Comments for June 26

5 v. 6 - Emerods, which strictly translates to haemorrhoids, probably referred to infectious boils of a serious and potentially fatal nature. They were a clear demonstration of the power of God, which he caused to follow the Ark wherever it went, causing them to give it back after just 7 months. God also spoke to them through their own priests and diviners (6:2), and led the kine that pulled the cart (6:12), thereby proving, by the sign set up by him through the words of the diviners, that he was indeed the force behind their sufferings. At least they learned from the experiences of Egypt (6:6).

5 v.6 - Even though the capture of the ark was a punishment from Yahweh the actions of the Philistines were not justified. Therefore the hand of the Lord was heavy on them.

6 v.9 - Bethshemesh was in the land of Judah see v1 [Joshua 15:10] Given to the sons of Aaron see v 13 [Joshua 21:13 - 16] It was the place where the Ark rested when it returned from the Philistines [1Samuel 6:9 12 13 15 19 20]
6 v.13 - The wheat harvest was at the time of the feast of weeks [Exodus 34:22]
6 v.17 - 'and these are ...' causes one to conclude that the book of Samuel was written some time after the event and the writer is now referring to the items found by the ark which would still be seen in the days of the writing of 1 Samuel.

6 v.19 - Here we have a carrying out of the promised action of God for those who look upon Him - Exo.19:21. In Exodus, the people kept their distance and no evil befell them but here these men of Bethshemesh were overcome with curiosity and looked into the holy things of God and suffered much death for their action. We have to remember in this day and age of tolerance and social compassion, as it were, that the God we worship only loves and cares for those who turn to Him.

ch 5 - Whilst the ark had been settled in Shiloh there was no rest in Philistine country. It went from :1 Ashdod to :8 Gath and then to Ekron, each of the cities being plagued when the ark was there. The ark, which the Philistines thought would be a wonderful trophy, actually became a stumbling stone to them.

6:16-17 The mention of the five lords of the Philistines and the five cities seems to indicate that the Philistines, rather than sending the ark to all of the five cities decided that the ark was 'too hot to handle' after only three cities had been plagued. The five mice indicate that all five lords felt that they were guilty even though they had not had the ark in their city.

5:3,4 'fallen upon his face to the earth' is quoted (1 Samuel 17:49) to speak of the fate of Goliath. Their God was dead and this prefigured their champion.

6:19 So even though the men had seen a great deliverance and doubtless (or maybe not) realised that God had brought the ark back they still violated the sanctity of God by looking into the ark. Maybe they would justify their actions by saying that they wanted to check if the two tables of stone were still there. We can always justify our actions can't we?

5:5 The way that the Philistines superstitiously avoided treading on the threshold of the house of Dagon was mimicked by Israel (Zeph 1:9) in their false worship.

6:13 that the men of Bethshemesh were 'reaping their wheat harvest' provides incidental evidence that we are shortly after the time of Passover.

 6:7 The object in making a new cart for the purpose seems to have been not only for cleanliness and neatness, but from an impression that there would have been an impropriety in using one that had applied to meaner or more common service. David also used a new cart when he brought the ark up from Kirjath-Jearim. 2Sam 6:3

God showed how displeased He was with Israel, when the ark was returned.  The town on Bethshemesh
in Judah's territory, should not have touched the ark.  But they did, and 53,000 men died.

5:3,4 Yahweh's opposition to the Philistines and their half man/half fish god Dagon is reminiscent of His enmity with Egypt and its false gods.  In Egypt's case, ten gods were addressed with ten plagues to the end that the children of Israel were freed.  With the Philistines, one false god was countered and two plagues ensued to the end that the ark would be freed. 

5:6,9 Yahweh smote the Philistines with deadly haemorrhoidal tumours (piles).  He also smote the land with a plague of mice (6:5).  The Philistines must have known, however, that Yahweh was approachable through trespass (guilt) offerings as they made models of their tumours and mice out of gold (the most precious metal) to appease Him (6:3,4).

This episode illustrates that it is a most dangerous thing to oppose Yahweh (Psa 37:20; Heb 10:31).

5:7 The men of Ashdod realized that the ark should not remain with them, they successfully moved it to several of the large towns of the country, but the same pestilence broke out in every place and raged so fiercely and fatally that the authorities were forced to send the ark back into the land of Israel (V.8-10)

The five Philistine lords had witnessed many infallible proofs that the LORD was lord over their gods. In 5:2-4 God topples and breaks the image of Dagon. In v 6, 9, 11 He strikes the people of the chief cities of Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron with plagues of tumours and rats. In 6:5 the assessment of these lords, rightly, was that the hand of God was against their gods. These five lords of the Philistines watched as the Ark returned to Israel in miraculous fashion, proclaiming that it was the LORD, and not chance events, that had plagued them (6:9-12). And so, in 6:16 they saw the manner of worship of the Levites, witnessing a burnt offering to the LORD. Surely these five men would now draw near and ask to become followers of the God which had exalted Himself above their gods?

But they didn't, and they returned to Ekron the same day. What do you suppose they did there? In 2Kin 1:2 we read of a new god, Baalzebub, lord of the flies, and prince of demons. Having been given the choice, these superstitious people had decided to serve a god representing the pestilence which the true God had sent upon them; the prince of demons, rather than the Lord of lords.

5:7        The response of the men of Ashdod is a tacit admission that Yahweh was stronger than Dagon.

6:6       Notice that the Philistines are aware, and remember, what God had done in Egypt and how Pharaoh had responded -  but the Exodus was at least 350 years earlier!

5:1,8,10; 6:3,4,5,13,14,15,16,21 - the Philistines (symbolic of sin?) captured the ark of the covenant but couldn't hold it (perhaps symbolic of how sin bruised the heel of Christ but couldn't hold him as he was victorious over sin Gen 3:15) and had to release it after having it in 3 cities (not unlike the 3 days Christ spent in the pit followed by a resurrection); The Philistines made a trespass offering of sorts so the God of Israel would have mercy on them and we read of the number "5" (many feel 5 is the number of mercy and grace) repeatedly mentioned; v13 "Beth Shemesh" (1053) means "house of (the) sun" perhaps suggesting light as Christ is the light and the wheat harvest (symbolically Christ about to feed them with the bread of life? or followers reaping a spiritual harvest?); v14 field of Joshua/Jesus of Beth Shemesh and then we have a large rock (symbolic of Jesus? or symbolic of the stone blocking the tomb and the light of the resurrection?), we have the wood chopped (the wooden cross?) and a sacrifice; v16  after the sacrifice we again have the mention of 5 (mercy and grace offered to Gentiles too?); v21 "Kiriath Jearim" (7157) means "city of forests", etc. perhaps symbolically emphasising the importance of the crucifixion or how saints will themselves take up the cross and cleave unto Christ.

