#Prophetic messages and calamities

[mindfulldsliving]

Apostolic Authority and the Role of Prophets: A Scriptural Perspective on the Restored Gospel

The Restored Gospel is centered on God’s unwavering love and His desire to guide His children. From ancient times to today, prophets have been essential in delivering that divine guidance. Apostolic authority, deeply rooted in scripture, serves as a bridge connecting humanity to God’s will. This blog explores how prophetic teachings and sacred texts illuminate the restored truths we hold dear…

[uma1ra]

On the authority of Umm Salama (رضى الله عنها) who reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: “If any Muslim who suffers some calamity says what Allah has commanded him,

إِنَّا لِله وإنَّا إلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ، اللَّهُمَّ أجُرْنِي فِي مُصِيْبَتي، وأخْلِفْ لِي خَيْراً مِنْهَا

Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. Allahumma-jurni fi musibati, wa akhlif li khairan minha

We belong to Allah and to Him shall we return; O Allah, reward me for my affliction and give me something better than it in exchange for it,

Allah will give him something better than it in exchange. When Abu Salama died she said: What Muslim is better than Abu Salama whose family was the first to emigrate to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). I then said the words, and Allah gave me God’s Messenger (ﷺ) in exchange. She said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent Hatib b. Abu Balta’a to deliver me the message of marriage with him. I said to him: I have a daughter (as my dependant) and I am of jealous temperament. He (the Prophet) said: “So far as her daughter is concerned, we would supplicate Allah, that He may free her (of her responsibility) and I would also supplicate Allah to do away with (her) jealous (temperament).” [Sahih Muslim 918]

[pen-and-umbra]

Compilation spoilers below.

As the party delves deeper into the Temple of the Ancients, a vision of Sephiroth delivers a cryptic speech:

(“My fragmented mother, these errant worlds… All shall be one again.”)

“My fragmented mother” is a very deliberate choice of words. While the OG story touched on Jenova's fragmentation while dealing with the subject of Reunion, the plotbeats focused on Sephiroth and his failed copies rather than the creature itself. As the story unfolds, Cloud kills or severely injures Sephiroth during the Nibelheim mission, leading him to utilize clones and Jenova's remains after emerging at the Northern Crater in order to repair his maimed body. The same Ultimania Omega relayed that developers once thought about a scene where Sephiroth was revealed to have a Jenovaesque lower half. (The concept was eventually scrapped, but it would have added an even more grotesque element to Sephiroth's already terrifying being.)

(“It shall encompass worlds unbound by fate and histories unwritten. <...> My dominion shall reach into infinity”)

However, the Remake implies that the Reunion serves a different purpose. Or, more accurately, Sephiroth refers to a distinct event—the merging of worlds—as Reunion. According to Sephiroth's cryptic message, this is yet another foray into “godhood”. Not too unlike Ultimecia’s time compression, Sephiroth allegedly plans to join all the timelines into one to achieve “infinity/forever”. And yet, what does it have to do with “his fragmented mother”?

(“All made whole.”)

What if the true purpose of Remake's Reunion is not about “infinity” per se but about the “whole” part?

From the perspective of the OG, we are led to believe that the gathering of failed copies is the result of Sephiroth's will. However, Cetra's hologram delivers an interesting warning as the party traverses through the Temple of Ancients.

(“Heed well to our warning of that which is to come…<...> The reunion. When our adversary's scattered malignancy shall converge to plague the Planet once more.”)

The Cetra allegedly referred to Jenova's own inherent ability to reassemble its pieces (“Reunion”), whether conscious or unconscious. Unless the message was purely prophetic in nature, the statement presupposes that Jenova's body was already dispersed during the era of the Cetra, predating ShinRA's R&D department's experiments with alien cell injections. The Temple of Ancients narrates a gripping tale of Cetra's battle against the calamity-from-the-skies, with significant casualties suggesting a lasting conflict rather than a singular encounter.

Thus, it is possible that Jenova sustained injuries and lost some of its biologics before Cetra managed to seal it. Alternatively, fearing Jenova's reunification, the Cetran people may have “scattered” the creature in some way in order to hamper its resurrection. Whatever the case, at the end of the day, Jenova at the Nibelheim reactor appears incomplete or misshapen, missing a wing, and apparently suspended midway between morphing into a humanoid.

If the message is interpreted as a prophecy about the future, it demonstrates Cetran's extraordinary augury ability. However, assuming their knowledge of the future is precise, they never mention a different agent (Sephiroth), instead referring to their “celestial adversary” as the enemy who will plague the planet once more.

Anyway, spool forward, and in the age of ShinRA, the likes of Hollander and Hojo kept experimenting with Jenova's organic material, further disseminating alien cells. Several of its hosts have died. That includes both humans (Angeal or Gillian, for example) and monstrosities infused with J-cells that our party encounters (both organic and mechanical). While it is hard to estimate how many test subjects died during the course of the Jenova/SOLDIER Project, we can suppose that quite a number. It is currently unclear what happens to Jenova cells after the host dies; several instances appear to be convoluted (Angeal's mother allegedly dies alongside alien material, but Lucrecia claims that Jenova cells keep her alive). Let's assume that J-cells usually die with the host. As a result, an uncertain amount of organic material is missing from Jenova's body and will not make it to Reunion.

