The Christians’ Power

Jesus told his disciples that he would not leave them comfortless, that they were to wait in Jerusalem until they received power from on high.  They weren't really sure what was going to happen to them so they asked if he was going to restore the kingdom, which seems like something one could do with a new power, but that is not what was to happen.  Jesus told them that they wouldn’t know when the kingdom would be restored but that they would be clothed with the Holy Spirit, receiving power.  In the Greek, we may wonder why there are so many words for the same thing, speaking specifically of the word power.  The Greek is a very specific language; therefore we have to look at the Greek words to better understand what God wants communicated.  To us, power can mean a lot of things, and is usually defined by an adjective or adverb, but the word power in the Greek many not need defining as there are several words used for power, each with specific meanings.

I touched on exousia and dunamis , two Greek words for power but since we are told we have been given power we should explore what we actually have.  Let’s start with exousia.  Exousia can be translated power, authority, liberty or right.

Power NT:1849 exousia (ex-oo-see'-ah); from NT:1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence: KJV - authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Jesus had authority to teach.

Matt 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.KJV

Jesus had power on earth to forgive sins and to heal.

Matt 9:6-8 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.7 And he arose, and departed to his house.8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.KJV

Jesus gave his disciples power against unclean spirits and to baptize and heal sickness.

Matt 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.KJV

Matt 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.KJV

Mark 3:14-15 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:KJV

Mark 6:77 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;KJV

Jesus has the power to give eternal life and the Father has this kind of power as well.

John 17:1-2 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.KJV

Acts 1:7-8 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.KJV

Simon wanted what the disciples had but Peter said he could not because his heart was not right.

Acts 8:18-21 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.KJV

Interestingly the devil has this kind of power, authority. Paul was told by Jesus to turn people from the power of satan.

Luke 4:6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.KJV

Acts 26:14-18 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.KJV

We are told that our liberty or power or authority could be a stumblingblock to the weak.

1 Cor 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.KJV

Jesus will give power, or authority, over the nations to those who overcome and keep his works.

Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:KJV

Here we are told that those who do his commandments would have the right, authority or power to the tree of life.

Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.KJV

The next kind of power we should look at is dunamis.  This is miraculous power. It is something we have from within when the Holy Ghost clothes us. 

Power NT:1411 dunamis (doo'-nam-is); from NT:1410; force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself):KJV - ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

The people did not understand the power of God.

Matt 22:28-30 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.KJV

Matt 24:29-30 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.KJV

Mark 9:19 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.KJV

Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.KJV

Luke 4:13-14 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.KJV

Jesus tells the Disciples that he would send the promise of the Father and that they should be clothed with dunamis.  He also said they would receive dunamis when the Holy Ghost would come upon them. Peter tells them their healing the lame man was not due to their own dunamis but because of the Holy Ghost. They now witnessed with great power.  Stephen did great wonders and miracles with dunamis. But Simon who was a sorcerer was thought to have this power by the people when in fact he did not.

Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.KJV

Acts 1:7-8 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.KJV

Acts 3:12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?KJV

Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.KJV

Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.KJV

Acts 8:9-10 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.KJV

The gospel is the dunamis of God for salvation.  Paul says we can abound in hope through the dunamis of the Holy Ghost. Mighty signs and wonders are done by the power of the Spirit of God. The preaching of the cross is the dunamis of God. And Paul demonstrated the dunamis .

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.KJV

Rom 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.KJV

Rom 15:17-19 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.KJV

1 Cor 1:17-18 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.KJV

1 Cor 1:23-24 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.KJV

1 Cor 2:2-5 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.KJV

Paul wants us to know that God put this power, miraculous power, into clay jars, so that people know that the miracle working power is of God not us. And this power is a gift of grace. Instead of fear he gave us power.

2 Cor 4:5-7 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.KJV

Eph 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.KJV

Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power [dunimas] that worketh in us, KJV

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.KJV

2 Tim 1:7-8 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;KJV

The wicked one who works for satan will have this kind of power and will deceive people at the start of the tribulation. That means there will be an indwelling power in the wicked one who will do signs and lying wonders.

2 Thess 2:8-9 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, KJV

There are some verses that use both exousia and dunimas, this tells us that the one communicating wanted us to be sure we knew that we had both of these kinds of power.

Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power [dunimas] and authority [exousia] over all devils, and to cure diseases.KJV

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power [exousia] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power [dunimas]of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.KJV

Rom 9:21-24 Hath not the potter power[exousia] over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power [dunamis]known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?KJV

Another word we see used as power is kratos, used as dominion, might or great vigor.

NT:2904 kratos (krat'-os); perhaps a primary word; vigor ["great"] (literally or figuratively):KJV - dominion, might [-ily], power, strength.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Col 1:10-14 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power[kratos], unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:13 Who hath delivered us from the power [exousia]of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins :KJV

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power [kratos] of death, that is, the devil; KJV

Ischus is a word we translate as power which means force.

NT:2479 ischus (is-khoos'); from a derivative of is (force; compare eschon, a form of NT:2192); forcefulness (literally or figuratively):KJV - ability, might ([-ily]), power, strength.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.KJV

Eph 1:19-2:2 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power[dunimas] to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty[ischus] power [Kratos],20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,21 Far above all principality, and power [exousia], and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.2:1 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[exousia] of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:KJV

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.KJV

2 Peter 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.KJV

One more word to look at is didomi which we see used as give.

NT:1325 didomi (did'-o-mee); a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an altern. in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection):KJV - adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+with the hand), strike (+with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Matt 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.KJV

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.KJV

What exactly do we have and what does all this mean?  We have seen many distortions about power and Christian authority, and while I did not list every verse, I have listed many to give us the general idea of what is being communicated.  Firstly, the disciples were given exousia, authority like a police officer so that they could announce that the kingdom of God was near.  They could preach the messiah has come, and heal the sick and cast out demons.  Their power was given by permission to declare the name of Jesus as Messiah.  This power is something the devil had as well, he offered it to Jesus but Jesus had the power or authority to give eternal life.  The devil can only give eternal death, even though he has the right or authority to run the world for now.  Jesus told the disciples just before he ascended to go out and baptize and make disciples in all nations.  Therefore we have a heavenly authority or power to preach, no matter what earthly governing rulers say, our permission to preach the gospel was given to us. 

We also have dunamis, a miracle working power within us given to us when we believe but this power has been misunderstood.  Clearly if we have a great power we should see some great things, how come we don’t.  Let’s think about this, it’s a fair question which we need to understand.  We have seen many distortions regarding the power of the Holy Spirit haven’t we? From within the church walls, to televangelists and the like we have not seen a clear picture regarding power. What are we to learn about dunamis?

