Is Zion A Hill Or A Mountain? Scriptures Answer To This Question. Part 1

(Deu 4:48 KJV)  From Aroer, which is by the bank of the river Arnon, even unto mount Sion, which is Hermon,
(Psa 2:6 KJV)  Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
(Isa 10:32 KJV)  As yet shall he remain at Nob that day: he shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
(Isa 31:4 KJV)  For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.

Some scripture origin points around the name of Zion

Kings & Psalms In Relation To Hill/Mount Zion

As we get started on the topic of is Zion a Hill or A Mountain in scripture, the first verse that sets the course on this is found in 2nd Kings, which we find it here in its pretext, before jumping into its context.

(2Ki 19:31 KJV)  For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.

As we look at this verse in its pretext, we recognize Jerusalem is used in connection to mount Zion, how the Zeal of the LORD, shall perform something within this verse, to see it in full context, we need to look at verses 20 to 37 to know what is happening.

2Ki 19:20-37 KJV
(20)  Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard.
(21)  This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.
(22)  Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.
(23)  By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel.
(24)  I have digged and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of besieged places.
(25)  Hast thou not heard long ago how I have done it, and of ancient times that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps.
(26)  Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up.
(27)  But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.
(28)  Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.
(29)  And this shall be a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such things as grow of themselves, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruits thereof.
(30)  And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.
(31)  For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.
(32)  Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it.
(33)  By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD.
(34)  For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
(35)  And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
(36)  So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.
(37)  And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

As we look into this verse in deep context, we see that this connects to Isaiah & Hezekiah who was given a Word Of God, from the God of Israel himself, to which we learn that the King Of Assyria has acted pridefully against the God Of Israel, learning that he has Blasphemed & attempted to reproach God Of Israel over Israel, with the lead up to Mount Zion, to which Gods Zeal shall perform an action of Protection in Israel, even sending out an Angel Of The Lord, as we learn that many were affected by this event, to the appearance of corpses.


Moving Into The Psalms

Now we move into Zion’s mentioned either as a hill & mountain as we move into the book of Psalms, with its first mention found in Psalm 2, so let us see it in its pretext.

(Psa 2:6 KJV)  Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

So as we look into this verse in its early pretext, we are given the impression that this is a Hill, not a mountain, clearly we see God has set his King on this Hill, so we will go through the context of Psalm 2 next.

Psa 2:1-12 KJV
(1)  Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
(2)  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
(3)  Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
(4)  He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
(5)  Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
(6)  Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
(7)  I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
(8)  Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
(9)  Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
(10)  Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
(11)  Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
(12)  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

hill H2022 of Zion

The Hebrew word for Hill here is this
H2022
הַר
har
har
A shortened form of H2042; a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively): – hill (country), mount (-ain), X promotion.
Total KJV occurrences: 545


H2022
הר
har

BDB Definition:

hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Part of Speech: noun masculine
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: a shortened form of H2042

Where you can see it used in Scripture
H2022
הר
har
Total KJV Occurrences: 545
mount, 224

Gen_10:30, Gen_22:14, Gen_31:21, Gen_31:23, Gen_31:25 (2), Gen_31:54 (2), Gen_36:8-9 (2), Exo_4:27, Exo_18:5, Ex 19 (15), Exo_24:13 (2), Exo_24:15-18 (6), Exo_25:40, Exo_26:30, Exo_27:8, Exo_31:18, Exo_32:1, Exo_32:15, Exo_32:19, Exo_33:6, Exo_34:2-4 (5), Exo_34:29 (2), Exo_34:32, Lev_7:38, Lev_25:1, Lev_26:46, Lev_27:34, Num_3:1, Num_10:33, Num_20:22-23 (2), Num_20:25, Num_20:27-28 (3), Num_21:4, Num_27:12, Num_28:6, Num_33:23-24 (2), Num_33:37-39 (3), Num_33:41, Num_34:7-8 (2), Deu_1:2, Deu_1:6-7 (2), Deu_2:1, Deu_2:5, Deu_3:8, Deu_3:12, Deu_4:48, Deu_5:4-5 (2), Deu_5:22, Deu_9:9-10 (3), Deu_9:15 (2), Deu_9:21, Deu_10:1, Deu_10:3-5 (3), Deu_10:10, Deu_11:29 (2), Deu_27:4, Deu_27:12-13 (2), Deu_32:49-50 (3), Deu_33:2, Jos_8:30, Jos_8:33 (2), Jos_11:17 (2), Jos_12:1, Jos_12:5, Jos_12:7, Jos_13:5, Jos_13:11, Jos_13:19, Jos_15:9-11 (4), Jos_16:1, Jos_17:15, Jos_19:50, Jos_20:7 (2), Jos_21:21, Jos_24:4, Jos_24:30, Jos_24:33, Jdg_1:35, Jdg_2:9, Jdg_3:3 (2), Jdg_3:27, Jdg_4:5-6 (2), Jdg_4:12, Jdg_4:14, Jdg_7:3, Jdg_7:24, Jdg_9:7, Jdg_9:48, Jdg_10:1, Jdg_12:15, Jdg_17:1, Jdg_17:8, Jdg_18:2, Jdg_18:13, Jdg_19:1, Jdg_19:16, Jdg_19:18, 1Sa_1:1, 1Sa_9:4, 1Sa_13:2, 1Sa_14:22, 1Sa_31:1, 1Sa_31:8, 2Sa_1:6, 2Sa_20:21, 1Ki_4:8, 1Ki_12:25, 1Ki_18:19-20 (2), 1Ki_19:8, 1Ki_19:11, 2Ki_4:25 (2), 2Ki_5:22, 2Ki_19:31, 2Ki_23:13, 2Ki_23:16, 1Ch_4:42, 1Ch_5:23, 1Ch_6:67, 1Ch_10:1, 1Ch_10:8, 2Ch_3:1, 2Ch_13:4 (2), 2Ch_15:8, 2Ch_19:4, 2Ch_20:10, 2Ch_20:22-23 (2), 2Ch_33:15, Neh_8:15, Neh_9:13, Psa_48:2, Psa_48:11, Psa_74:2, Psa_78:68, Sng_4:1 (2), Isa_4:5, Isa_8:18, Isa_10:12, Isa_10:32, Isa_14:13, Isa_16:1, Isa_18:7, Isa_24:23, Isa_27:13, Isa_28:21, Isa_29:8, Isa_31:4, Isa_37:32, Jer_4:15, Jer_31:6, Jer_50:19, Ezk_35:2-3 (2), Ezk_35:7, Ezk_35:15, Jol_2:32, Oba_1:8-9 (2), Oba_1:17, Oba_1:19, Oba_1:21 (2), Mic_4:7, Zec_14:3-4 (2)
mountains, 156
Gen_7:20, Gen_8:4-5 (2), Gen_22:2, Exo_32:12, Num_13:29, Num_33:47-48 (2), Deu_2:37, Deu_12:2, Deu_32:22, Jos_10:6, Jos_11:2-3 (2), Jos_11:21 (3), Jos_12:8, Jos_15:48, Jos_18:12, Jdg_5:5, Jdg_6:2, Jdg_9:25, Jdg_11:36-38 (4), 1Sa_26:20, 2Sa_1:21, 1Ki_5:15, 1Ki_19:11, 2Ki_19:23, 1Ch_12:8, 2Ch_18:16, 2Ch_21:11, 2Ch_26:10, 2Ch_27:4, Job_9:5, Job_28:8-9 (2), Job_39:8, Job_40:20, Psa_46:2-3 (2), Psa_50:11, Psa_65:6, Psa_72:3, Psa_72:16, Psa_83:14, Psa_90:2, Psa_104:6, Psa_104:8, Psa_114:4, Psa_114:6, Psa_125:2, Psa_144:5, Psa_148:8-9 (2), Pro_27:25 (2), Sng_2:8, Sng_2:17, Sng_8:14, Isa_2:2, Isa_2:14, Isa_13:4, Isa_14:25, Isa_17:13, Isa_18:3, Isa_18:6, Isa_22:5, Isa_34:3, Isa_37:24, Isa_40:12, Isa_41:15, Isa_42:11, Isa_42:15, Isa_44:23, Isa_49:11, Isa_49:13, Isa_52:7, Isa_54:10, Isa_55:12, Isa_64:1, Isa_64:3, Isa_65:7, Isa_65:9, Jer_4:23-24 (2), Jer_9:10, Jer_13:16, Jer_17:26, Jer_31:5, Jer_32:44, Jer_33:13, Jer_46:18, Jer_50:6, Lam_4:19, Ezk_6:2-3 (3), Ezk_6:13, Ezk_7:7, Ezk_7:16, Ezk_18:6, Ezk_18:11, Ezk_18:15, Ezk_22:9 (2), Ezk_31:12, Ezk_32:5-6 (2), Ezk_33:28, Ezk_34:6, Ezk_34:13-14 (3), Ezk_35:8, Ezk_35:12, Ezk_36:1 (2), Ezk_36:4 (2), Ezk_36:6, Ezk_36:8, Ezk_37:22, Ezk_38:8, Ezk_38:20-21 (2), Ezk_39:2, Ezk_39:4, Ezk_39:17, Hos_4:13, Hos_10:8, Jol_2:2, Jol_2:5, Jol_3:18, Amo_3:9, Amo_9:13 (2), Jon_2:6, Mic_1:4, Mic_6:1-2 (3), Nam_1:5, Nam_1:15, Nam_3:18, Hag_1:10-11 (2), Zec_6:1 (3), Zec_14:5 (2), Mal_1:3
mountain, 105

Gen_12:8, Gen_14:10, Gen_19:17, Gen_19:19, Gen_19:30, Exo_3:1, Exo_3:12, Exo_15:17, Exo_19:3, Exo_20:18, Num_13:17, Num_14:40, Deu_1:19-20 (2), Deu_1:24, Deu_1:44, Deu_2:3, Deu_3:25, Deu_4:11 (2), Deu_5:23, Deu_32:49, Deu_33:19, Deu_34:1, Jos_2:16, Jos_2:22-23 (2), Jos_11:16, Jos_14:12, Jos_15:8, Jos_17:18, Jos_18:16, Jos_20:7, Jdg_1:9, Jdg_1:19, Jdg_1:34, Jdg_3:27, 1Sa_17:3 (2), 1Sa_23:14, 1Sa_23:26 (2), 2Ki_6:16-17 (2), 2Ch_2:2, 2Ch_2:18, Job_14:18, Psa_48:1 (2), Psa_78:54, Sng_4:6, Isa_2:2-3 (2), Isa_11:9, Isa_13:2, Isa_25:6-7 (2), Isa_25:10, Isa_30:17, Isa_30:25, Isa_30:29, Isa_40:4, Isa_40:9, Isa_57:7 (2), Isa_57:13, Isa_65:11, Isa_65:25, Isa_66:20, Jer_3:6, Jer_16:16, Jer_26:18, Jer_31:23, Jer_50:6, Jer_51:25 (2), Lam_5:18, Ezk_11:23, Ezk_17:22-23 (2), Ezk_20:40 (2), Ezk_28:14, Ezk_28:16, Ezk_40:2, Ezk_43:12, Dan_9:16, Dan_9:20, Dan_11:45, Jol_2:1, Jol_3:17, Amo_6:1 (2), Oba_1:16, Mic_3:12, Mic_4:1-2 (2), Mic_7:12 (2), Zep_3:11, Hag_1:8, Zec_4:7, Zec_14:3-4 (3)
hill, 36
Exo_24:4 (2), Num_14:44-45 (2), Deu_1:41, Deu_1:43, Jos_13:6, Jos_15:9, Jos_17:16, Jos_18:13-14 (2), Jos_21:11, Jos_24:30, Jdg_2:9, Jdg_16:3, 1Sa_25:20, 1Sa_26:13, 2Sa_13:34, 2Sa_21:9, 1Ki_11:7, 1Ki_16:24 (3), 2Ki_1:9, 2Ki_4:27, Psa_2:6, Psa_3:4, Psa_15:1, Psa_24:3, Psa_42:6, Psa_43:3, Psa_68:15-16 (5), Psa_99:9
hills, 23
Gen_7:19, Deu_8:7 (2), Deu_11:11, Jos_9:1, Jos_10:40, Jos_11:16, 1Ki_20:23, 1Ki_20:28, 1Ki_22:17, Psa_18:7, Psa_68:16, Psa_80:10, Psa_97:4-5 (2), Psa_98:8, Psa_104:10, Psa_104:13, Psa_104:18, Psa_104:32, Psa_121:1, Isa_7:25 (2)
hill’s, 1

2Sa_16:13


So we learn in relation to the word also connected to the Hill Of Zion it also points out the Hill Is a Mountain, so it agrees with the 1st verse we have in starting to address this, it is also showing a Physical Place, to which God has set his King to Rule Over the Whole World, so Israel becomes the Central Point for all Gods Rulership.

So let us move into the next mention of Mount Zion in the Psalms, this time mentioned 2 times in the same Psalm.

(Psa 48:2 KJV)  Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
(Psa 48:11 KJV)  Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.

As we look into these verses in their pretext of the Mount Zion mentioned in this Psalm, we have the Daughters of Judah being mentioned in 1 verse, plus the mention of the Great King, showing that this Mountain is set Apart for the Great King, being the King Of Israel being Jesus Christ, to read the rest of this in context.

Psa 48:1-14 KJV
(1)  A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
(2)  Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
(3)  God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
(4)  For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.
(5)  They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.
(6)  Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
(7)  Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
(8)  As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.
(9)  We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
(10)  According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
(11)  Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
(12)  Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
(13)  Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.
(14)  For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

So as we see the use of Mount Zion in context, it is pointing out some important factors, that it connects to the Temple, it is considered a holy mountain, that God will establish his presence forever at Mount Zion, plus if you look at some early parts in verse 3 it also points out it will be a place of Refuge, outside of other cities of refuge mentioned in the bible.

So let us continue to the next psalm that covers Mount Zion found in Psa 74.

(Psa 74:2 KJV)  Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.

So as we look to this verse in its pretext, we see the Congregation being bough up, reminding God of his inheritance which connects to redemption to Mount Zion, to see the whole verse in context we will look at the whole psalm.

Psa 74:1-23 KJV
(1)  Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?
(2)  Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.
(3)  Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.
(4)  Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs.
(5)  A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees.
(6)  But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers.
(7)  They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.
(8)  They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.
(9)  We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.
(10)  O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?
(11)  Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom.
(12)  For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.
(13)  Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.
(14)  Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.
(15)  Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers.
(16)  The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.
(17)  Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.
(18)  Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.
(19)  O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.
(20)  Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.
(21)  O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.
(22)  Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.
(23)  Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.

As we look to this verse in context it is dealing with a number of things taking place, from the Congregations Synagogues, including even the Sanctuary around Mount Zion being destroyed by a foreign enemy, this foreign enemy is not afraid to Blaspheme the name of God, even in the Land of Israel, there is a clear acknowledgement as God as their King, even amongst the congregations are also the poor, that have been affected by this wicked enemy invasion.

We now move into the next appearance of Mount Zion seen in the scripture of the Psalms.

(Psa 78:68 KJV)  But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.

In this brief pretext of Psa 78 we see the writer, bringing up the tribe of Judah & Mount Zion which he clearly shows is loved, to see more of this in context let us start at verse 50 going to 72.

Psa 78:50-72 KJV
(50)  He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;
(51)  And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:
(52)  But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
(53)  And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
(54)  And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.
(55)  He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
(56)  Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:
(57)  But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
(58)  For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.
(59)  When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:
(60)  So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men;
(61)  And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand.
(62)  He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance.
(63)  The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.
(64)  Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.
(65)  Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.
(66)  And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.
(67)  Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:
(68)  But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.
(69)  And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.
(70)  He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
(71)  From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
(72)  So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

So as we look to these verses in context with Mount Zion, it shows us God delivering Israel out of Egypt, some verses before the ones mentioned here, also shows God showing compassion on Israel in relation to his covenant which they had not kept, something that some people overlook, of course we have Israel moving into the land of Inheritance, as well to Israel being disciplined by God when they trespassed against him, until God sets up David to be a Shepherd over Israel which is Judah’s inheritance, which seems to imply Judah has a part in restoring the whole land of Israel, so Israel can dwell with its brother again.

