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Not a morning passes that I don't wake up and ask God, with almost righteous indignation; "WHO AM I AND WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME? HAVEN'T I DONE ENOUGH!". Well, I'm nearly "dead broke" and trying to save what I can for the futures of my 3 children. I'm 57 and twice divorced. I have a B.S. in Civil Engineering, worked 30 tears in he fossil fuels energy business and now I drive for UBER to make ends meet. I have been a millionaire twice. The first time at age 42 and I was working for white-collar criminals, while living in moral bankruptcy. The last time was 8 years ago after the estate of parents, who died in a murder-suicide, was finally settled. But God has been good to me: He removed a very "toxic" person from my life who could have eventually murdered me and after my autistic son was abandoned by his mom, He humbled me with a intellectually-disabled 11 year old, when I most needed to be humbled. That 11 year old is now 20 and just finished a Summer Youth Employment Program in Brooklyn, NY. He has one more year of High School. He does his own home work. He cooks his own meals. We're working on bed making, dish washing and laundry. He's much more adept at using an iPhone, Macbook Pro or DirecTV than me. We try to attend Catholic Mass once a month where he participates in the Mass. His outlook is bright; therefore, I have been blessed with God's Grace. In 2Cor.12:1-10, "Without giving us any clear picture of the cosmos, Paul indicates a mental journey to a nonearthly space, set apart by God, in which secrets were revealed to him. Ineffable things: i.e., privileged knowledge, which it was not possible or permitted to divulge." This Scripture, which gives Paul solace for his suffering, reads as follows; 1I must boast; not that it is profitable, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2I know someone in Christ who, fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows), was caught up to the third heaven. 3And I know that this person (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) 4was caught up into Paradise and heard ineffable things, which no one may utter. 5About this person I will boast, but about myself I will not boast, except about my weaknesses. 6Although if I should wish to boast, I would not be foolish, for I would be telling the truth. But I refrain, so that no one may think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me 7because of the abundance of the revelations. Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. 8Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, 9 but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. 10Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong. Rev.1:3 Blessed is the one* who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near. USCCB Footnotes: * [1:3] Blessed is the one: this is the first of seven beatitudes in this book; the others are in Rev 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14. This prophetic message: literally, “the words of the prophecy”; so Rev 22:7, 10, 18, 19 by inclusion. The appointed time: when Jesus will return in glory; cf. Rev 1:7; 3:11; 22:7, 10, 12, 20. In times like these, I harken back to the time of the Prophet Ezekiel in 6th Century B.C. His name means "God Strengthens". From the Old Testament Book of Ezekiel, Chapter 33, Verses 1-9 titled The Prophet as Sentinel. 1The word of the LORD came to me: 2Son of man, speak to your people and tell them: When I bring the sword against a land, if the people of that land select one of their number as a sentinel* for them, 3and the sentinel sees the sword coming against the land, he should blow the trumpet to warn the people. 4If they hear the trumpet but do not take the warning and a sword attacks and kills them, their blood will be on their own heads. 5They heard the trumpet blast but ignored the warning; their blood is on them. If they had heeded the warning, they could have escaped with their lives. 6If, however, the sentinel sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the sword attacks and takes someone’s life, his life will be taken for his own sin, but I will hold the sentinel responsible for his blood. 7 You, son of man—I have appointed you as a sentinel for the house of Israel; when you hear a word from my mouth, you must warn them for me. 8When I say to the wicked, “You wicked, you must die,” and you do not speak up to warn the wicked about their ways, they shall die in their sins, but I will hold you responsible for their blood. 9If, however, you warn the wicked to turn from their ways, but they do not, then they shall die in their sins, but you shall save your life. USCCB Footnotes: * [33:2] Sentinel: the theme of the sentinel’s duty initiates a new commission to announce salvation (chaps. 33–48), just as the same command (3:17–21) opened Ezekiel’s ministry to announce judgment (chaps. 3–24).   It's called a "Lunar Eclipse". There are the Penumbral, Umbral and Totality phases in a Total Lunar Eclipse. On July 27, 2018, there was a Total Lunar Eclipse seen by all of the world, except North America. It occurs when the moon appears darkened as it passes into the earth's shadow. During the eclipse, the moon will take on a reddish color due to a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering. Basically its the red portion of spectral light after the other hues have been filtered out. In Biblical apocalyptic literature, it's referred to as a "Blood Moon". In the 8th Century B.C., the Prophet Isaiah referred to it as the moon "blushing" along with a related solar eclipse as the "sun being ashamed". Both of these celestial events, along with a meteor shower and major earthquake preface the Judgment upon the World and the Lord’s Enthronement on Mount Zion (Isaiah 24:1-23). In this prophesy, it's God's punishment for man polluting the earth: 5The earth is polluted because of its inhabitants, for they have transgressed laws, violated statutes, broken the ancient covenant. 6Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants pay for their guilt; Therefore they who dwell on earth have dwindled, and only a few are left. In the Book of Revelation, St. John, while sitting in a Roman prison cell on the Greek Island of Patmos, received visions from God through Christ through an Angel and described it as a "blood moon" leading to the Parousia: Rev.6:12-17 12* Then I watched while he broke open the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; the sun turned as black as dark sackcloth* [solar eclipse] and the whole moon became like blood [lunar eclipse]. 13The stars in the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs* [meteor shower] shaken loose from the tree in a strong wind. 14Then the sky was divided* like a torn scroll curling up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. 15The kings of the earth, the nobles,* the military officers, the rich, the powerful, and every slave and free person hid themselves in caves and among mountain crags. 16They cried out to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17because the great day of their* wrath has come and who can withstand it?” USCCB Footnotes: * [6:12–14] Symbolic rather than literal description of the cosmic upheavals attending the day of the Lord when the martyrs’ prayer for vindication (Rev 6:10) would be answered; cf. Am 8:8–9; Is 34:4; 50:3; Jl 2:10; 3:3–4; Mt 24:4–36; Mk 13:5–37; Lk 21:8–36. * [6:12] Dark sackcloth: for mourning, sackcloth was made from the skin of a black goat. * [6:13] Unripe figs: literally, “summer (or winter) fruit.” * [6:14] Was divided: literally, “was split,” like a broken papyrus roll torn in two, each half then curling up to form a roll on either side. * [6:15] Nobles: literally, “courtiers,” “grandees.” Military officers: literally, “commanders of 1,000 men,” used in Josephus and other Greek authors as the equivalent of the Roman tribunus militum. The listing of various ranks of society represents the universality of terror at the impending doom. * [6:17] Their: this reading is attested in the best manuscripts, but the vast majority read “his” in reference to the wrath of the Lamb in the preceding verse.  In the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew and Mark, the event is described as the Moon "will not give its light". In the Gospel According to Luke, the lunar eclipse is simply described as a "sign in the moon". The importance in these 3 Gospels as it relates Isaiah's and St. John's prophecies is not about color, rather timing. The celestial events along with a major earthquake would occur after the Rapture which will preface the Coming of the Son of Man (2nd Coming of Christ) then judgment of the living and the dead. Mt.24:37-42 37 For as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38In [those] days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. 