Dunamis was given for the glory of God not the glory of men.  Dunamis was not to exalt men to an upper class status, nor to be given for wealth.  If you see people who are exalted by men and wealthy, it is not because the power of the Holy Spirit made them that way, it is because the devil made them that way to distort  what dunamis was for. It is not for personal gain. Dunamis was given to preach the gospel and make disciples.  If that included healing the sick, raising the dead, or casting out demons, then that is what dunamis was to be used for.  The intent and purpose of dunamis is to be a witness of the Messiah’s accomplishments.  It was not for healing the saved, although the saved can be healed, it was not the main purpose of dunamis. We can cast out demons, not to gain personal glory for all the power we ourselves have, but to help others be set free so they can receive Jesus as Lord.  Once we receive Jesus as Lord we still may need deliverance from demonization or sickness, but why doesn’t everyone receive it?  There can be issues with a believers’ faith, as in not believing they can be healed.  There can be issues with sin, where believers continue in a sin, maybe not even realizing they are sinning.  There are issues with living in a fallen world; our genetic structure is not pure or whole.  Then there are repentance issues.  Not every believer in the New Testament was healed, healthy, and whole.  But like with Peter and John at the temple gate, the lame man became a great witness to all in Jerusalem. How many people came to the Lord? About five thousand men, that is not including women and children.  

Sometimes Christians get so obsessed with healing they get distracted to the point of becoming angry with God for not healing them.  The problem is if we are not utilizing dunamis for its intended purpose, to evangelize the lost, we are in fact the problem, not God.  Dunamis is not given only for the purpose of our benefit, but for the benefit of others. 

We have been only given a token of that promise to come.  We have to remember that if we only have a token of the dunamis of the Holy Spirit, we do not have more than the down payment, the earnest money, or the security.  We do have miraculous power which is more than any unsaved humans, but again it is not necessarily meant for our well being only.

2 Cor 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. KJV

Earnest NT:728 arrhabon (ar-hrab-ohn'); of Hebrew origin [OT:6162]; a pledge, i.e. part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest: KJV - earnest.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

2 Cor 5:4-8 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.KJV

Eph 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.KJV

If we have only been given a security and this inherent miraculous power is manifest when we evangelize, then how has this gotten so distorted in Christian circles?  Why do we think we have this inherent power to be miracle workers for something other than evangelizing eternal life through the confession of Jesus as Lord and Savior? We’ve not understood the gifts of the Spirit either, but in keeping with this power that has been given to us, we should understand that the Holy Spirit will use that miraculous power in us for the miracle of salvation for others. 

What is interesting to take note of, that the exousia was given before the day of Pentecost to the disciples but Mark 9:19 says that some would not taste death until they see the kingdom of God come in power, dunimas. When dunimas came, a small token of the same power that God has was given to men, and they saw that the kingdom of God had come. That is the same power that can indwell us today, the dunamis of the Holy Ghost.  It indwells us for the purpose of making disciples.  

Lucifer Had Sanctuaries: The Church Has Victory

Sometimes we have to take a few minutes to really look in the mirror.  What do we see, a few new lines, a couple more grey hairs, maybe a few less hairs.  We see the toll the world takes on our physical bodies.  We feel a few new aches and pains when we try to exercise to reverse aging, which seems funny as the aches make us feel old.  When we do stop by the mirror we don’t really see our spiritual man, we can’t see what we really look like in the spirit.  What would we see if we had spiritual eyes, what would we look like?

Lucifer had sanctuaries, not one sanctuary but multiple sanctuaries. Maybe this would be similar to him being the head of a “denomination”. This seems like something someone should have told us about.  Perhaps people are afraid to bring this up because they don’t know what to do with it.  If Lucifer had sanctuaries then I would imagine he knows how to run a sanctuary, and he knows how to make it a success or a failure.  Now I’m sure I’m going to be stepping on some toes with this but is it possible that Lucifer knows how to distort church?  I have to wonder if we have ever seen a non distorted church.  This is just my thinking out loud, but what do you suppose Lucifer’s sanctuaries looked like before an abundance of perversity and moral evil was found there?  Were there buildings with stained glass or choirs in choir lofts?  I don’t know but he had sanctuaries before perverseness was found in him.  Who has the sanctuaries now? Do they sing songs and hear a sermon? Or is it more ritually based such as a temple service? I don’t have any answers except what I can find from the context. 

Ezek 28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. KJV

By the multitude of OT:7230 rob (robe); from OT:7231; abundance (in any respect):KJV - abundance (-antly), all,  common [sort], excellent, great (-ly, -ness, number), huge, be increased, long, many, more in number, most, much, multitude, plenty (-ifully),  very [age].(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Thine iniquities OT:5771 `avon (aw-vone'); or `avown (2 Kings 7:9; Ps 51:5 [OT:7]) (aw-vone'); from OT:5753; perversity, i.e. (moral) evil: KJV - fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

OT:5771 `avon or `avown (2 Kings 7:9; Ps 51:5 [7]) —perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity  a) iniquity  b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)   c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity   (from The Online Bible Thayer's Greek Lexicon and Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Copyright © 1993, Woodside Bible Fellowship, Ontario, Canada. Licensed from the Institute for Creation Research.)

By the iniquity of OT:5766 `evel (eh'-vel); or `avel (aw'-vel); and (feminine) `avlah (av-law'); or `owlah (o-law'); or `olah (o-law'); from OT:5765; (moral) evil: KJV - iniquity, perverseness, unjust (-ly), unrighteousness (-ly); wicked (-ness).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

OT:5766 `evel or `avel and (feminine) `avlah or `owlah or `olah —injustice, unrighteousness, wrong   a) violent deeds of injustice   b) injustice (used of speech)   c) injustice (generally)   (from The Online Bible Thayer's Greek Lexicon and Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Copyright © 1993, Woodside Bible Fellowship, Ontario, Canada. Licensed from the Institute for Creation Research.)

Thy traffic OT:7404 rekullah (rek-ool-law'); feminine passive participle of OT:7402; trade (as peddled):KJV - merchandise, traffic.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

OT:7404 rekullah —merchandise, traffic, trade(from The Online Bible Thayer's Greek Lexicon and Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Copyright © 1993, Woodside Bible Fellowship, Ontario, Canada. Licensed from the Institute for Creation Research.)

Thou hast defiled OT:2490 chalal (khaw-lal'); a primitive root [compare OT:2470]; properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin (as if by an "opening wedge"); denom. (from OT:2485) to play (the flute):KJV - begin (X men began), defile,  break, defile,  eat (as common things),  first,  gather the grape thereof,  take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

OT:2470 chalah (khaw-law'); a primitive root [compare OT:2342, OT:2470, OT:2490]; properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or (causatively) to grieve, make sick; also to stroke (in flattering), entreat: (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Thy sanctuaries OT:4720 miqdash (mik-dawsh'); or miqqedash (Ex 15:17) (mik-ked-awsh'); from OT:6942; a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of Jehovah or of idols) or asylum: KJV - chapel, hallowed part, holy place, sanctuary.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

OT:4720 miqdash or miqqedash (Ex 15:17) —a sacred place, a sanctuary, a holy place a sanctuary   1) used of the temple     2) used of the tabernacle       3) used of Ezekiel's temple    4)  used of Jehovah (Yahweh)  (from The Online Bible Thayer's Greek Lexicon and Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Copyright © 1993, Woodside Bible Fellowship, Ontario, Canada. Licensed from the Institute for Creation Research.)

