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'The Curse...And the Number of his Name'

1/20/2016

Have you ever experienced a moment of shocking revelation that left you trembling and breathless? I am still reeling with the possible implications of a discovery I made yesterday while continuing my study in Zechariah. A little background information will help set the stage...

It was September 11, 2001. The morning dawned bright and clear. Robin's egg skies provided the perfect backdrop for a small grove of moss covered oak trees at the northwest corner of the garden. Squirrels scampered about, harvesting the last of the wild hazelnuts. With the kids at school and Henry at the office, the house was quiet. I grabbed my Bible and settled into the overstuffed chair in the living room, enjoying the dappled sunlight. I happened to be reading through Zechariah chapter 5:

"Again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a flying scroll. And he said to me, 'What do you see?' I answered, 'I see a flying scroll...' Then he said to me, 'This is the 'curse' that goes out over the face of the whole land...'

The word 'curse' caught my attention. Being a language person, I decided to research the word in the original Hebrew. There are at least eight different Hebrew words which are translated as 'curse' in English. Nevertheless, I was astounded to find the Hebrew word 'alah' (pronounced allah) translated in that passage as 'curse'.

Within an hour of reading this passage I would learn of the attacks in New York City.

Fast forward to yesterday, January 19, 2016. Once again I was reading through Zechariah chapter five, this time sitting at my desk enjoying quite a different view...

I came to the same verse..."I see a flying scroll...This is the curse (alah) that goes out over the whole land..." The use of that particular Hebrew word could NOT have been a coincidence! I began to speculate. Could this 'curse' be the prophesied spread of radical Islam in the last days? Day after day we witness heinous and barbaric crimes committed in the name of Allah! I read several older commentaries looking for confirmation of my theory, but found none. They were written in a different generation, in an earlier, less tumultuous era. The horrific events of today were not yet in the authors' frames of reference.

I decided to do a quick search online, just in case I wasn't the only one struck by this irony. What I found nearly knocked me off my chair. I was confronted with the phrase 'In the name of Allah' in Arabic script:

This image sent shock waves through me...BECAUSE it immediately brought to mind another image which I had studied very carefully several years ago. Below is a photo of two images compared...the first "In the name of Allah" in Arabic...the second is the number 666 in the Greek!

"This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666."
(Revelation 13:18)

Coincidence?

Post Script: For those who may not know, the Greeks (like the Romans) did not have numerals, but used the letters of their alphabet to represent numbers. Hence, 'the number of his name' means nothing more than initials.

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The Waking Nightmare of Oblivion

1/14/2016

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Settling down to sleep last night was a struggle. Checking the news before bed is not the best somnolent. The headlines from last night's perusal of the latest news included the following...(please bear with me)

"Starvation suspected in massive die-off of Alaska seabirds..."
"Carcasses littering beaches for miles" on Pacific coast of Alaska..."
"Off the charts..."
"Unprecedented..."
"We're looking at...possibly a good chunk of the population..."
(Associated Press)

"Thousands of dead birds are washing up on the shores of Whittier (Alaska)...
it's a major event and it's difficult to see..."
(KTVA Alaska)

"Starving and unable to fly...too weak to breed..."
(Alaska Dispatch News)

"Seabird die-offs have been recorded all along the Wets Coast of the U.S. in Washington, Oregon and California this year..."

"Record number of seals and sea lions sicken and starve"

The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito (outside San Francisco)...began to realize something was different early in the year. Volunteers began bringing in distressed sea lion pups last January...they were basically just skin and bones..."
(Al Jazeera America)
*******

So far in 2016, in the space of 14 days the world has witnessed 19 Mass Die-off Events! Here are some of the worst:

100+ Whales stranded, 45 dead on the Tamil coast of India
100+ TONS of fish die is Viet Nam
Tens of thousands of dead starfish and jellyfish wash up along Sussex and Hampshire
40,000 cattle killed in storm in Texas and New Mexico

I know this must seem like morbid fascination, but I have been following the trend of mass animal deaths since the Fukushima earthquake in March of 2011...for almost five years now.
                    Most people are oblivious to the fact that 200,000+ TONS
         of radioactive water from the damaged nuclear facility at Fukushima
                         continue to pour into the Pacific Ocean EVERY DAY!

Below is a summary of mass deaths (well documented with links to news sources as well as photos) for the past few years:

2015 - 828 mass death events in 96 countries
2014 - 651 mass death events in 76 countries
2013 - 798 mass death events in 93 countries
2012 - 465 mass death events in 67 countries

WHY IS THIS KEEPING ME AWAKE AT NIGHT???

I had to ask myself this question as I lay awake last night! With all the manufactured hype about 'global warming' and 'climate change', one would think the death of millions upon millions (if not billions) of sea creatures would be BIG NEWS! The deafening silence is peculiar at best!

                         What could possibly be the reason for the lack of coverage
                                   of this catastrophe by the mainstream media???

As I sought the Lord, a dark realization settled over me...
                 Prophecy fulfilled is one of the greatest
                   testimonies to the truth of the Bible!