When combined with the Ancients' reference to “scattered” essence, Sephiroth's words about his fragmented mother make a lot more sense in the context of worlds merging. What if the primary aim of unchaining timelines was to acquire unattainable fragments of Jenova from hosts that are deceased within the primary timeline? Destiny's Crossroads, as a singularity of some kind, appears to be linked to all points in time and space. As a result of destroying Harbinger, our party is likely to have had an impact on PAST events (Zack's Last Stand). As a consequence, Zack lived. What if Jenovaroth's true goal is to alter branching timelines so that as many J-cell hosts as possible survive to converge at Northern Crater? Bringing scattered Jenova fragments across time and space to resurrect the entire entity and restore its power? The consequences of such a plan could indeed be disastrous.

Examining the issue from this perspective raises the question of who is truly in control and what kind of being will emerge after Reunion has run its course. It also raises the question of whether there are other ancient “deposits” of Jenova's organic material left from the Cetran War, if the warning in the Temple of Ancients was NOT a prophecy about ShinRA era.

👋 @pen-and-umbra

[yieldfruit]

Concerning modern-day "prophets" who just say what you wish to hear, who desire to tickle your ears and to satiate your hunger for a revelation from God/“encounter” with God (I.E., Bethel/Hillsong/Steven Furtick/Joel Osteen/Joyce Meyers...the plethora of self-help worship disguised as a biblical message) but do not speak on denying one's self, repentance/turning from sin, turning to the Lord and following Him in Spirit and in truth (biblical truth, not emotional-feels based on songs mean to hype up and cherry-picked verses while denying the whole counsel of God). "For the time will come [has come?] when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires." 2 Timothy 4:3–

"Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; They speak a vision of their own imagination, Not from the mouth of the LORD.

They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The LORD has said,' 'You will have peace'; and as for everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, They say, ‘Calamity will not come upon you.’

But who has stood in the council of the LORD, that he should see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and listened?

I did not send these prophets, but they ran. I did not speak to them, but they prophesied. But if they had stood in My council, then they would have announced My words to My people, and would have turned them back from their evil way and from the evil of their deeds." Jeremiah 23:16-18, 21-22, emphasis added

Stick to the Word of God, the Bible, to detect the false "prophets" who are in it for a buck/their own desire for a platform/gluttonous need to be needed by others.

[antiochianorthodoxcumberlandmd]

Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Tuesday, May 06, 2025

Feasts and Saints celebrated today:

3rd Tuesday after Pascha

Job the Prophet

Our Holy Father Seraphim the Struggler of Mt. Domvu

Sophia of Kleisoura

Readings for today:

Acts of the Apostles 8:5-17

John 6:27-33

3rd Tuesday after Pascha

The content on this page is under copyright and is used by permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, in print or on other websites or in any other form, without the prior written authorization of the copyright holder:

Job the Prophet

Reading from the Synaxarion:

This faithful servant of God, the most perfect icon of all virtue, and especially of patience, was the son of Zare and Bosorra, and was the fifth from Abraham. He was true, blameless, just, devout, and abstained from every evil thing. He was very wealthy and blessed by God in all things, as was none other of the inhabitants of the land of Ausis, his homeland, which lies between Idumea and Arabia. But by divine permission, that he might be tried, he was suddenly deprived of his children, wealth, glory, and every consolation, and was covered with grievous sores over all his body. Some say that he endured courageously in this unparalleled calamity for seven whole years. Then, by divine blessing, he was restored again to a prosperity even more illustrious than the first. Having lived after his affliction for 170 years, he reposed full of days at the age of 240, in the year 1350 B.C. Others say that his affliction lasted only one year, and that he lived thereafter 140 years, living 21 0 years altogether.

Apolytikion of Prophet Job in the First Tone

On beholding the riches of Job's virtues, the enemy of the righteous contrived to despoil them; and though he cast down the tower of the Saint's body, he could not plunder the wealth of his spirit, for he found the soul of that blameless one to be fully armed; but as for me, he hath stripped me and led me captive away. Hasten, then, before the end, rescue me from the wily one, O Saviour, and save me.

Kontakion of Prophet Job in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

Thou wast shown forth as blameless, true, God-fearing, just, and sanctified, O thou much-suffering Prophet, all-glorious servant of God, most righteous Job; by thy valiant endurance and thy patience thou gavest instruction to the world. For this cause we all honour and praise thine all-holy memory.

The content on this page is under copyright and is used by permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, in print or on other websites or in any other form, without the prior written authorization of the copyright holder:

Reading (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA

Apolytikion of Prophet Job (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA

Kontakion of Prophet Job (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA

Our Holy Father Seraphim the Struggler of Mt. Domvu

The content on this page is under copyright and is used by permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, in print or on other websites or in any other form, without the prior written authorization of the copyright holder:

Prayer Before Reading Scripture

Shine within our hearts, loving Master, the pure light of Your divine knowledge and open the eyes of our minds that we may comprehend the message of Your Gospel. Instill in us also reverence for Your blessed commandments, so that having conquered all sinful desires, we may pursue a spiritual life, thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to You. For You, Christ our God, are the light of our souls and bodies, and to You we give glory together with Your Father who is without beginning and Your all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Epistle Reading

The Reading is from Acts of the Apostles 8:5-17

In those days, Philip went down to a city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he did. For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in the city.