39They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be [also] at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. 41Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. 42 Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Lk.17:24-37 24For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be [in his day]. 25But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation. 26As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man; 27they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building; 29on the day when Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all. 30So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day, a person who is on the housetop and whose belongings are in the house must not go down to get them, and likewise a person in the field must not return to what was left behind. 32Remember the wife of Lot. 33Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. 34I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. 35 And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left.” 36 37They said to him in reply, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather.” Is.24:6 Therefore they who dwell on earth have dwindled, and only a few are left. The Scripture above in bold (Mt.24:37-39 and Lk.17:26-30) is of utmost significance in the case of this latest lunar eclipse in that the Words detail 2 specific apocalyptic events:
Penumbra(l). Items numbered 1 through 41, listed below. The 6:13-14 coincides with the Penumbra(l) (per Merriam-Webster, "a space of partial illumination between the perfect shadow on all sides and the full light") of the eclipse which is 06h13m48s or 6 Hours, 13 Minutes and 48 Seconds, then I took all of the Scripture from the Bible which had a 6th Chapter with a 13th and 14th Verse to assemble the Message from God, thus, this message is authenticated: Much like a puzzle, 41 "pieces" of Scripture encompassing approximately 4,400 years of Biblical history from the Flood of Noah to the Coming of the Son of Man. Umbra(l). Items numbered 42 through 44, listed below. The 3:54-55 coincides with the Umbra(l) (per Merrium-Webster, "a conical shadow excluding all light from a given source; specifically : the conical part of the shadow of a celestial body excluding all light from the primary source") of the eclipse which is 03h54m32s or 3 Hours, 54 Minutes and 32 Seconds, then I took all of the Scripture from the Bible which had a 3rd Chapter with a 54th and 55th Verse to assemble these "Hidden Messages" from God: 42) Prepare for the Final Battle of Good vs Evil on this Earth. This will not be a Holy War of Judeo-Christians vs, Muslims, as far-right Evangelicals like Pastor John Hagee and President Donald J. Trump want you to believe. It will be a battle of people who have the Love of God in their heart vs. those whose hearts are consumed with hate, pride and greed. 43) Seek out those who are suffering for they are dying a slow, miserable death. The poor, the weak, the elderly, those who have been marginalized by society and those who are suffering and will suffer due to man's misuse of God's Creation. There is enough money in this world to rapidly cure this problem, starting today, but most of the money in this world is in the hands of so few. To those few, I quote: The Judgment of the Nations from the Gospel According to Matthew, Chapter 25, verses 31-46.* 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, 32 and all the nations* will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, 36naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ 37Then the righteous* will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 41* Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42k For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ 44* Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ 45He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ 46l And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” USCCB Footnotes: * [25:31–46] The conclusion of the discourse, which is peculiar to Matthew, portrays the final judgment that will accompany the parousia. Although often called a “parable,” it is not really such, for the only parabolic elements are the depiction of the Son of Man as a shepherd and of the righteous and the wicked as sheep and goats respectively (Mt 25:32–33). The criterion of judgment will be the deeds of mercy that have been done for the least of Jesus’ brothers (Mt 25:40). A difficult and important question is the identification of these least brothers. Are they all people who have suffered hunger, thirst, etc. (Mt 25:35, 36) or a particular group of such sufferers? Scholars are divided in their response and arguments can be made for either side. But leaving aside the problem of what the traditional material that Matthew edited may have meant, it seems that a stronger case can be made for the view that in the evangelist’s sense the sufferers are Christians [I don't agree with this. I believe it is those who suffer throughout the world. We are all God's Children. See above.], probably Christian missionaries whose sufferings were brought upon them by their preaching of the gospel. The criterion of judgment for all the nations is their treatment of those who have borne to the world the message of Jesus, and this means ultimately their acceptance or rejection of Jesus himself; cf. Mt 10:40, “Whoever receives you, receives me.” See note on Mt16:27. * [25:32] All the nations: before the end the gospel will have been preached throughout the world (Mt 24:14); thus the Gentiles will be judged on their response to it. But the phrase all the nations includes the Jews also, for at the judgment “the Son of Man…will repay everyone according to his conduct” (Mt 16:27). * [25:37–40] The righteous will be astonished that in caring for the needs of the sufferers they were ministering to the Lord himself. One of these least brothers of mine: cf. Mt 10:42. * [25:41] Fire prepared…his angels: cf. 1 Enoch 10:13 where it is said of the evil angels and Semyaza, their leader, “In those days they will lead them into the bottom of the fire—and in torment—in the prison (where) they will be locked up forever.” * [25:44–45] The accursed (Mt 25:41) will be likewise astonished that their neglect of the sufferers was neglect of the Lord and will receive from him a similar answer. 44) God's Saving Power of Prayer in Times of Despair. Totality. Items numbered 45 through 52, listed below. The 1:42-43 coincides with the Totality (per Merrium-Webster, "the phase of an eclipse during which it is total : state of total eclipse") of the eclipse which is 01h42m57s or 1 Hours, 42 Minutes and 57 Seconds, then I took all of the Scripture from the Bible which had a 1st Chapter with 42nd and 43rd Verses to assemble what are the Most Important of these Messages from God: 45) DO NOT incite a war between Israel and Syria!!! From the Old Testament Pentateuch or 5 Books of Moses, The Book of Numbers: Nm. 35:33-34 33You will not pollute the land where you live. For bloodshed pollutes the land, and the land can have no expiation for the blood shed on it except through the blood of the one who shed it. 34Do not defile the land in which you live and in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the Israelites. 46) Unsuccessful Invasion. Message: A warning from God to Israel not to preemptively start a war with Syria, Turkey, Iraq or Iran and vice versa. 47) Message: Israel, select leaders "who have listening hearts to judge your people and to distinguish between good and evil." Your current leader is more closely associated with the Beast and the False Prophet, than he is with God. Look around you, the signs are abundant. Open your eyes and see the TRUTH. 48) From Abraham to Jacob. Message: Learn from the lessons and mistakes of your ancestors and be true to the Laws that Moses gave you, but "Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’" 49) Religious Persecution. Message: Just as when the APOSTASY of Judaism was brought upon Israelites by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have brought upon an APOSTASY of Christianity: Trump with mainly Christian Evangelicals and Putin with the Russian Orthodox Church. Trump's APOSTASY extends beyond Christianity to the orthodoxy of Republican Party Conservatism. Do Not Apostatize Your Faith. 50) The Cleansing of a Leper. Message: The healing power of Christ who did not seek notoriety, rather the Kingdom of God for as many as possible. 51) Mary Visits Elizabeth. Message: The Sanctity of Life not just for the Unborn, but also for the poor, the weak, the elderly, those who have been marginalized by society and those who are suffering and will suffer due to man's misuse of God's Creation. 52) The First Disciples. Message: Walk the Path of Christ. Jn.14:5-7 5Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth* and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” THAT STATEMENT IS AS MUCH ABOUT BEHAVIOR AS IT IS BELIEF!!! This puzzle highlights modern applicability to historical mistakes, long ago prophecy, the blessings of Wisdom and how Christ expects us to live our lives; however, the Message is based on text from the the New American Bible, the Official Bible of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). 10 of the Scriptural passages are from the Deuterocanonical Books of the Old Testament (noted below with a "+" and violet text) which are:
