This document provides a summary of the prophet Amos and his teachings from ancient Israel. It discusses that Amos was a shepherd from Tekoa in Judah who was called by God to prophesy to Israel around 760 BC. Amos boldly denounced the sins of Israel, including injustice, corruption, idolatry, and moral decay. Though Israel was prosperous, Amos warned the people had forgotten God and would face his judgment unless they repented. The summary examines Amos' message, imagery, and warnings of coming punishment for Israel's disobedience to God's laws.
Difficult moral issues: Genocide of the Canaanitespdavenport
The document discusses the genocide of the Canaanites described in the book of Joshua. It summarizes the religious practices of the Canaanites, including idolatry, cult prostitution, child sacrifice, and other immoral acts. It argues that God justifiably commanded the destruction of the Canaanites to remove the immoral influence from Israel and assert his sole authority. However, the language in Joshua was exaggerated based on conventions of ancient Near Eastern military reports, and the Israelites did not actually commit genocide against the Canaanites. The events prefigured God's ultimate judgment and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Joe Kovacs, an author and editor from World Net Daily, will give a presentation at the Tulsa Church of God about the real stories of Christmas, Easter, Noah's Ark, and what the Bible says about heaven, children of God, and other topics. The event will take place on Saturday, August 7th at 1:00 PM at the Tulsa Church of God located at 14509 E. Marshall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
This presentation present a historical overview of blacks in the bible. Delivered by Dr. Estrelda Alexander President of William Seymour College. This was presented at eChurch-Everybody's Church Sunday Feb. 21, 2016.
Links
http://www.wmseymour.org
http://echurchonline.org
Even if you're not intending to tour Israel with Jerry and me in November you will be educated and edified by these lecture slides. There are a total of 13 lectures which you can locate on slide share or my Facebook timeline. Enjoy!
A verse by verse commentary on the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. It goes on to tell of the withered fig tree and of the Jewish leaders questioning the authority of Jesus.
1) The document provides commentary on Ezekiel 16:1-35 about Jerusalem being portrayed as an unfaithful wife. It describes how Israel originated from Canaanite lands associated with idolatry and corruption and were in a helpless state as an abandoned infant in Egypt.
2) God took pity on Israel and cared for them, nurturing them to become prosperous and beautiful, forming a close bond with them through the Mosaic and Joshua covenants. However, Israel later erected pagan shrines, formed unholy alliances, and committed spiritual adultery, warranting divine punishment.
3) The summaries from scholars like Barnes, Gill, Henry, and Jamison analyze various aspects of the passage, including
Belshazzar held a great feast for thousands of his nobles where they drank wine from vessels that had been taken from the Jerusalem temple. That night a hand appeared and wrote a message on the wall that was interpreted by Daniel as meaning God had numbered Belshazzar's kingdom and found him wanting, so his kingdom would be divided and given to the Medes and Persians. True to the prophecy, that same night Babylon was conquered by the Medes and Persians, and Belshazzar was killed.
Difficult moral issues: Genocide of the Canaanitespdavenport
The document discusses the genocide of the Canaanites described in the book of Joshua. It summarizes the religious practices of the Canaanites, including idolatry, cult prostitution, child sacrifice, and other immoral acts. It argues that God justifiably commanded the destruction of the Canaanites to remove the immoral influence from Israel and assert his sole authority. However, the language in Joshua was exaggerated based on conventions of ancient Near Eastern military reports, and the Israelites did not actually commit genocide against the Canaanites. The events prefigured God's ultimate judgment and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Joe Kovacs, an author and editor from World Net Daily, will give a presentation at the Tulsa Church of God about the real stories of Christmas, Easter, Noah's Ark, and what the Bible says about heaven, children of God, and other topics. The event will take place on Saturday, August 7th at 1:00 PM at the Tulsa Church of God located at 14509 E. Marshall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
This presentation present a historical overview of blacks in the bible. Delivered by Dr. Estrelda Alexander President of William Seymour College. This was presented at eChurch-Everybody's Church Sunday Feb. 21, 2016.
Links
http://www.wmseymour.org
http://echurchonline.org
Even if you're not intending to tour Israel with Jerry and me in November you will be educated and edified by these lecture slides. There are a total of 13 lectures which you can locate on slide share or my Facebook timeline. Enjoy!
A verse by verse commentary on the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. It goes on to tell of the withered fig tree and of the Jewish leaders questioning the authority of Jesus.
1) The document provides commentary on Ezekiel 16:1-35 about Jerusalem being portrayed as an unfaithful wife. It describes how Israel originated from Canaanite lands associated with idolatry and corruption and were in a helpless state as an abandoned infant in Egypt.
2) God took pity on Israel and cared for them, nurturing them to become prosperous and beautiful, forming a close bond with them through the Mosaic and Joshua covenants. However, Israel later erected pagan shrines, formed unholy alliances, and committed spiritual adultery, warranting divine punishment.
3) The summaries from scholars like Barnes, Gill, Henry, and Jamison analyze various aspects of the passage, including
Belshazzar held a great feast for thousands of his nobles where they drank wine from vessels that had been taken from the Jerusalem temple. That night a hand appeared and wrote a message on the wall that was interpreted by Daniel as meaning God had numbered Belshazzar's kingdom and found him wanting, so his kingdom would be divided and given to the Medes and Persians. True to the prophecy, that same night Babylon was conquered by the Medes and Persians, and Belshazzar was killed.
Exploring the mark of cain connection to the mark of the beastDavid G
In this essay we will study similarities that could bookend the Mark of Cain with the Mark of the Beast. To do that, we must establish what that Mark of Cain was, and that his Line survived the Flood. We also ponder the path to their salvation, a path of embracing the ethics of shepherd service founded in the Garden of Eden when our sovereignty passed from Angels to Man; ethics many of the Angels refused to embrace, not realizing the endless torment that choice would reap. We will study how they bound us in a beatific dystopia, ensnaring us by smoothly flipped oaths, and ever demand our obedient deference to a hijacked genealogy.
What separates Man from Angels is a fine line. Yet, that line, the peerage God inextricably bound into Man’s Soul, raised him above all in Creation, including the Heavenly Angels. To understand why God imbued our Souls with this ponderous legacy, why we must be vigilant to keep this incredible gift, why it incited a baleful Angelic Rebellion in Heaven, and why the Fallen Angels have ever after conspired the utter annihilation of Man, is the purpose behind this essay.
Amos was a prophet from Judah who preached in Israel around 767-753 BC. He warned that God would punish nations, including Israel, for acts of cruelty and injustice. God had blessed Israel greatly but they failed in their responsibility, so he sent disasters to turn them back but they did not repent. God then promised their destruction for their sins against him and mistreatment of others. The book encourages believers today to appreciate their spiritual privileges and live responsibly according to God's will.
This document provides a summary of a book arguing that Jews are not descended from the original Israelites and their claims of being God's chosen people are false. It asserts that Judaism is an imposter religion and Jews are an imposter people, representing the deception that will deceive the whole world. The document traces the genealogy of Jews back to Cain and Edomites, not the tribes of Israel. It argues Jewish claims of descent from Abraham and being the exclusive recipients of blessings in Genesis are contradicted by history and Scripture.
B I B S T U D Lesson 16 Old Testament ProphetsDennis Maturan
1. The document discusses the role and messages of Old Testament prophets such as Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, Ezekiel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Malachi, and Daniel.
2. It also mentions other relevant Old Testament characters like Queen Esther and the Maccabees.
3. The prophets spoke messages from God, warning of punishment for disobedience but also hope if the people repented, and some prophesied of the coming Messiah.