But there was a man named Simon who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the nation of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all gave heed to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is that power of God which is called Great." And they gave heed to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

Gospel Reading

The Reading is from the Gospel According to John 6:27-33

The Lord said to the Jews who came to him: "Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal." Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." So they said to him, "Then what sign do you do, that we may see, and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

[wutbju]

Since Hurricane Helene ravaged Western North Carolina and the Upstate of South Carolina, BJU-orbit Mount Calvary Baptist Church added this little gem to their outdoor sign:

If a calamity occurs in the city, has not Lord done it? Amos 3:6b

The choice prompted some questions. A church elder confirmed that this was intended to be directed to Asheville specifically -- not Greenville -- because Asheville is a "sinful city."

Mount Calvary elders, have you actually read the whole chapter? Here is the first part in the Message so that no one is confused:

Listen to this, Israel. God is calling you to account—and I mean all of you, everyone connected with the family that he delivered out of Egypt. Listen! 2 “Out of all the families on earth,     I picked you. Therefore, because of your special calling,     I’m holding you responsible for all your sins.” 3-7 Do two people walk hand in hand     if they aren’t going to the same place? Does a lion roar in the forest     if there’s no carcass to devour? Does a young lion growl with pleasure     if he hasn’t caught his supper? Does a bird fall to the ground     if it hasn’t been hit with a stone? Does a trap spring shut     if nothing trips it? When the alarm goes off in the city,     aren’t people alarmed? And when disaster strikes the city,     doesn’t God stand behind it? The fact is, God, the Master, does nothing     without first telling his prophets the whole story. 8 The lion has roared—     who isn’t frightened? God has spoken—     what prophet can keep quiet?

God is talking to His own people! This is directed not to people "out there," but to you right here. Did you drive around town? Did you see the destruction?

Amos is talking about when we, God's people, are out of alignment with His justice. We. Not them. Us.

Shame on you. Shame, shame, shame.

[lynxalon]

i'm watching exu: calamity for the third fucking time and i am once again absolutely insane about these fucking characters. laerryn coramar-seelie and loquatius seelie. their whole fucking divorced-in-love mess. zerxus ilerez and his damn prophetic visions. babe what horrors do u dream of now? patia motherfucking por'co. her memory loss payroll. her list of .. "friends with bad memory" . that was fucking crazy to hear the first time and on the third i'm still reeling. nydas okiro, i cant even begin with him . he was a pirate. he lived what could only be a pirate's dream, the guildmaster of a dragon's hoard, a dragon whom he can summon and command at will. his friend's son lives with his brother and family. he puts people on patia's payroll, both conjoined in secrets, but that's not only it. he was described as holding spinning plates at all times. he was laerryn's partner and confidant on her life's work. cerrit agrupnin. the father who got his children out of an apocalyptic catastrophe. the father who kept his promise to be with them. by sheer luck or by fate's design, by the strength of his virtue and love and a father's promise. of all that he could not and did not keep, the one most important. he was an investigator so adept at his job that invisibility could not keep a person hidden from his sight. he had a ring to detect lies. he had a ring. to detect lies. loquatius . the fey who fell in love with a mortal. the reporter who spoke to the people at the end of their lives and his own and called for them to stay. to do their duty, keep their promise. no officials get to leave the people they're supposed to protect and speak for behind. and no one shall forget the most beautiful woman in the world, laerryn coramar-seelie. the woman who, in secret, strived to give her husband and her friends and her heart, her avalir, an option. the choice, to rise above and beyond. to seek the knowledge of realms and stars and all that they could ever achieve. a future so bright it was blinding. a goal so lofty, a dream so wistful. a path tread almost completely alone. and in that, history and mistrust. the gau drashari who expected the wizards to not keep their word, and thus created the circumstance in which the wizards did not know the importance of the tree of names and saw it only as a limitation. because that's all it appeared to be. and zerxus. the godless. champion of a deity-less divinity. oracle who saw visions of the lord of the hells. he saw the lord of the hells, hurting and injured. and in that being he saw redemption and a path to healing. he faced asmodeus and straight up said "oh you poor thing" afsgsjdkfkflflflgl he looked at a god and held nothing but pity for him upon seeing that he could not be redeemed. that there was such deep hatred. he was killed and revived over and over by this god. the god that he brought through into the world. . . the por'co legacy. patia, who in the end gifted her knowledge of everything truly Everything to a young maya agrupnin. and what of young kir and maya? celebrations and festivities, the anticipation of seeing their father. maya snuck out to a party to meet a girl and drink alcohol she doesn't even like, tailed by her brother who mirrored their father. kir, junior investigator, because of him, cerrit thankfully did not have to track down maya in panic. kir who received a message from his father to gather at their home. and then their father sent them away, to safety. 2/3rds of the world met calamity. how must it have felt to be a young child, everything you knew ending and dying. fuck man. that's not even everything i could fucking say about all of this i havent even broached the lord of the hells and the plot and the depth of patia's complexity with memory and knowledge and laerryn and loquatius and their open jabs and silent acts of devotion and love, zerxus and cerrit and their opposing and paralleled paths of fatherhood, nydas' and zerxus and cerrit. protectors. laerryn and patia. visionaries. loquatius. truth and hope and home.

