Soong See Choo

North East China Winter 🇨🇳

2023-11-16T00:44:00.000-08:00

Watch YouTube click here : The city of Jilin in northeast China welcomes its first frost, turning into a winter wonderland. 中国东北的吉林市迎来了初霜，变成了冬季仙境。Zhōng guó dōng běi de jílín shì yíng láile chū shuāng, biàn chéngle dōngjì xiānjìng.

China’s northeast hit by unseasonable blizzard as heavy snow causes mass disruption. Wednesday November 8, 2023.

A police officer directs traffic during heavy snowfall in Shenyang city, Liaoning province, northeast China on November 6, 2023.

Unusually early heavy snowfall blanketed swathes of northeastern China this week, forcing airlines to cancel flights, halting trains and shutting schools and roads in the country’s first major blizzard of the season.

The first snowfall in northeast China usually takes place between late November and early December, state-run news outlet The Paper reported, citing a chief weather forecaster from China’s National Meteorological Center.

In Heilongjiang, China’s northernmost province, the railway operator halted 51 passenger trains on Tuesday due to the snowstorm. Harbin, the provincial capital, canceled more than 400 flights at its international airport on Monday, while some smaller airports in the province canceled all flights.

Schools, kindergartens, and off-campus training institutions in most parts of Harbin were suspended on Monday and Tuesday, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

In the city of Jiamusi, authorities are investigating after a gymnasium collapsed on Monday amid the snowstorm, killing three students who were trapped inside, according to state news agency Xinhua.

Seven middle school students were playing basketball at the sports club when the roof collapsed on them, Xinhua reported. Three escaped while four others were trapped, the report said.

The cause of the collapse remains under investigation. The gym was completed in 2018 and passed a safety inspection in 2020, according to Xinhua.

Heavy snow falls in Xiangfang district of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on November 6, 2023.

This is the second gymnasium collapse in Heilongjiang in recent months. In July, after days of heavy rain, the roof of a school gym in Qiqihar city collapsed onto a student volleyball team, killing 11 people.

The two incidents have sparked public anger and raised questions over the quality and safety of constructions.

Harbin issued a red blizzard alert – the highest in China’s four-tier warning system – on Sunday and Monday.

In the neighboring province of Jilin, more than 200 expressway entrances were closed on Monday due to heavy snowfall.

China’s national weather forecaster issued an orange blizzard alert – the second highest level after red – on Saturday and renewed it on Monday for parts of Jilin, Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia. The alert was lifted on Tuesday.

Heavy snow blankets northern China;

11/06/2023. November 6, 2023.

China canceled trains and shut schools in the northeastern Heilongjiang province in the country's first substantial snowstorm of the season. Its weather service said the cold front could lead to record snowfall.

Harbin, the state capital of Heilongjiang province, was among the worst-hit major metropolises.

Heavy snow blankets northern China 🇨🇳 .

Snow removal vehicles move on a street amid a blizzard in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China. November 6, 2023.

Harbin, the state capital of Heilongjiang province, was among the worst-hit major metropolises.

Flights and trains were canceled, and major highways and elementary schools were shut in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province in northeastern China, amid the first heavy snowfall of the northern hemisphere's winter.

Heavy snow covered large parts of northern China, in Heilongjiang and the neighboring provinces of Liaoning and Inner Mongolia.

China issues weather warning ⚠️

China's National Meteorological Center said snow from the cold snap, which it expects to endure for a few more days, was likely to "break through historical records" for the same time of the year.

Chinese authorities have issued an orange weather alert for the region, the second highest on a four color scale used by Beijing.

People were advised to avoid unnecessary travel and to stay indoors where possible.

People shovel a street during snowfall in Shenyang, in China's northeastern Liaoning province on November 6, 2023.

Thousands were mobilized as snow shovelers in cities like Harbin and Shenyang.

Harbin hard hit, gymnasium collapse appeared snow-related.

In Harbin, a city of more than 5 million people with a metropolitan area that's home to around twice that, long queues of cars and trucks were visible on TV footage. Dozens of flights and hundreds of trains were canceled.

The "China Daily" newspaper reported that 24,000 people had been tasked with taking to the city's streets to shovel and clear the snow.

CCTV also reported the partial collapse of a gymnasium in Jiamusi city in Heilongjiang, with three people trapped inside. However, the cause of that incident was not entirely clear, with no government statement about it issued.

A woman walks in heavy snow using an umbrella to shield herself. Shenyang, China, November 6, 2023.A woman walks in heavy snow using an umbrella to shield herself. Shenyang, China, November 6, 2023.

China has advised people to stay indoors where possible amid the severe winter weather.

China also responded to the impending cold snap by changing its heating rules for residents. Typically there is a start date before which most people are not allowed to use power to heat their homes. This date was adjusted to let people turn the radiators on a week earlier in anticipation of the bad weather.

Several herders killed in Mongolia

The cold front has also hit Mongolia to the north of China. Authorities said on Monday that six women, one man, and a 12-year-old boy had died on Sunday in the snows as they ventured out to try to find their lost livestock.

Many people in the remote country between Russia and China, one of the most sparsely populated on earth, are livestock herders.

Northeast China sees first major blizzard this season and forecasters warn of record snowfall.

Heavy snow blanketed swaths of northeastern China on Monday, shutting schools and halting transportation in the country’s first substantial snowstorm of the season.

Major highways in the city of Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province, were closed and flights canceled, China’s state broadcaster CCTV said. Grade school classes were canceled Monday in parts of Heilongjiang as well as neighboring Liaoning and Inner Mongolia provinces.

A gymnasium in Heilongjiang partially collapsed trapping three people inside, CCTV reported late Monday, though the cause was unclear.

The National Meteorological Center said that the snowfall is likely to “break through historical records” for the same period. Heavy snowstorms were expected to continue in parts of Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces, with the depth reaching 20 centimeters (8 inches) in some places.

CCTV footage showed trucks stranded bumper to bumper, stretching 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) outside Harbin.

China’s weather authorities issued an orange alert through Tuesday, the second highest on a scale of four.

Late Monday evening, CCTV said that a section of a two-story gymnasium had collapsed in Jiamusi city in Heilongjiang. The broadcaster said three people were trapped and that rescue work was ongoing.

Video that circulated online showed firefighters and rescue workers at a site covered by snow and rubble. There were no official statements on the incident.

WATCH: A riverside city in northeast China transforms into winter wonderland

[ click here ]

The city of Jilin in northeast China welcomes its first frost, turning into a winter wonderland.

In Arabic : الشعارات: بداية خلق الله. دراسة عن ظهور الله.

2023-11-12T09:32:00.000-08:00

PROPHETIC REVELATION الوحي النبوي (alwahy alnabawiu)

الشعارات: بداية خلق الله.

ما هي الشعارات؟ من هو يسوع المسيح؟ من هو الله الآب؟

دراسة عن ظهور الله.

LOGOS: THE BEGINNING OF THE CREATION OF GOD .

What is the Logos? Who is Jesus Christ? Who is God the Father?

A study on the Revelation of God.

مقدمة (muqadima) ●Introduction

إن الجهل ليس نعمةً يناشدنا كتاب العهد الجديد باستمرار، بضرورة معرفة ما نؤمن به والتأكد من هذا الإيمان. إن عبارة القديس بولس " أَلَسْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ" غالباً ما تتكرر في رسائله المُتَعَدِّدَة . ('iina aljahl lays nemtan yunashiduna kitab aleahd aljadid biastimrari, bidarurat maerifat ma numin bih walta'akud min hadha al'iimani. 'iina eibarat alqidiys bulis " 'alastum taelamuna" ghalbaan ma tatakarar fi rasayilih almutaeaddida .) ●Ignorance is not bliss. The New Testament writers constantly call on us to know what we believe and to be certain of this belief. Saint Paul's phrase, "Do you not know?" is often repeated in his various letters.