This document provides summaries of 12 inspirational leaders from the Bible:
Noah obeyed God's command to build an ark even though he was alone in his faith. Abraham embraced the unknown when God called him to leave his home. Joseph endured difficult circumstances with a vision that sustained him. Moses courageously stood up for the Israelites facing slavery. Joshua led by example rather than command. Samuel honestly admonished people when they did wrong. David faced the giant Goliath without fear. Isaiah rose to the occasion when called to be a prophet. Daniel maintained his resolve without regard for consequences. John the Baptist called out dishonesty without fear. Peter recovered from his failure to deny Jesus. Paul was passionately driven by
Ancient Israelite Hisory: The Patriarchal PeriodJacob Gluck
The document provides background information on the patriarchal period in ancient Israelite history prior to the Exodus. It discusses the travels and lineages of key patriarchal figures like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It also analyzes the challenges with using the biblical chronology and reconciling the patriarchal narratives with archaeological evidence from the ancient Near East. Scholars debate whether the patriarchal stories preserve authentic historical details from the early 2nd millennium BCE or reflect later compositional periods.
1. The document summarizes the origins and development of Hebrew religion from its origins around 1900 BCE to the post-exilic period after 538 BCE. It describes the migration of Hebrews to Canaan, enslavement in Egypt, Exodus under Moses, and settlement in Canaan under King Saul, David, and Solomon.
2. It highlights innovations of the 8th-7th century BCE Prophetic Revolution including establishing monotheism, emphasizing ethics over ritual, and criticizing social injustice and foreign influence of kings.
3. After the Babylonian exile of 586 BCE and return in 538 BCE, Hebrew religion was reorganized with the Second Temple, development of Jewish law and script
This presentation deals with the doom of the apostates that Jude was writing against and serves as a warning for modern day heretical teachers as well.
1) Merodach-baladan, the king of Babylon, sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah, king of Judah, after hearing about his illness and recovery.
2) Scholars have struggled to reconcile this account with other biblical passages since Babylon was under Assyrian rule at this time. However, recent discoveries have shed light on a period where Merodach-baladan briefly usurped the Babylonian throne.
3) Merodach-baladan likely sent the envoy to form an alliance against their common enemy, the Assyrians, and inquire about the miracle of the sun dial's shadow reversing, which interested the Babylonians as astronomers.
Elijah delivers a message from God to King Ahab that there will be no rain. God tells Elijah to hide from Ahab in the Kerith ravine, where ravens bring Elijah food each day. After many months, the brook in the ravine dries up, so God tells Elijah to travel to Zarephath, where He has commanded a widow to supply Elijah with food. Elijah makes the journey to Zarephath, tired and hungry after surviving on the food brought by ravens during his time in the ravine.
This document provides an introduction to the prophet Elijah and the conditions during his ministry. It discusses how Elijah suddenly appeared during a time of moral decline and Baal worship under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Elijah boldly proclaimed there would be a drought. The document then examines Elijah's character and ministry, including how he was fed by ravens during his time hiding in a ravine, showing God's provision even in difficult circumstances. It emphasizes that spiritual growth involves change and not getting comfortable.
Verse one: “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars”
The “woman” is the Church, also called virgins or Christ bride. Ezekiel 16, Matthew 25:1-13; Revelation 14:4; Revelation 19:7. This is a distinction from the Harlot who rejects Christ (Rev 17:1)
“clothed” refers to Orthodox Israel who did not receive Christ, type and shadow - Joseph, son of Jacob/Israel dreamed about his brothers and family that they would kneel before him, they rejected him. This is Israel in the tribulation. (Genesis 37:5-11)
The document summarizes the biblical account of the Magi visiting Jesus in Matthew 2:1-12. It provides historical context about the Magi being a hereditary priesthood in Persia that may have learned about Jewish prophecies from Daniel hundreds of years earlier. It explores possible reasons for the gifts the Magi brought - gold for Jesus's kingship, frankincense for his priesthood, and myrrh foreshadowing his death. The document aims to explain details Matthew assumes readers would understand, like political tensions between the Roman and Parthian empires at that time.
The document provides information about a sermon given at the First Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi on August 21, 2011. The sermon discusses the theme of joy in the book of Philippians. Though Paul and the Philippians faced difficulties like imprisonment and persecution, the book emphasizes having joy through trusting that God is in control and will use situations for good. The sermon contrasts biblical joy with fleeting happiness and outlines Paul's challenging life preaching the gospel despite opposition.
Judaism originated as an ethnic identity rather than a religious one. It began as an oral tradition among the Israelites and was compiled into written texts like the Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim, which together form the Hebrew Bible. The Hebrew Bible contains the creation story, narratives of patriarchs like Abraham, and accounts of the Israelites' slavery in Egypt and deliverance under Moses. It was not until around 400 BCE that authors compiled and organized the stories and laws that make up Judaism's holiest texts.
The document provides historical context about the rule of the Seleucid Empire over Israel from around 200 BC. It discusses how Jason corrupted the role of high priest and encouraged the people to adopt Greek customs, leading to a decline in obedience to God's laws. Eventually, Antiochus IV (Epiphanes) outlawed Jewish religious practices, desecrated the temple by sacrificing pigs, and persecuted those who refused to abandon Jewish customs, resulting in great suffering. The document uses these historical events to illustrate the consequences of disobeying God and adopting foreign beliefs and practices.
Nephilim Study- "As it was in the days of Noah..."kathyfullerton
This document provides a summary of the biblical account of the Nephilim from the book of Genesis. It describes how fallen angels, called the "sons of God", mated with human women and produced offspring called the Nephilim, who were giants and men of renown. The Nephilim corrupted humanity and caused God to bring the flood. Ancient sources like the Book of Enoch and writings of Josephus also describe the Nephilim as half-angelic, half-human hybrids. The document examines what led to the creation of the Nephilim and their influence on humanity before the Great Flood.
Canaanite Palestinians? Dont Believe It! - Prophecy in the News Magazine - ...miscott57
The document summarizes an article criticizing recent Palestinian claims that they were the original inhabitants of the land of Israel, descended from the ancient Canaanites. It outlines some of the main arguments made in the Palestinian revisionist narrative, including that archaeological evidence shows the Jews had little impact on Jerusalem and the Bible describes places in Arabia not Israel. The document argues these claims have no basis in objective scholarship and serve only an emotional purpose for Palestinians seeking to undermine Jewish ties to the land.
Jeremiah was called by God to be a prophet despite being young, naturally timid, and lacking in eloquence. He was called to deliver messages of judgment to Judah during a time of great corruption and idolatry. Jeremiah struggled with this calling, as he was more inclined towards delivering messages of God's mercy. However, God equipped Jeremiah and transformed his natural weaknesses through empowering him with strength and making him bold in delivering his messages. Jeremiah provides an example of how God often chooses unlikely people to accomplish great things through relying on divine strength rather than human ability.
The prophets are at one in de
claring their firm and unwavering belief that
they are the organs and instruments of the
^lost High, and that their utterances about
Him come at His prompting, and are invested
with His authority. The phrases which they
habitually use are, ''Thus saith Jehovah,"
"Hear ye Jehovah's word."
Exploring the mark of cain connection to the mark of the beastDavid G
In this essay we will study similarities that could bookend the Mark of Cain with the Mark of the Beast. To do that, we must establish what that Mark of Cain was, and that his Line survived the Flood. We also ponder the path to their salvation, a path of embracing the ethics of shepherd service founded in the Garden of Eden when our sovereignty passed from Angels to Man; ethics many of the Angels refused to embrace, not realizing the endless torment that choice would reap. We will study how they bound us in a beatific dystopia, ensnaring us by smoothly flipped oaths, and ever demand our obedient deference to a hijacked genealogy.
