Here is an Old Testament verse
that seems to indicate that the LORD's
blessing is on the first fruits of the
coming Harvest:
Haggai 2:19 KJV
Is the seed yet in the barn?
Yea, as yet the vine, and the
fig tree, and the pomegranate,
and the olive tree, hath not
brought forth: from this day
will I bless [you].
If we can understand the harvest cycle
with a view towards New Testament themes,
perhaps the following might approximate
a generalized Christian motif:
(1) Barley - symbol of harvesting His lambs
since lambs are classified as being less
than 1 years old; they would receive
holiness by the gentle wind of the Spirit
also known as 'winnowing' the chaff. Too
much wind, and you lose the grain. Too
little and nothing quite happens.
(2) Wheat - symbol of harvesting His lambs
which are more than 1 years old; they should
be relatively more mature and might receive
holiness from a good threshing by the LORD.
I view the many goofs demonstrated by the
12 Apostles as they repeatedly stumbled
completely oblivious to whatever it was
that the LORD was trying to teach them.
(3) Grapes - symbol of harvesting new Wine
of the Yeshua covenant from out of the
many fermented troubles and trials endured.
Isaiah 18:5 NKJV
For before the harvest, when the bud
is perfect And the sour grape is
ripening in the flower, He will
both cut off the sprigs with pruning
hooks And take away [and] cut down
the branches.
This is a dividing point that can either
transform into a pure heart (Mat 5:8) or
effuse sour grape resentment.
Micah 6:15 NASB
"You will sow but you will not reap.
You will tread the olive but will not
anoint yourself with oil; And the grapes,
but you will not drink wine."
The Vine is Christ, and the sour grapes
might be considered as the Apostates who
will experience the wine-press of wrath.
John 15:1,5 KJV
I am the true vine and my Father is the
husbandman. I am the vine, ye [are] the
branches: He that abideth in me, and I
in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit;
for without me ye can do nothing.
and
Mark 12:9 KJV
What shall therefore the lord of the
vineyard do? He will come and destroy
the husbandmen, and will give the
vineyard unto others.
(4) Pomegranates - symbol of harvesting good
health that is loaded with healthy antioxidants
and vitamins, as pomegranates are the new super
food. The ancient fruit with a rich history
has many uses providing safe, natural healing.
(5) Figs - symbol of harvesting good health
that is loaded with anti-diabetic properties,
lower triglycerides, highest plant source of
calcium, full of fiber, source of potassium,
and super antioxidant.
It also relates back to a false covering for
the knowledge of good and evil which received
the curse of the LORD listed in the book of
Genesis as well as from Jesus.
Matthew 21:19-20 KJV
And when he [Jesus] saw a fig tree in
the way, he came to it, and found
nothing thereon, but leaves only, and
said unto it, 'Let no fruit grow on
thee henceforward for ever.' And
presently the fig tree withered away.
[v20] And when the disciples saw [it],
they marvelled, saying, 'How soon is
the fig tree withered away!'
(6) Olives - symbol of havesting the lamp oil
of the Spirit by the shaking along with the
pressing down of circumstances in a believer's
walk with Him.
(7) Honey - made possible through the agency of
bees that cross-pollinate flowers in their search
for food. Their honey can be harvested by hand
when a beekeeper separates the bees from its
hive. The beekeeper uses a 'bee escape' board to
safely havest the honey crop. As a symbol of
harvesting the Word of God, it shows us how our
heart-treasure separates us from the World, and
pierces/cutting a dividing between our soul and
our spirit.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Incoming Voice Phone[call]
John 10:3 NASB
To him the doorkeeper opens, and the
sheep hear his voice, and he calls his
own sheep by name and leads them out.
Ok, this is sort of funny to me. I know
it isn't a hilarious story, but yet another
little sense of humor that I see from the
LORD.
The English words listed as 'voice' and also
'he calls' in the gospel of John, chapter 10
and verse 3 have the Greek words:
(a) Voice = Strong's G5456 - Phone
(b) He Calls = Strong's G5455 - Phoneo [phrase]
Next, I see how the English "... leads them out"
is an implied phrase that literally means, 'outs
them out' from one place to another.
In other words, the sheep hear his phone[call]
and he phoning his own sheep by name outs them
out.
This made me laugh. I get the picture of a mom
calling her child's cell phone even while the
child is still in school. When the student's
phone rings during class, teachers are suppose
to then write up a referral for a cell-phone
violation.