Basically, if you're using a King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, then you're missing 7 important pieces of the puzzle from the Penumbra(l) and as a Penumbra is also a body of rights held to be guaranteed by implication in a civil constitution, as in penumbra of the Bill of Rights (1st 10 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution), it is your right to have access to these important pieces. I suggest you read the Deuterocanonical Books of the Old Testament even though some people may tell you it's a bad idea.   From my blogs and my book, Tribulation by G.R. Miller: The Apocalyptic Moons of Blood The Tetrad of 6th Seals ... Messages from God God's Fury the Book and The Real Donald Trump God's Fury The Book - Full Decoding of The Book of Revelation 
NASA has a Lunar Eclipse website where they catalog these celestial events from 1999 B.C. (Before Christ) to 3,000 A.D. (Anno Domini). The first one I saw was on Dec. 21, 2010 standing in my driveway in Cypress, TX. That was steps from my study where one year earlier, almost to the day, I opened my Bible to the Book of Revelation and began seeing the images that St. John was given from God though Christ through an Angel who visited John in a Roman cavernous jail cell on the Greek Island of Patmos. In the early stages of my review, I saw the following from the Book of Revelation Chapter 6 and Chapter 10:
The more I studied the more I saw. 27 days before I was born, a "blood moon" occurred at Moon Set on Sep. 5, 1960. The latest lunar eclipse was the longest in this century and coincided with Mars' closest approach to Earth in 15 years, joining the moon within eye sight. To be continued...    Penumbral Phase: 06h13m48s 6th Chapter, Verses 13-14 from the Time of Noah to the Time of Final JudgmentThe First Biblical Mass Extinction. Message: Cleansing of the Earth with Water which is the Symbolism associated with Baptism. From the Roman Catholic Profession of Faith (Nicene Creed): "We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins." 1) From the Old Testament Pentateuch or 5 Books of Moses, The Book of Genesis: Gn.6:13-14 13God said to Noah: I see that the end of all mortals has come, for the earth is full of lawlessness because of them. So I am going to destroy them with the earth. Preparation for the Flood. 14Make yourself an ark of gopherwood,* equip the ark with various compartments, and cover it inside and out with pitch. USCCB Footnotes: * [6:14] Gopherwood: an unidentified wood mentioned only in connection with the ark. It may be the wood of the cypress, which in Hebrew sounds like “gopher” and was widely used in antiquity for shipbuilding. Confirmation of the Promise to the Ancestors. Message: Liberating all of whom are enslaved. Stop human trafficking. 2) From the Old Testament Pentateuch or 5 Books of Moses, The Book of Exodus: Ex.6:13-14 13But the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron regarding the Israelites and Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and charged them to bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt. Genealogy of Moses and Aaron. 14These are the heads of their ancestral houses.* The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and Carmi; these are the clans of Reuben. USCCB Footnotes: * [6:14] The purpose of the genealogy here is to give the line from which Moses and Aaron sprang, with special emphasis placed on the line of Aaron. Reuben and Simeon are mentioned first because, as older brothers of Levi, their names occur before his in the genealogy. High Priest’s Daily Grain Offering. Message: Tithing 3) From the Old Testament Pentateuch or 5 Books of Moses, The Book of Leviticus: Lv.6:13-14 13This is the offering that Aaron and his sons shall present to the LORD on the day he is anointed: one tenth of an ephah of bran flour for the regular grain offering, half of it in the morning and half of it in the evening. 14You shall bring it well kneaded and fried in oil on a griddle.f Having broken the offering into pieces, you shall present it as a sweet aroma to the LORD. USCCB Footnotes: * [6:12–16] This seems to refer to a grain offering offered twice daily by the high priest, perhaps identical to the regular grain offering in Nm 4:16 (cf. Neh 10:34). This offering is distinct from the grain offering that accompanies the daily burnt offering. Laws Concerning Nazirites. Message: Communion Offering 4) From the Old Testament Pentateuch or 5 Books of Moses, The Book of Numbers: Nm.6:13-14 13This is the ritual for the nazirites: When the period of their dedication is complete they shall go to the entrance of the tent of meeting, 14bringing their offerings to the LORD, one unblemished yearling lamb for a burnt offering, one unblemished yearling ewe lamb for a purification offering, one unblemished ram as a communion offering, Fidelity in Prosperity. Message: Observing God's 1st Commandment. 5) From the Old Testament Pentateuch or 5 Books of Moses, The Book of Deuteronomy: Dt.6:13-14 13The LORD, your God, shall you fear; him shall you serve,* and by his name shall you swear. 14 You shall not go after other gods, any of the gods of the surrounding peoples-- USCCB Footnotes: * [6:13] Him shall you serve: the verb could be translated as either “serve” or “worship” (cf. 5:9). The Fall of Jericho. Message: God is Faithful to His Promises. 6) From the Old Testament Historical Books, The Book of Joshua: Jos.6:13-14 13The seven priests bearing the ram’s horns marched in front of the ark of the LORD, blowing their horns. Ahead of these marched the picked troops, while the rear guard followed the ark of the LORD, and the blowing of horns was kept up continually. 14On this second day they again marched around the city once before returning to camp; and for six days in all they did the same. The Call of Gideon. Message: Keeping Faith When You Feel All is Lost. From v.23, "The LORD answered him: You are safe. Do not fear. You shall not die. 7) From the Old Testament Historical Books, The Book of Judges: Jgs.6:13-14 13“My lord,” Gideon said to him, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are his wondrous deeds about which our ancestors told us when they said, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ For now the LORD has abandoned us and has delivered us into the power of Midian.” 14 The LORD turned to him and said: Go with the strength you have, and save Israel from the power of Midian. Is it not I who send you? The Ark Is Returned. The Return of the Ark of the Covenant to Israel. Message: Rejoicing in the Forgiveness and Protection from God, even after He had Punished the Israelites for their Indiscretions. 8) From the Old Testament Historical Books, the 1st Book of Samuel: 1Sm.6:13-14 13The people of Beth-shemesh were harvesting the wheat in the valley. They looked up and rejoiced when they saw the ark. 14The cart came to the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite and stopped there. At a large stone in the field, the wood of the cart was split up and the cows were offered as a burnt offering to the LORD. The Ark Brought to Jerusalem. Message: Celebrating the Power of God's Blessings, regardless of what others might think of you. 9) From the Old Testament Historical Books, the 2nd Book of Samuel: 2Sm.6:13-14 13As soon as the bearers of the ark of the LORD had advanced six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. 14Then David came dancing before the LORD with abandon, girt with a linen ephod.* USCCB Footnotes: * [6:14] Girt with a linen ephod: the ephod was some sort of priestly vestment (probably like an apron); cf. Ex 28:4; Jgs 17:5; 1 Sm 2:18, 28; 14:3; 22:18; 23:6. The cultic procession that accompanies the ark to the holy mountain, Zion, is led by King David, dancing ecstatically and wearing a priestly vestment. The Genealogy of the Tribe of Levi. Message: Passing on the Priesthood. passing on the Value of Faith. 10) From the Old Testament Historical Books, the 1st Book of Chronicles: 1Chr.6:13-14 13The sons of Samuel were Joel, the firstborn, and Abijah, the second. 14The sons of Merari: Mahli, whose son was Libni, whose son was Shimei, whose son was Uzzah, Solomon’s Prayer. Message: Praising God for His Blessings and Asking God to "Listen from Heaven, the Place of His Enthronement". The Power of Prayer. 