What separates Man from Angels is a fine line. Yet, that line, the peerage God inextricably bound into Man’s Soul, raised him above all in Creation, including the Heavenly Angels. To understand why God imbued our Souls with this ponderous legacy, why we must be vigilant to keep this incredible gift, why it incited a baleful Angelic Rebellion in Heaven, and why the Fallen Angels have ever after conspired the utter annihilation of Man, is the purpose behind this essay.
Amos was a prophet from Judah who preached in Israel around 767-753 BC. He warned that God would punish nations, including Israel, for acts of cruelty and injustice. God had blessed Israel greatly but they failed in their responsibility, so he sent disasters to turn them back but they did not repent. God then promised their destruction for their sins against him and mistreatment of others. The book encourages believers today to appreciate their spiritual privileges and live responsibly according to God's will.
This document provides a summary of a book arguing that Jews are not descended from the original Israelites and their claims of being God's chosen people are false. It asserts that Judaism is an imposter religion and Jews are an imposter people, representing the deception that will deceive the whole world. The document traces the genealogy of Jews back to Cain and Edomites, not the tribes of Israel. It argues Jewish claims of descent from Abraham and being the exclusive recipients of blessings in Genesis are contradicted by history and Scripture.
B I B S T U D Lesson 16 Old Testament ProphetsDennis Maturan
1. The document discusses the role and messages of Old Testament prophets such as Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, Ezekiel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Malachi, and Daniel.
2. It also mentions other relevant Old Testament characters like Queen Esther and the Maccabees.
3. The prophets spoke messages from God, warning of punishment for disobedience but also hope if the people repented, and some prophesied of the coming Messiah.
This document provides summaries of 12 inspirational leaders from the Bible:
Noah obeyed God's command to build an ark even though he was alone in his faith. Abraham embraced the unknown when God called him to leave his home. Joseph endured difficult circumstances with a vision that sustained him. Moses courageously stood up for the Israelites facing slavery. Joshua led by example rather than command. Samuel honestly admonished people when they did wrong. David faced the giant Goliath without fear. Isaiah rose to the occasion when called to be a prophet. Daniel maintained his resolve without regard for consequences. John the Baptist called out dishonesty without fear. Peter recovered from his failure to deny Jesus. Paul was passionately driven by
Ancient Israelite Hisory: The Patriarchal PeriodJacob Gluck
The document provides background information on the patriarchal period in ancient Israelite history prior to the Exodus. It discusses the travels and lineages of key patriarchal figures like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It also analyzes the challenges with using the biblical chronology and reconciling the patriarchal narratives with archaeological evidence from the ancient Near East. Scholars debate whether the patriarchal stories preserve authentic historical details from the early 2nd millennium BCE or reflect later compositional periods.
1. The document summarizes the origins and development of Hebrew religion from its origins around 1900 BCE to the post-exilic period after 538 BCE. It describes the migration of Hebrews to Canaan, enslavement in Egypt, Exodus under Moses, and settlement in Canaan under King Saul, David, and Solomon.
2. It highlights innovations of the 8th-7th century BCE Prophetic Revolution including establishing monotheism, emphasizing ethics over ritual, and criticizing social injustice and foreign influence of kings.
3. After the Babylonian exile of 586 BCE and return in 538 BCE, Hebrew religion was reorganized with the Second Temple, development of Jewish law and script
This presentation deals with the doom of the apostates that Jude was writing against and serves as a warning for modern day heretical teachers as well.
1) Merodach-baladan, the king of Babylon, sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah, king of Judah, after hearing about his illness and recovery.
2) Scholars have struggled to reconcile this account with other biblical passages since Babylon was under Assyrian rule at this time. However, recent discoveries have shed light on a period where Merodach-baladan briefly usurped the Babylonian throne.
3) Merodach-baladan likely sent the envoy to form an alliance against their common enemy, the Assyrians, and inquire about the miracle of the sun dial's shadow reversing, which interested the Babylonians as astronomers.
Elijah delivers a message from God to King Ahab that there will be no rain. God tells Elijah to hide from Ahab in the Kerith ravine, where ravens bring Elijah food each day. After many months, the brook in the ravine dries up, so God tells Elijah to travel to Zarephath, where He has commanded a widow to supply Elijah with food. Elijah makes the journey to Zarephath, tired and hungry after surviving on the food brought by ravens during his time in the ravine.
This document provides an introduction to the prophet Elijah and the conditions during his ministry. It discusses how Elijah suddenly appeared during a time of moral decline and Baal worship under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Elijah boldly proclaimed there would be a drought. The document then examines Elijah's character and ministry, including how he was fed by ravens during his time hiding in a ravine, showing God's provision even in difficult circumstances. It emphasizes that spiritual growth involves change and not getting comfortable.
Verse one: “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars”
The “woman” is the Church, also called virgins or Christ bride. Ezekiel 16, Matthew 25:1-13; Revelation 14:4; Revelation 19:7. This is a distinction from the Harlot who rejects Christ (Rev 17:1)
“clothed” refers to Orthodox Israel who did not receive Christ, type and shadow - Joseph, son of Jacob/Israel dreamed about his brothers and family that they would kneel before him, they rejected him. This is Israel in the tribulation. (Genesis 37:5-11)
The document summarizes the biblical account of the Magi visiting Jesus in Matthew 2:1-12. It provides historical context about the Magi being a hereditary priesthood in Persia that may have learned about Jewish prophecies from Daniel hundreds of years earlier. It explores possible reasons for the gifts the Magi brought - gold for Jesus's kingship, frankincense for his priesthood, and myrrh foreshadowing his death. The document aims to explain details Matthew assumes readers would understand, like political tensions between the Roman and Parthian empires at that time.
The document provides information about a sermon given at the First Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi on August 21, 2011. The sermon discusses the theme of joy in the book of Philippians. Though Paul and the Philippians faced difficulties like imprisonment and persecution, the book emphasizes having joy through trusting that God is in control and will use situations for good. The sermon contrasts biblical joy with fleeting happiness and outlines Paul's challenging life preaching the gospel despite opposition.
Judaism originated as an ethnic identity rather than a religious one. It began as an oral tradition among the Israelites and was compiled into written texts like the Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim, which together form the Hebrew Bible. The Hebrew Bible contains the creation story, narratives of patriarchs like Abraham, and accounts of the Israelites' slavery in Egypt and deliverance under Moses. It was not until around 400 BCE that authors compiled and organized the stories and laws that make up Judaism's holiest texts.
The document provides historical context about the rule of the Seleucid Empire over Israel from around 200 BC. It discusses how Jason corrupted the role of high priest and encouraged the people to adopt Greek customs, leading to a decline in obedience to God's laws. Eventually, Antiochus IV (Epiphanes) outlawed Jewish religious practices, desecrated the temple by sacrificing pigs, and persecuted those who refused to abandon Jewish customs, resulting in great suffering. The document uses these historical events to illustrate the consequences of disobeying God and adopting foreign beliefs and practices.
Nephilim Study- "As it was in the days of Noah..."kathyfullerton
This document provides a summary of the biblical account of the Nephilim from the book of Genesis. It describes how fallen angels, called the "sons of God", mated with human women and produced offspring called the Nephilim, who were giants and men of renown. The Nephilim corrupted humanity and caused God to bring the flood. Ancient sources like the Book of Enoch and writings of Josephus also describe the Nephilim as half-angelic, half-human hybrids. The document examines what led to the creation of the Nephilim and their influence on humanity before the Great Flood.
