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====== February - The Romance of Redemption and Salvation ====== ===== February 1 ===== ==== Espoused to Christ ==== === The Church the Bride of Jesus Christ === The faithful marriage union between one man and one woman is a representation of the ultimate intimate Spiritual union relationship between God and His people. <blockquote>For I [Apostle Paul] am jealous over you [True Church] with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to One Husband [Jesus Christ], that I may present you as a chaste virgin [faithful] to Christ. ~ 2 Corinthians 11:2</blockquote> <blockquote>And while they [Vagabond Church] went to buy, the Bridegroom [Jesus Christ] came [2nd Coming]; and they [True Church] that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut. ~ Matthew 25:10</blockquote> <blockquote>The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of Hosts: for the LORD is good; for His mercy endures for ever: and of __them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise__ into the House of the LORD ... Jeremiah 33:11</blockquote> <blockquote>He (Jesus) that has the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend [John the Baptist] of the bridegroom, which stands and hears Him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. ~ John 3:29</blockquote> **Note:** John the Baptist was not a Christian, he did not survive to become a member of the Christian Church that began on Resurrection [Easter] Sunday. John the Baptist was the last of the Old Testament Prophets (Matthew 11:13). <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 2 ===== ==== The Excellent Way! ==== === Christian Love and Charity - A More Excellent Way === **A More Excellent Way!** <blockquote>But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you A More Excellent Way. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of Angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not; love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the Truth; Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part [our limited understanding], and we prophesy in part. But when that [Jesus Christ] which is perfect has come [2nd Coming], then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass [the spirit realm], darkly [vaguely]; but then [later] face to face [with God]: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:31-3:13</blockquote> <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 3 ===== ==== Biblical Redemption ==== === Biblical Redemption - A Return to the Presence of God === Redemption is to purchase back something that once belonged to you, but is not currently in your possession. When Adam and the Woman [later named Eve, living] sinned, mankind was sold into sin. To be in sin is to be separated from the possession of God. On the cross, Jesus redeemed (purchased) back from sin, as His possession, all those who would choose to be reunited with God. **Old Testament Redemption** Redemption is expressed in the Old Testament as the blood covering of the Passover Feast that Israel celebrated in Egypt. The Passover in Egypt is an enactment of God redeeming (purchasing) with His blood His people back into His possession, from the possession of the world and slavery. Death has passed over the Jews and the Church, the redeemed have escaped death and have passed over into life with God. <blockquote>And they [Congregation] shall take of the [Passover - redemption] blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it [Passover meal]. ~ Exodus 12:7</blockquote> <blockquote>And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he has spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the House of Bondage, to thrust you out of the way which the LORD your God commanded you to Walk in. ~ Deuteronomy 13:5</blockquote> Moses' Song of Redemption and Salvation - after the Red Sea crossing. <blockquote>You (God) in your mercy have led forth the people which you have redeemed: You have guided them in your strength unto your Holy Habitation [Mt. Sinai]. ~ Exodus 15:13</blockquote> **New Testament Redemption** The New Testament redemption promise occurred on the night of the New Testament Passover (Last Supper) and the actual blood of Jesus was shed on the cross of Jesus - where Jesus, the Firstborn of God, gave His life and died, clearing the way for us to be freed from the sin and slavery of the world and to be redeemed [united] to God as His possession. <blockquote>Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation [full payment of all sins] through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance [forgiveness] of God; ~ Romans 3:24-25</blockquote> <blockquote>In [Jesus] Whom we [Christians] have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; ~ Ephesians 1:7</blockquote> <blockquote>But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out [atonement] blood and water. And he [Disciple John] that saw it bare record, and his record is True: and he knows that he says True, that all of you might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of Him shall not be broken. And again another scripture says, They shall look on Him whom they pierced. ~ John 19:33-37</blockquote> **Note:** the atoning [life] blood of the New Testament is the blood of Jesus shed [poured out] after His death (full and final payment of sin) on the cross. <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 4 ===== ==== Biblical Salvation ==== === Biblical Salvation - Healing and Wellbeing in the Presence of God === Salvation means to be taken out of harm's way, "saved " from harm or danger, included in being saved is healing, emotional spiritual healing. Where there is danger there is suffering and injury; where there is salvation there is healing. Our salvation does not stop with us being saved from perishing in the fires of hell. We as Christians commonly ask others "are you saved?" as though salvation is a one time finished work in our lives. Often what we are really asking is if the person has a personal relationship with God. A relationship with God First involves redemption (renewed relationship) with God, then through our new Spiritual relationship (sanctification) with God we are continually being saved (healed). **Old Testament Salvation** <blockquote>I have waited for Your salvation, O LORD. ~ Genesis 49:18</blockquote> Moses' Song of Redemption and Salvation - after the Red Sea crossing. <blockquote>The LORD is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation [safety - deliverance from Egypt]: He is my God, and I will prepare Him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt Him. ~ Exodus 15:2</blockquote> **New Testament Salvation** <blockquote>For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. ~ Romans 1:16</blockquote> <blockquote>Who [Christians] are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ~ 1 Peter 1:5</blockquote> <blockquote>Beloved, when I (Jude) gave all diligence to write unto you of the Common Salvation, it was necessary for me to write unto you, and exhort you that all of you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. ~ Jude 1:3</blockquote> <blockquote>But we [Jewish Christians] believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we [Redeemed Jews] __shall be saved__ [Salvation], even as they [previously unredeemed Gentiles]. ~ Acts 15:11</blockquote> **Note:** the Jews are the Redeemed of God [Isaiah 43:1-2, Romans 9:4-5] though their eternal salvation in the Messiah Jesus Christ has been postponed [Romans 11:25] until they are individually in Heaven. The Christian Church and only the Christian Church experiences eternal