The Sheep and the Door
Greetings John, and my brothers and sisters at FiveDoves, and thank you all for your daily letters and thoughts – our daily food for thought and prayer.
Thank you CAPS – you are an inspiration to us all with your diligence and insights…………I shall attempt to add some more thoughts to the mix here on the theme of Hanukkah, and try not to get too geeked, or way out there as I am wont to do so often; rather, to weave in some highlights to this wonderful tapestry.
But first, review the 95th Psalm, which speaks of us as being the SHEEP OF HIS HAND, to which He referred in John 10, and these sheep could not be snatched out of His or the Father’s hands. Note also, the theme of our being able to worship in His presence, bow before Him, and obtain our rest, unlike the Israelites, who hardened their hearts against His call:
Psalms 95: 1 - 11
1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. 3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. 5 The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. 6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. 7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. 10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: 11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.
Paul also tells us about this day, when we are not to TURN AWAY FROM HEARING HIS VOICE. In Hebrews 12:
Hebrews 12:18
For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
19
And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
20
(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
21
And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
22
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23
To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things that that of Abel.
25
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
26
Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27
And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Haggai 2:628
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29
For our God is a consuming fire.
Also let us recall that the day of the Lord comes as “thief in the night”. Here in John 10, in the winter, discussing His sheep, He speaks about the evil shepherds who come as thieves to steal and rob, but that HE, THE GOOD SHEPHERD, comes to give the sheep more abundant life: so, He comes also as a thief in the night, but only as the Good Shepherd, to give more abundant life, rather than rob the sheep.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
In following the recent Hanukkah thread, and how it may relate to our Lord’s words in the 10th chapter of John, (read this chapter if you have not), He has previously referred to Himself as the LIGHT, in chapters 8 and 9. Now in chapter 10 He goes into an elaborate discourse about Himself being the Good Shepherd, and Himself being the Door of the sheep. In the middle of this chapter, the Holy Spirit breaks off topic for a moment to announce that Jesus was walking on the portico of Solomon’s Temple, and that it was “winter”. Since this was significant to our Lord to include this sentence here, it must also be significant to us.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Toward the very end, just prior to His return, we are encouraged to assemble together, in order to share our common hope, our studies, insights, etc., in other words as Paul says, “exhorting one another”, as we see the day approaching. I have not many around my area to share these things with, but thank our Lord above, for this Five Doves forum!
Now, when Jesus spoke about His sheep at great length, here in John 10, and we are told by the Holy Spirit, that this discourse took place on Hanukkah, and that it was winter, then we should attempt to look further into this darkened glass, with prayer for wisdom, for more insight.
I am sure our Lord knew all aspects of the sheep-handlers’ vocation. He spoke these words about sheep, in the winter. Therefore, He spoke of them as being in “this fold”, for sheep were kept in the fold in the winter, from about November through February but allowed to graze in the open fields during spring, summer and fall. Therefore, these sheep had been gathered together for their protection and feeding, during the harsh winter days and nights.
Above, in Hebrews 10:25, Paul has told us to assemble together….(in the winter sheepfold?) The shepherd could come to the door of the sheep fold, and the porter would open to him:
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
We see this PORTER elsewhere, who is supposed to open to the Lord, and it is in a parable which speaks of His sudden coming at the end of the age:
Mark 13:33-37 Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is. "It is like a man, traveling to another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, and to each one his work, and also commanded the doorkeeper to keep watch. Watch therefore, for you don’t know when the lord of the house is coming, whether at evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he might find you sleeping. What I tell you, I tell all: Watch."
Above, He says, “I tell you all,,,,,,,watch……”, but in particular He singles out the porter (for this porter guards the door of the sheep….) To the church of Laodecia, He says He is “at the door”, but sadly there is no porter at the watch, so He appeals to anyone in there who might hear His knock, and open unto Him. The Philadelphians have that door opened for them – a promise of the Lord, a door that no man can open, or shut. To the Laodeceans, this door is shut, and unless they repent quickly, will remain shut for “I never knew you”. They could have opened to His knock, and He would have come in and supped with them (gotten to know them).