Whatever the holy place was that Lucifer had he wounded or sickened it.  He did it by morally evil merchandising.  I’m not sure what that is exactly, it seems like prostitution, but that may not be as we know it with hookers and johns.  He may have prostituted things or ideas, morally corrupt practices.  If we look at this in a simplified way, he may have been “selling something “whether ideas, or products.  But Revelation does say Babylon makes merchandise of people as in buying and selling people, which seems like slave trade.  Rev 18:11-13.  He had an abundance of perverseness, which tells us this was not just an isolated incident, as in one mistake, but in many repeated offences.  When God finally said that is enough, he no longer was in charge of these sanctuaries.  And in verse 19 of Ezekiel 28 we know in the future he will be no more. 

We live in that in-between time from when Lucifer rebelled to the time he will be bound for one thousand years.  While in the middle of this time period, Jesus made a way for us to be overcomers.  On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came to indwell in people, giving people an inherent power. Let’s first remember what God says about us from Psalm 8.

Ps 8:5 For thou hast made him but little lower than God, and crownest him with glory and honor.ASV

The word for God is Elohim, some translations do not translate it God but use angels, which is not the Hebrew word.  There is much contention being made a little lower than Elohim, for one if the Church was the governmental ruling authority, they would not want their people to know that they were higher in status than the spiritual or governmental leader.  However God uses the word Elohim, therefore it is up to us to adjust our thinking to match the word.  If we were made a little lower than the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, (Elohim plural, three or more) then we are made higher than angels.  That also means we are made higher than demons.  And that means we are made above principalities powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world.  As we have previously studied this section of scripture, angels are to minister to us.  However if we have been deceived by evil beings and we think we are nothing more than dust, we will never rise up to our place of authority.  We then will be trampled instead of being overcomers.  Now it is time to rise up.

It seems that before every change in the terms and conditions of spiritual practice there is a time of departing from current spiritual practice that precedes the change, that is to say a time of falling away prior to the change.  Adam walked in fellowship with God but after the fall there was a period where only some people served and fellowshipped with God while most did not, which resulted in the flood.  After the flood we go into what is known as the Melchizedek Priesthood, where those following God had a personal relationship with Him, in fellowship, and told others about Him. When people again fell away from their personal relationship with God they ended up in Egypt and eventually were in captivity.  Then God brought them out of captivity and showed them his mighty power, but had to give commandments and laws they could follow.  The high priests were the ones that went in to the Holy of Holies to meet with God. When Jesus came he prepared the way for salvation and made a way back to a personal relationship with God by sending the Holy Spirit.  The veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom so that all could go in and meet with God.  2Thessalonians says there will be a falling away from the faith, once again proceeding a time when there will be another change of the terms and conditions of spiritual practice. But for the time we are living in now we have not been left helpless. God had a secret plan.

Eph 3:9-11 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: KJV

The mystery was hid from the beginning of the world, and now the principalities and powers in heavenly places know through this new thing called the Church, the new indwelling of the Holy Spirit which makes us one body in Christ. Now they know what God’s wisdom was in sending Jesus Christ.  Remember we saw how the heavens declare our redemption and that every constellation tells a story of Jesus as our redeemer, coming to redeem.  Remember the sheepfold, the church?  The principalities and powers did not know that it would be Christ in us the Hope of Glory.  They did not know that the Holy Spirit would come bringing us power to preach Jesus. The principalities and powers may have thought God would establish a group, a sheepfold, but they did not know the sheepfold would be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  KJV

Col 1:26-27 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: KJV

This mystery was hidden from all the heavenly beings, good and bad.  The heavens do not tell of those who believe on Christ receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  This was a well kept secret. And the evil principalities and powers and rulers, even satan himself messed up, as if they would have known they would never have crucified Jesus.  It is much easier to keep track of one person, Jesus, rather than all the saved spirit filled ones who come to preach Jesus in the Spirit and in power.

1 Cor 2:1-8 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony [mystery]of God.2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.KJV

This was ordained before the world for our glory.  Remember we saw that we are eternal beings and that we were sealed with the Holy Spirit.  If we could really see what we look like spiritually we would be amazed. We would stand up straighter, throw our shoulders back, puff out our chest, push up our sleeves, clench our fists, and start swinging at all the principalities and powers that have beat us down.  We were made a little lower than Elohim, and now we have the Holy Spirit in us, we are more spectacular than we know.  Let’s explore these beings who rebelled along with Lucifer.  Knowing that when satan is cast out of heaven to earth he will be among one third of the sons of God, they have been working to oppress us and keep us from speaking about Jesus Christ. We are wrestling with them all the time.

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.KJV

Principalities NT:746 arche (ar-khay'); from NT:756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank):KJV - beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Powers NT:1849 exousia (ex-oo-see'-ah); from NT:1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence: KJV - authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Rulers NT:2888 kosmokrator (kos-mok-fat'-ore); from NT:2889 and NT:2902; a world-ruler, an epithet of Satan:KJV - ruler.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Darkness NT:4655 skotos (skot'-os); from the base of NT:4639; shadiness, i.e. obscurity (literally or figuratively):KJV - darkness.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Spiritual NT:4152 pneumatikos (pnyoo-mat-ik-os'); from NT:4151; non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious:KJV - spiritual. Compare NT:5591.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Wickedness NT:4189 poneria (pon-ay-ree'-ah); from NT:4190; depravity, i.e. (specifically) malice; plural (concretely) plots, sins:KJV - iniquity, wickedness.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

High NT:2032 epouranios (ep-oo-ran'-ee-os); from NT:1909 and NT:3772; above the sky:KJV - celestial, (in) heaven (-ly), high.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

We are wrestling with these beings all the time.  There is no safe place, as Lucifer had holy places of his own once.  Many people have been disappointed, hurt, or abused in churches, and by people in churches.  There is no place where we are not wrestling, while satan knows how to distort our holy places to hurt people, many are not aware that Lucifer had his own holy places. He knows how to manipulate and twist to get people to walk away from God. Remember the seven churches of Revelation? We are to be overcomers, and we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to do it.  We are saved from the future wrath of the Lamb and the wrath of God if we overcome.  We cannot let bad church experiences keep us from God. Instead we need to come out swinging.  Whether we go to church, home group, or actively study on our own, we can be overcomers.  Jesus spoiled these very same beings by His death, taking a list of all our sins and nailing it to His cross.

Col 2:14-17 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.KJV

As we saw from the book of Nicodemus, the Acts of Pilate, we saw what happened when Jesus died and went into hell and freed the believing line, bringing them to paradise with Him.  All the demonic beings were shocked at what Jesus was doing, the gates of hell could not hold Him.  He made a big joke out of our oppressors, we should not forget that.

