Thank you for your prayers and kind words. I too am praying for a peaceful Monday.

Many of the libraries around the country are offering a service of emailing about the first 20 pages of a book in daily segments. You are allowed to choose the categories, and it is called an online book club. One of the choices this week in the fiction category saddened me, and I thought you might want to see the first installment. It is not one I want to read, and I was just about to delete it and forget it, but then I thought this is horrific. It falls along the line of the Book of Daniel TV show, for it mocks Christian ministers, so I figured you might want to see what I mean, here is the book jacket cover blurb.

The book club’s site is: http://www.dearreader.com/ and you can usually access it by your local library’s website. In all fairness, most of her selections are good and I have added to my “to read” list many selections from her entries, but this one saddened me incredibly.

Heather
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This week’s book:
PLAIN HEATHEN MISCHIEF
by Martin Clark

FROM THE BOOK JACKET:

“Plain Heathen Mischief” ups the existential ante, as Joel
King, a defrocked Baptist minister, finds life even more
bedeviling once he’s served six months for a career-ending
crime he might not even have committed. Now his incommun-
icado wife wants a divorce, the teenage vixen of his
disgrace is suing him for a cool $5 million, a fresh start
in Montana offers no hope for ex-cons of any religious
persuasion, and the refuge provided by his sister turns as
nasty as his parole officer.

Talk about a crisis of faith. On the upside, a solicitous
member of Joel’s former congregation invites him into a
scam that could yield some desperately needed cash, and
soon the down-on-his-luck preacher is involved with a
flock of charming con men, crooked lawyers, and conniving
youth.

This was quite the challenging day. The kids were testing their limits, and I held out for apologies before privileges would be given like eating snacks or IM’ing. Do you really survive the teenage years? I am feeling like I want to go on a looooong vacation, say about six years, or am lovingly thinking of cryogenics for a few years until the difficult times are past. One plus of the teenage years is that I am often driven to pray.

Thinking of Revelation and the rapture I am contemplating “Beam me up Jesus”, oh well, guess we must wait until the right time, which only God knows!

Anyway, in Revelation we were discussing the opening of the seals, and seeing how Jesus was the only one worthy to break the seals on the title deed of Earth, how those on Earth are thinking that it is God’s wrath, when in reality it is the results of their sinful behaviors coming home to roost.

Seal one was the white horse, the rider had a bow and a crown, and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. The odds favor this being the antichrist, for the crown is stephanos, a temporary crown given to a victor in a contest, one that will fade, and the rider has a bow, but no arrows. Remember a white horse does not necessarily mean good.

Seal two was a companion, a fiery red horse, and the one who sat on it was to take peace from the earth, people kill one another, and there was given to him a great sword. When peace is not from God, and is a peace that comes from conquering, the peace will not last, for man-made peace is filled with flaws. We will not have true peace until the millennium when Jesus comes to rule and reign for the 1000 years.

The third seal is a rider on a black horse, carrying scales in his hand. And a voice in the midst of the four living creatures says, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and the wine.” This is obviously famine, something that often accompanies war, for people are not there to farm their land, and the land is often destroyed in a war. A denaris is a day’s wage, and that means that there is little food, for one quart of wheat is not enough to keep a person alive for a day. What is sad is that the objects of luxury, the oil and wine are not limited. When there is famine and scarcity, rationing is an end result. Such rationing also helps to consolidate the power of whatever leader is in power, for the people are beholden to the leader for their sustenance.

Amos 8:11 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God, “That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.”

There are more kinds of famine than just lack of food. Jesus told satan that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. In our day and time there is a famine of the Word of God, and that is sad because when real crisises come we are going to not have the weapons to fight the problems, for our problems are not of the earth only, but also of principalities and powers, things that we don’t see. Best we fill up on the Word of God, know the scripture, know that the Bible has to say so that we are not sleeping when the end comes, but are ready to do what must be done. To fight the good fight and to recognize which way the wind is blowing.

I have to tell you that the antichrist’s companions of war and famine are frightening, and unfortunately they lead to even worse problems.