So, He will call each of us by our name, and he will “lead us out”, and that the sheep “follow their own shepherd”, perhaps a rapture hint here. We are told twice in the book of Revelation, that His voice will sound like a TRUMPET. And, at the rapure, that trumpet / voice, will call us each by our own name – that voice will “talk with me”, as John pictures for us:
Rev 4:1
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
So, we will some some kind of cosmic event (a door opening in heaven), or the shaking of the heavens and the earth, and then His voice like a trumpet talking WITH ME, a personal call, and which calls us up hither. The above verse certainly seems like John 10:3 above, when He describes how He will come to the door, and call the sheep, and “lead them out”.
Jesus said these things, in the winter, on the portico of Solomon, which was a covered porch, with massive pillars supporting the cover / canopy. This was not actually built by Solomon, but was named after him. Further work on this retaining wall of Solomon, was done by the Hasmoneans, and also by Herod, who doubled in size, that area. This was located in the outer court, or the place where gentiles could assemble and learn about the Lord. Here, was where the Lord often taught, and also the apostles according to the book of Acts, did many miracles in this area of the temple. Jesus referred to His own miracles, to the Jews, in the John 10 response to their question regarding His claim to Messiahship. It was also here that the Holy Spirit was given at Pentecost, as the apostles had assembled there, awaiting the “promise of power from on high”. For this was a very public display, and they were right there at the temple when they made their first proclamations and conversions. The “upper room” in fact refers to this part of the temple, an area of this portico, where all could “gather”. Remember we are also told by Paul to “assemble ourselves” together, awaiting our own promise of power from on high, especially as we see “that day” approaching. That is in fact what we are doing right now. Assembling together on Solomon’s portico, for we are studying and reading about this place, therefore we are all assembled there, in the Spirit.
During a web study of the temple at the time of Jesus, I came across the work of some marvelous designers, who have re-created that temple, and give much exciting knowledge, and pictures:
here: (click on the many thumbnails to see which areas of the temple are pictured)
http://www.ust.ucla.edu/ustweb/Projects/israel.htm
I have noticed that our Lord mentions to the Church of Philadelphia, that they will be made “pillars” in the temple of God. Since He spent much time at this area of the 2nd temple, I wonder if when He was walking there in the winter, at Hanukkah, if He was meditating about those pillars on Solomon’s porch, and how this area was where the gentiles could come and learn about the Lord, and how one day His own church would be the lively stones making up those pillars to whom the gentiles would come during the millennium, to learn about the Lord. Jesus had referred to His own body as the temple, that would be raised up again in three days, if it were destroyed. Knowing the history of the temples, and how Judas Maccabeus had the temple re-dedicated on Hanakkuh, He would certainly have been thinking of these things as He walked there on Solomon’s portico, at this time in the winter celebrations. He knew that His own body, the church, would be His temple, for Paul says that we are indeed His temple. And that when He raised up that temple in the future, there would likewise be a re-dedication of this temple, His body. What better time to do this than Hanukkah? Furthermore, He was probably walking amidst giant celebratory menorahs placed there during their festival of dedication; hence, He spoke of Himself as the Light of the world. (John chapters 8 and 9). He said that “as long as He was in the world, that He was the light of the world”. (Just what “day”, will that “light” (menorah) be “removed”?) Later, in the 2nd and 3rd chapters of Revelation, as Marilyn Agee and CAPS have pointed out, He is seen “walking” amidst the lamps (menorahs) of the church, judging them. Then, John sees the “door” open in heaven (the door of the sheepfold), and He is called “up hither”. THEN, what does John see?
Rev 4:5
And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Wow, now I am getting geeked. And I have all weekend to ramble on and on and on…………Those menorahs are now in heaven, and we are told that we are to be lights, placed where men could see our light. The Jews to this day place their menorahs in the window, so that all can see the light. Jesus, the light of the world, for as long as He is in the world, is now in heaven with His menorahs! Both Jesus, and the church, the lights of the world, are seen in heaven. Immediately after this John sees the horsemen of the apocalypse descending upon the world, which is now without that light; this necessitates the sealing of the 144,000, and the two witnesses who will preach righteousness and truth to those on earth, left in the dark, because men may only work while it is day (with light) and cannot work at night in the darkness.
