#Zacharias’ Prophecy

[officialyourdailyinspiration]

Dedication to Theophilus

1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

John’s Birth Announced to Zacharias

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”

19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.

23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”

38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

The Song of Mary

46 And Mary said:

“My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. 49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. 50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. 54 He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, 55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.

Birth of John the Baptist

57 Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

Circumcision of John the Baptist

59 So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. 60 His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”

61 But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” 62 So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.

63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. 65 Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Zacharias’ Prophecy

67 Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

68 “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, 70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, 71 That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, 73 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: 74 To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, 77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; 79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

80 So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

[forhim-aname]

Scripture of the Day—April 20, 2024 Which Bible Prophecies Were Fulfilled After the Canonized Scriptures—that We can Find in History Books? From the Bible’s King James Version Part 5 of a Series

PROPHECY:

Luke 11:44-51 - Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.  Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying—you reproach us also. 

And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for you lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and you yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. 

Woe unto you! for you build the sepulchers of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. Truly you bear witness that you allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and you build their sepulchers! 

Therefore also said the wisdom of God, “I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world—may be required of this generation: From the blood of Abel unto the blood of ZACHARIAS, which PERISHED BETWEEN THE ALTAR AND THE TEMPLE: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. “

FULFILLMENT:

“Wars of the Jews” book 4, chapter 5, section 4 - And now these zealots and Idumeans were quite weary of barely killing men, so they had the impudence of setting up fictitious tribunals and judicatures for that purpose; and as they intended to have Zacharias the son of Baruch, one of the most eminent of the citizens—slain; provoked by his hatred of wickedness and love of liberty: he was also a rich man, so that by taking him off, they did not only hope to seize his effects, but also to get rid of a man that had great power to destroy them.

So they called together—seventy of the principal men of the populace, for a show, as if they were real judges. Before these—was Zacharias accused of a design to betray their polity to the Romans, and having traitorously sent to Vespasian for that purpose. Now there appeared no proof or sign of what he was accused; but they affirmed themselves that so it was.

Now when Zacharias clearly saw that there was no way for his escape, as having been called before them, with no intention of a legal trial—he took great liberty of speech in that despair of life he was under. Accordingly he stood up, and laughed at their pretended accusation, and in a few words confuted the crimes laid to his charge; after which he turned his speech to his accusers, and went over distinctly—all their transgressions of the law, and *made heavy lamentation upon the confusion they had brought public affairs to.*

Now the seventy judges brought in their verdict that the person accused was not guilty, as choosing rather to die themselves with him, than to have his death laid at their doors; hereupon, two of the boldest of the zealots fell upon Zacharias in the middle of the temple, and slew him; They also threw him down immediately into the valley below.”

*This part reminds me of another prophecy fulfilled with the slaying of Zacharias ‘between the temple and the altar’. Zacharias made heavy lamentation upon the confusion they had brought public affairs to; and Prophet Joel, describing the army and the war in the Day of the Lord, said this: “Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, ‘Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, ‘Where is their God‘?”

[dhr-ao3]

The Intricacies of Draconic Synastry - A Dramione Novella

The Intricacies of Draconic Synastry - A Dramione Novella https://ift.tt/paiBF0d by GDnzhll In the aftermath of the Battle of Hogwarts, an unlikely alliance is forged between former enemies Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy as they return for their 8th year at Hogwarts. Tasked with an Astrology project, they must navigate cosmic mysteries, forgotten prophecies, and unwanted feelings while balancing academics and the looming threat of another war. As tensions rise and alliances are tested, they discover a deeper bond bound by destiny, culminating in a perilous quest to secure the future of magic itself. Amidst celestial constellations and the looming threat of Voldemort loyalists, Hermione and Draco must confront their deepest fears and insecurities, standing together as guardians of a new era. Will their shared destiny be enough to overcome the darkness? Words: 693, Chapters: 2/?, Language: English Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death Categories: F/F, F/M, M/M Characters: Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Theodore Nott, Pansy Parkinson, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, Daphne Greengrass, Ginny Weasley, Lucius Malfoy, Narcissa Black Malfoy, Sirius Black, Minerva McGonagall, Molly Weasley, Zacharias Smith, Cormac McLaggen, Viktor Krum, Bill Weasley, Andromeda Black Tonks, Crookshanks (Harry Potter) Relationships: Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott/Harry Potter, Pansy Parkinson/Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom/Luna Lovegood, Daphne Greengrass/Ginny Weasley, Lucius Malfoy/Narcissa Black Malfoy Additional Tags: GDnzhll via AO3 works tagged 'Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy' https://ift.tt/le9xpsD April 20, 2024 at 01:42PM

[bridenore]

HD Magical lore fic recs

Here are a few drarry fic recs involving magical lore. Listed in alphabetical order, as always.

Annus Mirabilis by Ren [39k]

Harry and Malfoy are trapped at Hogwarts around the time the school was founded. Stuck with a different way of doing magic, with no chocolate, and with each other, they have to find a way to work together if they want a chance to go home.

Any Instrument by @dictacontrion [131k]

Draco Malfoy wouldn’t go back to England for anything less than an exceptional case. Being asked to figure out why Harry Potter can’t control his magic might be exceptional enough to qualify.

Azoth by @lol-zeitgeistic [88k]

Now that Harry is back at Hogwarts with Hermione for eighth year, he realises that something’s missing from his life, and it either has to do with Ron, his boggart, Snape, or Malfoy. Furthermore, what, exactly, does it mean when one’s life is defined by the desire to simultaneously impress and annoy a portrait? Harry has no idea; he’s too busy trying not to be in love with Malfoy to care.

Black, in the Smothering Dark by @lol-zeitgeistic [101k]

Harry Potter is rescued from the Dursleys and spends the summer with his god…father? This is the prequel to The Hush of War. Beta’d by giesha_kitten/laureen.

The Hush of War by @lol-zeitgeistic [351k]

Voldemort has made a bargain with Harry to stop killing muggles and muggle-borns (when at all possible, of course) in exchange for Harry’s cooperation. While Harry thinks he’s using the time to find a way to defeat the Dark Lord, he will realize that Voldemort is always one step ahead, and so long as he isn’t killing anyone…what’s the big deal? He has bigger things to worry about now, anyway. Includes dementors, pureblood culture, the prophecy, what exactly happened with Lily’s sacrifice, magical breakthroughs, children Death Eaters, and portraits of family. Final pairing: H/D. Sequel to Black, in the Smothering Dark.

Connecting Lines, Connecting Crimes by sleepstxtic [15k]

Magic is going haywire after ley lines all over the world are mysteriously failing. A cross-border Task Force is set up by the League of Wixen Nations with Expert Cartologist Draco Malfoy and Ley Line Specialist Pansy Parkinson being called in from Britain to work with Magi-Geographers Harry Potter and Parvati Patil in India. But can they get to the root of the issue before it’s too late? Featuring: an excessive use of holograms, numerous references to food, and lots and lots (and lots!) of travel.

Golden Age by @lol-zeitgeistic [52k]

The Celtic druids once made a decision that kept magic in abundance in Britannia, but they couldn’t account for the technological advances Muggles would make centuries later. Now magic is dying on the isles, and this is not a dark lord that Harry can fight. OR: Harry Potter doesn’t save the world this time, but he does get a lot of hugs.

The Inner Lands by Lomonaaeren [19k]

Venturing inside the Veil is no easy thing for anyone — except Harry Potter, the Master of Death. And when it becomes too easy, when Potter disappears in search of his godfather, then it becomes the responsibility of Unspeakable Draco Malfoy to bring him back out.

Life On Mars by @fencer-x [110k]

Harry Potter was eleven years old when he found out he was a wizard. He was twenty-one when he found out he was an alien. Or: How Harry Potter learned to stop worrying and love the democratic process.

Manticoria by @lol-zeitgeistic [70k]

In the dangerous days after Voldemort’s fall, Harry struggles to find a way to be with Draco—again. But as the magical world threatens to die all around them, it might be more difficult than he thought. Includes dying wards, dying beasts, and love struggling to live; sentient magic, wandlore, Founder lore, potion lore, and ward lore; and of course there is Zacharias Smith to ruin everything, as usual.

Of Wands and Trees by Omi_Ohmy [45k]

All Draco wants to do is be a wandmaker, but to do so he needs to understand the soul of trees. Of course, the only man who might be able to help him is the one man who is more of a mystery to him than any tree.

Shibboleths by @lol-zeitgeistic [109k]

Muggle Immersion co-Professor Harry Potter spends his days hanging with his son, reading to his “dog,” teaching magical kids about the internet with his cousin Dudley, and irritating Snape’s portrait. He’s understandably annoyed when his cosy life is interrupted by the Headmistress hiring on Draco Malfoy to be Hogwarts’ new Ancient Magical Cultures and Spellcasting professor. But then the explosion happens, and it turns out they’ll all need Malfoy’s knowledge if they want the magical world to survive.

Squib by Kestrel_Sparhawk [52k]

Harry has a respectable life: devoted to his family, teacher to the least-talented of the Wizarding community, retired hero. The Prophet hasn’t caught on to a few things, such as the fact that Harry is gay. He and Ginny want to keep it that way. It’s not a great life, but it’s his – until one day, an old school rival comes by to investigate his class. Suddenly, Harry’s life is no longer predictable.

Survival of the Species by @romaine2424 [46k]

Draco approaches Harry on the 9 ¾ platform, after their sons have boarded the Hogwarts Express, and invites him over for tea.  The discussion they have leads them on an adventure that neither could have expected. There be dragons! HPDH compliant.

The Taste of Magic by @romaine2424 [10k]

Sometimes magic isn’t enough.

To have a Home by Aulophobia [126k]

Not quite a decade after the war, Draco Malfoy was happy with his quiet little Muggle life in Oxford. He had a small group of friends from the university he’d attended, and colleagues from the law firm where he worked as a solicitor. He played folk music on his violin around the city. And he volunteered to provide legal services getting mostly idiot teenagers out of trouble with the law. His life was full. He had no contact with the magical world, and all was the way he liked it. And the feeling of emptiness in his chest, the feeling some part of him was missing, was at least better than the alternative. Or at least it was until the last few months when he kept getting called down to the police station to get Harry Potter out of trouble. Indecent exposure and possession was one thing, but the latest charge was for murder. OR Harry and Draco find each other again after the war in Oxford, a completely non-magical city. Together they solve the mystery of the city which hates all wizards but them.

Two Wands Make a Right by dannyfranx [21k]

Harry’s wand is playing up and Hermione thinks she knows the answer, but why does she have to be right all the time, why does Draco Malfoy have to be so god damn difficult and why is he wearing his tie backwards?