6:21 The men of Bethshemesh sent a message to Kirjath-jearim, which would have been about 12 miles away to come and take the ark away, wanting nothing to do with it. The priests at Bethshemesh should have been aware of what the problem was. When the ark was being moved, it had to covered with the veil of the tabernacle, to keep it from the sight of the peoples (Num 4:5). It appears that from the time the ark left Shiloh it had been uncovered. It is not surprising then, that it had become a token of judgment against all who kept it in an uncovered condition.

6:7 The Philistines used cows that were suckling their young to pull the cart carrying the ark. Then they took their calves away. The natural thing for the cows to do would be to follow a path to their young.  The unnatural direction would be away from the calves.  The Philistines reckoned that the direction the cows took would indicate whether the God of Israel was (supernaturally) directing the cows or not.                                                                                                 

6:19 The KJV records that 50,070 men of Beth-Shemesh died.  Some scholars believe that this number is due to a copyist's error.  The Septuagint records that the number is 50,070, the number 70 is found in modern versions.  But the Hebrew text does have 50,070.

The word translated "Emerods" in the KJV is "tekhore" 02914, which can mean tumours or haemorrhoids. Haemorrhoids, although often painful, are not usually life threatening. The fact that these tumours are linked with the mice, and that widespread disease, suffering & death was the result, makes one wonder whether it wasn't a form of the "plague" which struck Europe/UK repeatedly over the centuries. The bug, Yersinia pestis,  which caused the infection & death, was then carried by rats.

6:1 The ark being in the land of the Philistines ‘seven months’ contrasts with the seven days that the ark was round Jericho – Heb 11:30

LESSONS FROM THE PAST
 
Almost 400 years previously, Israel had been slaves in Egypt. It was there that God brought plagues on the Egyptians and forced them to let the Children of Israel go. Even though this happened almost 400 years previously, the lessons gained from this period about the might of God and his care for Israel were still fresh in the minds of the Philistines.
 
As the Philistines asked their priests what to do about the ark of the LORD, the priests suggested sending it back to Israel with a guilt offering to appease God's wrath. They said, "Why do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh did? When he treated them harshly, did they not send the Israelites out so they could go on their way?" (1Sam 6:6) The Philistines had not forgotten the lessons they had been taught through seeing God working in the nation of Israel - even after 400 years!
 
We are very blessed to have the Bible and all its lessons so freely available for us to read and learn from. Even though much of it happened thousands of years ago, God has not changed and neither has human nature. Let's not let the Philistines put us to shame when it comes to learning lessons from God's word and putting them into practice. Instead let us turn our ears to wisdom and our hearts to understanding and be responsive to the lessons God teaches us.

The five principal cities of the Philistines, Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, were ruled by five lords (Josh 13:3). Yahweh's opposition to them here parallels that of Goliath and his brothers, which would occur later.  David, who slew Goliath, knew that the giant had four brothers which would account for his selection of five stones (1Sam 17:40). Subsequently, Goliath's brothers were also slain (2Sam 21:16-21).

6:7    We might think that the ‘new cart’ which David later used – 2Sam 6:3  was imitating the Philistines but doubtless David’s motives were higher than just imitating the Philistines.

The Philistines had witnessed and accepted the supremacy of the God of Israel over their own god Dagon.  And yet, it did not spur them to alter their religious affiliation.  Furthermore, in later conflicts with the Israelites, they had forgotten the supreme power of Yahweh and had to be reminded of it again.  Unfortunately, the same pattern of forgetfulness applied to the Israelites also.

5:12 The way in which ‘the cry of the city went up to heaven’ was matched by a change in behaviour on the part of the Philistines – they sent the ark back – is not matched in Israel. The same language being used – Jer 14:2 – to mark the contrast.

1Sam 6:13 First Principles>Kingdom of God>Was overturned>History of fulfilment
2. Saul was made king 1Sam 9:15,16,27, 1Sam 10:1 followed by David 1Sam 6:13, Solomon 1Kin 1:32-34, 1Chron 28:5 then Rehoboam 1Kin 11:43, 2Chron 9:31.
Go to Deut 28:49 to see more details of the history of Israel and its overturning.

5:3 The Philistine god Dagon was half man/half fish, and resembled a merman.  The top half of the statute was a man who had a mitre on his head depicting the head of a fish.   The bottom half of the idol was the body of a fish.  Interestingly, the Hebrew word for fish is dag. 

Ancient Babylonian depictions of Dagon show a man with a fish-head mitre on his head, and a cloak, in the shape of a fish body, trailing down his back.

Compare the Babylonian illustration with the garb of the pope and his cousin, the Archbishop of Canterbury.  They are the same, except the fish motif on the cloak has been modified.  This is just one example of how the false system of worship in the world today derived from Babylonian idolatry.

5:8  The word translated ‘carried about’ <5437>> is the same word that is translated ‘compassed’ in Josh 6:3 where the record is speaking about the taking of Jericho. In taking the ark round the land of the Philistines we see a similarity with the taking of Jericho. God was at work to deliver his people.

5:6    The specific mention of ‘Jebusites’ who were the inhabitants causes us to remember that in Judg 1:21 the Benjamites did not drive out the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Indicating that David was more focused on the plan of God than were the Benjamites and in particular Saul when he was king.

6:19    Beth Shemesh was a city of the priests – Josh 21:16 – so, with the instruction of those priests, the people should have been warned against looking into the ark. The priests were not doing what they had been charged with. They should have kept knowledge – Mal 2:7. How often do we fail to warn about things we know about?

6:20-21     The way that the men of Bethshemesh speak of the ark as “this holy Lord God” and “to whom shall he go” indicates that they thought of the ark as if it was God echoing the confusion of the Philistines. 

6:4     The fact that the Philistines made models of mice and Emerods indicates that they had concluded that that the land of the Philistines had been troubled by a massive increase of mice in the land which were associated with the Emerods.

The lesson of what happened in chapter 5 is that God cannot be worshipped in whatever way we like. We cannot take God and reduce Him to the size of a box and take Him from one place to another as we wish. For us Gentiles He has decreed that those who worship Him must do so through the Priesthood of the son of David, Jesus Christ. Who are we try to do it differently?

Bowing before the Lord and Idol Worship 

It's interesting to read in 1Sam 5:3 that the Philistines put the ark beside Dagon and the next morning their idol had fallen on its face before it! It was a clear lesson to them that the God of Israel was much greater than their god, yet they did not have the wisdom or understanding to learn this. Let us make sure that we don't have any idols that we can end up spending more time on and end up 'worshipping'. 

