _is_ **Pishon** ; it _is_ the one which skirts the whole land of **Havilah** , where _there is_ **gold**. 12 And the **gold** of that land _is_ good. Bdellium and the onyx stone _are_ there.

Look closely at these passages. First, we have a "river" which "went out of Eden to water the garden." What garden? The Garden of Eden. Is this literal? Not at all, for the "garden of Eden" signifies _the divine principle of sowing and reaping_ (Gal. 6:7-8).

Now, note that the river "parted" in the garden "and become four riverheads (rōʾsh). Consider what Stephen Jones wrote concerning the spiritual meaning of four (emphasis and underlining mine).

Four (daleth)

The Earth, Material Creation

Daleth is a door in Hebrew.

In biblical numerology, four is the number of the earth, or the material creation of God. On the fourth day of creation the material world was finished (Gen. 1:14-19), thereby allowing God to furnish it with living creatures. The gematria of the Hebrew phrase, h'eretz, "the earth," is 296, which is 4 x 74.

There were also four great divisions of mankind represented by the cherubim (Ez. 1:5), or the four "beasts" around the throne (Rev. 4:6). These represent all creation.

Likewise, there are four gospels, each corresponding to a different "beast" around the throne. Matthew presents the Lion, saying, "Behold the King." Mark presents the Ox, saying, "Behold the Servant." Luke presents the Man, saying, "Behold the Son of Man." John presents the Eagle, saying, "Behold the Son of God."

In accordance with this also were four colors in the curtains of the Tabernacle of Moses. The purple proclaimed, "Behold your King." The scarlet proclaimed, "Behold the Servant." The white proclaimed, "Behold the Son of Man." The blue proclaimed, "Behold the Son of God."

In geometry, a four-sided square represents the earth, while a circle represents heaven, eternity, and the realm of spirit.

The fourth book of the Bible is the book of Numbers, whose Hebrew title is B'Midbar, "The Wilderness." The wilderness symbolically represents the earth. On the Day of Atonement, the second goat (Christ) was led into the wilderness by a "fit man" to remove sin from all the people (Lev. 16:10, 21). Thus, after His baptism on the Day of Atonement, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. This was to fulfill the law of the second goat.

At the end of Psalm 4, we find that it is "to the chief Musician upon Nehiloth," which means inheritances. It has to do with inheriting the earth (Matt. 5:5), beginning with our own "earth," our own "Canaan," our Promised Land, the glorified body. Yet before the righteous can inherit the earth, they must be trained and disciplined in the earth, often suffering to test their faith. Thus, Israel had to be tested in the wilderness (Ps. 95:8; Heb. 3:8) before they could inherit the land of Canaan.

Four is the number of the _material creation_ , of this _world of form_ in which we dwell, indicative of the _earth_ which, to those called of God, is a _wilderness_. It also typifies a _foundation_ , for most buildings are constructed on a foundation of four sides and "on the fourth day of creation the material world was finished (Gen. 1:14-19), thereby allowing God to furnish it with living creatures." In his book, Number in Scripture, E.W. Bullinger tells us that four is "especially the 'city' number," agreeing with a "foundation" and our concept of a "city" and "tower."

In Genesis 2:11, we read that "the name of the first river is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold." "Pishon" means, "Dispersive," taken from the root which means, "To spread; figurative act proudly." Wouldn't this agree with our story of Babel and the reason why God "scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth"? (Gen. 11:8)

Note that the river Pishon "skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold." "Havilah" is defined as, "Circular," taken from the word which means, "To _twist_ or _whirl_ (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e. (specific) to _dance_ , to _writhe_ in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; figurative to _wait_ , to _pervert_." Would this not describe the effects of pride?

As we are seeing, Babel or Babylon is not about the city or tower but the _spirit_ and _message_ evidenced by the _works_ or _deeds_ of a collective or group of people, small or large.

Now, allow me to bring in the male _and_ female aspects of what we are considering because it is important to our understanding. In the "city" of Babylon, we have the female and in the "tower" of Babylon, we have the male. How do I know? Please consider.

1 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV)  
3 But I want you to know that the **head** of every man is Christ, the **head** of woman _is_ man, and the **head** of Christ _is_ God.

Here Paul presents us with the hierarchy of the kingdom of God and he clearly states, "The _head_ of woman is man." So the man or male is the "head," represented by our "tower" and its "top," making the "city" the "woman" or female. This is easily confirmed in the book of Revelation, Chapter 17, where we read, "'Come, I will show you the judgment of the _great harlot_ who sits on many waters...' So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. _And I saw a woman_ sitting on a scarlet beast" (Rev. 17:1, 3). This entity is none other than "Mystery, Babylon the great, the _mother_ of harlots and of the abominations of the earth" (Rev. 17:5). As shown, Babylon is a "woman" and "mother" who gives birth to "harlots" and "abominations." This implies that there is a "seed" sown by the male. As previously mentioned, we are talking about a "seed" of knowledge, a mindset if you will, which Paul defined as the "wisdom of _this_ world" which so often stands opposed to the wisdom of God (I Cor. 2:6; 3:19).

Revelation 18:7 (NKJV)  
7... for she says in her heart, ' **I sit** _as_ **queen, and am no widow** , and will not see sorrow.'

John records that our woman Babylon "says in her heart, 'I sit as queen, and am no widow.'" This being the case, then there must be a "king" present. Let's consider this.

Anyone familiar with scripture has heard about Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. We should note that of all the kings spoken of in the Old Testament, Nebuchadnezzar stands out from all of them. He is mentioned many times in the Old Testament, but the most revealing information is found in the book of the prophet Daniel.

Nebuchadnezzar had two dreams and both have great spiritual significance. Our interest is the first dream found in Daniel, Chapter Two.

Daniel 2:31-38 (NKJV)  
31 "You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! This great image, whose splendor _was_ excellent, stood before you; and its form _was_ awesome. 32 **This image's head** _was_ **of fine gold** , its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 34 You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. 36 "This _is_ the dream. Now we will tell the interpretation of it before the king. 37 **You, O king,** _are_ **a king of kings**. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; 38 and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given _them_ into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all-- **you** _are_ **this head of gold**.

Here we find that Nebuchadnezzar had a dream in which he saw a "great image" in the form of a man. Daniel tells him, "This image's _head_ was of _fine gold_ " and then tells him, " _You_ are this _head_ of _gold_." Our word "head" is _rēʾsh_ , corresponding to rōʾsh and is defined as, "The head; figurative the sum." So, just as the tower of Babel reflects the beginning and leadership of the city, so too Nebuchadnezzar, as king of Babylon and the "head of gold," reflects the same.

Most Bible teachers agree that gold is symbolic of the divine nature of our Creator. For this reason, gold was used extensively in the construction of the Tabernacle of Witness (Moses). John confirms this perspective in Revelation recording that "the city (of God) was pure gold, like clear glass" (Rev. 21:18) and "the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass" (Rev. 21:21; see also Rev. 3:18).

The top of the tower equates to the head and the head equates to that which controls and directs the rest of the body. And where does speech originate? First from the head or mind to be expressed through the mouth. Not surprisingly, our word "language" in Genesis 11:1 is defined as, "The lip." And where does spirit originate? Through the mind (Matt. 12:34; Eph. 4:23), which would also be symbolized by the head. So we have both spirit (heart) and message (mind), our language or expression as defined by Nebuchadnezzar as the "head of gold."

Nebuchadnezzar was called "a king of kings," greater than the other "kings" which would follow him and the "head of gold," of which there can only be one. What did the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament tell us concerning our name Babylon? It means "Gate of God." "Gate"? As in an entrance and beginning? Yes. "Of God"? As symbolized by our gold? Yes. Please consider.

Exodus 19:9-11 (ESV)  
9 And the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever." When Moses told the words of the people to the Lord, 10 the Lord said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments 11 and **be ready for the third day**. For **on the third day** the Lord will come down **on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people**.

What do we read in Genesis 11:7? "Come, let Us go down." What did the Lord tell Moses? "On the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people." Is there a correlation? I believe so. Why the "third day"? Because three is the number which denotes divine fullness (Number in Scripture by E.W. Bullinger) and resurrection. In his book, Biblical Mathematics, Ed Vallowe wrote:

The number THREE also stands for the RESURRECTION of the body. Jesus said,

"As Jonas was THREE days and THREE nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be THREE days and THREE nights in the heart of the earth." (Matthew 12:40)

In John 2:19, He said to the Jews,

"Destroy this temple, and in THREE days I will raise it up."

In Verse 21 Jesus says He was speaking of the temple of His body. By this, Jesus taught that His body would be raised from the dead after being dead for THREE DAYS and THREE NIGHTS.

Read I Corinthians, Chapter 15, and you will find that resurrection is the core of the gospel of Christ, the "hub of the wheel" to which all other truth connects. No wonder God told Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments and be ready for the third day."

Now, what took place on the "third day"? Israel received the law of God. And since it His law, it defines His divine nature as symbolized by the "gold." And the "head"? As we have read, "The head of every man is Christ" (I Cor. 11:3). So even though Nebuchadnezzar was a natural man, he fell under the auspices of the living Word as expressed through the law of God.

Our word "Christ" means, "Anointed," taken from the word which means, "To smear or rub with oil." This correlates with the root of our word Babel which reads, "To overflow (specifically with oil); by implication to mix," showing that the law or expression of God applies to all, defining the beginning and direction of every single person on this planet. And how is this accomplished? First, by means of our own conscience (Rom. 2:12-16; 3:9-19), and secondly, by the rule of law which is evident in every society.

So why did Nebuchadnezzar's dream portray the image of a man of which he was "king of kings"? Because, like Nebuchadnezzar himself, it illustrates the "natural man" in all of us who is subject to the divine essence of the law of God. Proof? See Daniel, Chapter 4, and how God reckoned with Nebuchadnezzar and his pride.

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV)  
14 But the **natural man** does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know _them,_ because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 15:44 (NKJV)  
44 It is sown a **natural body** , it is raised a spiritual body. **There is a natural body** , and there is a spiritual body... 46 However, **the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual**.

The "natural man" equates to the "natural body," and as Paul made clear, "the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual." This principle shows that Nebuchadnezzar's dream reveals the essence of the "natural man" in everyone and the necessary process of the law of God to bring us to its spiritual nature (Rom. 7:14).

The law of God is part of "the things of the Spirit of God," is it not? And if the natural man is unable to receive it, then wouldn't this explain the confusion as illustrated by Babel? This is confirmed by Hebrews, Chapter 3 and 4, where we find that after receiving the law at Mount Sinai, Israel did not profit from the Word due to unbelief and disobedience (Heb. 4:2).

It is also important to our understanding to know that the kingdom of Judah was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar according to the will of God (Jeremiah, Chapter 21, Chapter 27, Chapter 28, and Chapter 29). And wasn't it also the Lord who gave both dreams to Nebuchadnezzar and judged him accordingly as recorded in the book of Daniel? All of this shows that there is much to consider concerning Babylon in regard to His people.

# Chapter Four

# THE TWO COVENANTS

Galatians 4:21-31 (ESV)  
21 Tell me, **you who desire to be under the law** , do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had **two sons** , one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But **the son of the slave was born according to the flesh** , while **the son of the free woman was born through promise**. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: **these women are** two covenants. **One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar**. 25 **Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children**. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband." 28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time **he who was born according to the flesh** persecuted **him who was born according to the Spirit** , so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman." 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

We cannot fully appreciate or understand Mystery Babylon without understanding the Two Covenants. In our passages above, Paul makes it clear that Abraham's wives, Hagar and Sarah, represent our Two Covenants, Old and New. We know them as the Old Testament (covenant) and New Testament (covenant).

The first or Old Covenant is typified by Hagar, Abraham's "slave woman." And what is the Old Covenant? It is "Mount Sinai in Arabia," i.e. the law which God delivered to Israel through Moses. In Paul's time, this corresponded to the present city of Jerusalem who was "in slavery with her children." Since we are speaking "allegorically," we should understand that this "slavery" of which Paul speaks refers to the law of God which provokes sin in us (Rom. 7:5, 8-11), making us "slaves" to the power of sin which abides in our members (Rom. 6:16). Just as the people of Judah became slaves to Nebuchadnezzar, so too you and I become slaves to sin under the "head of gold" which symbolizes the initiation of God's law over the natural man within us. This agrees with I Corinthians 2:14 and the principle of sowing and reaping which Paul describes in Galatians, Chapter 6, verses 7 through 10.

Hagar represents the Old Covenant or law of God. And where is the evidence of the law found? As stated, within each and every one of us. This explains the human struggle with which all of us are familiar, our struggle with sin which John defines as "the transgression of the law" (I John 3:4). Again, this is the plight of our "natural man" which cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God and reveals to us that it's imperative for something to take place in order for us to overcome this struggle once and for all. And what is it? To put it plainly, it is death. Please consider.

2 Corinthians 3:1-11 (NKJV)  
1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some _others,_ epistles of commendation to you or _letters_ of commendation from you? 2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 clearly _you are_ an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, **written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh,** _that is,_ **of the heart**. 4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as _being_ from ourselves, but our sufficiency _is_ from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as **ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life**. 7 But if **the ministry of death, written** _and_ **engraved on stones** , was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which _glory_ was passing away, 8 how will **the ministry of the Spirit** not be more glorious? 9 For if **the ministry of condemnation** _had_ glory, **the ministry of righteousness** exceeds much more in glory. 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 **For if what is passing away** _was_ **glorious, what remains** _is_ **much more glorious**.

Look closely at our passages above. Paul is again comparing the New Covenant with the Old Covenant. And what does he call the Old Covenant? "The ministry of death" and "the ministry of condemnation." Death? Condemnation? Seriously? But friend, we cannot argue with the truth. The law of God, symbolized by Hagar, is the administration of death and condemnation in our lives. So to put it plainly, the purpose of the Old Covenant or law is given to "kill" us. But understand I am not speaking literally but "allegorically." The work of the law is not to physically destroy us, but to put to death the "old man" (Rom. 6:6), which corresponds to the "natural man," which Paul also called the "natural body" (I Cor. 15:44) and "the body of sin" (Rom. 6:6). This shows that what is actually being destroyed is our unrighteous behavior (works; deeds), hence the reason that the New Covenant is called "the ministry of righteousness" (righteous behavior; deeds). It is all a matter of "works" (deeds).

Now, remember that the core of the gospel is the principle of resurrection as explained in I Corinthians, Chapter 15, and symbolized by the number three (death [1], burial [2], resurrection [3]).

To put it simply, the ministry of death and condemnation, i.e. the law, was placed in humankind to put all to death in order for all to attain resurrection. This word "resurrection" simply means, "A standing up again," which is illustrated by what happens once a seed is sown into the ground and dies (Mark 4:26-29).

So I emphasize, what precedes resurrection? Death and burial, and we cannot know resurrection without passing through the first two. For this reason, Jesus made it clear to His disciples that He would be put to death, buried, and be "raised again the third day" (Matt. 16:21; 17:23; 20:19; Mark 9:31; 10:34; Luke 9:22; 18:33; 24:7; 24:46; John 2:1; Acts 10:40; I Cor. 15:4). Is this not in keeping with our spiritual meaning of three?

So let me say it again. The ministry of death and condemnation, i.e. the law, was placed in humankind to put all to death in order for all to attain resurrection. Did I say all? Yes, I did. Do we have confirmation? Yes, we do.

1 Timothy 4:10 (NKJV)  
10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, **who is** _the_ **Savior of all men, especially of those who believe**.

Friend, God "is the Savior of all men," and has instituted a process by which all men are saved, no exceptions. And what is the proof? The process of death in our existence. Why is this true? Because sin is the transgression of the law and the wages of sin is death (I John 3:4; Rom. 6:23). "All have sinned" (Rom. 3:23) and death exists because the law exists (Rom. 5:12). We can say then that death, which comes as a result of sin, is evidence of His law. This shows that God fully intended for death to be an integral part of our existence and has a purpose that few of us truly understand. Even though death entered by "one man" (Rom. 5:12), it is divine in origin, for the "one man" of which Paul speaks refers to the "first man Adam" (I Cor. 15:45) who represents the "natural man" which Nebuchadnezzar's dream typified. Now, look at what Paul said in light of what we are considering.

Acts 24:14-15 (NKJV)  
14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, **believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets**. 15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that **there will be a resurrection of** _the_ **dead, both of** _the_ **just and** _the_ **unjust**.

Do you see it? "There will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust." And friend, it is not so our Creator can send billions into eternal torment as tradition would like us to believe. Rather, it is so each and every one of us may experience the life of Christ in God at the end of this divine process. Understand that the ministry of death and condemnation is to bring us to Christ (Rom. 10:4) and is working within every soul on this planet whether they understand it or not. So it is that Paul wrote, "For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living," and again, "For it is written: 'As I live, says the LORD, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God'" (Rom. 14:9, 11).

Ecclesiastes 12:7 (NKJV)  
7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, **and the spirit will return to God who gave it**.

Solomon, whose wisdom surpassed all others in his time, tells us that the spirit returns to God who gave it at the time our bodies return to the dust from which it was taken. Can we argue with this? No, we cannot. All go back to the Creator at the end of their earthly sojourn. Despite the traditional take, no one goes to a place called hell (eternal torment) after their death.

John 12:24-25 (ESV)  
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, **unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit**. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). This statement is all-inclusive, showing that the process of death, burial, and resurrection applies to all. It works in everyone and the presence of death in everyone confirms it.

Just as this earthly body is temporary as evidenced by the aging process, so too the soul is a temporary "container" if you will of the spirit within; and the soul too will pass. I say this because I believe the soul is the temporary expression of the spirit and flesh while it resides in this human form. For this reason, Jesus said, "The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt. 26:41). Once again, consider the following from Matthew, Chapter 10.

Matthew 10:38-39 (NKJV)  
38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 **He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it**.

Verse 39 shows that whether we find our life (psychē or soul) we "lose it" or "lose" our life (psychē or soul), we find it. Either way, the soul is lost (see also Matthew 16:26). However, this shows that the death of the soul is assured in order that resurrection is also assured. Through death we find life. Allow me to share the following illustration with you.

This illustration helps with what we are considering. First, we have the living Word which defines the _work_ of God, symbolized as a "two-edged sword," each edge corresponding with the "left hand" and "right hand" of God (Matt. 25:31-46). This shows that His work in us _divides_ the _soul_ from the _spirit_ and discerns the _thoughts_ and _intents_ of the heart.

For each, it begins with the initiation of the Old Covenant or law, the ministry of death and condemnation, defined by the _divine nature_ (gold) of _Christ_ (head) as pictured in Nebuchadnezzar's dream. This brings death to our soul (Ezek. 18:4), not a one time act, but an _ongoing process_ which we speak of as "dying." For this reason, the writer of Hebrews tells us, " _It is appointed for men to die once_ , but after this the _judgment_ " (Heb. 9:27) and Ezekiel records, "The soul who sins _shall die_ " (Ezek. 18:4). We are not speaking of the passing of this physical frame, but again, of an ongoing process that works within our present reality. Ah, but even as our human forms age to eventually pass away, so too the law of God is aging within to also pass away (Heb. 8:13). For this reason, Paul wrote, "Christ is _the end of the law_ for righteousness to everyone who believes" (Rom. 10:4).

As our illustration shows, Hagar symbolizes the Old Covenant and correlates with the "left hand" of God, symbolic of the law which resides over the natural man or "he who sows to his flesh" (Gal. 6:8). On the other hand, Sarah represents the New Covenant or Promise of God to put His laws into our minds and write them in our hearts (Heb. 8:7-13). This correlates with the "right hand" and to "he who sows to the Spirit" (Gal. 6:8). As suggested, the divine work of Christ is to move us from the "left hand" to the "right hand." Ah, but in order to do so, we must pass through "death" and "judgment," symbolized by the middle of the cross in our illustration.

Now, just as our sword is one sword with _two_ edges, and our cross is one cross with _two_ sides, the Old Covenant or law is _joined_ to the New Covenant or Promise; _they are two sides of the same coin_. This is verified by the fact that the New Covenant is _the placing of His laws_ into our minds and hearts (Heb. 8:10).

So what does the middle of our illustration show? As mentioned, that "death," as well as "judgment," are the components that join our Covenants together, confirming Hebrews 9:27 and Ezekiel 18:4.

Based on Paul's explanation in I Corinthians, Chapter 15, the "old" or "natural man" of our being is illustrated by "the _first_ man Adam" who was _judged_ and _brought to death_ in Christ and His death on the cross (Rom. 6:6). For this reason, Christ is called "the _last_ Adam." This reveals that once our "death" or "dying" is fully experienced through His divine process, _we pass from death to life_. John sums this up perfectly in his first letter, stating, "We know that we have _passed from death unto_ life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death" (I John 3:14; KJV).

John 5:24-25 (KJV)  
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, **He that heareth my word** , and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; **but is passed from death unto life**. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, **when the dead shall hear the** voice **of the Son of God** : and **they that hear shall live**.

The transliteration of our word "voice" above is phōnē, defined as, " _Disclosure_ ; a _tone_ (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication an _address_ (for any purpose), _saying_ or _language_." Saying or language? As in "confuse" our language? Yes. As we have learned, the story of Babel denotes the living Word (Christ) coming down from heaven into the midst of humankind, instigating the human struggle of good and evil which is clearly evident throughout history (see Gen. 2:9; 3:1-7). In essence, this same understanding is reflected in the story of Adam and Eve (Gen. 2:17; 3:1-7), for the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil" also symbolizes the law of God (Rom. 3:20). Despite the traditional perspective, Adam did not "fall" by accident, _but by divine design_. Remember, it is "appointed" for us to die once (Heb. 9:27).

Genesis 11:7 (NKJV)  
7 Come, **let Us go down** and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech."

We read, "Let _Us_ go down." Us? Yes, which speaks of God in Christ. First, "the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built." In other words, an investigation by the Divine Court was necessary in order for a decision to be made. This decision was to " _go down_ and there _confuse their language_ , that _they may not understand one another's speech_." This "coming down" reflects the descending of the Lord from heaven and the entrance of the kingdom of God in the earth. The result? The confusion of languages which is, to this present day, clearly evident in the many religious denominations and organizations of our time (as well as in the world).

If we really think about it, we will find that the same thing happened on the Day of Pentecost when the disciples of Christ heard a " _sound_ from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting" (Acts 2:2) and were filled with the Holy Spirit. So we read, "And _when this sound occurred_ , the multitude came together, _and were_ confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language" (Acts 2:6). You see, my friend, wherever the Lord is present, there is confusion as the Word challenges us with its manifestation.

That being said, this should tell us what "Babylon" truly represents. It is His Covenant people, His body, His church (Rom. 12:4-5; I Cor. 10:17; 12:12-31). As we continue, this will become clearer.

Now, look once more at our passages from Galatians.

Galatians 4:21-26 (ESV)  
21 Tell me, **you who desire to be under the law** , do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had **two sons** , one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But **the son of the slave was born according to the flesh** , while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, **bearing children for slavery** ; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for **she is in slavery with her children**. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.

It is evident that Paul is speaking to those who wished to remain "under the law." So, he uses Abraham, knowing that the Jews would relate to their spiritual (and natural) "father," for they were fully aware that the Covenants began with him.

Paul then states, "Abraham had two sons," so, in actuality, it is the "sons" which Paul wishes to emphasize. The first "son" was Ishmael, born of Hagar, which Paul defines as "born according to the flesh." So we should see that Ishmael, like the "first man Adam," corresponds to the natural man of our being, i.e. the soul.

The other son, Isaac, was "born through promise," which corresponds to the "inward" or spiritual man (II Cor. 4:16). And just as Ishmael and Isaac were brothers, so too the natural (soul) and spiritual (spirit) aspects of our being are joined within and addressed by the Covenants of God on both planes. Not surprisingly, Cain and Abel also typify this same idea.

Hagar, i.e. the law, bears "children for slavery" and "she," along "with her children," is "in slavery." This speaks to the fact that you and I remain under the bondage or captivity of the ministry of death and condemnation until we are fully brought to Christ, for it is divinely sanctioned that "the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual" (I Cor. 15:46).

# Chapter Five

# FOURTEEN GENERATIONS

Matthew 1:17 (KJV)  
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David _are_ **fourteen** generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon _are_ **fourteen** generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ _are_ **fourteen** generations.

