Tag: Spiritual Warfare

Stars: They Watch Over Adam’s Race

On By TimIn Angels, Isaiah 40, The Divine Council2 Comments

The wisdom gained from the scriptures in the last post witnesses to us that there is more to the glittering diamonds in the night sky than we may consider. The stars reveal information to us.

As cited in the last post, Isaiah 40 seems like a good place to begin here. Isaiah is loaded with prophetic references to Jesus. It also relates to us an important aspect of God… There is none like Him. In that sheer magnitude of strength, we encounter the tenderness of a shepherd with the weakest of the flock.

O Zion, bearer of good news, get yourself up onto a high mountain; O Jerusalem, bearer of good news, lift up your voice with strength, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Lord GOD will come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; see, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him. He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or as His counselor has taught Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of justice, and taught Him knowledge, and showed to Him the way of understanding?

Isaiah 40:9–14

We see clearly that God has no teacher. He reports to nobody. He is taught by nobody. In other parts of the Bible, the term used to describe Him is the Most High God.

Thus says the Lord the King of Israel,
and his Redeemer the Lord of Hosts:
I am the first, and I am the last;
besides Me there is no God.

Isaiah 44:6

The prophet Isaiah continues this theme in another place. It is also witnessed elsewhere:

You alone are the Lord. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and You preserve them all. And the host of heaven worships You.

Nehemiah 9:6

It would be a difficult task to provide all of the Scriptures that attest to God’s position as above any and all of creation.

For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.

Psalm 47:2

He is El Elyon, the Most High God.

The employment of that particular title hints to us that there may indeed be other lesser gods. Does the Bible tell us about lesser Gods?

God stands among the divine council; He renders judgment among the gods.

Psalm 82:1

The Hebrew in that verse literally uses the word elohim twice. It’s saying: Elohim stands among the divine council; He renders judgment among the elohim. This is an important concept to grasp. One that is a comprehensive theme that makes the Bible and what it says more clear.

I know Jesus cited this portion of the Scriptures in John 10. He used it as a defense of His own claim, which is obviously understood by the people who heard Him. They wanted to stone Him for likening Himself to God.

Suffice it to say… Yes, there are lesser gods. Not that Jesus is one of those. Yet those other gods were tasked with a distinctive service to the Most High God and to Adam’s progeny.

The Divine Council

As it were, these tasked with representing God are His imagers. (This term is borrowed from the late Dr. Michael A. Heiser. His work on what is called the Divine Council Worldview is extensive.) The term suffices for anyone tasked with serving God as His representative. Humans are also imagers. But the lesser gods, as imagers, were to mete out justice.

God stands among the divine council; He renders judgment among the gods.
“How long will you all judge unjustly and accept partiality of the wicked? Selah
Defend the poor and fatherless; vindicate the afflicted and needy. Grant escape to the abused and the destitute, pluck them out of the hand of the false.
“They have neither knowledge nor understanding; they walk in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are shaken.”
I have said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you, but you all shall die like men, and fall like a man, O princes.”
Arise, O God, judge the earth, for You shall inherit all nations.

Psalm 82:1–8

These members of the Divine Council failed to properly image God to men. They were to watch over them to ensure justice everywhere. There are many places in the Bible that show the other gross failures of these gods. There is another title that hints to what they were called to do.

“I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and there was a holy watcher coming down from heaven. He cried aloud and said thus: ‘Hew down the tree and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals get away from under it, and the fowl from its branches. Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field.
“ ‘And let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let its portion be with the animals in the grass of the earth. Let its heart be changed from that of a man, let him be given the heart of an animal. And let seven periods of time pass over it. “ ‘This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever He wills and sets up over it the basest of men.’

Daniel 4:13–17

These gods are holy watchers. They mete out decrees of justice. The task assigned was to be guardians of the creatures that bore the image of God Himself. Creatures that were made of dust.

Their failure has everything to do with what happened in the garden and the millennia after.

The next post will delve more into this Divine Council and why understanding it is important.

Paneas and You

On By TimIn Matthew 16, Spiritual WarfareLeave a comment

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Matthew 16:24

In as much as Jesus is talking to His disciples present at Banias, He is also talking to you and me. This is the walk of the Christian. We are to take up our own cross.

Therefore, since we are encompassed with such a great cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and your hearts give up.

Hebrews 12:1–3

Jesus despised the shame of the cross… Yet endured the suffering. He is now lifted up and seated in glory. The writer of Hebrews uses this as encouragement. The idea of taking up the cross may come with an expectation of suffering. But I choose to think of it as an expectation of victory.

Jesus did not fear what would happen. He set His mind beyond the momentary suffering. Though I don’t think any of us could even begin to imagine the things He endured, it is not about death, but life.

This is Spiritual Warfare

Jesus has already told His disciples that the Gates of Hell will not prevail against His church. The church, which is built upon the resurrection of Jesus as the chief Cornerstone. We, as living stones, are told to take up our part in the building of the church. Not a physical building, but the activity of building up. We do that, just as Jesus did… By denying our desires and seeking to do the will of the Father.

For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Matthew 16:25

Paul would put it this way.

Let this mind be in you all, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. But He emptied Himself, taking upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in the form of a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5–11

If there is any that had the right to hold onto themselves and their position, it is the Creator of the universe. Yet as our working through Matthew 16 and the account at the Grotto of Pan shows, He took on the form of a servant. He became obedient to the curse of death. It was through that cross that He really had life.

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Matthew 16:26

Here is that idea of binding and loosing spoken of before. It is iterated in a different way. One may continue to serve self and gain all of the wealth and power in this life. Yet cannot take the power and prestige into the next life. Such would be remanded to an eternity of languishing in the futility of self-pursuit. That one loses his soul in perdition hot, needy, and alone.

Yet if we loosen our grip on pursuing our own positions in life, just as Jesus did we gain our soul. Life is not living for oneself but for others. Those others include the Savior Who led by example.

It is exactly that mindset where the victory of the Gates of Hell is. There is a real battle for you and your soul. It happens in your mind and among your thoughts.

