New Years: Creation, Jewish and Gregorian

1. On what day did God institute His Creation New Year?

Scriptures reveal that God established the Law of New Years by inaugurating Earth’s first New Year on SUNDAY JANUARY 1^st on YEAR 1.  However, we see that humans have deviated from God’s established patterns:

• The Gregorian calendar begins arbitrarily on any day of the week
• The Jewish New Year (which is Nisan, according to scriptures), begins in the middle of the month of April.

Should we worry about the deviation from God’s established pattern?

Yes. God established patterns for light, darkness, days and years for a reason. I have seen, for example, a terrible consequence of beginning new days at midnight.  As I have shown, God’s pattern for new days or the 24 hour day cycle is sunrise to sunrise.   Here are FIVE consequences of starting days at midnight:

• At least two days over lap.
• For example, Monday 29^th August “began” at midnight.
• This means that we stole about 6 hours of Sunday
• Sunday overlapped with Saturday
• This is nothing but bedlam as far as God is concerned.

Detailed examination of the Holy Scriptures will reveal that people up to the time of Christ began days from sunrise to sunrise. Time therefore has “changed”, in a sense, under “newer and more modern” calculations.

2. On what day of the month did God command Moses to celebrate the Jewish New Year?

Exodus reveals that God gave the Jews a New Calendar system in order to reestablish His System for celebrating New Years on Sunday January 1^st.   When God established the Jewish New Year He commanded Moses:

“This month shall be … the BEGINNING  of months… it shall be the  FIRST month of the year to you” (Exodus 12: 1)

On what day was that FIRST Jewish New Year?  The answer is revealed directly in the book of Exodus:

• The Passover was celebrated in the evening of Saturday 14^th Abib or Nisan
• The Jews left Egypt on  Sunday 15^th Nisan
• This readily tells us that SUNDAY was the first day of the Jewish New Year and therefore the month of Nisan.

This is a perfect match with God’s Creation Calendar. I can easily show you other texts supporting this teaching that God always began New Years on Sunday 1^st.

3. Is it important to follow the New Year pattern that God established?

Yes, it is:

• God’s pattern of beginning New Years on Sunday 1^st helps humans to keep accurate calculations of days, weeks, months and years.
• Humans have disrupted God’s established order and chaos is the result.
• We would have been able to match dates and days in history without using a calendar.
• God uses NEW symbolically to refer to ENTIRELY NEW BEGINNINGS
• Beginnings speak of new creation and renewal – God always starts on a new page.
• People and nations that are renewed begin with God (three people with one name); God moving, God breathing or outpouring His Spirit, God speaking and establishing new things.

Most of all, when we follow God’s patterns, we begin to think like Him and understand how He thinks. I hear the Lord say that this is the MOST CRITICAL thing.  Blessings!

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

 

King Adam was also commanded to SUBDUE the earth and establish the KINGDOM OF GOD

1. God commanded Adam to SUBDUE the earth

I wrote in the previous post that God made Adam in His image and likeness, thereby establishing proprietary rights to His creation.  Furthermore, God then made Adam King over the earth by first delegated the rights of  direct rule or DOMINION of the earth and its living creatures, including satan and his demons:

Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and SUBDUE it and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth (Gen 1: 28).

 

2.  What  did God mean by this command to SUBDUE the earth? 

Kabash (H3533) is the Hebrew word for subdue. I again explored how the word was used in the scriptures in order to paint a picture of what God meant when He told Adam to subdue the earth.  I was relieved to discover that kabash occurs 15 times in 13 verses in the Hebrew concordance of the KJV

• the second reference to the word subdue occurred when Moses spoke to three tribes telling them that they had to go over Jordan with the others and war against the Canaanites until the Lord had driven out His enemies and subdued the land (Num 32: 21-22).
• Joshua 18: 1 showed that the Israelites warred against    the Caananites, taking possession of their cities and property and as a result the land was subdued before them. 
• 2 Samuel 8 is a brief description of  how King David subdued enemy nations in war. He took possession of their territories, placed Israeli forces there, made the people  his servants, made them bring gifts/dues to him.  King David was a terror and his enemies feared him
• King David commanded the people to help Solomon his son, since the Lord had helped him to conquer the nations and subdue them (1 Chronicles 22: 18)
• To subdue means to bring someone else into bondage or make them a servant or slave (2 Chro 28: 10; Neh 5: 5; Jeremiah 34: 11, 16)
• Weapons are used to subdue enemies (Zech 9: 15)

3.  Adam was therefore given the right to exercise military strength over God’s enemy satan

It is  important to twin the words subdue and have dominion because God twinned them in Genesis 1: 28.  In discovering their meanings, we find some important revelations:

• God commanded Adam to treat satan as an enemy and not as a friend
• Most of the references to the action of subduing  relate to the conquest of the Land of  Canaan in which ungodly, demon worshipping nations were replaced with people who God called “a Kingdom of  priests and a holy nation” (Ex 19: 6)
• We can therefore infer that God’s intent when  He created Adam was the deposing of satan
• God also intended that HIS  KINGDOM  OF RIGHTEOUSNESS would be transfered into the earth through an earthly ruler 
• Adam’s job was to fill up the earth with God- like people who would worship and serve Him  AND keep the devil in his place so he would have no territory to occupy.
• Adam and Eve were commanded to rule over the devil with strength;  prevail against him; run him out of their earth; and teach their descendants to rule as Kings and Princes in the earth. 
• If  you scan through the Old Testament, you will discover that the nations of the earth understood the concept of ruling as Kings and Princes in the natural sense.  However, they gave up control  of the invisible realm to the devil, allowing him to subdue them and bring them into bondage of  many heinous sins.
• Time does not permit, but you will see that God called Abraham a Father of  many nations.  Jacob was called a Prince because he had prevailed with God.  Ishmael was also a ruler who produced 12 princes, but ungodly men.

 

4.  There are two realms of  rulership – the natural and the invisible.

Here are some important questions that I would like you to answer:

• Are you ruling  in the natural realm but a victim  to satan? 
•  Are you like God or like satan?
• Are you a member of  the Kingdom of  God or the Kingdom of  satan?
• You will know whose Kingdom you belong to based on the beliefs and lifestyle practices that you pursue
• God’s  Kingdom can be entered only by  a rebirth of that tainted, sinful spirit.  To read more about the transformation of  your spirit, please visit

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/2009/07/17/jesus-said-tha…-be-born-again/

Blessings!

 

God made a covenant with Adam then made him a KING in the earth******

1. What was the covenant that God made with Adam?

The Lord drew to my attention the covenant that He had made with Adam.  By virtue of the fact that Adam had been created by God,  the following  truths were established:

 

• God automatically had exclusive rights to  be called Adam’s  God.  
• God did not sign a licensure agreement with the devil or   give “resale rights”  to satan.  Even in a natural sense, people retain rights to their inventions and ideas, patenting them for protection. 
• Adam  had a right to love and obey God.
• Genesis explains God’s patent rights on human beings

 

God demonstrated His rights to Adam in several ways. By:

• making  Adam  a replica of  Himself
• breathing “His”   Spirit into Adam
• preparing  a  home, food, wealth, leisurely occupation and a companion for him
• testing him in the naming of animals to see how well he would reflect  the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, discernment etc of  God.  Animals come in species, categories etc so this was not as simplistic as it appeared.
• Teaching Adam His Word
• giving him a commandment  to obey His Word only as well as the dangers of  rebellion
• giving him blessings of the covenant

 

2. Blessings that come with obedience of the covenant  with God – dominion.

When God initially revealed His thoughts about man, he said that  He would create him in His own image and likeness and let them have DOMINION  in the earth (Gen 1: 26).  Here are some important revelations:

• God made man like Him and to have dominion like Himself.  God rules in heaven and earth is His footstool.
• The dominion of  man was spoken in a  command in the same way that  God said “let there be light etc”
• The  dominion of man is the INITIAL  blessing that is revealed and is  important  to the  Law of   Prominence.  
• Being like God is related to the dominion of man
• Dominion is inherent  to God’s nature.
• God established the covenant even before the man was actually formed – this is His prophetic plan for the human race. We are His and should love and obey NO OTHER GOD.
• Dominion meant that God delegated rulership of the earth to Adam and he was given the  title of  Earth King under God   

 

3. What is dominion?

Radah  (H 7287) is the Hebrew word used for DOMINION in Genesis 1: 26.  I tracked its usage in scripture and found the fascinating results:

• dominion over the fish of the sea,  fowl of the air, cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth (Gen 1: 26 & 28).  Since we are speaking in the spiritual and natural, God commanded man to rule over satan.  Humans portray demons in the form of  fishes, cattle (the Hindus worship cattle); serpents (the  Greek demon of  medicine was a serpent around a staff), scorpions and creeping things  etc.  Now do you  understand why the serpent was more subtil than any other beast of the field?  How about the signs of the zodiac?
• Dominion refers to ruling
• Reigning over enemies, killing them, causing them to flee even when no chase is being made (Psalm 18)
• Ruling over people, the mighty, noble, geographic regions  (Psalm 149; Daniel 10)
• Delegating  authority to Chiefs and Princes who would rule the  people
• Rule with strength – no one would revolt
• To prevail

I gave additional references to show that  God gave man dominion in BOTH the natural realm and  invisible realm.  Humans have learnt how to tame wild animals  and harness the natural resources of earth to a greater extent.  However,  we are still held captive to a tormenter who holds great power and ability to bring people into addiction and death.  If dominion related solely to being wealthy, educated etc tell me why many wealthy people are drug addicts etc  and why nations are at war. 