إن التعاليم الكاذبة التي كانت سائدة في أيام يسوع المسيح كانت نتيجة لجهل النّاس بالكتب المقدسة، بالإضافة إلى ممارستهم لتعاليم هي وضايَا النَّاس (متى (15:9). كم هو كبير إذاً، الجهل الذي يفتك بالمسيحيين اليوم؟ ليس عليكم سوى الإنتباه إلى التوبيخ الوارد على لسان ربنا يسوع: " أنتُمْ تَسْجُدُونَ لِمَا لَسْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ" (يوحنا 4:22) 'iina altaealim alkadhibat alati kanat sayidatan fi 'ayaam yasue almasih kanat natijatan lijahl alnnas bialkutub almuqadasati, bial'iidafat 'iilaa mumarasatihim litaealim hi wdaya alnnas (mataa 15:9). kam hu kabir 'idhaan, aljahl aladhi yaftuk bialmasihiiyn alyawma? lays ealaykum siwaa al'iintibah 'iilaa altawbikh alwarid ealaa lisan rabina yasuea: " antum tasjudun lima lastum taelamuna" (yuhuna 4:22) ●The false teachings that were prevalent in the days of Jesus Christ were the result of people’s ignorance of the Holy Scriptures, in addition to their practice of teachings that are the commandments of people (Matthew 15:9). How great then is the ignorance that is killing Christians today? All you have to do is pay attention to the rebuke given. In the words of our Lord Jesus: “You worship what you do not know” (John 4:22)

هل تعلم يا صديقي لمن أو لما تسجد، أم تكتفي باتباع تقاليد كنيستك فقط؟ هل إلهك هو إله إبراهيم وإسحاق ويعقوب؟ hal taelam ya sadiqi liman 'aw lamaa tasjidu, 'am taktafi biatibae taqalid kanisatik faqat? hal 'iilahuk hu 'iilah 'iibrahim wa'iishaq wayaequba? ● Do you know, my friend, to whom or why you prostrate, or do you just follow the traditions of your church? Is your God the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?

إنَّ الغَرَض من هذا الكتاب هو التعريف قدر الإمكان وبشكلٍ مُختصر وواضح باعلان سر التقوى (1تيم 3:16)، أو بالأحرى موضوع لاهوت الإنجيل المقدس إنّي أحتكم على المثابرة بجد على تفتيش الكتب إلى أن تعلن لكم الحقيقة. ('inn algharad min hadha alkitab hu altaerif qadr al'iimkan wbshkl mukhtsr wawadih baeilan sira altaqwaa (1tim 3:16), 'aw bial'ahraa mawdue lahut al'iinjil almuqadas 'inny 'ahtakim ealaa almuthabarat bijidin ealaa taftish alkutub 'iilaa 'an tuelin lakum alhaqiqata.) ●The purpose of this book is to outline briefly and as clearly as possible the Revelation of the Mystery of Godliness (1 Timothy 3:16), or the subject of The Godhead of the Holy Bible. I earnestly urge you to search the Scriptures diligently until the Truth is revealed to you.

●Part 1

"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" – John 4:23-24

الجزء 1

"ولكن تأتي ساعة، وهي الآن، حين الساجدون الحقيقيون يسجدون للآب بالروح والحق، لأن الآب طالب مثل هؤلاء الساجدين له. الله روح، والذين يسجدون له ينبغي أن يسجدوا له بالروح والحق". حقيقة"

- يوحنا 4: 23-24

(aljuz' 1

"wlakin tati saeatun, wahi alan, hin alsaajidun alhaqiqiuwn yasjudun lilab bialruwh walhaq, li'ana alab talab mithl hawula' alsaajidin lah. allah ruhi, waladhin yasjudun lah yanbaghi 'an yasjuduu lah bialruwh walhiq". haqiqatan"

- yuhanaa 4: 23-24)

●THE CREATION

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." – Genesis 1:1

It is a well-known and generally acceptable fact that the heaven and the earth were created in six days. But the earth on which we are now living was a recreation after some eons of time since it was first created by God. Prior to the recreation, the earth was in a state of desolation, emptiness, and darkness.

Why was it so? And, what were the causes?

إنشاء

"في البدء خلق الله السماء والأرض." - تكوين 1: 1

ومن المعروف والمقبول عموما أن السماء والأرض خلقتا في ستة أيام. لكن الأرض التي نعيش عليها الآن كانت بمثابة استجمام بعد عدة دهور من الزمن منذ أن خلقها الله لأول مرة. قبل الاستجمام، كانت الأرض في حالة من الخراب والفراغ والظلام.

لماذا كان الأمر كذلك؟ ، وما هي الأسباب؟

('iinsha'

"fi albad' khalq allah alsama' wal'arda." - takwin 1: 1

wamin almaeruf walmaqbul eumuman 'ana alsama' wal'ard khalaqata fi sitat 'ayaami. lakina al'ard alati naeish ealayha alan kanat bimathabat aistijmam baed eidat duhur min alzaman mundh 'an khalaqaha allah li'awal maratan. qabl alaistijmami, kanat al'ard fi halat min alkharab walfaragh walzalami.

limadha kan al'amr kadhalika? , wama hi al'asbabi?)

●PREHISTORIC ERA

Let's examine the Biblical records of the chronology of events pertaining to the heaven and the earth which God had created. From Genesis 1:1 , we believe that God created the heaven and the earth in a period called "THE BEGINNING", which was millions of years in the past. This is THE BEGINNING of the Creation of the Heaven and the Earth. Prophet Isaiah said that God "hath established it and created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited" (Isaiah 45:18). And archeological discoveries have proved to us that there was an era when dinosaurs and upright man-like creatures roamed the earth. It was an era which spanned millions of years before "the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep" (Genesis 1:2a). It is simply known as the Prehistoric Era.

عصر ما قبل التاريخ

دعونا نتفحص السجلات الكتابية للتسلسل الزمني للأحداث المتعلقة بالسماء والأرض التي خلقها الله. من تكوين 1: 1، نؤمن أن الله خلق السماء والأرض في فترة تسمى "البدء"، والتي كانت منذ ملايين السنين في الماضي. هذه بداية خلق السماء والأرض. قال النبي إشعياء إن الله ""ثبتها ولم يخلقها باطلا، صورها للسكن"" (إشعياء 45: 18). وقد أثبتت لنا الاكتشافات الأثرية أنه كان هناك عصر كانت فيه الديناصورات والمخلوقات المستقيمة الشبيهة بالإنسان تجوب الأرض. لقد كانت حقبة امتدت لملايين السنين قبل "وكانت الأرض خربة وخالية، وكان الظلام على وجه الغمر" (تكوين 1: 2 أ). يُعرف هذا العصر ببساطة باسم عصر ما قبل التاريخ.

( easr ma qabl altaarikh

daeuna natafahas alsijilaat alkitabiat liltasalsul alzamanii lil'ahdath almutaealiqat bialsama' wal'ard alati khalaqaha allahu. min takwin 1: 1, numin 'ana allah khalaq alsama' wal'ard fi fatrat tusamaa "albad'u", walati kanat mundh malayin alsinin fi almadi. hadhih bidayat khalq alsama' wal'arda. qal alnabiu 'iisheia' 'iina allah ""thabatha walam yakhluqha biatila, suariha lilsukni"" ('iisheia' 45: 18). waqad 'athbatat lana alaiktishafat al'athariat 'anah kan hunak easr kanat fih alddynasurat walmakhluqat almustaqimat alshabihat bial'iinsan tajub al'arda. laqad kanat hiqbat amtadat limalayin alsinin qabl "wkanat al'ard kharbatan wakhaliatan, wakan alzalam ealaa wajh alghamri" (takwin 1: 2 'a). yuerf hadha aleasr bibasatat biaism easr ma qabl altaarikhi. )

●ANGELIC BEINGS

The earth, being created in a good state and condition, was meant to be an habitation for all creatures to live harmoniously together during that Prehistoric Era.

Now, let us take a further step beyond THE BEGINNING of the heaven and the earth to THE BEGINNING of the angels.

In Job 38:4-7, God exposed Job's ignorance when He questioned him:

"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? ...when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

Yes, the stars of God (angelic messengers) were there with God when He laid the foundations of the earth. Every Seed-Word son of God was there in the infinite Mind of God shouting for joy. [Note: God often spoke of non-existent things as if they (already) existed (Romans 4:17).]