Col 1:16-18 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.KJV

These beings who became our enemies were all created by Him and for Him.  He was before them in existence, and he is now the Head of the Body, the Church.  We have a new church, satan can try and mess with the churches we have here on earth, but we are of the Body of Christ, a whole new church. 

1 Peter 3:18-22 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.KJV

He preached to the imprisoned spirits, some were disobedient but he was there to announce his victory.  Because he was raised from the dead, angels and authorities and powers are subject unto Jesus Christ as he sits at the right hand of the Father, God. 

Acts 5:30-32 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.KJV

After being filled, the Apostles were now witnessing repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins through the raising of Jesus from the dead.   They also tell us that God gives the Holy Ghost to those who obey. 

1 Cor 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. KJV

We are now, in this time period, after the resurrection of Jesus and before his coming in the clouds for his body, baptized into one body, we have been all made to drink of one Spirit.  There is no separation by heritage or cast system, if we receive the Holy Spirit we are of one body. Here is the best part, while Lucifer had holy places, or sanctuaries, we are the church. People are the church, not a building, not a special place, wherever we are, church is.  Let’s go back to Ephesians.

 Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, KJV

Church NT:1577 ekklesia (ek-klay-see'-ah); from a compound of NT:1537 and a derivative of NT:2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both): KJV - assembly, church.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:1577 ekkleesia, ekklesias, hee  a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place; an assembly  1. an assembly of the people convened at the public place of council for the purpose of deliberating: Acts 19:39 2. the assembly of the Israelites, Acts 7:38; Heb 2:12  3. any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance or tumultuously: Acts 19:32,41  4. in the Christian sense,  a.  an assembly of Christians gathered for worship: 1 Cor 14:19,35  b. a company of Christians,  aa. those who anywhere, in city or village, constitute such a company and are united into one body: Acts 5:11  bb. the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth; Matt 16:18  cc. the name is transferred to the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven: Heb 12:23 (from Thayer's Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)tionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

The principalities and powers in the heavenlies know the manifold wisdom of God because we are the called out ones. The spiritual sign above our heads must be flashing in neon the word “church”.  That is us, wherever we are, whomever we are with, we are the church bringing church.  This is a mess for those evil beings who thought they could squash us when they crucified Jesus.  You are the church, you are the holy place, you are the big secret God kept from the foundations of the world.  You are the called out one.

Now it is time to walk like we are important in this life.  We are overcomers, not defeated, but the church with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  Lucifer made a big mistake in crucifying Jesus and while he may know how to distort organized religious groups, we are the church today.  And we have power.

We Are Eternal Beings, Seize Eternity

Have you ever been looking for something and you focused your search so minutely, in one small area, that when you finally backed, up and took a wider perspective, you finally found what you had been searching for? Sometimes we need to back up and take a long range look.  What we see here on earth is deceptive.  For one we can only see things as they are, which is after the fall of Adam. Everything we know about life and everything we perceive is filtered through the effects of sin.   We don’t know nor can we see what life could have been like on earth if there was no original sin. Secondly we have been trained to look at a small area in our immediate surrounding when truly we are here for such a short time.  Understand, I am a Dave Ramsey fan, pay off your debt, baby steps, live like no one else so that you can live like no one else, plan for retirement, but we are going to spend a lot more time when we are not here rather than when we are here. In other words we are eternal beings. 

The Bible tells us Adam lived 930 years and then he died.  Some speculate that he lived 40 years before the fall, and that the total years could be 970 years.  No matter, God said that in the day you eat (of the tree) you will die.  If one thousand years is as a day and a day as one thousand years, Adam died in one day.  But that was not God’s plan; Adam was to live far longer than one day. 

2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.KJV

Now let’s think about this if one day is one thousand years, we are living, generally speaking, less than one tenth of a day.  If we break that out further, comparing 24 hours to one day we are living for about two hours out of one of our days.  That is a really short time.  So while we think we are on earth a long time, 80 years or so, it really is not a long time at all in God’s timeframe.  So while we are planning for our future on earth, it seems we have forgotten about the rest of the time when we are not here. Eternity is eternal. A great saying I’ve heard is Carpe Aeternitatem, Seize Eternity. And as some muse, ‘why settle for just one day?’   

Eccl 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. NKJV

Therefore we have all been really quite nearsighted regarding life.  Have we really known and understood what being an eternal being is all about?  We need to take some time to explore who we really are because I think the biggest smoke screen has always been that we are simply dust, here today, gone tomorrow, but that is not true, we have an eternity with our Heavenly Father to live out.  This is just a very temporary dwelling period in which we find ourselves in the cross hairs of evil that continues to put us into bondage and deceive us into believing there is nothing more than this life. 

2 Cor 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.KJV

1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.KJV

Now that we are looking toward eternal life we have to establish a few truths.  We are beings comprised of spirit, soul and body.  People like to reverse that order but if we are to remember who we truly are and what our destiny is, we have to keep the order of importance straight.  One way to look at this is that we are spirit beings, we have a soul and we live in a body.  Every living creature has a spirit; there is a spirit of man and a spirit of beasts.

Eccl 3:21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? KJV

Spirit of OT:7307 ruwach (roo'-akh); from OT:7306; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions):(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Zech 12:1The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.KJV

In Proverbs we have a slightly different word for spirit but the meaning is nearly the same, having to do with breath and breathing. Something we will eventually see is how Jesus explains to his disciples the way to receive the Holy Spirit, by breathing.  

Prov 20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.KJV

The spirit of OT:5397 neshamah (nesh-aw-maw'); from OT:5395; a puff, i.e. wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect. or (concretely) an animal:KJV - blast, (that) breath (-eth), inspiration, soul, spirit.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

What we want to establish is that all beings have spirit, soul and body. Soul is our mind, will, and emotions, while our bodies are our physical tents or dwellings.  If we are born again, our soul and our body are to be in subjection to our spirit. Corinthians tells us that we are to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, but we could not do that if we didn’t put the soul and body under the authority of our spirit.  We have to bring every thought into obedience.

2 Cor 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;KJV

Some things we know about God, he is not a respecter of birth right, he is a respecter of those who are obedient. Jacob’s heart was towards God, Esau’s heart was not; Abraham’s heart was towards God, not Nahor or Haran’s; Able’s heart was towards God but not Cain’s.  There is no benefit being first born unless the first born is obedient to God, think of Ishmael & Isaac. We also know there is no benefit to lineage when we are speaking of eternal life. Many people like to trace their family lines backwards looking for a link of importance to being close to God.  However we know from Peter visiting the house of Cornelius that God is not a respecter of persons.

 Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.KJV

Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.KJV

1 Cor 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.KJV

We now want to understand what exactly it was Jesus told us to do before he left.  He gave us a lot of instructions to prepare us for the future, what was being established at the time Jesus would be raised from the dead was a new set of rules to live by because the Holy Spirit was going to come to earth.