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H7287&t=KJV

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/2009/12/25/adam-and-eve-w…ikeness-of-god/

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/2009/06/19/god-created-th…ith-his-breath/

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/2009/06/19/god-is-the-father-of-spirits/

Blessings and more to come!

 

The temptation and fall of man is WRITTEN IN A PARABLE ********

1.  God told me to tell you that the temptation and fall of man is written in a parable 

It is important for us to understand that the account of the temptation and fall of man  is written in a parable.   God showed me that this parable is  parallel to  the way Jesus  taught  hidden truths about the Kingdom of  God by saying, “the Kingdom of heaven is like unto…”   

The parable of the temptation and fall of man is a behind the scenes view of the conflict between the Kingdom of heaven/God and the kingdom of  darkness.  It is written in a parable for several reasons:

• to allow only seeing eyes to discover the truth
• to show us the key players and scenarios in the conflict between the Kingdom of  God/heaven and satan
• to show the ROOT  of the human condition – our spiritual eyes  that were designed to be open to God were ruthlessly gouged out by a merciless liar, murderer and thief.  Our fore parents were taken  into captivity and made to serve the devil, imprisoned in darkness of sin and ignorance of  God’ s  Word/truth.
• to show that Adam came under satan’s control when he  broke his covenant with  God (say what? More on that later!)
• to hide the sordid details of the sins and rebellion  of  Adam and Eve  (rated above R)
• to show that  there is a natural and spiritual realm and how to identify the parallels in scriptures (only seeing eyes will see.  Father, please open my eyes).
• to explain the nature of the conflict between the children of the kingdom of  God/heaven  and the kingdom of hell

 

 

2.   Key to the parable of the temptation and fall of man

• the Lord God commanded the man =  Word of God; covenant with man
• eat = practice; partake of;  believe the doctrine of  devils;  fellowship with devils (1 Corinthians 10)
• surely die = your spirit will disconnect from Me; you will lose your purity;  you will die to truth; lose your authority to satan;  come under satan’s power and become his slave. 
• Tree of life = Jesus, Word of God; Word of Life  
• tree of the knowledge of good and evil = satan;  doctrine of devils, sin
• fruit = doctrine; results; lifestyle
• serpent = devil, satan
• beast =   demon
• field = earth

 

3. How do we explain the following events if the account of the  fall and temptation was written literally?

A. The death of  Adam and Eve by eating a fruit

• Why didn’t Adam and Eve drop dead immediately after having eaten the fruit?
• Would an apple kill anyone in the literal sense?
• Wouldn’t it be more logical to say that the fruit was a  poison berry?
• Why did satan make a new offer - you will not die but your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

B. God told Adam and Eve that they would “surely die” the day that they ate the fruit. Did He mean instant,  physical death?  Not at all.  The aftermath revealed that  the results of the fall were  of a spiritual nature…

• Adam and Eve did not drop dead immediately 
• their eyes opened although they were not physically blind
• they became aware of  their nakedness and became ashamed
• They did not go to the grave immediately, but  God  killed an animal to atone for their sins  
• Why didn’t God kill them Himself  if the “apple”  had failed to do so?  
• God symbolically dressed them in leather in a climate that was perfect in order to help them cover their nakedness.  Humans are still obsessed over the issue of  external covering and  neglect the godly  growth and development  neglect the inner spirit. 
• Why did God ban Adam and Eve from access to the literal tree of life if the initial death was intended to be a physical one? 

Blessings and more to come!

 

Rebuke the devil if he promises to “open” your eyes

1. What did satan mean when he told Adam and Eve that their ”eyes will be open”

Paqach (H6491) is word used for  the phrase “shall be opened” and is found 20 times in 18 verses in the KJV of the Old Testament.   I  read and categorized the usage of the word in each verse in order to understand what satan promised to eve. The opening of the eyes was  also used in these verses:

• Adam and  Eve’s eyes were opened after they sinned (Gen 3: 7)
• God opened Hagar’s eyes and she saw a well of water in the wilderness as she wandered with Ishmael her son (Gen 21: 19)
• The son of the Shunnamite woman opened his eyes after Elijah resurrected him from the dead (2 Kings 4: 3 – 4)
• Prophet Elisha prayed for his servant’s eyes to be opened, thus allowing him to see the invisible angels surrounding and protecting them  (2 Kings 6)
• Prophet Elisha blinded the Syrian army then told them he could show them the way home, but led them instead to the  King of Israel (2 Kings 6: 18 – 20)
• Prophet Isaiah spoke about Jesus who would open the blind eyes and bring the blind out of the prisons (Isa 42: 7)

 http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H6491&t=KJV

 

2.  What does the word  “paqach”  reveal about the opening of  the eyes?

Paqach is the same word used  in the phrase ““the opening the prison” in Isaiah 61: 1.  I wrote about this truth a few days ago at     http://pppministries.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/gods-exchange-…owledge-of-god/

In order to fully  understand the temptation and fall of Adam and Eve, we have to interpret the context  in a spiritual and not a natural sense.   This truth of interpretation will be supported when we answer  FIVE  questions:

1. Were Adam and Eve were in full possession of their sight? Yes
2. Since they were not physically blind, why did satan promise to open their eyes?
3. Why did he promise them the knowledge of good and evil?
4. Why do we commonly assume that the fruit of the tree was  an apple?
5. Why would an apple kill two healthy people (“it keeps the doctor away”)

The current usage of  the word paqach reveals the following truths:

• By telling Eve that her   eyes would be opened to good and evil, Satan suggested that God had hidden something from them, arousing resentment against God.
• By telling them that their eyes would be opened to good and evil, satan suggested that they were dead.  God had told them they would die if they had this information.
• Satan aroused lust for the knowledge of good and evil by giving  Eve a demonstration of power. This is suggested as  the dialogue said – “when the woman saw… “
• Adam and Eve  received information that they had not know prior to  this exposure.  This is seen in the opening of Hagar’s eyes to a well that had either been hidden to her OR one that God had placed in her path.
• They received information about the invisible realm that God wanted to protect them from
• Satan promised them that the opening of  their eyes would make them become like God, implying a form of rebellion against God that was equal to the one that led to his exile from heaven.

 Blessings!!!

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/2009/12/24/the-fruit-of-a…ir-descendents/

 

Satan plotted to gore out Adam and Eve’s eyes and kill them!

1. The goring out of the captive’s eyes

I’ve been writing about the horrific practices of  oppressors who would take captives  in war and other forms of aggression. The captives and their families would be bound and taken off  to foreign lands as slaves.  Not satisfied, the captors would in some cases GORE OUT THE EYES of the captive as in the catastrophic situation of  Samson and also King  Zedekiah of  Judah whose eyes were gored out by the Babylonians. 

These captives would not have been given an anesthetic and a hot metal  instrument would be used for this  procedure. The captors  would mercilessly restrain the captives as they kicked and screamed against the searing, relentless agony.  Dripping and bleeding, the captives would then be forced to walk  the long miles to the prison house, not afforded any privileges of their status. Samson was a President and Zedekiah a King. 

