A Great Sign - Rumor notes 85

 Revelation 12

1 A great sign was seen in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was with child. She cried out in pain, laboring to give birth.

A great sign was seen in heaven

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, (Revelation 1:1 NKJV)

This is a reminder of the two templates or filters by which everything in this book is processed, understood and measured. Everything must pass the intense analysis of conforming to Jesus' version of who God is, what He is like and His disposition, methods and motives in every aspect of the great cosmic battle that this book describes as the backstory for all reality. Secondly, the only effective way to make sense and discover the intended meaning and purpose of each verse in this entire book is to approach it with the presupposition that it is first and foremost symbolic and that the meaning of each symbol is discovered by relying on the rest of Scripture to inform us while remaining faithful to the first rule. All of this of course must be guided by the Spirit of truth, love and freedom, not by our preconditioning, traditions or to defend any set of doctrines.

What we are entering as we begin the study of the next couple chapters or so, is the very center of this book. Because it is laid out in typical chiastic format, meaning that the center contains the most important keys to understanding the rest of the book and that moving away from the center in both direction simultaneously one will discover parallel concepts that are tightly linked and are similar to each other, this center hub of the book is where we will find the core descriptions of what is really transpiring and where we find the main contestants and opponents in this story most clearly displayed.

Significantly, this is the first occurrence in this book of the word sign and is followed two verses later with another sign. This is not coincidence as it is introducing clearly the two sides warring against each other. This war is also explicitly spelled out later in this same chapter, which is why these next three chapters are crucial to understand thoroughly if we are to see how everything else in the book links directly to them like spooks of a wheel all depend on their connection to the hub.

The author John who writes this book is the same person who in his gospel emphasized the idea of signs in connection with the life of Jesus as well as found in the stories of the early believers. Signs and wonders are a theme that runs throughout the history of this war, so we must be open to receiving a true appreciation of how we should relate to them in our own involvement in this war. Both sides in the supernatural realm rely on signs and wonders, but they do not use them the same. As always, for every true there is a counterfeit, and this might be most true in the case of signs and wonders. Satan's entire success in deceiving as many as possible depends heavily on compelling people to reflect his motives and choose his methods as he uses signs and wonders to manipulate us to believe our feelings over the word of God.

Manipulation of feelings to deceive is how Eve was tricked into turning away from the only Source of truth, life and love and to believe her emotions more than God. The serpent asserted that God is intimately involved in both good and evil and that she could access His power by doing the same. He still relies on this approach with great success, for the meaning of the word spiritualism involves putting more trust and reliance on our feelings and emotions as our primary source of truth rather than on the objective word of God. This brings us to the very heart of how the war is carried out, for the real contest is not really about who is stronger, but rather what kind of strength will work to maintain cohesion in society, to establish order and to prevent chaos.

Another sign was seen in heaven. Behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven crowns. (Revelation 12:3)

I saw another great and marvelous sign in the sky: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them God's wrath is finished. (Revelation 15:1)

It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked toward me. How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. (Daniel 4:2-3)

He delivers and rescues, and he works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. (Daniel 6:27)

Scribes and Pharisees more than once demanded a sign from Jesus. It is very instructive to examine the context behind these demands. Consider this instance recorded earlier by Matthew.

You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things. I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you." But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:34-40)

How might the sign we are looking at right now fit with that story? Consider the contrast of the nature of the signs and we begin to see a familiar pattern emerge. The first sign here in this chapter is a very vulnerable woman while the next great sign is just the opposite – a fierce and intimidating dragon whose main goal is to exploit others who are vulnerable. This parallels the introduction of sin into this world originally and is the patter repeated all throughout the history of this war.

The context of this demand for a sign from Jesus was that He had been accused of working miracles and expelling demons from people by relying on the power of Satan. When you look over the passages preceding these demands for a sign, it starts to become evident that the hypocrisy of these teachers and leaders was becoming exposed by the words and actions of Jesus. They were under intense conviction and their discomfort with what people were starting to see about them in contrast to the plain truths being presented by Jesus made them feel desperate to find some way to divert attention away from themselves by incriminating Jesus in some way. The spirit of the great accuser motivated them to accuse the Jesus of being the enemy to deflect the conviction they were under to repent. Rather than allow the Spirit of truth and love to heal their hearts, they chose to harden their hards by lashing out to destroy His credibility in order to salvage their own.

I believe the pattern that might explain best the difference in use of signs and wonders by either side in this conflict lies in the message conveyed by them. The enemy and accuser of God uses signs and wonders to manipulate people's feelings and emotions for the purpose of deceiving them and distracting them from the conviction of God's Spirit about the nature of His kingdom. These signs and wonders appeal to our cravings for more power to exalt ourselves and our favorite people above others for our advantage. In Christ's kingdom the spirit of humility, kindness, gentleness and even willing vulnerability is the mark of identity in all who choose to follow the Lamb of God. It was this revelation that exposed the motives and disposition of the religious people of Jesus' day that made them feel exposed and threatened because they were relying on Satan's principles to maintain their authority while Jesus was bringing to light the truth that God's power is just the opposite of the kind of power popular in this world.

If we take this perspective, the following references to signs might begin to make more sense.

Thus says Yahweh, "Don't learn the way of the nations, and don't be dismayed at the signs of the sky; for the nations are dismayed at them. (Jeremiah 10:2)

even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn't receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)

He performs great signs, even making fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the sight of people. (Revelation 13:13)

These last few references help to clarify the use of signs by Satan in contrast to the purpose and use of signs from heaven. Consider the words of Jesus relating to the signs of His second coming and how we should relate to those signs. In the following passages both kinds of signs are talked about, but if we are open to discern with the heart, we can see the pattern mentioned above showing up throughout these instructions, warnings and encouragement by Jesus.

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered them, "Be careful that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will lead many astray. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren't troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are the beginning of birth pains. Then they will deliver you up to oppression, and will kill you. You will be hated by all of the nations for my name's sake. Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another. Many false prophets will arise, and will lead many astray. Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end, the same will be saved. This Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

...for then there will be great oppression, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be. Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened. "Then if any man tells you, 'Behold, here is the Christ,' or, 'There,' don't believe it. For there will arise false christs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones. "Behold, I have told you beforehand.

But immediately after the oppression of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken; and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:3-14, 21-25, 29-30)

They asked him, "Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?" He said, "Watch out that you don't get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I AM,' and, 'The time is at hand.' Therefore don't follow them. When you hear of wars and disturbances, don't be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end won't come immediately." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

You will be hated by all men for my name's sake. And not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will win your lives. But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the midst of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein. For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves; men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near." (Luke 21:7-11, 17-28)

The Time for Judgment - Rumor notes 84

 Revelation 11

18 The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your bondservants the prophets, their reward, as well as to the saints, and those who fear your name, to the small and the great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth." 19 God's temple that is in heaven was opened, and the ark of the Lord's covenant was seen in his temple. Lightnings, sounds, thunders, an earthquake, and great hail followed.

the time for the dead to be judged

He said with a loud voice, "Fear the Lord, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and the springs of waters!" (Revelation 14:7)

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)

For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don't obey the Good News of God? (1 Peter 4:17)

For I know their works and their thoughts: the time comes, that I will gather all nations and languages; and they shall come, and shall see my glory. (Isaiah 66:18)

This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. (John 3:19)

We must keep in mind the true meaning of judgment lest we slip back into old habits of thinking about God as one who arbitrarily imposes sentences and punishment on others. This judgment is not merely about the dead but involves everyone, including fallen spirits, Satan and God himself. This is the only way the universe can be secured from any recurrence of sin without the fear factor involved. Love alone will be the motive compelling anyone left in God's universe, and love can have no fear at all within it, for love requires complete freedom to choose without any fear involved. This is by design of creation, not an imposed rule. The judgment then, is not a threat as we have too long supposed. Rather it is the only means by which love can be fully restored to its highest position in the minds and hearts of all who choose to live in that way. God's kingdom is based on truth, love, freedom and trust, and judgment simply brings truth back into the light and leaves everyone free to choose.