John 14:15-17 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. KJV

The Father would give them another Comforter, Jesus was their present Comforter, but another one would come after he was raised from the dead. This Comforter would be called the Spirit of truth.  Now here is something interesting, the world could not receive the Spirit of Truth, they won’t see him or know him.  This is something we should remember because unless someone believes in Christ and what He told us, as in we must be born again, they will not be able to see or know the Holy Spirit. Jesus says in contrast, we will see and know the Holy Spirit and he would dwell with us and in us.  Wait, what? This is something new.  Prior to being born again, the Holy Spirit could dwell upon people but not in people.  That is something very new.  Jesus gives us more instructions.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. KJV

Jesus tells us the Holy Ghost will teach us all things.  But the Holy Ghost will not teach the ones who didn’t believe on Jesus, this puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to speaking about the things of God. The Holy Ghost would also bring all things to their remembrance, and our remembrance of what Jesus taught and showed them.  The disciples would remember what Jesus said as he was with them and some of them would write it down, and some would understand what Jesus said better.  For us today, we read what the disciples wrote, and we can learn via the Holy Ghost as to what Jesus was saying.  Also for us today the Holy Ghost will remind us of what the disciples wrote of what Jesus said. 

John 16:7-14 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. KJV

If Jesus did not leave the Comforter would not come, not just to the disciples and for the disciples, but to us as well.  And when he comes the Comforter will reprove the world of sin, which is why we have continued conflict between right and wrong.  When some get convicted, they get agitated and react by sometimes accusing the one(s) doing the convicting of being a problem.  The Comforter will also convict the world of righteousness and judgment. Jesus then explains, convicting of sin because people do not believe in Him, righteousness because Jesus goes to the Father and won’t be on earth and judgment because satan is already judged.  Sin is the result of living unrighteous lives, and judgment is already passed because of the prince of this world’s sin.  Yet when the Spirit of truth comes he will guide people into all truth.  Now if we want to know something we should go to the one who is going to tell us the truth, that would be logical.  It is not logical to go to someone who cannot see or know the Spirit of truth, correct? This is an important point, do we go to the world for our truth or to the Spirit of truth?  Should we be inclined to listen to those who are not listening to or have knowledge of the Spirit of truth for important information? The Spirit of truth will speak of what he hears, what does the Spirit hear, and from who?  It would seem the Spirit is not getting his knowledge from the nightly news, but from the Heavenly Father. The Spirit of truth will also show us things to come, show us. First he will tell us then he will show us, so the Spirit is using multimedia within us to glorify Jesus.  The Spirit will also receive Jesus’ sayings and show his people. 

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: KJV

Jesus tells us that he will send the Comforter from the Father and the Comforter or Spirit of Truth will testify of Jesus.  The Spirit will testify or witness to us about Jesus.  I would imagine that at the time Jesus was telling the disciples these things they were grieved knowing that he had to leave.  Yet Jesus tells them he is sending a Comforter, the Spirit of truth, those words should have made them feel a bit better. But they did not understand how this Comforter would come. So Jesus told them.

Acts 1:4-8 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. KJV

Jesus commands, not suggests, that they stay in Jerusalem. They are to wait for the promise that he told them about.  He tells them they will be baptized with the Holy Ghost. John did things differently, as he was baptizing with water but they would be baptized with the Holy Ghost.  That is new.  They were not sure of what things were going to happen with this new kind of baptism, they wondered if the Kingdom would be restored to Israel with this baptizing.  Jesus said it’s not for you to know, but he said, they would receive power after the Holy Ghost comes upon them and then they would be witnesses of Him. Jesus said they would receive power, inherent power, or miraculous power.  They were going to receive or seize miraculous power, which is something very different.  They never had power before, except when Jesus gave them power, exercised authority, to tread on snakes and scorpions.  This was not just authority over demons, this was an inward power, that is different.  We will study these two types of power at some point later. But for now understand that exercised power, exousia, is the power of a police officer, he has authority to cast out demons.  The inherent power, dunamis, which was being given to those who believe on Jesus, is a hemi-engine compared to a 4-cylinder engine, which is the power the Holy Spirit was baptizing with.   The spirit of man would now be upgraded from regular old spirit of man to super charged Holy Spirit energized Spirit. What a great upgrade to humanity if they believe.

Rom 8:9-11 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. KJV

Therefore everyone who is renewed in their spirit by the Holy Spirit is of Christ.  This Spirit that now dwells in those who believe on Jesus, is the very same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.  That is powerful.  And if this is the inherent power that dwells in you, it will make alive your body.  Instead of death in our physical bodies, we have life, here is the context. 

Rom 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.KJV

Sin is death and death infects our bodies and our souls.  People who only have the spirit of man, and do not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit are under the law of sin and death.  From an eternal perspective, and a heavenly view, those without the Holy Spirit are dead until the Spirit makes them alive. Walking after the Spirit implies an active movement, not a passive one. Actively following the Spirit.

Rom 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. KJV

This section tells us a lot.  Firstly, if we are led by the Spirit of God we are then adopted.  As the Spirit bears witness with our spirit of man that we are children and heirs of God.  This makes us joint heirs with Christ.  Now this is interesting because for us to be joint heirs it means God put our name on the inheritance.  That is odd.  Consider the fact that Christ laid his life down for us, beaten on a wooden cross, hated by the very group he came to save, those who should have been expecting to see him didn’t believe on him.  And yet if we suffer with Him we are joint heirs.  Somehow our suffering is hardly comparable, most days we skate on by. Yet our suffering makes us joint heirs and we will be glorified with Him. That is amazing. 

2 Cor 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.KJV

Hath sealed NT:4972 sphragizo (sfrag-id'-zo); from NT:4973; to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication, to keep secret, to attest: KJV - (set a, set to) seal up, stop.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:4972 sfragizoo  a. for security: ti, Matt 27:66  b. to hide keep in silence, keep secret:  ti, Rev 10:4  c. in order to mark a person or thing; hence, to set a mark upon by the impress of a seal, to stamp: Rev 7:3  d. in order to prove, confirm, or attest a thing; to confirm, authenticate, place beyond doubt (from Thayer's Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Earnest NT:728 arrhabon (ar-hrab-ohn'); of Hebrew origin [OT:6162]; a pledge, i.e. part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest: KJV - earnest. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:728 arraboonan earnest, i. e. money which in purchases is given as a pledge that the full amount will subsequently be paid(from Thayer's Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

2 Cor 5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. KJV

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.KJV

Eph 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.KJV

God gave us a seal to authenticate us as being filled by the Spirit. He also gave us a pledge in our hearts so that we know we are filled with the Spirit.  We cannot see the seal that is on us with physical eyes but we can know that he gave us a pledge in our hearts.  We can hear and see what the Spirit tells us and we are made alive by the indwelling of the Spirit.  Since we are eternal beings God did not leave us hopeless he sent the Comforter to be with us until his return.  We have more of the Holy Spirit to investigate.