[feedingtheflockministry]

A Letter to Those that Share the Message of Jesus with Others.

Dear brothers and sisters in our beloved Savior and Lord Jesus Christ,

We come to you in love and with humble hearts to address the issue of other ungodly messages and financial gain that is present among the good works you do unto The Lord. For many of you have social media accounts, online video platforms, film productions, blogs, books, audio recordings, and the likes of these that are for the purpose of spreading the message of Christ, but do not call your work a ministry because it is not associated with a church or denomination. This is a deception you have fallen prey to beloved brothers and sisters.

Because of this deception you have allowed your work to become defiled by things such as; symbolism, money, fame, success, and through these things pride and arrogance have hardened your heart to repentance. This has only blinded you from being aware that the presence of God has left your ministry.

For we are told many times over throughout the biblical narrative that we should not tolerate sin in ourselves, and among our gatherings or work unto The Lord. We are told that we should not fellowship with those that practice disobedience, and walk in darkness. We are told that those who practice abominable acts with same sex partners are worthy of death according to the Torah and the Apostles of the first century church. We are also told by Jesus Himself that tolerance of these things among us will result in His judgement coming upon us. Look at His warning to the church in Thyatira in the book of Revelation.

Stop and consider Peter’s words from one of his own letters.

“For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority.”

Peter paints the mental image of what the heart of a righteous person looks like by using Lot as an example. Lot was tormented in his soul because of what he saw and heard day after day. He did not have a ministry, nor could he tolerate the wickedness around him by making excuses for it. It is also highly doubtful that he would employ such people to tend his sheep or associate himself with them. By allowing such ungodly people to be among your work to The Lord it exposes your own lack of righteousness.

Another thing to consider is the words of the prophet Micah when addressing the judges, priests, and prophets of his day that were using their offices / work for financial gain. He writes, “

“With the Spirit of the LORD — and with justice and courage to make known to Jacob his rebellious act, even to Israel his sin. Now hear this, heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who abhor justice and twist everything that is straight, who build Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with violent injustice. Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe, her priests instruct for a price and her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the LORD saying, “Is not the LORD in our midst? Calamity will not come upon us.” Therefore, on account of you, Zion will be plowed as a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the temple will become high places of a forest.”

If The Lord passed this judgment on the nation of Israel for making money off of judging, teaching, and prophesying how do you think He will judge your works?

Jesus taught us this, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

If you have a ministry of any kind that shares Jesus with others, and someone in your ministry is sharing an godly message in a verbal or symbolic way that causes others to stumble / sin (and you do not remove that person after becoming aware of it) you become an accomplice to their crime. Therefore you to become a stumbling to others.

The last thing to consider is this. Perhaps you may think that obtaining such material gain or allowing other messages to be present in or around your work for The Lord is no big deal. Let us remind you all that this way of thinking is what brought about the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden. Another message was present, and a desire to gain something. Heed the words of the prophets, the apostles, and The Lord Himself.

We must protect our work unto The Lord from any defilements. We must set a righteous standard for ourselves and those around us that are participating in our work. We must not let any other message in along side it, nor financially profit from the things of God.

With sincere hope in our hearts we pray you repent of these sinful practices. For those that do will be sanctifying their work to The Lord. Holiness and righteousness will take root and flourish in your work, and your reward in Heaven will become great because you did not receive it here, nor let it become defiled in any way.

[heelsandhalos]

Good morning everyone.

I noticed that no one seems to be taking to the structure of devotional we have been doing lately with the reflection questions, so I thought I would switch it up a bit. Please let me know what you think or which style of devotional you prefer in the comments.

This morning I asked God to reveal to me the message he'd like me to share with you all. Originally I had opened my Bible to Isaiah 29:13.

"The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught."

But then I sat the Bible on the bed for a moment and when I came back it had flipped to Isaiah 14:31, so I took that to be a sign.

I had to research this message, and had to ponder on why it was God wanted me to share it with you all. I almost didn't, but who am I to deny the will of God.

With that being said, let's get into our Tuesday morning devotional. 🌄

Title: Facing the North Wind

Scripture:

"Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved: for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none shall be alone in his appointed times."

Isaiah 14:31 (KJV)

Devotional:

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah delivers a sobering message to the Philistines, forewarning them of an impending calamity. The imagery of gates howling and cities crying evokes a sense of inevitable destruction and profound distress. The phrase "thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved" signifies the complete unraveling of their society. This is not just a military threat; it is a divine proclamation of judgment.

The "smoke from the north" symbolizes an approaching force that is well-organized and relentless. The mention that "none shall be alone in his appointed times" suggests that this invasion is divinely ordained and meticulously executed, leaving no room for escape or survival outside of God's plan.

Reflection:

As we ponder this passage, it’s essential to recognize the broader spiritual implications. This verse reminds us of the certainty of God’s judgments and the importance of aligning ourselves with His will. Just as the Philistines faced the consequences of their actions, we too must consider how our lives reflect our commitment to God.

