Welcome back: A Special Series: Lessons from the Wilderness, Vol. 30 - A Study in Revelation, Part 6

 ©2020 David E Robinson, At the Gates of Yerushalayim Ministries

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A Special series:

 Lessons from the Wilderness, Volume 30

  …A Study in Revelation… Part 6

A Search for the Truth at the end of the Age

αποκαλυψις ιησου χριστου

(The Revelation of Yeshua the Messiah) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]}

On to the Rabbit Trail !

Figure 9 What do you see?

A view with a perspective that draws the "supposedly" right answers from flawed information leads to flawed assumptions. This is especially true when we are trying to draw forth an understanding of the Book of Revelation. Just in looking at our illustrations above, there are two different takes one can have on the image shown, just as depending upon one’s perspective, the Revelation can have different interpretations. Just for fun, let us look at this in a “real-world” perspective:

Figure 10 @PaulNoth#cartoon@NewYorker Nov. 2014

This double-standard of how we view things has lasting and sometimes disastrous consequences for the world in which we reside. We live today in a world that shifts and changes from one belief to the next, from one concept to another.  We, the so-called “boomer” generation, grew up in a world of absolutes, that right was right, and wrong was wrong. Yes, there were many mistakes along the way, but the system that was and is in place, through the providential wisdom of the founders of this nation, gave us a way to right the wrongs of our checkered past. Yet today, we see that all that had held us together as a nation is being over-run by misguided attempts to redefine the very principles that served to hold us together through mistakes of policy, civil war, and the corrections that still need to be made. What was once moral, is now an attempt to take away another’s “freedom”; but this process of correction demands that the mob mentality rules over individual rights.  Our founding fathers laid out a document that was meant to guide us through these ever-blowing winds of change, so that man’s propensity to lean into the wind would not cause the nation to stumble. The majority is hardly ever right. That is the problem. If those in the minority have to cower to a vocal and vicious mob, then there are no rights safe for anyone at all. Whether or not the pendulum swings left or right, the mob that is in control in either direction will usurp the rights of those out of power. The result then is constant rebellion and anarchy. Even the majority can be controlled by out-of-hand- chaos up to a point; there is always a push-back. This is seen in Newton’s Third Law. Newton's third law is:

 For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

 The statement means that in every interaction, there is a pair of forces acting on the two interacting objects. The size of the forces on the first object equals the size of the force on the second object. The direction of the force on the first object is opposite to the direction of the force on the second object. Forces always come in pairs - equal and opposite action-reaction force pairs.^[6] One can see this motion, but the push-back that occurs within human relations is hardly ever equal: the push-back to the lawlessness in our streets today will be enormous and costly in the terms of property and, sadly, human life. Even Dr. Martin Luther King expressed a similar sentiment:

 “…I am convinced that love is the most durable power in the world. It is not an expression of impractical idealism, but of practical realism. Far from being the pious injunction of a Utopian dreamer, love is an absolute necessity for the survival of our civilization. To return hate for hate does nothing but intensify the existence of evil in the universe. Someone must have sense enough and religion enough to cut off the chain of hate and evil, and this can only be done through love. Moreover, love is creative and redemptive. Love builds up and unites; hate tears down and destroys. The aftermath of the “fight fire with fire” method which you suggest is bitterness and chaos; the aftermath of the love method is reconciliation and the creation of the beloved community. Physical force can repress, restrain, coerce, destroy, but it cannot create and organize anything permanent; only love can do that. Yes love—which means understanding, creative, redemptive goodwill, even for one’s enemies—is the solution to the race problem. Often love is crucified and buried in a grave, but in the long run it rises up and redeems even that which crucifies it…” ^[7]