                       The enemy will suppress any information that leads
                                            to the knowledge of he Truth!

Both Hosea (750 BC) and John (Revelation) prophesied the last days destruction of the living creature in the sea (and birds):

"Hear the word of the Lord...
For the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land.
There is no faithfulness or steadfast love,
And no knowledge of God in the land;
There is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery,
They break all bounds and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
Therefore the land mourns and all who dwell in it languish,
And also the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens,
And even the fish of the sea are taken away."
(Hosea 4:1-3)

"The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. A third of the living creatures in the sea died..."
(Revelation 8:8-9)

Friends, the trumpet has sounded! The signs we are seeing are but an extension of God's great hand of mercy before the coming judgment.
                                                       Bear witness to the facts.
                                                            Share the Scriptures.
                                 Do the work of Him who sent you before it's too late.
                                     The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
                                                                  Soli Deo Gloria!

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The Wedding

1/9/2016

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This past week I met with my dear friend, Tammy Knox. I'm not sure what prompted a reading of this post, but in light of the events of the past year, it was especially meaningful. Take heart, beloved, if you have been tattered and torn in standing for the Truth of God's Word! You are not alone. The Bridegroom awaits... (7 May 2017)

By the way, if you are so inclined, look up the meaning of the white rose.

I awakened several times this morning in the midst of a chaotic and disturbing dream. Each time I awoke, I breathed a sigh of relief, as I realized I had only been dreaming.  Each time I drifted back to sleep however, the dream continued. At last it seemed to be at an end. I knew I must get up and record what I could recall of the dream. It seemed somehow too persistent and symbolic to simply be a ‘normal’ dream...

It was a nightmare really, but not your classic nightmare.  I will write quickly, as some of the details are fading…

I found myself in the midst of preparations for a wedding of great magnitude and importance. A venue had been constructed specifically for the purpose of this wedding. No expense had been spared. The building was massive, but without walls, and open to the outside. The towering staircase in the center was precisely constructed of perfectly polished marble, but strangely the color of the marble, as well as the style of architecture seemed to change randomly as I descended from one level to another. In and of themselves the components were exquisite, but viewed together, a tacky mish-mash. There seemed to be no cohesive design.

When I reached the bottom of the staircase a few guests were beginning to arrive. I noticed a table upon which random decorations had been placed. A few flowers lay in boxes. I knew I had to put together a bridal bouquet, but the blossoms were leggy and did not fit together well. I simply could not manage an acceptable arrangement. Almost despairing, I found a single white rose, thinking to myself, “This is not adequate for such a momentous occasion, but it will have to do.”

On the table, in the jumbled heap of decorations I also noticed an unopened box of brand new, brightly colored lanterns, and wondered if they were for the bridesmaids to carry. Then I realized I hadn’t seen the bridesmaids…they should have been here by now! And where was the Bride???

No seating had been arranged, so the guests were milling about amongst a large cast of strange characters who seemed to think they had some part in the wedding ceremony. I looked at the clock and saw that it was five minutes before five o’clock…only five minutes to go!

Strange music began to play, it was unfamiliar and barely audible. Then, out of the corner of my eye just to the right, I saw a garishly dressed woman, cavorting about…attracting attention to herself. ‘Is that the Bride?’ I wondered. Then another provocative woman rose to the forefront, capturing the attention of the unsettled guests. This continued, while all around us something akin to a carnival, or a pantomime was taking place. I was horrified, realizing that a mockery was being made of a sacred occasion.

Then I saw her. The Bride appeared some distance away. No one attended her, sadly no one seemed to even notice she had arrived. Relieved, I ran to meet her and help in any way I could. As I approached, I noticed she was dressed in a glorious white gown, fitting for the occasion. Somehow it seemed right that she would carry a single white rose. I looked more closely then, and saw that her beautifully styled hair was looking misshapen and bedraggled, wisps falling down here and there. I tried to re-pin it (I am no expert in hair) and saw that her once lustrous tresses were thinning. This Bride had struggled and suffered in waiting for her Groom…

As I awakened the last time, I felt impressed to reflect upon the dream and to write it down. I also noticed that a long-forgotten Michael Card song had sprung to life from somewhere in the distant past, and was now playing in my head:

                                                      “Hallelujah, hallelujah!
                              Salvation and honor and glory belong to our God
                                                                     Amen!
                                                       Hallelujah, hallelujah!
                       See now, the one who corrupted the earth is condemned!

                                                Death for the dark adulteress
                                                    Destroyed at last forever
                                               By His judgments just and true
                                       He has avenged the blood of His saints…

                                           The wedding of the Lamb has come
                                            The Bride has made herself ready
                                     And she shall wear linen bright and clean
                                        Woven of the faithful acts of the saints…”

                            (From ‘Hallelujah’, Unveiled Hope; Michael Card 1997)

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Zechariah...'Whom Jehovah Remembers'

1/4/2016

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"For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my Name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings..." Malachi 4:1-2

Sunrise over Copinsay

I will never forget the ongoing argument I had with the Lord over these verses. It was December 2004, and Henry and I had just celebrated the official grand opening of Sunrise Medical Campus. I had been asking the Lord for a passage of Scripture to share in the small glass-covered information box mounted to the left of the Chapel door. As I listened, I sensed God was prompting me to post the above passage, but I could not bring myself to post it. Didn't these verses seem a bit harsh, even offensive? Perhaps I could simply post verse 2??? The box remained empty for more than a month...