 

2. Adam and Eve were the first captives whose eyes were gored out  by satan 

According to Ezekiel 28, spurred by his own beauty, wisdom, influence and wealth, the devil said, “I am a God, I sit in the seat of God in the midst of the seas”.  This is the place where God’s throne is surrounded by the sea of glass (Rev 4: 6).   Satan had once been a very important person in heaven.   He had been present in the Garden of Eden and was at one time  a prodigious musician and priest who played a leading role in heaven.   Forgetting that he was a created being, satan warred against God, but  Archangel Michael threw him  out of heaven so fast that he and his demons fell to the earth with the speed and electricity of lightning (Lk 10: 18  Rev 12: 7-10 ).

Once in the earth, satan determined that he would rule the earth and its inhabitants and establish himself as god in the earth and its airspaces.  However, he had heard God telling Adam and Eve to subdue the earth and have dominion over all its living creatures.  He knew that that these were military tactics and that Adam and Eve had authority to overpower him with the word of  God and  rule him.  

Therefore, in order to rule the earth from them, satan had to EITHER to Kill  Adam and Eve OR take them into captivity, bind them hands and feet,  and gore out their eyes.  By blinding them to God’s  truth, they would be unable to obey God and he. satan, would have control of their power forever. 

Studying Adam and Eve carefully, he discovered that Eve was more likely to give up her power in exchange for something that he could give to her. 

Here are the tactics that satan used against Adam and Eve:

• he introduced a suggestion of doubt to Eve when he asked “hath God said?”
• He told Eve that she would not surely die if she ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  His first choice was to kill them.
• He told her that her eyes would be opened 
• Adam and Eve would be like God (The lust to be God and rule heaven and earth lay at the root of satan’s fall)
• You will  know good and evil 

 Blessings!

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/2009/12/26/the-tree-of-the-knowledge-of-good-and-evil/

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/2009/12/24/why-did-adam-and-eve-sin/

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/2009/12/24/the-fruit-of-a…ir-descendents/

 

The tree of the knowledge of good and evil

Introduction

The Lord alerted me today that some people are having great difficulty believing that the devil is represented in the book of Genesis by the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This is because we have been taught, for some reason,  that Adam and Eve ate an apple in the garden.  I need therefore to add further clarity. If you read Genesis and the scriptures carefully, you will find that the word fruit, while meaning real fruits produced by trees, is also used to represent:

1. teachings or doctrine
2. evidence of the inner condition of the spirit
3. people e.g. offspring
4. productivity
5. words are the fruit of the mouth
6. work done for  God

1. Fruit or food (s) are used to refer to teachings or doctrines

God told the Jews that they had “… plowed wickedness … reaped iniquity… eaten the fruit of lies:” (Hosea 10: 13).  False prophets had been lying to them causing them to sin, just like the false prophet in the garden of Eden, who had appeared in such a pleasant and engaging manner to Eve. Jesus told us to beware of false prophets, because they are ravening wolves inside. Satan was a ravening wolf,  mercilessly killing  Adam and Eve, a murderer from the beginning as the Lord said.

Jesus also used the imagery of food if not fruit, to refer to His teachings. He said:

• eat my flesh and drink my blood (Jn 6: 53-60)
• I am the Bread of Life (Jn 6: 48-51). My teachings will give you life, but beware of the leaven of the scribes and Pharisees
• I am the Living Bread (Jn 6: 53-60)
• that the bread of the Last Supper represented his body while the wine represented HIs blood
• I am the Water of Life (Jn 7: 37-39)

Apostle Peter also told the disciples to desire the sincere milk of the word for spiritual growth.

Science shows that the food that we eat will either nourish or harm our cells, leading to growth or death.  Poor nutrition will lead to obesity, cancer and other nutritional disorders. The devil’s diet led to the immediate death of Adam and  Eve’s spirit (loss of fellowship with God, infection with sin) AS WELL AS slow physical deterioration and death.  Will you eat or believe and practice the devil’s doctrine which is really based on half-truths OR will you believe the pure word of God and be saved? (Jn 8: 51).

2. Fruit is used to refer to the outward evidence of the inner condition of the spirit

People who obey God’s wisdom will produce its fruit such as an excellent spirit, prudence etc while those who refuse to follow His  wisdom will produce fruits of perversion, frowardness etc (Prov 8).

God told Jeremiah that He deals with people according to the “fruit of our doings”:

“I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings”  (Jer 17: 10)

We saw that Adam and Eve produced fruits of their sins. They began to cover up, hide from God an they became evasive. He had to deal with them accordingly by preventing access to the tree of Life.  While the fruit of sin will bring forth death and every evil work, the fruit or evidence of God in a believer will be God – like characteristics such as love, joy, peace etc (Gal 5: 22-23)

3. Fruit referred to  people

Fruit was used to refer to people such as offspring who were called “fruit of thy body” (Deut 28: 4); and fruit of the womb  (Ps 127: 3). God called the nation of Israel a “basket of summer fruit” that has only a temporary lifespan (Amos 8: 1,2).

Jesus referred in His teaching on false prophets, referred to two types -  good or bad false prophets or trees which produce good or bad fruit. In this parable, he said that we will know what is hidden in the prophet’s spirit by the fruit they produce. Good/true prophets trees will produce good fruit, while corrupt prophets/trees will produce corrupt fruit  (Mt 7: 15-20). If we apply Jesus’ revelation to the sin in the Garden, we will immediately understand that Adam and  Eve had no problems before they submitted to the temptation of  satan the false prophet.  He was false because he mixed truth with lies that would lead to eternal death.  Adam and Eve’s descendents were plagued by the knowledge of good and evil whose fruit was hatred, murder, lies, violence and all forms of rebellion against God.

 4. Fruit referred to productivity

Those who  fear the Lord will be productive  (Ps 1: 3) even  in their old age (Ps 92: 14).  In the parable of the Gardener and the vine, Jesus referred to unproductive believers who bore no  fruit. They had withered and dried up as a result of disconnecting from fellowship with Him. This was the situation of Adam and Eve as well as Cain. Like the branch in the parable of  John 15, they were now worthy of nothing but to be cast out of the Garden. God in His mercy, however, purged them, but did not permit them to physically live forever. Cain was cast out however, because he refused to bring forth fruits of repentance and remained obstinate about his sin.

Fruit referred to words that  we speak

Scriptures also refer to words as the fruit of the lips. If we speak good, we will reap good, but people speaking violence reap violence (Prov 12: 14  &13:2). We are also told that we will either live or die based on what we say with our lips. Proverbs 18: 21 teaches that if we love life we will speak life, but if we love death we will speak with the lips.

Jesus said that the things that come out of our mouths are really evidence of what we possess in our spirits. The spirit or the inner person is really a store house. If good is inside the spirit, we will speak good, while an evil person will bring forth evil from the spirit:

 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh (Lk 6: 45).

 Fruit referred to evidence of our work done for God

God expects believers to bring forth fruit, symbolic of other believers (Jn 15: 8).

Blessings and have a great day!

 

Why did Adam and Eve sin?

1. The devil is the serpent who tempted them

While the  word serpent is used literally in scriptures, it is used figuratively to represent wicked people who are venemous like serpents (Ps 58: 4); people who bite when they are not charmed (Ecc 10: 11). The word dragon  is also used in both Old and New Testament as a synonym for serpent. For example:

• Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon (Strongs 8577 = tanniyn) shalt thou trample under feet   (Ps 91: 13)
•  For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents (Strongs 8577 = tanniyn) : but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods (Ex 7: 12)

Rev 12: 9 is the scripture that clearly shows that the devil is the serpent that taught Adam and Eve to sin:

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man-child (Rev 12: 7, 9, 13)

This scripture refers also to past events when the devil rebelled and was cast out into the earth.  Chief Prince Michael cast him out of heaven so hard that Jesus chuckled and said that he fell like lightning (Luke 10: 18).  Once on the earth, Eve became a target.  

Genesis 3: 1 explains that the devil, the serpent (Strongs 5175 = nachash) was more subtil or crafty (Strongs H6175 = `aruwm) than any beast of the field.

2. Eve had befriended the devil, spending time with him

God called the devil a beast,  a derogatory statement.  Micheal told me that the devil is not even worthy to be called an “it”. That beast, the devil, used a friendly approach which led to Eve succumbing to his teachings.  God revealed this friendship between them when He  told the serpent that He would break up their friendship and cause them to hate each other:

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel (Gen 3: 15).

