(There is a special message at the end of this article for those who might happen to read this and do not have Jesus in their life and are looking for peace and a way to better understand the present-day insanity and confusion.)

The times are, all at once, both tumultuous and exhilarating. We, who belong to Jesus and thrive on the Word of God and especially on His prophetic Word, watch as His Glory unfolds in real-time.

Not since the rebirth of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948, has there been such obvious proof that puts to rout all the foolishness of claims that were regurgitated in the 60s that “God is dead” as well as another foolish “question” that was heard over the years: Could God create a rock so big that He couldn’t lift it? Pathetic. Arrogant.

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

One thing is certain: those who voice these and similar types of questions or comments will be presented with the Truth.

Last night I was watching Monday night’s NFL game, and the two “commentators” were blathering about the roof of the stadium in Dallas being opened so God could watch the game. One even said, “He’s probably watching the Simpsons.” Really!

The strongest possible reason to hit your “mute” button (or perhaps the “off” button on the NFL) is this kind of abject mockery.

In view of such disrespect for God, one can only pray that their hearts are not so hardened that they are unable to be reached for repentance by the Holy Spirit.

God is not dead, and it is becoming glaringly obvious even to some (but obviously not all) of the most oblivious individuals.

Something worldwide is “going on,” and it can’t be ignored.

How do we view this recent explosion of world events: political, natural, and, dare I say it, Supernatural? Yes, I dare to say it.

As we watch the events unfolding in Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, and the wider Middle East and observe the antisemitism of the UN meddling and obfuscating as they ever do, we, who are members of God’s Forever Family, do not wonder at the eventual outcome, but only the details of how it will come about.

For those who reject or willfully deny the Living God, there is only unease, anxiety, or willful ignorance of these events.

In my opinion, the following four verses paint a condensed but no less glorious picture of the Sovereignty and Righteousness of the One and Only God and reaffirm that “His will will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” and that His will is ultimately to bring as many people who are willing, Jew or Gentile, to eternal life.

He has made these things clear, and the world rejects them at their peril.

First: “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isaiah 46:9-10). Emphasis added by me.

The future plans of the Sovereign God revolve around Jerusalem. The city where He will place the soles of His feet and where, at the time He has set by His own authority, He will dwell with man forever.

“And He said to me, ‘Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever'” (Ezekiel 43:7).

God has made clear that His blessings to all peoples will come through Abraham and the Hebrews.

Second: “I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). Emphasis added by me.

This, in part, explains some of the blind hatred toward Israel and anything or anyone Jewish by so much of the world’s population. Unwarranted jealousy. Unwarranted Hatred.

Why did God choose Abraham (at that time, Abram)?

“And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God” (James 2:23). Emphasis added by me.

Is God able to go back on His Promise to the descendants of Israel?

“God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19).

The answer to that question would be no because He said so.

It should also be understood that if He could break His Word to the descendants of Israel, He could also break His Promises to the True Church, the Bride of Christ.

Never gonna happen.

Third: “Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day, who sets in order the moon and stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name:

‘Only if this fixed order departed from My presence, declares the LORD,

would Israel’s descendants ever cease to be a nation before Me.’

This is what the LORD says: ‘Only if the heavens above could be measured and the foundations of the earth below searched out would I reject all of Israel’s descendants because of all they have done'” (Jeremiah 31:35-37).

On May 14, 1948, this prophecy from 2600 +/- years ago was fulfilled.

“Can a country be born in a day or a nation be delivered in an instant?

Yet as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children.

Shall I bring a baby to the point of birth and not deliver it?”

says the LORD” (Isaiah 66:8-9)

The very next day, the promised, reborn State of Israel was attacked by a massive force of the combined militaries of five Arab nations. Against all human odds, Israel still remains in her place even today. The Lord of Hosts does indeed “keep” Israel.

“Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4).

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary” (Isaiah 40:28).

As we wait, perhaps a little impatiently, for the call of our Savior to take us Home, we should strive to remember that every day He is bringing many to repentance and eternal life, and pray without ceasing.

“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day” (John 6:39).