Behold, they cried out, saying, "What do we have to do with you, Jesus, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" (Matthew 8:29)

Sheol from beneath has moved for you to meet you at your coming. It stirs up the dead for you, even all the rulers of the earth. It has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. They all will answer and ask you, "Have you also become as weak as we are? Have you become like us?" Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, with the sound of your stringed instruments. Maggots are spread out under you, and worms cover you. How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, who laid the nations low! (Isaiah 14:9-12)

Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the pit. Those who see you will stare at you. They will ponder you, saying, "Is this the man who made the earth to tremble, who shook kingdoms; who made the world like a wilderness, and overthrew its cities; who didn't release his prisoners to their home?" All the kings of the nations, sleep in glory, everyone in his own house. But you are cast away from your tomb like an abominable branch, clothed with the slain, who are thrust through with the sword, who go down to the stones of the pit; like a dead body trodden under foot. You will not join them in burial, because you have destroyed your land. You have killed your people. The seed of evil-doers will not be named forever. Prepare for slaughter of his children because of the iniquity of their fathers, that they not rise up and possess the earth, and fill the surface of the world with cities. "I will rise up against them," says Yahweh of Armies, "and cut off from Babylon name and remnant, and son and son's son," says Yahweh. (Isaiah 14:15-22)

Babylon is the symbol of all the lies, confusion and misrepresentation about God used by Satan to maintain his power of deception and coercion. Until Satan has been fully exposed, it will be impossible for all questions to be resolved and God's reputation to be fully exonerated. This last verse is God's promise that all residual traces of the spirit of Babylon and its character (name) will disappear. Yet the method God uses to achieve this is crucial to its effectiveness to neutralize the toxic poison of lies that fuels our distrust of God.

The main point I want to emphasize here is that judgment in no way involves God forcing or compelling anyone like we do judgment in our world. The judgments of God parallel the nature of the wrath of God (a tragic mistranslation), which is to release everyone to the natural outcome and consequences of their own determined will, released to the immutable principles undergirding all creation itself. This is the Law of God that cannot be violated without resulting in death, but the resulting death is not imposed as a punishment from God but rather is the natural result of beings choosing to disconnect from the only Source of life that exists resulting in their ceasing to live. Judgment brings truth into the open; the reaction to truth and love reveals the condition of the heart and leaves that person exposed and naked before everyone. Yet all remain free to choose what they want to do about their situation, for without this freedom love does not exist.

The root cause of the extinction of the wicked in the final day of judgment is not God's determination to destroy them but rather their own fixed character developed by their own choices that blocks them from accepting the offer of repentance. The lost have destroyed their ability to enjoy God's love and have permanently distorted God's image within them, so they can no longer reflect His glory to others. They hate the light and experience love as torment and torture for them because of the dissonance it produces in their soul. This is why demons were so terrified when Jesus came close, because His presence of love is torment to those who hate it and they are eager to run as far from it as possible to avoid the searing pain of the fire of God's passionate love.

Before a person passes the point of no return in their character development, the fire of passionate love can still function as a purifier to consume away the filth, sin and resistance embedded in the heart. But this requires willing consent of the heart of the person, for anything else violates their core design of freedom and violates God's reflection in His creation. Freedom means God always leaves the option open to choose differently than His will for us, and this remains true throughout all eternity. But the virus of sin attacks this central nervous system of our design, corrosively destroying the delicate tissues of our conscience and hardening the heart until our capacity for freedom is stolen from us, destroyed permanently by the effects of sin molding us into its image of hatred and rebellion against God. Once a being passes this point of no return because of the permanent hardening of the heart by continually resisting love, the condition is reached where there is no freedom left internally to embrace healing, so the fire of God's passionate love only produces more of the same – increased resistance with no possibility left of cleansing. This was demonstrated in the story of Pharaoh and the nature of his demise foreshadows the final end that will be chosen by all who follow his path of resisting God's kindness, compassion and mercy beyond the point of no return.

Love can only cleanse and purify the heart with our consent. Once sin destroys all desire and capacity to consent, there is nothing more God can do but respect our final choice to prefer death rather than continued life that is only torment in His presence. This principle can be seen throughout Scripture and throughout history and is central to the function of the kingdom of heaven.

This declaration that the time has come for the dead to be judged is highly significant in this regard. The dead is not merely those who are physically dead, but more so all who have passed the point of no return and are spiritually dead with no capacity to be restored to life in harmony with love. Again, this is not some arbitrary point established by God beyond which He refuses to grant repentance or forgiveness. This is a point where everyone in the universe has passed the Rubicon (to use an old metaphor) so to speak, and it is now time to allow the chips to fall where they will which finalizes the outcome of everyone's free choices. In other words, the 7^th trumpet occurs when there is no one left in the valley of decision, for all have passed over either into full commitment to following the path of life or full abandonment to the control of selfishness, distrust and rejection of love. No longer will further information affect their thinking, for salvation does not come through information alone but is a matter related to the condition of the heart and the spirit.

Let us fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn't profit them, because it wasn't mixed with faith by those who heard. (Hebrews 4:1-2)

Eternal salvation is not a product of making good choices because we are convinced by sufficient knowledge of facts to make a right choice. Our will is not convinced by overwhelming facts as many assume. This is evident in the lives of people who knew Jesus personally while He lived here on earth. The evidence and the miracles testified to the fact that He was the Son of God on earth. Yet many continued to resist and resist and fight against the voice of conscience until no amount of evidence could convince them to surrender to His love for them.

The same was true for Lucifer, for he lived closer to the Source of all love and power than anyone ever could, yet in the full light of the glory of God's passionate fire of love in which he thrived, he chose a life of rebellion against it despite all the evidence that the claims he was making against God were false. Once Lucifer deliberately chose to embrace his own lies as the version of reality he would live by permanently, he sealed his own fate by destroying his very capacity to respond to the drawing of the gentle Spirit of God and lost all hope of recovery. He was no longer a light bearer but a tale bearer and the consequences could never be reversed. This is his goal for everyone who follows his example and is the frightful and lethal outcome of using our will to resist love rather than surrendering to its influence.

By his rebellion against God's law, Satan brought sin into existence; for “sin is the transgression of the law.” God in His wisdom did not use measures of force to suppress Satan's rebellion. Such measures would have aroused sympathy for Satan, strengthening his rebellion rather than lessening his power. If God had at the outset punished his rebellion, many more would have looked upon him as one who had been dealt with unjustly, and would have followed his example. It was necessary for him to have time and opportunity to develop his false principles. There was war in heaven, and the Prince of life overcame the apostate. Satan was cast out of heaven, with the angels who had united with him. [ST July 23, 1902]

What we are studying here is at the other end of this time period begun long ago by God in heaven. God saw that to remain in perfect harmony with His principles of love, truth and freedom, that time had to be granted for Satan to work out his false principles that contradicted the principles of love. What we are studying is at the other end of that timeline when those principles will have been fully exposed as false and there is no longer any doubt left as to which system is credible and who is worthy of our trust. The time has come for God to allow the natural outcomes of His principles to be released, both in the lives of those who have chosen to follow the great apostate and have worshiped him and become like him in spirit and falsehood, as well as the fulfillment of all the promises of hope and joy and peace for all those who have put their trust in God.