Our Last mention of Mount Zion is in the Psalms in found in Psalm 125.

(Psa 125:1 KJV)  A Song of degrees. They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

As we look to the beginning of the Psa 125, it is talking about those who Trust in God, shall be compared to Mount Zion, along with some additional text speaking about the Physical Mountain & Gods plan for it to abide forever, we will continue to look at this verse in full context as to what else it includes to what we do not see to which this psalm only has 5 verses overall.

Psa 125:1-5 KJV
(1)  A Song of degrees. They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
(2)  As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
(3)  For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.
(4)  Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
(5)  As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.

So as we see the verse in its full context, yes it confirms the Physical Mount Zion, it tells us of mountains around Jerusalem, addressing those who are Righteous in Israel, to keep away from Iniquity in the presence of God, to which God will bring peace upon Israel.


Well we have one more to cover and it can be often missed, as even I missed it whilst working on this article, as it actually found in the 1st 5 books of Torah/OT, being found in Deuteronomy, so let us see the verse on its own.

(Deu 4:48 KJV)  From Aroer, which is by the bank of the river Arnon, even unto mount Sion, which is Hermon,

So as we look at this verse on its own, we only get some locations only, but how do these locations connect to Mount Zion/Sion in this scripture being used here, to see it in context, we will go as far back to verse 32 and move into 49.

Deu 4:32-49 KJV
(32)  For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?
(33)  Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?
(34)  Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
(35)  Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.
(36)  Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.
(37)  And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt;
(38)  To drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou art, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as it is this day.
(39)  Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
(40)  Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.


(41)  Then Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan toward the sunrising;
(42)  That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:
(43)  Namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, of the Manassites.


(44)  And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel:
(45)  These are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which Moses spake unto the children of Israel, after they came forth out of Egypt,
(46)  On this side Jordan, in the valley over against Bethpeor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel smote, after they were come forth out of Egypt:
(47)  And they possessed his land, and the land of Og king of Bashan, two kings of the Amorites, which were on this side Jordan toward the sunrising;
(48)  From Aroer, which is by the bank of the river Arnon, even unto mount Sion, which is Hermon,
(49)  And all the plain on this side Jordan eastward, even unto the sea of the plain, under the springs of Pisgah.

So as we look at the events that are taking place leading up to Mount Sion being mentioned, we see that God the signs & wonders that God Of Israel did in egypt, freeing his people, as we basically get a summary of events that has occurred in this time, to which as start to move towards the end, we have the early reference of Cities of Refuge, basically to where some of the tribes of Israel decided to settle, then we move into the last paragraph linking to testimonies of the Children of Israel, including the plots of Land promised to them, now under their present possession in this time, 1 location being that of Mount Sion, which is later seen as Mount Zion, as seen in the previous verses, but we will see the return of Sion as we start to approach the end of this series of Articles on Is Zion a Hill or Mountain?


To Be Continued In Part 2

Genealogy & The Word Of God: Is It Important?

Genealogy Lost In Translation

Read more: Genealogy & The Word Of God: Is It Important?

In my time as a follower of Christ Jesus, I have seen many peoples stances on the grounds of Genealogy in the scripture, some hold to say it is not important because now you are this or that in the body of Christ, whilst others advocate for it’s importance.

So what does scripture show in relation to this topic & does it negate Genealogy? If it doesn’t negate Genealogy, what is the importance of it now?

As believers in Christ, we humbly admit that God shows us the importance of Genealogy from the Tanakh/Old Testament, as well with it being shown in the Brit Chadashah/New Testament, especially when it comes to Christ being our Savior.

It is only when we move into certain epistles & letters, that some of us encounter mixed messages, which causes confusion within the body of Christ, on the very topic of Genealogy, therefore you basically have the Tares in the body, playing mind games to confuse for example as to who the real Israel of the bible is, when God is not the Author of Confusion, nor is he a Liar.

With the Mind Games, that the tares play upon, is that they give an exception to the Rule that they set in Place.

What is that exception to the rule? It is simple, as to how it is applied to the Jewish disciples of Christ, the Apostles, plus any Jews who became followers of Christ during that time of the early Church.

So let us look to where the word Genealogies shows up in scripture in the New Testament to begin this journey into Biblical Truth around the situation.

(1Ti 1:4 KJV)  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
(Tit 3:9 KJV)  But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

With these scripture often mentioned as a Stance not to follow the importance of DNA in modern times, yet when times of celebration in relation to Jesus Christ, the same people who quoted the above scripture, have no problems quoting the very Biblical Genealogical Lineage of Jesus Christ, when it comes to quoting from the Book Of Matthew & Luke as shown in the lineage above in the picture.

To the person who is unsaved, they would see the Bible with having some endless Genealogies, there perception would not be wrong, because the Bible does show the Lineages of Shem, Ham & Japheth, which branched out around the world.

So still on the topic of Genealogy what does Saul/Paul say about himself?

(Act 21:39 KJV)  But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.
(Act 22:3 KJV)  I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

(Rom 11:1 KJV)  I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
(Php 3:5 KJV)  Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

So as we see here, Saul/Paul clearly states that he is a Jew/Hebrew/Israelite & of the Tribe of Benjamin, which does point out that there are times Genealogy can indeed be important.


The Tribes Of Israel

Now another thing the New Testament also affirms is a connection to the Genealogy when the Tribes Of Israel is mentioned in Scripture, the verses will be shown next of the Locations shown.

(Mat 19:28 KJV)  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
(Mat 24:30 KJV)  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
(Luk 22:30 KJV)  That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

(Act 26:7 KJV)  Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
(Jas 1:1 KJV)  James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
(Rev 7:4 KJV)  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
(Rev 21:12 KJV)  And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

So here in these verses, to which 1 of the verses also points out Tribes Of The Earth, which also indicates, Jesus knowing of the Genealogy of other nations, even outside of the Tribes of Israel, giving us a clear understanding that there is a place for discernment in the area of even physical lineage, especially should someone claim they are something they are not, which brings me down to these next verses also found in Revelation.

These verses about to be mentioned have also been hurled abusively as well in the past, as many ignore the context, that these are from Christ with Letters to 2 Churches, 1 being Smyrna & the other being Philadelphia, Christ warning them of what is happening, not outside the church, but always inside the Church.

(Rev 2:9 KJV)  I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
(Rev 3:9 KJV)  Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

So as we look at verse 2:9 these are clearly Gentiles(Those who are not in anyway related to Israel), making a physical claim that they are Jews, found to be of the Synagogue Of Satan, because if they were actually Jews, the verse would come off a something similar to what Paul wrote saying Brethren of my Flesh, Christ would also have to apply the same here.

So when we move into verse 3:9 in this verse Christ is clearly saying he will call out once again the Synagogue Of Satan members, who in this verse, who Spiritually say they are Jews, but do lie, where 2:9 applies to the flesh application, 3:9 applies to the Spiritual application of people even inside the church calling themselves Jews & do lie, whether willingly or unknowingly that they have fallen for a Lie, same would be applied to those in the Church claiming they are Israel when they never were.

So in this we basically see not only Christ Jesus & God are setting markers that are exceptions to the rule to where knowing ones Genealogy does factor some importance, even in the New Testament, not just the Tanakh/OT, so if you wanted to do a DNA test to see if you might have any physical connection to Israel, the scriptures above provide that rite of passage to learn said information, even if you do not find out, happy as you are in Christ, even without knowing, God & Christ is fine with that too, as he allows those decisions to be made by you.

New Testament On The Topic Of: Wars & Rumors Of War

Mat_10:34  Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Luk_22:38  And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
Mat_26:52  Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

What Did Jesus Say On The Topic Of Wars?

Read more: New Testament On The Topic Of: Wars & Rumors Of War

War is a highly debated topic, not only in the world, but also in the Body Of Christ, the thing is Christ Jesus does speak about the topic of Wars & Rumors of them, even as to how we are to respond.

The truth is it does not matter what theological to even ideological position you hold onto whether you are a Zionist(Whether you be Christian,Biblical, Jewish or even secular Zionist), or whether you are a Liberation Theology Anti-Zionist(Whether you be Christian, Biblical, Secular or even Jewish Anti-Zionist), you might be someone whose theology is even outside the perspective of both, whether you are Amillenial, Preterist, Post Trib, Mid Trib, Pre Trib, the discussion of war will still come up, whether it is in relation to historical past wars, ancient wars of biblical times, to even wars that have happened overseas, these things will always have a cause & effect.


New Testament Passages From Christ On The Topic Of Wars.

The Passages From Matthew.

(Mat 12:25 KJV)  And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
(Mat 24:6 KJV)  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
(Mat 24:7 KJV)  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

The Passages From Mark.

(Mar 3:24 KJV)  And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
(Mar 13:7 KJV)  And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
(Mar 13:8 KJV)  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

The Passages From Luke.

(Luk 11:17 KJV)  But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.
(Luk 21:9 KJV)  But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
(Luk 21:10 KJV)  Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

As we see the verses above from Jesus Christ himself there are some key points that he tell us about Wars.

First Is The Type Of Wars:

  • Internal Conflict Wars found in Matt 12:25, Mark 3:24 & Luke 11:17
  • Rumors Of Wars found in Matt 24:6. Mark 13:7 & Luke 21:9
  • Actual Wars With Nations/Kingdoms Against Other Nations/Kingdoms Found In Matt 24:7, Mark 13:8 & Luke 21:10

Consequences Of The Wars:

  • Division into Desolation found in Matt 12:25, Mark 3:24 & Luke 11:17
  • Distress & Terror found in Matt 24:6. Mark 13:7 & Luke 21:9
  • Further devastation that can sometimes come is Famines because of Wars found in Matt 24:7 & Mark 13:8

Why Did Jesus Say These Wars Would Happen?

  • That these Wars & Events must come to Pass
  • These Are the beginning of Sorrows
  • Additional Earthly events will follow
  • Reminds Us The End Is Not Yet Come

Does Christ mention any nation that will be excluded in these Wars?

NO,Not even Israel is excluded.


So Who Do You Side With When Christ Says These Events & Wars Must Happen?

So by what we see and understand of the verses above is that sinful mankind would Brand Christ a War Monger by saying these things must happen, because they do bring sorrows around the world, Wars have been taking place before even Christ was Born in Bethlehem, and even after his Resurrection, to even Spiritual Warfare that connects to Satan.

Christ will return as the Prince Of Peace & King Of Kings, finally putting an end to All Wars, until that time comes these Wars have a part to play until Christ does return, to which every knee will bow & tongue confess that Christ Is Lord.

Why The Destruction Of The Temple In Jerusalem, Does Not Mean The Destruction Of Israel!

The Roman Conquest Of Jerusalem

Why Do So Many Hold To This Position?

Read more: Why The Destruction Of The Temple In Jerusalem, Does Not Mean The Destruction Of Israel!
Details Of The Temple
The Roman Sacking Of The Temple, Notice that there is no Ark Of The Covenant.
  • Pride
  • Envy
  • Jealousy
  • Maliciousness

The Groups of people who hold to this position are:

  • Anti-Israel, Anti-Zionist
  • Replacement Theologists/Supercessionists
  • The Catholic Papacy
  • Fulfillment Theologists
  • Amillenianlists
  • Post Trib, Mid Trib & Pre Trib
  • Many more not mentioned.

The Destruction Of The Temple has happened before!

A Layout Of Solomon’s Temple, the 1st that was destroyed under Babylon

So why do they ignore the destruction of the 1st Temple to Justify the position on the 2nd Temples Destruction?

  • Willing Blindness To Scriptural History
  • Using A form of Revisionist History to hold to their position.

It is like they treat the God Of Israel & Jesus Christ as a Joke, as if to Mock God & His Word.

Now also in scripture we also have the use of the sentence “House Of God” to which is applied to these things:

  • Tabernacle Of The Lord
  • Temple Of Jerusalem
  • Church

The Ark Of The Covenant Being Of Central Importance to The House Of God.


Now I am going to bring up some scriptures in relation to the House Of God, which address The Tabernacle & Solomon’s Temple which was built.

The Tabernacle mentioned as The House Of God Here.
(Jdg 18:31 KJV)  And they set them up Micah’s graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.
(Jdg 20:18 KJV)  And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.
(Jdg 20:26 KJV)  Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
(Jdg 20:31 KJV)  And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.
(Jdg 21:2 KJV)  And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;
(1Ch 6:48 KJV)  Their brethren also the Levites were appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God.
(1Ch 9:11 KJV)  And Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God;
(1Ch 9:13 KJV)  And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.
(1Ch 9:26 KJV)  For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in their set office, and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God.
(1Ch 9:27 KJV)  And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge was upon them, and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them.
(1Ch 22:2 KJV)  And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.
(1Ch 23:28 KJV)  Because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;
(1Ch 24:5 KJV)  Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
(1Ch 25:6 KJV)  All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king’s order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.
(1Ch 26:20 KJV)  And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.
(1Ch 28:12 KJV)  And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:
(1Ch 28:21 KJV)  And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.
(1Ch 29:7 KJV)  And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.

Solomon’s Temple Begins Here
(2Ch 3:3 KJV)  Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.
(2Ch 4:11 KJV)  And Huram made the pots, and the shovels, and the basons. And Huram finished the work that he was to make for king Solomon for the house of God;
(2Ch 4:19 KJV)  And Solomon made all the vessels that were for the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon the shewbread was set;
(2Ch 5:1 KJV)  Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished: and Solomon brought in all the things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God.
(2Ch 5:14 KJV)  So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.
(2Ch 7:5 KJV)  And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
(2Ch 15:18 KJV)  And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels.

(2Ch 22:12 KJV)  And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.
(2Ch 23:3 KJV)  And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David.
(2Ch 23:9 KJV)  Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David’s, which were in the house of God.
(2Ch 24:7 KJV)  For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the LORD did they bestow upon Baalim.
(2Ch 24:13 KJV)  So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.

(2Ch 24:27 KJV)  Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the repairing of the house of God, behold, they are written in the story of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.
(2Ch 25:24 KJV)  And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obededom, and the treasures of the king’s house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.
(2Ch 28:24 KJV)  And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem.
(2Ch 31:13 KJV)  And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.

(2Ch 31:21 KJV)  And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
(2Ch 33:7 KJV)  And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:
(2Ch 34:9 KJV)  And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites that kept the doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin; and they returned to Jerusalem.
(2Ch 35:8 KJV)  And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the priests, and to the Levites: Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God, gave unto the priests for the passover offerings two thousand and six hundred small cattle, and three hundred oxen.

(2Ch 36:18 KJV)  And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon.
(2Ch 36:19 KJV)  And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof.
(Ezr 1:4 KJV)  And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
(Ezr 2:68 KJV)  And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:
(Ezr 3:8 KJV)  Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.

(Ezr 3:9 KJV)  Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites.
(Ezr 4:24 KJV)  Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
(Ezr 5:2 KJV)  Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
(Ezr 5:13 KJV)  But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.
(Ezr 5:14 KJV)  And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto

one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
(Ezr 5:15 KJV)  And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.
(Ezr 5:16 KJV)  Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.
(Ezr 5:17 KJV)  Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king’s treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.

(Ezr 6:3 KJV)  In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;
(Ezr 6:5 KJV)  And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.
(Ezr 6:7 KJV)  Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place.

(Ezr 6:8 KJV)  Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.
(Ezr 6:12 KJV)  And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.
(Ezr 6:16 KJV)  And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,
(Ezr 6:17 KJV)  And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
(Ezr 6:22 KJV)  And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
(Ezr 7:24 KJV)  Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
(Ezr 8:36 KJV)  And they delivered the king’s commissions unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.