I attended a Bible class a couple of weeks ago and we discussed the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant. It's an interesting study - especially when you consider that the sprinkling of blood upon it was a propitiation for the peoples' sins, and Christ is our propitiation today, as described by Paul in Rom 3:24-25. It's an amazing foreshadowing of God's judgement upon the nations through Christ. Much like Dagon, the nations will be humbled, with their faces to the earth before him. (see Dan 2:35 and Rom 14:11). 

5:11  Even though the Philistines recognised that the problems they were experiencing were a consequence of the ark of the covenants being among them it did not prevent them from still fighting against Israel on future occasions. So clearly they saw the ark and not God, as the bringer of their discomfort.

5:8        Israel should have dealt with the “lords of the Philistines” in the days of Joshua – Josh 13:3. They were a problem in the days of Samson – Judg 16:5 and would remain a problem event to the days of David – 1Sam 29:7.

5:6,111  Notice the difference between the verses. One has “hand of the lord” and the other has “hand of God”. On both occasions the narrative is the inspired word, not the words of the Philistines. In seeing the difference we are reminded that the angel – God – is equated with the work of Yahweh – The Lord. This is one of countless examples which demonstrate that the angels are equated with the Lord in their actions.  The angels are not “free agents” they do perfectly Yahweh’s bidding.

6:14   There must have been great rejoicing when the ark arrived on the cart drawn by the kine. The Law of Moses, of course, made no provision for what should be done when the ark returned. So the sacrifice offered at this time was a spontaneous response to the good event they witnessed. How often do we rejoice and praise God when something good happens?

6:17 The way that the cities are counted … one seems to have been a way of enumerating places in Israel’s early history. See again in Josh 12:9-24

Bet-shemesh was a Levitical city, appointed as a city of refuge (Joshua 21:13-16). So the men of the city had NO excuse. As Levites, they knew how the Ark should be handled, but they sought to satisfy their curiosity rather than honour the God of Israel. The Ark was the symbol of God's presence with Israel, for His glory shone from between the cherubim. What lesson for us! In this casual, self-centred world, let us remember to look to He who is truly Lord of all the earth.   

6:17 The way that the cities are counted … one seems to have been a way of enumerating places in Israel’s early history. See again in Josh 12:9-24

5:6.11 In saying that that hand of God was heavy <<3513> we see the same word that was used in the previous chapter to speak of Eli – 1Sam 4:188. The ironic play on words teaches that God is not constrained by a “heavy” man whose sons were godless.

5:1,2 Of course the Philistines were only able to take the Ark of God because He allowed it. The very capture of the ARK should have alerted the nation to the fact that there was something wrong with their approach to Him, not His ability to save.

6:2 Up to this point it was the “lords of the Philistines” who had made the decisions. But now notice the change. It is the priests and diviners”. What had, initially, been seen as a practical or political problem is now seen to actually be a religious problem. But the Philistines still sought advice from the wrong people!

5:7 It is only in these two chapters that we read of the Ark as being  the “Ark of the God of Israel” 5:7,8,10,11, 8:3

v.3 - This idea of comfort from God is quite a common theme in Isaiah: 12:1, 40:1,2, 49:13, 54:6-8, 61:1-3 (relates it to the work of Jesus) 66:10-14.

v.11 - This is the middle of three occasions when Isaiah speaks of 'everlasting joy' Isaiah 35:10 51:11 61:7 The recurring theme is to mark that despite the traumas of the Assyrian invasion there will be a glorious age for the faithful. This will be when the captivity of Zion is finally turned.

v.16 - We are frequently reminded in scripture of this very important lesson that the words spoken by the prophets were indeed the words of the Lord God Himself. It is important that we grasp this direct revelation and reverence God's word as a result, as it is God's words, not those of the men that penned them. 50:4, 59:21, Deut.18:18, John 3:34, 8:38-40, 17:8. We can infer from this last reference that the faithful passing on of the words of another could also fit this argument. Let us then be sure to do just that.

Another echo in Zechariah where the prophet is encouraging the people on their return from Babylon.

51:3 The Lord shall comfort Zion Zechariah 1:17

OUR COMFORT
Israel has had their share of fear and terror. Throughout time, after they had turned away from God, their enemies had come in and brought them to their knees, killing, raping, looting, burning and driving them into exile. God's point in this chapter is that Israel's enemies are only mortal. In the end, they too will drink the cup they have forced on Israel and will be reduced to terror themselves. God has promised to comfort Israel, and, being the eternal, living, all-powerful God, he will fulfil his promise. He shows us a picture of Israel in their comforted state: "They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away."
The same promise of comfort, I believe, applies to us. We should not fear what men can do to us or be dismayed by the problems we face in this life. All this is only temporary and will pass away to make room for something much better. God is our comfort and he will fulfil his promises.

:17 The call to wakefulness is against the background of Jerusalem having been judged by God. Whilst the people who heard Isaiah's words may well have thought that the Assyrian invasion was the judgement that was but a foreshadow of what Jeremiah calls 'the time of Jacob's trouble' (Jeremiah 30:7).

51:1,4,7 Notice the threefold 'hearken'. The only ones who actually do 'hearken' are those who :1 follow righteousness :4 who are actually His people :7 and know righteousness. Many might say they listen to God but it only those who know and observe Him who actually listen to what they hear.

V.6 This is an end of a dispensation which has served only to expose man's helpless inability to work out his own salvation. but, by contrast; "My salvation shall be for ever, and My righteousness shall not be abolished."  Then Messiah is apostrophised as the First-born of a New Creation.

Vs.5,6 Israel is given the hope of deliverance and everlasting peace. This promise is given that will be realized through the Messiah.  The old (political) heavens and earth shall disappear to be replaced by the new in the Kingdom (Isa 65:17; 2Pet 3:13).  

Look at the phrase, my salvation.  The word salvation in Hebrew is yeshua (Jesus) which is clearly referring to our Lord, the Messiah, whose kingdom shall endure forever (Dan 2:44).  Furthermore: my righteousness shall not be abolished (v.6).  Again this is referring to Jesus who is given the title The Lord our Righteousness (Jer 23:5,6).

What a lovely thought is expressed in the first verse, Isa 51:1!  Israel, and in the same sense us, as spiritual Israel, have been cut from the rock, and digged from the pit. “I am He that comforteth you:” says God (Isa 51:12). Of whom then will we be afraid?

51:9,17 There is a call to God that He should ‘awake’ to which He responds that Israel should ‘awake’ and turn away from her idolatry.