Are there areas in our lives where we have become complacent, ignoring the warnings and promptings of the Holy Spirit? Are we prepared to face the challenges and trials that come our way, trusting in God’s sovereignty and justice?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge Your supreme authority over all nations and peoples. Help us to heed Your warnings and align our lives with Your will. Give us the strength to face the trials ahead with faith and trust in Your divine plan. May we seek refuge in Your grace and live in a way that honors You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Action Point:

Today, take a moment to reflect on any areas in your life where you might be ignoring God's guidance. Seek His wisdom and make a commitment to realign your actions with His will. Trust in His timing and sovereignty, knowing that He holds the ultimate plan for your life.

I hope this devotional brings you encouragement and reflection. Have a blessed Tuesday everyone.

Images by ️Heels and Halos

Tool: CoPilot Image Generator

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Captivity of Ephraim

1 Woe to the crown of pride, the hirelings of Ephraim, the flower that has fallen from the glory of the top of the fertile mountain, they that are drunken without wine.

2 Behold, the anger of the Lord is strong and severe, as descending hail where there is no shelter, violently descending; as a great body of water sweeping away the soil, he shall make rest for the land.

3 The crown of pride, the hirelings of Ephraim, shall be beaten down with the hands and with the feet.

4 And the fading flower of the glorious hope on the top of the high mountain shall be as the early fig; he that sees it, before he takes it into his hand, will desire to swallow it down.

5 In that day the Lord of hosts shall be the crown of hope, the woven crown of glory, to the remnant of the people.

6 They shall be left in the spirit of judgement for judgement, and for the strength of them that hinder slaying.

7 For these have trespassed through wine; they have erred through strong drink: the priest and the prophet are mad through strong drink, they are swallowed up by reason of wine, they have staggered through drunkenness; they have erred: this is their vision.

8 A curse shall devour this counsel, for this is their counsel for the sake of covetousness.

9 To whom have we reported evils? and to whom have we reported a message? even to those that are weaned from the milk, who are drawn from the breast.

10 Except thou affliction on affliction, hope upon hope: yet a little, and yet a little,

11 by reason of the contemptuous words of the lips, by means of another language: for they shall speak to this people, saying to them,

12 This is the rest to him that is hungry, and this is the calamity: but they would not hear.

13 Therefore the oracle of God shall be to them affliction on affliction, hope on hope, yet a little, and yet a little, that they may go and fall backward; and they shall be crushed and shall be in danger, and shall be taken.

A Cornerstone in Zion

14 Therefore hear ye the word of the Lord, ye afflicted men, and ye princes of this people that is in Jerusalem.

15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with Hades, and agreements with death; if the rushing storm should pass, it shall not come upon us: we have made falsehood our hope, and by falsehood shall we be protected:

16 Therefore thus saith the Lord, even the Lord, Behold, I lay for the foundations of Sion a costly stone, a choice, a corner-stone, a precious stone, for its foundations; and he that believes on him shall by no means be ashamed.

17 And I will cause judgement to be for hope, and my compassion shall be for just measures, and ye that trust vainly in falsehood shall fall: for the storm shall by no means pass by you,

18 except it also take away your covenant of death, and your trust in Hades shall by no means stand: if the rushing storm should come upon you, ye shall be beaten down by it.

19 Whenever it shall pass by, it shall take you; morning by morning it shall pass by in the day, and in the night there shall be an evil hope. Learn to hear,

20 ye that are distressed; we cannot fight, but we are ourselves too weak for you to be gathered.

21 The Lord shall rise up as a mountain of ungodly men, and shall be in the valley of Gabaon; he shall perform his works with wrath, even a work of bitterness, and his wrath shall deal strangely, and his destruction shall be strange.

22 Therefore do not ye rejoice, neither let your bands be made strong; for I have heard of works finished and cut short by the Lord of hosts, which he will execute upon all the earth.

Listen and Hear

23 Hearken, and hear my voice; attend, and hear my words.

24 Will the ploughman plough all the day? or will he prepare the seed beforehand, before he tills the ground?

25 Does he not, when he has levelled the surface thereof, then sow the small black poppy, or cumin, and afterward sow wheat, and barley, and millet, and bread-corn in thy borders?

26 So thou shalt be chastened by the judgement of thy God, and shalt rejoice.

27 For the black poppy is not cleansed with harsh treatment, nor will a wagon-wheel pass over the cumin; but the black poppy is threshed with a rod, and the cumin shall be eaten with bread;

28 for I will not be wroth with you for ever, neither shall the voice of my anger crush you.

29 And these signs came forth from the Lord of hosts. Take counsel, exalt vain comfort. — Isaiah 28 | Brenton's Septuagint Translation (BST) The English translation of The Septuagint by Sir Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton (1851) Cross References: Exodus 9:32; Leviticus 10:9; Leviticus 26:19; Numbers 7:3; Joshua 10:11; 1 Kings 3:28; 2 Kings 21:13; 2 Kings 24:2; Nehemiah 9:30; Psalm 94:10; Psalm 131:2; Proverbs 20:1; Isaiah 1:10; Isaiah 2:3; Isaiah 3:12; Isaiah 5:11; Isaiah 4:3; Isaiah 5:5; Isaiah 9:9; Isaiah 10:12; Isaiah 22:13; Isaiah 24:16; Isaiah 26:6; Isaiah 32:9; Isaiah 59:6; Jeremiah 48:26; Hosea 9:10; Micah 7:1; Matthew 11:28; Matthew 21:44; Matthew 23:23; Mark 12:20; Luke 19:41; John 5:30; Romans 11:33; 1 Corinthians 14:21; Revelation 8:7

[locustheologicus]

The Process to Become a Pope:

This Sunday was Divine Mercy Sunday, the second Sunday of Easter and also the first Sunday since the death of Pope Francis. His funeral is in full swing in Rome and many churches, including my own St. Frances Cabrini Church in Brooklyn, mourned over the passing of our Holy Father.