11) From the Old Testament Historical Books, the 2nd Book of Chronicles: 2 Chr.6:13-14 * 13Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, which he had placed in the middle of the courtyard. Having ascended it, Solomon knelt in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel and stretched forth his hands toward heaven. 14He said: “LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth; USCCB Footnotes: * [6:13] This verse has no equivalent in 1 Kgs 8:22–23, the Chronicler’s source. Solomon is depicted as praying on “a bronze platform…in the middle of the courtyard” because in the time of the Chronicler only priests were permitted to pray before the altar. The Task Finally Completed. After the Babylonian Exile, Judah was restored in 2 phases: 1)Rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem 2)Reordering of Jewish Life. Message: Restoring your Faith in God. 12) From the Old Testament Historical Books, the Book of Ezra: Ezr.6:13-14 13Then Tattenai, the governor of West-of-Euphrates, and Shethar-bozenai, and their fellow officials carried out with all diligence the instructions King Darius had sent them. 14The elders of the Jews continued to make progress in the building, supported by the message of the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, son of Iddo. They finished the building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus and Darius, and of Artaxerxes, king of Persia. Plots Against Nehemiah. Message: The Plot Against a Prophet to Discredit Him. 13) From the Old Testament Historical Books, the Book of Nehemiah: Neh.6:13-14 13that I might act on it out of fear and commit this sin. Then they would have had a shameful story with which to discredit me. 14a Keep in mind Tobiah and Sanballat, my God, because of these things they did; keep in mind as well Noadiah the woman prophet and the other prophets who were trying to intimidate me. Achior in Bethulia. Message: The Rescue of a Prophet. The question, “Who is God?” motivates the entire narrative. Holofernes defends King Nebuchadnezzar; Judith defends the Lord. 14+) From the Old Testament Historical Books, the Book of Judith: Jdt.6:13-14 13So, taking cover below the hill, they bound Achior and left him lying at the foot of the hill; then they returned to their lord. Achior in Bethulia.* 14The Israelites came down from their city and found him, untied him, and brought him into Bethulia. They placed him before the rulers of the city, USCCB Footnotes: * [6:14–21] The scene shifts back to Bethulia where Achior tells the town leaders and citizens all that Holofernes has planned against them. The people cry out to God for help. Mordecai’s Reward from the King. Message: The humiliated, evil Haman was led to his condemnation and death. Justice for the Righteous. Eternal Damnation for the Wicked. 15) From the Old Testament Historical Books, the Book of Esther: Est.6:13-14 13When he told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him, his advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you are beginning to fall, is of Jewish ancestry, you will not prevail against him, but will surely be defeated by him.” Esther’s Second Banquet. 14While they were speaking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman off to the banquet Esther had prepared. Message: God's Punishment of Antiocus IV Epiphanes for his Sins Against the "Holy Ones" and his Defilement of the "Holy Place". 16+) From the Old Testament Historical Books, the 1st Book of Maccabees: 1Mc.6:13-14 13I know that this is why these evils have overtaken me; and now I am dying, in bitter grief, in a foreign land.” 14Then he summoned Philip, one of his Friends, and put him in charge of his whole kingdom. God’s Purpose. Message: He never withdraws his mercy from us. Although he disciplines us with misfortunes, he does not abandon his own people. 17+) From the Old Testament Historical Books, the 2nd Book of Maccabees: 2Mc.6:13-14 13It is, in fact, a sign of great kindness to punish the impious promptly instead of letting them go for long. 14Thus, in dealing with other nations, the Sovereign Lord patiently waits until they reach the full measure of their sins before punishing them; but with us he has decided to deal differently, Job’s First Reply. Message: Through all of Job's Suffering, he Questioned God but didn't lose Faith in Him. Satan Lost the Bet with God about Job's Sincerity to the Almighty. 18) From the Old Testament Wisdom Books, the Book of Job: Jb.6:13-14 13Have I no helper, and has my good sense deserted me? 14A friend owes kindness to one in despair, though he has forsaken the fear of the Almighty. The Scoundrel. Message: He sometimes sits in an Oval Office and Biblically, he goes by many names. 19) From the Old Testament Wisdom Books, the Book of Proverbs: Prv.6:13-14 13Shifty of eye, feet ever moving, pointing with fingers, 14They have perversity in their hearts, always plotting evil, sowing discord. From my blog: The Chain of Command - Follow The Money www.tribulation7.com/gods-fury---the-book/the-chain-of-command-follow-the-money  Exhortation to Seek Wisdom* Message: The Blessings of Wisdom. 20+) From the Old Testament Wisdom Books, the Book of Wisdom: Wis.6:13-14 13She [Wisdom] hastens to make herself known to those who desire her; 14one who watches for her at dawn will not be disappointed, for she will be found sitting at the gate. USCCB Footnotes: * [6:1–21] The first part of the book closes with an exhortation comparable to 1:1–15, and it leads into “Solomon’s” personal comments on wisdom in chaps. 7–9 Wisdom 2:1-24 1For, not thinking rightly, they said among themselves: “Brief and troubled is our lifetime; there is no remedy for our dying, nor is anyone known to have come back from Hades. 2For by mere chance were we born, and hereafter we shall be as though we had not been; Because the breath in our nostrils is smoke, and reason a spark from the beating of our hearts, 3And when this is quenched, our body will be ashes and our spirit will be poured abroad like empty air. 4Even our name will be forgotten in time, and no one will recall our deeds. So our life will pass away like the traces of a cloud, and will be dispersed like a mist Pursued by the sun’s rays and overpowered by its heat. 5For our lifetime is the passing of a shadow; and our dying cannot be deferred because it is fixed with a seal; and no one returns. 6Come, therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are here, and make use of creation with youthful zest. 7Let us have our fill of costly wine and perfumes, and let no springtime blossom pass us by; 8let us crown ourselves with rosebuds before they wither. 9Let no meadow be free from our wantonness; everywhere let us leave tokens of our merriment, for this is our portion, and this our lot. 10Let us oppress the righteous poor; let us neither spare the widow nor revere the aged for hair grown white with time. 11But let our strength be our norm of righteousness; for weakness proves itself useless. 12 Let us lie in wait for the righteous one, because he is annoying to us; he opposes our actions, Reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training. 13He professes to have knowledge of God and styles himself a child of the LORD. 14To us he is the censure of our thoughts; merely to see him is a hardship for us, 15Because his life is not like that of others, and different are his ways. 16He judges us debased; he holds aloof from our paths as from things impure. He calls blest the destiny of the righteous and boasts that God is his Father. 17Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him in the end. 18For if the righteous one is the son of God, God will help him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. 19With violence and torture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. 20Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him.” 21These were their thoughts, but they erred; for their wickedness blinded them, 22 And they did not know the hidden counsels of God; neither did they count on a recompense for holiness nor discern the innocent souls’ reward. 23For God formed us to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made us. 24But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world, and they who are allied with him experience it. True Friendship* - The message is ANTITHETICAL to that of Pres. Donald J. Trump and his Son-In-Law / Senior Advisor Jared Kushner. From https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/01/02/donald-trump-foreign-policy-analysis-dangerous-216202 Another conversation, with Jared Kushner, the presidential son-in-law who had been given an expansive international portfolio ranging from restarting Middle East peace talks to dealing with Mexico and China, was just as troubling. Kushner was "very dismissive” about the role of international institutions and alliances and uninterested in the European’s recounting of how closely the United States had stood together with Western Europe since World War II. “He told me, ‘I’m a businessman, and I don’t care about the past. Old allies can be enemies, or enemies can be friends.’ So, the past doesn’t count,” the official recalled. “I was taken aback. It was frightening.” Trump's affinity for Vladimir Putin and their combined disdain for NATO and the European Union. 21+) From the Old Testament Wisdom Books, the Book of Ben Sira (Ecclesiasticus): Sir.6:13-14 13Stay away from your enemies, and be on guard with your friends. 14Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter; whoever finds one finds a treasure. USCCB Footnotes: * [6:5–17] One of several poems Ben Sira wrote on friendship; see also 9:10–16; 12:8–18; 13:1–23; 19:13–17; 22:19–26; 27:16–21. TRUE FRIENDS ARE DISCERNED NOT BY PROSPERITY (V. 11), BUT THROUGH THE TRIALS OF ADVERSITY: DISTRESS, QUARRELS (V. 9), SORROW (V. 10) AND MISFORTUNE (V. 12). SUCH FRIENDS ARE RARE, A GIFT FROM GOD (VV. 14–17). From my blog: The Chain of Command - Follow The Money www.tribulation7.com/gods-fury---the-book/the-chain-of-command-follow-the-money   The Enemy at the Gates Message: Russia and all other Totalitarian Regimes. 22) From the Old Testament Prophetic Books, the Book of Jeremiah: Jer.6:13-14 13Small and great alike, all are greedy for gain; prophet and priest, all practice fraud. 14They have treated lightly the injury to my people: “Peace, peace!” they say, though there is no peace. From my blog: The Chain of Command - Follow The Money www.tribulation7.com/gods-fury---the-book/the-chain-of-command-follow-the-money            Babylon. Message: See images below. Data per 2012, before gerrymandering. 23+) From the Old Testament Prophetic Books, the Book of Baruch: Bar.6:13-14 13Each has a scepter, like the human ruler of a district, but none can do away with those that offend against it. 14Each has in its right hand an ax or dagger, but it cannot save itself from war or pillage. Thus it is known they are not gods; do not fear them. From my blog and book Tribulation by G.R. Miller www.tribulation7.com/gods-fury---the-book/tribulation-by-gr-miller From my blogs: http://www.tribulation7.com/gods-fury---the-book/gods-fury-the-book-and-the-real-donald-trump http://www.tribulation7.com/gods-fury---the-book/gods-fury-the-book-full-decoding-of-the-book-of-revelation-it-is-done-now-it-is-time-to-write-the-book http://www.tribulation7.com/gods-fury---the-book/the-inevitability-of-a-hurricane-harvey   Prophesy Against the Mountains of Israel. Message: The Mountain of Megiddo. From the Old Testament Prophetic Books, the Book of Ezekiel: 24) Ez.6:13-14 13They shall know that I am the LORD, when their slain lie among their idols, all around their altars, on every high hill and mountaintop, beneath every green tree and leafy oak*—any place they offer sweet-smelling sweet-smelling oblations to all their idols. 14I will stretch out my hand against them; I will make the land a desolate waste, from the wilderness to Riblah,* wherever they live. Thus they shall know that I am the LORD. USCCB Footnotes: * [6:13] Every green tree and leafy oak: trees often identified with fertility deities and the “tree of life”; sacred groves had a long history in Palestine and throughout the Mediterranean basin as places of worship; cf. Dt 12:2. * [6:14] From the wilderness to Riblah: the whole land, from the far south to the far north.       The Lion's Den. Message: Daniel's Condemnation for his True Faith to God of which he was Rewarded with his Life and his Accusers were Condemned to Death. 25) From the Old Testament Prophetic Books, the Book of Daniel: Dn.6:13-14 13Then they went to remind the king about the prohibition: “Did you not sign a decree, O king, that for thirty days, whoever makes a petition to anyone, divine or human, except to you, O king, shall be cast into a den of lions?” The king answered them, “The decree is absolute, irrevocable under the law of the Medes and Persians.” 14To this they replied, “Daniel, one of the Jewish exiles, has paid no attention to you, O king, or to the prohibition you signed; three times a day he offers his prayer.” Mt.5:1-11 The Sermon on the Mount. 1 When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2He began to teach them, saying: The Beatitudes 3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. 6Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.     Third Woe. Message: God's Punishment for Jacob's Pride. Lk. 16:15 And he said to them, “You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God. From the Old Testament Prophetic Books, the Book of Amos: 26) Am.6:13-14 13You who rejoice in Lodebar, and say, “Have we not, by our own strength, seized Karnaim* for ourselves?” 14Look, I am raising up against you, house of Israel— oracle of the LORD, the God of hosts— A nation* that shall oppress you from Lebo-hamath even to the Wadi Arabah. USCCB Footnotes: * [6:13] Lodebar…Karnaim: two towns recaptured from Judah by Israelite forces during the reign of Jeroboam II (see 2 Kgs 14:25). Some mockery of at least the first of these victories is probably intended by the prophet here, as Lodebar can be translated “nothing.” * [6:14] A nation: Assyria. Lebo-hamath…Wadi Arabah: the territorial limits of Solomon’s kingdom, north and south respectively, as re-established by Jeroboam II (see 2 Kgs 14:25). For the LORD has a Case Against His People; he Enters into Trial with Israel. Message: Your abuse of the Palestinians which will lead to the Final 6th of 7 Seals. 27) From the Old Testament Prophetic Books, the Book of Micah: Mi.6:13-14 13I have begun to strike you with devastation because of your sins. 14You shall eat, without being satisfied, food that will leave you empty; What you acquire, you cannot save; what you do save, I will deliver up to the sword. The Crowning. From the Old Testament Prophetic Books, the Book of Zechariah: 28) Zec.6:13-14 13He will build the temple of the LORD, and taking up the royal insignia, he will sit as ruler upon his throne. The priest will be at his right hand, and between the two of them there will be peaceful understanding.* 14The other crown will be in the temple of the LORD as a gracious reminder to Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and the son of Zephaniah. USCCB Footnotes: * [6:13] Peaceful understanding: harmonious rule of both the high priest and the king. The Lord’s Prayer. Message: 6:2 When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. 6:5 “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. 6But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 7 In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 “This is how you are to pray: From the New Testament Books, the Gospel According to Matthew: 29) Mt.6:13-14 13and do not subject us to the final test,* but deliver us from the evil one [the Rapture].14* If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. USCCB Footnotes: * [6:13] Jewish apocalyptic writings speak of a period of severe trial before the end of the age, sometimes called the “messianic woes.” This petition asks that the disciples be spared that final test. * [6:14–15] These verses reflect a set pattern called “Principles of Holy Law.” Human action now will be met by a corresponding action of God at the final judgment. Apostolic Mission and Herod’s Opinion of Jesus. 30) From the New Testament Books, the Gospel According to Mark: Mk.6:13-14 13* They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. 14King Herod* heard about it, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” USCCB Footnotes: * [6:13] Anointed with oil…cured them: a common medicinal remedy, but seen here as a vehicle of divine power for healing. * [6:14–16] The various opinions about Jesus anticipate the theme of his identity that reaches its climax in Mk 8:27–30. Apostolic Mission From the New Testament Books, the Gospel According to Luke: 31) Lk.6:13-14 13When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve,* whom he also named apostles: 14i Simon, whom he named Peter,* and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, USCCB Footnotes: * [6:12–16] See notes on Mt 10:1–11:1 and Mk 3:14–15. * [6:12] Spent the night in prayer: see note on Lk 3:21. * [6:13] He chose Twelve: the identification of this group as the Twelve is a part of early Christian tradition (see 1 Cor 15:5), and in Matthew and Luke, the Twelve are associated with the twelve tribes of Israel (Lk 22:29–30; Mt 19:28). After the fall of Judas from his position among the Twelve, the need is felt on the part of the early community to reconstitute this group before the Christian mission begins at Pentecost (Acts 1:15–26). From Luke’s perspective, they are an important group who because of their association with Jesus from the time of his baptism to his ascension (Acts 1:21–22) provide the continuity between the historical Jesus and the church of Luke’s day and who as the original eyewitnesses guarantee the fidelity of the church’s beliefs and practices to the teachings of Jesus (Lk1:1–4). Whom he also named apostles: only Luke among the gospel writers attributes to Jesus the bestowal of the name apostles upon the Twelve. See note on Mt 10:2–4. “Apostle” becomes a technical term in early Christianity for a missionary sent out to preach the word of God. Although Luke seems to want to restrict the title to the Twelve (only in Acts 4:4, 14 are Paul and Barnabas termed apostles), other places in the New Testament show an awareness that the term was more widely applied (1 Cor 15:5–7; Gal 1:19; 1 Cor 1:1; 9:1; Rom 16:7). * [6:14] Simon, whom he named Peter: see note on Mk 3:16. Multiplication of the Loaves by a True Prophet. 