God brings full closure to this experiment launched by Satan so long ago, yet not through any arbitrary means but rather by guiding events and circumstances to come to full fruition in such a way that His kingdom of love can be firmly established forever on the sure foundations of truth, love and freedom. All are exposed as to which kingdom has been allowed to shape their character, what principles they have embraced with their will and whose image defines their reflection. The time for full disclosure has arrived, and only then is it safe to release fully the principle of cause and effect with no danger of misunderstanding on the part of anyone. This alone secures the safety of the universe without any hint of fear left in the hearts of all involved.

Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath, revelation, and of the righteous judgment of God; (Romans 2:4-5)

Does this offer a clue about the location of the 7's in Revelation? The relevant passage to the time of the dead being judged is chapter 20 which is after the millennium. Is this talking about that time, or is it simply announcing the opening of some 'door' allowing events to move toward that time?

I saw a great white throne, and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. There was found no place for them. I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and they opened books. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. The sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them. They were judged, each one according to his works. Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. If anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)

to give your bondservants the prophets, their reward, as well as to the saints

Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work. (Revelation 22:12)

What is the nature of rewards in God's system? Are rewards something God hands out that are earned and deserved, or are they along the line of natural outcomes of choices made?

Rewards are used to motivate people to make decisions in a certain direction and to avoid other directions and choices. In this sense, God does offer rewards because He has a vested interest in seeing us move in the right direction for our best good and ultimate happiness. Jesus was motivated by the attraction of a desirable outcome at the other end of the path laid out for Him to follow that meant suffering the extreme humiliation, shame and torture caused by taking our sin onto Himself. What was the reward that had such power to sustain Him through such intense agony and torment of mind?

Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

The physical sense of joy comes from the experience of being glad to be together with someone who cares about us. Jesus believed that everything He was going through would be effective to alter our thinking about God to the point of being reconciled and coming into harmony with His passionate love for us.

His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' (Matthew 25:21 repeated in 23)

I would like to propose looking at this phrase from the perspective of God's kind of reward. When Jesus says 'My reward is with me,” the key word here is the with. That is at the very heart of the true definition of joy, for joy is impossible to experience solitarily, for joy is all about connecting at a deep heart level with another heart. So when Jesus relied on the goal of joy to carry Him through all the feelings of abandonment, shame and the cruelty of feeling despised, hated and rejected by everyone around Him including feelings that God might have done the same to Him, His only hope was that somehow all this would turn into joy in the end and the power of that hope propelled Him to endure.

destroy those who destroy the earth

Yahweh has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers, who struck the peoples in wrath with a continual stroke, who ruled the nations in anger, with a persecution that none restrained. The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet. They break out song. (Isaiah 14:5-7)

Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the pit. Those who see you will stare at you. They will ponder you, saying, "Is this the man who made the earth to tremble, who shook kingdoms; who made the world like a wilderness, and overthrew its cities; who didn't release his prisoners to their home?" (Isaiah 14:15-17)

By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your traffic, you have profaned your sanctuaries; therefore have I brought forth a fire from the midst of you; it has devoured you, and I have turned you to ashes on the earth in the sight of all those who see you. (Ezekiel 28:18)

But the judgment shall be set, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end. The kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. (Daniel 7:26-27)

Through his policy he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and in their security shall he destroy many: he shall also stand up against the prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:25)

Don't judge, so that you won't be judged. For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:1-2)

Which system of justice and judgment will you subscribe to? Beware, for the system you choose will be the system used to judge and measure you. The choice is ours, for we choose the filter through which we conceive the explanations of why things happen the way they do.

God's temple that is in heaven was opened, and the ark of the Lord's covenant was seen in his temple

After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. (Revelation 15:5)

I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war. (Revelation 19:11)

Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many. (Matthew 27:50-53)

Don't you know that you are a temple of God, and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for God's temple is holy, which you are. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I will give you. There I will meet with you, and I will tell you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the testimony, all that I command you for the children of Israel. (Exodus 25:21-22)

It shall come to pass, when you are multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, says Yahweh, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of Yahweh; neither shall it come to mind; neither shall they remember it; neither shall they miss it; neither shall it be made any more. At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of Yahweh; and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of Yahweh, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the stubbornness of their evil heart. (Jeremiah 3:16-17)

being revealed that you are a letter of Christ, served by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh. (2 Corinthians 3:3)

But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God. (John 3:21 NRSV)

Lightnings, sounds, thunders, an earthquake, and great hail followed

This is a recurrence of the 'tab' that shows up several times throughout this book. It functions like an alert to a significant transition point we need to pay attention to in the flow of the story. Each time something is usually added to the list. Here it is hail that is added to the previous accumulation.

The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. The first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. One third of the earth was burnt up, and one third of the trees were burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. (Revelation 8:6-7)

Interestingly, the first time hail shows up is at the beginning of the trumpets, while here it marks the end of the trumpet sequence. The next time hail is mentioned is after the 7^th bowl that causes violent plagues on the earth. A question is whether the hail is part of the description of the 7's or does it happen immediately after the conclusion of the 7 sequence.

Great hailstones, about the weight of a talent, came down out of the sky on people. People blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, for this plague is exceedingly severe. (Revelation 16:21)

Keep in mind that Revelation is rooted in symbols, not literal descriptions of events. While there may be corresponding literal corollaries, they are reflections of more vivid spiritual realities transpiring.

Have you entered the treasuries of the snow, or have you seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? (Job 38:22-23)

At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed, hailstones and coals of fire. Yahweh also thundered in the sky. The Most High uttered his voice: hailstones and coals of fire. (Psalms 18:12-13)

Woe to the crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim, and to the fading flower of his glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fertile valley of those who are overcome with wine! Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one. Like a storm of hail, a destroying storm, and like a storm of mighty waters overflowing, he will cast them down to the earth with his hand. (Isaiah 28:1-2)

I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plumb line. The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place. (Isaiah 28:17)

This may be the best definition for the symbol of hail in prophecy. The entire war is between The Truth and The Lie. Hail is hardened water that has more effectiveness to penetrate and arouse awareness than just rain. Truth at times becomes unavoidably obvious to the point of sweeping away the matrix of lies people rely on to hide from the light of truth.

Yahweh will cause his glorious voice to be heard, and will show the descent of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and the flame of a devouring fire, with a blast, storm, and hailstones. (Isaiah 30:30)

The work of righteousness will be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in safe dwellings, and in quiet resting places. Though hail flattens the forest, and the city is leveled completely. (Isaiah 32:17-19)

Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there is no peace; and when one builds up a wall, behold, they daub it with whitewash: tell those who daub it with whitewash, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and you, great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall tear it. Behold, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said to you, Where is the daubing with which you have daubed it?

Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: I will even tear it with a stormy wind in my wrath; and there shall be an overflowing shower in my anger, and great hailstones in wrath to consume it. So will I break down the wall that you have daubed with whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation of it shall be uncovered; and it shall fall, and you shall be consumed in the midst of it: and you shall know that I am Yahweh. Thus will I accomplish my wrath on the wall, and on those who have daubed it with whitewash; and I will tell you, The wall is no more, neither those who daubed it; (Ezekiel 13:10-15)

With pestilence and with blood will I enter into judgment with him; and I will rain on him, and on his hordes, and on the many peoples who are with him, an overflowing shower, and great hailstones, fire, and sulfur. (Ezekiel 38:22)

I struck you with blight, mildew, and hail in all the work of your hands; yet you didn't turn to me,' says Yahweh. (Haggai 2:17)

A Second Look at Rage and Plots - Rumor notes 83

 Revelation 11

18 The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your bondservants the prophets, their reward, as well as to the saints, and those who fear your name, to the small and the great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth."