Paneas is about looking beyond ourselves and beyond our circumstances. It is about taking our thoughts captive. That means identifying those thoughts that come from outside our minds.

Peter provides a poignant glimpse into this. At the beginning he rightfully identifies the Son of Man. Jesus says this thought arose outside of Peter’s mind being revealed by the Father. In the same way, when Peter denied Jesus’ death and resurrection, Jesus attested to the origin of that thought.

Likewise, being born of the Spirit and with His help, we can identify the thoughts in our mind. These thoughts come from our own inner voice or a prompting of the Spirit.

And sometimes they come with a heavy dousing of brimstone. These are the ones that discourage, shame, accuse, and condemn. Throw them out. Don’t bring them inside. Don’t entertain them.

The battle in the mind can hinder. The prescription Jesus gives us to deny ourselves. Deny a focus on our thoughts, even looking to encourage and better the welfare of others.

Taking up your cross is not to focus on suffering. It is to focus on victory. It is about shedding the fear that comes with sin and death and look toward life, everlasting life.

Speaking to that, we do life with other believers, in fellowship. We encourage each other, being accountable. We do this in local bodies called churches. Remember Jesus’ words, the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against His church.

Looking for Jesus

For the Son of Man shall come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay every man according to his works.

Matthew 16:27

Our focus is always on Jesus. We look forward to His return when justice is delivered. This is the sure victory all will see clearly.

For some it won’t be a good thing… Especially for those waiting to be judged for their works.

Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

Matthew 16:28

Now, this verse has confounded many. Some say this is about the transfiguration which happens on Mt. Hermon recorded in the next chapter of Matthew.

I think this is speaking to something a bit more practical. When Jesus was taken up in the first chapter of Acts, He gave instructions to His disciples to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the promise or power.

So when they had come together, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He said to them, “ It is not for you to know the times or the dates, which the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:6–8

The disciples ask Jesus if the kingdom would be restored to Israel. Jesus said it’s not for them to know the times, as if there seems to be a pause to the restoring of the kingdom to Israel. He promised them they will receive power and be witnesses to all. That was the calling to Israel, who failed to attain that. It’s not a far stretch to see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom is a reference to the birth of the church. The same church-kingdom to which the Gates of Hell have no way to answer.

John,
To the seven churches which are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 1:4–6

John attests that we have been made kings and priests. It is a theme repeated in Revelation.

And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll,
and to open its seals;
for You were slain,
and have redeemed us to God by Your blood
out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
and have made us kings and priests unto our God;
and we shall reign on the earth.”

Revelation 5:9–10

Blessed and holy is he who takes part in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Revelation 20:6

I encourage all to read a few verses before the last verse in chapter 20. There is a previous post explaining who the judges are. Keep in mind that the term first resurrection is probably not indicative of a one-time event. It is a classification, think first class, which doesn’t necessarily mean the first class of the day.

Back to the text… We see clearly that this New Testament body is peculiar in nature. It is a body of judges, kings, and priests who will serve in His Millennial kingdom. John said we’ve already been made kings and priests. It’s my contention that His kingdom did come with the birth of the church at Pentecost.

Peter seems to witness to this truth in his sermon, too.

God raised up this Jesus, of which we all are witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this which you now see and hear. For David has not ascended to the heavens, yet he says:
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Until I make Your enemies
Your footstool.” ’
“Therefore, let all the house of Israel assuredly know that God has made this Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Acts 2:32–36

That’s where we get a hint to what the kingdom. Jesus Christ did indeed ascend to heaven. He sat down, taking His seat as Lord and Christ. He sent His promised Spirit into those who believe. It is those who are of the kingdom of the Son of Man. One that has not yet been restored to Israel yet nevertheless exists in a body of believers now. That is the body of Christ.

The importance of Paneas is not to be taken lightly. The exact workings of the kingdom were revealed there. Jesus would die, and rose again putting His Spirit in believers. In that Hell is defeated now. It has no business with believers, including you.

Don’t give it entry into your mind, your life, or your church. Pray daily revoking rights and permissions given to any spirit other that that of God and Jesus, whether those are down intentionally or accidentally. You and I have that power, in Jesus’ name!

Paneas and Sacrifice

On By TimIn Matthew 16, Resurrection, Spiritual WarfareLeave a comment

But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things that are of God, but those that are of men.”

Matthew 16:23

This is a startling and sharp rebuke to Peter. It is evidence of His emotionally humanistic conception. Because of that, Peter is aligning himself with Satan’s plan. One that would deter Jesus from fulfilling His mission. The rebuke is harsh and demonstrates to us the focus Jesus had on His mission. He was sent to die.

Peter’s fear is revealed at the thought of Jesus dying. That fear also gives an opportunity for offense. Peter stumbles. This Foundation the church is built upon is not Peter, but it is the Rock of offense. In the last post, the idea of the Rock Jesus spoke of would be Himself. Testified to previously by Peter himself.

Long after the death and resurrection of Jesus, Peter expounds on this theme by cutting the Tanakh.

Coming to Him as to a living stone who is rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house as a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:4–6

Peter now understands the issue clearly. Jesus is the Rock chosen by God Himself and would give the greatest sacrifice. Jesus is the Foundation the church is being built upon. Peter is one of those living stones, as is every believer. Like every believer, we are like Jesus, kings and priests working for God.

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 1:5b–6

The Acceptance of Obedience

Just as Jesus laying down His life was a spiritual sacrifice; we believers are called to do the same.

I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:1–2

The idea of sacrificing ourselves to the work of Jesus is the same as that of living stones in a spiritual house. Like Murray’s, or denial of ourselves comes with gifts for service to Him and others. Paul explains it this way.