32) From the New Testament Books, the Gospel According to John: Jn.6:14 13So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets* with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. 14When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet,* the one who is to come into the world.” USCCB Footnotes: * [6:13] Baskets: the word describes the typically Palestinian wicker basket, as in Mk 6:43 and parallels. * [6:14] The Prophet: probably the prophet like Moses (see note on Jn 1:21). The one who is to come into the world: probably Elijah; cf. Mal 3:1; 4:5. Accusation against Stephen. Ex.20:16 You Shall not Bear False Witness Against Your Neighbor. 33) From the New Testament Books, the Acts of the Apotles: Acts 6:14 13They presented false witnesses* who testified, “This man never stops saying things against [this] holy place and the law. 14For we have heard him claim that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” USCCB Footnotes: * [6:13] False witnesses: here, and in his account of Stephen’s execution (Acts 7:54–60), Luke parallels the martyrdom of Stephen with the death of Jesus. Freedom from Sin; Life in God. 34) From the New Testament Books, the Pauline Epistle to the Romans: Rom.6:13-14 13And do not present the parts of your bodies to sin as weapons for wickedness, but present yourselves to God as raised from the dead to life and the parts of your bodies to God as weapons for righteousness. 14For sin is not to have any power over you, since you are not under the law but under grace. Sexual Immorality. 35) From the New Testament Books, the 1st Pauline Epistle to the Corinthians: 1Cor.6:13-14 13“Food for the stomach and the stomach for food,” but God will do away with both the one and the other. The body, however, is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body; 14God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. The Experience of the Ministry and Call to Holiness. 36) From the New Testament Books, the 2nd Pauline Epistle to the Corinthians: 2Cor.6:13-14 13As recompense in kind (I speak as to my children), be open yourselves. 14* Do not be yoked with those who are different, with unbelievers.* For what partnership do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? USCCB Footnotes: * [6:11–13] Paul’s tone becomes quieter, but his appeal for acceptance and affection is emotionally charged. References to the heart and their mutual relations bring the development begun in 2 Cor 2:14–3:3 to an effective conclusion. * [6:14–7:1] Language and thought shift noticeably here. Suddenly we are in a different atmosphere, dealing with a quite different problem. Both the vocabulary and the thought, with their contrast between good and evil, are more characteristic of Qumran documents or the Book of Revelation than they are of Paul. Hence, critics suspect that this section was inserted by another hand. * [6:14–16a] The opening injunction to separate from unbelievers is reinforced by five rhetorical questions to make the point that Christianity is not compatible with paganism. Their opposition is emphasized also by the accumulation of five distinct designations for each group. These verses are a powerful statement of God’s holiness and the exclusiveness of his claims. Final Appeal 37) From the New Testament Books, the Pauline Epistle to the Galatians: Gal.6:13-14 13Not even those having themselves circumcised* observe the law themselves; they only want you to be circumcised so that they may boast of your flesh. 14But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which* the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. USCCB Footnotes: * [6:13] Those having themselves circumcised: other manuscripts read, “those who have had themselves circumcised.” * [6:14] Through which: or “through whom.” Battle Against Evil Message: Wear the Armor of God. 38) From the New Testament Books, the Pauline Epistle to the Ephesians: Eph.6:14 13Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. 14So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, Exhortations to Timothy.* 39) From the New Testament Books, the 1st Pauline Epistle to Timothy: 1Tim.6:13-14 13I charge [you] before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate for the noble confession, 14to keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ * [6:11–16] Timothy’s position demands total dedication to God and faultless witness to Christ (1 Tm 6:11–14) operating from an awareness, through faith, of the coming Revelation in Jesus of the invisible God (1 Tm 6:15–16). God’s Promise Immutable. Message: God keeps his promises. 40) From the New Testament Books, the Epistle to the Hebrews: Heb.6:13-14 13*When God made the promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, “he swore by himself,” 14and said, “I will indeed bless you and multiply” you. USCCB Footnotes: * [6:13] He swore by himself: God’s promise to Abraham, which he confirmed by an oath (“I swear by myself,” Gn 22:16) was the basis for the hope of all Abraham’s descendants. From The First 6 Seals, the Final 6th of 7 Seals. Message: The Final Biblical Mass Extinction Event. 41) From the New Testament Books, the Catholic Epistle Book of Revelation: Rev.6:13-14 13The stars in the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs* shaken loose from the tree in a strong wind. 14Then the sky was divided* like a torn scroll curling up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. * [6:13] Unripe figs: literally, “summer (or winter) fruit.” * [6:14] Was divided: literally, “was split,” like a broken papyrus roll torn in two, each half then curling up to form a roll on either side. Rev.8:1-2. 1When he broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven* for about half an hour. 2And I saw that the seven angels who stood before God were given seven trumpets. [Post-Rapture. Each Trumpet introduces a corresponding Bowl / Plague]. USCCB Footnotes: * [8:1] Silence in heaven: as in Zep 1:7, a prelude to the eschatological woes that are to follow; cf. Introduction.       Umbral Phase: 03h54m32s 3rd Chapter, Verses 54-55Preparations for Battle. Message: The 6th Trumpet followed by the 6th Bowl / Plague which culminates in the final battle at Mt. Megiddo. 42+) From the Old Testament Historical Books, the 1st Book of Maccabees: 1Mc.3:54-55 54Then they blew the TRUMPETS and cried out loudly. 55After this Judas appointed officers for the people, over thousands, over hundreds, over fifties, and over tens   The Voice of a Suffering Individual. 43) From the Old Testament Prophetic Books, the Book of Lamentations: Lam.3:54-55 54The waters flowed over my head: and I said, “I am lost!” 55I have called upon your name, O LORD, from the bottom of the pit USCCB Footnotes: * [3:1–66] This chapter is focused less on the destruction of Jerusalem than are chaps. 1 and 2 and more on the suffering of an individual. The identity of the individual is never given, and one probably should not search for a specific identification of the speaker. The figure of the representative sufferer makes concrete the pain of the people in a way similar to the personification of Zion as a woman in chaps. 1 and 2. Indeed, in vv. 40–48 the individual voice gives way to a communal voice, returning in vv. 49–66 to the individual sufferer. Prayer of Azariah.* 44+) From the Old Testament Prophetic Books, the Book of Daniel: Dan.3:54-55 54Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. 55Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever USCCB Footnotes: * [3:24–90] These verses are additions to the Aramaic text of Daniel, translated from the Greek form of the book. They were probably first composed in Hebrew or Aramaic, but are no longer extant in the original language. The Roman Catholic Church has always regarded them as part of the canonical Scriptures. Message: Deliverance from the Furnace. God's Saving Power of Prayer in Times of Despair. The Babylonian 1King Nebuchadnezzar had a golden statue made which he set up in the plain of Dura 4A herald cried out: “Nations and peoples of every language, 5 when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, zither, dulcimer, harp, double-flute, and all the other musical instruments, you must fall down and worship the golden statue. 