God’s words to the devil shows us that Eve and the devil had become great friends, although they had been expressly forbidden. The Lord had told them not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. However, Eve was presented with a mixture of truth and lies. The devil spoke  truth when he said that her eyes would open and that she would become like a god, knowing good and evil if she did what he said. However, she believed him rather than God when he lied and said that she would not die.  

She and the devil had become friends. She looked at his presentation and saw that the tree THE DEVIL, was pleasant (she did not discern the deception). Furthermore, she really believed that he had the ability to make them “wise” (Gen 3: 6). Eve became resentful, believing that God had hidden knowledge from them and that she and Adam should have access to this knowledge. Following the devil’s instructions, she and her husband did all kinds of things that God knew would harm their spirits and their relationship with Him.

3. The devil, representing the tree of knowledge of good and evil influenced them to do so

Why  did God permit the devil into the earth? That’s another discussion.  Why was he called the tree of knowledge of good and evil? (Gen 2: 9). What is bad about “good”? Minister Winston first taught me in 2006 that God used the imagery of a tree to represent people – Satan (tree of knowledge of good and evil) and Jesus (Tree of Life). Following God’s example, writers in Scripture continued with the imagery.  For example, the  writer of Psalm 1 compared those who walked in God’s ways to trees that bring forth fruit in his season (Ps 1: 3). Adam and Eve were warned not to eat from the tree. That is, do not eat its fruit.

4.  They sinned because they believed satan’s knowledge and submitting to his way of evil, gained access to death

Eve, having listened to this pleasant-looking devil, took what he said and invited Adam to join in the quest for his version of knowledge and wisdom.  However, we have spoken already about the disastrous effects. What was the fruit that Eve ate? Was it an apple, as we commonly say? As I said in the previous post, the word fruit is used literally in scripture until Proverbs 8, when it is used figuratively.  My mind blew when I read this chapter this morning and I had to do so repeatedly. 

God’s wisdom, which existed before the earth, is personified, crying to us to listen to it. The chapter does three things:

1. highlights the characteristics of wisdom, which is really an element of God’s character or Spirit
2. it contrasts God’s wisdom with the devil’s wisdom
3. it reveals that God is the source of true wisdom (Prov 8: 22-34

Wisdom is a characteristic of God’s Spirit and those who respect Him will  also be wise. God, who is Wisdom, reveals this as follows. God:

• has an excellent spirit (like Jesus and Daniel)
• speaks right things, truth (satan lied), righteousness
• hates to speak wickedness, or anything froward or perverse
• instructs
• is prudent
• discovers witty inventions
• hates evil, pride, arrogancy, a froward mouth
• counsels right, gives sound wisdom, is understanding and strength
• bestows power to kings, nobles and princes
• gives judges the ability judge
• loves those who love Him
• reveals Himself to those who seek Him early
• gives durable or lasting riches and honor (not one that is gained by foul means)
• is the way of righteousness and judgement (Adam, Eve and the devil were judged fairly)

God is the source of wisdom/He is wisdom

In very eloquent and majestic  words, Proverbs 8: 22- 32 shows that God was wisdom before the beginning, from everlasting, even before the earth was created and at its creation. His way leads to joy,  blessings, wealth, life and favor with God.

Proverbs 8 shows some of the elements of the spirit of the devil. Satan is every thing that God is not. He is perverse, lacking understanding, a liar, perverse, speaks and does evil. He is froward (Strongs 8419) – lacking faith in God (Deut 32: 20); speaks evil things (Prov 2: 12); rejoices and delights in evil (Prov 2: 14),  plans evil and mischief and sows discord (Prov 6: 14 and 16: 30); does not speak what is acceptable (Prov 10: 32); spreads tales and separates chief  friends (Prov 16: 28); lusts after women and commits adultery in the heart  (Prov 23: 33).

Now I would like to ask if you know anyone with any of these characteristics. You do? Then think of what the devil is possibly like on a small scale. Using Proverbs 8 as reference, you can explore the Hebrew words relating to the elements of God’s wisdom. This will point you to all that the devil is not.  I hope that this teaching instructed you just as it instructed me.  Let us pray that God will give us the spirit of discernment that He possesses.  He answered all of the questions in the Garden, needing no one to tell Him exactly what had happened. If you are weak and falling to temptations, there are many ways in which you can be helped. Start by confessing, asking for cleansing, then walking with the Lord for protection and deliverance from the evil one.

Blessings

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H5175&t=KJV

http://library.thinkquest.org/C007974/2_6sch.htm

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H6175&t=KJV

 

The fruit of Adam and Eve and their descendents

1. Introduction

Adam and Eve were created in the image and likeness  of God (Gen 1: 26-27; 5: 1,2).   However, they followed the devil’s teachings and gave him access to their spirits by obeying him. They therefore took darkness in to their spirits when they sinned against  God.  Here is what happened:

• Satan taught Adam and Eve godless, sinful behaviors that were not a part of their spirits at the creation. God had breathed His Spirit into them and they were pure and innocent when in the sinless state. As a result of sin, their spirits  lost the light of God and they came under the dominion of the kingdom of darkness. 1 John 1: 5b says that God is Light and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. In fact, Light was the first thing that God imparted to the earth.
• The spiritual DNA of sin and rebellion against God was passed on to all humans and all humans came under the curse of sin (1 Cor 15: 22, 45). 
• Satan and his ways represented the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  To explain further, the word “fruit”  is used literally in scriptures until  Proverbs 8: 19 when wisdom said that her fruit was better than life.  While good things are the fruit of wisdom,  Proverbs 8 showed that those who lack wisdom are wicked, perverse, lack understanding, pride, arrogancy among others. This is a true picture of the devil.  To illustrate further, Jesus also used the  imagery of fruit to describe the outward evidence of the true condition of wicked human spirits (Matt 7: 15-23). 

 2. The fruit of sin in Adam and Eve

What was the fruit of  Adam and Eve’s sin? They had eaten or partook of the devil’s doctrine and now showed evidences that they had learnt new behaviors:

* they became aware of sin – eyes opened and they knew they were naked, having become aware of  desire, lust and sin.

* they began to cover up – noone admitted to his/her role in the rebellion. Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the devil.  We know that  Adam was fully aware of what he was doing (1 Tim 2: 14).

* They became afraid of God and began  to run from rather than  to Him – they hid and did not reveal their location to the Lord.

3.  Can sin be transferred?

Yes. There is a law of spiritual inheritance, just as there is a law of physical inheritance.  This is the reason that Cain, the first child, learnt to sin? Adam and Eve became infected with the sin trait and possessed the ability to pass on the sin DNA to their offspring. God had given them His DNA – which was every thing pertaining to life and godliness. Adam and Eve were created to be righteous, faithful, fearing God, understanding the fear of God fruitful, full of might, wise, self controlled etc. They were also created to be productive – to be fruitful, multiply, replenish  and subdue the earth. However, sin created blackened infection in Adam and Eve’s  spirits, causing their spirits to lose the light and life of God.  This was now an unnecessary burden for the human spirit to bear. The spirit of man now has a craving for wrongdoing and sin became the chronic infection of the spirit, in the same way that an untreated illness becomes chronic or even fatal. In the same way that offspring inherit all kinds of physical traits from parents, the trait of sin passed on to all of Adam and Eve’s offspring.  

 I’d like to use an example from scripture to illustrate.  Jesus warned the disciples to beware of the leaven or doctrine of the Pharisees (Mt 16: 11,12). Apostle Paul later warned the disciples that  a little leaven  or yeast leaveneth the whole lump (Gal 5: 9). In other words, it only takes a little bit of yeast in flour to make a large amount of bread. It only takes one wrong person or doctrine to lead others astray. Apostle Paul also aptly stated that ‘as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Cor 15: 22). First child Cain is a sad example of the effect of sin in the human race.

Here are other examples. Isaac’s wife Rebekah was a devious woman and taught her son Jacob to lie to his father and cheat his brother. She learnt from her father and brother Laban.  Jacob’s wife’s Rachel stole her father’s idol and lied about it. She learnt from her father Laban, the master trickster who was famous for cheating his nephew Jacob. OK. Enough of the soaps!  Jacob’s wives Rachel and Leah (who were sisters) vied violently with each other for Jacob’s favor, often involving their children. What kind of example were they setting?  We don’t know what transpired in the Adam and Eve home, but somehow Cain learnt from them. Moreover, the devil might have had conversations with him. I somehow feel that satan played a role in the murder of Abel, a true worshipper of God.