Waiting For A Song by @korlaena [49k]

After a couple years spent avoiding Draco in the Auror Department, Harry gets assigned to one of Draco’s strange cases. They investigate the mysterious disappearances of a witch and wizard, but in their search for the missing persons they find a lot more than they were looking for.

I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I did!

[bonefall]

Yess! Shitpost shitpost! (Snowbird anon here)

Birchface: "Haha...am I in danger?"

Thunderstar: *overhears.* "No...why would you be? Mapleshade has clearly repented."

Mapleshade: "Uh--Yes, yes of course."

Birchface: T.T

______

During Squirrel's and Leaf's trial:

Mapleshade: "Hi girls! I'm here to be your lawyer! Firestar hired me!"

Firestar: "She's highly rated, girls! Skystar recommended her! She's got a six paw rating!"

Later:

Moth Flight: "But she broke the medicine cat code! And they both lied!"

Mapleshade: "Counterpoint: "Spottedleaf, personally told Leafpool to follow her heart since Brambleclaw wasn't talking to Squirrelflight and the time of the prophecy was drawing close. We, Starclan, needed 2 of those 3 kits for our very survival. Also, if lying is so wrong, why did you have Yellowfang lie to Leafpool about Squirrelflight's infertility, hmm Moth Flight? "

Skystar: "She's got a point. We'd all be dead..well deader, if not for Leafpool.....and we didn't want the three to be contaminated with Tigerstar's bloodline, is what I we agreed on in that meeting...remember Maple?"

Mapleshade: "Oh yeah. Something about how Tigerstar's blood might dilute all the great qualities of Firestar's right?"

Squirrelflight: "Wait, I can have kits?"

Leafpool: "Wait, you lied to me?"

Mapleshade: "Yeah, Moth Flight does it alot with you medicine cats, tbh. I don't understand it all, but it is what it is. Also can we have a verdict? I promised Patchface I'd show him a cool hunting technique."

I love the idea of Mapleshade being StarrClan's scuzziest defense lawyer because she just tells the cc ouncil what they want to hear lmao.

She either thinks lying is great if you're the defendant or terrible if you're StarClan. "Now let's hurry up with the verdict, boys. Mama's getting bored and Patchface--"

"Isn't your son called Patchpool?"

(Dramatic) "Personally I remember him as Patchkit. From before he died. I'm a mother who lost her kits and I am SO sad-"

"Ok ok!! Not guilty! Go be with your son now!"

"Gets 'em every time. Enjoy your freedom girlies I'm going to go weave some false prophecies."

She'd be like one of those angels who antagonizes mortals for thinly-veiled reasons, and then the narrative gets to pass it off as 'wrath' lmao. Like in Luke 1: 18-22 where Zacharias is like "ayo is it safe for me and my wife to give birth to this magic miracle baby?" And Gabriel says, "stupid question. I'm putting you on mute so I don't have to hear a stupid question for another year."

[mumufic]

Draco Malfoy, Boy Who Lived

Chapter 1: Time Turner Rating: Teen Audiences and Up Warnings: None Categories: M/M Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling Relationships: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter Characters: Theodore Nott, Walburga Black, Regulus Black, Pomona Sprout, Zacharias Smith Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Time Travel, Canon Rewrite, Book 1: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Pre-Slash, Draco Malfoy is So Done, Theodore Nott learns how to be a friend, Harry Potter is not the main character, Character Study

Summary:

Draco had a moment to think it might not have been his brightest moment grabbing the Time Turner from Theo, not when he reeked of residue magic from the Prophecy Room, but it was too late.

The world spun around them. The last thing Draco remembered was Theo’s horrified scream.

Post-war Draco muddles with a malfunctioning Time Turner and ends up back in time, reliving Harry Potter's life as the Boy Who Lived.

[noxtms]

morning ! NOXTMS is an appless and au golden trio group set ten years after the battle of hogwarts & running under two unique prophecies. in our universe, harry potter died in the forbidden forest and dumbledore's army defeated lord voldemort alone, but we've been open for so long now that we've already been through a whole season one plot and experienced the resurrection of harry, voldemort and regulus black ! we're in the middle of our season two finale, right now, and though i would love to see any of our wanted connections ( or any original character idea you have ) brought in, i'm gonna use my promo post to throw a spotlight on the canon characters that would get the absolute MOST out of everything that's happening, i think : neville longbottom, lucius malfoy, hermione granger ( co leader of dumbledore's army ), parvati patil, alecto & amycus carrow, ernie macmillan, katie bell, zacharias smith, dennis creevey, our open weasley's ( molly, bill, charlie, george, percy, ron, fleur - all of who are currently missing the fun drama of ginny going missing ), dean thomas, regulus black, xenophilius lovegood ( malfoy ) or cho chang !

[dfroza]

A set of prophesied births

(miraculous in nature)

Today’s reading of the Scriptures from the New Testament is the 1st chapter of the book of Luke:

For those who love God, several other people have already written accounts of what God has been bringing to completion among us, using the reports of the original eyewitnesses, those who were there from the start to witness the fulfillment of prophecy. Like those other servants who have recorded the messages, I present to you my carefully researched, orderly account of these new teachings. I want you to know that you can fully rely on the things you have been taught about Jesus, God’s Anointed One.

To understand the life of Jesus, I must first give you some background history, events that occurred when Herod ruled Judea for the Roman Empire. Zacharias was serving as a priest in the temple in Jerusalem those days as his fathers had before him. He was a member of the priestly division of Abijah (a grandson of Aaron who innovated temple practices), and his wife, Elizabeth, was of the priestly lineage of Aaron, Moses’ brother. They were good and just people in God’s sight, walking with integrity in the Lord’s ways and laws. Yet they had this sadness. Due to Elizabeth’s infertility, they were childless, and at this time, they were both quite old—well past normal childbearing years.

One day Zacharias was chosen to perform his priestly duties in God’s presence, according to the temple’s normal schedule and routine. He had been selected from all the priests by the customary procedure of casting lots for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enter the sacred precincts of the temple. There he burned sweet incense, while outside a large crowd of people prayed. Suddenly Zacharias realized he was not alone: a messenger of the Lord was there with him. The messenger stood just to the right of the altar of incense. Zacharias was shocked and afraid, but the messenger reassured him.

Messenger: Zacharias, calm down! Don’t be afraid!

Messenger: Zacharias, your prayers have been heard. Your wife is going to have a son, and you will name him John. He will bring you great joy and happiness—and many will share your joy at John’s birth.

This son of yours will be a great man in God’s sight. He will not drink alcohol in any form; instead of alcoholic spirits, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the time he is in his mother’s womb. Here is his mission: he will turn many of the children of Israel around to follow the path to the Lord their God. Do you remember the prophecy about someone to come in the spirit and power of the prophet Elijah; someone who will turn the hearts of the parents back to their children; someone who will turn the hearts of the disobedient to the mind-set of the just and good? Your son is the one who will fulfill this prophecy: he will be the Lord’s forerunner, the one who will prepare the people and make them ready for God.

Zacharias: How can I be sure of what you’re telling me? I am an old man, and my wife is far past the normal age for women to bear children. This is hard to believe!

Messenger (sternly): I am Gabriel, the messenger who inhabits God’s presence. I was sent here to talk with you and bring you this good news. Because you didn’t believe my message, you will not be able to talk—not another word—until you experience the fulfillment of my words.

Meanwhile the crowd at the temple wondered why Zacharias hadn’t come out of the sanctuary yet. It wasn’t normal for the priest to be delayed so long. When at last he came out, he was making signs with his hands to give the blessing, but he couldn’t speak. They realized he had seen some sort of vision. When his time on duty at the temple came to an end, he went back home to his wife. Shortly after his return, Elizabeth became pregnant. She avoided public contact for the next five months.

Elizabeth: I have lived with the disgrace of being barren for all these years. Now God has looked on me with favor. When I go out in public with my baby, I will not be disgraced any longer.

Six months later in Nazareth, a city in the rural province of Galilee, the heavenly messenger Gabriel made another appearance. This time the messenger was sent by God to meet with a virgin named Mary, who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David himself. The messenger entered her home.

Messenger: Greetings! You are favored, and the Lord is with you! [Among all women on the earth, you have been blessed.]

The heavenly messenger’s words baffled Mary, and she wondered what type of greeting this was.

Messenger: Mary, don’t be afraid. You have found favor with God. Listen, you are going to become pregnant. You will have a son, and you must name Him “Savior,” or Jesus. Jesus will become the greatest among men. He will be known as the Son of the Highest God. God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David, and He will reign over the covenant family of Jacob forever.

Mary: But I have never been with a man. How can this be possible?

Messenger: The Holy Spirit will come upon you. The Most High will overshadow you. That’s why this holy child will be known, as not just your son, but also as the Son of God. It sounds impossible, but listen—you know your relative Elizabeth has been unable to bear children and is now far too old to be a mother. Yet she has become pregnant, as God willed it. Yes, in three months, she will have a son. So the impossible is possible with God.

Mary (deciding in her heart): Here I am, the Lord’s humble servant. As you have said, let it be done to me.

And the heavenly messenger was gone. Mary immediately got up and hurried to the hill country, in the province of Judah, where her cousins Zacharias and Elizabeth lived. When Mary entered their home and greeted Elizabeth, who felt her baby leap in her womb, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Elizabeth (shouting): You are blessed, Mary, blessed among all women, and the child you bear is blessed! And blessed I am as well, that the mother of my Lord has come to me! As soon as I heard your voice greet me, my baby leaped for joy within me. How fortunate you are, Mary, for you believed that what the Lord told you would be fulfilled.

Mary: My soul lifts up the Lord!

My spirit celebrates God, my Liberator!

For though I’m God’s humble servant,

God has noticed me.

Now and forever,

I will be considered blessed by all generations.

For the Mighty One has done great things for me;

holy is God’s name!

From generation to generation,

God’s lovingkindness endures

for those who revere Him.

God’s arm has accomplished mighty deeds.

The proud in mind and heart,

God has sent away in disarray.

The rulers from their high positions of power,

God has brought down low.

And those who were humble and lowly,

God has elevated with dignity.

The hungry—God has filled with fine food.

The rich—God has dismissed with nothing in their hands.

To Israel, God’s servant,

God has given help,

As promised to our ancestors,

remembering Abraham and his descendants in mercy forever.

Mary stayed with Elizabeth in Judea for the next three months and then returned to her home in Galilee.

When the time was right, Elizabeth gave birth to a son. News about the Lord’s special kindness to her had spread through her extended family and the community. Everyone shared her joy, for after all these years of infertility, she had a son! As was customary, eight days after the baby’s birth the time came for his circumcision and naming. Everyone assumed he would be named Zacharias, like his father.