I am so grateful that God has given us His Word, His Prophesies so that we are not taken unawares, and can know what is happening. I suspect that as time draws nearer for the ultimate battles, the attacks of the world will increase more. I was saddened to hear that Christians in Nigeria were killed today by Muslims for the “sin” of being a Christian. Times are getting tougher and tougher.

Tomorrow my brood has a day off from school. Not sure what we want to do. One has a cold, so skiing is out for him, one has a ton of homework (which could have been done today, but nooooo). My daughter isn’t going to be happy with any choice of plans if her brothers are along for the ride. Me, I would love to sleep late, but can’t. I pray for a peaceful day tomorrow, I could use one of those.

Hope you have a blessed night,

Heather

I had a question given to me about mediums and how some of the new age thinking seems very Christian. I posted this answer when asked about the Witch of Endor. Most of you who know me (testimony 10/7/05) know that I spent years in the occult, and when I first came to Christianity I believed that the occult was not all that bad, for there were good witches and bad witches, good use of occult powers and bad use of occult powers. It took time for me to realize that this was not true. That often evil will disguise itself as good, to lure away an unsuspecting person, and then later reveal itself for what it is, until the person feels that they have been defeated and can no longer turn to God. This is a bold faced lie, and I thought that maybe the answer I posted might be helpful to some. I also look forward to hearing how you approach someone who is in the occult to show them that it is not what it seems to be.

Having been in the occult, I know that answers such as you will go to Hell believing what you believe will not penetrate in most instances, that you have to take a person from where they are and show them how you come to the conclusions you come to in a loving and caring way. I really suspect that most that turn to the occult do so because they are seeking love and acceptance somewhere. That there is a lack in their life, and the control that the occult seems to offer is a safety factor for people, and less scary than trust or faith in God.

Anyway, here is an answer I gave to someone.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!!!

I am praying that you find the greatest romance possible, that of a strong relationship with Jesus. He loves us so much that it is hard to conceive.

When we last left off in Revelation, Chapter 6 we saw that the Lamb (Lion of the Tribe of Judah) was worthy to open the seals and he opened the first seal, the man on the white horse. Oh what a trickster. When I grew up cowboy shows were big, and the good guy always wore a white hat, the bad guy a black hat. Unfortunately in this case the bad guy comes around on a white horse and spouting peace, peace. Unfortunately peace is not what he has in mind, for his companions are rather unsavory.

When Jesus opened the second seal the second living creature told John to come and see, Rev. 6:4 “Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.”

After the false peace of the first rider, what follows is war and it is war with a great sword. Jesus is also described as having a sword, a sharp two-edged sword which comes out of His mouth -these are the powerful Words of God, the word of truth which kills lies.

To conquer by peace will not work, for a false peace treaty will lead to political division, and ultimately war. James 4 talks about this, James 4:1-3 “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ass amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”

Since the fall of Rome there have been very few years (something like 72) where there wasn’t a war somewhere in this world. War serves a few purposes. If you ever notice, often when the leaders of a country need to keep in power, a war is used to help keep the country focused on other areas than where the real problems lie. War is used for population control, scientific advances are made during war times, it keeps the economy stimulated, and dissipates boredom. The only other way to control a nation is slavery in the old way, which also produces many of the same outcomes of war. When a country wants resources of another country often war is employed to conquer. We war among ourselves when we desire what others have, power others have, or relationships that others have.

The only way to dispel war is to turn control over to God, and focus on God. To pray and obey, then we diffuse the war within ourselves and without, but the flesh does not give in easily. We need God to help us keep peace, for we cannot do it in our own power.

The antichrist, after espousing peace, will need to consolidate his power, and gain control to do what he purposes to do, so war is a natural outcome of the false peace promised by the first rider. And of course war has the negative outcomes of famine and death.

Whenever we try to do things our way we muck up big time. In the OT, Israel began to reach its decline when it changed from a theocracy (rule by God) to a monarchy (rule by king), and God even warned them what would happen if they chose to be ruled by a king.