V.10,11 - we have two Hebrew words that are sometimes translated and/or transposed as the same in English in various places and are sometimes used together but by looking at the Hebrew we come to a fuller meaning of their differences and similarities; v10 "ransomed" (KJV) "redeemed" (NIV) [Heb. "ga'al" (1350) means "to redeem, to be the next of kin (and as such buy back a relative's property, marry his widow, etc.), avenger, deliver, (do, perform the part of the near, next) kinfolk (-man), purchase, ransom, redeem (-er), revenger", etc.]; v11 "redeemed" (KJV) "ransomed" (NIV) [Heb. "padah" (6299) means "to sever, i.e. ransom, to release, preserve, deliver, ransom, (that are to be, let be) redeem (-ed), rescue", etc.].

Seeking and following after righteousness

Those who seek the LORD are not always the ones who are most visibly doing so. Often in the history of Israel it had been the pious and visibly religious leaders that were the most un-Godly. Repeatedly it was the Gentile converts here and there that showed more faith in God, for example Rahab (presumably a Canaanite) and Naaman (a Syrian). The reason for this can be seen in the wording of the start of this chapter: "Listen to me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek the LORD" (v1). It is much easier for someone who is away from God to realise the need to find Him, as these Gentiles did.

Many of us have been born into families where the LORD God of Abraham is mentioned daily. We may feel that finding God isn't too difficult and that there is no urgency about it. However, this is dangerous. When we take the example of the nation of Israel (those who were born God's people) we see the real error of this way of thinking. Those who thought they were nearest to God were in fact the furthest away (e.g. Jer 50:6). Instead we should try to appreciate how far away we are from Him and resolve to seek Him and follow after righteousness.

In this chapter we see how the Gospel would be preached first to God's people, and then to the rest of the world through the work of the Lord Jesus (v3-5). Now that Jesus has been revealed to us, righteousness is very near to us (v5) and we may be called God's people (v4). All this is possible if we seek God and follow after the righteousness which is by faith like Abraham's example, who left his home and family in order to find it (v1-2, Gal 3:6-9, Heb 11:8-10)

51:1 The call to them that ‘follow after righteousness’ was a call to Israel to look beyond the law of Moses to the character of God. This is something Israel really had problems doing so Paul – Rom 10:3 – shows that they were still trying to establish their own righteousness b doing the law. Are we the same? Rather more concerned to highlight the good things we do rather than trust in the God who saves those who cannot save themselves.

51:19 The calamity of famine and the sword was upon the nation of Israel for almost 2,000 years. It was far too great a dilemma for any human solution; there was no human national leader to lead them, or to guide them. Their only hope was the God of Israel. we go back to 1948, and we can clearly see how the hand of God was with Israel in the re-establishment of Israel as a nation. We often think how richly blessed those of our generation are, when in fact we can remember the events that took place in both 1947 and 1948. The Jewish people have not always had a home land. Jerusalem was trodden down by the Gentiles for almost 2,000 years. We were able to witness these miracles take place by the hand of God. The majority of people have only witnessed history for 50 years. The nation has not been forgotten  "Thou art my people" (V.16)

Vs.9,10 In the Ancient Near East, Rahab was a mythical sea monster. Rahab came to symbolize Egypt and epitomise sin. Yahweh dried up the Red Sea to allow safe passage for Israel. Sea monsters cannot live on dry land, and so Yahweh effectively eliminated Rahab in this act. In drowning the pursuing Egyptians, Yahweh covered sin as an enactment of baptism (1Cor 10:1,2).

51:15 Dividing the sea as Israel came out of Egypt was the act of making a covenant – Psa 136:13

51:11 The redeemed who return to Zion returns to the earlier words of the prophet – Isa 35:10

Vs.1-3 Yahweh exhorts His people to turn to Him because He has promised that they (the remnant) will enjoy the blessings of the Kingdom (See, for example, Psa 72:16; Isa 11:6-9).

V.8 See 50:9.

V.14 In the original sense, Cyrus would be the liberator of Yahweh’s people. In the end times, it will be Jesus, the Messiah, who will free Israel from the clutch of the enemy.  Remember that Hebrew prophecy often has dual applications; first, the more immediate historical use; then, the end-time manifestation.  Also, characters in the first use are types for the secondary application. Thus, Cyrus is a type of Christ.

V.15 Yahweh, as creator, can physically make the sea toss (divided KJV; stirs up ESV), and the waves to roar (Jer 31:35).  But, He can make peoples and nations do this in the figurative sense (Eze 26:3).  In this case, Yahweh is talking about Cyrus and Persia; and Jesus with His immortalised saints.

V.16 Yahweh has instructed both Cyrus and Jesus to do His will.

V.17 Yahweh caused Jerusalem to fall in 586 BC and Judah to be led captive to Babylon. In the end times, Yahweh will cause Jerusalem to be sacked again (Zech 14:2).

Vs.18-23 These verses apply only to the end time destruction of Jerusalem and its people, since after the exile there were those to guide because Ezekiel, Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah were there. In the end-time application it will be Jesus who will give the cup of trembling (KJV); bowl of wrath (ESV) to the enemy (Zech 14:2-4).

v7 appears to refer to the insults of the Rabshakeh in 36:4-10, 13-20 and Sennacherib in 37:9-13.

v8 the moth eaten garment would appear to refer to the premature end of the glorious Assyrian army (37:36). This also appears in 50:9 probably referring to the same.

v12 confirms v7-9 by saying the same in different language.

v6 the heavens and earth disappear. Then in v16 they are re-made. In v13 the LORD says He alone stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth. Is that possible? In 49:13 the heavens and earth sing and rejoice. So it is obviously just picture language, and we need to look at the context to find out what they depict.

First Principles>Sure Mercies of David>Land>Jesus will rule
v3 The land is desolate for centuries (Lev 26:33) but it will be like the garden of Eden. Isa 51:3, Eze 36:35. This will be the land of the Kingdom.
First Principles>Sure Mercies of David>Land> For more information go to Psa 72:8.

51:2  If Israel were to reflect upon the way that God had multiplied Abraham from ‘one’ to a multitude they would not fear their enemies.

51:6  The idea that the heavens will vanish and wax old is taken up in the letter to the Hebrews on two occasions – Heb 8:13 1:11

51:11  The idea of sorrow being removed is seen three times in Isa 14:3, 25:8, 35:10, 51:11. A theme which is taken up by Jesus – in Rev 21:4 – when speaking of the age to come.

51:18  Whilst Israel were unable to provide a saviour that could take those who were sick “by the hand”  Jesus could –Mark 9:27 etc: The gospels show that Jesus was the one that the nation could not produce themselves to save them from sin and death.