Canaanite Palestinians? Dont Believe It! - Prophecy in the News Magazine - ...miscott57
The document summarizes an article criticizing recent Palestinian claims that they were the original inhabitants of the land of Israel, descended from the ancient Canaanites. It outlines some of the main arguments made in the Palestinian revisionist narrative, including that archaeological evidence shows the Jews had little impact on Jerusalem and the Bible describes places in Arabia not Israel. The document argues these claims have no basis in objective scholarship and serve only an emotional purpose for Palestinians seeking to undermine Jewish ties to the land.
Jeremiah was called by God to be a prophet despite being young, naturally timid, and lacking in eloquence. He was called to deliver messages of judgment to Judah during a time of great corruption and idolatry. Jeremiah struggled with this calling, as he was more inclined towards delivering messages of God's mercy. However, God equipped Jeremiah and transformed his natural weaknesses through empowering him with strength and making him bold in delivering his messages. Jeremiah provides an example of how God often chooses unlikely people to accomplish great things through relying on divine strength rather than human ability.
The prophets are at one in de
claring their firm and unwavering belief that
they are the organs and instruments of the
^lost High, and that their utterances about
Him come at His prompting, and are invested
with His authority. The phrases which they
habitually use are, ''Thus saith Jehovah,"
"Hear ye Jehovah's word."
*'Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came
into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of
God."— Mark 1 : 14.
*'And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world,
and preach the gospel to every creature." — Mark
16 : 15.
OF these texts, the one describes Christ's
acts in founding His kingdom, and the
other states the commission He gave to
the men who had as their duty and mission
to extend and perpetuate the kingdom He had
founded. There are two points from which
these two acts may be viewed — the contem-
porary and the historical. If we try to see
this act of founding as contemporaries, what
visions will these simple words of Mark call
up
This is a study of Jesus being a banner for the peoples. This is an end time theme when the people see Jesus and HIs glorious rest and become a part of HIs Kingdom.
This document discusses the testimony of Jesus Christ and the three angels' messages of Revelation 14:6-12. It notes that Ellen G. White received visions to help understand prophecy and identify the dragon, beast and false prophet mentioned in Revelation. God will raise up people who keep His commandments and have the gift of prophecy to identify these enemies and their mark. Just as Elijah identified the false prophets of Baal, God's end-time people will know their enemies and proclaim a message of repentance like Elijah did.
This document discusses the testimony of Jesus Christ and the three angels' messages of Revelation 14:6-12. It notes that Ellen G. White received visions to help understand prophecy and identify the dragon, beast and false prophet mentioned in Revelation. God will raise up people who keep His commandments and have the gift of prophecy to identify these entities and proclaim warnings about the mark of the beast. The true church will recognize God's enemies, as Elijah did the false prophets of Baal. Prior to the end, God will revive the testimony and spirit of Elijah to turn people's hearts back to obedience to God's law.
CHAPTER 1.
Elijah the Reformer ; or, The Prophet Raised up, . . 13
CHAPTER II.
Elijah at Cherith ; or, The Prophet the Ward of Providence, . 29
CHAPTER III.
Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath ; or. The Prophet in his
Weakness and Power, . . . . .51
CHAPTER IV.
Elijah and the Challenge to Ahab ; or. The Prophet reap-
pearing among Men, ...... 77
This document discusses the testimony of Jesus Christ and the three angels' messages from Revelation. It notes that Ellen G. White received visions guiding the Adventist church. It examines prophecies about changing times and laws, identifying the papacy as changing God's prophetic calendar. It outlines two methods, futurism and preterism, used by Catholic scholars to refute the papacy being the antichrist. The document asserts that the gift of prophecy, as with Elijah, will identify the dragon, beast and false prophet of Revelation. True prophets will call God's people to keep His commandments and law.
The document provides an overview of the Bible, including its origins, contents, and literary forms. It notes that the Bible includes the Old and New Testaments and was written over many centuries by various authors from diverse backgrounds. The document discusses the major sections of the Bible, including the Pentateuch, historical books, wisdom books, and prophetic books. It also analyzes some of the prominent literary forms used in the Bible, such as genealogies, laws, letters, and poetry.
The document discusses the Catholic approach to interpreting scripture, which rejects a literal or fundamentalist reading. It focuses on using historical criticism and examining the literary context to understand the deeper truths and messages. Some key points made are that the Bible teaches that there is one God who wants relationship with people, rejects blood sacrifice, and that God's temple is within each person rather than a physical building. It also discusses the origins and context of the Torah/Pentateuch and how it was used politically to establish Jewish identity and institutions like the monarchy in Jerusalem.
Mennonite Israel ◉ The Woman in The WildernessHIVRIM
See, I have taught you laws and right rulings, as YHWH my Elohim commanded me, to do thus in the land which you go to posses.
And you shall surely guard and do them, for this is your wisdom and your understanding before the eyes of the peoples who hear all these laws, and they shall say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
Devarim / Deuteronomy 4:5-6
1. The document discusses Ellen G. White's testimony about current events in her time including corruption, poverty, crime, and unrest as signs of the end times.
2. It describes visions she had of extravagant buildings in New York City being consumed by fire despite being called fireproof.
3. The testimony urges readers to heed God's word as the only solution to the problems of society, as people in Noah's day did not listen to warnings until the Flood came.
Would you believe a story where 400 angry warriors are on the war path determined to kill every male in a certain community, and where the leader has vowed to do it before a day has passed, and one woman had the power to meet them on that war path talk them out of it, stop them, turn them around, and save all those men? That is the story of this chapter, and never will you find a woman who was a
greater heroin in preventing a slaughter of innocent people.
Paul was raised in a Hellenistic society in Tarsus and was fluent in both Greek and Koine Greek. He likely received a university-level education exposed to Greek learning. Paul demonstrated mastery of Greek literary techniques and occasionally cited Greek authors in his writings, indicating he was familiar with Hellenistic schools of rhetoric. The document then provides background on the development of ancient Greek civilization and the rise of city-states. It discusses some of the major Greek philosophers who influenced Paul, including Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, as well as the schools of thought they represented.
Hebrew Israel Literature Powerpoint PresentationJomerMesia1
The document summarizes several biblical stories and passages:
- The story of David and Goliath, where the young shepherd David defeats the Philistine giant Goliath with a sling.
- The parable of the Prodigal Son from the Gospel of Luke, about a father celebrating the return of his younger son who had squandered his inheritance.
- The nativity story of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem as described in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
True Christian doctrine comes from the words of Christ. Jesus spoke of the future. Look carefully at the events of history after Jesus ascended. And compare to what John wrote in Revelation.
The document is a chapter from a book about spiritual warfare and putting on the full armor of God. It describes the invisible antagonisms faced by early Christians in Ephesus, including the overwhelming power of the world, the influence of an alien religion, and pressure from popular customs. It explains that the real enemies are spiritual forces of evil, and discusses how these antagonisms can work directly on the soul or indirectly through other people. The chapter emphasizes that to face these antagonisms, Christians must first receive power from God and put on the full armor He provides.
Jesus was urging us to pray and never give upGLENN PEASE
This document discusses the importance of perseverance in prayer based on a parable from Luke 18:1-8. It provides three key points:
1. The parable illustrates that believers should always pray and not lose heart, using the example of a widow who persistently asks an unjust judge for justice until he relents. If an unjust judge will grant a request, how much more will a righteous God answer the prayers of his people.
2. Though God may delay in answering prayers, this is not due to his absence or indifference, but for reasons that will become clear later and that are for the benefit of the believers.