I realize we covered this first phrase in our last study, but I have felt compelled for days to take a closer look at a key passage to internalize the implications of the perspective it offers us as well as how it was used in Acts 4 to release the same kind of power into the lives of faithful believers in the Lamb that we desperately need in our lives today.

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his anointed, saying, "Let's break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath: "Yet I have set my king on my holy hill of Zion." (Psalms 2:1-6)

I want to take some time to reflect more deeply on this and discuss it while simultaneously listening to the inspiration Source that moved the prophets who wrote this. The Spirit can reveal to us personally what this means for our situations. Here are some questions that have come up I would like to discuss related to this passage.

What is the cause of this rage on the part of nations? What is this rage all about?

What do we get angry about? Are we not part of the nations, so could our anger provide some clues?

Nations are composed of people but are controlled by leaders. Is there differentiation between the raging of the leaders in this passage and what the rest of the people plot?

The next sentence speaks of the kings of the earth taking a stand and rulers counseling together against Yahweh and His anointed. Do leaders and rulers reflect the people in their raging?

What is the thing people plot and what is vain about that thing? What are they plotting?

Why is it vain? Very likely some answers can be found in the rest of this passage.

What kind of stand is taken by the kings of this earth? Is it a stand for something or against something or someone?

Rulers take counsel with each other. How are rulers different from kings?

Rulers take counsel while kings seem much more independent.

Whatever their stand involves, as well as the reason for taking counsel together, it is clearly in opposition to Yahweh and His Anointed one. What does this say about the likely reasons for the rage and the desire to conspire together?

It seems to be emerging here that whatever it is that Yahweh is about and is supported by the Anointed one, it must be viewed as a very serious threat to the nations of this world as well as the ability of rulers to carry on business as usual. What is it about Yahweh and His Christ (the anointed one) that presents such a clear and present danger and arouses rage and conspiring together to block this imminent threat seen coming from heaven?

What is the nature of the bonds and cords that makes kings and rulers rebel against them? We discussed this at length last time, but I feel compelled to spend more time on this again because it is so relevant to us right now.

Here is part of a passage we examined last time to unpack the meaning of the word bonds.

Run you back and forth through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places of it, if you can find a man, if there are any who does justly, who seeks truth; and I will pardon her. Though they say, As Yahweh lives; surely they swear falsely. O Yahweh, don't your eyes look on truth? you have stricken them, but they were not grieved; you have consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return. Then I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish; for they don't know the way of Yahweh, nor the law of their God: I will get me to the great men, and will speak to them; for they know the way of Yahweh, and the law of their God. But these with one accord have broken the yoke, and burst the bonds. (Jeremiah 5:1-5)

I drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love; and I was to them like those who lift up the yoke on their necks; and I bent down to him and I fed him. (Hosea 11:4)

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:29)

For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, "I will declare your name to my brothers. In the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise." Again, "I will put my trust in him." Again, "Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me." Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:11-15)

It is becoming even clearer to me now what this whole war is about. It is a war between bondsmen. As we have been saying from the very beginning of our study of Revelation, this battle is over motives, methods and message, not over who has greater power but the nature of power itself. In this context, what is becoming clear is what side we will choose to believe which will be evidenced by what kind of bonds we allow to control our minds and motivate our hearts.

The issue of bonds keeps emerging throughout Scripture and has to do with emotional bonding, not merely chains or bracelets to hold prisoners physically. This goes to the heart of the war between The Truth and the The Lie, the assertion by Satan that it is impossible to maintain order and prevent chaos and mayhem without use of some level of fear. God insists that creation is designed to function in complete freedom on the principle of agape love freely received and freely passed along. Satan says that the evidence proves this is untenable and therefore God's wisdom is faulty and in need of correction and His government is vulnerable to exploitation, and Satan appears to have proven his case by doing just that.

Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." They answered him, "We are Abraham's seed, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, 'You will be made free?'" Jesus answered them, "Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin. A bondservant doesn't live in the house forever. A son remains forever." (John 8:31-35)

The choice all of us must make (and we cannot avoid it sooner or later) is over who we will believe and serve. One side presents a god who looks and acts like Baal, meaning we assume God operates according to the reward/punishment system and that every sin requires punishment or a debt remains outstanding. The other option is to embrace the view of God whose heart has been revealed by His Anointed as ruling through means of love bonds that glue our hearts by appreciation for the surpassing love revealed through Jesus. We will choose our bonds. Will we choose fear bonds or love bonds?

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can't serve both God and Mammon. (Matthew 6:24)

Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore don't let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. Neither present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin will not have dominion over you. For you are not under law, but under grace.

What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? May it never be! Don't you know that to whom you present yourselves as servants to obedience, his servants you are whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were bondservants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto you were delivered. Being made free from sin, you became bondservants of righteousness.

(Romans 6:11-18)

But Jesus summoned them, and said, "You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant, even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28)

There arose also a contention among them, which of them was considered to be greatest. He said to them, "The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called 'benefactors.' But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves. For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn't it he who sits at the table? But I am in the midst of you as one who serves. (Luke 22:24-27)

Again, I want to draw attention to the striking difference in the nature of the bonds relied on as the adhesive for holding together society and relationships. The world relies on hierarchy and fear bonds as the glue to bond nations and hold institutions together, while the kingdom of heaven relies solely on the bond of love from our heavenly Father as seen most clearly in the revelation by Jesus Christ. Only this love has the tenacious power to defeat the power of fear, for this love has within it the very power of the resurrection of this same Jesus who, by reliance on this power alone defeated the very essence of fear used by the nations, kings and rulers of this world to gain conformity to their demands. By defeating death itself, Jesus turned our paradigms upside down and challenges every assumption we have about God and as well as how to relate to everyone around us.

Go back to the passage from Psalms and plug in this information about the bonds God relies on and see how it reveals why the nations, kings and rulers demand to break out from under such bonds.

"Let's break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath: "Yet I have set my king on my holy hill of Zion."

If the nations rely on fear bonds for power, and God relies on the bonds of love to hold His kingdom together, it must be that the bonds that describe those belonging to God will define what the nations and rulers want to break away from and avoid at all cost.

All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord. (Colossians 4:7)

I fell down before his feet to worship him. He said to me, "Look! Don't do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy." (Revelation 19:10)

Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things. He said to me, "See you don't do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." (Revelation 22:8-9)

We have seen that the bonds and cords that heaven relies on represent the gentle kindness, compassion and love that marks the very essence of who God is and how He governs the universe. Because nations of this world derive their very existence through use of bonds opposite of those used by heaven, the principles as presented in the gospel of Jesus Christ are a mortal threat to the very foundation of the kingdoms of earth. No wonder kings, rulers and people scramble to counsel and plot together, strategizing how to counter such a threat. If the truth about God gets released into the open and too many people learn about it, the power of fear will lose its effectiveness to control the masses, and the whole systems of this world will be in danger of collapsing. Yes indeed!

The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, "What are we doing? For this man does many signs. If we leave him alone like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is advantageous for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish." (John 11:47-50)

I want to visit the phrase from Psalm 2 again in this context. the peoples plot a vain thing... What was vain about the plotting of the rulers who took counsel together against Yahweh and His Anointed?

What was their plot? It was to silence the witness of Jesus about what God is really like, for His testimony was undermining their kind of authority and their ability to hold together the nation through deception, manipulation of emotions of the people, and fear of punishments or even being killed for refusing to comply with the demands of those in power. Making Jesus an example by having Him crucified as a criminal and despot, the rulers planned to instill such a level of fear that His followers and sympathizers would give up and the movement that was gaining such popularity could effectively be extinguished. Ironically it was fear of lost revenue and control that drove the religious rulers to kill Jesus in order to continue to use fear to stay in power themselves.