Every creature created in the image and likeness of God is endowed with the power to choose between right and wrong. None of them is programmed to be a robot. The angels, being in God's image and likeness, had to be tested regarding their choice. And what better place for their testing could there be than the planet earth. The heaven was never meant to serve any purpose other than God's dwelling place.

كائنات ملائكية

إن الأرض، التي خلقت في حالة وحالة جيدة، كان من المفترض أن تكون مسكنًا لجميع المخلوقات لتعيش في وئام معًا خلال عصر ما قبل التاريخ.

الآن، دعونا نخطو خطوة أخرى أبعد من بداية السماء والأرض إلى بداية الملائكة.

في أيوب 38: 4-7، كشف الله جهل أيوب عندما سأله:

"أين كنت عندما أسست الأرض؟ ... حين ترنمت كواكب الصبح معًا، وهتف جميع أبناء الله؟"

نعم، كانت نجوم الله (الرسل الملائكيون) هناك مع الله عندما وضع أسس الأرض. كل ابن الله ذو الكلمة النسلية كان هناك في عقل الله اللامتناهي وهو يصرخ بفرح. [ملاحظة: تحدث الله كثيرًا عن الأشياء غير الموجودة وكأنها موجودة (بالفعل) (رومية 4: 17).]

إن كل مخلوق مخلوق على صورة الله ومثاله يتمتع بالقدرة على الاختيار بين الصواب والخطأ. لم تتم برمجة أي منهم ليكون روبوتًا. فالملائكة، لكونهم على صورة الله ومثاله، كان لا بد من اختبارهم فيما يتعلق باختيارهم. وما هو المكان الأفضل لاختبارهم من كوكب الأرض؟ لم يكن المقصود من السماء أبدًا أن تخدم أي غرض آخر غير مسكن الله.

(kayinat malayikia

'iina al'arda, alati khuliqat fi halat wahalat jayidatin, kan min almuftarad 'an takun msknan lijamie almakhluqat litaeish fi wiaam mean khilal easr ma qabl altaarikhi.

alan, daeuna nakhtu khatwatan 'ukhraa 'abead min bidayat alsama' wal'ard 'iilaa bidayat almalayikati.

fi 'ayuwb 38: 4-7, kashaf allah jahl 'ayuwb eindama sa'alahu:

"'ayn kunt eindama 'asast al'arda? ... hin taranamat kawakib alsubh mean, wahataf jamie 'abna' allahi?"

naema, kanat nujum allah (alrusul almalayikiuwna) hunak mae allah eindama wadae 'usus al'arda. kula aibn allah dhu alkalimat alnasaliat kan hunak fi eaql allah allaamutanahi wahu yasrukh bifarah. [mulahizati: tahadath allah kthyran ean al'ashya' ghayr almawjudat waka'anaha mawjuda (bialfieali) (rumiat 4: 17).]

'iina kula makhluq makhluq ealaa surat allah wamithalih yatamatae bialqudrat ealaa alaikhtiar bayn alsawab walkhata. lam tatima barmajat 'ayin minhum liakun rwbwtan. falmalayikatu, likawnihim ealaa surat allah wamithalihi, kan la buda min aikhtibarihim fima yataealaq biaikhtiarihim. wama hu almakan al'afdal liaikhtibarihim min kawkab al'arda? lam yakun almaqsud min alsama' abdan 'an takhdum 'aya gharad akhir ghayr maskan allahi.)

●FALLEN ANGELS

Satan was already a fallen angel when he entered the Garden of Eden made for Adam and Eve. Evidently, he had been tested at some point of time in ages past and, having failed the test, was cast to the ground as recorded in Isaiah 14:12-14 and Ezekiel 28:11-17.

الملائكة الساقطة

كان الشيطان بالفعل ملاكًا ساقطًا عندما دخل جنة عدن المعدة لآدم وحواء. ومن الواضح أنه قد تم اختباره في وقت ما في العصور الماضية، وبعد أن فشل في الاختبار، طُرح على الأرض كما هو مسجل في إشعياء 14: 12-14 وحزقيال 28: 11-17.

( almalayikat alsaaqita

kan alshaytan bialfiel mlakan saqtan eindama dakhal janat eadn almaeidat ladam wahawa'. wamin alwadih 'anah qad tama aikhtibaruh fi waqt ma fi aleusur almadiati, wabaed 'an fashil fi alaikhtibari, turh ealaa al'ard kama hu musajal fi 'iisheia' 14: 12-14 wahazqial 28: 11-17. )

●In John 8:44, Jesus said (to the unbelieving Jews):

"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."

In saying that, Jesus was neither referring to the murder of Abel by Cain, the seed of the Serpent, nor the lie that the Serpent had told Eve. Christ was pointing back to the origin and testing of Satan when he had his own Garden of Eden on this same earth.

قال يسوع في يوحنا 8: 44 (لليهود غير المؤمنين):

"أنتم من أب هو إبليس وشهوات أبيكم تريدون أن تعملوا. هذا كان قتالاً للناس من البدء ولم يثبت في الحق لأنه ليس فيه حق. متى تكلم بالكذب فإنما يتكلم" من نفسه: لأنه كذاب وأبو الكذاب".

في قوله هذا، لم يكن يسوع يشير إلى مقتل هابيل على يد قايين، نسل الحية، ولا إلى الكذبة التي قالتها الحية لحواء. كان المسيح يشير إلى أصل الشيطان واختباره عندما كانت لديه جنة عدن الخاصة به على هذه الأرض نفسها.

( qal yasue fi yuhana 8: 44 (lilihud ghayr almuminina):

"'antum min 'ab hu 'iiblis washahawat 'abikum turidun 'an taemalwa. hadha kan qtalaan lilnaas min albad' walam yathbut fi alhaqi li'anah lays fih haqu. mataa takalam bialkadhib fa'iinama yatakalamu" min nafsihi: li'anah kadhaab wa'abu alkadhaabi".

fi qawlih hadha, lam yakun yasue yushir 'iilaa maqtal habil ealaa yad qayin, nasl alhayati, wala 'iilaa alkidhbat alati qalatha alhayat lihawa'a. kan almasih yushir 'iilaa 'asl alshaytan waikhtibarih eindama kanat ladayh janat eadn alkhasat bih ealaa hadhih al'ard nafsiha. )

●In Ezekiel 28, when Prophet Ezekiel was prophesying, He was not only rebuking the king of Tyrus, a man of glory, who loved to glorify and exalt himself, but also Satan, when he said, "Thou hast been in Eden the Garden of God" (v.13). But please note carefully that this Garden of Eden, which was made for that Angelic Prince before his fall, was a garden of precious stones and not a garden of vegetation. Adam's garden was a garden of fruit trees and plants. The word "Eden" simply means "a delight" or "paradise". Everything in that garden of precious stones was made for that anointed cherub; every precious stone was his covering – his glory. He was elevated to a position of authority – "thou was upon the holy mountain of God" (v.14). He was perfect in his ways until iniquity was found in him (v.15). He failed his test and fell. Then Lucifer – "son of the morning" – became Satan, the adversary of God.

في حزقيال 28، عندما كان النبي حزقيال يتنبأ، لم يكن يوبخ ملك صور فحسب، رجل المجد الذي يحب أن يمجد ويرفع نفسه، بل أيضًا الشيطان عندما قال: "كنت في عدن جنة عدن". الله" (الآية 13). لكن يرجى ملاحظة أن جنة عدن هذه، التي تم إنشاؤها لهذا الأمير الملائكي قبل سقوطه، كانت جنة من الحجارة الكريمة وليست جنة نباتات. وكانت جنة آدم جنة من الأشجار المثمرة والنباتات. كلمة "عدن" تعني ببساطة "البهجة" أو "الجنة". كل شيء في تلك الجنة من الحجارة الكريمة كان مصنوعًا لذلك الكروب الممسوح؛ كل حجر كريم كان غطاء له – مجده. لقد تم ترقيته إلى منصب سلطة – "وكنت على جبل الله المقدس" (الآية 14). وكان كاملاً في طرقه حتى وجد فيه إثم (ع15). لقد فشل في الاختبار وسقط. ثم أصبح لوسيفر - "ابن الصباح" - الشيطان، خصم الله.