I think that I should stop here, but there is a lot more to cover. Thanks for reading. Blessings.

 

Further Imagery Related To The Origin Of The River Gihon From A Womb

1. The River Gihon develops and emerges from a womb – like place

I wrote in the previous post that The River Gihon Burst Forth From Its Underground Womb.  As we continue to examine the river much closer, we discover that the scripture further develops the imagery of the River Gihon as a newborn fetus or even a menstrual flow which burst forth or erupt from the womb.

This is the root text:

And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.

The name of the first [is] Pison…

And the gold of that land [is] good: there [is] bdellium and the onyx stone.

And the name of the second river [is] Gihon: the same [is] it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia ³⁵⁶⁸  (Genesis 2: 10 – 14).

Behold, therefore I [am] against thee, and against thy rivers²⁹⁷⁵, and I will make  the land of Egypt utterly waste [and] desolate, from the tower ⁴⁰²⁴ of Syene ⁵⁴⁸² even unto the border ¹³⁶⁶ of Ethiopia ³⁵⁶⁸ – Ezekiel 29: 10.

2. Further imagery related to the River Gihon is formed in a womb like place – the place of  human development and growth.

In the previous post, I wrote that  the River Gihon in Israel emerged from underground caverns which can be compared to its womb.  

Two Hebrew words are used for womb in the texts associated with Gihon. They are rechem (H7358)  and  beten  (H990).  These words may help to add to our understanding of the River Gihon:

Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth ¹⁵¹⁸ as if  it had issued out of the womb (H7358/rechem) – Job 38: 8.

But thou art he that took¹⁵¹⁸ me out of the womb ⁹⁹⁰ (beten) – Psalm 22: 9.

Rechem carries the meaning of:

a. womb or matrix, the place where the unborn baby is formed and carried until delivery.

b. the  firstborn of humans or animals that were to be dedicated to God. 

What is  the significance of the first born in relation to the Gihon River?

The uterus or womb is a hollow, thick-walled, muscular organ

• it is located deep in the pelvic cavity between the bladder and the rectum.
• the Fallopian tubes tubes are attached to its upper portion 
• its cavity communicates with that of the vagina
• When the ova are discharged from the ovaries they are carried to the uterine cavity through the uterine tubes.

This picture is a description of the networking in the underground pools that store the water which is then siphoned off into the Gihon River. The River Gihon emerges from a network of underground pools (ovaries and uterus) and  channels (fallopian tubes, cervix and vagina).

Father God certainly has a great sense of humor.

 

3. The scripture also paints a picture of the  River Gihon as a womb with a twin pregnancy

Beten  (H990)  is the other Hebrew word used for womb. It is used in the scriptures as follows:

• fruit of the womb
• swollen belly/belly
• womb/mother’s womb
• formed from the womb

This is the imagery which indicates that the Gihon is formed in a womb and swells before bursting forth from its underground house.

Beten  (H990)  also refers to twin pregnancy.  This seems to indicate that the Gihon flowed in two directions. To reinforce, Beten  (H990)  is used in reference to TWO twin pregnancies in scripture (thank you Gabriel):

a.  Rebekah’s pregnancy with Isaac and Esau (Genesis 25: 20 – 26) and

b.  Tamar’s pregnancy with Pharez and Zarah (Genesis 38: 27  – 30).

c.  Note that the womb has two fallopian tubes which are located laterally/at its upper portions.

There seems to be THREE clues here:

a. From the association with Rebekah and Tamar, two important mothers in the Hebrew nation, we discern that the River Gihon is located in the  Land of Israel.  Rebekah is the mother of   Isaac, the son destined to bring forth the Messiah. 

Pharez was destined to be a later descendant in the line of  Abraham, a direct ancestor of Boaz, the father of Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David.

The parallel between the River Gihon and these key women in the Hebrew race seems to point to two geographic locations related to the River as it descends from its mountain heights to lower elevations.

b.  Thirdly, the clues point to differences in the energy and pattern of the water flow at its two key points.  This emerges because of the differences in the personality of the twins Esau and Jacob and Pharez and Zarah. 

The waters of  the River may be energetic at its point of origin. As they reach the underground pools, they bubble energetically as they are siphoned up to the top. Maybe there was a whirlpool of sorts.

This is shown in the wrestling between Jacob and Esau n their mother’s womb. The wrestling was so severe that their mother Rebekah asked the Lord about this. He told her that there were two nations in her womb.

The personality of the River Gihon is further confirmed in the competition between Pharez and Zarah in the womb of their mother Tamar.   At the time of delivery,  Zarah put out his hand first, but his brother Pharez overtook him and emerged first from the womb. This again points to some degree of turbelence of  the water at the point of origin.

Pharez is highlighted in scripture because of this element of his personality. He became known for greatness, much like his forefather Jacob. Like Esau, Zarah just received honorable mention. Which branch of the River Gihon is notable? Which branch does everyone know about?

 At the time of delivery, Jacob held unto his brother’s heel, indicating that he was delivered almost with the same contraction as Esau. Further in life, we discover that Esau was rather careless, while Jacob was a cunning schemer.  Did the River Gihon have a stream with a carefree flow while the other moved along rather cautiously?

 

This could be the picture of the Gihon at its source.  Did the river have two heads which competed for supremacy. Did the heads emerge from the source following closely on each other?

These are questions which could possibly be answered as we study the geography of the River Gihon.

Blessings, peace, angelic prosperity and Happy Asuza to all.

 

The River Gihon – Bursting Forth From The Womb

1. History of the River Gihon

I’m continuing to study the river Gihon that originated in Eden.  In the previous post, I wrote that “The River Eden Parted Into Four Heads” and was fascinated to discover that the River Gihon in Israel was the exact match for the River Gihon in the Book of Genesis:

And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.

The name of the first [is] Pison…

And the gold of that land [is] good: there [is] bdellium and the onyx stone.

And the name of the second river [is] Gihon: the same [is] it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia ³⁵⁶⁸  (Genesis 2: 10 – 14).

Behold, therefore I [am] against thee, and against thy rivers²⁹⁷⁵, and I will make  the land of Egypt utterly waste [and] desolate, from the tower ⁴⁰²⁴ of Syene ⁵⁴⁸² even unto the border ¹³⁶⁶ of Ethiopia ³⁵⁶⁸ – Ezekiel 29: 10

 

2. The meaning and imagery of  Gihon is that of  menstrual flow and a fetus breaking forth from the mothers’ womb

Gihon (H1521/Giychown) means “breaking forth.”   In order to understand further about the River Gihon, I went to the root word Giyach (H1518) which is used in reference to

a. an unborn baby breaking forth from the womb

b. breaking forth of the menstrual flow from the womb.

The  comparison of the Gihon to the womb, seems to indicate that the waters originated from an underground, hidden  place, from which they burst forth and swelled into the river.  The unborn child is formed and matured in the womb as a miniature of the full grown adult:

• the liers in wait of Israel came forth¹⁵¹⁸ out of their places – Judges 20: 33.
• Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth ¹⁵¹⁸ as if  it had issued out of the womb (H7358/rechem) – Job 38: 8.
• But thou art he that took¹⁵¹⁸ me out of the womb ⁹⁹⁰ (beten) – Psalm 22: 9.
• Be in pain, and labour to bring forth¹⁵¹⁸ Micah 4: 10.

 

3.  The imagery of the Gihon of Eden bursting forth from the womb is confirmed by the structure of the River Gihon in Israel

The scriptural cross references in the root word refer to the Gihon of Eden as a river which bursts forth from a womb in the same manner as the menstrual flow and a baby coming forth at the time of delivery.  It fascinates me that the River Gihon of  Israel is an exact match for this imagery.

According to jewishvirtuallibrary.com, the flow of the Gihon in Israel reflects its name, which means “bursting forth.”   First, the water flow is not steady, but intermittent,  and varies with the seasons of the year and annual precipitation.   The Gihon River in Israel is a siphon-type karst spring.

Costic (2009), in a description of the Gihon River, explains that a siphon – type karst spring provides water that has collected from underground sinkholes and sinking streams. This underground water is siphoned to the surface whenever the underground streams  fill to the brim.  This natural feature made it necessary to accumulate water in a pool, to be available at times when the spring was not “gushing forth.”