Isaiah 45:4 YLT
For the sake of my servant Jacob, and
of Israel My chosen, I call also thee
by thy name, I surname thee, And thou
hast not known Me.
We believers who follow our Master have received
a unique caller i.d. name, or surname, that best
fits us as his disciples.
We can see this in action when Jesus called out
His disciples from the family of Zebedee.
Mark 3:17
And James the [son] of Zebedee, and John
the brother of James; and he surnamed them
Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder.
The brothers demonstrated a type of destructive
zeal that was aggressive and powerful as though
they were catching lightening in a bottle. They
had a lust for power in a place of control.
Mark 10:35
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
come unto him, saying, Master, we would
that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever
we shall desire.
They seem to have gotten it from their mother.
Matthew 20:20
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's
children with her sons, worshipping [him],
and desiring a certain thing of him.
One brother ended up cut-short in a pointless
murder when Herod killed James just to please
the Jews. (see Acts 12:1-3) The other brother
lived on until he outlived all his peer group.
To him the doorkeeper opens, and the
sheep hear his voice, and he calls his
own sheep by name and leads them out.
Ok, this is sort of funny to me. I know
it isn't a hilarious story, but yet another
little sense of humor that I see from the
LORD.
The English words listed as 'voice' and also
'he calls' in the gospel of John, chapter 10
and verse 3 have the Greek words:
(a) Voice = Strong's G5456 - Phone
(b) He Calls = Strong's G5455 - Phoneo [phrase]
Next, I see how the English "... leads them out"
is an implied phrase that literally means, 'outs
them out' from one place to another.
In other words, the sheep hear his phone[call]
and he phoning his own sheep by name outs them
out.
This made me laugh. I get the picture of a mom
calling her child's cell phone even while the
child is still in school. When the student's
phone rings during class, teachers are suppose
to then write up a referral for a cell-phone
violation.
Isaiah 45:4 YLT
For the sake of my servant Jacob, and
of Israel My chosen, I call also thee
by thy name, I surname thee, And thou
hast not known Me.
We believers who follow our Master have received
a unique caller i.d. name, or surname, that best
fits us as his disciples.
We can see this in action when Jesus called out
His disciples from the family of Zebedee.
Mark 3:17
And James the [son] of Zebedee, and John
the brother of James; and he surnamed them
Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder.
The brothers demonstrated a type of destructive
zeal that was aggressive and powerful as though
they were catching lightening in a bottle. They
had a lust for power in a place of control.
Mark 10:35
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
come unto him, saying, Master, we would
that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever
we shall desire.
They seem to have gotten it from their mother.
Matthew 20:20
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's
children with her sons, worshipping [him],
and desiring a certain thing of him.
One brother ended up cut-short in a pointless
murder when Herod killed James just to please
the Jews. (see Acts 12:1-3) The other brother
lived on until he outlived all his peer group.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
We Are His First-Fruits
I looked up 'first fruits' and read
Strong's G536 - Aparche = first fruits;
there are 12 matches in 9 verses listed
which describes first fruits:
a) new converts (Romans 16:5)
b) manifestation of the Spirit (Romans 8:23)
c) raised from the dead (1 Cor 15:20)
d) devoted to ministry (1 Cor 16:15)
e) chosen from beginning (2 Thes 2:13)
f) exercise His will from creation (Jam 1:18)
g) purchased among men (Rev 14:4)
I noticed an intersection of faith, thanks
and sactification regarding first fruits:
2nd Thessalonians 2:13-14
But we should always give thanks
to God for you, brethren beloved
by the Lord, because God has chosen
you from the beginning [Strong's G536]
for salvation through sanctification
by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
[v14] It was for this He called you
through our gospel, that you may gain
the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The purposes of God was to first purchase
us, His first fruit from the beginning for
holy fellowship with us. These End Times
are bringing together the converts who
continually sanctify all within their own
unique spheres of influence, each in their
season.
Last year I wrote down the 7 types of fruit
as from the biblical lands from an episode
by Perry Stone. He highlighted the havest
calendar and the methodology used to acomplish
the first fruits gathering:
(1) barley = march/april = winnowing w/ sickle
(2) wheat = april/may/june = threshing
(3) grapes = june/september = by hand (for wine)
(4) pamegranites = aug/sept = by hand
(5) figs = august/september = by hand
(6) olives = september/nov = shaking (for oil)
(7) honey = summer thru fall = by hand
The practical application of this gathering-in
process of working the harvest cycle requires us
to select the right method that correctly matches
the type of fruit.