( fi hazqial 28, eindama kan alnabiu hazqial yatanaba'u, lam yakun yubukh malik suar fahusba, rajul almajd aladhi yuhibu 'an yumajid wayarfae nafsaha, bal aydan alshaytan eindama qala: "kunt fi eadn janat eadn". allah" (alayat 13). lakin yurjaa mulahazat 'ana janat eadn hadhihi, alati tama 'iinshawuha lihadha al'amir almalayikii qabl suqutihi, kanat janat min alhijarat alkarimat walaysat junat nabatati. wakanat janat adm janatan min al'ashjar almuthmirat walnabatati. kalima "eidan" taeni bibasata "albahjati" 'aw "aljinati". kula shay' fi tilk aljanat min alhijarat alkarimat kan msnwean lidhalik alkurub almamsuha; kulu hajar karim kan ghita'an lah - majdahu. laqad tama tarqiatuh 'iilaa mansib sultat - "wkunt ealaa jabal allah almaqdasi" (alayat 14). wakan kamlaan fi turuqih hataa wajid fih 'iithm (ea15). laqad fashil fi alaikhtibar wasaqata. thuma 'asbah lusifar - "abn alsabahi" - alshaytan, khasm allahi.)

●When the seventy disciples returned to Jesus Christ after their successful mission, they were filled with great jubilation that the Lord cautioned them, saying: "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven" (Luke 10:17-18). Yes, Satan exalted himself, and he fell from his first estate and was "cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations" (Isaiah 14:12). وعندما عاد السبعون تلميذاً إلى يسوع المسيح بعد نجاح مهمتهم، امتلأوا فرحاً عظيماً لأن الرب حذرهم قائلاً: "رأيت الشيطان ساقطاً مثل البرق من السماء" (لوقا 10: 17-18). نعم، لقد رفع الشيطان نفسه، فسقط من مكانته الأولى و"قُطِعَ إِلَى الأَرْضِ مَا أَرَضَ الأُمَمَ" (إشعياء 14: 12). [waeindama ead alsabeun tlmydhaan 'iilaa yasue almasih baed najah muhimatihim, amtala'uu frhaan ezymaan li'ana alraba hadharahum qaylaan: "ra'ayt alshaytan saqtaan mithl albarq min alsama'i" (luqan 10: 17-18). niema, laqad rafae alshaytan nafsahu, fasaqat min makanatih al'uwlaa w"qutie 'iilaa al'ard ma 'arad al'umama" ('iisheia' 14: 12).]

●It is evident that Lucifer, who previously had power and control over this planet earth, has been fighting very hard to regain control of the earth from man, the new ruler, who has been appointed to rule in his stead since the recreation. He has been trying, by all ways and means, to achieve his ambition. His lies and wicked schemes have filled the earth with all forms of violence and sins. O that devil! He is all out to destroy everything that God had created! Yes, he is the god of this evil age!

من الواضح أن لوسيفر، الذي كان له في السابق القوة والسيطرة على كوكب الأرض هذا، كان يقاتل بشدة لاستعادة السيطرة على الأرض من الإنسان، الحاكم الجديد، الذي تم تعيينه ليحكم بدلاً منه منذ الخليقة. لقد ظل يحاول بكل السبل والوسائل تحقيق طموحه. لقد ملأت أكاذيبه ومخططاته الشريرة الأرض بكل أشكال العنف والخطايا. يا ذلك الشيطان! إنه يسعى لتدمير كل ما خلقه الله! نعم، هو إله هذا الدهر الشرير!

[ min alwadih 'ana lusifir, aladhi kan lah fi alsaabiq alquat walsaytarat ealaa kawkab al'ard hadha, kan yuqatil bishidat liaistieadat alsaytarat ealaa al'ard min al'iinsani, alhakim aljadidi, aladhi tama taeyinuh liahkum bdlaan minh mundh alkhaliqa. laqad zala yuhawil bikuli alsubul walwasayil tahqiq tumuhihi. laqad mala'at 'akadhibuh wamukhatatatuh alshiriyrat al'ard bikuli 'ashkal aleunf walkhataya. ya dhalik alshaytani! 'iinah yaseaa litadmir kuli ma khalaqah allahu! niema, hu 'iilah hadha aldahr alshiriyr! ]

●Yes, Lucifer was perfect when he was created. But he was not contented with his possessions and status. It seemed that he got bored with his position and began to harbour a secret ambition to be like the Most High (Isaiah 14:14). God knew it and began to deal with him. That was when iniquity was found in him, and he began to cause a 'war' among the mammoth creatures of the earth. Kill! Murder! Destroy! Thus, Lucifer became a murderer!

نعم، كان لوسيفر كاملاً عندما خُلق. لكنه لم يكتف بممتلكاته ومكانته. ويبدو أنه مل من منصبه، وبدأ يخفي طموحًا خفيًا في أن يكون مثل العلي (إشعياء 14: 14). عرفه الله وبدأ التعامل معه. وكان ذلك عندما وُجد فيه إثم، وبدأ يتسبب في "حرب" بين حيوانات الأرض العملاقة. قتل! قتل! هدم! وهكذا أصبح لوسيفر قاتلاً!

[naema, kan lusifir kamlaan eindama khulq. lakinah lam yaktaf bimumtalakatih wamakanatiha. wayabdu 'anah mala min mansibihi, wabada yukhfi tmwhan khfyan fi 'an yakun mithl alealii ('iisheia' 14: 14). earafah allah wabada altaeamul maeahu. wakan dhalik eindama wujd fih 'iithma, wabada yatasabab fi "harba" bayn hayawanat al'ard aleimlaqati. qutila! qutila! hadma! wahakadha 'asbah lusifir qatlaan! ]

●And when God confronted him, he told his first lie. He did not abide in the truth. That's right. "He was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him."

ولما واجهه الله كذب كذبته الأولى. ولم يثبت في الحق. صحيح. "كان قتالاً للناس من البدء ولم يثبت في الحق لأنه ليس فيه حق".

[ walamaa wajahah allah kadhab kadhabatah al'uwlaa. walam yathbut fi alhaqi. sahihun. "kan qtalaan lilnaas min albad' walam yathbut fi alhaqi li'anah lays fih huq".]

●The earth was in a state of turmoil and chaos. All the creatures were fighting among themselves and killing one another which wreaked havoc on the environment around them. The wreckages, together with decomposed carcasses, caused a change in the climatic condition of the earth and lands laid waste. Finally, God decided to stop the widespread destruction. All He did was to cause glaciers to cover and freeze the whole earth. Then the fallen angelic prince was stripped of his authority and dominion over the earth.

وكانت الأرض في حالة من الاضطراب والفوضى. كانت جميع المخلوقات تتقاتل فيما بينها وتقتل بعضها البعض مما أدى إلى تدمير البيئة المحيطة بها. وتسبب الحطام والجثث المتحللة في حدوث تغير في الحالة المناخية للأرض ودمرت الأراضي. وأخيراً قرر الله أن يوقف الدمار الواسع النطاق. كل ما فعله هو أنه جعل الأنهار الجليدية تغطي الأرض كلها وتجمّدها. ثم تم تجريد الأمير الملائكي الساقط من سلطته وسلطته على الأرض.

[wakanat al'ard fi halat min alaidtirab walfawdaa. kanat jamie almakhluqat tataqatal fima baynaha wataqtul baedaha albaed mimaa 'adaa 'iilaa tadmir albiyat almuhitat biha. watasabab alhutam waljuthath almutahalilat fi huduth taghayar fi alhalat almunakhiat lil'ard wadamarat al'aradi. wakhyraan qarar allah 'an yuaqif aldamar alwasie alnitaqi. kula ma faealah hu 'anah jaeal al'anhar aljalidiat tughatiy al'ard kulaha wtjmmdha. thuma tama tajrid al'amir almalayikii alsaaqit min sultatih wasultatih ealaa al'arda.]