For anyone who may be looking for answers to the uncertainty of these times: They may only be fully understood by the discernment of the Holy Spirit given to those who will heed this message from Jesus Christ, the One God has chosen to be the vessel of Salvation for those who are willing and act while they are yet in their living years.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). Emphasis added by me.

Fourth: “Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

I write this in Truth and love.

There is nothing keeping you from receiving God’s Mercy and Grace except you.

The special message I promised you:

For anyone who may read this article and has not trusted in Jesus Christ and therefore has no hope or peace in your life.

You can have hope. You can have the peace that Jesus has promised to all who have made Him their Lord and Savior. The peace that passes understanding.

It requires that you come before God on His terms and that you do so in your living years.

And, what are His terms according to His Word?

• Genuine repentance (turning to God instead of continuing to reject or ignore Him).
• Confession of sins (that you are a sinner and acknowledge that to God).
• That you understand that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
• To acknowledge to God that you are unable to pay that debt.
• Belief that Jesus Christ paid your death sentence for you on the cross and rose from the grave three days later, conquering death, just as He promised.
• To believe that Jesus is the Way, the only Way, that God has established by which humans may be saved from the consequences of their sin and rebellion.

God has made it absolutely clear that there is no one who comes before Him, under His terms, that will be refused.

• No one: no race, no color, no country of origin, regardless of any previous belief system: no one.
• No matter what your past sins have been, God can and WILL forgive you because He says He will.
• Salvation is available to everyone without any exceptions.

If you put all your trust for salvation in Jesus, and Him only, you can follow that prayer up by simply saying, “Thank you, Father God, for hearing my prayer and saving me,” because we can trust Him to keep His Word. He always has. He always will.

“Truly, Truly, I say to you that he who hears My words and believes the One who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned. He has crossed from death to life” (John 5:24).

There are no answers and there is no hope in the world by governments, organizations, politics or politicians. There are only lies and deception. But you can have the Truth and the peace you seek.

The answers are in the Word of God—The Bible. If you ask God, with all your heart, He will hear you.

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

Pro Salvator Vigilans

To contact me: canoeman96@gmail.com

 

 

Hebrews 11:1-3 describes ‘faith’ this way: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it, the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

God’s grace, through our faith, is what saves us. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Without faith in Jesus, no one can come to the Father in heaven. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

The word “faith” is found only two times in the Old Testament: Deuteronomy 32:20 and Habakkuk 2:4. However, the words faithful, faithfully, and faithfulness are found 54 times in the O.T. The most famous verse in the O.T. regarding faith is Habakkuk 2:4, “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith.” The truth in this verse is so significant that it is quoted three different times in the New Testament. “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, the just shall live by faith” (Romans 1: 17). “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for the just shall live by faith” (Galatians 3:11). “Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 10:38).

Since the New Testament’s content is mainly about Jesus and salvation, the words’ faith,’ ‘faithful,’ ‘faithfully,’ and ‘faithfulness’ are used more abundantly than in the Old Testament. They are mentioned approximately 356 times in the New Testament. The English words “by faith” are used 37 times in the KJV New Testament (“through faith” is used 15 times, and “in faith” is used 12 times). 37 is a significant biblical number, especially in Gematria and Isopsephy, as I wrote about in I AM, the Great Mathematician :: By Randy Nettles – Rapture Ready.

Hebrews has the most mentions of “by faith” with 17 (“through faith” is used 6 times, and “in faith” is used 1 time). 17 is another significant number in Scripture, as I wrote about in Spiritual Significance of Numbers 17 & 153 :: By Randy Nettles – Rapture Ready.

17 is the 7th prime number behind 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, and 13. The number 17 partakes of and intensifies the significance of the number 7, representing spiritual perfection. 17 is the sum of two of God’s perfect numbers, 7 and 10. 17 is also 7 + 7 + 3, whereas 3 (another of God’s perfect numbers) is the number for divine perfection, 7 is the number for spiritual perfection, and 10 is the number for ordinal perfection.

According to Genesis 7:10-11, the great flood of Noah’s day began on the 17th day of the second month. Genesis 8:4 says the ark rested upon the mountains of Ararat on the 17th day of the seventh month. Genesis 37 tells the story of Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers when he was 17 years old. Jacob (Israel) lived in the land of Egypt for 17 years before he died. Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, reigned in Jerusalem as the king of Judah for 17 years.