The first sign of downfall was shown in the poignant verse in Judges 21:25 “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Isn’t that what is happening today, do what you feel is right, what matters is me. Self-esteem, etc. Takes the focus off of God and leads us to the dangerous territory of feelings.

In I Samuel Israel demands a king, and Samuel warns the people in Chapter 8 that God told him verses 11-18 the things that will happen, the king would reign over their sons, appoint them for his chariots and horsemen, some will run before the chariots, captains, some will serve the king and reap his harvest, weapons of war will be made by some, the king will take daughters to be perfumers, cooks and bakers, and the king will take the best fields, vineyards, etc. A huge difference from rule by God, yet the people clamored for a king. From the time of Saul on, Israel was under the rulership of kings, some good/some bad, mostly bad unfortunately. Then Israel lost their ability to rule when they were dispersed throughout the nations after A.D.70 when the temple was destroyed. But never fear the best king is yet to come for Israel, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

But until then, with the earth in crisis, check out Matthew 24 and 25, people will be clamoring for a strong leader to bring peace on the earth, this leader will come forward, promising peace, war will ensue, and unfortunately those left on earth are in for a rough time.

Heather

Back to Revelation.

Oh what a stage setting! – The Throne Room of God, the elders, four living creatures, the worship, and best of all The Lamb of God. Worship forever and ever. I can only imagine……

And best of all, very soon the title deed to earth is going to be redeemed when the Lamb is found worthy to take the scroll (but what a price He paid for us and our redemption!!!!).

Next come the Seal Judgements – judgements that are caused by our own sins,

Jesus breaks the first of the seals and one of the four living creatures cries out with a voice like thunder, “Come and see”.

What do we see?

Revelation 6:1-2 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a loud voice like thunder, “Come and see.” And I looked, and behold a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him and he went out conquering and to conquer.

This is a white horse, but it is not THE white Horse that Jesus will ride. Remember satan imitates and deceives while those on earth will see a white horse, it does not mean that the rider has the best of intentions for those on earth. The rider carries a bow – but no arrows – the rider does not have the weapons, just the threat of the weapons. Some suggest that the bow might be a reminder of a covenant (similar to when God made a rainbow for Noah) but this covenant that the rider will make is a seven year peace treaty, which will be broken after 3 1/2 years (check out Daniel 9 which details the 70 weeks. (you know, to make a false covenant is one way that people have used to conquer and this rider goes out to conquer) The crown that the rider is wearing is not a diadem but a stephanos – which is an ivy wreath that was given to the victors in completions, but the stephanos does not have the lasting quality of a diadem made of gold, silver, or precious stones. The rider on the white horse is the antichrist, and he will destroy many by peace. The people will trust the peace treaty that Israel will accept – a seven year treaty – and this treaty will be broken after 3 1/2 years when the abomination of desolation sets foot in the temple.

Many of the prophesies set forth in Revelation can be found in Daniel 7, Daniel 12,  Matthew 24 & 25, Ezekiel 36 & 37 and II Thes 2.

When we talk about Daniel’s 70 weeks, it is a period of 7 weeks and 62 weeks which equals 69 weeks, mentioned before the last week of the 70 is described. These seventy sevens are usually considered years, or 490 years.

Before the 70th week is described, Daniel is told that there are 69 weeks, and Messiah would be cut off and the city and sanctuary destroyed.

After 69 weeks (483 years, composed of 360 days per year as the Israel counted years) Jesus was crucified, then in A.D. 70 the temple was destroyed. It is assumed that the timing was put on hold after the Jews were dispersed. In 1948 the unimaginable occurred, after thousands of years being dispersed, Israel returned to the land, and the countdown began again with the last week of Daniel’s 70 weeks. If we study Revelation, we realize that the antichrist could not have come yet, for the temple has not been rebuilt and sacrifices have not been reinstated. Much has been done in preparation for this day, and the red heifer has again made an appearance in the land. A red heifer is needed to sanctify the temple.

The companions of the rider on the white horse are not great companions, one who will take peace away, famine, and death and Hades. Compare that to the holy warriors that accompany Jesus when He comes back on His white horse. Jesus warns us against false prophets and teachers who talk about peace, when there is no peace.