The question that follows is this – did this strategy succeed as intended? Let's look at the evidence.

Were they successful in putting Jesus to death? Yes, of course, and they did it with great fanfare in order to achieve the greatest amount of emotional impact on as many as possible to accomplish their desire to stay on top and keep everyone in line, compliant with their demands. But the next question is more telling. Did they keep Jesus and His followers silenced by putting Him to death?

We know the rest of the story. Despite temporary amnesia on the part of His closest disciples while Jesus was dead, the rulers could not escape their foreboding fears as they had hoped. The words of Jesus haunted the minds of the rulers even more, so they reminded Pilate of His predictions in order to gain authority to put a Roman contingent around the tomb to make sure Jesus stayed dead long enough to reestablish their authority by means of force. They were clearly held in bondage to fear.

Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb. Now on the next day, which was the day after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together to Pilate, saying, "Sir, we remember what that deceiver said while he was still alive: 'After three days I will rise again.' Command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come at night and steal him away, and tell the people, 'He is risen from the dead;' and the last deception will be worse than the first." Pilate said to them, "You have a guard. Go, make it as secure as you can." So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone.

(Matthew 27:61-66)

Make it as secure as you can. These ominous words belie their fears that this might not be the end of their war against Yahweh and His Anointed as predicted in Psalms. Pilate felt just as uneasy as the other rulers who wanted to silence the voice of conscience, that gentle but relentless voice that was threatening the empires that rely on fear and coercion to say in power. The only security they could attempt after Jesus was put to death was absurd to anyone still thinking rationally. Armed soldiers sent to surround a dead man locked behind an extremely heavy rock and sealed by the most powerful empire on earth. All this proved to be a vain attempt to prevent God from bringing to life His beloved Son who had done nothing wrong but had only loved and forgiven everyone incessantly all the way to the point of His death on a cross.

What was the reason given by the priests and Pharisees for this security measure? The propaganda claims that had been used all along, that Jesus was a deceiver (though with no credible evidence to prove it). Added to this was the flimsy assertion that His disciples were plotting to steal the dead body of Jesus so they could claim He was alive. The likelihood of that option, especially given the disciple's condition of terror and distrust of everyone, was next to nil. Yet power reliant on fear will stop at nothing when it comes to excuses, accusations or conspiracy theories to justify whatever it takes to stay in control. Yet all this only exposed their own corruption once the Man called Truth broke out of the prison house of death. The power of truth about God's love could never again be suppressed as effectively, though it is still being attempted today.

Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

The peoples plotted a vain thing. Thinking we can hide the truth about God's powerful love will always prove to be a vain thing, a hopeless objective. Yet generation and generation continues to try to silence the Spirit of truth by use of lies, coercion, bribery and political corruption. Not much has changed over thousands of years except that the evidence proving that Satan's system cannot succeed keeps increasing every day. Yet this does not deter power-hungry people from pursing their own agendas to exploit others to build empires for themselves.

The early believers in Acts 4 chose this prophecy from Psalm 2 as applying to their circumstance after being threatened by these same religious authorities for being too vocal about the good news of Jesus. Quoting this passage they reminded themselves and each other, that what was happening to them was no surprise to God, so they need not be afraid as they rested in the truth of God's passionate love for them. I suspect they may have had a better appreciation of the deeper meanings of this passage than we do at this point. But I firmly believe the time has now come for us to settle our hearts and our thinking to be firmly rooted in the truth that God's loving-kindness is everlasting, not conditional on our fickle behavior or moods, our ugliness and sin or our righteousness and wisdom.

These believer's lives had been transformed by daily being ravished in the ecstasy of joy of knowing God's love for them personally in every situation. This joy was their strength, and it was so important to them that they were very resistant to letting anyone steal their joy by dragging them back into the old patterns of fear which had controlled their lives previously. Living in God's love and favor gives life such purpose, meaning, fulfillment and richness that any thought of returning to old ways of grasping and rooting about among fellow thieves to eek out a miserable existence in the kingdoms of fear was no longer an option for them. They were determined to not let fear recapture their hearts. So what were they to do?

Old patterns of thinking and reacting were still wired in their brains, so when religious leaders demanded compliance to injunctions forbidding them to speak openly of the love of the Father exposed in the life of His Son Jesus, the believers instantly knew they had to fix their attention on God and fill their mind with His goodness, gentleness, perspective and His presence in order to counter the poisonous infection of fear attempting to take over their spirit.

Their choice of this passage in presenting their situation to God was not incidental. As I have meditated on this it is becoming clear that it outlines what is going on, both back then and in our day. If ever there was a need for clarity of perspective, it is today as we face increasing levels of intimidation, rampant corruption and deception, and assaults against conscience through fear and shame meant to force everyone into compliance to the agenda of the rulers and oligarchs of this world who are seizing power to force compliance of the masses with their selfish intents.

This is why I believe it is in our best interest to contemplate together this passage the early believers used and install it into our own psyche so that its power may be released into our hearts by the same Spirit that was poured out in Acts 4 in response to their eloquent and united petition presented to humanity's freshly inaugurated Representative in heaven.

Why do I mention this last Person as important to them? Imagine the liberating impact this perspective had on their thinking. They knew Scripture and were very familiar with the story of Job. For 4,000 years the position of representative of this earth had been held by Satan, swaggering around heaven's assembly of God's sons every time they convened for official business. The very name Satan literally means accuser, and that's what he specializes in doing. We find this in chapter 12 that we will study next. Satan is our enemy, yet he insisted that because humans reflect his character and treat each other like he treats us, he is our legitimate representative because we continue to give him authority, starting with Adam all the way down through today.

Note how he represented humans in the story of Job. He demanded permission to access Job's life and possessions to test Job's motives for serving God. In reality Satan was really accusing God's motives by implication. Satan's entire rebellion has been predicated on his insinuations, and later open insistence, that God has a dark hidden side, and if pushed far enough that dark side would be triggered to react in self-defense, self-protection and self-interest inconsistent with agape other-centered love. The war has always centered around God's reputation, and the very existence of agape love itself. Because humans were created to reflect hidden areas of God's psyche that could not be clearly discerned, every human reflector of God has become an issue of contention, an opportunity to challenge the truth about God, a witness providing resources to prove that Satan's assertions are correct and therefore Satan's solutions to the assumed problems of God are credible.

This may seem confusing or even unbelievable if one has not been aware of this perspective yet. But this is the amazing backstory in Scripture that helps to make sense of everything we are learning because it provides context and shows us how everything fits together properly. The context for every story throughout history is this war over whether God can be trusted or not, whether God's words and instructions are reliable. More importantly, God's motives and methods are being questioned as to whether they are as pure and selfless as His Son claims them to be.

This war went on in heaven as God's reputation came into question in the minds of intelligent beings all over the universe long before our world was formed as recorded in Genesis 1 and 2. This planet with its unique species of beings was designed to reflect in a new way God's 'dark side,' and was God's way of addressing the doubts raised in the minds of created beings that were weakening trust in His government. The more we understand this back story, the more we can appreciate the purpose of why God created our planet and why it is uniquely designed. This makes the stories of Scripture and especially the outline revealing the true nature of the war as presented in Revelation, suddenly come to life in ways we never imagined possible.

I present this as context for how the believers in Acts may have felt when they suddenly experienced a new kind of life full of joy in the Holy Spirit after Pentecost. They had come to believe the truth as it is in Jesus rather than the version of God taught by legal-oriented religious tradition that kept people's hearts in bondage to fear, shame and condemnation. Satan's power was challenged when Jesus brought to this world light so clear and stunning that it launched a revolution threatening the entire kingdom of darkness. The Son of God was sent by our heavenly Father to challenge the reign of terror by Satan who had so long claimed to represent humanity. Jesus came to redeem God's human reflectors on earth by recapturing Adam's dominion and to expose Satan's as a fraud.