The Mazzaroth and Ophiuchus

The Mazzaroth is one of those subjects that won’t get you in or keep you out of heaven.  It is a subject that has been shunned in the Christian Church in favor of life coaching messages.  Now there is nothing wrong with life coaching messages but at some point we all have to put on our big boy or big girl panties and give up bottled milk and move onto eating solids.  My ideal for a church would be a place where simultaneously there were two adult services, one for new believers and the un-saved, and one for the mature believers who would study scriptures more in depth with active participation.  Most Churches today don’t actively seek the unsaved, rather catering to the existing congregation, but not in advanced study but comfortable easy to swallow messages, that don’t bring up any controversy.  But the Bible is full of unpopular, controversial messages that challenge believers to pursue God for answers, and requires us to align ourselves with Him, rather than making up our own set of rules to live by.  Distortion of the Bible is very common such as the subject of the Mazzaroth which was distorted into fortunetelling astrology.   But this can work to God’s advantage if believers can teach it to unbelievers. 

We all know people, family or friends, who follow their horoscope and find their sun sign.  Logically this is a great witnessing tool for those who are following astrology.  Truly why wouldn’t an astrologer want to go back to the Creator to understand the meanings He set in place.  Because there has been a lot of smoke and mirrors, they cannot see that God already established the stars. And as a result of all the distortions Christians shy away from understanding the stars God set in place.   About a year ago there were news flashes regarding a 13^th constellation.  As I read reader comments I laughed as people were mad at the idea that they may have a different birth sign then they had thought.  I wondered what exactly their “religion” was based on if it wasn’t on exactly where the constellations appear on their date of birth.  If there are mistakes in calculations and mistakes on the constellations themselves, then what is left in astrology? Just a dead made up religion.  Therefore we can teach from the bible what the constellations mean and hopefully open up the thinking of those who have relied on horoscopes for answers. Let’s examine.

Job 38:31-3331 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?32 Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? KJV

Mazzaroth OT:4216 Mazzarah (maz-zaw-raw'); apparently from OT:5144 in the sense of distinction; some noted constellation (only in the plural), perhaps collectively, the zodiac: KJV - Mazzoroth. Compare OT:4208.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

MAZZAROTH [MAZ uh roth] (the scattered ones) - a feature either of the starry heavens or the changing seasons (Job 38:32). The meaning of this term is uncertain. The NIV translates as "the constellations."(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

MAZZAROTH (the twelve signs). The margin of the Authorized Version of Job 38:32, gives Mazzaroth as the name of the twelve signs of the zodiac.(from Smith's Bible Dictionary, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

The Mazzaroth is the name for the constellations that the sun moves into throughout the year.  This is where we see the big picture of Jesus and his first coming and his gathering of his saints.  The sun moves in a circle called the ecliptic, and this wobbles a bit as does the precession.  As the sun moves through this line, it goes into each house, tabernacle, or chamber of a constellation.  Each constellation has three decans or minor constellations that grouped together tell a story of Jesus and our Redemption.  

The following is a brief overview from EW Bullinger’s book The Witness of the Stars.  This is just an overview, his book goes into far more depth and includes star names.

The Redeemer- (His First Coming) The Sufferings of Christ

The Prophecy of the Promised Seed of the Woman

Virgo  (the Virgin. A Woman bearing a branch in her right hand and an ear of corn in her left). The Promised Seed of the woman.

1.     Coma (The Desired. The woman and child). The Desired of all nations.

2.     Centaurus (The Centaur with two natures, holding a spear piercing a victim). The despised sin offering.

3.     Bootes (a man walking bearing a branch called Arcturus, meaning the same). He cometh.

The Redeemer’s Atoning Work

Libra (The Scales). The price deficient balanced by the price which covers.

1.     Crux, The cross endured.

2.     Lupus, or victim, The Victim slain.

3.     Corona, The Crown bestowed.

The Redeemer’s Conflict

Scorpio (the Scorpion) seeking to wound, but itself trodden under foot.

1.     Serpens (The Serpent struggling with the man).

2.     Ophiuchus (The man grasping the serpent). The struggle with the enemy.

3.     Hercules (the mighty man. A man kneeling on one knee, humbled in the conflict, but holding aloft the tokens of victory with his foot on the head of the Dragon). The mighty Vanquisher seeming to sink in the conflict.

The Redeemer’s Triumph

Sagittarius (the Archer). The Two-natured Conqueror going forth “Conquering and to conquer”

1.     Lyra (the Harp). Praise prepared for the Conqueror.

2.     Ara (The Altar). Consuming fire prepared for His enemies.

3.     Draco (The Dragon). The Old Serpent-the Devil, cast down from heaven.

The Redeemed

Their Blessings Procured

Capricornus (The fish-goat). The goat of Atonement slain for the Redeemed.

1.     Sagitta (The Arrow). The arrow of God sent forth.

2.     Aquila (The Eagle). The smitten One falling

3.     Delphinus (The Dolphin). The dead One rising again

Their Blessing Ensured

Aquarius (The Water –Bearer). The living waters of blessing procured forth for the Redeemed.

1.     Piscis Australis (The Southern Fish). The blessings bestowed.

2.     Pegasus (The Winged Horse). The blessings quickly coming

3.     Cygnus (The Swan). The Blesser Surely returning.

Their Blessings In Abeyance

Pisces (The Fishes). The Redeemed blessed through bound.

1.     The Band-bound, but binding their great enemy Cetus, the sea monster.

2.     Andromeda (The Chained Woman). The Redeemed in their bondage and affliction.

3.     Cepheus (The King). Their Redeemer coming to rule.

Their Blessings Consummated and Enjoyed

Aries (The Ram or Lamb). The lamb that was slain, prepared for the victory.

1.     Cassiopeia (The Enthroned Woman). The captive delivered, and preparing for her husband, the Redeemer.

2.     Cetus (The Sea Monster). The great enemy bound.

3.     Perseus (The Breaker). Delivering His redeemed.

The Redeemer-(His Second Coming) The glory that should follow

Messiah, The Coming Judge of All the Earth

Taurus (The Bull). Messiah coming to rule

1.     Orion Light breaking forth in the person of the Redeemer

2.     Eridanus (The River of the Judge). Wrath breaking forth for His enemies.

3.     Auriga (The Shepherd). Safety for the Redeemed in the day of that wrath.

Messiah’s Reign as Prince of Peace

Gemini (The Twins). The twofold nature of the King.

1.     Lepus (The Hare). Of The Enemy trodden under foot

2.     Canis Major (The Dog). Or Sirius, the coming glorious Prince of Princes.

3.     Canis Minor (The Second Dog). Or Procyon, the Exalted Redeemer

Messiah’s Redeemed Possessions

Cancer (The Crab). The possessions held fast.