The parable of the wise and foolish virgins begins to take on some new meaning in “light” of these things. It’s all about lamps and getting them to work when they are needed. All were asleep. Indeed, since all the feasts of this last year, and our study of them, we really are quite burned out, and have all fallen asleep. Jesus said (forget where), that “for I come WHEN YOU THINK NOT”. We THOUGHT He would come during the fall feasts, but He says He will turn up at another time, when “we think not”. (Hanukkah?) Cripe we can’t even spell it without a double spell-check… And after the disappointment of His not appearing as we all thought He should, during the fall feasts, it is like those virgins, who were indeed gathered because they expected the bridegroom at that particular time. In oriental weddings, the wedding party did gather, as they had some prior notice, and the virgins went to the bride’s house or a house nearby, to wait for the playful “kidnapping” of the bride. They knew it would be at night, but didn’t know the exact hour. In the case of this parable, the hour got so late that they ALL fell asleep. After the fall feasts of 2005 (when we SO expected Him), indeed we have all fallen asleep; that is, ceased to watch. But wait, the wise “slumbered” (staying as awake as they could, a light sleep, nap), while the foolish “slept”, or fell into a deep sleep. They were all assembled there that day / night, and it doesn’t say that they slept for many days afterward, but that they slept on the night of the expected day. It is still 2005, and we still expect Him to appear. At the very last minute “at midnight”, the call came that the bridegroom was arriving, suddenly. He had “delayed His coming”, until the midnight hour, when He would arrive, and take the bride, and her virgins, together with all their lamps, away to heaven with Him. Surely, if He does come on Hanukkah instead of the fall feasts, He would have “delayed” His coming, as far as we are concerned. The midnight hour for the year 2005 would be the darkest day (hour), at the solstice (the 21st of December), or the very last day of 2005 at midnight, which would be December 31, 2005, the 7th day of Hanukkah. The “eighth day” would be January 1st, 2006. The number eight is the number for new beginnings. He did say He would raise His own on “the last day” (of 2005)? And it was “after six days”, that He showed the deciples His glory on the mount of transfiguration….(after six days of Hanukkah would be on the 7th day of Hanukkah?) They were taken up, and set on a high mountain (heaven), apart…….
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
But, back to those virgins. Each of us is a microcosm of the temple of the Lord. We have these menorahs or lampstands, like the temple had in the Holy Place. When the Bridegroom’s coming is announced, the virgins all wake up and set about to trim their lamps (menorahs). In the temple, this lampstand was to be kept burning continuously, by the priests. Likewise we are to have our lamps continuously burning. The wise virgins had seen to it that they had EXTRA oil in their “vessels” (their bodies).
What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
So, we (hopefully and prayerfully), are the vessels of His mercy and not those of His wrath. (But we are appointed to salvation, not to His wrath). Furthermore:
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
In our vessels (bodies) we have a treasure which will ultimately display the works of God’s power.
The lamps of the virgins, both wise and foolish, had been taken to the awaiting chamber, but when the Bridegroom at last arrived, it was time to fully light these lamps and go out to accompany the bridal party in its celebrations. The foolish found themselves without the needed oil, whereas the wise ones had the extra oil, at this point much coveted by the foolish virgins.
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
At the hour of reckoning, the foolish virgins did not have enough “oil”. If the Word of God is the lamp, then what is the oil that keeps that lamp burning? I think, as many do, that it is the Holy Spirit, Who guides us in our study of the Word of God, for we are found “approved” unto God who study to show ourselves approved, workmen rightly dividing the Word. The wise virgins had done something extra – they would have had to “work” to do this extra filling of their vessels. This work was neglected by the foolish virgins, who thought they would just schmoo right on in when the time came. And so:
Proverbs 14:8
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
Proverbs 14:33
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
Recall our Lord’s word about the four different seeds, the fourth which was fruitful, was that person who both “heard” the Word, and furthermore “understood” the Word…….this is what made the difference. All the other seeds only “heard” the Word, but the fourth “understood”, therefore could be fruitful. The foolish virgins had heard the word, but did not have UNDERSTANDING of that Word.
But the wise virgins prepared, they wanted understanding to add to their hearing, for they saw the seriousness of being without extra oil, should it be required. They put extra oil (the Word of God, directed by the Holy Spirit), into their vessels (their bodies, their temples). The Philadelphians had “not denied my NAME, and have kept the WORD of My endurance”. They had persevered with the Truth, His Word, and only His Word, and His Name, and only His Name, until the end. They had extra oil in their vessels. Unlike the Laodeceans they had not tried to keep one foot in the Word and the other foot in the World.
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
and:
….worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
The wise virgins had the more sure word of prophecy, a LAMP UNTO THEIR FEET, (understanding) and they had the testimony of Jesus, which is the Spirit of prophecy. They had studied, they knew what to expect, because they had studied the Word of the Lord. The foolish virgins had an attitude of complacency, that nothing was really needed in order to make the cut.
