What Shall Be the Sign...Part 4

I wanted to briefly go back to the parable of the 10 virgins in order to provide a proper understanding of the context of the parable by discussing the customs involved in the Hebrew wedding.  

 After the groom-to-be made a formal wedding contract with the bride-to-be and her father and executed the contract with a cup of wine, the bridegroom would set out to build a home suitable for his new bride.  This would take a very long time, sometimes up to a year or more.  At the completion of the home and the bride-chamber was made ready the groom's father would inspect his son's work, nothing could proceed until the father gave his approval. 

While the bride would wait for the groom she would wear a veil to indicate that she was betrothed. She would use this time to prepare herself for married life. She would wait at home every night accompanied by her bridesmaids because she would not want to miss the bridegroom’s coming. Traditionally, he would come late at night in order to take her by “surprise”. The bridesmaids would keep oil in their lamps and keep watch in order to alert the bride to make herself ready.

At a time of his choosing the bridegroom would go to the home of the bride to “abduct” her.  When the bridegroom arrived, the bride and her bridesmaids were carried off into the night. They would travel through the streets with fanfare and laughter. The bride and groom would enter the bride-chamber for seven days of intimacy.  Afterward they would emerge from the bridechamber as husband and wife. 

 The parable of the 10 virgins references the wedding custom of the “abduction of the bride”.

Picking up with the rest of II. c.

-        John 2:3-10 - And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.  His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do [it].  And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.  Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.  And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare [it].  When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: [but] thou hast kept the good wine until now.

1.     Jesus replenished the wine

2.     After the manner of purifying of the Jews – a Pharisee tradition that is not mentioned in the Old Testament, this is a tradition of man that Jesus turns upside down, because the wine He made was not purified in accordance with this custom.

-        1 Corinthians 10:16 - The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

-        Ephesians 5:18 – And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

1.     Thesis à drunk…antithesis à filled

2.     Thesis à wine…antithesis à Spirit

a.      Revelation 17:1-2 - And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

-        Revelation 14:10 – The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

1.     Wine = wrath of God

2.     Wine is made through a pressing and a fermenting process, God’s wrath can have similar attributes.  God is longsuffering, not desiring any to perish.

-        In conclusion regarding the significance of the instructions given not to “hurt” the Oil and Wine according to Revelation 6:6.

1.     We have the execution of the marriage contract with the cup of wine, we also have wine symbolic of God's wrath.  At this point the intent for preserving the wine appears to be inconclusive.

2.     During this time of war, famine and pestilence we can see God’s grace continuing to be extended to those who receive it (Oil).  Therefore the intent for preserving the oil seems to pertain to the continuing presence of the grace of God.

§       Revelation 6:7-8 - And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.  And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword (wars), and with hunger (famines), and with death (pestilence), and with the beasts of the earth.

o      The pestilence could refer to a future pandemic that is promulgated through man-made viruses and weakening of the immune system through all of the vaccination, antibiotics and other foreign substances that we have allowed unwitting medical professionals to inject in our bodies.  The introduction of several adverse contaminants have plagued human populations around the globe, these include:

-        Genetically modified vegetation, See the documentaries: The Future of Food;  The World According to Monsanto

-        Fluoridation of water, See book and documentary titled The Fluoride Deception

-        Contaminated vaccinations, See Dr. Sherry Tenpenny’s book titled Saying No to Vaccines , See also Dr. Mercola’s interview with Dr. Shiv Chopra (available on Youtube)

-        Spraying of chemicals in the atmosphere, See documentary What in the World are They Spraying?

-        Hormones in meats, See The Future of Food;  Food, Inc.

-        Contamination of fishing waters, See stories related to the Gulf of Mexico spill, dumping of hazardous waste, etc.

-        Contamination of the earth, see stories regarding disposal of hazardous waste, fracking, GMO crops, etc.

-        Overuse of antibiotics

o      Governments have been trying to artificially control the earth’s climates for years.  Artificial drought can be used to reduce food supplies, thereby increasing the price of food.  As food prices skyrocket people are going to be forced to choose between food and other necessities.  Using food supplies to control populations is not new.

-        For artificial weather control programs see stories related to HAARP.