In these passages, we find a pattern which is _three_ segments of _fourteen_. This pattern is quite significant, defining the spiritual journey of all who are called of God. The crux of this pattern is our number _three_ , symbolic of _resurrection_. As we have found, the resurrection is the core of the gospel of the kingdom and is best illustrated by the principle of sowing and reaping (I Cor. 15:1-22; 35-46).

Consider Stephen Jones explanation of the spiritual meaning of _fourteen_.

Fourteen (yod-daleth)

Deliverance, Release

To write fourteen in Hebrew, they wrote two Hebrew letters: yod-daleth. These signify the hand (outworking) of the door. It pictures a release or deliverance from the prison with the opening of the door.

Fourteen is the number of deliverance or release. Israel was delivered from Egypt by the Passover lamb that was killed on the 14th day of the first month (Passover). When the ship that was carrying Paul to Rome was caught in the storm, they were delivered on the 14th day (Acts 27:33, 34).

In Gen. 12:10 Abram went down to Egypt in order to deliver himself from the famine in Canaan. This was the 14th time Abram's name is mentioned in Scripture.

The 14th time that Abraham is mentioned is in Gen. 18:13, where the Lord told them that Sarah would deliver a child (Isaac) in the next year. When Sarah laughed, the Lord said, "Is anything too difficult for the Lord?"

The 14th time Israel's name is mentioned is in Gen. 45:28, when Jacob-Israel came to understand that God had delivered Joseph. This also released Jacob himself from his second 21-year "time of trouble," for Joseph had been presumed dead for 21 years.

The 14th time Joshua's name is mentioned is in Num. 27:22. It was the occasion where Moses laid hands upon him to commission him as Moses' replacement. This released Joshua into his calling and released Moses from his own calling.

The 14th time Jesus' name is mentioned in the book of Luke is in Luke 4:35. Jesus delivered a man from a demon.

Also from Bullinger's _Number in Scripture_.

FOURTEEN being a multiple of _seven_ , partakes of its significance; and, being double that number, implies a double measure of spiritual perfection.

The number _two_ with which it is combined (2x7) may, however, bring its own significance into its meaning, as in Matthew 1, where the genealogy of Jesus Christ is divided up and given in sets of 14 (2x7) generations, _two_ being the number associated with incarnation.

The same principle may be applied to other multiples of _seven_ , and Bible students can find their own illustrations.

ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS ILLUSTRATIONS

_Fourteen_ times in the Book of Proverbs the expression occurs "the fear of the Lord":—Proverbs 1:7, 29, 2:5, 8:13, 9:10, 10:27, 14:26, 27, 15:16, 33, 16:6, 19:23, 22:4, 23:17.

As shown, fourteen is "a multiple of seven" and "implies a double measure (2) of spiritual perfection (7)." This "perfection" or _completeness_ is evident in the fact that it represents _deliverance_ or _release_. And what is it we are delivered or released from? As Matthew 1:17 shows, from our "carrying away (captivity; NKJV) into Babylon."

_Three_ times _fourteen_ equals _forty-two_. This is also significant and a key to understanding some things in the book of the Revelation. Consider Bullinger's explanation from _Number in Scripture: Its Supernatural Design and Spiritual Significance_ (bolding mine).

FORTY-TWO is a number connected with Antichrist. An important part of his career is to last for 42 months (Rev 11:2, 13:5), and thus this number is fixed upon him. Another number of Antichrist is 1260, and this is 30 x 42.

Its factors are _six_ and _seven_ (6x7=42), and this shows a connection between man and the Spirit of God, and between Christ and Antichrist:

_Forty-two_ stages of Israel's wanderings mark their conflict with the will of God.

_Forty-two_ young men* mocked the ascension of Elijah to Elisha, 2 Kings 2:23, 24.

* See note on p. 203.

Being a multiple of _seven_ , it might be supposed that it would be connected with spiritual perfection. But it is the product of _six_ times _seven. Six_ , therefore, being the number of _Man_ , and man's _opposition_ to God, _forty-two_ becomes significant of the working out of man's opposition to God.

There may be something more in the common phrase about things being all " _sixes and sevens_." They are so, indeed, when man is mixed up with the things of God, and when religious "flesh" engages in spiritual things. See under "Six and Seven," pp. 158-167.

**IN GEMATRIA it is a factor in the number of Nimrod's name, which is 294, or 42 x 7**. It will be often found as a factor in the Antichristian names. See under the number _Thirteen_.

It does not often appear as a separate number, but when it is thus seen as a _factor_ of another number, it always imparts its significance to it.

In gematria, each Hebrew letter is represented by a number. One can then calculate the numerical value of a word by adding together the values of each letter in it. Is it simply a coincidence that Nimrod's name in gematria is 42 x 7? I think not. This, along with our passages from Matthew 1:17, show that Babylon holds an important position in regard to the people of God. This being the case, we should know that there are _six_ important _sevens_ found in the book of the Revelation and _six_ times _seven_ is _forty-two_ ("times" always denotes an _increase_ ; see Isaiah 9:7). There are _seven_ lampstands or churches and _seven_ stars or angels for each church. We are then presented with _seven_ prophecies to these seven churches and a book sealed with _seven_ seals. Finally, out of this seven-sealed book, we have _seven_ trumpets and _seven_ bowls. We can list them as follows:

1. Seven churches

2. Seven angels

3. Seven prophecies

4. Seven-sealed book

5. Seven trumpets

6. Seven bowls

Here we have our _six sevens_ or _three fourteens._ And I don't believe it's a coincidence that we have such a pattern as this in Revelation which coincides with "the book of the generation of Jesus Christ" (Matt. 1:1, 17; KJV). We cannot consider this "generation" without noticing that Babylon holds the second and third position from "Abraham" to "Christ."

1. Abraham to David

2. David until the carrying away into Babylon

3. Carrying away into Babylon unto Christ

Now, let's break this down a different way. Consider.

1. Abraham

2. David

3. Babylon

4. Christ

In our first list, we have _three_ , agreeing with _resurrection_ , but in our second list, _four_ , agreeing with a _foundation_ (I Cor. 3:11-15). Brought together, we have _seven_ , our number of _spiritual perfection_ or _completeness_. Our spiritual path is perfect in its design.

Abraham signifies the Two Covenants, Old and New while Christ speaks of the anointing of the Spirit of God which is essential for the life of the Covenants. Babylon is in the middle, representing our transition from the Old _to_ the New, from death _to_ life, from natural _to_ spiritual.

Romans 10:4 (NKJV)  
4 For **Christ** _is_ **the end of the law** for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Remember Hagar? She denotes "Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, _and is in bondage with her children_ " (Gal. 4:25), in other words, the Old Covenant or law of God which is necessary to bring us to Christ. Paul confirms this, stating, "Therefore _the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ_ , that we might be justified by faith" (Gal. 3:24). When we reach this spiritual position, Christ becomes the " _end of the law_ for righteousness" to the one who believes.

Revelation 1:5-6 (NKJV)  
5 To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 **and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father** , to Him _be_ glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

When John wrote, "And has made us _kings_ and _priests_ to His God and Father," he spoke of his own spiritual position in Christ (as well as of the other apostles). This is the purpose of the Covenants. It begins with "Abraham" or the Covenants and proceeds to "David," who was both a king and priest (Author's note: See II Sam. 23:1; I believe David, like Christ, was a priest after the order of Melchizedek; see Hebrews, Chapter 7, verses 1 through 17). For this reason, Christ was often called the "son of David" (Matt. 1:1; 9:27; 12:23; 22:42).

King denotes "dominion," agreeing with the edict in Genesis, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to our likeness; _let them have dominion_ " (Gen. 1:26). Priest denotes "fruitfulness," agreeing with Genesis 1:28 where God told Adam, " _Be fruitful_ and multiply."

After David, we have the "carrying away into Babylon." Why? Because again, all of us must pass through the ministry of death in order to know life and the ministry of the Spirit. It is my opinion that this process is executed both individually _and_ collectively as indicated by the prophecies to the churches in Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3, as well as the "two olive trees" in Revelation, Chapter 11.

Babylon in Revelation is called a "mystery" and rightfully so (Rev. 17:5). The definition of this word reads, "From a derivative of **muo** (to _shut_ the mouth); a _secret_ or " _mystery_ " (through the idea of _silence_ imposed by _initiation_ into religious rites)." To shut the mouth? As in language? Yes. "Silence imposed by initiation into religious rites"? Yes. I immediately think of the following.

Revelation 8:1 (NKJV)  
1 When He opened the seventh seal, **there was silence** in heaven for about half an hour.

Friend, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16). He doesn't just love the church, He loves the world. After all, it is in the world where all of us begin. The word "church" means, "A calling out," i.e. a drawing away (John 6:44) or deliverance from all the secular and religious ideologies which saturate our society. For this reason, you cannot label those who are part of His kingdom. There can be no name to define it other than His name. There can be no spirit to define it other than His Spirit, that precious Spirit of truth which is given to bring us into all truth (John 16:13). And there can be no language or expression of His Spirit and truth until we have passed through and are delivered from our captivity in Babylon, from the confusion and resistance to His Word which even now is evident in all of us.

Bullinger tells us that forty-two is the number connected to antichrist. Like its opposite "Christ," antichrist speaks of "one body" and "many members" (I Cor. 12:12), which clearly denotes a collective whose "head" is anti or "instead" of Christ. Not surprisingly, Paul addresses this in the following passages.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (NKJV)  
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for _that Day_ (of the Lord) _will not come_ unless **the falling away comes first** , and the **man of sin** is revealed, the **son of perdition** , 4 **who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God**.

Who or what is antichrist? It is the "man of sin," the "son of perdition," indicative of the natural man "who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." When the natural man, who cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God, "sits as God" (head) in this temple which we are (I Cor. 3:16), then we have confusion and division (Prov. 6:19; I Cor. 1:10-13; 3:1-7). And just as it was in Jesus' time, when the religious leadership is corrupt, then those who follow are hindered from entering the kingdom of God (Matt. 23:13).

Babylon does not represent the Catholic Church or the Protestant churches or the secular and political arenas of the governments of this world. Rather, it is THE CHURCH, His people, you and me, under the law of God until even the smallest detail is fulfilled through Christ (Matt. 5:17-20).

Think about it. Christ is at the right hand of the throne of God, is He not? And what is His purpose for being there if not to exercise His dominion and to execute the living Word of our Father as He did so perfectly in the flesh two thousand years ago?

Did He not also promise those who overcome that they would also sit with Him and the Father in His throne (Rev. 3:21)? He did, but understand that in order to rule and reign with Him that the self must be completely eradicated in order for the perfect will of God to be accomplished (Rom. 12:1-2). Brother and sister, if we are His children, then we are "heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together" (Rom. 8:17).

I cannot speak for other countries, but America is inundated with the antichrist spirit, filled with religious men and women who would lead us to believe that we have arrived, that we have only to wait for a rapture to remove us from the suffering that prevails among us. These same self-proclaimed preachers, teachers, and prophets would also have us to believe that God is and will continue to pronounce the horrible judgment of eternal torment on thousands, millions, even billions of souls across this planet, simply because they have not confessed Jesus as their "personal Savior." Do we not realize that our Creator and His Son are not bound by our foolish phrases and formalities? Our God is much greater than all of the devices of men, much higher in His thoughts and ways that any of us could even suppose (Isa. 55:6-11).

The path to life is through death and death is much more than the physical passing of this human form. It is an integral part of the process of life. It defines the temporary existence of all form and includes the understanding that all form eventually passes away, not into oblivion, but into something entirely different.

Death is loss, the passing away of all that we know in this world; not only the physical comforts to which we are accustomed but of the foolish ideologies we so fervently embrace. All around us, everything is dying, even while we cling to it in hopes that it won't. No wonder John wrote, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (I John 2:15) and "the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever" (I John 2:17). "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (II Cor. 4:17-18).

And what is the will of God for us? "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Ah, but know when self has died, then "all these things" don't matter and have no hold on your life.

Now, look once more at Bullinger's explanation of forty-two.

FORTY-TWO is a number connected with Antichrist. An important part of his career is to last for 42 months (Rev 11:2, 13:5), and thus this number is fixed upon him. Another number of Antichrist is 1260, and this is 30 x 42.

I must say that Bullinger's use of the word "career" is a bit misleading. As previously mentioned, antichrist is not a person but "one body" and "many members" (Rom. 12:5) motivated by the "spirit of error" which John wrote about in I John 4:6. And I have no hesitation in saying that this "body" or collective is represented by Babylon in Revelation. After all, she is the "mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth" (Rev. 17:5).

1 John 4:6 (KJV)  
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the **spirit of truth** , and the **spirit of error**.

Three fourteens. And what does three denote? The process of death (14), burial (14), and resurrection (14). Following our forty-two months, there will be a resurrection for those who overcome (Rev. 11:11-12), those who are "just," those whom God has reserved (Rom. 11:1-5). This is called the "first resurrection" (Rev. 20:4-5).

Acts 24:14-16 (NKJV)  
14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. 15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that **there will be a resurrection of** _the_ **dead, both of** _the_ **just and** _the_ **unjust**. 16 This _being_ so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

Three fourteens, six important sevens, the "book of the generation of Jesus Christ" (Matt. 1:1). The pattern is specific and our captivity in Babylon is a necessary part of the pattern. Just as it was the will of God for Judah to be taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar (Ezra 5:12; Jer. 27:6), so too is it the will of God for us to experience our own "captivity" or "carrying away."

# Chapter Six

# FORTY-TWO

Revelation 11:1-2 (ESV)  
1 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, "Rise and measure **the temple of God** and the altar and those who worship there, 2 but **do not measure the court outside the temple** ; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations **, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months**.

Revelation 13:5 (ESV)  
5 And the beast (which rises out of the sea; Rev. 13:1) was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, **and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months**.

In both sets of passages, we have a period of "forty-two months," agreeing with our _six_ important _sevens_ or _three fourteens_ in Revelation. It is a time when "antichrist" prevails, not an _individual_ personage, but a _corporate_ body, laced with a spirit of pride and confusion. This shows that this period is not literal, but spiritual, and incorporates the process defined by the seven churches and the fulfillment of their prophecies in Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3. As we have already seen, there is an evident "falling away" of the church as this spirit becomes more prominent among His people. Can we argue with the words which came directly from the Lord's own mouth? No, we cannot.

The writer of Hebrews tells us, "Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, _who is seated at the right hand of the throne_ of the Majesty in the heavens, _a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle_ which the Lord erected, and not man" (Heb. 8:1-2). Who is the "true tabernacle"? The body and temple of Christ.

The "true tabernacle" is shown to us in Revelation 11. Note that we have two things to consider; the "temple of God" and the "court outside the temple." Concerning the temple of God, John is told to "rise and measure" it. The sense in which this word "measure" is used is defined by Google's definition which reads, "A plan or course of action taken to achieve a particular purpose." This being the case, consider the following.

1 Corinthians 3:11-17 (NKJV)  
11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation _with_ gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone's work which he has built on _it_ endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 16 **Do you not know that you are the temple of God and** **that** **the Spirit of God dwells in you?** 17 **If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which** **temple** **you are**.

Here we have it. There are those seen as the "temple of God" and those seen as the "court" which surrounds it. Only the priests ordained by God ministered in the temple, while the rest of Israel was subject to the priests and the divine ordinances. This contrast is shown in the following passage.

Revelation 17:14 (KJV)  
14... and they that are with him (Christ) _are_ called, and **chosen** , and faithful.

"Called" speaks of the body of Christ while "chosen" speaks of the ministry of the body of Christ. "Faithful" speaks of either who endure to the end to be saved (Matt. 24:13; Rev. 2:10).

The "court outside the temple" defines the people of God, His body, while its "temple" defines those who are chosen by the Lord to minister His Word. This is the collective view. There is also an individual view.

And what is measured? Not the court, _but the temple_ , and "if anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him." Strong words, right? Ah, but thinking beyond physical structures, consider the following illustration.

This is a simple diagram of the Tabernacle of Witness which God instructed Moses and Israel to build after their experience at Mount Sinai. Hebrews tells us that the Tabernacle served as "the _copy_ and _shadow_ of the heavenly things" (Heb. 8:5), which I believe speaks of the invisible realm of the soul, mind, and spirit. As our illustration shows, the true "temple of God" consists of our mind (Holy Place) and spirit (Most Holy Place), while the soul is symbolized by the "Outer Court." This is the individual perspective. As our illustration shows, the collective view is seen as "called, and chosen, and faithful."

As shown, the Outer Court or soul is overshadowed by "the law of sin and death" (Rom. 8:2), which is just another way of referring to the ministry of death and condemnation. On the other hand, the "law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:2) which correlates with the ministry of the Spirit (Promise), overshadows our mind and spirit, bringing the moral essence of His law into the deepest recesses of our being. As the law of sin and death works outwardly on our soul, the law of the Spirit of life works inwardly on our spirit. No wonder the Psalmist wrote, "The law of the Lord is perfect, _converting the soul_ " (Psalms 19:7). As we pass through this world, the soul is destroyed by the process of God, brought to death if you will in order for it to arise as _something different_. For this reason, Paul tells us that the resurrection of the dead is sown in the corruption of the natural body or _soul_ to be raised in the incorruption of the spiritual body or _spirit_ (I Cor. 15:42-46). And what does the soul define? The language or expression of the deeds done _while in this body_ (Rom. 2:6).

The fact that the law of sin and death works within the realm of our soul agrees with the process of God that is necessary for all and confirms why we read, "But do not measure the court (soul; called) outside the temple; leave that out, for it (the soul; called) _is given over to the nations_ **,** and they will trample the _holy city_ (the soul; the called of God) for _forty-two months_ " (Rev. 11:2). The Lord describes what is meant by this phrase.

John 16:33 (NKJV)  
33 **In the world you will have** tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Are the "nations" not the world? Of course. And could we not say that the "spirit of the world" (I Cor. 2:12) is "antichrist" as evidenced by its chaos and confusion? So it is that the church experiences "tribulation" in the world as we pass through the law of sin and death which abides over all. This is not only true inwardly, but outwardly, around us, in the world at large and explains why Jesus said, "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved" (Matt. 24:12-13).

As we pass through tribulation, the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus works in the recesses of our mind and spirit, moving us forward according to the prophetic work of the law as typified by the Tabernacle. This is why Hebrews states, "In that He says, 'A new covenant,' He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old _is ready to vanish away_ " (Heb. 8:13). Please consider.

Romans 7:14 (KJV)  
14 For we know that **the law is spiritual** : but **I am carnal** , sold under sin.

Beloved, "the law is spiritual," therefore, Jesus told the Samaritan woman, "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship _in spirit_ and truth" (John 4:24). We, on the other hand, are "carnal," subject to the flesh and this world of form in which we live. So again, this shows why the process of God is necessary and why that process is defined as a resurrection _from_ death. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our _outward man_ (soul) is perishing, yet the _inward man_ (spirit) is being renewed day by day" (II Cor. 4:16). As we see, the "outward man" or soul _is_ perishing (dying), but it is for the express purpose of renewing our spirit, purging us from the error and confusion within.

So, what separates the believer from the unbeliever? In one sense it is the realization of His divine process in our lives, the understanding and faith in the work of Christ within. The true believer understands and embraces the "perishing" of their "outward man" while the unbeliever resists it, therefore, the believer humbles their "self" under the mighty hand of God and seeks to align with the Word and will of God in their life.

Acts 14:21-22 (KJV)  
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and _to_ Iconium, and Antioch, 22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, _and_ exhorting them to continue in the faith, **and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God**.

# Chapter Seven

# THE TEMPLE OF GOD

In Revelation 11, John is told to " _measure_ the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there." As previously mentioned, this speaks of those who are chosen to minister the Word of God. In agreement with I Corinthians, Chapter 3, verses 7 through 11, James wrote, "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, _for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness_ " (James 3:1). In keeping with this line of thought, we need to back up a little and read what precedes it. "And _there was given me a reed like unto a rod_ : and the angel stood, saying, Rise and _measure_ the _temple of God_." Strong's tells us that our word "reed" speaks of a "plant or its stem" and implies "a _pen_ " or writing instrument. This agrees with Hebrews, Chapter 8, verse 10. Our word "rod" is the same word used in the following.

1 Corinthians 4:21 (NKJV)  
21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a **rod** , or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

Hebrews 1:8 (NKJV)  
8 But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A **scepter** of righteousness is the **scepter** of Your Kingdom."

Revelation 2:26-27 (NKJV)  
26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations-- 27 _'He shall rule them with a_ _rod_ _of iron;_ _They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'--_ as I also have received from My Father...

Revelation 12:5 (NKJV)  
5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a **rod** of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.

Revelation 19:15 (NKJV)  
15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a **rod** of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

It should be clear to us that the "rod" speaks of rulership, and of dominion and discipline, of the necessary judgment for those who minister the Word to His people (Heb. 12:5-11; James 3:1). The idea of a reed or "pen" suggests that the "writing" of His laws takes place in those who minister and reveals the purpose of said judgment, _which is correction and instruction in righteousness_ (II Tim. 3:16; Heb. 8:10-12).

Now, when something is "measured," it is given a number. This being true, we find the following in Revelation, Chapter 7.

Revelation 7:4 (NKJV)  
4 And **I heard the number** of those who were sealed. **One hundred** _and_ **forty-four thousand** of all the tribes of the children of Israel _were_ sealed...

Most everyone has heard of the 144,000 in the book of the Revelation. Note that John "heard the number," which correlates with the _measurement_ of the temple of God. This number can be broken down as 12 x 12 x 1000. Here's Stephen Jones' explanation of the spiritual meaning of _twelve_ (emphasis mine).

Twelve (yod-beth)

Governmental Perfection/Authority

To write twelve in Hebrew, they wrote two Hebrew letters: yod-beth. These signify the hand (outworking) of the household in harmony under divine authority.

Twelve is the number of governmental perfection and divine authority. It follows 11, which is the disorder preceding this perfection. There were 12 sons of Jacob in the Old Testament and 12 apostles in the New Testament. There are 12 foundations in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:14). It also has 12 gates and 12 angels at the gates (Rev. 21:12) and 12 pearls at the gates (Rev. 21:21). The city is foursquare at 12,000 furlongs (Rev. 21:16). The wall is 144 cubits high (Rev. 21:17), which is 12 x 12. All of this is to portray the concept of divine government and order.

Though all priests and kings were anointed, the Old Testament specifically records 12 anointed men. The first five are priests; the last seven are kings:

1. Aaron (Lev. 8:12)

2. Nadab (Lev. 8:30; 10:1)

3. Abihu (Lev. 8:30; 10:1)

4. Eleazar (Lev. 8:30; 10:12)

5. Ithamar (Lev. 8:30; 10:12)

6. Saul (1 Sam. 10:1); the sixth being man's choice (1 Sam. 8:18)

7. David (1 Sam. 16:13); the seventh being God's choice (1 Sam. 13:14)

8. Absalom (2 Sam. 19:10)

9. Solomon (1 Kings 1:39)

10. Jehu (2 Kings 9:6)

11. Joash (2 Kings 11:12)

12. Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:30)

Jesus spoke of 12 thrones on which the 12 apostles would sit to judge the 12 tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28). Solomon had 12 officers, or deputies, ruling with responsibility in his household (1 Kings 4:7).

The twelfth time Jesus is mentioned is in Matt. 4:10, where He establishes the truth of divine government:

10 Then Jesus said to him, "Begone, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only'."

Remember, two is _beth_ , which "is a house or _household_ in Hebrew." Twelve signifies "the hand (outworking) of the household in harmony under divine authority." So in our number 144,000 (12 x 12 x 1000), we have two twelves, illustrating the harmony of a home which is surrendered to Christ. Does our two twelves denote our Two Covenants? I believe they do.

If twelve "is the number of governmental perfection and divine authority," then two of them typifies the governance of the law (12; Old Covenant) and the prophets (12; New Covenant; Matt. 5:17) over the collective body of Christ. So, in regard to our 144,000, we have two twelves, signifying our "double witness" (Jones) of divine rulership. Two twelves are twenty-four. Again, from Stephen Jones (emphasis mine).