Proverbs 14:15
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
16
A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
and:
Proverbs 14:1
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
The foolish were just going along for the ride, nodding in agreement with the wise virgins, but taking unto themselves no deeply-felt love for His coming. They “slept”, because it was all so ho-hum to them; they really didn’t expect Him anyway, only half-heartedly so, but JUST IN CASE He did come, they wanted to be in on the party…. This last year, many have talked about the soon coming of the Lord, but how many take it seriously? How many will dig like badgers to find out more about His coming? How many “love His appearing”?
Jesus pointed out to the Jews about His many miraculous works; later, many healings were done in this very place, and in fact this is where the apostles and deciples met for learning and sharing. They “assembled” there, much like the Lord’s sheep. To the Philadelphian church, He said “they shall go out no more”…..what? Well, previously He had said that the Shepherd would lead the sheep, “in and out”. This church has “a little strength”---sort of just hanging on toward the end, but He sees them as true to the Word of His patience (endurance), and in their weakness will build His strength:
“Not by might, nor by power, buy by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts” (Zechariah 4:6)
First of all, the festival of Hanukkah is celebrated on the anniversary of the 164 b.c. re-dedication and cleansing of the temple, by Judas Maccabeus and his cohorts, after Antiochus IV Epiphanes had desecrated that temple exactly three years earlier, and on that same date (Kislev 25). That event was called the “abomination of desolation”, because he had placed an image of Zeus in the Holy of Holies. Prior to this he had also sacrificed a pig on their altar of sacrifice. Not to be satisfied with this insult he just had to go the whole nine yards and get that idol into the Holy of Holies. Of course we know today that two things on our short-list of things not to do to the Jews, is sacrifice pigs on their property, or place idols in their Holiest of Holies. But our Lord Jesus warns us that indeed, this abomination of desolation will occur again, at the end of this age of grace. When this does occur He tells the Jews to immediately leave their homes and go to the mountains, where they will be protected by God, and that they should “remember Lot’s wife”, who didn’t make that journey too graciously, but rather, turned to gaze upon her worldly treasures and family members, with longing.
Now, Jesus in Matthew 24, gives the warning about this abomination of desolation:
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
He says, “whoso readeth”, and this abomination was spoken by Daniel “the prophet” (that should put to rest right there the argument that the book of Daniel was written by others rather than Daniel), for our Lord Himself called him “the prophet”. End of story, nothing here folks, move along………….I have always wondered whether this “whoso readeth”, might refer to us; that is, the church, as well as the Jews who are being fore-warned. We are warned repeatedly by the Lord Himself, and the apostles, about the deceit and “doctrines of demons”, and false teachings of the end of this age. And Paul said that the antichrist will set himself in the temple of God, calling himself God. This would be that abomination of desolation that is pre-figured by Antiochus IV Ephinanes placing the image of Zeus in the Holy of Holies. We Christians should see the beginnings of this apostasy, and perhaps may even be very much appalled by events which are orchestrated by the deceiving works of satan, (for Paul says satan and his minions can appear as “angels of light” – I suppose he will resort to phony light shows to impress those who are inclined to believe in them…..) so we must be very firm in our knowledge of the truth, should anything like this occur. Jesus said not to follow anyone who announced the Messiah to be in the rooms or in the desert (that is, an announcement of His appearance “on the earth”), for we know that He is to come for us “in the air”, and like lightning crossing the sky. In John 10, He says that His sheep hear His voice, and don’t recognize the voices of strangers or hirelings. He tells the Philadelphia church to “hold fast that which you have, that NO MAN take your crown”. This is a warning that if we do not hold fast to our knowledge of the truth, that indeed we may lose our crown by MAN. The Philadelphia church is commended for holding to the Word of His patience, meaning they have held closely to correct doctrine, and have endured the enticements of apostasy, while patiently waiting for Him to come as He said He would, but we are warned to “hold fast” to that which we have….. And today there is much in the way of false teaching, by man, which could draw us away at the very time we are about to receive a crown (for loving His return). There are those in the church who teach a false prosperity gospel, and a false “works” gospel, and of course there is the ever-present new-age garble. If you have ever attempted to read any of this, you will surely know what He means when He says that we do not recognize the voice of any other than our own Shepherd. It really has no real meaning, is contradictory and to me rather boring. I don’t understand what others are spiritually gaining by talk of “portals”, “greater dimensions”, “the mysteries of the gnosis”, “auras, chakras,”, ad nauseam. Truly we do not know, or want to know, these voices. To me, it all seems so shallow.