-        Also see stories related to Geoengineering, See www.geoengineeringwatch.org

What Shall be the Signs...Part 2

f.      Revelation 6:1-2 - And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.  And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

§        The first seal opened in the Revelation of Jesus Christ portrays a rider on a white horse with a bow and no mention of arrows.

§        This appears to be one of many “2^nd but opposite” themes that run throughout the Bible going all the way back to Genesis.

§        This rider goes forth with the intention to conquer (this may not be evident) and he is successful in conquering

§        White has always been symbolic of peace or surrender, yet this rider is going forth conquering and to conquer.

§        This could be a reference to the conquering of nations through a deceptive false peace by playing on people’s natural desire for peace.

§        This would be a major deception that could usher in a world ruler that governs by the forced acceptance of this false peace, thus he conquers with an empty bow (and a lying tongue). 

§        Revelation 19:11 - And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

o       Here we have the authentic Word of God returning with armies upon white horses and with white raiment, it seems that he who rides the white horse in Revelation 6:1-2 is an imposter that fits the bill described in Matthew 24:4-5

o       Clear distinction is made so that confusion can be avoided

g.     Deceive - πλανάω planaō, verb, to cause to stray, to lead astray, lead aside from the right way.  Used 51 times in 37 verses in the New Testament.

§        Matthew 18:13 - And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that [sheep], than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

o       The word that was translated to “astray” in this passage is πλανάω planaō, the same word translated to deceive in Matthew 24:4. 

§        Matthew 22:29 - Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

o       The word that was translated to “err” in this passage is πλανάω planaō, the same word translated to deceive in Matthew 24:4.  This passage could be read “Ye have been led astray…”

o       Being in error is being led astray

o       Who leads us astray?

§        1 John 2:26 - These [things] have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

o       The word that was translated to “seduce” in this passage is πλανάω planaō, the same word translated to deceive in Matthew 24:4.  This passage could be read “…concerning them that lead you astray…”

h.      Looking at the future from a historical perspective.

§        Revelation 18:21-24 - And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast [it] into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.  And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft [he be], shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.  And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

§        Describes the methods of deception employed by the merchants of the earth in order to gain power

§        Sorceries - φαρμακεία pharmakeia, feminine noun,

1.      the use or the administering of drugs

2.      poisoning

3.      sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it

4.      metaph. the deceptions and seductions of idolatry

o       Root of the English word Pharmacy, which should give pause because we have become a world dependent upon drugs that treat the symptoms rather than the source of the problem.  We can see this at the micro level (being individuals) and metaphorically speaking at the macro level (government) we treat the symptoms when the problems (specifically in the USA) can be traced to one source, the lack of repentance and a right relationship with the Lord.

o       Additionally, we have the deception of parents with vaccinations that do children more harm than good.  Very credible professional have researched and documented the dangers of vaccinations, yet they are largely silenced.  What is the agenda of the pharmaceutical companies who push vaccinations?  Though vaccinations themselves are not very profitable for these pharmaceutical companies, the drugs used to treat the side effects can be extremely profitable, and serves as an incentive to sequester information that could lead to a reduction of mass vaccinations. 

o       This leads to generation after generation being completely dependent on the supply of drugs rather than God for our health and well-being.

o       We need scientists, researchers and doctors to be independent of the pharmaceutical companies to ensure that their research is reliable and not self-serving. The love of money is the root of all evil and when money is involved through federal or private funding of research projects, scientists have an incentive to skew results to achieve a desired result by those funding the grant.

II.            Beginning  of sorrows (Matthew 24:6-8, Mark 13:7-8, Luke 21:9-11)

Matthew 24:6-8	Mark 13:7-8	Luke 21:9-11
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.	And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for [such things] must needs be; but the end [shall] not [be] yet.  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these [are] the beginnings of sorrows.	But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end [is] not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:  And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

 

a.      Wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6, Mark 13:7, Luke 21:9)

§       Revelation 6:3-4 – And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.  And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth (wars and rumors of wars), and they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

b.     But the end is not yet (Matthew 24:6; Mark 13:7; Luke 21:9)

§       There is this partition between the 1) wars and rumors of wars where Jesus says see that ye are not troubled for the end is not yet.  Then…He proceeds into the next phase stating that 2) “nation shall rise against nation…” which he deems the beginning of sorrows or possibly the beginning of the end.