Twenty-Four (kaph-daleth)

Priesthood

To write twenty-four in Hebrew, they wrote two Hebrew letters: kaph-daleth. These signify the open palm in the act of opening a door, signifying an open hand showing and offering to us the door of priesthood and access into the Sanctuary of God.

Twenty-four is the number of priesthood.

Even as the number 12 is the number of governmental perfection, its multiple (24) is the number of priesthood, wherein lies the call to spiritual government. It is a heavenly government of priesthood, rather than a political government of kings.

God revealed to David the pattern of the heavenly Temple, so that he could draw the blueprints for the temple on earth that his son, Solomon, was to build. Among these patterns was a change in priesthood from 12 to 24 courses of priests (1 Chron. 24:1-18). For this reason also, we read in Rev. 4:4 of the 24 elders around the throne, after which the earthly manifestation was patterned.

In 1 Chron. 24:1-18, where David divided the priesthood into 24 courses, we find another natural division. The 24 courses are composed of 16 men of the family of Eleazar and 8 of the family of Ithamar (1 Chron. 24:4). The number 16 speaks of Love, while the number 8 speaks of New Beginnings. The number 24, then, which signifies priesthood, cannot be understood apart from the context of a new beginning (8) of spiritual rebirth and Love as the foundation of their character.

It is interesting that the 24th time the name of Jesus is mentioned in the book of John is found in John 3:3, which says,

3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

This is about a new beginning in one's life, and it connects the number 8 with the priesthood (24).

Most of the time, the 24th time a key name is used speaks of an aspect of work or duty that a true priest of God is to do, whether it is intercession, healing, or ruling.

For example, the 24th time that the name of Joseph appears is in Gen. 39:6, where we read that Potiphar "left everything he owned in Joseph's charge." Jesus said in Luke 12:44 about the good stewards, "Truly I say to you, that he will put him in charge of all his possessions."

Such is the Melchizedek Priesthood, taken from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Rev. 5:9, 10), for they will be made into a kingdom of priests and will reign on the earth.

It should be evident that our number 144,000 is not literal but represents "a heavenly government of priesthood, rather than a political government of kings." Also remember that the idea of a "priest" aligns with the original edict in Genesis, "Be fruitful and multiply" (Gen. 1:28).

John 15:5, 8, 16 (NKJV)  
5 I am the vine, you _are_ the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, **bears much fruit** ; for without Me you can do nothing... 8 **By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit** ; so you will be My disciples... 16 **You did not choose Me** , but **I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear** fruit, **and** _that_ **your fruit should remain** , that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

In keeping with our understanding of fruitfulness, the Lord made it clear to His disciples that He had chosen them and appointed them to "go and bear fruit" and that their "fruit should remain." By this the Father is glorified. The "fruit" of which Jesus spoke is found in the following.

Galatians 5:22-24 (NKJV)  
22 But **the fruit of the Spirit** is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those _who are_ Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Now, do we find the "court" of Revelation 11 in Revelation 7? Yes, we do.

Revelation 7:9, 13-17 (NKJV)  
9 After these things I looked, and behold, **a great multitude which no one could number** , of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands... 13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, " **Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?** " 14 And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, " **These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation** , and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. 16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

What a precious vision John received. In keeping with the "court" which is not measured or numbered we find "a great multitude _which no one could number_ , of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues." They are those "who come out of the great tribulation," out from the insanity of the mind of form and its resulting confusion, "for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them."

# Chapter Eight

# THE JUDGMENT OF GOD

Remember, the soul is the _language_ or _expression_ of the flesh _and_ spirit, ultimately defined by our "works" or _deeds_ , by our individual _and_ collective efforts while we live in this world. Who we are within is continually manifested outwardly day by day in all that we do.

Not surprisingly, who we are is easily recognized by that which we give our allegiance to. Reflected in the city and tower of Babel and our phrase, "Let us build ourselves," is the understanding of our overall conduct and unity with that with which we subscribe.

So let me ask you; are you a Republican or Democrat, conservative, liberal or independent? Are you a Protestant or Catholic, Baptist or Charismatic? Do you support the LGBTQ and Women's Rights? Do you support the president or despise him? Do you endorse Black Lives Matter, Pro-Life, Pro-Choice, Antifa or DACA? Know that what we embrace and endorse speaks clearly of what we think and feel within, does it not? And there are as many collectives as there are variations of opinions about them. Now, allow me to give you an alternative view of the multitude of collectives that exist around us.

Perhaps I'm thinking too simplistically, but I believe the Bible gives us but two options to consider in regard to our conduct and collective endorsements and they are given us in the following passages.

Romans 8:1-4 (NKJV)  
1 _There is_ therefore now no **condemnation** to those who are in Christ Jesus, **who do not walk according to the flesh** , but **according to the Spirit**. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God _did_ by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us **who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit**.

When we "walk" or conduct ourselves (works) according to the flesh," _then we are Babylon_ and express the _language_ of our natural being, creating confusion not only for ourselves but for others. This confusion equates to doubt and fear as we struggle with the carnal aspects of our being which resists the law of God.

Our word "condemnation" above is _katakrima_ , defined by Strong's as, "An _adverse sentence_ (the verdict)." It is derived from katakrinō which means, "To judge against, i.e. sentence." Vine's Expository Dictionary defines _krima_ as, "The sentence pronounced, a verdict, a condemnation, the decision resulting from an investigation" and "the process of judgment leading to a decision."

First, an investigation, so "the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built." Second, a verdict, so the LORD said, "Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." Clearly, the judgment of God is evident.

For most, the idea of judgment always brings to mind a negative undertone which makes us uncomfortable to consider. However, as believers in the Word of God, we should understand that judgment is not something to resist, _but to embrace_.

Isaiah 26:9 (NKJV)  
9 With my soul I have desired You in the night, yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early; **For when Your judgments** _are_ **in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness** (see also Deuteronomy 4:8).

Psalms 19:9-11 (KJV)  
9 The fear of the Lord _is_ clean, enduring for ever: **the judgments of the Lord** _are_ **true** _and_ **righteous altogether**. 10 **More to be desired** _are they_ **than gold, yea, than much fine gold** : sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 **Moreover by them is thy servant warned:** _and_ **in keeping of them** _there is_ **great reward**.

The judgment of God is the mercy of God. After all, if left to our own devices, where will it lead? The answer? Babylon, confusion, disharmony. Think about it. Even with His evident judgment in this present hour, we are still in a state of disarray and resisting in so many ways. Yet, and as we have considered, _this is a matter of prophecy_. Is it so hard to believe that our Creator doesn't know His own creation? Is it difficult to perceive that our Maker would know better than we do that we would be disobedient and rebellious?

Matthew 12:14-21 (NKJV)  
14 Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him. 15 But when Jesus knew _it,_ He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. 16 Yet He warned them not to make Him known, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: 18 "Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, **and He will declare justice** to the Gentiles. 19 He will not quarrel nor cry out, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench, till He sends forth justice to victory; 21 And in His name Gentiles will trust."

Our word "justice" above is the word krisis, defined as, " _Decision_ (subject or object, for or against); by extension a _tribunal_ ; by implication _justice_ (specially divine _law_ )." In the King James Version of scripture, it is rendered "judgment" 40 times out of 47 occurrences. Dictionary.com defines "justice" as, "1) The quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness, 2) The moral principle determining just conduct," and "3) The administering of deserved punishment or reward."

1 Timothy 1:8-11 (NIV)  
8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 **We also know that law is made not for the righteous** but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers--and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

Here is why judgment should be embraced. As Paul wrote, "We also know that law is made not for the righteous." So it is that those who seek righteousness understand the necessity of judgment, not just for others, but especially for themselves.

1 Corinthians 11:31-32 (NKJV)  
31 For **if we would judge ourselves** , we would not be judged. 32 But **when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world**.

Our word "condemned"? It is our word katakrinō which means, "To judge against, i.e. sentence." And doesn't Paul make it clear that we are judged? Yes, he does, but when this is the case, it is so "we may not be condemned (sentenced) with the world."

No doubt, there is a marked difference between man's justice and our Creator's justice. Man's justice is often laced with partiality and unfair, but the Lord's justice is never so. After all, He sees the "thoughts and intents" of the heart and knows us far better than we know ourselves. For this reason, we are often confused by what we see happening in the world at large.

Sadly, the world, and even many in the body of Christ today do not believe in God's judgment or justice, citing the idea that Christ became our judgment so there is no need for us to be judged. Yes, Christ did become our judgment, and by doing so, He fulfilled the purpose of God and established the final destiny of all humankind. However, He did not do away with the principle of justice. In fact, He is even now rendering the judgment of God from the throne of our Father.

Revelation 2:26-27 (NIV)  
26 To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, **I will give authority over the nations** \-- 27 ' **He will rule them with an iron scepter** ; **he will dash them to pieces like pottery** '-- just as I have received authority from my Father.

Revelation 3:21 (NIV)  
21 To him who overcomes, **I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne**.

What is the purpose of divine dominion if not for the administration of fair and impartial judgment? Even a cursory glance at the world around us reveals how much this is sorely needed, for judgment includes the idea of wisdom and understanding, of correction and instruction in righteousness. Can we not see how confused we truly are about good and evil, right and wrong? Should you doubt what I am saying, consider what has happened to our children. As Nelson Mandela said, "There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children." And how we treat our children relates not only to the parents but to society as a whole. How disheartening it is to see adults in the street conducting themselves in the spirit of self-entitlement and self-absorption while it is displayed to our children in thousands of households through the power of television and social media.

So consider this. In our story of Babel, we find the Lord's investigation followed by a coming down from heaven to confuse. As this study has shown, this reflects the Lord's own coming almost two thousand years ago. While so many of the Jews (and even His own disciples) felt that the Lord should have delivered them from the bondage of the Roman Empire, Jesus brought the kingdom of God and delivered them from their greatest enemy; _themselves_.

Friend, the freedom which Christ brings is worked within our mind and heart, regardless of the present worldly system which exists around us. Once we are truly led by the Spirit, then the world around us is overcome in our hearts, delivering us from the confusion that exists therein. Freedom cannot be granted by our government or by any other collective. Rather, it is the expression of the righteousness, peace, and joy that is found in the Spirit of Christ (Rom. 14:17). "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36).

What does the middle of our illustration define for us? Death _and_ judgment, and it is imperative that we pass through it in order to arrive at the spiritual nature of His divine law within. "There is therefore _now_ no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (Rom. 8:1). We have before us just two options, two paths, two ways of being, and the more we experience His Spirit, the less we will depend upon the cities and towers of Babel which have multiplied around us.

Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NKJV)  
5 Thus says the Lord: " **Cursed** _is_ **the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength** , whose heart departs from the Lord. 6 For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, **but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness** , _in_ a salt land _which is_ not inhabited. 7 " **Blessed** _is_ **the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord**. 8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; **But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit**.

Revelation 22:1-2 (NKJV)  
1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 **In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river,** _was_ **the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each** _tree_ **yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree** _were_ **for the healing of the nations**.

# Chapter Nine

# COGNITIVE DISSONANCE

What set Jesus apart from the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees? Was it not the fact that His works or deeds aligned with what He spoke? Was it not the fact that Christ was not at all confused about the will of the Father and the purpose of God in His own life? Could this be part of the reason that the religious leaders hated Him, opposed Him, and eventually crucified Him? I believe so.

In psychological terms, Jesus introduced "cognitive dissonance" into the religious world of His time when He began His ministry. The word "cognitive" is defined by Google as, "Relating to cognition." "Cognition" is defined as, "The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses." "Dissonance" is defined as, "A tension or clash resulting from the combination of two disharmonious or unsuitable elements."

Consider the following from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia (emphasis mine).

In the field of psychology, cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort (psychological stress) experienced by a person who simultaneously holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values. The occurrence of cognitive dissonance is a consequence of a person performing an action that contradicts personal beliefs, ideals, and values; and also occurs when confronted with new information that contradicts said beliefs, ideals, and values.

In A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance (1957), Leon Festinger proposed that human beings strive for internal psychological consistency in order to mentally function in the real world. A person who experiences internal inconsistency tends to become psychologically uncomfortable and is motivated to reduce the cognitive dissonance. This is done by changing parts of the cognition to justify the stressful behavior, by adding new parts to the cognition that causes the psychological dissonance, or by actively avoiding social situations and contradictory information that are likely to increase the magnitude of the cognitive dissonance.

Consider our explanation above. "The occurrence of cognitive dissonance is a consequence of a person performing an action that contradicts personal beliefs, ideals, and values; and also occurs when confronted with new information that contradicts said beliefs, ideals, and values." Would this not explain what happened when Christ introduced the kingdom of God in His time? Is it not obvious that the life and ministry of Christ exposed the religious leaders because His actions aligned with His teachings thereby exposing their hypocrisy (Matt. 23:3)?

As for the idea of "new information," consider the following.

Matthew 5:21-22 (ESV)  
21 "You have heard that it was said to **those of old** , 'You shall not murder; (Exod. 20:13; Deut. 5:17) and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' 22 **But I say to you**...

Matthew 5:27-28 (ESV)  
27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' (Exod. 20:14; Deut. 5:18) 28 **But I say to you**...

Matthew 5:33-34 (ESV)  
33 "Again you have heard that it was said to **those of old** , 'You shall not swear falsely (Num. 30:2; Deut. 23:21; Ecc. 5:4), but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' 34 **But I say to you**...

The meaning here is clear. Jesus referred to "those of old," i.e. their forefathers, specifically Moses and Israel and the Law which was delivered to them at Mount Sinai. Was this not what the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees also embraced? However, as we have learned, their faith was ineffectual due to their pride and traditions, due to adding and subtracting from the Word of God in order to alleviate their cognitive dissonance, to reckon with their own "internal inconsistency" (Matt. 15:1-9). And this, my friend, is what we have done and continue to do. Remember, the ministry of "death" is also the ministry of "condemnation," and condemnation is nothing more than the emotional impact we feel about the truth that stands in opposition to our resistance to it. Paul describes this "dissonance" in the following passages.

Romans 7:13-25 (ESV)  
13 Did that which is good (the law), then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 **I do not understand my own actions**. **For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate**. 16 **Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good**. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. **For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out**. 19 **For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing**. 20 **Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me**. 21 **So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand**. 22 For **I delight in the law of God, in my inner being** , 23 but **I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members**. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Do these passages not accurately describe the "dissonance" that all of us experience? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary online defines "dissonance" as, "The dissonance between the truth and what people want to believe; especially: inconsistency between the beliefs one holds or between one's actions and one's belief."

So again, what is the solution? Death; more specifically, death to the self, that "old man" who represents the conditioned mind and haughty spirit that all of us are cultured into, a mind set on the temporary things of the flesh, which is death (Rom. 8:5-6). For this reason, John wrote the following.

1 John 1:10 (KJV)  
10 **If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar** , and his word is not in us.

Friend, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). "There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one" (Rom. 3:10-12; Psalms 14:1-3; Psalms 53:1-3; Ecc. 7:20). When our arrogance is such that we believe we "have not sinned" or don't even believe in sin, then we become a "liar" and clearly stand against the edict of God which contradicts this mindset. This leads to the idea of humility. Please consider.

1 Peter 5:5 (ESV)  
5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. **Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another** , for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Philippians 2:3 (ESV)  
3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, **but in humility count others more significant than yourselves**.

Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV)  
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 **but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant** , being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, 8 **he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross**.

Dictionary.com defines "humility" as, "The quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc." It defines "humble" as, "1) Not proud or arrogant, 2) Having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc., 3) Low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc.; lowly." As a verb used with an object, it means, 1) To lower in condition, importance, or dignity; abase," and "2) To destroy the independence, power, or will of." We should immediately see that humility is the direct opposite of pride and arrogance, for pride is defined as simply thinking more highly of ourselves than we should (Rom. 12:3).

Our second definition of humble helps to describe the process of God which is, "To destroy the independence, power, or will of." Compare this thought with the fact that Christ "humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Friend, Christ knew that His purpose included the fact of His own crucifixion. Imagine that! Imagine knowing that God had sent you into the earth for a specific purpose and it included your own death! And not just a peaceful passing away as so many have known, but a shameful, humiliating, and painful execution preceded by mockery and disgrace! For most of us, this is difficult to grasp, yet Christ knew and Christ obeyed, even in this. How can any of us even begin to suppose that His death was not sufficient for everyone, from the least of us to the greatest of us, from the first to the last, the weak and strong, the humble and arrogant, the wise and the fool. Christ died for all and all died in Him (Rom. 5:6-10). He was "the last Adam" (I Cor. 15:45). Since then, "from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh" (II Cor. 5:16).

Romans 5:18-21 (ESV)  
18 **Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men**. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience (the first man Adam; natural man) the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience (the last Adam; Christ; spiritual man), the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

One trespass "led to condemnation for all men." Ah, but "one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men." What was this "one act of righteousness"? It was the surrendering of His life to the Father at the Jordan River which culminated in His death on the cross. No wonder Jesus said, "It is finished! And bowing His head, He gave up His Spirit" (John 19:30). This one most selfless act assured life for us all.

What is life? Like death, it is a state of being, a state of presence, not just our own, but of Christ in us (Col. 1:27). It is true deliverance from the internal inconsistencies that exist within. It is walking in the confidence and assurance of the true understanding of God's Word and our complete acknowledgement and surrender to it.

It has been said that you cannot fix the problem with the same mind that created it. I wholeheartedly agree. We do not need a reformation of the old way of thinking but an entirely new way of thinking. Remember, the "old man" is not reformed but "crucified with Christ" (Gal. 2:20). John did not see a "reformed" heaven and earth but a "new heaven and a new earth" (Rev. 21:1), a new spirit and a new mind. "Behold, I make all things new," Jesus said (Rev. 21:5).

Why is America and other countries in such distress? Because we are looping, doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results. We keep voting the same type of people into the same type of structure which has been immoral for as long as anyone can remember. Understand, brother and sister, they are beastly systems (Rev. 13:1-7), extremely dangerous, wholly carnal, and deeply corrupt. It will never produce the answers that we clamor for in the streets of our cities. It cannot, for it is unable to receive the things of the Spirit of God.

Let me emphasize. The process of God is not to reform our way of thinking but to destroy it, to put an end to the carnal mind in order for the spiritual mind to take its place. This is why the religious segment of Jesus' day despised Him. He did not come to embrace their collective but to introduce an entirely new way, a deeply spiritual way, which to them was extremely confusing and contradictory to all that they knew. Will it be any different in our time? I think not.

I often say that we've been cultured to think inside the box, but designed to think outside of it. For this reason, we should not be afraid to question everything, to challenge the status quo. Know that to walk after the mind of Christ will confuse those who don't, even when they are deeply religious.

# Chapter Ten

# THE UNCLEAN THING

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (ESV)  
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? **For we are the temple of the living God** ; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, **and touch no unclean thing** ; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."

Remember, the "temple of God" speaks of the ministers of Christ (I Cor. 3:11-17) while the "court which is outside the temple" (Rev. 11:1) speaks of the called or city of God (Rev. 21:2).

Our word "unclean" is a compound word, _akathartos_ , and means, " _Impure_." In regard to the city of Babylon in Revelation, we have the following.

Revelation 17:4 (NKJV)  
4 The woman (Babylon) was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the **filthiness** of her fornication.

Our word "filthiness" is akathartēs, derived from _akathartos_ , the transliteration of our word "unclean" in II Corinthians above. It means, " _Impurity_."

Revelation 18:2 (NKJV)  
2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every **foul** spirit, and a cage for every **unclean** and hated bird!

Our words "foul" and "unclean" are again the word _akathartos_ , agreeing with II Corinthians. The fact that it speaks of "demons" and of "foul" spirits tells us that this is a spiritual view that must be considered, and the same is true of "unclean and hated bird."

The idea of a "prison" and "cage" suggests the idea of a "stronghold" (II Cor. 4:4-6), does it not? As for the phrase "unclean and hated bird," consider the following.

Matthew 13:3-4, 19 (NKJV)  
3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some _seed_ fell by the wayside; **and the birds came and devoured them**... 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand _it,_ **then the wicked** one **comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart**. This is he who received seed by the wayside.

Matthew 12:33-34 (NKJV)  
33 "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by _its_ fruit. 34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? **For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks**.

It should be evident that "birds" represent the "wicked" ("one" is inserted by the translators) that come and snatch away the "word of the kingdom" that is sown in the heart and mind. To be more specific, "birds" denote _the imagination of the thoughts of men's hearts_ as mentioned in the days of Noah and confirmed by II Corinthians, Chapter 10, verses 4 through 6 (Gen. 6:5). Just as birds fly from one "tree" to another, so too the spirit and mindset of the multitude of collectives around us continually bombard our hearts and minds, pushing from every side and enticing us to join their ideology and thus conduct our lives in the same fashion as they.

Perhaps the best idea of "unclean" is found in the following passages.

Matthew 12:43-45 (KJV)  
43 When the **unclean** ( _akathartos_ ) spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, **seeking rest** , and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth _it_ empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself **seven other spirits more wicked than himself** , and **they enter in and dwell there** : and **the last** state **of that man is worse than the first**. Even so shall it be also unto this **wicked** generation.

The call of God for any of us should be taken quite seriously. And from where are we called? The world, more specifically, from the disobedient spirit and rebellious mindset of the world. In a sense, this is when the "unclean spirit" goes out into "dry places," typified by the "wilderness" through which Israel journeyed when they departed Egypt (Heb. 3:7-11; Psalms 95:7-11).

As Stephen Jones explanation of the number four indicates, the world at large has always been the "wilderness" (Isa. 14:17), but the truth is, we don't recognize this until we are called of God to Christ. It is then that the "world" we know changes for us as we begin to realize more and more our need for a different way of being and doing. What was once comfortable and acceptable is no longer the case.

"He," our unclean spirit or "old man" or "body of sin" (Rom. 6:6), "walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none." This statement agrees with our earlier discussion about "reform." Our "wilderness" journey if you will is not for the sake of reformation, _but complete destruction and renewal_. The "old man" must die in order for the "new man" to live (Rom. 6:6). For this reason, our "old man" will not find "rest" (Heb. 4:1-11). This too is reflected in Israel's journey through the wilderness where we see that, _due to unbelief and disobedience_ , their "corpses (old man) fell in the wilderness" (Heb. 3:17). The older "generation" that came out of Egypt (the world) died in the wilderness, typifying the destruction of our "old man," while the younger "generation" entered the Promised Land, typifying the rise of our "new man" (Deut. 1:35-39). Note the reference to "generation" in all of our passages, agreeing with the Lord's teaching in Matthew, Chapter 12, and His statement, "Even so shall it be also unto this wicked _generation_." This reveals to us that Christ was speaking collectively as well as individually.

"Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished (put in order)." This too is reflected in Israel's journey, where we find them complaining to Moses about their hardship in the wilderness and wishing to return to Egypt (Exod. 14:10-12; 16:2-3; see I Cor. 10:1-11).

Ah, but here's the interesting thing about Israel's sojourn through the wilderness. Though many wanted to go back to Egypt, God did not allow it. Rather, He let them perish there. Our spiritual parallel is found in the statement, "Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: _and the last of that man is worse than the first_. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation." The "last of that man"? What man? As suggested, it is the "old man," the natural and carnal man.

So what is meant by "seven other spirits"? I immediately think of the following.

Proverbs 6:16-19 (NKJV)  
16 These **six** _things_ the Lord hates, yes, **seven** _are_ an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 a false witness _who_ speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.

Look closely at these passages. There are "six" things which the Lord hates, while "seven are an abomination to Him." In the first five, we begin with the "head" to arrive at the "feet." The _sixth_ then sums up _what we are_ (a false witness; six is _the number of man in enmity with God_ [Bullinger]) while the _seventh_ defines _what we do_ (manifestation; sow discord among brethren). When these attributes are mixed with the word of the kingdom, as typified by Israel in the wilderness, we have confusion, which leads to disobedience and unbelief.

Seven Other Spirits:

1. A proud look

2. A lying tongue

3. Hands that shed innocent blood

4. Heart that devises wicked plans

5. Feet that are swift in running to evil

6. A false witness who speaks lies

7. One who sows discord among brethren

Matthew 23:15 (NKJV)  
15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte (convert), and when he is won, **you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves**.