Elizabeth (disagreeing): No. We will name him John.

Her Relatives (protesting): That name is found nowhere in your family.

They turned to Zacharias and asked him what he wanted the baby’s name to be.

He motioned for a tablet, and he wrote, “His name is John.” Everyone was shocked by this breach of family custom. They were even more surprised when, at that moment, Zacharias was able to talk again, and he shouted out praises to God. A sense of reverence spread through the whole community. In fact, this story was spread throughout the hilly countryside of Judea. People were certain that God’s hand was on this child, and they wondered what sort of person John would turn out to be when he became a man.

When Zacharias’s voice was restored to him, he sang from the fullness of the Spirit a prophetic blessing.

Zacharias: May the Lord God of Israel be blessed indeed!

For God’s intervention has begun,

and He has moved to rescue us, the people of God.

And the Lord has raised up a powerful sign of liberation for us

from among the descendants of God’s servant, King David.

As was prophesied through the mouths of His holy prophets in ancient times:

God will liberate us from our enemies

and from the hand of our oppressors!

God will show mercy promised to our ancestors,

upholding the abiding covenant He made with them,

Remembering the original vow He swore to Abraham,

from whom we are all descended.

God will rescue us from the grasp of our enemies

so that we may serve Him without fear all our days

In holiness and justice, in the presence of the Lord.

And you, my son, will be called the prophet of the Most High.

For you will be the one to prepare the way for the Lord

So that the Lord’s people will receive knowledge of their freedom

through the forgiveness of their sins.

All this will flow from the kind and compassionate mercy of our God.

A new day is dawning:

the Sunrise from the heavens will break through in our darkness,

And those who huddle in night,

those who sit in the shadow of death,

Will be able to rise and walk in the light,

guided in the pathway of peace.

And John grew up and became strong in spirit. He lived in the wilderness, outside the cities, until the day came for him to step into the public eye in Israel.

The Book of Luke, Chapter 1 (The Voice)

A set of notes from The Voice translation:

In the time of Jesus, Jewish life is centered in the temple in Jerusalem. Priests are responsible for the temple’s activities—which include receiving religious pilgrims and their sacrifices (cattle, sheep, goats, and doves). Animal sacrifices may sound strange to a modern society, but in the ancient world, they are quite common. The slaughter of animals is a daily experience; it is part of any meal that includes meat. So this meal brings together the Jewish family from near and far, seeking to affirm their connections to the one true and living God. Their gift of animals is their contribution to the meal. (The priests, by the way, are authorized to use the meat for the sustenance of their families.)

The presentation of the blood and meat of these sacrifices is accompanied by a number of prescribed rituals, performed by priests wearing prescribed ornamental clothing, according to a prescribed schedule. As the story continues, these solemn rituals are interrupted in an unprecedented way.

•

Mary is deeply moved by these amazing encounters—first with the messenger and then with her cousin, Elizabeth. Mary’s response can’t be contained in normal prose; her noble soul overflows in poetry. And this poetry isn’t simply religious; it has powerful social and political overtones. It speaks of a great reversal—what might be called a social, economic, and political revolution. To people in Mary’s day, there is little question as to what she is talking about. The Jewish people are oppressed by the Roman Empire, and to speak of a King who will demote the powerful and rich and elevate the poor and humble means one thing: God is moving toward setting them free! Soon Zacharias will overflow in poetry of his own.

Today’s paired reading from the First Testament is the 7th chapter of the book of Zechariah:

Two years after I saw the eight visions, on the fourth day of the ninth month (called Chislev) of the fourth year of the reign of Persian King Darius, the word of the Eternal came to me, Zechariah. The situation was this: the citizens of Bethel had sent a delegation, including Sharezer and Regemmelech and his men, to seek the favor of the Eternal One by questioning the priests working in the temple of the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, and by questioning the prophets.

Delegation: During the fifth month of every year, I fast and mourn. Should I continue separating myself from the impure world on these occasions as I have for so many years?

The word of the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies came to me and told me how to address their question.

Message: Ask the citizens of the land and the priests, “When you fasted and mourned during the fifth and seventh months for the last seventy years, were you really fasting for My benefit or just for yourselves? When you were feasting on holy days, weren’t you just eating and drinking for yourselves instead of honoring Me? Aren’t these the same directives the Eternal One gave you through the work of earlier prophets, when Jerusalem was bustling with people and prosperous, when the villages around Jerusalem throughout the south and the western valleys were settled?”

The word of the Eternal came to me, Zechariah, again.

Message: Here is what the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, has to say: “Dispense true justice, have mercy on others, and show all people compassion. Do not take advantage of those who have lost a spouse or a parent, or those who are outsiders or poor. Don’t purpose to do evil toward your fellow Israelites.”

Some refused to listen. They turned their backs on this message and plugged their ears. They made their hearts as hard as flint, refusing to listen to the law or the messages the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, sent by His Spirit and enacted through earlier prophets. That’s why His great wrath and calamity fell upon His people.

Eternal One: When I called out, they chose not to hear Me, so when they called out, I returned the favor and decided not to hear them. Like a sweeping tornado, I blew them throughout the nations, scattering them in distant lands where they were aliens, all alone. That’s how the land and its cities were emptied out and left so barren that no one even traveled through it. This is how your pleasant hills and valleys turned into empty lands.

The Book of Zechariah, Chapter 7 (The Voice)

A link to my personal reading of the Scriptures for Tuesday, february 20 of 2024 with a paired chapter from each Testament (the First & the New) of the Bible along with Today’s Proverbs and Psalms

A post by John Parsons about (the inner room) of the heart:

The revelation of the Mishkah (Tabernacle) presents a great mystery. God brings us out of Egypt, delivers us from slavery, carries us through various trials, all in order to be "our God" (אֱלֹהֵינוּ), and that means being in relationship with Him, brought to a place of conscious service by being made alive to His glorious reality that is hidden beneath the superficial appearance of things. Among other things, our freedom (חוֹפֶשׁ) means being set free from the vanity and illusions of this world by means of God's redeeming and atoning love. "In God's light we see light" (Psalm 36:9).

Just as the physical Mishkan was intended to accompany us in our journey to the promised land, it was always meant to represent a "pattern" (תַּבְנִית) or parable -- symbolizing a deeper design, namely God's inner light and presence within the heart of faith. Hence it says in the Torah, "Let them make for Me a holy place (מִקְדָּשׁ) so that I may dwell within them (וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם)", that is, within the midst of their hearts (Exod. 25:8). It is the heart that is to be the place where God's presence is manifest...

This "pattern" foretold and revealed Yeshua as well, for He embodies the inner meaning of the Mishkan and invites us into His heart for communion with God. Indeed, Yeshua is ha'makom (הַמָּקוֹם), “the Place of God,” and in his life we find our redemption and atonement. Attired in the humility of the High Priest during the Yom Kippur avodah, Yeshua identifies with his people and presents the blood of atonement in the inmost sanctum of God on our behalf. His heart is torn open for us in intercession and He will never leave nor forsake us.

Our lives are meant to live within God's heart and presence. The Holy Spirit reveals the pattern and we experience freedom as we abide within his love (John 15:10; John 14:21). The center of his passion is revealed in the cloud above God's Ark, where the blood offered over the shattered tablets of our lives, and it is there that the voice of His intercession is eternally uttered on our behalf (Exod. 25:22; Luke 23:34; Mark 15:33-38; Matt. 27:51).

[ Hebrew for Christians ]

========

Psalm 23:6 reading:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/psalm23-6-jjp.mp3

Hebrew page:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/psalm23-6-lesson.pdf

And another about our inner healing:

From our Torah portion for this week (i.e., Tetzaveh) we read: “You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure olive oil “crushed” for the light, that an eternal or continual lamp (i.e., ner tamid: נר תמיד) may be set up to burn” (Exod. 27:20).

The Hebrew word for “pure” olive oil is zakh (זך), which refers to the clearest oil derived from squeezing out (or crushing) the very first drop from the choicest olive. The purest of oil was obtained by a process of “crushing for the light” (כתית למאור), which symbolizes the Light of the World, the One Crushed for our iniquities, the “Man of Sorrows” (אישׁ מכאבות) who offered himself up for our healing and illumination (Isa. 53:1-5).

Some things are seen only through the process of tribulation, breaking, and surrender. When we kindle this lamp, we are able to see the truth; we perceive how God’s heart was crushed for the sake of our salvation...

[ Hebrew for Christians ]

========

Isaiah 53:5 reading:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/isa53-5-jjp.mp3

Hebrew page:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/isa53-5-lesson.pdf

2.19.24 • Facebook

from yesterday’s email by Israel365:

The lesson here is clear: it is the ongoing, everyday actions—our consistent efforts to connect with God, to live by His commandments, and to treat others with love and respect—that truly define and deepen our spiritual lives. Through this lens, we see that the essence of Judaism and a relationship with God is not captured in a single moment of revelation or a lofty ideal, but in the cumulative impact of daily, dedicated practice. It is in these seemingly small, routine acts of devotion and kindness that we find the true heart of our faith and the path to a meaningful relationship with the Divine.

This idea challenges us to see the sacred in the ordinary, and to recognize that every act of kindness, every moment of self-discipline, and every gesture of love, contributes to the fabric of a life well-lived. It teaches us that spiritual growth and ethical development are cumulative, built layer upon layer through our daily choices and actions.

In a world that often seeks instant gratification and dramatic transformations, this message is a reminder of the value of patience, persistence, and quiet dedication to our values and beliefs. It encourages us to commit to our principles not just in moments of inspiration or crisis but as a continuous, living practice. Whether through prayer, meditation, service to others, or simply through the way we conduct our everyday lives, we are invited to make every action count and to infuse our daily routines with intention and purpose.

Today’s message (Days of Praise) from the Institute for Creation Research

February 20, 2024

How to Please the Lord

“Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.” (2 Corinthians 5:9)

In this verse, Paul expresses the strong desire to be “pleasing to” (the idea behind “accepted of”) the Lord Jesus Christ. It should likewise be our own ambition—whatever we do and wherever we are—to please Him. This, of course, will make a difference in what we do and where we go!

The Scriptures give us a number of specific ways in which we can be confident of pleasing Him. For example, “we then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Romans 15:1). That is, our criterion should be pleasing Him—not ourselves. Similarly, we are warned that “they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8). That is, our thoughts and deeds must not be governed by worldly considerations.

By suffering, willingly, for His sake, we can please Him. “If, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable [‘well-pleasing’] with God” (1 Peter 2:20).

“Without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6). We must walk by faith if we would please the Lord. This is not faith in the abstract but specific truth—faith to believe the revealed Word of God and to act on that faith.