Satan has ever pointed to selfish, sin-indulging humans as accurate reflections of the hidden regions of God's mind and heart, insisting that what is witnessed in sinful humanity after the fall is a more correct reflection of what God is really like. God's claim of agape love has been under severe attack since the inception of Satan's rebellion, and this issue has to be totally settled in the mind of every being throughout the entire universe before the war can be brought to an end. The same lie about love being ineffective to govern and maintain order circulates today as most still buy into Satan's insistence that God must do things the way nations and kings do things here on earth. This is a denial that God is in fact pure love, fully trustworthy and purely light with no hint of darkness at all.

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his anointed, saying, "Let's break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath: "Yet I have set my king on my holy hill of Zion." (Psalms 2:1-6)

Today the leaders of the nations and rulers are counseling as to how to best crush out all resistance to their agenda to gain control of power over this world fully. They are finalizing and implementing their plans against Yahweh and the revelation of His character by the anointed Messiah Jesus Christ. They insist that the bonds of love are not effective enough and must be displaced by reliance on bonds of fear. They want to cast off the cords of love in exchange for chains of darkness as they imagine they can successfully defy the Kingdom of heaven. Yet all of this is seen as laughable nonsense and even ludicrous from heaven's perspective as all such plans will finally collapse in miserable failure in the end. We are presently witnessing the growing progression of this scenario right now.

What does it mean in Psalm 2 that God will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His wrath? There is much that can be said about this, but keeping in mind the true meaning of God's kind of anger and wrath, it will be immediately clear that this is not referring to man's kind of anger or wrath but rather the respect God has to allow people to pursue their own way until the natural outcomes of their choices come to full maturity and they inevitably reap what they sow. This is not the reward punishment system but is the principle of everything bearing fruit after its own kind.

When it appears God speaks to someone in anger, it is not like when humans do so. Rather God's anger, and the word wrath in particular, refers to the intensity of His passion as well as His grief. We must keep in mind that God never acts different when He is passionate than how He would act otherwise. He always acts out of love because God is love. This means that the terror people experience comes from when they realize the consequences that will come on them when God releases them to experience what they have sown. This is how God's wrath is His respect for freedom.

"Yet I have set my king on my holy hill of Zion."

God moves forward in this war using His own motives, methods and messages despite all the confusion surrounding these things caused by misapprehensions about Him and false definitions of many of the words used to describe Him. God never changes, which means nothing can lessen or alter His love for everyone in the slightest. Because His design of authority is that those who choose to participate in His kingdom of love must give their consent to be synchronized with His principles of love, truth and freedom, the true King of kings and Lord of Lords will be exalted on God's holy hill of Zion through the praises of all who are willing to reflect the same character of God as is reflected by the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

God will not exalt Jesus relying on any forceful means but through the inward principle of love transforming every heart that consents to be healed. All who reject this healing regimen and spurn God's gracious protection, form characters in the likeness of Satan and are at last left to bear the awful fruit of shame, terror and will finally choose death to escape from the torment of love.

In the context of the 7^th trumpet we are studying, all of this fits in perfectly.

the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your bondservants...their reward

Circumstances will coalesce to release so much light that everyone will experience the kind of judging that Jesus describes in John 3:19-21. The rewards of all who have had their hearts bonded to the heart of Jesus will be experienced in that day to full measure. That reward will be the same reward that motivated Jesus to endure the cross and disesteem the shame lies surrounding it. It is the reward of joy. This joy is the incentive that motivates all who emulate the Lamb, and this joy is the glue that bonds the hearts of all the loyal universe to each other to unite into one pulse of harmony, love and beauty throughout all eternity after the dark experiment of sin is finally in the past.

Looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)

Another Worship Song - Rumor notes 82

 Revelation 11

16 The twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God's throne, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: "We give you thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who was; because you have taken your great power, and reigned. 18 The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your bondservants the prophets, their reward, as well as to the saints, and those who fear your name, to the small and the great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth." 19 God's temple that is in heaven was opened, and the ark of the Lord's covenant was seen in his temple. Lightnings, sounds, thunders, an earthquake, and great hail followed.

The twenty-four elders...fell on their faces and worshiped God

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold on their heads.

the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created!" (Revelation 4:4,10-11) (Context – early throne room)

Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

The four living creatures said, "Amen!" The elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:8,14)

(Context – introduction of the Lamb hero)

All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God, saying, "Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen." (Revelation 7:11-12)

(Context – after the revealing of the 144,000 and the great multitude)

The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying, "Amen! Hallelujah!" (Revelation 19:4) (Context – response to old version of the Song)

There doesn't appear to be any instance recorded of where the 24 elders worship without falling down. It appears this is their natural way of worshiping God, or at least this is their way of reacting every time they encounter fresh exposure to amazing revelations about the trustworthiness of God and the Lamb. They even go further and throw their golden crowns down before the throne of God, though I am curious as to how they retrieve them. But when it comes to giving thanks, it is not quite as consistent.

We give you thanks

When the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, (Revelation 4:9-10)

All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God, saying, "Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen." (Revelation 7:11-12)

You have done these things, and I kept silent. You thought that the 'I AM' was just like you. I will rebuke you, and accuse you in front of your eyes. "Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you into pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoever offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifies me, and prepares his way so that I will show God's salvation to him." (Psalms 50:21-23)

The first time thanks is mentioned in the book of Revelation is when the 4 creatures who give thanks elicit a response of worship on the part of the 24 elders, though they don't appear to do it themselves.

The second time thanks is mentioned, this time the elders join everyone else around the throne in an overwhelming song of praise that also includes thanksgiving. The next and last time thanks is mentioned in this book is in this current passage we are looking at here. These are the only 3 instances that I can find that reference thanks or thanksgiving throughout the entire book of Revelation. I think this may indicate a pattern of a growth progression that parallels the growing emergence of the New Song as the book moves us toward the grand finale scene at the end. But notice something interesting here; what are the elders thankful about in this passage?

because you have taken your great power, and reigned

First we should note that the word 'taken' here can be translated as 'received' or 'accepted.' I find this fitting more closely with the methods of God as revealed by the Lamb who takes away the sin (mistrust) of the world. How God relates to power is one of the main issues of dispute in this war.

The key question to hold in our thinking as we review the following verses is this: what power is received and what makes it great. How does Jesus use power to reign? These are crucial to unpack if we desire to be synchronized with the exclusive warfare style and methods used by the Lamb.

Therefore in one day her plagues will come: death, mourning, and famine; and she will be utterly burned with fire; for the Lord God who has judged her is strong. (Revelation 18:8)

I heard something like the voice of a great multitude, and like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of mighty thunders, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns! (Revelation 19:6)

I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war. (Revelation 19:11)

I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. He seized the dragon, the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole inhabited earth, and bound him for a thousand years, and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years were finished. After this, he must be freed for a short time. (Revelation 20:1-3)

All mankind shall be afraid. They shall declare the work of God, and shall wisely ponder what he has done. The righteous shall be glad in Yahweh, and shall take refuge in him. All the upright in heart shall praise him! (Psalms 64:9-10)

Sing to Yahweh a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand, and his holy arm, have worked salvation for him. Yahweh has made known his salvation. He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. (Psalms 98:1-3)

Awake, awake, put on strength, arm of Yahweh; awake, as in the days of old, the generations of ancient times. Isn't it you who did cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the monster? Isn't it you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep; who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over? The ransomed of Yahweh shall return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy shall be on their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 51:9-11)

Then he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Don't be grieved; for the joy of Yahweh is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)

Yahweh has made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. (Isaiah 52:10)

These passages convicts me that the methods of the Lamb are in sharp contrast to how God has been portrayed as fighting against evil throughout history. Keep in mind that God is no different than the Lamb, but rather the Lamb is the explicit revelation of God's heart, Gods' motives and only uses God's methods down to the minutest detail. The New Song properly understood and practiced, constitutes and releases the kind of power that God relies on to defeat all His enemies. History is about His-story, a progressive unveiling of God's radical love, not a protracted struggle by God to put down His enemies effectively using one tactic after another until something finally works. That is how we often imagine it, but God's perspective is entirely different from how we view things from our narrow and biased opinions and misconceptions about the nature of this war.