On the day Moses had fully set up the Tabernacle of meeting and had anointed and sanctified it, the princes (leaders/elders) of the tribes of Israel offered sacrifices unto the Lord according to Numbers 7:7. They also anointed and sanctified the vessels that were used for the ceremony and the altar itself. During the dedication offering for the anointing of the altar, each of the 12 princes brought the required animals and flour (for grain offering) necessary for their offerings unto the Lord.

For the sacrifice of peace offerings, the princes brought 2 oxen, 5 rams, 5 male goats, and 5 male lambs in their first year. I believe the 15 (5 × 3) sheep/goats symbolically represent Jesus (the Lamb of God). The Prince of Peace, Jesus, represents the number 3, and he would, by the grace (5) of God, be sacrificed (once and for all) so mankind could have peace with God. The 17 total animals sacrificed by each of the 12 tribes could represent a typology of Jesus’ resurrection, which made it possible for man to be redeemed by God.

Jesus’ resurrection occurred on the 17th day of Nisan on the third Feast of the Lord known as Firstfruits. You might say that the countdown to Jesus’ death began on Nisan 1, the day after the new moon conjunction of spring. Ten days later, Jesus rode into Jerusalem as the Jew’s king (but was rejected as such), fulfilling Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King comes unto you: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” The last seven days of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, from Nisan 11 to Nisan 17, were spent in Jerusalem. He was crucified on Nisan 14 and was resurrected on Nisan 17.

Jesus Christ is the firstfruits of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). Thus, the number 17 represents resurrection, victory, and overcoming the enemy, as in death and the grave. Hosea wrote, “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction! Pity is hidden from My eyes” (Hosea 13:14). Paul wrote, “For when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55).

Hebrews 11 is sometimes called the Hall of Faith, as it recounts some of the faithful servants of God in the Old Testament. This passage of scripture first mentions the faithfulness of the antediluvian patriarchs: Abel, Enoch, and Noah. Then it mentions the post-flood patriarchs: Abraham and his wife Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Abraham’s faith regarding different events in his life is mentioned three times. Abraham is considered to be the “father of faith.” “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all” (Romans 4:16).

The words “by faith” refer to Moses three times and “through faith” once. Moses’ parent’s faith is mentioned once, the children of Israel twice, and Rahab once. Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets receive “honorable mentions.” All in all, Hebrews 11 associates the term “by faith” with 16 named individuals. 16 individuals + 17 “by faith” mentions = 33. I believe the number 33 represents Jesus. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).

Matthew 1 gives the condensed genealogy of Jesus. “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1). Jesus was a descendant of King David, the 33rd generation from Adam. David was described by Samuel the prophet as “a man after the Lord’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). David reigned over all 12 tribes of Israel from Jerusalem for 33 years.

Jesus started his ministry at 33 (some say 30) and was crucified in AD 33. The word “firstfruits” is mentioned 33 times in the Bible (NKJV). Christ is the firstfruits of the dead. “But now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). Jesus will one day return to set up His millennial kingdom, for He is King of kings and Lord of lords. The “kingdom of heaven” is mentioned 33 times in the Book of Matthew. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

The “kingdom of God” is mentioned 33 times in the Book of Luke (NKJV). “So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near” (Luke 21:31). The kingdom of God (or “Kingdom of our God”) is mentioned 70 times in the New Testament (KJV). Ephesians 5:5 calls it the Kingdom of Christ and God (33 + 37 = 70).

The Hebrew word (transliteration) for God is Elohim. Elohim is mentioned 33 times in the creation story from Genesis 1:1 – Genesis 2:2. The Greek word (transliteration) ‘logos’ is translated as ‘word” in English. It is found 33 times in 33 verses in Luke. The Word is the name John gave to the #2 deity, the pre-incarnate Jesus, in the first 17 verses of the first chapter of the Book of John. The Word spoke all of creation into existence.