God is pleased with generosity. “But to do good and to communicate [to share what we have with others, for His sake] forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:16). This certainly includes sharing the gospel as well as our material possessions. “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God” (1 Thessalonians 2:4).

Finally, when our ways please the Lord, we have this gracious promise: “Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight” (1 John 3:22). HMM

[meetthetruthblogger]

Hundreds of Messianic Prophesies Relating to Jesus' Life and Death!

Christmas is a week from today! Creating more joy and excitement than any other holiday, the anticipation level will reach a fever pitch by Christmas Eve. I hope you enjoyed reading the First Chapter of Luke. The angel Gabriel announced to Zacharias that he and his wife Elizabeth, both of which had been praying for a child for many years, were going to have a baby and they were to name him John. This John would come to be Christmas Season 12/18/2023 known as John the Baptist and would go before the Messiah, preparing the people for Jesus’ coming. Six months later Gabriel made the announcement to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, that she would miraculously give birth to the Son of God, although she was a virgin. Also, in Chapter 1 is recorded Mary’s visit to her relative (cousin?) Elizabeth, the Song of Mary and closes with the birth of John and his Father’s (Zacharias’) prophecy regarding his son, who would be the prophet of the Highest (Jesus). This week please read the second chapter of Luke’s Gospel, which will cover the birth of Jesus and His early years. These four chapters, the first two chapters of both Matthew and Luke contain everything we know about Jesus’ conception, birth and childhood. A caveat is in order here; if you are familiar with Old Testament prophesies, you will recognize much of this story as being foretold hundreds of years before Matthew and Luke’s Gospels were written. As you study the New Testament you will encounter more than 400 Messianic prophesies relating to Jesus’ life and death. I again ask you to share this story with your children and anyone else not familiar with the Biblical account of Jesus’ birth. It is sad and injurious to our society and our eternal life that in our current culture, the entire Christmas season could come and go without coming into contact with the story of Jesus’ birth. Merry Christmas to each of you. Tom M.

[princeofgod-2021]

LIGHT OF LIFE 401

John 1:4

UNDERSTANDING PROPHETIC MANDATES 35: TYPES OF PROPHECY 2

Amo 3:7 CERTAINLY, THE ALMIGHTY LORD DOESN'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS HE FIRST REVEALS HIS SECRET TO HIS SERVANTS THE PROPHETS. GW

The First Type of Prophecy we are going to look at is the GOSPEL.

You should know that what the Prophets of Old wrote back then is what the Gospel of our Lord JESUS is to us today.

Heb 4:2 WE HAVE HEARD THE SAME GOOD NEWS THAT YOUR ANCESTORS HEARD. But the message didn't help those who heard it in the past because they didn't believe. GW

What was called the LAW & PROPHETS in old testament, we can easily call the GOOD NEWS today.

All those writings of the Prophets then, are equivalent to the writings of our gospel today.

Heb 1:1-2 IN THE PAST GOD SPOKE TO OUR ANCESTORS many times and IN MANY WAYS THROUGH THE PROPHETS, BUT IN THESE LAST DAYS HE HAS SPOKEN TO US THROUGH HIS SON. He is the one through whom God created the universe, the one whom God has chosen to possess all things at the end. GNB

Every detail of the Gospel today is direct complement of the work of the Prophets of the Old Testament.

Jesus had told us that His Mission is to Buttress the Work of the Prophets. didn’t he?

Mat 5:17-18 DON'T SUPPOSE THAT I CAME TO DO AWAY WITH THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS. I did not come to do away with them, but TO GIVE THEM THEIR FULL MEANING. Heaven and earth may disappear. But I promise you that not even a period or comma will ever disappear from the Law. EVERYTHING WRITTEN IN IT MUST HAPPEN. CEV

Take note of “Everything written in it must happen” [in the New Testament]. This means all that was written is Prophetic.

The LAW is Prophetic; every comma or period is intrinsic part of Prophetic Declaration.

Have you ever heard that the Hebrew Bible, read in certain orders, reveals hidden prophetic statements that are coming to pass or have already come to pass in life?

Mat 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the taking away to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the taking away to Babylon to the coming of Christ, fourteen generations. BBE

I love that scripture: Matthew discovered that the Lineage of God’s chosen people, from Abraham to Jesus, was carefully planned and ordered by God; nothing happening by chance.

There are actually no Prophetic statements indicating number of generations from Abraham to Jesus but that scripture shows us one of such processes God carries out secretly. Awesome, right?

Luk 1:67-68 And his father, ZACHARIAS, was FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND WITH THE VOICE OF A PROPHET SAID these words: Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and made them free, BBE

Please follow these carefully: this was the point of Transition from the Old to New Testament. Zachariah, father of John the Baptist, was just a PRIEST (Lk. 1:5), but now, because of the importance of the Mandate to be passed to his son, was automatically endued with Prophetic unction.

It’s a Prophet’s Voice that must announce the Proprietor of the GOSPEL.

Got it!

Luk 1:69-10 FOR HE HAS RAISED UP A HORN OF SALVATION for us in the house of his servant David, AS HE SPOKE THROUGH THE MOUTH OF HIS HOLY PROPHETS FROM LONG AGO, NET

The HORN of Salvation implies the Prophetic VOICE of Jesus.

Our Saviour, and His teachings (Gospel) we follow today, is the same declared by Prophecies of old, even to them [also] of old.

The same Salvation we are promised today, was also promised to them of old.

Joh 5:39 “You are BUSY ANALYZING THE SCRIPTURES, frantically poring over them in hopes of GAINING ETERNAL LIFE. EVERYTHING YOU READ POINTS TO ME, TPT

As we are following Jesus today, remember that He followed them in the Old Testament.

1Co 10:4 and all drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank of the spiritual Rock that followed them, and THAT ROCK WAS CHRIST. ERV

Prophecy is so important that God ensured that Jesus was surrounded by it.

You can’t see Jesus well enough without seeing the ALPHA & OMEGA impression of God in Him.

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. CEV

It is also the reason why forerunner of Jesus must be a Prophet, though he is called the BAPTIST.

Luk 1:76 And YOU, CHILD, WILL BE CALLED THE PROPHET OF THE HIGHEST, for you shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, MKJV

May God open our eyes to see clearly, all His Prophetic Declarations in the Gospel, in JESUS NAME.

Come back on Wednesday, for more of this insightful and enlightening Sub-Subtopic.

Keep Shinning!

Brother Prince

Monday, September 04, 2023

08055125517; 08023904307

[lesfeldickbiblestudy]

  Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 2 * PART 1 * BOOK 74 CONNECTING THE DOTS OF SCRIPTURE - PART 5 Genesis through Revelation Okay, good to see everybody in again this afternoon.   My goodness, I think we’ve got every chair filled. We’ve got a lot of out-of-state visitors today.  We’ve got two up here from Florida.  We’ve got six back there from Pennsylvania, and we’ve got several other new ones from our area.  We want to welcome every one of you.  For those of you joining us by television, again we’re just going to open the Scriptures and hopefully clarify a lot of questions.  Because I can tell from the mail and the phone calls that some of the things we teach are just absolutely new to so many people. And yet it’s not new.  It’s been in here for thousands of years.  The only thing is, so many just can’t see it.  But we’re going to do our best to keep opening the Scriptures.  It’s not what I think or what any denomination thinks, but what does the Book say. All right, for just a little refreshing of our memory, I’m going to look at a couple of verses we closed with in our last program, which on television, of course, was just yesterday.  But for those of us in here, it’s been two weeks ago.  Turn back with me to Luke chapter 1.  We’ve been looking at this whole concept of “connecting the dots” of the big picture from Genesis to Revelation. The biggest share of it, of course, starts in Genesis chapter 12 and the call of Abraham and the appearance of the Nation of Israel. The first eleven chapters of Genesis are what I call a disaster.  It is pitiful how everything went down, down, down, from the time of Creation until God called out Abraham.  Well, in the last taping we came up through the Old Testament showing the person of the coming King and how He had been prophesied all the way up through the Old Testament. Today, we’re going to look at the physical aspects of the Kingdom over which this King will one day rule. So, just to pick up a little mind refresher from our last program, turn back with me where we stopped in Luke chapter 1, where Zacharias the priest has now had this outpouring of information from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  It’s not just, like I always say, the wishful thinking of a good Jew, but rather, this was the very mind of God. All right, I’m going to drop in at verse 69.  This is just part of his speaking forth of what was about to happen so far as Old Testament prophecies were concerned, and that is that the Messiah was now in their midst.  John the Baptist will soon start announcing it, but here Zacharias, at the birth of John the Baptist, is letting Israel know what is about to happen. Luke 1:69-71a “And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 70. As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:  71. That we should be saved from our enemies,…” And I always make the point: now we’re not talking about sin, yet, we’re talking about their mortal enemies living all around them, even as they are today.  That’s why it’s so appropriate. Luke 1:71-74 “That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72. To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73. The oath (or the covenant) which he swear to our father Abraham, 74. That he (God) would grant unto us (Israel), that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him (God) without fear,” Luke 1:75-77a “In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. 76. And thou, child, (Speaking of John the Baptist, who has just been born.) shalt be called the prophet (or the forth teller) of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 77. To give knowledge of salvation…” Now we’re dealing with the sin problem. Luke 1:77-78 “To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, 78. Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us.”