Then, on December 26th we awoke to the news of a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia. As I was reeling at the magnitude of the disaster and countless souls lost, God spoke sternly to me: 'Mercy and judgment go together!' Though it may seem harsh, it is always merciful to sound the warning before judgment falls.
                      "How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed?
                  And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard?
                               And how are they to hear without someone preaching?"
                                                                  (Romans 10:14)
I posted the passage, reminding myself...Mercy and judgment... Judgment and mercy...

For the past several weeks I felt impressed upon to study the writings of the minor prophet, Zechariah.  Once again, I have procrastinated. After all, it was CHRISTMAS, the season for 'tidings of comfort and joy!' Didn't the Lord know I was busy shopping and wrapping and baking???

But alas, Christmas is over. The New Year has begun. I finally sit down with my Bible, opening to the book of Zechariah....

It is early spring in the year 519 BC. After seventy years in Babylon, the first wave of exiles has returned to Jerusalem, to rebuild the House of the Lord. The altar has been constructed and set in its place. Sacrificial offerings are made as required by the Law of Moses. Though opposition from the locals was intense, the foundation of the Temple is completed at last! Exuberant celebration ensues! Trumpets blare, cymbals crash, and the remnant of God's people shout and sing:

             "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His steadfast love endures forever!"

Like many of those present, a young man named Zechariah (the grandson of a prominent priest) had known only a life of captivity. He revels in the moment as he witnesses God's promise fulfilled, thinking of his father, who had only dreamed of this day...

The noise of the festivities can be heard from a great distance! Unsettled, the adversaries of Judah soon begin to step up their efforts to stop the rebuilding. Reacting to carefully crafted misinformation, the king orders construction of the Temple to stop.  The committed remnant is now confused, intimidated and discouraged.  Their focus gradually begins to shift. Time, energy and resources are devoted to personal matters. Homes are embellished, gardens are planted, and farmers sow their seed in freshly plowed fields. It seems their efforts are wasted however, as drought descends upon the land. Seedlings shrivel in the dust and God sends a warning through the prophet Haggai:

         "Is it a time for you to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies in ruins?
                                            You have sown much and harvested little...
                      you eat, but never have enough and drink, but never have your fill...
                                                BECAUSE MY HOUSE LIES IN RUINS!"
                                                                           *******
Without much of an introduction, the Lord also begins speaking to Zechariah:
                                             "I was very angry with your fathers!"
Perhaps Zechariah glances at the ruins that had once been Jerusalem...the rubble was a compelling testimony to his ancestors' unrelenting rebellion against God...
                                           "Return to me, says the Lord of Hosts..."
                                                        "and I will return to you."
Zechariah's heart is broken up like the fallow ground in nearby fields! His ancestors ignored the merciful warnings of the prophets before him, and horrible judgment had overtaken them. He is determined NOT to follow in their footsteps! Repentant and humbled, he is now ready for the planting of the Lord...the first of eight Messianic visions would soon follow...

It has oft been said, that those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it. What can I learn from this encounter with Haggai, Zechariah and their fellow countrymen? A passage from 1 Corinthians comes to mind:

"But let each one take care (pay attention!) how he builds upon it.
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid,
which is Jesus Christ.
Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver and precious stones,
wood, hay, straw--each one's work will become manifest (made public!),
For the Day will disclose it (literally 'peel it like an onion'),
Because it will be revealed (apokalupto-the cover removed) by fire,
And the fire will test (examine and discern) what sort of work each one has done.
If the work anyone has built on the foundation survives,
he will receive a reward.
If anyone's work is burned up,
he will suffer loss,
Though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Do you not know that you are God's temple???"
(1 Corinthians 3:10-16)

In laying down His life for my sin, Jesus laid the foundation for a new life! I am expected to build on that foundation...and challenged to build a life suitable for habitation by God Himself! I have to ask myself a few questions:

     1. Am I building? Or have I become distracted, intimidated or discouraged?
     2. Is Christ my true foundation, or am I trying to build in my own strength?
     3. Am I building to last? Am I giving my best, or just building for show?
     4. What will my work look like when the layers are peeled back on the Day of the Lord?
     5. Am I laboring for things that will burn up in an instant, or for eternal reward?
     6. Is my life a visible expression of gratitude for the foundation I have in Christ Jesus?

May the word of the Lord to Zechariah ring for us throughout the New Year:

     "Return to Me...and I will return to you!"

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'The Curse...And the Number of his Name'

The Waking Nightmare of Oblivion

The Wedding

Zechariah...'Whom Jehovah Remembers'

Anne Reitzug

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