Exodus 23:16
And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits
of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the
field: and the feast of ingathering, [which
is] in the end of the year, when thou hast
gathered in thy labours out of the field.
Perhaps this verse is hinting that the ingathering
of His sanctified first fruits, i.e., believers,
will be taken to the heavenly feast at the end
of the Jewish calendar's year of harvest. If the
harvest cycle is correct, then we can expect
shaking for oil from September and November with
the honey or Rapture by the end of Fall. Maybe
it'll be this year (I hope)!
Strong's G536 - Aparche = first fruits;
there are 12 matches in 9 verses listed
which describes first fruits:
a) new converts (Romans 16:5)
b) manifestation of the Spirit (Romans 8:23)
c) raised from the dead (1 Cor 15:20)
d) devoted to ministry (1 Cor 16:15)
e) chosen from beginning (2 Thes 2:13)
f) exercise His will from creation (Jam 1:18)
g) purchased among men (Rev 14:4)
I noticed an intersection of faith, thanks
and sactification regarding first fruits:
2nd Thessalonians 2:13-14
But we should always give thanks
to God for you, brethren beloved
by the Lord, because God has chosen
you from the beginning [Strong's G536]
for salvation through sanctification
by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
[v14] It was for this He called you
through our gospel, that you may gain
the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The purposes of God was to first purchase
us, His first fruit from the beginning for
holy fellowship with us. These End Times
are bringing together the converts who
continually sanctify all within their own
unique spheres of influence, each in their
season.
Last year I wrote down the 7 types of fruit
as from the biblical lands from an episode
by Perry Stone. He highlighted the havest
calendar and the methodology used to acomplish
the first fruits gathering:
(1) barley = march/april = winnowing w/ sickle
(2) wheat = april/may/june = threshing
(3) grapes = june/september = by hand (for wine)
(4) pamegranites = aug/sept = by hand
(5) figs = august/september = by hand
(6) olives = september/nov = shaking (for oil)
(7) honey = summer thru fall = by hand
The practical application of this gathering-in
process of working the harvest cycle requires us
to select the right method that correctly matches
the type of fruit.
Exodus 23:16
And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits
of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the
field: and the feast of ingathering, [which
is] in the end of the year, when thou hast
gathered in thy labours out of the field.
Perhaps this verse is hinting that the ingathering
of His sanctified first fruits, i.e., believers,
will be taken to the heavenly feast at the end
of the Jewish calendar's year of harvest. If the
harvest cycle is correct, then we can expect
shaking for oil from September and November with
the honey or Rapture by the end of Fall. Maybe
it'll be this year (I hope)!
Friday, May 18, 2012
Sanctification On A Whole New Level
Imagine my surprise when I read
how Jesus called the scribes and
Pharisees a lot of very descriptive
names, like hypocrites, blind guides,
blind men, and my favorite, Fools.
Matthew 23:17 NASB
"You fools and blind men! Which is
more important, the gold or the
temple that sanctified the gold?"
Not only did this verse catch my
attention, but next I noticed that
our LORD plainly stated how the
temple sanctified the gold offering.
Their offerings became sanctified
before Him through the Temple
service.
That was for the Old Testament.
So, I'm just thinking outloud now.
Is it reasonable to say that our lives,
as living sacrifices under the New
Covenant, have our possessions
sanctified as we offer our possessions
to Him?
Is this the Wisdom and Insight of
the LORD? I would hate to be blind
and a fool.
how Jesus called the scribes and
Pharisees a lot of very descriptive
names, like hypocrites, blind guides,
blind men, and my favorite, Fools.
Matthew 23:17 NASB
"You fools and blind men! Which is
more important, the gold or the
temple that sanctified the gold?"
Not only did this verse catch my
attention, but next I noticed that
our LORD plainly stated how the
temple sanctified the gold offering.
Their offerings became sanctified
before Him through the Temple
service.
That was for the Old Testament.
So, I'm just thinking outloud now.
Is it reasonable to say that our lives,
as living sacrifices under the New
Covenant, have our possessions
sanctified as we offer our possessions
to Him?
Is this the Wisdom and Insight of
the LORD? I would hate to be blind
and a fool.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
The Elect's Days Have Been Shortened
Jesus was quoted as having prophesied that
the Elect's days will be shortened. Here are
those two New Testament verses:
Matthew 24:22 KJV
And except those days should be shortened,
there should no flesh be saved: but for
the elect's sake those days [G2250] shall
be shortened [G2856].