Consider Proverbs 6 in light of Matthew 23. No doubt, the scribes and Pharisees exhibited all that we see in our list above, and when they converted others to embrace their religion, they incorporated them into the same wicked and prideful spirit in which they also dwelled. "Then goeth he, and taketh with himself _seven other spirits more wicked than himself_ , and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation." Seven "other spirits," which when added to the first is _eight_. Here's Stephen Jones explanation of the spiritual meaning of _eight_ (emphasis mine).

Eight (chet)

New Beginning

Chet is a fence in Hebrew. It can also signify an inner room, even the heart itself.

Eight is the number of new beginning. The sons of Abraham were to be circumcised on the eighth day (Gen. 17:12), because the eighth day was the lawful time for the presentation of the firstborn (Ex. 22:29, 30). It took a full seven days to consecrate the priests (Lev. 8:33), and then they emerged from the tabernacle on the eighth day. God then manifested His presence to the people on the eighth day (Lev. 9:1, 4, 24).

In the New Testament, Jesus was raised from the dead on the eighth day to fulfill the law of the wave-sheaf offering (Lev. 23:10, 11). Likewise, Pentecost occurred seven weeks later on the fiftieth day, which was also the eighth day (Lev. 23:15-17). As we showed earlier, Jesus prophesied on the eighth day of Tabernacles (John 7:37-39) about the outpouring of the Spirit. These examples all fulfill the law of the presentation of the firstborn on the eighth day in Exodus 22:29, 30.

In agreement with Jones, here is Ed Vallowe's explanation of the number _eight_ (emphasis mine).

The number EIGHT always means a NEW BEGINNING or a NEW ORDER OF THINGS. As the series is complete in SEVEN, EIGHT signifies a new beginning, and thus stands for the NEW in contrast to the old. Observe the EIGHTH day _which is really the first day of a new week_ , or the EIGHTH note of the musical scale _which is the same as the first_.

"Eight is the number of new beginning," yet, " _is the same as the first_." When applied to Proverbs 6 along with Matthew 23, the "new beginning" for a religious convert often leads to "twice as much a son of hell." Jesus called this a "wolf" in "sheep's clothing" (Matt. 7:15).

Seven Other Spirits:

1. A proud look

2. A lying tongue

3. Hands that shed innocent blood

4. Heart that devises wicked plans

5. Feet that are swift in running to evil

6. A false witness who speaks lies

7. One who sows discord among brethren

8. **New beginning** (A proud look; _same as the first_ )

Matthew 23:38 (KJV)  
38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

Following His rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus made it clear. "Behold, your house is left to you desolate." In other words, He left them in their "wilderness," in the desolation and "abomination" (seventh) of their natural and carnal state of being. Would this be what Jesus meant by His reference to "the _abomination_ of _desolation_ " in Matthew 24:15? Very much so.

As all of this shows, the "wilderness" typifies the spiritual condition of the world at large who continually conduct themselves by the "old man," that "man of sin" (scribes and Pharisees) and "son of perdition (converts), who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he _sits as God_ in _the temple of God_ , showing himself that he is God" (II Thess. 2:4).

Let's face it, dear brother and sister. The world and the church are in an "unclean" state, mixed and impure. We say but do not (Matt. 23:3), we claim but don't have. We're commanded to forgive but don't, choosing instead to accuse and condemn and tell those around us that they don't have what we have and they won't go where we go.

We have made the temple of God a "house of merchandise" (John 2:16), seeking to entice the world with the same enticements as the world. Where, my friend, is seen the power of God? Where do we find the _dominion_ and _fruitfulness_ of those who truly walk in the light as He is in the light? (I John 1:7; Rev. 21:24)

# Chapter Eleven

# INTO THE WILDERNESS

Revelation 12:1-6 (NKJV)  
1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: **a woman clothed with the sun** , with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then **being with child** , she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, **to devour her Child** as soon as it was born. 5 She bore **a male Child** who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And **her Child** was caught up to God and His throne. 6 **Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days**.

Who is our "woman clothed with the sun"? There is but one explanation and it is given us in Galatians, Chapter 4.

Galatians 4:24, 26 (NKJV)  
24... which things are symbolic. For these are the **two covenants** : the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar... 26 but **the Jerusalem above is free** (Sarah), which is the mother of us all.

"Now a great sign appeared in heaven," i.e. "above," a "woman clothed with the sun." This is none other than "Jerusalem above," i.e. the Covenant people, the called of God or church, His body, represented by Abraham's wife, Sarah (Gal. 4:26-28).

The "male Child," represented by Isaac (Heb. 11:18-19), speaks of Christ, and once He came in accordance with the New Covenant Promise (Gal. 3:19), He was "caught up to God and His throne" (Matt. 3:16-17), agreeing with the Lord's statement in Revelation 3:21. And the woman or church? She "fled _into the wilderness_ , where she has _a place prepared by God_ , that they should feed her there _one thousand two hundred and sixty days_."

Our "one thousand two hundred and sixty days" corresponds with our "forty-two months," which aligns with "antichrist" and also denotes our six important sevens found in Revelation (Rev. 11:2-3). "A place prepared by God" corresponds to Revelation 11:2, where we read, "But leave out the _court_ (called; soul) which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, _for it has been given to the Gentiles_ (nations; the world). And they will tread the _holy city_ (church; called; soul) underfoot for forty-two months." Note that this "place" is "prepared by God," signifying that His divine will is evident, even in this.

So think about this beloved. All of what we are considering is prophecy, the Word of God spoken and determined for what lay ahead for the New Covenant people of God. Clearly, the church was "given to the Gentiles," i.e. the nations or world, but it was done so by the Lord. Were we forced into this wilderness? No, _but we were led into it_ (Matt. 4:1; Mark 1:12; Luke 4:1), for it is a necessary part of our spiritual transition from death to life. Just as Israel left Egypt and entered the wilderness, so too the New Covenant people of God must do so for the express purpose of leaving our "old man" dead and buried so that the "new man" can enter the "rest" that is signified by the Promised Land (Heb. 4:1-11).

The history of the New Testament church has been long and arduous, filled with persecution, violence, hypocrisy, and division. For those of us who have been born into prosperous countries, it is hard for us to even imagine what our ancestors endured through the past two thousand years. Ah, but what happened through all of this? Despite the diligence of some _, we still managed to fall away_.

Revelation 17:1-3 (NKJV)  
1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the **great harlot** who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication." 3 **So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness**. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast _which was_ full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

Is it simply a coincidence that John was taken by the Spirit "into the wilderness" where he saw the "great harlot"? Wasn't this where the "woman clothed with the sun" fled to? It is. So this shows to us what Babylon truly represents. What began as a glorious and righteous church two thousand years ago was destined for a period of trial and decline, of overcoming and yet failure.

Isaiah 1:21-23 (NKJV)  
21 **How the faithful city has become a harlot!** It was full of justice; Righteousness lodged in it, but now murderers. 22 Your silver has become dross, your wine mixed with water. 23 Your princes _are_ rebellious, and companions of thieves; Everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, nor does the cause of the widow come before them.

These passages refer to "Judah and Jerusalem" (Isa. 1:1) typifying the church in our time (Rom. 2:28-29). No doubt these are hard words to digest, but true nonetheless. In keeping with the seven prophecies to the seven churches of Revelation, we have solid proof. Babylon speaks of the church, the New Covenant people of God, passing through a time of tribulation which leads to a spiritually "lukewarm" position (Rev. 3:14-16).

But let us be more specific. Babylon defines all of us _under the fulfilling the law_ , for as Jesus said, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. _I did not come to destroy but to fulfill_. For assuredly, I say to you, _till heaven and earth pass away_ , one jot or one tittle (smallest detail) will by no means pass from the law _till all is fulfilled_ " (Matt. 5:17-18). When do we see "heaven and earth pass away"? Consider.

Revelation 21:1-2 (NKJV)  
1 **Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away**. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, **prepared** as a bride adorned for her husband.

Our word "prepared" is the same as that used in Revelation 12:6 where we read, "Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place _prepared_ by God." This same word is translated as "has made" in Revelation 19:7 in regard to the "wife" (church) of the "Lamb" (Christ). I believe this speaks of those in His body who acknowledge and surrender themselves to His divine purpose, allowing His judgment to be fully accomplished within.

In Revelation 21:1, the "new heaven" denotes the New Covenant Promise and the body of Christ as typified by our "woman clothed with the sun" who is seen "above" but comes down "out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" (Rev. 12:1; 21:2). The "new earth" is defined by Paul in II Corinthians 5:17 where we read, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a _new creature_ ; old things have _passed away_ ; behold, _all things have become new_." Here is the purpose of the spiritual fulfillment of the law. Once we have endured through our "wilderness," we become a "new creature," a "new earth." The nature of the "old man" has "passed away" and " _all things have become new_." We are truly "in Christ."

Revelation 18:1-5 (NKJV)  
1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, " **Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen** , and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury." 4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, " **Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.** 5 **For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.**

To emphasize, Babylon defines the body of Christ passing through the spiritual fulfillment of the law. It is His will being done "in earth" (Babylon) as it is "in heaven" (woman clothed with the sun; Matt. 6:10). So it is that we are called to "come out of her."

**The Woman Clothed with the Sun** = The Body of Christ Under the Promise of the New Covenant (Sarah and Isaac)

**Mystery, Babylon the Great** = The Body of Christ Under the Spiritual Fulfillment of the Law (Hagar and Ishmael)

Now, if it is true that the attributes listed in Proverbs, Chapter 6, reveal a "fallen" condition, then this clarifies what we have fallen to, does it not? Ah, but again, it is a necessary evil if you will, for "unless a grain of wheat _falls into the ground and dies_ , it remains alone; _but if it dies_ , it produces much grain" (John 12:24). Underneath all that we are considering, the divine will of God is evident, and we are moving forward according to His predetermined purpose. Just as the prophecies revealed that there would come a falling away (II Thess. 2:3), they also reveal that it will end with a "glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing." She will indeed, "be holy and without blemish" (Eph. 5:27; Rev. 21:2, 11). We are passing through the "washing of water _by the word_ " (Eph. 5:26). Remember our river "Pishon" and the "land of Havilah"?

Revelation 18:16-18 (NKJV)  
16... 'Alas, alas, that great city **that was clothed** in **fine linen** , **purple** , and **scarlet** , and adorned with **gold** and **precious stones** and **pearls**! 17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.' Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What _is_ like this great city?'

Notice our phrase, "that _was_ clothed." This is past tense, _signifying a previous condition_. The "fine linen" speaks of the _righteousness_ of the saints (Rev. 19:8) while the "purple" speaks of the Lord's _dominion_ (Exod. 26:31, 36; 28:15; 39:1; Matt. 15:17; Luke 16:19) and "scarlet" speaks of His _sacrifice_ and _servitude_ (Exod. 28:15; 39:1; Lev. 14:4, 6, 49, 51). The "gold" and "precious stones" speak of those who are _purified_ by the righteous fire of God's law (Deut. 33:2; I Cor. 3:11-15; Rev. 21:19) while the "pearls" speak of the "twelve gates" or _government_ of the city of God (Matt. 13:45-46; Rev. 21:21). All of these define the true essence of the New Testament church, the "holy city" (Rev. 11:2). Ah, but these attributes are not seen in the church until _after_ Babylon's judgment. What does our "voice from heaven" proclaim? "Come out of her, MY PEOPLE, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues" (stripes, wounds, Luke 12:48). In keeping with our previous thought, we are told to "come out of her" for she will not be reformed. She, like the Pharisees of old, is destined for desolation and destruction.

Revelation 3:14-18 (NKJV)  
14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, **'I am rich** , have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and **do not know** that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-- 18 I counsel you to buy from Me **gold refined in the fire** , that you may be rich; and **white garments** , that you may be clothed, _that_ the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and **anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see**.

Laodicea is the _seventh_ church and the _final_ prophecy spoken by the Lord. Seven speaks of "fulfillment," i.e. _filled to the full_. This being true, it declares the _complete fulfillment_ of the living Word of God which is being accomplished in our time. Are we at the end of the age? Perhaps, but if not, it is soon to come.

Friend, the true riches of the kingdom have nothing to do with monetary gain and everything to do with the righteousness of His kingdom which brings us peace and joy. "I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing" is the claim of our Babylonish condition, but clearly we "do not know" that we are "wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked."

Here's the truth. The division of Christianity is a testimony against her and evidence of the very things we are considering. It is the result of the confusion which His Word has propagated in our lives, the Word which we have misinterpreted, mishandled, and replaced with the doctrines and traditions which make it of no effect (Matt. 15:6). Despite the obvious pride we have in our religious collectives, many, if not most, are desolate of the life of Christ that was experienced in the days of the apostles. Ah, but again, it is a matter of prophecy. Our Creator knows His creation, therefore the prophecies of the Lord foretold that which we ourselves did not see coming and are too proud to now admit. And it is especially true in this hour in which we live.

Remember what happened with the Pharisees? Jesus did not physically destroy them or do away with their religious collectives. He simply pronounced them desolate according to His Father's Word and moved on to fulfill His Father's will in those who followed Him. As the New Testament church moved forward, they also moved forward, but their religion remained lifeless and ineffectual, producing twofold children of hell as it had always done. While the coming of the Lord to Israel was acknowledged on one side, it was rejected by the other. Are we so proud as to think it couldn't happen to us?

"Come out of her, my people," is the voice of the Spirit. She cannot be reformed but she is being judged. We have been called to leave this city and tower which is saturated in confusion and misery and steeped in the carnal pride of the countless collectives which she has birthed (Rev. 17:5).

# Chapter Twelve

# THE "DAY OF JUDGMENT"

Imagine yourself in a courtroom. You have been falsely accused and facing charges before a judge and jury. Your lawyer is inept and indifferent, incapable of presenting your case properly before the court. For him, it's just another day at the job and he is more concerned about what he will have for lunch than he is about your well-being.

As the trial progresses, the false accusations are brought to bear and because your lawyer has failed at fully investigating said charges, he offers no opposing witnesses or vindication from the charges which have been brought against you. What do you do? The one you trusted to argue your case has failed and you are now at the mercy of the court. Your "day of judgment" is before you and you are confused and uncertain about your fate. The truth has been sacrificed at the altar of ego and you are left to face the consequences.

Jesus said, "If you abide (continue; remain) in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And _you shall know the truth_ , and _the truth shall make you free_ " (John 8:31-32). Ah, but as our story above illustrates, truth without proper counsel can fail, can it not?

John 14:15-18 (KJV)  
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another **Comforter** , that he may abide with you for ever; 17 _Even_ **the Spirit of truth** ; _whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you_. 18 **I will not leave you comfortless** : I will come to you.

Our word "Comforter" above is paraklētos and is defined by the Strong's Concordance as, "An intercessor, consoler." Consider Vine's definition (emphasis mine).

**Strong's Number:** <G3875>

**Original Word:** παράκλητος, paraklētos

**Usage Notes:** lit., "called to one's side," i.e., to one's aid is primarily a verbal adjective, and suggests the capability or adaptability for giving aid. It was used in a court of justice to denote a legal assistant, counsel for the defense, an advocate; then, generally, one who pleads another's cause, an intercessor, advocate, as in 1 John 2:1, of the Lord Jesus. In the widest sense, it signifies a "succorer, comforter." Christ was this to His disciples, by the implication of His word "another (allos, "another of the same sort," not heteros, "different") Comforter," when speaking of the Holy Spirit, John 14:16. In John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7 He calls Him "the Comforter." "Comforter" or "Consoler" corresponds to the name "Menahem," given by the Hebrews to the Messiah.

As our definitions show, and in light of the kingdom of God, our "counsel for the defense" or "advocate" is "the Spirit of truth." And what did Jesus say about the world at large? "Whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him." In keeping with this, consider what Paul wrote.

1 Corinthians 2:12-16 (NKJV)  
12 Now we have received, **not the spirit of the world** , but **the Spirit who is from God** , that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, **not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches** , comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know _them,_ because they are spiritually discerned. 15 **But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is** _rightly_ **judged by no one**. 16 **For** _"who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?"_ **But we have the mind of Christ**.

Romans 8:5-9 (NKJV)  
5 For those who live according to the flesh **set their minds on the things of the flesh** , but those _who live_ according to the Spirit, **the things of the Spirit**. 6 For **to be carnally minded** _is_ **death, but to be spiritually minded** _is_ **life and peace**. 7 Because **the carnal mind** _is_ **enmity against God** ; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, **those who are in the flesh cannot please God**. 9 But **you are not in the flesh but in the** Spirit, **if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you**. **Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His**.

These passages make it clear that there is a marked difference between the "spirit of the world" and "the Spirit who is from God." There is also an obvious difference between "man's wisdom" and that "which the Holy Spirit teaches." Finally, and most importantly, there is a difference between the "natural man" and "he who is spiritual."

"To be carnally minded is death." Why? "Because the carnal mind is enmity (hostility) against God; for _it is not subject to the law of God_ , _nor indeed can be_. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God." If we will take a raw and honest look at society around us, the truth of these statements should be quite evident.

The spirit and mindset of the world is carnal, wholly absorbed in the "things of the flesh." We may not like to hear that, but it is true. Paul knew this quite well, so too the rest of the apostles. Having received the Spirit of God in their lives, they spoke from knowledge _and_ experience. Paul himself said, "And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, _but in_ demonstration _of the Spirit and of power_ , that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men _but in the power of God_ " (I Cor. 2:4-5). In keeping with this, consider what the Lord Himself said in the following.

Matthew 24:30 (KJV)  
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 in the clouds of heaven **with power** and **great glory**.

What is the power behind the governments of our countries? Is it not the banking elite, our militaries, intelligence agencies, police forces, and our judicial and governmental institutions? And what is the power of the kingdom of God? It is the power of His Spirit, is it not? Which is greater? Hands down, it would be the power of God's Spirit. While man works outwardly by the rule of law and the fear of consequences, the Spirit of God works inwardly, transforming us little by little so that there is eventually no need for the law.

In Matthew 24:30, I believe the "sign of the Son of man in heaven" is just that, the "Son of man _in heaven_." It represents the culmination of the law "in earth" becoming spiritual in a people (as it is in heaven; see Galatians 4:1-5). This is the true "Jerusalem above" (Gal. 4:26). This is the "sign" and it is one of "power" which manifests the "great glory" of God's Spirit in flesh.

Matthew 11:20-24 (NKJV)  
20 Then **He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent** : 21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the **day of judgment** than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the **day of judgment** than for you."

Now, what did Jesus mean when He spoke of the "day of judgment"? In order to understand, we must first consider what Jesus meant by a "day."

John 11:9-10 (NKJV)  
9 Jesus answered, "Are there not **twelve hours** in the **day**? If anyone **walks in the day** , he does not stumble, **because he sees the light of this world**. 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."

In these passages, our number _twelve_ immediately brings to us the understanding of "government by divine appointment" (Vallowe). Stephen Jones wrote:

To write twelve in Hebrew, they wrote two Hebrew letters: **yod-beth**. These signify the hand (outworking) of the household in harmony under divine authority.

Twelve is the number of governmental perfection and divine authority. It follows 11, which is the disorder preceding this perfection. There were 12 sons of Jacob in the Old Testament and 12 apostles in the New Testament. There are 12 foundations in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:14). It also has 12 gates and 12 angels at the gates (Rev. 21:12) and 12 pearls at the gates (Rev. 21:21). The city is foursquare at 12,000 furlongs (Rev. 21:16). The wall is 144 cubits high (Rev. 21:17), which is 12 x 12. All of this is to portray the concept of divine government and order.

Genesis 1:5 (NKJV)  
5 **God called the light Day** , and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.

Here we read, "God called the light Day." So light _is_ day and day _is_ light, and just as the light shines in darkness, so it represents _the manifestation of God's government_ in the earth, more specifically, within those who "walk" or conduct themselves in it. This tells us that the "day" of judgment is not so much a literal day, but denotes the "good works" expressed through those who are spiritually mature and confess or _declare_ "that Jesus Christ has come," _presently_ , "in the flesh" (I John 4:2-3). This is not a matter of mental assent or one of simple speech, but as we have learned, it incorporates the "language," the "works" or "power" of the Spirit through an individual as well as a collective (Matt. 5:16).

In our courtroom story, the lawyer was inept and incapable of proper investigation and vindication. Not so the Spirit of truth! The Spirit of truth is our paraklētos, the Comforter, our advocate, and because He issues from the highest throne of justice, He truly vindicates those who walk in truth.

It is the Spirit of truth who guides us into all truth (John 16:13). His counsel is sure, his wisdom is perfect. It is the Spirit of truth who testifies of Christ (John 15:26), not only bringing to us His Word but the "power" of that Word. "For it is the God _who commanded light to shine out of darkness_ , who has shone in our hearts _to_ _give_ _the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face_ (expression; presence) _of Jesus Christ._ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, _that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us_ " (II Cor. 4:6-7).

Brother and sister, the "day of judgment" is a people, not just a time frame; the manifestation of those who "walk in the light as He is in the light" (I John 1:7) and true judgment or justice will fail until this is a reality.

So think about this in light of what we are considering. True judgment cannot be executed unless there is complete fairness and impartiality and proper justice cannot be dispensed by one who is lawless or unethical. When Christ came to the Jews of His day, He was both fair and impartial, lawful and ethical, spiritually mature in every sense of the word. No one was better qualified to execute judgment and justice through the message and power of the kingdom of God as He was. For this reason, He was more than competent to render a true and spiritual investigation into the hearts of His people and deliver a verdict that was in perfect accordance with His Father. He was, in His time, the "day of judgment" for His people.

The power of our worldly systems of justice lies in the efforts of the carnal man, but the power of the heavenly system transcends it. "He who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For 'who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?' But we have the mind of Christ" (I Cor. 2:15-16). Know that those who reach this spiritual plane are the only ones qualified to "judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24) and render a true verdict, and it is a verdict saturated in the wisdom, grace, and mercy of God.

Revelation 3:21 (NKJV)  
21 **To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne** , as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Beloved, we cannot take lightly the words of our Lord above. "To him who overcomes" is the promise to sit with Him on His throne. The promise is to all but not all will obtain it. Ah, but those who do will become the "day of judgment" in their time.

# Chapter Thirteen

# THE "DAY OF TRIAL"

John 11:9-10 (NKJV)  
9 Jesus answered, "Are there not **twelve hours** in the **day**? **If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world**. 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."

Look once more at Stephen Jones' explanation of the spiritual meaning of _twelve_.

Twelve is the number of governmental perfection and divine authority. It follows 11, which is the disorder preceding this perfection. There were 12 sons of Jacob in the Old Testament and 12 apostles in the New Testament. There are 12 foundations in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:14). It also has 12 gates and 12 angels at the gates (Rev. 21:12) and 12 pearls at the gates (Rev. 21:21). The city is foursquare at 12,000 furlongs (Rev. 21:16). The wall is 144 cubits high (Rev. 21:17), which is 12 x 12. All of this is to portray the concept of divine government and order.

As we have learned, our "twelve hours" is not literal, however, it does portray the passage of time. As an example, Christ was the "day of judgment" for the Jews and the lost sheep of the House of Israel, but this "day" consisted of approximately _three and a half years_. Is there a pattern here? I believe there is. Please consider.

Revelation 11:2-3 (NKJV)  
2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will **tread** the holy city underfoot _for_ **forty-two months**. 3 And I will give _power_ to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy **one thousand two hundred and sixty days** (1,260), clothed in sackcloth."

Revelation 12:6, 14 (NKJV)  
6 Then the woman **fled into the wilderness** , where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there **one thousand two hundred and sixty days** (1,260)... 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly **into the wilderness** to her place, where she is nourished for a **time and times and half a time** , from the presence of the serpent.

Revelation 13:5 (NKJV)  
5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for **forty-two months**.

"Forty-two months" is _three and a half years_. "One thousand two hundred and sixty days" is _forty-two months_ (42 x 30). Finally, based on the context of our passages in Revelation, Chapter 12, our "time and times and half a time" would also symbolize this same time frame. We could think of our "time and times and half a time" as "time" equals 1, "times" equals 2, while "half a time" is 1/2. The total? _Three and a half_.