I find these last few passages significant as to the ways and means by which God defeats the powers of evil without being complicit with them or giving them credibility. The light of love alone defeats evil, and it is this truth that must be embraced before one can hope to participate with the elite special ops forces who synchronize with the Lamb to bring this war to its final victory. This is a plot line throughout this book and is the filter for interpreting links found throughout the rest of Scripture. In verses from Isaiah 51, notice particularly the key words in the last part, then plug them in to discover how God's righteousness and salvation are to be shown openly.

The ransomed of Yahweh shall return, and come with singing...everlasting joy... they shall obtain gladness and joy....

What if these ransomed ones are the ones who have learned to synchronize with the Lamb's heart so closely that they can act in concert with Him to finally overcome the false version of power through the pure power of love, praise, heavenly music and thanksgiving? At first it may appear absurd to think that rejoicing in the goodness of God can defeat the raw power of evil set against the apparent helpless and vulnerable children choosing to remain loyal to God and His ways. Yet there is plenty of evidence throughout history that this is indeed the way God defeats evil forces. Here is one of the clearest examples.

The context for this next story is an imminent threat of extinction for king Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah and Jerusalem. A massive multinational army had amassed to wipe them out, but instead of attempting to figure out how to fight back or find allies to save them, Jehoshaphat made a very unusual choice that opened the way for God to demonstrate His methods instead of what usually transpires in most of the other stories. The king gathered all the people together into Jerusalem to call upon God as their only hope and to put their trust entirely on God to save them without seeking for any alternative plan. This put the entire responsibility on God alone, and the hearts of everyone present, which included all the men, women and children, became united in turning away from the overwhelming pressure of fear to focusing their attention on God as their only means of deliverance. In this context Jehoshaphat poured out his heart to God in a most eloquent prayer worthy of close emulation, a prayer similar to other ones in Scripture that produced similar results. When he was finished and bowed in surrender to worship and trust in whatever God would choose to do, we pick up the story at this point.

All Judah stood before Yahweh, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. Then on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of Yahweh in the midst of the assembly; (2 Chronicles 20:13-14)

Pay close attention to how Yahweh chose to respond. He did not send His answer through a prophet or directly to the king or anyone of human importance. By this account, the answer was sent by way of one of the singers who was part of the regular praise team for the services of the temple. I believe God did this to demonstrate something very important for us in our day. God's way of disarming the threats of force intended to paralyze us in fear of death is found in praising and worshiping God, not by any other venue. It was a lowly singer out in the middle of the people who was suddenly overcome with the passion of God's Spirit, not a leader standing up front in charge. I find this enlightening as to how God's methods are entirely different than what we normally imagine.

The rest of this story is like an oasis of light in a sea of confusion about the way God does things in this war. This story finds few parallels in history and thus stands out in stark contrast to all the others that lead us to question whether or not the methods of the Lamb are actually viable or effective to defeat evil. This story stands out uniquely, and I believe it reveals the decisive way that will be relied on to defeat the empire of evil in Revelation 15-16.

and he said, Listen you, all Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you king Jehoshaphat: Thus says Yahweh to you, Don't be afraid you, neither be dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. [This is most important in order to reset our mental context when we are terrified and cannot think straight. In most instances when heavenly messengers come to convey important things to humans, they have to first get the human to choose to put aside their fear in order that they may receive the power of truth that displaces it.] Tomorrow go you down against them: behold, they come up by the ascent of Ziz; and you shall find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel. You shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand you still, and see the salvation of Yahweh with you, O Judah and Jerusalem; [Don't miss here that it is Yahweh's salvation that we are to see, not just ours. This truth has too long been ignored or even denied by religion, but is central for understanding the true nature of the war and how we fit into it.] don't be afraid, nor be dismayed: tomorrow go out against them: for Yahweh is with you.

Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Yahweh, worshipping Yahweh. The Levites, of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites, stood up to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel, with an exceeding loud voice.

They rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: believe in Yahweh your God, so shall you be established; believe his prophets, so shall you prosper.

When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who should sing to Yahweh, and give praise in holy array, as they went out before the army, and say, Give thanks to Yahweh; for his loving kindness endures forever. When they began to sing and to praise, Yahweh set ambushers against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were struck.

(2 Chronicles 20:15-22)

It is high time we begin to question our assumptions and presumptions rather than trying to keep God confined to our small opinions about how things should be done to win the war against evil. It has been demonstrated in the past, yet those demonstrations are themselves skewed because of confusion by people who participated in them. If we would allow God to do things entirely His way and stop interfering and second guessing Him, the victory could be completed and salvation could come to God's reputation as His children allow Him to be vindicated fully by cooperating in every way with what He chooses without resistance on from us.

I am fully convinced that this story is key to unlocking the mystery that enshrouds the true meaning of the 7 last plagues as they are referred to. This story demonstrates just how the angels described in detail in chapter 15, unleash the kind of power that results in those plagues. When one allows the Lamb to define that story, it becomes clearer what happens in the plagues is like what is seen here. Those angels pour out praises and thanksgiving that elicits violent reactions among God's enemies who end up ambushing each other rather than carrying out their plots against the people of God. This unveils the 'how' for understanding that you have taken your great power, and reigned.

He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.

(2 Corinthians 12:9)

Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-11)

The nations were angry, and your wrath came

As we move through the following examples of how nations are angry and God's reactions, pay close attention to the contrast, for God's anger or wrath is not at all what most make it out to be.

So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man doesn't produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his anointed, saying, "Let's break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath: "Yet I have set my king on my holy hill of Zion." (Psalms 2:1-6)

To see the fuller meaning of this passage, let's look at how the believers soon after Pentecost applied it in their situation of severe threat on their well-being.

Being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, "O Lord, you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who by the mouth of your servant, David, said, 'Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take council together, against the Lord, and against his Christ.' "For truly, in this city against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever your hand and your council foreordained to happen. Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus."

When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:23-31)

This prayer is strikingly similar to the prayer of Jehoshaphat in our previous story, and the situation was not that much different. Both prayers have the same pattern: turning the attention to God and His works in the past, praising how great and wonderful He is and how nothing takes Him by surprise. The passages from David were applied as the context to bring perspective to those sharing in this prayer. Likewise, our prayers are not to inform God of what He already knows, but to remind ourselves of His perspective and His constant care and concern for us in every situation.

In both stories, the anger of the nations was intent on harming followers of God who chose to rely entirely on Him, however He chose to work in their situation. In both stories we are also shown what it means for God's wrath to come. This is where it is easy to miss the most important part, for unless we see that God's wrath is not like human anger and wrath, we will not be able to see the real issue in these stories or in prophecy, and we will remain unable to synchronize with how the Lamb overcomes because we will be tuned to the wrong system with wrong definitions of the words.

How is God's anger and wrath entirely different from man's anger?

He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there who had his hand withered. They watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day, that they might accuse him. He said to the man who had his hand withered, "Stand up." He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?" But they were silent. When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.