§       Thus we have two seals, one for the wars and rumors of wars (which has been going on for quite some time) and another for kingdom shall rise against kingdom (which can have spiritual as well as physical connotations) and seems to be an escalation of conflict.

c.      Nation against nation, Famines, pestilences and earthquakes (Matthew 24:7, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:11)

§       Revelations 6:5-6 - And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

o      Ezekiel 4:10-17 - And thy meat which thou shalt eat shall be by weight, twenty shekels a day: from time to time shalt thou eat it. Thou shalt drink also water by measure, the sixth part of an hin: from time to time shalt thou drink. And thou shalt eat it as barley cakes, and thou shalt bake it with dung that cometh out of man, in their sight. And the LORD said, Even thus shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles, whither I will drive them. Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth. Then he said unto me, Lo, I have given thee cow's dung for man's dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread therewith. Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment: That they may want bread and water, and be astonied one with another, and consume away for their iniquity.

-        Bread by weight ~ Scarcity

-        Matthew 20:2 - And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

§  Penny = δηνάριον dēnarion = days’ wage

-        Entire daily wage used for food

o      Lamentations 4:4-9 - The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them. They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills. For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her. Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire: Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick. They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.

-        Visage - תאר to'ar, masculine noun, shape, form, outline, figure, appearance

-        Black associated with famine and hunge

Genesis 47:14-31

d.      Genesis 47:14 – And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house.

§        Joseph would likely have preferred to remain in Goshen with his family, but duty and calling prevented it.

§        Money from both Egypt and Canaan, Canaan becoming subject to Egyptian dominion

§        Romans 11:29 - For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.

o       God has no regrets for the gifts He gives or who He calls. 

e.      Genesis 47:15 – And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.

§        Money failed

§        No mention of Israel coming to Joseph, because they were provided for in v. 12

§        Throughout history and even recently we see revolts and revolutions due to food shortages most notably the French Revolution, not here…why?

o       It seems that the people trusted in the wisdom and direction of Joseph

o       Joseph has proved himself to be a capable and wise leader

o       Egyptians throw themselves completely at the mercy of Joseph

f.      Genesis 47:16 – And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail.

§        When money fails, hard assets and bartering become the accepted currency

§        More of a type of a relief to the people in that they no longer bare the responsibility of caring for the animals

g.      Genesis 47:17 – And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread [in exchange] for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.

§        Everything is secondary to life

§        Since they were unable to feed the flocks, it was of little consequence to trade them while still alive and of value.

§        Fulfillment of Pharaoh’s dream of lean cattle

h.      Genesis 47:18 – When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide [it] from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands:

§        The next year, not second year of the famine

§        Naturally Joseph would not have approached the people about the grain in need of making it stretch as long as possible, sso reason plays out in that the people approached Joseph.

§        Joseph gave the warning from God to Egypt, if all the Egyptians would have prepared during the seven plenteous years as Joseph did, they would have been as prepared as Joseph was for the present famine; but they didn’t listen to the warning.

§        How are we ignoring the warning signs and not preparing ourselves for the coming “famine”?

§        Revelation 11:15 - And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

o       Just as Joseph claimed all of the land for Pharaoh, Jesus, at the seventh trump, will reclaim all the kingdoms of this world.

o       Seventh trump, seven years of famine, seven items traded for food

·        Money

·        Horses

·        Flocks

·        Cattle

·        Asses

·        Lives

·        Lands

i.       Genesis 47:19 – Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give [us] seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.

§        Bought for a price by their own asking, not a plan of Joseph to bring them into bondage

§        It should be considered reasonable that to save their lives the price was to pay with their lives.  The people recognized that without the help of Joseph, they would surely die.

§        1 Corinthians 6:20 - For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

j.      Genesis 47:20 – And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's.

§        So here we have Joseph finding favor both with the people and with Pharaoh

k.      Genesis 47:21 – And as for the people, he removed them to cities from [one] end of the borders of Egypt even to the [other] end thereof.

§        While the famine still prevailed the people were brought into the cities where the logistics of food distribution could be more efficiently accomplished.