No one knows when the seals will be broken, in Matthew Jesus reminds the disciples that no one knows the day or the hour that these things will occur. But we can trust that they will occur when God deems the time right. And in the mean time we are to be ready, like the virgins with the lamps, or like the servant waiting for his master. If we act like the last days can be any second, it will mean that our actions will be focused on God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and we will be doing His work. Even if the last days do not come in our lifetime, we still would do well to keep acting as if any second they could happen.

I know that there are many views of Revelation, and some place the timing of events different from what I am saying above. The conclusions that I am using have come from the studies that I have done comparing scriptures to scriptures, drawing time lines, etc. It is my best understanding of what the scriptures are saying, but I also know that there are other opinions out there. No matter where the events are placed by various theologies, the important thing to remember is that in the end, Jesus wins/satan loses, and we who are saved and have a relationship with Jesus will be where Jesus is, for He has gone and prepared a place for us.

I hope that what I am writing is clear, it is hard to condense several different study courses into one comprehensive writing.

My main sources are Kay Arthur, Pastor Don Moore, Jon Courson, and other commentaries. I think for me the most profound thing that I have had to do in my studies is a time line that compares the events of Revelation with other scriptures in the OT and the NT, and finding out how accurately they line up in the order of events and what is portrayed. We really do serve an awesome God.

Heather

My husband and I are always debating the best diet. For me, it is Weight Watchers, he does what I consider wierd diets, ones that I think might be stressful to his system like Atkins (but not sticking exactly to it, which in my mind negates the diet). He has to make his own decisions regarding this, but here is a diet that might make sense.

The Pasta Diet and your health

ITALIAN PASTA DIET — IT REALLY WORKS !!

1. You walka pasta da bakery.

2.. You walka pasta da candy store.

3.. You walka pasta da Ice Cream shop.

4… You walka pasta da table and fridge.

You will lose weight!

AND……

CONCERNED ABOUT TOO MANY CARBS IN YOUR DIET?

For those of you who watch what you eat,
here’s the final word on nutrition and health.
It’s a relief to know the truth
after all those conflicting
nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat!
and suffer fewer heart attacks than
Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION

Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Sorry I haven’t continued with my posting, it has been very hectic today. Weatherman predicted 12 inches of snow (not sure now if that forecast will last), we had problems with our back up system in case we lose power, I had to stock up on some food just in case we are snowed in, errands, and a Bible study. I am going to share that with you before continuing on with Revelation, it has to do with dealing with worry and fear.

Then I joined up with my girl scout troop and we went to the local Department of Environmental Protection and did some hands-on science. It was interesting, especially the water table with ground up plastic that was like sand. We were building streams and watching how the water would change the course of the stream. What would happen with a dam, etc, and how the stream changes with various landforms. Very interesting how one little pebble or piece of greenery can cause a difference in erosion. Kind of reminds me how those pebbles of thoughts, ideas and actions can cause a veering in the course of our life.

We also were looking at computer overlays of how the stream path changed over the years, photos from the 50′s through today.

My girl scout troop is looking to earn their silver award with an environmental project.

So, I just walked in the door today, now, and have to do a few other things. I have found it necessary to make sure laundry etc is done in case we lose power.

Thanks for your prayers and thoughts. Still battling that depression, and struggling with some things, so I do appreciate your love and concern. I still count myself very blessed to have you as friends.

Heather

Back to Revelation 5,

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Well, John must have been relieved to know that there was one worthy to open the scroll, and then he heard that it was the Lion of Judah. Imagine his surprise when he turned around and saw the Lamb, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, seven eyes, which are the Seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And then the Lamb came and took the scroll. At last the earth could be redeemed.

The Greek word for Lamb in this passage is in the diminutive, and means a pet lamb, kind of like Mary’s lamb. A good thing to remember is that outward appearances are not always to be trusted, for this Lamb will soon wield a sword, and this Lamb also sacrificed His life for us, with a courage that no one else would ever duplicate. He was marred beyond recognition by the abuse He received for our sins.