The Pharisees went out, and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. (Mark 3:1-6) But they were filled with rage, and talked with one another about what they might do to Jesus. (Luke 6:11)

In this story we see opposite versions of anger and wrath. The anger Jesus was feeling was entirely rooted in intense grief over their stubborn resistance to a revelation of God's heart of compassion being demonstrated through His life. In stark contrast, the rage of His opponents was against the very One whose spirit and example was exposing their selfishness, hypocrisy and evil nature, yet instead of repenting of their dark opinions about God, they chose to channel their passions into looking for ways to destroy the very One who alone could save them from their sins.

The response of Jesus to their bitter rage against His compassion and act of kindness was what Scripture calls God's wrath. This is a sad commentary on the mindset of translators of the Bible, but it is what we are stuck with unfortunately. In each version of this story we see Jesus respond by doing what Romans 1 defines as God's wrath which is to release, to let go, to pull back, to disengage to leave others to have what they insist on doing.

But the Pharisees went out, and conspired against him, how they might destroy him. Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all, (Matthew 12:14-15)

In researching this action of Jesus, I came across an interesting insight. Jesus instructed His disciples to do the same thing He did in this story, to leave where they were not welcome.

You will be hated by all men for my name's sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man has come. (Matthew 10:22-23)

This word flee means to run away. It is used in an analogy of Jesus of how it applies in relation to those who are following Jesus in contrast to how it operates in those who follow the enemy.

Whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don't know the voice of strangers. (John 10:4-5)

He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn't own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them. The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn't care for the sheep. (John 10:12-13)

When Jesus left those who reacted with violent rage over His act of compassion for a man with a disability, was it out of fear or was it out of respect for their freedom of choice? This makes all the difference. Perfect love displaces all fear, and Jesus was the ultimate example of fulness of love at all times. Jesus is also the good shepherd, so He will not act like a hireling who doesn't care for the sheep. He never made choices based on fear but always on what was best for everyone and in line with the will of His heavenly Father.

When opposed and hated, rather than remaining longer in the presence of those who rejected Him (that would only antagonize them even more), He always chose to move on elsewhere where He would be more welcome. This is extremely important to appreciate and practice ourselves, for followers of the Lamb must be motived by the same principles the Lamb demonstrates if they are to participate in helping to move the kingdom of this world into becoming the kingdom of God's Christ. They are not to act out of fear but out of respect just as Jesus did, leaving enemies free to do whatever they choose and trusting in God's care for them instead of trying to force a situation. This is the meaning of what is inappropriately termed as God's wrath.

The anger of man, the anger of the nations of this world, is anger that drives them to commit violence against others and against God. This is satanic anger and we were not designed for it. This anger is a sure sign of Satan's spirit manipulating us; it is never the spirit of Christ.

Let's consider other passages that expose the difference between the methods and motives of God to how we have too long imagined Him to be altogether like us. It is already becoming clear that the anger of the nations is linked with God letting go which is what has been translated by scholars as the word wrath. I want to pursue this more fully so this vital truth about the Lamb and the One on the throne becomes firmly settled in our thinking before we move on. Having this securely anchored in our mind and heart is key for understanding the rest of the book.

I drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love; and I was to them like those who lift up the yoke on their necks; and I bent down to him and I fed him. (Hosea 11:4)

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:29)

Run you back and forth through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places of it, if you can find a man, if there are any who does justly, who seeks truth; and I will pardon her. Though they say, As Yahweh lives; surely they swear falsely. O Yahweh, don't your eyes look on truth? you have stricken them, but they were not grieved; you have consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.

Then I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish; for they don't know the way of Yahweh, nor the law of their God: I will get me to the great men, and will speak to them; for they know the way of Yahweh, and the law of their God. But these with one accord have broken the yoke, and burst the bonds. Therefore a lion out of the forest shall kill them, a wolf of the evenings shall destroy them, a leopard shall watch against their cities; everyone who goes out there shall be torn in pieces; because their transgressions are many, and their backsliding is increased. (Jeremiah 5:1-6)

Recall what we read earlier from Psalm 2. The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his anointed, saying, "Let's break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us."

Let's look at some more examples here.

Have you not heard how I have done it long ago, and formed it in ancient times? Now I have brought it to pass, that it should be yours to destroy fortified cities, turning them into ruinous heaps. Therefore their inhabitants had little power. They were dismayed and confounded. They were like the grass of the field, and like the green herb, like the grass on the housetops, and like a field before its crop has grown. But I know your sitting down, your going out, your coming in, and your raging against me. Because of your raging against me, and because your arrogance has come up into my ears, therefore will I put my hook in your nose and my bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back by the way by which you came. [Note how God will turn back those who are bent on destroying. It is not pitting force against force like we are so prone to imagine about Him.]

This shall be the sign to you. You will eat this year that which grows of itself, and in the second year that which springs from the same; and in the third year sow and reap and plant vineyards, and eat their fruit. The remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah will again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. For out of Jerusalem a remnant will go forth, and survivors will escape from Mount Zion. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this.' (Isaiah 37:26-32) [This zeal is the same emotion as what is called wrath when it comes to how God expresses it. Wrath for God means intense passion, not anger bent on hurting or destroying others. God's wrath includes respecting people so much He allows them to go their own way without forcing them to do things the right way.]

There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded you: they don't serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered them, Is it on purpose, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you don't serve my god, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, well: but if you don't worship, you shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.

Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spoke, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. He commanded certain mighty men who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their pants, their tunics, and their mantles, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. (Daniel 3:12-22)

Sadly, many presume and teach that God is no different than the heathen king who relied on fear, intimidation and compulsion to command worship. Most people imagine that God threatens to burn alive all who dare to disobey His commands and will forcibly throw them into the fires of hell where they get their just punishment for not accepting His offer of grace. This actually summarizes the main teachings of Christianity today, yet we fail to see that in this story the reverse is actually the truth.

Here is one more example of how God acts when His wrath burns hot.

Moses said to Yahweh, "Oh, Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before now, nor since you have spoken to your servant; for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." Yahweh said to him, "Who made man's mouth? Or who makes one mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Isn't it I, Yahweh? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall speak." He said, "Oh, Lord, please send someone else." The anger of Yahweh was kindled against Moses, and he said, "What about Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Also, behold, he comes forth to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You shall speak to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with your mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do. (Exodus 4:10-15)

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says Yahweh. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down and the snow from the sky, and doesn't return there, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing I sent it to do. (Isaiah 55:8-11)

If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his lord.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours also.

But all these things will they do to you for my name's sake, because they don't know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me, hates my Father also. If I hadn't done among them the works which no one else did, they wouldn't have had sin. But now have they seen and also hated both me and my Father. But this happened so that the word may be fulfilled which was written in their law, 'They hated me without a cause.' (John 15:18-25)

We are immersed in a study of the book called The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the revelation of the Father's heart, so if we properly see the truth about the Lamb of God we also see the exact same thing about the heart of God. It is this radical and even scandalous revelation of the nature of God's heart that arouses such hatred among those who refuse to let go of their demands to have punishment and vengeance executed against those they view as evil. They reject the gospel of love which is the light of God in whom there is no darkness at all. They will persecute any and all who not only teach this light about God, but who allow that light and love to transform them to respond the same way the Lamb responded when He was persecuted by those with that same spirit of hatred.

This is the context from which we move to the next phrase, for it is important to realize what is happening and the real issues under contention before we can appreciate the broader nature and effect of truth and light that exposes hatred, lies and what hides under the darkness of evil. As we shall soon study, the enemy of our souls is being unmasked for who he really is by the light brought into this world which has been his headquarters for so long. The contest over who this world belongs to rightfully is intensifying to a fever pitch as we are each called to choose which side we will align with and reflect.