1.     Ursa Minor (the Lesser Bear) The lesser sheepfold.

2.     Ursa Major (The Great Bear). The fold and the flock.

3.     Argo (The Ship). The redeemed pilgrims safe at home.

Messiah’s Consummated Triumph

Leo (The Lion). The Lion of the Tribe of Judah aroused for the rending of the Enemy

1.     Hydra (The Serpent). That old Serpent-the Devil, destroyed

2.     Crater (The Cup). The cup of Divine wrath poured out upon him

3.     Corvus (The Crow, or Raven). Birds of prey devouring him.

( E.W. Bullinger The Witness of the Stars, Reproduced from 1893 Edition published in London, Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 68-16762 ISBN 8254-2209-4; p.23-27)

These meanings for the constellations are derived from the names of the stars that make up the constellations, which is again older than astrology.  There are three separate groupings with four major constellations and three minor constellations for each major constellation.  Let’s look at Psalm 19.

Ps 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Declare  OT:5608 caphar (saw-far'); a primitive root; properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate:KJV - commune, (ac-) count; declare, number,  penknife, reckon, scribe, shew forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

God OT:410 'el (ale); shortened from OT:352; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity):KJV - God (god),  goodly,  great, idol, might (-y one), power, strong. Compare names in "-el."(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Handywork OT:4639 ma`aseh (mah-as-eh'); from OT:6213; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property:KJV - act, art,  bakemeat, business, deed, do (-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making, occupation, thing offered, operation, possession,  well, ([handy-, needle-, net-]) work (ing, -manship), wrought.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Shewth OT:5046 nagad (naw-gad'); a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise:KJV - bewray,  certainly, certify, declare (-ing), denounce, expound,  fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak,  surely, tell, utter.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

The heavens record the glory of the Almighty and the expanse announces His transactions.

2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

Uttereth OT:5042naba` (naw-bah'); a primitive root; to gush forth; figuratively, to utter (good or bad words); specifically, to emit (a foul odor):KJV - belch out, flowing, pour out, send forth, utter (abundantly).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Speech OT:562 'omer (o'-mer); the same as OT:561:KJV - promise, speech, thing, word.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Sheweth OT:2331 chavah (khaw-vah'); a primitive root; [compare OT:2324, OT:242 l]; properly, to live; by implication (intensively) to declare or show:KJV - show.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

OT:2331 chavah —1) (Piel) to tell, to declare, to show, to make known 2) (CLBL) to breath (from The Online Bible Thayer's Greek Lexicon and Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Copyright © 1993, Woodside Bible Fellowship, Ontario, Canada. Licensed from the Institute for Creation Research.)

Knowledge OT:1847 da`ath —a) knowledge, perception, skill b) discernment, understanding, wisdom(from The Online Bible Thayer's Greek Lexicon and Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Copyright © 1993, Woodside Bible Fellowship, Ontario, Canada. Licensed from the Institute for Creation Research.)

Day unto day they gush forth spoken words and night unto night they breathe perception.

3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

Their line OT:6957 qav (kav); or qav (kawv); from OT:6960 [compare OT:6961]; a cord (as connecting), especially for measuring; figuratively, a rule; also a rim, a musical string or accord:KJV - line. Compare OT:6978.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

OT:6960 qavah (kaw-vaw'); a primitive root; to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect:KJV - gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

OT:6961qaveh (kaw-veh'); from OT:6960; a (measuring) cord (as if for binding):KJV - line.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

The measuring cord for binding has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the ends of the earth. In them hath he set a house for the sun.

5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

His going forth OT:4161 mowtsa' (mo-tsaw'); or motsa' (mo-tsaw'); from OT:3318; a going forth, i.e. (the act) an egress, or (the place) an exit; hence, a source or product; specifically, dawn, the rising of the sun (the East), exportation, utterance, a gate, a fountain, a mine, a meadow (as producing grass):KJV - brought out, bud, that which came out, east, going forth, goings out, that which (thing that) is gone out, outgoing, proceeded out, spring, vein, [water-] course [springs].(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

And his circuit OT:8622 tequwphah (tek-oo-faw'); or tequphah (tek-oo-faw'); from OT:5362; a revolution, i.e. (of the sun) course, (of time) lapse: KJV - circuit, come about, end.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

The heat thereof OT:2535 chammah (kham-maw'); from OT:2525; heat; by implication, the sun: KJV - heat, sun.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

His [the sun’s] exit is from the end of heaven and its revolution unto the ends of it; and there is nothing hidden from the sun

Let’s look at that section all together. 

The heavens record the glory of the Almighty and the expanse announces His transactions. From day to day the heavens gush forth spoken words and from night to night the heavens breathe perception.  There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. The measuring cord for binding has gone out through all the earth and their words to the ends of the earth. With the measuring and binding cord he set a house for the sun which is as a bridegroom exiting his chamber, and rejoicing as a strong man to run down a well used road. His [the sun’s] exit is from the end of heaven and its revolution unto the ends of it; and there is nothing hidden from the sun. 

This is why David continues with the declaration, it is all announced in the heavens and none of it is hidden from anyone on earth.

Ps 19:7-14 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.KJV

We have one area of distortion that we must look at.  It would seem that satan distorted his time, lengthening it so that we have misunderstood one of the constellations.  This is where astrology messes up again. The first miscalculation was with the precessional cycle, their calculations are 2300 years off which I will explain further momentarily. Honestly I don’t think there are any astrologers who use astronomy programs.  Nevertheless instead of using a made up western mysticism religion, why not go back further to the beginning, or as close to it as we can get.  In other words why choose to follow a religion that started in 1000BC or 400AD or 700AD, instead going back further we have seen what was written in the stars. 

If you wish to follow along with me you can use this free download astronomy program. http://www.stellarium.org/   I will walk though this as if you have this program (or another astronomy program) to look at.  Firstly, astrology was practiced in at least 1000 B.C., maybe further back, being first distorted by the Babylonians.  After Abraham and Shem left Ur, the distortion would have started, when exactly we don’t know. The positioning of the sun moving through the constellations at that time was different than today due to the rewind of the precession.  Remember we spoke of the precessional cycle previously.  But when someone decided to use astrology to chart people’s birth signs, computer astronomy programs were not in existence.  They used the times the sun entered into a constellation as a person’s sun sign.  However if one is not looking up at the sun, and does not have an astronomy program, one would be mistaken to use dates from two thousand three hundred years ago, which is what happened, making modern astrology incorrect by 2300 years.  It would seem that someone took the information from 2300 years ago and used it in the resurgence of astrology in the 1970’s.  That is a big mistake as we know the rewind changes the dates the sun enters a constellation. As an example, for my birthdate, if I use the year I was born in the stellarium program, my birth sign is different than the modern astrologers tell me.  Yet if I use the year -299 with my birthdate, I end up with the sign that astrologers have been using.  If you play with that a bit you will probably get mad that those you know and love have been following a false religion and depending on knowledge that is outdated. 