42 Months (42 x 30) = 1,260 days = Time and Times and Half a Time = 3 ½ years

All of our preceding passages and their time frames agree. And all of them reveal _a time of trial_ for the people of God as we pass through the "wilderness" of this world, struggling with that spirit of antichrist (42) or "spirit of the world" (I Cor. 12:12) which prevailed in our lives before we were called of Christ to God (John 6:44).

Now, remember, God called the "light" day, so "day" is not a literal twelve hours but the _manifestation of God's righteousness as defined by His spiritual government_ (Two Covenants) working within those whom He has chosen (temple of God), individually and collectively speaking. When compared with our preceding passages, we could easily say that the "day" or "light" of God's purpose is illustrated by our 42 months, 1,260 days, and a time and times and half a time.

42 Months (42 x 30) = 1,260 days = Time and Times and Half a Time = "Day" (Light; Manifestation of God's Purpose or Government in the Earth)

What did I write in the previous chapter? That Christ was the "day of judgment" for the Jews and the lost sheep of the House of Israel. What does Hebrews 9:27 tell us? "It is _appointed_ for men to die once, but after this the _judgment_." What did our illustration show? That "death" and "judgment" stand between our natural and spiritual transition as a necessary part of His divine process.

There should be no doubt in any of us that Jesus Christ was the perfect manifestation of God's kingdom on earth, so much so that even Christ Himself said, "The _time is fulfilled_ , and _the kingdom of God is at hand_. Repent, and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15; see Galatians 4:4-5).

Allow me to emphasize. "Day" is light, and light is the manifestation of God's kingdom. After all, a kingdom or dominion also incorporates its government and laws, does it not? So the kingdom of God denotes the government of God and His government, when fully revealed, radiates the divine light of His true and unfailing righteousness.

What should also be evident by all of our preceding passages is that the "day of judgment" corresponds with our "time" in the "wilderness," a time when the "holy city" or called of God is "tread" "underfoot for forty-two months" by the "Gentiles" (nations; world). It is a time when the carnal systems of the world and man (beast with seven heads and ten horns) are allowed to "continue for forty-two months," even to the point of "speaking great things and blasphemies." We even find that "it was granted to him _to make war with the saints and to overcome them_. And authority (dominion) was given him over _every_ tribe, tongue, and nation" (Rev. 13:5, 7). Would this not help explain why the church is divided and so powerless at this time? I believe it would.

Now, with the idea of "day" in mind, consider the following.

Hebrews 3:4-11 (NKJV)  
4 For every **house** is built by someone, **but He who built all things** _is_ **God**. 5 And Moses indeed _was_ faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken _afterward,_ 6 but **Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are** if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. 7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: " **Today** , if you will hear His voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the **day of trial in the wilderness** , 9 where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, and saw My works **forty years**. 10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, 'They always go astray in their heart, and **they have not known My ways**.' 11 So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.' "

First of all, "every _house_ is built by someone, but He who built all things is God." This tells us that God's purpose is undeniably being reckoned in all that we are considering, for we are His "house," His people. What did Stephen Jones tell us concerning the spiritual meaning of _two_? It is "beth," which "is a _house_ or _household_ in Hebrew." And _twelve_? "These (yod-beth) signify the hand (outworking) of the _household in harmony under divine authority_."

Now, how many years were incorporated into the "day of trial" when the people or "house" of God were in the wilderness with Moses? "Forty years." So we have the house of God (2) in the wilderness (40). Added together, we have our "forty-two," do we not? This points to an understanding concerning our "time and times and half a time" that we need to briefly consider.

Daniel 12:6-7 (NKJV)  
6 And _one_ said to the man clothed in linen, who _was_ above the waters of the river, " **How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders** _be?_ _"_ 7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who _was_ above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that _it shall be_ **for a time, times, and half** _a time;_ **and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these** _things_ **shall be finished**.

Look at verse 7 in these passages. "It shall be for a time, times, and half a time; _and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered_ , all these things shall be finished." Doesn't this agree with our previous passages and the authority or dominion of the beast during this time? It does.

Daniel 7:23-26 (KJV)  
23 Thus he said, The **fourth beast** shall be the **fourth kingdom** upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, **and shall devour the whole earth** , and **shall tread it down, and break it in pieces**. 24 And the **ten horns** out of this kingdom _are_ **ten kings** _that_ shall arise: and **another shall rise after them** ; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. 25 And **he shall speak** _great_ **words against the** most High **, and shall wear out the saints of the most High** , and think to change times and laws: and **they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time**. 26 But **the judgment shall sit** , and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy _it_ unto the end.

When we compare these passages with Revelation, Chapter 13, we find a match. The "fourth beast" or "kingdom" would correlate with the "dragon" in Revelation 13:2 (leopard, bear, lion, _dragon_ ).

"And shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces" agrees with Revelation 11, verse 2, as well as Revelation 13, verses 5 through 8.

The "ten horns" or "kings" correlate with Revelation 13, verse 1 (as well as Revelation 17, verses 12 through 14).

"Another shall rise after them," i.e. the seven heads and ten horns. This aligns with Revelation 13, verses 11 through 18, and speaks of the collective "false prophet" (Rev. 16:13; 19:20; 20:10) which we considered earlier. Note that it is this collective false prophet which speaks "great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High." This agrees with the Lord's dissertation in Matthew, Chapter 24, verses 21 through 28, and with our understanding of the religious leaders of Jesus' day.

Finally, all of this will continue until "a time and times and the dividing of time," in other words, for "forty-two months" or _three and a half years_. Ah, but note how Daniel describes our "half a time" as "the _dividing_ of time." Not surprisingly, this word means, "A _half_ ," but it comes from a word which corresponds to another which means, "To _split_ ," so consider the following in light of this understanding.

Matthew 25:31-34 (KJV)  
31 **When the Son of man shall come in his glory** , and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered **all nations** : and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth _his_ sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world...

Beloved, the "half a time" is a " _dividing_ of time," a _separation_ if you will of "day" and "night," of "light" from "darkness" (Gen. 1:4), of the "sheep from the goats." Within our time frame of "forty-two months," we have _forty_ , indicative of "trial or probation" (Jones), coupled with _two_ , indicative of the "household" of God. The result? Those who "hold fast" or endure to the end (Matt. 24:13) during their " _day of trial_ in the _wilderness_ ," understanding the "ways" of God, will enter His "rest," typified by the Promised Land which Israel entered so long ago. No wonder _two_ speaks of both _division_ and _witness_ , for at the end of this age shall arise a true _witness_ of the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 24:14) amidst the _division_ we have known for so long.

So let's play with the numbers a little bit in order to confirm our perspective. We have already explained our "forty" and "two" which is 1,260 days. How many hours in the "day"? _Twelve_. How many minutes to an "hour"? _Sixty_. So hiding in plain sight we have:

12 (Day) 60 (Hour)

Matthew 24:36 (NKJV)  
36 "But of that **day** ( **12** ) and **hour** ( **60** ) no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

Did I get you on that one? Surprising, isn't it? We know what _twelve_ represents, but what about _sixty_? In his book, Biblical Mathematics, Ed Vallowe wrote:

SIXTY seems to stand for PRIDE. The image which Nebuchadnezzar set up was SIXTY cubits (90 feet) high (Daniel 3:1). PRIDE prompted him to erect this image. He dreamed of a great image (Chapter 2) whose head was of gold. Daniel told him that he (Nebuchadnezzar) was that head of gold (Daniel 2:36-38). This, along with his greatness, filled him with PRIDE, as recorded in Chapter 4, verse 30.

"Is not this great Babylon, MY power, and for the honor of MY MAJESTY."

What do our original city and tower and top of Babel signify? Does it not speak of carnal man in his pride and effort seeking to attain the glory of the "heavens" apart from His Maker?

As we have found, our 1,260 "days" aligns with our forty-two "months." How many hours in a "day"? Twelve or _divine government_. How many days in a "month"? Thirty. Here's Stephen Jones' explanation of the spiritual meaning of _thirty_.

Thirty (lamed)

Dedication for Rulership

The number thirty in Hebrew was written as the letter lamed, which is literally an ox goad or staff. Thus, it was a symbol of authority, leadership, or rulership.

Thirty is the number of dedication for rulership. It was the age which God established as the age of rulership for priests (Num. 4:23). Joseph was elevated to power at the age of 30, as we read in Genesis 41:46,

46 Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt.

David was also thirty when he became king, as we read in 2 Sam. 5:4,

4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.

What does thirty represent? It is a "symbol of authority, leadership, or rulership," the "age which God established as the age of rulership for priests (Num. 4:23)." Consider.

Luke 3:23 (KJV)  
23 And Jesus himself began to be about **thirty years of age** , being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was _the son_ of Heli...

Brother and sister, when did Jesus enter His ministry? At "about thirty years of age." And what does a "priesthood" signify? _Fruitfulness_ (John 15:1-2). Didn't Christ ascend to the right hand of the Father after His baptism at the Jordan River? He did, and He has been ruling ever since, for He again ascended to the throne of our Father after His death on the cross (Rev. 3:21). No wonder, for He was already there in Spirit long before He ascended bodily. Doesn't this also confirm that it is Christ who has been fulfilling every "jot" and "tittle" of the law until "all is fulfilled" (Matt. 5:18)?

Our forty-two months or 1,260 _days_ is also three and a half _years_. How many months in a _year_? Twelve or _divine government_. How many hours in a day? Twelve or _divine government_. Now we have _two twelves_ , do we not? This would be _twenty-four_ , our number of "priesthood" (Jones).

Revelation 4:4 (NKJV)  
4 Around the throne _were_ **twenty-four** thrones, and on the thrones I saw **twenty-four** elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.

Remember our number 144,000 as 12 x 12 x 1,000? Do our two twelves agree with the "twenty-four elders" around "the throne." I believe so. Now, consider the following.

2 Peter 3:8 (KJV)  
8 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**.

"Day" is "light" and light is the manifestation of God's living Word as seen through His called and chosen people. As Peter shows, "a thousand years" are as "one day" to the Lord. Again, this is not literal but speaks of the glory of God as revealed by His living Word. So, in our _two_ twelves, we have a _double witness_ (2) of His _divine government_ (12) as exemplified by His _priesthood_ (2 x 12 = 24). And these are those who manifest the "thousand years" or "day" (light) of the work of His Two Covenants within.

Revelation 20:4 (KJV)  
4 And I saw **thrones** , and **they sat upon them** , and **judgment was given unto them** : and _I saw_ the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received _his_ mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; **and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years**.

"They lived (fruitfulness) and reigned (dominion) with Christ a thousand years." Amazing isn't it? Ah, but there is more to come that confirms our position and understanding.

# Chapter Fourteen

# THE PARABLE OF THE WORKERS

Matthew 20:1-16 (NIV)  
1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner **who went out early in the morning** to hire men **to work in his vineyard**. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the **day** and sent them into his vineyard. 3 "About the **third hour** he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' 5 So they went. "He went out again about the **sixth hour** and the **ninth hour** and did the same thing. 6 About the **eleventh** hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?' 7 "'Because no one has hired us,' they answered. "He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.' 8 "When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.' 9 "The workers who were hired about the **eleventh hour** came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 'These men who were hired last worked only **one hour** ,' they said, 'and **you have made them equal to us** who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.' 13 "But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. **I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you**. 15 Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 16 " **So the last will be first, and the first will be last**."

As we have learned, there are _twelve_ hours in the day, signifying the light of God's righteousness through the fulfilling of every detail of His divine law and purpose. How many hours do we find in our parable? Also _twelve_ , so we could easily say that this parable describes the "day" or manifestation of the Lord's work in His people.

Note the reference to "about the third hour."

Acts 2:12-15 (KJV)  
12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all _ye_ that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is _but_ **the third hour of the day**.

These passages follow the outpouring of God's Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-11) which was the fulfillment of the Lord's promise to His disciples in Acts, Chapter 1, verses 4 and 5. Due to this wondrous event, we find those who were present from "every nation under heaven" (Acts 2:5; KJV) accusing them of being "full of new wine." In response, Peter declares, "These are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the _third hour_ of the day." Was he speaking literally? Yes, but I believe he was also speaking spiritually and the "third hour" of the Lord's parable above corresponds with the "third hour" which Peter mentioned on the Day of Pentecost. In confirmation of the Lord sending these men into "His vineyard," we read the following shortly after Peter's preaching.

Acts 2:41 (NKJV)  
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and **that day about three thousand souls were added** _to them_ _._

No doubt about it! Just as Christ had promised, once the 120 in the upper room had received power to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8), they immediately went out in that power and brought many souls into the kingdom of God. Ah, but as our parable shows, this was "early in the morning," agreeing with the "third hour" on the "Day of Pentecost," which is approximately between 8 and 9 a.m. our time. And what follows in our parable? The _sixth_ , _ninth_ , and _eleventh_ hours. Now, consider the following from Stephen Jones (emphasis mine).

**Third Hour** = _Three_

**Gimel** is a camel in Hebrew. _It signifies to be lifted up_. Pride is its negative side; _being glorified or elevated to a position of authority is its positive side_.

Sixth Hour = Six

Vav is a nail or peg in Hebrew. It is also a conjunction ("and"), for it takes a nail to connect two things (Author's Note: See Matthew 27:45-50).

Six is the number of man, for man was created on the sixth day (Gen. 1:24-31). Man was also to labor for six days before entering into the Sabbath rest (Ex. 20:8-11), and the Hebrew slave was to serve for six years (Ex. 21:2).

**Ninth Hour** = _Nine_

Teth is a snake in Hebrew. It can also signify being surrounded, for the snake was often pictured in a circle swallowing its tail (Author's Note: See Matthew 27:45-50).

The number nine speaks God's "visitation." This is a Hebraism that pictures God as an Investigator "visiting" a person, city, or nation to expose the hearts, gather evidence, and "see" firsthand, as it were, the truth of a matter. It is much like a divine court case where the evidence is uncovered and presented to the judge for judgment.

Eleventh Hour = Eleven

To write eleven in Hebrew, they wrote two Hebrew letters: yod (hand) and aleph (strength). These signify the hand (outworking) of one's strength. Man's works apart from God are imperfect and out of order, and so they come ultimately to disintegration.

Eleven is the number of imperfection, disorder, or being out of order. Jacob had only eleven sons remaining at home after Joseph was lost and presumed dead. This portrays a measure of disorder. Only when Joseph was found and reunited with his brethren was there the order of divine government—the number 12.

No doubt we could write a small book about all of these numbers and their spiritual implications, but I will stick to the point at hand. If we walk through each of the hours signified by the parable, we will see a progressive "work" if you will, and the "work" of Christ is always a manifestation of the "day" or "light" of God's unfolding purpose.

For a long time now I have believed that we are not _going to be judged_ , but _are being judged_. This is due to Peter's statement in his first letter where he tells us, "For the time _has come_ for judgment to _begin_ at the house of God; and _if_ _it begins_ _with us first_ , what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (I Peter 4:17) This perspective also agrees with Paul's remarks about sowing and reaping. "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" (Gal. 6:7-10). It should be evident to us as His people that judgment began almost two thousand years ago and has continued ever since. The proof is seen in our parable and the corresponding hours of the "day" or manifestation of God's government through Christ since His coming almost two thousand years ago.

Christ fulfilled the first two "hours" of this "day," being the perfect and divine _witness_ of God's judgment and corresponding grace and mercy. One denoting "unity or that which is first" (Jones), Christ Jesus was the "beginning" (John 1:1, 14; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:18) and the "firstborn" (Matt. 1:25; Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:18), the "head" of every man (I Cor. 11:3) and "over all things to the church" (Eph. 1:22).

His apostles fulfilled the "third" hour of this "day," being filled with _resurrection life_ when they were empowered by the Holy Spirit to enter God's vineyard and reap an influx of souls unprecedented in their time.

Since then, I believe we have passed through the "sixth" and "ninth hour" of this "day" as we head toward the "eleventh" hour. And based on the understanding of our parable, the "eleventh" hour is the _final hour_. This being the case, let me share all of what Stephen Jones wrote concerning the spiritual meaning of _eleven_. It's a little lengthy, but quite enlightening to our study (emphasis mine).

Eleven (yod-aleph)

Imperfection, Disorder, Incompleteness

To write eleven in Hebrew, they wrote two Hebrew letters: yod (hand) and aleph (strength). These signify the hand (outworking) of one's strength. Man's works apart from God are imperfect and out of order, and so they come ultimately to disintegration.

Eleven is the number of imperfection, disorder, or being out of order. Jacob had only eleven sons remaining at home after Joseph was lost and presumed dead. This portrays a measure of disorder. Only when Joseph was found and reunited with his brethren was there the order of divine government—the number 12.

Israel was rebellious against God ten times from the time they left Egypt to the day the twelve spies gave their reports (Num. 14:22). God then judged them, saying that they would have to spend 40 years in the wilderness. As we showed earlier, ten indicates the judgment of the law. But then the people refused to accept God's judgment, and this became their eleventh sin—disorder. They attempted to conquer Canaan on their own, but failed miserably (Num. 14:39-45). It does not work to do the right thing at the wrong time, nor to do the wrong thing at the right time. Both manifest disorder.

Also of note is the fact that it was an eleven-day journey from Mount Horeb to Kadesh-Barnea, where the 12 spies gave their report and where Israel committed their eleventh act of rebellion against God.

According to Jer. 39:2, the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. Again, to emphasize disorder, God gave Ezekiel a revelation about the destruction of Tyre "in the eleventh year" (Ez. 26:1) and also of Egypt "in the eleventh year" (Ez. 30:20).

After Judas betrayed Jesus and hanged himself, this left just eleven disciples. As they contemplated the soon-coming day of Pentecost, Peter understood that eleven disciples constituted a number of disorder. He also understood that Judas had played the role of Ahithophel (Psalm 109:8) and that, therefore, he should be replaced (Acts 1:20).

So the disciples cast lots (Acts 1:26), and Matthias replaced Judas, making the total number of disciples back to twelve—divine government. Matthias served temporarily as a stand-in (Acts 1:26) until Jesus appeared to Saul and called Him to the ministry (Acts 9:5). God then trained him for fourteen years before commissioning him on his first missionary journey (Gal. 2:1; Acts 13:2) and renaming him "Paul" (Acts 13:9).

The eleventh time Paul is mentioned is in Acts 14:14. Paul had just worked a miracle, healing a lame man. The multitudes then said, " _The gods have become like men and have come down to us_ " (vs. 11). The people brought out garlands to honor Paul and Barnabas like gods. This was clearly out of order.

14 **But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out** 15 **and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you in order that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them.**

After Paul brought correction to these people, they dragged him out of the city, stoned him, and left him for dead.

Eleven, therefore, shows disorder and incompletion. For this reason, there is often judgment associated with this number.

In similar manner, Egypt was out of order by refusing to let Israel go. So God brought ten plagues upon Egypt—the judgments of God. The eleventh offense was at the Red Sea when Pharaoh tried to bring the "Church in the wilderness" back into slavery. They were out of order.

Canaan himself had eleven sons (Gen. 10:15-18). The Canaanite kings symbolically depict the inner strongholds in our minds (2 Cor. 10:4, 5) that prevent us from submitting to Christ fully. Likewise, there were eleven dukes, or chiefs, of Edom (Gen. 36:40-43).

What does Stephen Jones state? "Man's works apart from God are imperfect and out of order, and so they come ultimately to disintegration" and "eleven is the number of imperfection, disorder, or being out of order." "Eleven, therefore, shows disorder and incompletion. For this reason, there is often judgment associated with this number."

Imperfect. Out of order. Disorder. Incompletion. Could we also add confusion, typifying Babylon? I believe we could. And what is usually associated with this? Judgment.

Do you see my friend why judgment is indeed necessary for the house of God which is so confused in our day? And since there are twelve hours in this "day," then we see in our parable both the ongoing judgment of God since the days of Christ and the apostles up to this present time. We _have_ been judged, are _being_ judged, and _will_ be judged (Day of Judgment). Just as Jesus came at the "fullness of the time" (Gal. 4:4) and thus _ended_ the Age of Law and _began_ the Age of Grace, so too will this age also end and a new age will begin in accordance with the perfect and divine will of God as purposed by His living Word. No wonder Paul wrote that "in the dispensation of the fullness of the _times_ " (plural; time and _times_ and half a time), that the Lord will " _gather together in one_ all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him" (Eph. 1:10). The Lord Himself confirmed this, stating, "And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, _and they will gather together His elect_ (chosen; the temple of God) from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other" (Matt. 24:32).

Beloved, the "eleventh hour" is the final hour which ends the twelve hours of the "day." And the final hour is marked by the judgment of Babylon, His people, in their evident confusion and dismay.

The reality of the "day of the Lord" is this. His resurrection power (3) will be fully manifest in man (6), in a people who have endured to the end. They will be those whom God has visited and investigated (9), judged first and the confusion removed (11) and thus qualified to be His witness of the true gospel of the kingdom (12) (Matt. 24:14). As we near the end of the age, they will, like Christ, become the "day of judgment" for Babylon and the world.

# Chapter Fifteen

# THE BOWLS

For a long time, I was confused about the "bowls" found in Revelation, Chapters 15 and 16, not quite understanding their place in the purpose of God. Based on the understanding of this study, and especially in the Parable of the Workers, I now realize the difference between the "bowls" and the "judgment" of Babylon which follows.

Revelation 15:1, 6-8, 7:1 (NKJV)  
1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: **seven angels** having the **seven last plagues** , for in them **the wrath of God is complete**... 6 And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels **seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God** who lives forever and ever. 8 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till **the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed**... 1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, " **Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth**."

Acts 2:14-21 (NKJV)  
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is _only_ the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 'And it shall come to pass in the **last days** , says God, that I will **pour out of My Spirit on all flesh** ; **Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy** , your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. 18 **And on My menservants and on My maidservants** **I will pour out My Spirit in those days** ; And **they shall prophesy**. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of **the great and awesome day of the Lord**. 21 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

First of all, note Peter's reference to the prophecy of Joel where he speaks of the "last days" and then follows with "the great and awesome day of the Lord." Now that we understand the meaning of a "day," then we can better understand what Peter meant. Apparently, there are several "days" in the "last days" but the end of the age will come with the "great and awesome day of the Lord." This being the case, we find confirmation from the Lord.

Matthew 12:39-41 (NKJV)  
39 But He answered and said to them, "An **evil** and **adulterous generation** seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was **three days and three nights** in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be **three days and three nights** in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the **judgment** with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah _is_ here.

First, let me point out the Lord's reference to an "evil and adulterous generation." "Evil" defines the world while "adulterous" points to Babylon.

"Three days and three nights." Allegorically speaking, these define the "last days" of Joel's prophecy. Allow me to share the following illustration with you.

In this illustration of the golden lampstand that was situated in the Holy Place of the Temple of God, we find our "Days" represented by the "light" of each branch, while our "Nights" are represented by the spaces between the branches. Right away we should see our "time and times and half a time" in the illustration, i.e. the forty-two months, 1,260 days, or three and a half years.

It's my theory that the "three days and three nights" of which Jesus spoke are illustrated by the "Day" and "Night" of Pentecost, followed by the "Day" and "Night" of Trumpets, and the "Day" and "Night" of Atonement. Once we reach the "Feast of Tabernacles," we have "Day" with no "Night." In other words, it is just "half" a "Day" or "half a time." This would be what Peter referred to as "the great and awesome day of the Lord" and the end of the age.

Now, let me back up a moment and emphasize a certain point in regard to our illustration.

Matthew 5:17-18 (NKJV)  
17 " **Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill**. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, **one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled**.

Throughout this study, I have stated that His people have been passing through the spiritual fulfillment of the law based on what Jesus said in our passages above. This being true, our illustration shows the three great Feasts of Israel _which were an integral part of the law_. Of the three great feasts, Jesus and His apostles fulfilled the first two, however, the third and final Feast of Tabernacles is yet to be fulfilled. As our picture shows, this last great feast defines the "last days" as well as the "great and awesome day of the Lord." After all, if the first two feasts were fulfilled, wouldn't our Lord also fulfill the final feast?

John 2:19 (NKJV)  
19 Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, **and in three days I will raise it up**."

We also see in our illustration an understanding of what Jesus meant by "in three days I will raise it up," speaking of the "Temple of God." The "three days" are the three segments of the Feast of Tabernacles; the Day of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles proper.