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sound judgment, according to the measure of faith God has distributed to every man. For just as we have many parts in one body, and not all parts have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and all are parts of one another. We have diverse gifts according to the grace that is given to us: if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith; if service, in serving; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Romans 12:3–8

Just as each stone is selected and purposefully cut to fit into the overall structure, the same is with the spiritual house (or body of Christ.) A stone crafted to be a lintel does not fit as a doorpost or wall stone. Each has a carefully crafted purpose. This is the idea, that we yield ourselves to be conformed to the purposes God has chosen for us. In this, we prove His perfection.

The Rejection of the Disobedience

For also it is contained in the Scripture, “Look! I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes in Him shall never be put to shame.”
Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious. But to those who are disobedient, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they are disobedient to the word, to which also they were appointed.

1 Peter 2:7–8

As believers, we will never be put to shame no matter what we may do. That is a simple truth.

The same is not valid for those who disobey and never believe. These are offended at the thought that the Anointed King would have to die. Let alone Him dying for their sins. Obedient belief is appointed to Israelis. Yet they reject it stumbling in their own disobedience.

Jesus calls all of us to a living sacrifice, just as He did. We know He died and rose again. And we can expect the same for us because of His promises.

Sacrifice at the Gates of Hell

The sacrifices offered at the Gates of Hell stood in stark contrast. The pagan gods worshipped there completely consumed the dead sacrifices offered to them.

The Grotto of Pan is a cave. It was the reason the nearby sanctuary was built. A natural spring gushed water into what is now called the Banias River. This river feeds the Jordan River. In ancient times, water entered the cave and disappeared into a deep fissure in the rock. It is estimated to have been over 800 feet deep. Subsequent seismic activity destroyed much of the features of the cave.

When a sacrifice was made, the dead carcass was thrown into the mouth of the cave. The waters carried it into the natural abyss at the back of the cave. The victim disappeared into the water. If no blood appeared in the nearby springs, the offering was thought to be accepted.

Panic and the Cure

It is fitting in this setting to speak of these things as a rich backdrop to what Jesus is saying and doing. This is the Gates of Hell, the Grotto of Pan. Pan is considered by some to be one of the first deities. He is a fertility god and is the embodiment of nature. He is also known for enticing fear with panic. The word panic is derived from his name.

Way back in the garden, the idea of death was whitewashed by the shining one (serpent.) Even was persuaded to partake of the forbidden, and in turn, gave to her husband. Something changed. They knew they were naked and covered themselves. When God called, they hid in fear. Death came to humanity, and with it came fear. Death became the bondage of Adam’s race.

Yet Adam was not supposed to know death. This bondage to death is the very thing the enemy has used to shackle people. When people are confronted with sudden death, fear and then panic take hold. The shining one brought war to God through humans. The mythologies of old subtly obscure the truth.

Jesus in rebuking Peter, hoped to shock him from panic. It was Jesus on His mission to end the war of the gods and free humanity. Jesus was going to do it by dying. His resurrection destroyed the power of death. Fear and panic are decimated. We know that by hindsight. Think of how many times the Bible tells us to not be afraid, even in the presence of God.

So then, as the children share in flesh and blood, He likewise took part in these, so that through death He might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver those who through fear of death were throughout their lives subject to bondage.

Hebrews 2:14–15

It is my opinion that the eventual devastation of this grotto is proof that God destroyed the power of death. The sacred places of the old gods are in ruins now.

That fear of death that binds no longer has power. Jesus died to give us precious respite from the justice due to us for our sins. He rose again to give us victory over sin. It is in that freedom we have an opportunity to be reconciled to God Himself.

Rest assured, though… If one dies in their sins, the destiny is everlasting perdition.

Paneas and Peter’s Rebuke of Jesus

On By TimIn Matthew 16, Resurrection, Spiritual Warfare1 Comment

Then Peter took Him and began rebuking Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord! This shall not happen to You.”

Matthew 16:22

Peter attempts to teach the Teacher. He criticizes Jesus assuming he knows better. Peter is primed with (to him) contemporary thinking that the Messiah came to vanquish enemies. Jesus couldn’t do that if He died, right?

The Conquering Messiah

In the political climate of the time, there was a short list of agreement among Jewish sects. This included important differences on the expectation of the Messiah. The Essenes were expecting a military hero that would reform temple worship. The Sadducees had no messianic expectations, denied resurrection, and therefore had limited expectations of a future Davidic Kingdom. The Idumaeans (Herodians) would also not be interested in a competing leader. The Pharisees however, expected a Messiah.

One particular agreement amongst the sects was a longing for freedom from Roman rule. This idea had roots in the earlier Maccabean revolt and eventually culminated in AD70. There are important Jewish writings that many are unfamiliar with, and this would include an apocryphal work called the Psalms of Solomon. This book has ties to the Maccabean revolt and is considered non-canonical, yet it was part of the Septuagint. Some of these psalms demonstrate an awareness of the Roman conquest of Jerusalem. Others are clearly Messianic. One in particular Psalms of Solomon 17 is similar to Psalm 72 (also attributed to Solomon.)

It was this Psalms of Solomon 17 that seems to have formed much of the political expectations that the Pharisees had of the Messiah. This idea would also be known among the citizenry of Israel. This particular Psalm is messianic. I will cite a part of it from the Septuagint that demonstrates the expectation.

See, O Lord, and raise up their king for them, a son of David, for the proper time that you see, God, to rule over Israel your servant. And undergird him with strength to shatter unrighteous rulers. Cleanse Jerusalem from the nations that trample it in destruction, to expel sinners from the inheritance in wisdom, in righteousness, to rub out the arrogance of the sinner like a potter’s vessel, to crush all their support with an iron rod; to destroy lawless nations by the word of his mouth, for Gentiles to flee from his face at his threat, and to reprove sinners by the word of their heart.

Psalms of Solomon 17:23–27 — The Lexham English Septuagint (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012)

The Servant

It is a line in that Psalm above that takes us to the next point, the identity of the servant. Second Temple era Judaism interpreted much of the texts speaking of the suffering servant as an identification of the nation Israel. Just as it is above.

But what does the Bible show us?

Here is My servant, whom I uphold, My chosen one, in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon him;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations.