6Whoever does not fall down and worship shall be instantly cast into a white-hot furnace.” There were 3 Jews who were administrators of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who refused to worship Babylonian gods, nor the golden statue. Nebuchadnezzar questioned them: “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not serve my god, or worship the golden statue that I set up? 16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us! 18But even if he will not, you should know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up.” He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than usual 20and had some of the strongest men in his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the white-hot furnace. 21They were bound and cast into the white-hot furnace with their trousers, shirts, hats and other garments, 49But the angel of the Lord went down into the furnace with Azariah and his companions, drove the fiery flames out of the furnace, 50and made the inside of the furnace as though a dew-laden breeze were blowing through it. The fire in no way touched them or caused them pain or harm. 91Then King Nebuchadnezzar was startled and rose in haste, asking his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” “Certainly, O king,” they answered. 92“But,” he replied, “I see four men unbound and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God.” Totality: 01 h42m57s 1st Chapter, Verses 42-43Count of the Twelve Tribes. Message: The ancient Tribe of Naphtali of northern Israel is the area which currently borders Lebanon and Syria. DO NOT incite a war between Israel and Syria!!! From the Old Testament Pentateuch or 5 Books of Moses, The Book of Numbers: Nm. 35:33-34 33You will not pollute the land where you live. For bloodshed pollutes the land, and the land can have no expiation for the blood shed on it except through the blood of the one who shed it. 34Do not defile the land in which you live and in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the Israelites. 45) From the Old Testament Pentateuch or 5 Books of Moses, The Book of Numbers: Num.1:42-43 42Of the descendants of NAPHTALI, registered by name and lineage according to their clans and ancestral houses, every male of twenty years or more, everyone fit for MILITARY SERVICE: 43those enrolled from the tribe of Naphtali were fifty-three thousand four hundred.   Unsuccessful Invasion. Message: A warning from God not to preemptively start a war with Syria, Turkey, Iraq or Iran and vice versa. 46) From the Old Testament Pentateuch or 5 Books of Moses, The Book of Deuteronomy: Dt.1:42-43 42But the LORD said to me, Warn them: Do not go up and fight—for I will not be in your midst—lest you be beaten down before your enemies. 43I gave you this warning but you would not listen. You defied the LORD’s command and arrogantly went off into the hill country. Adonijah Submits to Solomon. From the Catholic Study Bible, Solomon’s Accession (1 Kgs 1:1–2:46), "When David was a very old man, unable even to keep himself warm, the question of succession became acute. There were two competing candidates: Adonijah and Solomon. Neither was designated by a divine word given through a prophet as were Saul and David. The throne would go to the better practitioner of power politics. Adonijah was born in Hebron and was favored by David’s oldest supporters: Joab and Abiathar. Solomon was born in Jerusalem and was favored by his mother, Bathsheba, and those who supported David after he established himself in that city. Adonijah and Solomon took different approaches toward the succession. Adonijah acted in his own person, claiming the throne for himself. Solomon was content to let his supporters manipulate his father into designating him as the successor to the throne. The book describes two simultaneous ceremonies each of which was to inaugurate David’s successor. The ceremonies took place near Jerusalem at two sites in shouting distance of each other. Adonijah chose En-rogel, a spring located at the juncture of the Hinnom and Kidron Valleys just south of Jerusalem; Solomon had his ceremony at the Gihon Spring, Jerusalem’s main water source, at the base of the eastern slope of David’s city. Solomon was able to bring more people to his ceremony; he was, after all, the candidate of the Jerusalem party. When Adonijah and his supporters heard the crowd acclaim Solomon as their king, they lost heart and fled. Adonijah submitted to Solomon’s authority and begged for his life, which Solomon chose to spare. Early Promise of Solomon’s Reign.* 1Kgs.3:5-15 5In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said: Whatever you ask I shall give you. 6Solomon answered: “You have shown great kindness to your servant, David my father, because he walked before you with fidelity, justice, and an upright heart; and you have continued this great kindness toward him today, giving him a son to sit upon his throne. 7Now, LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed David my father; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act— 8I, your servant, among the people you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. 9Give your servant, therefore, a listening heart to judge your people and to distinguish between good and evil. For who is able to give judgment for this vast people of yours?” 10The Lord was pleased by Solomon’s request. 11So God said to him: Because you asked for this—you did not ask for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies—but you asked for discernment to know what is right— 12I now do as you request. I give you a heart so wise and discerning that there has never been anyone like you until now, nor after you will there be anyone to equal you. 13 In addition, I give you what you have not asked for: I give you such riches and glory that among kings there will be no one like you all your days. 14And if you walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and commandments, as David your father did, I will give you a long life. 15Solomon awoke; it was a dream! He went to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, sacrificed burnt offerings and communion offerings, and gave a feast for all his servants. Message: Israel! Select leaders "who have listening hearts to judge your people and to distinguish between good and evil." Your current leader is more closely associated with the Beast [Pres. Donald J. Trump] and the False Prophet [Trump's Senior Advisor and Son-In-Law, Jared Kushner], than he is with God. Look around you, the signs are abundant. Open your eyes and see the TRUTH. 47) From the Old Testament Historical Books, the 1st Book of Kings: 1Kgs1:42-43 42As he was speaking, Jonathan, son of Abiathar the priest, arrived. Adonijah said, “Come, you are a man of worth and must bring good news.” 43Jonathan answered Adonijah, “Hardly!* Our lord, King David, has made Solomon king USCCB Footnotes: * [1:43] Hardly: Jonathan’s first word, ’abal, whose meaning (such as “indeed,” “on the contrary”) must be discerned from the context, may be ironic. This irony is deepened by an untranslatable wordplay in Hebrew: a very similar word means “to mourn,” which is an appropriate comment about the death of Adonijah’s hopes for the throne. From Abraham to Jacob. Message: Learn from the lessons and mistakes of your ancestors and be true to the Laws that Moses gave you, but "Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’" 48) From the Old Testament Historical Books, the 1st Book of Chronicles: 1Chr.1:42-43 42The sons of Ezer were Bilhan, Zaavan, and Jaakan. The sons of Dishan were Uz and Aran. 43The kings who reigned in the land of Edom before the Israelites had kings were the following: Bela, son of Beor, the name of whose city was Dinhabah. Religious Persecution. Message: Just as when the APOSTASY of Judaism was brought upon Israelites by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have brought upon an APOSTASY of Christianity: Trump with mainly Christian Evangelicals and Putin with the Russian Orthodox Church. Trump's APOSTASY extends beyond Christianity to the orthodoxy of Republican Party Conservatism. Do Not Apostatize Your Faith. 49+) From the Old Testament Historical Books, the 1st Book of Maccabees: 1Mc.1:42-43 42and abandon their particular customs. All the Gentiles conformed to the command of the king, 43and many Israelites delighted in his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath. The Cleansing of a Leper. Message: The healing power of Christ who did not seek notoriety, rather the Kingdom of God for as many as possible. Mk.1:44-45 44Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” 45The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere. USCCB Footnotes * [1:40] A leper: for the various forms of skin disease, see Lv 13:1–50 and the note on Lv 13:2–4. There are only two instances in the Old Testament in which God is shown to have cured a leper (Nm 12:10–15; 2 Kgs 5:1–14). The law of Moses provided for the ritual purification of a leper. In curing the leper, Jesus assumes that the priests will reinstate the cured man into the religious community. See also note on Lk 5:14. 