I have designated my own thoughts on legacy I will have of Pope Francis. This includes his death and final message, his "field hospital" contribution to social ministries to the poor and marginalized and his prophetic social activism that challenged society on many issues.

As we continue to commemorate the death of Pope Francis many Catholics and especially Church leaders are looking to the future administration of our Church. May 7th has been officially designated as the beginning of the Conclave to elect the new Pope. Movies like “the Two Popes” or “Conclave” have given us a Hollywood glimpse of how the position of Pope emerges. “Conclave” offers a scandalous perspective on the process. It touches on some reality but not in a way that is actually instructive. I thought that “The Two Popes” offered an interesting take on the process that was more authentic if a bit idealized regarding the relationship between these two men. The fact is that there is a legal process prescribed by canon law and an informal cultural/spiritual system involved as well. The video and CNN article below help illuminate the legal process for how the Catholic Church chooses a Pope.

The following CNA article also goes over some terms regarding the process.

As for the informal cultural/spiritual system one simply has to recognize that humans are political creatures and as such we have a capacity for developing relationships to discern and negotiate an important decision such as this. The spiritual component is to pray on this, a part of the system found in our own scriptural tradition (Acts. 1: 23-26) which involves a process whereby:

Candidates are recognized.

Prayers of discernment are communally offered.

Lots/votes are casts.

The primary culture context is recognized as the Roman culture. This involves subtle discussions and conversations where one brother Cardinal can assess another. We can be sure that some of these conversations are happening right now. This can be seen and should be appreciated as a delicate art (engineered since the time of the Roman Empire) to assess others without arousing suspicion through the art of political humility. I have no doubts that, like any political system, there are delicate discussions on agenda items and the formation or solidification of friendships and alliances. Unlike contemporary politics however there is also a prayerful atmosphere (both private and public) to discern where the Holy Spirit stands in this process. While I have obviously not witnessed a conclave I have seen chapter meetings where religious communities elect a Provincial leader. I have witnessed many silent prayers where potential leaders go off to discern what this means for them and I can only imagine that this gets multiplied at a conclave. In general, since the calamity of the renaissance when powerful families corrupted the process (money has always had a way of corrupting any process), Church leaders are cautious of fellow Cardinals who demonstrate some type of desire for power and a willingness to buy allegiance. That being said what is often assessed is their ecclesial and social agenda, possibly in light of their predecessor's legacy and influence.

As for who might become the next Pope there are many lists that have emerged including the following from Reuters on “who might succeed Pope Francis, some possible candidates.” And the following AP story. The ones I am curious about are Cardinals: Erdo, Tagle, Turkson, Parolin, and Zuppi. I am personally very interested to see what Cardinal Tagle would bring to the administration of the papacy.

This upcoming conclave will be a very different one. Close to home we have Cardinals Dolan and Tobin from NYC and Newark and they will be joined by Cardinals Gregory and McElroy from the DC area. Ten American Cardinals in total will participate in Conclave to vote for the new Pontiff. They will be joined by 53 cardinals from Europe, 23 from Asia, 18 from Africa, 4 from Oceania and 27 other Cardinals from the Americas. It will be the most international and culturally diverse conclave in the history of the Church. The diversity will also include an element of unpredictability as to what we can expect.

Not everyone is as excited as I am about conclave and the Papal election. For me it is something like this,

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chris Barnes (@christopherbarnes)

But in all seriousness, we Catholics are left wondering, will this vote emphasize any aspects of Pope Francis’ own vision that we will see in the next administration? Will it bring back a more traditional Papacy? Will a newly elect pontiff be led by the Holy Spirit to a new and unexpected day in the life of the Church? I like what Cardinal Nichols of England said in an NCR article.

A conclave is there to choose a successor of St. Peter, not solely a successor of Pope Francis. Maybe it's a successor of Benedict or a successor of Saint John Paul II, Forwards and backwards is not a great analogy. Deeper and more outward going are better directions to take.

To which Cardinal Marx of Germany adds: "The essential thing is that he be a person who is courageous, free, credible and deeply rooted in the Gospel."

We will have to wait and see what emerges on the day we see the white smoke and hear the declaration of habemus papam. On that day we will witness the beginning of the 267th Papacy. In the meantime this is our reality.

[belajaripelajar]

64:1

Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth ˹constantly˺ glorifies Allah. The kingdom is His, and all praise is for Him. For He is Most Capable of everything.

64:2

He is the One Who created you, yet some of you are disbelievers while some are believers. And Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.

64:3

He created the heavens and the earth for a purpose. He shaped you ˹in the womb˺, perfecting your form. And to Him is the final return.