All right, now that’s where we stopped.  I’m going to go back now and pick up the other side of the prophecies and that is the Kingdom itself and all of its physical properties.  We’re going to take you all the way back to where we’ve been many, many times over the last many, many years—to Exodus 19.  And remember what we’re talking about.  The last programs were the promises concerning this person, the Messiah, who would be the King over the glorious Earthly Kingdom. Now, I’m going to go back and start in Exodus and bring along all the prophecies concerning the physical attributes of the Kingdom.  Before we go any further, before I have the guys turn the board, I’m just suddenly reminded – because of all the questions we get showing the confusion in all denominations about this Earthly Kingdom.  People can’t get it through their heads.  Yeah, I’ve got heads nodding. You’ve run across it.  They can’t get it through their head that when time ends as we understand it, and the Tribulation has run its course, and the earth has been devastated by God judging the iniquity of mankind; that the earth is going to be totally renovated, regenerated, and reconstituted. (Those were the words that are used in Scripture.) It’ll be an earth like the Garden of Eden, and that will bring in the thousand-year Earthly Kingdom.  And they can’t get it through their head. Well, now I’ve just suddenly brought to mind, when my youngest son Todd went up to Southern Illinois University back in the late 80’s.  And the first Sunday he was up there in Carbondale, he found a church and he went to a Sunday school class with college kids.  He was up there working on his Masters.  And the subject in that Sunday school that morning was the Kingdom of Heaven.  And all they could talk about was the invisible, spiritual aspect of that Kingdom of Heaven.  And he said after about twenty minutes he just couldn’t hold it any longer, and he interrupted, and he said, “Now wait a minute.  You’ve got it all wrong.  This isn’t an invisible kingdom.  It’s a visible, veritable kingdom over which Christ is going to rule and reign as King.” Now, how I picked it up, we came in the house from church and the phone was ringing. Todd was on the phone all shook up because of what he had just experienced at his Sunday school in church.  And I mean he was shook up.  Almost, he probably wouldn’t want me to say this, but almost in tears.  Because when he pointed out their error that this isn’t something invisible and spiritual, but it’s a physical visible Kingdom, and he said, “Dad, what do you suppose they almost screamed at me?”  And I said, “Tell me.”  They said, “You mean it’s a political thing?” And he said, “Well, if you want to call it that.  Yes.  But it’s going to be a Kingdom over which Christ is going to rule and reign.” He said, “They couldn’t get it.”  They just scoffed and scorned him, and he said, “I’ll never go back.”   I said, “I don’t blame you, I wouldn’t either.”  But see, that’s the mentality of Christendom.  Because Todd wouldn’t go to some offbeat, liberal church, he went to what he thought was a rather biblical one.  But see, they have no concept of this earthly, glorious, one thousand year Kingdom over which Christ is going to rule and reign.  But it’s through all of Scripture, as I’m going to show you today continuing on from the last taping. All right, the first real mention of this Kingdom is in Exodus 19, so turn with me there.  We’re going to jump in at verse 3.  And then we’re just going to do a lot of Bible reading today.  So those of you out in television, bear with me. We’re just going to let the Scripture speak for itself.  I don’t have to comment on it.  It’s so plain.  The language is so evident, that we can just let it speak. Exodus 19:3-5a “And Moses went up unto God, (Up there at Mount Sinai remember, and they’re all gathered around the mountain.  They’ve just escaped from the Red Sea experience.) and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; 4.

Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bear you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. 5. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant,…” Which he’s going to give now in chapter 20, the covenant of Law – the Ten Commandments and all the rest of it. Exodus 19:5-6a “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye (Now we’re talking about the Nation of Israel again.) shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: (They’re going to be the chosen race.  And God says I can do this, because I’m Sovereign.) for all the earth is mine:  (And now here it comes.) 6. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests,…” Now way back, I haven’t done it for a long time, I said the Kingdom is the Kingdom is the Kingdom is the Kingdom.  What Kingdom is it talking about?  That thousand year reign of Christ, where the world is going to be totally under His dominion.  It’s going to be Heaven on Earth, and that’s why it’s called the Kingdom of Heaven.  It’s going to be completely void of sin and death and disease and all the things concerning the curse, because the curse will be lifted.  Satan will be removed.  He’s locked up in the abyss.  So it’s going to Heaven on Earth. Keep that locked in your mind that we’re talking not about Heaven of the Heavens. The Bible doesn’t tell us much about that.  All we know about the Heaven of the Heavens – it’s going to be glorious!  But we get all these descriptions of this Earthly Kingdom, and we’re going to look at them today.  All right, so Israel is given the prospect that when this Kingdom comes in, and all the nations are going to be represented. They’re all going to be starting on a population explosion right along with Israel.  But every Jew had the prospect of being a priest.  Not just the tribe of Levi, all of them.  But they’re going to have to meet God’s conditions. If they would be obedient, then God would bring in this glorious opportunity for every last Jew – verse 6. Exodus 19:6 “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.  (Now, you see, that’s exactly the same words that Peter uses in his little epistle when he addressed the Jews of his day – that they were promised to be priests and a holy nation.  That’s not to us.  Paul never ever calls the Grace Age believer a priest.  We’re members of the Body.  We’re ambassadors.  And we are certainly the promoters of Truth and all that.  But we are never called priests in the Body of Christ.  All right, so every Jew had the prospect to be a priest in this Kingdom.) These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” All right, now let’s jump all the way up to where the prophets begin to lay out this Earthly Kingdom in all of its physical and political, if you want to use that word, attributes.  Jump up with me to Isaiah chapter 2.  As far as I can tell, this is the real first prophetic utterance, unless David may possibly have it in the Psalms.  But of the prophets, this is the first instance that we have this Kingdom alluded to.  Isaiah chapter 2, might as well start at verse 1. Isaiah 2:1-2a “The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2. And it shall come to pass…” Now, does time mean anything to our God?  Nothing.  He’s timeless.  So even though Isaiah is writing 700 years before Christ, and this hasn’t happened yet, don’t you believe this stuff that everything ended in A.D. 70.  I can’t, can you?  I just can’t get over it. How in the world they can say this kind of stuff. But anyhow, this has not happened yet.  Does that mean it isn’t going to?  Well, of course not.  God is timeless.  His wheels grind slowly, and it’s going to happen!  Now we can see the evidence that we’re getting closer and closer. I still like to go back to my old cartoon of the caveman.  Yeah, every once in a while I pull it on Iris.  You know, the old caveman was sitting in front of his door and he had a big sign over it -- “The End Is Near.

”  And then he must have had a second thought and he put “er” on the end of it.  “The End Is Nearer.”  Well okay, it’s nearer now than it was two weeks ago when we were here.  It’s getting closer and closer and closer.  And again, I’m always going back to that verse in Galatians.  I did in the last taping.  How did Paul refer to the birth of Christ at Bethlehem?  “That when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son.”  What does that mean?  God, in His foreknowledge, knew exactly what day Christ was going to be born.  He knew the hour, but He doesn’t necessarily reveal it. Now, it is the same way here.  God knows when this is going to come to pass.  We don’t.  All we know is that we are getting closer and closer.  All right, back to Isaiah chapter 2. Isaiah 2:2 “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain (or the Kingdom) of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, (Now remember, the word mountain in the Old Testament verbiage is a kingdom.) and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.”  All right, so this Kingdom is going to be above all the other kingdoms of this world. “…and all nations shall flow (Where?) into it.” Now, as we come up through the Scriptures this afternoon, keep those words uppermost in your thinking.  That everything in that Kingdom is going to flow into the capital city of that Kingdom, which will be Jerusalem.  All right, let’s jump all the way up to chapter 9.  Now, all we’re going to do all afternoon is just look at these chronologically unfolding Scriptures that are describing this coming Kingdom, that regardless of how you look at it, has not happened yet.  But it’s going to.  Verses 6 and 7: Isaiah 9:6a “For unto us a child is born, (a reference to Bethlehem) unto us (Israel) a son is given: and the government…”  Now, you want to call it political?  The only trouble is, in our understanding of Scripture, if it’s political, it’s bound to have what go with it?  Corruption.  Absolutely.  But not in this one!  This is going to be a government that is as holy and righteous as God Himself.  So, you can call it political, but leave the corruption aside. Isaiah 9:6b-7a “…the government shall be upon his shoulder: (That is, this one who was born in Bethlehem.) and his name (when this Kingdom comes in) shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. 7. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, (In other words, it’s going to slip right on into eternity, and it’s going to be--) upon the throne of David,…” Now stop.  Where was David’s throne?  In Heaven?  No.  Jerusalem, and in particular, on what mountain?  Mount Zion.  And that’s where Christ is going to have His headquarters in this thousand-year Kingdom.  On Mount Zion. Isaiah 9:7b “…upon the throne of David, (where David’s throne was in the past) and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” All right, let’s just go a little bit further to Isaiah chapter 11.  I’m just taking these as they unfold in Scripture.  In Isaiah chapter 11 we look at another aspect of this glorious Earthly Kingdom.  And I’m going to emphasize that word ‘earthly’ all afternoon; so that people get it out of their heads that we’re talking about some kind of a spiritual, invisible entity.  No.  We’re talking about this planet that’s going to renovated and made new like the Garden of Eden.  It’s going to be beautiful beyond comprehension, but it also has all of the other attributes of planet earth, the animal kingdom.  And that’s what we see here in this chapter.  Okay, Isaiah chapter 11 starting at verse 1. Isaiah 11:1a “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse,…” Now, that’s just Old Testament language that out of the family tree as we refer to it, we have Jesse.  Out of Jesse came David, and

then down through the hundreds of years of Israel’s history came Jesus of Nazareth, the promised line of David and Solomon and so forth. Isaiah 11:1b-2 “…and a Branch (is a reference to Christ) shall grow out of his roots: (This is what’s going to happen to the Christ, the Messiah, when He returns and sets up this Kingdom on earth.) 2. And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, (the sevenfold spirits of God) the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;” In other words, He’s going to have all the attributes of the Godhead in His Kingdom rule. Isaiah 11:3-4a “And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge (Or rule—now, we’ve gone over all this before.  For a lot of you, I know this is review.  But we have a lot of listeners out there who have never heard this before, believe me.) he shall not rule after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4. But with righteousness (With all the righteousness of the Godhead remember, because that’s who He is.  He’s God the Son.) shall he rule the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth:…” In other words, the beatitudes are going to become the constitution of this Kingdom. Isaiah 11:4b “…and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, (In other words, to prepare it for this Kingdom economy.) and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.”  That’s all past.  That was done during the Tribulation.  Now, back into the Kingdom again. Isaiah 11:5-6 “And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reigns.  (Now we come to the animal kingdom.) 6. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; (No controversy between these wild animals.  No death.  No tearing from limb and so forth.) and a little child shall lead them.”  Because these incoming people at the beginning of the millennium are going to be flesh and blood.  They’re going to be marrying and having families and having children.  That’s the whole idea of the Kingdom.  But there’s no sin.  There’s no Satan.  Everything is going to be harmonious, as Adam and Eve could have had it had they not eaten of the tree.  Well anyway, how can this happen?  I always have to do this, because otherwise people say, “Well, now this doesn’t make sense.”  All right, come back to Genesis chapter 1.  How can all these carnivorous animals: the lion, the wolf, the tigers, and the leopards—how can they all be cohabiting with little children and with lambs and goats, which would ordinarily be their easiest prey?  But here’s the reason. Genesis 1 verse 30 and this is the way it’s going to be again.  Now, this is before Adam ate.  This is before the curse fell.  This is the way God originally created it.  All right, Genesis 1 verse 30: Genesis 1:30 “And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for food: and it was so.”  Now what does that tell you?  Everything.  The carnivorous, as we call them, the lions and the leopards and the goats and so forth are all going to eat of things that grow naturally.  That’s what we mean by the herbs.  Nothing will kill something else for its diet.  And that’s why it’s going to be so glorious. All right, now with that concept, since the curse will be lifted and Satan is locked up, yes, this becomes very believable.    Back to Isaiah 11 and now verse 7. Isaiah 11:7 “And the cow (the domesticated cattle) and the bear (That would never happen ordinarily, but it’s going to because it’s going to revert back to the pre-Fall and so) shall feed; (that is together) their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion (of all creatures) shall eat straw (Or herbs, or grass, or forage, however you want to put it.