Whether we consider our "three days and three nights" or our "three days," we end up at the final branch or "Day" which is again just "half" a "Day" or "half a time." We find confirmation in the following.

Revelation 21:23-26 (NKJV)  
23 **The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it** , for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb _is_ its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day ( **there shall be no night there** ). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.

Revelation 22:5 (NKJV)  
5 **There shall be no night there** : They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

At the end of the book of the Revelation, we find the "city" of God, His church, and we are told twice that "there shall be no night there." This agrees with our "half a time" or "Day" of Tabernacles. The seventh or final branch defines this quite well, indicative of "spiritual perfection" (Bullinger), the _completion_ of God's purpose in His people. Now, let's return to our passages at the beginning of this chapter.

Revelation 15:1, 6-8, 7:1 (NKJV)  
1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: **seven angels** having the **seven last plagues** , for in them **the wrath of God is complete**... 6 And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels **seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God** who lives forever and ever. 8 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till **the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed**... 1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, " **Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth**."

Acts 2:14-21 (NKJV)  
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is _only_ the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 'And it shall come to pass in the **last days** , says God, that I will **pour out of My Spirit on all flesh** ; **Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy** , your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. 18 **And on My menservants and on My maidservants** **I will pour out My Spirit in those days** ; And **they shall prophesy**. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of **the great and awesome day of the Lord**. 21 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

"Seven angels having the seven last _plagues_ , for in them the _wrath_ of God is complete."

Romans 4:15 (ESV)  
15 **For the law brings wrath** , but where there is no law there is no transgression.

What is Jesus now fulfilling? Every detail of the law. Why? "For the _law_ brings wrath." This shows the meaning behind the "seven last plagues (actually _stripes_ )," for we read in Revelation 15:7, "Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels _seven golden bowls_ full (7) of the _wrath_ of God who lives forever and ever."

What are the angels told to do? "Go and _pour out_ the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth." What did Peter say God would do in the "last days"? "I will _pour out_ of My Spirit on all flesh." It's my opinion that the "bowls" are those found on each branch of the lampstand which held the olive oil which was lit to give light (Exod. 39:37; Lev. 24:1-4). This, of course, agrees with our understanding of the "day" or "light" or _manifestation_ of God's Word in the earth. The "oil" in the bowls signify the _anointing_ of God's Spirit which brings light, life, substance, and reality to His Word.

Our word "plagues" is best explained by the following.

Luke 12:47-48 (NKJV)  
47 And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare _himself_ or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many _stripes._ 48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

Our word "stripes" in Luke 12 is the same word translated as "plagues" in Revelation 15:1. It is also rendered as "plagues" in Revelation 9:18, 20, 11:6, 15:6, 8, 16:9, 21, 18:4, 8, 21:9, 22:8, and "wound" in Revelation 13:3, 12, and 14. So "plagues" are _stripes_ and _stripes_ are given in accordance with _knowing_ or _not knowing_ our "master's will" (Rev. 3:17).

Deuteronomy 25:1-3 (ESV)  
1 "If there is a dispute between men and they come into court and the judges decide between them, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty, 2 then **if the guilty man deserves to be beaten** , the judge shall cause him to lie down and be beaten in his presence with a number of **stripes** in proportion to his offense. 3 **Forty stripes** may be given him, **but not more** , lest, if one should go on to beat him with more stripes than these, **your brother be degraded in your sight**.

2 Samuel 7:13-15 (ESV)  
13 He shall build **a house for my name** , and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, **I will discipline him with the rod of men,** **with the** stripes **of the sons of men** , 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him...

Psalms 89:27-37 (KJV)  
27 Also **I will make him** _my_ **firstborn** , _higher than the kings of the earth_. 28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. 29 His seed also will I make _to endure_ for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven. 30 **If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;** 31 **If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;** 32 **Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with** stripes **.** 33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. 34 **My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips**. 35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. 36 His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me. 37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and _as_ a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.

"Forty stripes," "but not more." How long is our wilderness journey? Forty years. Coincidence? I don't think so. How are these "stripes" administered? "With the rod of men, with the _stripes_ of the sons of men." Would this explain what is meant by the "court" which is "given to the Gentiles (nations)"? I believe so. Ah, but as Psalms shows, God's "lovingkindness" and "faithfulness" will not be "utterly" taken from us and His "covenant" will He "not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out" of His lips.

As we see, Luke 12 gives a better understanding of our "plagues," defining the true nature of their purpose. The plagues are "stripes," denoting _discipline for the sake of correction_ (Heb. 12:5-11). This is confirmed by the following after the fourth and fifth bowls are "poured out."

Revelation 16:8-11 (NKJV)  
8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and **they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues** (stripes); and **they did not repent and give H** im **glory**. 10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. 11 **They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their** sores, **and did not repent of their deeds**.

Despite the severity of the "stripes," we are told that "they did not repent and give Him glory" and "did not repent of their deeds." Like correction given to a disobedient child, we instead despise the correction and refuse to change (Heb. 12:5).

It is my humble opinion that the bowls which define His wrath are simply the spiritual fulfillment of the law and the prophets as Jesus testified in Matthew 5:17. First, the _spiritual implications_ of the law (law...), followed by the _spiritual fulfillment_ of the same (... and the prophets; Matt. 5:17).

Acts 2:16-18 (NKJV)  
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; **your sons and your daughters shall prophesy** , your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. 18 **And on My menservants and on My maidservants** I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and **they shall prophesy**.

First, we have "all flesh," i.e. the world _and_ the church. So we have "your (our) sons and your (our) daughters" followed by "My (His) servants" and "My (His) maidservants;" both will "prophesy," not _foretell_ but _fulfill_. In other words, the witness of the spiritual fulfillment of His law has been evident in His church and in the world ever since the days of Christ. And as you might have guessed, we have not yet reached the completion that is determined at the end of this age.

# Chapter Sixteen

# BABYLON'S JUDGMENT

Revelation 17:1-2 (NKJV)  
1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, "Come, **I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many** waters, 2 with whom the **kings of the earth** committed fornication, and the **inhabitants of the earth** were made drunk with the wine of her fornication."

In the beginning of creation, the original edict of God was, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; _let them have dominion_ " (Gen. 1:26). It was also decreed that "the spiritual is not first, _but the natural_ , and afterward the spiritual" (I Cor. 15:46). When brought together, we see the dominion of the natural man. This carnal dominion is evidenced by the gibbôr or "mighty men" of Genesis 6:4 and Nimrod, who was a "mighty one" or gibbôr "in the earth" (Gen. 10:8).

I'm inclined to think that the gibbôr signify our "kings of the earth," and Nebuchadnezzar (along with the other three kings and kingdoms) also aligns with this perspective, being the "head of gold" and agreeing with the "top" of the tower of Babel. This being the case then the "inhabitants of the earth" are defined by the "city" of Babel and speaks of the many carnal collectives which are governed by their fleshly leaders.

The key phrase in both the "kings of the earth" and the "inhabitants of the earth" is "of the earth."

1 Corinthians 15:47-50 (KJV)  
47 **The first man** _is_ **of the earth, earthy** : the second man _is_ the Lord from heaven. 48 **As** _is_ the earthy **, such** _are_ **they also that are earthy** : and as _is_ the heavenly, such _are_ they also that are heavenly. 49 **And as we have borne the image of the earthy** , we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that **flesh** and **blood** cannot inherit the kingdom of God; **neither doth corruption** inherit **incorruption**.

The "first man" is illustrated by Adam (I Cor. 15:45), representing the "natural man" in everyone. The natural man is "of the earth, earthy," and "as is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy." This simply means that our priorities are this world of form (earth; II Cor. 4:18). Paul informs us that all "have borne the image of the earthy." I believe this aligns with the following in Revelation.

Revelation 13:14-15 (NKJV)  
14 And he deceives **those who dwell on the earth** by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those **who dwell on the earth** to make an **image to the beast** who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 **He was granted** _power_ **to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed**.

Here we find the collective "false prophet" (Rev. 16:13; 19:20; 20:10), given as a "beast coming up out of the earth," i.e. rising up from the same "earthy" or carnal nature of the "first man Adam" which defines the attributes of the world (I Cor. 15:45). Now, if "the carnal mind is enmity against God" and "is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be" (Rom. 8:7), then we can rightly say that the carnal mind is antichrist, can we not? If this is the case, then our phrases "who dwell on the earth" speaks of those in their carnality, who are invested in and taken by the power and authority of this antichrist spirit.

Our word "image" in I Corinthians 15 is the same word in Revelation 13 in regard to an "image to the beast." Consider this treatment from Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament.

An image to the beast (εἰκόνα τῷ θηρίῳ)

Εἰκών is _a figure_ or _likeness_. Thus Matthew 22:20, of the likeness of Caesar on the coin. Romans 1:24, an _image_ of men, birds, beasts, etc. Colossians 3:10, "the _image_ of Him that created him;" i.e., the moral likeness of renewed men to God. Christ is called _the image of God_ (Colossians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 4:4). Besides the idea of _likeness_ , the word involves the idea of _representation_ , though not of _perfect_ representation. Thus, man is said to be _the image_ of God (1 Corinthians 11:7). In this it resembles χαρακτήρ _image_ in Hebrews 1:3. Caesar's image on the coin, the reflection of the sun in the water (Plato, "Phaedo," 99); and the statue or image of the beast in this passage, are εἰκών.

The word also involves the idea of _manifestation_. Thus, Colossians 1:15, where, in the _image_ there is an implied contrast with the invisible God. Hence Philo applied the term to the Logos. See on John 1:1.

The word played an important part in the Arian controversy, in which the distinction was sharply emphasized between εἰκών _image_ as assuming a prototype, and therefore as properly representing the relation of the Son to the Father, and ὁμοίωμα _likeness_ , as implying mere similitude, and not embodying the essential verity of the prototype. The _image_ involves the _likeness_ , but the likeness does not involve the image. The latter may imply only an accidental resemblance, while the former is a veritable representation. Christ is therefore the εἰκών of God.

_The image of the beast_ occurs ten times in Revelation; four times in this chapter, and in 14:9, 11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4.

Our word "beast" in Revelation 13 is thērion and means, "A dangerous animal," and no doubt about it, we are the most dangerous species on the planet. Our history clearly testifies of this fact. This is one reason that I define the "seven heads" of the first beast (Rev. 13:1) by the attributes listed in Proverbs 6, verses 16 through 19. And since this is the same word used in regard to the second beast, then the attributes are clearly the same. John confirms this in his first letter, stating, "They," plural or collectively speaking, "are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them" (I John 4:1-5). The world is quite religious, my friend, but this does not equate to the true spiritual essence of God's kingdom.

The key word of Vine's explanation of "image" is manifestation which the Merriam-Webster Dictionary online defines as, "A perceptible, outward, or visible expression" and "a public demonstration of power and purpose." Visible expression? Power and purpose? As in our works or deeds? Of course. And so it is that we are judged accordingly.

Note that the "image of the beast" refers to the first beast or beast of the sea (Rev. 13:1), i.e. the worldly and carnal systems (collectives) of man. This tells us that the corporate expression of the "false prophet" is the same as that of the world at large, having the same attributes which are diametrically opposed to the "image of the heavenly" (I Cor. 15:49) and the kingdom of God.

As previously suggested, the "kings of the earth" speak of the governing powers of society which are, whether they acknowledge it or not, under the divine auspices of the law of God as typified by the gold, silver, brass, and iron which is seen in Nebuchadnezzar's dream (see "Studies in Revelation – The Second Death"). The "inhabitants of the earth" speak of all of us, who in our carnal mind, must reap the corruption of what we sow (Gal. 6:8). Now, let's consider the following.

Revelation 17:1, 3, 15, 18 (NKJV)  
1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of **the great harlot who sits on many** waters... 3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the **wilderness**. And I saw a **woman sitting on a scarlet beast** _which was_ full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns... 15 Then he said to me, "The **waters** which you saw, where the harlot sits, **are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues**... 18 And the woman whom you saw is **that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth**."

As we see, the "great harlot," Babylon, "sits on many waters" representing "peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues," yet, she also sits "on a scarlet beast." Are they the same? Indirectly, yes they are, for the beast or dangerous and destructive nature of our carnal being is clearly manifest out of the great "sea" or waters of humanity in which all of us exist (Rev. 13:1). "Beast" defines the nature and characteristics while the "sea" or "waters" define the spirit or behavior that lies beneath this nature (Gen. 1:6-8; John 7:38).

Babylon, representing the body of Christ in the wilderness and passing through the spiritual fulfillment of the law, "reigns over the kings of the earth." Why is this? Because as we have stated, the law of God takes precedence over the carnal aspects of our being, first in His people, and secondly, in the world. "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man," any man, "sows, that he will also reap" (Gal. 6:7).

1 Peter 4:17-18 (KJV)  
17 For **the time** _is come_ **that judgment must begin at the house of God** : and if _it_ **first** begin at us, **what shall the end** _be_ **of them that obey not the gospel of God**? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, **where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear**?

The contrast here is clear. Judgment begins with the "house of God," followed by "the ungodly and the sinner" (the world), those who do not "obey the gospel of God." This shows why the book of the Revelation was written to His "servants" to show them the "things which must shortly come to pass" (Rev. 1:1; KJV). Many may be skeptical, but the plain truth is, God's purpose is always reckoned first in His people before it is reckoned in the world. This is confirmed by His actions with the nation of Israel so long ago. And what is His purpose in this? To bring a "day of judgment," a true "light" of righteousness that sets the standard by which both His people and the world may be properly judged. Without true righteousness, there cannot be true judgment. This principle was clearly embodied in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 17:1-2 (NKJV)  
1 Then **one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls** came and talked with me, saying to me, "Come, **I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many** waters, 2 **with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication** , and **the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication**."

As previously stated, the judgment of God in regard to the church has been ongoing since the days of Christ and the apostles. We have been, are being, and will be judged. For this reason, the writer of Hebrews mentions "eternal judgment;" not a judgment which never ends, but rather the same judgment which is evident through every age (Mal. 3:6). God's living Word is as relevant today as it was in Noah's or the Lord's day; we are just further along in its fulfillment.

As we have learned, the bowls of the wrath of God speak of His "stripes" or discipline. Again, this is ongoing, yet, as Revelation shows, we fail to repent.

It is not until the seventh angel pours out his bowl "into the air" (Rev. 16:17) that we find "the great city" (Rev. 11:8; 14:8; 17:18; 18:10, 16, 18, 19, 21), Babylon, is "divided into three parts" (Ezek. 5:1-5; Rev. 17:14) and "great Babylon was remembered before God, _to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath_ " (Rev. 16:19). Since we are talking "wrath," we are still referring to the fulfillment of His law. In keeping with the Parable of the Workers, the _seventh_ bowl aligns with the "eleventh" or _final_ hour of the "day of judgment." What has been ongoing culminates in that "great and awesome day of the Lord." In agreement with this thought, we find after the sixth bowl is poured out that Jesus says, "Behold, _I am coming as a thief_. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame" (Rev. 16:15; see also Rev. 3:17).

Matthew 24:42-44 (NKJV)  
42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what **hour** your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known **what hour the thief would come** , **he would have watched** and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an **hour** you do not expect.

What "hour" is our Lord coming? The "eleventh hour," but it is an "hour" that we "do not expect." How will He come? For many, He will come "as a thief."

1 Thessalonians 5:1-10 (NKJV)  
1 But concerning the **times** and the **seasons** , brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 **For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night**. 3 For when **they** say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And **they** shall not escape. 4 **But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief**. 5 **You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness**. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others _do,_ but **let us watch and be sober**. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But **let us who are of the day be sober** , putting on **the breastplate of faith and love, and** _as_ **a helmet the hope of salvation**. 9 **For God did not appoint us to wrath** , but **to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ** , 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

"Times" speaks of our "days and nights" while "seasons" denote our three great Feasts of Israel (and the principle of sowing and reaping; the Feasts of Israel were centered on seedtime and harvest).

Paul's remarks in this chapter follow after his mention of the "coming of the Lord" in I Thessalonians 4:15, so they are in keeping with what he said above. So at His coming, there will be those who will not see it, who fail to "watch" as Paul said and are found asleep and "drunk" on the spirit of the world which prevails among us (Luke 21:34-36).

If my understanding is correct and based on the Parable of the Workers, the coming of the Lord is not, as tradition states, His appearance in the sky or in any individual fashion. Rather, it is His coming within a people, within those who have remained faithful until the end and are baptized into the same Spirit as the apostles were on the Day of Pentecost. Note how Paul states, "But let us who are of the 'day' be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath (stripes), but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." The "hope of salvation"? To "obtain salvation"? You mean we are not yet "saved"? No, my friend, we are not, at least not in the sense of fullness as typified by our seven trumpets and bowls.

Based on all that we have looked at, I cannot help but believe that just like it was in the days of Christ and the apostles, so too will it be at the end of this age, for as Paul stated, "Then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman (Matt. 24:8). And they shall not escape." Remember, while one side embraced the Lord, the other side rejected, persecuted, and crucified Him in order to hold to their lifeless traditions. While many embraced their "day of judgment" in Christ, others resisted and were left in spiritual desolation.

Matthew 23:38-39 (NKJV)  
38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, _'_ _Blessed is He who comes_ _in the name of the Lord!' "_

# Chapter Seventeen

# THE DAY AND HOUR

Matthew 24:32-36 (NKJV)  
32 " **Now learn this parable from the fig tree** : When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer _is_ near. 33 So you also, **when you see all these things** , know that it is near--at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 36 "But of that **day and hour** no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

If my understanding is correct, the "fig tree" speaks of the law of God. This is confirmed by the story of Adam and Eve and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in Genesis, Chapter 3, verses 1 through 7. After eating from this tree, we read, "Then the _eyes_ of both of them were opened, and they _knew_ that they were naked; _and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings_ " (Gen. 3:7).

Inasmuch as they took of the "fruit" of this tree of _knowledge_ (Gen. 3:6), they also took of the "leaves" to cover themselves. Of course, this is symbolical, denoting the law of God (tree of knowledge of good and evil) and our corresponding works (sewed fig leaves together). Paul tells us, "By the law is the _knowledge_ of sin" (Rom. 3:20), and, "By the works of the law _no flesh shall be justified_ " (Gal. 2:16). This being true, then the fact that Adam and Eve's "eyes" were "opened" and "they knew that they were naked" simply reveals how the initiation of the law into our lives immediately _exposes_ and _provokes_ the natural man of our being (Rom. 7:8; II Cor. 5:1-4).

The Lord states, "When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see _all these things_ , know that it is near—at the doors!" "All these things" speaks of what the Lord said leading up to this particular statement (as recorded in Matthew 24, verses 4 through 31). Careful consideration of what He said will show that He spoke of everything up to and including the end of the age. I believe the "doors" point to the prophecies pertaining to Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-8) and Laodicea (Rev. 3:20).

The "works" of the spiritual fulfillment of the law are the "works" of Christ, not man (Rev. 2:26), so it is that we are told by the Lord to " _watch_ therefore, for you do not know what _hour_ your Lord is coming" (Matt. 24:42). He then follows with His dissertation about the " _hour_ the thief would come" (Matt. 24:43), agreeing with His statement to John in Revelation 16, verse 15, and His "coming as a thief." Though we do not know the "day" or "hour," we must be vigilant at all times, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, _and so much the more as you see the Day approaching_ " (Heb. 10:25).

Mark 13:32-37 (NKJV)  
32 "But of that **day and hour** no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, **watch and pray** ; for you do not know when the time is. 34 _It is_ like a man going to a far country, who left his house and **gave authority to his servants** , and **to each his work** , and **commanded the doorkeeper to watch**. 35 **Watch** therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming--in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning-- 36 lest, coming suddenly, **he find you sleeping**. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: **Watch**!"

Is our "day" the _third_ day of the "three days" which Jesus defined in John 2:19? If so, this correlates with the third segment of the Feast of Tabernacles which would be Tabernacles proper (see our previous illustration in Chapter 15). The "hour" would be the "eleventh" hour of this "day" as illustrated by the Parable of the Workers.

"Watch therefore," "lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping." No doubt, this speaks of those who, like the Pharisees, fail to see the Lord and the manifestation of His coming in a people at the end of the age. Again, despite the traditional take, I believe the Lord's return is inward, not outward, and the raising up of the "Temple of God" (John 2:19) speaks of the "first resurrection" as recorded in Revelation, Chapter 20, verses 1 through 6.

Daniel 2:20-21 (NKJV)  
20 Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. 21 And **He changes the times and the seasons** ; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.

Jesus said that "no one" knows the "day and hour," that "only the Father" knows. Daniel confirms this by telling us that "He changes the times and the seasons," so He alone knows the thoughts and intents and when we have truly reached the period defined as "the _dispensation_ of the _fullness_ of the _times_ " (as in time and _times_ and half a time; compare Ephesians 1:10 with Matthew 24:31). Our word "dispensation" means, " _Administration_ (of a household or estate)." Paul uses this same word in the following.

Colossians 1:24-29 (NIV)  
24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the **commission** (dispensation; administration) **God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness** \-- 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, **but is now disclosed to the saints**. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles **the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory**. 28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, **struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me**.

Friend, the "dispensation" of God is the "commission" of God to present "the Word of God in its _fullness_ " (7). Doesn't this suggest a clarity that is yet known at this time? Doesn't this show that the Lord fully intends to awaken many to the true revelation of His Word and His kingdom which will then expose and destroy the confusion and captivity that is signified by Babylon?

I emphasize—Christ is not coming to rapture His church, but to indwell and raise up His "temple" to manifest the power and glory that was first seen in His disciples almost two thousand years ago. Why would He do anything less? Remember, proper judgment cannot be administered until there is a true light that shines that eradicates the darkness and confusion that is so prominent among us.

Revelation 18:8-10, 15-19 (NKJV)  
8 Therefore her **plagues** (stripes) will come in **one day** \--death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong _is_ the Lord God who judges her. 9 "The kings of the earth who committed fornication and **lived luxuriously** with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ' **Alas** , **alas** , that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in **one hour** your judgment has come...' 15 The merchants of these things, **who became rich by her** , will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, ' **Alas** , **alas** , that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 For in **one hour** such great riches came to nothing...' 19 They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ' **Alas** , **alas** , that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea **became rich by her wealth**! For in **one hour** she is made **desolate**.'

Revelation 3:17 (NKJV)  
17 Because **you** say, ' **I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing** '--and **do not know** that you are **wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked**...

Is the "day" and "hour" in our passages from Revelation 18 the same "day and hour" of which Jesus spoke in Matthew 24? I am inclined to think so, for the statement of the seventh church of Laodicea agrees with the judgment of Babylon. We read, "I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing." In comparison, we read, "The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her" and "the merchants of these things, who became rich by her." Also, "For in one hour such great riches came to nothing," and finally, "Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth."

I believe the idea of "riches" is twofold, signifying not just true material wealth as evidenced by the great denominations and religious organizations of our time (Matt. 13:22; Mark 4:19; 10:23-25), but of an overall perception that has been embraced by most that we are "spiritual," when in fact, we are far from it. The plain and simple truth is, if we were rich by God's standards, we would not be divided from one another and struggling with the confusion that abounds among us.

Look once more at our preceding passages and how that "Alas, alas" is stated three separate times. Strong's defines this word as, "A primary exclamation of grief; 'woe.'" It is used 46 times throughout the New Testament, 30 of those times by the Lord Himself. Seven of these are found in Matthew, Chapter 23, where Jesus denounced the scribes and Pharisees and pronounced their house "desolate" (Matt. 23:38). This word is always translated as "woe" with the exception of our passages in Revelation 18 where it is translated as "alas." Please consider.

John 2:19-22 (KJV)  
19 Jesus answered and said unto them, **Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up**. 20 Then said the Jews, **Forty and six years** was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21 **But he spake of the temple of his body**. 22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

In response to what Jesus said in our passages above, the Jews responded, "Forty and six years was this temple in building." Is it just coincidence that this is the number of times we find "woe" or "alas" recorded in the New Testament? Would this suggest the hypocrisy that existed within this temple and the evident destruction which Jesus foretold because of it? (Matt. 24:2)

Revelation 8:13 (NKJV)  
13 And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, " **Woe** , **woe** , **woe** to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the **three angels** who are about to sound!"