3. Believers should continue praying without ceasing and not lose
This is a study of Jesus being questioned about fasting. His disciples were not doing it like John's disciples and the Pharisees. Jesus gives His answer that gets Him into the time of celebration with new wineskins that do away with the old ones. Jesus says we do not fast at a party and a celebration.
The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, scoffed at Jesus when he taught about financial matters. While the Pharisees were outwardly devout and knowledgeable about scripture, their true motivation was greed. Their love of wealth distorted their judgment and led them to actively oppose Christ, culminating in conspiring for his death. True righteousness requires having a humble, trusting heart oriented toward love of God rather than worldly pursuits.
Jesus was clear you cannot serve two mastersGLENN PEASE
This is a study of Jesus being clear on the issue, you cannot serve two masters. You cannot serve God and money at the same time because you will love one and hate the other. You have to make a choice and a commitment.
Jesus was saying what the kingdom is likeGLENN PEASE
This is a study of Jesus saying what the kingdom is like. He does so by telling the Parable of the growing seed. It just grows by itself by nature and man just harvests it when ripe. There is mystery here.
Jesus was telling a story of good fish and badGLENN PEASE
The parable of the dragnet, as told by Jesus in Matthew 13:47-50, describes how the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea that gathers fish of every kind. When the net is full, it is pulled to shore where the fishermen sort the fish, keeping the good in baskets but throwing away the bad. Jesus explains that this is analogous to how he will separate the wicked from the righteous at the end of the age, throwing the wicked into eternal punishment. The parable illustrates that within the church both true believers and unbelievers will be gathered initially, but they will be separated at the final judgment.
Jesus was comparing the kingdom of god to yeastGLENN PEASE
This is a study of Jesus comparing the kingdom of God to yeast. A little can go a long way, and the yeast fills the whole of the large dough, and so the kingdom of God will fill all nations of the earth.
This is a study of Jesus telling a shocking parable. It has some terrible words at the end, but it is all about being faithful with what our Lord has given us. We need to make whatever has been given us to count for our Lord.
Jesus was telling the parable of the talentsGLENN PEASE
This is a study of Jesus telling the parable of the talents, There are a variety of talents given and whatever the talent we get we are to do our best for the Master, for He requires fruit or judgment.
Jesus was explaining the parable of the sowerGLENN PEASE
This is a study of Jesus explaining the parable of the sower. It is all about the seed and the soil and the fruitfulness of the combination. The Word is the seed and we need it in our lives to bear fruit for God.
This is a study of Jesus warning against covetousness. Greed actually will lead to spiritual poverty, so Jesus says do not live to get, but develop a spirit of giving instead,
Jesus was explaining the parable of the weedsGLENN PEASE
This is a study of Jesus explaining the parable of the weeds. The disciples did not understand the parable and so Jesus gave them a clear commentary to help them grasp what it was saying.
This is a study of Jesus being radical. He was radical in His claims, and in His teaching, and in the language He used, and in His actions. He was clearly radical.
This is a study of Jesus laughing in time and in eternity. He promised we would laugh with Him in heaven, and most agree that Jesus often laughed with His followers in His earthly ministry. Jesus was a laugher by nature being He was God, and God did laugh, and being man, who by nature does laugh. Look at the masses of little babies that laugh on the internet. It is natural to being human.
This is a study of Jesus as our protector. He will strengthen and protect from the evil one. We need His protection for we are not always aware of the snares of the evil one.
This is a study of Jesus not being a self pleaser. He looked to helping and pleasing others and was an example for all believers to look to others need and not focus on self.
This is a study of Jesus being the clothing we are to wear. To be clothed in Jesus is to be like Jesus in the way we look and how our life is to appear before the world.
This is a study of Jesus being our liberator. By His death He set us free from the law of sin and death. We are under no condemnation when we trust Him as our Savior and Liberator.
Why is this So? ~ Do Seek to KNOW (English & Chinese).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma teaching of Kamma-Vipaka (Intentional Actions-Ripening Effects).
A Presentation for developing morality, concentration and wisdom and to spur us to practice the Dhamma diligently.
The texts are in English and Chinese.
The Hope of Salvation - Jude 1:24-25 - MessageCole Hartman
Jude gives us hope at the end of a dark letter. In a dark world like today, we need the light of Christ to shine brighter and brighter. Jude shows us where to fix our focus so we can be filled with God's goodness and glory. Join us to explore this incredible passage.
2 Peter 3: Because some scriptures are hard to understand and some will force them to say things God never intended, Peter warns us to take care.
https://youtu.be/nV4kGHFsEHw
Discover various methods for clearing negative entities from your space and spirit, including energy clearing techniques, spiritual rituals, and professional assistance. Gain practical knowledge on how to implement these techniques to restore peace and harmony. For more information visit here: https://www.reikihealingdistance.com/negative-entity-removal/
A375 Example Taste the taste of the Lord, the taste of the Lord The taste of...franktsao4
It seems that current missionary work requires spending a lot of money, preparing a lot of materials, and traveling to far away places, so that it feels like missionary work. But what was the result they brought back? It's just a lot of photos of activities, fun eating, drinking and some playing games. And then we have to do the same thing next year, never ending. The church once mentioned that a certain missionary would go to the field where she used to work before the end of his life. It seemed that if she had not gone, no one would be willing to go. The reason why these missionary work is so difficult is that no one obeys God’s words, and the Bible is not the main content during missionary work, because in the eyes of those who do not obey God’s words, the Bible is just words and cannot be connected with life, so Reading out God's words is boring because it doesn't have any life experience, so it cannot be connected with human life. I will give a few examples in the hope that this situation can be changed. A375
A Free eBook ~ Valuable LIFE Lessons to Learn ( 5 Sets of Presentations)...OH TEIK BIN
A free eBook comprising 5 sets of PowerPoint presentations of meaningful stories /Inspirational pieces that teach important Dhamma/Life lessons. For reflection and practice to develop the mind to grow in love, compassion and wisdom. The texts are in English and Chinese.
My other free eBooks can be obtained from the following Links:
https://www.slideshare.net/ohteikbin/presentations
https://www.slideshare.net/ohteikbin/documents
The forces involved in this witchcraft spell will re-establish the loving bond between you and help to build a strong, loving relationship from which to start anew. Despite any previous hardships or problems, the spell work will re-establish the strong bonds of friendship and love upon which the marriage and relationship originated. Have faith, these stop divorce and stop separation spells are extremely powerful and will reconnect you and your partner in a strong and harmonious relationship.
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1. LESSONS FROM AN ANCIENT PROPHET
REVERE FRANKLIN WEIDNER
President and professor of dogmatic the-
ology, Chicago Lutheran Theological Sem-
inary, since 1891 ; born Centre Valley, Le-
high County, Pa., November 22, 1851;
graduated Muhlenberg College, Allen-
town, Pa., 1869, D.D.; graduated Luther-
an Theological Seminary, Philadelphia,
1873; S.T.D., Carthage College, 111., 1888;
LL.D., Augustana College and Theological
Seminary, Rock Island, 1894; pastor at
Phillipsburg, K J., 1873-78; professor of
English, history and logic at Muhlenberg,
1875-77; pastor in Philadelphia, 1878-82;
professor of dogmatics and exegesis, Au-
gustana Theological Seminary, Rock Is-
land, 1882-91 ; author " Commentary on
the Gospel of Mark," " Theological Ency-
1
2. clopedia and Methodology" (3 volumes),
"Biblical Theology of the Old Testa-
ment," " An Introductory New Testament
Greek Method," " Studies in the Book "
— New Testament (3 volumes). Old Testa-
ment, Volume I, " Genesis," " Biblical
Theology of the New Testament," " Chris-
tian Ethics," " Examination Questions in
Church History and Christian Ai-chae-
ology," "The Doctrine of the Church,"
" The Doctrine of the Ministry," etc.