§        With no livestock and no fields, there was no reason for the people to remain on the land that now came under the possession of Pharaoh.

l.       Genesis 47:22 – Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion [assigned them] of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.

§        What kind of priests?

m.       Genesis 47:23 – Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, [here is] seed for you, and ye shall sow the land.

§        Again, he takes himself out of the transaction, what has happened is between the people and Pharaoh, he gained nothing for himself.

§        Knowing that the famine is coming to its end, he distributes seed for sowing in the land (that is now owned by Pharaoh)

n.      Genesis 47:24 – And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth [part] unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.

§        Another reference to the number 5, another reference to grace

§        20% flat tax implemented, inherently fair in that everyone gives the same proportion whether it is a lean year or a bumper crop its all relative.

§        Seems excessive, but this is actually a business transaction (and quite fair) Joseph, in his wisdom, understands that the land is of no value without people to cultivate it and a nation is defenseless without its population to draw on for enlistment into its armies.

o       Joseph could have let them all die and their property would have transferred to Pharaoh, Joseph’s actions were honorable and merciful toward the Egyptians.

o       By providing productive work for the citizenry he is providing a secure economy and sound national security for Egypt. 

§        We see Joseph acts faithfully toward his master, Pharaoh, and does not take advantage of the situation to enrich himself.

o       Contrast this with politicians today who seek to enrich themselves and defile their public office and the trust placed in them through bribes and kickbacks. 

o       Joseph was smart enough he could have enriched himself to the point of being emperor over the entire region, but his motivation was not power but to fulfill the calling God placed upon him.

§        This arrangement was perpetual

o       How similarly this encapsulates what happened in the garden, Adam and Eve did not heed God’s command and as a result were under perpetual bondage:

·        Genesis 3:19 - In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground…

·        Yet we live only by the grace of God

o.       Genesis 47:25 – And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants.

§        Here the people ask for grace and show their appreciation for Joseph

§        Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

o       The people neglected to heed the warning, and fell at the mercy of Joseph

o       Our ancestors did not obey the command of God and fell into the need for a savior.

p.    Genesis 47:26 – And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day, [that] Pharaoh should have the fifth [part]; except the land of the priests only, [which] became not Pharaoh's.

§        The law of grace

§        Romans 4:16 - Therefore [it is] of faith, that [it might be] by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all

§        Does not appear to be an exception made for Israel, but the priests only 

II.             Jacob Instructs Joseph of his Final Wishes (Genesis 47:27-31)

a.      Genesis 47:27 – And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.

§        Grew and multiplied exceedingly

b.      Genesis 47:28 – And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years.

§        Jacob, 147 years; Joseph, 56; ~599 years after flood, ~1749 BC, ~2255 AM

§        Isaac, 180 years; Jacob, 120; Joseph, 29; ~572 years after flood, ~1775 BC, ~2228 AM

§        Abraham, 175 years; Isaac, 75; Jacob, 15; ~467 years after flood, ~1880 BC, ~2123 AM

§        Flood occurred ~2348 B.C.

§        Adam created ~4004 BC, so flood occurred 1656 AM

c.      Genesis 47:29 – And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:

§        Again, “If I have found grace…”

§        Even in death Jacob held on to the promise

d.      Genesis 47:30 – But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said.

§        Correctly translated to “lie with my fathers…” to “sleep” with one’s fathers does not refer to burial, but falling asleep.

e.      Genesis 47:31 – And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head.

§        The whole setting indicates that an important need of faith had been met. That would most naturally suggest that Jacob "bowed down in prayer," thanking God that He had granted him this deep satisfaction. The added phrase, "upon the head of the bed," conveys the sense that the head end (ro’sh), being a bit elevated, would offer a natural point upon which more comfortably to bow his head in prayer. Commentary on Genesis, H.C. Leupold

A point occasioning some confusion in this connection is the fact that the words "head of the bed" are rendered "top of his staff" (Heb 11:21), this translation being based upon the Greek version which says: epi to acron thv rabdou. The Masoretic Hebrew text has mittah, "bed." The Greek translators pointed the text matteh, "staff." This is manifestly a wrong translation, but the author of the letter to the Hebrews used the Greek version because no vital point was involved. Commentary on Genesis, H.C. Leupold