(Ezr 10:1 KJV)  Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.
(Ezr 10:6 KJV)  Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.
(Ezr 10:9 KJV)  Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.
(Neh 6:10 KJV)  Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.
(Neh 8:16 KJV)  So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.

(Neh 11:11 KJV)  Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the ruler of the house of God.
(Neh 11:16 KJV)  And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God.
(Neh 11:22 KJV)  The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God.
(Neh 12:40 KJV)  So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:
(Neh 13:7 KJV)  And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.
(Neh 13:9 KJV)  Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.
(Neh 13:11 KJV)  Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.


These references of House Of God could easily be Tabernacle/Temple Of Solomon depending of when they were written.
(Psa 42:4 KJV)  When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
(Psa 52:8 KJV)  But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
(Psa 55:14 KJV)  We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

Back To The Temple Of Solomon that was destroyed under Babylon.
(Ecc 5:1 KJV)  Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
(Dan 1:2 KJV)  And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
(Dan 5:3 KJV)  Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
(Zec 7:2 KJV)  When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to pray before the LORD,

As you can see in these references, an connection to Israel’s History in this, it was even seen as The House Of God even when Darius & Nebuchanezzar are mentioned, but we never see it mentioned as The House Of God when we move into even when Jesus speaks of King David using the Tabernacle for Showbread.

(Mat 12:4 KJV)  How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
(Mar 2:26 KJV)  How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?
(Luk 6:4 KJV)  How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?


So why in the New Testament is the Temple that Jesus went to & even had a whip made, not seen as The House Of God?

  • Is it the time it was built?
  • Is it connected as to who played a part in rebuilding it?

(Joh 2:20 KJV)  Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

Let us have a look at some commentaries speaking about this statement.

John 2:20 Jewish New Testament Commentary
It took 46 years to build this Temple. King Herod the Great (see Mat_2:1) began the remodeling of the Second Temple complex around 19-20 B.C.E. About two years were spent in preparation, which may not be included in the “46 years” of the present verse; so that this incident could have taken place any time between 26 and 30 C.E. Herod’s Temple may not have been entirely finished when it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E.

John 2:20 Adam Clarke
Forty and six years was this temple in building – The temple of which the Jews spake was begun to be rebuilt by Herod the Great, in the 18th year of his reign: Josephus. Ant. b. xv. c. 11, s. 1; and xx. c. 9, s. 5, 7. But though he finished the main work in nine years and a half, yet some additional buildings or repairs were constantly carried on for many years afterwards. Herod began the work sixteen years before the birth of our Lord: the transactions which are here related took place in the thirtieth year of our Lord, which make the term exactly forty-six years. Rosenmuller. Josephus, Ant. b. xx. c. 8, s. 5, 7, has told us that the whole of the buildings belonging to the temple were not finished till Nero’s reign, when Albinus, the governor of Judea, was succeeded by Gessius Florus, which was eighty years after the eighteenth year of Herod’s reign. See Bp. Pearce.

John 2:20 Cambridge Bible
Forty and six years, &c.] This was the third Temple. Solomon’s Temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. Zerubbabel’s was rebuilt by Herod the Great. The Greek implies that the building began 46 years ago, but not that it is now completed. “The building of the Temple, we are told by Josephus (Ant. xv. ii. 1), was begun in the 18th year of Herod the Great, 734–735 a. u. c. Reckoning 46 years from this point, we are brought to 781 or 782 a. u. c. = 28 or 29 a.d. Comparing this with the data given in Luk_3:1, the question arises, whether we are to reckon the 15th year of Tiberius from his joint reign with Augustus, which began a.d. 12; or from his sole reign after the death of Augustus, a.d. 14. This would give us a.d. 27 or 29 for the first public appearance of the Baptist, and at the earliest a.d. 28 or 30 for the Passover mentioned in this chapter.” S. p. 65. So that there seems to be exact agreement between this date and that of S. Luke, if we count S. Luke’s 15 years from the joint reign of Tiberius. It is incredible that this coincidence can have been planned; it involves an intricate calculation, and even with the aid of Josephus absolute certainty cannot be obtained. “By what conceivable process could a Greek in the second century have come to hit upon this roundabout expedient for giving a fictitious date to his invention?” S. p. 67.
rear it up] Better, raise it up; the same verb as in Jhn_2:19. For other instances of gross misunderstanding of Christ’s words comp. Jhn_3:4; Jhn_3:9, Jhn_4:11; Jhn_4:15; Jhn_4:33, Jhn_6:34; Jhn_6:52, Jhn_7:35, Jhn_8:22; Jhn_8:33; Jhn_8:52, Jhn_11:12, Jhn_14:5.

Albert Barnes
Forty and six years … – The temple in which they then were was that which was commonly called “the second temple,” built after the return of the Jews from Babylon. See the notes at Mat_21:12. This temple Herod the Great commenced repairing, or began to rebuild, in the eighteenth year of his reign – that is, sixteen years before the birth of Christ (Jos. ‘Ant.,’ b. xv. Section 1). The main body of the temple he completed in “nine years and a half” (Jos. ‘Ant.,’ xv. 5, 6), yet the temple, with its outbuildings, was not entirely complete in the time of our Saviour. Herod continued to ornament it and to perfect it even until the time of Agrippa (Jos. ‘Ant.,’ b. xx. chapter viii. Section 11). As Herod began to rebuild the temple sixteen years before the birth of Jesus, and as what is here mentioned happened in the thirtieth year of the age of Jesus, so the time which had been occupied in it was “forty-six years.” This circumstance is one of the many in the New Testament which show the accuracy of the evangelists, and which prove that they were well acquainted with what they recorded. It demonstrates that their narration is true. Impostors do not trouble themselves to be very accurate about names and dates, and there is nothing in which they are more liable to make mistakes.

John 2:20 Popular New Testament Commentary
The Jews therefore said, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days? They answer only by another question,—not an inquiry, but really an indignant and scornful rejection of His words. It was at the close of the year 20 B.C. or the beginning of 19 B.C. that Herod the Great began the rebuilding of the temple. The temple itself was completed in eighteen months; the extensive buildings round it required eight years more. So many additions, however, proved necessary before the work could be regarded as finished, that the final completion is assigned by Josephus to the year 50 A.D., seventy years after the commencement of the undertaking, and but twenty years before Jerusalem was destroyed. The ‘forty and six years’ bring us to the year 28 A.D. It is perhaps strange that the Jews should associate the long term of years with the rebuilding of the sanctuary and not the temple as a whole; it is, however, very likely that, at all events, the ornamentation of this building might still be incomplete. Moreover, in their indignant rejoinder to the saying of Jesus, they not unnaturally take up the very term which He had used, even though it applied in strictness only to the most sacred portion of the structure.

John 2:20 John Wesley
Forty and six years – Just so many years before the time of this conversation, Herod the Great had begun his most magnificent reparation of the temple, (one part after another,) which he continued all his life, and which was now going on, and was continued thirty – six years longer, till within six or seven years of the destruction of the state, city, and temple by the Romans.

John 2:20 Net Bible Commentary
N45 tn A close parallel to the aorist οἰκοδομήθη (oikodomēthē) can be found in Ezr_5:16 (LXX), where it is clear from the following verb that the construction had not yet been completed. Thus the phrase has been translated “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years.” Some, however, see the term ναός (naos) here as referring only to the sanctuary and the aorist verb as consummative, so that the meaning would be “this temple was built forty-six years ago” (so ExSyn 560-61). Ultimately in context the logic of the authorities’ reply appears to fit more naturally if it compares length of time for original construction with length of time to reconstruct it.
John 2:20
N46 sn According to Josephus (Ant. 15.11.1 [15.380]), work on this temple was begun in the 18th year of Herod the Great’s reign, which would have been ca. 19 B.C. (The reference in the Ant. is probably more accurate than the date given in J. W. 1.21.1 [1.401]). Forty-six years later would be around the Passover of A.D. 27/28.

Preachers Homilitical Commentary
Jhn_2:20. The temple was not then completed; but it had taken forty-six years to bring it to the point of completion at which it then stood. “Herod the Great began to restore the temple in B.C. 20 [Jos., B. J., i. 21 (16), i: comp. Antiq., xv. 11 (14), i.], and the design was completed by Herod Agrippa A.D. 64” (Westcott).

John Gil Commentary
Then said the Jews,…. Unto him, as read the Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions:
forty and six years was this temple in building; which cannot be understood of the temple as built by Solomon, for that was but seven years in building, 1Ki_6:37. But rather of the temple, as built by Zorobabel, commonly called the second temple, and might be more properly said to be “this temple”; the calculations of this made by learned men, are various and endless to recite. Daniel’s seven weeks, or forty nine days, which are so many years, can have nothing to do with this account; since they regard not the building of the temple, but the city of Jerusalem; though from the second year of Cyrus, in which the temple began to be built, to the thirty second of Darius exclusive, were just forty six years; Cyrus reigning three years, Artaxerxes Ahasuerus fourteen years, and Artaxerxes Darius thirty two; but their account is more likely, which begins at the first of Artaxerxes Longimanus, who reigned forty years, and ends in the sixth year of Darius, his successor, in which year the temple was finished, Ezr_6:15. But to me it seems rather, that Herod’s temple, or the temple as rebuilt, or repaired by Herod, is here meant; and which the Jews call, בניין הורודוס, “the building of Herod” (g); and say of it, that
“he who has not seen Herod’s building, never saw a beautiful building.”
And this, according to Josephus (h), was begun in the “eighteenth” year of his reign, in the “thirty fifth” of which Christ was born, who was now “thirty” years of age: so that reckoning either the eighteenth year of Herod, or the thirtieth of Christ, the present year exclusively, just forty six years had run out, since the rebuilding or reparations were first begun; and which were not yet finished; for some years after this, the above writer observes (i), the temple was finished, even in the times of Nero and Agrippa: and agreeably to this, the words may be rendered, “forty six years has this temple been building”; and which still adds more force to the following reasoning of the Jews:

What Stands Out About This Temple In The Time Of Christ?

It was Built By An Edomite, being Herod, so it this was not a Judgement against Israel, it was Judgement against Edom.


The Crimes Of Edom/Herod In The Time Of Christ

(Mat 2:20 KJV)  Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.
(Mat 2:21 KJV)  And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

Mat 2:16-18 KJV Herod Kills the Children
(16)  Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
(17)  Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
(18)  In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.


Mat 14:1-12 KJV Death Of John The Baptist
(1)  At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
(2)  And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
(3)  For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.
(4)  For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
(5)  And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
(6)  But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
(7)  Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
(8)  And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.
(9)  And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.

(10)  And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
(11)  And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
(12)  And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

Mar 6:14-29 KJV
(14)  And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
(15)  Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.
(16)  But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.
(17)  For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her.
(18)  For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.
(19)  Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:
(20)  For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
(21)  And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;
(22)  And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
(23)  And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.
(24)  And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
(25)  And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
(26)  And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.
(27)  And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
(28)  And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.
(29)  And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.


The Crimes Of Edom/Herod After Christ’s Resurrection


Act 12:1-5 KJV The Death Of James
(1)  Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
(2)  And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
(3)  And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
(4)  And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
(5)  Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.


We Do Get Deaths Connecting To Herod’s/Edom Seedline Rulers


Act 12:20-23 KJV
(20)  And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country.
(21)  And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
(22)  And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
(23)  And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

(Mat 2:19 KJV)  But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,


The Only Herod/Edomite Which Would Have Been Killed Around 70ad For The Judgement On Edom


(Act 13:1 KJV)  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.


Herods/Edoms Connection to Jerusalem

(Mat 2:1 KJV)  Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
(Mat 2:3 KJV)  When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
(Luk 23:7 KJV)  And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.


Scripture Mentioned Before Christ About Edom/Esau & After Christ


Jer_49:10  But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not.
Oba_1:6  How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!
Oba_1:8  Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?
Oba_1:9  And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.
Oba_1:18  And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it.
Oba_1:19  And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.
Oba_1:21  And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.
Mal_1:2  I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,
Mal_1:3  And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.
Rom_9:13  As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.


Things begin to make sense to the Actions did in the Temple in Jerusalem, because the Temple was built by someone who God Hated, as mentioned above in the verses, as Esau is Edom/Herod.


The Destruction Of This Temple Leads More Into The Destruction Of Edom, more-so than Israel.

Who Or What Is, The Israel Of God? Part 1

Gal_6:16  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Read more: Who Or What Is, The Israel Of God? Part 1
Gal_6:16  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
The Schism Being 1 Saying It Is The Church, Whilst One Says It Is Still Physical Israel which God still desires to bring to Salvation.

There is a common misconception in the Body of Christ & the Church is the Israel Of God that Paul is talking about here, if that is so, why does Paul say in the earlier verse before this, that God is not to be mocked & to fall into self deception, thinking that you are something that you aren’t in the same chapter, as it gets overlooked, with people coming to false conclusions of this verse.

Gal 6:1-10 KJV
(1)  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
(2)  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
(3)  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
(4)  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
(5)  For every man shall bear his own burden.
(6)  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
(7)  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
(8)  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
(9)  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
(10)  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

So as seen here, in the verses that have been highlighted in Red, it is important for the believer to not be led into self deception, this also leads into the next verse, also highlighted in Red, indicating that God is not Mocked, even when it comes to issues around Israel, as the believer as mentioned in verse 1, would be overtaken in a fault, that is why the following verses are their in relation to bearing another persons burdens, such actions like this can actually be sowing into the Flesh & not the Spirit, if you continue down the path, you will be handed over to the flesh to reap the corruption of ones own fleshly desires.


Where To Begin In Relation To The Israel Of God?

I could easily go to the Tanakh/Old Testament, but that would upset the Synagogue Of Satan members who seem to hate the Old Testament, as of it’s vital role of what leads all the way up to the Birth Of Christ, with the number of times Israel is used, not only in relation to the Land & People that God used for his Promise of Christ to come for those who need, but they have absolutely no problem when they themselves quote the Old Testament to justify their own doctrines of Devils.

So let us start with the Book Of Matthew

Mat 2:1-6 KJV
(1)  Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
(2)  Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
(3)  When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
(4)  And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
(5)  And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
(6)  And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

As we see here in this verse, that has been highlighted in the Blue, that it was written by a Prophet Of The God Of Israel, in relation to the Birth of Jesus Christ to rule over the People Of Israel, this was acknowledged by the Chief Priests & Scribes of the people wanting to know where Christ would be Born.

Let us move into the next verses still in this same chapter.

Mat 2:19-23 KJV
(19)  But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
(20)  Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.
(21)  And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
(22)  But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
(23)  And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

So as we move into the next blue highlighted verses, we see an Angel Of The Lord speaking on behalf of God, informing Joseph to return to the Land Of Israel, to which they later end up in the city called Nazareth.

So in Chapter 2 the Symbols of Authority here in relation to mentioning Israel is:

  • A Prophet Of The God Of Israel Of Old Testament Prophecy
  • Angel Of The Lord telling Joseph to Return to the Land Of Israel

So let us move into the next verse to which Israel is seen in Matthew.

(Mat 8:10 KJV)  When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

So as we see here, we only have small pretext of this verse, we know who is speaking in this verse, the Authority being Jesus who is In Israel.

Let us go into deep depth with the verse, as seen in the whole context of the situation at hand.

Mat 8:5-13 KJV
(5)  And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
(6)  And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
(7)  And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
(8)  The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
(9)  For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
(10)  When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
(11)  And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
(12)  But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
(13)  And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

As we go into deeper context of this verse, we learn that this is about a Roman Centurion requesting Jesus to heal his servant in Israel, as the Romans were the invading nation into the Land Of Israel.


Now we move into chapter 9 of Matthew of its next appearance.