These underground sinkholes and streams originated because Jerusalem is built on limestone. As rain fell over the centuries, much of the water disappeared underground to form channels and caves. This underground water channel emerged at the Gihon.

We see immediately that these underground sinkholes and streams are the womb of  the River Gihon.

Interestingly, the Gihon gushes for about forty minutes in a typical month, hence the name “bursting forth.” After the forty minute gush, the water flow would cease for six to eight hours.  This gushing forth can be compared to the  intermittent flow of menstrual blood as well as the bursting forth of a baby from the womb.

 

The search continues. Next time – “Further Imagery Related To The Origin Of The River Gihon From A  Womb.”

Blessings, peace and angelic prosperity.

 

RELATED READINGS

Kostick , C (2009). The Siege of Jerusalem: Crusade and Conquest in 1099.  NY: Continuum International Publishing Group.

 

The River Eden Parted Into Four Heads

1. The four heads of the River Eden

I wrote in the previous post that “A River Went Out Of Eden – The River Of Eden.  Let us continue on this discovery of the River of Eden and see if we can track its origin examining the Hebrew word for heads in the text of Genesis 2:

And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted/H6504/parad and became into four heads (H7218/ro’sh) – Genesis 2: 10.

Genesis 2: 10 paints the following picture of the water system of Eden:

1. a main river (River Eden) which watered the Garden (located in East Eden).
2. the River Eden parted into four heads when it got to the Garden of Eden (the Botanical Gardens of Eden, according to Gabriel).
3. The Hebrew word for parted indicates that the river became divided in the earth, divided in lands, separated, dispersed.

 

2. What does Genesis 2: 10 mean by the heads of the River Eden?

Ro’sh (H7218), the Hebrew word for heads in Genesis 2: 10.  Ro’sh (H7218) is used in scripture as follows:

a. Tops

• tops of the mountains/mount
• top of the hill/hill-top
• top of the rocks
• top of a tower (babel)
• top of a ladder
• top of the pillars

b. Head – of a person or animal

c. Beginning – of month

d. Companies or groups of people  – three companies, four companies

e. Chiefs as in leaders

I wondered what would be the most relevant interpretation for the word head. Indeed, we know in a literal sense that  River Eden parted into four heads at some point.  However, the  question is,  what context did the translators use in this instance when  translating the word Ro’sh?

I  believe that the River Eden parted into  FOUR other rivers from an elevated place, such as the top of a mountain or hill.  The four rivers, from this picture, then flowed down to their respective pathways.

Let us keep in mind the Temple is symbolic of the place of worship in Jerusalem which in turn is parallel to the Garden of Eden, according to Archangel Gabriel. Remember too that the Garden of Eden was located in East Eden and the entrance was located on its East border.

This heightens the picture in my mind that the Garden of Eden was located in an elevated place. History shows that early Jerusalem was built on a hill. (http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org).  We need to picture the River Eden flowing out of Jerusalem aka Garden of Eden.

 

3. Can we match the River Eden or one of its heads with the waters flowing from the vision of Ezekiel’s Temple in Chapter 47?

Would we get a picture from the rivers that Prophet Ezekiel saw flowing out of the new temple?  Archangel Gabriel said that Ezekiel was shown a picture of the Garden of Eden.

In  Ezekiel’s vision, waters ran out of the Temple towards the East. Thus, based on Archangel Gabriel’s revelation, we are to understand that the waters flowed from the East of the Temple or from East Jerusalem in an easterly direction.   Secondly, the waters in the vision BEGAN AS A TRICKLE then increased in volume, becoming  a deep river.

Did the River Eden start as a spring?

Match the River Gihon with Prophet Ezekiel’s vision (Ezekiel 47):

• the front of the Temple faced the East, symbolic of the entrance to the Garden of Eden. East also was the only location from which the Glory of  God entered the temple in this vision.
• The water began at the south of the altar, then flowed from under the threshold of the temple toward the east – flowed south-east, just like the Gihon in the time of David.
• the angel in the vision took Prophet Ezekiel outside to the Eastern Gateway of the Temple and he saw water.
• As Ezekiel walked further East, the water level increased to his ankles.
• The water level increased to his knees then waist as he walked further East.
• By the time the water depth had reached 3000 cubits, Ezekiel could not walk any further as they had become too deep. The waters had become a river
• The Angel told Ezekiel that the water flowed towards the East, then entered the sea – Ezekiel 47: 8.

 

4.  Warren’s Shaft matches the flow of water revealed to Prophet Ezekiel in the vision

Excavations discovered Warren’s Shaft, an underground water tunnel with a shaft at its end. The tunnel began in the middle of the Eastern slope of the City of David, extended in a northeasterly direction, then angled sharply to the southeast.

Most importantly, the tunnel led to the waters of the Gihon Spring and allowed city residents  to draw water without going out of  the city walls in times of war.

I believe that the  Gihon Spring is one of  the heads of the River Eden. The question is, where did the other three  heads originate?

5.  The Gihon in the times of David

The Gihon Spring, same Hebrew word as Gihon in Genesis 2,  flowed on the East of Jerusalem in the time of David.  It was the only source of water of the city and originated in a cave on the eastern slope of the City of David/Jerusalem.

The spring emerged in a cave on the eastern slope of the City of David above the Kidron Valley, and from there water flowed into the valley. The Gihon watered the terraced, agricultural plots on the slope of the City of David. This area is called the “King’s Garden” (II Kings 25:4; Jeremiah 52:7; Nehemiah 3:15).

 

6. The Kidron Valley

A deep valley to the North East of Jerusalem, the Kidron begins  northwest of Jerusalem, at a height of 2,585 ft. It then continues eastward for about 1½ miles, then turns south at a height of 2,346 ft.

Several valleys converge with the Kidron as it runs southward. These are:

• the Bethzeita Valley, which traverses the northeast corner of the Old City, at 2,260 ft. (686 m.)
• from the west; the Tyropoeon Valley, which bisects the Old City, at 2,035 ft. (617 m.)
• the Ben-Hinnom Valley, which passes the Old City on the west, at 2,000 ft. (606 m.).

The Kidron then continues in a southeasterly direction, the banks becoming steeper and more craggy. It passes the monastery of Mar Saba and issues into the Dead Sea 2 miles south of Ra’s al-Fashkha.

The height of the Kidron gives us a picture of the water flow of the Gihon. We know that there was a brook Kidron located outside of  Jersualem and at the foot of the city in Bible times. This further reinforces the imagery that the River of Eden flowed from a high place.

More to come. Blessings, peace and angelic prosperity.

Jerusalem – Water Systems of Biblical Times

 

A River Went Out Of Eden – The River Of Eden

1. Introduction to the River of Eden

I’m studying the River of Eden which went out of Eden and parted into four heads – Pison, Gihon, Hiddekel and Euphrates:

And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.

The name of the first [is] Pison: that [is] it which compasseth the whole land of  Havilah ²³⁴¹, where [there is] gold

And the gold of that land [is] good: there [is] bdellium and the onyx stone.

And the name of the second river [is] Gihon: the same [is] it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia³⁵⁶⁸.

And the name of the third river [is] Hiddekel ²³¹³: that [is] it which goeth toward the east of of Assyria. ⁸⁰⁴ And the fourth river [is] Euphrates ⁶⁵⁷⁸ (Genesis 2: 10 – 14).