We are told that sheep are among the dumbest of animals, but we are not so dumb as to mistake a false shepherd’s voice, with our Shepherd’s voice.
Now, our Lord raised Lazarus, with His voice, His shout. And He said in John 5, that others would be raised by His voice:
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
We sheep, whether living or sleeping in Christ, will hear His voice, for He descends from heaven with a shout, His own shout, which raised Lazarus, and we will know that voice. There are other verses where He speaks of our knowledge of His voice:
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Notice, that the church of Laodecea is warned of the nearness of His return: He stands at the door (and we know that He IS the door of the sheepfold), and He appeals to any person who will hear His voice to open up to Him even at the 11th hour.
Now, WHAT IF there is some kind of abomination of desolation which occurs on Hanukkah? Jesus said to pray always that we be found worthy to ESCAPE ALL THESE THINGS, which are coming,,,,and He also says to the Jews to pray that their flight be not in winter? If a Jew were to want to escape all these things, be found worthy, and also not have to flee in the winter, (I had always assumed that this would mean their flight would be in the summer, but some of you have pointed out that He may have been warning them that this is exactly what they will face, unless they repent and begin to follow Him), then they certainly would have become Christians by the time that these things came upon the world. And this would bring new meaning to me about:
Luke 23:27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. 28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. 29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. 30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. 31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
Well, they indeed crucified Him when the tree was GREEN (spring),,,,but what would happen when the tree was DRY (winter?). Would this be the time when they would have to flee (dry tree), and would wish they had not had children? Paul said that HE who restrains would have to be taken out, before the antichrist could be revealed. I believe that the HE referred to here would be the Body of Christ, the church, who is the salt, the restrainer, the light in this world, at the present time.
The darkest hour is December 21st. The “last day” is December 31st. The year of grace (2005), would pass into the year of man (2006).
Jesus was conceived on the first day of Hanukkah, (Kislev 25) and born 9 months later during the feast of Tabernacles. The shepherds were in the open fields and they were told by the angels about His birth, a message of great “JOY” (and this Tabernacles feast is the feast of “joy”). The LIGHT OF THE WORLD, then, came to us on Hanukkah, in the womb of Mary the chosen of God to give Him His supernatural conception. When Mary went to visit Elizabeth, and both were pregnant, John the Baptist “jumped” (for joy), in the womb of Elizabeth,,,,so, this LIGHT OF THE WORLD, still in the womb of Mary, was very much already having a spiritual effect. Now, I am not clever about numbers at all, but let us add up the years (360-day prophetic years), that Jesus, our LIGHT has then been with us: INCLUDING FROM CONCEPTION OF MARY.
I hope someone else goes through this and makes it right because I’m not so good at the numbers……….
He began to be about 30 at the beginning of his ministry = 30. years
His ministry was for 3 ½ years = 33.5 years
From when He was 33 ½ years until mid-2005 Passover
(April 24, 2005) when He was cut off = 1971.50
1971.5 X 365 = 719,597.5 Gregorian days
Add 246 more days (from April 24 Passover until
December 26, 2005 (Hanukkah)
= 719,843.5
719,843.5 / 360 Prophetic year days = 1,999.565 Prophetic
But wait; Mary’s pregnancy would have been for 280 days, so if we add those to the above we get:
719,843.5 + 280 days = 720,123.5, divide this by the 360 prophet year = 2000.343
So, this year on Hanukkah, we’ll be just into the morning of the third day that THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD tabernacled among us. To those who are up early enough in the morning, Jesus promises the “morning star”, the very first inkling of light, to herald the coming day,,,,and its promise of the “day star” that will later arise, that is, the sun.
Alright…that’s good enough for me. Now for the part where I have to clean the house again….(Actually all through 2005 my house has never been cleaner….)
We shall not cease to expect our Blessed Hope, at every feast in particular, and in between the feasts, at any time; this truly is our Blessed Hope.
See y’all up in the air !
Love, from your sister,,,,,Arlene
(below) a Word for your hearts today:
The Book of John, portions of Chapter 1
Chapter 1
1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2
The same was in the beginning with God.
3
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
15
John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
16
And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
and:
John 1:36
And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!