Isa 51:3 The garden of Eden will be restored not only to its former glory but so much better  Isa 60:13 that it will be worthy of him to place his feet. We simply will not be able to comprehend how glorlious his kingdom shall be.

Isa 51:17-23.

51:1,4,7           We may be so familiar with the idea that Israel were to “hearken” that we might forget that the nation were told that there would come a prophet to whom they would “hearken” Deut 18:19

51:21   Those who are drunk are made senseless by the false prophets. This can be seen in Jesus’ words – Rev 18:3

1. Isa 51:1-3 - listen to me you that follow after righteousness and seek the Lord (Matt 6:33), the Lord shall comfort Zion, after many years of desolation the desert will bloom (it is doing so now, but an even greater blooming is to come);

V2 "Look to Abraham, your father" (this reminds us of the promises to Abraham); V3 "joy and gladness will be found in her" (ultimately, this will be the 7th millennial day of rest kingdom age when Jesus sits on the throne of David 2Sam 7:12-16).

2. Isa 51:1,4,7 - God pleads with His people to listen to Him.

3. Isa 51:4-6 - Gentiles putting trust in the God of Israel; V4 addressed to "my people...my nation"; V4 the law will go out (Isa 2:3); V4-5 "to the nations...to the nations" (Gentiles included in the promises Gal 3:28-29); V6 the end of a dispensation but "my salvation [i.e. Messianic millennial] will last forever".

4. Isa 51:5,9 - Christ is the arm of the Lord.

5. Isa 51:6,16 - political heavens and earth to vanish when Christ returns to rule in the millennial day of rest; VS 6,16 Christ is the sun of the new heaven, and his bride is the moon.

6. Isa 51:7 - addressed to (the righteous) "ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law" (Abraham's true children Gal 3:26-29;John 8:39-44); God pleads for the faithful to not be afraid of man (is there an application here to encourage Hezekiah from Rabshakeh, and Christ in the ordeal he faced?).

7. Isa 51:8;Isa 50:9 - opponents of Jesus and the other righteous are eaten up in sheol; Isa 50:9 Christ is helped; Isa 51:8 "forever" this entails Christ's return to earth to establish his Father's kingdom (Matt 6:9-10).

8. Isa 51:9-10 - God protecting His people from "Rahab(<7293> i.e. Egypt)" literally and perhaps has a figurative association of the "dragon<8577>" representing Egypt with the forces of sin, and God's leading His people to cross through the Red Sea which echoes baptism; V9 the arm of the Lord would seem to be God using Christ esp. when Christ returns to rule on king David's throne (where Christ will more fully put on his strength); V9 "as in the ancient of days, in the generations of old" (perhaps this suggests the law of Moses and the faith of the prophets); V10 the Red Sea exodus so the redeemed might cross over to the promised land, the rising up from the waters of baptism symbolically represents the burial with Christ of the flesh and resurrection to a new life and a path to the ultimate promised land.

9. Isa 51:11 - the ransomed of the Lord who return with everlasting joy refers to the 7th millennial day of rest when Christ returns to Zion to rule as king and priest.

10. Isa 51:12,13,15 - trust in God for He is in control (Dan 4:17).

11. Isa 51:14 - Cyrus liberated some captives (as directed by God) but Christ will be the ultimate liberator.

12. Isa 51:16 - Moses, Cyrus and Jesus were all instructed to do God's will; God put his words in Jesus' mouth and covered him with the shadow of His hand (Isa 49:2;John 12:49-50); restoration and rejuvenation in the promised land for God's people.

13. Isa 51:17,22,23 - V17 refers to the cup (cup of blood?) of God's wrath; V22 refers to God taking away His cup of wrath given to His disobedient children; V23 refers to God's cup of wrath given to those who tormented His often wayward people who will finally recognize and follow the one they pierced (Zech 12:10).

14. Isa 51:18,20 - no sons to guide Jerusalem (except Jesus Christ).

15. Isa 51:19 - the result of Israel's trust in man (not God) prior to the return of and the recognition of Jesus Christ as the Messiah (Acts 1:9-11).

51:20 The sons who lie in wait like wild animals were the religious leaders in the day of the  prophet Isaiah.

51:1      The idea of flowing after righteousness is seen – 1Cor 14:1 – in following after charity and 1Tim 6:11

51:7     The “reproach” that need not be feared is the words of Sennacherib in Isa 37:4.

51:22-23            Zech 12:2 uses similar language to speak of the effect of Jerusalem on the nations round about her near to the time of Jesus’ return.

51:14 Assyria had taken the northern kingdom captive and was threatening Judah who eventually were taken to Babylon as captives because of their rebelliousness. So the captives are appealed to. They are invited to consider what their expectation would be whilst in captivity. It would be freedom not death in the land of their captivity. This desire, the prophet says, should instruct the captive as to how he should behave towards God’s laws.

51:3 This gives insight into what the garden of Eden was like before Adam and Eve sinned. It was a place of “joy and gladness … thanksgiving, and the voice of melody”.

51:8 Jesus makes reference to moths corrupting when speaking about where our focus should be – Matt 6:19.

51:4-6 The transient nature of things around us will be swept away by the establishment of the kingdom of God. It will  be achieved by God’s righteousness (:5) which will bring “salvation”. This is what God was promising Israel through the prophet Isaiah. It is a promise for all that “follow righteousness” (:1) which includes those “in Christ”. It is hardly surprising that the prophet bursts into prayer (:9) and asked God to act for salvation now. Is this how we feel?

51:9 God, through His prophets, repeatedly reminds Israel of the way He has delivered them in the past. In speaking of having cut “Rahab" we see a reference to the deliverance of Israel from Egypt under the hand of Moses.

51:6 Of course we know that the earth and associated sky, stars etc. are not going to vanish. The earth is going to be the location for the re-established kingdom of God. So the inspired prophet is speaking of the removal of all man made systems of government in order that a Divine government can be installed.

The wonderful thing is that we can be involved in that government as kings and priests ruling on the earth – 5:10

51:2  Salvation is a very personal thing. Each of us, like Abraham, has been called “alone” even though we may well be associated with many others who have been called also.  The reason that God emphasises this point here is to focus the mind on the personal responsibility each of us has. Abram, as he was called when God first spoke to him, had to make his decision on his own before involving anyone else in his decision. We, in like manner, make an individual decision before associating with others of the same mind.