2. The meaning of  “river” in scripture

Strong’s H5104/nahar  is the Hebrew word used for the  River  of Eden in Genesis 2: 10.    Synonyms for river/nahar  include

• streams
• flood
• floods
• Aramnaharaim

3. Specific references to the River/H5104/nahar  of Eden in scriptures

These are the references that I found in relation to the River of Eden when the Hebrew word nahar is used for river.  We see that nahar commonly is used in reference to the Euphrates:

a. Pison

• referred to indirectly in Genesis.

b. Gihon

• the second river  is Gihon
• Woe  to the land  shadowing  with wings, which [is] beyond the rivers⁵¹⁰⁴ of Ethiopia – Isaiah 18: 1

c. Hiddikel

• the third river [is] Hiddekel
• I was by the side of the great river/5104, which [is] Hiddekel – Daniel 10: 4.

d. The Euphrates

• the fourth river [is] Euphrates
• Unto thy seed have I given  this land, from the river⁵¹⁰⁴ of Egypt unto the great  river⁵¹⁰⁴, the river⁵¹⁰⁴ Euphrates  – Genesis 15: 18 – repitition for emphasis
• and unto Lebanon, unto the great river⁵¹⁰⁴, the river⁵¹⁰⁴ Euphrates- Deut 1: 7.
• Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness  and Lebanon ³⁸⁴⁴, from the river⁵¹⁰⁴, the river⁵¹⁰⁴ Euphrates ⁶⁵⁷⁸, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast ¹³⁶⁶ be – Deut 11: 24
• From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river⁵¹⁰⁴, the  river⁵¹⁰⁴  Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast – Joshua 1: 4.
• David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the  river⁵¹⁰⁴ Euphrates. – 2 Samuel 8: 3
• And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river⁵¹⁰⁴ unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life – 1 Kings 4: 21 (Euphrates is implied here).
• In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river⁵¹⁰⁴ Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him. -  2 Kings 23: 29.
• And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land: for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river⁵¹⁰⁴ Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt.  – 2 Kings 24: 7.
• And eastward he inhabited unto the entering in of the wilderness from the river⁵¹⁰⁴ Euphrates  – 1  Chronicles 5: 9.
• And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river⁵¹⁰⁴ Euphrates – 1 Chronicles 18: 13.
• Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river⁵¹⁰⁴ Euphrates – Jeremiah 46: 2.
• they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river⁵¹⁰⁴Euphrates – Jeremiah 46: 6.
• the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river⁵¹⁰⁴ Euphrates – Jeremiah 46: 10.
• [[To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim ^7635104  and with Aramzobah – Psalm 60: 1.

4. Aramnaharaim or Mesopotamia

The word Aramnaharaim ⁷⁶³5104  was used once to refer to the river of Eden: 

• [[To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim ^7635104  and with Aramzobah – Psalm 60: 1.

The dual meaning of the word river is H763 or ‘Aram Naharayim.   Mesopotamia is used five times to denote   ‘Aram Naharayim.   The first reference is in relation to “Mesopotamia the city of Nahor” who was the ancestor of Abraham.  Nahor originated from Mesopotamia or Ur of the Chaldees in Iraq.

Mesopotamia means “land between rivers” and refers to:

…  “between rivers,” referring to the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, but the region can be broadly defined to include the area that is now eastern Syria, southeastern Turkey, and most of Iraq…

In the narrow sense, Mesopotamia is the area between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, north or northwest of the bottleneck at Baghdad, in modern Iraq; it is Al-Jazīrah (“The Island”) of the Arabs. South of this lies Babylonia, named after the city of Babylon  (Encyclopedia Britannica).

5.  Other

• So he (Jacob) fled with all that he had; and he rose up , and passed over the river⁵¹⁰⁴   Genesis 31: 21 -
• What river did Jacob pass over? The writer assumes that the reader knows what river he is referring to. Note that Jacob was fleeing from his Uncle Laban in Syria and returning back to Caanan, now known as Israel. What river did he cross over?

6. Comparison between river/nahar and other Hebrew words used for River:

• River  (y@`or /2975) was commonly used in scripture to refer directly to the River Nile (43  times) and indirectly to the River Hiddikel (three times) – Daniel 12: 5 & 6.
• River H5158 – nachal referred four times to the River of Egypt.
  

More to come. Blessings, peace and angelic prosperity.

 

#Archangel #Gabriel’s Question About The Garden Of #Eden

1.  Archangel  Gabriel’s question about the Garden of Eden

It is (by human standards) Sunday 21st April 2013 at 2. 04 a.m.  I had just awoken from deep sleep just around 1. 58 a.m. when I heard Archangel Gabriel ask:

“so baby, what does Eden mean again?”

2.  Eden means “pleasure”

I immediately saw the connection – Israel is referred to as “the pleasant land” in scripture. I got up, typed Eden   (H5731/`Eden)  into the search box at http://blueletterbible.com to confrim. Eden means “pleasure.”

When I got the aha as a result of the official documentation, Archangel Gabriel then told me:

“Israel is Eden, Jerusalem is the Garden of  Eden.”

Thank you #Father.  Then He told me:

“this is why there is a New Jerusalem coming down from heaven.”

3. Review of the parallels between Eden, Israel and Jerusalem

About two years ago, when I first began to search for Eden’s location, Archangel Gabriel had told me that Israel was Eden. I had believed and had found the answer, but this statement was further revelation on the issue.

I can see the parallels very clearly (thank you #Father). Here is a reminder from the previous post about the parallels between Eden, Israel, Ezekiel’s Temple And The Jerusalems:

1. Eden and the Garden of Eden were located in the East of Earth
2. Jerusalem is located on the same latitude and longitude of Israel
3. The Temple Mount is also located  on almost the exact geographic location as both Israel and  Jerusalem
4. Heavenly Jerusalem has a Tabernacle located East, and God patterned an earthly  Tabernacle after the heavenly.
5. Heavenly Jerusalem has a Tree of Life, so did Eden and Jesus represented the Tree of Life during His Ministry in the Earth.
6. God placed a Guardian Cherubim at the East entrance of the Garden of Eden to prevent Adam and Eve from accessing the Tree of Life
7. East represented the official entrance to the Garden as seen in Ezekiel’s vision of the new Temple in Jerusalem.
8. There is a literal Tree of Life. What fruit or plant is indigenous and possibly unique to Israel, and that is found in Jerusalem in the area of the Temple?

4. Israel as the pleasant land in scripture

There are four direct references in scripture to Israel as “THE PLEASANT LAND.”  These references are made to show the parallels between Israel and Eden:

 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them

Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word (Psalm 106: 23 & 24).

In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers

But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me (Jeremiah 3: 18 & 19).

And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land (Daniel 8: 9).

But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate (Zechariah 7: 14).

5. Where are the rivers?

The answer will require more extensive search. However, I found three clues to date:

a. The Nile and Euphrates formed part of  the boundaries of  Israel as promised to Abraham:

In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates – Genesis 15: 18)

b. Lebanon was territory given by God to Israel (Deut 11: 24).

c.  God included the Euphrates as part of the Jewish border – link here.  

For example, King David went to recover his border at the river Euphrates then to establish his dominion there (2 Samuel 8: 3 & 1 Chronicles 18: 3).

Revelation 16: 12 showed that an Angel dried up the river Euphrates in order to prepare a highway for the Kings of the East.  Did this happen to the river that flowed out of Eden?

 

6.   Why is satan fighting violently for the occupation of Jerusalem and the destruction of Israel?

Satan feel that Eden belongs to him. He used to be the chief worship leader  in Eden, the Garden of God. I believe that this referred to the Heavenly Jerusalem (Ezekiel 28: 13).  That explains why he fights so vigorously for the occupation of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Jews. He wants  Jerusalem to become his worship city – for the aggravation of God.

More to come on. Blessings, peace and angelic prosperity and protection.

 