Isaiah 42:1

You are My witnesses, says the Lord, and My servant whom I have chosen that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me.

Isaiah 43:10

He said to me, “You are My servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”

Isaiah 49:3

See, My servant shall deal prudently; he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

Isaiah 52:13

Hear this, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends sitting before you, for these men are a sign. I am bringing My servant, the Branch. The stone that I have set before Joshua, on that single stone is seven eyes. And I will engrave an inscription, says the Lord of Hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in one day.

Zechariah 3:8–9

I offer a few of the texts to demonstrate that this servant idea applies to both Israel as a nation and to the Messiah. It might be clear to us modern thinkers, but not so much for any Israeli at that time.

Being that an Israeli would consider the servant to be the nation of Israel, writings such as Psalm 22 would be taken as a cry from the nation as a servant. Isaiah 53 would also be understood as not messianic in nature.

Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
For he grew up before Him as a tender plant and as a root out of a dry ground. He has no form or majesty that we should look upon him nor appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected of men,
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from him;
he was despised, and we did not esteem him.
Surely he has borne our grief and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities;
the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed.
All of us like sheep have gone astray; each of us has turned to his own way, but the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
he was brought as a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away, and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was struck. His grave was assigned with the wicked, yet with the rich in his death,
because he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; He has put him to grief. If he made himself as an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days, and the good pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the anguish of his soul and be satisfied.
By his knowledge My righteous servant shall justify the many, for he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore, I will divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death, and he was numbered with the transgressors, thus he bore the sin of many
and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 53:1–12

This portion of Isaiah is not known by many Jewish folk today. It is called the forbidden chapter. It is excluded from haftara portions that are read openly in synagogues.

In hindsight, this particular chapter outlines the mission of the Messiah as told beforehand in excruciating detail. He would necessarily suffer and die for sins.

Perhaps it was overlooked that if Messiah made Himself an offering for sins, it also says “(H)e shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days, and the good pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.” Th were is no other way to describe that but as resurrection. No other explanation can be made as to how someone can prolong Their days after One dies.

With all that in mind, it seems apropos that Jesus would begin to speak about resurrection.

The Rock

Zechariah told us the servant is the Rock. The Bible talks about Jesus being the precious cornerstone that to some, specifically Israelis, would be a rock of offense. One to stumble over, just as Peter did.

Why not? Because they did not seek it by faith, but by the works of the law. For they stumbled over the stumbling stone. As it is written:
“Look! I lay in Zion a stumbling stone
and rock of offense, and whoever believes in Him will not be ashamed.”

Romans 9:32–33

Peter is expecting the Conquering King. He is expecting a Righteous Ruler. A suffering Servant was not expected. The talk of resurrection would also be unexpected and go right over his head.

As Jesus had stated before this rebuke of Peter, He would suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes. All of which would lead to His death. Yet He boldly said He would prolong His days and be raised on the third day.

Peter’s response to it is disbelief. To his credit, I might be able to understand that thinking. It raises a question in my mind.

Why would a Conquering King need to die before taking His rightful place on the throne?

There are other messianic texts that fill in details. The prophecies were clear.

“Know therefore and understand that from the going forth of the command to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem until the Prince Messiah shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks. It shall be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of trouble. After the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the troops of the prince who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.

Daniel 9:25–26

Messiah will be cut off and have nothing. The euphemism cut off is a reference to sudden death. Peter has no excuse not to know this as the penalty for sin that is ascribed in the law. Yet plainly, the mission of the Messiah is clearly outlined in the Tanakh. Peter is taking an emotionally humanistic view, not quite understanding the precise timing.

Seventy weeks have been determined for your people and upon your holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make atonement for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.

Daniel 9:24

That text comes before the prophecy of the Messiah being cut off. It lays out the planned timing. 70 weeks are given (that’s a figure of speech meaning 490 years.) Messiah is cut off after 69 weeks.

It follows that if Messiah is to put an end to all of that, one week is left after being cut off. He would need to prolong His days to accomplish the task. He would have to be alive after dying.

To this day, controversy is afoot concerning these passages in Daniel. Some say the prophecies are done. Others say seven more years remain for Israel. One must also consider why a nation was destroyed and its people scattered, survived as a people for millennia. They are now being gathered into a nation called Israel born in a day. A student of prophecy knows that the nation as a whole has not been regathered in history. We are witnesses to God keeping His Word.

End Thoughts

Daniel 9:24 speaks to a finish of transgression, end of sins, atonement and to bring in everlasting righteousness. Our experience demonstrates these things are yet (very near) future. As the scattered Israelis are continually being called home.

To the first century Jewish mind, it would be murky at best. Especially when the nation is under brutal Roman occupation. Read that as being lorded over by Gentile mutts. Peter wanted a King. He did not want what seemed a suicide mission.

ImOur attention must be brought into focus. Jesus spoke of His death and His resurrection. Both are an integral part of His mission. And each accomplish different tasks. One a Satisfaction off the justice due for sins. The other as complete removal of sins.

This two-fold mission of the Rock is also the very thing that presents itself as a stumbling block. It is that sense, this same Rock is the Cornerstone Jesus is going to build His church on. Some are going to stumble over that. The mensch Peter didn’t get the death part because he didn’t expect the victory in resurrection.

Paneas and Resurrection

On By TimIn Atonement, Matthew 16, ResurrectionLeave a comment

From that time on, 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 be raised on the third day.

Matthew 16:21

This is the beginning of a marked change in Jesus’ ministry. His ministerial focus moves from primarily around the area of Galilee toward Jerusalem. He must go to Jerusalem. This is where the elders, scribes, and priests are. It is also home to Herod’s Temple containing the Holy Place where the presence of God is. The very place the chief priest ministered in the presence of God once a year.

For Israelis, Jerusalem is the entire center of the religious world. It is there that the maturest and most venerated leaders of the religious world were. The chief priests were those who presided over the 24 courses established by Daniel. These had charge of the temple. And finally, there are the scribes. At that time, these worked as if in the position of prophets.