LESSONS FROM AN ANCIENT PROPHET
Pres. R. F. Weidner, D.D., LL.D.
Edited by Glenn Pease
*' The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen
of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days
2
3. of TJzziah Icing of Judah, and in the days of Jerohoam
the son of Joash Icing of Israel, two years before the
earthquake. * ' — Amos 1 : 1.
THE prophets of the ancient Jewish
Church were subject to no earthly-
tribunal, bound by no rules of disci-
pline. Their function was not limited to the
disclosure of the future. They had also a
practical office to discharge. They were the
preachers, the poets, the political teachers and
counselors of Palestine. They were bold,
courageous, heroic, devout men, fearing God,
not fearing men, denouncing alike the sins of
the great, the corruptions of the Jewish
Church, and the vices of the people. They
were watchmen set upon the walls of Zion to
blow the trumpet and give timely warning of
the approaching danger (Ez. 33:7). They
were the ambassadors of God, even as the min-
3
4. istry of the Christian Church, beseeching men
to turn from their evil ways and live.
Amos was one of the earliest of the proph-
ets. The text limits the period between 810
B. C. and 783 B. C, for he prophesied '' in
the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the
days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of
IsraeL" These two kings were contemporary
twenty-seven years, and in this period Amos
delivered his prophecy. It was two years be-
fore that terrible earthquake to which the
prophet Zechariah also refers, but the precise
date of this earthquake is unknown.
Let us give attention first to the personal
life of Amos. While Jonah was prophesying
against the Ninevites and Joel was sounding
the warning cry of danger to the people of
Judah, in the footsteps of Hosea, a prophet
4
5. from Judah comes to denounce the crimes of
the Ten Tribes. Amos suddenly appears, of
no prophetic school, with no regular prophetic
gifts, a shepherd from the wild uplands o.^ the
district of Tekoa, a fortified to^vn among the
hills of Judah, about six miles south of Bethle-
hem. By preeminence we may call him the
peasant prophet. He kept his sheep and goats
on the wild hills of Judea, as Nabal on a
grander scale, and David on a humbler scale
had kept them before him. He cultivated
sycamore trees for his support. While follow-
ing the flock the call of the Lord had come
unto him to leave his home and his nation,
and to go and prophesy unto Israel. In obe-
dience to the summons he repaired to Bethel,
the chief seat of the idol worship among the
ten tribes, and announced to the careless peo-
pie the judgment of God upon their wicked-
ness. And it was high time that such a bold
5
6. prophet did appear. The kingdom of the ten
tribes had now reached the zenith of its power.
But under this outward pomp and prosperity
there was a deep moral decay. The com-
fortable prosperity of the people passed into
such debauchery and excess that the austere
Israel of old could hardly be recognized. The
clearest sign of the degradation of public
morality was furnished then, as at all similar
times, by the growing effrontery of the women
and the decline of domestic morality. The
people did not see their corruption. God sent
drought, failure of crops, locusts, pestilence,
and finally they were visited by a great earth-
quake, so terrible in its devastation that for a
long time the years were reckoned from that
event; yet in spite of all these warnings the
people continued in their arrogant security,
and in their luxurious comfort, of which they
were so fond. They no longer believed in
6
7. a retributive, sin-avenging righteousness.
They forgot that what a man sows he must
also reap.
Drunkenness in its most revolting form was
prevalent. No class of society was exempt.
This vice was the canker, the curse of Pales-
tine. Out of it sprang a brood of yet more
desolating sins, licentiousness in all its forms,
oppression of the poor, self-indulgent luxury,
robbery and murder. To the eyes of the
prophet there it was, and there was noth-
ing else which he saw, wherever he looked,
whatever he heard — swearing, lying, kill-
ing, stealing, adultery," one stream of blood
meeting another, '* till they joined in one wide
inundation." Many of the details are pre-
served to us. Innocent debtors were bought
and sold as slaves, even for the sake of pos-
sessing a pair of costly sandals. The very
7
8. dust which they threw on their heads as a
sign of mourning was grudged to them.
They changed their wheat measures, making
the ephah smaller, thus cheating the buyer.
They mixed the poor wheat, the refuse, with
the good wheat and then palmed it off as
wheat of the first quality. They falsified the
balances. Bribery was practised in the seats
of judgment. Enormous landed property was
accumulated against the whole spirit of the
Israelite commonwealth. They skinned the
poor to the very quick. The great ladies of
the city were haughty, and paced along the
streets tossing their heads, walking and minc-
ing as they went, covered with tinkling orna-
ments, chains, bracelets, mantles, veils of all
fashions and sizes. Isaiah especially cries out
against this outrage of fashion. ** In that
day the Lord will take away your tinkling
ornaments, your pieces of net-work, the ear-
8
9. drops and the bracelets and the fine veils, the
bonnets and the sashes and the scent-bottles
and the amulets, the rings and the changeable
suits of apparel, the mantles and the cloaks,
the purses and the crisping pins, the glasses
and the fine linen '* (Isa. 3 : 16-26). Licen-
tious rites were practised in the groves and on
the hilltops. Tho they kept the outward
forms of religion, observed holy days, yet in
the very temple at Bethel they carried on
their revelry. Pilgrims coming to the sacred
places were attacked by bands of robbers,
often headed by the priests themselves.
Need we be surprised that our prophet was
not well received; that the priest of Bethel
addrest these words to Amos : ' * thou seer,
go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and
there eat bread and prophesy there; but
prophesy not again any more at Bethel."
9
10. Not only were the people thus living in open
rebellion to God, but they dwelt in careless
security. The prophecy of Joel had given fair
warning of a judgment of God to be visited
upon His people, if they repented not. These
warnings of Joel were well kno^^l. But the
corrupt people perverted their terms, and the
promise of salvation was made a pretext for
careless security. They regarded the day of
the Lord as coming indeed as a divine judg-
ment, but not upon them ; this judgment was
meant for the heathen, they were in no
danger, the Lord would provide salvation for
them. "Were they not His chosen people?
Were they not much better than the nations
around them ?
But Amos, like a true watchman of Israel,
awakens them from their lethargy. He boldly
cries out : ' ' Wo unto you that desire the day
10
11. of the Lord ! to what end is it for you ? The
day of the Lord is darkness and not light. ' '
His words cut Israel to the quick; they
stand out boldly in all their rugged brevity
and simplicity. The influence of the shep-
herd life of Amos appears in his prophecy, es-
pecially in those sublime passages in which he
describes the mighty workings of God. His
shepherd life had made him familiar with
those awful and sudden changes of nature, so
liable to occur in Palestine. The starry
heavens had often witnessed the silent inter-
course of his soul with God. His religious
life amid the scenes of nature, accustomed
him as well as David, to express his thoughts
in words taken from the great picture-book of
nature, which, as being also written by the
hand of God, so wonderfully expresses the
things of God. His imagery, in fact, from
11
12. its freshness and appropriateness, almost re-
minds us of Dante, and entitles him to as high
a place in the history of literature as in that
of religion. He spake in the language of
parables. His words are what we might call
the words of ** a child of nature." The im-
agery of his visions is fuU of country life.
He speaks of the locusts in the meadows, the
basket of fruits, vineyards and fig-trees, the
heavy-laden w^agon, the sifting of corn, the
selling of wheat; he alludes to the herds of
cows rushing heedlessly do^ii the hills of Sa-
maria, to the lion and the bear, to the deep
clefts in the mountain passes, to the foaming
torrents that rush to the Dead Sea.