salvation [John 5:24] while still on earth. **Also Note:** the Jewish, Old Testament salvation involved safety from an immediate danger i.e. deliverance from Egypt. Only the New Testament salvation in Jesus Christ provides eternal life salvation from sin. <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 5 ===== ==== Eve ==== === Eve the faithful and only wife of Adam === **The Fall of Mankind** The loss of earthly redemption-salvation and the beginning of the journey to eternal Heavenly Redemption-Salvation. Adam and Eve were of course involved in one of the most interesting and intriguing events of the Bible - the fall of mankind. <blockquote>And the man [Adam] said, The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that you have done? And the woman said, The Serpent [Satan] misled me, and I did eat. ~ Genesis 3:12-13</blockquote> **Note:** In some of the first events recorded in the Bible regarding mankind God talks first to Adam about eating the forbidden fruit and not to the woman because had God talked to Eve first about what went wrong then probably Eve would have only blamed herself and not Satan as was appropriate for the events that had happened. In the events as they unfolded God purposely spoke first to Adam and then Adam blamed the woman and once blamed the woman then rightfully blamed Satan for the fall of mankind. Had the woman taken the full responsibility for disobeying God, as Satan had planned, it's possible that Redemption-Salvation might not have been offed to mankind and that Adam, the woman and any descendants would have remained dead in sin and separated from God. **Also Note:** Something that everyone needs to know about the human existence is that there is a propensity for us humans to do the wrong thing [sin] and for some even to do an evil thing **and then to shift the blame for the wrong behavior over to someone or something else**. Satan did this blame-shifting in the Garden of Eden when Satan tempted Eve (the woman) to disobey God and then Satan tried to shift the blame and convince Eve that she had disobeyed God by her own choice. After the tempting by Satan and the fall of mankind in Adam and Eve, Adam then in faith named the woman (Eve - the mother of all living) signifying that both Adam and Eve through faith in God are both in Heaven. <blockquote>And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. ~ Genesis 3:20</blockquote> **The Romance of Redemption and Salvation - Explained in the New Testament** <blockquote>Nevertheless death reigned [before, during and after the Levitical Law] from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the embodiment of __Adam's transgression__, [Adam] who [then knowingly sacrificed himself for his wife] is the figure [type] of Him (Jesus Christ) that was to come. ~ Romans 5:14</blockquote> <blockquote>For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And __Adam was not deceived__, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. ~ 1 Timothy 2:13-14</blockquote> The Bible teaches that Adam knowingly understood that in disobeying God it would facilitate his fall yet Adam purposely and knowingly fell in order to join his wife's predicament in the fall. Likewise Jesus purposely took on a body of flesh and blood knowing that He would be rejected and crucified but like Adam also knowing that it was the only way to rescue [Redemption-Salvation] His Bride the Church. <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 6 ===== ==== Emzara ==== === Emzara by some Jewish traditions was the wife of Noah === Noah and his wife had three sons <blockquote>And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah brings forth Shem, Ham, and Japheth. ~ Genesis 5:32</blockquote> <blockquote>And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth. And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood. ~ Genesis 7:5</blockquote> <blockquote>God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples [buildings] made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, seeing He gives to all life, and breath, and all things; And __has made of one blood__ [the sinful blood of Adam] all Nations of men [descended] for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times [of birth] before appointed, and the [location] bounds of their habitation [living]; That they should seek the Lord, if lest by any means they might feel [seek] after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us: For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own [Greek] poets have [already] said, For we are also His offspring [created beings]. ~ Acts 17:24-28</blockquote> **Note:** all of mankind is physically related in Adam and Eve and then again in Noah and his wife. <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 7 ===== ==== Sarah ==== === Sarah the first and favored wife of Abraham === Abraham and Sarah are both descendants of Noah's oldest son Shem. <blockquote>And Abram and [his brother] Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; ... But Sarai was barren; she had no child. And Terah [Abraham's father] took Abram his son, and Lot [his grandson] the son of Haran [Abraham's other brother] his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees [modern - Northern Iraq], to go into the land of Canaan [ancient Judea - modern Israel]; and they came [at first only] unto Haran [in northern Syria], and dwelt there [Acts 7:4]. ~ Genesis 11:29-31</blockquote> <blockquote>Neither shall your name any more be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for a father of many Nations have I made you. ~ Genesis 17:5</blockquote> <blockquote>And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. ~ Genesis 17:15</blockquote> Note: signifying [Revelation 2:17 and Revelation 3:12] their covenant, New Life [Born Again] relationship with God, He changed Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai's name to Sarah by adding the "h" breath of life to each name. <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 8 ===== ==== Rebecca ==== === Rebecca (Rebekah) the wife of Isaac === Rebecca is the granddaughter of Abraham's brother Nahor, her father is Bethuel a son of Nahor. <blockquote>But you [Eliezer of Damascus, Syria - Abraham's trusted servant] shall go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac. ~ Genesis 24:4</blockquote> <blockquote>And it came to pass, before he [Eliezer] had [was] done speaking [praying to God], that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah [his mother], the wife of Nahor [his father], Abraham's brother [note: the family moved from Ur of the Chaldees to Haran and Padan Aram in northern Syria] ... ~ Genesis 24:15</blockquote> <blockquote>And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well. ~ Genesis 24:29</blockquote> <blockquote>And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Will you go with this man? And she said, I will go. ~ Genesis 24:58</blockquote> <blockquote>And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. ~ Genesis 24:67</blockquote> <blockquote>And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham brings forth Isaac: And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan-aram, the sister to Laban the Syrian. ~ Genesis 25:19-20</blockquote> <blockquote>And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padan-aram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother. ~ Genesis 28:5</blockquote> Isaac and Rebecca are the parents of Esau and Jacob <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 9 ===== ==== Rachel and Leah ==== === Rachael the first love of Jacob and second wife while Leah was the first wife of Jacob === Jacob later renamed