●All the angels that followed Satan's evil leadership fell with him. They left their first estate by choice. Angels that proved loyal to God remained at God's right hand to carry out and execute His plan.

وسقط معه كل الملائكة الذين كانوا يتبعون قيادة الشيطان الشريرة. لقد تركوا ممتلكاتهم الأولى باختيارهم. الملائكة الذين أثبتوا ولائهم لله ظلوا عن يمين الله لتنفيذ خطته وتنفيذها. [wasaqat maeah kulu almalayikat aladhin kanuu yatabieun qiadat alshaytan alshiriyrati. laqad tarakuu mumtalakatihim al'uwlaa biaikhtiarihim. almalayikat aladhin 'athbatuu walayahum lilah zaluu ean yamin allah litanfidh khutatih watanfidhiha.]

●The 'great' educated theologians can never figure out the profound truth that has been hidden in God's Word. God will only reveal the truth to babes and such as would learn. Yes, the Word of the Lord is given unto us, precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little that we may receive the truth.

لا يستطيع اللاهوتيون "العظماء" المتعلمون أبدًا اكتشاف الحقيقة العميقة المخفية في كلمة الله. لن يكشف الله الحقيقة إلا للأطفال وأولئك الذين يرغبون في التعلم. نعم، لقد أُعطيت لنا كلمة الرب، أمراً على أمر، سطراً على سطر، هنا قليلاً وهناك قليلاً حتى نتلقى الحقيقة.

[la yastatie allaahwtiuwn "aleuzama'a" almutaealimun abdan aiktishaf alhaqiqat aleamiqat almakhfiat fi kalimat allah. lan yakshif allah alhaqiqat 'iilaa lil'atfal wa'uwlayik aladhin yarghabun fi altaealumi. niem, laqad 'uetyt lana kalimat alrabi, amraan ealaa 'amra, straan ealaa satrin, huna qlylaan wahunak qlylaan hataa natalaqaa alhaqiqata.]

●Even today, there are people (especially those who believe that the earth was only about 6,000 years old) who teach that the dinosaurs existed in Adam's days and that they all perished in the great deluge of Noah's day. That's sheer foolishness! If dinosaurs existed in Noah's day, why were they not in the ark when God had specifically commanded Noah to take with him "two of every sort" of animals before He destroyed the world by the flood? And if they were brought into the ark, why are they not here with us today? (Some preachers speculate that because of their size the dinosaurs lived only for a short while after the Flood due to a lack of food.) In the first place, could "two of every sort" of dinosaurs and gigantic birds (even young matured ones) be carried in the ark? Think about it. The Flood in Noah's day (about 4,400 years ago) was not the cause of the death of the dinosaurs.

وحتى اليوم، هناك أناس (وخاصة أولئك الذين يعتقدون أن عمر الأرض كان حوالي 6000 سنة فقط) يقولون أن الديناصورات كانت موجودة في أيام آدم، وأنها هلكت جميعا في الطوفان العظيم في أيام نوح. هذه حماقة محض! إذا كانت الديناصورات موجودة في أيام نوح، فلماذا لم تكن موجودة في الفلك عندما أمر الله نوح على وجه التحديد أن يأخذ معه "اثنين من كل نوع" من الحيوانات قبل أن يهلك العالم بالطوفان؟ وإذا كانوا قد أدخلوا إلى الفلك، فلماذا ليسوا هنا معنا اليوم؟ (يعتقد بعض الدعاة أنه بسبب حجمها، عاشت الديناصورات لفترة قصيرة فقط بعد الطوفان بسبب نقص الغذاء.) في المقام الأول، يمكن "اثنين من كل نوع" من الديناصورات والطيور العملاقة (حتى الصغيرة منها الناضجة) ) يتم حملها في الفلك؟ فكر في الأمر. لم يكن الطوفان في زمن نوح (منذ حوالي 4400 سنة) هو سبب موت الديناصورات.

[wahataa alyawmu, hunak 'unas (wakhasatan 'uwlayik aladhin yaetaqidun 'ana eumr al'ard kan hawalay 6000 sanat faqut) yaqulun 'ana alddynaswrat kanat mawjudatan fi 'ayaam admi, wa'anaha halakat jamiean fi altuwfan aleazim fi 'ayaam nuha. hadhih hamaqat mahda! 'iidha kanat alddynasurat mawjudat fi 'ayaam nuhi, falimadha lam takun mawjudatan fi alfalak eindama 'amar allah nuh ealaa wajh altahdid 'an yakhudh maeah "aithnayn min kuli nawea" min alhayawanat qabl 'an yuhlik alealam bialtuwfan? wa'iidha kanuu qad 'adkhiluu 'iilaa alfalaki, falimadha laysuu huna maeana alyawma? (yaetaqid baed aldueaat 'anah bisabab hajmaha, eashat alddynaswrat lifatrat qasirat faqat baed altuwfan bisabab naqs alghidha'i.) fi almaqam al'awala, yumkin "aithnayn min kuli nawea" min alddynaswrat waltuyur aleimlaqa (hataa alsaghirat minha alnaadijatu) ) yatimu hamluha fi alfalaki? fakar fi al'amri. lam yakun altuwfan fi zaman nuh (mundh hawalay 4400 sunatin) hu sabab mawt aldiynaswrati.]

●Archeology has proved that they existed millions of years ago and not merely 6,000 years ago in Adam's era. If the Flood was the cause of the extinction of the dinosaurs and other land creatures, then why the trilobites, and certain other arthropods, living in the seas, could not survive the Flood? How and why did they become extinct in the deluge? The answer is that they were not existing in Adam's era but ćons before that. They perished when God froze the earth after He had passed His judgment on Satan and the fallen angels.

وقد أثبت علم الآثار أنها كانت موجودة منذ ملايين السنين، وليس فقط قبل ستة آلاف عام في عصر آدم. إذا كان الطوفان هو سبب انقراض الديناصورات وغيرها من الكائنات البرية، فلماذا لم تتمكن ثلاثيات الفصوص وبعض المفصليات الأخرى التي تعيش في البحار من النجاة من الطوفان؟ كيف ولماذا انقرضوا في الطوفان؟ والجواب أنهم لم يكونوا موجودين في عصر آدم بل كانوا قبل ذلك. لقد هلكوا عندما جمد الله الأرض بعد أن أصدر حكمه على الشيطان والملائكة الساقطين.

[waqad 'athbat eilam aliathar 'anaha kanat mawjudatan mundh malayin alsinina, walays faqat qabl sitat alaf eam fi easr adm. 'iidha kan altuwfan hu sabab ainqirad alddynaswrat waghayriha min alkayinat albariyati, falimadha lam tatamakan thulathiaat alfusus wabaed almafsiliaat al'ukhraa alati taeish fi albihaar min alnajaat min altuwfan? kayf walimadha ainqaraduu fi altuwfani? waljawab 'anahum lam yakunuu mawjudin fi easr adim bal kanuu qabl dhalika. laqad halakuu eindama jamad allah al'ard baed 'an 'asdar hukmah ealaa alshaytan walmalayikat alsaaqitina.]

●No time limit is recorded in Genesis 1:1 regarding God's creation of heaven and the earth. The events that occurred are not recorded in that one verse. (Obviously, to hide the truth from the wise and prudent men.) The process could have easily covered eons of time.

لم يتم تسجيل أي حد زمني في تكوين 1: 1 بخصوص خلق الله للسماء والأرض. الأحداث التي وقعت لم يتم تسجيلها في تلك الآية الواحدة. (من الواضح أن إخفاء الحقيقة عن الحكماء والحكماء). كان من الممكن أن تغطي هذه العملية دهورًا من الزمن بسهولة. [lam yatima tasjil 'ayi hadin zamaniin fi takwin 1: 1 bikhusus khalq allah lilsama' wal'arda. al'ahdath alati waqaeat lam yatima tasjiluha fi tilk alayat alwahidati. (man alwadih 'ana 'iikhfa' alhaqiqat ean alhukama' walhukama'i). kan min almumkin 'an tughatiy hadhih aleamaliat dhwran min alzaman bisuhulatin.]