(Mat 9:33 KJV)  And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

Moving into the pretext of this verse, we understand that a group of people were mentioning Israel here, to move into the full context of this verse, we will start at verse 27 going to verse 35 for the context of events taking place.

Mat 9:27-35 KJV
(27)  And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
(28)  And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
(29)  Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
(30)  And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
(31)  But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
(32)  As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
(33)  And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
(34)  But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
(35)  And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

So in the context of this verse, we understand that Jesus is going around healing & doing with miracles, if you go back as verse 10, we learn that Jesus is also with his disciples, when these events take place, to which we learn later on Christ gives Authority to them to cast out devils etc.

(Mat 9:10 KJV)  And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

So the symbol of Authority here in relation to Israel being said, would be the multitudes following Jesus, plus his Disciples, as shown in the verse above.


Now we will move into chapter 10, to which there are 2 appearances of the word Israel being mentioned, will start off with the 1st appearance seen here.

(Mat 10:6 KJV)  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

As we look into the pretext of this verse, we understand that this is Jesus speaking to his Disciples to go to his fellow Jewish/Israelite Brethren, for what reason, so we will cover the 1st 10 verses of the beginning of this chapter, that includes this verse.

Mat 10:1-10 KJV
(1)  And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
(2)  Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
(3)  Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
(4)  Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
(5)  These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
(6)  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
(7)  And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
(8)  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
(9)  Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
(10)  Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

So as we look into the full context of this verse, Jesus has chosen his disciples as he gives them power/authority to do early signs, wonders & miracles, in the Land of Israel, to reach the Lost Sheep of the House Of Israel.

So let us have a look at the next verse in this chapter.

(Mat 10:23 KJV)  But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

As we move into this next verse in the pretext, it immediately warns of persecution for the Disciples Of Jesus, why are the Cities of Israel mentioned in the verse as it implies Israel the Land that inhabit the Israeli people.

So verses 16 to 26 will be covered for the full context.

Mat 10:16-26 KJV
(16)  Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
(17)  But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
(18)  And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
(19)  But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
(20)  For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
(21)  And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
(22)  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
(23)  But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
(24)  The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
(25)  It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
(26)  Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

So as we look into the full context of the verse, the Disciples will be sent into the cities of Israel, there is a warning that persecution is a possibility, of it will happen, the instructions they are given in full, we learn they will encounter Synagogues in these Cities of Israel, including that families will enter into division, to which in later verses to not enter into fear.


So now it is time to move into the next verses which are found in chapter 15, with 2 verses covering the mention of Israel, let us move into the first verse.

(Mat 15:24 KJV)  But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

So as we look upon this verse, we see a very similar situation to what happened in chapter 10, but what is the full context of the scenario?
We will go to the verse in context verses 21 to 28.

Mat 15:21-28 KJV
(21)  Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
(22)  And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
(23)  But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
(24)  But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
(25)  Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
(26)  But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.
(27)  And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.
(28)  Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

So as we look at the verse in context we see, Jesus has traveled into the area of Tyre & Sidon encountering a woman from that area, seeking healing for her daughter, to which Jesus responds that as seen in chapter 10 shows that he is sent the children of Israel, that are Lost, still He heals her daughter.

Moving into the next verse

(Mat 15:31 KJV)  Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

As we look upon this verse, it shows that the God Of Israel was glorified by some of the signs that were performed, but who were they wonders being done by, by Jesus or his Disciples, let us now move into the full context of this verse.

Mat 15:29-33 KJV
(29)  And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.
(30)  And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them:
(31)  Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
(32)  Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
(33)  And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?

So as we get the full context of the verse, we learn that it is talking about Jesus traveling to the area around Galilee, with many people in great multitudes receiving healing in a variety of ways, to which The God Of Israel was Glorified.


Our next verse takes us into chapter 19 time to take a look at the verse, then bring it into context.

(Mat 19:28 KJV)  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

So as we look at this verse in pretext, we see something from Jesus talking of those disciples who will be Judging the tribes of Israel, what is the full context of this verse, including who he was talking to.
To find out the answer to this we have to verses 16 to 30.

Mat 19:16-30 KJV
(16)  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
(17)  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
(18)  He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
(19)  Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
(20)  The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
(21)  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
(22)  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
(23)  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
(24)  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
(25)  When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
(26)  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
(27)  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
(28)  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
(29)  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
(30)  But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

So as we look into the full context of this verse to which the tribes of Israel are bought up, Jesus ends up having a discussion with a rich young man, seeking eternal life, only to be upset, by not being able to let go of everything, unlike many of Jesus Disciples.


Our last 2 verses are seen in chapter 27 to which 1 verse is seen earlier & the other later on, so let us begin with the 1st verse.

(Mat 27:9 KJV)  Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;

So as we look into this 1st verse in chapter 27 addressing the topic of Israel, we see a reference to silver including the Children of Israel having to do with Prophecy spoken by Jeremiah, what is the full context of this verse, we need to start at verse 3 up to verse 10.

Mat 27:3-10 KJV
(3)  Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
(4)  Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
(5)  And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
(6)  And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
(7)  And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.
(8)  Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
(9)  Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
(10)  And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.

As we move into the full context of this verse, we come across Judas who betrayed Jesus, only to realize he betrayed someone innocent, to which the elders of Israel & chief priests,purchased the potter’s field, linking to the scripture in Jeremiah, speaking of Israel.

Now we move to the final mention of Israel in the book of Matthew 27 found in verse 42.

(Mat 27:42 KJV)  He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

So as we move into this last verse to show the context, what we make of the pretext of this verse, is a person being mocked & the title of the King Of Israel being used.

So for the full context we will go from verse 32 to 44 which will give us the full picture here.

Mat 27:32-44 KJV
(32)  And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
(33)  And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,
(34)  They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
(35)  And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
(36)  And sitting down they watched him there;
(37)  And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
(38)  Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
(39)  And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
(40)  And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
(41)  Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
(42)  He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
(43)  He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
(44)  The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

So as we move into the full context of this verse, we learn that this is the time of the Crucifixion of Jesus being placed on the cross by why we also see Jesus being mocked by the chief priests, scribes & elders, who mention him to be the King Of Israel.


So In The Book Of Matthew

Mat_18:16  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
2Co_13:1  This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

So who or what are the Authoritative Witnesses in these accounts?

  • Angel Of The Lord God Of Israel
  • Prophecy From The Prophets Of God Of Israel
  • Jesus Christ himself as witness to using the Word Israel
  • Multitudes including the Disciples using the Word Israel
  • Chief Priests, Scribes & Elders Of Israel

What was Israel applied to in these Witness accounts?

  • The God Of Israel
  • The Land Of Israel/Cities Of Israel/Region/State Of Israel
  • Lost Sheep Of The House Of Israel/Tribes Of Israel/Children Of Israel
  • The King Of Israel

Did these Witness accounts include non believers in Jesus?

Yes

Did these Witness accounts include believers in Jesus?

Yes

Was there any Witness accounts that what we see here this past, will be seen again in this present future?

Yes

Was The Church mentioned By Name as to being Israel in these Witness accounts?

NO

This Is The Israel Of God being spoken about In Galatians 6

To Be Continued In Part 2

Addressing The Controversy Of The Synagogue(Assembly) Of Satan in The Scriptures.

The Seat Of Satan, where the Cultists Of The Synagogue(Assembly) Of Satan Came from.

Why is Revelation 2:9 & 3:9 so Controversial?

The reason it is controversial is that it brings up about a group acknowledged as apart of the Synagogue or translated as the Assembly(Congregation) of Satan, in between these verses, we also see addressed the Throne(Seat) Of Satan in Revelation 2:13.

One of the big attacks used by these scriptures is that people who quote them, unjustly target Jews & Jewish people(including Israel), getting caught up in vain imaginations of their own, which scripture warns about.

[[Rom 1:21]] HNV* Because knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, and didn’t give thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.

The same can be said in reference to followers of Christ, In Name Only & not action, who do not rightly divide what God is teaching us in the Scripture.

One issue is that this addresses that there were a group of people for example, people who Born Outside Of Israel or aka The Jewish Community, who made claim that they were Jews & weren’t Jews whether it be By Blood or Lineage & even by Spiritual standards of what present days Jews were in the day, the thing that connects these Fake Jews to the Adversary is also there connection to the Seat Of Satan also spoken of in the Book Of Revelation, which was in Pergamum, which is in Modern Day Turkey.


I’ll now share some information from a New Testament Commentary.

Revelation 2:9

Yochanan writes about Gentiles who call themselves Jews but aren’t-on the contrary, they are a synagogue of Satan, the Adversary (see Mat_4:1). Perhaps they, like the Gentile Judaizers of the book of Galatians, adopted a smattering of Jewish practices and tried to force them on Gentile Christians. They may have subjected themselves to a legalistic perversion of the Torah (see 1Co_9:20). They apparently organized a pseudo-Messianic synagogue. Their false doctrine probably led them to wrong and immoral behavior, since false doctrine usually does. They probably drew Gentile Christians away from the truth and thereby threatened the Messianic community.
Virtually all the commentators ignore the obvious and straightforward interpretation that Yochanan is talking here about Gentiles who pretend to be Jews. The same kind of expression is used in v. 2: “… you tested those who call themselves emissaries but aren’t-and you found them to be liars.” It obviously refers to false apostles, and there the commentators accept the literal sense without demur. But here they opt for the metaphorical interpretation that Yochanan is talking about Jews who reject Yeshua as the Messiah instead of the literal understanding that these are non-Jews who lie and say they are Jews but in fact are Gentiles. In this way a verse which says nothing about Jews is given a virulently antisemitic significance. The result is that over the centuries Jews have had the epithet “synagogue of Satan” hurled at them by Christians who thought they understood the Bible.
But nowhere in the New Testament are unbelieving Jews called non-Jews, although Rom_2:28-29 is sometimes mistakenly brought as evidence to the contrary (see note there). Nor does anything in the present context call for a violent outburst against Jews. A good rule of interpretation is that when the literal sense makes good sense, seek no other sense. The only explanation I can see for its nearly universal disregard in this case is the anti-Jewish mindset that infected the Church, including its theologians and commentators, so that even those without antisemitic feelings rejected the p’shat in favor of imposing on the text their own drash (see Mat_2:15). For another instance of this process, see Rom_10:4.
In the first century, the Jewish religion was highly regarded; many Gentiles became Jewish proselytes. It is not surprising that other Gentiles preferred a short-cut, reaping the advantage of Jewish identification without the burden of adherence to Torah. Sha’ul had already encountered such types in Galatia (see Gal_6:12-13).
Should it nevertheless be thought improbable that Gentiles would call themselves Jews, Hebrews or Israelites, consider the following modern examples. The “British Israelites” regard the British as the Ten Lost Tribes. The Mormons not only consider themselves to be the Ten Lost Tribes but regard themselves as Jews and everyone else (real Jews included) as Gentiles! A sect of mostly American-born blacks consider themselves the true Hebrews; several thousand of them are living in Israel. All of these are outside the pale of Christianity. In addition, scattered about are well-meaning Gentile Christians whose strong identification with and love for the Jewish people has made them believe-without a shred of evidence-that they are actually Jewish themselves (see 1Ti_1:3-4). In fact, some years ago a congregation was expelled from the American Lutheran Church because, along with a general drift into weirdness, its pastor and dozens of its members claimed to have heard from God that they were really Jews; many even said they knew which tribe they belonged to.
Without exception this phenomenon of Gentiles imagining and asserting they are Jewish when they are not leads to strange patterns of doctrine and practice. Such people are not accepted by Jews as Jewish; nor, as this verse shows, are they to be accepted by Christians as Christian. Isolated and self-defensive, they can easily become prideful, neither obeying the Torah nor showing brotherly love to Yeshua’s real followers. It is easy to see why Yeshua does not regard them as harmlessly neutral but pegs them as a synagogue of the Adversary.

Revelation 3:9

Those who call themselves Jews but aren’t. On these Gentile pretenders, see Rev_2:9.
I will cause them to come and prostrate themselves at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you. In his remarks on this phrase the non-Jewish commentator George Eldon Ladd notes verses from the Tanakh in which it is prophesied that the pagan nations of the world will come and bow before Israel (Isa_45:14, Isa_49:23, Isa_60:14; Eze_36:23, Eze_37:28), and then writes,
“These and many other passages look forward to a day of the triumph of Israel over the nations; sometimes it is expressed in terms of the humiliation of the gentiles before Israel, sometimes in the conversion of the gentiles to the faith of Israel.” (Revelation, Eerdmans, 1972, pp. 60-61)
On the term “Israel” see Rom_11:17-26, Gal_6:16, Eph_2:11-16.

Revelation 2:12-13

Pergamum was a center for pagan worship of many deities, hence it is called the site of the Adversary Satan’s throne, with the result that the sins of Rev_2:14-15 are widespread.
Sharp double-edged sword. See Rev_1:16.

Revelation 2:13

You did not deny trusting me, or “You did not deny that I had been faithful.” See Rom_3:22.
Antipas, unknown except here, was apparently one of the early believers who died at the hands of the Roman overlords ‘al kiddush HaShem (see Act_7:59-60; Greek marturos can be translated either “witness” or “martyr”). Some twenty to forty years later the same Roman government put to death the ten Jewish martyrs recalled in the Musaf liturgy on Yom-Kippur, among them Gamli’el II and Rabbi Akiva.


As you can see very clearly from above by this New Testament Commentary also from Jewish Believer In Christ Jesus, it even smashes the lie of those who believe or follow Super-secessionist Theology Aka Replacement Theology, because they also hold to this Satanic Doctrine without even realizing it, because Satan also wants to Replace Israel & Gods People with his own.

1Ti_4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

People also forget that even in the New Testament, Satan also quoted Scripture To Jesus too, because even Satan too knew he was seeking to also save Israel/Jews who were also under the Roman Occupation Of Israel.

On top of this we must also address Romans 2, which is covered in this article link


The Error Of The Matthew 21:43 argument

Matthew 21:43

The Kingdom of God will be taken away from you. Yeshua is not saying that the Christians will replace the Jews as God’s people, as many Christians teach. Rather, he is warning that Jewish leaders who do not look out for God’s interests (Mat_21:33-42) will be deprived of sharing in his rulership; and this task, with its rewards, will fall to a different group of Jewish leaders, the Messianic Jewish talmidim caring for Yeshua’s Messianic Community (see Mat_18:18-20). Before long, of course, this community comes to include Gentile Christians, some of whom become leaders too.
In Sifre, a collection of midrashim compiled in the 4th century but including much older material, the rabbis, making a similar point in their discussion of Deu_32:9, told a similar parable about a king who leased a field to tenants.


The times I have seen fellow believers in Christ Jesus run to this devils advocates argument to justify they are now Israel because of this scripture, the above Commentary from the Jewish Believer in Christ Jesus, shows in the context of this verse, Jesus wasn’t rebuking all of Israel, he was addressing THE LEADERSHIP, the people who were meant to be there living breathing, walking example of what Gods Word Teaches & Preaches.

How are the people who Jesus healed in Israel now marked as the Synagogue of Satan, didn’t even Jesus confront the very leaders of their day, of even when members of their own community, were also rebuking Devils, just like the Apostles in Jesus Christ’s Name, when such accusations also make them no different than Satan, which makes them the accuser of the Brethren.


Also by there actions they are doing exactly what the Pharisees said to Jesus by accusing him & his disciples of rebuking the devils in the name of whom they mentioned, this happens indirectly, which would nullify every word of the New Testament, including the book of Revelation.

Just like the devil, they will find a way to justify their argument to say that is not what they meant.

Gods Word won’t change for the Unbeliever, just as Gods Won’t change even for the Believer in Jesus Christ.