Now specifically let’s look at our modern dates for the constellation of Scorpio.  This is where another astrology mistake exists. If we look at the year 2012, and we plug in the date 2012/11/23 where do we see the sun? The sun is in the constellation boundary of Scorpio, specifically in the right claw. If we move ahead six days what do we see?  The sun moves out of the boundary of Scorpio into Ophiuchus. Ophiuchus is standing on Scorpio’s back with his left foot while he holds a large serpent with both hands. If we move ahead to the 5^th of December, we see the  sun moves out of Ophiuchus’ leg and remains clearly in that constellation boundary until the 17^th of December.   Truly the constellation Scorpio was never meant to be the Major constellation as the sun is only in Scorpio for six days.  Even if we go back to the year 300 B.C. we see that the sun is in Scorpio from about October 25^th to November 1^st.  (you may remember me mentioning that stellarium has a zero year, which in our calendar doesn’t exist, therefore we use -299 for 300 B.C.) This is very prophetic. 

The pattern gives Scorpio, the one seeking to wound, only 6 days or maybe equal to six thousand years, and concurrently we see Ophiuchus crushing it for six days or six thousand years.  This is where the devil decided to tell his story differently, he did not want us to see that he only has six thousand years on earth, instead he tricked people into lengthening his time a full constellation rotation, instead of only six days.  While constellation boundaries are manmade and some would contend that they cannot be accurate, we should then ask why. If the boundries are not accurate here, they are thought to be accurate in Aries, which does not have any stars on the ecliptic path. Instead Aries, the Ram or Lamb sits above the ecliptic.  So either boundaries have to be considered consistent in all cases or inconsistent in all cases.  If we go with consistent, Aries is acceptable as should Ophiuchus be.  Truly either way, boundaries or not, the sun only passes over Scorpio a short time and spends more time in Ophiuchus.  Compare spending 6 out of 24 days in Scorpio, or 3/4ths of the time in Ophiuchus.

Here becomes an interesting idea regarding Ophiuchus.  As we see with all the other major constellations, they speak of the Messiah’s coming and conquering, but Scorpio speaks of conflict.  Ophiuchus means the serpent held.  Ophiuchus holds the serpent, Serpens with both hands while the head of the Serpens, reaches to grab Corona, the crown.  Isn’t that what the serpent, satan, wanted here on earth, to rule over Adam and his sons.

The brightest star in Ophiuchus (in the head), is called Ras al Hagur (Arabic), the head of him who holds. 

Other Hebrew names of stars, not identified are Triophas, treading under foot; Saiph (in the foot of Ophiuchus), bruised; Carnebus, the wounding; Megeros, contending.  In the Zodiac of Denderah we have a throned human figure, called Api-bau, the chief who cometh.  He has a hawk’s head to show that he is the enemy of the serpent, which is called Khu, and means ruled or enemy.  ( E.W. Bullinger The Witness of the Stars, Reproduced from 1893 Edition published in London, Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 68-16762 ISBN 8254-2209-4; p.58)

My guess is that in God’s view Ophiuchus was to be the major constellation, while Scorpio was to be the decan of Ophiuchus.  But you won’t find anyone mentioning that except me.  It just seems that Ophiuchus encompasses the Messianic story more properly than Scorpio.  But with this oddity here we should remember God did not order the constellations for fortunetelling, but for redemption telling. Therefore whether the constellations break down evenly into twelve major constellations each having three decans is not God’s problem but may be our misunderstanding.  And in the understanding of redemption telling, that God only gives Scorpio or the conflict six days is interesting, not to mention that somehow that in and of itself became distorted.  I would wonder if we went back to the time of Abraham what would be told of this constellation. 

Another point; there is not an equal amount of days for each constellation.  Some constellations are longer and some are shorter.  Therefore if one was to depend on a certain Gregorian date for the changing of the sun in each constellation, such as the 21st of each month, one would again be wrong.  And over the course of years because of the earth’s wobble, the sun is backing up along the ecliptic so again dates for a sign are not set in stone.

One more very curious thing we should examine about Ophiuchus is a helium wind that always blows during the time the sun is in Ophiuchus. http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2004/17dec_heliumstream/  NASA has identified a gaseous cloud of helium that comes towards the earth while the sun is in the constellation of Ophiuchus.  While this helium does not come to earth, it is interesting that there is something signaling our attention to this constellation. 

Solomon writes some very insightful things regarding the heavens in the book of Wisdom.  I can see why this work was not canonized, because it is coherent, not just a bunch of sayings, but a logical, orderly, written work giving most of the credit and acknowledgement to the Holy Spirit.  It is a wonderful work worthy of reading.

Wisdom 7:17-21 For he hath given me certain knowledge of the things that are, namely, to know how the world was made, and the operation of the elements:18 The beginning, ending, and midst of the times: the alterations of the turning of the sun, and the change of seasons:19 The circuits of years, and the positions of stars:20 The natures of living creatures, and the furies of wild beasts: the violence of winds, and the reasonings of men: the diversities of plants and the virtues of roots:21 And all such things as are either secret or manifest, them I know.KJV

Wisdom 7:28-30 For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom.29 For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of stars: being compared with the light, she is found before it.30 For after this cometh night: but vice shall not prevail against wisdom.KJV

Wisdom 13:1-4 Surely vain are all men by nature, who are ignorant of God, and could not out of the good things that are seen know him that is: neither by considering the works did they acknowledge the workmaster;2 But deemed either fire, or wind, or the swift air, or the circle of the stars, or the violent water, or the lights of heaven, to be the gods which govern the world.3 With whose beauty if they being delighted took them to be gods; let them know how much better the Lord of them is: for the first author of beauty hath created them.4 But if they were astonished at their power and virtue, let them understand by them, how much mightier he is that made them.KJV

           

In looking at God’s plan of redemption, that he wrote his plan in the heavens so that every night we could read his word and know His truth, that he was sending His Son for us. His Son would be a mighty hero who would suffer a bruised heel, but would overcome the enemy that oppresses us.  Even though He did this for us, some would worship the elements as if they were god, rather than the creator of those things.  Likewise, those who worshiped the elements also distorted their purpose so that people made up stories about them so that God’s true meaning became muddled among fairytales and myths.  By confusing God’s stories God’s people turned their backs on the entire story written in the heavens.  Instead we can go back to the story of our redemption and share it with those who think they know what the stars and constellations mean.  We can make a difference in the lives of those who are searching.

End Notes

Ophiuchus Helium wind

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2004/17dec_heliumstream/

The mystery of the Mazzaroth

http://business.gorge.net/zdkf/elt-maz.html

A Summary of the Gospel in the Mazzaroth- Helena Lehman

http://pillar-of-enoch.com/essays/LOG3-Ch-3_Mazzaroth-Gospel.pdf

The 13^th sign of the Zodiac, Urban Astronomer

http://www.urban-astronomer.com/articles/2012/the-13th-sign-of-the-zodiac