Someone once said to me that the only thing man-made in Heaven was the scars on Jesus’ body.

When we see Jesus we will finally see exactly what sin does to us (something that we often ignore here on earth).

The people will fall down on their knees and worship, singing a new song. One line in the song is “And have redeemed US to God by Your blood.

There is only one group of people who can say this song, and that is the believers who accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. This is a pretty good indication that at this point in Revelation the Church is in Heaven, for in verse 11 we see that there are the voices of many angels, the living creatures, the elders and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands. All singing, “Worthy is the Lamb”

What a great praise and worship service this is. And to think that one day, soon I hope, we will be there worshipping. I can’t wait.

Heather

My husband sent me these jokes, I don’t know where he got them, but they made me laugh. Yes, even though we live in the same house, we do email each other at times.

Hope you enjoy. I will do more on Revelation later today, I hope.

Heather

Up in heaven John is weeping because he is wondering Who is worthy to open the scroll. Revelation 5:3

Notice again that it is who is WORTHY, not who is willing. Many of us might be willing to do so and tried to rule the earth, but only one is Worthy. I am sure it comes to no surprise that that one will be Jesus.

In verse 4 John wept much (in Greek it implies a sobbing, convulsing, agonized weeping.) But one of the elders comforted John. In our churches, given that what is on earth mirrors Heaven, our elders should also be in the role of comforting the brethren when they are upset. So often that is not the case, but in Revelation we see the elders asking provocative questions then using the questions as springboards for teaching, they comfort when upset, and they worship intensely.

In Verse 5 the elder says, “Do not weep, Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”

That is an interesting description of Jesus,

Lion of the Tribe of Judah – takes us back to Genesis 49 with Jacob’s death and his blessings of the 12 sons. Genesis 49:9-12 Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; and as a lion, who shall rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people. Binding his donkey to the vine, and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, He washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine and his teeth whiter than milk.

Shiloh is a reference to Christ. and Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and often in Revelation and in the prophesies, the terms the winepress of God’s wrath is mentioned. Jesus took God’s wrath fully on the cross for us.

But there is a wonderful bit of history of the Jews that applies to this, and this teaching blew my socks off. In fact right now I am barefoot typing (am barefoot, but not because socks blew off).

The year is 12 A.D., Springtime in Jerusalem. The Romans made a law that decreed that the Jewish people could no longer commit capital punishment, that all criminals had to be brought before the Roman leaders if the punishment had to result in death.

Now once the ability to deal directly with criminals was taken away from the Jews, they mourned because it meant that the scepter had been removed from them, and in their minds the prophesy did not come true that Messiah would come and take the scepter. From the time of Noah, capital punishment was considered a key to government. It also meant that capital punishment would no longer be stoning (the Jewish way), but the Roman way, of being hung on a tree, crucifixion.

The interesting thing is that at that time in spring, during the Passover a family made their way to Jerusalem, celebrated and worshiped, and then left Jerusalem. Part way home they discovered that one of their members was left in Jerusalem. A mad and frantic search ensued until they found their 12 year old son standing in the temple and debating with the scribes and Pharisees. When asked why He was not with the family, He mentioned that He had to be about His Father’s business. That person was Jesus.

So the prophesy of Shiloh came true, and the scepter did not leave Israel, for the Messiah had come.

The other definition of the one worthy to take the scroll is the Root of David.

Jesus is descended from David, but He is also the root of David, for Jesus existed before creation. Genesis and John both begin with in the beginning was the Word. We know that Jesus is the Word of God.  Jesus brought this up when he was being questioned by the Pharisees, Matthew 22:41-46 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, ‘What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?’ They said to Him, ‘The Son of David.” He said to them, ‘How then does David in the Spirit call Him “Lord” saying: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool’ If David then calls Him ‘Lord’ How is He his Son? And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.

More tomorrow, the kids are home from school and the computer is in demand, sigh. Pray patience for me, as one of them is rather moody.

Have a blessed day!

Heather