●Yes, Lucifer had his Eden. Adam had his Eden. And in the Regeneration when our Lord Jesus Christ shall sit on the throne of His glory to reign with His Bride, He will have His Eden (Matthew 19:28; Isaiah 65:18-25). The future "New Heaven and New Earth" that will be created out of the present one is the true Eden (Revelation 21:22) .

نعم، كان لوسيفر جنة عدن. وكان لآدم جنة عدن. وفي التجديد عندما يجلس ربنا يسوع المسيح على كرسي مجده ليملك مع عروسه، سيكون له عدن (متى 19: 28؛ إشعياء 65: 18-25). إن المستقبل ""السماء الجديدة والأرض الجديدة"" الذي سيتم إنشاؤه من السماء الحاضرة هو جنة عدن الحقيقية (رؤيا 21: 22).

[naema, kan lusifir janat eadan. wakan ladm janat eadan. wafi altajdid eindama yajlis rabuna yasue almasih ealaa kursii majdih liamlik mae earusihi, sayakun lah eadn (mataa 19: 28؛ 'iisheia' 65: 18-25). 'iin almustaqbal ""alsama' aljadidat wal'ard aljadidata"" aladhi sayatimu 'iinshawuh min alsama' alhadirat hu janat eadn alhaqiqia (ruya 21: 22).]

●

Revelation Chapter 11

2023-11-12T05:11:00.000-08:00

THE BOOK OF REVELATION

~ The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Revelation Chapter 11

As the events of chapter 10 are fulfilled, the Bride-Wife of Christ would have gone to the Grand Marriage Supper of the Lamb and the Gospel would then be returned to Israel. Chapter 11 is a continuation of chapter 10. It ushers in the first half of the 70th Week of Daniel right into the prophetic picture.

Measuring the Temple of God

Verse 1: And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

Verse 2: But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

St. John saw this vision in the year 96 A.D. The Jewish Temple (known as the Second Temple) in Jerusalem had already been destroyed by the Roman prince, Titus, in the year 70 A.D. The temple in the vision is one that will be built in the future. John saw it being built. At the beginning of the 70th Week of Daniel the temple may not be fully complete but the temple and the altar are there, and worshippers are already gathered there. This Third Temple, when it is completed, will be there during the Millennial Reign of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The measuring does not mean a literal measurement but refers to the chastening by the Lord with the “rod” of a “sceptre” (Grk: rhabdos) of judgement. This is God's dealing with Israel. The true elect of Israel are being measured for the soon coming chastening but they shall be saved. However, the court outside is not measured. John was told to “leave out” that portion. This means that the Gentile nations are left out of God's dealing for the time being. They are to be left out — cast out. “And the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months” — the second half of the 70th Week of Daniel's prophecy.

Right at this time a Moslem mosque called the 'Dome of the Rock' is located at the place which, according to Jewish tradition, is supposed to be the exact spot for the altar of the temple. Some Christians believe that that mosque prevents the Jews from rebuilding the temple. However, there are other Jewish and Christian archæologists who believe that the actual original temple site is some 150 feet north of the 'Dome of the Rock' where the entrance of the temple is in alignment with the present Eastern Gate of the City of Jerusalem. Of course, if they want to, the Jews could build the temple now by whatever means that is within their power to do so and on whichever site they believe is the right one. But only if it is in the ordained plan of the Almighty God would God allow it to take place. International religious agreements do not permit one nation to intrude into another nation's religion or trepass on another nation's religious place. So, it would require a miracle that will completely clear the actual temple site for the Jews to rebuild the altar and lay the foundation stone for the temple. At this present time, the world is crying out for peace and safety. “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (1 Thess.5:3). “For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts” (Hag.2:6-7).

Hallelujah! That's right. God is going to shake the whole earth and He is going to build His Millennial Temple for His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. It will be just around the beginning of the 70th Week. That's right. “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts” (Hag.2:8-9). Amen. The Temple will be built by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts. The Jews will once again be able to offer their sacrifices and oblations like they did in the Old Testament days. However, there will be a group who will recognize the true and real sacrifice — Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, and be sealed with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it” (Zech.4:7). Just as the Second Temple was built out of a mountainous pile of rubbish (cf. Neh.4:2,10) by the Spirit of the Lord under the ministry of the two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, so will the Third Temple also be built by the Spirit of the Lord under the ministry of the Two Witnesses. Amen. No mountain of whatever sort will ever stand in the way of God's Plan just as we see the True Bride of Christ being built out of a mountainous pile of denominational rubbish in these last days. Yes, the denominational builders have tried to do many things but they have rejected the Cornerstone and have placed some `ministerial board' as the head of the church. They may claim to have Jesus Christ as the Head of the church and also the Name of God or Christ. But when it comes to the true Word of God they will simply bypass It. O, how blind are they who do not realize that God has magnified His Word above all His Name! (cf. Psa.138:2).

Nevertheless, God is shaking the whole Church World by the Spoken Word Ministry that He has sent in these last days. His Prophet-Messenger, William Branham spoke the Word of Truth, His Present Ascension Gift Ministers are also speaking the Word of Truth. The Spirit, in giving the revelation of Truth, are taking the “lively stones” (cf. 1 Pet.2:5) out of the denominational mountainous pile of rubbish and placing them positionally in the true “Church” building of the Lord. He has also lifted up the Cornerstone and has placed It as the Headstone (the Apex of the pyramidal House of the Lord). Christ Jesus is the Head of the Church. There's no doubt about it. Grace, grace, grace! Hallelujah!

The Two Witnesses

Verse 3: And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Verse 4: These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

Verse 5: And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

Verse 6: These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

As the 70th Week begins, Two Witnesses of God will appear on the scene and prophesy for 1260 days (3½ years). Truly, they have the Spirit and the Light of the Word in the days that they shall stand upon the earth. The Old Testament prophet, Zechariah, saw them as two olive trees standing on either side of the candlestick which represents the Church in the Church Age (cf. Zech.4). The Church began where the Law (represented by Moses) and the Prophets (represented by Elijah) ended. She was brought up by the Law and the Prophets. But as the Church Age closes out with the translation of the Bride of Christ, after getting her rapturing faith from the voices of the Seven Thunders, the Two Olives Trees will be returned to the Jews (cf. Acts 15:14-16). The Two Olives Trees will be Two Candlesticks shining forth the Light of God in that hour. They will be supernaturally protected from death throughout the 3½ years of their ministry to Israel and to the world. Whosoever shall try to harm or kill them will receive fiery retribution or death itself. Both prophets will be Jewish men anointed of God with the spirits and power of Moses and Elijah. The signs and miracles which they will perform, as described in verse 6 as well as in chapter 8, verses 8 to 12, under the blowing of the first four Trumpets, are patterned after those two great Old Testament prophets of Israel. Read Exodus 7-12 and 2 Kings 1. (There is no Scriptural basis for the belief that Moses and Elijah will return to earth to minister to Israel. There is also nothing in the Bible to support the belief that Enoch will be one of the Two Witnesses.)

Under the ministry of these two prophets God will call out and seal 144,000 Jewish men: 12,000 of each of the twelve tribes of Israel (Rev.7:4-8). He will also chastise Israel for entering into a covenant with the Pope of Rome and certain other nations round about them. For centuries the Pope of Rome has been sitting in his `high chair' in the Vatican City claiming to be the 'Holy Father' of the Church of God. He oversees the religious beastly system of the Roman Catholic Church which treats his teachings and doctrines as the absolute truth. He claims to hold on earth the place of God and that he is infallible. But the Apostle Paul called him the “man of sin…, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2 Thess.2:3b-4). This same personality will be received by the Jews just as Jesus Christ had so prophesied: “I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive” (Jhn.5:43). Yes, the Pope is no longer looked upon by the Christians and Jews today as one who opposes God as he did in medieval time. For the last four to five decades Satan has succeeded in blinding the eyes of the majority of worshippers around the world. His religious beastly system from Hell is like the woman Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab of Israel, in her days (cf. Rev.2:20; 1 Kgs.16:30-34; 21:25). And “Jezebel” is so full of flattery that both the political and religious nations of the world have been seduced to commit fornication with her (cf. Rev.17:2; 18:3). Today, the Pope is looked upon as a 'man of peace' — the man who could solve the Middle East crises and the world's problems in these last days.