Matthew 12:27

By whom do your people expel them? The implied answer is: Also by the Adversary. Satanic healings and miracles are possible, and many are led astray by them (Exo_7:22, Exo_8:7; below, Mat_24:24). Those involved in the occult and in false religions because of the miracles and healings they see have found the broad road that leads to destruction, not the narrow gate and hard road that lead to life (Mat_7:13-14).

Mat 12:25-28 KJV And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: (26) And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? (27) And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. (28) But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Luke 9:50

Whoever isn’t against you is for you. See Mat_12:30.

Luk 9:49-50 KJV And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. (50) And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

Mark 9:40

Whoever is not against us is for us. Apparently inconsistent with Mat_12:30, but see note there.

Mar 9:38-40 KJV And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. (39) But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. (40) For he that is not against us is on our part.


In the scripture that is above this we do have some commentary in relation to the scriptural verses that are being addressed here by the Jewish brother in Christ Jesus, now to interject, as we see that Jesus in his time of ministry on earth, certainly knew that these Jewish Leaders, also had offspring who were also casting out Devils in his Name, which is why it feels like it coincides with what was happening in Matthew 12, so that there own Children would also be their judges over them.

Another thing people must remember that in today’s experiences Nations are Judged by the Decisions of Their Leaders, not so much by those whom the public are under them.

Whether it be in Geo Politics, you have 1 nations leader judge another nations leader on the conditions of how the country is run, this can be bought from a macro perspective to a micro perspective, so who are under the Politicians, of course whether it be the house of congress, to the house of representatives, from there it moves to federal judges, state & territorial judges, from there it can move to councils, magistrate, county courts, even smaller still in the micro perspective, we then move to teachers, mentors, to eventually we reach Parents of families.

Jesus Christ also knew that Satan sought to Destroy Israel, because Satan knew that the Savior would be born From & In Israel

Here are some articles to check out on the subject to read from, that back this information up.


Another Error With This Matt 21:43 Argument, That People Ignore!

Israel had already lost it’s Kingdom when other Kingdoms Invaded, this is another issue that people Ignore, so with the Jewish Leadership which now Per-Se are now the advocates for the Roman Empire/Kingdom who did Invade Israel, after these events, the Kingdom had already been taken away from them, that is why scripture both in the Old & New also addresses Captivity & Slavery.

This then brings up the next Scripture because Both The Apostles/Disciples Of Jesus, as well as the Leaders, including those who served under them had 1 Question in there heart, which we find in the Book Of Acts.

Act 1:6 KJV When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

To which Jesus replies that it will basically begin when these things happen.

Act 1:7-8 KJV And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. (8) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

The Key Areas that Begin the Restoration of Both The Physical & Spiritual Israel, all Begins in the Land Of Israel, linking to these Physical Locations, an the Disciples, Apostles did go to such areas, to which even some of the Religious Leaders, like Gamaliel also had a respect for the Disciples Of Jesus, it too also marks the beginnings of the Restoration Of the Kingdom Of Israel, both in the Physical & Spiritual, sure there are Jews who don’t follow or believe in Jesus, God is loving enough to understand that, but for some reason, some believers in the Body Of Christ, fail to misunderstand that, an act more like Devils than Saints.

Act 5:34-42 KJV Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; (35) And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. (36) For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. (37) After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. (38) And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: (39) But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. (40) And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. (41) And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. (42) And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

A lot of these Actions get ignored, yes this Pharisee Gamaliel is of the Seedline Of Israel, his very Actions, also would have been Blessed by The God Of Israel, inc by Jesus Christ, as you can also see, he was basically a Rabbinic Veteran of his day of movements that had come & gone in his day, plus he also had Wisdom enough to Understand, if this Movement is truly from God, it will last longer than those previous movements.

The Book Of Timothy also in the New Testament, Timothy himself was Actually Jewish in his household, how things are spoken about for example in relation to leadership roles, also mirrors the old testament in regards to people who would be called Princes of Tribes, in other words people of Good Report, in modern terms, people who would be considered of Noble Stature, or as many of the next gen would like to call as Influences.

So in Turn, yes the Kingdom begun its restoration in Israel, so it could also restore the Brokenhearted etc via the Gospel which is spreading World Wide.

Act 5:29-33 KJV Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (30) The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. (31) Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. (32) And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. (33) When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

Also as you look to the scripture above in the Book Of Acts, not even Peter does anything to Demean his fellow Jews, who were Non Believers that they were or are of this supposed Synagogue Of Satan, yes he does point out the Jewish Leaders Part in regards to his Crucifixion, as he is directly talking to Jewish Leaders, without Gamaliel’s Intervention, they would have been Dead, an the Gospel would not have reached the rest of Europe & finally into the western world, so in that, you basically need to Thank Gamaliel for his Wise Decision amongst the Jewish Leaders, who didn’t seek to Slay these Believers in Christ, the rest of the leaders in this area would have to follow through with his decision.


Revelation 2 & 3 Are Only Addressing Churches, not a Nation Of People.

Rev 2:1-11 KJV Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; (2) I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: (3) And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. (4) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (5) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (6) But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (7) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (8) And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; (9) I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. (10) Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (11) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Rev 3:7-13 KJV And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; (8) I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (9) Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. (10) Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (11) Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (12) Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. (13) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Sometimes the most Basic things are the simplest things that Christ is telling you right in front of your eyes, this also applies to both 2:9 & 3:9 of Revelation, to which he is saying this will take Place, IN THE CHURCH, not the Nation Of Israel, not an actual Synagogue, but In The Church, this is another place to where even Replacement Theology falls into its own trap.

Are there really Jewish People who have come to believe in Yeshua or Jesus Christ as Lord, the answer is yes, but are their also false brethren who Say they are Jewish & Of Israel, yes there are.

This is why Discernment has to be used to learn Who Are The False Teachers, Prophets, Pastors, Apostles, to even Evangelists In The Body Of Christ.

So You are basically given a 50/50 chance to make sure your guessing as well as Discernment is Right about someone before you make any accusations like the Devil in regards to somebody.

Joh 7:21-24 KJV Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel. (22) Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. (23) If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? (24) Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

This is why Christ also taught that even as Believers we need to make Righteous Judgement, as unrighteous judgement is basically equal to a bias set of scales to which someone can be easily ripped off of something of important value, so you will want to hope that your Judgement is accurate every-time, no matter how much of the Word Of God you have studied, to how much of it you have put into practice yourself, as well to examining the witnesses to whether they are being truthful or misleading, there is a reason why Scripture used 2-3 witnesses, because you will even have witnesses to the actions of 2-3 witnesses you have chosen.

The Woman That Rides The Beast Part 1:The Empire that Rules The City

A Re-examination of The Whore of Babylon(Rev 17) & the Beast (Rev. 13)

In the Book of Revelation we see in scripture where it speaks of the Whore Of Babylon & also the Beast which carries its mark adding to 666.

I have seen people try to make out the whore of Babylon is Jerusalem/Israel but also forgetting that according to the scripture it also mounts this Whore Of Babylon on the Beast, giving us the Line Upon Line & Precept Upon Precept what we are actually meant to be looking at in this Prophesy in the New Testament, to show who or what Both of these entities are that work as One.

This Re-examination on this topic, will also cover linking scriptures to the verses & things the scripture addresses.

So lets look at some Facts about the Whore of Babylon in Revelation 17:

  • She is called a Great Whore
  • Sits upon many Waters
  • Sits on a scarlet coloured beast
  • Names of Blasphemy
  • 7 heads
  • 10 horns (all which can be found in verses 1-3)

With the Whore she was:

  • Wearing Purple
  • Wearing Scarlet like the scarlet coloured beast
  • Arrayed in Gold & Gemstones
  • Was holding a Golden Cup.
  • Carried the name Mystery Babylon(found in verses 4-6)

We are then told of the Wisdom of Revelations what the 7 heads are:

  • 7 heads are mountains
  • 7 mountains linked to 7 kings
  • 8th king that come out of the 7 kings(found in verses 7-11)

Wisdom about the 10 horns:

  • they represent 10 kings(linking to crowns)
  • One Mind
  • Make War with Christ/Saints/Prophets/Apostles
  • will give power unto the beast
  • will make the whore desolate(Found in verses 12-18)

The water where the whore sits

  • people of many nations( in verse 15)

Whore is called:

  • a Great City which also reigns over the Kings of the Earth(in verse 18)

Now we move into Revelation 13 to what is shown their.

Points about the 1st Beast:

  • Rises out of the Sea
  • 7 heads
  • 10 horns
  • 10 Crowns
  • Name of Blasphemy( in Rev 13:1)

Was likened unto:

  • Leopard
  • Bear
  • Lion
  • Dragon Gave it Power
  • Wounded & Healed( in 13:2-3)

It warred with:

  • The Saints/Prophets/Apostles

We then have the appearance of a 2nd Beast:

  • which comes out of the Earth
  • it also has 2 horns( 13:11)

Likened unto:

  • Lamb
  • Spake as a Dragon.(13:11)

Actions of the 2nd beast:

  • exercises power like unto the 1st beast
  • does great wonders
  • Leads astray those on earth
  • has power to give life to the beast Image
  • Kills those who don’t Worship the beast Image(Rev 13:12-15)

2nd beast then endorses the Mark:

  • Causes many to take the beasts Name
  • Number of his Name
  • Number of the beast
  • Number of a Man
  • 666(Rev 13:16-18)

The Christadelphian Blaspemy

Your probably wondering why I would cover such a topic as this, the question is Why Not?

I have experienced & encountered meeting many Christadelphians in my time, and yes they are are cult in their own right, and to what would make me think or say that.

It comes under the Issue Of Blasphemy, they say they understand The Jewish Thought in the Time of Jesus & decide to make up Riddles about who or what Jesus was Speaking about in His Parables, appearing to make Jesus out to be a Liar.

So what would make me think that Christadelphians would Commit Blasphemy & Blasphemy of who?

so lets look to the Old Testament(Tanakh) of What it Says on the Issue Of Blasphemy:

Exo 22:28  “You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.(NET bible)
Exo 22:28  (22:27) “You are not to curse God, and you are not to curse a leader of your people. (CJB)
Exo 22:28  You shall not revile God [the judges as His agents] or esteem lightly or curse a ruler of your people. (AMP)
Exo 22:28  “Do not revile Elohim, nor curse a ruler of your people. (The Scriptures 1998+)
Exo 22:28  You shall not revile God, nor curse the ruler of your people. (MKJV)

Lev 24:10  And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp;
Lev 24:11  And the Israelitish woman’s son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:)
Lev 24:12  And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them.
Lev 24:13  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Lev 24:14  Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.
Lev 24:15  And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.
Lev 24:16  And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death. (KJV)

Num 15:28  The cohen will make atonement before Adonai for the person who makes a mistake by sinning inadvertently; he will make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven —
Num 15:29  no matter whether he is a citizen of Isra’el or a foreigner living with them. You are to have one law for whoever it is that does something wrong by mistake.
Num 15:30  ” ‘But an individual who does something wrong intentionally, whether a citizen or a foreigner, is blaspheming Adonai. That person will be cut off from his people.
Num 15:31  Because he has had contempt for the word of Adonai and has disobeyed his command, that person will be cut off completely; his offense will remain with him.’ ” (CJB)
Num 15:28  And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
Num 15:29  Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them.
Num 15:30  But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
Num 15:31  Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.(KJV)
 

Deu 31:20  For I wyll bryng them into the lande which I sware vnto their fathers, that floweth with mylke and honye: and they shall eate, and fyll them selues, and waxe fat, and turne vnto strauge gods, and serue them, and blaspheme me, and breake my couenaunt. (Bishops)
Deu 31:20  For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.
Deu 31:21  And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware. (KJV)

As we see here in the Issue of Blasphemy Of God, In the Exodus verse the people are shown not to Blaspheme God, in the Leviticus verse we see an example of what happens to someone who Blasphemed God, that they shall be put to death, in the Numbers verses we see the Preisthood shown that they will not do the Atonement of anyone Who Blaspheme the Name Of God, and that they will be also cut off from among the congregation of Israel, and in Deuteronomy it covers Israel when God brings them into the Land God Promised them, that should they Blaspheme God, he will bring to pass, should they go worship other gods than God of Israel & blaspheme God by breaking their Covenant with him, that He will bring or let evil come upon them, which shall testify against them for what they had done.

To Be Continued in Part 2.

Article Note of Bibles used: KJV: King James Version, NET:Net bible, CJB:Complete Jewish Bible, AMP:Amplified Bible, The Scriptures 1998+:The Scriptures Bible, MKJV:Modern King James Version Bible & Bishops:Bishops Bible .

Scripture Points Out The Errors Of Calling The Church, Israel!

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Read more: Scripture Points Out The Errors Of Calling The Church, Israel!

Jesus Separates The Church From Israel

So to begin this we need to go where the distinction between the Church & Israel begins, leading back to where the Separation begins

(Mat 16:18 KJV)  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

So let us quickly look into this verse in context verse 1 to 28 of Chapter 16.

The Pharisees and Sadducees Demand Signs
Mat 16:1-4 KJV
(1)  The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
(2)  He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
(3)  And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
(4)  A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.


The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees
Mat 16:5-12 KJV
(5)  And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
(6)  Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
(7)  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
(8)  Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
(9)  Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
(10)  Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
(11)  How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
(12)  Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

So to understand what leads up to the formation of the Church mentioned in this Chapter, we need to acknowledge that Jesus is also trying to address the Religious Leadership of Ethnic Israel, because he even wants to reach his own brethren in Leadership positions to the way to Salvation, why we see the Pharisees & Sadduccees here clearly demanding a Sign from Heaven, of course we have the disciples asking what Jesus meant in relation to the Leaven of the Pharisees & Sadduccees, to where he addressing Doctrines the leaders only, not Israel as a Whole, that would be Righteous Judgement.

Now we move into verses 13 to 28.

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
Mat 16:13-20 KJV
(13)  When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
(14)  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
(15)  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
(16)  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
(17)  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
(18)  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
(19)  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
(20)  Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
Mat 16:21-23 KJV
(21)  From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
(22)  Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
(23)  But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus
Mat 16:24-28 KJV
(24)  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
(25)  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
(26)  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
(27)  For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
(28)  Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

So as we look into the lead up moving into the Formation of the Church, it takes place after the discussion with the Pharisees & Sadduccees, as he now speaks to his disciples directly, asking on whom they think he is? So some answer by what they have been hearing within Israel of what other people say who Jesus is, you see John the Baptist who had already been beheaded by Herod, the prophets of Israel get bought up from Elijah, Jeremiah, others not mentioned within verses 13 to 14.

Moving into verses 15 to 20, this is where we get Simon confess Jesus is the Son Of The Living God, to which Jesus mentions how Father in Heaven, revealed this too him, that this Rock being the Son Of The Living God, yes Simon gains a new name being Peter, Jesus is the Rock to build the Church, also telling of the things that link to the Authority connected to the Church.

Just as Simon/Peter hears this, we move into the next 3 verses where Jesus speaks of his planned death & resurrection, to then be rebuked by Jesus Christ who then calls him Satan, which would Make the Church which Peter is now Apart now of Satan, but this is not what is meant, he is addressing how Satan is trying to use Peter to hinders God’s Plan for Christ, then it is finished off with teaching his disciples how to deny themselves, take up their Cross & Follow Him.


(Mat 18:17 KJV)  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

So above is the next verse which connects to the Church, again this remains Separate from Israel, as this now deals with the conduct of the Church, to see it in context, again, let us look to the discussion that brings us to this.

Who Is the Greatest?
Mat 18:1-6 KJV
(1)  At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
(2)  And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
(3)  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
(4)  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
(5)  And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
(6)  But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

So the discussion begins as to who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, Christ uses the example to become Childlike to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, showing the humility of that of a Child, and shows that his disciples are likened unto Children.