Parallels – Eden, Israel, Ezekiel’s Temple And The Jerusalems

Eden	Ezekiel’s Temple	Heavenly Temple	New Jerusalem
Eden and the Garden of Eden  are  located Eastward:Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden  in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. And Jehovah God planteth a garden in Eden, at the east, and He setteth there the man whom He hath formed (Gen 2: 8) Was planted in a fruitful hill  – refers to children and  descendants (Isaiah 5: 1)	The geographic locations of Israel, Jerusalem and the Temple Mount are almost parallel:Israel is 31º 30´ North  &  34º  45´East.  (greenwichmeantime.com). Jerusalem is located in the North East of Israel. It is 31° 47′ 0″ North and 35° 13′ 0″ (wikipedia.com) Mt Zion/Jerusalem is on the sides of the north (Ps 48: 2). The Temple Mount in Jerusalem is located in the North East of Israel. It  is 31° 46′ 40″ North and  35° 14′ 08″ East (almost a replica of Jerusalem’s location)	In heaven – sinners will not enter (Rev 21: 2)	The angel took John to a great and high mountain, and showed him that great city, the Holy Jerusalem descending from God out of heaven (Rev 21: 10). The New Jerusalem is a radiant city, like the rarest jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal (Rev 21:11). City and street of pure gold, as clear as glass  (Rev 21: 18 & 21)
Eden was a place of worship and prayerRepresented by the tower in the vineyard	Ezekiel’s vision of the Temple: 25th year of exile in Babylon New Year – 10th Abib (April) – day the Passover Lamb was chosen for the sacrifice. He was taken in visions to Israel and placed on a high mountain   from which he could see Jerusalem saw an Angel measuring the dimensions of the Temple (Eze 40) He was taken to the East gate & the glory of the Lord entered by the East gate (Eze 43) The Lord told him that the Temple (East) was “the place of my throne and the place for the soles of my feet”  (Eze 43: 7).	Angels worship at the throne. Saints worship. pray and sing here (Rev 4 & 8; 14: 3) Judgments came from the book located at the throne. There is a temple in heaven from which judgments originate (Rev 11: 19; 14: 15-20; 15: 5 – 8; 16) Tabernacle in heaven – Rev 15: 5. The pattern from which Moses’  temple was taken – Heb 8: 5 Intercession here – Rev 8 Martyred Saints pray under the altar – Rev 6: 9. Revealed in Book of Hebrews	God will dwell with us.We will walk and talk with God, like Adam and Eve did (Rev 21: 22).
Eden is located in the East – place where God fellowshipped with Adam and Eve in the cool of the dayEast represents sunrise; Worship, Presence of the Lord/Divine  Visitation	Angel started  measuring the temple at the EAST gate (Eze 40:6)
Parallels  from Ezekiel’s vision:The Garden of Eden, located East, represented the place of Divine Visitation because  God would worship with Adam and Eve here. God placed a Guardian  Angel at the East Gate after the fall –  the place where He would enter the Garden Jesus was born in the East, Israel – Earth’s Divine  Visitation. The people sitting in darkness saw great light	The front of the temple faced the east (Eze 47: 1). After measuring, the angel took Ezekiel to the east gate. The glory of the Lord came from the East – the land became radiant with His glory The glory of the Lord entered the temple through the East gate.  God said that the temple was “the place of my throne and the place for the soles of my feet. ”All the surrounding area on top of the mountain will be most holy (Eze 43: 4, 7 & 12) The east gate  was to remain shut because God had entered there (Eze 44:2) The gate of the inner court facing east was to be shut on the six working days (Exe 46: 1). The people were to worship the Lord at the EAST gate on the    Sabbath (Eze 46: 1-3)		Had 12 gates of pearls – 3 each on the North, South, East and West respectively.   Each gate is guarded by angels.Each gate is named for each tribe of  Israel (Rev 21: 20)
Eden had boundaries – North,  South, East and West	Ezekiel’s temple had four gates – North, South, East, West.		A wall of jasper (Rev 21: 18) …with 12 gates named for the apostles (Rev 21: 14).These Gates are never shut (Rev 21: 25)
			Square (Rev 21: 16)
Eden was enclosed. It had an EAST side (Gen 3: 24).God placed a cherubim EAST to block the expelled Adam and Eve after they sinned	Yes. Holy was separated from the unholy (Eze 43: 20).The boundaries were given to Moses and Ezekiel (Numbers 34; Eze 47: 13-23)	Yes. No sin there	Yes. The angel measured them
Earth has a foundation (Ps 24: 1)	Ezekiel’s Temple had a foundation  (Eze  41: 8)		Foundations are decorated with all kinds of jewels (Rev 21: 19)
River Pison went to Havilah (circle). Possibly Ganges in India. Gihon encompassed the land of Ethiopia. Possibly Nile Hiddekel/Tigris went to the east of Assyria Euphrates (Gen 2: 13 & 14)	Water flowed out from the entrance of the temple toward the EAST. These waters went to the east country   (Eze 47: 1,2 & 8) Waters also flowed down from under from the right side of the house, at the south [side] of the altar (Eze 47: 1). Supplied the south as well The river increased in volume as it went to the EAST  (Eze 47: 3-5) The waters were healing (Eze 47: 8)	Sea of glass in front of the throne (Rev 4: 6) There are living fountains of waters in heaven (Rev 7:7) A River of Life flows from God’s Throne	A pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeds out from the throne of God and of the Lamb and flows through the middle of the city  (Rev  22: 1 & 2)
There was a TREE OF LIFE in the  Garden of Eden	Many  trees on either side of the river (Eze 47: 7).  The trees were for food, leaves for medicine; leaves  shall not fade; pests would not eat its fruit. The trees would bear new fruit according to its months, because the  waters  issued out of the sanctuary (Eze 47: 12)	There is a Tree of Life on each side of the River Of Life (Rev 22: 2)	The tree of life is on each side of the river.  It bears twelve kinds of fruit per month.The leaves of the tree are  for the healing of the nations (Rev 22: 2).

 

What Is The Ministry?

1. Introduction

Let us now explore the meaning of the ministry as taught in the Holy Scriptures in order to fully understand the role of the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher in the Body of the Lord:

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Ephesians 4: 11 – 13).

2. Exploring the Greek word for ministry

Diakonia  is the Greek word for  ministry.  Here is the usage in scripture which reveal that the role of the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher is to:

a.  Serve, give service to the saints – Lk 10: 40, Romans 15: 31

b.  Teach/preach the  Word – Acts 6: 4.

c.   Serve:

• serve in the office or calling assigned  by God – Romans 11: 13
• do the work of the ministry gift assigned by God – 2 Tim 4: 5.
• fulfill the calling to the maximum/make full proof of the ministry/show evidence of the calling  -  2 Tim 4: 5.

d. Reconcile sinners back to God  – 2 Cor 5: 18.

3. Gleaning more about “ministry” from the root word

Diakonos (G1249), the root word for Diakonia adds depth to our understanding of  ministry. Note that Lord Jesus Himself taught much about the Ministry in His Doctrine and by example.

1. The Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher is a SERVANT and gives SERVICE to the Body of  the Lord:

• But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your MINISTER/(Diakonos/G1249) – Mt 20: 26.
• But he that is greatest among you shall be your SERVANT/(Diakonos/G1249) - Matt 23: 11.
• And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, [the same] shall be last of all, and SERVANT/(Diakonos/G1249) of all – Mk 9: 35.
• But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your MINISTER/(Diakonos/G1249):  – Mk 10: 42.

4. Servant and servants are synonyms for MINISTER in the Greek.

We are clearly shown that the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher is/are SERVANT/SERVANTS to the Body of  the Lord and to their local assemblies.

The texts reveal clearly that the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher  are to train others to faithfully MINISTER to the church and to the Lord.

Apostle Paul publicly commended Ministers Epaphras, Phebe, Tychius, Timotheus and others for their faithful service in the ministry: 

• Then said the king to the SERVANTS/(Diakonos/G1249) … – Matt 22: 13.
  
• His mother saith unto the SERVANTS/(Diakonos/G1249)  – Jn 2: 5.
• … The SERVANTS/(Diakonos/G1249) which drew the water knew   – Jn 2: 9.
• If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my  SERVANTS/(Diakonos/G1249) be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour – Jn 12: 26.
• I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a SERVANT/(Diakonos/G1249) of the church which is at Cenchrea – Rom 16: 1.
• Written to the Romans from Corinthus, [and sent] by Phebe SERVANT/(Diakonos/G1249) of the church at Cenchrea - Rom 16: 27.
• All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, [who is] a beloved brother, and a faithful MINISTER/(Diakonos/G1249) and fellowservant in the Lord: – Col 4: 7.
• And sent Timotheus, our brother, and MINISTER/(Diakonos/G1249) of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith  – 1 Thess 3: 2.

5. The Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher ultimately serves the Lord

I saw as I studied that the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher are the Ministers of God.  Their PRIME duty is to do the Will of the Lord and to serve and obey His instructions. They are accountable to God.

 

• Now I say that Jesus Christ was a MINISTER/(Diakonos/G1249) of the circumcision for the truth of God – Rom 15: 8.
• ¶ Who then is Paul, and who [is] Apollos, but  MINISTERS/(Diakonos/G1249) by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? – 1 Cor 3: 5.
• Who also hath made us able MINISTERS/(Diakonos/G1249) of the new testament – 2 Cor 3: 6.
• Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful MINISTER/(Diakonos/G1249) of Christ;  – Col 1: 7.
• If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and [be] not moved away from the hope of the gospel … whereof I Paul am made a MINISTER/(Diakonos/G1249) – Col 1: 23.
• If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good MINISTER/(Diakonos/G1249) of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. – 1 Tim 4: 6.

6. Deacon is another synonym for MINISTER

Read more about the deacon at this link – Deacons.

RELATED READINGS

The Elders

Apostles

Bishops

Deacons

RELATED POSTS

My own experience – training in ministry

Blessings, peace and angelic prosperity.