) like the ox (cattle).”  The lion won’t have to have meat for its diet.  The lion’s full digestive track will be changed again so that it will be like it was before the Fall, where everything ate those things that grow naturally. All right, then verse 8: Isaiah 11:8 “And the nursing child shall play on the hole of the asp, (a poisonous snake) and the weaned child (See, we’re showing that there are different stages of children just like today.  There’s going to be infants and toddlers and older kids, and they’re all part of this glorious Kingdom economy now.) shall put his hand on a cockatrice’ den.”  And now verse 9, here’s the frosting on the cake, as we like to put it. Isaiah 11:9 “They (All these inhabitants of this glorious, Earthly Kingdom over which Christ is ruling and reigning.) shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: (There’ll be no death, no pain, no injury.  It’s going to be glorious, and yet they’re going to be there in flesh and blood bodies.) for the earth (Not heaven, the earth) shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”  In other words, everything is going to be as perfect as God can make it! Why can’t people believe it?  Does it stretch their imagination?  My goodness, you know, if God could create the universe with all of its billions and billions and billions of stars and galaxies, you tell me that He can’t make this possible?  Why, this is nothing compared to what He’s already done.  And all He asks us to do is what?  Believe it!  That’s why faith is the key.  God wants us to believe what He says.  And He’s going to reward us accordingly.

[forhim-aname]

Scripture of the Day February 23, 2024

Significance of the Blood?

Genesis 4:10-11—(Cain had just killed his brother Abel and God asked him:) “What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's BLOOD crieth unto me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's BLOOD from thy hand;”

Genesis 9:5—And surely your BLOOD of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.

Exodus 12:12-14—For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the BLOOD shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and WHEN I SEE THE BLOOD, I WILL PASS OVER YOU, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations.

Exodus 12:23—For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the BLOOD upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

Exodus 24:8—And Moses took the BLOOD, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the BLOOD OF THE COVENANT, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

Leviticus 17:10-11—And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of BLOOD; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth BLOOD, For the life of the flesh is in the BLOOD: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for IT IS THE BLOOD THAT MAKIETH ATONEMENT FOR THE SOUL.

Isaiah 26:21—For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her BLOOD, and shall no more cover her slain. (70 AD prophecy)

Ezekiel 16:6—And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own BLOOD, I said unto you when you were in your BLOOD, “LIVE!”; yea, I said unto you when you were in your BLOOD, “Live!” (Quote this verse over someone with a nosebleed and watch the flow of blood to cease.)

Matthew 23:35—”That upon you may come all the righteous BLOOD shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the BLOOD of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.” ~Jesus/Yhswh to the scribes and the Pharisees

Matthew 26:28—”For this is my BLOOD of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (~Jesus/Yhswh to His disciples at the Last Supper)

[jdgo51]

The Lamb, Yahweh

Today's inspiration comes from

Unlocking the Secrets of the Feast

by Michael Norten

Editor’s Note: For those of us who aren’t familiar with Jewish traditions, Passover is an eight-day festival which is celebrated from the 15th to the 22nd of the Hebrew month called Nissan. The dates on the American calendar change every year. This year Passover is April 5 (Shabbat, or Sabbath) in the evening through, April 13 after sundown.

"'A number of years ago I heard Jimmy DeYoung, an outstanding news commentator and Bible teacher, make a presentation at a Bible prophecy conference. Since it was during the Christmas season, he was teaching about the birth of Jesus in the first chapter of Luke. He read to us Luke 2:8–12:

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.’

Dr. DeYoung then asked the audience a surprising question: “Did you ever wonder why this was a sign?” This left us all speechless. I had to admit to myself that I had never even questioned it. Why was it a sign? Dr. DeYoung had us turn to the book of Micah. We were all familiar with Micah 5:2, which prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, but many of us were not familiar with Micah 4:8, which prophesied that He would be announced at the tower of the flock (Migdal Eder). Dr. DeYoung, who had lived in Jerusalem for a number of years, told us that Migdal Eder was a two-story tower that had been built in a pasture outside Bethlehem. The remains of the tower had recently been discovered.

Dr. DeYoung explained that the shepherds in the field had not all been the lowly shepherds that we had always assumed. They were actually priests from the temple who were doing shepherding work to assist in the birthing of the sacrificial lambs so that they would be unblemished for sacrifice. While the shepherds were keeping watch over the flock from the top floor of the tower, the shepherd-priests would bring the pregnant sheep in from the field to the tower’s bottom floor, where the sheep would give birth. As soon as a lamb was born, the priests would wrap it with strips of cloths made from old priestly undergarments. This was done to keep the lamb from getting blemished. The priests would then place the lamb onto a manger to make sure it would not get trampled. Wow! So when these shepherd-priests went into Bethlehem and saw the baby Jesus wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger, they must have exclaimed, “There is the Lamb of God, prepared for sacrifice, unblemished!” They had to be excited beyond description, because they were the only ones who could have understood the sign. It was just for them from God. It was personal!

God gave us so many pictures in order that we could understand the magnitude of His loving grace!

I presume that Jesus’ swaddling cloths were from the same source as the lambs’ cloths. Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth, was married to the priest Zacharias. Elizabeth could have given her the cloths made from the priestly undergarments. It is highly probable that the first clothes that Jesus wore were the clothes of a priest. What a sign! I was so intrigued by this that I did some further research. These historical observations and parallels were confirmed by many messianic rabbis and the renowned historical writer Alfred Edersheim. I also sought out help from Bob Ibach, an experienced archaeologist, who had done some digs in Israel. He found the written account and pictures of the discovery of “the tower of the flock,” Migdal Eder. This whole insight made the account of the announcement of Jesus’ birth astounding and even more exciting!

More and more facts began to unfold in my research. I was talking further with David Schiller, my Jewish teacher and friend, about what I had learned about the shepherds and the lambs. He amazed me with some more historical insights. He explained that each Jewish family would put the family name around the neck of their lamb that they took to the Temple to be sacrificed. They did this to make sure they received their own lamb back for the Passover dinner. I wondered if there was any significance to this piece of trivia. As I was contemplating this, Schiller pointed out to me a particular object found in most of the paintings of Christ on the cross. There was a small sign at the top of the cross that looked like four letters: “INRI.” I discovered that this was an abbreviation of the sign that Pontius Pilot placed on the cross as seen in John 19:19:

Pilate also wrote an inscription, and put it on the cross. It was written, ‘JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.’

I learned that the letters were the first letters of each of the nouns in the inscription in Latin. I contacted my daughter Ruth, who is very good with Latin, and asked her to show me the inscription in the Latin Vulgate. That confirmed it: “Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum” (INRI).

Then Schiller opened my eyes to an incredible observation. Since the inscription had been in three languages — Latin, Greek, and Hebrew — he transliterated it for me from Hebrew to English. I saw before me these words: “Y’Shua HaNatzri V’Melech HaYehudim.” I was absolutely stunned when I took the first letters of each of these words. It spelled “YHVH,” the Tetragrammaton form of the name of God! YHVH and YHWH can be used interchangeably. When this technique of abbreviating is used, the title on the cross in the actual Hebraic script undeniably reveals the name of God. In English, the name is pronounced “Yahweh!”

Just like the Jews put their family name on their lamb for sacrifice at the Temple, God put His name on His Lamb for His family, which includes you and me!"'

God gave us so many pictures in order that we could understand the magnitude of His loving grace!

Excerpted with permission from Unlocking the Secrets of the Feasts by Michael Norten, copyright Thomas Nelson.

[imustbenuts]

Kiran is (functionally) a Bodhisattva/Deva and Askr is gambling on them (A wild almost baseless theory)

I'm out of my damn mind and I've decided to make you guys suffer through my insane thoughts.

To get this out of the way, a Bodhisattva is roughly translating, ‘the enlightened one’ in Buddhism, one who has grasped the truths of the world and are able to break away from the cycle of suffering and ascend into an actual Buddha. But choose not to, instead remain on the current plane of existence to help alleviate others' suffering in hopes that others may attain the truths and do the same. (This is NOT a perfect, total summary but I hope its enough to understand what a Bodhisattva, functionally, is.)

So for years I've been holding onto this idea that Kiran is a supernatural being in the context of the world of FEH. I mean, if they’re from our world and played the series, I reasoned some things:

Our world relatively speaking is one of incredible comfort, even more so than what monarchies of the medieval eras can achieve at their height. Specifically, Kiran is akin to a Deva of the variety of deities in Buddhism before they were pulled into FEH. Here's the wikipedia link explaining the nuance of what a Deva is. The takeaway: They live longer, are able to die, but their lives are one of pleasures and comfort. (Remember Peony’s words of how the World of Steel is one of comfort?)

They have knowledge of all FE characters, some more invasive than others. Conversely, native zenith folks are completely unknown to them. This makes them a bit supernatural despite being a human being, and makes them aware to the suffering of characters in the FEverse.

They must then know certain repeating tropes that has been occurring in FEverse. Masked dudes being sus, dead parents, blue haired lords, divine dragons subject to mental degradation, etc etc. You get the idea.

As blue haired lords with sisters are typically the main criteria in general for FE lords to be recognized as the protagonist, it is theoretically possible for Kiran to over-attach themself to Alfonse based on point 3 at the point of first contact.

Kiran has some level of perception towards tropes, which is why I think they caught on to  Bruno/Zacharias’ identity in book 1 so easily. And how many of us were thinking, 'Gustav is totally gonna kick it' when he appeared?

If Alfonse can open pathways to other worlds, then one inferred reason why Kiran doesn’t leave is because they realize if they do, Alfonse is completely screwed. (twisting this can also mean: delay to ‘ascension’)

By book 2, the name of Sutr and the prophecy referencing Ragnarok is clear, and the presence of Loki throws in a very high possibility that Ragnarok will happen even without Sutr. Loki is also, across all interpretations, a chaotic basket of fun and does things so long as she has a laugh. Point 6 is reinforced.

I also thought about why the game explicitly refers to Kiran as us, the players playing the game, when they could have taken the Blazing Blade route when they could turn them into a Mark v2.0. Those 7 points i listed are ultimately wild theories of a theoretical Kiran who thinks like me, and so I have to admit it doesn’t hold much weight on its own.

It just has to be an avatar, is what I'm getting at. An avatar functionally more akin to Robin or Byleth, characters with their own personalities and goals while we drive the plot forwards.