There are many hints as to what Jesus is going to face in Jerusalem written of long ago. David sang of them in the Psalms. A few come to mind, Psalms 22, 27, and 35. That is far from a complete list, but as the Pesach (Passover) Lamb, He must be presented to the household of Israel, where He must be inspected as perfect.

The importance of this moment is reflected in the way Matthew thinks of this moment. He writes “(f)rom that time on.” Signifying the paradigm shift in reality. Jesus was going to die. His resurrection, though, would remain mysterious in the minds of the disciples. For the disciples, the resurrection was unexpected until it happened. (This is one of my favorite ideas that shows the four Gospels to be authentic, you can read it here, It Was Unexpected.)

Passover

Many typologies in the Torah point to Jesus. An important one is Passover (Pesach.) In the Exodus, it was the perfect Passover lamb slain, and its blood splashed on the lintel and doorposts of the house. The significance of this sign spared the firstborn of the house from death.

Romans 3:23–26 (MEV): For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith, in His blood, for a demonstration of His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins previously committed, to prove His righteousness at this present time so that He might be just and be the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.

From my understanding, the blood of Jesus already abides on every person sparing the firstborn in that house from death. 2 Corinthians 5:1 teaches us that our body is a house. Because we are spared death when we sin, the blood of Jesus applies. The book of Revelation also tells us that the work of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world is not confined to one moment in time.

Good or bad, believer or not… It is the blood of Jesus that stops the angel of death when you sin. That is one typology.

Blood Atonement

There is another typology presented in Leviticus 16. That is the command for Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement.)

Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat. Aaron shall bring the goat on which the lot of the Lord falls and offer him for a sin offering. But the goat on which the lot falls to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement with it, that it may be sent away as a scapegoat into the wilderness.

Leviticus 16:8–10

Already there is a distinction in the text. Two offerings, one dead and one alive. This points to the death of Jesus and His Resurrection.

Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, and bring its blood within the veil, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it over and in front of the mercy seat. And he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel and because of their transgressions in all their sins, and so he shall do for the tent of meeting that remains among them in the midst of their uncleanness.

Leviticus 16:15–16

The blood of the slain goat was sprinkled in the presence of God, for the people, for all of their sins. This is done even while they were yet sinners!

Remember when Jesus died, the veil separating the presence of God was torn in two. There is no more separation because the blood of Jesus is sprinkled in the presence of God for the people and all of their sins.

But only the high priest went into the second part once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins of the people, committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was signifying through this that the way into the Most Holy Place was not yet revealed, because the first part of the tabernacle was still standing.

Hebrews 9:7–8

But Christ, when He came as a High Priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies so that the flesh is purified, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 9:11–14

It is essential to understand these things as the Bible presents them. The presence of God is no longer reserved for a privileged few.

Therefore, brothers, we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way that He has opened for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh, and since we have a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse them from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:19–22

Understand that it is only by the blood of Jesus that you are sanctified. Sanctified means to be set aside. That is true for all, believer or not. Everyone has respite from the wages of sin. I repeat it, everyone.

That’s the first part of the atonement. And it is unconditional for all people. The second part is also for all people with a condition.

Removal of Sin

When he has made an end of atonement for the Holy Place, and the tent of meeting, and the altar, then he shall bring the live goat.

Leviticus 16:20–22

As we have gone back to the typologies, the high priest leaves the presence of God. This is important, as it proves the offering of blood is accepted as the priest walks out alive. That is the work of the cross, Jesus is declaring to everyone they are free.

Watch how the priest uses that freedom. He makes his way to the living offering. He presses onto the head confessing sins, in a sense transferring them to the goat. The goat is sent away, carrying the sins confessed on it into the wilderness never to return.

That is what the writer of Hebrews is saying… There is a new and living Way opened through the veil of separation. It was done by the blood that any may approach the live offering to confess our sins and have them removed forever. Jesus is the live offering, and He has taken a seat at the right hand of the Father.

We just confess our sins to have them removed. For that, we need a living offering. Jesus rose again.

Conclusion

For by one offering He has forever perfected those who are sanctified.

Hebrews 10:14

You and I cannot add to what Jesus did. It abides on us, and we acknowledge and celebrate that. Furthermore, it is a call to action. If we are forever perfected, and we are… What is there to really fear?

If we mess up and sin, we have an Advocate. A Living Offering Who takes away sin forever.

Paneas and the Church

On By TimIn Church, Matthew 16Leave a comment

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:15–18

Peter’s declaration is the truth. It is a truth that is revealed to people by the Father. It is the truth that changes the world. It is the truth that changes people.

Blessed are you Simon… I tell you that you are Peter. Putting these two phrases together helps to see the significance. It is here that Jesus gives a new name to Simon. By this very thing, Jesus is once again demonstrating that He is God. We have to refer back to Genesis for the first occurrence.

No longer will your name be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.

Genesis 17:5

God changed Abram’s name to Abraham. It signifies a few things. In Abram’s situation, the Hebrew letter heh, was added. Because the Hebrew letters connote significant meaning, heh conveys the idea of spirit of breath. Abram had that inserted into his name. It becomes a sort of prophecy to God putting His Spirit in believers. In the same way, Sarai’s name was changed.

We also know that there are other places where people’s names have been changed. Daniel has his name changed, as well as his friends’ names when they were assimilated into Babylon.

When Jesus changes Peter’s name, we must think back to these things. That God changes names, Jesus is showing that He is God. The name change show Peter to be assimilated into a new culture. Peter is connected to the promises of God, and like Abraham, he serves God by making Him known to the world. Abraham was an integral part of the promise of God, as was Sarah. And now we see Peter, too in the same way. In that moment, Peter overcame.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows except he who receives it.

Revelation 2:17

The believer is granted a new name. One that shows such has been assimilated into a new culture. One that says this one is an integral part of the promises of God.