And yet our shepherd prophet is in no wise
behind the very chief est prophets ; in the lofti-
ness of his thoughts and the magnificence of
his spirit almost equal to the highest ; and in
12
13. the splendor of diction and elegance of com-
position scarcely inferior to any. For the
illuminating spirit of God was with him, he
was endued with the power and wisdom of
God. The Holy Spirit gave him utterance.
Scarcely any prophet is more glowing in
style, or combines in a more wonderful man-
ner the natuial and moral world, the omnipo-
tence and omniscience of God.
The prophecy is unrolled before us as from
a scroll. It consists of nine chapters, contain-
ing chiefly threatenings against the kingdom
of the Ten Tribes.
The first and second chapters are a sort of
introduction to the pi:)phecy. By way of pref-
ace the storm of divme wrath rolls around
the outlying kingdoms until it comes to a
stand in Israel. The nations around Israel
13
14. are taken up in order, Damascus, Philistia,
Tyre, Edom, Ammon, and Moab, against each
of which the divine wrath is announced in
short, similar sentences. It is peculiar that
the threatenings throughout both chapters ad-
drest to the eight different nations are always
introduced in the same manner. Eight times
does Amos cry out: ** Thus saith Jehovah:
For three transgressions, and for four, I will
not turn away the punishment thereof. '*
Then, having described the transgression of
each particular nation, the prophet announces
the several judgments that shall fall upon
them : ' ' a kindling of fire ' ' in their capitals,
the fire of war, conquest and destruction.
Even the kingdom of Judah was included in
this list of nations. But now the prophetic
burden falls on Israel. The previous denun-
ciations were intended only to pave the way
for this one. Amos was sent to prophesy
14
15. against Israel.
The second part of the prophecy contains
four chapters. Amos announces the judgment
of God upon the prevailing sins of the great
men of the Ten Tribes. T2iese chapters are
four discourses, each chapter being a separate
address, and the first three begin with ' ' Hear
this word." The argument is: As surely as
I, Amos, am sent from God as a messenger of
warning, so surely will God punish Israel.
How can you expect God to walk with you
and bless you, unless you conform to His will ?
* ' Can two -walk together,
Except they be agreed?
Will a lion roar in the forest
When he hath no prey?
Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground
When there is no snare for him?
15
16. Shall a trumpet be blown in the city,
And the people not be alarmed?
Does misfortune fall on a city,
And Jehovah has not caused it?
Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah,
An enemy there shall be, even round about the land,
And he shall bring down thy strength from thee,
And thy palaces shall be plundered."
In the fourth chapter the burden is: Pun-
ishment must come, since despite all chastise-
ment the people will not amend.
" Hear this word. Ye
Who oppress the poor.
Who crush the needy,
Who say to their lords.
Bring hither that we may drink.
I, even I, have withheld the rain from you.
When there were yet three months to the harvest;
16
17. And have caused it to rain upon one city.
And caused it not to rain upon another.
I have smitten you with blight and mildew;
And the multitude of your gardens and your vine-
yards.
And your fig trees and olive trees the locust devoured;
And ye have not returned unto me, saith Jehovah.
I have sent pestilence among you in the manner of
Egypt;
I have overthrown among [some of] you
As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah,
And ye were like a brand plucked out of the burning;
And still ye have not returned unto me.
Therefore, thus will I do to thee, O Israel:
Because I will do this to thee.
Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.
For, behold, he that formeth the mountains and cre-
ateth the wind,
17
18. And deelareth to man what is his thought,
Who maketh dawn and darkness,
And goeth over the high places of the earth,
Jehovah, God of hosts, is his name/*
In the fifth chapter the prophet laments
over the fall of Israel. Israel might easily be
saved if they would seek the Lord, but this
they wiU not do.
*' Woe to the fools who desire the day of the Lord!
What good is it to you?
The day of Jehovah! it is darkness and not light.
As if a man fleeth before the lion.
And the bear met him;
Or he goes into the house
And rests his hand upon the wall
And the snake bites him.
Is not for you the day of Jehovah
Darkness and not light?
18
19. I hate, I despise your feasts;
I take no delight in your assembles;
I will carry you away captive beyond Damascus,
Saith Jehovah, whose name is God of hosts.''
In the sixth chapter the burden of the
prophecy is : Wo to the secure who think that
the day of the Lord is far off.
** Ye who put far off the evil day,
And bring near the seat of violence;
Who lie upon beds of ivory
And stretch themselves upon their couches;
Who trill to the sound of the harp.
Who anoint themselves with the best oils.
And do not grieve for the hurt of Joseph.
Behold I raise up over you, O house of Israel,
Saith Jehovah, God of hosts, a nation,
And it shall oppress you from the entrance Hemath
to the brook of the desert. ' '
19
20. The last part of the prophecy of Amos,
chapters seven, eight and nine, contains five
visions. In the seventh and eighth chapters
we have an account of four visions, one of
locusts, another of fire, a third of the plumb-
line, and a fourth of a basket of ripe fruit.
These symbolize the judgments which God
would cause to fall upon the apostate people.
The first two judgments, locusts and extreme
droughts [fire], are averted at the prayer of
the prophet. The third vision of the plumb-
line indicates the certain doTTifall of the king-
dom. The basket of ripe fruit is the image of
a people ripe for judgment. In the fifth vis-
ion, recorded in the ninth chapter, the last of
the prophecy, the prophet sees under the
image of an overthrow of the temple at
Bethel, the utter ruin of the kingdom by a
divine judgment which none can escape.
20
21. They shall be carried into captivity. Still
God in His grace will not destroy them
utterly, but only sift them.
* ' Behold, the eyes of the Lord, Jehovah, are upon the
sinful kingdom,
And I "will destroy it
From off the face of the earth,
Saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of
Jacob, saith the Lord.
For behold, I, I will command
And will shake the house of Israel among all nations,
As one shaketh a sieve;
And not even a little grain shall fall to the ground/'
The prophecy ends with the promise of a new
deliverance to the house of Israel.
** Behold, the days are coming, saith Jehovah,
When the plowman shall overtake the reaper,
And the treader of grapes him that soweth seed;
21
22. And the mountains shall drop sweet wine,
And all the hills melt:
And I bring back the captivity of my people, Israel,
And they build the waste cities, and inhabit them;
And plant vineyards and drink their wine;
And make gardens and eat their fruit;
And I will plant them upon their land.