Except, then, there are Norse gods. And Norse gods means a lot of self-indulgent deities with Odin/All-father who has the Twilit Runes, ie he has already seen EVERY bit of fate that’s to come. But Kiran wasn't there at the point the runes were made, so far away in our world without magic and so insignificant that it doesn't matter. Probably.

As a direct result of their presence/interference, Askr isn’t at Embla’s mercy by the end of book 1, and Ragnarok doesn't occur as prophesied in book 2 by the hands of Sutr. I think its possible that Fjorm would have perished instead by book 2 originally if not for Kiran’s presence bolstering Alfonse’s fate/desires to defeat Sutr.

So Kiran does have a function in the world of FEH.

So then that leads into who made Breidablik and the prophecy behind them? I thought it could be Askr, Baldr (if they even exist), someone, or even Eitri, but seems like Eitri wasn’t involved in the creation of Breidablik. Baldr remains non-existent at this point, so, I thought, someone who knows of the Twilit Runes wanted to stop it made Breidablik. And maybe Breidablik just looks for whoever understands enough of 1. sticking to the blue haired lord, and 2. Norse mythos, to roll on with the plot of FEH.

But that's all the thoughts I had for years.

Then book 6 starts raising my eyebrow. Ash’s beast form is a cow. A cattle. One of the most sacred creatures in Buddhism/Hinduism. Cows in general are a very rare and unique character design choice so I didn't dwell too much on it. (EDIT: here's a write up expanding on this idea) Since this is ultimately entertainment, so sometimes they do random things in the name of cool. Askr is a divine dragon anyway, right? Lizard and all, I thought.

But then. then. On April fools 2022, Lonely Puppeteer (Spring Remix) drops, complete with a fully rendered MV

And I see Kiran on a goddamn lotus. Lotus in Buddhism/Hinduism is representative of purity above material attachment and physical desire. It's a big thing there, but ok, still nothing definitive. I'm also reminded of how Kiran technically resisted the lust pollen in book iv. But ultimately it looks fancy and cool, and it's April Fools, so whatever.

(I want to stress also that there are countless depictions of deities and Buddha sitting above the lotus in peaceful meditation. The lotus is some serious symbolism in Buddhism and Hinduism.)

Then Askr's design comes out. He's a DIVINE. BULL. DRAGON. DEITY. I just about fucking lost it.

Immediately I notice the Third Eye on his forehead.

In many parts of Asia, the Third Eye is said to allow the user to perceive things which are beyond normal perception. Some think it predicts the future, lets the user see ghosts, divine fates, or even see beyond our own material world. Now, I don't know at this point if that third eye, if it is even one, lets Askr do those things, but I'm willing to bet the ability to open gateways to other worlds is in synergy with it at bare minimum. After all, Anankos was able to see the world of Awakening despite being in Fates, so this seems more than plausible.

And if my bullshit is right, the one responsible for Breidablik is likely Askr, who has seen the future and wants to prevent Ragnarok. (EDIT: JOSSED, it looks like. oh well!) So he pulls in a being from a wildly different plane of existence, maybe with said prerequisites of understanding 2 rules, 1. sticking to the blue haired lord, and 2. Norse mythos, all in hopes that the chance of breaking the prophecy of Ragnarok is above 0%.

Thanks for coming to my Ted-talk. Admittedly I've only bounced this idea off 2 people, one who hasn't caught up on FEH and doesn't know too much about Buddhism, and another who has dropped the game. So this idea is unrefined.

TL;DR: Title

I'll go back to writing Fanfic on AO3 now lol. I wrote Hello Hopeful, and this is my AO3 account. I’m losing my fucking mind rn, cheers. If you find my fic interesting, Id be super happy if you could leave a kudos!

PS: Third Eyes also enables the user to see Devas according to that Wikipedia article. Divine Eyes and Third Eye means the same thing in Mandarin, so wtf lol

PPS: Devas are not creator gods either. they are more of a human, mortal deity who can observe the realms ‘below’ theirs, but rarely intervene/offer counsel. There's a belief that we all once had the ability to fly and glow and are Devas ourselves, but lost the ability to do that over time in buddhism

EDIT: This theory is a shallower exploration and mostly made from speculation. I made a better one! For a more in-depth meta analysis feel free to check my pinned. Thanks!

[pamphletstoinspire]

THE PROPHECY OF Zacharias - From The Douay-Rheims Bible - Latin Vulgate

Chapter 8

INTRODUCTION.

Zacharias or Zachariah began to prophesy in the same year as Aggeus, and upon the same occasion. His prophecy is full of mysterious figures and promises of blessings, partly relating to the synagogue and partly to the Church of Christ. Ch. --- He is the "most obscure and longest of the twelve;" (S. Jer.) though Osee wrote the same number of chapters. H. --- Zacharias has been confounded with many others of the same name. Little is known concerning his life. Some have asserted that the ninth and two following chapters were written by Jeremias, in whose name C. xi. 12. is quoted Mat. xxvii. 9. But that is more probably a mistake of transcribers. Zacharias speaks more plainly of the Messias and of the last siege of Jerusalem than the rest, as he live nearer those times. C. --- His name signifies, "the memory of the Lord." S. Jer. --- He appeared only two months after Aggeus, and shewed that the Church should flourish in the synagogue, and much more after the coming of Christ, who would select his first preachers from among the Jews. Yet few of them shall embrace the gospel, in comparison with the Gentiles, though they shall at last be converted. S. Jer. ad Paulin. W.

The additional Notes in this Edition of the New Testament will be marked with the letter A. Such as are taken from various Interpreters and Commentators, will be marked as in the Old Testament. B. Bristow, C. Calmet, Ch. Challoner, D. Du Hamel, E. Estius, J. Jansenius, M. Menochius, Po. Polus, P. Pastorini, T. Tirinus, V. Bible de Vence, W. Worthington, Wi. Witham. — The names of other authors, who may be occasionally consulted, will be given at full length.

Verses are in English and Latin.

HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY

This Catholic commentary on the Old Testament, following the Douay-Rheims Bible text, was originally compiled by Catholic priest and biblical scholar Rev. George Leo Haydock (1774-1849). This transcription is based on Haydock's notes as they appear in the 1859 edition of Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary printed by Edward Dunigan and Brother, New York, New York.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES

Changes made to the original text for this transcription include the following:

Greek letters. The original text sometimes includes Greek expressions spelled out in Greek letters. In this transcription, those expressions have been transliterated from Greek letters to English letters, put in italics, and underlined. The following substitution scheme has been used: A for Alpha; B for Beta; G for Gamma; D for Delta; E for Epsilon; Z for Zeta; E for Eta; Th for Theta; I for Iota; K for Kappa; L for Lamda; M for Mu; N for Nu; X for Xi; O for Omicron; P for Pi; R for Rho; S for Sigma; T for Tau; U for Upsilon; Ph for Phi; Ch for Chi; Ps for Psi; O for Omega. For example, where the name, Jesus, is spelled out in the original text in Greek letters, Iota-eta-sigma-omicron-upsilon-sigma, it is transliterated in this transcription as, Iesous. Greek diacritical marks have not been represented in this transcription.

Footnotes. The original text indicates footnotes with special characters, including the astrisk (*) and printers' marks, such as the dagger mark, the double dagger mark, the section mark, the parallels mark, and the paragraph mark. In this transcription all these special characters have been replaced by numbers in square brackets, such as [1], [2], [3], etc.

Accent marks. The original text contains some English letters represented with accent marks. In this transcription, those letters have been rendered in this transcription without their accent marks.

Other special characters.

Solid horizontal lines of various lengths that appear in the original text have been represented as a series of consecutive hyphens of approximately the same length, such as ---.

Ligatures, single characters containing two letters united, in the original text in some Latin expressions have been represented in this transcription as separate letters. The ligature formed by uniting A and E is represented as Ae, that of a and e as ae, that of O and E as Oe, and that of o and e as oe.

Monetary sums in the original text represented with a preceding British pound sterling symbol (a stylized L, transected by a short horizontal line) are represented in this transcription with a following pound symbol, l.

The half symbol (1/2) and three-quarters symbol (3/4) in the original text have been represented in this transcription with their decimal equivalent, (.5) and (.75) respectively.

Unreadable text. Places where the transcriber's copy of the original text is unreadable have been indicated in this transcription by an empty set of square brackets, [].

Chapter 8

Joyful promises to Jerusalem: fully verified in the church of Christ.

[1] And the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying:

Et factum est verbum Domini exercituum, dicens :

[2] Thus saith the Lord of hosts: I have been jealous for Sion with a great jealousy, and with a great indignation have I been jealous for her.

Haec dicit Dominus exercituum : Zelatus sum Sion zelo magno, et indignatione magna zelatus sum eam.

[3] Thus saith the Lord of hosts: I am returned to Sion, and I will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called The city of truth, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, The sanctified mountain.

Haec dicit Dominus exercituum : Reversus sum ad Sion, et habitabo in medio Jerusalem : et vocabitur Jerusalem civitas veritatis, et mons Domini exercituum mons sanctificatus.

[4] Thus saith the Lord of hosts: There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem: and every man with his staff in his hand through multitude of days.

Haec dicit Dominus exercituum : Adhuc habitabunt senes et anus in plateis Jerusalem, et viri baculus in manu ejus prae multitudine dierum.

[5] And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls, playing in the streets thereof.

Et plateae civitatis complebuntur infantibus et puellis, ludentibus in plateis ejus.

[6] Thus saith the Lord of hosts: If it seem hard in the eyes of the remnant of this people in those days: shall it be hard in my eyes, saith the Lord of hosts?

Haec dicit Dominus exercituum : Si videbitur difficile in oculis reliquiarum populi hujus in diebus illis, numquid in oculis meis difficile erit? dicit Dominus exercituum.

[7] Thus saith the Lord of hosts: Behold I will save my people from the land of the east, and from the land of the going down of the sun.

Haec dicit Dominus exercituum : Ecce ego salvabo populum meum de terra orientis et de terra occasus solis.

[8] And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God in truth and in justice.

Et adducam eos, et habitabunt in medio Jerusalem : et erunt mihi in populum, et ego ero eis in Deum, in veritate et in justitia.

[9] Thus saith the Lord of hosts: Let your hands be strengthened, you that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, in the day that the house of the Lord of hosts was founded, that the temple might be built.

Haec dicit Dominus exercituum : Confortentur manus vestrae, qui auditis in his diebus sermones istos per os prophetarum, in die qua fundata est domus Domini exercituum, ut templum aedificaretur.

[10] For before those days there was no hire for men, neither was there hire for beasts, neither was there peace to him that came in, nor to him that went out, because of the tribulation: and I let all men go every one against his neighbour.