Of course, Revelation is speaking of a future time. In the present, the moment we believe, each of us is given a new name. We are called Christian. The new name also includes a new identity as a child of God, and joint-heir with Jesus Himself. We are part of a new culture.

You Are Petros

When Jesus gives that name to Peter, and then declares He will build His church, there is a play on words. In the underlying Greek, Peter (Petros) is a name that means stone or pebble.

When Jesus says “on this rock” (ho petra) He is NOT speaking about Peter. Though the words are almost the same, there are differences. One is masculine and the other feminine. In English, this distinction is insignificant at best. But in other languages, the genders of the nouns and the verbs associated with them must match. Peter (stone; Petros; masculine) is not the same as rock (petra; feminine.)

“On this rock” is a reference to bedrock or massive rock formations like the mountain that towered by them. This isn’t a declaration that Peter is the first pope. Nor is it a declaration that Peter is the stand-in for Jesus on Earth.

No. It is on the bedrock truth, that Jesus is the living Son of God and that is the foundation of the church He will build. This Son of God is living as opposed to the disembodied spirits and others remanded to the netherworld.

The Gates of Hell

The Gates of Hell will not withstand the onslaught of the truth.

In all practical purposes, Jesus is saying the church is not defensive… Waiting for the enemy’s attack. We have the upper hand. Jesus has prevailed. We are the conquerors who take enemy territory. That means we reclaim real ground and help rescue people from fires of perdition.

But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith. Pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God while you are waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, which leads to eternal life.

Jude 20–23

Jesus is calling each of us into battle. The idea is to grow to maturity in the faith. The moment you became a believer is when you entered real spiritual warfare. Your testimony in Jesus reminds the fallen of their shame.

Fallen angels and demons have no blood, no life in a body, and no Kinsman Redeemer. Therefore, angels and demons have part in resurrection.

Binding and Loosing

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Matthew 16:19

The previous citation in Jude introduced us to the authority and responsibility we have. You’ve probably been taught that these things are only given to leaders. That would be a mistake to continue to think that. I am going to cite another portion of Jesus’ last words before His assumption.

When He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven them. If you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained.”

John 20:22–23

When Jesus breathed the Spirit on the apostles, it came with great responsibility. A pattern develops, that a believer does exercise the power of binding and loosing. (My stomach just bunches at that thought, I have explored a very similar idea.)

We believers have the authority and ability to save souls!

That means how we treat others for what they do or don’t do to us is heavy with meaning. We can hold anger over a person and bind them. That unforgiving anger can fester. When it does, it means that was given rights. The end result binds the heart that holds resentment. It lives rent-free in the mind.

This idea is sobering. We easily become aware of the striking reality. Each believer can bind or loose. That means whatever we permit will have rights. What we loose, won’t gain foothold. (Tuck that into your mind.)

Then He commanded His disciples to tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.

Matthew 16:20

It may seem odd to us for Jesus to want some secrecy. This is yet another subtle hint that He is indeed God. He is controlling the timing of what must happen. He was not keeping truth or salvation away from anyone, but that the time was not yet right.

Surprisingly, this is not done. Your bibles may have a topical division that seems to end this encounter with that statement. Jesus has more to say on this subject, and we will continue to examine it.

Tartarus is the Netherworld

On By TimIn 2 Peter 02, Spiritual Warfare1 Comment

This is the black cube. It conveys an idea you probably have not considered. It represents one of the oldest secret religions. It is a symbol of the worship of Saturn. Saturn is just another name for the deity El. He is the bull-god of the ancients.

The black cube does represent Saturn himself. As such, the black cube represents the dark netherworld where Saturn is now incarcerated.

The Bible says entities like these are chained up in a pit. The ancients called that pit Tartarus. The Bible uses that word Tartarus one time… As the place for fallen angels.

For if God did not spare the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness to be kept for judgment; and if He did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, making them an example to those afterward who would live ungodly lives;

2 Peter 2:4–6

In case you thought I was making it up, those gods of old are real and are currently sequestered away… It’s right there. This part of the Scriptures helps us to understand the importance of Paneas and what Jesus was saying.

Cube Imagery

The cube is represented in two dimensions by a hexagon with three lines connecting the opposite points. All of these are various two-dimensional representations of a three-dimensional cube.

Surprisingly, the hexagon also appears on the planet Saturn itself. Modern space exploration has given us images of this anomaly. (For those who do not believe in space flight… It wouldn’t be a coincidence, either.)

Symbology

As employed, the cube is an overt sign of wherever this god of old has influence. How can that god have influence if he’s locked up?

History teaches is that crime bosses continued their operations even while incarcerated.

The hexagon can be divided and unfolded out into a six-point star called a hexagram (which still has a hexagon in the center.)

In like manner, the cube can be unfolded to become a cross.

This is where it can be confusing, because things become blurry. Adherents can embrace a cross and the Star of David albeit it with esoteric meanings and usefulness.

Saturn and his cube are associated with evil and darkness. Those who worship in secret do so to obtain necessary illumination.

This post is a slight deviation but fits well in the current series. It provides necessary information that can help us to be wise in discerning the times. On the surface, things can appear orthodox. But a closer examination is always required.

Examine all things. Firmly hold onto what is good. Abstain from all appearances of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:21–22

I will leave on last thought… Be of good cheer!

We know that whoever is born of God does not keep on sinning. But whoever has been born of God guards himself, and the wicked one cannot touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true—His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

1 John 5:18–20

Paneas and the Netherworld

On By TimIn Matthew 16, Nephilim, ResurrectionLeave a comment

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

Matthew 16:13

With the previous two posts (Read this first, then this,) there is enough background to look at the question. Jesus asks, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

There are great watersheds in history. The Bible is replete with them. The fall of man, Noah’s flood, the Exodus… These events are recorded for our learning. As great as they are, none compares to the birth of Jesus. And as His disciples ministered with Him intimately they were privy to an idea that may not have ever been given a voice. Here is Jesus asking a question to lead His friends to a particular personal watershed conclusion.