Israel [Genesis 35:10] is the Father of the 12 Tribes (Patriarchs - families) that comprise the Nation of Israel <blockquote>And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padan-aram; ~ Genesis 28:7</blockquote> <blockquote>And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba [in Canaan - later Judea], and went toward Haran [Genesis 11:31]. ~ Genesis 28:10</blockquote> <blockquote>Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east. ... And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be all of you? And they said, Of Haran are we. And he said unto them, Know all of you Laban the son [grandson] of Nahor? And they said, We know him. And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter comes with the sheep. ~ Genesis 29:1-6</blockquote> <blockquote>And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favored. And Jacob loved Rachel ... Genesis 29:16-18</blockquote> <blockquote>... Now the sons of Jacob were twelve [and at least one daughter, Dinah]: The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah [the line of Jesus Christ], and Issachar, and Zebulun: The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin: And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid [servant]; Dan, and Naphtali: And the sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid [servant]: Gad, and Asher: these are the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in Padan-aram. ~ Genesis 35:22-26</blockquote> <blockquote>Now Israel [Jacob] loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of [Rachel and of] his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors. And when his [eleven] brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. ~ Genesis 37:3-4</blockquote> **New Testament - Rachel and Jacob** <blockquote>Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy (Jeremiah) the Prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. ~ Matthew 2:17-18</blockquote> <blockquote>Then comes He [Jesus] to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar (Shechem), near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with His journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. ~ John 4:5-6</blockquote> <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 10 ===== ==== Tamar, Rahab and Ruth ==== === Tamar the daughter-in-law and accidental mistress of Judah, Rahab and Ruth === Early Gentile wives of the Tribe of Judah; Tamar, Rahab and Ruth. Tamar a Canaanite, Rahab a Canaanite prostitute from the city of Jericho and Ruth a widow from the country of Moab. <blockquote>And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. ~ Genesis 38:6</blockquote> <blockquote>Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, [after the death of his son Er] Remain a widow at your father's house, till Shelah my [other] son be grown: for he said, Lest possibly he die also, as his brethren [older brother Er] did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house. And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his [friends the] sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold your father in law goes up to Timnath to shear his sheep. And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife. When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face. And he turned unto her by the way [the way of prostitution], and said, Go to, I pray you, let me come in unto you; for he knew not that she was his daughter in law. ... ~ Genesis 38:11-16</blockquote> <blockquote>And Judah acknowledged them [his payments for her prostitution], and said, She has been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he had sexual contact with her again no more. And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins [sons - Pharez and Zarah] were in her womb. ~ Genesis 38:26-27</blockquote> <blockquote>And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zarah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul. ~ Genesis 46:12</blockquote> <blockquote>And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she [married Salmon and] dwells in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. ~ Joshua 6:25</blockquote> <blockquote>And Salmon brings forth Boaz of Rahab; and Boaz brings forth Obed of Ruth; and Obed brings forth Jesse; And Jesse brings forth David the King; and David the King brings forth Solomon of her [Bathsheba] that had been the wife of Urias; ~ Matthew 1:5-6</blockquote> <blockquote>Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the [previous] wife of [the deceased] Mahlon, have I [Boaz a descendant of Judah via Pharez] purchased [redeemed] to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate [city gate of Bethlehem] of his place: all of you are witnesses this day. And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that has come into your house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the House of Israel: and do you worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem: And let your House be like the House of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give you of this young woman. ~ Ruth 4:10-12</blockquote> <blockquote>So Boaz [of the Tribe of Judah] took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son. And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which has not left you this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto you a restorer of your life, and a nourisher of your old age: for your daughter in law, which loves you, which is better to you than seven sons, has born him. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of [King] David. ~ Ruth 4:13-17</blockquote> <blockquote>Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez brings forth Hezron, And Hezron brings forth Ram, and Ram brings forth Amminadab, And Amminadab brings forth Nahshon, and Nahshon brings forth Salmon, And Salmon brings forth Boaz, and Boaz brings forth Obed, And Obed brings forth Jesse, and Jesse brings forth [King] David. ~ Ruth 4:18-22</blockquote> <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 11 ===== ==== Asenath ==== === Asenath the Egyptian wife of Joseph === Joseph married Asenath and they had the two children Ephraim and Manasseh whose descendants received an Inheritance from Israel-Jacob in Judea the Promise Land of Israel **Note:** Pharaoh Akhenaten who was very possibly the Egyptian Pharaoh of Joseph's time was known to be a very religious Pharaoh and Joseph was known to be a very religious person so it is interesting that the Pharaoh of the Bible in picking the best wife he could for Joseph chose a religious woman in the daughter of an Egyptian priest. <blockquote>And Pharaoh [probably Pharaoh Akhenaten] called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the [Egyptian] daughter of Potipherah priest of On [possibly Ra the Egyptian sun-God]. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. ~ Genesis 41:45</blockquote> <blockquote>And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh [Tribe of Manasseh]: For God, said he, has made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim [Tribe of Ephraim]: For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. ~ Genesis 41:50-52</blockquote> <blockquote>And now [Joseph] your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto you in the land of Egypt before I [Israel-Jacob] came unto you into Egypt, are mine [for an inheritance]; as Reuben and Simeon [they will receive land in Judea], they shall be mine. And your issue [any later children], which you brought forth after them, shall be yours [not inheriting land in Judea], and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance [note: Joseph didn't have any more children other than Ephraim and Manasseh]. ~ Genesis 48:5-6</blockquote> <blockquote>And Moses gave [had given an] inheritance unto the half tribe of Manasseh: and this was the possession of the half tribe of the Children of Manasseh by their families. ~ Joshua 13:29</blockquote> <blockquote>For the children of Joseph were two Tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites [Tribe of Levi] in the land, save [except in the] cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance. As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land. ~ Joshua 14:4-5</blockquote> <blockquote>So the children [Tribe] of Joseph; Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance. ~ Joshua 16:4</blockquote> <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 12 ===== ==== Zipporah ==== === Zipporah the first wife of Moses of the Tribe of Levi === Zipporah's father Jethro was a Middianite a descendant of Midian who was a son from Abraham's third family with a companion named Keturah. Jethro and his family lived in the ancient land of Midian today encompassed by modern Saudi Arabia. <blockquote>Then again Abraham took a wife (companion) [after his wife Sarah and the Egyptian servant Hagar], and her name was Keturah. And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and **Midian**, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And Jokshan brings forth Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim. And **the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abidah, and Eldaah**. All these were the children of Keturah. __And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac__. But unto the sons of the concubines (companions) [Hagar and Keturah], which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his [only] son [inheritor], while he yet lived, eastward, unto [i.e. Arabia] the east country. ~ Genesis 25:1-6</blockquote> <blockquote>And Moses was content to dwell with the man [Jethro]: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom [and later Eliezer]: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land. ~ Exodus 2:21-22</blockquote> <blockquote>Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the Mountain of God, even to Horeb [Mt. Sinai]. And the Angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And He said, Draw not nigh here: put off your shoes from off your feet, for the place whereon you stand is holy ground. Moreover He said, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. ~ Exodus 3:1-6</blockquote> <blockquote>And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray you, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace. And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought your life. And __Moses took his wife and his sons__, and set them upon an donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand. And the LORD said unto Moses, When you go to return into Egypt, see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in your hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go. And you shall say unto Pharaoh, Thus says the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: And I say unto you, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if you refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay your son, even your firstborn. And it came to pass by the way in the inn [the sleeping tent], that the LORD met him [Moses], and sought to kill him. Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband are you to me. So He let him go: then she said, A bloody husband you are, because of the circumcision. ~ Exodus 4:18-26</blockquote> <blockquote>When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt; Then Jethro, Moses' father in law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back, And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an foreigner in a strange land: And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh: And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the Mount of God [Mt. Sinai]: And he said unto Moses, I your father in law Jethro am come unto you, and your wife, and her two sons with her. And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did reverence, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent. ~ Exodus 18:1-7</blockquote> **Note:** During the difficult time of slavery in Egypt the Children of Israel had stopped observing the covenant of circumcision that God had established with Abraham. Moses was sent by God to go back to Egypt to get the Children of God back in order with God and to get them out of the land of Egypt. Though Moses was on his way to set right the Children of God he had not yet set his own house right with God and it caused Moses to have an almost deadly encounter with God along the way. Apparently in jeopardy with God and quickly needing to perform the circumcisions Moses' wife Zipporah stepped in and circumcised one of their two sons while Moses circumcised the other. Sometime after the event Moses sent Zipporah and their two sons back to her father Jethro. Later after the Children of God were safely out of Egypt and at Mt. Sinai then Jethro hearing the news brought Zipporah and the two sons back to be reconciled with Moses. <blockquote>Now concerning Moses the man of God, his sons were named of the tribe of Levi. The sons of Moses were, Gershom, and Eliezer. Of the sons of Gershom, Shebuel was the chief. And the sons of Eliezer were, Rehabiah the chief. And Eliezer had no other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many. ~ 1 Chronicles 23:14-17</blockquote> <blockquote>And Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was __ruler of the Treasures__. And his brethren by Eliezer; Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son. Which Shelomith and his brethren were over all the Treasures of the dedicated things, which David the King, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated [to the Levitical Priesthood]. Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the House of the LORD. ~ 1 Chronicles 26:24-27</blockquote> <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 13 ===== ==== Ahinoam ==== === Ahinoam the wife of King Saul === King Saul (lit. asked for) was the first of the three human Kings over an undivided Israel. <blockquote>And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle. ~ 1 Samuel 14:50</blockquote> <blockquote>Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, No; but we will have a King over us; That we also may be like all the [Gentile] Nations; and that our King may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. ~ 1 Samuel 8:19-20</blockquote> <blockquote>And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that all of you said unto me, and have made a King over you. ~ 1 Samuel 12:1</blockquote> King Saul [a type of Satan] orders the Killing of all the Levitical Priests at Nob and then the destruction of the city of Nob. <blockquote>And the King said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD: because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not show it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD. And the king said to Doeg, Turn you, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod. And Nob, the city of the priests, stroke he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and infants, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword. And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David. And Abiathar showed David that Saul had slain the LORD's priests. ~ 1 Samuel 22:17-21</blockquote> <blockquote>Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchishua, Saul's sons. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers. Then said Saul unto his armour bearer, Draw your sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armour bearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. And when his armour bearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him. So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armour bearer, and all his men, that same day together. ~ 1 Samuel 31:1-6</blockquote> **Note:** King Saul due to his actions and abilities is presented in the Bible as a type of Satan ruling over the people. It's interesting that the people rejected the leadership and rule of God over their country and in asking for a worldly leader to serve them they unknowingly received Satan as their ruler. <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 14 ===== ==== Bathsheba ==== === Bathsheba the last of King David's eight wives === King David was the second of the three human Kings over an undivided Israel. King David (lit. beloved) is a type of the Messiah Jesus Christ. **The Eight Wives of King David** Merab - not a wife - Kings Saul's oldest daughter offered to David but then deceitfully given as a wife to Adriel (1 Samuel 18:17).\\ Michal - a daughter of King Saul - later divorced - no children with King David (1 Samuel 18:27).\\ Ahinoam - from Jezreel a Jezreelitess (2 Samuel 3:2).\\ Abigail - a type of the Christian Church (1 Samuel 25:23-35) - from Carmel a Carmelitess (2 Samuel 3:3).\\ Maacah - a political marriage - a daughter of Talmai, King of Geshur (2 Samuel 3:3).\\ Haggith - (2 Samuel 3:4).\\ Abital - (1 Chronicles 3:3).\\ Eglah - (2 Samuel 3:5).\\ Bathsheba - the mother of Nathan [line of Jesus via Mary] and King Solomon (1 Chronicles 3:5). <blockquote>And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when Kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel [to war]; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried [stayed] still at Jerusalem. And it came to pass in an evening-time, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the King's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child. ~ 2 Samuel 11:1-5</blockquote> The first child of David and Bathsheba dies in infancy. <blockquote>And David said unto Nathan [the Prophet], I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto you shall surely die. ~ 2 Samuel 12:14</blockquote> <blockquote>And these were born unto him [King David] in Jerusalem; Shimea (Shammua), and Shobab, and Nathan [line of Jesus Christ via Mary - Luke 3:31], and [King] Solomon [line of Joseph the husband of Mary - Matthew 1:6], four, of Bathshua (Bathsheba) the daughter of Ammiel: ~ 1 Chronicles 3:5</blockquote> <blockquote>Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of **Nathan**, which was the son of [King] David, ~ Luke 3:31</blockquote> <blockquote>And Jesse brings forth David the King; and David the King brings forth [King] Solomon of her [Bathsheba] that had been the wife of Urias; ~ Matthew 1:6</blockquote> **Note:** it is King David's Throne [through the line of Nathan up until Mary] that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) will restore and reign from during the Millennial Reign of Christ. <blockquote>And after they [1st Church Council of Jerusalem] had held their peace, James [who later wrote the Book of James] answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon [Apostle Peter] has declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His Name. And to this agree the Words of the [O.T.] Prophets; as it is written, After this [Christian Church Age] I [Jesus Christ] will return [2nd Coming], and will build again the Tabernacle [Throne] of [King] David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: ~ Acts 15:13-16</blockquote> <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 15 ===== ==== Pharaoh's Daughter ==== === King Solomon's first wife a daughter of Pharaoh === King Solomon was the third and final of the three human Kings over an undivided Israel. King Solomon (lit. peaceable - i.e. a false peace) is a type of the coming Antichrist. **King Solomon brings Egypt back into Israel** <blockquote>And [King] Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh King of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the City of David [Jerusalem], until he had made an end of building his own house [first], and the House of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about. Only the people [wrongly] sacrificed in high places, because there was no House [Temple] built unto the Name of the LORD, until those days. ~ 1 King 3:1-2</blockquote> The Building of Solomon's Temple <blockquote>... So was he seven years in building it [Solomon's Temple]. .. But Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house. ~ 1 Kings 6:38-7:1</blockquote> **King Solomon's Antichrist Wealth and Antichrist Fame** <blockquote>Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore (60) and six talents [666] of gold, Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the trade of the spice merchants, and of all the Kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country. ~ 1 Kings 10:14-15</blockquote> <blockquote>Moreover the King [Solomon] made a great Throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold. The Throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays. And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom. ~ 1 Kings 10:18-20</blockquote> <blockquote>And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. ~ 1 Kings 4:30</blockquote> King Solomon Deceives Hiram the King of Tyre <blockquote>And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, when Solomon had built the two houses, the House of the LORD [Solomon's Temple], and the King's [palace] house, Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire, that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee. And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not. ~ 1 Kings 9:10-12</blockquote> The Death and Aftermath of King Solomon <blockquote>And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David [Jerusalem] his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his position. ~ 1 Kings 11:42-43</blockquote> <blockquote>And [at the start of king Rehoboam's reign, the Kingdom of Israel split into two parts a Northern Kingdom (Israel - Samaria) and a Southern Kingdom (Judah - Jerusalem)] Rehoboam [a son of King Solomon and Naamah] slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the City of David [Jerusalem]. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess. And Abijam his son reigned [as King of Judah, Southern Israel] in his position. ~ 1 Kings 14:31</blockquote> **Jesus Christ Responds to the Worldly Kingdom of Solomon** <blockquote>And yet I (Jesus Christ) say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these [lilies of the field - i.e. the resurrection body - 1 Corinthians 15:38-42]. ~ Matthew 6:29</blockquote> <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 16 ===== ==== Salvation and Redemption ==== === The Hope of Salvation and Final Eternal Redemption === **Salvation in the Presence of God** <blockquote>As it is written [Isaiah 40:3] in the book of the words of Isaiah the Prophet, saying, The voice of one [John the Baptist] crying in the wilderness, Prepare all of you the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see [Jesus Christ] the Salvation of God. ~ Luke 3:4-6</blockquote> <blockquote>Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. ~ Acts 4:12</blockquote> **Final Eternal Redemption** <blockquote>And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your [End Time - Tribulation Saints] **redemption** draws nigh. ~ Luke 21:25-28</blockquote> <blockquote>And