 “…hate for hate does nothing but intensify the existence of evil in the universe…” Our founders gave us a document, based upon their understanding of the moral Laws of God, that they felt would stand the test of time and lead a moral nation. Within it, they also gave us the way to change and amend it to ensure that one faction in the country could not rule over another.  This has all changed with the notion of our Constitution being described as a “living document”, able to be bent in whatever direction the wind of the mob blows.  Terms have been redefined,  that is why it is so important that we have a bedrock to stand upon, not the shifting sands of moral ambiguity.  Terms have to be defined, set in this stone of moral clarity, otherwise we will be washed away by a tide of irrelevance where all things are defined by majority rule, not by a moral authority.  We live in an age that self-righteously has said, “We are not to judge!”, at least if you dare to judge the opposing view of the vocal, often violent minority. How then can we correct those in error or how do you speak out against something that is just wrong and not be accused of being “judgmental”?  Most of the problem lies therein with that statement, about “being judgmental” and upon most believers’ and non-believers view on what that really means.  So, here my friends, are we today, excusing that which is wrong, that which is unbiblical, that which is ungodly, just so somebody cannot call us “judgmental” – or worse.  It is time to take a fresh look at what Yeshua really meant when He said:

 Matthew 7:1-2

Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. ^[8]

Matthew 7:1-5 (NASB)

     1 “^aDo not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and ^1aby your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you ^alook at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  4 “^aOr how ¹can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.^[9]

 Ephesians 2:1-10

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Messiah, (by grace ye are saved;)  6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Messiah Yeshua: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Messiah Yeshua. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Messiah Yeshua unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.^[10]

“…But God (Yahveh), who is rich in mercy…”

 Mercy. Not something that is preached or practiced much these days.  All around us there is tragedy, sadness, fear. There is hatred between white and black, but the hatred does not stop there. It has bled its way into our everyday existence, and has extended to all races, all ethnicities. Politicians, those who laughingly call themselves “leaders” fuel the hate, with the left hating the right, the right losing patience with those on the left, and the center is collapsing as the violence grows, albeit mainly from the far left. Police are attacked, police fight back – and the bleeding continues with no end in sight.  Money is about worthless, and there seems to be no conclusion for all the calamities that are falling upon this nation. Why? Because none can judge clearly or righteously.

 

• We see young people of color whose lives cut short and the mob that uses their tragedy to burn, loot and murder. They seek not mercy or even justice. They are opportunists, that prey on the dead.
•  We see the thin blue line around us bleed red, and there are those who celebrate – have they no mercy for the families whose lives now lie in tatters?
• All over this world our troops go out in harm’s way, and when they come home in a flag draped casket, who stands with the mourners? Who salutes? Evil people who want to cast stones on the fallen warriors come out, spewing hate. No mercy, no tears. Do any even remember? Those that do are so few.
• We see the sin of black-on-black crime; does BLM care for this?  Why is it that none but a few weeps against it? Where is the cry for the loss of these lives – why is there so much silence from the left, the right, the activists?
• We see believers and others (including Muslims) that are murdered in the most horrible ways by the evil forces of the Jihadist, the Communist, the radicals and all just want to look away. If we look away though, what are we looking for, an opportunity, an advantage, or someone to blame?
• We see God’s chosen people the Jews, once again being pressed on all sides, the rise of anti-Semitism covering the world again, and there is no mercy, only silence.

Who are we, that dare to judge?  By what standard do any of us even think we can cast stones? Did not my Savior also say ^e“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”^[11] ? Are we so proud and haughty, that we can look down our noses at any and cast our judgments down, as if we were God Himself?

 All of us need to hear and heed the words spoken by Rabbi Sha’ul (Paul) in Ephesians that we all:

 “… walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind;and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others…”

 What course do you walk?  How in your pride do you presume to cancel out the Hand of God as He reaches down from Heaven in these tragedies to speak to hearts and minds?  Here is the crucible of life, where fire, judgment, mercy, and grace meet to reconcile those who have strayed, those whose hearts and lives have been shattered by injustice or by circumstance, God uses all this pain to bring these souls back into His strong, loving arms. Yet, callousness at tragedy seems to be the norm.  Rahm Emanuel, President Obama’s chief of staff said in November of 2008, “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. It provides the opportunity to do things that were not possible to do before.”  Ever since then, politicians, newsmakers, reporters, and “journalists” of all types have taken and exploited tragedy after tragedy to gain power and incite mobs to violence. Breeders of hate, purveyors of lies. No mercy.