Siquidem ante dies illos merces hominum non erat, nec merces jumentorum erat : neque introeunti, neque exeunti erat pax prae tribulatione : et dimisi omnes homines, unumquemque contra proximum suum.

[11] But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people according to the former days, saith the Lord of hosts.

Nunc autem non juxta dies priores ego faciam reliquiis populi hujus, dicit Dominus exercituum,

[12] But there shall be the seed of peace: the vine shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew: and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.

sed semen pacis erit : vinea dabit fructum suum, et terra dabit germen suum, et caeli dabunt rorem suum : et possidere faciam reliquias populi hujus universa haec.

[13] And it shall come to pass, that as you were a curse among the Gentiles, O house of Juda, and house of Israel: so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing: fear not, let your hands be strengthened.

Et erit : sicut eratis maledictio in gentibus, domus Juda et domus Israel, sic salvabo vos, et eritis benedictio. Nolite timere; confortentur manus vestrae.

[14] For thus saith the Lord of hosts: As I purposed to afflict you, when your fathers had provoked me to wrath, saith the Lord,

Quia haec dicit Dominus exercituum : Sicut cogitavi ut affligerem vos, cum ad iracundiam provocassent patres vestri me, dicit Dominus,

[15] And I had no mercy: so turning again I have thought in these days to do good to the house of Juda, and Jerusalem: fear not.

et non sum misertus : sic conversus cogitavi, in diebus istis, ut benefaciam domui Juda et Jerusalem. Nolite timere.

[16] These then are the things, which you shall do: Speak ye truth every one to his neighbour: judge ye truth and judgment of peace in your gates.

Haec sunt ergo verba quae facietis : loquimini veritatem unusquisque cum proximo suo : veritatem et judicium pacis judicate in portis vestris.

[17] And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his friend: and love not a false oath: for all these are the things that I hate, saith the Lord.

Et unusquisque malum contra amicum suum ne cogitetis in cordibus vestris, et juramentum mendax ne diligatis : omnia enim haec sunt quae odi, dicit Dominus.

[18] And the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying:

Et factum est verbum Domini exercituum ad me, dicens :

[19] Thus saith the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Juda, joy, and gladness, and great solemnities: only love ye truth and peace.

Haec dicit Dominus exercituum : Jejunium quarti, et jejunium quinti, et jejunium septimi, et jejunium decimi erit domui Juda in gaudium et laetitiam et in solemnitates praeclaras. Veritatem tantum et pacem diligite.

[20] Thus saith the Lord of hosts, until people come, and dwell in many cities,

Haec dicit Dominus exercituum, usquequo veniant populi et habitent in civitatibus multis :

[21] And the inhabitants go one to another, saying: Let us go, and entreat the face of the Lord, and let us seek the Lord of hosts: I also will go.

et vadant habitatores, unus ad alterum, dicentes : Eamus, et deprecemur faciem Domini, et quaeramus Dominum exercituum : vadam etiam ego.

[22] And many peoples, and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the face of the Lord.

Et venient populi multi, et gentes robustae, ad quaerendum Dominum exercituum in Jerusalem, et deprecandam faciem Domini.

[23] Thus saith the Lord of hosts: In those days, wherein ten men of all languages of the Gentiles shall take hold, and shall hold fast the shirt of one that is a Jew, saying: We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

Haec dicit Dominus exercituum : In diebus illis, in quibus apprehendent decem homines ex omnibus linguis gentium, et apprehendent fimbriam viri Judaei, dicentes : Ibimus vobiscum : audivimus enim quoniam Deus vobiscum est.

Commentary:

Ver. 2. Jealous for her, treating her as a spouse, (C.) and not neglecting her as one incorrigible. H.

Ver. 3. Truth. Idols and infidelity shall reign there no more. The Jews were more faithful after the captivity. But the Church of Christ is alone perfectly chaste. C.

Ver. 6. Days. If no prospect of such happiness now appear, is any thing difficult to Omnipotence? H. Lu. i. 37.

Ver. 7. Sun, from Chaldea and the islands. This chiefly regards the Christian Church. C. --- Assyria and Chaldea lay to the north. The promises are too great for the synagogue. W.

Ver. 8. Justice. I will fulfil my promises, if they adhere to virtue. C.

Ver. 10. Hire, or "reward;" merces. H. --- All their toils proved useless: (C.) the land would not yield her fruit. H. See Agg. ii. 16. --- The temple had now been building two years, and then God sent his prophets and many blessings. --- Neighbour. Civil broils and the enemy rendered all wretched. 1 Esd. iv.

Ver. 13. Blessing. As the nations could wish no greater curse than what you have experienced, so you shall now be regarded as a most happy people.

Ver. 16. Of peace, or perfect. Shew no partiality.

Ver. 17. Friend means every neighbour, or all mankind. Lu. x. 27. 36. Even thoughts must be guarded. C.

Ver. 19. Fast. They fasted on the ninth day of the fourth month, because on that day Nabuchodonosor took Jerusalem. Jer. lii. 6. On the tenth day of the fifth month, because on that day the temple was burnt. Jer. lii. 12. On the third day of the seventh month, for the murder of Godolias. Jer. xli. 2. And on the tenth day of the tenth month, because on that day the Chaldeans began to besiege Jerusalem. 4 K. xxv. 1. All these fasts, if they will be obedient for the future, shall be changed (as is here promised) into joyful solemnities. Ch. --- They had only inquired about the fasts of the fifth and seventh months but the two others were also to be omitted in times of joy. W. --- The Jews still observe all four. Basnage v. 16. --- They fast on the seventeenth of the fourth month, because the breach was then made in the walls, (C.) and Moses broke the tables of the law, according to the Jews, in S. Jer. The ninth of the fifth month is also kept instead of the tenth, on which day the city was taken by the Chaldees; (C.) and the Romans burnt the temple in the same month, as the Israelites had then formerly been sentenced to wander in the desert. S. Jer. --- It would be difficult for the Jews to prove all these assertions.

Ver. 22. Lord. Many were converted in the days of Esther, (viii. 17.) and the Pharisees were eager to make proselytes in all parts, when Christ preached. Mat. xxiii. 15. Acts ii. 11. Yet we must go to the Church to see this fully accomplished. C.

Ver. 23. Ten men, &c. Many of the Gentiles became proselytes to the Jewish religion before Christ; but many more were converted to Christ by the apostles and other preachers of the Jewish nation. Ch. - Skirt, or hem, by which the Jews were distinguished. Num. xv. 38. Mat. ix. 20. C.

[ourmondobongo]

The origin of Hange's name (a little analysis)

So...!

Here I'm - back with my wild imagination analysis about my beloved AOT  characters. This time is about our badass scientist Hange Zoë! 

I don't know how many of you've noticed, but a lot of AOT official merchandising has their name spelled Hans. So while I was looking into the possible meanings of their name, I found a few things really nice about it.

I first looked up their name's meaning in German because in the AOT Character Encyclopedia (2018) Yams was quite vague about Hange's creation. Sadly. But he mentioned most of his characters had German names (what is not new as we all know how much he loves German names).

So while I searched for a "Hange" German name origin, I actually found "Hans", and I got this:

So "Hans" is a German name originally short for "Johannes" or "John". And interestingly,  this name has its origin in Hebrew, meaning "YHWH has been gracious"  or "Yahweh is gracious", or also "Graced by Yahweh".

Curiously, John is the name of the apostle who wrote the Book of Revelation while he lived imprisoned on an island until he died there. And the Book of Revelation is full of prophecies about the humanity's future - the end of our world, righteous and manipulative religious and political powers, humanity's struggles, death, God's judgment, heavenly and earthly battles, the Devil arrested for 1000 years, immortal beings- and mostly about people choosing their path in whether they do the right thing even though they know it will cost their lives (and they will suffer A LOT) or they side with the Devil in his quest to ruin humanity...

(Pic just for illustration, but we all know which side Hange chose!)

Now, I take a moment to reflect a bit about the meaning of "Hange/Hanji'' name. 

I searched up a lot on the internet, and it didn't help much to settle in a clear origin for this name like others. Also, while lot of people see Greek as the name's root, still the origin is kind of unknown or has no technical reference whatsoever. Which is pretty odd for a name rooted in such ancient language.

So I believe that, like Yams hinted in the Character Encyclopedia, Hange's name really came from German language. Especially because one of the German variations of the name is Hänschen, which sounds A LOT like Hanji (listen to it on Google!).

YET, as we just saw in the beginning of this post, Hange's name (or at least their nickname Hans) seems to have a more ancient origin - Hebrew. Which reminds me that this is pretty common for AOT characters!

Like, Zeke's name comes from the Hebrew, Ezekiel, (God's strength) who was also an important prophet of Yahweh in the Old Testament. He saw the valley of dry human bones turn back to life with the bones suddenly being covered with tendons, flesh and then skin. This reminds me a lot about the Paths, the WH titan transformation.

Other important Hebrew names in AOT include Levi ( to "join/unite/escort"), and Dinah ("vindicated/judged/"God will judge"). In the Bible, Levi and Dinah were siblings, and he took vengeance for Dinah after she was raped and given in marriage to the rapist. Years later, Levi's bloodline was then cursed to be scattered around the world for his violent and gruesome behavior (Genesis 49: 5-7), but later God gave the Tribe of Levi the mission to be completely dedicated to His work as His priests in the Sanctuary. Did anyone think of the Ackerman's cla and the Fritz?!

There is a whole lot to add here, and one day I might write about them all together… But for now, let's go back to Hange's character!

Taking into consideration their name did come from Hebrew, another curious thing is that the apostle John had a brother, James, and they were both called "sons of thunder". It's said that Yams planned Mike Zacharias to supposedly be Hange's brother. And his name has TWO Hebrew roots: Mike (Who is like God?), and Zacharias ( "God remembers", and also spelled as Zechariah). Mike resembles Michael, the almighty Archangel; Zacharias is a prophet of the Old Testament and a priest in the New Testament.

Interestingly, Hange and Mike were the most eccentric characters of AOT - Hans created to give "mad scientist" vibes and Mike with his Sniff-Sniff odd behavior (lmao).

Lastly (for now), there is also this:

"The name "Hansel" (German: Hänsel) is a variant, meaning "little Hans". Another variant with the same meaning is Hänschen, found in the German proverb "Was Hänschen nicht lernt, lernt Hans nimmermehr", which translates roughly as: "What [little] Hansel doesn't learn, [adult] Hans will never learn". 

Source: Wikipedia.

In terms of knowledge, curiosity, unyielding interest in learning things, who else could fit this (nick)name Hans better than our Hange?!