When we step through the trumpets of Revelation, and after the sounding of the fourth trumpet (Rev. 8:12), we arrive at Revelation 8:13. This verse separates the last three trumpets from the first four, seen as three "woes" (alas), two of which apply directly to Babylon's final judgment.

The first "woe" is the sounding of the fifth trumpet which correlates with the prophecy to Sardis. It is the opening of the "bottomless pit," found in Revelation, Chapter 9. Once this pit is opened, we read the following.

Revelation 9:12 (NKJV)  
12 **One woe** is past. Behold, still **two more woes** are coming after these things.

"Two more woes are coming after these things." Would this be our two "woes" or "alas, alas" pertaining to Babylon? I'm inclined to think so.

The second woe is the sounding of the sixth trumpet which correlates with the prophecy to Philadelphia. There we find the "release" (loose) of "the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates" which "were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men" (Rev. 9:14-15; KJV). The "hour" and "day" speaks of "times" while the "month" and "year" defines the "seasons." This is clarified by Paul's remarks in I Thessalonians, Chapter 5, where he connects the "times and the seasons" with the impending "day" of the Lord and His coming "as a thief in the night" (I Thess. 5:1-4).

Based on my understanding of the spiritual fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles, I believe the second trumpet called the second "woe" (Rev. 11:14) is the spiritual fulfillment of the second segment of the Feast of Tabernacles, the most solemn and yet glorious "day" of the entire year for the Jews known as the "Day of Atonement." If this is true, then the "Day of Atonement" aligns with the sixth trumpet and bowl (the second "woe") and the symbolic illustrations found therein describe what happens during the spiritual fulfillment of this "Day."

In the sixth trumpet, we see the "four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates," being "loosed" (Rev. 9:14-15). "Euphrates" is the fourth river found flowing from Eden into the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2:14. Nothing is recorded except, "And the fourth river is Euphrates." This Hebrew word is defined as, "To break forth; rushing." Vincent states, "The Euphrates was known as the great River, the River, the Flood." This being the case, I believe it agrees with the Lord's reference to the flood of Noah's day (Matt. 24:37-42; Luke 17:26-27). As previously suggested, this is not a flood of water but of lawlessness (iniquity), in keeping with the Lord's prophecy in Matthew 24:12. As this lawlessness (tribulation) reaches critical mass throughout the world, many will be swept away by it, yet there will be those at the same time who enter the kingdom of God because of it (Matt. 24:38-41; Luke 21:34-35; Acts 14:22).

Despite the ominous portent of the description of the sixth trumpet, there is a wonderful message contained therein. The King James Version of the Bible is a little more helpful in our understanding where we read, "And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men" (Rev. 9:15). Despite the translation of other versions of the Bible, I do not believe it is speaking of a third of mankind. Consider the phrase "the third part" in Ezekiel, Chapter 5.

Ezekiel 5:1-5 (KJV)  
1 And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause _it_ to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the _hair_. 2 Thou shalt burn with fire a **third part** in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shalt take a **third part** , _and_ smite about it with a knife: and **a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind** ; and I will draw out a sword after them. 3 Thou shalt also take thereof a **few in** number, and bind them in thy skirts. 4 Then take of them again, and **cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire** ; _for_ **thereof shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel**. 5 Thus saith the Lord GOD; This _is_ Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries _that are_ round about her.

As we see, Ezekiel is told to take a "barber's razor" and shave his head and beard. He is then told to "weigh" and "divide the hair," basically into three equal parts. Clearly, "this is Jerusalem," the people of God, and a "third part" would be equivalent to any of the three parts, would it not? (See also Rev. 8:6-12) So the "third part of men" seen in Revelation 9 refers to all who are part of "Jerusalem" (Gal. 4:22-31; KJV). It should be evident by our passages that the judgment of God is brought to bear on all "parts," confirmed by the passages which follow in Ezekiel, Chapter 5, and Peter's statement in I Peter 4:17.

Ah, but we also have a "few in number." And who are they? They are what Paul called the "remnant" (Rom. 11:4-5), which are defined as the "elect" in Matthew 24:31. This "few in number" are first bound in Ezekiel's skirts (folds) where even less are taken and cast "into the midst of the fire" and burned "in the fire." Consider.

Revelation 9:16-18 (KJV)  
16 And the number of the **army of the horsemen** _were_ two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having **breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone** : and the heads of the horses _were_ as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued **fire and smoke and brimstone**. 18 **By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths**.

To reiterate, Ezekiel is told to take the "few in number" or "remnant" and "cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire: for thereof shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel." "Fire" is evident in our passages from Revelation 9, so too "smoke and brimstone." Consider Vine's treatment of the word "brimstone."

**Original Word:** θεῖον, theion

**Usage Notes:** originally denoted "fire from heaven." It is connected with sulphur. Places touched by lightning were called theia, and, as lightning leaves a sulphurous smell, and sulphur was used in pagan purifications, it received the name of theion, Luke 17:29; Rev. 9:17, 18; Rev. 14:10; Rev. 19:20; Rev. 20:10; Rev. 21:8.

Along with the "fire" of the sixth trumpet, we have the "brimstone" or "fire from heaven," i.e. lightning. Please consider.

Matthew 24:27 (KJV)  
27 For as the **lightning cometh out of the east** , and shineth even unto the west; so shall also **the coming of the Son of man** be.

Luke 17:24 (KJV)  
24 For as the **lightning** , that lighteneth out of the one _part_ under heaven, shineth unto the other _part_ under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be **in his day**.

As we see, the "lightning" correlates with what we are considering and speaks of "the Son of man" "in His day." And why the reference to "cometh out of the east"? Consider.

Revelation 16:12 (KJV)  
12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that **the way of the kings of the east might be prepared**.

Our phrase "kings of the east" above is the only time it is used in scripture. Who does this represent? In keeping with the sixth trumpet and bowl, I would have to say the "elect" or chosen of God (see also Matthew 2:1-2, 9; 8:11; Luke 1:78; 13:29; Revelation 7:2).

Deuteronomy 33:1-2 (KJV)  
1 And **this** _is_ **the blessing** , wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. 2 And he said, The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints (see Jude 1:14): **from his right hand** _went_ **a fiery law for them**.

Friend, the "fire" of God is His righteous nature, exemplified and expressed through His law to humankind, especially His people (I Tim. 4:10), and it issues "from His right hand" (Matt. 22:44; 25:33-34; 26:64; Mark 14:62; 16:19; Luke 22:69; Acts 2:25, 33; 5:31; Rom. 8:34; Col. 3:1; Heb. 8:1; 12:2; I Peter 3:22; Rev. 1:16).

As noted, the "third part of men" are "killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued" out of the mouths of the "army of the horsemen" (Rev. 6:1-8). The death portrayed here is a good thing, indicative of those who surrender their lives to His divine process and are "baptized into His death" (Matt. 10:39; Rom. 6:3) to be raised into resurrection life (Rev. 11:11) as evidenced by "the first resurrection" (Rev. 20:4-5). This would be the spiritual fulfillment of the "Day of Atonement" for the "house of Israel" (Ezek. 5:4), signified by the High Priest and his coming into the Most Holy Place (our spirit) of His temple (Hebrews, Chapter 8 and 9; Malachi 3:1-4). This "entrance" is signified by the following.

Matthew 24:38-42 (KJV)  
38 For as **in the days that were before the flood** they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, **until the day that Noe entered into the ark** , 39 And knew not **until the flood came, and took them all away** ; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two _women shall be_ grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Note how the Lord refers to "the days that were before the flood" followed by "the day that Noah entered the ark." As mentioned, this is not a flood of water, but one of increased lawlessness in response to the fulfilling of the law that is even now taking place. As we have said, the reaction to this is twofold, for as the intense tribulation signified by the flood sweeps many away into further darkness and rebellion as typified by the fifth and sixth trumpets, it successfully brings some into the kingdom of God as typified by the sixth trumpet and those who are slain. Revelation 9:18, 20, and 21 confirm this. Concerning those who are "left," we read, "By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths." As for those who are "taken" we read, "And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues (stripes) yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts." If those who "were not killed by these plagues" or stripes speaks of those who do not repent, then those who are killed by these "plagues" or stripes are those who do. The fact that these "plagues" are mentioned in the sixth trumpet confirms the idea that the "bowls" which define the "wrath of God" run parallel with the trumpets (see also Rev. 11:6).

1 Peter 3:17-22 (NKJV)  
17 For _it is_ better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, **while** _the_ **ark was being prepared** , in which a few, that is, **eight souls** , were saved through water. 21 There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), **through the resurrection of Jesus Christ** , 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

Verse 38 of Matthew 24 suggests that the "days that were before the flood" include the preparation of the ark as mentioned in I Peter 3:20. The ark of Noah reflects the "Ark of the Covenant" in the Most Holy Place, for both denote preservation in the midst of the flood. The Lord emphasizes this point, stating, "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 21:36; see also Rom. 2:3, Heb. 12:25). In keeping with the phrase "accounted worthy," please consider.

Luke 20:34-36 (NKJV)  
34 And Jesus answered and said to them, " **The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage**. 35 But **those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage** ; 36 **nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection**.

I don't believe for a moment that the "marriage" of which Jesus speaks is literal but it does reflect the "marriage of the Lamb" seen in Revelation 19:7 and 9. Note that Jesus clearly states, "But those who are counted worthy to attain that age." No doubt, "those who are counted worthy" are those who will "escape all these things that shall come to pass."

I cannot help but believe that these passages contain some of the most powerful things which Jesus ever said, and it is certainly clear that they relate to "that age," i.e. the end of this age and the beginning of a new age which is marked by "the resurrection from the dead." Would this not agree with our "Day of Atonement"?

Looking once more at our passages from I Peter, the "few" or "eight souls" defines the "remnant" or "elect" of God who are gathered at the end of the age (Matt. 24:31; Mark 13:20, 27) and agrees with the "sons of God," the "sons of the resurrection" in Luke. Look once more at Stephen Jones explanation of the spiritual meaning of eight (emphasis mine).

Eight (chet)

New Beginning

Chet is a fence in Hebrew. It can also signify an inner room, even the heart itself.

Eight is the number of new beginning. The sons of Abraham were to be circumcised on the eighth day (Gen. 17:12), because the eighth day was the lawful time for the presentation of the firstborn (Ex. 22:29, 30). It took a full seven days to consecrate the priests (Lev. 8:33), and then they emerged from the tabernacle on the eighth day. God then manifested His presence to the people on the eighth day (Lev. 9:1, 4, 24).

In the New Testament, Jesus was raised from the dead on the eighth day to fulfill the law of the wave-sheaf offering (Lev. 23:10, 11). Likewise, Pentecost occurred seven weeks later on the fiftieth day, which was also the eighth day (Lev. 23:15-17). As we showed earlier, Jesus prophesied on the eighth day of Tabernacles (John 7:37-39) about the outpouring of the Spirit. These examples all fulfill the law of the presentation of the firstborn on the eighth day in Exodus 22:29, 30.

Friend, the "first" "born" are the "first" "fruits" (Rev. 7:1-8), the 144,000 or "elect" of God, chosen by the Lord to manifest the presence of God to His people, receiving an "outpouring of the Spirit" in much the same way as those who went to the upper room on the Day of Pentecost. As Jones tells us, "It took a full seven days to consecrate the priests, and then they emerged from the tabernacle (house of God) on the eighth day," no doubt to exemplify a "new beginning."

Revelation 11:14-19 (NIV)  
14 **The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon**. 15 **The seventh angel sounded his trumpet** , and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: " **The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ** , and he will reign for ever and ever." 16 And the **twenty-four elders** , who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. 18 **The nations were angry** ; and **your wrath has come**. **The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great-- and for destroying those who destroy the earth**." 19 Then **God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant**. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings (voices; KJV), peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.

The third and final "woe" is the sounding of the seventh trumpet. This speaks of the unfolding of the seventh and final prophecy spoken to the church of Laodicea.

First, we read, "The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ (anointed)." "Christ" denotes those who endure to the end of the age and are filled with His holy presence to give a true testimony to His church and to the world.

"The nations were angry; and your wrath has come." This shows that the fulfilling of every detail of the law is now passed, having accomplished its intended purpose of bringing the elect to Christ, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes" (Rom. 10:4).

"The time has come," presently, "for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name (Luke 20:34-38; II Thess. 1:5), both small and great—and for destroying those who destroy the earth." This agrees with the judgment which is committed to those in the first resurrection (Rev. 20:4-5). Those who were "killed" on the "Day of Atonement" (Rev. 9:15) now usher in the "Day of Judgment." They are those who are truly spiritual, who possess "the mind of Christ" and are qualified to judge "all things" (I Cor. 2:15-16).

"Then _God's temple in heaven was opened_ , and _within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant_. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings (voices; KJV), peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm." Friend, the "temple of God" is the _priesthood_ of God, signified by the "twenty-four elders" in Revelation 11:16, and it is " _within_ His temple" that "the ark of His covenant" is seen. In Moses' day, the Ark of the Covenant was in the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle, and within this ark were the Tables of the Law (1), the Golden Pot of Manna (2), and Aaron's Rod that Budded (3); _three_ components typifying the _resurrection_ life of Christ in our spirit.

Our word "rumblings" is "voices" in the King James, defined by Strong's as, "Probably akin to <G5316> (phaino) through the idea of _disclosure_ ; a _tone_ (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication an _address_ (for any purpose), _saying_ or _language_." Ah, we have arrived at our heavenly "language," to an expression of God unlike anything man can imitate. It is the collective "voice" of the Lord as seen in those who have laid down their lives for His sake (Matt. 10:39), who become a part of the "souls of those who had been slain (Rev. 7:1-5; 9:15, 18) for the Word of God and for the testimony" they shall manifest (Rev. 6:9), bringing both "judgment" and "vengeance" (Rev. 6:10) in accordance with the perfect will of God.

# Chapter Eighteen

# THE FIRST RESURRECTION

Revelation 20:4-6 (NKJV)  
4 **And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them**. Then _I saw_ **the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God** , who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received _his_ mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. **This** _is_ **the first resurrection**. 6 **Blessed and holy** _is_ **he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years**.

The topic of the "first resurrection" is a bit confusing, however, let's see if we can arrive at a better understanding.

First of all, our passages clearly show that the first resurrection is about spiritual dominion or rulership and the judgment which coincides with it.

Daniel 2:44 (KJV)  
44 And **in the days of these kings** (toes of the feet of Nebuchadnezzar's image) shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: **and the kingdom shall not be left to other people** , _but_ **it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms** , and **it shall stand for ever**.

Daniel 7:19-22 (KJV)  
19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth _were of_ iron, and his nails _of_ brass; _which_ devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; 20 And of the **ten horns** that _were_ in his head, and _of_ the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even _of_ that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look _was_ more stout than his fellows. 21 **I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;** 22 **Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.**

In keeping with the dominion and judgment of the first resurrection, the prophecies of Daniel agree, showing us that there will come a time when the saints will possess the kingdom of God. This time is marked by the ten "toes of the feet" of Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the image of a man (Dan. 2:42; KJV) which correlates with Daniel's dream "of the ten horns." "The other which came up, before whom three fell," would be an "eleventh" horn. Coincidence, or does our eleventh horn denote the confusion and disorder that is propagated by Babylon? Perhaps the "three" which "fell" speaks of the "kings of the earth," the "inhabitants of the earth," and the "merchants of the earth" as seen in the book of the Revelation (Rev. 17:2; 18:3).

Just as toes extend from the feet, horns extend from the head. The "feet" denote our walk or conduct, our behavior if you will, while the "horns" denote the push or power of our own will and desires which are made evident by our conduct; so both compliment each other and give a better understanding of what is meant. Our ten toes or horns are also found in Revelation.

Revelation 17:9-13 (ESV)  
9 This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the **woman** is seated; 10 they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while. 11 **As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction**. 12 And **the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast**. 13 **These are of one mind** and hand over their power and authority to the beast.

This is an explanation of the beast which rises out of the sea in Revelation, Chapter 13. The "woman" who is "seated" on this beast is Babylon (Rev. 17:1, 3). "The seven heads are seven mountains" and "they are also seven kings." "Mountains" denote kingdoms or governments while "kings" denote those who hold the reigns of power, hence the reason they are seen as "heads." This agrees with our understanding of Babel, our "city" and "tower." As we've already discussed, these "mountains" and "kingdoms" are not specific to earthly governments but rather define the nature (beast) of all the fleshly and carnal collectives of this world (Prov. 6:16-19) that stand in resistance to His kingdom (Rev. 19:19).

When we compare our passages from Revelation with those in Daniel, there seems to be something missing. This would be our eleventh "horn" that "made war with the saints and prevailed against them." Ah, but it is not missing. Rather, it is illustrated by the "eighth" beast that "belongs to the seven." The fact that John records it as a "beast" instead of a "horn" reveals to us that the power of this entity is the same as that of the first beast which issues from the dangerous, destructive, and carnal nature of man. So who or what is this "eighth" beast? It is the one seen "coming up out of the earth" which "had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon" (Rev. 13:11), our collective "false prophet" (Rev. 16:13; 19:20; 20:10). Ah, but now we have two more horns to consider, not one. Why? This is explained by the understanding of the Parable of the Tares.

Matthew 13:30, 36-43 (NKJV)  
30 **Let both grow together until the harvest** , and **at the time of harvest** I will say to the reapers, "First **gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them** , but gather the wheat into my barn." ' "... 36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the **parable of the tares** of the field." 37 He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, **the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked** one _._ 39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil, **the harvest is the end of the age** , and **the reapers are the angels**. 40 **Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age**. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and **they will gather out of His kingdom** all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 **Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father**. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Beloved, the eleventh horn is indicative of the "tares," while the twelfth horn represents the "wheat." This is confirmed by the fact that the spiritual meaning of eleven is "disorder" (Babylon) but the spiritual meaning of twelve is "divine government" (Jones, Bullinger, Vallowe). What did our Lord say? "Let both grow together until the harvest." What else did He say? "The harvest is the end of the age." No wonder John declared, "Come out of her, MY people" (Rev. 18:4).

Also note that at the end of the age the Lord "will gather out," not in, "of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire." Clearly it is the "tares" which He gathers out. And isn't this "furnace of fire" typified by the fifth trumpet? It is (see Rev. 9:2). Keep in mind the fact that once a trumpet is sounded or comes to pass, it remains as a part of our present reality.

Daniel 2:44 tells us that "the kingdom (of God) shall not be left to other people" and Daniel 7:22 tells us that " _judgment was given_ to the saints of the most High; and the time came that _the saints possessed the kingdom_." Judgment was given to who? The saints, my friend, which confirms the idea that Christ shall indeed return, _but it will be an inward transformation which will become evident through His people_. This "judgment" is clearly reflected in our passages concerning the "first resurrection."

Revelation 20:4-6 (NKJV)  
4 **And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them**. Then _I saw_ **the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God** , who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received _his_ mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. **This** _is_ **the first resurrection**. 6 **Blessed and holy** _is_ **he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years**.

"Judgment was committed to them." "Them" who? The saints, dear friend. Now look at what John follows with. "Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded," past tense, "for their witness to Jesus and for the Word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands." Who are these souls? They are found in the fifth seal. Before we consider this, look at the following from Stephen Jones about the spiritual meaning of five.

Five (hey)

Grace, Favor

Hey at the beginning of a Hebrew word means "the" or "behold." In the middle of a word it signifies inspiration or revelation. At the end of the word it signifies "what comes from."

Five is the number of grace, or favor. The number is found 318 times in the Bible. The number 318 is significant, because it is the number of armed servants in Abram's house who rescued Lot (Gen. 14:14). It is grace that rescues us and sets the captives free.

There were five sacrifices portrayed in Gen. 15:9 by which the promise to Abraham was secured: a heifer, a goat, a ram, a dove, and a pigeon. These typified Christ's sacrifice on the cross to secure the promises for mankind.

To bring grace in the Old Testament there were five offerings (Lev. 1-3): Burnt Offering, Sin Offering, Meal Offering, Trespass Offering, and Peace Offering, each representing a different aspect of Christ's sacrifice of Himself in the New Testament.

The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is hey, which is spoken by breathing. When placed in the middle of a word, it indicates inspiration, something that is God-breathed. God put the hey in Abram's name to make him Abraham. He put the hey at the end of Sarai to make her Sarah. God also did this with Joshua, changing his name to Jehoshua (Num. 13:16).

This is the Grace that God gives to us whereby we may receive the Holy Spirit.

The fifth time Noah's name is used is in Gen. 6:8, "But Noah found favor [Heb., chen, "grace"] in the eyes of the Lord."

The fifth time the name Ruth is found in the Bible, it speaks of grace:

Ruth 2:2—And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, "Please let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after one in whose sight I may find favor [Heb., chen, "grace"]." And she said to her, "Go, my daughter."

The fifth time the name Boaz is found in the Bible, it also speaks of grace:

Ruth 2:8-10—Then Boaz said to Ruth, "Listen carefully, my daughter. Do not go to glean in another field; furthermore, do not go on from this one, but stay here with my maids. 9 Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Indeed, I have commanded the servants not to touch you. When you are thirsty, go to the water jars and drink from what the servants draw." 10 Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground and said to him, "Why have I found favor [Heb. chen, "grace"] in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?"

The fifth time that the book of 1 Samuel mentions David is in 1 Sam. 16:22,

22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Let David now stand before me; for he has found favor [Heb. chen, "grace"] in my sight."

In 1 Sam. 17:40 David chose five smooth stones with which to fight the Philistine giant, Goliath. This was because Goliath represents the world's oppressive system, as well as the "giants" in our own lives that keep us in bondage to sin. David's actions set forth the idea that only by Grace—the indwelling of the Holy Spirit—can these giants be overcome, setting us free from the sins of the flesh.

Revelation 6:9-11 (NKJV)  
9 When He opened the fifth seal, **I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held**. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You **judge** ( _woe_ ) and **avenge** ( _woe_ ) our blood on **those who dwell on the earth**?" 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, **until both** _the number of_ **their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they** _were,_ **was completed**.

The "souls under the altar" who were "slain for the Word of God and for the testimony which they held" speaks of the apostles and believers of Christ who followed Him while in His flesh and were later baptized by His Spirit to become witnesses of the kingdom of God in their time. "The number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were," speaks of all who, since that time, have also laid down their lives for His name. They are those who "overcome" in each of the seven churches (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21).

The "death" of these souls is clearly represented in our sixth trumpet, the "third part" (Jerusalem) who are "killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone" that issues from the "mouths" of the horses (army of the horsemen; Rev. 9:16). We must remember that the death which is accomplished in the sixth trumpet is a good thing, indicative of the complete destruction of the "old man," that "man of sin" or carnal nature which keeps us in bondage to sin. For the sake of study, we should also realize that the sixth trumpet is the description of the "second death" or "lake of fire" spoken of by the Lord in Revelation 2:11 to the church of Ephesus and mentioned in the context of our first resurrection (Rev. 20:6, 14; 21:8).

Now, with all of this being said, reconsider that _three_ is the number of "resurrection" and _six_ is _two threes_. In regard to our illustration in Chapter 15, the "Day of Atonement" is the _sixth_ "branch" or segment of the _seven_ segments of the three great Feasts of Israel. This tells us that the spiritual fulfillment of the "Day of Atonement" _will be the resurrection of His elect_. How do we confirm this? By the simple understanding of what happened at the Lord's baptism at the Jordan River and by what Jesus told Martha before He raised Lazarus from the dead. When Jesus was baptized by John we read, "When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, _the heavens were opened to Him_ , and _He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him_. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, " _This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased"_ (Matt. 3:16-17). What did Jesus tell Martha? " _I am_ ," not will be, " _the resurrection_ and the _life_. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live" (John 11:25). Do we not see in this that Jesus the man _became Jesus the Christ_ at the Jordan River, the "anointed" of God, and that this anointing granted Him the power to bear witness of the gospel of the kingdom in His day? This, my friend, was the Lord's "first" _death_ and "first" _resurrection_ which was followed by His "second" _death_ and "second" _resurrection_ (Matt. 28:6-7). In His first resurrection, He became a "king" (dominion) and "priest" (fruitfulness) unto God (Rev. 1:6), but in His second resurrection, He became the judgment for the "first man Adam" in everyone (I Cor. 15:42-50), securing salvation for all (I Tim. 4:10). Let's look once more at our passages from Revelation 20.