The Pope “shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Dan.9:27). After 3½ years (1260 days), the Pope will break the covenant and put an end to all Jewish sacrifices and oblations. He will also give orders to kill the Two Witnesses.

Verse 7: And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

Obviously the prophecies of these Two Witnesses shall cause many sleepless nights for the ungodly men and women who associate themselves with the so-called Holy Roman Church. With the Two Witnesses around to prophesy against him and his church, the Antichrist will not have an easy time in his administration . Though the Roman beast shall “make war against them”, yet no one can lay their hands on the two prophets until they have finished their testimony. Then the Two Witnesses will be at the mercy of the Religious Roman Beast who will give order for them to be executed.

Verse 8: And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

The “great city” of Jerusalem, no longer called Holy Jerusalem, will spiritually be referred to as Sodom and Egypt. Why Sodom and Egypt? Sodom was a city filled with sexual perversion — whoredom. Egypt was the first empire that oppressed and put Israel in bondage and made slaves out of the Israelites. Therefore, Jerusalem will spiritually be likened unto Sodom and Egypt for in that day the “great city” will become the headquarters of spiritual whoredom and spiritual bondage.

Verse 9: And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

Before the invention of television, it was unimaginable to the human mind how all the nations of the world could ever view the corpses of the Two Witnesses lying in the open space of the city of Jerusalem within a period of three and a half days. This is one of the many Bible prophecies which proves that the Sacred Scriptures are truly inspired and written by the Holy Spirit of the Living God.

Forbidding the bodies of the two prophets to be buried, the Roman beast is holding them in contempt — “just let them rot”, so to speak. By displaying their dead bodies in the street for the world to see, the Antichrist is asserting his claim to supreme power and authority to kill any one who dares to resist him.

Verse 10: And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

The sinners rejoice, make merry and give gifts one to another because they will no longer be tormented by the prophetic words and judgements of the two prophets. But their joy is short-lived.

Verse 11: And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

Verse 12: And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

This is a special resurrection; a rapture just for the Two Witnesses when the Spirit of God's Life comes upon them to raise them up and exalt them to Heaven. With these Two Olives Trees taken up into Heaven the sealing of the 144,000 elect is now complete and the merciful Voice of God is silent. And the world will now face the fury of the gates of hell. The “four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree” (Rev.7:1) until the Two Witnesses have sealed the 144,000 servants of God in their foreheads (cf. Rev.7:2-8) will now release the four forces onto the world.

Verse 13: And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Everytime there is a resurrection an earthquake will take place. This earthquake is so great that it destroys 10 percent of the city and kills 7,000 people. “And the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.” When people are fearful they will give glory to God. But will they repent?

Verse 14: The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

“The second woe is past” — the Two Witnesses are killed. Though the third woe is not recorded here it actually comes immediately after the second woe. That is when Satan is cast out of heaven and cast down to the earth, meaning, he becomes incarnate as the Man of Sin, the Son of Perdition, to make war against the people of God. This is written in Revelation chapter 12. (The first woe is recorded in Revelation 9:1-12. It is when all hell breaks loose and demons are freely running around all over the earth to torment mankind.)

The rest of this chapter shows the 7th Trumpeting Angel blowing his trumpet to herald the coming of the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. The Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ will only come at around the end of the 70th Week of Daniel after the Seven Vials of God's wrath are poured out upon the earth.

The Seventh Trumpet

Verse 15: And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Verse 16: And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

Verse 17: Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

Verse 18: And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

My, oh my! What a great day that will be — the Day of the Lord! It will be an awesome day “when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day” (2 Thess.1:7-10). Amen.

Verse 19: And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Now, we know that there is no literal temple in Heaven. It only reflects the True Temple of the Living God, the Bride (the True Church) being in Heaven at this point in time and since the middle of the 70th Week of Daniel. And the “Ark of His Testament”, which speaks of God's faithfulness and righteousness in Jesus Christ, is there in the Temple. It shows that the Lord Jesus is also there in His Temple and He has yet to go forth to judge the world in all His glory and power. As long as He is there, there will be mercy for the Woman Israel, the Foolish Virgins and the Faithful Jews to live through that dark hour of the Great Tribulation. That is why there are much activities and excitements in Heaven — “lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail” (cf. Rev.8:5; 16:18; Isa.29:6; Exodus 19-20). But when Daniel's 70th Week has run its course and our Lord Jesus shall get up to judge the world, He will not be there in His Temple, figuratively speaking, to receive anyone, who may want to enter in, until after the wrath of God is poured out upon the earth. This is recorded in chapter 15, verses 5 to 8: “And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: and the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.”

So, we see that the Seventh Trumpet heralds the pouring out of the Seven Plagues that are to come at the end of the second 3½ years of Daniel's 70th Week. And during this period of 42 months, there will be no more grace given to seal in any living soul. No one can be “born again” because God's Spirit will not be given. The only saints on the earth at this time are the Tribulation Saints and the 144,000 Jewish servants of the Lord. The 144,000 Jews are already sealed in before this period of the Great Tribulation. But there will be an element of Israel's true worshippers of Yahweh who will hear the message of the 144,000 but they will have to give their lives for the Word (cf. Rev.6: 9-11). Also, there will be a mortal group of predestinated people spared from death to live in the Millennial Reign of Christ as natural mortal people to re-populate the earth.

Now, we know that there is only one set of Seven Angels that John saw in his visions. The Seven Angels who blow the Seven Trumpets are the same Seven Angels who will pour out the Seven Vials. But they will not have the Seven Vials until they have sounded all Seven Trumpets which are given to them in chapter 8 verse 2: “And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.” Once all the trumpets are blown, the Seven Angels will gather before the Throne of God to wait for their next assignment. And in chapter 15 verses 6 and 7 we read that Seven Vials (or Bowls) are given to them: “And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.” These Seven Vials will be poured out upon the earth at the close of the Great Tribulation period just before the Lord Jesus Christ returns to earth with His army of saints. We will continue our study on this in later chapters of the Book of Revelation.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Revelation Chapter 12 ( click here to continue )

400 years of silence?

2023-11-11T20:22:00.000-08:00

QUESTION

What were the 400 years of silence?

ANSWER

The 400 years of silence refers to the time between the Old Testament and New Testament, during which, so far as we know, God did not speak—no Scripture was written. The 400 years of silence began with the warning that closed the Old Testament: “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse" (Malachi 4:5-6) and ended with the coming of John the Baptist, the Messiah’s forerunner.

At the time of Malachi’s warning, about 430 B.C., the Jews had returned to Israel from the Babylonian captivity (as merchants, not shepherds). The Medo-Persian Empire still ruled Israel, and the temple had been rebuilt. Both the Law and the priesthood of Aaron’s line had been restored, and the Jews had given up their worship of idols. Nevertheless, Malachi’s warning was not without cause. The Jewish people were mistreating their wives, marrying pagans and not tithing, and the priests were neglecting the temple and not teaching the people the ways of God. In short, the Jews were not honoring God.

In 333 B.C., Israel fell to the Greeks, and in 323 B.C. it fell to the Egyptians. The Jews generally were treated well throughout those reigns, and they adopted the Greek language and many of the Greek customs and manners, and in Egypt the Old Testament was translated into Greek. That translation, the Septuagint, came into widespread use (and is quoted frequently in the New Testament).

Jewish law and the priesthood remained more or less intact until Antiochus the Great of Syria captured Israel in 204 B.C. He and his successor, Antiochus Epiphanes, persecuted the Jews and sold the priesthood, and in 171 B.C. Epiphanes desecrated the Holy of Holies. This desecration resulted in an uprising by Judas Maccabeus of the priestly line of Aaron, and in 165 B.C. the Jews recaptured Jerusalem and cleansed the temple. However, fighting continued between the Jews and the Syrians until the Romans gained control of Israel in 63 B.C., at which time Pompey walked into the Holy of Holies, once again shocking and embittering the Jews. In 47 B.C., Caesar installed Antipater, a descendant of Esau, as procurator of Judea, and Antipater subsequently appointed his two sons as kings over Galilee and Judea.