Temptations to Sin
Mat 18:7-9 KJV
(7)  Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
(8)  Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
(9)  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

So the next thing Christ addresses is offences, as this also builds upon verse 6, to which the world gets a Woe, but also to the man by who the offences come by, now the next parts deal when the body causes offence, to cut off not the body part itself, but the action the body is involved into, to avoid being cast into the fire.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Mat 18:10-14 KJV
(10)  Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
(11)  For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
(12)  How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
(13)  And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
(14)  Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

So we move into the Parable of the Lost Sheep, do not forget before the Churches formation in chapter 16, his mission was to the Lost Sheep Of the House Of Israel if you follow the Israel Of God study, now the Church has it’s established point, which is beginning in Israel, just as the Pharisees & Sadduccees also have their congregations established in Israel too, including the rest of the Ethnic Israel, Jesus still sees them as Lost Sheep, in these verses, it can in deed open it up for Romans, Greeks, Persians, Arabs etc to come into the Church, but that part will not start until Peter gets his Vision of the Net in the Book Of Acts, so its first mission begins in Israel reaching fellow, this is why people fail in distinguishing The Church from Israel, because present Israel has been invaded by Rome plus Edom if you include Herod’s Rule, Christ shows the importance to not despise little ones, being followers of Christ, of his Church established, that his goal is to seek and save the lost, then the sheep analogy is used, seeking the lost sheep, that none of his disciples should perish.

If Your Brother Sins Against You
Mat 18:15-20 KJV
(15)  Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
(16)  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
(17)  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
(18)  Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
(19)  Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
(20)  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

So now it becomes clear with the Conduct of the Church that Jesus is establishing as it carries over from Matt chapter 16 into chapter 18, as it now moves back into the area trespass against each other in the Church, as to how to address it, yes even to the point to addressing it unto the Church, to which the only Church members in this time, would have been Jesus own Jewish disciples, before any Gentiles entered the fold, a lot of it also borrows from that connected to the Mosaic Covenant, but it also remains separate from Israel as well, especially in the area of the Witnesses, so we are seeing how Christ is Structuring the Church to be Separate from Israel, but he still desires to reach the Lost Sheep Of The House Of Ethnic Israel.

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Mat 18:21-35 KJV
(21)  Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
(22)  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
(23)  Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
(24)  And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
(25)  But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
(26)  The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
(27)  Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
(28)  But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
(29)  And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
(30)  And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

(31)  So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
(32)  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
(33)  Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
(34)  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
(35)  So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

So as we move into the last set of verses, Christ gives us the parable of the unforgiving Servant, 1 that has obtained a debt, to which he sought forgiveness of his own personal debt, but as we read the story through we learn that this servant too has people whom owe him money, they too also sought compassion & received none, leading the information to go to the very person who originally forgave his debt, eventually thrown back to where he started, because he could not forgive the trespass of others.


When The Church Becomes Ethnic Israel, How Misapplying It Goes Wrong.

Now before we move into this let us go to the Word used for Church, the same one used Matt 16 & 18, is used in so let us look to the word Ekklesia.

G1577
ἐκκλησία
ekklēsia
ek-klay-see’-ah
From a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both): – assembly, church.
Total KJV occurrences: 115

G1577
ἐκκλησία
ekklēsia
Thayer Definition:

  1. a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly
    1a) an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating
    1b) the assembly of the Israelites
    1c) any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously
    1d) in a Christian sense
    1d1) an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting
    1d2) a company of Christian, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order’s sake
    1d3) those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body
    1d4) the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth
    1d5) the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven
    Part of Speech: noun feminine
    A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564

G1577
ἐκκλησία
ekklēsia
Total KJV Occurrences: 116
church, 77
Mat_16:18, Mat_18:17 (2), Act_2:47, Act_5:11, Act_7:38, Act_8:1, Act_8:3, Act_11:22, Act_11:26, Act_12:1, Act_12:5, Act_13:1, Act_14:23, Act_14:27, Act_15:3-4 (2), Act_18:22 (2), Act_20:17, Act_20:28, Rom_16:1, Rom_16:5, Rom_16:23, 1Co_1:2, 1Co_4:17, 1Co_6:4, 1Co_10:32, 1Co_11:18, 1Co_11:22, 1Co_12:28, 1Co_14:4-5 (2), 1Co_14:12, 1Co_14:19, 1Co_14:23, 1Co_14:28, 1Co_14:35, 1Co_15:9, 1Co_16:19, 2Co_1:1, Gal_1:13, Eph_1:22, Eph_3:10, Eph_3:21, Eph_5:23-25 (3), Eph_5:27, Eph_5:29, Eph_5:32, Php_3:6, Php_4:15, Col_1:18, Col_1:24, Col_4:15-16 (2), 1Th_1:1, 2Th_1:1, 1Ti_3:5, 1Ti_5:15-16 (2), Phm_1:2, Heb_2:12, Heb_12:23, Jas_5:14, 1Pe_5:13, 3Jn_1:6, 3Jn_1:9-10 (2), Rev_2:1, Rev_2:8, Rev_2:12, Rev_2:18, Rev_3:1, Rev_3:7, Rev_3:14
churches, 36
Act_9:31, Act_15:41, Act_16:5, Rom_16:4, Rom_16:16, 1Co_7:17, 1Co_11:16, 1Co_14:33-34 (2), 1Co_16:1, 1Co_16:19, 2Co_8:1, 2Co_8:18-19 (2), 2Co_8:23-24 (2), 2Co_11:8, 2Co_11:28, 2Co_12:13, Gal_1:2, Gal_1:22, 1Th_2:14, 2Th_1:4, Rev_1:4, Rev_1:11, Rev_1:20 (2), Rev_2:7, Rev_2:11, Rev_2:17, Rev_2:23, Rev_2:29, Rev_3:6, Rev_3:13, Rev_3:22, Rev_22:16
assembly, 3
Act_19:32, Act_19:39, Act_19:41

I am sure you know which Scripture will come up next, linking to the speech of Stephen, who was later stoned.

(Act 7:38 KJV)  This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
(Act 7:38 KJV+)  ThisG3778 isG2076 he, that wasG1096 inG1722 theG3588 churchG1577 inG1722 theG3588 wildernessG2048 withG3326 theG3588 angelG32 which spakeG2980 to himG846 inG1722 theG3588 mountG3735 Sina,G4614 andG2532 with ourG2257 fathers:G3962 whoG3739 receivedG1209 the livelyG2198 oraclesG3051 to giveG1325 unto us:G2254

As we have a look at this verse, this now makes The Pharisees, Sadducees, Elders which Jesus went up against, an saying they serve the Devil, it would also show the very same application for the Very Church itself created to serve the Devil, this is how it backfires, as now it turns the Church into ETHNIC ISRAEL, Jesus in Matt 16 & 18, created the Church to Separate itself from Israel, especially it’s leadership, so then, what was actually meant to be used here to which Stephen is speaking about, we will find that answer in the book of Exodus.

(Exo 16:16 KJV)  This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents.

Exo 19:1-3 KJV
(1)  In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.
(2)  For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.
(3)  And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;

So as we look to these verses provided in Exodus, we have the Gathering of Israel in their Tents, to which they would have assembled in on the way to the promised Land.


When The Church Becomes A Pagan Idol Worship Playground

With the next verses, not only do we have the word Ekklesia being word for Church/Assembly, we also have another in relation to Pagan Idol Sacrilege also identified as a Church.

(Act 19:32 KJV)  Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
(Act 19:32 KJV+)  Some therefore cried one thing,G243 G3303 G3767 G2896 and someG243 another:G5100 forG1063 theG3588 assemblyG1577 wasG2258 confused;G4797 andG2532 theG3588 more partG4119 knewG1492 notG3756 whereforeG5101 G1752 they were come together.G4905

(Act 19:37 KJV)  For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
(Act 19:37 KJV+)  ForG1063 ye have broughtG71 hither theseG5128 men,G435 which are neitherG3777 robbers of churches,G2417 norG3777 yet blasphemersG987 of yourG5216 goddess.G2299
(Act 19:39 KJV)  But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.
(Act 19:39 KJV+)  ButG1161 ifG1487 ye enquireG1934 any thingG5100 concerningG4012 other matters,G2087 it shall be determinedG1956 inG1722 a lawfulG1772 assembly.G1577

So just when you think you know everything about a subject, you can easily learn you know nothing, now with this event in the scriptures above, they link to the worship of Pagan Idols.

A Riot at Ephesus
Act 19:21-41 KJV
(21)  After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
(22)  So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.
(23)  And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.
(24)  For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;
(25)  Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
(26)  Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:
(27)  So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
(28)  And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
(29)  And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

(30)  And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
(31)  And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.
(32)  Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
(33)  And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.
(34)  But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

(35)  And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
(36)  Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.
(37)  For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
(38)  Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.
(39)  But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.
(40)  For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.
(41)  And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

The highlights in read, link to Ekklesia, where the purple links to the new word going to be shown, not only is it used in relation to a Pagan temple, the same temple is also called Churches in association with the Robber of Churches quote.

G2417
ἱερόσυλος
hierosulos
Total KJV Occurrences: 2
churches, 1
Act_19:37
robbers, 1
Act_19:37 (2)


G2417
ἱερόσυλος
hierosulos
hee-er-os’-oo-los
From G2411 and G4813; a temple despoiler: – robber of churches.
Total KJV occurrences: 1


G2417
ἱερόσυλος
hierosulos
Thayer Definition:

guilty of sacrilege
Part of Speech: noun masculine
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G2411 and G4813

G2411
ἱερόν
hieron
Thayer Definition:

  1. a sacred place, temple
    1a) used of the temple of Artemis at Ephesus
    1b) used of the temple at Jerusalem
    Part of Speech: noun neuter
    A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G2413

G2411
ἱερόν
hieron
hee-er-on’
Neuter of G2413; a sacred place, that is, the entire precincts (whereas G3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the Temple (at Jerusalem or elsewhere): – temple.
Total KJV occurrences: 71

G2411
ἱερόν
hieron
Total KJV Occurrences: 71
temple, 71
Mat_12:5-6 (3), Mat_21:12 (2), Mat_21:14-15 (2), Mat_21:23, Mat_24:1 (2), Mat_26:55, Mrk_11:11, Mrk_11:15-16 (3), Mrk_11:27, Mrk_12:35, Mrk_13:1, Mrk_13:3, Mrk_14:49, Luk_2:27, Luk_2:37, Luk_2:46, Luk_18:9-10 (2), Luk_19:45, Luk_19:47, Luk_20:1, Luk_21:5, Luk_21:37-38 (2), Luk_24:52-53 (3), Jhn_2:14-15 (2), Jhn_7:14 (2), Jhn_7:28, Jhn_8:2, Jhn_8:20, Jhn_8:59, Jhn_10:23, Jhn_11:56, Jhn_18:20, Act_2:46, Act_3:1-3 (4), Act_3:8, Act_3:10, Act_4:1, Act_5:20-21 (2), Act_5:24-25 (2), Act_5:42, Act_19:27, Act_21:26-30 (5), Act_22:17, Act_24:6, Act_24:12, Act_24:18, Act_25:8, Act_26:21, 1Co_9:13

So we have the main origin word along with its connecting word, showing that at around this time, it was used to show Pagan Idol temples of the Gentiles, along with a lawful assembly connected to this Pagan Crowd with the word Ekklesia.

So is the Church Full of Pagans along with Ethnic Israel, or is the Church full of Ethnic Pagans, the Christ’s Church now becomes the home of Paganism, as this too also works against the Body Of Christ

Why it is important for Wisdom to be used, as it can create confusion, which is something that also happened in Paul’s Journey in this time.


When The Church Becomes A Synagogue Of God Or Of Satan.

Some people do not know of this verse reference where the Church assembly is identified as a Synagogue, but it too can have its problems especially when we see it applied in Rev 2 & 3, so let us go to the book of James.

(Jas 2:2 KJV)  For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
(Jas 2:2 KJV+)  ForG1063 ifG1437 there comeG1525 untoG1519 yourG5216 assemblyG4864 a manG435 with a gold ring,G5554 inG1722 goodlyG2986 apparel,G2066 andG1161 there come inG1525 alsoG2532 a poor manG4434 inG1722 vileG4508 raiment;G2066

Now to the word that is used here..

G4864
συναγωγή

sunagōgē
Thayer Definition:

  1. a bringing together, gathering (as of fruits), a contracting
  2. in the NT, an assembling together of men, an assembly of men
  3. a synagogue
    3a) an assembly of Jews formally gathered together to offer prayers and listen to the reading and expositions of the scriptures; assemblies of that sort were held every sabbath and feast day, afterwards also on the second and fifth days of every week; name transferred to an assembly of Christians formally gathered together for religious purposes
    3b) the buildings where those solemn Jewish assemblies are held. Synagogues seem to date their origin from the Babylonian exile. In the times of Jesus and the apostles every town, not only in Palestine, but also among the Gentiles if it contained a considerable number of Jewish inhabitants, had at least one synagogue, the larger towns several or even many. These were also used for trials and inflicting punishment.
    Part of Speech: noun feminine
    A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from (the reduplicated form of) G4863

G4864
συναγωγή
sunagōgē
soon-ag-o-gay’
From (the reduplicated form of) G4863; an assemblage of persons; specifically a Jewish “synagogue” (the meeting or the place); by analogy a Christian church: – assembly, congregation, synagogue.
Total KJV occurrences: 57

G4864
συναγωγή
sunagōgē
Total KJV Occurrences: 58
synagogue, 34
Mat_12:9, Mat_13:54, Mrk_1:21, Mrk_1:23, Mrk_1:29, Mrk_6:1-2 (2), Luk_4:16, Luk_4:20, Luk_4:28, Luk_4:33, Luk_4:38, Luk_6:6, Luk_7:5, Luk_8:41, Jhn_6:59, Jhn_18:20, Act_6:9 (2), Act_13:14, Act_13:42, Act_17:1 (2), Act_17:10, Act_17:17, Act_18:4, Act_18:7, Act_18:19, Act_18:26, Act_19:8, Act_22:19, Act_26:11, Rev_3:9 (2)
synagogues, 22
Mat_4:23, Mat_6:2, Mat_6:5, Mat_9:35, Mat_10:17, Mat_23:6, Mat_23:34, Mrk_12:39 (2), Mrk_13:9, Luk_4:15, Luk_4:44, Luk_11:43, Luk_12:11, Luk_13:10, Luk_20:46, Luk_21:12, Act_9:2, Act_9:20, Act_13:5, Act_15:21, Act_24:12
assembly, 1
Jas_2:2
congregation, 1
Act_13:43

So just as it can be used in relation to the Synagogues in the Land Of Israel, it is also use in this case for the Church, this was no doubt done to be a way to make Jewish/Israeli believers in Christ to feel more comfortable, as it would in turn be seen as a Messianic Jewish Congregation, so what happens when it is placed on the flip side, that of negativity, this is where Rev 2:9 & 3:9, basically showing us a connection to Satan.

(Rev 2:9 KJV)  I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
(Rev 2:9 KJV+)  I knowG1492 thyG4675 works,G2041 andG2532 tribulation,G2347 andG2532 poverty,G4432 (butG1161 thou artG1488 rich)G4145 andG2532 I know theG3588 blasphemyG988 of them which sayG3004 theyG1438 areG1511 Jews,G2453 andG2532 areG1526 not,G3756 butG235 are the synagogueG4864 of Satan.G4567
(Rev 3:9 KJV)  Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
(Rev 3:9 KJV+)  Behold,G2400 I will makeG1325 themG3588 ofG1537 theG3588 synagogueG4864 of Satan,G4567 which sayG3004 theyG1438 areG1511 Jews,G2453 andG2532 areG1526 not,G3756 butG235 do lie;G5574 behold,G2400 I will makeG4160 themG846 toG2443 comeG2240 andG2532 worshipG4352 beforeG1799 thyG4675 feet,G4228 andG2532 to knowG1097 thatG3754 IG1473 have lovedG25 thee.G4571

So just as Synagogue can easily be used inside the Church to represent members of the Body Of Christ, it can also be used to represent members of Satan, which have Zero Ethnic Connection to the Jews/Israel at all Spiritually or Physically.