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

 Have not too many have died already? Have not the mobs destroyed and looted enough yet?  The Jew, the believer, the innocent of whatever faith one holds; for the black, the white, the red, the brown, the yellow, the warrior, the police officer, the fire-fighter, the business owner or whatever position in life you hold; for the child, for the senior citizen, for all who walk this earth: where are the voices crying out against this insanity that has gripped this nation?

 Ask yourselves this: what is the end game, the final outcome? Not all will be satisfied, will they? Without mercy, without forgiveness, without real and true justice, what is there to be gained by pulling down society? Is this all we have? Is the future set? If it is, then hopelessness is all that remains, and only the strong will survive, and there is no life in surviving only despair.

 

What is the ultimate end that we as believers are to come to?  Paul gives us the answer in Romans 8:29:

 Romans 8:29 (KJV)

²⁹For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. ^[12]

 Are our destinations set, the course for all on a downward spiral?

How should we judge what we see or hear?

We will see in our next installment.

Till then, May YHVH richly bless you all, my beloved.

 

 

 

 

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[1]NOTICE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS: Unless otherwise cited, all material found on this blogsite (original text, opinions, conclusions, and other material not related to cited sources remains the collected intellectual property of the author of this site, David E. Robinson, Elder Teacher, and are owned and controlled by myself and are protected by copyright and trademark laws and various other intellectual property rights and unfair competition laws of the United States, foreign jurisdictions, and international conventions. Any errors found within, rest solely upon me; please do not blame the Father for my mistakes. I am teachable and correctable, not infallible. 😊

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[3] Author’s note: This site is for education only and is not affiliated with any institution, organization, or religious group. It is the sole production of its editor. Use of information from Jewish-themed websites (or any other source material) should not be construed as these sites endorsing or confirming any thesis introduced by the author of this epistle. I present the information from their respective sites for instructional purposes only and/or to aid in the readers understanding of the subjects discussed.

[4] Author’s note:  Throughout this study I will be using the NET Bible® and the NET Notes®: within the notes you will see symbols like this: ( א B Ψ 892* 2427 sys). These are abbreviations used by the NET Bible® for identifying the principal manuscript evidence that they (authors and translators of the NET Bible®) used in translating the New Testament. Please go to https://bible.org/netbible/ and see their section labeled “NET Bible Principals of Translation” for a more complete explanation on these symbols and other items pertinent to the way the NET Bible uses them.

[5] Author’s Note: In these studies, I have used the notes that come along with the passages I cite from the sources that I cite: these need a bit of a disclaimer though. As in all things, not everything that is footnoted is something that I necessarily agree with, especially if it contradicts what I believe pertains to any matters of the Torah or the commandments of God. I give you the notes as they are written by the authors of the material I cite from, so that you can see the information contained within them. It truly is not my place to edit or correct them; if they state anything that is in opposition to what I teach, then so be it. I will address these issues if requested. That is not to say I should not challenge something I believe, in my humble opinion, might contradict the truth of God’s word; that I will do in the main body of my epistles for that is where my gentle dissent belongs. Most (but not all) of the differences will come when I quote from a source that displays a decidedly Western/Greek mindset, as opposed to a Hebraic perspective. I have to be intellectually honest – I am biased toward the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and His son, Yeshua the Messiah. I pray then we all can find common ground as we study the Scriptures.

[6] https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/newtlaws/Lesson-4/Newton-s-Third-Law#:~:text=Formally%20stated%2C%20Newton's%20third%20law,force%20on%20the%20second%20object.

[7] https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/advice-living-1

^[8] The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

a  Matt 7:1–5: Luke 6:37f, 41f; Rom 14:10, 13

1  Lit by what measure you measure

a  Mark 4:24; Luke 6:38

a  Rom 2:1

a  Luke 6:42

1  Lit will

[9]  New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

^[10] The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

^e Deut. 17:7; [Rom. 2:1]

^[11]The New King James Version. 1982 (Jn 8:7). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[12]  The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 (Electronic edition of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version.). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.