As the New Testament opens, Antipater’s son, Herod the Great, a descendant of Esau, was king, and the priesthood was politically motivated and not of the line of Aaron. Politics also resulted in the development of two major factions, the Sadducees and the Pharisees. The Sadducees favored the liberal attitudes and practices of the Greeks. They held to only the Torah as regards religion but like most aristocrats they did not think God should have any part in governing the nation. The Pharisees were conservative zealots who, with the help of the scribes, developed religious law to the point where the concerns and care of people were essentially meaningless. Additionally, synagogues, new places of worship and social activity, had sprouted up all over the country, and religious and civil matters were governed by the lesser and the greater Sanhedrins, the greater Sanhedrin being comprised of a chief priest and seventy other members that handed out justice, sometimes by 39 lashes administered with full force.

Between the time of Malachi and the coming of the Messiah, several prophecies were fulfilled, including the 2,300 days of desecration between 171 and 165 B.C. (Daniel 8:14). However, the people did not put to good use either the fulfilled prophecies nor the 400 years the nation was given to study Scripture, to seek God (Psalm 43-44), and to prepare for the coming Messiah. In fact, those years blinded and deafened the nation to the point where most of the Jews could not even consider the concept of a humble Messiah (Zechariah 9:9; Isaiah 6:10; John 12:40).

Almost two millennia have passed since the New Testament canon was completed, and though the Word is full of grace and truth, and though the birth, life, and death of Jesus fulfilled a staggering array of prophecies, the Jews as a people have yet to open their eyes and ears. But Jesus is coming again, and one day a remnant will both see and hear.

Next QUESTION : WHY THE 400 YEARS OF SILENT? 🤔

ANSWER : Rather, I am pointing out that the Hebrew Bible – the one which Jesus would have been familiar with – did not end with Malachi; it ended with Chronicles. That means that the Old Testament ends with these words:

“All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May the Lord his God be with him, and let him go up!”

That statement is actually a 70-year leap from 2 Chronicles 36:21 with the people being dragged off to exile. 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 is a declaration that the seventy years of captivity has ended, but the sentence itself is incomplete in the Hebrew. The Old Testament kind of ends on an ellipsis. Why? I appreciate the answer given by Amber Dillon:

“So the return from exile under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah didn’t solve the people’s problems. The decree from Cyrus is incomplete because the authors of the TaNaK were still waiting for a real return from exile and the coming of the Messianic kingdom of God. God’s people need a deliverer from a deeper kind of exile than simply being ruled by Babylon.”

It's understandable, though, that the Christian Scriptures would have been compiled with having Malachi as the ending. Chronologically this is plausible. Malachi was one of the latest books written in the Old Testament. And there does seem to be a period of longing and waiting. You could say that there is prophetic silence, but I do not think it’s necessarily that God was punishing the people with silence. He was still communicating, and He was still the same God He is today. Many important historical events happened during this in-between time.

What Happens Historically in between This “Period of Silence”?

There was much activity during this 400-year period. There are many things you see in the beginning pages of the New Testament that weren’t exactly present when the Old Testament comes to a close. For one, the second temple seems to be far more functioning than it was at the close of the Old Testament. There are groups like the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Sanhedrin that are not mentioned. What we have is what is known as the rise of Second Temple Judaism. All of that came to be during this intertestamental period.

There was also a great deal of military activity during this time. When the Old Testament closes, Cyrus the Great and Persia are the great superpowers. But by the time of the New Testament, we hear of the Romans being the ones who are ruling, and the language is in Greek, not Hebrew. Much has changed on the world stage in that 400-year period. Some of this is outlined in Jewish books written during this period like 1 and 2 Maccabees. Israel once again lost its independence during this period and then regained it and then lost it again.

It is clear that God was still working. In fact, some of what happened during this period was a fulfillment of prophecy spoken through the prophet Daniel.

Why Didn’t God Reveal Anything New in This Time?

I do not believe we have good warrant to connect the dots between the last words of Malachi and the first words of Matthew. But I do believe we can clearly say that there was no Scripture written between the close of the Old Testament and the opening of the New Testament. There was an inspired prophetic silence, though. During this time God did not reveal anything new. Why?

First, I think it is helpful for us to acknowledge that this 400-year period in between the Old and New Testament is not the only time in which God has “gone silent.” What do we make of the years of “silence” while the Hebrew people were in Egyptian bondage before God heard their cries and responded with rescue? Furthermore, what do we do with the almost 2,000 years of “silence” that we have experienced since the close of the New Testament? When we frame the question this way it helps us to understand that even if God is not inspiring new revelation, it does not mean that He is silent or inactive. And this may also help us to answer the question of why God did not reveal new Scripture during this time.

Secondly, we must acknowledge that God does not give us an explicit answer to this question. There is not a Scripture passage that refers to 400 years of silence. It’s something we have pieced together. This means that our answer will be tentative at best. But I think the answer, though perhaps not as dynamic as we would like, is that God was finished with the work of revelation he was doing at that stage in history.

I do not believe that these years of silence are like a spurned lover or an angry parent who chooses silence over communication. There is no Scripture where God says “I will be silent for 400 years.” Yes, there is that bit of prophecy in Malachi, but where does that even mention a period of prophetic silence? Yes, the people had rebelled and God was continuing to hand them over to judgment. But he was also preparing for their rescue.

God Is Still at Work

In some ways we are in a similar position to those of the time between the two testaments ; the Old Testament and the New Testament. God has spoken definitively and has also promised a rescue. We too are awaiting His forthcoming rescue through the Second Coming of Christ. But unlike those in the intertestamental period we have seen and heard of the works of Jesus. We know the identity of the Rescuer / Savior. It would seem strange and inaccurate to call this period “2,000 years of silence” because we do not have Scripture being written. God is at work just as he was at work in the intertestamental period. He is just speaking differently.

Hebrews 1:1-2 will have the last word:

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.”

Oxford Artificial Intelligence Programme

2023-11-05T12:14:00.007-08:00

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https://youtu.be/5p248yoa3oE?si=vGYL3nPrZ_l9jgYA

Andrew Ng: Opportunities in AI - 2023

Stanford Online

Raghuveer Awankar

This man is the reason I fell in love with complex topics like Artificial Neural Networks in AI. He is hero for all AI lovers.

What is generative AI and how does it work? – The Turing Lectures with Mirella Lapata

The Royal Institution•

The Near Future of AI [Entire Talk] - Andrew Ng (AI Fund)

Stanford CS229: Machine Learning Course, Lecture 1 - Andrew Ng (Autumn 2018)

MIT Introduction to Deep Learning | 6.S191

Alexander Amini•

The House Fund Presents Interview with Andrew Ng; How AI Will Change The World For Good

L’intelligence artificielle n’existe pas, par Luc Julia

France Université Numérique

Open AI CEO Sam Altman and CTO Mira Murati on the Future of AI and ChatGPT | WSJ Tech Live 2023

The Next Decade of Software Development - Richard Campbell - NDC London 2023

GPT-4 - How does it work, and how do I build apps with it? - CS50 Tech Talk

Google's Deep Mind Co-founder: AI Is Becoming More Dangerous And Threatening! - Mustafa Suleyman

How to Speak

MIT

The AI revolution: Google's developers on the future of artificial intelligence

This discussion took place on July 26, 2023, at Cemex Auditorium, Stanford University, and was hosted by the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

This talk covers:

Trends in AI Technologies and Tools

Supervised Learning

Generative AI

The Adoption of AI

Opportunities in AI

Process for Building Startups

AI Risks and Social Impact

Explore the essentials of machine learning and develop practical skills to implement AI applications in this beginner-friendly program:

https://www.coursera.org/specializati...

https://www.coursera.org/specializations/machine-learning-introduction

Introduction