The Temple Built In Jerusalem, Which Covenant Does It Represent?

Solomon’s Temple-Making It Under The David Covenant

Solomon’s Temple was built under the Davidic covenant, directly following the promises God made to King David in 2 Samuel 7. [1, 2]

The Connection to the Covenants

  • The Mosaic Covenant: This earlier covenant established the portable Tabernacle as the center of worship for Israel under Moses. While Solomon’s Temple copied the basic blueprint and measurements of the Mosaic Tabernacle, it replaced the tent with a permanent structure. [1, 2, 3]
  • The Davidic Covenant: When King David wanted to build a permanent temple, God told him through the prophet Nathan that David couldn’t do it because he was a man of war. Instead, God made a covenant with David promising that his son (Solomon) would build the house, tying the permanent temple to the establishment of the Davidic dynasty. [1, 2, 3, 4]

The Tabernacle Has Always Represented The Mosaic Covenant

It Was Never About The Mosaic Covenant!

I am sure you have heard many people talk about the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and many of them always say it was God destroying the Mosaic Covenant, but what if what we have been told is wrong, the Destruction of not only the 1st temple, but the 2nd Temple is actually a War against The House Of David, never about the attack on the Mosaic Covenant, The Mosaic Covenant was always with the Tabernacle, and the Tabernacle because of how easy it would be to rebuilt a hundred times, and the Mosaic Law would still remain in place, even if the Temple built in Solomon’s time was destroy, The Tabernacle Of The Mosaic Covenant would always exist in the World, Past, Present & Future, so even with the Jews even in Exile, could still attend a Tabernacle, including in the Worldly Wilderness, the Temple, Holds a different meaning.

The Lord’s Covenant with David
2Sa 7:1-17 KJV
(1)  And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;
(2)  That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.
(3)  And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.
(4)  And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,
(5)  Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?

(6)  Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.
(7)  In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?
(8)  Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:
(9)  And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.
(10)  Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,
(11)  And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
(12)  And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
(13)  He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
(14)  I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
(15)  But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
(16)  And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
(17)  According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

Solomon Builds The Temple, Which David Was Not Able to Build.

Preparations for Building the Temple
1Ki 5:1-18 KJV
(1)  And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.
(2)  And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,
(3)  Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.
(4)  But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.
(5)  And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.
(6)  Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.
(7)  And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.
(8)  And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.
(9)  My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.

(10)  So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.
(11)  And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.
(12)  And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.
(13)  And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
(14)  And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy.
(15)  And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;
(16)  Beside the chief of Solomon’s officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.
(17)  And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
(18)  And Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.

Solomon Builds the Temple
1Ki 6:1-38 KJV
(1)  And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.
(2)  And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD, the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits.
(3)  And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house.
(4)  And for the house he made windows of narrow lights.
(5)  And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, against the walls of the house round about, both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about:

(6)  The nethermost chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad: for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house.
(7)  And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.
(8)  The door for the middle chamber was in the right side of the house: and they went up with winding stairs into the middle chamber, and out of the middle into the third.
(9)  So he built the house, and finished it; and covered the house with beams and boards of cedar.
(10)  And then he built chambers against all the house, five cubits high: and they rested on the house with timber of cedar.
(11)  And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying,
(12)  Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:
(13)  And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.

(14)  So Solomon built the house, and finished it.
(15)  And he built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar, both the floor of the house, and the walls of the cieling: and he covered them on the inside with wood, and covered the floor of the house with planks of fir.
(16)  And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built them for it within, even for the oracle, even for the most holy place.
(17)  And the house, that is, the temple before it, was forty cubits long.
(18)  And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen.
(19)  And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
(20)  And the oracle in the forepart was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he overlaid it with pure gold; and so covered the altar which was of cedar.
(21)  So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold.

(22)  And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the house: also the whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid with gold.
(23)  And within the oracle he made two cherubims of olive tree, each ten cubits high.
(24)  And five cubits was the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the other wing of the cherub: from the uttermost part of the one wing unto the uttermost part of the other were ten cubits.
(25)  And the other cherub was ten cubits: both the cherubims were of one measure and one size.
(26)  The height of the one cherub was ten cubits, and so was it of the other cherub.
(27)  And he set the cherubims within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubims, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house.
(28)  And he overlaid the cherubims with gold.
(29)  And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
(30)  And the floor of the house he overlaid with gold, within and without.

(31)  And for the entering of the oracle he made doors of olive tree: the lintel and side posts were a fifth part of the wall.
(32)  The two doors also were of olive tree; and he carved upon them carvings of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubims, and upon the palm trees.
(33)  So also made he for the door of the temple posts of olive tree, a fourth part of the wall.
(34)  And the two doors were of fir tree: the two leaves of the one door were folding, and the two leaves of the other door were folding.
(35)  And he carved thereon cherubims and palm trees and open flowers: and covered them with gold fitted upon the carved work.
(36)  And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams.
(37)  In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif:
(38)  And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.

Mount Moriah chosen as Location Of The Temple Of Solomon/Davidic Covenant Joins With Abrahamic Covenant, Remembering David also came from Bethlehem, connecting to God’s Covenant with Jacob/Israel.

Solomon Builds the Temple
2Ch 3:1-17 KJV
(1)  Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
(2)  And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.
(3)  Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.
(4)  And the porch that was in the front of the house, the length of it was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the height was an hundred and twenty: and he overlaid it within with pure gold.
(5)  And the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and chains.
(6)  And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim.
(7)  He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and graved cherubims on the walls.
(8)  And he made the most holy house, the length whereof was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits: and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents.
(9)  And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.
(10)  And in the most holy house he made two cherubims of image work, and overlaid them with gold.
(11)  And the wings of the cherubims were twenty cubits long: one wing of the one cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub.
(12)  And one wing of the other cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing was five cubits also, joining to the wing of the other cherub.
(13)  The wings of these cherubims spread themselves forth twenty cubits: and they stood on their feet, and their faces were inward.
(14)  And he made the vail of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon.
(15)  Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty and five cubits high, and the chapiter that was on the top of each of them was five cubits.
(16)  And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.
(17)  And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz.

So as we look at this scripture, it Never Acknowledges this Temple directly to MOSES, so it does not Represent Mosaic Covenant, this brings us to something that people Misapply to what Jesus says in Matthew 23 to the Pharisees & Sadducees.

The Seat Of Moses Was Never In The The Temple!

Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees
Mat 23:1-6 KJV
(1)  Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
(2)  Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
(3)  All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
(4)  For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
(5)  But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
(6)  And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

As we clearly see The Seat Of Moses was never in the Temple, but the Chief seats throughout all the Synagogues In Israel, this misinterpretation has misled many astray, so even Christ shows not even the Temple represents the Mosaic Covenant, it is shown that the Levitical laws must be fulfilled by those in Temple, it was meant to be a House Of Prayer For All Nations, making the Levitical Priests an invited party into Solomon’s Temple which connects to The Throne Of David, set up by The God Of Israel.

The Melchizedek Connection To Jerusalem

Gen 14:18-24 KJV
(18)  And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
(19)  And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
(20)  And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
(21)  And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
(22)  And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
(23)  That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
(24)  Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.

Take note, this occurs before Abram is called Abraham by God, with God setting things up for Mount Moriah to Represent The Royal Priesthood in Jerusalem under the Davidic Covenant, also take Note, no sign of Moses because he is not born in this time, moving into the next place where Melchizedek is mentioned in Scriptures.

Psa 110:1-7 KJV
(1)  A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
(2)  The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
(3)  Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
(4)  The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
(5)  The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
(6)  He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
(7)  He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

So with David’s Psalm here it also seems to imply that the Priests that would be entering the Temple Of Solomon, would be of the Order Of Melchizedek, not the Levitical Priesthood, so Representing The Royal Priesthood.

The Priestly Order of Melchizedek
Heb 7:1-10 KJV
(1)  For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
(2)  To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
(3)  Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
(4)  Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
(5)  And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
(6)  But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
(7)  And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
(8)  And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
(9)  And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
(10)  For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

Chapter 7 continues with comparison between the 2 verses 11 to 28.

Jesus Compared to Melchizedek
Heb 7:11-28 KJV
(11)  If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
(12)  For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
(13)  For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
(14)  For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
(15)  And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
(16)  Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
(17)  For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
(18)  For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
(19)  For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
(20)  And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
(21)  (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
(22)  By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
(23)  And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
(24)  But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
(25)  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
(26)  For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
(27)  Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
(28)  For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

So this Temple In Jerusalem, represents a number of things, 1 of them is not the Mosaic Covenant, but the Mosaic Covenant is a welcomed guest into the Temple as being seen as a Form of prayer of 1 of Many Nations.

(Isa 56:7 KJV)  Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
(Mat 21:13 KJV)  And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
(Mar 11:17 KJV)  And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
(Luk 19:46 KJV)  Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.


What The Temple Actually Represents!

  • The Abrahamic Covenant
  • The Order Of Melchizedek
  • The Jacob/Israel Covenant
  • The Davidic Covenant
  • The Throne Of David/Jesus Christ
  • House Of Prayer For All Nations, the Levitical Priesthood being counted as a Nation in that House of Prayer, in technicality it was a Welcomed Guest In The Temple.

What The Temple Never Represented!

  • The Mosaic Covenant

The Woman That Rides The Beast Part 7: Daniel, Jesus, Mystery Babylon & The Beast.


(Mat 24:15 KJV)  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
(Mar 13:14 KJV)  But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:


Daniel’s Position In Prophecy In Relation To Mystery Babylon & The Beast

The scripture shows us that Babylon is outside of Jerusalem Israel from when it was invaded, the same also applies to Mystery Babylon.

(Dan 1:1 KJV)  In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
(Dan 5:2 KJV)  Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.
(Dan 5:3 KJV)  Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.

Scripture also shows Daniel in Babylon was looking towards Jerusalem, the same applying to Mystery Babylon.

(Dan 6:10 KJV)  Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Whilst in Babylonian Captivity was given prophetic words & to seeking Gods mercy for Jerusalem Israel.

(Dan 9:2 KJV)  In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
(Dan 9:7 KJV)  O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.
(Dan 9:12 KJV)  And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.
(Dan 9:16 KJV)  O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.
(Dan 9:25 KJV)  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.


The Beasts In Daniel & There Connection To The Beasts In Revelation

The Beasts seen in Daniel 7

Daniel’s Beasts

The First Beast

  • (Dan 7:4 KJV)  The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.

The Second Beast

  • (Dan 7:5 KJV)  And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.

The Third Beast

  • (Dan 7:6 KJV)  After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

The Fourth Beast

  • (Dan 7:7 KJV)  After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
  • (Dan 7:8 KJV)  I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
  • (Dan 7:19 KJV)  Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
  • (Dan 7:20 KJV)  And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
  • (Dan 7:21 KJV)  I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

The Interpretations showing these connect to kings/kingdoms

  • (Dan 7:16 KJV)  I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
  • (Dan 7:17 KJV)  These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
  • (Dan 7:18 KJV)  But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

Revelation’s Beasts

Now we move into Revelation 13 to what is shown their.

Points about the 1st Beast:

  • Rises out of the Sea
  • 7 heads
  • 10 horns
  • 10 Crowns
  • Name of Blasphemy( in Rev 13:1)

Was likened unto:

  • Leopard
  • Bear
  • Lion
  • Dragon Gave it Power
  • Wounded & Healed( in 13:2-3)

It warred with:

  • The Saints/Prophets/Apostles

We then have the appearance of a 2nd Beast:

  • which comes out of the Earth
  • it also has 2 horns( 13:11)

Likened unto:

  • Lamb
  • Spake as a Dragon.(13:11)

Actions of the 2nd beast:

  • exercises power like unto the 1st beast
  • does great wonders
  • Leads astray those on earth
  • has power to give life to the beast Image
  • Kills those who don’t Worship the beast Image(Rev 13:12-15)

2nd beast then endorses the Mark:

  • Causes many to take the beasts Name
  • Number of his Name
  • Number of the beast
  • Number of a Man
  • 666(Rev 13:16-18)

Picture Above Of One Interpretation Linking To Mystery Babylon & Beast linking to the Islamic Empire, Do you agree with it?

Moving Into Daniel 2

Dan 2:31-41 KJV
(31)  Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.
(32)  This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
(33)  His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
(34)  Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
(35)  Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
(36)  This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.
(37)  Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
(38)  And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
(39)  And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.
(40)  And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
(41)  And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.

With the scriptures above, they clearly link with the beasts not only in Revelation, but also in Daniel 7 as we also already know, we also see the mountain bought up in this scripture return again later in this chapter.

Dan 2:42-45 KJV
(42)  And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
(43)  And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
(44)  And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
(45)  Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

With this Mountain connecting to Gods Kingdom, but this use of mountain/hills are also used again in Revelation 17, also connecting to Kingdoms.

To Be Continued In Part 8

God Forbid- In Biblical Context (New Testament Appearances) Part 4

Read more: God Forbid- In Biblical Context (New Testament Appearances) Part 4
Parts 1 to 3

Now We Move Into 1st Corinthians & Galatians Use Of God Forbid.

In 1st Corinthians we only have the phrase used once found in chapter 6 verse 15, so let us look at it in its pretext.

(1Co 6:15 KJV)  Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.

As we look upon this verse in its pretext, we see Paul talking about the members of Christ, to the members of harlots, until Paul says God Forbid, but for what purpose is this, so to see this in full context verses 12 to 20.

1Co 6:12-20 KJV
(12)  All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
(13)  Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
(14)  And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
(15)  Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
(16)  What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
(17)  But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
(18)  Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
(19)  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
(20)  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

As we look into the full context of this verse we see the discussion as to what things are lawful, but to things that can be hindrance to those who walk in Christ, from using the example of food to feed oneself with, also how even food is temporal, to addressing the topic of fornication, an to flee it, because as followers of Christ, sin still harms the body, why the talk of the harlot comes up in verses 15 & 16, that as followers of Christ to remember that our Body is part of the Body Of Christ now, to take care of our bodies like a temple to glorify God.


God Forbid When Used In Galatians

So in Galatians, God Forbid is used 3 times in we will now go to its first appearance found in Galatians chapter 2.

(Gal 2:17 KJV)  But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

As we look into this verse in its pretext, we see Christ being seen as the minister of Sin, as Paul Answers God Forbid, but what is the full context of this verse, we will start at verse 15 go to 21.

Gal 2:15-21 KJV
(15)  We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
(16)  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
(17)  But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
(18)  For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
(19)  For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
(20)  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
(21)  I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

As Paul begins this part in context starting at verse 15, he points out a differentiation between Jews & Gentiles, pointing out the Gentiles outside of Israel, so basically the Pagan Nations as Sinners, then moving into verse 16 where he is speaking of the Law once again, that cannot justify man, bringing in his faith in Christ, to which he desires the gentiles to have faith in Christ, knowing that our flesh is unable to fulfill the works of the law to be justified, then as we move into verses 17 & 18 this is where the question comes up of Christ being the Minister of Sin, to which Paul basically says, God Forbid, sometimes translated into Heaven Forbid, so an outright no in simple terms, where verse 18 points that we the follower of Christ are basically guilty for our own sins, moving to verses 19 to 21, this is where the famous statement of being Crucified via Christ, so basically Christ took our punishment on the Cross, so that we can live and have the faith of the Son Of God being Christ, who loved us, an sacrificed himself for us, leaving with to not frustrate Gods Grace, where he sees if righteousness comes by law, Christs death was in vain, but without the Law, because Paul does identify the law as Holy in (Rom 7:12 KJV)  Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good., seeing we must identify the laws too that are unholy.