12 v.7-11 - The battle is won, not by might nor power but by 'the blood of the lamb' marking the way in which we were redeemed. We cannot buy our salvation [1 Peter 1:18-19] nor can we win it by our own strength [Romans 5:6]. It is a gift through faith. [Romans 5:1]

13 v.9 - The call to listen with open ears echoes Jesus' repeated use of the idea in the gospels [Matthew 11:15 13:9,43 Mark 4:9,23 7:16 Luke 8:8 14:35] and in earlier chapters in Revelation [Revelation 2:7,11,17,29 3:6,13,22 13:9] And contrasts with Israel who were 'dull of hearing' because they had closed their ears. [Zechariah 7:11]

So here we are - right back in the garden of Eden - seeing the long planned salvation through the seed of the woman

Ezekiel sees men who have the seal of God in their foreheads. The beast seeks to cause men to change their allegiance. So that instead of thinking about God and His purpose all were to worship and think about the beast.

WORSHIP GOD.

The Bible tells us over and over that we must worship the Lord our God and worship him only. It also tells us that we must not worship idols, people or anything else that might be set up in opposition to the one true living God.

As Christians then, we need to concentrate our attention on the Lord our God and on his Son, Jesus Christ. We need to make sure that they take the Number One place in our lives and that all our worship is reserved only for them. We need to make sure that our worship is true and not just a matter of lip service because the time may come when the whole world will be carried away with the worship of a false god, which Revelation calls the Beast. We read that "All the inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast - all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the lamb that was slain from the creation of the world." And, "He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed." And later, "... and cause all who refuse to worship the image to be killed."

Let us resolve now to make sure our worship of God is true and strong so that we recognise false worship when it comes and can stand firm in our faith.

The way in which Ezekiel - speaking about Egypt and Daniel 7 - speaking about the Roman Empire and Daniel 8 - speaking of the Greeks are drawn together shows that this chapter is speaking of a force which manifests characteristics of all these nations.

The use of Daniel in this chapter highlights the value of understanding what Daniel is speaking about before trying to sort out what Revelation is talking about.

Rev 12:9. One must be clear of what is literal and what is figurative. If v.9 is figurative, then the war (v.7) can not be literal. Heaven could not be a place of an angelic rebellion, when we consider the Lord’s Prayer. Matt 6:10.

12:4 The destruction of the "third part" is a recurring feature in Revelation found here and Rev (8:9,10,11,12, 9:15,18). Ezekiel speaks of judgements upon Israel in third parts twice in Eze 5:2,12
 
13:17 In saying that the time would come when men would not be able to "buy" unless they have the mark of the beast we see a contrast and warning. Jesus called the brethren in Laodicea to "buy"(Rev 3:18) from him.

A quick overview of these two chapters shows that they deal with the rise of the apostate church that would oppose the Truth and its believers. 

The apostate church was able to operate with the blessing of the Emperor Constantine who embraced Christianity for his own political ends.  Thus, Imperial Rome became the state sponsor of the so-called Christian church.  

Constantine endorsed the Council of Nicaea's declaration of the doctrine of the Trinity (325 AD), and commanded that it must be believed by all Christians. Those who did not were deemed heretics and subject to abuse. This abuse continued for many centuries resulting in horrible conditions and death for true believers. 

The Lord Jesus will finally destroy this false system of worship when He returns.

12:7  Whilst it may seem obvious that there is a physical battle going on it clearly speaks of a conflict between two ideologies.

13:5  Whilst we have identified the ‘mouth speaking great things’ with Dan 7:8 we must also be aware of a New Testament link with Jude 1:16. Thus we see that what Revelation has to say had immediate relevance as well as a longer term fulfilment.

12:5The man child quotes Isa 66:7. His qualities match those that Jesus ascribes to his servants – Rev 2:27

12:4    The drawing of the stars of heaven is seen earlier in Dan 8:10.

12:6 A woman goes into the wilderness here for deliverance and we see a woman returning riding a beast – Rev 17:3 – is it the same woman who has been seduced by that which she fled from?

12:1 Remember that Revelation is a book of symbols. The symbols of this verse are:

-heaven  This represents a political heaven and not a celestial one.

-woman  This is a generic term for a female.  It could represent the bride of Christ (the true ecclesia),  but here it symbolizes a break-away religious system.  Her attire will explain more.

-the sun represents governing authority.  Many pagan gods, such as the Egyptian Ra (the sun god), were considered rulers.

-moon under her feet Anything under the feet is in subjection to what is above. The moon is subject to the sun for light.  And so, symbolically, the moon is reliant on the sun (government) for support.  In this case, the moon represents the apostate church (under the aegis of the woman) which would need government support to advance.

-crown symbolizes victory.  The woman, who we now see as symbolizing a religious system, has gained victory (domination) over all other religious claimants.

-twelve stars represents twelve princes (rulers) who would facilitate the apostate system to succeed.  Twelve is a representative number for a totality.  Can you think of other twelves, or multiples, in scripture, that can show you this kind of completeness.

Put together the pieces from above.  Where have you seen a statue or picture of such an image?

12:2,5 The child represents Constantine.

12:3 the dragon was a symbol of military Rome.

12:6 The woman here is the true ecclesia (The Bride of Christ) who was subject to persecution from the amalgamation of Constantine (Imperial Rome) with the apostate ecclesia that would become ecclesiastical Rome.  And so, the woman had to flee.  She would exist for 1260 years.

Michael  means one who is like the Son of God.  In this case, it represents Constantine who acted as if he were the Son of God.  He fought against pagan Rome in the name of ecclesiastical Rome.  He won (12:9).

12:10-12 Constantine and the Roman Church celebrate their victory in the name of Christ. The inhabitants of the earth are warned that the Roman Church will conquer those who do not believe as they do.

12:13-17 Now begins the persecution of the true ecclesia (woman) who, nevertheless will be sustained, as an entity, for 1260 days. If reckoned from Constantine in 312 AD, this would bring the time up to 1572 AD, the date of The St. Bartholomew's Day massacre.

Chapter 13 will be discussed in December

While some of Revelation is quite clear, I'm not fully confident in any of the various interpretations. When Christ returns the faithful will fully understand (1Cor 13:12).

Rev 12:1 - Heaven refers to political heavens. A woman clothed with the sun, etc. is not literal. We have a similar description in Genesis (Gen 37:9-11) and it is suggested the sun is Jacob, the moon Leah, the stars leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel so the woman would be the ideal Israel at this stage. The woman finds her true beginning with Eve and the serpent (i.e. sin) is standing before her ready to devour her seed upon birth (Gen 3:15-16;Isa 7:14;Matt 1:21-23).

Rev 12:2 - Israel suffered waiting for the redeemer to be delivered (Rom 8:22).