They said, “Some say that You are John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

Matthew 16:14

The answer sounds pretty much academic. This is the answer many will give. It is just a matter of the facts. People are talking about Jesus.

Without thinking through it too much, the undercurrent in the response shows that the people expected some kind of resurrection. How else could Jesus be one of those as reincarnation is not real?

There must be a resurrection.

I don’t think that the identities of the folks mentioned were the answer He desired them to see. Jesus asks them a question that moves form academic third person to intimate first person.

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Matthew 16:15

Of any other watershed moment that we could think of, none compares to this question each of us must answer. Here’s why. Your eternity hinges on your response to it. It isn’t a coincidence that it was asked right at the Gates of Hell.

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:16

As it is recorded, Peter doesn’t hesitate. He declares the truth. This is the matter, that it is the one most important question we encounter in this life… Who is Jesus Christ?

To some, He’s a good teacher. To others, He’s a mensch. There are still others that will deny He is even real.

To those who know Him, He is the King (Christ, Mashiach.) He is the Son of the living God. This isn’t the first such declaration of the disciples (see Matthew 14:33.)

This confession, though is slightly different. It’s a poignant phrase “Son of the living God.” It is a stark contrast to the unique location of veneration of pagan gods. Ones people worship here in spirit. But they are are not alive and have a body as Jesus is.

What I am saying is that Pan was a Titan. Pan was a real god-king… He is a nephilim.

But nephilim, having physical bodies die, their spirits do not. Nor are their spirits eligible for resurrection. These disembodied spirits are what the Bible calls demons. Demons are not fallen angels, and Nephilim are not fallen angels.

Jesus spoke of the entities.

When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through dry places seeking rest, but finds none.

Matthew 12:43

So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.”

Matthew 8:31

These demons look for bodies to inhabit. The account of the demoniac (Matthew 8:28-34) shows this plainly. When Jesus cast legion from the man, they asked permission to be put into a herd of swine. There are hints to other ideas here, demons exercise rights of having dominion. The other idea is the utter destruction they wreak.

All of what we have discussed is important to this location. It is the entrance to the netherworld of dead spirits. They’re dead because they no longer have bodies. Spirits do not die as the body does.

Now to drive up to another point… As we have discussed augmented humanity and the bondage that captivates many today. Reading Revelation 13, we see that there is a point where their is going to be a total rejection of Jesus. The control this coming prince will have will be an augmentation to humanity.

He causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, so that no one may buy or sell, except he who has the mark or the name of the beast or the number of his name.

Revelation 13:16–17

Clearly, people at that time are willingly taking on the identity of the beast. The scenes recorded in revelation are horrific and very spiritual. We are introduced to real spirits that hate humans.

The boom of Revelation is chiastic in nature, that means it isn’t necessarily linear. It’s linear accounts interwoven. When that is understood, we can examine a sentence that is often overlooked.

In those days men will seek death but will not find it. They will desire to die, but death will elude them.

Revelation 9:6

Death will elude them. Remember the promised augmentation from the serpent in the garden. The serpent promised she wouldn’t die, but would be augmented to be like God.

The educated conjecture is that the mark comes with a sort of biological enhancement that can hinder death. It is not a far stretch to think that this mark alters DNA to something human +. This would make the person that takes it to not have a Kinsman for redemption. After all, this is a seed war… A war of genetics.

Soon, we will discover how important this is. in the next installment, we will look at the response of Jesus.

Jesus is the only One Who has life to give.

Paneas and The Gates of Hell

On By TimIn Matthew 16, Nephilim2 Comments

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

Matthew 16:13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Most of us are laser-focused on the question asked. That’s for a good reason. But there is a context here that is quite lost in modern times.

Jesus and His disciples came into the region of Caesarea Philippi. In the modern day, it is called the Golan Heights. Jesus will use a phrase a bit later in the account that will tell us exactly the location. (For a refresher, take time and read Matthew 16:13–28. This will help avoid spoiler alerts.)

The Gates of Hell

This location was home to a place called the Grotto of Pan. We have a “Disney-fied” idea of Pan, and a bit of poking around that may surprise some. The Grotto of Pan is a place called Paneas in the Greek and Banias in recent days. It was a town occupied for nearly 2,000 years until destroyed in the Six-Day War. The grotto is at the foot of Mt. Hermon.

It is the place from where hell is defended. You know who the goat-man Pan is.

Mt. Hermon

This is the place of infamy. The Bible often uses this particular mountain as the one that opposes the Mountain of God in Jerusalem. This is the place where angels fell and came down to Earth.

I’ve dropped hints before about fallen angels. There is much to tell, and much to write. I’ve neglected that not quite knowing how to organize my thoughts. Thanks for indulging me.

Anyway, Genesis 6:4–6 clearly tells us something terrible happened in pre-flood times. The important point, angels left heaven and took human wives. They created a hybrid race the Bible calls Nephilim (among other names.) These have more familiar names from other cultures. In Greek, these were the famed Titans.

Rabbit Trail Alert

Has it ever made you wonder why our society is enamored with ancient Greek culture?

Students read The Iliad in the first year of high school. It serves as a sort of primer. The Greek alphabet is memorized. Clubs that mirror secret societies are introduced. Greek terms are preferred in science. Western education systems are Greek in nature. Colleges have Greek culture normalizing the acceptance of exclusive groups with secrets. There are even full-blown secret clubs reserved for a select few.

This could just be a coincidence. Or it could be the subtle trail of the gods of this world (Titans) and how they plan to come back.

Some 50 years ago, the public was introduced to the flying saucer. It invaded many aspects of society. Then fringe stories of abductions came. As time progressed, these accounts increased many times over. Pop culture tells you these are our “sky brothers.” Some scientists believe life on this planet was seeded by other beings (they understand life comes from life.) The acronym UFO has been changed to UAP (Unidentified Arial Phenomenon.) Deftly moving it from the woo-woo into reality. The US has just recently shot down an unidentified object.