So let us go to the next God Forbid found in Galatians 3:21

(Gal 3:21 KJV)  Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

As we look at this verse we have the question of, is the Law, against the Promises of God, also bringing up the topic once again of Righteousness & the Law again, to see this in full context looking at verses 17 to 26.

Gal 3:17-26 KJV
(17)  And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
(18)  For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
(19)  Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
(20)  Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
(21)  Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
(22)  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
(23)  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
(24)  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
(25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
(26)  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

So as we look into this verse in context, we have the discussion of the Covenant, The Law & The Promise, that God again cannot go back on his promises being pointed out in verse 17 & 18, as we move into verses 19 & 20, next it lays down the service of the Law, because of mankind’s transgression before God, so that God is seen as the mediator, moving into verses 21 to 22, the question of basically asking does the Law basically contradict the promises of God, to which Paul says God Forbid, then he points as to how the law in the Law could have given life, but only via being Righteous or Uprightness would have been only by the Law, moving into verses 23 to 24, he then brings up the issue of faith, but points out as to at the time mankind was kept under the law, or more-so, Israel was under the Law, so basically faith had been made Separate from the Law, to which he uses the example of a schoolmaster or taskmaster, with 25 & 26 he points out that after Christ came in to bring Justification by faith, the schoolmaster is no longer needed, as Jesus now makes us Children of Faith in God through Jesus.

Now we will move to the last verse covering God forbid found in Galatians, seeing it in his pretext.

(Gal 6:14 KJV)  But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

As we look at this verse in its pretext, we have Paul saying God Forbid, in a manner that he seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, including via his Crucifixion, to get the full context of this verse, like the connected study link above, we will need to cover verses 11 to 18 for full context of the situation, focusing around the area of Paul saying God Forbid.

Gal 6:11-18 KJV
(11)  Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
(12)  As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
(13)  For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
(14)  But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
(15)  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
(16)  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
(17)  From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
(18)  Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. To the Galatians written from Rome.

Now this full verse in context around God Forbid, still does not negate the fact that the Israel Of God is made up of both believing & unbelieving Jews in Christ, found in connection to the link, both still share in context, on the issue of persecution in Christ as Jewish believers, as Paul was, basically reminding his fellow brethren in Galatia made up of both Jews & Gentiles(Gentiles that are not connected to the Tribes Of Israel, as it is also used in that context too with the word, but Gentiles outside of Israel, that served dumb idols, that have come to Christ), so to encourage them that they have Christ who supplies Grace to the believers in the Body Of Christ.

God Forbid- In Biblical Context (New Testament Appearances) Part 3

Next Appearances Of God Forbid In The New Testament

Now We Move Into The Book Of Romans With Its Usage Of God Forbid In Chapters 9 & 11

God Forbid
Read more: God Forbid- In Biblical Context (New Testament Appearances) Part 3

So now we move into the mention of God Forbid found in chapter 9 Of Romans in its pretext.

(Rom 9:14 KJV)  What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

As we look at the pretext of this, Paul is pointing out that God is Righteous, but what is the context to which God still remains Righteous, when he mentions God Forbid, we will cover verses 10 to 20.

Rom 9:10-20 KJV
(10)  And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
(11)  (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
(12)  It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
(13)  As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
(14)  What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
(15)  For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
(16)  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
(17)  For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
(18)  Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
(19)  Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
(20)  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

So as we look at this scripture in Context with Gods Righteousness, it directly connects to Jacob/Israel in choosing him over Esau, then it moves into how God Of Israels compassion & mercy works in scripture, as many would say and even Scripture says God is Not a Respecter Of Persons, to which we know the outcome of Israel in Egypt with the Pharaoh, Pharaoh was given the opportunity many times to accept the God Of Israel even under Moses, each time was rejected, until God Of Israel finally freed Israel from Egyptian Captivity.


Now let us move into God Forbid found in chapter 11 of Romans, with the first found in verse 1 in its pretext.

(Rom 11:1 KJV)  I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

As we look at this verse in its pretext, the question has definitely come up in some of the congregations in Rome, “being is God finished with Israel(Ethnic Israel)?”, to which he replies God forbid, then stating his own Israelite origins, to go into full context of this verse, we need to go into the latter part of Romans 10, an verses 1 to 5 in Romans 11.

Rom 10:17-21 KJV
(17)  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(18)  But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
(19)  But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
(20)  But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
(21)  But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

As Paul states in these verses about faith coming through the hearing of Gods word, we see Paul showing us, that Israel has heard Gods word, through Moses & even through Esaias who is Isaiah, to which he mentions some quotes connected to them, so this lays the groundwork into Romans 11.

Rom 11:1-5 KJV
(1)  I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
(2)  God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
(3)  Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
(4)  But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
(5)  Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election
1 of grace.

The Greek word here used for Election is this
  1. G1589
    ἐκλογή
    eklogē
    ek-log-ay’
    From G1586; (divine) selection (abstractly or concretely): – chosen, election.
    Total KJV occurrences: 7

    G1589
    ἐκλογή
    eklogē
    Thayer Definition:
    1) the act of picking out, choosing
    1a) of the act of God’s free will by which before the foundation of the world he decreed his blessings to certain persons
    1b) the decree made from choice by which he determined to bless certain persons through Christ by grace alone
    2) a thing or person chosen
    2a) of persons: God’s elect
    Part of Speech: noun feminine
    A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G1586
    ↩︎

So when we move into the 1st 5 verses of Romans 11, Paul clearly states, God is not finished with Ethnic Israel, they are still his Elect/Chosen which is being used in this verse, without Israel being Chosen by God, you could be following Buddha for Salvation in India, or worshiping some other dumb idol for your own salvation.

Now we will move into the next verse in its pretext found in verse 11.

(Rom 11:11 KJV)  I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

As we look at this scripture in its pretext, we see Paul is addressing the question of Israels fall, in the area of their Salvation, to look at this in complete context we will start at verse 6 to 16.

Rom 11:6-16 KJV
(6)  And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
(7)  What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
(8)  (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
(9)  And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
(10)  Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
(11)  I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
(12)  Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
(13)  For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
(14)  If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
(15)  For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
(16)  For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

As we look to this verse in complete context, we see a number of things that Paul is bringing up in his topic about Israel, to them being in a temporal blindness, to a stumblingblock has been set before them, he even points out that his brethren will dimish the riches of the world, so that by the Gentiles, whether they be Gentiles connected to Ephraim & Manessah via Joseph, or Gentiles outside of Israel, to lose some of their own wealth, to see why Gods message of Salvation through Christ is important for them, he then moves to his own personal convictions to provoke his own flesh/Israel ethnically to see his fellow brethren accept Christ, that even by their casting away, leads to them Reconciling the World to Christ, which like the slumber bought up earlier, to even when Christ points out how some cases the Dead were bought before them, stating they were only sleeping/slumber, to wake up from the Dead, last but not least, the pointing out of how the Firstfruit, Lump, Root & Branches are Holy are connected to Israel.

The Woman that Rides The Beast part 6: Why people fall to the argument of saying it is Jerusalem Part 2 (The Great City) (Correction in relation To Rev 16:19 The Great City Divided Section)

What I Originally Posted In Relation To The City Divided

Do Any Of These Great Cities Overlap Into One In Revelation With The Clues It Gives Us In Relation To Babylon?

Now we know that Christ was Crucified In Jerusalem, but which Jerusalem from which Time Period is God Judging which has affected not just Israel’s Future, but also the Body Of Christ’s Future.

The City Divided?

  • (Rev 16:19 KJV) And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

As in the future we do know Jerusalem has been Divided into 3 parts in the present day, this is by 3 Religious Groups.

The 1st being by Jews of Jerusalem, the 2nd being Christians Of Jerusalem, the 3rd being Islam, as according to the world, they are acknowledged as The Abrahamic Faiths.

Has Jerusalem been Divided even Before Israel entered the Land & Before even Christianity & Islam invaded Israel in later centuries to come?

The answer to this is yes, the closest we get to this is in the Book Of Joshua

(Jos 10:1 KJV) Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;

(Jos 10:3 KJV) Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,

(Jos 10:5 KJV) Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.

(Jos 10:23 KJV) And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.

(Jos 12:10 KJV) The king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one;

(Jos 15:8 KJV) And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lieth before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the valley of the giants northward:

(Jos 15:63 KJV) As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.

(Jos 18:28 KJV) And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which is Jerusalem, Gibeath, and Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.


What Is My Error in Relation To Rev 16:19?

Recently I did some more research around Revelation 16:19, I learned that this could very well be speaking of Babylon being Divided into 3 Cities, then we have Cities mention in connection with Nations, bringing me to the thought scripture that was Babylon Divided into 3 Nations.

What Led To My Correction Of This Error?

I was reading some commentaries on Rev 16:19 I would like to share them with you, I still stand that it is still not Jerusalem that isn’t the Woman who rides the beast, but it does lead to new clues that can sometimes be missed or even overlooked, some people may have learned about it, forgot about it, then get led astray by a different wind of doctrine.

Revelation 16:19 Jewish New Testament Commentary
Babylon the Great (see Rev_14:8) was split into three parts, that is, destroyed, as detailed in the next two chapters. The judgment imagery is taken from the Prophets; see Rev_14:14-20.
Made her drink the wine from the cup of his raging fury. Compare Jer_25:15, Jer_25:26-31.


Matthew Henry Commentary on the verse.
II. What it produced, 1. A thankful voice from heaven, pronouncing that now the work was done. The church triumphant in heaven saw it, and rejoiced; the church militant on earth saw it, and became triumphant. It is finished. 2. A mighty commotion on the earth – an earthquake, so great as never was before, shaking the very centre, and this ushered in by the usual concomitants of thunder and lightnings. 3. The fall of Babylon, which was divided into three parts, called the cities of the nations (Rev_16:19); having had rule over the nations, and taken in the idolatry of the nations, incorporating into her religion something of the Jewish, something of the pagan, and something of the Christian religion, she was as three cities in one. God now remembered this great and wicked city. Though for some time he seemed to have forgotten her idolatry and cruelty, yet now he gives unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And this downfall extended further than to the seat of antichrist; it reached from the centre to the circumference; and every island and every mountain, that seemed by nature and situation the most secured, were carried away in the deluge of this ruin.


BW Johnson Commentary
And the great city. The great spiritual Babylon, the woman that sitteth on the beast (Rev_17:5).
Was divided into three parts. It was broken asunder, and shaken into pieces by the great upheaval. It is difficult to settle what is meant by three parts. Perhaps the three “evil spirits” (Rev_17:13), which represent the dragon, the beast and the false prophet, are henceforth parted from each other. If this should be signified, it would mean that worldly government would henceforth be rescued from Satan’s influence, and that spiritual powers would never henceforth give homage to the world.
Great Babylon came in remembrance. The wrath of God is poured out because of her sins.


Moving Into Witness Account of Bible Translations/Versions Of Rev 16:19

Revelation 16:19
(Rev 16:19 NLT)  The great city of Babylon split into three sections, and the cities of many nations fell into heaps of rubble. So God remembered all of Babylon’s sins, and he made her drink the cup that was filled with the wine of his fierce wrath.
(Rev 16:19 TPT)  It split the great city Babylon into three parts, and other cities of the nations collapsed. For God remembered great Babylon and her winecup filled with his fiery wrath.

We see City Of Babylon is Divided in 3 Sections, which also seems to imply that Babylon is Divided into 3 Nations, in connection to the Cities of the Nations being mentioned throughout the verse, which leaves the question being what are those 3 Nations that connect to Babylon in relation to the Harlot?

As for now, I admit I do not know the Answer, to which we also see Christ at Mount Zion in Revelation 14:1 so Jerusalem is already out of the question, because of this verse alone Jerusalem cannot be Mystery Babylon or the Harlot of Revelation.

(Rev 14:1 KJV)  And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.

(Rev 14:8 KJV)  And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

God Forbid- In Biblical Context (New Testament Appearances) Part 2

Next Appearances Of God Forbid In The New Testament

Now We Move Into The Book Of Romans Chapters 6 & 7 With Its Next Usage Of God Forbid

Read more: God Forbid- In Biblical Context (New Testament Appearances) Part 2

So here is the pretext of God Forbid in its usage in Chapter 6 for its 1st appearance in the chapter.

(Rom 6:2 KJV)  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

So looking at the verse in its pretext, Paul seems to imply those that are Dead to Sin, we are left with the question at the end of it, to see the full context we will cover verse 1 to 14.

Rom 6:1-14 KJV
(1)  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
(2)  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
(3)  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
(4)  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
(5)  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
(6)  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
(7)  For he that is dead is freed from sin.
(8)  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
(9)  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
(10)  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
(11)  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(12)  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
(13)  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
(14)  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

If you look to the previous chapter around verses 12 to 21. it ,makes it clear that Sin existed before & after the Law Of Moses, as we move into the context seen in chapter 6 the discussion on Sin continues, how Christ has overcome the consequences of Sin that leads unto Death, that it is our Job to not let sin overtake us, though we are now Dead to Sin via Christ.


We will now cover the next verse in chapter 6 covering God Forbid in its pretext.

(Rom 6:15 KJV)  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

As we look at this verse in its pretext, Paul seems to be addressing the issue of Grace & Sin, so to move into full context, we will cover verses 15 to 23.

Rom 6:15-23 KJV
(15)  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
(16)  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
(17)  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
(18)  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
(19)  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
(20)  For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
(21)  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
(22)  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
(23)  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

As this verse carries over in context with verses 16 to 23, it points out the importance as being servants to obey Gods doctrine which was delivered to the believer, to which we are made servants of righteousness, though the infirmity of the flesh remains, which also has a connection to when sin came into the world, with Sin, its wage still leads to death, but now eternal life is found through Jesus Christ via God.


Now we move into the verses found in chapter 7 addressing God Forbid, let us look at the first mention in chapter 7.

(Rom 7:7 KJV)  What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

As we look upon this verse in its pretext the question is the Law sin or does Law reveal the sin, so to look at it in full context we will cover verse 1 to 10.

Rom 7:1-10 KJV
(1)  Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
(2)  For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
(3)  So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
(4)  Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
(5)  For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
(6)  But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
(7)  What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
(8)  But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
(9)  For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
(10)  And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

As we move into full context of this, the key issue is the Law, which Law are we talking about, the issue of the Law, the Body Of Christ come to the surface, does it still apply to being a follower of Christ, to which further on Paul states that without the Law, how are we to basically know that we have trespassed against God, whether it be Adam who trespassed or Moses who trespassed, Gods Law sets the boundary, if that Boundary is Crossed, we exit Gods Safe Zone, to which our earthly lives do reach death in our years.

So let us move to the next verse found in verse 13, its pretext.

(Rom 7:13 KJV)  Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

As we look to this verse in its pretext, we see that Sin becomes central, along as Sin leads unto death, so to see this verse in context, we will start at verse 11 to 25.

Rom 7:11-25 KJV
(11)  For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
(12)  Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
(13)  Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
(14)  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
(15)  For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
(16)  If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
(17)  Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
(18)  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
(19)  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
(20)  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
(21)  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
(22)  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
(23)  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
(24)  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
(25)  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

As we move into the full context of this God Forbid being mentioned in Romans 7 verse 13, we learn Sin can be deceptive, to which we learn the Holiness of the Law, as Paul points out, that without the Law, we would not see the error of our ways before God, Paul directs us that the Law is also Spiritual, but we in our mortal body are Carnal and subject to fall into Sin, so just as Paul seeks to do the right thing, our Carnal body, can often be distracted by the nature to Sin, so he addresses, sometimes what the members of our body seek to observe & our mind in Christ seeks to observe can be separate things, at the end he Thanks Christ Jesus, who did the impossible, so we are able to serve the Law of God with our mind, whilst the flesh can still fall to the Law of Sin.

To be continued in Part 3 as we move into Romans Chapters 9 & 11.