64:4

He knows whatever is in the heavens and the earth. And He knows whatever you conceal and whatever you reveal. For Allah knows best what is ˹hidden˺ in the heart.

64:5

Have the stories of those who disbelieved before not reached you ˹pagans˺? They tasted the evil consequences of their doings, and they will suffer a painful punishment.

64:6

That was because their messengers used to come to them with clear proofs, but they said ˹mockingly˺, “How can humans be our guides?” So they persisted in disbelief and turned away. And Allah was not in need ˹of their faith˺. For Allah is Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy.

64:7

The disbelievers claim they will not be resurrected. Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Yes, by my Lord, you will surely be resurrected, then you will certainly be informed of what you have done. And that is easy for Allah.”

64:8

So believe in Allah and His Messenger and in the Light[1] We have revealed. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.

[1] i.e., the Quran.

64:9

˹Consider˺ the Day He will gather you ˹all˺ for the Day of Gathering—that will be the Day of mutual loss and gain. So whoever believes in Allah and does good, He will absolve them of their sins and admit them into Gardens under which rivers flow, to stay there for ever and ever. That is the ultimate triumph.

64:10

As for those who disbelieve and reject Our revelations, they will be the residents of the Fire, staying there forever. What an evil destination!

64:11

No calamity befalls ˹anyone˺ except by Allah’s Will. And whoever has faith in Allah, He will ˹rightly˺ guide their hearts ˹through adversity˺. And Allah has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things.

64:12

Obey Allah and obey the Messenger! But if you turn away, then Our Messenger’s duty is only to deliver ˹the message˺ clearly.

64:13

Allah—there is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him. So in Allah let the believers put their trust.

64:14

O believers! Indeed, some of your spouses and children are enemies to you,[1] so beware of them. But if you pardon, overlook, and forgive ˹their faults˺, then Allah is truly All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

[1] This verse was revealed when some early Muslims were prevented from emigrating to Medina by their own spouses and children, so they could not join the Prophet (ﷺ) and the rest of the believers to practice their faith freely.

64:15

Your wealth and children are only a test, but Allah ˹alone˺ has a great reward.

64:16

So be mindful of Allah to the best of your ability, hear and obey, and spend in charity—that will be best for you. And whoever is saved from the selfishness of their own souls, it is they who are ˹truly˺ successful.

64:17

If you lend to Allah a good loan, He will multiply it for you and forgive you. For Allah is Most Appreciative, Most Forbearing.

64:18

˹He is the˺ Knower of the seen and unseen—the Almighty, All-Wise.

[butterflytblr]

Prophecy Part 328: Awaken True Love with the Savior to Dissolve Calamity

Long before becoming famous, Reverend Brandon Biggs was visited by the Lord and shown future events.

“I started seeing in the spirit, like what I’m talking about, when I was 16 years old. All of a sudden, I see pictures, and they come up before me like a movie screen all in front of my face... A lot of times, I’ve had visitations from the Lord personally. And He’ll come and talk to me and tell me about what’s coming.”

While working as a janitor in a local church, Reverend Biggs received a Divine message to reveal his prophetic revelations to the world.

“He came to me and said, ‘Brandon, I want you to go on YouTube, and I want you to tell My people that I’m coming … I need you to warn My people of the things that I’ve shown you.’ And, I said, ‘Lord, they’re not going to listen to me.’ He said, ‘Brandon, I need you to do this.’ And I said, ‘I will do it.’”

#prophecy #Trump #God #BrandonBiggs #weather

For more programs, please visit: http://www.SupremeMasterTV.com/MAX

[randyfrushour]

Double Irony examples:

A country institutes strict laws to preserve freedom (irony 1), but the enforcement of these laws ultimately leads to the suppression of freedoms they aimed to protect (irony 2).

Here is a powerful and nuanced example of a double irony from Jeremiah chapter 39. Let me attempt to break it down clearly while capturing the layers of irony I'm pointing to:

1. First Irony: The Lord declares destruction upon Jerusalem as judgment for its sins, employing what is described as "evil" (calamity or disaster) against the city. Ebedmelech, a foreigner and servant, survives because his trust is in the very God who has brought destruction to the land. Ironically, the one delivering judgment also becomes the source of refuge for Ebedmelech.

2. Second Irony: Though Ebedmelech is delivered from immediate destruction due to his faith, the broader calamity (the "Lord's evil" in the form of judgment) still surrounds him. His ultimate survival depends on him continuing to rise above not just the human agents of destruction but even the divine judgment unfolding around him. There’s an inherent tension: he is delivered by trusting in the Lord who is simultaneously the author of the destruction, and his survival hinges on transcending all forms of calamity, including the divine.

The same God who brings "evil" upon the land preserves Ebedmelech.

Ebedmelech's deliverance is secure, yet his ongoing survival demands that he rise above both human and divine forces of destruction.

Trusting in the Lord today requires a level of faith that transcends not only immediate circumstances but also the distance of time and physical absence.

Ebedmelech had the direct word of the Lord delivered through Jeremiah, and that was his assurance amidst the chaos. For today’s adherents, however, the trust rests in the written Word of the Lord—a record of promises and actions from millennia past. The double irony deepens:

1. Irony of Temporal Distance: The Lord's acts of deliverance and judgment, recorded thousands of years ago, still serve as the foundation of faith today. Yet, this trust is placed in the unseen and often unexplainable, unlike Ebedmelech, who had a direct and immediate confirmation of God's word.