Mark 13:20 KJV
And except that the Lord had shortened
those days, no flesh should be saved:
but for the elect's sake, whom he hath
chosen, he hath shortened [G2856] the
days [G2250].
Strong's 'Days Shortened' are two Greek
words identified as:
1) G2250 - Hemera = the natural day, an
interval between sunrise and sunset; the
general usage of time regarding 'the days'
of one's life; the civil day or space of
24 hours
2) G2856 - Koloboo = (verb) to mutilate,
shorten, abridge, curtail, lopped, cut-off,
cut-short, amputate
Just noted that the word 'sake' is implied
from the word, 'elect' which is also translated
as 'chosen.' Therefore, there is no word
explicitly recorded for the word, 'sake.'
Therefore, the prophetic declaration of our
LORD can be now seen as a promise that the
days of His elect will be mutilated, lopped
off, amputated and abridged from those days
enjoyed by those who live without faith. This
has been the specific work of the LORD as He
literally offers His chosen elect salvation.
In other words, His Chosen-Ones who abide in
faithfulness, will not enjoy the same sort of
days as those that are worldly, carnal and live
outside His mercy and grace.
A part of the Great-Divide between sheep/lambs
and goats/wolves will be the differences in
experiences each group has from their day's
activities.
To those who are worldly, their days will be
filled with a complete array of adventure,
success and challenges.
To those who are living within the Kingdom of
God, their days will be a complete challenge of
handling cut-off opportunities, short-changed
strategies and a whole host of adverse
complexities way outside the typical norm.
What would be the motivation of the LORD to
do this to His own disciples?
Luke 21:34-36 ASV
"But take heed to yourselves, lest haply
your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting,
and drunkenness, and cares of this life,
and that day come on you suddenly as a snare:
[v35] for [so] shall it come upon all them
that dwell on the face of all the earth.
[v36] But watch ye at every season, making
supplication, that ye may prevail to escape
all these things that shall come to pass,
and to stand before the Son of man."
I believe the LORD mutilates our days to keep
us aware and watchful, prayfully seeking Him
so that we might be able to 'prevail to escape'
from the End of Day's snares.
the Elect's days will be shortened. Here are
those two New Testament verses:
Matthew 24:22 KJV
And except those days should be shortened,
there should no flesh be saved: but for
the elect's sake those days [G2250] shall
be shortened [G2856].
Mark 13:20 KJV
And except that the Lord had shortened
those days, no flesh should be saved:
but for the elect's sake, whom he hath
chosen, he hath shortened [G2856] the
days [G2250].
Strong's 'Days Shortened' are two Greek
words identified as:
1) G2250 - Hemera = the natural day, an
interval between sunrise and sunset; the
general usage of time regarding 'the days'
of one's life; the civil day or space of
24 hours
2) G2856 - Koloboo = (verb) to mutilate,
shorten, abridge, curtail, lopped, cut-off,
cut-short, amputate
Just noted that the word 'sake' is implied
from the word, 'elect' which is also translated
as 'chosen.' Therefore, there is no word
explicitly recorded for the word, 'sake.'
Therefore, the prophetic declaration of our
LORD can be now seen as a promise that the
days of His elect will be mutilated, lopped
off, amputated and abridged from those days
enjoyed by those who live without faith. This
has been the specific work of the LORD as He
literally offers His chosen elect salvation.
In other words, His Chosen-Ones who abide in
faithfulness, will not enjoy the same sort of
days as those that are worldly, carnal and live
outside His mercy and grace.
A part of the Great-Divide between sheep/lambs
and goats/wolves will be the differences in
experiences each group has from their day's
activities.
To those who are worldly, their days will be
filled with a complete array of adventure,
success and challenges.
To those who are living within the Kingdom of
God, their days will be a complete challenge of
handling cut-off opportunities, short-changed
strategies and a whole host of adverse
complexities way outside the typical norm.
What would be the motivation of the LORD to
do this to His own disciples?
Luke 21:34-36 ASV
"But take heed to yourselves, lest haply
your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting,
and drunkenness, and cares of this life,
and that day come on you suddenly as a snare:
[v35] for [so] shall it come upon all them
that dwell on the face of all the earth.
[v36] But watch ye at every season, making
supplication, that ye may prevail to escape
all these things that shall come to pass,
and to stand before the Son of man."
I believe the LORD mutilates our days to keep
us aware and watchful, prayfully seeking Him
so that we might be able to 'prevail to escape'
from the End of Day's snares.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)