And they shall no more be torn up out of their land
which I gave them,
Saith Jehovah, thy God.'*
How wonderful are the judgments of God,
His ways are past finding out. The voice of
Amos had scarcely ceased to give the warning
cry of danger before the judgments began to
visit the surrounding nations. Tiglath-Pile-
ser, king of Assyria, laid siege to Damascus,
destroyed the city and carried the inhabitants
thereof into captivity. The words of Isaiah
and Amos, which they had prophesied in the
22
23. day of its prosperity, that Damascus should
be '* taken away from being a city and be a
ruinous heap," that *' a fire should be sent
into the house of Hazael, Avhich should devour
the palaces of Ben-hadad, were so literally
fulfilled that Jeremiah, writing one hundred
and fifty years later, declares in his prophecy,
' ' Damascus is waxed feeble ; she turneth her-
self to flee and fear hath seized on her. How
is the city of praise not left, the city of my
joy! " The same fate befell Gaza, Ashdod,
Ashkelon, Ekron and the other cities of Phi-
listia. Tyre and Edom, Ammon and Moab,
were ravaged again and again by the savage
hordes from the east and north. At different
times and in different ways the punishment
and judgment foretold by Amos was meted
out to them. So likewise did all the calami-
ties which Amos describes in his prophecy
gather fast over the kingdom of the Ten
23
24. Tribes. In less than seventy years the storm
with its judgments came. The locusts came
from the south and destroyed the gardens and
vineyards, the fig trees and olive trees of Sa-
maria. Their corn and wine failed, blasting
and mildew smote them, drought and famine
fell upon them. The plague with its terrible
destruction visited them. But all these visi-
tations were but forerunners of a still more
fearful calamity. Now, for the first time ap-
peared on the eastern horizon that great
power which for a hundred years was the
scourge of Asia. Long before its actual irrup-
tion the rise of the new power is noted by the
prophets. Jonah had already traversed the
desert and seen '* that great Nineveh." Not
only did Amos see the nations one by one
swept into captivity, but Hosea brings out the
danger more definitely by naming it. The
wakeful ear of Isaiah catches the sound of the
24
25. irresistible advance of the Assyrian armies
long before they threatened Israel; he de-
scribes their savage warfare, their strange lan-
guage, the speed of their march, their indefat-
igable energy, their arrows sharp, their bows
bent, their horses' hoofs like flint, and their
chariots like a whirlwind. In 723 B. C. Shal-
maneser, king of Assyria, marched against Is-
rael, and after overrunning the country, laid
siege to Samaria. Then followed one of those
memorable defenses, the despairing efforts of
dying nations. We have no details of the
siege; but Isaiah gives a glowing description
of the mighty instrument of Jehovah smiting
like a hailstorm the glorious beauty of the
city, which towered on its hill like a crown of
pride. For three long years the people of the
city held out, during which time we learn
from Assyrian monuments that Shalmaneser
died and was succeeded by his son Sargon.
25
26. As the end drew near, the people gave them-
selves up to the frantic revelings of despair.
At last the city was stormed. The infants
were hurled down the rocky sides of the hill
on which the city stood. Famine and pesti-
lence completed the work of war. The stones
of the ruined city were poured down into the
rich valley below and the foundations laid
bare. Sargon himself records the capture of
Samaria in the following terms : ' ' Samaria I
looked at, I captured ; twenty-seven thousand,
two hundred and eighty families who dwelt in
it I carried away." According to the Scrip-
ture narrative as recorded in 2 Kings, 17 : 6,
we learn that he '^ carried Israel away into
Assyria and placed them in Halah, and by
Habor by the rivers of Gozan, and in the
mountains of the IMedes. ' '
The prophecy of Amos was fulfilled. The
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27. Ten Tribes of Israel were carried away into
captivity and have never been restored.
With reference to the last prophecy, the
new deliverance, when Israel will be richly
blest and made great and powerful, this
*' raising up of David's fallen hut " com-
menced with the coming of Christ and the
founding of the Christian Church by the
apostles, its complete fulfilment is to be ex-
pected at the second coming of Christ.
But some may say. What has the prophecy
of Amos to do with us, the people of the new
covenant ? Much in every way. These things
" were written for our learning." God has
ever w^arned the world of coming judgments
in order that it may not incur them. He has
revealed to us hell, in order that we may es-
cape hell. He warned Noah of the coming'
27
28. deluge. He told Abraham and Lot of the
future judgment on Sodom and the cities of
the plain. He revealed to Joseph the seven
years' famine, and to Moses and to Pharaoh
the ten plagues ; to Moses and Joshua and the
prophets, all the chastisement of His people;
to Jonah, the destruction of Nineveh ; to Isa-
iah, Hosea and Amos, the destruction of the
kingdom of Israel ; by Christ and His apostles
He foretold the fall of Jerusalem ; and Christ
has warned all of His own future coming to
judge the world. God does this in order that
men may repent ; and if they obstinately con-
tinue in sin. He may be justified in executing
punishment upon them. The prophecy of
Amos is so true to nature, so descriptive of
the sins of actual States, churches and indi-
viduals, that faithful preachers in dark days
of the history of the Church have used this
prophet as a text-book to denounce the sins
28
29. of the people. When Savonarola wished to
denounce the sins of Florence, he poured
down upon the heads of the people the warn-
ing cry of Amos. The sermons of Luther on
this prophecy are almost like Amos himself
come to life again.
We learn from this prophecy that sin and
punishment are by a great law of God bound
together. It is one of God's greatest benefits
that He gives us His word containing the reve-
lation of His will ; that He points out the way
not only to our temporal welfare, but to eter-
nal blessedness. To despise such a gift is the
grossest ingratitude. God is long-suffering
and ready to forgive; He tries all means to
win men before proceeding to extremities.
But if His benefits are not recognized He
sends chastisements. At first their aim is to
open the eyes of those who know not God, so
29
30. that men may seek the Lord. He waits long
in the hope that there will be a change. Shall
all the warnings of God be in vain ? Will not
even those who live in gospel days take heed
and watch and pray lest their sin overtake
them suddenly? Man knows what he has to
do, and what to expect. The terrible social
and political phenomena of the present times
will not disturb the mind of the Christian.
Tho *' we live among falling institutions, tho
the foundations of fabrics have long been giv-
ing way and a visible tottering has begun;
tho the sound of great downfalls and great
disruptions come from different quarters, yet
the believer in Christ, with the Bible in his
hand, remains unshaken.'^ He knows that
heaven and earth will pass away, but Christ's
word will not pass away. States and empires
will fall, but Christ remains forever. The
Holy Ghost will abide for ever with His
30
31. Church. The holy Scriptures will remain, the
holy sacrament will remain, the creeds of the
universal Church will remain, the Church her-
self will remain unto the end, to preach the
word, to give the signal cry of danger, to
minister the sacraments, to fight against error
and sin, and to lead men to blessed immortal-
ity. Seek the Lord that ye may live.
We learn from this prophecy that security
and vain confidence are the common faults of
man. He is blind to his danger. He reels
around the abyss without perceiving it, and at
last would plunge headlong, were it not that
God startles him with judgments. But where
is he to be found who thinks that the words of
God are addrest to him personally ! There is
plenty of lip-service, but that of the heart is
rare. In these days even religious zeal is not
the criterion by which to judge the Christian
31
32. character of men. It often happens that
those who shamelessly transgress the simplest
moral duties are most zealous in the outward
observance of the duties of religion. True
piety must show itself by hating evil and lov-
ing good. How often does prayer ascend to
God on the Lord's day from one who prac-
tises fraud and pollutes his soul with sin in
€very transaction on the other six days.
There are too many professed Christians who
dishonor the name of Christ. They are almost
Christians. The persons to whom Amos was
sent were almost true followers of God, but
not altogether. They still kept some idols in
their groves. Take warning from the fate of
the kingdom of Israel. Almost a Christian is
not a Christian. Almost a Christian is like
Micah, who thought he was in favor with the
Lord because he had a priest abiding in his
house. Almost a Christian is like Ananias
32
33. who brought a part, but left part behind. He
who gives almost, gives not, but denieth. He
who believeth almost, believeth not, but doubt-
eth. Can the door which is but almost shut
keep out the thief ? Can the cup which is but
almost whole hold water? The soldier wha
does but almost fight is a coward. The serv-
ant who does but almost labor is a loiterer.
0, ye who live in self-confidence and indif-
ference, the prophet's message is for youT
Wo unto you: he who is almost a Christian,
almost zealous, almost a follower of Christ,
who doth but almost believe, almost love — he
shall be almost saved, but not altogether.
33