Recall a lot of the motion pictures and other entertainment of the last few decades. Then think of these Nephilim as augmented humans (human+angel) and not just as hybrids. These could easily be considered superheroes. Disney’s Hercules introduced your children to that idea 25 years ago. Since then, we have the gamut of both the DC and Marvel universes splashed on giant screens in darkened immersive cinemas.

These children grew up on this constant diet, and many love to cosplay. They dress like these characters, even completely parroting what they see on screen.

It looks like planned desensitization… Because it is. The idea is to normalize someone coming down to augment humanity.

For this Bible and prophecy nerd, I know augmented humanity is already a thing. The richest folks in the world are spending their money on furthering this science in hopes of achieving immortality. Think of the old lie, you shall be as Gods.

The enemy has plans. Plans to make humans after himself. He needs the numbers, as his side is severely outnumbered two-to-one (not counting God, of course.)

Then the serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that on the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Genesis 3:4–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The enemy’s plan from the beginning is to delude humanity with the lie. Eve wanted the augmented knowledge the fruit gave. Humanity continues to stumble in that direction.

Back to Mt. Hermon

Some say that the Levant is the location of the garden of Eden. Mt. Hermon is a part of that place. My speculation is that Mt. Hermon is the place where Adam ate. It’s the place where the angels came down and augmented humanity. What is not my speculation is that it is the place of the gates of hell. Gates are defensive… They keep the bad guys outside, stopping an invasion.

I want you to think about how important understanding Paneas is. This is the place of warfare in which we are engaged. This is where the warning shot was given by Jesus.

One last thought, J.M. Barrie desensitized the world to Pan. He wrote Peter Pan. Perhaps the name of that character is a subtlety to point to the question Jesus asked Peter right here. “Who do you say I am?”

The Gates are being crashed! All know God wins! If you didn’t, you do now.

The Warning Shot

On By TimIn Matthew 16, Spiritual Warfare2 Comments

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

Matthew 16:13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi with His disciples. This passage of text is important for many, yet it is not without controversy. Like much of what we find in the Bible, there is far more that is unwritten than we might take care to discover.

The Temple of Pan. Creative Commons image.

Mount Hermon

Caesarea Phillippi was home to the Temple of Pan. It is called the Temple of Banias today, Arabic for the Temple of Panias. (In Arabic there is no letter P.) This temple is part of Mount Hermon, legendary as the place where angels came down seeking different flesh.

I know that might be unsettling to some, but there are additional resources to help understand. Genesis 6 is the first mention and like the text above… There is much context that the writer assumes is understood by the intended audience. Much of that context has been explained away over centuries of time. Suffice it to say, angels came down and took wives.

When men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were fair and took as wives any they chose. The LORD said, “My Spirit will not always strive with man, for he is flesh; yet his days will be a hundred and twenty years.” The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also after that, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

Genesis 6:1–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Likewise, the angels who did not keep to their first domain, but forsook their own dwelling, He has kept in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day. Just as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the surrounding cities in like manner, gave themselves to immorality and went after different flesh, they serve as an example by suffering the punishment of eternal fire.

Jude 6–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is for this reason, that Mount Hermon is the mountain of the gods (As a title, it ought to be capitalized, but I want to emphasize these are the little ‘g’ type gods.) It is the sides of the north (Isaiah 14:13.) It is the base of operation for the enemy. One that goes by many names and has many minions.

The Warning Shot

They said, “Some say that You are John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

Matthew 16:14 (MEV) — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

His disciples answered Him. Jesus wasn’t surprised at their answer. He then addressed them personally.

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Matthew 16:15 (MEV) — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

That is the question. Metaphorically, it is a question we must all answer as eternity for each of us hangs on it. Who do you say that I am?

Peter steps up.

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:16 (MEV) — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There it is. That is the warning shot lobbed into enemy territory from inside enemy territory.

Peter states Jesus’ identity out loud.

Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Matthew 16:17–19 (MEV) — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This isn’t about Peter being given a mission. It’s not about Peter starting a church. This isn’t a Catholic thing. Peter wasn’t the only one given the keys to the kingdom. Neither was it the Roman Catholic church. It was to the body of Spirit-baptized believers.

This is Jesus saying in the midst of enemy territory… “I am here. Come and get a piece of Me!” Jesus is picking a fight, and proclaiming that He wins!

Jesus will build His church on the truth that He is indeed the Son of God. He is the Anointed One. He is the Seed of the woman prophesied in Genesis 3:15. This seemingly frail Human is vulnerable, yet the gates of Hell will not prevail in this fight.

The Offensive

The body of Christ is not on the defensive side here. The gates of Hell will not prevail. Gates are primarily a defensive fortification.

Then He commanded His disciples to tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.

Matthew 16:20 (MEV) — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Instructions were given to not share this information. But it is from this moment that Jesus began to teach His disciples that He must suffer, be killed, and then raised up again.

The enemy took the best shot they had. Jesus did go to Jerusalem. Jesus suffered much, He died. He rose again. He told them they emphatically would not prevail, and they tried their best. And failed.

Do not ever forget, that in Jesus we all have the high ground. We Spirit-baptized believers are already victorious. The enemy and his minions have no rightful claim on any of His. They are terrified at the name of Jesus.

I will leave you with these words from Paul.

As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, and abounding with thanksgiving.
Beware lest anyone captivate you through philosophy and vain deceit, in the tradition of men and the elementary principles of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him lives all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all authority and power. In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which also you were raised with Him through the faith of the power of God, who has raised Him from the dead.
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has resurrected together with Him, having forgiven you all sins. He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and contrary to us, and He took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed authorities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them by the cross. Therefore let no one judge you regarding food, or drink, or in respect of a holy day or new moon or sabbath days. These are shadows of things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Do not let anyone cheat you of your reward by delighting in false humility and the worship of angels, dwelling on those things which he has not seen, vainly arrogant due to his unspiritual mind, and not supporting the head, from which the entire body, nourished and knit together by joints and sinews, grows as God gives the increase.

Colossians 2:6–19 (MEV) — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)