Rev 12:3 - We have a red dragon with 7 heads and 10 horns (Rev 12:9-10) and similar beasts (Rev 13:1;Rev 17:3). The red dragon is the accuser of the brethren, is universally hostile to God's people (esp. the son of this woman) and gives power to the beast (Rev 13:2) which would be human institutions opposed to that which is good (Eph 6:12).

Rev 12:4 - The stars cast down to heaven have an echo in Daniel (Dan 8:3,9,10) which suggests persecutions of the people of God would be from roots following Alexander the Great's empire. The dragon is the sum of human sinfulness and operates through human powers (i.e. the beast).

Rev 12:5 - The child is elevated to the highest position he could attain. Christ will rule all nations with a rod of iron (Psa 2:6-12;110:1-2;Isa 11:1,4;Gen 49:10;Num 24:17,19;Psa 45:6-7;Matt 2:1-2;Heb 1:8;Rev 2:27-28;Rev 19:15-16;Rev 22:16.)

Rev 12:6 - At various times the woman is in the wilderness.  Herod attempted to kill the young child (Jer 31:15;Matt 2:13-19). 1260 days may refer to Christ's ministry along with John the Baptist's literal and spiritual wilderness preparation with Israel (Isa 40:3;Matt 3:1-3). The woman has a coming apostacy (Rev 12:14).

Rev 12:7-9 - This is language used of the proud king of Babylon's fall (Isa 14:12) and demonstrates how Christ's crucifixion brought the power of sin to an end. Christ healed fleshly infirmities, and through his crucifixion and resurrection defeated sin, personified by the devil, so believers might have hope (Luke 10:17-18;John 12:31-33;Gen 3:15;Heb 2:14,17;Heb 4:15;1John 3:8).

Rev 12:10-12 - Despite Christ's victory over sin, which gives believers hope of eternal life, sin is still a force to be reckoned with (Rom 8:1,33-39).

Rev 12:13 - Ideal Israel had given birth to Christ and true Christianity but there would be major challenges that lie ahead.

Rev 12:14 - The woman would become apostate (Zech 5:7-11). Shinar is short for Babylon (Gen 11:2;Isa 11:11;Dan 1:2).

Rev 12:17 - The dragon (sin and the sinful institutions controlled by the dragon) goes after those who who obey God's commandments and hold on to the testimony of Jesus Christ. The dragon (personification of sin) of chapters 12 through 20 is the same.

The above sketch was mostly gleaned from Apocalypse For Everyman  by A.D. Norris, pps 206-225.

12:15 Water as a flood is a Biblical image for oppression for example Isa 59:10 and the way in which the Assyrian is described Isa 8:7-8

12:1  Sun, moon, 12 stars all have Biblical significance in the dream that Joseph has – Gen 37:9– but 12 stars here whereas there are 11 stars in Joseph’s dream because the nation are not any longer bowing to Joseph but he will be amongst those who bow to Jesus.

13:18  The only other place in Scripture where the number 666 is found is 1Kin 10:14 when speaking of the amount of gold that was brought to Solomon in a year. This is not to suggest that the east is Solomon. Maybe the link indicates the trading power of the beast which similarity is being made with Solomon.

13:8    The idea of the “lamb slain from the foundation of the world” seems to draw on, amongst other places, 11Pet 1:19-20

12:5   The ruling with “a rod of iron” quotes Psa 2:9 which speaks of the rulership of Jesus.

The accuser

It becomes abundantly clear who the "accuser of our brethren" is in Rev 12:10, because every other use of this word in scripture is in relation to the Jewish leaders accusing Jesus or his followers. In fact, so precise is this relationship that there is no other use of that word in any other context than this**. Now, the "accuser" in this chapter is the dragon, or the devil or satan, as described in v7-9 who is "cast out of heaven". Jesus used the same names to describe the Jewish leaders, for example:

"you are of your father, the devil" (John 8:44)

"serpents, brood of vipers!" (Matt 22:33)

I think from this key discovery we can gain a clear understanding of what the chapter is about. It is telling us in pictorial form about the destruction of the Jewish system of worship, which happened in AD70 when Jerusalem was destroyed. With that system out of the way, followers of Jesus would be able to worship in spirit and truth without the constant accusation of those who used the law of Moses as a means for their own ends.

I think if you follow this train of thought you will quickly work out who the other players are in the chapter.

**Please check this up yourself using a Strongs concordance (Greek word 2723) or a bible search program or Greek lexicon. Romans 2:15 is a possible exception though it's still in the context of the Jewish law.

13:5-6  The way that this beast speaks has the hall marks of a false brother – See Jude 1:16 for example. I am not suggesting that this beast is a false brother. Rather highlighting the similarity between false brethren and totally apostate organisations. 

12:7-8 We should be encouraged that the ideological batter spoken of in these verses ends with the ‘dragon’ overpowered. This is rather like the way in which Jesus overcame sin and brought in the hope of everlasting righteousness.

12:14  The time period described quotes Dan 7:25 so we should look into what Daniel is talking about to try and understand what is written here.

13:10    In the captor becoming captive we see the final overthrow of all opposition to Christ. Jer 15:2, using similar language, speaks of the end of the Babylonian captivity. That Israel was delivered from Babylon is the assurance that the words here will come true also.

Rev 13:5,6

“And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great blasphemies… And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.”

Dr. John Thomas writes: “The world religious is not Wisdom’s Temple, for its ‘pillars’ are not of the true and appointed order of architecture. Its Body, instead of being crowned with the highly adorned chapiter of Him who is the Light and Life, is monstrous with Seven Heads and Ten Horns; having a Mouth speaking vile things; and full of Denominations and Names of Blasphemy [Rev 17:3]. The spirit that energizes this body of superstition and folly is ‘the spirit that works in the children of disobedience’—the spirit of the Flesh. Its hope is ‘no hope.’ Its lords are numberless. Its faith mere speculations and opinions. Its baptism, the baldest absurdity ever invented by a demoniac. And its Deity and Father, he of whom Jesus speaks in John 8:44, to which the reader is especially and most respectfully referred.

How striking the contrast between the House which Wisdom hath builded, and the pillars that she hath hewn, and the cathedral erected by the worshippers of the Power after which all the world, pious and profane, has gone a wondering! The whole professing world is a huge temple of wood, hay, and stubble, ‘the habitations of demons, the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird’—Rev 18:2. ‘Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith Yahweh, and touch not the unclean; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, said the Lord Almighty’ 2Cor 6:17,18”

Brother Thomas refers to one Body, one Spirit, one Hope, one Lord, one Faith, one Immersion, one Deity and Father, as the Seven Pillars of Wisdom's Temple (cf. Eph 4:4-6).