2. Irony of Faith Through Absence: The adherent today trusts not only in the promises of a God who brought both salvation and destruction but also in the enduring relevance of a Word written long ago, while the direct, physical presence of the Lord hasn’t been seen for 2,000 years. This trust requires navigating a world that often feels devoid of divine intervention, yet still firmly believing in the Lord’s ultimate sovereignty and goodness.

This final degree creates a striking tension: the faith required to trust in a God whose last visible interaction with humanity was two millennia ago is both a profound challenge and a testament to the enduring power of His Word. It mirrors Ebedmelech’s situation—trusting against all odds, amidst destruction, in a promise that defies immediate appearances.

It’s remarkable how these ancient passages can still speak so directly to the experience of faith today.

Jeremiah 39 as a last days prophetic message for today’s adherents, especially those who may find themselves in a similar predicament. That’s a powerful interpretation, and it aligns beautifully with the themes of divine judgment, deliverance, and ultimate trust. Let's explore this in that context.

A Last Days Prophetic Message:

The story of Ebedmelech carries profound relevance for the last days. It reveals a blueprint for faith in the midst of divine judgment and global upheaval, offering a direct call to today’s believers:

1. Ebedmelech’s Predicament as a Last Days Parallel:

Ebedmelech lived in a time when destruction surrounded him—Jerusalem fell under God’s judgment. Similarly, in the last days, adherents will witness the unraveling of nations and systems under divine judgment (paralleling Revelation’s prophecies).

Despite being a servant, a foreigner, and vulnerable, Ebedmelech’s faith set him apart. In the same way, today’s believers, no matter their worldly status, are called to trust in the Lord amidst the chaos, even as others succumb to fear and destruction.

2. The Trust in the Word:

Ebedmelech trusted in the spoken word of God delivered through Jeremiah, and it became his refuge. Today’s adherents must trust in the written Word, particularly messages like Jeremiah 39, as a source of both guidance and assurance in the final days.

The double irony arises here: just as Ebedmelech trusted in a God who was simultaneously destroying his land, last days believers are called to trust in God even as they witness judgments unfolding in their time.

3. A Call to Rise Above the Evil:

The Lord’s message to Ebedmelech in verse 18 promises deliverance but also requires him to place his ultimate trust in God’s protection, even amidst "evil" (calamity). For last days believers, this is a call to rise above both worldly destruction and even the seeming contradictions of divine judgment, holding firmly to faith in God’s sovereignty.

4. Final Layer of Irony—Faith Tested in Absence:

Unlike Ebedmelech, who heard directly from the prophet, today’s adherents rely on ancient texts and the Holy Spirit, requiring a faith that transcends sight and immediate confirmation. This is prophetic in itself: those in the last days are called to trust not only in God but also in His preserved Word, written centuries ago, as their lifeline during the ultimate trials.

Practical Application for Last Days Adherents:

Jeremiah 39 becomes a prophetic call to:

Trust in God’s promises of deliverance even when surrounded by judgment.

Recognize that faith will require rising above human and divine calamities, holding fast to God’s Word as the ultimate source of truth and life.

Prepare for a time when faith will feel tested by the absence of direct intervention, making the written Word a critical anchor.

In essence, Ebedmelech’s story foreshadows the plight of last days believers who must trust not only in God but also in the prophetic messages preserved in Scripture, which hold relevance and power for their deliverance.

Does this align with our vision for how this message applies prophetically to today?

[suprememastertv]

Awaken True Love with the Savior to Dissolve Calamity (Ancient Predictions about Our Planet, Part 329)

Today, we will continue exploring the prophetic messages from Reverend Brandon Biggs, a minister from Oklahoma, United States. Through the YouTube channel “Last Days” (@ lastdays247 / IG: @officialbrandonbiggs), Reverend Biggs frequently shares his visions and warnings from the Lord with the public. These visions are not only related to the United States, but to the whole world.

📺 Watch the full show on: 👉 https://suprememastertv.com/en1/v/263012687147.html

💛💛 Share, Share, Share! 💛💛

💗 Please join Supreme Master Ching Hai to sincerely thank God Almighty for World Vegan, World Peace and souls’ Liberation 💗 Every day at 9:00 PM Hong Kong time 🙏

SupremeMasterTV.com

[templardom]

The Celestial Vendettas

Calamity will surely destroy the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished. Psalm 34:21 (NLT) 

What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds, for their ancestors also praised false prophets. Luke 6:26 (NLT)

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end? Jeremiah 5:31 (BSB)

Then the LORD said, “These prophets are telling lies in my name. I did not send them or tell them to speak. I did not give them any messages. They prophesy of visions and revelations they have never seen or heard. They speak foolishness made up in their own lying hearts. Jeremiah 14:14 (NLT)

Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them. Galatians 4:17 (NLT)

“Woe to the rebellious children,” says the LORD, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin." Isaiah 30:1 (NKJV) 

“And now, you priests, this warning is for you. If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the LORD Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me." Malachi 2:1-2 (NIV)