Jesus represents the number 3 in many aspects, even though He is most mentioned as the number 2 deity – the Son (or the Word). See 137 – The Number of God in Scripture and Science. Regarding the number 137, it is the 33rd prime number. Although 7 is the dominant number in the Book of Revelation, mentioned 58 times, the number 3 is mentioned quite often as well. “Three” is used 11 times, and “third” is used 22 times – for a total of 33 times. The Book of Revelation is about the revelation of Jesus Christ concerning the end times. Interestingly, the words “in Christ” are used 77 times in the New Testament.

The Greek word (transliteration) ‘hepta,’ translated into English as seven, occurs 54 times in the Book of Revelation. 54 = 6 x 9. In the Bible, six is man’s number, and nine is the number for judgment. Strong’s concordance lists the transliteration word ‘hepta’ (seven) as G2033. Besides perfection, the number seven also represents completeness.

Although there are only 16 named people in the Hall of Fame, Hebrews 11:32 also mentions “the prophets.” There are many men (and some women) in the Old Testament, both named and anonymous, who were prophets of God.

Hebrews 11:33-39 tells the story of what some of these heroes of the faith accomplished and what they had to endure. “Through faith, they subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, (out of weakness) were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.

“Still, others had trials of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.”

The Old Testament saints did not receive the promise of the prophesied Kingdom of God under the reign of their Messiah while they were living (nor the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit), but they will when they are resurrected and translated after Daniel’s 70th seven (Daniel 12:1-3). The faithful Church, indwelt with the Holy Spirit (“having provided something better for us”), will be made perfect at the pre-tribulation Rapture. The Old Testament saints and prophets of God (and the Tribulation martyrs) will have to wait for perfection at least 7 years longer (after Daniel’s 70th week) when Jesus returns to the earth and establishes His millennial kingdom.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Also, in Hebrews 12:18-24, the contrast is made between the old dispensation (the Law) and the new dispensation (new covenant of grace through faith), with the significance of the number 17 (7 + 10) in view.

“You come not (1) Unto the mount that might be touched, (2) And that burned with fire, (3) Nor unto blackness, (4) And darkness, (5) And tempest, (6) And the sound of a trumpet, (7) And the voice of words…

“But you are come (1) Unto Mount Zion, (2) And unto the city of the living God, (3) The heavenly Jerusalem, (4) And to an innumerable company of angels, (5) To the general assembly, (6) And the church of the firstborn which are written in heaven, (7) And to God the judge of all, (8) And to the spirits of just men made perfect, (9) And to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant, (10) And to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.”

Here again, the blessings of the New Covenant are seen to be higher than those of the Old, both in number and importance. The Old were spiritual (7), but the latter are more so, for they are double the manifestation of Divine grace, 10, or 2 x 5 (5 is the number representing grace in the Bible). See Biblical Significance of the Number 5: Part I :: By Randy Nettles – Rapture Ready. The first encounter with God on Mt. Sinai was very frightening for the children of Israel. The next encounter with God (Jesus) at the Rapture will be joyous beyond description for the children of God.

In Matthew 16:28, Jesus tells his disciples, “There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” This indeed came true in a very short time, as described in Matthew 17:1 (the next verse after Matthew 16:28), where Jesus led Peter, James, and John up into a high mountain, and they witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah: “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.

“Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him! And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, Arise, and do not be afraid. When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead” (Matthew 17:1-9).

Jesus showed the three disciples a vision of the LORD “coming in His kingdom” that will occur in the future. This is the second time the Father said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,“ about Jesus. The first time was in Matthew 3:17 after John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (John 3:16-17).

Jesus’ ministry began after this baptism. I believe this is when Jesus’ “spiritual kingdom of heaven” began. The vision the three apostles saw was the future event of the beginning of the “physical kingdom of heaven. They saw Jesus “coming in His kingdom” in a vision, and one day, they will be resurrected and translated into their new spiritual bodies and will experience this magnificent event in a much more profound way. They will be witnesses to Jesus being anointed as King of Israel and the Earth. On that day, the Father will again say, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Peter, James, John, and the other disciples will reside with Moses, Elijah, and all the other resurrected Jewish saints on the new (fresh) earth.

The supernatural event known as the Rapture is given in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). What a victory (and overcoming) over death and the grave the LORD has given to those who love Him!

“Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:21-29).

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Randy Nettles

rgeanie55@gmail.com