Revelation 20:1-7 (NKJV)  
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is _the_ Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished ( _should be fulfilled_ ; KJV). But after these things he must be released for a little while ( _little season_ ; KJV). 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then _I saw_ the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received _his_ mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This _is_ the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy _is_ he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. 7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison...

As you can see, I've brought in more passages from Revelation 20. Note the underlined words. The third one is "expired" and thereby misleading. It is the same word translated "finished" in verses 3 and 5. As we also see, the King James renders "finished" in verse 3 as "should be fulfilled." Regardless of translation, Strong's defines this word as, "To _end_ , i.e. _complete, execute, conclude, discharge_ (a debt)." This, my friend, is the spiritual meaning of seven and means just what it says, i.e. fulfilled (see Rev. 10:7; 11:7; 15:1, 8; 17:17).

All of this ties in with Revelation, Chapters 7 and 14, which describes the "firstfruits," also seen as the 144,000 (12 x 12 x 1000). John "heard" this "number," and this points squarely to the fifth seal where we read, "Until both the _number_ of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were _,_ was _completed_ " (be fulfilled; KJV). The fact that they are called "first" fruits in Revelation 14:4 indicates they are part of the "first" resurrection. This resurrection pertains only to the "elect" and precedes the second resurrection, the general resurrection of the dead (as opposed to from the dead).

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (KJV)  
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning **them which are asleep** (rest), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so **them also which sleep** (rest) in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that **we which are alive** _and_ **remain** unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent **them which are asleep** (at rest). 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and **the dead in Christ shall rise first** : 17 Then **we which are alive** _and_ **remain** shall be **caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air** : and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

No doubt, these are some of the most popular passages in Christendom, used to prove the concept of the rapture. Ah, but not so, my friend. Understand that a rapture is not coming, but resurrection is.

Think carefully about what Paul wrote. Our phrases "them which are asleep," "them also which sleep," and "them which are asleep" coincide with our "souls under the altar" who are told to "rest yet for a little season." As suggested, this is not sleep in a literal fashion at all but denotes those who have truly entered into His "rest" through faith and obedience to His Word (Heb. 4:1-11). For this reason, the writer of Hebrews tells us, "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall (Babylon) according to the same example of disobedience" (Heb. 4:11).

So what prevents our "rest"? Unbelief, which leads to disobedience. This understanding also shows that someone can enter this "rest" before they physically die (and we are exhorted to do so). Those who do enter become a part of those who also entered before us, both while on earth and after their physical demise. This comprises the "dead in Christ." Paul confirms this position in the following.

Romans 6:1-7 (NKJV)  
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! **How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?** 3 **Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?** 4 Therefore **we were buried with Him through baptism into death** , that **just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life**. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be _in the likeness_ of _His_ resurrection, 6 knowing this, **that our old man was crucified with** _Him_ _,_ that **the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin**. 7 **For he who has died has been freed from sin.**

Do you see it? "How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?" Or do we not know "that as many of us," i.e. not all, but some, "as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death." What does our illustration of the sword and cross show in Chapter 4? Didn't we learn that in order to become a "new creation," we must pass completely through the "death" and "burial" of our "old man"? Paul confirms, stating, "For he who has died has been freed from sin."

The "dead in Christ shall rise first," including those who have died before they died, therefore they will have a "part" in the first resurrection, counted with the "souls under the altar" who were utterly consumed by the "fiery law" that issues from His "right hand." Judgment will be "committed to them," so we read that they "lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years." In other words, they become the "Day of Judgment," the light of righteousness as Christ did in His time, walking in the same resurrection power as He did. Do we not see in this why our judgment is so necessary? The Lord will not grant the power of His Spirit to those who continue to hold to Babylon and her harlotries and abominations, to those who subscribe to the countless religious and secular collectives which are founded on the carnal ideologies of men.

"Then _we which are alive_ _and_ _remain_ shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord _in the air_ : and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." "We which are alive and remain" speaks of those who are here at the end of the age, Paul using "we" to identify with the church, the body of Christ. As we have learned, and in agreement with our understanding, the "firstfruits" are indicative of a much larger "harvest." In fact, it is the firstfruits who will accomplish this harvest.

Let's consider "in the air."

Ephesians 2:1-3 (KJV)  
1 And you _hath he quickened_ , who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to **the prince of the power of the air** , **the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience** : 3 **Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others**.

Here we find the phrase, " _prince_ of the _power_ of the _air_ " which is referred to as "the _spirit_ that now _worketh_ in the children of disobedience." So "air" speaks of a "spirit" and its corresponding "power."

What are the "works" of the "prince of the power of the air"? "The _lusts_ of our flesh" as we fulfill "the _desires_ of the _flesh_ and _of the mind_ " which makes us "by _nature_ the children of wrath," i.e. under the law, "even as others." Ah, but those who "meet the Lord in the air" are those who receive _His_ Spirit and manifest the "works" of it (Matt. 5:16; John 5:20, 36; 6:28; 10:25, 32, 37).

Revelation 11:15 (NKJV)  
15 Then **the seventh angel sounded** : And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, " **The kingdoms of this world have become** _the kingdoms_ **of our Lord and of His Christ** , and He shall reign forever and ever!"

How is a trumpet sounded? Is it not by force of "air"? And where does the sound go? Is it not into the "air"? So it is that the trumpet must be heard "in spirit."

Revelation 16:17 (NKJV)  
17 Then **the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air** , and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!"

Where does the seventh angel pour out his bowl? "Into the air." As we have learned, the trumpets and bowls are not literal but represent the work of Christ in the "inward man" (Rom. 7:22; II Cor. 4:16; Rev. 2:26) and the change that is wrought by His dynamic Word and Spirit.

1 Corinthians 15:51-55 (NKJV)  
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: **We shall not all sleep** , but **we shall all be changed** \-- 52 _in a moment_ , in the twinkling of an eye, **at the last trumpet**. For the trumpet will sound, and **the dead will be raised incorruptible** , and **we shall be changed**. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal _must_ put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: _"Death is swallowed up in victory."_ 55 _"O Death, where is your sting?_ _O Hades, where is your victory?"_

No doubt about it, the resurrection is indeed "a mystery," difficult to perceive in our natural being, for the "things of God" seem but "foolishness" because they must be "spiritually discerned" (I Cor. 2:14).

"We shall not all sleep" or physically pass from this planet, "but we shall all be changed," for "our light affliction, _which is but for a moment_ , is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (II Cor. 4:17-18).

The seventh trumpet is the unfolding of the seventh prophecy of the Lord to the Laodicean church (Rev. 3:14-22) and in agreement with our understanding of the end of the age, it shows the existence of the "wheat" (hot) and "tares" (cold) which have grown together to this time, creating the "lukewarm" position which the Lord addresses (Rev. 3:16-17). It's my opinion that the separation of the tares from the wheat will be accomplished by those who have a part in the first resurrection, in much the same fashion as it was in the days of Christ.

# Chapter Nineteen

# BLESSED AND HOLY

Revelation 20:1-6 (KJV)  
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 4 **And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and** _I saw_ **the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received** _his_ **mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years**. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. **This** _is_ **the first resurrection**. 6 **Blessed and holy** _is_ **he that hath part in the first resurrection** : on such the second death hath no power, but **they shall be priests of God and of** Christ, **and shall reign with him a thousand years**.

There can be no doubt that part of the mystery of scripture lies in its symbolism. For this reason, we must pay close attention to the context of anything we consider and how we interpret them. Our passages above are no exception.

Those familiar with Revelation will immediately recognize the "thousand years," the "mark" of the "beast," and the "first resurrection." All of these have been expounded on countless times over, leading to fanciful and dreadful interpretations which fail under a closer scrutiny of the Word of God.

As suggested throughout this study, those who have a "part" or portion in the "first resurrection" are known as the "elect" (chosen) of God which Christ will gather at the end of the age (Matt. 24:31; Mark 13:27; Rom. 8:33). This should come as no surprise, for didn't our Lord choose (elect) twelve disciples during His earthly ministry? Didn't He also choose seventy others? (Luke 10:1) You see, my friend, the work of the Lord is just that, His work (Rev. 2:26), and just as the Parable of the Workers shows, is it not lawful for Him to do what He wishes with what is His own? Is our eye evil because He is good? (Matt. 20:15)

The fact that there is a "first resurrection" implies that a second will follow. This makes perfect sense in the light of sowing and reaping and the idea of "firstfruits" (Rev. 14:1-5). "Firstfruits" are the first ripe fruit, indicative of a much larger harvest to come.

The "first resurrection" is a resurrection out from among the dead, from out of the haughty spirit and trespasses and sins which are propagated by the kingdoms or collectives of this world (Php 3:11). It is a rising up and out from the "earth" or "earthy" nature of the "first man Adam" and all it entails (I Cor. 15:47-58).

Those who are "beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God," again speaks of the elect, of those who are slain in the sixth trumpet, the carnal mind eradicated and the spiritual mind in its place. This being true, they are more than qualified to be "priests of God and of Christ" and "reign with Him a thousand years." After all, if the Lord empowered His disciples almost two thousand years ago to bring His gospel then, can He not do it again at any time He chooses?

We have considered the spiritual meaning of the number "thousand," which speaks of the "day" or light or manifestation of Christ through the elect. Is it also literal? Who knows? Regardless, the spiritual implications are clear. There shall arise a people in the midst of the most troubling times on earth to bring sanity to an insane world, to awaken us from the "deep sleep" (Gen. 2:21) which has fallen on us during the past two thousand years.

"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection." Is this too hard to imagine? If so, consider what our precious Lord said so long ago.

Matthew 5:3-12 (KJV)

3 **Blessed** _are_ the poor in spirit: for **theirs is the kingdom of heaven**.

4 **Blessed** _are_ they that mourn: for **they shall be comforted**.

5 **Blessed** _are_ the meek: for **they shall inherit the earth**.

6 **Blessed** _are_ they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for **they shall be filled**.

7 **Blessed** _are_ the merciful: for **they shall obtain mercy**.

8 **Blessed** _are_ the pure in heart: for **they shall see God**.

9 **Blessed** _are_ the peacemakers: for **they shall be called the children of God**.

10 **Blessed** _are_ they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for **theirs is the kingdom of heaven**.

11 **Blessed** are ye, when _men_ shall revile you, and persecute _you_ , and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for **great** _is_ **your reward in heaven** : for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Those who are "blessed" are those who are "holy," having been sanctified by the divine process of God's merciful and righteous judgment. Is it just coincidence that Jesus mentions "blessed" nine times? Consider Stephen Jones' explanation of its spiritual meaning (emphasis and underlining mine).

Nine (teth)

Visitation

Teth is a snake in Hebrew. It can also signify being surrounded, for the snake was often pictured in a circle swallowing its tail.

The number nine speaks God's "visitation." This is a Hebraism that pictures God as an Investigator "visiting" a person, city, or nation to expose the hearts, gather evidence, and "see" firsthand, as it were, the truth of a matter. It is much like a divine court case where the evidence is uncovered and presented to the judge for judgment. In Luke 19:43 and 44, Jesus says to the temple in Jerusalem,

43 **"For the days shall come upon you when your enemies will throw up a bank before you, and surround you, and hem you in on every side,** 44 **and will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize** the time of your visitation **"** [Greek: episcope, "bishopric, overseer"].

In this case, the time of visitation was the three-year period of Jesus' ministry from 30-33 A.D., where God manifested in human flesh to "visit" Judea and Jerusalem and to test the hearts of the people. (Jesus is called a Bishop or Overseer in 1 Peter 2:25.) In another sense, Jesus was the Heavenly Fruit Inspector. Jesus found a few whose hearts were right, and these formed the branches of the good fig tree that brought forth good fruit (Jer. 24:5-7). The majority, however, along with the religious leaders, were of the evil fig tree (Jer. 24:8-10). The good figs were Jesus' disciples and the converts of the early Church, who were expelled from the land (by persecution), in order that God might spare them from the coming judgment forty years later.

The idea of "visitation" is shown in the Old Testament. For believers, it has a positive connotation, as in Gen. 50:24, 25, Psalm 106:4, and Jer. 27:24. Their visitation results in salvation or deliverance. However, for unbelievers, it carries a negative result, as we see in Ex. 32:34, Lev. 18:25, Isaiah 10:3, and Jer. 10:15. The Hebrew word for "visitation" in the Old Testament is peqadah, and the Septuagint Greek equivalent is episcope.

As the Heavenly Fruit Inspector, Jesus was sent to taste of the fruit being given to God at the temple in Jerusalem to see (and judge) if it was good. He was gathering evidence to be presented to the divine court that would determine the fate of Jerusalem.

At the same time, He was also training and testing the hearts of twelve disciples. Divine visitation is God's judgment in the life of the believer by which the Holy Spirit trains them in obedience. By His guiding voice, He shows them the will of God and writes His law upon their hearts. So we see that divine visitation, or judgment, has a positive outcome for the believer and a negative outcome for the unbeliever. And yet, even the negative outcome is not permanent, for the purpose of judgment is ultimately to correct men and bring them into alignment with the will and mind of God.

The Greek word for Comforter is parakletos, which means an intercessor, an advocate, or helper in a court of law—that is, a defense attorney, one who knows the law and can show sinners the lawful way to avoid God's judgment. The lawful way, Jesus said, is through the Door, rather than over the wall (John 10:1-10). Going over the wall (avoiding Jesus Christ and His Sacrifice for sin) is how many religions advocate salvation, but they will lose their case when they stand before the Great White Throne.

It is the job of the Comforter (Holy Spirit) to discern, judge and convict men of sin according to the evidence. The Comforter is a defense attorney to a believer, but a witness against the unbeliever. In John 16:7, 8, we read that He is also the Judge:

7 **"But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper** [Gr., parakletos] **shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.** 8 **"And He, when He comes, will** convict [elengkos] **the world concerning sin, and** righteousness **, and** judgment [Gr., krisis, "decision for or against; justice"].

The Greek verb translated "convict" above is elengkos. Its noun form is elegmos, which means "proof or evidence." So the verb means to convict or judge according to the evidence that has been gathered during the time of visitation, or investigation. For the world in general (unbelievers), this evidence will convict them of sin. But for the believers, the evidence will show proof of righteousness.

During Jesus' earthly ministry, the time of His visitation was to decide the fate of Judah and to divide the good figs from the bad (Jer. 24). The majority were bad figs by God's definition in Jeremiah 24, because they refused to submit to Rome according to God's judgment and desired a military messiah who would throw off the Roman yoke. Jesus found only a minority who could accept the Prince of Peace as their Messiah. These were the good figs of Judah. These were promised "another Comforter," the Holy Spirit, who would come on Pentecost to begin the next "time of visitation" in the Pentecostal Age leading to Christ's second coming.

It is the job of the Holy Spirit to help advise sinners who stand convicted by the law (Rom. 3:19) to find justification—that is, be pronounced not legally guilty. Jesus trained His disciples during His time of visitation. And then toward the end of His ministry, He spoke of "another Comforter" (John 14:16) that was yet to be given. The use of the term "another" indicates that Jesus Himself was a Comforter prior to the time when the Holy Spirit was given in Acts 2. In fact, at the beginning of His life, Simeon called Him "the consolation of Israel" (Luke 2:25). The word is paraklesis, the same word as the Comforter.

His advice includes presenting Christ's Sacrifice as payment for sin. The Holy Spirit reveals this as the way to avoid the penalty of the law for sin. There is only one Door into the Kingdom, and this is it. Happy are those who believe what He says.

Once a sinner goes through that Door, the Holy Spirit continues to take an active role in our lives to teach us the difference between sin and righteousness. This is not for the purpose of justification in the divine court, but rather for the purpose of sanctification in our personal lives. Justification is when a sinner is pronounced not guilty before the law, even though he is actually guilty of sin. Sanctification is the next step—the work of the Spirit to teach us to conform our lives to the image of Christ—that is, being made not guilty by nature. Sanctification is pictured by the feast of Pentecost. His very presence is a continuing "visitation" that gathers more evidence of our justification.

As we said earlier, Jesus is the Heavenly Fruit Inspector, gathering evidence for the divine court. The fruit of the Spirit takes nine forms, as listed in Gal. 5:22, 23,

22 **But the fruit of the Spirit is love (1), joy (2), peace (3), patience (4), kindness (5), goodness (6), faithfulness (7),** 23 gentleness **(8), self-control (9); against such things there is no law.**

The fruit of the Spirit shows us the evidence of the character change within those who grow into spiritual maturity.

There are also nine gifts of the Spirit. They are listed in 1 Cor. 12:8-10,

8 **For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit (1), and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit (2);** 9 **to another faith by the same Spirit (3), and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit (4),** 10 **and to another the effecting of miracles (5), and to another prophecy (6), and to another the distinguishing of spirits (7), to another** _various_ **kinds of tongues (8), and to another the interpretation of tongues (9).**

The gifts of the Spirit are supernatural tools to be used to make the "tree" more fruitful. They are not an end in themselves. The purpose of a tool is to bring forth the fruit of the Spirit. Yet because these spiritual gifts are of a supernatural quality, many carnally minded people desire them above the fruit. This is like a farmer who bought a new plow and then preferred to keep it in the show room where men could admire it, rather than use it to plow the field.

These gifts of the Spirit are the operations of power variously distributed among believers by the power of Pentecost. They are supernatural tools by which men's hearts are exposed to bring them to repentance as the Holy Spirit brings them into alignment with the Father's mind and will. The effect of these gifts upon believers and unbelievers are different, however. For believers, the gifts represent the supernatural power of God operating in their lives. For unbelievers, the gifts expose the secrets of his heart and cause him to repent. 1 Cor. 14:24, 25 says,

24 **But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all;** 25 **the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.**

We see from this that the judgment of the Holy Spirit has a different effect upon believers and unbelievers. It can either convict or release. But its primary purpose is to expose the evidence, much like the purpose of a court case prior to the final decision of the judge. The Comforter is the Advocate to a believer but testifies as a witness against the unbeliever.

There are also nine beatitudes in Matt. 5:3-11, which manifest the fruit of the Spirit:

3 **"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.** 4 **"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.** 5 **"Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.** 6 **"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.** 7 **"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.** 8 **"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.** 9 **"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.** 10 **"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.** 11 **"Blessed are you when** _men_ **cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me.**

The ninth time that the name of Abraham appears is found in Gen. 17:24,

24 **Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.**

Circumcision of the flesh foreshadowed the circumcision of the heart, which is the work of the Holy Spirit judging "the flesh." Even as Abraham had to receive bodily circumcision in order to bring forth the son of promise, so also must we receive heart circumcision in order to bring forth our own son promise—the Manchild, Christ in you, the Heir of the Promise. The reason Abraham had to wait until he was 99 years old was because 99 indicates agreement with God. The numeric value of the Hebrew word amen is precisely 99. Men say "amen" to indicate agreement with what has been said or done.

Thus, in this we see also the meaning of the number nine. It portrays the judgment and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives to bring us into full agreement with God. When all of creation comes into agreement, the four living creatures say "Amen!" (Rev. 5:14).

The Holy Spirit's "baptism of fire" is the latter-day counterpart to the water baptism in Noah's day. The primary difference is that the water destroyed all flesh, while the Spirit baptism of fire destroys "the flesh," that is, the carnality in man. The water killed in Noah's day; but the fire of God brings life. Each represents the Spirit in different ways, because each convicts the world of sin and righteousness in a different manner.

The "fire" may be painful to our flesh, but it gives life to our spirit. The purpose of the Holy Spirit's work of judgment, then, is to bring all men to repentance. This is the background of Psalm 9, where we see God's judgments upon the rebellious portrayed. When viewed as a revelation of the book of Genesis, Psalm 9 portrays the court case against Nimrod, whereby the secrets of his heart are made manifest.

In closing, I would say this—it is hard for us to imagine the resurrection life of Christ. After all, it has been almost two thousand years since He rose from the dead and empowered His disciples in the upper room.

Time has a way of creating a certain ambiguity which makes it even more difficult for us to perceive the words of Christ and the apostles. All of them spoke and wrote from a deeply spiritual place that clearly provokes and challenges the "natural" depths of our being. Today, we are so deeply engrossed in carnality that we cannot imagine spirituality in a pure light. Ah, but the Lord's dissertation in Matthew, Chapter 5, reveals to us that there are people across this planet who desire to see a significant change within themselves and in the world in which we live.

The solutions for our society will not come out of the carnal nature and mind of those who are presently in control so there must be a complete change of leadership. We need leaders who are deeply spiritual, utterly transparent, blatantly honest, and deeply and genuinely concerned about the darkness which prevails among us.

The darkness and deception of the world at large has most certainly found its way into the midst of the people of God, for we too are in a constant state of chaos and confusion, of division and accusation. We have succeeded in making the gospel of Christ a mix of rote and ritual, of reputation and profit. Sadly, we have only succeeded in making a name for ourselves and not for the Lord. Ah, but the Lord is more than capable to effect a change, to bring the spiritual cataclysm that is so desperately needed for His people and the world. When it is all said and done, it will be God's will and purpose which will be accomplished, not ours, for He alone knows the "day and hour."

Revelation 22:1-6 (NKJV)  
1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, _was_ the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each _tree_ yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree _were_ for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name _shall be_ on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. 6 Then he said to me,

"These words are faithful and true."

Thank you for reading my book. It is my sincere hope that it encouraged and enlightened you in your walk with Christ. If so, won't you please take a moment to leave me a review at your favorite retailer? Thank you!

Jack Marshall

**About the Author** :

I was born in California in 1957 but raised in Oklahoma, where my experience with Christianity began at the age of 19. After several years of attending various denominational and non-denominational churches, my love for the Bible and desire to understand the scriptures became a vital part of my life. Ordained in my twenties, I spent several years ministering in homes, jails, and churches. Through in-depth study for the past 40 years, I have discovered that the message of scripture is truly one of hope, love, and encouragement for the entire world.

Connect With Me:

**Friend me on Facebook** : <https://www.facebook.com/GrainOfWheatPublishing>

**Grain of Wheat Publishing Website** : <https://grainofwheatpublishing.wordpress.com/>

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Other books by Jack Marshall

The Dream – Through the Eyes of Sowing and Reaping

Times and Seasons – An Alternative View of the Day of the Lord

Hell, No! An Alternative View of Hell

The Rapture – Yes or No?

Studies in Revelation – The Beasts of Revelation

The Parable of the Sower

Studies in Revelation – The Second Death

The Unpardonable Sin

Studies in Revelation – The Beast of the Earth

Eastward in Eden

Deep Sleep

The Serpent – An Alternative View of the Devil

Studies in Revelation – The Fullness of the Times

**Bibliography**

Reference:

E.W. Bullinger (1837-1913), Number in Scripture: Its Supernatural Design and Spiritual Significance, Public Domain, 1921

Biblical Mathematics, Keys to Scripture Numerics, Evangelist Ed F. Vallowe, 1998

The Biblical Meaning of Numbers from One to Forty, Dr. Stephen E. Jones, Copyright 2008, God's Kingdom Ministries, www.gods-kingdom-ministries.net

Dr. James Strong (1822-1894), Strong's Concordance, First Published 1890

Marvin R. Vincent (1834-1922), Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament, First Published 1887

W.E. Vine (1873-1949), Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, First Published 1940

Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Robert Laird Harris, Gleason Leonard Archer, Bruce K. Waltke, Moody Press, 1980

Wikipedia, www.wikipedia.org

Google, www.google.com

Merriam-Webster Dictionary, www.merriam-webster.com

Dictionary.com, www.dictionary.com

Bible Translations Used:

KJV, King James Version, Public Domain, 1611

NKJV, New King James Version, Published by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Complete Bible 1982

NIV, New International Version, Biblica, Zondervan and Hodder & Stoughton (UK) (licensed commercial rights), 1973 (NT), 1978 (OT)

ESV, English Standard Version, 2001: Crossway Bibles, a ministry of the Good News Publishers of Wheaton, Illinois, U.S.; Apocrypha 2009 by Oxford University Press

Quotes:

Nelson Mandela, South African – Statesman, July 18, 1918 – December 5, 2013