12:12     “Rejoice” will certainly be the outcome when the power of sin is destroyed. However for those who live through the destructions there will certainly be a “time of trouble” first.

Rev 12

THE SEVENTH SEAL – THE SON’S ASCENT TO THE DEITY

“BEFORE the woman’s Son could ‘rule ALL the nations of the Roman Habitable,' it was necessary that he be placed upon the throne of the Deity.  'There is no power but of the Deity,’ says Paul; and 'the powers that be are ordered of the Deity.’ The throne upon the Roman Habitable would be the seat of the Supreme and Sole Sovereignty of the empire, wherever it might be located. Jerusalem is styled ‘the throne of Jehovah’ in Jer 3:17. That city is the place where supreme power will be established in the Millennium. It was also Jehovah’s throne when occupied by David and Solomon—1Chron 29:23. But in the days of Constantine, supreme power had long before departed from Jerusalem.* Israel and Judah had been broken and divorced**: and a people formed from among the Gentiles for the Divine Name. This people came to contend with the Pagan Dragon for supreme power. After a long and bloody conflict they acquired it by the will of the Deity, ‘of whom are all things’—1Cor 8:6. Their military commander is, therefore, said to have arrived at the Deity and his throne. Hence Constantine, as sole emperor of the Roman world, invested with supreme power in all spiritual and temporal affairs, is the illustration of the import of the text predicting the translation of the Woman’s Son ‘to the Deity and his throne.’”

Brother Dr. John Thomas, Eureka, Vol III

*   The power of the Deity was with Constantine, as it was with Nebuchadnezzar.

**  Yahweh divorced the 10 northern tribes of Israel (Jer 3:8), not the country, Israel, in whom He will yet be glorified (Isa 49:3), after pleading for some 700 years with all the tribes to repent! The marriage was a conditional covenant, and, therefore, revocable (Exo 19:5). This did not negate His unconditional covenant made to Abraham!

There were faithful, believing remnants of Israel God preserved (1Kin 19:18; Isa 10:20-22; Rom 11:2-5; Rev 7:4-8). The tribe of Judah with Benjamin was not divorced, because along with the Levite priests, they remained loyal to the house of David, the lineage of the Saviour (1Kin 12:20,21; 2Chron 13:9-11). Though unfaithful to Yahweh too, as with the ten tribes, the repentant and faithful remnant among them will be saved. The question was raised, “How then is it possible for Judah to enter into another marriage without a certificate of divorce (Deut 24:1-4; Isa 50:1)?” The divorced wife never became a virgin, but it is not a divorced wife, but the faithful remnant virgin (metaphorical) whom Christ will marry (2Cor 11:2; Eph 5:27; Rev 14:4; cf. Lev 21:14). Paul tells us the Old Covenant, which includes the law of the husband, died with Christ, the death of the Testator (Heb 9:15-18; Rom 7:1-6), having nailed it to the cross. Under the now in effect New Covenant, the remnant of Israel (Isa 10:20,21; Rom 9:27), and the remnant of Judah (Zeph 2:7), will once again be united along with the remnant of the New Covenant saints (Rom 11:5), their restoration and redemption wrought by Christ.

The nation of Israel today is a secular nation, but it will rise from its ashes, as promised by Yahweh (Hos 2). Israel will be reinstated in Yahweh’s favour and enjoy the blessings of the Kingdom by and in Christ with the faithful of all the previous ages there gathered.

12:17 the phrase “Testimony of Jesus Christ” is found four times in Revelation. Rev 1:9,17 , Rev 12:17, Rev 19:10. But what does it mean? It is something that the dragon does not like! It is “the spirit of prophecy” – that is it is an understanding – at least in general terms – of God’s plan to rid the world of wickedness.

12:12 the rejoicing “heavens” may well be speaking of the ruling powers of the earth who, on realising the benefits of the kingdom age, turn to God and rejoice.

13:8 We see two classes of people in the earth. This is exactly how John was inspired to present things. Society would have us believe that differing views should be allowed to exist together with no one denigrating anyone else for their belief system. However this is not how God views things on the earth. There is one truth – His teaching – every other philosophy that opposes Him it wrong.

This is the stark reality of how our Father views things. Does this match our way of viewing the differing views that oppose God’s teaching?

Today’s readings.. 1Sam 5, (Isa 51), (Rev 12

Our Isaiah chapter Isa 51) starts, “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness …” [v.1] “Give attention to me my people … give ear to me …” [v.4] How many respond to God’s appeal – then – and now?  Our chapter takes a long range view – to our time, “My righteousness draws near, my salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge … for my arm they wait.” [v.5]  Back in ch. Isa 33:2 the prophet’s prayer was, “… we wait for you.  Be our arm every morning”  Our thoughts go to John’s Gospel and the quotation from Isaiah, the unbelief Jesus encountered  “so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: ‘Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?’ ” [John 12:38]  Jesus is the “arm” of the LORD.

God’s word, as we see in Isaiah, sometimes uses the word ‘heavens’ to indicate rulers and ‘earth’ to indicate those ruled over.  With that understanding we see v.6 as a graphic prophecy that will climax in our world now, it is a message for today. “lift your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner …”   But the verse ends, “but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.” 

The chapter started “Listen to me” and now it significantly occurs again, “Listen to me you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law, fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings.”” [v.7]  How few are listening?  How ready are others to utter “revilings” about those who sincerely believe God’s word – and show that belief in the what they say and the way they live. 

But what wonders of eternity await those who really listen!   Verse 11 says  they will “come to Zion with singing and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads, and they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”  “Listen to me”  Are you really listening? Are you reacting in the right way to what you hear?  Today’s chapter (11) in Revelation describes the trouble the saints will experience – and the fate of “everyone whose name has not been written … in the book of life of the Lamb that was slain … Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints” ]  Are you listening?  Those who genuinely listen and develop real faith will endure. 

 For More resources on Today's readings visit https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

12:9-10 Throughout Revelation it is often difficult to identify in world history some of the creatures spoken of. Sadly some of us then give up looking for the encouraging things that we are being taught – things which are time independent. On this occasion it is clear to see the finally sin and death will be overcome.

13:12  In seeing the beast with the deadly wound healed we are left to conclude that the power spoken of might look as if it was destroyed only to rise again to oppose God’s faithful children. In itself a frightening prospect until we realise it will finally be destroyed forever.

13:1  Having got this far into reading the book of Revelation we may be really perplexed as to which powers are being spoken of. This is not surprising but comfort can be taken from the description of the beast. When “the name of blasphemy” was written on it we can surely appreciate that whoever it is it is not a manifestation of truth. So, in that sense, it can be any power in the world that is opposing God.