not only they [creation], but ourselves also, which have the [Born Again] first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting (lit. attentively and patiently) for the adoption, to know, the redemption of our body. ~ Romans 8:23</blockquote> <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 17 ===== ==== Zacharias ==== === Zacharias a Levitical Priest and the Father of John the Baptist === The days of the Roman King Herod in Israel <blockquote>There was in the days of [the Roman King] Herod, the King of Judaea, a certain [Levitical] Priest named Zacharias, of the course [scheduled family] of Abia [probably the OT **Hashabiah** - Nehemiah 10:11]: and his wife [Elisabeth] was of the [Tribe of Levi] daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth [seemingly a cousin of Mary's Mother - i.e. Mary's Mother's Aunt had left the Tribe of Judah in marriage to a Levitical Priest]. ~ Luke 1:5</blockquote> The list of the Sealed Levitical Priests of the Jewish Exiles who returned from Babylon. <blockquote>And because of all this [even though all the sins of Israel] we make a sure covenant [acknowledging that Messiah (Jesus Christ) would still come to Israel], and write it; and our princes [Kings], Levites [Priests], and priests [i.e. Prophets], seal unto it. Now those that sealed were, Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah, Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, Pashur, Amariah, Malchijah, Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch, Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah: these were the Priests. And the Levites: both Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel; And their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, Micha, Rehob, **Hashabiah**, ... And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims [Temple assistants], and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, everyone having knowledge, and having understanding; They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and His judgments and His statutes; ~ Nehemiah 9:38-10:29</blockquote> **Zechariah's Prophecy - The Benedictus** <blockquote>And his [John the Baptist's] father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; __for He has visited and redeemed His people__, And has raised up an horn of **Salvation for us** in the House [Tribe] of His servant [King] David; As He spoke by the mouth of His holy Prophets, which have been since the world began: That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His Holy Covenant; The oath which He swore to our father Abraham, That He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And you, child [John the Baptist], shall be called the Prophet of the Highest: for you shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Dayspring from on High has visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. -- And the child grew, and grew strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing [Priestly baptism (washing with water) - at 30 years of age] unto Israel. ~ Luke 1:67-80</blockquote> <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 18 ===== ==== Simeon ==== === Simeon a Temple Prophet in Jerusalem === Simeon - Promised to see the Lord's Christ <blockquote>And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation [comfort] of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. ~ Luke 2:25-26</blockquote> Simeon's Testimony and Prophecy <blockquote>And he [Simeon] came by the Spirit into the Temple: and when the parents [Mary and Joseph] brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the [Levitical] Law, Then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now let you your servant depart in peace, according to your word: For __mine eyes have seen Your Salvation__, Which You have prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the Glory of your [Jewish] people Israel. And Joseph and His mother [Mary] marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His mother, Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; Yes, a sword shall pierce [at the cross] through your own soul also, that [judgment through] the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. ~ Luke 2:27-35</blockquote> <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 19 ===== ==== Anna ==== === Anna a Temple Prophetess in Jerusalem === Anna a prophetess from the Jewish Tribe of Asher <blockquote>And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the Tribe of Aser (Asher - Genesis 35:26): she was of a great age, and had lived [married] with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years [64 years], which departed not from the Temple [in Jerusalem], but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. ~ Luke 2:36-37</blockquote> Anna's Testimony of the Messiah <blockquote>And she coming [to the Temple area] in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spoke of Him [Jesus] to all them that looked for __redemption in Jerusalem__. And when they [Joseph and Mary] had performed all things according to the [Levitical] Law of the Lord, they returned [after being in Egypt] into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the Child grew, and grew strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him. ~ Luke 2:38-40</blockquote> <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 20 ===== ==== Mary ==== === Mary the Mother of Jesus === The Genealogies of Joseph and Mary <blockquote>... And Jacob brings forth Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom [Mary] was born Jesus, Who is called Christ. ~ Matthew 1:16</blockquote> <blockquote>And Jesus Himself began to be about thirty years of age [when He began His earthly (Melchizedek Priesthood) Ministry], being as was supposed [though by the people to be] the son of Joseph, which [Jesus] was [via Mary] the son [Grandson] of Heli, ... which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of [King] David, ~ Luke 3:23</blockquote> **Mary's Song of Praise to God - The Magnificat** <blockquote>And Mary said, My soul does magnify the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty has done to me great things; and Holy is His Name. And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation. He has showed strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He has sent empty away. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever. ~ Luke 1:46-55</blockquote> Mary at the Cross of Jesus Christ <blockquote>Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother [Mary], and his mother's sister [unnamed], Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. ~ John 19:25</blockquote> Mary in the Upper Room with the Apostles <blockquote>These [Apostles] all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. ~ Acts 1:14</blockquote> <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 21 ===== ==== Christian Church ==== === The Christian Church the Bride of Jesus Christ === The Christian Church in allegory, example only of a close personal relationship, is the Bride of Jesus Christ but not physically or literally. <blockquote>... Holy Father, keep through your own Name those [Christians] whom You have given Me (Jesus Christ), that they [Christians] may be one, as We [Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit] are. ~ John 17:11</blockquote> <blockquote>Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same [Holy] Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord [Jesus Christ]. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God [Father God] which works all in all. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:4-6</blockquote> <blockquote>And when all things shall be subdued unto Him [Jesus], then shall the Son [Jesus Christ] also Himself be subject unto Him [Father God] that put all things under Him, that God may be [a unified Kingdom] all in all. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:28</blockquote> <blockquote>So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord [Loves] the Church: ~ Ephesians 5:28-29</blockquote> <blockquote>Wherefore, my brethren, all of you [Christians] also are become dead to the [Levitical] Law by the body [death - cross] of Christ; that all of you should be married [no longer to the Law] to another [Jesus Christ], even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. ~ Romans 7:4</blockquote> <blockquote>No man can come to Me [Jesus Christ], except the Father which has sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. ~ John 5:44</blockquote> **Note:** notice that it is Father God and the Holy Spirit during the Christian Church Age that are gathering the Bride [Church - Congregation] for Jesus Christ. <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 22 ===== ==== Jewish Church ==== === The Jewish Church is the Bride of God the Father === The Jewish Church in allegory, example only of a close personal relationship, is the Bride of God the Father but not physically or literally. <blockquote>For your Maker is your husband; the LORD of Hosts is His Name; and your Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall He be called. For the LORD has called you as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when you were refused, says your God. For a small moment have I forsaken you; but with great mercies will I gather you. In a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on you, says the LORD your Redeemer. ~ Isaiah 54:5-8</blockquote> <blockquote>Turn, O backsliding children, says the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion [cross and resurrection]: And I will give you pastors according to Mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. And it shall come to pass, when all of you be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, says the LORD, they shall say no more, The Ark of the Covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that [Levitical] be done any more. At that time [Millennial Reign] they shall call Jerusalem the Throne of the LORD; and all the Nations shall be gathered unto it, to the Name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart. In those days the House of Judah shall walk with the House of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers. ~ Jeremiah 3:14-18</blockquote> <blockquote>And the LORD [pre-incarnate Jesus Christ] went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way [to the Promise Land]; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. ~ Exodus 13:21-22</blockquote> <blockquote>Moreover, brethren, I [Apostle Paul] would not that all of you should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the [Red] Sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the Sea; And did all eat the same spiritual food [Manna]; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that Spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was [Jesus] Christ. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:1-4</blockquote> **Note:** notice that it is the pre-incarnate Jesus [and your Redeemer] and the early work of the Holy Spirit during the Jewish Church Age Who are gathering the Bride [Church - Congregation] for God the Father. <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 23 ===== ==== Church of The Martyred Saints of Revelation ==== === The Church of The Martyred Saints of Revelation is the Bride of the Holy Spirit === The Martyred Saints of Revelation Church in allegory, example only of a close personal relationship, is the Bride of God the Holy Spirit but not physically or literally. <blockquote>And it shall come to pass in the Last Days, saith God, I will pour out of My [Holy] Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And [after the Christian Church Age] I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: The sun [during the Great Tribulation] shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass [through it all], that whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved. ~ Acts 2:17-21</blockquote> <blockquote>Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. ~ Revelation 14:12-13</blockquote> <blockquote>And I saw a New Heaven and a New Earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, [in allegory] __prepared as a bride adorned for her Husband__. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them [all dispensations - i.e. The Christian Church, The Jewish Church, The Church of The Martyred Saints of Revelation, 1440,00, etc.], and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the Throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these Words are True and Faithful. ~ Revelation 21:1-5</blockquote> <blockquote>And one of the elders says unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the Tribe of Juda [Judah], the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. ~ Revelation 5:5</blockquote> <blockquote>And when He [Jesus] had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them [The Martyred Saints of Revelation] that were slain for the Word of God, and for the Testimony [of Jesus Christ] which they held: ~ Revelation 6:9</blockquote> **Note:** notice that it is Jesus Christ during the Tribulation and Great Tribulation that is opening the seals and gathering the Bride [Church - Congregation] for the Holy Spirit. <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 24 ===== ==== Claudia, Drusilla and Bernice ==== === The Roman women; Claudia and the sisters Drusilla and Bernice of the Herodian Dynasty === **Pontius Pilate and Claudia** Saint Claudia - also spelled Proculla or Procla <blockquote>Therefore when they were gathered together, [Pontius] Pilate said unto them, Whom will all of you that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered Him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife [Claudia - according to Church tradition] sent unto him, saying, Have you nothing to do with that Just Man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him. ~ Matthew 27:17-19</blockquote> **Antonius Felix and Drusilla** Drusilla (born 38 AD - died 25 August 79 AD) was a daughter of Herod Agrippa I [Matthew 2:1] and sister to Berenice, Mariamne and [King] Herod (Marcus Julius) Agrippa II [Acts 25:13]. - wiki.com <blockquote>So the Chief Captain [of the Roman Guard in Jerusalem - Claudius Lysias] then let the young man [the Apostle Paul's nephew] depart, and charged him, See you tell no man that you have showed these [the planned assassination attempt on Paul's life] things to me. And he called unto him two [Roman] Centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul [the Apostle] on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. And he wrote a letter after this manner: Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent Governor Felix sends greeting. ... ~ Acts 23:22-26</blockquote> <blockquote>Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them [by the Chief Captain Claudius Lysias], took [the Apostle] Paul, and brought him by night to [the city of] Antipatris. On the next day they [the 200 infantry soldiers] left the horsemen [cavalry] to go with him, and [the 200 infantry soldiers] returned to the castle [in Jerusalem]: Who, when they [the horsemen - cavalry] came to Caesarea and delivered the epistle [letter from Claudius Lysias] to the Governor [Felix], presented Paul also before him. And when the Governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was [from]. And when he understood that he [Paul] was of Cilicia [the city of Tarsus in Cilicia]; I will hear you, said he, when your accusers are also come [from Jerusalem]. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall. ~ Acts 23:31-35</blockquote> <blockquote>And when Felix [Governor Marcus Antonius Felix a Roman and a Pagan] heard these things, having [desiring a] more complete [perception] knowledge of That Way [Christianity], he deferred [delayed] them, and said, When Lysias the Chief Captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. And he commanded a Centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. ~ Acts 24:22-23</blockquote> <blockquote>And after certain days, when Felix came [back] with his [Jewish] wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he [Apostle Paul] reasoned of righteousness, wilful restrain, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go your way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for you. He [Felix] hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. But after two years [Procurator] Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. ~ Acts 24:24-27</blockquote> Note: Felix's cruelty and licentiousness, coupled with his accessibility to bribes (see Book of Acts 24:26), led to a great increase of crime in Judaea. The period of his rule was marked by internal feuds and disturbances, which he put down with severity. - wiki.com **King Herod Agrippa II and his sister Bernice (Berenice)** Governor Felix is replaced by Governor Festus about two years after Paul's arrival <blockquote>And after certain days King Agrippa [Herod Marcus Julius Agrippa II] and Bernice [his sister] came unto Caesarea to salute Festus. ~ Acts 25:13</blockquote> Note: Berenice of Cilicia (28 AD – ?), also known as Julia Berenice and sometimes spelled Bernice, was a Jewish client queen of the Roman Empire during the second half of the 1st century [Acts 25:13]. - wiki.com Also Note: [King Herod Agrippa II] had a great [friendship] with the [Jewish] historian Josephus, having supplied him with information for his history, Antiquities of the Jews. Josephus preserved two of the letters he received from him. - wiki.com <blockquote>And after certain days King Agrippa and [his sister] Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus. And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have license to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. Therefore, when they were come here, without any delay on the next day I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth. Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of [Caesar Nero] Augustus [Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus], I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar [Nero]. Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. Tomorrow, said he, you shall hear him. And on the next day, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth. And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, all of you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself has appealed to [Caesar Nero] Augustus, I have determined to send him. ~ Acts 25:13-25</blockquote> <blockquote>And when he [Apostle Paul] had thus spoken, the King [Agrippa] rose up, and the Governor [Festus], and Bernice, and they that sat with them: And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar. ~ Acts 26:30-32</blockquote> **Note:** the Caesar the Apostle Paul appealed to was Caesar Nero (Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus) who was the sixth and last of the Roman Caesars he reigned from October 13, 54 AD to June 9, 68 AD. **Also Note:** The six Roman Caesars (Julius Caesar, Augustus [Luke 2:1], Tiberius [Luke 3:1, John 6:1], Caligula, Claudius [Acts 11:28] and Nero [Acts 25:21]) were followed later by the many Revised-Rome, Roman Emperors i.e. Emperor Constantine who reigned on and off from 312 AD to 337 AD. <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 25 ===== ==== The Wives of Peter, John and Paul ==== === The Wives of the Apostles; Peter, John and Paul === **Apostle Peter** <blockquote>And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. ~ Matthew 8:14-15</blockquote> <blockquote>Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed You. And He [Jesus] said unto them, Assuredly I say unto you, There is no man that has left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the Kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. ~ Luke 18:28-30</blockquote> Note: those who remain with their spouses and obligations are going to get the greater reward. Also Note: there are some later Church Traditions regarding the wife of the Apostle Peter but they seem to be unsubstantiated. **Apostle John** The Apostle John became a Disciple of Jesus at a very young age and is considered by Church History to never have married. <blockquote>Again the next day after John [the Baptist] stood, and two of his disciples [the Disciples John and Andrew]; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he says, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. ~ John 1:35-37</blockquote> **Apostle Paul** <blockquote>I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. ~ 1 Corinthians 7:8</blockquote> <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 26 ===== ==== Unnamed Helpers ==== === Wives and Helpers Unnamed in the Bible === We noticed that Noah's wife, Mary's sister and the Apostle Peter's wife are all unnamed in the Scriptures of the Bible. **The Holy Spirit - The Unnamed Helper and Comforter** <blockquote>And I [Jesus] will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter [the Holy Spirit], that He may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, neither knows Him: but all of you [Christians] know Him [but not by Name]; for He dwells with you, and shall be [after the Resurrection of Jesus] in you. ~ John 14:16-17</blockquote> Temporarily being unnamed in the Bible - all receive a new name in Heaven, can be a compliment in fact the unnamed people of the Bible often represent a type of the Holy Spirit. Noah's wife, Mary's sister and the Apostle Peter's wife must have all been a great source of strength, comfort and rest for them as they each dealt with and endured the tremendous burdens brought on by their ministries. <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 27 ===== ==== Christianity the Sibling of Judaism ==== === Christianity is The Younger Sibling of Judaism === The Marriage of God the Father to the Nation of Israel has in a sense brought forth the Christian Church as The younger sibling Bride in the marriage to Jesus Christ. <blockquote>All of you [us Gentiles] worship all of you know not what: we [Jews] know what we Worship: for Salvation is of the Jews. ~ John 4:22</blockquote> **Note:** in that Christianity was birthed through Judaism, we Christians do owe a debt of gratitude to Judaism. Christianity “The Way” has always been a subset of Judaism and for the most part will always be a “Sect” of Judaism. <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html> ===== February 28 ===== ==== The Spirit and the Bride ==== === Both the Spirit and the Bride offer the same Invitation === The Bride has an eternal part in the eternal Kingdom of God. <blockquote>And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come [enter into Heaven]. And let him [disciple] that hears say, Come. And let him that is thirsty come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of [eternal] life freely. ~ Revelation 22:17</blockquote> <html><center>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </center></html>