50) From the New Testament Books, the Gospel According to Mark: Mk.1:42-43 42The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. 43Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Mary Visits Elizabeth. Message: The Sanctity of Life not just for the Unborn, but also for the poor, the weak, the elderly, those who have been marginalized by society and those who are suffering and will suffer due to man's misuse of God's Creation. The Hail Mary Prayer Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. 51) From the New Testament Books, the Gospel According to Luke: Lk.1:42-43 42cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord* should come to me?  THE UNBORN Fetal Development: Month by Month https://www.onhealth.com/content/1/fetal_development_stages  YEMEN CHOLERA & DIPHTHERIA OUTBREAKS Checkout these websites and please donate: RELIEFWEB - YEMEN CHOLERA OUTBREAK RELIEFWEB - YEMEN DIPHTHERIA OUTBREAK UNICEF - YEMEN DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS - YEMEN WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME - YEMEN  Checkout these websites and please donate: RELIEFWEB - SOUTH SUDAN UNICEF - SOUTH SUDAN DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS - SOUTH SUDAN WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME - SOUTH SUDAN  Checkout these websites and please donate: RELIEFWEB - BANGLADESH UNICEF - BANGLADESH DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS - BANGLADESH WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME - BANGLADESH The First Disciples. Message: Walk the Path of Christ. Jn.14:5-7 5Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth* and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” THAT STATEMENT IS AS MUCH ABOUT BEHAVIOR AS IT IS BELIEF!!! From the New Testament Books, the Gospel According to John: Jn.1:42-43 42Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John;* you will be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter). 43The next day he* decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “FOLLOW ME.” USCCB Footnotes: * [1:42] Simon, the son of John: in Mt 16:17, Simon is called Bariona, “son of Jonah,” a different tradition for the name of Simon’s father. Cephas: in Aramaic = the Rock; cf. Mt 16:18. Neither the Greek equivalent Petros nor, with one isolated exception, Cephas is attested as a personal name before Christian times. * [1:43] He: grammatically, could be Peter, but logically is probably Jesus. From my blog and book Tribulation by G.R. Miller www.tribulation7.com/gods-fury---the-book/tribulation-by-gr-miller I drew this late at night in 2012 when my son and I lived on the Upper West Side in Manhattan.  Gospel According to Matthew MT 10:34-11:1 Jesus said to his Apostles: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s enemies will be those of his household. “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple– amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.” When Jesus finished giving these commands to his Twelve disciples, he went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns. Rev.22:1-21 1Then the angel showed me the river of life-giving water,* sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2down the middle of its street. On either side of the river grew the tree of life* that produces fruit twelve times a year, once each month; the leaves of the trees serve as medicine for the nations. 3Nothing accursed will be found there anymore. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4They will look upon his face,* and his name will be on their foreheads. 5Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever. VII. EPILOGUE* 6And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true, and the Lord, the God of prophetic spirits, sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon.” 7* “Behold, I am coming soon.”* Blessed is the one who keeps the prophetic message of this book. 8It is I, John, who heard and saw these things, and when I heard and saw them I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. 9But he said to me, “Don’t! I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brothers the prophets and of those who keep the message of this book. Worship God.” 10Then he said to me, “Do not seal up the prophetic words of this book, for the appointed time* is near. 11Let the wicked still act wickedly, and the filthy still be filthy. The righteous must still do right, and the holy still be holy.” 12“Behold, I am coming soon. I bring with me the recompense I will give to each according to his deeds. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”* 14Blessed are they who wash their robes so as to have the right to the tree of life and enter the city* through its gates. 15Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the unchaste, the murderers, the idol-worshipers, and all who love and practice deceit. 16“I, Jesus, sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the root and offspring of David,* the bright morning star.” 17The Spirit and the bride* say, “Come.” Let the hearer say, “Come.” Let the one who thirsts come forward, and the one who wants it receive the gift of life-giving water. 18I warn everyone who hears the prophetic words in this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19and if anyone takes away from the words in this prophetic book, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city described in this book. 20* m The one who gives this testimony says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! 21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. USCCB Footnotes: * [22:1, 17] Life-giving water: see note on Rev 7:17. * [22:2] The tree of life: cf. Rev 22:14; see note on Rev 2:7. Fruit…medicine: cf. Ez 47:12. * [22:4] Look upon his face: cf. Mt 5:8; 1 Cor 13:12; 1 Jn 3:2. * [22:6–21] The book ends with an epilogue consisting of a series of warnings and exhortations and forming an inclusion with the prologue by resuming its themes and expressions; see note on Rev 1:1–3. * [22:7, 12, 20] I am coming soon: Christ is the speaker; see note on Rev 1:3. * [22:7, 14] Blessed: see note on Rev 1:3. * [22:10] The appointed time: see note on Rev 1:3. * [22:13] Christ applies to himself words used by God in Rev 1:8. * [22:14] The city: heavenly Jerusalem; see note on Rev 21:2. * [22:16] The root…of David: see note on Rev 5:5. Morning star: see note on Rev 2:26–28. * [22:17] Bride: the church; see note on Rev 21:2. * [22:20] Come, Lord Jesus: a liturgical refrain, similar to the Aramaic expression Marana tha—“Our Lord, come!”—in 1 Cor 16:22; cf. note there. It was a prayer for the coming of Christ in glory at the parousia; see note on Rev 1:3. Note to myself:
John Glenn-Cub Scout-Right Stuff-Straighten Up & Fly Right Melania Trump-Be Best-No Mk.10:17-31 The Rich Man. 17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good?* No one is good but God alone. 19You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’” 20He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” 21Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23* Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to pass through [the] eye of [a] needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” 27Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” 28Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.” 29Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel 30who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. 31But many that are first will be last, and [the] last will be first.” USCCB Footnotes: * [10:18] Why do you call me good?: Jesus repudiates the term “good” for himself and directs it to God, the source of all goodness who alone can grant the gift of eternal life; cf. Mt 19:16–17. * [10:23–27] In the Old Testament wealth and material goods are considered a sign of God’s favor (Jb 1:10; Ps 128:1–2; Is 3:10). The words of Jesus in Mk 10:23–25 provoke astonishment among the disciples because of their apparent contradiction of the Old Testament concept (Mk 10:24, 26). Since wealth, power, and merit generate false security, Jesus rejects them utterly as a claim to enter the kingdom. Achievement of salvation is beyond human capability and depends solely on the goodness of God who offers it as a gift (Mk 10:27). God-Do Your Best, based on My Words-Yes, and I'll take care of the rest.
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AuthorSomeone once criticized me on Pinterest about not reading enough. I read and write about good vs evil and right now, that's all I have time for. My favorite books are the Bible and anything written by John le Carre. Archives
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